In this week’s episode I got to chat all about men's mental health with John Shearer, Registered Social Worker and owner of Kickstart Men's Therapy. His mission is to empower men to process their emotions, strengthen their relationships, and find resilience as they step into roles as partners and fathers. John shares his personal journey into therapy, emphasizing the importance of addressing men's mental health, especially in the context of fertility. The conversation explores the stigma surrounding men's vulnerability, the role of partners in seeking help, and practical tips for navigating therapy. John highlights the significance of finding a therapist who resonates with men's experiences and the collective journey of couples facing fertility challenges. 

Some of the topics covered:

00:00 Introduction to Men's Mental Health

02:59 The Journey to Therapy: Personal Experiences

06:13 Breaking the Stigma: Men's Vulnerability in Fertility

08:45 The Role of Partners in Seeking Help

11:59 Navigating Therapy: Tips for Men and Couples

14:53 Finding the Right Therapist: Importance of Connection

17:53 The Value of Men's Mental Health Support

22:37 Navigating Therapy: Finding the Right Fit

25:09 Therapy's Role in the Fertility Journey

27:48 Mindfulness and Presence in Fertility

29:34 Emotional Regulation for Expecting Fathers

31:52 Generational Shifts in Fatherhood

34:59 Communication and Support in Relationships

40:51 Final Thoughts: Being Present in the Journey

Find more from John over on his website, https://www.kickstartmenstherapy.ca/, or check out his instagram page @kickstartmenstherapy 

Ready to connect again on the fertility journey? Join our Conceive Together 7-day Challenge for just $9 and get started on your path to optimizing your chances while building a deeper connection as a couple through the process. Check out more at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge 

We’re back! After a brief break I’m so happy to be back in your ears and chatting all things fertility. Today we’re talking about hair loss and the potential connection to infertility. We’re going to chat about different causes of hair loss, things we need to think about in terms of how that may relate to your fertility journey, and potential treatment options.

Join our Conceive Together Challenge for just $9 and walk away with a supportive fertility plan of action for both you and your partner! Head to ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge 

Thank you to our amazing podcast sponsor Needed, use the code DRKELSEY for 20% your first order at thisisneeded.com

In this week’s episode I sit down with attorney Daphne Delvaux and discuss the intersection of motherhood and career, focusing on the rights of women undergoing fertility treatments in the workplace. We cover the importance of understanding legal protections, communicating effectively with employers, and negotiating accommodations to support both career ambitions and family planning. As well as preparing for parental leave and navigating job transitions while seeking fertility benefits. You can find more about Daphne over on her Instragram @themamattorney or her website https://www.themamattorney.com/ and if you need support in understanding policy and law in your area, check out her membership The Liberated Mother.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding your rights in the workplace

• How to communicate with employers

• The importance of documentation and your legal protections

• Negotiating accommodations on you fertility journey

• Preparing for parental leave

• Navigating different leave policies and employer expectations

• Navigating leave after miscarriage

• Mental health accommodations in the workplace 

Grab 20% off your order of Needed supplements over at thisisneeded.com with the code DRKELSEY.

This week’s episode is a replay of a popular 2022 episode! We chat about what things to consider if you’re confused by having a regular cycle and still not getting pregnant, how there’s more to fertility than just getting a properly timed period, and what tests to start advocating for regardless of where you are in your journey.

Thank you to our Podcast Sponsor, Needed! Enjoy 20% off Needed supplements over at thisisneeded.com using the coded DRKELSEY.

Ready to take control of your fertility journey and use our Whole Couple Approach? Grab our Conceive Together Challenge for just $9 to get 7 days of fertility info and tips for both you and your spouse to optimize your chances of conceiving. ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

This week’s episode we cover how to track your cycle (with way less stress) if you have PCOS or long, irregular cycles. I go over a common complaint / mistake that women with irregular cycles are making when it comes to tracking their cycle, and how to properly time intercourse.

Check out Episode 105 and 55 for more cycle tracking information.

Use the code KELSEYTD to save 15% off your TempDrop to help make cycle tracking and confirming ovulation a breeze. www.tempdrop.com 

Grab our Conceive Together Challenge for just $9 and get 7 days of audios for you and your partner to come together on your fertility journey, learn about the foundational habits that boost fertility rates, and build out your fertility care plan together. Join at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

This week’s episode covers an important topic entering December: how to thrive during the holiday season while navigating the challenges of fertility. We chat about some of the practical tips on managing travel, nutrition, and family dynamics, emphasizing the importance of self-care and setting boundaries, that I share with our Fertility Confidence Method Clients.

Topics Covered:

• How to plan ahead when it comes to the holiday season

• Travelling with your supplements

• Taking a break 

• Navigating conversations with family

• Setting boundaries

Check out one of my favourite prenatal vitamins from Needed over at thisisneeded.com and use the code DRKELSEY for 20% off your first order.

Our Conceive Together challenge will help you and your spouse set the foundational groundwork to optimize your fertility through sharing the research and helping you lessen the burden of figuring it all out on your own. Grab this impactful 7 day challenge over at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/ctchallenge

I got a chance to sit down with Dr. Mark Ratner, Chief Science Officer of Therologix and retired urologist focused in male fertility. We talked about the super popular GLP-1 craze in the health space currently, how we should approach these medications in the fertility space and the power of Berberine or Inositol as supportive products. Dr. Ratner also shared his expertise on supplement safety, and how to ensure you’re taking something that is not only safe but also effective and properly labelled, the danger of proprietary blends and the importance of education for consumers.

Theralogix, a Washington, DC based company is founded by a team of physicians and scientists committed to developing evidence-based, independently certified nutritional supplements. Find out what Theralogix has to offer on their site https://theralogix.com/

Our next free Fertility Confidence Bootcamp is starting December 2nd - start building out your fertility care plan with me live over 5 days by joining ttc.kelseyduncan.com/bootcamp

In this week’s episode, I’m answering a common question I get in my DMs: will painting my nails impact my fertility? In this short and sweet listen I go through why this is an important question to ask and how we can realistically look at the toxic burden when it comes to the fertility journey.

Topics Covered:

• My personal journey with toxic burden

• What to consider when looking at toxic burden and fertility

• Should you paint your nails, or dye your hair when TTC

Check out the high quality fertility supplements crafted by Needed over at thisisneeded.com and use the code DRKELSEY for 20% off your first order!

There’s still time to join our Conceive Together Challenge! For just $9 get 7 days of bite sized but impactful audios for both you and your spouse to come together and improve your fertility outcomes (and your relationship!). Join here.

In this episode of the Fertility Confidence Podcast, I sit down with intimacy experts Vanessa and Xander Marin to talk about the unique challenges that couples face with intimacy while navigating fertility struggles. Vanessa and Xander are known for their candid advice and practical strategies, and together, we explore ways to help you and your partner reconnect and overcome the pressures that fertility can put on your relationship.

Here’s what we cover:

• The “Fairy Tale” expectations around sex and how they create unnecessary stress

• Why sex can start to feel like just another “checkbox” and how to bring back the connection

• How to break out of routine and rediscover passion during your fertility journey

• Understanding responsive vs. spontaneous desire so each of you can feel supported

• Tools and rituals to help maintain intimacy and reduce performance pressure

• Tips for managing the “mental load” of trying to conceive and communicating about it

Resources We Mentioned:

• Vanessa and Xander’s Foreplay Guides and Courses – These are fantastic, shame-free resources for bringing more excitement and understanding to your sex life

• Follow Vanessa and Xander on Instagram for candid, relatable content: @vanessaandxander

If you’re ready to embrace a stronger connection and create a partnership-focused approach to intimacy, tune in and discover new ways to feel closer and more in sync with your partner. Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert insights to help you move forward on your fertility journey with confidence!

In this week’s episode I’m sharing an inspiring client success story that highlights the complexity of Unexplained Infertility and the need for a care team to dig deeper with you. We chat about the importance of comprehensive testing, support on your fertility journey, and our signature Whole Couple Approach. Listen on to hear how this client got pregnant in just 3 months after trying for 2 years with no success and being told IVF was her next option.

Topics Covered:

• Unexplained Infertility

• Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid and Fertility

• Whole Couple Approach

• Comprehensive Fertility Testing

• How Nutrition and Lifestyle Play a Role in Fertility Care

• Fertility Support

Enjoy 20% off your first order of Needed products with the code DRKELSEY over at thisisneeded.com

Curious what a full fertility lab list looks like? Grab Fertility Labs 101 for our complete work up, explinations, and optimal lab values for both you and your partner over at ttc.kelseyduncan.com/fertility-labs