OnOn this week's episode of the OVAREACTION podcast, I am joined by our first featured storyteller, my sister and bestie, Maaden Eshete Jones.

On today's episode, I am pleased to be joined by our first featured storyteller, my sister and bestie, Maaden Eshete Jones.

Maaden Eshete Jones is a writer, podcastor, and encourager. A purveyor of gifts and guides for healing through hospitality, she is the owner of Love, Maaden and the Love Goods Co. And has created a thriving community around daily practices in living a life of love.

Madi, as she is known to friends, holds a Master of Public Health degree with a focus in Social and Behavioral Health Science. She has over ten years of experience in the arena of women's wellness as a business owner, public speaker, and community influencer. She appeared in the 2009 documentary film, Crisis in the Crib by Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee; and went on to co-author the book, Peace That Supersedes: Stories, Scripture, and Self Care for Women Dealing With Infertility, Pregnancy Loss, or the Loss of a Child. Maaden has spent the better part of the last 5 years sharing her personal testimony on her journey to motherhood, and encouraging others through her lessons learned in healing and hope.

While she wears many hats, she identifies with family first. A wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend; she currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband, Ben, and their young daughter.

Madi and I have supported one another through the highs and lows of our respective fertility journeys.  One of the questions we are often asked is, "how do I support my friend on their fertility journey?" We share our thoughts on friendship and fertility and what has and has not worked for us.

Songs that were a part of Madi's soundtrack include one of my favs, I've Seen Him Do It by Kurt Carr, and To Zion by Lauryn Hill. You can find these songs on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.

Welcome to Season 3!

After 7 long months, I'm baaaack! It's been a minute and there is so much to catch up on. To open the episode, I catch you up on what has been up with me in the past several months outside of my journey to motherhood - birthdays, new acquisitions, new roles, and new experiences - it's been 7 months filled with peaks and valleys.

In this week's story time, I share with you a story of transfer to tribulation. Although, it is not the update I had hoped to share with you on this episode - God is still faithful!

During the episode I shout out, The Honey Mama Company (@thehoneymamacompany), and their founder Jazmin Muhammad. The Honey Mama Company prepared a week's worth of meals for me leading up to my transfer.  Jazmin took the time to listen to and incorporate all of the foods that were said to help embryo implantation into the menu.  She came over to my house to prepare the meals and her sweet spirit and great conversation was just the vibe I needed leading up to the transfer.  If you are trying to conceive, an expectant mother, or a mother who needs support in the area of meal prepping - I highly recommend The Honey Mama Company!

The songs of the episode are Promises and Million Little Miracles by Maverick City Music and Manifest by Jonathan Nelson (featuring Purpose). You can hear these songs and the many others that have and continue to serve as my soundtrack on this journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist available on Apple and Spotify.

You can connect with on social media or via my website - I would love to hear from you!

Remember, stand in your story so you can boldly and confidently show up in the world.

~Tennille

On the Season 2 Finale of the OVAREACTION podcast, I give the listeners my most real time update EVER! Alot has happened since I celebrated selecting my donor at the end of Episode 7: Who Dat Is?

I share what's ahead for me, personally, and what you can expect from Season 3 of the podcast. As I share in the episode, I am not exactly sure when I will be back for Season 3 but just know I will be back.  Season 3 will transition from sharing my story to giving voice to women on their own reproductive health journeys and the people who love them - I CAN'T WAIT!

As I lean more than ever into this "Manifesting Motherhood" season of life, it is important that the soundtrack I listen to reinforces that with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.  There are many songs of the episode this week but the one I will highlight is Believe for It by CeCe Winans,

You can hear this song and the many others that have and continue to serve as the soundtrack on my journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist available on Apple and Spotify.

Until next time, please connect with and encourage me over on social media @tennilledaniels and via my website. And remember, stand in your story so you can boldly and confidently show up in the world.

~Tennille

Due to some circumstances within my control and a few outside, Episode 7: Who Dat Is? is coming to you a little late - I appreciate the grace!

On this episode, I share the story of how I found my donor. After a few failed shopping trips and patiently waiting on the Lord, my future baby daddy showed up in my inbox.

With my donor selected and the vials purchased, it was time to celebrate this major milestone in my journey. Head over to my blog at www.tennilledaniels.com/blog to see how I celebrated this major step with some of my closest friends.

This week's song of the episode is MyBabyDaddy by B-Rock & The Bizz - of course it is! I threw in a couple bonus songs this week that will give you some insight into a key characteristic of my donor - Gasolina by Daddy Yankee and Calma (Remix) by Pedro Capo & Farruko. You can find these songs and the many others that have served as the soundtrack for my journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.

~Tennille

It's time to do one of my favorite things - SHOP!  On this episode, I share my experience shopping for my future baby daddy.  This process left me feeling like a woman who is looking for the perfect dress for an event and goes to every store in town only to end up with nothing. I discuss the availability, or lack thereof, of Black male sperm donors and why the pickings are slim.

The song of the episode is BROTHA by Angie Stone. This song is dedicated to and celebrates Black men. My hope is that women who have a need for a sperm donor have access to a reasonable pool of Black men to choose from. You can find this song and the many others that have served as the soundtrack for this journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. 

~Tennille

There was one question all my family and friends asked when I told them I wanted to embark on this single mother by choice journey, "Don't you have someone you could ask to be the father of your child?".

On this episode, I discuss the answer to this one question. I also share how I had to boss up for my unborn child.

The song of the episode is Best I Never Had by Beyonce. Although Beyonce is talking about a romantic relationship, there are a few lines that resonated me during this part of my journey.  We always have to remember that God's plan is always greater than our own!

You can find this song and the many others that have served as the soundtrack for this journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. 

~Tennille

On today's episode, I discuss the results of my genetic carrier screening and the impact they have on my selection of a baby daddy ;-)

The song of the episode is DNA by Kendrick Lamar. A benefit of using donor sperm for the IVF process is the ability to know the genetic makeup of your baby daddy and how it may impact your future child. Hear this song and the many others that have provided the soundtrack for my reproductive health journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist available on Apple Music or Spotify. 

~Tennille

On today's episode, I share a few results of my 2020 fertility assessment and the first step in my 2021 fertility roadmap.  First stop, an early 2021 surgery to have something all women have two of but don't necessarily need both of to have a child - you have to listen to the episode to find out what I had removed or maybe you can guess from the title ;-) 

I also share one of my words for 2022 - CONSISTENCY - and how it relates to why I have been MIA for the past couple months. Let me just say sometimes you have to hit pause and spend time resting, reflecting and recharging for the journey ahead.  I did just that!

This week's song of the episode is GRATEFUL by Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship.  I am committed to maintaining a posture of gratitude throughout this process.  And even though everything wasn't flowing like it should have been inside of me, my praises to God for every stop, blessing and trial along this journey will not stop flowing.  Hear this song and the many others that have provided the soundtrack for my reproductive health journey on the OVAREACTION podcast playlist available on Apple Music and Spotify.

~Tennille

On today's episode, I share the first active step I took on my fertility journey to become a single mother by choice. That step was the initial appointment with my doctor at Shady Grove Fertility.   The initial appointment is a chance for the doctor to gather information and share potential options for your journey.  This appointment is followed by a fertility workup which includes a number of blood and imaging tests. The fertility workup, for me, is like getting your car checked out before a long road trip.  You want to make sure the car or your body, in this case, is ready for the journey. This assessment will help the doctor develop your fertility roadmap - final destination prayerfully is motherhood.

This week's song of the episode is Step by Step by Whitney Houston. I am committed to taking one step at a time on journey that can be filled with many highs and lows. Hear this song and many others that have provided the soundtrack for my reproductive health journey on the OVAREACTION playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.  

I promise it won't be this long again until the next episode!

~Tennille

I've been summering so hard but I am finally back for Season 2 of the OVAREACTION podcast!

On Episode 1, I give a summer recap which includes Hollywood (Florida), a Southern Belle Vacay in South Carolina, a surprise pop up in Miami and a night to remember with Bruno Mars. Head over to my blog to get the deets on my Southern Belle Vacay - where we stayed, what we did, the sexy Black male actor we saw ;-)

I am also excited to share with you a major life update.  I am taking active steps to create the life I want to live by embarking on a new journey. You have to listen to the episode to hear where the next leg of my journey prayerfully will lead.

And because I am taking my freedom back to create the life I want for myself, this week's song of the episode is Jill Scott's Golden. Hear this song and the many others that have provided the soundtrack for my reproductive health journey on the OVAREACTION playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. 

If you've gotten to the end of this note, please don't forget to subscribe, rate and review!

~Tennille