On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Carly Joseph joins Aliza Konig, IWSTHAB's surrogacy consultant, to speak with Carly Joseph, to explore the deeply personal and emotional journey of surrogacy. From the initial struggles of building a family to the life-changing decision to pursue surrogacy, Carly is excited to normalize conversations around surrogacy and share her story in a vulnerable way in hopes that it will offer hope and comfort to others. They talk about... -the journey to parenthood before considering surrogacy

-the emotions and uncertainties of choosing surrogacy

-navigating the first steps—agency vs. independent surrogacy

-building a relationship with a surrogate and staying connected throughout pregnancy

-the highs, the doubts, and the life-changing moment of holding her baby

-lessons learned and advice for intended parents

-how this experience led to the creation of a surrogacy concierge business to support others on this path

More about Carly: 

Carly Joseph is a surrogacy concierge helping Intended Parents match with the right surrogates quickly. Having navigated her own two surrogacy journeys, Carly knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. Her mission is to combine personal experience with established relationships to help make the path to parenthood smoother. Carly works with intended parents who are ready to explore surrogacy, providing real, personal support from someone who's been there. Through her comprehensive support package, she handles the complex parts so you can focus on the excitement of growing your family. 

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Aliza Abrams Konig joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-the complex and deeply personal journey of surrogacy—one that comes with unique challenges, especially within the Jewish community

-the realities of surrogacy, the emotional and halachic considerations, and the questions that so many intended parents struggle with

-finding a “kosher” surrogate—how hard is it, and what are the costs? Are grants available?

-the emotional and relational aspects—how involved are partners, and how does that shape the bond with the baby?

-preparing for someone else to carry your child—what if disagreements arise?

-explaining surrogacy to your child—when and how to tell them, and do some parents choose not to? This conversation is honest, raw, and full of insight for anyone exploring surrogacy or supporting someone on this path. Whether you’re considering surrogacy yourself or just curious about the experience, this episode sheds light on the deeply personal and communal aspects of building a family through surrogacy.

More about Aliza: 

Aliza Abrams Konig is the Director of Student Leadership at Yeshiva University. Throughout Aliza’s career, she has worked within areas of student life, team building, creating curricula, and enriching the experiences of thousands of students through Experiential Education. Earlier in Aliza's career she served as the YU Director of Alumni Engagement, Assistant Principal at Central, Yeshiva University High School for Girls, Director of Student Life at Stern College, and as the Director of Jewish Service Learning for the University, where she built the service learning curriculum and established chessed missions around the world. Aliza is a member of the inaugural Wexner Field Fellows program through the Wexner Foundation. She has spoken worldwide in synagogues, community centers, and schools about leadership, education, faith, prayer and issues related to the contemporary Jewish family, dating, infertility, surrogacy and family, and is a sought-after consultant on surrogacy. Aliza holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College, and a Master’s in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is now a doctoral candidate at Wurzweiler. Aliza, her husband Samuel, and their family live in Riverdale, New York, where they are very involved with their community, synagogue, and other local organizations.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Dr. Aliza Ancier joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-mindfulness and how this technique can ground people during times of stress or anxiety (hello fertility journey)

-what mindfulness is and isn’t, some misconceptions, how she personally found it helpful after her loss stillbirth, and some practical suggestions on how to incorporate pieces of it into your own life

-learning new ways to cope with the ups and downs

*For practical solutions, jump to the end of the episode (36:21)

More about Aliza: 

Dr. Aliza Ancier PT, DPT, PCES specializes in helping women navigate their motherhood journey. She has a doctorate in physical therapy with a special interest in maternal health and is a trained mindfulness teacher and educator. Aliza is a mother to three wonderfully rambunctious children at home and one of her twins, in her heart.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rachel Polans, MS, CGC joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her years helping others navigate the complexities of genetic disorders

-her life as a woman facing infertility, longing for the moment she’d finally carry a child

-the unimaginable turn life took when she did get pregnant

-her journey through her very-wanted pregnancy, and the ultimate decision to terminate for medical reasons (TFMR)

More about Rachel: 

Rachel Polans lives in New York, New York with her husband and their dog. She works as a pediatric genetic counselor at a major academic medical center in NYC, where she sees patients affected by genetic disorders and helps them to navigate genetic testing and genetic diagnoses. Rachel started her own fertility journey in the summer of 2023 and since then has been struggling with pregnancy loss and infertility. She feels strongly about sharing her fertility struggles in hopes to bring awareness and to help others who may find themselves in similar situations.  

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, an anonymous guest joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-being a “normal” frum (religious) woman—living the life she always imagined…until everything changed

-the agonizing journey of facing a devastating diagnosis, weeks of uncertainty, and the unbearable weight of an unthinkable decision

-her story of pain, grief, and resilience

-a glimpse into the realities of TFMR (Termination for Medical Reasons) in the frum community

Disclaimer: The voices in this episode have been altered using AI to ensure anonymity of our guest.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Natalie Richeimer, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor, Education and Outreach Manager at Jscreen, Bat-Sheva L. Maslow MD, REI, RMA, and Rena Fox, RNC-OB, BSN, join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about genetics and Infertility.

The introductory episode of our 5-part IWSTHAB x JSCREEN Podcast series dives into the genetic aspect of fertility and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) workups, setting the stage for an engaging and informative series that blends expert knowledge with deeply personal stories.

Moderated by Dr. Aimee Baron of IWSTHAB, in this epsiode, we speak to Natalie, a reproductive genetic counselor, will explain what a genetic counselor does and how genetics factor into infertility evaluations. Dr. Batsheva Maslow (REI) will provide a medical perspective on infertility evaluations and how certain diagnoses and/or findings can help direct treatment. And finally, 

Rena Fox will share her personal journey as part of a carrier couple who chose IVF for genetic reasons, shedding light on the real-life implications of genetic fertility challenges. 

More about Natalie: 

Natalie Richeimer, MS, CGC, is a board certified genetic counselor at jscreen with clinical experience in adult, pediatric, and reproductive genetic counseling. She holds a master's degree in human genetics and genetic counseling from the Keck Graduate Institute. Natalie is a native Torontonian, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two boys. She has published research in the Journal of Genetic Counseling on the impact of orthodox Jewish clergy’s role in prenatal genetic counseling. Prior to her work as a genetic counselor, Natalie worked as a high school STEM teacher for 7 years in Los Angeles. She is passionate about reproductive health education and community engagement. Natalie has a special interest in outreach, with the goal of increasing awareness of and access to genetic counseling. Natalie has partnered with local organizations and high schools to provide community education.

More about Dr. Maslow:

Dr. Bat-Sheva Lerner Maslow is double board-certified in OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility and is the lead physician at the Reproductive Medical Associates of New Jersey - Jersey City office. Dr. Maslow has a special interest in education, research, and the clinical care of single women considering proactive fertility preservation. 

Outside of the office, Dr. Maslow lectures and writes on the intersection of halakha and reproduction. She serves as the Director of Medical Education for the North American Yoatzot Halacha Program and is a board member of several organizations related to Jewish women and health. She maintains an active educational presence on social media discussing issues related to reproduction in the Jewish community. 

Dr. Maslow attended Barnard College and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Connecticut, where she also completed a master’s degree in clinical and translational research

More about Rena: 

Rena is an experienced nurse with 6 years in labor and delivery and 2 years in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Having personally gone through IVF, she combines professional expertise with personal insight to provide compassionate care and support to those navigating fertility challenges.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chani Melamed joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-our last conversation, around Mother's day, where she shared her fervent belief that she would one day be a mother...even after 14 years of marriage

-how 5 months ago, her daughter was born! (I sobbed when she told me). And I knew, that when she was ready, I wanted her to share the story of her pregnancy -the years of infertility, this time with the lens of what kinds of things they did to try to have a child

-numerous medical procedures, doctor appointments, looking into adoption, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, and davening (praying)

-the anxiety of finally being pregnant, parenting after infertility and some of the comments that people (still) make to her. Sigh.

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-Follow her on Instagram

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shira Collings joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her medical trauma, and she never thought she would get to a place where she would feel comfortable having a baby

-how she and her husband pursued adoption, but soon discovered that there were all kinds of issues that arose with that path to parenthood as well

-returning to trying to get pregnant naturally, but becoming plagued with recurrent loss and Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)

-her complicated feelings during all parts of the process, what kinds of support she needed to get through each stage, and where she is now in the process (she’s 30 weeks pregnant) Books mentioned “The Baby Decision” and “Motherhood- Is it for me?”

More about Shira:

Shira Collings, MS, NCC, LPC (she/they) is a psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She primarily specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, and is especially passionate about providing LGBTQ+-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and fat-affirming eating disorder care. Shira’s personal experience with pregnancy loss sparked their passion for supporting those who are struggling to build their families as well.

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-Send her an email

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Michelle (Malka) Grunstein, LMFT CATC-IV, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-the beginning of her journey to becoming a SMBC

-how she is finally pregnant again (after three early losses) and gives us a window into the process

-how she needed to do IVF and use a sperm donor, which were both completely new experiences for her

-dealing with some complications which forced her on bed rest

-the insensitive comments from IRL friends and people on the internet…sigh

More about Michelle (Malka) Grunstein:

Michelle is a licensed therapist who is multifaceted. Some of her specialties include child and adolescent development, addiction, trauma (EMDR), grief, depression, and anxiety. She is currently the Clinical Director and Executive Director of multiple dual diagnosis treatment centers, catering to those struggling with mental health and addiction. Michelle's difficult childhood lead her to become a therapist as a young adult and she has built her career with the focus of helping others. Despite attempts at dating and building a family throughout adulthood, she has been unable to do so due to a combination of infertility and not finding "the one". Michelle has chosen to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom through the use of a donor and has been on the journey of becoming a solo mom by choice for the last few years.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Sharon Cabelly joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-how she has NEVER gotten over her pain

-her rich and full life as a teacher - a job that she adored

-how she yearned for a large family

-her medical issues, that meant she was only able to have one child (and now three grandchildren)

-how the comments have never stopped, people constantly ask her why she only has one, even to this day

-her story, bringing these insensitive comments to light, so others will learn what NOT to say when meeting someone for the first time

More about Sharon: 

I am a retired early childhood educator.  I have written and recorded eight children's books, which are in the process of being published.  I love reading to children all over the world, especially those who are in hospitals or ill at home.  I enjoy speaking on podcasts, sharing my journey and talking about my books.  Giving back to the world is what throws me out of bed each and every day.  

I want to help anyone that I can who has experienced a loss during pregnancy.  It is especially important to me to change the way that people speak to others, with insensitivity and incessant questions.  The more that we talk about these issues, the more that we will be able to change the trajectory of this narrative. 

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