THH051—Lana Manikowski: Guiding the Childless to Find Love and Beauty in Life
Welcome to episode 51 of the Healthy Healer podcast, where we delve into a heartfelt conversation with Lana Manikowski, a compassionate guide for women navigating the challenging journey of childlessness. Lana shares her personal struggle with seven years of unsuccessful fertility treatments, beginning at age 37, and how this experience led her to support other women in finding love and beauty in a life without the children they expected. In this episode, Lana discusses the importance of creating a space for women to grieve a vision of motherhood that never existed and helps them discover new purpose, heal their relationship with their bodies, and make plans for the future. Join us as Lana addresses the complexities surrounding faith, judgments about pets "replacing" kids, and the common fertility diagnoses she encounters. Tune in to this inspiring conversation and discover Lana's transformative approach to guiding the childless towards a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Here are some key takeaways from the interview:
Lana helps guide women who are childless not by choice to create fulfilling lives without the children they expected. She went through 7 years of unsuccessful fertility treatments herself starting at age 37.
She provides a space for women to grieve a vision of motherhood that never existed. Many don't realize they are processing grief since there's no tangible loss.
Lana helps them find new purpose, heal their relationship with their body, and make plans for the future. She works on their inner beliefs about who they are without children.
When asked about religion, Lana stays neutral and lets women discuss issues related to their own faith traditions. Many feel disconnected from faith communities focused on motherhood.
Regarding pets, Lana shared her experience feeling their home lacked love before getting her beloved dog Coco. She helps women work through judgements about pets "replacing" kids.
Common fertility diagnoses she sees are unexplained infertility, endometriosis, PCOS, autoimmune issues and recurrent miscarriages. She helps once treatments have ended without success.
Lana provides support around questions like "Do you have kids?" and judgements about not pursuing adoption or egg donors. Her program helps women feel pride and worthiness in their choices.
People can find Lana through her website, Instagram, and annual in-person brunch event in Chicago before Mother's Day.
Links:
Show Notes:
Healing journey and evolution with a medical school healer. 0:00
Infertility and identity. 4:14
Coaching women through grief and healing. 8:45
Pets as surrogate children. 13:36
Fertility treatments and decision-making. 19:08
Empowering childless women through healing and self-awareness. 23:10
Please do not forget to LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE! Leaving a comment or review is also highly appreciated.