Fertility Challenges and the Hierarchy of Grief

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode deals with discussions of in/fertility and/or baby loss.

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In this episode we welcome Danusia Malina-Derben, a mother of ten, founder and CEO of DMD Global, and author of "Noise" and "Spunk" manifestos. Danusia shares her incredible journey of balancing a demanding academic career with motherhood, including her surprising early pregnancies, her secretive start in academia, and her work with the BBC.

She also discusses the emotional and physical challenges of reversing a sterilisation, experiencing a stillbirth, and later conceiving triplets through IUI. This episode delves into the intricacies of organisational behaviour, the societal expectations of women in the workplace, and the personal grief and resilience that comes with infertility and loss.

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Danusia Malina-Derben is a mother of ten children, and still her own woman. From teen mother to tenured Organisational Behavior and Development academic, on to award-winning, internationally published leadership expert. Danusia traded academia in for boardrooms where she, and her team, consult on peak performance and strategic leadership in senior teams. She can be found in the corridors of power of global brands you’re banking with, and buying from. These include Microsoft, Mars, Sainsbury's, ICBC Standard Bank, Coca-Cola, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Deloitte, and The Home Office. .

Beyond the boardroom she is a regular contributor on future C-level business changes/trends, cultivating women's leadership and age old debates about women's careers and family. Danusia is a rousing and sought-after keynote speaker, and frequent expert commentator featured most recently in The Guardian, The Times, Observer, and Metro.

Danusia hosts top-rated podcast Parents Who Think (formerly School for Mothers + School for Fathers podcasts). In 2021 her book on motherhood identity “NOISE: A Manifesto Modernising Motherhood” (Triumph Press) received praise and recognition from The Sunday Times to Metro, Psychologies to the Guardian. Her next book “SPUNK: A Manifesto Modernising Fatherhood” (2022) on fatherhood identity was described by The Metro as provocative and compelling. She lives in Somerset with her family, and their mini-dachshund, Dickie Van der Sausage. You can visit her online and find her most active on her Substack.

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CONNECT WITH US You can engage with the hosts and the growing In/Fertility in the City community by:

• emailing us: info@infertilityinthecity.com
• website: www.infertilityinthecity.com
• following us on: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/infertilityinthecity
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-- SEASON 4 SPONSOR:

Apricity https://www.apricityfertility.com/uk