Stork'd

In this Stork'd Munchkin, Angela Rastegar discusses her key demographic seeking Sunfish and how trends are showing that younger individuals are looking into IVF. She then discusses how her company, Sunfish can help provide financial support to those who need it.

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Sunfish - Website

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In this Stork'd Munchkin, Angela Rastegar discusses the shocking average amount it costs individuals to invest in IVF. She then discusses how her company, Sunfish can help provide financial support to those who need it.

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Resources:

Stork'd Website

Stork'd - Facebook

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Sunfish - Website

Sunfish - Instagram

Julia sits down with Angela Rastegar, the driving force behind Sunfish, a company committed to dismantling financial barriers for hopeful parents navigating fertility challenges. Economic constraints often force individuals to abandon their dreams of parenthood. Sunfish steps in with personalized financial planning services and complimentary consultations. They are backed by a dedicated team of data scientists who analyze medical records and statistics to forecast fertility treatments' duration and success rates, thus anticipating associated costs.

What truly sets Sunfish apart is their groundbreaking money back guarantee: in the event of a failed treatment, they offer a partial refund through their IVF Success Program. This pioneering approach empowers individuals to concentrate fully on their fertility journey, relieving the burden of financial worries. Please share this information with anyone facing a fertility journey, as access to resources on financing could make all the difference in continuing the journey or pursuing the next round of IVF.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:20] Julia introduces the topic of affording your family-building journey

• [3:51] Angela explains the mission of Sunfish and how and why she started the company

• [10:29] Angela addresses the first steps in the family-building process, and she discusses how they can predict the exact cost of IVF and the guarantee they make to the prospective parents

• [17:34] Angela explains how costs vary and states they do have loan options and how she sees the fertility space evolving in the next five to ten years

• [26:03] Discussion of how lifestyle impacts results and all the other details that can be overwhelming on this fertility journey

• [30:49] Discussion of the demographics of those who are looking to use Sunfish services and where the name Sunfish came about

• [35:17] Angela describes what family means to her, and she tells a heartbreaking story of infertility and success stories

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Sunfish offers complimentary consultations to answer questions and provides educational material on their website.

• The average IVF baby costs $70,000, but that figure can vary. Sunfish helps aspiring parents with determining their family building goals (number of kids) and then helps each prospective family create a financial roadmap.

• Sunfish offers support and a money-back guarantee through its Gold IVF Success Program which includes an IVF Treatment Package, unlimited transfers, and up to one year of support and guidance. Through this program, Sunfish's proprietary software calculates the expected financial costs for each family to achieve pregnancy based on a range of factors. If those projections underestimate the cost, Sunfish provides a partial refund. Eligible Sunfish customers can also finance this program with a loan.

Disclosures: Sunfish is not a Medical or Healthcare Provider, Insurer, or Financial Planner. Sunfish does not provide medical advice. Please consult your physician for details, as your unique needs may vary. Tools that Sunfish provides are for informational purposes only. All products are based on eligibility, for complete Terms and Conditions, please contact Sunfish.

RESOURCE LINKS:

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Sunfish - Website

Sunfish - Instagram

BIOGRAPHY: Angela Rastegar, CEO of Sunfish

Sunfish offers financial support, guidance, and guarantees for family building, including IVF, egg freezing, gestational surrogacy, and egg + sperm donors. The team has offices in California and New York.

Angela Rastegar, co-founder and CEO of Sunfish, has spent many years in the assisted reproductive technologies space, previously as a Director at North Star Fertility and Circle Surrogacy. Rastegar has worked with hundreds of aspiring parents. She is also an investor and mentor to early-stage health tech startups, and previously an investor at a venture capital fund in Silicon Valley. Angela holds a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University, with a focus on reproductive health, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Rastegar has spoken at numerous industry events and conferences, including on the Fruitful and Multiplying Podcast, on the Slice of Healthcare Podcast, and gave a TEDx Talk in London regarding her prior startup.

In this Stork'd Munchkin, Dan Blevins discusses that he feels the loneliness or isolation that can be present in the LGBTQ+ community stems from a lack of trust. People in the LGBTQ+ community can have a hard time finding people they can wholeheartedly trust, which can lead to isolation and loneliness. Stand In Pride is a great resource for those who may be feeling that way.

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Resources:

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Stand in Pride - Instagram

Stand in Pride - Tik Tok

Standing in Pride - Facebook

In this Stork'd Munchkin, Dan Blevins discusses the journey to creating "Stand In Pride", an organization that connects people with "stand-in" family or friends. Whether it's attending a wedding, needing help with a life skill, or simply wanting a shoulder to lean on, Stand In Pride offers a powerful sense of belonging.

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Resources:

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Stand in Pride - Tik Tok

Standing in Pride - Facebook

Have you ever felt you need someone to turn to or to show up for you? This episode of Stork'd explores Stand In Pride, a heartwarming community founded by Dan Blevins in 2021.

Stand In Pride provides a vital support system for those within the LGBTQ+ community who may be estranged from their families. The show dives into the organization's mission and impact as well as what it really means to show up for someone else.

With over 250,000 members worldwide on their Facebook group alone, Stand In Pride connects people with "stand-in" family or friends. Whether it's attending a wedding, needing help with a life skill, or simply wanting a shoulder to lean on, Stand In Pride offers a powerful sense of belonging. Tune in for an inspiring story about the importance of community and the beautiful act of a chosen family.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:00] Dan shares his history and discusses how Stand in Pride was created, and he gives examples of how it works

• [10:06] Dan talks about what contributes to the isolation of the LGBTQ population

• [17:28] Discussion of the political climate contributing to isolation within and outside the LGBTQ community

• [21:06] Dan's advice on showing up for others: everyone is different

• [24:24] Dan shares his personal story and his hopes for his grandchildren

• [32:08] Dan talks about the app and how it came about

• [37:42] Dan explains what family is to him

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• When Stand in Pride was conceived, COVID-19 had already isolated people. Stand in Pride provided a vehicle for outreach to those who needed and wanted help.

• Showing up for another individual in a small way, like checking in on them, is a big way for the isolated person.

• Stand in Pride will soon be available in app form.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Stork'd - Facebook

Stork'd - Instagram

Stork'd - YouTube

Stand in Pride - Instagram

Stand in Pride - Tik Tok

Standing in Pride - Facebook

In this Stork'd Munchkin, Shani Rogers how her daughter coped with her mother, Shani's, miscarriage and Shani shares an interesting story about what her daughter drew a week before her miscarriage.

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Resources:

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Amazon -Blue and Pink Balloons Journey

Instagram - Blue and Pink Balloons

In this Stork'd Munchkin, Shani Rogers discusses the story of pregnancy and miscarriage with her second child and how she had what doctor's call a "missed miscarriage."

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Resources:

Stork'd Website - https://www.storkdpodcast.com/

Stork'd - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/storkd.podcast/?view_public_for=114673517053586

Stork'd - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storkd_podcast/

Stork'd - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDe7PEo6Bl3Mz862H-7nHw/featured

Stork'd Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/02O6MVj3g3DV7vhcTbh72H?si=SZotaP-mQ1-NKfmMshoW_A&nd=1&dlsi=499ca244140e4da9

Amazon -Blue and Pink Balloons Journey - https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Pink-Balloons-Journey-through/dp/1956769609

Instagram - Blue and Pink Balloons - https://www.instagram.com/blueandpinkballoons/

*Trigger warning for miscarriage*

Shani Rogers, the author of the book "Blue and Pink Balloons," a narrative crafted for her daughter that addresses the sensitive topic of miscarriage. Shani shares her story of trying for a second and healing from miscarriage. Together, Shani and Julia, who also shares her journey through miscarriage, shed light on the prevalence of this experience among women.

Often, amidst the turmoil of miscarriage within a family, the experiences of siblings can be overlooked. Yet, they, too, undergo a profound sense of loss. Collaborating with her four-year-old daughter, Shani found therapeutic value in writing this book for herself and her daughter. "Blue and Pink Balloons" serves as a valuable tool for initiating discussions about miscarriage with children. Consider sharing this episode with a friend or family member grappling with similar experiences.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:10] Shani shares her story about her miscarriage and how frequently it had happened among her peers

• [5:16] Julia discusses her own miscarriage experience

• [6:56] Shani walks through learning she has had a miscarriage

• [12:14] Shani and her husband share the news with their daughter

• [15:12] How her daughter dealt with the miscarriage

• [19:37] Shani talks about how she walked her daughter through the loss and how the book came about

• [23:19] Shani advises mothers who have lost a baby or those who are pregnant and are experiencing fear

• [27:48] Shani discusses how her husband comforted her and took care of their daughter

• [31:41] Trying again to have another child and how Shani defines family

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Losing a child through miscarriage not only affects the parents but has a profound effect on children at home.

• Talking about the miscarriage with their sibling is healthy. It allows them to express their feelings in a way that's comfortable with them.

• People can be insensitive to the loss of a baby through miscarriage. Better to say nothing than, " Oh well, you can get pregnant again."

RESOURCE LINKS:

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Stork'd - Instagram

Stork'd - YouTube

Amazon -Blue and Pink Balloons Journey

Instagram - Blue and Pink Balloons

BIOGRAPHY:

Shani Rogers is, first and foremost, a devoted wife and mother to two incredible children. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, she spends her free time working, volunteering at her kids' school, attending her daughter's dance practices, or watching her son at the baseball field. When she gets some downtime, she enjoys relaxing and spending time with family and friends, often with an iced coffee in hand.

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Shani's children's book, "Blue & Pink Balloons," is a real-life story based on the miscarriage their family experienced when their daughter was on the brink of her fourth birthday. It narrates the story from the perspective of their daughter, detailing her wishes for a sibling, the excitement of becoming one, and the sadness of losing the baby. This book validates children's feelings in times of loss and assures them they are loved, regardless of the circumstances.

In this Stork'd Munchkin, Patrice Meagher discusses the unspoken mental load of breastfeeding and pumping that takes a toll on breastfeeding parents.

If you loved this Stork'd Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Resources:

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MilkMate - Website

MilkMate - Instagram