Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART

What if the products you use every single day—your water bottle, your skincare, your food containers—are quietly impacting your fertility? In this episode, Ali dives into The Plastic Detox on Netflix—the documentary that has everyone questioning what’s in their homes (and their bodies). Ali is joined by Dr. Shanna Swan, one of the world’s leading researchers on environmental exposures and reproductive health—and a featured expert in the film. Ali and Dr. Swan talk about how the doc came to be, the real link between plastics, chemicals, and fertility, and how you can make realistic, non-overwhelming changes in your daily life. 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 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)!The 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.PHERDALIG: @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. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week’s episode, Ali sits down with an icon and true pioneer in the infertility space: double board-certified REI and infertility warrior, Dr. Natalie Crawford. Natalie opens up about her own journey through four pregnancy losses before welcoming her two children—and what it’s like to be on both sides of the stirrups as both doctor and patient. She shares the unique challenge of navigating infertility as someone who “knows too much,” and how that knowledge can be both empowering and overwhelming. They also talk about how Natalie has built a massive, trusted community by showing up authentically on social media, why she decided to break away and co-found her boutique clinic, Fora Fertility in Austin, Texas, and what it really took to start her own thing.Plus, Natalie shares insights from her new book, The Fertility Formula—including how to advocate for yourself in the exam room, what her patients taught her along the way, and what she wants every fertility patient to hear right now.For more, and to order The Fertility Formula, visit www.nataliecrawfordmd.comIG: @nataliecrawfordmdEPISODE 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 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)!The 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.PHERDALIG: @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. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today’s guest is Jackie Hutson, who opens up about experiencing multiple miscarriages, navigating uterine challenges, and the toll infertility can take on your relationship and sense of self. Ali and Jackie talk about what it means to keep moving forward after loss, and how those experiences shape you in ways you never expect. Now a mama of two boys, Jackie has created something meaningful: Piper & Mint, a groundbreaking pajama brand that's perfect for the fertility community—because she knows just how important comfort and care are during some of life’s hardest moments.For more, go to PiperAndMint.com and use code INFERTILEAF for 15% offEPISODE 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 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)!The 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.PHERDALIG: @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. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali is bringing back a special encore episode with the incredible Sheinelle Jones — an award-winning journalist and co-host of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle. In this powerful conversation from December 2021, Sheinelle opens up about her personal experience with miscarriage and infertility, sharing the heartbreak, the resilience, and the honesty. She also talks about her documentary, "The Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret." If you missed this one the first time — or need it today — make sure to give it a listen.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 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)!The 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.PIPER & MINTPiper & Mint makes pajamas specifically for women dealing with night sweats and temperature swings — which, hi, is basically everyone in this community at some point.Their fabric is sweat-wicking, mint-infused, and designed to help keep you cooler and more comfortable so you can actually get some rest.And honestly? During infertility… we’ll take any win we can get.I'm a fan, and if you want to try them, go to PiperAndMint.com and use code INFERTILEAF for 15% offAgain, that's INFERTILEAF for 15% off at PiperAndMint.com. PHERDALIG: @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.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Ali is talking to Emily Westerfield — a surrogate to nine babies and mom of three — who has carried a total of twelve healthy pregnancies… six boys and six girls. Emily has delivered nine babies through surrogacy, helping other families grow in the most extraordinary way. But as you’ll hear, this journey has not come without high highs, low lows, and everything in between. Ali and Emily talk about the happiest parts — including when she decided that becoming a surrogate was her calling, as well as the hardest parts — including miscarrying a surrogate pregnancy at 19 weeks — and what it actually takes, physically and emotionally, to show up again after loss, for yourself and for someone else. They also get into what surrogacy really looks like behind the scenes, why language matters — and why she never uses the term “surrogate mother.” She also talks about supporting others through her agency, Carrying Dreams Surrogacy.For more, go to https://carryingdreams.com/Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/carrying.dreams/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 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)!The 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.PIPER & MINTPiper & Mint makes pajamas specifically for women dealing with night sweats and temperature swings — which, hi, is basically everyone in this community at some point.Their fabric is sweat-wicking, mint-infused, and designed to help keep you cooler and more comfortable so you can actually get some rest.And honestly? During infertility… we’ll take any win we can get.I'm a fan, and if you want to try them, go to PiperAndMint.com and use code INFERTILEAF for 15% offAgain, that's INFERTILEAF for 15% off at PiperAndMint.com. PHERDALIG: @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.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy