Every child will eventually ask the question, “Where do babies come from?” Your answer will have a lasting impact on the way they think about what it means to be part of a family, especially if they were adopted or conceived with a donated sperm or egg, also known as third-party reproduction. Today’s guest believes that compassion, love, and honesty are critical in helping families come to greater acceptance, understanding, and celebration of their journey with third-party family building. Lori Metz is a psychotherapist, licensed clinical social worker, certified case manager, and a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider, as well as an author and the host of the LIFE Podcast. Lori specializes in infertility and works with individuals, couples, and groups to identify what might be interfering with their ability to move forward in achieving what they want. In this episode, Lori shares some of the exciting projects she has been working on, including her recent title, I Dreamed of You: The Story of an Egg Donor Baby, and the petition she has created to normalize third-party family building in healthcare. Tuning in, you’ll learn why this initiative is essential, the emotional impact it will have on those who have built their families using this option, and how to advocate for yourself and your family, as well as a whole lot more! We hope you’ll join us.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Lori shares the process of writing her book and the topics she has addressed in it.
• The secrecy often associated with donor-assisted reproduction and Lori’s advice for parents.
• The three paths of a donor-conceived fertility journey: mother’s, father’s, and child's.
• Why Lori believes that every case is unique; there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
• Empowering parents with the understanding that they bring children into the world with love as the starting point of normalizing third-party reproduction.
• Understanding the important differences between secrecy and privacy.
• Hear about the petition Lori created to normalize third-party family building in healthcare.
• The impact that this initiative will have on families who have chosen third-party reproduction.
• Emphasizing the importance of listening to the needs of patients. 
• Why infertility is such an important issue and of the isolation many people feel.
• Lori encourages anyone going through donor-assisted reproduction to write their story.
• Hear why Lori believes that DNA does not make a family.
• Gratitudes to close the show: Lori shares why she is grateful for Rena and Dara.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Lori Metz

Lori Metz on LinkedIn

Lori Metz on Twitter

Lori Metz on Instagram

LIFE Podcast

Tia Jackson-Bey on Instagram

RMA of New York

RMA of New York on Twitter

RMA of New York on Instagram

RMA of New York on YouTube

Rena Gower on LinkedIn

Rena Gower on Instagram

Dara Godfrey on LinkedIn

Dara Godfrey on Instagram