The Raw Truth About IVF And The Comedy In Not Having It All Together | Casey Balsham | Standup Comic & Podcaster

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices