In this deeply moving episode of the Love and Science Podcast, Dr. Erica Bove sits down with Dr. Tasha Faruqui — pediatrician, author, speaker, and mother of a daughter with a rare, life-limiting genetic condition. Dr. Faruqui shares the early signs that something wasn’t right, the years-long diagnostic journey, and the reality of parenting a medically complex child while navigating anticipatory grief. Together, they explore powerful parallels between raising a child with uncertainty and walking the fertility journey. In this conversation, they discuss: • Trusting your intuition as a physician and patient • Advocating for yourself within a broken medical system • Balancing trust and self-advocacy • The emotional weight of infertility and uncertain outcomes • What anticipatory grief really means • Letting go of the life you planned • Choosing joy intentionally in the middle of suffering • How to support families facing complex medical diagnoses Whether you are navigating infertility, parenting through uncertainty, experiencing miscarriage, or supporting someone in a medically complex season, this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and hope. Dr. Faruqui is also the author of Keep Your Head Up: A Mother’s Story of Chasing Joy in the Face of Grief, and she shares how writing her story became part of her family’s healing. This conversation is a reminder that grief and joy can coexist — and that you do not have to walk hard seasons alone. About Dr. Tasha Faruqui Tasha Faruqui joined the National Health Service Corps following her graduation from medical school. Her plan was to take over her father’s practice once her commitment was complete, but this was diverted when her second daughter, Soraya, was born with a rare, little-known genetic disorder that remains largely a mystery thirteen years later. Tasha’s focus then shifted to pediatrics, with particular attention to advocacy and support for parents of medically complex children and those with a limited life expectancy. Today, she regularly brings her dynamic message of fierce and loving hope to medical students at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the top pediatric medical facility in the country, Make-A-Wish events, and her Instagram community (@thefaruqui5). Her debut memoir, Keep Your Head Up: A Mother’s Story of Chasing Joy in the Face of Grief, was published by Jossey-Bass in September 2025. Tasha was named a top doctor by Cincinnati Magazine in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Connect and learn more at www.tashafaruqui.com. Support the show As always, please keep in mind that this is my perspective and nothing in this podcast is medical advice. If you found this conversation valuable, book a consult call with me using this link: https://www.loveandsciencefertility.com/private-fertility-consult Follow us on social media: IG: www.instagram.com/loveandsciencefertility FB: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553692167183 Please don’t let infertility have the final word. We are here to take the burden from you so that you can achieve your goal of building your family with confidence and compassion. I’m rooting for you always. In Gratitude, Dr. Erica Bove
