A candid conversation about how and why infertility makes us so exhausted! In this episode, Jesse and Doug recap the year at the Infertility Feelings Podcast and at Uniquely Knitted. We talk about what this year means to us and what we are excited about in the future. In this episode, we also look at why infertility is so exhausting. We talk about how the end of the year is exhausting and how dealing with infertility at the end of the year feels like a double-exhaustion bomb. Than...
During infertility, we can often blame ourselves for everything. This episode is about what that feels like, and WHY we do that! Blame shows up when we’re desperately trying to make sense of the senseless. It can feel protective, even logical, but it slowly chips away at our sense of worth and hope. In this episode, we explore how blame sneaks into our thinking, what it does to our bodies and relationships, and how we can gently move toward compassion instead of self-criticism. Jesse an...
Infertility is always overwhelming. When you are feeling sensitive, it's almost unbearable. In this episode, Jesse is joined by our wonderful process group leader, Krista! Together, they explore what infertility is like for sensitive people. If you feel like you are a more sensitive person, this episode is for you! If you feel like you have ever been sensitive during infertility, this episode is for you! Help Make This Podcast Happen! We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and h...
Infertility is deeply physical. It's physically really hard. On the Infertility Feelings Podcast, we often talk about the mental and emotional challenges of infertility. In this episode, we are jumping into the PHYSICAL challenge. We have the honor of speaking with Dr. Meredith Brower, MD, from Reproductive Partners Medical Group in Beverly Hills. She is an excellent guide to what someone goes through physically when they are going through fertility treatment at a clinic. In this episod...
Infertility can make you feel old, at 28! Infertility messes with your own view of your age. Sometimes you get told that you have all the time in the world. That "you're young" and "you still have time." Then, in a weird twist, people will say, "You don't have forever." There are SO many emotions that come up when we talk about infertility and your age. In this episode, we are looking at all of them. We look at why Doug wanted to be a young age when he was a dad. We look at what p...
Infertility and God. There is a lot, where do we start? Many people believe in God. Not everyone, but many. For those who believe in God and believe that they have a relationship with God, infertility might be hurting that relationship. Infertility might be changing how you view God or putting pressure on your thoughts about God. This episode is all about that. In this episode, we talk about the ways in which thoughts on God might be changing and what infertility does to a relationship ...
Sometimes, when we are going through infertility, it can feel like we are letting people down. This episode is about what that feels like. But first, You are NOT letting anyone down. Infertility let US ALL down. During infertility, it can feel like your reality is making other people sad or disappointed. Many say they feel like they are letting their spouse down. Many people say they are letting their parents down. (They want them to be grandparents so bad) Many people say they ar...
When is infertility annoying? Always. Those thoughts and MANY more on today's episode of The Infertility Feelings Podcast. Yes, there are many major pains during infertility, and there are very real traumas. But we rarely talk about millions of little things that annoy us when we are struggling to get pregnant. From talking about "fertility stuff" to the nagging reality that we are STILL trying to get pregnant, infertility annoys at the deepest level. Help Make This Podcast Happ...
In this episode, we explore what it feels like to be emotionally stuck during infertility. (It sucks BTW) We talk about the numbness, the overwhelm, and the longing for clarity when everything feels murky. You’ll hear real stories and reflections on why infertility can make you feel paralyzed, and what it actually means to start “moving” again—emotionally, relationally, and personally. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt frozen in place during infertility. Uniquely Knitted exists...
Feeling left out because you don't have kids is one of life's cruelest aches. Feeling like friends, community, and life are moving on without you hurts more than anyone could imagine. This episode is about that. In this episode, we dive into the deep ache of feeling left out during infertility and how isolating it can be when your story doesn’t match everyone else’s milestones. We unpack what it really means to “fit in” versus truly belong, and why the difference matters so ...
What does the research say about infertility and mental health? How should we approach our mental health in light of what the research says? This episode will answer these questions! Doug and Jesse are joined by Infertility Researcher, Professor, and Therapist, Dr. Brennan Peterson, to explore the research behind the mental health impact of infertility. In this episode, we talk about how infertility is a developmental interruption, how infertility stigma increases our search for meaning...
How are we supposed to think about our story of infertility? How are we supposed to talk to people about our story of infertility? How do you bring it up? What do you tell people? Should you just avoid people? How do you handle small talk? How do you talk about your story!? These are the questions that Doug and Jesse are bringing to Katie Quesada today. Katie is a Professional Storytelling Consultant and an expert in helping people understand their story and talk about it in an effective way....
Infertility is scary. There are so many truly terrifying things. What if things don't work out? What if we can't have kids? What if... In this episode, Jesse and Doug look at infertility and fear. What is it that we are truly afraid of during infertility? What does it cost us when we push off the fear we have during infertility? These are the questions looked at in this episode! If infertility has ever made you feel fear, then this episode is for you. Uniquely Knitted is a N...
For many, infertility leads to isolation. But what does that mean? Is that a bad thing? Do we need to get out of isolation? How do we escape isolation without opening ourselves up to all the bad advice people have? These are the questions answered in today's podcast! Jesse and Doug look at what it feels like to be isolated during infertility and provide two clear steps to come out of isolation in a healthy way. If you feel like infertility has ever made you feel isolated, this epi...
In this episode, Doug and Jesse explore how infertility creates a deep sense of loss of control and emotional chaos during infertility. We talk about all sorts of ways that infertility makes us feel out of control and how losing control shows up differently for each of us. We break down the following ideas... Dynamics and Coping Mechanisms when we Feel Out of Control We look at how contrasting coping styles during infertility can lead to tension in our lives and our relationships. Loss of Con...
Infertility can make it hard to prioritize your mental health, especially when success feels just around the corner. In this episode, Jesse and Doug explore the challenges of self-care during this journey and offer a real path forward. If you've struggled to care for yourself while pursuing your dream of growing your family, know you're not alone. This episode is here to remind you that you are worthy of care and support. Want to know more about process groups? uniquelyknitted.org/group-sign-...
NO REGRETS! Well maybe not in this case. The reality is that many people experience regret during infertility. There are a million decisions to make, so much to grieve, and so many things that go wrong! Avoiding regret can feel impossible. In this episode we look at what is going on with regret during infertility and we explore how we can build the resilience to handle regret and make it through infertility! Build some resilience and process your experience with infertility in the Uniqu...
Infertility impacts pretty much EVERY PART of your identity. It changes the way that you feel like you ARE. It changes how you view your future and impacts who you are becoming! How does infertility impact your identity? What even is our identity anyway? How can we stay connected to who we are while going through this?! These are the questions of today's podcast. If you have ever felt like infertility impacts your identity this episode is for you! Uniquely Knitted is a nonprofit organization ...
We definitely need boundaries during infertility... But making boundaries during infertility is not easy. How on earth are you supposed to make boundaries when you are dealing with the stress of trying to get pregnant. It's overwhelming, confusing, and just well... a lot. In this episode we look at boundaries during infertility. We define the goal of boundaries, look at 3 reasons making boundaries might be difficult, and offer a way forward. Boundaries during infertility are so ha...
How do you celebrate a season of rest when you are struggling with infertility? It's complicated... In this episode Jesse and Doug look at the different ways that infertility disrupts our rest. We look at the things that happen in this end of year season that can be triggering, and we look at how resting when you are not in a place where you feel like you want to be is difficult. Uniquely Knitted is a Non-Profit Organization serving all who are emotionally affected by infertility. We are on...