While everyone else was focusing on the baby, she focused on me." That is how Lauren Dewey describes the moment her sister-in-law handed her a care basket after her son was born, and it is the moment that changed the course of her life.

This week we sit down with Lauren Dewey, founder of brooksybox, for an honest conversation about all the parts of the motherhood journey that people forget to show up for. After struggling with infertility and welcoming her son Brooks through IVF, Lauren realized how much attention goes to a new baby and how little is left for the mother recovering behind the scenes. That realization became brooksybox, thoughtfully curated care packages for every stage a woman is actually in, from infertility to loss to pregnancy to postpartum, all sourced from or created with women-owned businesses. Whether you are in the thick of it yourself or trying to support someone who is and have no idea what to say, this one is full of real talk and practical ways to show up.

In this episode, we cover:

• How a single care basket from her sister-in-law sparked the whole idea, and where the name brooksybox came from
• Lauren's fertility journey, from a Hashimoto's and PMOS diagnosis to IUIs, IVF, and a retrieval complicated by ovarian hyperstimulation
• The complicated emotions of a spontaneous pregnancy after infertility, including guilt, and the very real weight of deciding what to do with remaining embryos
• Why toxic positivity ("just relax, stay positive, you're so strong") so often misses the mark, and what actually helps instead
• Her husband's simple game-changing question, "do you want comfort or do you want solutions?"
• How infertility and loss can quietly strain friendships, and how to keep showing up without taking distance personally
• What goes into the boxes and why every product is clean, intentional, and made for the stage she is in

More than anything, this episode is a reminder that showing up does not have to be complicated or expensive. Even the strongest women need support, and women never forget who showed up when they were barely hanging on.

If you are navigating your own journey, loving someone who is, or you just want to be the person who shows up well, this episode is for you.

Listener offer: use code UNFILTERED15 for 15% off your first care package.

Connect with Lauren & brooksybox:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksybox/

Website: https://brooksybox.com/

"A low AMH does not mean you can't get pregnant on your own." Dr. Roy Handelsman says it more than once in this episode, on purpose, because it may be the single most misunderstood number in fertility care.

This week we sit down with Dr. Roy Handelsman, a board-certified OB/GYN and fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility, for a clear, honest, and genuinely fascinating deep dive into anti-Müllerian hormone, aka AMH. If you have ever had your AMH tested and walked away more confused or more anxious than before, this one is for you. Dr. Handelsman has an engineering background and a gift for the "why," and he uses both to explain what AMH actually measures, what it can't tell you, and how to think about your own number without spiraling into comparison.

In this episode, we cover:

• What AMH really is, where it comes from in the ovary, and why fertility providers test it
• The difference between egg quantity and egg quality, and why age, not your AMH, is most closely tied to quality
• Why a low AMH does not mean you can't conceive, and why a high AMH is not a guarantee
• Whether you can actually raise your AMH, and which lifestyle factors genuinely matter
• How birth control affects your AMH result, and how long to wait after stopping before you test
• The other ovarian reserve tests (FSH, estradiol, and antral follicle count), and what to do when they disagree
• Why AMH runs high in PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, the new consensus name for PCOS) and what that means for egg quality
• What an "average" AMH looks like by age, and why average is not the same as normal
• Why seeing a fertility doctor does not automatically put you on the path to IVF

More than anything, this episode is a reminder that one number was never meant to define your fertility. Your AMH is a snapshot, not a verdict, and understanding it is a way to take your reproductive goals into your own hands rather than a reason to panic.

If you have had your AMH tested, are thinking about it, or just want to finally understand what all of it means, this episode is for you.

Connect with Dr. Roy Handelsman:Website: https://havingbabies.com/physicians/roy-handelsman-md/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royhandelsmanmd/

"We became our own island." That is how Kyle Herman describes the years he and his wife spent navigating infertility in near silence, and it is exactly the isolation this conversation sets out to break.

This week, in the window between Labor Day and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we sit down with Kyle Herman, an Army veteran, police officer, and first responder who is becoming one of the few loud male voices in the fertility space. Kyle deployed to Iraq in 2006, and years later, when he and his wife Meg started trying to build their family, they came face to face with a reality neither of them saw coming. What followed was years of IUI, IVF, and eventually donor eggs, and the long, quiet grief that so many couples carry alone. This is where Laura and Ashlee's clinical perspective meets Kyle's lived experience, and it makes for one of the most honest conversations we have had about what men go through too.

In this episode, we cover:

• How toxic exposures during military service, including burn pits, can quietly affect male fertility, and why men are so under-studied in this area
• The reality of years of IUI and IVF, false positives, and the emotional toll of trying to build a family in silence

• Why male-factor infertility carries its own stigma, and what it takes for men to finally speak up
• Kyle's trip to DC, meeting members of Congress, and the push for better fertility coverage for veterans and first responders
• Fertility preservation, sperm and egg freezing, and why these conversations need to happen early, before deployment or treatment
• Practical resources and grants for military and first responder families, and where to start looking before you open your wallet

More than anything, this episode is a reminder that men belong in the fertility conversation, that no one should have to navigate this alone, and that speaking up, as hard as it is, is what starts to change things for the next person walking in the door.

If you or someone you love wears a uniform, or if you have ever felt alone in your fertility journey, this episode is for you.

Connect with Kyle Herman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-herman-877339304/

Resources mentioned in this episode:
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Building Military Families Network
Roaring Adventures
The Chick Mission
Bob Woodruff Foundation

"I did hyperventilate because of the cost. That, to me, was one of the most overwhelming parts." That is how Lauren Clements describes the moment she realized IVF was her only path to a family, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much.

This week we sit down with Lauren Clements, founder and CEO of Brilora Fertility Foundation, and Charla Grimm, the organization's Community and Brand Relations Director, for an honest and hopeful look at the real cost of trying to conceive. We get into how fertility grants actually work, what they cover, what they don't, and how families can find real financial support when insurance falls short. Whether you are facing the cost of IVF yourself, supporting someone who is, or work in the fertility space, Lauren and Charla bring both hard-won expertise and deep personal experience to a topic that carries so much financial and emotional weight.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Brilora's IVF and surrogacy grants actually cover, and the costs (like medications and anesthesia) that often fall outside them
• How Brilora protects grant recipients' privacy and autonomy, and why sharing your story is always optional
• The states where Brilora's grants are currently available, and where the organization is headed next
• Why genetic testing (like PGT) matters more than people often realize, especially for conditions like Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis
• How the name Brilora came to be, and the story behind its predecessor, Chosen Fertility
• How to apply for Brilora's upcoming fall grant cycle, open September 1st through November 1st
• Ways to get involved, whether you are a patient, a provider, or simply someone who wants to help

More than anything, this episode is a reminder that the financial side of fertility care does not have to be carried alone, that there are people and organizations built specifically to help, and that asking for support is not something to feel guilty about.

If you are facing the cost of fertility treatment, know someone who is, or want to understand what financial support actually looks like, this episode is for you.

Connect with Brilora Fertility Foundation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brilorafertility/Website: https://www.brilorafertility.com/Grants: https://brilorafertility.com/grants/

"You are losing control. You are losing something you had hoped for." That is how Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni describes what a pregnancy loss actually takes from you, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much.

This week we sit down with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni, double board certified reproductive endocrinologist and the founder and director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Center at Johns Hopkins, for an honest and compassionate look at recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We get into what RPL actually is, why the definition just changed, what a thorough evaluation really looks like, and what hope looks like on the other side. Whether you are a patient, a partner, or someone caring for people walking through this, Dr. Moragianni brings both rigorous evidence based medicine and real warmth to a topic that far too many people carry in silence.

In this episode, we cover:

• The brand new definition of recurrent pregnancy loss and why two losses now open the door to a full evaluation
• How common RPL really is, and why so many cases come back "unexplained"
• The most common causes, from chromosomal factors to thyroid, uterine issues, and antiphospholipid syndrome
• The real evidence behind controversial tests and treatments like NK cell testing, intralipids, and IVIG
• Why recurrent pregnancy loss is almost never your fault, no matter how many times you have asked yourself that question
• When it is safe to try again after a loss
• The case for a multidisciplinary team, and why mental health support belongs at the very center of it

More than anything, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone, that pregnancy loss is far more common than anyone lets on, and that the data on hope is real. Having multiple losses behind you does not mean a healthy pregnancy is not still ahead of you.

If you have experienced loss, love someone who has, or simply want to understand this better, this episode is for you.

**A gentle note before you listen: this episode discusses pregnancy loss and grief. Take it in whatever size pieces feel right, pause and come back to it if you need to, and if anything heavier comes up, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Connect with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni:

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

Website: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology-obstetrics/specialty-areas/fertility-center/recurrent-pregnancy-loss-center

You pay it every year. Sometimes for years. And most people have no idea where their embryos, eggs, or sperm are actually stored, what they're really paying for, or what happens if something goes wrong at 2am on a weekend.

This week we're getting unfiltered about fertility storage, one of the least talked about pieces of so many people's journeys. Our guest is Charlie Boyer, co-founder and CEO of Generations CryoVault, who came up through operations, logistics, and risk management before building an independent storage company. We got into the parts of this industry that patients almost never get a clear look at, and some of it may make you angry. That's kind of the point.

In this episode we cover:

• The real difference between in-clinic and off-site storage, and why the price gap is so big
• What annual storage actually costs to provide versus what you're charged
• Why your tissues may not even be at your clinic, and how often they're stored somewhere else entirely
• How genetic material gets shipped across the country, and what safe transport really looks like
• What happens when a storage tank fails, and the alarms that are supposed to prevent it
• How private equity is reshaping fertility care and what it means for patients
• The questions you should be asking before you trust any facility with something irreplaceable

Storage isn't the sexiest part of fertility care, but it's one of the most relevant, because it touches nearly everyone who freezes anything. And whether you store with a clinic, an independent provider, or somewhere you haven't chosen yet, you deserve to understand what you're paying for and where your tissues actually are. You have a choice. This episode is about making sure you know that.

If you've ever stared at a storage invoice and felt confused, frustrated, or just unsure what you're really paying for, this episode is for you.

Connect with Charlie and Generations CryoVault:
https://www.instagram.com/generationscryovault/
https://gencryo.com/

You threw out the plastic cutting board. You swapped in the steel water bottle. You stopped microwaving your leftovers in the takeout container. And you are still lying awake wondering if it was enough, or if the plastic that has been part of your life since before you can remember has already made a decision your body has to live with.

If that spiral sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Laura and Ashlee sit down with Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, a reproductive endocrinologist at Mass General Fertility Center and the Mark and Catherine Winkler Associate Professor of Environmental, Reproductive and Women's Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research looks at how everyday exposures like air pollution, household chemicals and plastics actually intersect with ovulation, fertility and long-term health. In other words, she is exactly the person to help you tell the difference between what the science supports and what the internet is selling you.

Together they get honest about the anxiety that microplastics are stirring up in fertility patients, and why the answer is almost never to burn your whole house down and start over.

In this episode:

• What we actually know about microplastics and fertility, and the big gap between correlation and causation
• Why "detox everything" can quietly become the most harmful choice of all when it delays the treatment you need
• The small, sustainable swaps that are genuinely worth making, and the ones that are mostly marketing
• How to spot fear-mongering, from yoga-pant panic to supplement claims aimed at a vulnerable audience
• Why healthy behaviors and fertility treatment are not either-or, and can move forward at the same time
• Where the research is headed, including the dream of a personalized calculator that tells you what is worth your ten minutes today

The throughline is the one Laura and Ashlee come back to again and again: two things can coexist. You can get your testing done, start your treatment plan, and make calm, realistic changes to your environment all at once. You do not have to choose between doing something and doing everything.

This episode is for you if you have ever stood in your kitchen holding a plastic container, unsure whether to feel fine or afraid, and just wanted someone with the actual data to tell you where to start.

Connect with Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah:
https://www.instagram.com/smahalingaiahmd
https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/20661/shruthi-mahalingaiah

Nobody drops off a casserole when your transfer fails.

If a friend got a cancer diagnosis, you would expect the world to rally. Meals would show up. Someone would think to ask how the partner was holding up. But couples going through fertility treatment carry a comparable weight in near total silence, and the person standing right next to them carries it silently too.

This week we sat down with Batya Novick, LCSW, founder of Calla Collective and one of the very few therapists whose entire practice is reproductive mental health. She has been on both sides of the clinic door. In 2010, while already specializing in maternal and reproductive mental health, she went through her own fertility journey and found herself sitting in a waiting room full of people who were obviously going through the same thing, feeling completely alone. She asked her doctor why there wasn't a single mental health person in the building. He told her she should do something about it. Calla Collective is what came of that. We talked about what fertility struggles actually do to a relationship, and how couples get through it together instead of quietly drifting apart.

We get into:

• Chicken or egg: does fertility surface relationship struggles, or create them
• Why "I'm broken, he should just find someone else" is one of the most common things happily married women say out loud
• The internalized shame of unexplained infertility, and why uncertainty is the hardest thing for a brain to hold
• Time, expectations, and money (Batya's take on writing a $20,000 check with no guaranteed return)
• The three things every couple should be doing: name the stress, calendar the check-in, and protect time that has nothing to do with fertility
• Why calm does not mean not sad, and why yelling is often fear
• Intimacy when trying to conceive is, in her words, the unsexiest thing ever
• Why sex only for reproduction is the fastest way to kill a couple's sex drive
• Fantasy vs real life, and what romantasy is doing to expectations
• Where the breaking points actually show up, including what Laura has watched happen in the consent room over embryo disposition
• What to do when one partner will not go to therapy
• Same sex couples, and where the dynamics are the same and where they are not
• Grief after loss, outside tears and inside tears
• Pregnancy and postpartum after a journey, and why you do not have to be happy

The throughline of this whole conversation is permission. Permission to say this is hard without saying it is bad. Permission to grieve differently than your partner grieves. Permission to not be glowing at your eight week scan after four losses. Batya's point is that resilience is not something you either have or you don't. It is a muscle, and this is the muscle nobody wanted to build. But you are building it. And the relationship you are protecting right now is the same one that has to hold up long after the family building part is over.

This episode is for you if you and your partner have stopped talking about it. If you are the one crying and they are the one who has gone quiet. If sex has become a task on a calendar. If you are pregnant after loss and cannot find the joy everyone insists you should feel. If you have ever thought, even silently, that they would be better off with someone else. 💛

Connect with Batya & Calla Collective:
https://www.instagram.com/callacollectivehq
https://www.calla-collective.com

Some stories begin with heartbreak. This one begins with hope.

After three and a half years of infertility and four devastating losses, Jessica Butcher was searching for a path to motherhood built on trust and real connection, not paperwork and price tags. Amanda Konko felt called to carry for another family, but the traditional agency process left her feeling like a number in a pen. Then the two women met, first as coworkers, then as friends, and eventually as intended mother and surrogate. Amanda carried Jessica's daughter Olivia, delivered her in a peaceful home water birth, and somewhere along the way they discovered that the relationship itself was the most meaningful part of the entire journey. That experience inspired Little Seed Match, a private platform helping intended parents and surrogates connect through shared values, transparency, and authentic relationships.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jessica's journey through recurrent loss and the moment surrogacy entered the conversation
• Why the traditional agency model can feel transactional, and what it costs intended parents before a match is ever made
• How Little Seed Match flips the script with full profile transparency, mutual vetting, and autonomy for both sides
• The shocking things seasoned surrogates have shared about being made "marketable"
• Amanda's experience as a surrogate, from telling her three little boys to delivering Olivia at home
• The embryo transfer, the home birth, and what true alignment looks like at every step
• Postpartum depression in non-birthing mothers, and why nobody warned Jessica it could happen
• Grief and joy living side by side after loss, and why "you should just be happy" needs to be retired

Surrogacy is so often reduced to logistics, legal agreements, and headlines that get it wrong. Jessica and Amanda's story is proof that when the match comes first, everything else falls into place, and that the relationship between an intended parent and a surrogate can be one of the most beautiful partnerships there is.

If you're an intended parent weighing your options, a hopeful surrogate wondering what this journey could look like, a fertility nurse supporting patients through third party reproduction, or someone who simply wants to understand surrogacy beyond the myths, this episode is for you.

Connect with Little Seed Match:
https://www.instagram.com/littleseedmatch/
https://www.littleseedmatch.com/

One week you're being seen every few days with bloodwork and ultrasounds. The next, you're told "see you at 12 weeks" and sent out the door. So what happens in between?

This week, Laura and Ashlee sit down with Dr. Alecia Fields, a board certified OBGYN, FACOG, and trained doula, to talk about one of the most jarring transitions in the entire fertility journey: the handoff from your fertility clinic to your OB. Dr. Fields is the creator of DoulaDoc, where she blends evidence-based medicine with real emotional support, and she pulls back the curtain on what OBs actually see when a fertility patient lands in their office (spoiler: it's usually one or two pages). Together they dig into why the first trimester feels like such an invisible, isolating waiting place, and what patients and providers can both do to close the gap.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why fertility clinics discharge you around 8 weeks and why your OB may not see you until 12
• The "invisible trimester" and why so few people talk about the hardest stretch of early pregnancy
• What your OB does and doesn't know about your fertility journey, and why sharing your story matters
• Spotting and bleeding in the first trimester: what can be normal and when to call
• Pregnancy after loss and the anxiety of having no symptoms
• Why the US maternal mortality crisis makes this more than a comfort issue
• How patients can advocate for themselves at every appointment, because you are not a burden

The system wasn't built to see the whole you, and it's not going to fix itself. But between providers who care, better handoffs, and patients who feel empowered to speak up, we can start closing these gaps one conversation at a time.

If you're navigating that scary stretch between your fertility clinic and your OB, pregnant after loss, or just tired of feeling like you're too much for the system, this episode is for you.

Connect with Dr. Alecia Fields:
https://www.instagram.com/mydouladoc/
https://mydouladoc.com/