When you’ve tried everything to get pregnant—IVF, transfers, “just relaxing”—and it still doesn’t work, you start to wonder if your body is failing you and whether you’ll ever become a mother. This week on the podcast, I talk to pediatrician and mom of three Andrea Ali-Panzarella, who went through years of infertility, recurrent miscarriages, IVF failure, and ultimately made the courageous decision to grow her family through gestational surrogacy. We explore the emotional side of surrogacy, grief, identity, bonding, breaking the silence, and her beautiful children’s book Every Family is a Tree, which shows that there are many valid paths to motherhood

About Andrea Ali-Panzarella

Andrea Zorida Ali-Panzarella is a proud mom of three beautiful boys, who was inspired to write this book after a long journey with infertility and loss. She is also a pediatrician, specializing in child abuse, who has cared for children from all walks of life.

Andrea and her husband welcomed their sons with the help of compassionate physicians and caring gestational carriers. As they read to their children each night, she noticed the limited number of books that represented their unique family story and realized the missed opportunities to empower her children to know their worth. Her hope with this book is that all people, especially children, will feel seen and accepted in this world no matter what their story is. She is forever grateful to everyone, including her parents, family, and friends, who supported her family’s story along the way. You can find out more about her book and work here: https://www.andreaali-panzarella.com/

What if conception didn’t have to feel like a monthly test of your worth? In this episode, I share how trying to conceive again at 43 brought me a surprising shift: from fear and control to experiencing conception as a sacred mystery. You’ll hear about the old patterns shaped by patriarchal conditioning, the new perspective I discovered through womb connection, and the ancient myths that remind us of the womb as a portal of life and consciousness. Whether you’re in the middle of grief or ready for a new way of seeing your journey, this episode invites you to soften into mystery and remember that you are already whole.

Read more about the Sovereign Womb here: thatfertilefeeling.com/womb

Have you ever felt like your womb holds more than just the hope of new life?

This week on the podcast, I speak with mythologist Maria Souza about the deep wisdom encoded in fertility myths across cultures. We explore the stories of Demeter, Persephone, Baubo, and Gaia—not as entertainment, but as medicine. Maria shares her personal journey through abortion, miscarriage, and motherhood, and how mythology helped her transform grief into growth. Whether you’re navigating fertility struggles or seeking meaning in loss, this episode offers powerful archetypes, rituals, and reflections to guide you back to your inner sovereignty.

Read more about the Sovereign Womb here: thatfertilefeeling.com/womb

About Maria Souza:

Maria Souza is a Comparative Mythologist, Poet, Historian, and Educator, with a deep commitment to exploring the rich tapestry of myths and their relevance in contemporary life. She holds a postgraduate degree in Comparative Mythology, a Master’s in Ecology and Spirituality, and an Advanced Training Certificate in Applied Mythology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her poetry book, Wild Daughters, weaves together mythological themes and ancient tales, shedding light on the profound initiations women face. Maria offers a range of courses, workshops, and two mentorship programs, guiding women to connect with archetypal wisdom and integrate myths into the heart of their creative and professional lives. She also hosts the Women and Mythology podcast, part of the Joseph Campbell Foundation’s MythMaker℠ Podcast Network, where she explores the enduring relevance of myths in today’s world. You can find out more about her work on Instagram @womenandmythology or on her website womenandmythology.com

This week on the podcast, I open up about our decision to start trying for another baby and walk you through the exact steps I took to prepare—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.As a fertility coach (and mom of three after a decade-long journey), I share what I’ve learned from over 100 episodes, dozens of clients, and my own lived experience—so you can feel empowered on your path too. From functional hormone prep to spirit baby connection, surrender practices, and nervous system support, this is a deeply personal episode about listening to your own timing—and letting go of perfection.Whether you’re just starting or circling back like me, I hope this episode brings you clarity, comfort, and courage.Other episodes I mention on this episode:Episode 115 - Real food for fertility w/ Lily Nichols: https://nl.thatfertilefeeling.com/podcast/episode/27e83061/episode-115-real-food-for-fertility-with-lily-nichols Episode 93 - Four simple steps to reduce fertility harming chemicals: https://www.thatfertilefeeling.com/podcast/episode/359c1b34/episode-93-four-simple-steps-to-reduce-fertility-harming-chemicals

Fatigue, brain fog, irregular cycles, or that nagging feeling something’s off—could it be your thyroid? This week on the podcast, I speak with trauma-informed functional thyroid nutritionist and somatic practitioner Aggie McCabe about the deep and often overlooked link between thyroid health, fertility, and nervous system regulation.

We explore why thyroid issues—especially Hashimoto’s—are so common in women, how trauma and dysregulation contribute to autoimmunity, and what to do if your doctor says your labs are “normal,” but you still don’t feel like yourself. We also discuss pregnancy loss risk, how to prepare your body for conception with thyroid issues, and what a regulated nervous system has to do with baby-making. Packed with insights and practical tools like “physiological sigh” breathing and the glimmer practice, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful, empowered, and more attuned to your body’s signals.

More info about my upcoming program Nourished: thatfertilefeeling.com/nourished

About Aggie McCabe:

Aggie is a​ certified functional nutritionist & somatic therapist, and UK leading thyroid expert. She specialises in Thyroid Conditions, with a particular focus on Hashimoto’s Disease. Aggie is also a fellow thyroid warrior and reversed her own Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroiditis using a combination of nutritional & lifestyle science and somatic nervous system work. Aggie helped hundreds of women with thyroid issues in the UK and worldwide reverse their thyroid symptoms and THRIVE.

Use the discount code CALM to save £20 on the monthly subscription to Aggie’s Thyroid Resilience Membership (£39 instead of £59): https://aggiemccabe.com/thyroid-resilience-membership

What if the one feeling you’re most ashamed of… is the one that holds your power?
This week on the podcast, I explore the complex relationship between anger and fertility. We talk about the kind of anger that simmers under the surface—the one directed at your body, your doctor, the people who got pregnant easily. I unpack the difference between reactive rage and sacred, righteous anger. And why acknowledging, feeling, and expressing that anger may be the key to coming back into your body and reclaiming your energy. Because you’re allowed to feel everything. Especially this.

For more info about my upcoming program The Sovereign Womb: thatfertilefeeling.com/womb

Have you ever wondered if your diet is harming your fertility? This week on the podcast, I speak with nutrition expert Lily Nichols about how outdated advice—like cutting fat or avoiding cholesterol—can disrupt your hormones and hinder conception. We explore the essential role of real food in supporting ovulation, egg quality, and overall hormonal balance. If you’ve been doing everything “right” and still not getting pregnant, this episode will help you reconnect with what your body truly needs.

Sign up for my upcoming program ‘The Sovereign Womb’ at thatfertilefeeling.com/womb

About Lily Nichols:Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based nutrition. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and sensible. She is the founder of the Institute for Prenatal Nutrition®, co-founder of the Women’s Health Nutrition Academy, and the author of three books: Real Food for Fertility (co-authored with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack), Real Food for Pregnancy, and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily’s bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!), are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses, and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally. She writes at https://lilynicholsrdn.com.

Can trauma be passed on through your mitochondria? In this episode, I explore how emotional and ancestral trauma affects fertility, stress resilience, and gene expression across generations. We dive into the science of mitochondrial health, epigenetic regulation, and how pregnancy shapes a baby’s biology. I also share why healing your nervous system, reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, and tending to your womb space is essential—not just for your well-being, but for future generations. This episode introduces The Sovereign Womb, my 10-week course for deep healing and cellular repair.

Sign up for the waitlist at thatfertilefeeling.com/womb