Never Thought We'd Be Here

In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by Jen’s 14-year-old twins, Zosha and Theo.

In this heartfelt interview, Zosha and Theo share their perspectives on embryo donation, family bonds, and navigating complex relationships. Their insights shed light on the emotional and social aspects of donor families, offering valuable lessons for understanding modern family structures.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Perspectives

02:13 Understanding Family Dynamics and Relationships

04:44 The Concept of Siblinghood in Embryo Donation

07:08 Meeting Eric: First Impressions and Connections

09:32 Evolving Relationships Over Time

12:06 Future Connections and Communication

14:02 Proud of Our Story: Sharing Embryo Donation

16:31 Navigating Conversations About Embryo Donation

18:35 Advice for Other Children in Similar Situations

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In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by Lainey, Gina’s 11-year old daughter!

In this heartfelt conversation, Lainey shares her unique family story centered around embryo donation. She discusses her understanding of embryo donation, her connection with her sister cousin Grace, and the dynamics of their relationship. 

Their conversation explores themes of identity, race, and the emotional aspects of family connections, including the challenges of saying goodbye and the pride Lainey feels about her family's story.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lainey and Her Unique Family

06:01 Connecting with Grace: A Sister Cousin

14:02 Identity and Mixed Race Perspectives

18:37 Reflections on Family Stories

23:08 Advice for Kids with Genetic Siblings

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In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by two recipients, Loretta and Alexandra.

Loretta and Alexandra matched with the same embryo donors and are currently pregnant at the same time. In this conversation they share their stories that highlight the value and importance of the connection that directed embryo donation provides as well as how they have been navigating the new relationship they have with each other and their donors, how they conceptualize their unique extended family structure, and considerations around race and ethnicity as they each prepare to meet their babies very soon!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Stories

02:11 Personal Journeys to Embryo Donation

04:08 Finding the Right Donor Couple

07:29 Navigating Relationships with Donors

10:27 Building Connections and Communication

16:19 Establishing a New Family Dynamic

21:38 Navigating Family Dynamics with New Siblings

24:00 Establishing Foundations: The Power of Communication

26:32 Inclusive Language: Redefining Family Connections

28:38 Flexibility in Family Definitions

31:03 Pride in Family: Overcoming Societal Judgments

34:07 Navigating Biracial Identity and Societal Perceptions

36:48 Embracing the Unknown: The Journey of Parenthood

42:49 Reflections on Unexpected Paths to Parenthood

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

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In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Genieve and Clare, Embryo Donor and Recipient. 

This conversation explores the journey of embryo donation through the experiences of Genieve and Clare, who share their expectations, emotional challenges, and the evolving relationship between donor and recipient families. 

Together they discuss the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and the joy of building a family through this unique process. Their dialogue highlights the significance of openness and honesty in navigating the complexities of embryo donation and the beautiful connections that can form as a result.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey

05:14 Building Relationships Through Communication

10:40 Establishing Communication Ground Rules

16:26 Reflections on the Journey and Future Plans

23:10 The Dance of Co-Parenting

31:33 Support Systems and Family Reactions

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

You can also check Clare out as she shares her story on the CBS evening news.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/embryo-donation-on-the-rise-families-connection/

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In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Jen, a three-time embryo donor.

In their conversation, Jen shares her unique journey as an embryo donor, discussing her motivations for donating embryos to multiple recipients simultaneously. She reflects on the emotional complexities of the donation process, the relationships formed with recipients, and how her identity has evolved through this experience. 

Jen emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and flexibility in navigating the challenges and joys of embryo donation, ultimately highlighting the positive connections that have emerged from her decision.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey

02:02 Motivations Behind Embryo Donation

04:58 Deciding to Donate to Multiple Recipients

06:58 Meeting the Recipients: Expectations vs. Reality

13:23 Evolving Relationships with Recipients

26:25 Identity as an Embryo Donor

27:55 Reflections on the Donation Process

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

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In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Jessica, a parent via embryo donation with two very different journeys.

In this conversation, Jessica shares her personal journey, discussing her initial experiences with infertility, the decision to pursue embryo donation, and the importance of genetic equity in family building. 

Their conversation delves into the nuances of anonymity in donation, the emotional connections formed during the process, and the challenges of discussing origins with children. Jessica offers valuable advice for prospective parents considering embryo donation, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and the joy of parenthood.

Chapters

00:00 Embarking on the Embryo Donation Journey

04:53 Understanding Genetic Equity in Family Building

09:07 Navigating Anonymity and Connection in Donation

11:43 The Experience of Directed Donation

16:10 Discussing Origins with Children

21:12 Advice for Prospective Parents on Embryo Donation

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

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In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Jay, a parent via embryo donation and a donor conceived person.

In this conversation, Maya and Jay explore the multifaceted world of donor conception, focusing on Jay's personal journey as a donor-conceived individual and a parent through embryo donation. 

They discuss the evolution of language and identity in donor conception, the importance of medical information, and the complexities of connecting with donor siblings. Jay shares insights on the matching process for embryo donation and the emotional dynamics involved in building relationships with donor families. The conversation emphasizes compassion and understanding in navigating the donor conception landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Perspectives

02:48 Jay's Origin Story and Early Understanding

07:15 The Journey of Discovery: Finding the Donor

09:45 Connecting with Half-Siblings: A Unique Experience

13:23 The Nuances of Genetics and Family Connections

17:31 Embryo Donation Journey: Decision-Making Process

20:56 Evolving Relationships with Donor Families

24:20 Conceptualizing Family: Expanding Definitions

26:58 The Importance of Language in Identity

33:36 Final Thoughts on Compassion and Reform

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

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In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Family Formation Attorney, Amanda Troxler. As a disclaimer, nothing in this episode should be considered legal advice.In this conversation, Maya and Amanda delve into the intricate world of embryo donation, exploring the legal aspects, personal experiences, and the importance of relationships in this unique field.

Amanda shares her journey into family formation law, emphasizing the significance of understanding the emotional and personal dimensions of legal contracts. They discuss the essential elements of embryo donation agreements, including consent, communication, and future contact expectations.

Their conversation highlights the varying state laws regarding embryo disposition and the necessity of having independent legal representation to ensure that all parties feel heard and supported. Ultimately, the discussion underscores the importance of viewing embryo donation as a relationship rather than just a legal transaction, fostering a collaborative and open-minded approach to family formation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation and Legal Perspectives

02:12 Amanda's Journey into Reproductive Law

04:44 Understanding Embryo Donation Contracts

08:38 Consent and Redonation of Embryos

10:26 Embryo Disposition After Use

14:34 State Laws and Legal Definitions

16:52 Anonymous vs. Directed Donation

18:25 The Importance of Legal Representation

21:13 Preparing for Legal Meetings

23:03 Advice for Embryo Donation Participants

24:24 Challenges in Embryo Donation Relationships

26:47 The Beauty of Embryo Donation Relationships

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

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In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by Embryologist, Alease Barnes, better known as Alease the Embryologist on Social Media.

In this conversation, Maya and Alease delve into the intricate world of embryology, focusing on embryo donation and the role of embryologists. 

Alease shares her journey into the field, the importance of education in reproductive health, and the nuances of embryo grading and PGT testing. They discuss the evolving landscape of embryo donation, the significance of patient expectations, and the future of technology in embryology. Their conversation emphasizes the need for informed decision-making for both donors and recipients, highlighting the complexities and emotional aspects of the process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryology and Donation

06:45 The Role of the Embryologist

11:46 Understanding PGT Testing

18:31 Embryo Grading and Its Implications

25:33 Navigating the Landscape of Embryo Donation

29:41 Embryo Freezing and Success Rates

34:48 Patient Perspectives on Embryo Donation

36:31 Counseling Donors on Disposition Options

39:52 Understanding Embryo Quality and Matching

42:34 Exploring Mosaic and Early Stage Embryos

51:04 Future of Embryology and Technology

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

Want to work with Alease? Learn more at https://aleasetheembryologist.com/ and follow Alease on IG and TikTok @alease_the_embryologist

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In the Season 2 premier of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by her husband Noah, and their daughter, Mika.

In this heartfelt conversation, they discuss the journey of their family through embryo donation. Mika shares her understanding of her unique story, the importance of genetics, and how she navigates conversations about her origins with friends.

As a family, they reflect on the significance of open communication, the nature versus nurture debate, and the emotional connections that define family beyond genetics. They also address the normalization of different family structures and offer advice to other donor-conceived children.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation

02:31 Understanding Family Dynamics

04:49 Genetics and Identity

08:14 Curiosity About Donor Helpers

11:06 The Concept of Nature vs. Nurture

14:17 Reflections on Family Differences

16:00 The Journey to Parenthood

18:55 The Importance of Connection

21:08 The Role of Communication

24:05 Normalizing Different Family Structures

25:44 Advice for Other Kids and Parents

27:18 Connecting with Donor Families

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

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