Episode 26 -Fertility, Empowerment, Healthy Boundaries & Reproductive Education with Bilge Apak Sato and Valerie Kvita

By Jessica Garrison

We have double the guests for this episode which means double the fun and double the amazement! We are featuring Bilge Apak Sato and Valerie Kvita, who are based in Switzerland. Bilge describes herself as an empathetic and passionate advocate who feels a lot. Similarly, Valerie describes herself as empathetic, curious, and enthusiastic. 

Bilge and Valerie’s work involves fertility, a conversation that is prevalent in so many of our lives but isn’t talked about as such. Whether it be a couple trying to get pregnant, a woman who is already a mother, or a teenager figuring out sex for the first time, fertility is a necessary topic, And this doesn’t only include women. Men are just as involved with fertility or infertility as women are, but again, these areas aren’t discussed as much. Each of our talking points are crucial to this conversation, but Confidently Setting Healthy Boundaries was the one that stuck out to me the most in its traits and relevance. 

Trying to get pregnant is one of the most vulnerable stages of life, Bilge says, and boundaries online can change your whole experience with this. When you’re going through something sensitive, there’s no controlling what someone else may say or post that’s triggering for you. For myself, I use a social media time limit on my phone so after a certain amount of time scrolling, it stops me. This can be especially helpful while experiencing something delicate, or even if you find yourself on your phone too much doomscrolling. You can also block specific words that may be triggering. Valerie emphasizes that it is your mind, your body, your life. If you don’t take care of yourself and put yourself first, then who will? 

The work that Bilge and Valerie offer is all about information and education, allowing people to make an informed decision of what they want to do. Together they created The Tiny Pea, “a fertility education platform,” along with their book I Am Magic: The Ultimate Fertility Workbook for Empowerment, Choice, & Self-Love on Amazon. Even if you think it’s too early or too late, you can still purchase the workbook and refer to it when applicable. 

You can tell just by listening to these women speak how important this topic is for them and how much passion they feel for the cause. Their intelligence, drive, and sensitivity make them such powerful women who are actively changing the world, and we’re so thankful we were able to share their story with you.   

Ways to Engage:  Educate yourself on a topic that you are unfamiliar with, even if you think it doesn’t apply to you. For example, if you’re a man, educate yourself on a female sport’s team, or vice versa. Challenge yourself to consume information and become more well-rounded on subjects you may not have thought important before.