Hopefully Kidding

When our first IVF cycle failed spectacularly, we had to face a brutal reality—after years of trying, we were no closer to having a baby. So, we did the only thing left to do: hit pause.Lauren doubled down on research, acupuncture, and spreadsheets. Alex flew to the jungles of Peru to drink ayahuasca with shamans. One of us was tracking fertility supplements. The other was having visions of fatherhood (and dodging giant spiders).In this Hopefully Kidding season finale, we’re talking about what happens when you’ve tried everything and still have nothing to show for it. From navigating a fertility reset to the unexpected ways healing actually happens, this episode is about making peace with uncertainty—and finding hope when it feels impossible.What to Expect:When IVF Fails Spectacularly – Facing the fallout after spending $25K with nothing to show for it.Hitting Pause – Why stepping back was the hardest (and smartest) thing we did.Alternative Healing – Lauren’s deep dive into acupuncture, dietitians, and spirit baby readings.Ayahuasca & Fertility – Alex’s solo trip to Peru, psychedelic insights, and a life-changing moment in the jungle.The Emotional Reset – A new fertility clinic, new doctors, and the unexpected relief of a fresh start.Season 2? – What’s next for us, and what we want to hear from you.Let’s Connect:Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKiddingConnect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuffGot a story to share? Email us at [email protected] this season made you laugh, cry, or feel a little less alone, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us keep sharing these raw, ridiculous, and painfully real fertility stories. 💛

IVF is the ultimate gamble — one that comes with endless injections, mounting costs, and the constant hope that this cycle will be the one. After weeks of hormones and an egg retrieval that felt like a high-stakes bet, we were left with one big question: Did we hit the jackpot or bust out completely?In this episode, we break down the numbers game of IVF—how many eggs we got, what happened in the lab, and the gut-wrenching moment when we finally got the embryo report. Spoiler: it was not what we expected.What to Expect:High Stakes Egg Retrieval – The moment of truth: How many eggs did we actually get?Embryo Roulette – What really happens in the lab after retrieval (and why it’s so unpredictable).The Never-Ending Costs – More procedures, more unexpected fees — because IVF isn’t expensive enough already.Hope vs. Reality – When the numbers don’t add up and your best-case scenario suddenly isn’t an option.The Final Results – The gut punch that left us questioning everything.Let’s Connect:Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKiddingConnect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuffGot a story to share? Email us at [email protected] this episode made you laugh, cry, or feel a little less alone in the madness of IVF, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these raw, real, and ridiculous fertility stories with others going through the chaos. 💛

IVF comes with a lot of expectations… and even more unexpected twists. For Lauren, that moment of total loss of control hit outside her office, sobbing in her car over a single number: four. Four follicles. Four possible eggs. After weeks of injections, hormone fluctuations, and spending even more money on medications, her body had decided it was a slow grower—and there was nothing she could do about it.In this episode, we’re unpacking the emotional rollercoaster of IVF stimulation. From injecting menopausal nun urine (yep, that’s a thing) to playing the will-my-follicles-grow waiting game, we’re sharing the highs, lows, and WTF moments of this stage of the journey. Plus, the shot that could make or break everything: the infamous trigger injection.What to Expect:IVF Meds 101: What’s actually in those hormone injections (and why some come from nun pee).The Follicle Freakout: When your numbers are way lower than expected.More Money, More Meds: The constant upcharges that make IVF even more expensive.Shot Time Rituals: Ice packs, color-coded charts, and why Lauren refused to let Alex do the injections.The Final Countdown: The anxiety of the trigger shot—and why one mistake could ruin everything.Let’s Connect:Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKiddingConnect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuffGot a story to share? Email us at [email protected] this episode made you laugh, cringe, or feel a little less alone in the madness of IVF, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these raw, ridiculous, and painfully real stories with others navigating fertility treatment. 💛

Just when we were ready to start IVF, a stubborn ovarian cyst decided to crash the party.Instead of jumping into injections, we spent three months stuck in fertility limbo—waiting, hoping, and trying to evict an uninvited guest from Lauren’s ovary.Oh, and it cost $3,000. Because of course it did.In this episode, we’re breaking down the unexpected delays, surprise diagnoses, and the financial gut-punch that came with it all.From questioning every treatment option to navigating the fresh vs. frozen embryo transfer debate (spoiler: we werevery confused), this is the reality of trying to conceive when your body refuses to cooperate.What to Expect:The Squatter in Lauren’s Ovary: How a tiny cyst delayed IVF by three months.The $3,000 Reality Check: When insurance won’t cover the procedure you suddenly need.Fresh vs. Frozen Debate: The research spiral that broke Lauren’s brain.The Surprise Diagnosis: What we learned about endometriosis (while still groggy from surgery).Injecting in the Desert: Prepping for IVF during a girls’ trip to Joshua Tree.Let’s Connect:Hang out with us onTikTok andYouTube @HopefullyKiddingConnect with Alex onInstagram @HooperHairPuffGot a story to share? Email us [email protected] this episode made you laugh, cringe, or feel a little less alone in your fertility journey, please rate and reviewHopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these real, raw, and ridiculous stories with others navigating infertility, IVF, and the unexpected detours along the way. 💛

Timed sex. Ovulation test strips. Performance anxiety. Welcome to the unsexy science of trying to conceive (TTC). In this episode, we dive into the reality of tracking cycles, scheduling intimacy, and overanalyzing every symptom — plus the social media rabbit holes that made things even more chaotic. From fertility TikTok trends to sperm-friendly lifestyle changes (bye, weed), we’re sharing the ups, downs, and absurdity of turning baby-making into a full-time job. What to Expect: Sex on a Schedule: The romance-killing reality of TTC timing. Fertility Tracking Madness: OPKs, BBT, and why apps are both helpful and infuriating. The Plastic Purge: Supplements, environmental changes, and the expensive quest for “optimal” fertility. When Life Gets in the Way: Stress, loss, and the moments that threw everything off course. Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] If this episode made you laugh, cringe, or question your own TTC sanity, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these real, raw, and ridiculous stories with others navigating the chaos of fertility. 💛

What do warm socks, pineapple cores, and yoni steams have to do with fertility treatments?  In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of IUI (pun intended) to share the superstitions, surprises, and science behind trying to conceive. From $5,000 reality checks to acupuncture and vaginal steams, we’re taking you on a rollercoaster of hope, humor, and obsession with follicle sizes. Whether you’re new to the fertility journey or a veteran of TTC TikTok, this episode dives into the bizarre, emotional, and confusing world of IUI with our signature blend of candor and comedy. What to Expect: -The Obsession Spiral: Pineapple cores, warm socks, and every TikTok trick imaginable. -$5,000 IUI Realities: From Letrozole to trigger shots—what it really costs. -Needles & Yoni Steams: Acupuncture and alternative therapies insurance actually covered. -The Two-Week Wait: The hardest part of IUI and how we kept our sanity (spoiler: we didn’t). Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] If this episode made you laugh, cringe, or nod in recognition, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these raw, relatable, and ridiculously funny stories with others navigating fertility, medical surprises, and life’s unpredictable chaos. 💛

What do radioactive dye, a rebellious cervix, and smoking weed with a Yakuza have in common? They’re all part of our fertility journey. In this episode, we’re diving into the wild, painful, and unexpectedly hilarious moments of navigating fertility treatments — and taking a detour to Japan for some much-needed adventure. From awkward medical tests to drunken karaoke, this is a story about finding humor in the chaos and holding on to hope when life throws curveballs. What to Expect: -HSG Horror Stories: The painful (and cramp-filled) test Lauren wasn’t ready for. -Sperm Counts & High-Fives: Why Alex became a legend at the fertility clinic. -Japan Adventures: Karaoke, Kobe beef, and smoking weed with deer—because why not? -The Last Hurrah: A bittersweet weekend of freedom before starting fertility treatments. Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] If this episode made you laugh, cringe, or feel a little less alone, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us share these raw, relatable, and ridiculously funny stories with others navigating fertility, medical surprises, and life’s unpredictable chaos

What happens when you’re discharged from the hospital but the trauma keeps piling on? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on life after 33 days in medical lockdown. From reconnecting with our pugs to an ill-advised holiday party appearance, this is the raw, emotional, and unexpectedly funny story of our post-hospital reality — complete with beeping fanny packs and amateur home nursing. Between saying goodbye to Alex’s dad, learning to flush a PICC line, and juggling holiday chaos, we’re unpacking the wild mix of grief, hope, and sheer determination that keeps us moving forward. What to Expect: Fanny Pack Drama: The unexpected challenges of at-home medical care (pro tip: bring your tools everywhere). Heartbreak and Healing: Coping with loss while navigating recovery. Dogs, Doctors, and Holiday Parties: Why our first outing post-hospital ended in chaos (and what we learned). Family Planning Restart: The big decision to call the fertility clinic — and the cliffhanger that changes everything. Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] this episode resonates with you, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us connect with others navigating life’s unexpected chaos.

What do you get when sepsis, swelling, and bad hospital food collide with a parade of doctors who can’t agree on anything? You get 33 days in the worst all-inclusive resort eve r— a place where the amenities include endless needles, duct-taped phones, and a nurse with a power tool ready to cut off Alex’s wedding ring. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most surreal, painful, and darkly funny chapters of our life so far. From “weekend doctors” giving questionable advice to a frozen sperm plan that only makes sense in a crisis, this is the story of how we survived the impossible — together. What to Expect: •A Shower of Clots: What happens when sepsis hits your heart, lungs, and brain all at once. •Medical Madness: The MRI that left Alex screaming and a blood transfusion almost gone wrong. •Thanksgiving in the ICU: Spoiler: Taco Bell became the highlight of the holiday. •Lauren’s Breaking Point: Why dog food delivery led to a full-on meltdown. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of serious medical emergencies, caregiving under extreme stress, and emotionally raw moments. Plus, Alex describes his first enema in detail. While we keep things light when we can, some content may be tough for listeners. Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] this episode resonates with you, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us connect with others navigating life’s unexpected chaos.

What happens when cancer treatment and chemo brain collide with no sleep, no food, and no clear answers? You get a story so chaotic, it starts with chicken soup and ends in the emergency room. Oh, and Alex peeing on the wall. In this episode, we’re taking you through the most harrowing 24 hours of our journey yet — a rollercoaster of medical missteps, frantic decisions, and one very questionable choice not to call an ambulance. What to Expect: •The subtle warning signs that things were spiraling out of control. •Alex’s “pee tour” of the apartment and the unforgettable bathroom incident. •How a PET scan became a race against time—and sanity. •The hard lesson Lauren learned about being a medical advocate. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of medical emergencies, caregiving under extreme stress, and moments of emotional vulnerability. While we keep our humor alive, some content may feel heavy for listeners. Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] If this episode resonates with you, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach others navigating the chaos of fertility struggles.

What do you do when life throws you cancer, a surprise pregnancy, and a missed miscarriage — all at once? If you’re us, you deal with it the only way you know how: with raw honesty and inappropriate jokes. This week, we’re sharing one of the most pivotal moments in our journey. From Alex’s hilariously awkward sperm clinic experience to the devastating news at our first prenatal appointment, this episode is a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and everything in between. What to Expect: Alex’s adventures at the sperm clinic (spoiler: the internet history wasn’t cleared). The surreal timing of finding out we were pregnant — two days after a cancer diagnosis. The emotional unraveling at a prenatal appointment and the hard decisions that follow. Navigating a missed miscarriage and the physical and emotional toll it takes. Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed and graphic discussions of pregnancy loss and miscarriage. While we keep our humor intact, some topics may be heavy for listeners. Resources: •Livestrong Fertility Program: Learn more about sperm freezing and financial assistance. •Miscarriage Support: The Miscarriage Association offers resources for navigating pregnancy loss. Let’s Connect: Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] If this episode resonates with you, please rate and review Hopefully Kidding on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach others navigating the chaos of fertility struggles.

We thought we had the perfect timeline: get married, go to Burning Man, and start trying for kids. But life had other plans. In this first episode, we share how our fertility journey began — starting with an awkward discovery mid-sex (yes, really), an unforgettable wedding complete with whales, and the shocking diagnosis that changed everything.  What You’ll Hear in This Episode: •How our relationship evolved over 20 years (from college to now) •The story behind our wedding and its unexpected guests (whales!) •The moment Lauren discovered Alex’s swollen lymph nodes… during sex •The emotional rollercoaster of a shocking diagnosis •The plot twist that changed everything If you’ve ever felt like life threw a curveball you didn’t see coming, this episode is for you. We’re sharing it all—the laughs, the tears, and everything in between—to remind you that you’re never alone in the chaos. Get Involved Hang out with us on TikTok and YouTube @HopefullyKidding Connect with Alex on Instagram @HooperHairPuff Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] If this episode made you laugh, cry, or feel less alone, we’d love it if you left a review and shared it with someone who might need it. Every review helps us reach more people in this amazing (and sometimes ridiculous) community.