Guest: Julie Eshelman, Founder & CEO, Building Military Families Network Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Today's guest always dreamed of building a family. But when she and her husband began trying to conceive, they faced years of unanswered questions and a string of devastating losses.

Like many military families, Julie Eshelman's journey was shaped not just by infertility, but by deployments, changing doctors, starting over in new states, and a healthcare system that doesn't always recognize the unique challenges military families face in building a family. Julie and her husband were unable to access full fertility coverage under TRICARE, creating a financial burden to top up the physical and emotional stress they were already experiencing.

These years of heartbreak also led to joy and purpose. Julie is now the mom of a rambunctious three-year-old, and she founded the Building Military Families Network, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military and veteran families through infertility, loss, and family building. Through resources, education, and support groups, she's working to ensure others in her position don't walk this path alone.

In this episode, Julie shares her story of why she's determined to help others navigate a system that has historically overlooked the reproductive needs of those who serve.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast, and use #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Guest: Deniece and Gardy Delerme, AHA Grant Recipients Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Deniece discovered a lump that led to a stage two breast cancer diagnosis just days before her 33rd birthday. In today's episode, she and her husband Gardy share their emotional journey navigating cancer treatment, fertility preservation, and the financial burden that comes with unexpected medical challenges.

Faced with a fast-moving and shocking diagnosis, Deniece made the decision to freeze her eggs before beginning chemotherapy. That choice offered a sense of control, hope, and the possibility of family for her and Gardy. A few years later, Deniece was cancer-free, married to Gardy, and they were ready to embark on family building.

But their journey was far from straightforward. Deniece experienced miscarriage, underwent major surgery to remove dozens of fibroids, and faced multiple rounds of unsuccessful fertility treatments. Each setback tested her endurance, but Deniece was strong and resilient, backed by Gardy's continued love and support.

With renewed strength and financial support from programs like the AHA Grant from The Broken Brown Egg and Progyny, they are one step closer to making their dream a reality. This time with experience, hope, and support behind them.

Check for applications cycles of AHA Grants at www.thebrokenbrownegg.org

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Guest: Justine Galloway, Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Many of the stories we share on this show end with successful pregnancy, that's the goal of family building, after all. But not every journey reaches that destination, and it's important to shine a light on those stories. Sometimes the family building journey means embracing the family you already have and giving yourself permission to come first.

Today's episode features Justine Galloway, who is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. As an avid runner, diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological condition that made running forward nearly impossible without falling, she reinvented herself, going on to complete two half-marathons, the NYC Marathon, and even setting a Guinness World Record all by running backwards. That same grit carried her into the world of family building.

Justine got married at 38 and was hopeful about starting her family. At first it seemed fairly easy, they got pregnant quickly but soon miscarried, which was not abnormal for a first-time pregnancy. But after three miscarriages in one year, she knew something wasn't right.

That's when she turned to IVF. The medications and shots were difficult, but with the support of her partner, it was doable. Still, the cycles didn't bring the results they hoped for. The couple found new hope when Justine had access to Progyny through her employer. It felt like they could really try again. She got pregnant again, and she even graduated from the fertility clinic into the care of her OB-GYN. But when she came back to check the heartbeat, she was met with the devastating news again.

That's when Justine knew, after five years of dedicating their time to having a baby, they needed to move on. She needed to put her mind and body first. She wants people listening to this podcast to know that it's okay to make that decision, to choose yourself and your partner as family, and that you are not alone in this.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Guest: Teonna Woolford, CEO & Co-Founder, SC RED Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Teonna had always known she wanted to have a lot of kids. At the age of nineteen, she discovered something that would change the trajectory of her life: she might be infertile due to sickle cell disease.

Despite years of managing sickle cell, in and out of hospitals, doctor's offices, and attending sickle cell conventions, no one had ever talked to her about the link between sickle cell and infertility. Unfortunately, fertility preservation was too financially out of reach.

But Teonna's story didn't stop there. She endured a failed bone marrow transplant, chronic pain, and the emotional toll of navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks the reproductive needs of those living with this chronic illness. Out of that struggle came a new purpose. Teonna co-founded SC RED (Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive) to raise awareness, expand education, and fight for equitable access to fertility care for those with sickle cell disease.

In this episode, Teonna opens up about her journey and why she's determined to ensure no one else faces the same barriers alone. This Sickle Cell Awareness Month, she hopes that the future of living with sickle cell can be about thriving and not just surviving.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tJXUXwChtA8

Guest: Maia Brown, President of The Beltane Guild Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Firefighters face physical and emotional challenges at work, but what about when they're facing challenges with fertility?

In this episode we hear from Maia Brown, a firefighter paramedic and president of The Beltane Guild, a nonprofit dedicated to firefighter reproductive health. Maia shares her deeply personal journey, from discovering diminished ovarian reserve in the middle of paramedic school, to undergoing IVF, to realizing how little support exists for firefighters facing fertility and family building challenges.

Now, through The Beltane Guild, Maia is helping fire departments nationwide create comprehensive reproductive health policies and offering grants to firefighters undergoing treatment.

She raises the question; can this job have an effect on our reproductive health? Firefighters are exposed to unique circumstances like stress, toxins, irregular sleep schedules and Maia has been partnering on groundbreaking research and resources to protect future generations of firefighters who see families in their futures.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7fOu6C7p-h4

Guest: Ashley Rodón, President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

In this powerful and personal episode, Ashley Rodón, wife of Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón and President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation, opens up about their emotional path to parenthood. Ashley shares how her dreams of starting a family were met with unexpected heartbreak, multiple pregnancy losses, and the resilience to keep moving forward.

From the devastation of her first miscarriage to the miracle of her daughter Willow, Ashley reflects on the highs and lows of her fertility journey. Along the way, she found strength and support through her partner, family, friends, and community. Now living life as parents of three, she and Carlos founded The Carlos Rodón foundation, a non-profit bringing people hope through The Willow Grant, which offers the opportunity for families to afford fertility treatment.

Ashley shares how their foundation has grown, partnering with organizations like the Nest Egg Foundation and Columbia Fertility to make family building more accessible to all.

This episode proves how the right platform, purpose, and lived experience can spark lasting change for those who need it most.

To learn more or apply for a Willow Grant, visit https://rodonfoundation.org/apply/

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CCfSsklVXes

Guest: Jay Shaw, MS, CGC, Senior Product Manager, Fulgent Genetics Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

The Fertility 101 Series, because there's no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.

Today's episode is a deep dive into the role of genetics in fertility care and planning. We're joined by Jay Shaw, a certified genetic counselor and Senior Product Manager at Fulgent Genetics, who walks us through the basics and beyond when it comes to genetic testing.

We start with a foundational overview, and Jay makes sure to break down the medical jargon for us. What is genetic testing? And what do terms like "carrier screening," "single gene disorder," and "pathogenic variant," actually mean?

From there, Jay explains how test results can inform decisions around IVF, embryo selection, and prenatal diagnostic testing. She also walks us through options available to people and couples when carrier screening reveals shared risks, including IVF with genetic testing, sperm or egg donation, and early interventions during pregnancy or at birth.

Jay also shares how genetic testing is expanding with new tools for cancer screening, direct-to-consumer options, and exciting advancements on the horizon, including genome sequencing and the potential for AI to transform how we interpret genetic results.

Genetic testing is a crucial part of the family-building journey, protecting the health of your baby and ensuring a well-informed pregnancy. Tune in to hear all that it has to offer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Guest: Dustin and Tequila Menken, Progyny Members at TE Connectivity Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

"I grew up with an expiration date."

Dustin Menken was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that brought him lifelong health challenges and made him part of the 98% of men with CF who are infertile. He never imagined he'd live to see 40, let alone become a father. But with persistence, support from his wife Tequila and a critical fertility benefit from his employer, TE Connectivity, through Progyny, Dustin beat the odds. Again.

In this episode, Dustin and Tequila Menken share their remarkable story: from a childhood spent in hospitals to navigating genetic testing, sperm aspiration, and multiple IVF cycles. They walk us through the setbacks, the emotional toll, and the moment they finally learned they were expecting their daughter, Jannie Bell Allena, who has now arrived healthy and thriving.

Tune into this episode for the Menkens story of resilience, partnership, and the power of access. Behind every fertility journey is a deeply personal fight - one that can be helped with the right support.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Guest: Danny Ross, Jr., UFCW Local 152 President Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Danny and Elizabeth Ross got married at 26, excited to start their lives together and hopeful about growing a family. When they started trying, they were met with a series of challenges that changed everything.

Elizabeth was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS. Danny had male factor infertility. After a year of trying to conceive, they were told their best option was IVF. At the time, they had no fertility coverage.

They started with IUI. One attempt turned into two, then six, then thirteen. They tore through their savings. Elizabeth suffered an ectopic pregnancy that led to the removal of one of her fallopian tubes. They had hit a wall. IVF was their next and only option.

On their third round of IVF, their first daughter was finally born, and they welcomed their second, a few years later. Through it all, Danny and Elizabeth remained each other's rocks: husband, wife, and best friends.

Today, Danny is the president of UFCW Local 152, where he oversees the benefits for thousands of union members. When the opportunity arose to improve those benefits, his mind immediately went to fertility. Could they offer fertility coverage to union families so others wouldn't have to go through what he did?

After an exhaustive search, they decided to partner with Progyny, a labor-friendly benefit with experience supporting union members. For Danny, what stood out most were the Progyny Care Advocates and Smart Cycle plan design. It was everything they never had: guidance, clarity, and a path to better outcomes.

Tune into this episode as Danny reflects on the impact of adding fertility coverage to his union's benefits and the importance of leaving things better than he found them.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Music:

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Guest: Paul Turek, MD, FACS, FRSM, Founder of The Turek Clinic Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

The Fertility 101 Series, because there's no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.

When it comes to fertility, men are half of the equation, but too often, they're the half that gets forgotten or overlooked. This Men's Health Month, we're joined by Dr. Paul Turek, a world-renowned urologist and male fertility expert, to talk all things sperm, from how it's made to how it affects fertility and IVF.

Dr. Turek explains how sperm health isn't just about making babies, it's also a sign of a man's overall health, tied to things like life expectancy, cancer risk, and heart health. Dr. Turek also tells us about his podcast, Talk with Turek, where he and Rob Clyde expose men's health and talk about it frankly – tackling the issues that matter. So, if you want to hear more on men's health from Dr. Turek, you're in luck!

And if you've never thought about getting a semen analysis, this episode might change that. Whether you're thinking about starting a family, planning for the future, or just want to stay healthy, your sperm may tell you more than you could believe.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at [email protected].

Video Version: https://youtu.be/VNTff8wEGmk