Never Thought We'd Be Here

Season One of ‘Never Thought We'd Be Here' has officially wrapped! In our final episode, host Maya Grobel revisits some of our favorite moments and highlights from different episodes of Season One. 

From real talk about embryo donation and family building to the deeply personal stories that brought us here, each episode this season has shown the different ways directed, or known, embryo donation can look for both embryo donors and embryo recipients. 

Thank you to each of our guests that shared their stories with us this season, and thank you to each of you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Love what you heard in Season One? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

Have questions or a topic you want us to cover in Season Two? Send us a message or an email!

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

Maya and Jen discuss the concept of directed donation, particularly in the context of embryo donation. They explore the importance of connection between donors and recipients, the emotional complexities involved, and the evolving nature of these relationships over time. 

Their conversation emphasizes the need for education and understanding in making informed decisions about donation, as well as the significance of maintaining open lines of communication between all parties involved. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they highlight the unique experiences of both donors and recipients, and the importance of creating a supportive community around embryo donation.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Directed Donation

04:30 The Importance of Connection in Donation

09:21 Navigating the Choice: Directed vs. Anonymous Donation

14:14 The Evolution of Relationships in Donation

18:43 Personal Experiences and Emotional Connections

23:27 The Future of Directed Donation

28:03 Normalizing Embryo Donation Conversations

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 Claire, mom of two and embryo donor. 

In this conversation, Claire shares her journey as an embryo donor, discussing the motivations behind her decision, the emotional connections formed with the recipient family, and the dynamics of navigating family relationships. 

She reflects on the significance of her experience, the joy of seeing the child born from her embryos, and the importance of being at peace with her choices. Claire emphasizes the need for clarity and readiness in the embryo donation process, highlighting the leap of faith involved in such a significant decision.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Embryo Donation

11:01 Connecting with Embryo Recipients

21:06 Navigating Family Dynamics

27:09 Reflections on the Embryo Donation Experience

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 Melissa, embryo recipient and single mom by choice.

Maya and Melissa discuss Melissa's journey through embryo donation as, in Melissa’s words, a single mother by default. They explore the challenges and emotional experiences Melissa faced during her fertility journey, including her initial attempts at conception, the transition to embryo donation, and the importance of community and connection with donors and other recipients. 

Melissa shares her experiences with matching, the emotional impact of failed transfers, and the joy of her current pregnancy. Their conversation highlights the significance of support, open communication, and the evolving dynamics of family in the context of embryo donation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey

01:01 Melissa's Fertility Journey and Initial Challenges

04:44 Transitioning to Embryo Donation

06:58 The Importance of Connection and Community

09:25 First Match Experience and Emotional Impact

12:31 Navigating Failed Transfers and Emotional Support

15:35 Rematching with New Donors

18:51 Connecting with Other Recipients

22:04 Building Relationships with Donors and Recipients

24:41 Looking Ahead: Future Connections and Family Dynamics

28:27 Current Pregnancy Experience and Emotions

31:03 Connecting with Other Single Moms by Choice

32:48 Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Recipients

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 Vesbitt!

Maya and Jen answer some of the most commonly asked questions about embryo donation, and discuss the complexities of embryo donation, focusing on the considerations for both donors and recipients.

They explore the challenges faced by donors with multiple embryos, the legal and ethical implications of embryo donation, and the importance of building connections between recipients. Their conversation also delves into the logistics of shipping versus traveling for embryo transfers and outlines the typical timeline for the embryo donation journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Conversations

02:49 Understanding High Number of Embryos

05:58 Considerations for Donors and Recipients

08:59 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Embryo Donation

12:06 Connecting Recipients and Building Relationships

14:57 Shipping vs. Traveling for Embryo Transfers

18:00 Timeline of the Embryo Donation 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!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo recipients, Scott and Ryan.

Scott and Ryan are two dads-to-be navigating their journey to parenthood through embryo donation. They share their initial plans for adoption, the challenges they faced, and how they discovered embryo donation as a viable option. 

They highlight the importance of building relationships with donor families, the dynamics of chosen family, and the fears and hopes they have for their future child. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the significance of love, community, and open communication in their parenting journey. 

In this conversation, Maya, Scott, and Ryan  discuss their journey through surrogacy and embryo donation, exploring the dynamics of non-traditional families. They share personal experiences, the emotional connections formed, and the importance of embracing diverse family structures.

Their discussion highlights the significance of support systems, the medical processes involved in surrogacy, and the excitement of creating new family traditions. They also offer advice for prospective parents, emphasizing the importance of education and intuition in the journey of parenthood.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to Parenthood: The Unexpected Path

04:53 Discovering Embryo Donation: A New Hope

09:29 Connecting with Donor Families: Building Relationships

15:56 Navigating Family Dynamics: Language and Identity

21:34 Navigating Family Dynamics in Surrogacy

24:42 Embracing Non-Traditional Family Structures

26:06 The Surrogacy Journey: A Personal Account

29:12 Medical Processes and Emotional Connections

31:30 Looking Forward: New Traditions and Family Bonds

35:59 Advice for Future Parents: Embrace 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!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo recipients, Scott and Ryan.

Scott and Ryan are two dads-to-be navigating their journey to parenthood through embryo donation. They share their initial plans for adoption, the challenges they faced, and how they discovered embryo donation as a viable option. 

They highlight the importance of building relationships with donor families, the dynamics of chosen family, and the fears and hopes they have for their future child. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the significance of love, community, and open communication in their parenting journey. 

In this conversation, Maya, Scott, and Ryan  discuss their journey through surrogacy and embryo donation, exploring the dynamics of non-traditional families. They share personal experiences, the emotional connections formed, and the importance of embracing diverse family structures. The discussion highlights the significance of support systems, the medical processes involved in surrogacy, and the excitement of creating new family traditions. They also offer advice for prospective parents, emphasizing the importance of education and intuition in the journey of parenthood.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to Parenthood: The Unexpected Path

04:53 Discovering Embryo Donation: A New Hope

09:29 Connecting with Donor Families: Building Relationships

15:56 Navigating Family Dynamics: Language and Identity

21:34 Navigating Family Dynamics in Surrogacy

24:42 Embracing Non-Traditional Family Structures

26:06 The Surrogacy Journey: A Personal Account

29:12 Medical Processes and Emotional Connections

31:30 Looking Forward: New Traditions and Family Bonds

35:59 Advice for Future Parents: Embrace 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!

In this episode of 'Never Thought We'd Be Here', host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo recipient, Lindsay.

In this conversation, Lindsay shares her personal journey through infertility and her decision to pursue embryo donation. She discusses the emotional challenges she faced, the importance of support, and how she and her husband navigated their options. 

Their conversation highlights the significance of embracing new family-building methods and the complexities of genetic connections, ultimately leading to a sense of confidence and hope in their journey to parenthood. Lindsay shares her personal journey through the embryo donation process, detailing her experiences from the initial match meeting with donors to the evolving relationship with them. 

Lindsay also discusses the challenges faced with clinics, the emotional aspects of the journey, and offers valuable advice for future recipients. This conversation highlights the importance of communication, preparation, and support throughout the process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey

01:01 The Fertility Journey and Initial Challenges

04:24 Embracing the Shift in Expectations

09:46 Deciding on Embryo Donation

11:46 Exploring the Spectrum of Relationships

15:14 Navigating Fears and Building Confidence

18:05 Current Focus and Managing Uncertainty

19:00 The Match Meeting Experience

22:01 Evolving Relationships with Donors

25:08 Navigating Clinic Challenges

29:54 Advice for Future Recipients

34:55 Reflections 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!

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 explore the emotional landscape of embryo donation, focusing on the fears and feelings experienced by both donors and recipients. They discuss the importance of community support, the challenges of navigating unknowns, and the evolving nature of feelings throughout the donation process. 

Drawing upon their own lived experiences and years of professional expertise, Maya and Jen emphasize the need for open communication, self-awareness, and the value of seeking support from mental health professionals and community resources.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation and Support

07:36 Understanding Donor Fears and Feelings

16:50 Navigating the Unknowns of Embryo Donation

24:50 Recipient Perspectives and Concerns

31:32 Advice for Donors and Recipients

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 donor Suzanne.

In this conversation, Maya and Suzanne talk about her journey through IVF and the decision to donate her remaining embryos. Suzanne shares her emotional experiences, the challenges she faced during her pregnancies, and the importance of finding the right recipients for her embryos. 

Their discussion highlights the evolving relationships between donors and recipients, the emotional complexities of embryo donation, and the hope for future families. Suzanne also offers advice for potential donors, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself throughout the process.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey

02:52 The Decision to Donate Embryos

05:40 Finding the Right Recipients

12:12 The Match Meeting Experience

20:59 Building Relationships with Recipients

29:08 Navigating Success and Challenges

35:20 Reflections and Advice for Future 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!