In August 2025, Hallmark Channel premiered a sweet-as-can-be rom-com called “Double Scoop,” starring Taylor Cole and Ryan McPartlin, both of whom are part of Hallmark’s stable of fan-favorites. But as their characters’ love story unfolded onscreen, Cole was navigating her own heartbreak behind the scenes.
After trying for several years to start a family with her husband, producer Cameron Larson, Cole learned during filming that their fifth and final round of IVF (in vitro fertilization) had failed. Cole put on a brave face to keep filming, but behind the scenes, she quietly leaned on McPartlin for support (including some much-needed moments of comic relief). The two sat down to talk in-depth about the experience for a new episode of McPartlin’s “That’s Awesome” podcast, released on December 4, 2025.
“I wouldn’t have known (on-set) if she didn’t open up to me,” McPartlin told EntertainmentNow, “and I feel very privileged that she did open up to me. And now I think everybody should feel privileged that she opened up to the world about this.”
Ryan McPartlin Says Many Don’t Realize the ‘Mental & Emotional Toll’ of Infertility
Cole first opened up to fans about her infertility journey in April, on the last day of National Infertility Awareness Week and while she and McPartlin were filming, sharing in an Instagram post, “Opening up like this is not easy. But if sharing my journey can bring even one person a little bit of comfort, or help someone feel seen in their own struggle, then it’s more than worth it.”
What Cole didn’t share at the time, on social media or on-set, was how fresh her grief was over her latest loss.
McPartlin told EntertainmentNow, “She managed to keep things professional on-set while she was trying to find the balance of, you know, acting like we’re falling in love, and her going through a lot of grief and tough times. But she did it so graciously, and because there’s a lot of people that go through infertility. I don’t think we realize the mental and emotional toll it can take on a couple, not just the woman, and the amount of financial burden that becomes.”
“There’s a lot of misinformation around it all,” McPartlin continued, “so it’s really nice when somebody opens up and is vulnerable like Taylor was, so that if anybody else is going through it, they just don’t feel alone. They don’t feel like they’re going to go down a road that hasn’t been navigated before.”
During a half-hour conversation on McPartlin’s podcast, Cole said her and Larson’s journey to parenthood “doesn’t have the Hallmark happy ending yet,” but after three years and over $125,000 in medical bills, they are likely done with IVF. She told McPartlin that she’s decided to “surrender” to whatever is meant to be.
In June, Cole shared via social media that she and her husband had decided to “let go of plans, of pressure, of prescriptions and opened our hearts fully to faith. 🌿 We’re ready to receive the miracle meant for us, in its own beautiful time and way. ✨”
Ryan McPartlin Says He Tried to ‘Listen & Not Pry’ When Taylor Cole Opened Up to Him On-Set
HallmarkCole told McPartlin on his podcast that she felt “safe” to tell him what was going on as they were filming “Double Scoop.” The two also discussed the fact that she celebrated her 41st birthday during filming, and how hard it was to feel the joy of that amid such sad news.
She recalled on the podcast, “You have all these loving, beautiful people coming up to you, (saying) ‘Happy Birthday!’ And you should be happy, but you’re really like, ‘I just want to cry.’ You know what I mean?”
McPartlin told EntertainmentNow that by now sharing how she was really feeling during those hard days, Cole’s giving a gift to others, noting, “It just shows it’s okay to have whatever feelings you’re having in the midst of it all, and to laugh in the midst of it as well. I just said, ‘I’m here to listen,’ and I usually try and make light of a lot of things, so I would just try and distract her, you know?'”
When asked how he helped Cole feel safe and supported, McPartlin said, “To be honest, I make it a practice of just trying to listen and not pry. More or less, not offer an opinion, but just maybe ask more questions. I’m just empathetic. I think my strongest superpower would be empathy, and that’s something I’ve always had. It’s why I’ve never had a problem crying. I just feel people’s pain, and I feel people’s joy.”
Ryan McPartlin Loves Talking About Real Life With His Podcast Guests
McPartlin recently re-launched his “That’s Awesome” podcast, where he talks to a wide range of celebrities about meaningful moments and experiences that have shaped them. Though he didn’t initially expect people like Cole to be so open and vulnerable about the challenges they’ve faced, he’s finding that’s one of the things listeners are finding most “awesome” about his interviews.
The next episode will feature pro golfer Jason Day, the “Chuck” alum said, noting that Day “has a story that is heart-wrenching, incredible.”
“He’s one of those guys that says it with a smile and a laugh and has used humor to cope through the years,” McPartlin said. “One of the most sincere, genuine people I’ve ever met in my life, and has a heart of gold, just a great family man. And if I talk anything more about it, I’ll probably come to tears about what he went through in his childhood. So I’ll save it for the podcast, but he is special guy.”
The “A Very Vermont Christmas” star said he’s also eager to get more of his Hallmark pals on board, including Andrew Walker, Nikki DeLoach, and his first-ever Hallmark leading lady, Erin Krakow. “That’s Awesome” can be heard anywhere podcasts are available.
My Mom went through not being able to get Pregnant. She & My Dad eventually Adopted me. Prayers for Taylor Cole.