Fertility Cafe

Embark on an enthralling exploration of the future of fertility in the landmark 100th episode of Fertility Cafe. This episode delves into the challenges the fertility industry is currently facing and how they are evolving. Discover what lies on the horizon and how changes in fertility on a massive scale will shape society, culture, and perceptions of third-party reproduction. Unravel the science and technology that needs to be advanced for transformative and scalable change. From the progression of IVF to the societal and cultural implications of fertility changes, this episode is a treasure trove of insights and knowledge. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of human reproduction!

Guest Bio

David Sable is the distinguished guest on today’s show, and he's highly respected in the field of reproductive medicine. He holds impressive degrees from the Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. David has built a remarkable career as an obstetrician and gynecologist, with a special focus on reproductive endocrinology. He’s also a co-founder of the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science and Reprogenetics, which are quite noteworthy. In addition, he’s an esteemed educator at Columbia University and shares his expertise through lectures on healthcare investing and biotechnology business development. You might have even seen him on TV sharing insights on reproductive medicine. With a plethora of board positions, advisory roles, and publications, David Sable is a true authority and a guiding light in the field.

Resources

●      Guest: David Sable

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the podcast: Ep 1 |  Building a Modern-Day Family

●       On the podcast: Ep 96 | The Baby Business

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

In this thought-provoking episode of Fertility Cafe, we engage in a crucial discussion titled "Bringing Equality to Reproduction for LGBTQ+ People." We're joined by the remarkable Dr. Mark P. Leondires, the force behind Gay Parents To Be and a respected leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Leondires brings his wealth of expertise and personal passion to this critical conversation, illuminating the unique hurdles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in their quest for parenthood. 

From outlining the legal and policy barriers to exploring the emotional ramifications, Dr. Leondires provides an in-depth view of the complexities involved in accessing fertility treatments. We also dive into the current state of insurance coverage for such treatments and the significant advances in reproductive technology that can benefit the LGBTQ+ community. 

As we venture into the future of LGBTQ+ fertility care, Dr. Leondires spotlights the important role that allies play in this landscape, advocating for more inclusivity and equality in reproductive healthcare. The episode wraps up with Dr. Leondires offering uplifting advice and encouragement for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples beginning their own path to parenthood. 

This episode provides essential takeaways for everyone invested in understanding and advancing equality in fertility care, offering a blend of expert insights, real-world scenarios, and heartening messages of support. Tune in to gain a broader perspective on LGBTQ+ family-building in the evolving world of reproductive healthcare. 

Guest Bio

Dr. Mark Leondires is the Founder and Medical Director at Illume Fertility and the Founder of Gay Parents To Be, a family-building resource for the LGBTQ+ community. He is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

●      Gay Parents to Be

●      Illume Fertility

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the blog: Helping You Have A Baby: LGBTQ Surrogacy And Egg Donation

●      On the blog: LGBT Surrogacy – Learning Your Options In Achieving Parenthood

●      On the podcast: Ep 85 | Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples: Carnell Roberts Tells His Story

●      On the podcast: Ep 57 | IP: Single, LGBTQIA+, over 50, HIV+ Parents

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

This episode of Fertility Cafe debunks common fertility and conception myths, focusing on topics like the overlooked role of male fertility, contributing to 20% of all infertility cases, and the clinical definition of infertility. It delves into the average time it takes to conceive and the crucial role of ovulation timing. The significant impact of lifestyle factors on fertility, such as stress, sleep deprivation, weight, and substance use, is explored. The importance of fertility tests and the need to view them in context with a full medical history is discussed, along with the proposal to make fertility testing part of regular medical care for women of reproductive age, promoting early understanding and informed family planning decisions.

Resources

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the podcast: Ep 35 | Infertility Epidemic

●      On the podcast: Ep 79 | Infertility Increase and Media Negative Reputation

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

In this episode, the focus is on the intersection of environmental factors and fertility, discussing how elements such as pollution, lifestyle choices, and daily products can influence reproductive health. The role of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the current landscape of reproductive care is examined, highlighting its advancements, challenges, and potential future developments. The conversation extends to the critical importance of patient advocacy and education in fertility care. Emphasizing the necessity of understanding one's options and rights as a patient, this episode provides valuable insights and advice on self-advocacy and the pursuit of comprehensive care in the complex world of fertility treatments.

Guest Bio

Dr. Aimee, also known as the “Egg Whisperer,” is one of America’s most famous fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. Dr. Aimee is a Harvard-educated board-certified OBGYN, specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She has been featured in magazines like People and Marie Claire and has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning, along with a number of local and international newscasts. In her off-time, Dr. Aimee is a Mom to four rambunctious young kids aged 8 and under.

Resources

●      Dr. Aimee’s Website

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the blog: How To Support Yourself As An Intended Parent

●      On the blog: Tips on Family Building through Surrogacy

●      On the podcast: Ep 79| Infertility Increase and Media Negative Reputation

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

One of my focus areas in this podcast is destigmatizing surrogacy and setting the record straight. We live in a world with new and evolving family-building choices, yet there is still a veil of mystery, suspicion, and misunderstanding over this topic. It's time we open up the conversation and lift that veil. Join me as I take a deep dive into what surrogacy is, who it’s for, as well as the importance of understanding all aspects of surrogacy for both potential surrogates and Intended Parents. 

Resources

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the blog: What Disqualifies You from Being a Surrogate? Your Questions Answered

●      On the blog: Surrogate vs Gestational Carrier

●      On the podcast: Ep 73 | Baby Bonding During & After Surrogacy

●      On the podcast: Ep 80 | First Hand Stories from an Intended Mother

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

In this episode, I interview surrogacy insurance champion, Kimberly Surratt. Kimberly talks about her legal background and how she got involved in reproductive insurance reform in the state of Nevada. She talks about the current political climate as well as workplace trends and how these things influence insurance benefits offered to women. We’ll talk about the major impact she and other warriors for the cause have had on a state level, and what the future holds for surrogacy health insurance. 

Guest Bio

Kimberly Surratt is the past president of the State Bar of Nevada Family Law Section and the Nevada Justice Association. She sits on the Board of Trustees for the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys and is the chair of the domestic lobbying committee. She has lobbied with the Nevada Justice Association since 2004 and is responsible for all assisted reproduction parentage laws in the state of Nevada, including a trailblazing insurance bill.

Resources

●        Kimberly’s Website

●        Kimberly’s LinkedIn

●        Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●        Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●        On the blog: How Much Does Surrogacy Cost – We Break the Fees Down for You

●        On the blog: 9 Important Questions To Ask A Surrogacy Agency

●        On the podcast: Ep 54 | Fertility Care for Minority Populations with Dr. Tia

●        On the podcast: Ep 60 | Employee Benefits: Brooke Bartholomay Quinn

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

The multibillion-dollar fertility industry is now booming, and experimenting with business models that are changing the American family in new and unpredictable ways. Those desiring donor eggs and sperm are now able to select from detailed checklists of physical and intellectual characteristics. Meanwhile, fertility clinics are offering volume discounts, package deals, and even 100% guarantees for successful babymaking, raising complex ethical and legal dilemmas. In this episode, I will take a deep dive into the history of embryo creation outside the womb. I’ll cover the barriers that exist for so many people that cannot access this family-building option, what is being done to address it, and shine a light on some of the grey ethical areas that exist in this exploding industry. 

Resources

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the blog: What is an “Ethical” Surrogacy Agency?

●      On the blog: How To Tell Your Children They Are A Product Of Donor Eggs?

●      On the podcast: Ep 36 | Embryo Donation

●      On the podcast: Ep 76 | Embryo Donation: What Are We Doing with All the Leftover Frozen Embryos?

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

In this episode, we’ll be talking about what it’s like for Intended Parents from abroad to navigate third-party reproduction within the US. I interview new parents, Charlie and Tom Farrant, to talk about what their family-building journey was like, starting out at home in the UK, where paid surrogacy is not allowed. We talk about their experience, first navigating infertility issues, coping with the attitudes surrounding third-party reproduction in the UK, and then investigating how they might pursue having a baby via surrogacy in the States.

Guest Bio

Charlie and Tom are a couple from the UK living with their 6-month-old son, Bertie, born in South Carolina via surrogate. Tom works as a pilot and Charlie is a Registered Dietitian and blogger at therunnerbeans.com.

Resources

●        Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●        Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●        On the blog: How Family Inceptions Can Help You Find the Right Surrogate

●        On the blog: International Surrogacy UK: Become A Parent Through US Surrogacy

●        On the podcast: Ep 01 | You Have the Right to Create Your Dream Family

●        On the podcast: Ep 11 | Surrogacy Laws You Should Know Before Starting

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

Despite being the most successful assisted reproductive technique, donor egg use involves complex emotions, from relief and hope to loss and grief. In navigating this uncharted territory, potential parents often grapple with feelings of guilt, jealousy, and a struggle with self-esteem and identity. Questions like "Am I less of a mother or a father because we're using a donor's egg?" are common. We explore the importance of addressing these feelings with professional support, remembering that love and nurturing play a larger role in child development than genetic ties alone.

Resources

●      Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

●      Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

●      On the blog: How Long Is The Egg Donation Process

●      On the blog: How To Tell Your Children They Are A Product Of Donor Eggs?

●      On the podcast: Ep 4 | Egg Donation 101: When It Takes a Village to Start a Family

●      On the podcast: Ep 10 | How to Find Your Best Egg Donor

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”

In this episode, I interview relationship expert Andrea Syrtash about the real toll of finding out you have infertility issues. She talks about how infertility is not just a medical journey, it’s also an emotional, relational, financial, physical, and spiritual one as well.  

Guest Bio

Andrea is the founder of Pregnantish, the first media platform dedicated to helping people navigate fertility treatments and infertility. A regular on-air personality and the host of the Pregnantish podcast, Andrea’s hosted TV shows for Oprah’s OWN, Discovery, and Fox, and is the author of He's Just Not Your Type (And That's a Good Thing) and Cheat On Your Husband (With Your Husband). 

• Andrea’s Website

• Andrea’s LinkedIn

• Pregnantish Magazine

• Andrea on Twitter

• Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe

• Learn more about our surrogacy and egg donation agency: Family Inceptions

• On the blog: How To Support Yourself As An Intended Parent

• On the blog: Tips on Family Building through Surrogacy

• On the podcast: Ep 82 | National Infertility Awareness Week 2023

We would be so grateful if you took the time to rate and review our podcast on iTunes! And of course, don’t forget to hit that Subscribe button to have new episodes delivered straight to your feed!

“Beautiful and heartfelt conversations around family building. Can’t wait to hear more!”