Here on the Fertility Forward podcast, we often say that knowledge is power — and that you are your own best advocate! Joining Rena and Dara on the show today are two passionate guests who are dedicated to educating women about infertility, fertility benefits, healthcare coverage, and women’s health. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Taraneh Nazem, a double board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Infertility Specialist, and Obstetrician-Gynecologist at RMA of New York’s Westside office, along with Carissa Simek, one of Dr. Nazem’s patients. In today’s episode, Carissa opens up about how her desire for better fertility coverage led her to change jobs — and the incredible fertility journey she’s walked with Dr. Nazem. They discuss the panel discussions they’ve led, the catalyst behind Carissa’s decision to preserve her fertility, and how advocating for fertility education has empowered Carissa in her own life. We also explore the conversation around freezing eggs versus embryos, the biggest challenges Dr. Nazem faces in her field, and how infertility treatments can impact daily life. For all this and much more, don’t miss this insightful conversation! 

How can data enable doctors to best support their patients? Reproductive endocrinologist and associate research director Dr. Phillip Romanski joins us in conversation to discuss the annual Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Conference (PCRS), everything he learned, and what he spoke about. Tune in to hear Dr. Romanski’s perspective on mosaic embryo transfers before we dive into the complex world of segmental mosaic embryos and fully segmental aneuploid embryos. We discuss Preimplantation Genetic Testing, how to personalize care on an ongoing basis, and how in vitro maturation and in vitro gametogenesis will shape the future of fertility. Join us today to hear all about the topics covered at this year’s conference, the developments RMA doctors are focused on today, and more. Thanks for listening.  

When is the right time to have children? What if you put having a family on the back burner and then something tragic happens that prevents you from conceiving? Today, we are joined by cancer survivor and RMA client Alexandria Touris and her doctor, our very own Matthew Lederman, to discuss navigating fertility with cancer. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how Alexandria’s life was turned upside down when she received her cancer diagnosis, her egg retrieval process, the kind of support system she had, and her personal opinion (and words of wisdom) about freezing your eggs if having a family may ever be on the cards for you. Dr. Lederman also explains that cancer is affecting younger women before sharing some of the difficult questions he asks his patients to individualize their care. Finally, we discuss what we are grateful for today. To hear all this and even be reminded to be kind and pay it forward, be sure to press play now!

An infertility journey comes with many stressors, from emotional and social challenges to family pressures and the unavoidable financial strain. Today’s guest, Jenn Leffell, co-founder and COO of the Stardust Fertility Foundation, is working to ease one major hurdle—cost. Stardust Fertility Foundation helps bring more Jewish babies into the world by alleviating the financial burden of fertility treatments through its Stardust grants. These grants are available to all Jewish individuals and couples in the tri-state area, regardless of background, identity, or level of observance. As a passionate fertility advocate, Jenn is dedicated to helping individuals and couples achieve their dreams of building a family. In this episode, Jenn shares the journey and inspiration behind founding Stardust Fertility, how they select grant recipients, and their unique partnerships with clinics and pharmacies in the area. She also unpacks what makes for a strong grant candidate and how they approach marketing their organization, and she gives us a sneak peek into their upcoming annual gala. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with Jenn Leffell! 

Every single fertility journey is unique and often, things don’t go as planned. Today on Fertility Forward, we are joined by ovarian cancer survivor and mom of twins, Jess Jata to hear all about her unexpected journey and how infertility actually saved her life. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how Jessica’s IVF experience led her to being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and having an emergency hysterectomy. We delve into how she managed to start a family through surrogacy, what gave her strength during such a challenging time, what Jess shares on her Instagram community, and so much more! Finally, our guest discusses the path to getting stronger in the face of hardship and as always, shares what she’s grateful for today. To hear all of this and so much more from such an inspirational and resilient woman, press play now!  

Could the secret to better fertility and lasting health be hidden in the tiny world of your gut microbiome? Cheryl Sew Hoy, CEO and Founder of Tiny Health, shares how her children’s health challenges inspired her mission to empower families through microbiome testing. Tiny Health offers the first-ever at-home gut and vaginal microbiome tests for mothers and babies during the crucial first 1,000 days. In this episode, Cheryl explains how microbiomes shape fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and a baby’s immune system. She offers practical tips for addressing imbalances through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, while highlighting links to conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and gestational diabetes. Cheryl also reveals how personalized health decisions can help prevent chronic issues and improve outcomes for future generations. Tune in for this informative conversation and discover how understanding your microbiome could transform your family’s health journey! 

During your infertility journey, it’s important to align yourself with an ethical physician who is going to be honest with you about when your plans need to pivot. Today, we’re joined by the wonderful Dr. Matthew Lederman and one of his former patients, Jaclyn Fieberg, to discuss her experience of family building. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Jaclyn's complex infertility story, what led her to Dr. Lederman, how she decided to consider donor eggs and eventually chose to use her sister as a surrogate, and more! We delve into the power of changing your mind as you evolve through your fertility journey before discussing the importance of finding a physician who is going to be open and honest with you and advocate for your best interests. Jaclyn even shares some tools she used to help her get through this incredibly challenging time. Finally, Dr. Lederman reminds us of the power of perseverance. To hear all this and be inspired to be open to new ideas, press play now! 

As the year comes to an end, we’re reminded of the value of reflecting on the past, looking ahead, and setting meaningful goals. In this episode of the Fertility Forward podcast, join Rena and Dara as they take a moment to ground themselves and reflect on all that 2024 brought. They share their thoughts on words that have taken on new meaning, the transformative power of journaling, and the concept of life as a balance beam. They also discuss books they’ve read, those still on their to-read list, and the trends they’ve observed among patients and in their work over the past year. Tune in to hear all this and much more! Thanks for listening.  

Are you overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions that come with infertility? Today, we welcome Sarah Geissah, a Columbia University School of Social Work graduate, to explore the transformative power of somatic therapy. Sarah explains how this bottom-up approach, focusing on bodily sensations before thoughts, can ground you during stressful times. She contrasts it with traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and highlights its benefits in dealing with anxiety and emotional distress before sharing practical self-soothing techniques and grounding exercises. She explains how these tools can help you process emotions, reconnect with your body, and find solace amid the challenges of infertility. Sarah also discusses the importance of acknowledging and validating all feelings, from joy to sadness, and how somatic practices can be applied to everyday life. Tune in to learn how to embrace your emotions, foster self-compassion, and navigate the infertility journey with grace and resilience. 

When access to fertility treatments is under threat, advocates like Dr. Kimberley Thornton step up to protect the rights of patients. In this episode of Fertility Forward, Dr. Thornton, a leading reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York, discusses her advocacy efforts with RESOLVE, a national infertility organization dedicated to improving access to fertility care. She shares RESOLVE’s work pushing for the Right to IVF Act, which aims to safeguard IVF access and expand treatment coverage for everyone, including veterans. Despite legislative setbacks, Dr. Thornton emphasizes the importance of sharing personal stories with lawmakers and the small but significant victories achieved in the ongoing fight for accessible care. Tune in to learn how you can support the cause and make a difference by advocating for greater fertility treatment access!