What happens when you're going through IVF, building a comedy career, and trying not to scream at strangers giving you unsolicited fertility advice? Casey Balsham finds the funny in all of it. In this honest and hilarious episode, Kara and Casey talk about grief, body changes, baby-making timelines, and what it takes to show up as a female comic in a world that still wants women to shrink. From the front row of her standup sets to the intimacy of her fertility journey, Casey proves that owning your story is a radical act.

Chapters:

00:00 Comedy, fertility, and saying the quiet parts out loud

01:45 When the dream doesn’t unfold on your timeline

03:15 IVF, pregnancy loss, and dealing with intrusive questions

06:30 Turning grief and hormones into standup material

09:00 Why comics need community, not competition

11:20 How to be funny without being mean

13:10 Starting the “Shady Sh*t” podcast

15:00 What makes women in comedy powerful

17:30 The body image spiral of fertility treatments

20:00 The pressure to be “okay” all the time

22:10 Why she’s done making herself smaller

25:00 Showing up on stage when life’s falling apart

27:15 What powerful means now — and what it doesn’t

30:00 Advice for anyone navigating fertility and big emotions

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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