What happens when the dream of motherhood doesn’t come true? After seven years of fertility treatments that ended without a child, Lana Manikowski found herself facing grief, isolation, and the painful question: So now what?  Instead of following a path that didn’t feel right, like donor eggs or adoption, Lana built the support system she longed for but couldn’t find at her clinic. Today, she’s an infertility advocate and the author of So Now What?, a powerful roadmap for women navigating life without the children they dreamed of.

In this conversation with Hilary Russo on HIListically Speaking, Lana opens up about:

• The hidden grief and self-judgment that often follow infertility.

• Why “childless not by choice” doesn’t mean hopeless.

• Practical ways to reclaim your identity and build a fulfilling future.

• How to shift from isolation to empowerment with community and coaching.

Whether you’re navigating infertility yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers compassion, tools, and hope for thriving beyond motherhood.

Ep 121: Childless by Choice
https://pod.link/hilisticallyspeaking/episode/YTU2NDliYzQtNThhMS00MmU2LTg5YzUtZjA0NDJjOTBjYTc3

Episode 124: Voices of the Childless and Childfree
https://pod.link/hilisticallyspeaking/episode/NmYyMGExODQtMDEyZC00YzkxLTliOWQtOTdjZTBmZTQ5YTNj

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So Now What? Create a Life You Love Without the Children You Always Dreamed Of
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The Top 27 Things People Say When You Are Childless (...and How to Respond)
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MUSIC by Lipbone Redding⁣
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