What does it mean to consciously choose not to have children, especially in a culture that often defines womanhood by motherhood?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane welcomes back filmmaker Chiquita Lockley, creator of the documentary Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility. This time, Chiquita shares her personal journey and decision to live childfree by choice. It is a thoughtful, often emotional, and deeply grounded conversation about identity, legacy, caregiving, and the path not taken.

With clarity and compassion, Chiquita speaks about what it means to opt out of motherhood on her own terms, while still living a life rich in love, purpose, and community. The conversation invites listeners to reflect honestly on their own desires, pressures, and timelines.

Whether you are questioning your path, navigating reproductive decisions, or seeking affirmation for a choice that goes against the grain, this episode offers space to breathe and consider what a full life looks like for you.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Chiquita Lockley is a writer, filmmaker, and producer known for her feature documentary Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility, which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Her work centers on storytelling that uplifts Black women’s experiences and expands the public understanding of reproductive health and autonomy.

She continues to serve as a mentor, advocate, and board chair for multiple nonprofit and creative initiatives. Her voice is a vital part of the cultural shift toward more inclusive and informed conversations about fertility, family, and freedom.

Resources & Links

Visit Chiquita’s Website: www.chiquitalockley.com
Follow Chiquita on Instagram: @chiquitalockley

Watch and learn more about Eggs Over Easy: www.eggsovereasyfilm.com
Follow Eggs Over Easy on Instagram: @eggsovereasyfilm
Like Eggs Over Easy on Facebook: Eggs Over Easy Film

Related Episodes

Ep 119 – The Grief of Waiting: Invisible Losses in Family Building
Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood

When we talk about fertility care, we often focus on the patient experience—what it’s like to navigate appointments, insurance, cycles, and emotional ups and downs. But what happens when we zoom out?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane sits down with Griffin Jones, founder of Inside Reproductive Health, to explore what’s really happening behind the scenes of the fertility industry. From private equity takeovers to digital automation and AI-driven care, Griffin breaks down the trends shaping the future of IVF, patient access, and provider autonomy.

He also shares how he went from generalist marketer in Buffalo, NY to creating the leading trade media company in the fertility field—one that now serves clinics, labs, executives, and innovators across the globe.

Whether you’re a fertility patient, donor, surrogate, or someone working in the industry, this conversation offers a rare and honest look at the systems shaping reproductive care—and what needs to change for the better.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Griffin Jones is the founder of Inside Reproductive Health, a trade media company serving the fertility industry. He began his journey in marketing, helping small clinics with branding, websites, and video before expanding into podcasting and industry journalism. Today, his platform covers the business, clinical, and policy trends shaping reproductive health care across the U.S. and beyond.

Griffin also hosts the Inside Reproductive Health podcast, where he interviews key players—from embryologists and clinic execs to policymakers and startup founders—about the future of fertility medicine.

Resources & Links

Related Episodes

When it comes to fertility care, we often hear about IVF protocols, medication regimens, and surgical procedures. But what about the tools that help prepare the body for conception and support healing along the way?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with Dr. Beck Hoehn, licensed acupuncturist, reproductive health expert, and founder of Mighty River Wellness, to talk about how acupuncture can be a game-changing part of your fertility journey.

Dr. Hoehn shares how her own personal health crisis led her into the world of Eastern medicine, and how she now helps people optimize their hormone health, support IVF cycles, manage painful periods, and navigate menopause with more ease and empowerment.

From egg quality and low ovarian reserve to painful periods and PCOS, this conversation is packed with practical insights and refreshingly honest takes on what it really means to care for your body while trying to conceive.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Dr. Beck Hoehn is a licensed acupuncturist, reproductive health specialist, and the founder of Mighty River Wellness in Los Angeles. After a career in the film industry and a personal injury that left her seeking alternative healing methods, she discovered the profound impact of acupuncture.

Now, with a doctorate in fertility research and over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Hoehn helps individuals and couples navigate fertility challenges, menstrual health, and menopause transitions. She is also the creator of the Make a Baby Bundle, an educational resource for those looking to optimize their fertility health from home.

Resources and Links

Related Episodes

Surrogacy is often talked about as a beautiful and rewarding journey, but what happens when that journey takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode, Eloise Drane sits down with Pamela Marshall, a gestational surrogate whose experience challenged everything she thought she knew about pregnancy, risk, and resilience.

Pam shares her deeply personal story of entering surrogacy with excitement and confidence, only to face a rare and serious medical complication that changed the course of her pregnancy. From being hospitalized for weeks to navigating separation from her own children, her journey reveals the emotional and physical realities that many never see.

Pam explains what carried her through the hardest moments and why, despite everything, she would make the same decision again. This conversation offers an unfiltered look at the realities of surrogacy and the extraordinary people who choose to walk this path.

Guest Bio:

Pamela Marshall is a mom of 3 boys, living in Pennsylvania and she is a licensed social worker. She has been a surrogate and loves helping build families! She is also currently a journey manager at Family Inceptions.

You’ll hear about:

Related episodes:

Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-118-surrogacy-and-the-emotional-journey-to-motherhood/

Ep 93 – U.S. Surrogacy for International Parents
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-93-u-s-surrogacy-for-international-parents/

Ep 85 – Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples: Carnell Roberts Tells His Story
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-85-surrogacy-for-same-sex-couples-carnell-roberts-tells-his-story/

Ep 49 – Social Surrogacy
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-49-social-surrogacy/

Ep 37 – Husband’s Are You Prepared (Partner Involvement in Surrogacy)
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-37-husbands-are-you-prepared/

Surrogates often begin their journey excited, hopeful, and ready to help a family grow, but few truly understand the depth of the medical steps involved.

In this conversation, Eloise Drane sits down with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Shannel R. Adams to demystify every stage of the surrogate medical and IVF process, breaking it down into simple, reassuring, and practical explanations.

Eloise guides listeners through the realities of medical screening, clearance, genetic discussions, mental health evaluations, and partner requirements, bringing clarity to the questions surrogates commonly ask but rarely get answered fully. Together, they unpack why timelines vary, what doctors look for at each step, and how clinics ensure safety for both the surrogate and the baby she carries.

Dr. Adams also walks through the IVF medication protocol, embryo transfer, ultrasound schedule, hormone monitoring, and what actually happens when things don’t go as planned. She explains the “why” behind the rules, from avoiding THC to requiring birth control.

Whether someone is preparing for their first journey or wanting deeper insight into the medical side of surrogacy, this episode offers a clear path forward for anyone who wants to feel confident and supported.

Guest Bio:

Shannel R. Adams, MD, FACOG is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. Highly skilled in all areas of reproductive health, Dr. Adams has a particular expertise and interest in third party reproduction, oncofertility, fertility preservation, male fertility, and holistic care of both mind and body.

Dr. Adams graduated from Duke University with an undergraduate degree in Ethics and went on to medical school at Oregon Health and Science University. She completed residency at the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine and her REI fellowship at the University of Cincinnati.

You’ll hear about:

Episode Resources:

Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss -https://www.amazon.com/Not-Broken-Approachable-Miscarriage-Recurrent/dp/0998714607

Planting the Seeds of Pregnancy: An Integrative Approach to Fertility Care -https://www.amazon.com/Planting-Seeds-Pregnancy-Integrative-Fertility/dp/0996348727

Related episodes:

Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-118-surrogacy-and-the-emotional-journey-to-motherhood/

Ep 93 – U.S. Surrogacy for International Parents
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-93-u-s-surrogacy-for-international-parents/

Ep 85 – Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples: Carnell Roberts Tells His Story
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-85-surrogacy-for-same-sex-couples-carnell-roberts-tells-his-story/

Ep 49 – Social Surrogacy
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-49-social-surrogacy/

Connect with Dr. Shannel R. Adams, MD:

Pacific Northwest Fertility - https://pnwfertility.com

Instagram: @shanneladamsmd

Stay Connected:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: https://familyinceptions.com/

Listen to past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@FertilityCafe

Get expert insights & updates: https://thefertilitycafe.com/resources

Too many people walk into an OB GYN appointment with uncertainty, unanswered questions, or years of silent symptoms.

In this powerful conversation, Eloise Drane sits down with Board Certified OB GYN Dr. Renita White, MD to unpack the real state of women’s healthcare today and the steps every person can take to advocate for themselves.

Dr. White shares why she entered the field of obstetrics and gynecology, what she witnessed during training, and how racism and systemic gaps leave many women confused about their own bodies. She explains the challenges of limited appointment times, lack of access, and medical misinformation, and offers practical tools for improving trust and communication with healthcare providers.

Together, Eloise and Dr. White break down essential topics including fertility education, AMH testing, preventive care, maternal mortality, racism in medicine, pregnancy fears, and the realities of navigating care in a post-Dobbs world. Dr. White also outlines what a “normal” period should look like and when to seek additional support.

This episode empowers listeners with clarity, compassion, and practical steps for better reproductive health.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Renita White, MD is a board-certified obstetrician & gynecologist and women’s health advocate. With a passion for women’s health and wellness, Dr. White loves to take care of women in all stages of life, educating them about their bodies and encouraging them to address their physical and emotional health to improve their overall wellness and longevity. Originally from Georgia, Dr. White received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and medical degree from The Ohio State University, eventually returning to Atlanta for her residency in OBGYN at Emory University. Alongside running her practice, Georgia OBGYN, Dr. White also cohosts her podcast, Cradle & All, is a medical advisor for The Honey Pot Company, and serves on the medical executive board for Flo Health, VeryWell Health, Parent Magazine, and Elle Magazine. In her spare time, Dr. White enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her two sons.

You’ll hear about:

Episode Resources:

Study into the numbers of OBGYNs in the state of Georgia - https://shorturl.at/k1aHl

Related episodes:

Ep 113 – The Fertility Timeline: Dr Susanna Park on When to Get Tested
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-113-the-fertility-timeline-dr-susanna-park-on-when-to-get-tested/  

Ep 111 – The Patient Experience in Fertility Care: Advocating for Better Support
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-111-the-patient-experience-in-fertility-care-advocating-for-better-support/  

Ep 99 – Bringing Equality to Reproduction for LGBTQ+ People
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-99-bringing-equality-to-reproduction/

Connect with Dr. Renita White, MD:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/renitawhitemd/

Her website - https://renitawhitemd.com/

Listen to her podcast Cradle & All - https://renitawhitemd.com/podcast/

Stay Connected:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: https://familyinceptions.com/

Listen to past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@FertilityCafePodcast/playlists

Get expert insights & updates: https://thefertilitycafe.com/resources

Genetics touches nearly every part of the family-building journey, yet for most people it feels confusing, intimidating, and filled with unknowns.

In this conversation, Eloise Drane sits down with Gina Davis, a genetic counselor with more than 20 years of experience in reproductive genetics, IVF, donor conception, and embryo donation. Gina brings rare insight as both a clinician and someone who has personally navigated IVF and become a known embryo donor.

Gina shares what intended parents, donors, and professionals need to understand about carrier screening, family history, genetic risk, and how testing fits into a fertility plan. She breaks down common misconceptions, explains why no genetic picture is ever “perfect,” and highlights the biggest gaps she sees inside fertility clinics today.

They explore the realities of embryo testing, including PGTA, mosaicism, false positives, and how to evaluate results when embryos are limited or labeled “abnormal.” Gina also explains how patients can advocate for themselves and why genetics should be values-driven rather than fear-driven.

By the end, listeners will walk away with clarity, confidence, and a better understanding of the questions to ask, the decisions only they can make, and how to navigate genetics without feeling overwhelmed.

You can’t control everything, but you can be informed.

“We’re all perfectly imperfect when it comes to genetics.” – Gina Davis

Guest Bio:

Gina Davis is a genetic counselor who has worked in the reproductive medicine space for over 20 years. A few years into her career, she also became an IVF patient, and later, a known embryo donor. This experience has shaped her lens of best practices and how professionals can work together to improve the lives of our patients and the families we help create. Gina spent the first 9 years of her career as a genetic counselor at the REI and reproductive genetics program at UCSF. Gina now leads a team of genetic counselors at her private practice, Advocate Genetics, which provides nationwide virtual genetic counseling for fertility patients, gamete donors, and embryo donors. Gina is also a co-founder of Empower with Moxi – https://empowerwithmoxi.com, an educational, support, matching and journey management program with the central aim of empowering choice and understanding in embryo donation.

You’ll hear about:

Episode Resources:

Advocate Genetics - https://advocategenetics.com

Related episodes:

Ep 97 - Fertility in the Modern Age: IVF, Environmental Impacts, and Quality Care
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-97-fertility-in-the-modern-age-ivf-environmental-impacts-and-quality-care/

Ep 102 - Beyond the Clinic: Why the Fertility Lab is Key to Your Success
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-102-beyond-the-clinic-why-the-fertility-lab-is-key-to-your-success/

Ep 121 – Inside Modern Fertility Care — IVF, Surrogacy, Egg Donation & Family Building
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/beyond-ivf-surrogacy-egg-donation-the-future-of-fertility-care/

Stay Connected:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: https://familyinceptions.com/

Listen to past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@FertilityCafePodcast/playlists

Get expert insights & updates: https://thefertilitycafe.com/resources

After more than 20 years of infertility, six miscarriages and several failed rounds of IVF, Arvis Carmichael-Smith returns with the update she once feared would never come.

When she last spoke with Eloise Drane, she was preparing for one last attempt. Now she shares how that final try became the pregnancy she had prayed for at age 51.

Eloise guides Arvis through the turning points that finally brought answers, including the second opinion that uncovered the simple but long-missed issue preventing her from carrying a pregnancy. Arvis describes the cautious hope she felt as her numbers continued to rise and the joy of finally experiencing pregnancy after so much loss.

The conversation shifts when Arvis recounts the medical emergency that unfolded during delivery. What began as a planned C-section became a life-threatening crisis when an undetected placenta accreta caused massive bleeding, an emergency hysterectomy and a severed ureter that left her facing months of painful recovery.

Through every complication, Arvis explains how faith, community and relentless self-advocacy kept her alive. Her daughter arrived healthy. Arvis survived against all odds.

“My miracle did not come without a fight.” – Arvis Carmichael-Smith

Guest Bio:

Arvis is a middle school science teacher with a passion for nurturing and mentoring kids. This desire sparked an interest in her becoming a teacher eight years ago. She is an advocate for children, animals, and the elderly. She also loves hiking, nature walks, and travel. Arvis lives in Hampton, Georgia with her husband and their one year old daughter.

You’ll hear about:

Episode Resources:

Fertility for colored girls - https://www.fertilityforcoloredgirls.org/

Related episodes:

Ep 87 – When Fertility Treatment Doesn’t Work

https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-87-when-fertility-treatment-doesnt-work/

Ep 121 – Inside Modern Fertility Care — IVF, Surrogacy, Egg Donation & Family Building
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/beyond-ivf-surrogacy-egg-donation-the-future-of-fertility-care/

Ep 97 – Fertility in the Modern Age: IVF, Environmental Impacts, and Quality Care
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-97-fertility-in-the-modern-age-ivf-environmental-impacts-and-quality-care/

Stay Connected:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: https://familyinceptions.com/

Listen to past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@FertilityCafePodcast/playlists

Get expert insights & updates: https://thefertilitycafe.com/resources

There's a part of the fertility process most people never really get to see. After all the appointments, medications, and procedures, things move into the lab, and from the outside, it can feel distant and hard to follow.

In this episode, host Eloise Drane sits down with clinical embryologist Alease Daniel Barnes to pull back the curtain on what actually happens in the IVF lab. Alease breaks down the technical processes patients are often expected to navigate with limited explanation: embryo grading, ICSI, PGT testing, and cryopreservation.

The conversation covers what those numbers and letters on embryo reports really mean, when genetic testing is actually necessary versus overused, and why ICSI has become routine in the U.S. despite similar success rates with conventional insemination. They also discuss the logistics that don't always get addressed, how embryos are stored, shipped, and preserved long-term.

If you're navigating your own fertility journey this episode gives you the knowledge to ask better questions and make more informed decisions about your care.

"IVF doesn't guarantee you a baby, neither does freezing eggs." - Alease Daniel Barnes

You'll Hear About:

Connect with Alease: 

Instagram:  @alease_the_embryologist

TikTok: @aleasetheembryologist

Website: https://aleasetheembryologist.com/

Resources mentioned:

Related episodes:

Ep 97 - Fertility in the Modern Age: IVF, Environmental Impacts, and Quality Care

https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-97-fertility-in-the-modern-age-ivf-environmental-impacts-and-quality-care/

Ep 102 - Beyond the Clinic: Why the Fertility Lab is Key to Your Success

https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-102-beyond-the-clinic-why-the-fertility-lab-is-key-to-your-success/

Ep 121 – Inside Modern Fertility Care — IVF, Surrogacy, Egg Donation & Family Building

https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/beyond-ivf-surrogacy-egg-donation-the-future-of-fertility-care/

Stay Connected:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: https://familyinceptions.com/

Listen to past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@FertilityCafePodcast/playlists

Get expert insights & updates: https://thefertilitycafe.com/resources

Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/ 

Ever wondered what really happens if something goes wrong during a surrogacy or egg donation journey and who’s responsible for the bill?

When it comes to third-party reproduction (surrogacy, egg donation, or embryo donation) insurance can be one of the most confusing and overlooked parts of the journey. But as Virginia Hart from ART Risk Solutions explains, it’s also one of the most critical.

In this episode, host Eloise Drane sits down with Virginia to demystify the complex world of fertility insurance, what’s covered, what’s not, and how to make sure everyone involved in a surrogacy or donor arrangement is fully protected. From complications and medical coverage to life insurance and newborn care, Virginia breaks down what you must know before signing any contract or starting treatment.

Whether you’re an intended parent, surrogate, donor, or professional in the fertility field, this episode offers the clarity and confidence you need to safeguard your journey.

Timestamps:

Connect with Virginia: 

Instagram:  @art.risk.solutions

Website: https://www.facebook.com/artriskfinancial/  

Resources mentioned:

Related episodes:

Ep. 95 | Surrogacy Health Insurance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-95-surrogacy-health-insurance/id1497045909?i=1000621479004

Ep. 50 | Fertility Insurance with Jason Smith: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-50-fertility-insurance-with-jason-smith/id1497045909?i=1000542435581 

Ep. 42 | State Advocacy with Mollie Walker & Chelsea Caldwell: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-42-state-advocacy-with-mollie-walker-chelsea-caldwell/id1497045909?i=1000536472084 

Ep. 16 | Gaining Fertility Benefits and Insurance with Advocate Davina Fankhauser: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-16-gaining-fertility-benefits-and-insurance/id1497045909?i=1000490477470 

Stay Connected:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

Website: https://thefertilitycafe.com

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: familyinceptions.com

Listen to past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@FertilityCafePodcast/playlists

Get expert insights & updates: https://thefertilitycafe.com/resources