Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART

Today’s guest is Rachel Swanson — MS, RD, LDN — one of the most in-demand nutritionists in the country, known for helping people optimize performance using deeply science-backed, totally personalized care. She’s also the author of the brand-new book Trying!: A Science-Backed Plan to Optimize Your Fertility. On today's episode, Ali and Rachel flip the fertility conversation on its head with what Rachel calls Fertility 2.0 — a proactive, preventative approach that goes way beyond eggs and sperm to focus on the whole body: your gut, metabolism, sleep, oral health, even your partner’s kissing hygiene (yes, really). This convo was originally aired as part of Fertility Rally Live #10.For more on Fertility Rally, follow IG: @fertilityrallyFor more on Rachel, go to www.rachelswanson.comIG: @rachelsrxEPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them.Order "Work of ART," "Beautiful Bird" and "You Are a Work of ART," now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipPHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Our Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.comOur Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode, Ali is joined by Jared Walker—author of The Empty Nest and founder of the non-profit Dollar For—for one of the most raw and important conversations we’ve had in a while. It's so great to hear a guy's perspective on infertility, and Jared and his wife are still in the thick of it. There’s no neat ending here, no bow tied on the story—and that’s exactly why this conversation matters. Ali and Jared talk about how he and his wife grew up together (he's best friends with her brother); what happened when they started trying to build their family, including a devastating pregnancy loss; and where they are today. Jared shares how infertility has shaped his marriage, his identity, and his understanding of hope—while simultaneously building a nonprofit that helps people eliminate crushing medical debt. This episode is for anyone who is tired of “success stories only,” who feels stuck in the wait, or who needs permission to say: this is really hard—and I’m still here.For more, go to https://dollarfor.org and https://theemptynestbook.com/EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them.Order "Work of ART," "Beautiful Bird" and "You Are a Work of ART," now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipPHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Our Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.comOur Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is a powerful conversation pulled from Fertility Rally Live in November 2025,, where we gathered an incredible panel to talk candidly about surrogacy — from every angle.Moderated by Jessie Jaskulsky of Surrogacy Simplified, the panel includes surrogacy mama Sarrah Strimmel Bentley, experienced surrogate Emily Westerfield, and surrogacy mama Alexandra French of The Surrogacy Foundation for an honest, nuanced discussion about what surrogacy really looks like — emotionally, logistically, ethically, and financially. Covered in the chat: How people arrive at surrogacy (and how complicated that decision can be)The relationship between intended parents and gestational carriersCommon misconceptions and hard truthsWhat surprised them most along the wayWhat they wish they’d known before startingWhether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy from an Intended Parent or Surrogate POV, deep in the process, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand this path to parenthood, this conversation is thoughtful, real, and incredibly informative. As always — no sugarcoating, no toxic positivity, just real stories from people who’ve lived it. EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them.Order "Work of ART," "Beautiful Bird" and "You Are a Work of ART," now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipPHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Our Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's an encore presentation of one of our favorite episodes! Ali's very special guest today is Elizabeth Carr, the first person born in the U.S. — in 1981 — via in vitro fertilization. "My birth was so widely publicized that my first press conference was at three days old," Elizabeth says. "I didn't get here like everybody else." Elizabeth shares what it's been like to live under media scrutiny since the moment she was born (check out the NOVA documentary about her life). She also explains why her parents did IVF in the first place, what the IVF landscape was like back then, how the actual procedure worked (so much has changed!) and the incredible work she's doing today to advocate for IVF and reproductive rights. She also shares how the pope, when she was born, called her "a child of the devil." For more, check out https://ejordancarr.com/ and her IG: @ejordan12 EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them.Order "Work of ART," "Beautiful Bird" and "You Are a Work of ART," now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipPHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Our Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali is talking to Rene Byrd, a British-born singer, songwriter, and media personality known for her powerful voice, soulful pop and R&B style, and her bold, heartfelt storytelling. On this episode, she tells her deeply personal egg freezing, infertility and family building journey, including giving birth to her son via IVF at age 48. Rene talks about the retreat that changed her life for the better, meeting her future husband in a bar (and how she knew she would build her family with him), and facing backlash when she became a mom in her late forties. She also shares the lessons she's learned regarding advocacy, fertility awareness and maternal wellbeing. Follow on IG: @Renebyrdofficial @Renebyrdofficialglobal EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them.Order "Work of ART," "Beautiful Bird" and "You Are a Work of ART," now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipPHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyOur Sponsors:* BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up today and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy