In this episode of ‘Never Thought We’d Be Here,’ host Maya Grobel is joined again by Jen Vesbit and Gina Davis, the co-founders of EM•POWER with Moxi and Moxi Matching!

In this conversation, the Moxi Team explores the concept of an embryo donation mindset, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, openness, and understanding in the donor-recipient relationship. They discuss the evolution of thoughts and feelings surrounding embryo donation, the significance of shared values, and the responsibilities that donors feel towards future children. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they highlight the emotional journey involved in embryo donation and the necessity of navigating expectations and personal experiences. 

This conversation delves into the complexities of embryo donation, focusing on the readiness of both donors and recipients. The speakers discuss the emotional and psychological aspects of the process, emphasizing the importance of trust, flexibility, and understanding genetics. They explore the challenges faced by recipients in embracing the genetics of another and the need for open communication between donors and recipients. The overarching theme is the balance between control and flexibility in the embryo donation journey, encouraging individuals to approach the process with an open heart and mind.

Chapters

00:00 Embryo Donation Mindset Introduction

02:45 Understanding the Dance of Embryo Donation

05:55 Initial Assumptions and Evolution of Thought

09:11 The Role of Feelings in Decision Making

11:54 Navigating Expectations and Openness

15:14 Untangling Personal Experiences and Responsibilities

22:59 Navigating Readiness in Embryo Donation

35:09 Embracing Genetics: The Recipient's Perspective

45:53 The Dance of Control and Flexibility

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Jenny, a single mother by choice through embryo donation.

During this heartfelt conversation, Jenny shares her journey to motherhood and reflects on her struggles with IVF, the emotional challenges of her fertility journey, and the pivotal moment that led her to embrace embryo donation. Jenny discusses the importance of connection with her donors, the cultural implications of her parenting journey, and the realities of motherhood.

She offers valuable advice for others considering similar paths, emphasizing the uniqueness of each journey and the importance of believing in one's dreams of parenthood.

Chapters
00:00 Journey to Motherhood: A New Beginning
05:57 The Shift to Embryo Donation
11:51 Navigating Relationships with Embryo Donors
17:54 The Reality of Motherhood
24:03 Reflections on Identity and Family

Thank you for listening!

To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.
Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by EM•POWER with Moxi co-founder Jen Vesbit.

In this conversation, Maya and Jen discuss the unique process of embryo donation and matching, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the emotional and scientific aspects of finding the right match. They explore the significance of values, connection, and authenticity in the matching process, as well as the need for flexibility and openness from both donors and recipients. 

Their conversation highlights the emotional journey involved in embryo donation, including the challenges of letting go and the gratitude that often accompanies successful matches. Ultimately, they reflect on the beauty of forming new family connections through this process.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation and Matching
03:01 Understanding the Matching Process
05:48 Emotional Aspects of Matching
09:00 Values and Connection in Matching
11:48 Mindset for Donors and Recipients
15:08 Openness and Authenticity in Relationships
18:02 Letting Go and Emotional Processing
21:10 The Role of Gratitude in Matching
24:01 Reflections on the Matching Experience
26:49 Conclusion and Future Directions

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo donors Wyatt and Lisa.

In this conversation, Wyatt and Lisa share their journey as embryo donors, discussing the emotional complexities of having remaining embryos after their own successful IVF process. They explore the decision-making process regarding their embryos, the importance of finding the right recipient, and the evolving relationship with the recipient throughout her pregnancy. 

Wyatt and Lisa reflect on their hopes for future connections between their children and the recipient's child, as well as the language and identity surrounding donor conception. They conclude with advice for potential donors, emphasizing the importance of being on the same page as a couple.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey
06:31 Finding the Right Embryo Recipient
15:10 Navigating Emotions and Updates
24:12 Language and Identity in Donor Conception
32:43 Advice for Potential Embryo Donors

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Jen Vesbit and Gina Davis, the co-founders of EM•POWER with Moxi and Moxi Matching!

In this first of many conversations together, Maya, Jen, and Gina discuss their experiences and reflections on embryo donation, exploring the emotional complexities, challenges, and responsibilities involved. They share insights on the importance of education and support for donors and recipients, the evolution of identity in the context of embryo donation, and the creation of new definitions of family. The conversation emphasizes the healing power of connection and the ongoing journey of navigating feelings and relationships in this unique landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Moxi Team
04:23 Reflections on the Journey of Embryo Donation
08:54 Challenges and Responsibilities in Embryo Donation
13:03 The Importance of Education and Support
17:28 Navigating Complex Emotions as Donors
24:40 The Evolution of Identity in Embryo Donation
30:18 Creating New Definitions of Family

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel speaks with Violet & Jason, proud parents of the first Moxi baby via embryo donation!

In this heartfelt conversation, Maya, Violet, and Jason explore the emotional journey of becoming parents through embryo donation. They discuss their unexpected path to parenthood, the decision to choose open donation, and the significance of meeting their child’s donor family.

The couple shares their experiences of bonding with their newborn son, navigating relationships with the donor family, and the role of genetics in parenting. They also touch on how to communicate the origin story to their children and offer valuable advice for others considering embryo donation.

00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Embryo Donation
01:01 The Unexpected Path to Parenthood
02:54 Choosing Open Embryo Donation
06:09 Meeting the Donor Family
09:54 Bonding with the Baby and Family Dynamics
11:51 Navigating Relationships with Donors
17:00 The Role of Genetics in Parenting
20:10 Communicating the Origin Story to Children
24:55 Advice for Future Recipients of Embryo Donation

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠website⁠.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel speaks with Betty, an embryo donation recipient, about her journey to motherhood as a single mother by choice via embryo donation.

Betty discusses her initial struggles with fertility, the exploration of various options including creating donor-donor embryos, and her eventual decision to pursue directed embryo donation. She highlights the importance of human connection in the process, the relationship she built with her donor family, and the emotional experience of meeting them. Throughout the conversation, Betty emphasizes the significance of support, patience, and gratitude in her journey to becoming a mother.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey

06:47 Exploring Embryo Donation as an Option

11:52 The Human Connection in Embryo Donation

18:44 Building Relationships with Embryo Donor Families

24:05 The Emotional Experience of Meeting Embryo Donors

30:37 Looking Forward: Future Connections and Growth

36:28 Gratitude and Reflection on the Journey

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠website⁠.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

Have questions about becoming an embryo donor or recipient? Schedule a free 15 minute consultation ⁠here⁠!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel speaks with Hannah, an embryo donor, about her journey through embryo donation.

Hannah shares her experiences with IVF, the emotional complexities of donating embryos, and the relationships she has built with the recipients of her embryos. The conversation explores themes of openness, flexibility, and the importance of communication in navigating the embryo donation process. Hannah reflects on her identity as a donor and the support she has received throughout her journey, emphasizing the significance of being prepared for the unknown and the evolving nature of this experience.

Chapters:

02:44 Hannah's Journey as an Embryo Donor

05:12 Building Relationships with Embryo Recipients

08:55 Navigating Expectations and Boundaries

11:45 Emotional Preparedness and Awareness

14:53 The Complexity of Emotions

17:50 Deciding to Donate Embryos

20:56 The Unique Experience of Each Embryo Donation

23:11 Communication Dynamics with Embryo Recipients

25:48 The Role of Flexibility in the Process

29:50 Future Considerations for More Embryo Donations

32:47 Identity as an Embryo Donor

35:53 Looking Ahead and Advice for Others

Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our website.

Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

Have questions about becoming an embryo donor or recipient? Schedule a free 15 minute consultation here!

In this into to 'Never Thought We'd Be Here’ Maya introduces the ⁠EM•POWER with Moxi⁠ team and shares their personal journeys with infertility and embryo donation, as well as their professional experiences in the field of reproductive medicine. 

Maya is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist in reproductive medicine. Her diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve in her early 30s sent her straight to IVF, which resulted in no embryos to transfer and intense heartbreak. Over the next 4 years, she and her husband tried everything assisted reproductive medicine had to offer and documented the entire journey, which resulted in a feature-length film called One More Shot that debuted on Netflix in 2018 and is now available on Amazon. The end of their journey was the birth of their daughter who was conceived via embryo donation. 

When Maya isn’t interviewing embryo donors or recipients, she will explore special topics in embryo donation and will be joined by her two partners at EM•POWER, Gina Davis, a board-certified and multi-state licensed genetic counselor and founder of Advocate Genetics, who has been immersed in the field of reproductive medicine for the past 20+ years. Gina is a mother of two via IVF and an open embryo donor. And Jennifer Vesbit, a Nationally Certified Counselor who founded Embryo Donation Support, a web-based community for embryo donors. Jen has twins via IVF and is also an open embryo donor.

These three women co-founded EM•POWER with Moxi, an organization deeply rooted in education, support, and ethical practices for embryo donation and  Moxi Matching, a directed embryo donation matching platform where embryo donors and interested recipients can match in a connected and open way.

This podcast aims to explore various themes related to embryo donation and alternative family building, providing insights and support for others navigating similar paths.