Podcast
Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART
Hosted by Alison Prato · EN
Unfiltered, honest, and deeply human—Infertile AF is the podcast that tells the real stories behind infertility and modern family building. Hosted by journalist, Fertility Rally co-founder, "Work of ART" books author and mom-of-two Ali Prato, who went through secondary infertility and IVF herself, the show dives into the messy, frustrating, painful, heartbreaking, absurd, and sometimes even funny realities of trying to have a baby—or pivoting in a different direction.
Each episode spotlights a different journey, path or topic, covering everything from miscarriages, egg freezing, sperm and egg donation, IUIs, IVF, endometriosis, and male factor infertility to adoption, surrogacy, genetic testing, termination for medical reasons, single parenting by choice, LGBTQ+ family building, living childless not by choice, depression, relationship struggles, financial stress, jealousy, PTSD, trauma and beyond.
In this safe, non-judgmental space, Ali explores all the outcomes: the joyful, the soul-crushing, and the stories still unfolding. Infertile AF is here to remind you that no matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Comedian Candice Guardino on Her 9-Year Infertility Journey, From Endo to IVF to Her Baby Boy
1w ago00:32:02Tap to summarizeThis week on Infertile AF, Ali sits down with comedian, creator and storyteller Candice Guardino for a heartfelt and deeply honest conversation about infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, endometriosis, and finding light through the hardest moments. Candace opens up about freezing her eggs, navigating fertility treatment while building her career, the emotional toll of trying to conceive, and how comedy became both a coping mechanism and a way to connect with others.They also talk about the pressure women feel around timelines, relationships, and motherhood, plus the importance of telling these stories out loud. Equal parts funny, vulnerable, and validating, this episode is for anyone who’s ever felt alone on the path to parenthood.Make sure to check out Candace's comedy special, Italian Bred, about growing up and her Italian upbringing. Follow on IG: @candiceguardinoEPISODE 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.CARAWAYCaraway cookware is beautiful, first of all — like, actually gorgeous sitting on your stove — but it also makes cooking feel easier and less stressful. Visit carawayhome.com to take an additional 10% off your next purchase using code INFERTILEAF at checkout.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →“IVF Baby” Kat on Busting Myths, Social Media Advocacy and Growing Up as an ART Kid
2w ago00:30:40Tap to summarizeToday on Infertile AF, Ali is talking to Kat — better known online as @theivfbaby. And yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like: Kat was conceived through IVF herself, long before people were openly talking about infertility, assisted reproduction, or what it means to grow up as an IVF-conceived person.Now, she’s using TikTok and Instagram to normalize IVF from a perspective we rarely hear — the IVF-conceived person herself. Through myth-busting videos and answering the questions people are sometimes too afraid to ask, Kat is helping break down stigma in a big way.In this episode, she shares her full story — what it was like learning she was conceived through IVF, how it’s shaped her identity, the good and bad reactions she gets online, and why she believes visibility matters so much right now. They also talk about misinformation, the weird comments people make about IVF babies and why she’s so passionate about changing the conversation around ART.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.GENERATIONS CRYOVAULTIG: @generationscryovaultWebsite: www.gencryo.comIf you’re going through fertility treatment, you already know—every decision matters. But here’s one thing most people don’t realize: you DO have a choice in where your eggs, sperm, and embryos are stored. Most clinics just keep them… or quietly move them to a partner facility. No conversation. No options. But that’s not your only path. Enter Generations CryoVault. Their motto says it all: Your tissues. Your choice. They specialize in one thing—secure, long-term reproductive storage—and they do it better. Because they’re independent, and they’re not juggling procedures or upsells. Use code INFERTILEAF26 to receive one month off an annual plan. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Content Creator Loren Rosko on PCOS, Miscarriage, IVF, Her Viral Song Parodies and the Imminent Arrival of Her Baby Girl
3w ago00:51:46Tap to summarizeToday’s guest is someone so many of you already know and love from IG and TikTok—Loren Rosko—and her story goes way beyond the viral song parodies and infertility anthems. Loren started making TikToks during COVID, at a time when so many of us were feeling isolated and searching for connection. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into something much bigger—a space where she could share everything she was going through in life, including navigating infertility. In this episode, Ali and Loren get into all of it, including PCOS, miscarriage, IVF, loss, what it feels like to share something so personal to a community of millions. Loren also talks about being pregnant—and due very soon — with her baby girl, and how she’s used humor, honesty, and music to make people feel less alone. Follow on IG: @lorenroskoEPISODE 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.GENERATIONS CRYOVAULTIG: @generationscryovault Website: www.gencryo.com If you’re going through fertility treatment, you already know—every decision matters. But here’s one thing most people don’t realize: you DO have a choice in where your eggs, sperm, and embryos are stored. Most clinics just keep them… or quietly move them to a partner facility. No conversation. No options. But that’s not your only path. Enter Generations CryoVault. Their motto says it all: Your tissues. Your choice. They specialize in one thing—secure, long-term reproductive storage—and they do it better. Because they’re independent, and they’re not juggling procedures or upsells. Use code INFERTILEAF26 to receive one month off an annual plan. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Do You Need a Plastic Detox? Breaking Down How Everyday Household Items May Be Affecting Your Fertility with Dr. Shanna Swan
4w ago00:23:02Tap to summarizeWhat 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
Transcribe →Listen Again: Dr. Natalie Crawford on Pregnancy Loss, Navigating Infertility as a Doctor, and Her New Book, The Fertility Formula
Apr 1600:44:17Tap to summarizeOn 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
Transcribe →IUIs, Miscarriages, and Finally, Two Babies: Piper & Mint's Jackie Hutson Shares Her Infertility Journey
Apr 1000:43:50Tap to summarizeToday’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
Transcribe →Listen Again: Today Host Sheinelle Jones on Miscarriage, Infertility, Heartbreak and the Power of Resilience
Apr 300:30:30Tap to summarizeToday, 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
Transcribe →Superhero Status: The Highs and Lows of Carrying 9 Babies as a Surrogate with Emily Westerfield
Mar 2600:48:39Tap to summarizeToday, 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
Transcribe →IVF, Loss and a Lawsuit That's Changing Everything — with Mission: Motherhood author Cheri Bergeron
Mar 1900:46:38Tap to summarizeCheri Bergeron’s path to motherhood is anything but simple—and that’s exactly why her story is so powerful. Cheri is the author of Mission: Motherhood, and in this episode, she shares with Ali the full, unfiltered journey: from devastating pregnancy loss to IVF, to donor conception, and ultimately becoming a mom to her two children.But Cheri didn’t just navigate the system—she challenged it. Cheri and Ali also talk about the lawsuit that helped reshape what family-building can look like for women everywhere, and why her experience has become a rallying cry for so many trying to build families outside the traditional mold. They also talk about foster parenting, late stage termination, navigating NICU life, how family building and infertility can really test a relationship and her nonprofit, Cheri's Choice. For more, go to https://www.cheribergeron.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 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
Transcribe →When a Fertility Doctor Does IVF: Dr. Lucky Sekhon, Author of The Lucky Egg
Mar 1200:40:01Tap to summarizeToday’s episode is a special one — it’s a replay of Ali's 2023 conversation with Dr. Lucky Sekhon. Lucky is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, and OB-GYN at RMA of New York. She’s also one of the most trusted voices on social media and TV when it comes to fertility, IVF, and reproductive health, breaking down complicated topics with clarity, compassion, and actual science.In this conversation, Lucky opens up about her own family-building journey — including how, when it came time to start her family, she chose to create embryos and go through IVF herself. Ali and Lucky talk about what it’s like when the fertility doctor becomes the fertility patient, how that perspective shapes the way she treats her own patients, and why she’s so passionate about helping people understand their reproductive options.Since this interview originally aired, Lucky has also written a fantastic book called The Lucky Egg, which helps people better understand fertility, IVF, and reproductive health. So whether you’re hearing this conversation for the first time or coming back to it, it’s a really thoughtful look at fertility from both sides of the exam table.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
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