What does infertility feel like from a man's point of view? How do couples navigate years of uncertainty, loss, and hope when answers never come? And can creative expression, like writing a book, help rebuild connection in the midst of pain?

In this powerful and vulnerable conversation of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with The Empty Nest author Jared Walker to talk about infertility, grief, and how storytelling can bridge emotional distance between partners.

Jared shares the deeply personal journey that inspired his illustrated book The Empty Nest, written for his wife after years of infertility and miscarriage. What began as private journaling became a love letter to their shared resilience. And ultimately, a gift to the fertility community.

Jared's story captures the isolation, longing, and quiet courage that so many couples experience. This episode is full of honesty and vulnerability that can heal and connect, even in the hardest moments.

This episode is a moving reminder that infertility is never just "her story". It's their story, and hope can take many forms.

In this episode you'll hear:

• [1:13] Jared's story of love, loss, & creation of The Empty Nest
• [5:09] Couples grieve differently
• [9:04] The silence around men's experience with infertility
• [13:50] Vulnerability, social media, & the courage to share publicly
• [24:14] Reading from The Empty Nest: isolation, grief, and quiet beauty
• [30:29] Why men need to be part of the fertility conversation
• [40:03] Connect with Jared & find his book

Resources mentioned:

www.dollarfor.org/gethelp

@dollarfor on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | YouTube

Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books