Weaning is one of the most emotional—and often confusing—transitions in the breastfeeding or pumping journey, and no two experiences are alike.

In this episode of All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast, host Nazca Fontes is joined by Abby Theuring, founder of the Badass Breastfeeder community, to unpack everything moms (and surrogates) need to know about weaning.

They discuss:

Abby emphasizes the importance of community support and working with a lactation consultant, while exploring topics relevant to women preparing for a surrogacy journey, from milk donation to advocacy, autonomy, and self-care.

Whether you’re weaning by choice, necessity, or in preparation for surrogacy, this episode offers expert insight, reassurance, and guidance to help you feel informed, supported, and less alone.

Loved the episode? Explore our blog for even more tips:

If you’re considering surrogacy while still breastfeeding, we can help you plan a journey that fits your weaning timeline and supports both you and your baby every step of the way. Learn more about how to become a surrogate here.

How do you bring up the idea of becoming a surrogate with your spouse or partner—especially when it’s something you’ve been considering for a long time? Starting this conversation can feel overwhelming, emotional, and deeply personal.

Joining us are two experienced surrogates and trusted surrogacy experts: Lori Jurecko, MA, LSW, a ConceiveAbilities mental health professional and experienced surrogate, and Allyson Meadows, a surrogacy legal assistant and current surrogate. Together, they break down how to talk to your partner about becoming a surrogate with clarity, honesty, and confidence—sharing real-life insight, emotional guidance, and practical advice from both a professional and personal perspective.

Whether you’re just exploring surrogacy or looking for the right words to say, this episode offers thoughtful guidance, reassurance, and practical tips to help you approach the conversation with confidence and care.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate at ConceiveAbilities.

What’s your superpower? For Stacy Brown, it’s helping create life—and a legacy of love that spans generations. A fitness instructor, retail professional, and self-described “soccer mom,” Stacy never imagined her love for pregnancy would lead her beyond her own family. After experiencing both loss and joy on her path to motherhood, she felt a deeper calling: helping other families build theirs as a gestational surrogate.

On this episode of All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast, Stacy shares her journey from first-time mom to experienced surrogate, now entering her third surrogacy. She reflects on the challenges, joys, and emotional growth that come with carrying life for others—and the profound ripple effect it has on intended parents, children, and extended families.

Listen and learn about:

How Stacy navigated conversations with her spouse about surrogacy

The role of faith, community, and support in her surrogacy journey

Coping with failed transfers and building resilience

The deep, lasting connections formed with intended parents

Tips for talking to kids and loved ones about surrogacy

Words of inspiration for women considering surrogacy and families hoping to grow

Whether you’re curious about surrogacy or ready to take the next step, Stacy’s story shows how becoming a surrogate can create love, hope, and family across generations.

🎧 Listen to Stacy’s full story on All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast 

If you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate, there’s no better way to learn than hearing directly from women who’ve done it. Listen to our surrogacy podcast for real stories, read our surrogate journey blog posts, and watch candid videos on our Surrogacy YouTube channel.

Ready to start your surrogacy journey? Learn more about how to become a surrogate!

In this empowering episode, Nazca Fontes sits down with Jenney Korasick, co-founder of Leche, to explore how one mom’s journey with breast milk oversupply turned into a revolutionary solution for breastfeeding families everywhere. From freeze-drying breast milk into a shelf-stable powder to launching a donor network that compensates and celebrates milk donors, Leche is rewriting the story of lactation support.

Hear how Jenney and her co-founder Trish built Leche from the ground up—with moms at the center of every decision. Whether you're navigating your own breastfeeding journey, overwhelmed by your freezer stash, or curious about how to give back—this episode is a must-listen.

💪 Because when empowered women empower women, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

👉 Have an oversupply of breast milk? You could change someone’s world. Learn how your extra milk can empower families in need—join the Milk Donation Challenge today.

🍼 Visit itsmyleche.com to learn more and get started.

This special Mother’s Day episode honors the powerful story of two mothers—Rebecca and Irene—whose lives became forever intertwined through the incredible gift of surrogacy. Rebecca, celebrating her first Mother’s Day with her son Roman, shares her heartfelt journey navigating epilepsy and the decision to pursue surrogacy. Irene, a devoted mother of four and former teacher, felt called to help another family experience the joy of parenthood—a reflection of her deep compassion and family-first values.

Together, these women built a bond grounded in trust, resilience, and shared purpose. From their emotional first meeting and the highs and fears of pregnancy, to the unforgettable moment of Roman’s birth, their story is a testament to the strength of women supporting women.

Tune in to hear how this journey transformed not only their lives, but their families too—making this Mother's Day a celebration of love, courage, and the unbreakable connection between two extraordinary women.

🎧 Listen now to Two Women, One Dream: Celebrating Mother’s Day Through Surrogacy.

Read the blog here!

Inspired by Irene to help women like Rebecca? Learn more about becoming a surrogate! Ready to take the next step? Apply to be a surrogate today!

Ready to grow your family? Learn more about becoming an intended parent

In this episode of All Things Conceivable, host Nazca Fontes shines a spotlight on the incredible work of NICU nurses—those dedicated professionals who provide life-saving care to the most vulnerable newborns. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a place of both immense challenge and profound hope, where nurses and doctors work tirelessly to give critically ill infants the best chance at survival. 

This Nurse Appreciation Week, Nazca welcomes two extraordinary nurses, Tori Meskin and Tia Miller. Tori and Tia are co-founders of NICUity, a platform designed to empower NICU nurses by offering essential resources, fostering education, and building a strong, supportive community. Together, they are driving change and uplifting the nursing profession in remarkable ways. Join us as we dive into their journey, their mission, and the impact they are making every day. Read the blog here!

Love the episode? Learn more about NICUity and join the community that’s revolutionizing neonatal care. To keep up with the good work that these women are doing, follow @ThatNurseTia  and @NurseTori on Instagram and @ThatNurseTia and @NurseTori on TikTok.

To support the nurses in your life, learn more about ConceiveAbilities #EmpowerNursesChallenge.

Interested in surrogacy? Learn more about becoming a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities!

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Rachelle Chapman, a quadriplegic mother who turned to surrogacy to build her family. Listen as she shares her personal story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. From the challenges she faced navigating parenthood with a disability to her decision to pursue surrogacy, this episode sheds light on the power of hope and determination. Join us for an intimate conversation that explores the true meaning of family and the extraordinary lengths people go to create one.

Inspired by Rachelle to help other women like her? Take this short survey to start your surrogacy journey today!

Learn more about becoming a surrogate.

Learn more about Rachelle: Diary of a Wheel Girl

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities Egg Donor & Surrogacy Agency.

It’s a historic moment for reproductive rights in Michigan—and a long-awaited victory for families across the state. As of April 2, 2025, surrogacy is officially legal in Michigan thanks to the passage of the Michigan Family Protection Act.

This groundbreaking new law not only legalizes compensated surrogacy, but also provides long-overdue legal clarity and protections for intended parents and surrogates. For decades, Michigan had one of the strictest surrogacy bans in the country, forcing families to go out of state or navigate the complexities of adoption just to establish parental rights. Now, Michigan has one of the most comprehensive surrogacy laws in the nation.

In this episode, Nazca Fontes sits down with Michigan-licensed fertility law expert Alexis Cirel to break down exactly what this law means for both intended parents and surrogates. From the legal safeguards it provides to how it paves the way for a more inclusive and accessible surrogacy process, Alexis brings critical insight into how Michigan’s reproductive future is evolving.

🎧 Thinking about becoming a surrogate or growing your family through surrogacy in Michigan? Listen now to learn how this new law affects you.

Want to learn more about surrogacy in Michigan?

Michigan’s new surrogacy law is an incredible advancement for fertility in Michigan and for families across the state. Thanks to the protections this legislation provides, thousands of families will be created.

If you’re in Michigan and considering surrogacy — whether as an intended parent or a surrogate — this new law changes everything. With clear legal protections and a supportive framework, surrogacy is now a safe, accessible, and empowering option in Michigan.

With nearly 30 years of experience in surrogacy and family building, ConceiveAbilities is here to guide Michigan families every step of the way. Surrogacy is a life-changing journey, and we’re honored to bring our expertise to Michigan, helping families grow with confidence and care.

Learn more about Surrogacy in Michigan

Interested in how to Become a Surrogate in Michigan? Learn more about the surrogacy process! Apply now to take the first step!

Is surrogacy the path to parenthood for you? Michigan intended parents can take the first step here!

In this episode of All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast, host Nazca Fontes welcomes breastfeeding and pumping influencer Helen Avery to share her remarkable journey of overcoming early lactation struggles to achieve a successful milk supply. Helen offers invaluable guidance on maintaining and increasing milk supply, providing actionable tips for new moms, surrogates, and anyone supporting a lactation journey.

From essential pumping techniques, nutrition advice, and power pumping schedules to busting common breastfeeding myths, Helen’s insights empower moms to navigate challenges and build confidence. Whether you’re exclusively pumping, nursing, or exploring both options, this episode delivers the tools, encouragement, and community support you need to thrive.

🎧 Listen now to gain expert advice from Helen Avery and take the next step on your breastfeeding and pumping journey.

Get more lactation resources at conceiveabilities.com

Breanna Seibel’s journey to motherhood is a profound story of resilience, healing, and hope. After facing infertility, the devastating loss of her son Teddy, and navigating her daughter Viviana’s NICU journey, Breanna turned to pumping breast milk as a way to reclaim control amidst unimaginable grief. In this emotional episode of All Things Conceivable, Breanna shares how breastfeeding became a lifeline—not only for her premature daughter’s survival but for her own healing process.

Now an ER nurse and creator with over 200,000 TikTok followers, Breanna reflects on her NICU experience, the critical role of milk bank donations, and her journey to maintaining and increasing her milk supply. She provides invaluable advice for parents navigating pumping, from power pumping techniques to overcoming common breastfeeding challenges.

Breanna’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of mothers, the impact of small acts of love, and the daily choice to find purpose in the face of grief. Tune in to hear how Breanna’s loss transformed into a mission to empower other parents and why every drop of milk—and every ounce of strength—matters.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here.