No Straight Lines

About No Straight Lines

No Straight Lines is a conversation led by married couple Eleanor and Jacky - founders of aloomah, an online community built for anyone navigating the ups and downs of fertility. After years of our own fertility journey, we realised how rarely people really talk about it - especially the stuff that hurts, confuses, or leaves you feeling alone. This space is about breaking that silence. We're sharing our own story, the stuff we wish we’d heard sooner, and chatting with people who’ve helped us along the wa - from friends to experts. It’s honest, raw, sometimes heavy, sometimes hopeful. Because not every path is straight. But that doesn’t mean you have to walk it alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

aloomah

Category

health & fitness · kids & family · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jul 2025

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   The conversation we almost never released (until now) - Jacky & Eleanor

   This episode was never supposed to be released. Last year, we sat down together to record a conversation for Jacky's previous podcast, Bare Chat. Shortly afterwards, the podcast came to an end, and this episode was archived with no plans to ever release it. But we've decided to share it anyway. Why? Because this was the very first time we'd ever spoken on camera about finally being pregnant after more than five years of trying for a baby. We'd been through three pregnancy losses, multiple rounds of IVF, male-factor fertility issues, countless appointments and some incredibly difficult years together. At the time of recording, Eleanor was 25 weeks pregnant with our son, and we were finally able to have a conversation we'd spent years hoping we'd get to have. In this episode, we go right back to the beginning of our journey in 2020. We talk about the investigations, the treatment, the losses, the impact on our marriage, the year we stepped away from trying, and the phone call that changed everything. It's a very personal conversation, and one we're glad we didn't leave sitting in the archives. We know not every fertility journey ends with a baby, and we're sharing our experience not as a blueprint, but as one couple's story. __________ We're Jacky and Eleanor, husband and wife, and the founders of aloomah. After spending more than five years navigating infertility, IVF and pregnancy loss, we created aloomah to offer the emotional support and community we wish we'd had during our own journey. We also host No Straight Lines, where we have open, honest conversations with people who've experienced infertility, fertility treatment and loss, alongside professionals working in the fertility space. Our hope is that by sharing real experiences, including our own, we can help others feel a little less alone, wherever they are in their journey. 💛 https://aloomah.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Could your microbiome be affecting your fertility? – Jo Hurley

   Eleanor and Jacky sit down with registered nutritional therapist Jo Hurley, better known online as @feedyourfanny, for a conversation about an area of fertility that many of us have probably never even considered: our microbiomes. Jo breaks down the vaginal, uterine and seminal microbiomes, how partners can share microbes, recurrent thrush and BV, and why she believes microbiome health deserves a place in the wider fertility conversation. We also revisit Jacky’s own male-factor fertility journey, from high DNA fragmentation and low morphology to discovering a varicocele, and ask why some of these deeper investigations still aren’t routinely part of the fertility journey. An eye-opening conversation about the things going on inside our bodies that most of us were never taught about. 🔗 Find Jo Hurley 🌐 Website https://joanne-hurley.com/ (https://joanne-hurley.com/) 📸 Instagram — Feed Your Fanny https://www.instagram.com/feedyourfanny/ (https://www.instagram.com/feedyourfanny/) 💛 Feed Your Fanny https://joanne-hurley.com/feedyourfanny (https://joanne-hurley.com/feedyourfanny) 💼 LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jo-hurley-89424256 (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jo-hurley-89424256) 💬 Work with Jo / Get in touch https://joanne-hurley.com/contact (https://joanne-hurley.com/contact) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Why “unexplained infertility” is NOT a diagnosis – Kirsten Mooring

   Eleanor and Jacky sit down with fertility nutritionist Kirsten Mooring to ask a difficult question: what if “unexplained infertility” simply means we haven’t investigated enough? From reproductive microbiomes and DNA fragmentation to sperm health, lifestyle, nutrition and the tests that can sometimes get overlooked, Kirsten explains why she believes couples need to look at the whole picture — and why male fertility needs to become a much bigger part of the conversation. Kirsten also shares her own experience of unexplained infertility and why that journey ultimately led her to helping others find answers. 🔗 Find Kirsten 🌐 Website https://kirstenmooring.com/ 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kirstenmooringnutrition/ 💼 LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-mooring-7181941a 📞 Work with Kirsten https://kirstenmooring.com/my-services/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Why “just keep trying” isn’t good enough – Alison Hall

   Eleanor & Jacky sit down with fertility nutritionist Alison Hall to explore what might be getting missed when couples struggle to conceive or experience recurrent pregnancy loss. From nutrition and sperm health to PMOS, DNA fragmentation and the reproductive microbiome. Alison also shares her own experience of multiple losses, including losing her little boy at 22 weeks, and explains why she believes fertility needs a more joined-up, individual approach rather than simply being told to “just keep trying.” 🔗 Find Alison Hall Website: Alison Hall Nutrition (https://www.alisonhallnutrition.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Instagram: @alisonhall_fertility (https://www.instagram.com/alisonhall_fertility/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Work with Alison / Free 30-Minute Review: Book a complimentary fertility review (https://www.alisonhallnutrition.co.uk/start-here?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   29 Jul 2026

   How the fertility industry is failing men - Liberty Mills

   Eleanor and Jacky sit down with fertility coach and author Liberty Mills to discuss being told she had just a 0.7% chance of having a baby with her own eggs at 43, how lifestyle changes transformed her health, and why she believes male fertility is still being overlooked. From reversing lupus symptoms to challenging outdated fertility advice, this is a powerful conversation about hope, resilience, and treating fertility as a team journey. 📚 Resources Mentioned 📖 Liberty's Book 360 Fertility: How to Improve Your Chances of Conception Naturally https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0DLP768NJ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0DLP768NJ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0) 📖 Recommended Reading Count Down – Dr. Shanna Swan https://www.amazon.co.uk/Count-Down-Threatening-Reproductive-Development/dp/1982113669 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Count-Down-Threatening-Reproductive-Development/dp/1982113669) 🌺 Poppy Fertility Support https://poppyuk.net/ (https://poppyuk.net/) 📄 NICE Fertility Guidelines https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng257/chapter/Investigation-of-fertility-problems-and-management-strategies (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng257/chapter/Investigation-of-fertility-problems-and-management-strategies) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   14 Jul 2026

   "Infertility changed our friendship" - Ash & Pye

   Jacky sits down with his two best mates for an honest conversation about the male side of infertility and IVF. Together they unpack the strain it put on their friendships, the guilt of one couple falling pregnant while another experienced loss, and why more men need to start talking about fertility before it's too late. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   30 Jun 2026

   I had no sperm...Here's what happened next - Shaun Greenaway

   Jacky sits down with Shaun Greenaway, better known as Knackered Knackers, to discuss his diagnosis of azoospermia, the emotional journey of donor conception, and how infertility completely changed his identity. From devastating diagnoses to finding purpose through advocacy, Shaun shares how he's helping other men realise they're not facing infertility alone. You can find Shaun via his Instagram Knackered Knackers (https://www.instagram.com/knackered_knackers) and also The Male Fertility Hub (https://www.instagram.com/themalefertilityhub/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   9 Jun 2026

   What Infertility Does To Your Sex Life - Tatiana Ashbourne

   Jacky sits down with sex educator and 'Dirty Talk' host Tatiana Ashbourne to discuss the pressure of trying to conceive, performance anxiety, intimacy struggles, and why so many couples feel alone when fertility starts affecting their sex life. __________________ 🔗 Tatiana Ashbourne Instagram: @tatianaashbourne_ TikTok: @tatianaashbourne_ 🔗 Dirty Talk Podcast Instagram: @dirtytalkofficial_ TikTok: @dirtytalkofficial_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   27 May 2026

   “This Destroyed My Relationship” - Jonathan Kluwagga

   Jacky sits down with Jonathan Kluwagga to discuss his experience with male infertility caused by undescended testicles, the impact it had on his relationship, and the emotional toll that followed. They also explore cultural expectations around masculinity and how Jonathan turned his pain into purpose by becoming a male fertility advocate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    12 May 2026

    “It was like having your heart carved out of you” - Eleanor & Jacky

    We open up about year 3 of our fertility journey. The hardest one yet. From emotional strain to the impact on our relationship, this is an honest look at how tough things really got. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    28 Apr 2026

    "Sh*t...Everything I'm doing is wrong!" - Ro Huntriss

    We sit down with Ro Huntriss to break down the fundamentals of diet and lifestyle in fertility, combining real-life experiences with science-backed guidance. From major lifestyle changes to simple daily habits, this episode covers what actually makes a difference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    7 Apr 2026

    What Acupuncture Actually Does For Fertility - Hannah Pearn

    We sit down with Hannah Pearn to explore the role acupuncture can play in fertility, breaking down common misconceptions and sharing what we’ve learned along the way. From initial scepticism (from Jacky) to a deeper understanding, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on a topic more people are starting to take seriously. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    24 Mar 2026

    Hyperemesis, Bulimia & The Pregnancy We Didn’t Expect to Survive - Jess & Harry

    We sit down with Jess and Harry to share a fertility journey that didn’t go how they expected. After months of trying, Harry received a poor fertility test result, adding another layer of uncertainty and loss of hope. As they prepared for IVF and a fresh start abroad, Jess then fell pregnant naturally…but that wasn’t the end of the struggle. Jess experienced Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), being sick up to 16 times a day and needing hospital treatment, while also navigating her mental health and past struggles with bulimia. This is an honest conversation about the side of fertility and pregnancy people don’t talk about. The physical toll, the mental strain, and the reality behind the “happy ending”. They now have a beautiful little girl, but getting there was anything but simple. ________ Resources mentioned in this episode: If anything in this conversation around fertility, pregnancy, IVF or mental health resonated with you, these may help: • NHS self-referral (fertility & mental health support): https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/self-refer • Support for dads / male fertility & fatherhood: https://futuremen.org/fatherhood/future-dads/ • NHS Perinatal Mental Health Support (pregnancy & postnatal care): https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/05/record-numbers-of-women-accessing-perinatal-mental-health-support Over 57,000 new and expectant mums received specialist mental health support last year, with services now available across all of England. • PANDAS Foundation (UK-wide fertility & postnatal mental health charity): https://pandasfoundation.org.uk Free support for prenatal and postnatal mental health, including: – WhatsApp support – Call-back service – Email + peer support groups A safe, non-judgmental place to start if you’re struggling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    10 Mar 2026

    The Trainer Helping Men Take Fertility Seriously - The Male Fertility PT

    In this episode, we’re joined by our friend Ciaran Hannington, also known as The Male Fertility PT. Ciaran works with men to improve fertility through training, lifestyle, and honest education - an area still surrounded by stigma, silence, and misinformation. We talk about why male fertility is so often overlooked, the mistakes men commonly make when trying to “optimise” health, and how exercise, stress, diet, and mindset all play a role. A straight-talking conversation about responsibility, awareness, and why men need to be far more involved in the fertility conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

15. 

    24 Feb 2026

    The Male Fertility Wake-Up Call No One Talks About - Ian Stones

    In this episode, we sit down with Ian Stones, founder and co-director of testhim, to talk about the side of fertility that’s too often overlooked: men. With over 15 years supporting couples through fertility challenges, Ian shares why male fertility is frequently neglected, how it impacts outcomes, and why change is long overdue. We also talk about the unexpected way we crossed paths with Ian — a moment that set off a chain of events that played a significant role in their journey to pregnancy. A powerful, honest, full-circle conversation about timing, trust, and the conversations that can change everything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

16. 

    6 Jan 2026

    "What the F is actually going on?!" - Year Two Trying To Conceive

    After a year of no luck trying naturally and frustration with vague answers from doctors, we decided to take things into our own hands. Eleanor’s discovery of Ian Stones through acupuncture led us to explore Jacky’s sperm health, and that’s when we uncovered DNA fragmentation. It opened up a whole new chapter we never saw coming. We unpack the emotional, physical, and mental toll of year two, and everything we learned along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

17. 

    16 Sept 2025

    Missed diagnoses and constant pregnancy news - Year One Trying To Conceive

    We reflect on the first year of this fertility journey. A time that felt like stepping into the abyss. We talk about the shock of early diagnoses that were missed, the uncertainty that followed, and the emotional toll of watching friends and family fall pregnant easily while we quietly struggled behind the scenes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

18. 

    19 Aug 2025

    Why Your Diet Might Be Delaying Pregnancy - Ro Huntriss

    In this episode, we’re delighted to introduce Ro Huntriss, renowned UK fertility dietitian and founder of Fertility Dietitian UK. With years of clinical and research experience, Ro brings evidence-based, actionable advice that genuinely changes the game when trying to conceive. We kick things off with her story, explore how nutrition and lifestyle can actually shorten the waiting time to get pregnant, and unravel the facts from the myths. Tune in to learn: • How diet influences egg and sperm quality • Lifestyle adjustments that make a real difference • Real ways to empower yourself when the medical route feels out of control Ro is also now the "Official aloomah Resident Dietitian" - this will be the first of many! Every topic stems from YOU—our community. So please, feel free to comment and let us know what you want to know and we will do our best to ensure to ask Ro the questions YOU want the answers to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

19. 

    29 Jul 2025

    Why We Built 'aloomah'

    We’re Eleanor and Jacky, and after 5 years of navigating infertility, IVF, loss, and everything in between, we knew something was missing. In this first episode, we share our story, why we created aloomah, and what No Straight Lines is really here to do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.3 / 5

6 ratings

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