Sarrah Strimel received a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Before beginning cancer treatment, Sarrah Strimel faced a decision many young cancer patients never expect to make: whether and how to preserve her chance of having a biological child someday.

In this powerful episode of Modern Conception, Sarrah shares with Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski the emotional journey of undergoing fertility preservation before cancer treatment, the uncertainty of whether she would ever become a mother, and the hope she held onto through years of setbacks and unknowns.

What makes Sarrah’s story extraordinary is that she ultimately had just one embryo left—one chance to build the family she had always dreamed of.

That embryo became her son, Chance.

We discuss:
• Receiving a cancer diagnosis during her reproductive years
• Fertility preservation before cancer treatment
• Navigating fear, uncertainty, and loss
• The emotional impact of infertility after cancer
• Surrogacy and the path to parenthood
• The power of hope when the odds feel impossible
• How one embryo changed everything

This is a story about resilience, motherhood, and the incredible advances in reproductive medicine that make family building possible even in the face of devastating circumstances.

Whether you’ve faced infertility, cancer, pregnancy loss, or simply need a reminder of what’s possible, Sarrah’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends.

🎙️ Listen now and hear how one embryo became one little boy named Chance.

#CancerSurvivor #FertilityPreservation #Surrogacy #IVF #Infertility #CancerAndFertility #ModernConception #Motherhood #FamilyBuilding

Charlotte Bickley Meller is newly married, thriving in her career, and not rushing into motherhood just because society expects her to.

In this candid conversation, Charlotte chats with Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski about why she decided to learn about fertility preservation, what surprised her most about modern fertility care, and why she believes more women should understand their options before they feel pressured to make life-changing decisions.

From egg freezing and embryo preservation to navigating questions about marriage, babies, and biological clocks, Charlotte discusses how knowledge can replace fear and why fertility isn’t just a conversation for people experiencing infertility.

If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or unsure about your timeline, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with women’s health advocate, licensed therapist (and attorney)  Lauren Tetenbaum to unpack one of the most overlooked stages of reproductive health: perimenopause.

Lauren breaks down what perimenopause actually is, why it can begin earlier than many expect, and the wide range of physical and emotional symptoms that often go unrecognized or dismissed. From mood shifts and sleep disruption to cycle changes and hormonal fluctuations, she explains why so many women are told it’s “just stress” when it’s actually something more.

Together, Lauren and Brittney explore why perimenopause is so poorly understood, how women can better advocate for themselves, and why this phase should be viewed as part of a broader continuum of hormonal health—not an isolated moment.

This episode is essential for anyone looking to better understand their body, recognize early signs of perimenopause, and navigate this transition with more clarity and support.

In this episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with leading family law attorney Brett Ward to unpack one of the most complicated—and increasingly common—legal questions in modern fertility care: what happens to embryos if a relationship ends?

Brett explains how courts approach embryo ownership disputes, including the role of clinic consent forms, mutual intent, state law, and competing constitutional rights. He also discusses whether couples can create separate legal agreements outside of clinic paperwork—and when those agreements are actually enforceable.

The conversation also explores the long-term legal implications of creating embryos with a partner, including questions around future parental rights and even potential child support obligations.

For anyone considering IVF, this episode is a critical reminder that fertility decisions are not just medical—they can also create lasting legal relationships. Brett shares the key legal steps patients should take before creating embryos to protect themselves and avoid future disputes.

In this episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with author Ali Mann Stevens to discuss her deeply personal fertility journey and the inspiration behind her book Maternal Hope.

Ali opens up about navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional complexity of holding onto hope through uncertainty. She shares why she chose to tell her story—and how storytelling can transform isolation into connection, not just for the person living it, but for everyone who reads it.

Together, Brittney and Ali explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of community, and why sharing these experiences openly helps others feel less alone in their own fertility journeys.

This conversation is a moving reminder that even in the most difficult moments, connection and storytelling can be a source of healing and hope.

In this intimate episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with therapist Batya Novick to explore one of the most complex and least discussed aspects of infertility: the grief that lingers even after becoming a parent.

Batya shares her personal and professional perspective on the emotional toll of secondary infertility, and what it means to grieve the sibling you imagined for your child. Together, she and Brittney discuss the quiet, often misunderstood pain of letting go of a vision for your family, and why that grief can coexist with deep gratitude.

This conversation offers validation, language, and support for anyone navigating infertility, loss, and the emotional realities of family-building that rarely get spoken about openly.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women — yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions in women’s health.

In this episode of Modern Conception, I sit down with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Sheeva Talebian for a candid, no-BS conversation about:

• What endometriosis actually is (and what it isn’t)

• Why so many women are dismissed for years

• The connection between endometriosis and fertility

• IVF considerations for patients with endo

• Surgery vs. medical management

• How inflammation, lifestyle, and stress play a role

We also shift gears and talk about Dr. Talebian’s personal approach to health — from marathon training and strength work to how she maintains energy, balance, and longevity while running a demanding clinical practice.

This episode is equal parts science and strategy — designed to help women feel informed, empowered, and in control of their bodies.

Whether you’re navigating endometriosis, thinking about fertility, or simply want smarter insight into hormonal health, this one is essential listening.

In this episode of Modern Conception, Liza Camellerie shares her decision to become a mother on her own—and why waiting for the “right” partner was no longer part of her plan.

Liza opens up about what it really means to choose single motherhood by choice: the clarity, the grief, the empowerment, and the pushback that often comes with stepping outside traditional family norms. She speaks candidly about letting go of the family structure she once imagined and embracing a path that felt aligned, intentional, and right for her.

Brittney and Amanda explore how Liza’s story reflects a broader shift in modern family-building—where agency, preparation, and self-trust matter more than following a prescribed timeline—and why choosing motherhood on your own terms is not a fallback, but a fully valid and powerful choice.

In this episode of Modern Conception, Alyssa Tucker shares her extraordinary path to creating twiblings—siblings born around the same time through two completely different pregnancies.

Alyssa opens up about transferring an embryo to a surrogate while simultaneously becoming pregnant herself, and what it meant to carry one child while another was growing through surrogacy. She reflects on the emotional complexity, logistics, and identity questions that come with this rare and deeply intentional family-building journey.

Brittney and Amanda explore what Alyssa’s story reveals about modern fertility, choice, and the evolving definition of family—challenging the idea that there’s only one “right” way to become a parent, or to create siblings.

In this episode of Modern Conception, Andy Youmans shares his journey to becoming a single father by choice through surrogacy and egg donation—and why waiting for the “right” partner was never part of his plan.

Andy opens up about deciding to pursue parenthood on his own terms, navigating the logistics and emotions of building a family solo, and raising his daughters with pride, honesty, and intention. His story challenges outdated ideas about what families are supposed to look like and offers a powerful reminder that love, preparation, and commitment—not tradition—are what truly define parenthood.

Brittney explores what it means to rewrite the script around fatherhood, masculinity, and modern family-building—and why choosing your path unapologetically can be the most powerful decision of all.