FriedEggs Podcast

Surprise! Ahead of our Season 3 premiere next week (April 24, mark your calendars and hit follow), we’re dropping a very special bonus episode today. We’re talking about the Costco fertility news everyone’s been buzzing about and how this offering actually works for IVF patients.

We first sat down with David Goldhill, the Co-Founder and CEO at Sesame, and then spoke to Lynn Mason, the CEO of IVI RMA North America. Both of them helped us to unpack the three-way partnership between Costco, Sesame, and IVI RMA North America, and how it’s working to bring more transparency and lower costs to fertility care and IVF treatment this year.

And because yes, this involves Costco: no, you don’t need to buy IVF meds in bulk. No, there aren’t free samples (unfortunately). And yes—you can still grab your rotisserie chicken, paper towels, and snacks while picking up your prescriptions.

We get into why Costco is entering the fertility space, how this model is designed to reduce one of the biggest barriers in IVF (cost) and what it looks like to simplify a system that’s traditionally been expensive, gatekept by insurance, and nearly impossible to navigate.

We also talk about how this partnership actually works, who it’s for (currently and how they hope to expand it in the future), and what it means for the future of reproductive healthcare. It’s IVF, Costco-style. 🤪

Have you used Sesame, IVI RMA, or Costco yet for fertility benefits? Let us know in the comments x

Today’s guests:

David Goldhill (Co-Founder & CEO, Sesame) is a nationally recognized healthcare reform advocate and the co-founder and CEO of Sesame, the leading cash-pay healthcare platform connecting patients directly with top-rated doctors at transparent, up-front prices.

His journey into healthcare transformation began in 2009 with his groundbreaking Atlantic cover story, “How American Healthcare Killed My Father.” The piece sparked a national conversation and led to his bestselling book, Catastrophic Care: Why Everything We Think We Know About Health Care Is Wrong, establishing David as a leading voice in rethinking how healthcare is financed and delivered in America.

Today, those ideas power Sesame’s mission to expand access to affordable care for millions of Americans shut out of the traditional system — from primary care to specialty services.

David previously served as Chair of The Leapfrog Group, the nation’s leading advocate for healthcare transparency and patient safety, a role closely aligned with Sesame’s mission. He termed off the board two years ago. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow in Health Care Policy at the Manhattan Institute, where he remains deeply engaged in efforts to reform how care is delivered in the United States.

Prior to his work in healthcare, David built a distinguished media career as President and CEO of Game Show Network and President of Television at Universal Studios.

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About Sesame: Sesame is the only cash-pay healthcare platform connecting patients directly with top-rated doctors at transparent, up-front prices. By removing insurance, Sesame unlocks lower cost, more convenient access to high-quality clinicians for everyday care. Sesame has served over 1 million patients to date, offering more than 380 services across all 50 states. Learn more at sesamecare.com.

Lynn Mason (Chief Executive Officer, IVI RMA North America) is leading a revolution in reproductive medicine—one built on science, scale, and deep compassion. As CEO of IVI RMA North America, Lynn oversees one of the largest reproductive health networks in North America with 27 labs and 73 locations across the U.S. and Canada. This vast network has helped deliver more than 220,000 babies over the last 20 years to loving families using groundbreaking IVF techniques and compassionate, patient-centered care. But her mission is far from complete.

Under her leadership, IVI RMA North America has expanded access to world-class fertility care for millions of Americans pursuing their fertility preservation and family-building goals, adding 13 labs and 37 new locations and setting new standards in outcomes, innovation and equity. Lynn is a trailblazer redefining what fertility care looks like at scale: more inclusive, more accessible, more research-driven, and more personalized.

A seasoned healthcare executive, Lynn has spent her career driving systemic change in complex care environments. At Broadstep Behavioral Health, Lynn doubled the company’s size and expanded care delivery across seven states. Her leadership at DaVita Kidney Care, DaVita RX, ChenMed, and United Allergy Services also reflects a consistent theme of her strength at building bold, patient-first models that scale nationally, grow rapidly and close critical gaps in care.

Lynn is President-Elect of Fertility Providers Alliance and contributes to the boards of ConvenientMD, Stella Behavioral Health, Shoes That Fit and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative. She is also an active member of Stanford Women on Boards and the Stanford Black Alumni Association and holds degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration (DHA) from Virginia University of Lynchburg.

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About IVI RMA North America: IVI RMA North America, comprises Reproductive Medicine Associates, Boston IVF, and Toronto-based TRIO. It spans 27 IVF laboratories and has helped women and couples achieve pregnancies which have led to the birth of over 220,000 babies to date. Pioneers in innovative care, including PGT-A, single embryo transfer, fertility preservation, LGBTQ+ care, and more, the network has published over 1,000 papers which have pushed the fertility industry forward. IVI RMA North America is part of IVI RMA Global, the world’s leading reproductive medicine group committed to providing evidence-based fertility solutions to patients seeking treatment anywhere in the world. IVI RMA Global employs more than 6,000 people across 200+ locations in 15 countries. Learn more at rmanetwork.com and https://www.bostonivf.com/

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From the archives: Today's bonus episode is a flashback to October 2024, the day of Kayti's embryo transfer. After recording an episode for the pod, Amy and Kayti talk about how the transfer went, Kayti's valium nap, and whether she plans to test early or not.

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.friedeggspod.com

Come hang with us after we hit “stop” on the recording! In the first episode of We Should Cut This, we’re talking AI sperm, IVF insurance chaos, our summer egg retrieval plans, and how to field telemarketers in 2026 (really—one comes to the door during the call). It’s our first unedited, unfiltered bonus content episode for listeners who want a little extra!

For more content and our weekly IVF and infertility newsletter, visit www.friedeggspod.com

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Oreck, founder of Mavida Health and a reproductive psychologist specializing in infertility, IVF, pregnancy, and postpartum mental health. We talk about the emotional impact of infertility and fertility treatments, why mental health care is such a critical — and often missing — part of reproductive healthcare, and how therapy and emotional support can improve the fertility journey.

Dr. Oreck shares expert insight from her clinical work, common struggles she sees in patients going through IVF, and practical ways to support mental health during fertility treatments.

Follow Dr. Oreck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahoreckmd

Learn more about Mavida Health: https://www.mavidahealth.com/

⭐️ If the pod has helped you feel less alone in infertility or IVF, please follow and rate us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps more people find support!

💌 Join the worst club with the best members: friedeggspodcast.substack.com

🎶 music by Fog Chaser🎥 photography by 20Twenty Productions

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe

Let’s talk about sex, bb — minus the babies. Today’s episode starts a conversation we hope to keep going: how infertility and IVF impact sex and physical intimacy. When everything is timed to ovulation and driven by pressure, how do you keep romance alive?

Thank you to our listeners who vulnerably shared their stories — listen through the end of the episode to hear from the community.

For more content, visit www.friedeggspod.com

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, we’re taking it back to the early days of IVF and sharing what we wish we’d known before our first egg retrieval.

💌 Join the worst club with the best members at www.friedeggspod.com

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe

Today we’re talking with Rosie Nestingen, co-founder of Rebloom Health, a space for families navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and adoption loss. Rosie shares her personal journey—from late-term pregnancy loss to having her daughter to navigating secondary infertility—as well as some major health challenges along the way, including a brain aneurysm and surgery.

Follow Rosie on social media (https://www.instagram.com/rosienest/) and at https://rosienest.substack.com/

Learn more about Rebloom Health: https://www.rebloomhealth.com/

⭐️ If the pod has helped you feel seen, please follow and rate us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps others in the infertility community find us.

💌 Join the worst club with the best members: friedeggspodcast.substack.com

🎶 music by Fog Chaser

🎥 photography by 20Twenty Productions

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe

We’re back for 2026 and diving straight into the deep end of IVF and infertility. In today’s episode, we’re talking about SB 729, Amy’s surrogacy journey, and the very obvious answer to whether we still pee on a stick before every period. 

We also talk through what might be coming in 2026 for our fertility journeys—possible egg retrievals, mounting insurance nonsense, balancing postpartum hormones, and the specific mix of angst, dread, and cautious hope that defines infertility.

join the worst club with the best members: friedeggspodcast.substack.com

🎶 music by Fog Chaser🎥 photography by 20Twenty Productions

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe

Should you freeze your eggs in your 20s? How many rounds should you do? Why don't more OBGYNs talk about fertility preservation as health care? Today, we're asking key questions about egg freezing and getting answers from one of the top experts in the field, Jaime Knopman, MD.

Dr. Jaime Knopman is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and Director of Fertility Preservation at CCRM Fertility in New York. A leading expert in fertility preservation and egg freezing, especially for cancer patients, she’s been recognized on New York Magazine and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors lists. Dr. Knopman also serves as the medical director of Chick Mission and as a member of the medical advisory boards of CoFertility and The Breasties. Her new book, Own Your Fertility: From Egg Freezing to Surrogacy, How to Take Charge of Your Body and Your Future, is scheduled for release on January 13, 2026, and offers a science-based guide to modern reproductive options. 

📚 Preorder Own Your Fertility

⭐️ If the pod has helped you feel seen, please follow and rate us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps others in the infertility community find us.

💌 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, “Everyone’s Getting Pregnant Without Me,” for infertility stories, episode updates, and thoughtful TTC-frontline recommendations.

🎶 Intro music by Fog Chaser
🎥 Photography by 20Twenty Productions

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe

2025 came at us hard. Kayti navigated life with a newborn, Amy faced the unpredictable world of surrogacy, and together we kept running the IVF and infertility marathon. In this episode, we reflect on the lessons this year taught us — the emotional highs and lows, the moments of resilience, and the ways we’ve grown stronger and softer in equal measure.

We share practical strategies for handling infertility in the new year, from building your support system to creating tools that make the chaos more manageable. We talk about the challenges of parenthood, the emotional work of surrogacy, and the victories — big and small — that remind us why community matters. Plus, stick around for a surprise at the end of the episode you won’t see coming.

We’ll be taking a short holiday break and will be back with new episodes on January 9, 2026.

⭐️ If this episode resonates, follow and rate us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps others in the IVF and infertility community find us and feel less alone.

💌 Subscribe to our ⁠⁠weekly newsletter "Everyone's Getting Pregnant Without Me"⁠⁠ for stories from the TTC frontlines, episode highlights, and practical tips.

🎶 Intro music by ⁠⁠Fog Chaser⁠⁠

🎥 Photography by ⁠⁠20Twenty Productions⁠⁠

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.friedeggspod.com/subscribe