Fertility Ain't Fair

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around overcoming the infertility journey, being an IVF Mama (2x), and the importance of infertility-specific therapy with Shatiera Amankrah.

Shatiera Amankrah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Infertility Counseling and Certified in Perinatal Mental Health. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Shatiera has established herself as a trusted advocate and therapist. Her approach is informed by her own experiences with infertility, and professionally backed by extensive training in infertility counseling and perinatal mental health.

Her private practice, Seeds Of Hope LLC, provides a range of services including individual therapy, surrogacy screenings, donor egg and sperm screenings and consultations, workshops, trainings for professionals, clinical supervision and consultation.  Shatiera is also well-versed in various therapeutic modalities, ensuring that each client's unique needs are met with the most effective treatment approach.  She is licensed to practice in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Shatiera is a professional member with Resolve, the National Infertility Association and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Mental Health Professional Group (MHPG). She is a professional member of Postpartum Support International (PSI) and Alliance for People Of Color.

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around infertility, holistic healing, and finding new paths to becoming a mom with guest Sophie Byfield.

Sophie Byfield (sophiebyfield.com) is a Fertility Expert and Doula who believes in the power of creating the healthiest version of yourself so that you can finally see those two pink lines. With over 20 years of experience as a Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, and Yoga instructor, Sophie discovered the secret world of infertility when she finally decided she was ready to be a mom. For the last five years, Sophie has been entrenched in the world of fertility and has noticed the five areas of health that impact your fertility and a woman’s ability to conceive. If we take those areas and heal them ONE at a time, we can create miracles beyond our wildest dreams. Her mission is to help as many women as possible bring babies into the world, so they finally become the mama their heart is longing for them to be.

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around surrogacy with All Families Surrogacy President, Wendie Wilson-Miller during World Infertility Awareness Month in June. 

With over 20 years of industry experience, Wendie has existing relationships with clinics, doctors, attorneys and many other professionals in the surrogacy and egg donation industry, nationally and globally. She purchased AFS (https://allfamiliessurrogacy.com/) in October 2020, and is proud to carry on the amazing work AFS has done in the surrogacy industry since 2014. Wendie is the respected co-founder of the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS), a national non-profit organization with over 300 members, providing an educational resource to egg donation and surrogacy industry professionals to promote ethical industry practices. Wendie also wrote The Insiders Guide to Egg Donation, which won a gold medal Ben Franklin award in 2013 for its LGBTQ chapter. On a personal note, Wendie is a married mom of 2 young boys, a health and fitness guru, and the kind of loyal and steady person you want in your corner.

In this episode we normalize the conversations around IVF, baby loss, surrogacy & moving forward childfree with Carrie Hauskens (@bloomingwithcare)

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around miscarriage, grief, and finding active hope again.

Rachel Lohman is the author of Miscarried Hope: Journeying with Jesus through Pregnancy and Infant Loss and founder of Hope Again Collective, a handmade jewelry line that shares the stories of loss moms and has donated over $12,000 in practical grief resources to women going through miscarriage or stillbirth. She holds a Masters in Theology and Ministry and is a mother to two living children and one in Heaven. Rachel and her husband Mark currently pastor a bilingual church in Southern California.

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around finding purpose after infertility, IVF, and the loss of a child.

Guest: Jelissa Umpierre (@rainbowmanifestations)

Jelissa, a devoted mother who experienced the profound loss of her beloved daughter, Yvette. Yvette was conceived through IVF after a six-year struggle to conceive. Tragically, Yvette passed on May 18th, 2021. Since that heart-wrenching moment, Jelissa has committed herself to establishing a nurturing and empathetic haven for those who have experienced baby loss.

As a compassionate baby loss coach and support group facilitator, Jelissa offers comfort and guidance to others navigating the challenging path of grief. In addition, she channels her creativity as a content creator, using her platform to raise awareness and foster understanding around the profound impact of baby loss, infertility, and IVF. Simultaneously, Jelissa is pursuing her master's degree to fulfill her dream of becoming a therapist, where she aims to provide professional support and healing for those in need.

In this guided meditation we will challenge ourselves to only look forward and create a vision of possibilities. Stay hopeful!

In this guided meditation we will focus on celebrating our body for all that it has done for us on this journey so far. Stay hopeful!

In this episode we normalize the conversations around preserving your fertility, Black women & infertility and leaving no one woman behind or alone on their journey. 

Guest: Dr. Maya McCarthy (@thedoctorswomb)

Dr. Maya is a fertility coach who helps African American women navigate the sometimes uncertain waters of assisted reproduction and fertility challenges. She is also a practicing, board-certified physician, a dedicated wife, and a proud mother to their 2-year-old daughter. Dr. Maya’s holds a unique position in that she is also a woman who has experienced fertility challenges and because of her own experience, she is committed to leaving no woman (especially a woman of color), behind or alone. With her signature program, T.H.R.I.V.E. Fertility Coaching, she helps women to overcome infertility despite the odds they may face.

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around destination addiction, becoming an IVF warrior, and turning her journey into a new business. 

Guest: Brittany Snape (@b.holisticfertility)

B. Holistic Fertility uses a holistic - mind, body, and spirit approach, focusing on the whole person beyond their reproductive organs. With this method, Brittany helps women to navigate their fertility journey with clarity and find their shortest path to baby.