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Amanda Makulec, a public health data expert, joins Julia to share her heartbreaking story of losing her 3-month-old son.  As a researcher, Amanda had written an article regarding the advocacy of Covid vaccines during pregnancy. When her son passed during Covid, there was an instantaneous response on social media blaming Amanda for his death due to taking the Covid vaccine. This episode will make you mad, and it will make you cry, and it will make you see the subjects of social media posts with new compassion. Don’t miss the story of the Makulec family.    IN THIS EPISODE:   [00:00] Julia shares an overview of Amanda Makulec’s story [03:16] Amanda gives background on her family, career, the articles that got her noticed as a person qualified to discuss Covid data, and the research she read concerning vaccination and pregnancy [08:12] Julia and Amanda discuss the right and wrong way to approach the topic of losing a child with a grieving parent [13:26] Amanda is about to give birth to a daughter.  She shares a variety of feelings  [18:46] How do you tell your older child what happened to their little brother [22:28] Grieving is different for everyone.  When you should expect support and when you shouldn’t ask [29:20] The misinformation spread on social media, the suffering it caused, and the timeline of events the week of Zander’s death [39:42] Publishing the truth in the New York Times [46.57] Re-posting the lies on social media, but defending it, and how others reading the posts or hearing the story apply it to their own lives [53:43] Amanda discusses how she answers the complex question of how many children you have   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Be very thoughtful when asking questions of someone who has experienced a loss. Of course, there is no good answer, but ‘How are you?’  isn’t the right question unless you qualify it with ‘How are you today.?’  Passing gossip on social media under the guise that you are being helpful is harmful. Social media can be a dangerous medium when you can remain nameless and faceless. When a child asks about the death of someone, don’t use metaphors as they went to sleep and didn’t wake up.  It is better to be honest with a statement like their body stopped working, they died, and they aren’t coming back.     RESOURCE LINKS:   Stork'd - Facebook   Stork'd - Instagram   Stork'd- YouTube    Amanda Makulec - Website   Amanda Makulec - LinkedIn   Amanda Makulec - Twitter   Amanda Makulec - New York Times Article   ABOUT : Amanda Makulec is the Senior Data Visualization Lead at Excella, where she coaches teams and develops user-centered data visualization products for federal, non-profit, and private sector clients. Before joining Excella in 2017, Amanda spent eight years working with data in global health programs in more than a dozen countries. She is a founding board member and current Executive Director for the Data Visualization Society and writes about responsible visualization of health data.

Ruby Warrington, author, book doula founder of The Numinous, and movement maker joins Julia to discuss her newest book, Women Without Kids. Ruby uniquely has her finger on the pulse of social revolutions and her latest book explores the growing phenomenon of women living childfree by choice or circumstance.    Together Ruby and Julia discuss some of the many reasons more women are choosing to be childfree including feminist history, financial independence, environmentalism, and social norms. Ruby opens up candidly about her personal decision not to have kids and the many expectations others had for her and we explore conflicting  feelings of shame, self questioning, intuition, and certainty.    Why do some women feel shame when deciding not to have a child? What is motherhood?  Why is not wanting children still so taboo to talk about? What does a “normal” family look like? Ruby and Julia dive into these questions and more.     Women Without Kids”will hit the book stands on March 28, 2023. Take advantage of Ruby's free gift when you pre-order the book!   IN THIS EPISODE:   [00:00] Julia introduces Ruby Warrington and defines the mission of Stork’d              [04:00] Ruby describes her career and why she came up with the term “book doula” [09:06] Women Without Kids addresses fundamental stereotypes as to why women make their decisions about having a child [16:06] Ruby reflected on the time of her life when she questioned having children, which morphed into is there something wrong [25:07] Why is there shame involved in not having children, and are there rising numbers of women without kids [33:54] Is there a trend or movement afoot to reduce the number of children you have  [37:53] The political choices surrounding women's rights [43:49] What was the impetus for writing the book, and how is the word being spread [46:21] Ruby discusses her journey of emotions leading to accepting her decision regarding children  [53:52] Ruby defines her meaning of “found family” and discusses the  inscription to her family in her book, and she shares her definition of family   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Writing a book can be compared to having a baby in that you spend time and energy on both, and the result can be called “your baby.” Acknowledging that your career takes such focus and leaves you no time for children is a decision women should be able to make without shame. Why are women the hardest on other women who choose not to have a family?   RESOURCE LINKS:   Ruby Warrington - Website   Ruby Warrington - Instagram   Ruby Warrington - Facebook   Women Without Kids Book   Stork'd - Facebook Stork'd - Instagram   Stork'd- YouTube    ABOUT RUBY WARRINGTON:   ​​Ruby Warrington is the creator of the term Sober Curious. Author of the 2018 book and million download podcast of the same title, her work has spearheaded a global movement to reevaluate our relationship to alcohol. Other works include Material Girl, Mystical World (2017), The Numinous Astro Deck  (2019), and The Sober Curious Reset (2020). With 20+ years’ experience as a lifestyle journalist and editor, Ruby is known as an astute cultural commentator and true thought leader. She is also the founder of self-publishing incubator Numinous Books. Her new book, Women Without Kids, will be out spring 2023.

Chrysta Bilton, author of Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings, joins Julia to discuss her book.  Get ready for an exhilarating story. Chrysta shares what life was like for a child born of a lesbian mother and her father, who donated sperm for a living.  Her family was bold, sometimes dysfunctional, and anything but traditional.  Chrysta tells her story in a truthful, enlightening, engaging, and sometimes funny way.  You’ll hear about alcoholism, shame, lies, schizophrenia, cryobanks, self-perception, nurture versus nature, and how Chrysta navigated through it all to become a successful wife, parent, sibling, adult, and an author worth reading.  Don’t miss this captivating episode of Stork’d.    IN THIS EPISODE:   [02:52] Chrysta Bilton provides an overview of her book  [05:25] Chrysta’s sperm donor was misled by her mother and became a serial sperm donor for many children  [07:03] All of the players in this book come from different perspectives on their truth [11:54] Chrysta discovers her father struggled with schizophrenia and discovers she has many siblings. She has developed compassion for her father [16:41] Chrysta struggled for ten years, dealing with her upbringing.  She worked hard to analyze her circumstances, the mistakes she was making, and how to walk away from destructive behaviors [19:51] How her siblings relate to their “father” and each other [23:28] Advice on what to tell a child conceived by a donor. Nurture versus nature and how her parents' backgrounds form who they became  [31.25] Chrysta shares her views on the pros and cons of cryobanks and the obligation they have to women [35:39] Chrysta tells how the book came about, how she parented her sister, and her self-evaluation  [45:30] What is the definition of a family   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Avoid emotional pain for a child conceived by a donor. Instead, tell them the truth about their conception.   Be emotionally healed before starting a family, whether it be traditional, single parenting, or a sperm donation. Children deserve your best self. Change and heal and make better choices.  Forgive your parents and stop blaming them for everything wrong that happens in your life.   RESOURCE LINKS:   The Book:  Normal Family   Chrysta Bilton - LinkedIn    Chrysta Bilton - Instagram   Chrysta Bilton - Twitter   Stork'd - Facebook    Stork'd - Instagram   Stork'd- YouTube   About Chrysta Bilton:   Chrysta Bilton is an American author who lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband and two children. Normal Family is her first book.

Host, Julia Karol, launches the fifth season of Stork’d! She walks us through some exciting topics coming up in this fifth season. Episodes include experiencing shame for not wanting to have children, losing a child and being blamed and trolled on social media, navigating IVF as a couple, fertility fraud, consent during your birth experience, fertility astrology, parenting approaches and so much more.  Today, Julia shares her parenting journey and how becoming a parent has transformed her. She explores the Gray Flamingo analogy and asks the question: is it ok to lose yourself in your parenting? Julia also opens up about the experience of dating while becoming a solo parent by choice.   IN THIS EPISODE:   [00:00] Julia explains why she originally started the Skork’d podcast [02:00] Season five brings new authors and experiences to share [03:32] The theme of consent to a variety of life issues will be a focus for various podcasts in season five [08:00] Julia is focusing on a new concept called the family positivity movement which celebrates families of all types and images [10:00] Julia shares her parenting journey and discusses does it change you (i.e., reference the title of this episode the “Gray Flamingo”), and if it does change you, then what [17:46] Julia discusses her romantic relationship and how it evolved, and how pregnancy affected the relationship [22:00] Julia expresses vulnerability to this listening audience regarding the family she has built [25:34] Follow this podcast on social media.  Here is season five.    KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Every episode of season five of Stork’d will be exciting and enjoyable.  There will be so much to learn from these guests. Julia’s story of her journey to be a solo parent is brave.  She is a great role model for anyone walking through infertility. Your life changes when you have a family.  It doesn’t mean you are fundamentally better as a person, but you are fundamentally different.   RESOURCE LINKS:   Stork’d Facebook Stork’d YouTube Stork’d Instagram   About Julia Karol: When she is not hosting Stork'd®, Julia runs a private investment firm that acquires, operates, and improves businesses at a crossroads. She loves supporting businesses to grow and evolve.  Passionate about social change, Julia also supports several non-profit organizations.  Julia's passions outside work include hiking, skiing, yoga, and reading.  She lives in Boston with her dog and son. 

In this week's season 4 finale episode of Stork’d, we are joined by Tracy Weiss. Tracy is a cancer survivor who lost her chance of having biological children and in so doing, she gives up on the vision she has of a future daughter to be named Moxie. Tracy’s  journey is full of surprises and tough decisions that she had to make at the young age of 30. One of the biggest surprises is that her insurance company considered her egg and embryo freezing treatment prior to surgery and chemo to be “elective” which led her to her mission now to help other women facing cancer to access fertility preservation treatments. Tracy discusses what it was like jumping back into the “real world” post-cancer, and how her mindset changed as she went through the healing process mentally and physically. She also discusses dating in your early 40’s post cancer.  Tune in this outstanding season finale episode to hear Tracy discuss how her journey has led her to the company Chick Mission, and their dedication to helping other women with a cancer diagnosis preserve their fertility.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [2:34] Introduction to Tracy Weiss. [4:00] Information about The Chick Mission. [5:41] What was Tracy’s life before she was diagnosed with cancer? [9:22] Tracy talks about the journey of discovering she had cancer. [16:24] How did Tracy tell her friends and family and handle the information about her diagnosis? [22:15] How many different doctors did Tracy see throughout this journey without hearing that she should preserve her fertility?  [25:43] Did Tracy always appreciate her amazing set of friends and community?  [29:26] What is fertility preservation?  [32:12] Tracy tells us more about freezing embryos. [34:32] How did it feel for Tracy to re-enter life post-cancer? [39:15] What happened to Tracy’s embryo’s when she got divorced? What was her grieving process?  [42:10] What is the dating experience after cancer?    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Your reality isn’t a fact for everyone. Something you may have, someone else may be longing for.  Each person in your life can offer you different experiences in your life. Someone around you has likely experienced something that you are going through or knows someone who has gone through it. Insurance providers don’t consider Cancer an eligible diagnosis for fertility preservation, the Chick Mission is working to change that.  The flexibility you don’t have with embryos you have with eggs. An embryo has to be owned by two people, which has legal implications.       RESOURCE LINKS   North Forkd Instagram   The Chick Mission Website   Chick Mission Instagram   Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel   About Tracy Weiss   Tracy Weiss is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 30. She definitely knew what the cervix did, no matter what anyone tells you. Tracy was pretty annoyed when her insurance company denied her claim to preserve her fertility under it being ‘elective’ -- as if having a tumor was something anyone would choose. She remained pretty pissed until The Chick Mission was founded to help women standing in her shoes -- now she gets her revenge every time another woman receives assistance from the organization. Tracy serves as our Executive Director and Chief Creative Officer with her magical blend of Email Inbox Management and OddBall Ideas.

In this week’s episode, we are joined by journalist and podcast host, Louise McLoughlin.. Louise tells us the story of finding out she was donor-conceived, how she found her biological father and sister, and the feelings she experienced throughout the process. We also talk about what it was like for her family to accept that she wanted to search for her biological father. Louise discusses her work on her podcast, You Look Like Me, where she interviews  donor-conceived people and has become a leader giving voice to the donor-conceived community. We explore the trends and themes of donor conception, including the potential to have a large number of biological siblings, discovering your bio family, medical risks to having limited access to your medical history, and other experiences in the donor conceived community.  Louise advocates for listening to the donor-conceived people’s stories,  being honest with donor-conceived children and helping walk them through uncovering the qualities that came from their bio-parent. Tune in today to hear the impacts and story of a donor-conceived person.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [3:00] Louise introduces herself and tells her story.  [5:41] Louise shares with us the moment she learned she was donor conceived.  [12:10] What was it like for Louise to find out her father wasn’t her biological father?  [15:53] If Louise could write the laws, what would she want to put into place? [19:25] What is the story about Louise finding a sister and her biological father?  [29:45] How has the relationship changed with Louise’s dad since finding her bio-dad? [36:20] What does “enough” mean to Louise regarding finding her bio-sister?  [37:06] What themes does Louise hear through her work?  [39:20] How does it feel to be going on the journey of uncovering who you are as a donor-conceived child?  [43:50] Relationships & Honesty are two things Louise is an advocate for.    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Knowing the information about genetic medical issues is so important that people can be aware of any genetic illnesses early—knowledge of power from so many perspectives.  Wanting to know where these things come from - a sense of humor, nose, personality traits, etc. It doesn’t have to be wanting to replace a non-bio parent, but it can just be wanting to learn more about who you are.  Donor conceived children and the story are really just a part of what a modern family looks like now. There shouldn’t be shame carried with going on this journey of donor conceived children.     RESOURCE LINKS   You Look Like Me Instagram   You Look Like Me Podcast   Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel   About Louise McLoughlin:   Louise McLoughlin is host of ‘You Look Like Me’, a podcast which explores the secrets and discoveries of donor conceived people, to explore issues around identity, honesty, and why knowing the truth about yourself matters. The podcast reached number 1 in the Irish documentary charts, 10 in the UK, and 69 in the U.S, and was a Guardian podcast of the week in 2021

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Lauren Isley, a genetic counselor at California Cryobank. Have you ever wondered how a sperm bank selects and evaluates its donors? Lauren walks us through what genetics counseling is and how it supports clients in their fertility needs. She shares with us the process of selecting sperm donors, supporting clients in selecting the right donor or in making major decisions based on genetics.She lifts the veil of what goes on behind the scenes and helps reveal the mystery that goes on to create a successful program. Lauren also gives excellent advice for those getting started choosing a donor. Tune in today to get a great understanding of how cryobanks work!   IN THIS EPISODE:    [3:35] Welcome, Lauren Isley! Learning about Lauren’s work.  [7:39] Under what circumstances might someone need genetic counseling? [10:15] What occurs behind the scenes to ensure sperm meets guidelines? [13:50] What conditions make someone eligible to be an egg or sperm donor?  [16:14] How does California Cryobank look at the risk a potential donor might have vs. the number of donors needed? [22:55] What percentage of egg or sperm donors are eligible, and what might make donors unqualified?  [25:38] How does California Cryobank keep up with new genetic information? If there is a new genetic mutation, do they go back and remove those donors? [28:28] What happens when new medical information is received after a child is born or the donor uncovers information? [36:37] How has technology like 23&Me shifted the number of donors?  [43:48] What filters and mechanisms does California Cryobank use regarding the number of families who can use a particular donor?   KEY TAKEAWAYS:    When starting your search, start with 2 or 3 items that are your primary criteria. Do you want ethnicity? Height, Education? Whatever it is, start small and narrow down.  The cryobank goes through a lot behind the scenes to screen donors. They have a lot of guidelines for donors, including genetics. Some genetic testing will be discussed to see if a recipient will want to move forward with the donor, while others will need testing from the recipient to see if they also care about the genetic mutation.  Donors are providing people with the gift of life! The process is long for them, so they deserve much love and appreciation for making the gift a reality.    RESOURCE LINKS   California Cryobank   California Cryobank Instagram   Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel   About Lauren:   Lauren is a genetic counselor by training and after graduating with a Master’s of Science in Genetic Counseling degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, she began her career in the field of assisted reproductive technology, where she has practiced for the past decade. Her various roles include preimplantation genetic testing, gamete donor screening, and reproductive genetic testing. Across these multiple roles, Lauren has focused on educating both patients and healthcare providers about reproductive genetics. Lauren has published several papers and abstracts related to genetic testing and gamete donors and spoken at multiple national conferences on these topics. Lauren previously served as Chair for the Genetic Counseling Professional Group of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and Co-Chair of the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Infertility Special Interest Group of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. She is currently a Medical Science Liaison at Generate Life Sciences, the parent company for California Cryobank, Donor Egg Bank USA, and Cord Blood Registry

In this week’s episode, we are joined by journalist Meg St-Esprit. Meg is a parent of 4 children: 2 different sets of siblings, all through adoption. She shares her journey through adoption and the dynamic and interwoven way in which her family has integrated loved ones through open adoption. We talk about the nuances of weaving a family together through open adoption including holding space for your children’s emotions and having your own emotional self awareness. We also discuss adopting children with special needs and the best way to support them. Lastly, we discuss what family means to her. Meg is an incredible storyteller with a gift for articulating the complexities inherent in adoption and an ability to hold the full spectrum of emotions for herself and on behalf of her children. Tune in today to hear Meg’s beautiful story about open adoption.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [3:05] Meg shares a little overview of who she is.  [4:00] We learn the tapestry about how Meg’s family was created. [8:02] Understanding the difference between glorification and celebration regarding adoption.  [9:35] The show A Baby Story from TLC and what the show portrayed.  [11:30] Meg shares her journey throughout their adoptions and the options of choice.  [14:13] Meg tells us what open adoption means in her family: "I didn't realize that we would all just become family.” [16:45] What does it look like to partner in an open adoption?  [20:54] What terminology would a close friend use when asking about Meg’s family? [23:33] How did Meg end up adopting two sets of siblings?  [30:32] What does it mean to be equipped to take on adopted children or children with special needs? [32:44] How should someone prepare themselves for adding a child to the family who has special needs? [35:50] How does Meg advocate for her children?  [38:47] What are the key messages that Meg wants people to walk away with after hearing her story?   KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Adoption isn't about a family wanting a child; it’s about finding a family for a child. Most of the time, the birth mother simply wants what is best for her baby, which may look like another family parenting the child, and that's ok! The child’s needs need to be considered first.  The kids can choose how and who they define as family. Allow the children to decide who they want as their family and what they call them. In Meg’s case, she has four children, each with a biological sibling, but they still consider each other brothers and sisters (no discussion around bio or not). For some families, it might be more comfortable to split who is biological and who isn't. Let the children decide.  It takes deep self-awareness to go into adoption. Be honest with yourself on what needs you can meet for a child, what kind of adoption you are open to, and what feels the best for your family. Adopting parents shouldn’t think they have to take the first child available for adoption; it's if you can genuinely love and care for that child.  Don't make a child feel like they are a second option. Many adopt after being unable to conceive, and children feel like they are the second choice. Build our children to know they are loved and everything you want.    RESOURCE LINKS   Meg St-Esprit’s Website   Meg St-Esprit’s Instagram   A Blog Meg wrote about Open Adoption and What to Expect   Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel     BIO:   Meg St-Esprit, M. Ed. is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. She’s a mom to four kids via adoption, as well as a twin mom. She loves to write about parenting, education, trends, and the general hilarity of raising little people. Find more of Meg's work at www.megstesprit.com.

Today’s conversation with Emily Green is all about the importance of women taking control of their financial destiny as it relates to family planning. Emily and I chat about balancing the trade-offs between your career and personal goals. We talk about the pressures of corporate culture on moms, gender salary gaps, and maternity leave. Money is never easy to talk about but it's a lot less overwhelming when you can make a plan and prioritize the things that are most important to you.   IN THIS EPISODE:   [04:32] Pressures women face in the financial industry. [08:06] How to plan for financial goals in every season and earning gaps among women and men. [16:20] Mom guilt and financial decisions that come after you have a child.  [23:44] Cultural expectations for working moms. [25:58] Emily’s wake up call to motherhood during the Pandemic. [34:07] How Emily viewed motherhood and her career before pregnancy versus now. [37:55] How Emily defines family.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Too many corporate cultures view women starting families as a cost to business. However, if you look at the research, the cost to the business is the fact that they do not support women through these times and then women end up leaving. Then you have a cost to hire and train someone new.  Women's salaries peak earlier than men's because women take career breaks for their families. Women tend to have kids and take a possible short career break so their salaries peak in their forties, which versus men's peak in their fifties. In a survey by Everlast, a majority of women said that thinking about money made them anxious and physically ill. It is vital to have those hard conversations about finances and financial goals.   Resources:   Ellevest Website   BIO: With more than a decade of experience in private and corporate investment banking, most recently at J.P. Morgan, Emily is dedicated to helping women achieve financial strength and independence. Emily is on the board of Plan International USA and a steering committee member of Alvin Ailey’s Young Patron Circle.   Emily on LinkedIn   Instagram | @Ellevest 

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Michele Katz. Michele is the founder of the Plus One Adoption Foundation and a mother of 4, two adopted, and two biological children. Michele shares her story about the adoption process and how she is blending cultures in their family. She also discusses many aspects of adoption, such as the differences between agencies and orphanages, what to consider when adopting, and how processes differ across companies and countries. Tune in today to hear Michele’s story and her mission with her foundation.   IN THIS EPISODE:    [2:07] What does Michele’s family life currently look like? [2:37] How did Michele’s family come to be? [6:25] Fertility and adoption process at the same time. Which process seemed easier? [9:10] Michele tells us about her journey of adoption.  [13:00] How did Michele incorporate the culture of origin of her adopted children into their lives? [19:56] What are the differences between agencies and orphanages?  [21:28] What was the matching process between the two children Michele adopted, and what was it like meeting the children for the first time? [23:15] Michele tells us about the Plus One Adoption foundation and how it came to be. [25:42] Are there different parenting ways with the kids Michele carried vs. her adopted children? [30:00] What does adoption trauma look like? [32:47] How does one go into the decision to adopt an infant vs. an older child? [35:54] What does the conversation look like for a blended family of adoption vs. biological?  [39:10] What does family mean to Michele?    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Sometimes it’s just important to have another person to share your journey with, another person to listen to, someone to share the options and allow your family to decide which is right for you. There will be unknowns, but as a parent, you parent the best you can. Whether adopted or biological, there will be unknowns in what you will get with your children.   Weighing out the pros and cons is essential. Do you want to adopt an older child? Do you want to adopt a younger child? What country do you want to adopt from? What age do you want to be when your child graduates? Do you want an open or closed adoption?    RESOURCE LINKS   Plus One Foundation Website   Plus One Foundation Instagram   Michele’s LinkedIn   Email: mkatz@plusoneadoption.org    Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel   BIO: Michele Katz is not only the Founder of Plus One Adoption Foundation, Inc. but also the Founder of the intellectual property law firm Advitam IP, LLC. Passionate about giving back, she (in collaboration with her firm and her family) started a scholarship fund in the name of her beloved father, an icon in the IP field, and annually funds a master’s scholarship in the innovative sciences at The Hebrew University (Israel). As a servant leader, Michele served as the President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Chicago Chapter, propelling women business owners into social, economic, and political spheres of influence.

Today we talk with Samantha Diamond, founder of Bird & Be about PCOS, infertility, miscarriage and loss. Samantha shares her journey with secondary infertility, trying to have her third baby and how she would advise her younger self to grieve and heal differently than she did at the time. We discuss supplements and hormone testing as tools to support fertility and the many ways that Bird & Be is intentionally non-triggering and inclusive to those who are going through very complicated, emotional journeys with family building. This conversation centers on how we can better feel heard, seen, safe and lighter in our journeys to creating our families.    IN THIS EPISODE:   [02:18] Samantha’s PCOS diagnosis and why she started Bird & Be [12:05] Triggering elements of reproductive products and Bird & Be’s focus on all partners in the creation process [20:33] Product formulation and the creation of Bird & Be [24:43] Does naturopathic medicine actually work [28:27] Samantha’s infertility journey and advice would give to others [36:00] How to respond and support others experiencing infertility or loss   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   If you're having pain or if there is anything that is slightly abnormal in your cycle or with your partner, do not wait to see a doctor and start testing. One of the best things that people can do to optimize their fertility is to get educated from a reproductive health perspective, but also from a testing perspective. The more you know about your body, the better you are positioned to make certain decisions.  The CDC and Health Canada guidelines suggest you should be on a prenatal supplement at least three months before you start trying to conceive. In addition to your standard prenatal vitamin our naturopathic doctors suggest you should also be taking a high quality antioxidant.   Resources:   @birdbeco - https://instagram.com/birdbeco   https://birdandbe.com/    BIO:   Samantha is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bird & Be, a company designed to grow families through science backed, at-home products that are personalized to each customer’s journey to and through parenthood.    She remains on a mission to create a brand reflective of the modern person's fertility journey, that will ultimately optimize the route to conception. She is a champion of self-advocacy and aims to educate people with eggs AND sperm on their own reproductive health and options.   Before launching The Bird & Be Co., Sam co-founded a PR Agency in 2011, which she sold after a decade in business. She is a mom of three and lives in Toronto, Canada.

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Yvette Anderson, co-founder of Anderson’s Meet The Need, a nonprofit she and her husband felt called to create after the loss of their newborn son. In today’s episode, we will learn more about the son that inspired her work. We hear the heartbreaking story of Yvette’s difficulties getting pregnant, her journey with preeclampsia, and the loss of her son RJ. Her story is raw and emotional; we learn of her strength and struggles during this difficult time. Tune in today to hear how Yvette turned her tragedy into triumph with her organization.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [3:59] What are the “Project of Promise” missions? [8:20] Yvette talks about what it was like growing up in a family in need. [14:24] Yvette discusses her emergency hospitalization due to life threatening preeclampsia. [25:10] The story of her child’s delivery. [30:29] Yvette shares her feelings as she watched her son pass away [32:56] Her preeclampsia had turned into a pulmonary embolism.  [38:20] Yvette tells us about going home after her loss and medical difficulties. [41:46] What was Yvette’s relationship with God and herself during grieving?  [49:56] Advice Yvette shares to help someone who might be going through a similar situation.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:    You don’t have to stay in a dark place. The enemy would love for us to stay in that place, but you don’t have to. You will smile again; you will laugh again.  Utilize the support around you. You don’t have to endure the pain alone; lean on those around you. Having someone there with you lets you know that you are not alone.  Yvette turned her tragedy of losing her son into triumph when she created MTN Organization, a non-discriminatory, non-profit that serves various communities throughout NJ with free food pantry that promotes a healthier way of eating and living.   RESOURCE LINKS   Meet The Need Website   Meet The Need Instagram   "About Preeclampsia"    BIO:   Yvette Anderson has been active in various communities throughout NJ for almost 20 years before co-founding MTN in 2010. Helping others has always been a huge passion of hers. As a child she was a family in need and her grandparents instilled in her to always help anyone she could. Their influence never left her and Yvette dedicated her life to mentoring, coaching, being instrumental in computer donations to low budget schools and churches, starting a free cheer clinic for inner city girls who couldn’t afford gymnastic or cheer camps, directing a girls book club and now founding a non profit that brings 9 projects of promise and free food pantry each week.    Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel

One would think that being on the birth certificate of your newly born child would be enough to deem you their parent, it is…..if you’re a straight couple.   For gay couples, one parent often has to legally adopt their child even if it’s that child shares their DNA. This is a process called second parent adoption and is a common but frequently misunderstood process that many gay couples experience when growing their families. Today, I’m talking with Genevieve Jaffe about her and her wife’s personal experience with creating their family through reciprocal IVF.    Gena is a lawyer and founder of Connecting Rainbows and she now advocates for others going through this process and provides legal support for the LGBTQA+ community. We talk about the legal complexities for reciprocal IVF, technical things to consider before starting the donor process, and look at the unique perspective of the donor conceived community. This conversation opened my eyes to second parent adoption which I had no clue about  - and apparently I am not alone, few couples know it's something they should do to protect their families. I highly encourage you to take a listen!   IN THIS EPISODE:   [03:42] Genevieve’s story of meeting her partner. [07:25] Learning the legal implications for reciprocal IVF and navigating the complexities of creating children in the gay community. [13:29] Gena’s and her partner’s fertility journey.  [19:29] The decision process of choosing a sperm donor and parenting based on things learned from the donor conceived community. [27:55] Technical things to consider before starting the donor process and how to include the donor in the part of your narrative. [32:57] How donor conception has changed what family means to Gena.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Second parent adoption is a very complicated and frustrating legal thing that some parents have to face due to their sexual orientation. Some states require home tests, look at financials, or interview couples - it can be very invasive. There is a misconception that a birth certificate is an administrative document of government laws of the state. But it is not a legal document.  It’s recommended to do hormone testing before you start the donor process. There are at-home tests that you can do to start tracking your cycle, estrogen and progesterone levels. It’s best to have as much information as possible before you go to your first appointment.   Resources:   https://instagram.com/genajaffe   https://instagram.com/connectingrainbowsorg   https://connectingrainbows.org/   BIO: I’m Gena Jaffe (she / her), founder of connecting rainbows.   We connect LGBTQ+ families with attorneys and fertility specialists all over the US and Canada to make it easy to start, expand, and protect your family.  Our experts are all selected for their knowledge, advocacy, and compassion, so you can feel comfortable starting these – sometimes challenging – conversations in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. We also provide you with a dynamic, ever-growing library of resources, interviews, and blogs to help you understand and navigate these complicated and important topics.  Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community comes with enough hurdles – keeping your family together and safe shouldn’t be one of them. I found an incredible community on Instagram where I was able to connect with other families going to RIVF.  I felt like I was part of something sacred.  It can be scary going through this process alone – so we have an ever-growing blog featuring real LGBTQ+ families who share their coming out stories, fertility, pregnancy + parenting experiences so you can feel connected as well.

Dr. Bendikson is an OB/GYN and a nationally recognized leader in the fertility field. She has gone through fertility testing herself and now counsels clients about family planning decisions like egg freezing and other fertility treatment options. This conversation demystifies the scary and overwhelming aspects of egg freezing and fertility testing. We talk about all the things - fertility age ranges, the quality and number of your eggs, and the technology behind testing. Join us as we talk about how we can become more educated and proactive with our fertility and family planning!   IN THIS EPISODE:   [03:56] About Dr. Bendikson and her passion for fertility awareness. [07:11] The intersection of fertility and culture and navigating difficult conversations around fertility testing. [13:48] The egg freezing process explained and answers to common questions. [27:11] Technological improvements in egg freezing and the difference of embryo freezing.  [33:00] Clarifying what fertility testing means for family planning.  [39:29] Dr. Bendikson’s own experience with fertility testing and making decisions based on outliers.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Women in their twenties are encouraged to start thinking about their long-term family planning goals. You don’t have to make any decisions but it’s helpful to consider fertility testing as a way to learn and understand what your options are as you think about having kids in the future.  In the last 15 years, there have been advancements that have made the egg freezing experience easier. Improvements to medications have decreased the length of time that women experience being uncomfortable and it’s also limited the amount of days of taking shots. You can’t change the number or quality of your eggs. However, the number thing you can do is choose to freeze your eggs earlier rather than later. If you freeze your eggs in your late 20s and then wait to get pregnant in your late 30s, your chances of getting pregnant are that of your late 20 year old self - so that’s really important to remember.    Resources:   https://kindbody.com/    Dr. Bendikson Website   https://instagram.com/drkristinbendikson   https://instagram.com/kindbody    BIO:   Dr. Bendikson did her residency training in OB/GYN at Harvard and completed her reproductive endocrine and infertility fellowship training at Cornell. She is a California native, having graduated from UCLA with honors. After first leaving Los Angeles for NYU Medical School, she finally returned after training to become an assistant professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine.   Dr. Bendikson was a leader at USC Fertility for over a decade. Dr. Bendikson founded the Center for Pregnancy Loss for patients who have suffered from pregnancy loss and miscarriage. Dr. Bendikson also founded the Fertility Diagnostics Program at USC, to provide a way for young adults to better understand their reproductive potential to help them make educated choices for their future.   She is a nationally recognized leader in the fertility field. She has been the Chair of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Patient Education Committee since 2016 and serves as a member of the ASRM Practice Committee. She is on the board of the ASRM Early Pregnancy Loss Special Interest group and served as President in 2020. She has been recognized for many years as one of LA’s Top Doctors by Los Angeles Magazine.

Today’s wonderful guest is Cameron Rogers! Cam has built her career advising high net-worth clients on professional investing and wealth management, and recently made the decision to invest in her future through egg freezing. First off, she shares her thought process behind her choice and the social components that she has faced as a single, career-minded woman. She explains the emotional, physical, and financial investment that fertility preservation requires and talks about how meaningful community was during the process. PS - this is a great episode to listen to if, like me, you have ever felt pressure from others to start a family!   [04:32] About Cam Rogers and her process leading up to freezing her eggs. [16:12] Cultural pressures related to dating, career success and other life choices. [19:49] Cameron’s egg freezing experience. [24:33] Julia’s experience with freezing her eggs. [26:20] The emotional and financial components of egg freezing. [39:00] What does family mean to Cam?   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Egg freezing is a physical, financial, and emotional investment in a possible future – one that isn’t even defined or a promised future. Women often experience hurtful societal pressures from family and friends to be in a relationship or start a family by a certain age. This pressure is usually compounded by a woman's own personal desires for a family which can make egg freezing deeply personal and isolating. In Cameron’s experience, she was privileged to have felt and found a supportive community during the process. In a perfect world, every young woman in her early twenties would start saving for egg freezing. In a more perfect world, we wouldn't have to because insurance programs would cover it.    Resources:   @camrogers33   https://www.ellevest.com/private-wealth-management/how-were-different   https://instagram.com/ellevest   BIO:   Cameron has built her career advising both high net worth individuals and some of the country’s largest institutional investors. At Ellevest, she advises clients around matters including generational transitions of wealth, investing for financial and social impact, and institutional investment strategy. She has more than a decade of professional investing and wealth management experience, most recently at J.P. Morgan. Cameron has degrees in finance and international business from Georgetown University, and is a CFA charterholder. She is a board member for the Beyond Sport Foundation, an organization that celebrates, supports, and provides funding for organizations using sport to help make the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality. She is also involved with Women for Women International.

Chelsea London Lloyd, a comedian, actress and self proclaimed “grief gal” and I chat about her unique relationship with humor and grief. As a child, she grew up with two sick parents and after a long 15 year journey with ALS, her father passed away. His passing has informed her life’s purpose, her art and her podcast, Dying of Laughter.  Now as an adult, she has a beautiful, dynamic relationship with grief and helps others who are experiencing loss. In today’s episode, we talk about the importance of volunteerism and practical ways to show up for people when they’re grieving. We discuss a very important relationship Chelsea has mentoring a child her mother’s battle with breast cancer and after her mother passes. We process through the unique challenges that anticipatory grief brings and Chelsea shares some ways that we can better show up for people in the midst of suffering.    [02:37] Chelsea’s introduction. [03:55] What is grief and how to find the humor in it? [10:15] How children process grief and death and how community plays a part. [15:14] How Chelsea and her family navigated the day-to-day of having an illness. [19:31] How to show up for a child who needs support. [27:41] How and when to show up for someone who is grieving. [32:30] Anticipatory grief versus grief that has recently happened. [36:19] Chelsea’s identity in relation to grief and definition of family.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Grief is the deep emotional response to a circumstance, primarily the loss of someone close to you in the context of death. However, that can be expanded to many other things that you lose in your life, like a loss of relationship, loss of identity, loss of your physical, or in COVID, a loss of connection to human beings. I think it's really important for all of us to step into our power in some way in a volunteer space. Most people have the time, but don't realize the value in showing up for others through volunteering.  Mark the calendar of the anniversary of the loss so that you can reach out one, three, five years later. It can be as simple as checking in and letting that person know you’re thinking about them.    Resources:   Kudoboard The Power of Now by Eckhart Toley Modern Loss Resources Experience Camps - Support for Grieving Children @_ChelsWhoElse_ @dyingoflaughter_podcast www.ChelsWhoElse.com   BIO:   Chelsea London Lloyd is a comedian & grief activist who uses humor to help people cope with their pain. Lloyd grew up with two sick parents; at age 8 her parents were diagnosed with ALS and breast cancer. Her dad died of ALS when she was 19 and her mom -- who lost her own mother to leukemia at 19 -- currently combats stage 4 metastatic breast cancer which returned after 17 years in remission.   Lloyd volunteers / hosts peer-lead grief groups via The Dinner Party, mentors a 9 year-old girl (whose mom has stage 4 BC) via Walk With Sally, and volunteers at OUR HOUSE: Grief Support via their grief camps and groups.    She spent 2020-2021 producing viral short-form comedic & grief content for BuzzFeed.

Nearly 50% of infertility is a male factor, meaning it’s related to men not women. Even with this shocking percentage, it’s not openly discussed. In this week's episode, we are speaking with TJ Peyten who has become an advocate for male factor infertility after she and her husband experienced it first hand. TJ shares about her deep longing for motherhood and the differences in how men and women process and grieve in the midst of male infertility. Listen as Julia and TJ have a beautiful conversation about disappointment, infertility awareness, and the miracle of building a family through adoption.    IN THIS EPISODE:   [02:14] Introduction to TJ and her advocacy for male infertility [08:21] Receiving the news of their infertility and their response [18:12] How infertility affected their relationship with each other and God [25:22] Searching for alternative family building options and choosing adoption [35:55] TJ’s perspective of being a mommy without having given birth [38:09] TJ’s heart for better advocacy and understanding of male infertility   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   40-50% of infertility is a male factor and yet there is so little awareness or conversations around this topic. There also aren't routine healthcare options for male fertility. Men may appear strong or even indifferent to male factor infertility, but they are grieving and experiencing similar feelings of loss and failure that women face during female infertility. Reading books about adoption to your child is a great way to have conversations that help them process the news of their adoption so it’s not hurtful later on in life.   BIO: TJ Peyten is a Georgia native with a mission to raise awareness about Male Factor Infertility. TJ currently works as a health scientist focused on public health policy and workforce training. TJ holds a bachelors in English and Communication, a masters in Communication and Social Work, and a Doctorate in Health Education. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling, journaling, eating great food, and watching college football. TJ's infertility journey started in 2013, when, after five years of marriage, it was discovered that her husband was the factor in their inability to conceive. Frustrated at the lack of support and resources available for those struggling with male infertility, TJ used her journal as an outlet to deal with the pain. After several years of coping with their infertility through her journal, TJ finally got the courage to share her story with the world through her book Semen Secrets: Truths and Confessions of a Wife's Journey Through Male Infertility. TJ's journey to parenthood was not easy, but in 2019, TJ and her husband were blessed to finally realize their dream of becoming parents to a beautiful baby girl.    TJ Peyten on Instagram   TJ's Book: Semen Secrets: Truths and Confessions of a Wife’s Journey Through Male Infertility   Semen Secrets Website   TJ Peyten on Facebook

In this episode, I speak with Chicago blogger and social media influencer, Jen Worman about divorce, dating and solo parenting! We cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time – like owning your actions in any relationship, showing up for yourself, and unapologetically reaching for your dreams. Jen opens up about her divorce, her experience dating with kids, and how she has learned the important truth that you can only control yourself. Grab a glass of wine and listen to this fun conversation as we talk about celebrating where you are in your life and creating your own beautiful family.   IN THIS EPISODE:   [03:59] Solo parenting, lessons learned after divorce, and learning to be complete without a relationship [13:45] Traditional views around single parenting and embracing the freedom of singleness [17:09] Dating and friendships in light of being a single mom [25:30] Pursuing your dreams and pushing past limitations [29:19] What led to Jen’s decision to get a divorce [35:26] How to get to a better place with your ex-husband and how to work on yourself    KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Being single isn't something to be fixed. Stop trying to fix that. It is okay to be single. It’s important to celebrate the important and hard decisions that have been made while also accepting those things that you can’t control and focusing on what you can control. Oftentimes the best things in life come from the hardest things you've ever had to experience.    BIO:   Jen Worman on Instagram   Jen Worman Website

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Lauren Wynn about her 8 miscarriages, emergency surgery and ultimately building her family through IVF. What’s more, Lauren’s husband EJ sold much of his prized and valuable sneaker collection to cover the cost of their fertility treatments.  After experiencing her 8 miscarriages, Lauren has become a women’s and fertility health advocate and their story shows just how complicated, expensive and painful the family building journey can be for some. Lauren has a significant amount of medical information and relationship advice to share - we joke that she’s gotten a medical degree through her fertility journey. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and know you will, too!   IN THIS EPISODE:   [02:08] Introduction to Lauren and how she has navigated experiencing multiple miscarriages in a short amount of time. [07:44] How to get a doctor to pay attention when you're having physical and emotional pain and advocate for your medical needs. [15:15] How to navigate emotions through multiple losses as an individual and as a couple. [22:05] The decision to pursue IVF and become her own medical advocate. [28:08] An unconventional way to pay for IVF. [35:13] How Lauren’s definition of family has changed and the community she has found during her fertility journey.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   If your doctor is not listening to your physical or emotional needs, don’t waste your time with them. Find another doctor who will put your health needs first. After women have a miscarriage, they need to be aware of their HCG levels. If HCG levels go up, or remain high, that can be a sign of disease or carcinoma.  When experiencing loss in a relationship, be honest and open with your partner. Those emotions will not go away. So work through it together and really lean on each other through the hard times.   BIO:   Lauren and and her husband went through eight miscarriages and two failed IUIs with little to no explanation for why she was experiencing recurring pregnacy loss. After their second miscarrieage, she was diagnosed with a septum but wasn't able to find a doctor to remove it until her fourth miscarriage. After their seventh miscarriage, she learned of Reproductive Immunology which led to a diagnosis of high NK cells and Cytokins. After this new diagnosis, they experienced their seventh miscarriage before deciding to try IVF as a last resort. They are now blessed with carrying our rainbow baby boy. Lauren Wynn on Instagram   Julia Karol is a creative leader, warm friend, animal lover, notable clutz. When she is not hosting Stork'd, Julia runs a private investment firm which acquires, operates, and improves businesses at a crossroads. She loves supporting businesses to grow and evolve. Passionate about social change, Julia also supports a number of non-profit organizations.   Stork'd Facebook Page Stork'd on Instagram Stork'd YouTube Channel

In this week’s episode, I am joined by Sydney Sharon, who discusses the topic of donor-conception. Sydney is one of the rare people who has experienced donor conception from all angles: she has used donor sperm, is raising donor conceived children, has a father who was a donor and is building relationships with her newly expanded “BioFam” of siblings.  In this episode, Sydney discusses her upbringing, meeting her lovely wife Britt, their Jewish beliefs, and how they have worked through their decisions regarding selecting a donor for their children. She also talks about how she learned she has six siblings through donor conception from her father, referring to her siblings as BioSibs, who was a sperm donor before having his children. We dive into identity after becoming a mother and how to help donor-conceived children determine their identity as they grow up. This episode is packed full of advice and storytelling of The Sharon Mom’s journey to creating a family of their own.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [2:23] Introduction to Sydney. [5:58] Journey of becoming a mom and her relationship with her wife Britt. [11:05] We discuss Sydney's roles in life: motherhood, being a wife, Judaism, and more.   [17:21] How did Sydney and Britt choose a donor? [28:35] How many vials should the donor have for future children's decisions? [34:04] How does Sydney think about helping kids form their identity and donor conception history? [39:33] Your life sounds too good to be true; is it really this filled with joy and happy circumstances? [42:16] Issues that are coming up and data that is becoming more aware surrounding male factor infertility.  [44:30] Anonymity and privacy around sperm donors with technology like 23 and Me and ancestry.com. [47:20] How has being in a donor-conceived family shaped Sydney’s definition of family?    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Every person will look at their donor's information differently and prioritize how they choose a donor differently. There is no one size fits all way to selecting the right donor. Sydney and Britt chose based on blood type, hair color, and height.  Family is what you make of it. Being related through blood isn’t what makes you a family; instead, choosing who your family is and creating supportive people is what makes a family. Knowing your identity and who you helped you feel confident in your decisions. Sydney and Britt are Jewish and gay, but there were never any other options because it’s just who they are.    RESOURCE LINKS   TheSharonMoms Instagram   TheSharonMoms Blog   BIO:   Nearly 10 years ago the two of us began dating. In that time, we have traveled to dozens of places around the world, both near and far, adopted our little pup, Chloe, married, and most recently, welcomed our baby girl into this great big world.   We have chosen to document our journey with all its trials and tribulations, in all its glory, for several reasons. The first of which is to hopefully create a sort of capsule that we can one day share with our children. Another reason is to provide us both with an outlet to write, which for us, gives us some peace of mind and comfort. And thirdly, for community.   Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel