What Comes Next

How much does surrogacy actually cost?

This week, we are opening up and having one of our most raw, real and transparent conversations yet.

We're talking openly about what we spent during our first surrogacy journey with James, as well as sharing our experience with the costs we're facing during our second journey, including appointments, medical expenses, extras and the unexpected additions that can quickly add up.

There are no secrets and no sugar coating. Just our actual experience, our actual numbers and an honest conversation about the financial side of surrogacy.

A little disclaimer: this episode is based entirely on our own personal experience. It is not intended to be a guide, quote or definitive representation of what surrogacy will cost. Every journey is different, and costs can vary depending on individual circumstances, providers, medical needs and choices.

As always, we’re keeping it real. raw. honest 🤍

This week on What Comes Next, we’re joined by a very special guest, Laura Canning 🤍

Laura isn’t just our guest… she’s Ash’s best friend.

Recently turning 40, Laura has already packed an incredible amount into her life. At just 34, she became a Director in the mining industry, has completed an Ironman, conquered the Kokoda Track, travelled the world, built an incredible career and experienced more than her fair share of life’s unexpected challenges.

Behind all of those achievements is a woman living with invisible conditions, including endometriosis, and a history that includes a stroke and broken bones, all experiences that have shaped her in ways people don’t always see.

But this episode is about so much more than achievements and challenges.

Laura is a family girl, fiercely loyal to her friends, passionate about life and someone who has continued to chase big goals while navigating the highs, lows and everything in between.

This episode is honest, personal, inspiring and full of the friendship and laughs you’d expect when best friends sit down for a chat.

We can’t wait for you to meet Laura.

This week on What Comes Next… we’re shit talking.

Yep. You read that right.

We're talking all things butthole, and as per usual, absolutely nothing is off limits.

From Ash’s experience with a prolapsed anus and bowel incontinence, to the realities of accidents, trialling period underwear, and navigating public spaces and accessible toilets, this episode gets very real, very quickly.

Honest conversations about the things people don’t always feel comfortable talking about.

Because bodies can be messy, awkward, unpredictable and sometimes downright embarrassing, but that doesn’t mean we should have to hide those conversations.

So settle in and prepare yourself for a conversation you probably never expected to hear on a podcast.

Real. Raw. Honest. And occasionally… a little bit shitty. 💩🤍

You asked, we answered! 🤍

This week on What Comes Next, we're opening up the floor for a good old fasioned Q&A.

From lasagna's, to sex with an artificial vagina, you guys asked all the questions! Nothing is off limits, and as always, we're keeping it Real. Raw. Honest.

A huge thank you to everyone who sent in a question and continues to support What Comes Next. We couldn't do this without you. 🤍

This week on What Comes Next, we’re joined by the incredible Jackie Fraser.

Jackie shares her journey living with Cystic Fibrosis, undergoing a double lung transplant, and now embarking on her own surrogacy journey.

We chat about her experiences, the challenges she’s faced, and what this next chapter looks like for her.

A beautiful, honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, hope and motherhood.

A baby is born, but what comes next?

In this episode, we take you into the weeks following James’ birth. A time filled with big emotions, shifting hormones, unexpected feelings and the reality of adjusting to life after birth.

We chat honestly about our expectations, how we each felt during those early weeks, and some of the things we wish we had known before embarking on our surrogacy journey.

With plenty of real-life insight and advice for both surrogates and intended parents, this is an important conversation about navigating those first few weeks after birth, together.

And this week, a special guest pops in to say hello…

Real, raw and honest, because the story doesn’t end when the baby is born. ✨

In this deeply personal episode, Ash takes us back to the very beginning of her disability story, from birth through to her first five years of life.

Born without a vagina, bladder, and with only 50% of her pelvis, Ash opens up about the surgeries, hospital stays, challenges and experiences that shaped her early childhood, and the people who helped guide her through it all.

This is the story of where it all began. Real, raw and honest, and shared by Ash in her own words.

Come along as she opens the door to a part of her story she’s never shared quite like this before.

We're back! 🤍

After a two-week break, we're back behind the microphones and ready to catch you up on everything that's been happening.

From what we got up to during our time off, to a vagina update, a pregnancy update, and everyday life updates, this episode is a little bit of everything.

It's a chance to settle back in, reconnect, and pick up right where we left off at the end of Season 1.

We're so excited to be back sharing the highs, the lows, the unexpected moments, and everything in between with you.

Welcome to Season 2 of What Comes Next. ✨

Real. Raw. Honest - as always x

A little bonus episode 🤍

Today marks Kellie's third birth-ing day. The anniversary of the day she gave birth to James via surrogacy.

In this special bonus episode, Ash shares a heartfelt thank you to Kellie, reflecting on a day that changed both of their lives forever.

A small tribute to an extraordinary woman, and a bond that words will never quite do justice to ✨

It's the Season 1 finale of What Comes Next, and we're wrapping things up with our very first special guest.

This week, we're joined by surrogacy lawyer Sarah Jefford for an honest and informative conversation about the legal side of surrogacy in Australia.

From intended parents and surrogates to legal processes, common misconceptions, and the questions so many people are asking, Sarah shares her wealth of knowledge and experience to help make the surrogacy journey a little easier to understand.

Whether you're considering surrogacy, currently navigating your own journey, supporting someone you love, or simply wanting to learn more, this episode is full of practical advice, thoughtful insights, and honest conversation.

A huge thank you to Sarah for joining us for our final episode of Season 1, and to every one of you who has listened, shared an episode, sent us a message, or become part of our community over the past few months.

We're so grateful you've been with us for this first chapter.

We'll see you in Season 2 🤍