If you've ever felt like friendships got harder after infertility, you're not imagining it.

When IVF failed and your life didn't include children, you didn't just lose the dream of motherhood. You also lost the built-in ways friendships often form.

No school drop-offs. No sports schedules. No automatic community.

So now you're left wondering… how do you actually make meaningful friendships as a childless woman?

In this episode, you hear a real, honest conversation about what it looks like to create connection when your life doesn't follow the traditional path.

💛 What You'll Learn in This Episode

Why friendships can feel more complicated when you're childless after infertility
The hidden ways IVF failed can impact your sense of belonging
How to form real friendships with other childless women, even online
The key to building connection as an adult
What it looks like to turn Instagram connections into real-life friendships
How to stop waiting for connection and start creating it

🌿 Meet Melissa Miller @autoimmuneresilience on IG

Melissa Miller joins this episode to share her experience of becoming childless not by choice after years of infertility, IVF, and surrogacy.

After leaving fertility treatments without a baby, she found herself asking the same question so many women do:

Where are the others like me?

What she discovered was a community of women who are building full, connected, meaningful lives without children and creating friendships that feel just as deep, if not deeper, than the ones they expected to have.

✨ The Other's Day® — Chicago (May 8–9, 2026)

If you've been craving connection with other women who don't have kids, this is where it happens.

The Other's Day® is a two-day experience created specifically for women who are childless, whether by choice or not, to feel welcomed, connected, and completely themselves.

🌿 Friday, May 8 — The Foundation

A restorative evening designed to help you arrive into Other's Day weekend feeling grounded and supported.

You'll experience:

Beginner-friendly yoga
Guided meditation
A sound bath experience

🥂 Saturday, May 9 — The Other's Day® Brunch in Chicago

The signature experience where women gather, connect, and leave feeling like they belong.

You'll walk into a room where:

No one asks if you have kids
No one assumes your life is easier
You don't have to explain your story

👉 Get your Chicago tickets here: https://lanamanikowski.com/othersday/

🌿 Seattle Other's Day® Brunch (Hosted by Melissa Miller)

Seattle gathering is hosted by Melissa Miller, an Other's Day® Ambassador bringing this experience to the Pacific Northwest.

📅 Date: May 9, 2026 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 Location: The Locöl Kitchen & Bar 7902 35th Ave SW West Seattle

You'll enjoy a private brunch experience with meaningful connection, great food, and a room full of women who understand life without children.

👉 Reserve your spot in Seattle: https://lana-manikowski.myflodesk.com/seattlebrunch

🔗 Resources & Links

Chicago Other's Day® Tickets: https://lanamanikowski.com/othersday/
Seattle Other's Day® Brunch: https://lana-manikowski.myflodesk.com/seattlebrunch
Free Guide: Top 27 Things People Say When You're Childless 👉 Get the free guide here: https://lana-manikowski.myflodesk.com/thingspeoplesay
Book: "So Now What?" 👉 Learn more or grab your copy: https://www.lanamanikowski.com/book

💬 A Thought to Take With You

Friendships don't have to look the way you thought they would.

You don't need kids to create meaningful, lasting connections.

Sometimes it starts with a message. Sometimes it starts with showing up.

🎧 Loved This Episode?

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And if this episode resonated, share it with another woman navigating life after IVF failed who's ready to feel more connected.