Infertile AF: Infertility and Modern Family Building through ART

Alison Prato
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated weekly

Unfiltered, honest, and deeply human—Infertile AF is the podcast that tells the real stories behind infertility and modern family building. Hosted by journalist, Fertility Rally co-founder, "Work of ART" books author and mom-of-two Ali Prato, who went through secondary infertility and IVF herself, the show dives into the messy, frustrating, painful, heartbreaking, absurd, and sometimes even funny realities of trying to have a baby—or pivoting in a different direction. Each episode spotlights a different journey, path or topic, covering everything from miscarriages, egg freezing, sperm and egg donation, IUIs, IVF, endometriosis, and male factor infertility to adoption, surrogacy, genetic testing, termination for medical reasons, single parenting by choice, LGBTQ+ family building, living childless not by choice, depression, relationship struggles, financial stress, jealousy, PTSD, trauma and beyond. In this safe, non-judgmental space, Ali explores all the outcomes: the joyful, the soul-crushing, and the stories still unfolding. Infertile AF is here to remind you that no matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone.

  1. 3 days ago

    Meet the Women Behind Show Me the Line: The Alabama IVF Ruling That Changed Everything

    Today’s episode features the women behind SHOW ME THE LINE, a new documentary following the lives of four women in the aftermath of the 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision granting personhood status to embryos. When the Alabama ruling disrupts access to IVF, acclaimed journalist and visual artist Abbey Crain has already been in fertility treatment for over 5 years. Overnight, her dreams of motherhood
— and her embryos— are out of reach. But Crain refuses to surrender her creative power. With a pen and paintbrush, she embarks on a journey to honor fellow patients. Driven to celebrate portraits of everyday people and amplify their unheard stories of joy, anguish, beauty, and determination - Crain connects with a group of remarkable women. Together, they cultivate hope from the unsettled landscape that overlooked them. On today’s episode, Crain is joined by Director Kelsey Ianuzzi and Producer Stacey Davis. Show Me The Line will screen as part of the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, August 29 at 5pm and 7pm. Show Me The Line will also screen at the 37th Annual New Orleans Film Festival in October. More information on all screenings can be found at showmetheline.com If you are interested in bringing a screening to your community, please contact Stacey Davis (sdavis@staceydavislaw.com) Follow: www.showmetheline.com IG: @showmethelinefilm EPISODE SPONSORS: EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Stay tuned for Petri Dish Princess, book #4, coming this fall! EXTEND FERTILITY Extend Fertility is a leading fertility clinic helping people take control of their reproductive futures through egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, and more. With a focus on making fertility care more accessible, empowering, and personalized, Extend combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions about if, when, and how they want to build a family. For more, go to extendfertility.com PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  2. 20 Aug

    “Why I Became a Surrogate—Three Times." Brownstone Surrogacy's Yesenia Lemus Shares Her Inspiring Story

    Today’s guest is Yesenia Lemus, a three-time surrogate and the Director of Surrogate Services at Brownstone Surrogacy. Yesenia’s surrogacy story actually started on the sidelines of her kid’s swim team, when she met another mom who was pregnant as a surrogate and thought, Wait—I could do that. Her first journey happened during COVID, when she carried twins for intended parents in California. She talks about the bond she formed with them, how she explained surrogacy to her own kids, and why she sees it as such a powerful act of generosity. She and Ali also get into the highs and lows of her journeys—including an embryo that didn’t survive the thaw—and why the entire experience has been so empowering for her. Yesenia also shares why she found the entire process so empowering—and how she went from surrogate to making this work her career. For more, go to www.brownstonesurrogacy.com IG: @brownstonesurrogacy EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Stay tuned for Petri Dish Princess, book #4, coming this fall! EXTEND FERTILITY Extend Fertility is a leading fertility clinic helping people take control of their reproductive futures through egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, and more. With a focus on making fertility care more accessible, empowering, and personalized, Extend combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions about if, when, and how they want to build a family. For more, go to extendfertility.com PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  3. 8 Aug

    Listen Again: 16 Years of Infertility, Devastating Losses and Finding Her Dream Surrogate: Keri Croft

    Today's episode is a Listen Again favorite, and we couldn't think of a better one to bring back because Keri Croft is an absolute badass. Keri is an infertility, pregnancy loss, and surrogacy advocate whose path to parenthood spanned an incredible 16 years. Her story includes multiple miscarriages, IVF, a balanced translocation diagnosis, the heartbreaking decision to undergo a termination for medical reasons after learning her daughter Angel was missing part of her cerebellum, and the devastating losses of two more daughters, Hope and Jade. Keri shares how infertility tested every part of her life and marriage, what ultimately led her and her husband to pursue surrogacy, and why she chose to navigate the process independently. That experience inspired her to create Find Your Dream Surrogate, a workshop designed to give intended parents the roadmap she wishes she'd had. Follow: www.kericroft.com IG: @thekericroftshow EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Stay tuned for Petri Dish Princess, book #4, coming this fall! EXTEND FERTILITY Extend Fertility is a leading fertility clinic helping people take control of their reproductive futures through egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, and more. With a focus on making fertility care more accessible, empowering, and personalized, Extend combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions about if, when, and how they want to build a family. For more, go to extendfertility.com PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  4. 1 Aug

    Miscarriages, Reproductive Surgeries, Unimaginable Loss—and Finally, Her Rainbow Baby: Jess Mayhugh's Infertility Story

    Ali's guest today is Jess Mayhugh, a writer and editor who spent nearly a decade trying to have a baby before the arrival of her son, Cole. Jess's journey includes multiple miscarriages, rounds of IVF, several reproductive surgeries, and the unimaginable heartbreak of losing her newborn daughter, Lucy. On this episode, Jess opens up about navigating it all. It's a story of profound loss, incredible resilience, and massive love. Jess co-founded a newsletter called Folly, which includes personal essays, expert interviews, and service journalism around family building. IG: @jessmayhugh @followfolly EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Stay tuned for Petri Dish Princess, book #4, coming this fall! EXTEND FERTILITY Extend Fertility is a leading fertility clinic helping people take control of their reproductive futures through egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, and more. With a focus on making fertility care more accessible, empowering, and personalized, Extend combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions about if, when, and how they want to build a family. For more, go to extendfertility.com PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  5. 23 Jul

    Inside the IVF Lab—and Her Own Egg Freezing Decision—with Alease the Embryologist

    You might know today’s guest, Alease the Embryologist, from social media, where she somehow manages to educate, empower and entertain while breaking down what’s actually happening behind those mysterious IVF lab doors. Alease is incredibly smart and refreshingly real, and today, Ali and Alease get into ALL of it—including her own decision to freeze her eggs while happily married, because she’s still on the fence about building a family, and why she chose to freeze eggs instead of embryos with her husband. Alease also takes us behind the scenes of the embryology lab, sharing a day in the life, and also what it was like to perform egg retrievals on patients and then become the last retrieval of the day herself. She also answers some of her patients—and your—most burning questions: What exactly is a mosaic embryo? What happens in the lab that we never get to see? And should you actually be genetically testing your embryos? IG: alease_the_embryologist EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Stay tuned for Petri Dish Princess, book #4, coming this fall! EXTEND FERTILITY Extend Fertility is a leading fertility clinic helping people take control of their reproductive futures through egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, and more. With a focus on making fertility care more accessible, empowering, and personalized, Extend combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions about if, when, and how they want to build a family. For more, go to extendfertility.com PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. CARAWAY Caraway cookware is beautiful, first of all — like, actually gorgeous sitting on your stove — but it also makes cooking feel easier and less stressful. Visit carawayhome.com to take an additional 10% off your next purchase using code INFERTILEAF at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  6. 17 Jul

    From IUI to IVF to Donor Conception: Kate Ryan's Journey to Motherhood

    Today, Ali sits down with Kate Ryan, founder of Story of Us, for a heartfelt conversation about infertility, resilience, and redefining what family can look like. Kate shares her deeply personal path to parenthood, beginning with IUI, moving through IVF, and ultimately building her family through donor conception. She opens up about the emotional highs and lows of treatment, the unexpected twists along the way, and what it took to embrace a future that looked different than the one she originally imagined. Kate also talks about why she founded The Story of Us, a platform dedicated to helping families navigate conversations around donor conception with honesty, openness, and love. Together, she and Ali discuss the power of storytelling, the importance of representation, and why sharing our experiences can make others feel less alone. For more, go to www.storyofus.love IG: @thestoryofkateryan EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)! The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. Stay tuned for book #4, Petri Dish Princess, coming this fall! EXTEND FERTILITY Extend Fertility is a leading fertility clinic helping people take control of their reproductive futures through egg freezing, embryo freezing, IVF, and more. With a focus on making fertility care more accessible, empowering, and personalized, Extend combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions about if, when, and how they want to build a family. For more, go to extendfertility.com PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. CARAWAY Caraway cookware is beautiful, first of all — like, actually gorgeous sitting on your stove — but it also makes cooking feel easier and less stressful. Visit carawayhome.com to take an additional 10% off your next purchase using code INFERTILEAF at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  7. 11 Jul

    Listen Again: World Cup Champ and Soccer Icon Carli Lloyd on IVF, Loss, and Finally Getting Pregnant

    With soccer on everyone’s mind right now, this felt like the perfect time to bring back one of our most unforgettable episodes. This week on Infertile AF, we’re re-sharing Ali’s powerful conversation with soccer legend Carli Lloyd. Carli is a former pro soccer star, two-time World Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game. And in this episode — which originally aired two years ago — she opens up about something far more personal: her long and difficult infertility journey. Carli shares what happened when she and her husband, Brian — her high school sweetheart — started trying to grow their family after her retirement and quickly realized it wasn’t going to be simple. She talks about spending years focused on her career, why she didn’t want to have kids while she was still playing professionally, and what it was like to learn, at 39, that getting pregnant was going to be much harder than she expected. Ali and Carli get into the IVF process, from being told IVF was their best option to going through egg retrievals, a failed first transfer, the emotional toll of it all, and the mental break they needed before trying again. Carli also shares what it felt like to finally get the news she was pregnant — and why this experience challenged her in ways even elite sports never had. If you missed this one the first time around — or if you’re ready for a listen again — it’s a good one. EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)! The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. CARAWAY Caraway cookware is beautiful, first of all — like, actually gorgeous sitting on your stove — but it also makes cooking feel easier and less stressful. Visit carawayhome.com to take an additional 10% off your next purchase using code INFERTILEAF at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  8. 2 Jul

    RESOLVE CEO Danielle Melfi on Her Own Egg Freezing Journey, Treatment Costs, Fertility Advocacy and Why You're Never Alone

    Today's guest is Danielle Melfi, the CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Danielle brings such a unique perspective because she's not only leading the nation's largest infertility advocacy organization—she's also been a fertility patient herself. In this episode, she opens up about her own egg-freezing journey and how that experience continues to shape the way she advocates for millions of people navigating family building today. Ali and Danielle talk about what RESOLVE is working on right now, why fertility treatment is still financially out of reach for so many people, and the real work being done to expand insurance coverage and improve access across the country. They also get into what's happening in workplaces, why fertility benefits matter more than ever, and how employers can better support people going through treatment. Danielle shares practical ways every single one of us can become advocates—whether you're in treatment now, you're building your family another way, or you simply want to help make fertility care more accessible for the next generation. Danielle also reminds us throughout this episode is that you are never alone—and together, our voices really can create change. For more, go to www.resolve.org EPISODE SPONSORS:  THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology  https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books The 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)! The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. CARAWAY Caraway cookware is beautiful, first of all — like, actually gorgeous sitting on your stove — but it also makes cooking feel easier and less stressful. Visit carawayhome.com to take an additional 10% off your next purchase using code INFERTILEAF at checkout. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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About

Unfiltered, honest, and deeply human—Infertile AF is the podcast that tells the real stories behind infertility and modern family building. Hosted by journalist, Fertility Rally co-founder, "Work of ART" books author and mom-of-two Ali Prato, who went through secondary infertility and IVF herself, the show dives into the messy, frustrating, painful, heartbreaking, absurd, and sometimes even funny realities of trying to have a baby—or pivoting in a different direction. Each episode spotlights a different journey, path or topic, covering everything from miscarriages, egg freezing, sperm and egg donation, IUIs, IVF, endometriosis, and male factor infertility to adoption, surrogacy, genetic testing, termination for medical reasons, single parenting by choice, LGBTQ+ family building, living childless not by choice, depression, relationship struggles, financial stress, jealousy, PTSD, trauma and beyond. In this safe, non-judgmental space, Ali explores all the outcomes: the joyful, the soul-crushing, and the stories still unfolding. Infertile AF is here to remind you that no matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone.

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