The Other Way

Hi friends, it’s Kasia — and today, I’m dropping in with a solo episode that’s deeply personal. I’m sharing an update on my fertility journey, including my recent diagnosis of stage four endometriosis and the path I’ve been walking with IVF, pain, and uncertainty. This episode is for anyone navigating the silent, often invisible world of chronic health issues — especially those that impact fertility. I talk about the emotional weight of receiving a severe diagnosis, the maze of medical decisions, and the moments that brought me to my knees — and also back to my breath. You’ll hear about the practices that have supported me: meditation, therapy, spirituality, and the small rituals that have helped me stay connected to myself in the midst of it all. My hope is that this conversation feels like a soft landing — whether you’re in the thick of something similar or simply holding space for someone you love. Let’s begin. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 02:18 Personal Infertility Journey Begins 04:12 Exploring Fertility Treatments 07:31 Discovering Endometriosis 11:07 Meeting Surgeons and Getting Diagnosed 14:22 Coping with the Diagnosis 19:26 Preparing for Surgery and IVF 22:38 Spirituality and Mental Health 29:04 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In today's episode of The Other Way, I'm joined by Sahana Jayaraman as we dive into the often invisible and emotional journey of infertility. Sahana shares her deeply personal experience of undergoing seven rounds of IVF, nine embryo transfers, three miscarriages, and one ectopic pregnancy. This conversation is not just about her story but also about shedding light on the silence that surrounds infertility, the myths about female timelines, and the societal narratives that need shifting. We talk about raw truths, real stats, and the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatments. If you're on your own fertility journey or know someone who is, this episode provides valuable insights and a powerful message of resilience and hope. Join us as we honor the non-linear paths to motherhood and the strength it takes to hold onto oneself through it all. About Sahana: Sahana is an entrepreneur, strategist, and storyteller who navigates both personal and professional challenges with authenticity and passion. As the founder Zagging Goats, she helps startups and innovators craft bold, breakthrough brand strategies – guiding them to think differently and solve real business problems with bold messages and storytelling, even when it means zagging when others zig. Beyond her career leading brand marketing for more than 20 years, Sahana has built her own personal brand through LoveSahana - a creative project centered around themes of love, connection, and personal growth. Recently on her Instagram channel @Love_Sahana, Sahana shares real talk about her own deeply personal experience with fertility and the IVF journey. By sharing her story, she hopes to foster connection and remind others that they’re not alone in navigating the complexities of fertility. Whether she’s building brands or sharing her own path, Sahana’s mission is clear: to inspire others to live authentically, lead with love, and embrace the mindset shifts that fuel growth. To connect with Sahana: IG: Love_Sahana LI: linkedin.com/in/sahanajayaraman

If you've ever been told that your bloating is just normal, or you've cycled through probiotics hoping that they'd fix everything, this episode is going to change how you think about your gut and your health entirely. I'm joined by functional gut health practitioner and host of the Nutrient-Dense podcast, Hannah Aylward. We explore the intricate connections between gut health and conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, anxiety, and burnout. From understanding the impacts of antibiotics to why probiotics aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, we delve into how the nervous system and immune dysfunction show up as gut symptoms. If you've tried various diets and supplements without feeling better, this episode is for you. About Hannah: Hannah Aylward is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, functional gut health practitioner, and the founder of HAN. After struggling with her own chronic digestive issues for years, Hannah dove headfirst into the latest in gut health research, seeking answers to her bloating and food sensitivities. With her science-backed formula, Hannah has overcome her own digestive issues and helped hundreds of other women around the world do the same. Today Hannah leads a team of functional practitioners that help clients transform their gut health and overcome their never-ending digestive issues with functional nutrition, targeted supplementation, and advanced lab work. To connect with Hannah: IG: hannahaylwardhhc TikTok: hannahaylwardhhc Gut Health Root Cause Quiz: https://go.hannahaylward.com/gut-health-root-cause-quiz

How do we redefine ambition and passion in a way that nourishes us — rather than depletes us? What happens when we shed the armor of who we think we should be… and meet who we actually are underneath? How might creativity, sexuality, and self-intimacy be woven together on the path to true freedom? Today, I’m joined by HeatherAsh Amara — author of nine books, including the bestselling Warrior Goddess Training and her latest, Wild, Willing, and Wise. HeatherAsh’s work gently, yet powerfully, guides us from self-judgment to self-intimacy, from victimhood to vulnerability, and into deeper steadiness and presence. In this conversation, we talk about ambition, presence, and cyclical living. About how to soften the grip of over-responsibility and perfectionism. About the connection between creativity, sexuality, and surrender — and how freedom often lives on the other side of fear. I hope this conversation invites you, as it did me, to consider: What if the way back to power isn’t about striving harder, but about remembering who you are beneath the armor? Let’s dive in. About HeatherAsh: HeatherAsh Amara is the author of nine books, including the bestselling Warrior Goddess Training, The Seven Secrets of Happy and Healthy Relationships with don Miguel Ruiz Jr., and her latest book Wild, Willing, and Wise. She skillfully and unconditionally guides people to shift from self-judgment to discernment, victimhood to authentic vulnerability, and to shed limiting domestication so they can ground into their self-intimacy, steadiness, and stillness. Raised in Southeast Asia, HeatherAsh has traveled the world from childhood and is continually inspired by the diversity and beauty of human expression and experience. She brings this open-hearted, inclusive worldview to her writings and teachings. To connect with HeatherAsh: IG: heatherashamara FB: heatherash.amara

Today, I’m joined by Amber, an experienced herbalist and teacher, deeply passionate about connecting with nature and supporting women, especially mothers. Amber shares her journey from a nature-loving child to a dedicated herbalist and mother. We delve into her special connection with chamomile and discuss the importance of an ancestral, nutrient-dense diet in preconception. Amber highlights the significance of aligning with the natural world and reducing toxic exposure for overall health and fertility. She also recommends herbal remedies, including chamomile, lavender, and nettle, that support women on their journey to motherhood. This conversation is a gentle reminder to cultivate our relationship with nature and nourish our bodies spiritually and physically in preparation for life's biggest transitions. Let’s dive in. About Amber: Amber Young was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides on the traditional lands of the Squaxin, Nisqually and Coast Salish Peoples in Olympia, WA. She is a child of an Aquarius Sun and Scorpio Moon. This celestial alignment has propagated the humanitarian spirit that is innate in her. Amber loves facilitating women’s circles and honoring and practicing the Wise Woman Ways. She was recently initiated as Mother after free-birthing her daughter Sequoia Moon. She has been profoundly changed and humbled by the experience of supporting and nourishing life through pregnancy, giving birth, and mothering. Her intention is to help support Womban in their birthing year and beyond through ritual arts and herbal medicines. Amber earned a Masters in Education with a focus in Social and Emotional Learning through the University of Washington. She studied elementary education and anthropology at Western Washington University and has been an educator for 11 years. She studied herbalism through the School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Amber has completed mentorships in alchemical Earth Wisdom through the Academy of Oracle Arts and methodologies in Indigenous curanderismo, healing arts, and music through Intikhana School of Intuitive Arts. To connect with Amber: IG: sacred.rite Earthwisemothering.com