Episode 34: Redefining Womanhood: Childless, Not Less with Lana Manikowski
In this tender and affirming episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, host Melissa Crook welcomes back author, speaker, and advocate Lana Manikowski for a heartfelt conversation about redefining womanhood and reclaiming joy after infertility. After ending a seven-year fertility journey, Lana found herself navigating grief, identity, and the question: So now what?
Her answer? A life lived unapologetically—with purpose, connection, and compassion. Lana shares how she became the resource she once needed, founded the nationwide Other’s Day Brunch for women who feel unseen on Mother’s Day, and carved out space for those walking a different path through womanhood.
Together, we explore:
What it means to live a full life beyond motherhood
The emotional toll and aftermath of fertility treatment
Finding identity and self-worth outside traditional narratives
Creating supportive community spaces like Other’s Day Brunch
The power of storytelling and living truthfully
Whether you’re childless by circumstance, choice, or heartbreak, this episode is a tribute to your resilience—and a reminder that your version of womanhood is whole, worthy, and radiant.
Ways to Engage: At the end of each day, write down a win for yourself. Whether it was completing a difficult project, walking to the coffee shop instead of driving, or even just making it through a trying day in one piece. Recognize and celebrate the progress you are making every single day—and do the same for others as well.
Timestamps:
Prioritizing Self Care - ( 4:05 )
Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 13:15 )
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 22:01 )
Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 25:15 )
Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 42:47 )
Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 51:36 )
Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 55:45 )
Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:03:48 )
5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:11:43 )
5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:12:42 )
Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast - Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers? Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021 or complete our contact form here: https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact
Original FEEL Podcast Theme Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis
Keywords: Childless not by choice, infertility awareness, women without children, childfree lifestyle, Other’s Day Brunch, redefining motherhood, female empowerment, healing after infertility, living unapologetically, infertility emotional support, childfree healing journey, Lana Manikowski podcast, resilience after loss, women’s community spaces, motherhood alternatives
Hashtags: #ChildlessNotByChoice #InfertilityAwareness #WomenWithoutChildren #Other’sDayBrunch #RedefiningWomanhood #ChildfreeByCircumstance #HealingJourney #UnapologeticLiving #LifeAfterInfertility #WomenEmpowerWomen #TheFEELPodcast #LanaManikowski #EmotionalWellness #LivingFully #ResilientWomen