Quiet The Clock Beth Gulotta

In this episode of Quiet the Clock, Leyla Bilali, a seasoned fertility nurse and co-founder of Dandi Fertility, shares her expertise and personal struggles with infertility. She discusses the emotional journey of patients, the importance of education and personalized care in fertility treatments, and the challenges of navigating the fertility space. Leyla emphasizes the need to process emotions related to infertility and the significance of letting go of the idea of a perfect ending. Beth and Leyla explore the nuances of fertility preservation and the impact of Dandi Fertility's supportive products and services. The episode is a deep dive into the complexities of fertility and the emotional support required for those on this journey. 
Quotes Leyla Bilali, 00:03:35, "I feel that the fertility journey is so intimate, that connection is so important."
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:04:26, "I'm a hardcore empath, and I think that's what fertility patients need—they want to feel seen and heard."
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:15:24, "I think education—the younger the better—because there's a lot of females who think that this doesn't really apply to me right now."
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:21:27, "I always say the younger the better, and I don't mean that to scare people or put pressure on them; it's just a biological fact."
 
Beth Gulotta, 00:22:10, "It's such a huge step to make the decision to freeze your eggs, a huge process to do it emotionally, physically, financially."
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:23:10, "There's just a lot of 'don't ask, don't tell,' and if you don't know the right questions to ask, you're not getting the information you need."
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:42:51, "I think the first time it happened to me, I still felt like I couldn't, and I didn't have the space. It's secondary infertility; I already have two healthy kids. Do I really have the right to be feeling these things?"
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:43:58, "It's necessary, yeah, because it can compound. And that's something that my OB said to me, and she was so right. I didn't want to realize that, but it compounds over time."
 
Leyla Bilali, 00:45:57, "Letting go of that perfect ending that you imagined for yourself is super important. It doesn't have to be perfect to still be really good."

Key Points Leyla's career transition into fertility nursing
Different subsets of fertility patients
Challenges of navigating a community platform for fertility patients
Lack of knowledge among women about their own bodies and fertility
Pressure and anxiety surrounding age and fertility
Importance of fertility preservation and lack of information provided to patients
Emotional impact of pregnancy loss and need for empathetic care
Complexity of fertility treatments and need for personalized care
Leyla's personal experience with infertility and emotional journey
Importance of allowing oneself to feel all the emotions that come with the fertility journey
 
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In this podcast episode, Beth interviews Shania, a 25-year-old who made the proactive decision to freeze her eggs. Shania sets a remarkable example for young women to think ahead about family planning to ensure the ability to focus on building a life and career you love while not being pressured by timelines and a biological clock.Shania describes the process and her choice to share her journey on social media, challenging societal expectations and promoting informed personal choices. The conversation explores the broader themes of life planning, questioning cultural narratives, and empowering women to shape their futures. 
Quotes
Shania Bhopa, 00:02:08, "I think life gives you whispers, so I think this was like a whisper for me to think about it."
Shania Bhopa, 00:03:38, "This is the youngest and healthiest my eggs will ever be."
Shania Bhopa, 00:07:17, "I saw it as just a data point in my story... I think motherhood is so beautiful, but I think you can be strategic about it."
Shania Bhopa, '00:22:51', "This process is expensive, so medication coverage was one. Number two, I know, like when I close my eyes and envision my future life, I have kids. I don't know when, but I know I will have children, and I've always wanted to be a mom."
Shania Bhopa, '00:28:31', "You have this weight on your shoulder, and you also feel pressured to make decisions fast. It's like, okay, need to find the partner, need to figure out my career, need to figure out when I'm going to have kids in all of the mix."
Shania Bhopa, '00:31:56', "You are allowed to plan and be strategic about your life, and no one should tell you otherwise. You are allowed to feel in control, and I hope that this podcast empowers you just a little bit more to feel in control of future you."
Key Points
Shania's decision to freeze her eggs at a young age
Shania's process of considering and undergoing egg freezing
The impact of sharing her story on social media
The importance of being proactive about fertility and family planning
Shania's reasons for freezing her eggs at a young age
The emotional and logistical aspects of the egg freezing process
The societal pressures and lack of education around fertility
Encouraging young people to think about their future and what they want
The importance of planning and understanding one's fertility
The broader conversation about permission to think outside the box and plan for the future
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In this episode of "Quiet the Clock", Beth Gulotta and her mentee and friend Lauren Larkin delve into the complex decision of egg freezing. Lauren, contemplating this significant step, discusses the emotional and relational dynamics with her partner Mike, emphasizing the need for support and open dialogue. They explore societal pressures, personal fears, and the importance of making choices aligned with individual desires rather than external expectations. The episode also touches on the practicalities of the process, from clinic visits to scheduling and prenatal preparations. Beth shares her insights, encouraging involvement and communication between partners. Both emphasize the importance of sharing similar stories to normalize different timelines and paths. 
Quotes Lauren Larkin, 00:02:01, "It's like a shared decision that you're making, but then it's also like, if you're not married or engaged, it's like, well, is this my decision to make? Am I solo on this boat?"
Lauren Larkin, 00:05:30, "You should only be saying, 'Yeah, I'm obsessed with my partner, and I want to get married to them, and I'm so excited.'"
Lauren Larkin, 00:06:23, "Part of me doing this is to protect myself from turning into a person that I don't want to be in my relationship."
Lauren Larkin, 00:18:30, "I'm just not an idealist; I am like, where are the holes? What could go wrong? How can I prevent it as much as possible?"
Lauren Larkin, 00:18:55, "I like the idea of enjoying every stage and phase of life, and I think that gives me a little bit more... it's the scarcity of 'we have to do this right now, oh my god this isn't going to happen.'"
Lauren Larkin, 00:25:07, "I think it's just a little bit of a security blanket on our overall relationship for me that I feel like, okay, he said obviously, or like he said, 'Can you do it tomorrow?'"
Beth Gulotta, 00:35:25, "I appreciate you saying that so much because it is so important for me to safeguard other women from some of the experiences that I have had."
Beth Gulotta, 00:35:56, "Even if it's helping one person, I'm down to do it."
Key Points Decision to freeze eggs and its impact on relationships
Emotional and logistical aspects of the egg freezing process
Societal pressures and expectations around marriage and motherhood
Importance of open communication in relationships
Managing personal and professional roles as therapists
Emotional and practical considerations in choosing the timing for the procedure
Support and guidance for those considering egg freezing
Sharing personal experiences to help others going through similar situations
Importance of feeling supported and not alone in the decision
Providing support and guidance to others in similar situations
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Sabrina Zohar shares her personal journey and her thoughts on dating, in this episode of Quiet the Clock. Sabrina is a renowned dating coach and the voice behind the "Do the Work" podcast. Dive into Sabrina's extraordinary life story, from chasing her acting dreams in the bustling streets of New York to launching a successful clothing brand amidst life's unexpected twists and turns. She opens up about the significance of being true to who you are and how authenticity shapes her approach to dating coaching. The discussion delves into the pressures of societal norms, like the rush to wed by a certain milestone, and highlights the importance of self-love and honoring your individual journey. Sabrina's narrative is a testament to resilience and the beauty of navigating the unpredictable journey of life and the benefit of doing the work.
Quotes Sabrina Zohar, '00:01:00', "Sometimes we have to accept that our path is not the one we thought it was going to be on, but it's so much better."
Sabrina Zohar, '00:02:21', "I dropped out of college because I failed my PE class and I was like, 'I'm done, I don't want to keep doing this.'"
Sabrina Zohar, '00:10:07', "Now I have a business that's 30 times more successful than my clothing line, and I'm looking to sell my clothing line and move on with my life."
Sabrina Zohar, '00:17:38', "Maybe let's try something different and start to investigate what I want the texting for. Oh, because I don't want to feel like I'm being abandoned. I don't want to feel like I'm being left. Okay, but then I don't actually need the texting, you know what I mean?"
Sabrina Zohar, '00:20:11', "I found that sexy, and I was like, 'You're right, I don't need this.' But he wants to spend time with me, and I was like, 'Oh, okay, great.'"
Sabrina Zohar, '00:29:02', "I said, 'I'm not an idiot, and I'm not an incel. You can speak to me with respect. If you need space, just talk to me. It's okay, go take some space. But you don't need to be passive-aggressive with me or short with me just because you don't know how to communicate that with me.'"
Beth Gulotta, '00:32:07', "I love conflict, I love resolution, I love the repair piece. It's so integral and important to a relationship, and I'm really proud of how we do that."
Beth Gulotta, '00:33:00', "The timeline made me anxious, the timeline made me stressed. It's hard not to fall into that if you're a 30-something woman and you're not there yet."
Sabrina Zohar, '00:35:53', "I'm here to say I accept this, I'm okay with this, and I allow myself to be on my journey that makes sense for me."

Key Points Untraditional career paths and celebrating them
Sabrina's journey from pursuing acting to becoming a dating coach
Challenges and setbacks in career and personal life
Starting a clothing line and transitioning to coaching
Overcoming setbacks and finding success
Authenticity and staying true to oneself in content creation
Debunking bad dating advice and promoting honesty in relationships
Challenging expectations and anxieties in dating
Navigating conflicts in relationships and healthy conflict resolution
Addressing pressures and anxieties related to motherhood and dating timelines
 
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Beth welcomes Christina Galbato, an educator, marketer, and investor who discusses her personal journey, including her career, sobriety, and decision to freeze her eggs before turning 30. They explore the societal expectations of women regarding marriage and children, and how Christina's own path diverged from these norms due to her business and personal growth. The conversation delves into the importance of self-awareness, aligning actions with personal values, and the challenges ambitious women face in relationships. Christina shares her insights on seeking a partner who complements her strengths and the significance of being open about one's struggles to help normalize different life choices. 
Quotes Christina Galbato, 00:01:33, "I think we all, as women, have this idea that we're going to get married by like 24."
Christina Galbato, 00:02:49, "I thought that was maybe the person that I was going to have that life with, and now where am I?"
Christina Galbato, 00:03:29, "I've always felt like in terms of my career that I've been ahead, but in terms of relationships and the progression of that, I was behind."
Christina Galbato, '00:17:27', "It's important to make sure that when you are actually ready for that relationship, you've done a decent amount of work on becoming self-aware of your tendencies and your attachment style."
Christina Galbato '00:20:00', "Internally, I feel like a completely different person, but what it is with the self-trust I think that I've figured out is that it's the difference between who you want to be and who you are being."
Christina Galbato, '00:30:41', "Yes, this is different than the life that I had planned, but it's ten times better."
Christina Galbato, '00:34:14', "I just didn't feel like going that route with it. The vulnerability of having to show up and maybe have a bad outcome, and you have to process your own emotion and then share with other people... that's what terrifies me."
Christina Galbato, '00:35:10', "I always try to share from a scar, not a wound. Whatever I'm sharing is going to have an impact on somebody in some way."
Christina Galbato, '00:39:06', "80% of them were very positive. Thank you so much for sharing this; it's so empowering."

Key Points Christina's journey, career, relationships, and challenges as a successful, ambitious woman
Societal pressures and expectations around relationships and fertility for women approaching 30
Cognitive dissonance and expectations around reaching certain milestones by a certain age
Impact of starting a business and getting sober on dating and relationships
Narratives around feeling behind or running out of time as 30 approaches
Importance of owning one's own timeline and reconciling societal narratives
Finding balance and being grateful for the present moment
Becoming the person who can attract the right partner
The impact of sobriety on gaining clarity and confidence
The decision-making styles and dynamics in relationships
The importance of normalizing and sharing experiences of egg freezing and sobriety
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In this episode of "Quiet the Clock," host Beth Gulotta and her guest Kelsey Darragh, creator, filmmaker, and author, dive into the emotional and medical intricacies of fertility treatments. Kelsey shared that people were (even herself) surprised by this decision because she has always been open about not wanting kids, and even while she is still unsure, she acknowledges there are changes she has made that she never imagined possible and this too may change.  Or it may not, but making this choice allows her that option. Beth and Kelsey share personal stories, discussing the unexpected outcomes and the emotional toll of the process. Beth reveals her therapy experience with microdosing mushrooms before a transfer, while Kelsey talks about the stress of treatments during the pandemic. The episode also covers the challenges of medication protocols, the variability in egg retrieval results, and the supportive role of friends in decisions like sperm donation. They conclude by addressing the need for more open discussions on fertility and the hope for better fertility support in the future.
Quotes Kelsey Darragh, '00:02:57', "Once I had that realization that I always said I was never going to quit drinking and then I did, it was a really powerful moment of like, I can really do anything now."
Kelsey Darragh, '00:03:28', "Having kids is the only thing that I could think of that has a time limit on it."
Kelsey Darragh, '00:09:54', "I didn't know some of this stuff. I never learned that you lose half your eggs before you hit puberty. No one tells you that."
Kelsey Darragh, '00:15:57', "After I had the retrieval, I felt everything. It felt like my body was being depleted of all the hormones and the good stuff, and then I went through an insane heartbreak breakup."
Kelsey Darragh, '00:17:40', "I was so angry about that, and my therapist at the time was like, 'Maybe you should let him be involved.' I'm really happy I did listen to her, but at first, I was like, 'I don't want no part of this.'"
Kelsey Darragh, '00:20:05', "I've had a new awakening and awareness of the true struggle it is for women going through IVF because it is not easy. Even if you're having a good time and the hormones aren't affecting you much, it is still a process."
Beth Gullota, '00:27:33', "It's really emotional, you know, because you're just hoping and you're wanting, and if you're going through that process, you've decided you want this."
Beth Gullota, '00:30:43', "I realize, you know, hindsight is 20/20, but I realized that being in a place where you're emotionally, mentally, physically feeling good is so important going into it, whether it's egg freezing or embryos."
Beth Gullota, '00:33:25', "Having all of that knowledge going through the first time, knowing what to expect, and what to think the second time has been tougher on my body, just because we're three days away from my retrieval."
Beth Gullota, '00:42:08', "People are like, 'I never thought about this. I'm going to go get my eggs checked.' At least just go get your eggs checked."
Kelsey Darragh, '00:48:39', "I don't ever want to regret this. I don't want to turn around at 45 and regret not having done this."
Kelsey Darragh, '00:51:25', "Having a baby is a miracle. It is like that is crazy."
Beth Gullota, '00:55:15', "I felt alone, unsure, confused, and uncertain, and when you're considering such a big decision, feeling those ways does not feel good."
Beth Gullota, '00:55:44', "The goal is to not let anyone feel alone in this journey."
Beth Gullota, '00:55:44', "This is a very big decision, so I don't want anyone to feel alone in it."

Key Points Fertility, egg freezing, and decision-making around having children
Personal experiences with fertility and egg freezing
Importance of being proactive about fertility choices
Need for more open conversations about women's health and fertility
Journey of sobriety and its impact on fertility decisions
Importance of having a s