The Home of Fertility with Liz Walton & Helen Zee

We sit down with Sam Payne, co-founder and CEO of Pink Elephants, to talk about miscarriage, early pregnancy loss, and why no one should be left to navigate grief alone. We share practical language, workplace rights, and the small acts of care that help people feel seen when the worst happens.
• Sam’s story of recurrent pregnancy loss and why she built Pink Elephants
• Why miscarriage stays silenced and how missing data hides the true scale
• What needs to change across government, community, and workplaces
• How to support someone after pregnancy loss using validation, empathy, and connection
• Why “at least it was early” and quick fixes can deepen harm
• How to handle baby news, baby showers, due dates, and giving an opt-out
• Leave for Loss in Australia and what compassionate workplaces can add
• Permission to grieve and letting go of self-blame after miscarriage or IVF loss

“At least it happened early.” “At least you can get pregnant.” Most people mean well, but those words can land like a punch when you’re grieving a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. We’re joined by Sam Payne, co-founder and CEO of Pink Elephants, to name what so many families are carrying in silence and to offer a better way forward: validation, empathy, and connection.

We talk through Sam’s lived experience of recurrent pregnancy loss, the moment she realized there was nowhere to turn for support, and how that gap became a national movement. Together we unpack why miscarriage is still treated as a private issue, how missing data keeps the real numbers hidden, and what needs to change at multiple levels, from government policy reform to everyday community language. We also speak directly to partners’ grief, because pregnancy loss is not only a women’s health issue.

The conversation gets practical. We share what to say (and what not to say) after a loss, how to show up in ways that actually reduce the burden, and why grief doesn’t end after the first few days. We also cover workplace support, including Australia’s Leave for Loss provisions, and what compassionate leave policies, trained peer supporters, and well-equipped leaders can do to reduce stress, anxiety, and longer-term mental health impacts.

If you’ve experienced miscarriage, supported someone through it, or lead a team where this will inevitably touch a colleague, this is a toolkit you can return to. 

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How ot contact Pink Elephants;

http://www.pinkelephants.org.au

Instagram - @pinkelephantssupport @sampaynepinkelephants
LinkedIn -  @samanthapayne 

We talk with fertility specialist Dr Luke Larmour about what it really takes to build a family with donor sperm in Australia, from choosing the right donor pathway to navigating screening and legal realities. We break down timelines, common roadblocks, and the steps that protect you and your future child while keeping your plan moving forward.

• solo mothers by choice as the largest group seeking donor sperm
• same-sex couples and heterosexual couples needing donor sperm
• known donor versus clinic-recruited donor options in Australia
• fertility assessment and planning your family goals early
• required counseling and the implications of donor conception
• altruistic donation rules and why donors are not paid
• identity release at 18 and preparing for future questions
• family limits and how clinics track genetic offspring numbers
• genetic carrier screening and infectious disease screening
• what “good quality” sperm means including age and lifestyle
• semen analysis and how it can influence IUI versus IVF
• quarantine timelines and why donation takes months
• delays from high demand and interstate complications
• risks of informal donor pathways and why clinics emphasize safety
• top tip to start early and get the ball rolling with a specialist

Donor sperm can open a door to parenthood, but the real process is more than picking a profile and hoping for the best. We sit down with Melbourne fertility specialist Dr Luke Larmour to walk through how donor sperm works in Australia and what people often wish they’d understood sooner, especially around timing, screening, and the long-term implications for a donor-conceived child.

We talk about who commonly seeks donor sperm today, including solo mothers by choice, same-sex couples, and heterosexual couples dealing with male-factor infertility. Dr Larmour explains the two main donor pathways, using a known donor versus choosing a clinic-recruited donor through a regulated sperm bank, and what changes depending on your choice. We also unpack the practical steps that shape your timeline: your own fertility assessment, mandatory counseling, genetic carrier screening, infectious disease testing, semen analysis, and the quarantine period that helps keep treatment safe.

We get honest about the pressure points: donor shortages, long waits to secure a suitable match, and the complexities that can pop up across state lines. Dr Larmour also shares why “informal” donor arrangements can create serious medical, legal, and ethical risks, and why clinic safeguards like screening and family limits exist to protect recipients, donors, and children. If you’re considering donor sperm with IUI or IVF, this conversation gives you clear next steps and a simple takeaway: start early and get expert guidance before the clock adds stress.

Subscribe for more practical fertility conversations, share this with someone weighing donor conception, and please leave a review so we can reach more people on the path to building a family.

To connect to Dr Larmour - 

email - [email protected]

website - https://drlukelarmour.com.au

Instagram - instagram @drlukelarmour

We talk with Sharon Tal, a kinesiologist and “Soul Alchemist,” about how muscle testing and energy mapping can reveal the real roots behind fertility struggles. We explore miscarriage recovery, IVF support, and why safety in the nervous system can matter as much as hormones and timing.
• Sharon’s definition of kinesiology and how it blends Chinese medicine meridians with practical assessment
• Using muscle testing to find patterns behind symptoms on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels
• Sleep timing and meridian themes as clues to deeper imbalance
• How kinesiology can support fertility for both partners alongside medical testing
• The umbilical chakra concept after miscarriage and IVF cycles and why “closing” matters
• Safety, security, and fight flight freeze as barriers to conception and holding pregnancy
• Rebuilding hope by removing guilt, shame, and self-blame and strengthening self-love
• Sharon’s clinic offerings, online sessions, and tools for self-support
• Jaw tension, TMJ work, and why relaxing the jaw can shift the whole system

Fertility can make you feel like your body is failing you, even when you’re doing everything you can. We sit down with Sharon Tal, the Soul Alchemist and founder of the Melbourne Kinesiology and Detox Center, to talk about a different way of finding answers: kinesiology and muscle testing as a map to what’s happening underneath the symptoms. If you’ve been navigating IVF, miscarriage, or unexplained fertility issues, this conversation is designed to bring clarity and a sense of direction.

We unpack what kinesiology is, how it draws on meridians and whole-body energy pathways, and why patterns like disrupted sleep, chronic tension, or recurring symptoms can point to the real root cause. Sharon shares how she approaches fertility support for both women and men, including the emotional and energetic dynamics of “receiving,” the importance of partner alignment, and how the brain-body connection can guide more targeted healing decisions.

One of the most memorable parts is Sharon’s explanation of the “umbilical chakra” and what can happen after a failed transfer or pregnancy loss, when the body may still be holding open energetic pathways. We also go deep on safety and nervous system regulation, including fight flight freeze, and why the body’s sense of security can influence implantation and pregnancy maintenance. We close with Sharon’s grounded advice on faith, self-inquiry without shame, and practical next steps, plus where to find her work online and in Melbourne.

If this conversation helps you feel seen or sparks a new perspective, subscribe for more real fertility support, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find us.

Sharon's Details;

https://www.thesoulalchemist.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/the.soulalchemist?igsh=dmxzaWV3MnRmOTN3&utm_source=qr

We talk with fertility consultant Ella McNamara about why Australians turn to egg donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy and how to weigh local versus overseas options. We focus on practical realities like laws, costs, ethics, and choosing reputable providers so you can move forward with clarity instead of panic.

• the three essentials needed to create a baby and why one missing piece changes the plan
• common reasons people choose donor eggs donor sperm or surrogacy including recurrent IVF failure and genetic risk
• what donation and surrogacy can look like in Australia and why availability is limited
• why intended parents go overseas including donor matching needs and bigger egg donor programs
• key selection factors for overseas destinations including Australian legal advice eligibility rules and embryo transport limits
• budget timeline and ethics as the guardrails for choosing a path
• how to assess reputable clinics and agencies including safety proven success and real support
• the mindset shift of pausing to name the problem before spending the budget

One missing piece can change everything. If you have been through IVF cycles, losses, or a diagnosis that makes you feel hopeless and helpless, you have probably already learned the hardest truth: wanting a baby is not the same as knowing the right path to get there. We sit down with fertility consultant Ella McNamara, founder of Fertility and Family, to talk plainly about egg donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy for Australians and how people decide what comes next when the usual steps are not working.

We break fertility down to the essentials: healthy sperm, healthy eggs, and a uterus. From there, we map the real-world reasons people turn to donor conception and surrogacy including genetic conditions, egg quality issues, sperm quality issues, recurrent IVF failure, being born without a uterus, and the practical realities for same-sex couples and single parents. We also talk about what is available in Australia, why donor and surrogate availability can be limited, and how state-by-state rules can make an already emotional process feel even more complicated.

If you are considering international IVF, overseas egg donation, or overseas surrogacy, Ella shares the big decision points to get right before you commit: local legal advice, eligibility rules in different countries, whether you can transport embryos, budget and timelines, and the ethics of each market. We also get into how to choose reputable providers when you do not yet know what questions to ask, what “safe” truly means for everyone involved, and why moving quickly only works when you are moving meaningfully.

Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find a clear path forward.

To contact Ella McNamara;

email; [email protected]

Website; http://www.fertandfam.co

Facebook; (20+) Facebook (fertandfam)

 Instagram; Instagram (fertandfam)

We sit down with womb and fertility massage teacher Carol Jones to explore the womb space as a portal for wisdom, healing, and real-time feedback about stress, boundaries, and hormones. We leave with a practical way to track your “inner seasons,” plus a clear reminder that yin is powerful and receptive, not passive.

• the womb space as access to subconscious healing and natural law
• menstruation reframed as release and monthly reset
• inner seasons cycle tracking using spring summer autumn winter
• planning life around yin and yang energy rather than linear time
• bleeding as initiation and practice for major life thresholds
• how chronic stress shifts hormones away from fertility and libido
• inherited trauma through the maternal line and epigenetics
• dreamwork and mapping patterns across months and life cycles
• grief and the heart-womb connection in reproductive health
• boundary injuries showing up as emotional and physical symptoms
• menopause as a spiritual path of transmutation and insight
• how to find Carol through Fertility Massage Melbourne and the Womb Space

Your womb is not a “menstruation machine,” and your cycle is not a problem to manage. We’re joined by Carol Jones, an intuitive healer and womb and fertility massage teacher, for a deep conversation about the womb space as a source of inner guidance and a practical way to understand fertility, stress, trauma, and healing.

We talk through the inner seasons model of the menstrual cycle, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and how cycle tracking can help you plan your life around yin and yang energy instead of forcing yourself into constant linear productivity. Carol explains why honoring retreat, rest, and receptivity can change everything from mood and boundaries to hormonal health, and how you can still work with these rhythms through the moon cycle if you’re not menstruating.

We also explore the fertility science of stress: how chronic cortisol and adrenaline can pull resources away from estrogen and progesterone, and why libido and fertility can be a surprisingly honest barometer of overall health. From inherited trauma and epigenetics in the maternal line to grief and the heart-womb connection, this conversation offers a compassionate lens for making sense of PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, miscarriage grief, and the emotional weight many people carry silently.

If you’ve been craving a grounded, holistic fertility and reproductive health conversation that still respects mystery, this one is for you. 

Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find this support.

And if you'd like to connect or share your story, find us on Instagram and Facebook at Australian Fertility Summit.

Carole Jones Details;

Fertility Massage Melbourne Facebook Page
 https://business.facebook.com/latest/home?business_id=253002365383189&asset_id=151816965497872
 
 Fertility Massage Melbourne Instagram 
 https://www.instagram.com/the_womb_space/
 
 Womb Massage Academy Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/wombmassageacademy/

Here are some suggested resources for those interested in learning more about how to work with their inner seasons:

RED SCHOOL ONLINE https://www.redschool.net

This UK based duo pioneered the field and offer many free resources for beginners 

LOVE YOUR CYCLE https://www.redschool.net/love

CHART YOUR CYCLE https://www.redschool.net/chart

INNER SEASONS https://www.redschool.net/categories/the-inner-seasons

JANE HARDWICKE COLLINS https://janeha

We explore how lymph health shapes hormones, energy, periods, and the path to conception with lymphology expert Michelle Richardson. Practical tools—movement, massage, warmth, and gut-first nutrition—show how to reduce pain, clear bloat, and create a cleaner pelvic environment.

• What the lymphatic system is and why it matters
• How stress, sugar, and acidity congest lymph
• Links between gut health, hormones, and mood
• Why painful periods and heavy flow often mean “washing” residue
• Fertility barriers from pelvic congestion and low core strength
• Practical ways to unblock lymph with rebounders and breath
• Foods that reduce fermentation and inflammation
• Gentle heat, massage, and daily movement for flow
• Realistic timelines for healing and lasting change
• Where to connect with Michelle and her workshops

What if fertility begins with flow, not force? We sat down with lymphology expert Michelle Richardson to unpack the quiet system that clears waste, steadies hormones, and sets the stage for conception and calmer cycles. Using vivid, practical analogies—the vacuum cleaner bag, the kinked hose, the icy pole tube—Michelle explains how lymph moves without a pump, why stress and sugar thicken the “sludge,” and how that congestion shows up as bloating, heavy periods, pelvic pain, and burnout.

We dig into the gut–hormone–pelvis loop: how chronic cortisol ferments sugar, binds with calcium and debris, and settles into the pelvic bowl, scrambling signals between the gut, ovaries, immune cells, and brain. Michelle shares why a heavier, more painful bleed is the body trying to “wash” stuck residue, and how a swampy environment can make implantation harder. She lays out a clear, doable plan to restore flow—short daily rebounder sessions, light weights with higher reps, deep core engagement, warmth and gentle massage to re-liquefy hardened deposits, and simple, alkaline-leaning foods that quiet fermentation and inflammation.

You’ll hear exactly what to add and what to reduce: leafy greens, minerals, hydration, fiber, and breath; fewer refined sugars, ultra-processed snacks, and congestion culprits. We talk realistic timelines—why a nine-month window mirrors the body’s renewal—and the mindset shift that keeps you going when fluids are heavy and change feels slow. Michelle also shares ways to connect with her work, from clinic sessions and online consults to small-group workshops and retreats focused on hands-on lymph education.

Ready to lighten the load, ease period pain, and create a cleaner terrain for conception and recovery? Press play, then share this conversation with someone who needs it.

If this podcast resonated and helped, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s the first habit you’re starting this week?

Find us on Instagram and Facebook at Australian Fertility Summit
The missing piece might be waiting in a story. 

Michelle Rishardson Details

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.richardson.70540 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-richardson-557b1661/
 https://www.instagram.com/lymphology_australia/

We challenge the myth of “normal” semen and map out how men can lift sperm quality in 72 days with smarter testing, targeted nutrition, and simple habit shifts. Raul explains DNA fragmentation, real percentile targets, and why both partners need equal work and equal data.

• why fifth percentile sperm ranges mislead
• healthy targets for count, morphology, DNA fragmentation
• semen analysis plus DNA fragmentation as baseline
• bloodwork that explains “why” sperm is low quality
• testosterone’s role in sperm maturation
• glucose control, inflammation, and testicular health
• 72‑day window for change and focused habits
• multivitamin, omega‑3, and zinc as core supports
• cooling strategies and heat avoidance for testes
• IVF as a better bet after male optimization
• equal testing and shared responsibility across the couple
• where to find Raul and his new book

The book is called the Male Factor … purchase through hreproductivehealth.com slash bookstore … we are running a 30% off until the 15th of February

Most men are told their semen is “normal.” Raul shows why that word can cost time, money, and heartache. We unpack the real targets that correlate with better conception—think 73 million per milliliter near the median, not 15 at the fifth percentile—and explain how DNA fragmentation can lead to early miscarriage even when fertilization occurs. The takeaway is simple and empowering: better testing plus focused habits can change sperm quality in roughly 72 days.

We walk through the must‑have labs for men trying to conceive or heading into IVF: a full semen analysis, DNA fragmentation, and a comprehensive blood panel that includes testosterone, zinc, selenium, B12, iron, homocysteine, inflammation markers, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HbA1c. Raul connects the dots between stress, sleep, and metabolic health, showing how blood glucose swings inflame the testicular environment and drag down motility, morphology, and DNA integrity. If you’ve been told “everything’s fine,” this conversation gives you the numbers and the plan to ask better questions and get better care.

Then we get practical. Raul favors targeted, sustainable changes over overwhelm: a quality men’s multivitamin and omega‑3 to cover common gaps, zinc adjusted to optimal levels, less alcohol to lower oxidative stress, and real sleep hygiene to support testosterone and maturation. We also dive into heat exposure—why breathable underwear and short daily cooling can help—and how movement around meals improves insulin sensitivity and, by extension, sperm health. For couples pursuing IVF, optimizing male factors first can raise embryo potential and may reduce the number of cycles needed. We close with where to find Raul’s telehealth practice and his book, The Male Factor, a hands‑on guide to shared fertility responsibility.

If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a partner who needs the data, and leave a quick review so more couples can find evidence‑based fertility support.

Find Raul 

Fertility Naturopath & Nutritionist
RH: Reproductive Health

www.rhreproductivehealth.com
www.rhreproductivehealth.com/book-online

@raulpastrana_hormonalhealth

To purchase the book - The Male Factor  Bookstore | RH: Reproductive Health

We bring male fertility to the forefront with dietitian Alex Hardy, breaking down the 12-week window where nutrition, lifestyle, and environment can meaningfully improve sperm health and DNA integrity. Clear steps, simple swaps, and evidence-backed supplements show men how to contribute actively to conception and long-term child health.

• Male factor as half the fertility equation
• Oxidative stress and why sperm are vulnerable
• Zinc, DHA, antioxidants, and CoQ10 explained
• Mediterranean pattern with practical food swaps
• Environmental toxins, microplastics, and high-impact swaps
• New Australian male fertility guidelines and access to care
• Epigenetics and lifelong child health implications

Alex Hardy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and founder of Axis Dietetics, specialising exclusively in men’s fertility and sperm health. With over a decade of clinical experience across acute and chronic care, Alex now helps men and couples improve reproductive outcomes through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies. His work focuses on sperm health, metabolic wellbeing, preconception nutrition, and supporting men through the often-overlooked male side of fertility. Alex is passionate about making fertility science clear, practical, and achievable for everyday men and their partners.

https://www.instagram.com

Today Helen chats with Dr. Caroline Fiddler—medical doctor, IVF mum, and creator of the The Cycle Guide app. After juggling shift work, ad-hoc nurse calls, and fragile paper instructions (hello servos and hospital corridors), Caroline built an easy, portable, and accurate way to manage fertility treatment—for patients and clinics.

We cover the lived reality of IVF: timing the trigger to the minute, tracking multiple meds, coping with anxiety, and changing clinics without losing your history. Caroline explains why simplicity beats bloat, how The Cycle Guide shows a clear month view with day-by-day tasks, and how its integrated option lets clinics send real-time instructions (reducing transcription errors and phone-tag stress).

We also discuss second opinions, speaking with embryologists, navigating workplaces, and why starting sooner (or egg freezing) can expand options. If you’ve ever wished IVF admin felt kinder, clearer, and more modern—this one’s for you.

We cover:
• Why handwritten instructions and phone calls fail under stress
• How Cycle Guide streamlines timing, meds, and tasks

• Decision fatigue, second opinions, and planning next steps
• Managing anxiety through simplicity, support, and routine

Dr Caroline Fiddler is a Melbourne medical doctor, IVF mum, and the creator of The Cycle Guide App, A simple, patient-first app for navigating fertility treatment. After her own IVF journey—juggling time-critical injections, early bloods and scans, multiple egg collections and transfers, plus workplace pressures and uncertain outcomes—Caroline saw how much success relied on patients accurately managing instructions at home. Drawing on experience across hospitals, labs, and community programs in metro and rural Australia, she designed a tool to restore clarity and calm. Partnering with Appetiser Apps, she launched Cycle Guide in early 2024 in Australia, then New Zealand. The app now integrates with clinics so nurses can send real-time treatment instructions directly to patients’ phones. A UK launch is imminent, with global expansion and white-label options planned. Caroline is proud to support patients and staff with technology that’s clear, flexible, and humane.

More information to explore :
https://www.instagram.com/cycleguide_ivf_app/
https://www.facebook.com/cycleguideivf/
https://au.pinterest.com/CycleGuideIVF/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-fiddler-bb1666313/

In this episode, Helen dives deep into ovulation, body literacy, and self-understanding with Fatima Sampayo, founder of Baby Bloom, Australia’s TGA-approved ovulation testing brand.

They explore what your cervical fluid, mood, and energy reveal about your hormonal rhythm — and how learning to “read” your cycle can transform not just conception but your connection to self. From creamy to egg-white textures, temperature tracking, and semi-quantitative LH tests, Fatima demystifies how to pinpoint your fertile window without stress or guesswork.

Together, they bust common myths (no, not everyone ovulates on day 14), talk intimacy under pressure, and remind us that fertility isn’t just biological — it’s emotional, relational, and beautifully cyclical.

If you’ve ever wondered when to test, how to track, or how to keep love alive while TTC, this conversation blends science, self-awareness, and heart.

Let's explore:

• Why knowing your cycle's signals builds self-trust
• Cervical fluid changes across follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases
• Fertile-quality mucus and sperm survival
• Semi-quantitative testing and why regulation matters
• Myths about day-14 ovulation and app predictions
• Intimacy, pressure, and communication strategies

Fatima Sampayo is the co-founder of bébé bloom, a women-led Australian fertility brand on a mission to make fertility care feel clear, compassionate, and accessible. Originally from Mexico and now proudly Australian, she is a mum of two, a devoted friend, and a single woman embracing life’s chapters with joy. Beyond entrepreneurship, Fatima heads the premium sales department at a global fintech and is training toward her six-pack abs. She has a soft spot for historical novels, a decaf skinny flat white, and good food. Fatima doesn’t believe in “bucket lists” — her philosophy is that dreams are meant to be lived today.

Learn more about bébé bloom:

https://www.instagram.com/bebebloom_fertility/
https://www.facebook.com/bebebloomfertility
Where to find me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatimasampayo/