Silence can be the most painful part of IVF, especially when the people around you care but freeze because they do not know what to say. We’re joined by Kaitlin Graham, author of We Wished Upon The Stars, and Astrid Hacking from Hearts and Hands Community Development, to talk honestly about infertility, stigma, and the support that actually lands. With more than 40 years between their IVF experiences, they reveal what has changed and what stubbornly hasn’t.
Kaitlin shares the moment her hope of becoming a mum met the reality of endometriosis, sperm issues, and a specialist’s blunt truth that IVF was the path forward. Astrid takes us back to the early 1980s, when IVF was new, hugely costly, and deeply isolating, with little ability to connect with others going through the same thing. Together, we unpack why, even today, with social media and online groups, many people still feel alone, particularly in regional Australia, where travel and access add pressure.
We also get practical. Kaitlin explains how missing words can read as a lack of compassion, and why simple, genuine check-ins matter. Her message cards are designed to help friends and family bridge the gap between caring and communicating, whether someone is in fertility treatment, facing loss, or simply worn down by uncertainty. If you’ve ever worried about saying the wrong thing, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what to say, how to listen, and how to show up.
Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find support when they are struggling to speak.
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Connect with Kaitlyn Graham
To learn more about Kaitlyn, her IVF journey, her children's book We Wished Upon the Stars, or her work helping families connect and support one another, visit:
🌐 Website: littlestoryofmine.com.au
📱 Instagram: littlestoryofmine__
📖 Book: We Wished Upon the Stars - visit her website for further information.
Kaitlyn welcomes opportunities to connect, share her story and help create a more supportive community for families navigating infertility.
🎙️ About Engaging Conversations
Hosted by Leon Goltsman, Engaging Conversations shares the stories and insights of leaders, innovators, and everyday Australians creating positive change. Through honest dialogue and meaningful connection, each episode aims to inform, inspire and strengthen our communities.
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The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Leon Goltsman, Engaging Conversations or Ecolibrium Headquarters Pty Ltd. This podcast is provided for informational and entertainment purposes and does not constitute professional advice.
