In this deeply moving and empowering conversation, Alice welcomes Katie to the Fertility Life Raft Podcast. Katie shares her unexpected journey through infertility, the decision to step away from treatment without a baby, and how she has built a joyful and fulfilling life on her own terms.

Together, they discuss:

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  The "escalator of life" and the social conditioning around marriage and motherhood

  
  


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  Two distinct chapters of infertility in Katie’s 30s

  
  


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  The intentional decision-making process before trying again in her mid-30s

  
  


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  The relief and grief that came with walking away from IVF

  
  


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  Creating Afterglow, Katie’s Substack community for women navigating life after fertility treatment

  
  


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  Why we need more honest stories about when treatment doesn’t work out

  
  


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  How acceptance, joy, and personal growth can coexist with grief

  
  

Katie’s story is an inspiring reminder that fulfillment and purpose don’t depend on following society’s blueprint, and that there is beauty in rewriting your own story.

Katie is the writer and founder of Afterglow, a growing Substack community for women who are considering stepping away—or have already stepped away—from fertility treatment. Through honest essays and personal reflections, she challenges dominant fertility narratives and creates a compassionate, uplifting space for those navigating life beyond IVF.

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  Follow Katie on Substack: Afterglow

  
  


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  Connect on Instagram: @afterglow_by_Katie

  
  


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  Listen to related episodes:

  
  
  
  
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    Jessica Hepburn

    
    
  
  
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    Kat Brown

    
    
  
  
  
  

Katie is a client and previous Life Raft member; you can click here to see what sort of support is available now: http://fertilityliferaft.com/everything

✨ “It’s such a personal decision to walk away, but for me it was about realising a baby would add to my life—not complete it.”

✨ “There aren’t enough stories about when fertility treatment doesn’t work out—and how that can still be a happy ending.”

✨ “Energy flows where attention goes. Once I stepped away, I had the space to build a joyful life in a new way.”

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