Infertility and IVF: You Can(t) Get Pregnant

Is it taking longer than expected to recieve what you've been praying for? You may be in a season of waiting, but most importantly, growth. In this solo episode, Lauren shares what she's been learning in this season that's been requiring extra patience.  You'll hear about: learning during the messy middle of experiences,  the importance of properly managing your current opportunities in order to be ready for more when it arrives,  how if feels to be in a season of practicing patience,  character development,  the hero's journey,  trusting the process, and  listening to God for direction.  Let's Connect! @lauren.e.will @ipwomanpodcast imperfectlyphenom.com

It's not always easy to share how you feel with the ones you love most. In this episode, Alayna shares her plan to make communication with her family even better.  Alayna's story is a reminder that change doesn't occur through hope alone. Instead, you have to make an active effort to shift your circumstances. The process may be imperfect, but as a phenomenal woman, she's making an effort to build a solid foundation of communication with her family from a place of love.  In this episode you'll hear about: being a recovering people pleaser,  establishing boundaries while maintaining great relationships, defining your needs and expectations to the ones you love,  providing logical solutions vs managing emotions,  creating a structured family agreement of communication,  expectations, feeling defensive when someone gives advice, and  being proud of how far she's come.  At the end of the episode, we reframe her limiting belief "you can't break the cycle of miscommunication" to fit more within Alayna's desired reality. Stay tuned until the end to shift your mindset. Connect With Us! @syeamese @lauren.e.will @ipwomanpodcast imperfectlyphenom.com

Do you know your purpose? In this episode, we tackle this question along with the topic of rest as an entrepreneur. This week's guest, Shaunda Gary, reminds us of the importance of faith and obedience as we strive to accomplish our goals.  You'll hear about: redefining rest through a spiritual lens,  how to define purpose,  obedience,  patience vs anxiety,  walking in your purpose even when you don't want to, and  faith-based entreprenuership. Connect with Us! @saltandlightrva mysaltedfaith.com saltlightagency.com @lauren.e.will @ipwomanpodcast imperfectlyphenom.com

Do you feel like you're going into a new season in life? In this solo episode, Lauren shares about how it's time for something new. The last 10 years between the ages of 24 and 34 have laid a strong foundation for who she is today, but now it's time to build upon it and move into what's next. She shares about: naming the chapters of your life,  letting the path unfold,  not forcing what's next,  new creative ideas, and  how it feels to be at the beginning of something new and unknown. Let's Connect! @lauren.e.will @ipwomanpodcast imperfectlyphenom.com

1 in 6 women experience infertility according to the World Health Organization. After 5 years of trying to concieve, Angela Gaston decided to try in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this episode, she shares the long, and at times disappointing, journey of creating the family she's always wanted. Angela's story is a reminder not to give up and that there are multiple ways to start a family. The process may have felt imperfect, but as a phenomenal woman, she persevered through hard times. Now, she gets to experience the joys of motherhood.  In this episode you'll hear about: trying to concieve while battling PCOS,  symptoms of PCOS,  feeling defeated while trying to concieve,  feeling like a failure as a wife,  exploring fertility and alternative family options like medication,  intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and  surrogacy,  the importance of mindset during periods of infertility,  having a long distance partner while pregnant,  managing anxiety,  giving yourself grace,  hearing a heartbeat for the first time, and  things she wish she knew before trying to concieve.  At the end of the episode, we reframe her limiting belief "you can't get pregnant" to fit more within Angela's desired reality. Stay tuned until the end to shift your mindset. Connect With Us! Angela Gaston @ajlgaston2 @lauren.e.will @ipwomanpodcast imperfectlyphenom.com

Taking care of family members can be mentally and physically demanding. But while taking care of others, how do you take care of yourself? Dr. Tamara Dias became a caregiver after her father experienced multiple strokes. She talks about relatable experiences as she shares her time and energy with her loved one. This episode is a reminder that you can do great things in the midst of hard times. Don't forget that you have to be mindful of your own well-being while being supportive to others. Embrace the fact that life can be both imperfect and phenomenal at the same time. In this episode you'll hear about: what life looks like as a caregiver,  building a routine that incorporates rest,  living in fight or flight mode,  waking up each day and not knowing what to expect,  the mental and administrative demands of caretaking,  how seasons change in life,  writing a book during hard times,  balancing your wants with what others need,  postponing joy,  getting out of survival mode,  the importance of therapy while you're a caretaker,  letting go of control when there is no playbook, and  ask for help At the end of the episode, we reframe her limiting belief "you can't enjoy life during hard times" to fit more within Tamara's desired reality. Stay tuned until the end to shift your mindset. Connect with Us! Tamara's Book: Leading for Good tamaradias.com imperfectlyphenom.com @drtamarawdias @lauren.e.will @ipwomanpodcast

In this solo episode Lauren shares about a new limiting belief that she recently realized she holds. She also discusses the many limiting beliefs that guests have shared in interviews. The stories we tell ourselves can be powerful. It's time to acknowledge the negative stories you tell yourself and reframe them so that you can live life fully.  Let's Connect! IG: @lauren.e.will IG: @ipwomanpodcast

Student debt is annoying and I want it to go away. We're sharing a throwback episode from 2021 as we take this month to reflect on the last few years. Bola Sokunbi of Clever Girl Finance joins the pod in this Tips From an Expert episode to inspire us to take control of our finances. Bola talks about steps to take control of your debt including the snowball and avalanche methods, creative ways to make money, and the importance of making a plan. After you listen to the episode, make a plan to pay off your credit card debt, student loans, car payments and other debts. You got this! @clevergirlfinance @ipwomanpodcast Get financial tips at https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/

The last five years have been a wild ride. Have you looked back to see how far you've come? Alia Rehana joins Lauren on this episode to discuss what they would tell themselves if they could go back to 2019.  In this episode we talk about: a different perspective on life's timeline,   letting go of control,  navigating life's unknowns,  our non-linear journeys that landed us where we are,  moving back home with parents,  letting go of relationships and what's not serving you,  amazing new things that appear that you wouldn't expect,  ambition and priorities,  healing from disappointment, and  trusting yourself. Connect with Us IG: @aliarehana IG: @lauren.e.will IG: @ipwomanpodcast aliarehana.com imperfectlyphenom.com  

Do you know what peace feels like? Dedicate some time this week to experiencing it. Honestly, it's not always easy to experience states of peace, especially with everything going on in the world. But don't give up on making room for it because it is definitely possible to feel. In this solo episode Lauren was inspired by a song sung by Susan Carol (@_susancarol on insta). Lauren shares: what peace feels like to her, embracing imperfection,  how your expectations impact your peace,  getting to know what brings you peace,  creating environments that calm you, and  meditation. Let's connect! @lauren.e.will on IG