Maya, a psychotherapist and filmmaker, shares her experience with embryo donation and discusses her work with Empower with Moxie, an embryo donation organization. She explains the difference between embryo adoption and embryo donation, emphasizing the importance of education and support for individuals considering embryo donation. Maya highlights the need for a more personal and connected approach to embryo donation, where donors and recipients have the opportunity to know each other and maintain a consensual connection. She also addresses the ethical and legal implications of embryo donation and the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of fertility treatment. Moxie matching is a platform that connects embryo donors and recipients, allowing them to create profiles and find their ideal match. The platform is inclusive and provides options for single women and LGBTQ families. Moxie also offers education and support for individuals navigating embryo donation, including genetic and medical counseling. After a match is made, Moxie facilitates meetings between donors and recipients to ensure compatibility. The ownership of remaining embryos after a successful donation can either revert back to the original donors or be jointly decided by the recipients. Moxie emphasizes the importance of expanding the definition of family and providing children with access to their genetic siblings.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Safe Word

03:08 Embryo Donation as the Next Best Option

07:13 The Types of Families Donating Embryos and Their Motivations

10:13 The Paralysis of Decision-Making and the Emotional Connection to Embryos

13:13 The Difference Between Embryo Adoption and Embryo Donation

16:33 Creating a Personal and Connected Approach to Embryo Donation

21:30 The Need for Education and Support in Embryo Donation

25:33 The Landscape of Embryo Donation and the Importance of Clear Terminology

27:24 Moxie Matching: Connecting Embryo Donors and Recipients

29:15 Inclusivity in Embryo Donation: Options for Single Women and LGBTQ Families

32:56 Education and Support: Genetic and Medical Counseling for Embryo Donation

40:22 Expanding the Definition of Family: Access to Genetic Siblings

Takeaways

Embryo adoption refers to the practice of treating embryo donation as a traditional adoption, which can create legal and ethical complications.

Education and support are crucial for individuals considering embryo donation, as it is not the right choice for everyone and requires careful consideration of the emotional and psychological implications.

Empower with Moxie is an embryo donation organization that aims to provide a more personal and connected approach to embryo donation, ensuring that donors and recipients have the opportunity to know each other and maintain a consensual connection.

The platform is inclusive and provides options for single women and LGBTQ families.

Moxie offers education and support for individuals navigating embryo donation, including genetic and medical counseling.

After a successful donation, the ownership of remaining embryos can either revert back to the original donors or be jointly decided by the recipients.

Maya is the CEO and co-founder of ⁠EM•POWER with Moxi⁠, a company focused on education, support and matching/logistics for directed embryo donation. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and⁠ psychotherapist⁠ in the field of reproductive medicine and a fertility advocate. Several years ago, Maya and her TV producer husband Noah made a feature length film documenting their tumultuous journey to parenthood, which ended with the birth of their daughter who was conceived via embryo donation. The film, called ⁠One More Shot⁠, debuted on Netflix in January 2018 and is now available on Amazon Prime. 

EM•POWER with Moxi:  ⁠www.empowerwithmoxi.com/⁠ IG: empowerwithmoxi  FB:@empowerwithmoxi 

One More Shot: ⁠http://www.onemoreshotfilm.com/⁠