When IVF Doesn't Work: The Pain of Letting Go of the Future You Imagined

What happens when the life you envisioned doesn't unfold the way you planned?

In this powerful episode, Beth sits down with screenwriter, director, comedian, and creator Dahéli Hall for an honest conversation about infertility, loss, identity, and the courage to keep moving forward when the "happy ending" you've been promised never arrives.

After years of trying to conceive and undergoing multiple rounds of IVF, Dahéli found herself confronting not only the heartbreak of infertility but also the isolation, grief, and societal expectations that often accompany it. Rather than allowing that pain to define her, she transformed it into something meaningful, creating a one-woman show that gave voice to an experience many people endure in silence.

Together, Beth and Dahéli explore the emotional realities of fertility struggles, the pressure women face to follow prescribed life milestones, the complexities of friendships during seasons of loss, and what it means to honor grief without letting it consume you. Dahéli shares how writing, performance, and storytelling became a path toward healing, helping her turn one of the most difficult chapters of her life into art that resonates with others navigating their own challenges.

This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn't about avoiding pain. It's about finding a way to carry it, learn from it, and sometimes transform it into something that can help others feel less alone. Whether you're facing infertility, grieving a different version of your future, or navigating a season of disappointment, this episode offers a compassionate look at how we can move forward without diminishing what we've lost.

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Daheli Hall  (pronounced da-hay-lee) is a versatile performer, writer, and director based in Los Angeles. Known for her work on Netflix's Dear White People and Fox's MADtv, she's currently touring with her award-winning comedy show SPADURA, an autobiographical love story that explores Dahéli's journey through fertility challenges with humor and vulnerability. With credits spanning television, film, and video games, Dahéli is a graduate of NYU Tisch and USC's Stark Producing Program. She is dedicated to promoting diversity and professional development in the entertainment industry and is a member of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA unions.

X: @daheli

TikTok: @dahelihall

Instagram - @daheli.hall

Website: http://www.daheli.info/

Spadure - http://www.daheli.info/spadura A comedy about getting knocked up