The Conception Channel Podcast

Interview with Katherine Alexander Anderson

Katherine (MBA, DACM, LAc, FABORM) entered into the study and practice of TCM for infertility through her own personal experience with reproductive challenges. She has an extensive background in the medical field and has operated reproductive health clinics in both New Hampshire and Maine for the last decade. In this interview she highlights her clinical knowledge of treating couples with unexplained infertility with 'Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine'. As the president of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) she is a strong advocate for patients utilizing properly certified TCM reproductive health specialists when choosing this avenue of care.   ~ Spence

Email
[email protected]

Websites
http://www.rhythmsforwomen.com
http://www.thefertiletruth.com

Professional Profile
Bachelor of Science, Health Management & Policy, University of New Hampshire
Master of Business Administration, University of New Hampshire
Masters of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, New England School of Acupuncture
Doctorate of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
PhD Candidate, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
Licensed to practice Chinese medicine in Maine and New Hampshire

Professional Achievements
Founded almost 10 years ago, and still operating today, a very busy fertility and women's health TCM clinic. I founded this at a time when many said you couldn't just specialize in fertility and women's health and you had to treat everything to survive. I said "if you don't specialize, you won't specialize:". If I you want to know a lot about something then you have to put your heart and soul into learning everything you can. So I did. 

Taking over ABORM after the death of the founder was a huge challenge. I was honored that Ray knew I could do it based on my business degree/experience and success running my own clinic, but to do and do it well during a time of grieving by a membership that respected him was uniquely challenging . There were a lot of sleepless nights and stressful days feeling the pressure to ensure the organization survived. My leadership skills just instinctively took over and I developed a foundational structure for the organization that hadn't existed before so that it could withstand the current team and time. 

I am honored that at this point in my career I have been asked to share some of my knowledge and wisdom with others. I have been asked to speak again at TCM Kongress for the 3rd time next year, recently spoke at the Evidence Based Acupuncture Symposium to help spread awareness of the research surrounding our profession and just completed writing an article in the Journal of Chinese Medicine on Unexplained Infertility that was a rewarding experience. I am passionate about our medicine and its ability to help fertility patients and love being a conduit, spreading the word in any way possible whether speaking to groups of patients or practitioners.

Professional Experience
Former VP of Operations for long term care organization
Former director of patient service centers for national diagnostic laboratory organization
Founder/Clinical Director/TCM doc - Rhythms Center of Women's Health

Interview with Millie 'LadyBoss' Debs

Weight loss can be a vital component of infertility. Losing weight may be key to realizing your dream of becoming a mother. But, this journey can be very difficult, and I am sure you have tried many things in the past that have had limited or no success for the long term. This is where I believe LadyBoss is different than any other weight loss 'program' out there, mostly because it isn't simply just a program. LadyBoss is ushering in a new era of how women will approach weight loss, and I am excited for you to dive in and finally get the results you have always wanted, and now may absolutely need.  ~ Spence

Website
www.LadyBoss.com

Interview with Alice (Ally) Domar & Elizabeth (Liz) Grill

The psychological journey through infertility for a man is a lonely confusing one. Most men recoil due to ignorance or ego, and the ones that try to step in and play active role do so with little support or understanding of how to 'be' with their wife through this difficult time. Well, Ally and Liz have gone to great lengths to try and remedy this situation. They have planted the seed and now it is all of our turn to help 'fertilize' the male mental-emotional side of modern reproduction.  ~ Spence

Email
[email protected]
[email protected]

Websites
ferticalm.com
fertistrong.com

ALICE DOMAR
Professional Profile
1980 BA Colby College, Waterville Maine
1986 MA and Ph.D in Health Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York NY
1987 Massachusetts clinical psychologist license
Author or co-author of seven books including Conquering Infertility
Co-founder of the new apps FertiCalm and FertiStrong
Leading expert on the relationship between stress and infertility
Board Member for Resolve: The National Infertility Organization, 2006-2016
Currently Executive Director, Domar Centers for Mind/Body Health
Director of Integrative Care at Boston IVF
Senior Staff Psychologist, Dept of Ob/Gyn, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, part-time, Harvard Medical School

ELIZABETH GRILL
Professional Profile
Director of Psychological Services at the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine
Associate Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine and Psychiatry of Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Attending Psychologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Experienced psychologist and medical researcher with a special focus on the emotional aspects of infertility, IVF treatment, third party reproduction, fertility preservation, oncofertility, stress and infertility, and sexual dysfunction. 
Postdoctoral training includes a fellowship year at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Weill Cornell Medical College.
Trained and certified at the Mind/Body Institute at Harvard Medical School and developed and conducts stress management workshops for infertility patients focusing on relaxation techniques, cognitive restructuring, assertiveness skills and other helpful ways to manage emotional distress
Completed a two-year fellowship as a sex therapist at the Human Sexuality Program, Payne Whitney Clinic of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, founded over thirty years ago by Dr. Helen S. Kaplan.
Member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, the American Psychological Association, and was Past Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Served two terms on the Content Review Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Executive Board of RESOLVE, the national infertility association and is the Continuing Education Officer on the Executive Council for The Society for Sex Therapy and Research.
Cofounded and is CEO of FertiCalm, an app that provides coping strategies to manage infertility related distress.
Editorial reviewer for Fertility and Sterility and Journal of Andrology.

Interview with Manda M. Aufochs Gillespie, aka The Green Mama

Manda is so knowledgeable on the topic of toxins and our health that the important information just rolls off her tongue, all while she is smiling and enjoying that she gets to share this important wisdom. This is part 1 of many more to come as it is such a big topic that one interview just won't cut it. There are so many great take aways during this podcast that you are going to want to have a pen and paper ready. This is realistically the easiest way to take steps toward improving your fertility and ensuring your future children do not begin life in a toxic environment.  ~ Spence

Email
[email protected]

Website
http://thegreenmama.com

Professional Profile
Manda Aufochs Gillespie is the author of the Green Mama series of books (Green Mama: Giving your child a healthy start and greener future and Green Mama-to-Be: Creating a Healthy, Happy, and Toxin-Free Pregnancy) and publisher of the award-winning website thegreenmama.com.
She's been writing, consulting, and giving advice (mostly solicited) on green living and design for a million years. Before handing out that (mostly solicited) advice she does a lot of research and tries things out on her own children and her husband. (They are all still living and they all still have their limbs.) Sometimes her husband rolls his eyes, but as the media says she is "the green guru" so he has to listen. Despite what her children may say, Manda is a lot of fun and mostly right. Manda has helped green one of America's first environmentally conscious childcare facilities, managed one of the world's only urban ecovillages, and has taught hundreds of parents and small business about how to go green (without going broke). She has appeared as the green living expert on the TV shows The Lazy Environmentalist (HBO) and Save My Planet (ABC's Living Well Network) and the documentary The Beginning of Life. She is a feature write for EcoParent Magazine and has recently started working on radio for CKTZ. She can be found on social media as The Green Mama, but prefers to be found wading into the Pacific Ocean with her children.

Professional Achievements
Author of the Green Mama series of books: Green Mama: Giving your child a healthy start and greener future .
Green Mama-to-Be: Creating a Healthy, Happy, and Toxin-Free Pregnancy; both published by Dundurn
Publisher of the award-winning website www.thegreenmama.com.
Feature writer for EcoParent Magazine on topics such as health, pregnancy, parenting, and personal essays on modern living
Appeared on CTV Breakfast TV, ABC Simply Living, HBO the Lazy Environmentalist, and CBC radio multiple times. Called "the green guru" by the media.

Professional Experience
Author and founder of The Green Mama and publisher of thegreenmama.com (2006 to now)
EcoCity Cleveland: environmental planner and green writer; manager Cleveland EcoVillage (2000 to 2004)

Karen's story...

I had a great time interviewing Karen. She was very open about her personal story through infertility, and has taken her experience and used it to create a fantastic resource for women - Hilariously Infertile, a website, social media platforms, and a new book dedicated to her unique perspective on the struggle of infertility. She believes that laughter is good medicine and that sometimes, no matter how dire, we all could benefit from being able to laugh at our circumstance. Check out the podcast and check out her resources, they may be exactly what you need right now!
  ~ Spence

Email
[email protected]

Websites
https://www.hilariouslyinfertile.com/
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Interview with Alice D. Domar, Ph.D

Alice is clearly the leading expert when it comes to the mind-body-fertility connection. She presents resent research on the topic and discusses what she has seen and learned since the mid 1980's when she started her journey working with infertility and how the mind-body influences this condition.  The fertility APPS she has created (free) for both men and women are amazing and I encourage you to check them out after listening to this interview.  ~ Spence

Email
[email protected]

Websites
domarcenter.com
ferticalm.com
fertistrong.com
dralicedomar.com

Professional Profile
1980 BA Colby College, Waterville Maine
1986 MA and Ph.D in Health Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York NY
1987 Massachusetts clinical psychologist license

Professional Achievements
Author or co-author of seven books including Conquering Infertility
Co-founder of the new apps FertiCalm and FertiStrong
Leading expert on the relationship between stress and infertility
Board Member for Resolve: The National Infertility Organization, 2006-2016

Professional Experience
Currently Executive Director, Domar Centers for Mind/Body Health
Director of Integrative Care at Boston IVF
Senior Staff Psychologist, Dept of Ob/Gyn, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, part-time, Harvard Medical School

Interview with Lee Hullender Rubin, DAOM, LAc, FABORM

Lee is clearly a decorated mover and shaker (see CV below). She is playing such a huge role in furthering the understanding of how Chinese medicine as a whole (which includes but is not limited to acupuncture) can help improve IVF success rates.  Her research is pioneering and is the first to attempt to capture the true holistic essence and power of Chinese medicine, so that healthcare providers and women struggling to get pregnant can more deeply trust and embrace this wonderful resource.  If you haven't done so already, it's time to find yourself a Chinese medicine doctor with experience in reproductive health. 

~ Spence

Email
[email protected]

Website
http://www.pdxacustudio.com

Professional Profile
Began practice in Washington state in 2002, and currently has an active license in Oregon since 2011. 
Awaiting news of California License.

LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS

State of Oregon Acupuncture License #153822 2011 – Present 
Oregon Medical Board Supervisor Approval 2011 – Present 
Fellow, American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) 2008 – Present 
Fellow, International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases 2017 - Present
Diplomate of Oriental Medicine 2005 – Present 
National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) 
State of Washington Acupuncture License #1879 2002 – 2016
Diplomate of Acupuncture 2001 – 2005 
National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) 
Clean needle certification 1999
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) 

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science 1998 – 2000
Bastyr University, Kenmore WA
Natural Health Science in Oriental Medicine
Certificate 2001
Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Shanghai, PRC 2001
Advanced Herbal Studies in Gynecology, Internal Medicine & Trauma
Master of Science 2000 – 2001 
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 2007 – 2009
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR
Women's Health and Geriatrics
Capstone: "Acupuncture improves in vitro fertilization pregnancy 
rates: a retrospective chart review"
Mentors: Richard Hammerschlag, PhD; Tim Chapman, PhD; 
Elizabeth Burch, ND
Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2011 – 2012 
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland OR
Certificate 2011 – 2013 
Human Investigations Program
Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute 
Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR

Professional Achievements
Lee Hullender Rubin, DAOM, LAc, FABORM, is a clinician, international academic, and published researcher specializing in reproductive medicine, women's health, and female sexual pain. 
In practice since early 2002, she spent more than 5 years managing an acupuncture program at a western fertility clinic in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Hullender Rubin was the first OCOM postdoctoral research fellow funded by a National Institutes of Health educational grant. Her most recent publication is the first cohort study to report an increase in birth outcomes associated with the addition of Traditional Chinese Medicine to In Vitro Fertilization. She recently completed a pilot study investigating the effect of acupuncture and lidocaine to treat chronic vulvar pain. She is on the faculty at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is Visiting Research Faculty at the Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Hullender Rubin is relocating from Portland, Oregon, and her practices at the Portland Acupuncture Studio and Oregon Reproductive Medicine to San Francisco to pursue her dream job at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSF.

The First Acupuncturist in the US to Specialize in the Treatment of Infertility. For those of you that know Mike Berkley, you know how lucky we are to have him as a professional colleague in the reproductive health field. This guy does Acupuncture New York style, and has been doing it now for a long time, with razor focus on the treatment of infertility and all its related health conditions.  Lots of amazing information packed into this podcast regarding how both modern medicine and Chinese medicine approach infertility, where each is strong, where each is weak, and how they can best work together for the benefit of the patient. As always Mike, I love you and am so happy you accepted the invite to be on the show.  ~  Spence

Email
[email protected]

Website
http://www.berkleycenter.com

Professional Profile
The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness has been helping those faced with fertility challenges since 1997. In fact, we are the very first complimentary medicine clinic in the United States to be completely devoted to treating infertility cases exclusively. We are all licensed and board certified in acupuncture and board certified in Chinese herbal medicine. We work hand-in-hand with many of New York City's most prominent reproductive medicine centers including but not limited to NYU, The Sher Institute, RMA, New York Cornell, New Hope Fertility and many others. We believe "it takes a village" and the new gold standard for reproductive medicine is the integration of Chinese and Western medical protocols.

Professional Achievements
First acupuncturist in the U.S. to specialize in the care and treatment of infertility.
Nationally known lecturer on how acupuncture and herbs can help facilitate conception.
First acupuncturist to be inducted into the Westchester Ob/gyn society.
Nationally recognized expert in infertility.
In practice for 21 years.

Professional Experience
Graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 1996.
In practice for 21 years.
Licensed and board certified in acupuncture.
Board certified in Chinese herbal medicine.
I work hand-in-hand with most of New York City's most prominent reproductive endocrinologists.

Interview with Joanne Verkuilen

Joanne is the founder of Circle+Bloom, guided audio visualization and meditations for women (& men) struggling with infertility. There are different audio programs for many of the common conditions associated with infertility such as PCOS, IVF, and much more. Since this resource was released I have been recommending it to my patients, and the results have been nothing short of amazing! Joanne and her team have really created a fantastic resource, and if you haven't already tried them, today is the day to start.  ~ Spence

Watch / Listen - https://beingfertileprogram.com/cultivating-fertility-guided-visualization-meditation

Email
[email protected]

Website
www.circlebloom.com

Professional Profile
- BS in Economics, 1992
Professional Achievements
- Started Circle Bloom in 2008, almost 10 years ago. We've touched almost 50,000 women worldwide with our mind-body programs for infertility

Professional Experience
- Circle + Bloom, CEO and Founder 2008 - Current
- MiddleM Creative, CEO and Founder 2014 - Current (provides marketing and branding for private equity and investment banking firms)
- Investment Banking Career: Smith Barney / Morgan Stanley, Sanders Morris Harris, Conversus and BlackArch Partners

Sue embodies what she teaches, and has been helping people struggling with infertility for many years now. The focus of her approach is one that I know to be of incredible importance when faced with difficulties getting pregnant and carrying to term. It is important to put emphasis on your heart-spirit when reproductive challenges become your reality. Sue can help, come see / listen how now.  ~ Spence

Email
[email protected]

Websites
https://heartledliving.com
http://familypassages.ca

Professional Profile
Fertility Yoga instructor & Teacher Trainer
Certified Intuitive Healer
Mind Body Specialist
Ordained Ministerial Counselor
International Author and Speaker
Heart Led Living Coach & Trainer for Intuitive Coaches

Professional Achievements
Sue Dumais is a Global Impact Visionary Leader answering the call to heal the world. She is a best-selling author, an international speaker, a divine leader of light leaders, a sacred guide, a gifted intuitive healer, a miracle weaver and a global voice of HOPE and inspiration for the "Heart YES Movement."

Sue brings the gifts of insight, awareness, and self-empowerment to her global audience creating a shift in consciousness from head to heart. Her mission is to ignite our hearts to uplift humanity and unify us in love for each other and our planet.

Sue Dumais' Mind Body Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia was the genesis of services and products offered to help others heal the burdens of their past, move through fear and limiting beliefs in order to create a solution oriented mindset.

The Mind Body Studio was the first in Canada to focus on fertility as well as pre & post natal health and fitness. Since 1990 when Sue began her fitness business, she expanded her offerings for unique programs including training certifications, yoga therapy, core stability for fertility and pregnancy, energetic healing and specialized personal training. The Mind Body studio transitioned from a fertility yoga studio in 2011 to a virtual studio as an adjunct to her new speaking and consulting firm for organizations and individuals throughout North America.

The first in the world to pioneer training programs in the field, Sue's company developed the first Fitness Fertility Certification and Fertility Yoga Teacher Training Course. Through her own fertility challenges, pregnancy and motherhood, Sue learned about self-care, love, acceptance, trust and community.

Sue is the author of A Strong Core for Life and the Yoga for Fertility Handbook as well as additional products and services for individuals and organizations. Sue went on to write three more international best selling books.

Heart Led Living ~ When Hard Work Becomes Heart Work was published in May 2014 by Influence Publishing.

Expect Miracles ~ 10 beautiful souls share stories of Hope, Inspiration & Transformation was published in Nov 2017

Stand UP Stand OUT Stand STRONG ~ A 30 Day Guide to Navigate Life When the SHIFT Hits the Fan was published in Feb 2018.

Sue has written articles for many national magazines including Creating Families Magazine for the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada (IAAC). Sue served as a member of the IAAC Board of Directors and was the IAAC Support Group Chapter Leader for Vancouver for 6 years.

Her training as a Doula and experience with pre & post natal fitness inspired her to write the Pre & Post Natal Fitness Instructor Certification Course as well as several online courses to provide continuing education opportunities for fitness professionals all over the world for more than two decades.

Along with world renowned physiotherapist Diane Lee, Sue created the Postpartum Diastasis Recti Study to help discover ways to support women through postpartum and beyond.

As an Intuitive Healer and miracle weaver Sue's clients experience profound transformation as they awaken and deepen their innate ability to heal. Her weekly radio show "Expect Miracles" aired on Intention Radio in 2014 and inspired listeners to align with their inner guide, trust their intuition and discover their YES for life!

Coached and mentored by Les Brown, one of the top five outstanding speakers in the world (highest award from Toastmasters International 1990), Sue has expanded her outreach to include a variety of audiences who want to unblock the barriers to a heart led life.