Your Fertility Counsellor

Tanja Faessler
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I’m Tanja Faessler, an accredited coach, counsellor, and the founder of Counsellingconnectz and Fertilityconnectz. In this episode, I’ll share our journey—from starting in 2012 to supporting over 15,000 clients, a milestone that still fills me with gratitude. At Fertilityconnectz, we are dedicated to guiding you through every aspect of your fertility journey—whether you're trying naturally, going through IVF, or exploring options like egg freezing or donor programs. On this podcast, we will focus on all aspects of your well-being—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, on all levels—because we believe that balance in these areas is where the magic happens. Fertility can be an isolating journey, but you are not alone. We've created this podcast to touch on topics we've gathered from our extensive client sessions. These topics are designed to resonate with your experiences or even those of someone you know. Plus, we'll be inviting a series of knowledgeable guests to share their expertise, making each episode both informative and engaging. My goal is to make this podcast your supportive friend, offering understanding and guidance as you navigate your unique path to parenthood. Stay tuned for exciting episodes and let’s make your fertility journey one full of hope and fulfillment! Links: Website: https://www.fertilityconnectz.com/ Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Instagram: @fertilityconnectz

  1. 6h ago

    EP #97 - When Everyone Else Moves On — Giving Grief the Time It Actually Needs

    What if healing from grief wasn’t about moving on or leaving the pain behind — but learning how to live alongside it with greater compassion and understanding? In this episode, we explore the complex and deeply personal experience of grief, especially in the context of fertility loss. We reflect on why grief doesn’t follow a straight path, how it can resurface when we least expect it, and why having good days doesn’t mean we’ve stopped grieving. Together, we explore the expectations society places on how we should grieve, and why there is no timeline for healing. We make space for the emotions that come and go, reminding ourselves that we don’t have to rush the process or pretend to be okay before we’re ready. We also talk about the importance of support, honest communication, and self-compassion — both when navigating our own grief and when supporting someone we love. Through the metaphor of oak trees, we explore how resilience can grow slowly, even through seasons of uncertainty and pain. At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting. It means finding ways to carry what has happened while still allowing room for connection, hope, and moments of joy. This isn’t about overcoming grief on a timeline. It’s about learning to live with it, one day at a time. And if you're navigating fertility loss, may this episode remind you: you can have good days and still grieve. You can carry sadness and still find joy. Your healing is your own, and you deserve the time, support, and compassion to move forward in your own way. CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #97 - When Everyone Else Moves On — Giving Grief the Time It Actually Needs

  2. Oct 14

    EP #96 - Don’t Be an Athena — Miscarriage, Fertility & Finding Your Way Through Loss with Kayla Branstetter

    What if your fertility journey wasn’t just about navigating medical decisions — but about having your story heard, your experiences validated, and your voice truly matter? In this conversation, we explore the power of storytelling in women’s reproductive health with Kayla Branstetter, a writer and educator whose work focuses on infertility, miscarriage, and the importance of patient stories in medicine. Together, we explore what it means to feel unheard in healthcare, the impact of medical gaslighting, and why sharing your experiences can help challenge the silence and stigma that so many women carry. Through her own journey with infertility and miscarriage, Kayla reminds us that our stories are not insignificant — they are an essential part of understanding the emotional reality behind reproductive health. We also talk about the healing power of writing, the connection that grows when we share our truths, and the importance of questioning societal expectations around motherhood and womanhood. Kayla’s book, Don’t Be an Athena, challenges the pressure to endure pain in silence and appear strong, even when we’re struggling. At the heart of this episode is a reminder that your experience matters. You deserve to be heard, believed, and cared for as a whole person — not just a statistic or a medical case. This isn’t just about reproductive health. It’s about breaking the silence, finding connection, and reclaiming the right to tell your own story. If you’re walking this journey, may this conversation remind you: you are not alone, your voice deserves to be heard, and your story matters. Learn more about Kayla Branstetter: 👇 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbranstetter87/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.branstetter.758/ Website: https://kaylabranstetter.wpcomstaging.com/home-2/ CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #96 - Don’t Be an Athena — Miscarriage, Fertility & Finding Your Way Through Loss with Kayla Branstetter

  3. Oct 7

    EP #95 - When Your Mind Is Tired Too — The Invisible Mental Load We Carry

    What if feeling overwhelmed didn’t mean you were falling apart — but simply that you’ve been carrying too much for too long? In this episode of Your Fertility Counselor, we explore the invisible weight of mental load, especially during a fertility journey. The appointments, medications, decisions, uncertainty, and everyday responsibilities can create a constant hum in your mind — even when everything looks fine on the outside. Together, we talk about how mental exhaustion can look incredibly functional, and why you don’t have to reach a breaking point before giving yourself permission to pause. We also share simple ways to lighten the load: asking yourself, “Does this need an answer today?”, creating moments where your mind doesn’t have to perform, and being honest about what you need from the people around you. At the heart of this episode is a gentle reminder that supporting your mental health doesn’t always require a big intervention. Sometimes, it begins with one honest sentence or one small choice to make today feel a little lighter. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about giving yourself permission to carry less. As we approach World Mental Health Day, may this episode remind you: you don’t have to hold everything together alone. Take a breath, protect a little space for yourself, and ask — what would make today feel a little lighter? CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #95 - When Your Mind Is Tired Too — The Invisible Mental Load We Carry

  4. Sep 30

    EP #94 - Reproductive Law: IVF, Egg Freezing & Donor Programs with Nava Dimer

    What if navigating IVF wasn’t only about the medical steps — but also about understanding your rights, asking the right questions, and knowing what decisions may shape your future? In this conversation, we explore the legal and ethical side of fertility treatment with Nava Dimer, a bioethics expert specialising in assisted reproductive technologies. Together, we discuss why understanding your IVF contracts matters — from clinic and surrogacy agreements to the deeply important question of what happens to your embryos as your family-building journey evolves. We also talk about the importance of using your voice as a patient. You have every right to ask questions, seek clarity, and understand the agreements and decisions surrounding your care. At the heart of this episode is a reminder that fertility care goes beyond medical treatment. Legal, ethical, and emotional considerations all play a role in how we navigate this journey. This conversation also connects to a bigger question: what does the future of fertility look like? On Tuesday, October 6, experts across bioethics, reproductive medicine, embryo genetics, family-formation law, IVF litigation, and femtech will come together in New York City for The Future of Fertility, exploring the innovations, risks, ethics, and accountability shaping the fertility sector. The Future of Fertility 📍 New York Academy of Sciences, 115 Broadway, NYC 📅 Tuesday, October 6 ⏰ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET 🎟️ Free to attend/ Link to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-of-fertility-tickets-1998889550454?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true This isn’t just about contracts or legal details. It’s about understanding your options, asking questions, and knowing that your voice matters throughout your fertility journey. Learn more about Nava Dimer: 👇 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raderlawgroup?stkn=MXFldHJsMjZ0bnNjeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaderLawGroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raderlawgroup CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #94 - Reproductive Law: IVF, Egg Freezing & Donor Programs with Nava Dimer

  5. Sep 23

    EP #93 - What Makes a Family? Love, Genetics & Belonging

    What if family wasn’t defined by how your story began — but by the love, connection, and belonging you create every day? In this episode, we explore what it means to build a family beyond biology and the beautiful reality that families can begin in many different ways. For donor conception families, the journey may carry its own unique story — one shaped by hope, courage, love, and the decision to create something deeply meaningful together. Together, we reflect on the idea that belonging isn’t something we simply inherit. It is created through everyday moments — the cuddles, conversations, laughter, routines, and countless little acts of love that help a child feel safe, seen, and deeply connected. We also explore the importance of embracing your family story with honesty and pride. Every family has a beginning, and donor conception can be a meaningful and loving part of that story rather than something that needs to be hidden or explained away. At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that parenthood isn’t about having a perfect beginning. It’s about the relationship you build along the way — the presence, care, and connection that shape a child’s sense of home and belonging. This isn’t about biology defining your family. It’s about love creating it. And if donor conception is part of your family’s story, may this episode remind you: your family is not less because it began differently. Your story is yours to own, your love is real, and the small moments you share are what create a family. CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #93 - What Makes a Family? Love, Genetics & Belonging

  6. Sep 16

    EP #92 - The Grief Nobody Talks About - Letting Go of the Child You Once Imagined

    What if grief wasn’t a sign that you’ve made the wrong choice — but a reflection of how deeply the dream of family has mattered to you? In this episode, we explore the complex emotions that can arise when considering donor conception, and the grief that may accompany a path to parenthood that looks different from the one you once imagined. Together, we make space for the losses that can exist alongside hope — the genetic connection you may have imagined, the story you thought your family would have, or the future you once pictured. Grieving these things doesn’t mean you love your future child any less. It simply means something that matters deeply. We also explore the beautiful and sometimes difficult truth that grief and gratitude can exist at the same time. You can feel sadness for what you are leaving behind while also feeling grateful for the possibility of what lies ahead. One emotion does not cancel out the other. You’ll hear gentle reminders about allowing grief to change shape rather than forcing yourself to “move on.” With time, acknowledgment, and compassion, what once felt sharp may become softer — making room for a new story without erasing the old one. At the heart of this conversation is an invitation to honor both the family you once imagined and the family you may be creating now. This isn’t about choosing between grief and gratitude. It’s about allowing both to have a place. And if donor conception is part of your journey, may this episode remind you: you are allowed to grieve what you hoped for, while still opening your heart to what can become. Love is not created by genetics alone. It grows through presence, connection, and the relationship you build over time. CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #92 - The Grief Nobody Talks About - Letting Go of the Child You Once Imagined

  7. Sep 9

    EP #91 - Thinking About Using a Donor? The Questions Every Recipient Should Explore First

    What if choosing donor conception wasn't only about finding a way to build your family—but also about discovering what family truly means to you? In this episode, we explore the deeply personal questions that often sit beneath the decision to pursue donor conception. Beyond the medical process are conversations about love, identity, grief, belonging, and the future you hope to create. Together, we reflect on what it means to build a family when the path looks different from what you once imagined. We make space for the losses that may need to be acknowledged—the expectations, dreams, or genetic connections you may be grieving—while also gently exploring the new possibilities that can emerge when your definition of family begins to expand. We also talk about emotional readiness and why there is no "perfect" moment to make this decision. Instead, it is about understanding your values, exploring your hopes and fears with honesty, and asking yourself what truly matters most as you move forward. At the heart of this conversation is an invitation to imagine your future family with openness and compassion. Because while donor conception may change the path to parenthood, it does not change the capacity to create a family grounded in love, connection, and belonging. This isn't about having every answer before you begin. It's about making space for both grief and hope as you find your way forward. And if you're considering donor conception, may this episode remind you: your journey is uniquely yours. Family is shaped by the love you nurture, the values you live by, and the connections you build—not by genetics alone. CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #91 - Thinking About Using a Donor? The Questions Every Recipient Should Explore First

  8. Sep 2

    EP #90 - Thinking About Using a Donor? The Medical Facts Every Recipient Should Know

    What if building a family wasn't defined by genetics alone—but by the love, connection, and care you choose to give every single day? In this episode, we explore the emotional landscape of donor conception and the many questions, hopes, and uncertainties that can arise when considering this path to parenthood. For many individuals and couples, donor conception is far more than a medical decision—it is a deeply personal journey of grief, healing, hope, and family building. Together, we gently unpack some of the most common misconceptions surrounding donor conception and make space for the complex emotions that often accompany this decision. It is completely normal to experience conflicting feelings, uncertainty, or questions about identity, connection, and what family may look like in the future. We also explore the different donor pathways and the importance of understanding the legal, practical, and emotional aspects of each option. More importantly, we reflect on the powerful truth that the foundation of a family is not built through shared genetics alone, but through the love, attachment, and emotional security that grow over time. At the heart of this conversation is an invitation to look beyond myths and expectations, and instead make space for compassion, informed decision-making, and trust in your own journey. This isn't about choosing the "perfect" path. It's about finding the path that feels right for you and your family. And if donor conception is part of your story—or something you're beginning to consider—may this episode remind you: your emotions are valid, your questions deserve gentle exploration, and the love you give will always matter more than shared DNA. CONNECT WITH US! Website: www.fertilityconnectz.com Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Social Media: InstagramFacebookLinkedInTikTokYouTube

    EP #90 - Thinking About Using a Donor? The Medical Facts Every Recipient Should Know
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About

I’m Tanja Faessler, an accredited coach, counsellor, and the founder of Counsellingconnectz and Fertilityconnectz. In this episode, I’ll share our journey—from starting in 2012 to supporting over 15,000 clients, a milestone that still fills me with gratitude. At Fertilityconnectz, we are dedicated to guiding you through every aspect of your fertility journey—whether you're trying naturally, going through IVF, or exploring options like egg freezing or donor programs. On this podcast, we will focus on all aspects of your well-being—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, on all levels—because we believe that balance in these areas is where the magic happens. Fertility can be an isolating journey, but you are not alone. We've created this podcast to touch on topics we've gathered from our extensive client sessions. These topics are designed to resonate with your experiences or even those of someone you know. Plus, we'll be inviting a series of knowledgeable guests to share their expertise, making each episode both informative and engaging. My goal is to make this podcast your supportive friend, offering understanding and guidance as you navigate your unique path to parenthood. Stay tuned for exciting episodes and let’s make your fertility journey one full of hope and fulfillment! Links: Website: https://www.fertilityconnectz.com/ Email: enquiries@counsellingconnectz.com Instagram: @fertilityconnectz

Information

  • Creator
    Tanja Faessler
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Tanja Faessler
  • Show Website
    Your Fertility Counsellor