Insemination

Freya is not only donor conceived, but she is also recipient parent and a known egg donor. She has such a unique perspective and brings so much nuance to the conversation. She is also born and raised in The Uk so we learn a little bit more about how that donor conception market functions

Chelsea Devantez is not just donor conceived but also a renowned comedian. Her credits include being the head writer for ‘The Problem with Jon Stewart'. Today Chelsea is sharing her donor conception experience and her new book which you can find here: https://www.chelsearosedevantez.com/the-book

Meet Mark a sperm donor from Xytex who walks us through his experience working with the bank and then being available as a known donor.

Meet Mark a sperm donor from Xytex who walks us through his experience working with the bank and then being available as a known donor.

Welcome Dr. Aimee aka the Egg Whisperer! Dr. Aimee is here to talk to us about egg donation, causes for infertility, what to look for in a doctor, infertility trauma, and the changes she would like to see happen to the fertility industry.

Meet attorney Amanda Troxler from California who handles known donor agreements. Amanda is going to walk us through what is required to do a legally safe known donation.

FULL DISCLOSURE I filmed the intro a few weeks ago, I'm not about to go perform in Cleveland. I already did, it was wonderful. I apologize for the blooper, it's been a wild few weeks and I'm catching up. This episode is with a good friend and another DCP advocate Eric. Eric is a late discovery DCP who has been diving into the foundation of donor conception which is eugenics. Racism still heavily influences our current donor conception market, and until we acknowledge that to the fullest extent, we can't fix it. Eric runs a support group for BIPOC DCP to help others navigate those emotions and lived experiences.

Meet Casey, a recipient parent who used North West Cryobank who is a victim of fertility negligence. Fertility negligence is when a bank, clinic, or physician accidentally gives you the sperm/egg that you initially picked out.

Angela aka Sunny.in.season has gone viral for being a former egg donor and searching for the recipient parents who used her eggs to give them an updated medical history. Angela recently found out she has HHT which can be a very serious genetic illness, but the agency she initially went through has dissolved. Click here to sign up for DCP Data: https://www.dcpdata.org/signup?referrer=Laura-High

Today we have Danielle who is the co-founder of Seed Scout. Seed Scout is a known donor matching agency. In this episode Danielle shares her own experiences about using a known donor, the issues she faces while advocating for her clients, and why she feels more recipient parents should embrace known donors. https://www.theseedscout.com

Victoria and her Merrily are bravely joining us today. You may have seen their story recently published by CNN. Victoria is the first donor conceived person to come forward as a victim of accidental incest, and both her and her mom are victims of fertility fraud. Please know we recorded this episode in October 2023, but needed to wait till publish it once CNN came in the picture. Here is the article CNN did: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/14/us/fertility-fraud-accidental-incest-invs/index.html

Today we talk to Karlos Dillard aka Ward of the State. Karlos is a trans-racial adoptee and former foster care youth. Karlos is an advocate, educator, and author. We discuss adoption, foster care, and how the donor conceived community can be better allies to the adoptee and former foster care community. Pre-order Karlos's next book here: https://karlosdillard.com/books/abort-the-adoption-pre-sale

Dr. Alissa it's not just a donor conceived person conceived through anonymous sperm donation, she is also a licensed therapist. Join us as we learn about her story, and talk about common emotional journeys and traumas that donor conceived people go through.

We welcome on Kenzi a family building coach a licensed clinical social worker. Kenzi talks about her work by helping intended recipient parents get to a more child centered place when deciding how to build their family. Kenzi talks about dealing with the fertility industry, fertility trauma, and asking yourself tough questions. Please know that at 34:00-43:23 Kenzi shares some stories about parents who have gone through miscarriages and how they've been treated by the fertility industry. It's an incredibly important conversation, but if it isn't emotionally safe for you to listen to that part, just skip over that section.

Today we have four representatives of a 100+ person sibling pod. They are here to talk about what they have gone through individually as donor conceived people, but what it's also like being in a pod of 100+ siblings.

Welcome back to part 2 with Alex and Rachel!!! Alex tells us the story of how she was able to identify her and Rachel's genetic parent. If you can't find your donor on a DNA site, you need to hear how Alex did this.

Today Rachel is back and has brought along their sister Alex! Rachel is double donor conceived and Alex is their sister through their egg donation side. This episode we dive into feelings, weird thoughts, and Alex tells us the incredible story on how she found out she was donor conceived.

We are at the finale of my genetic testing! Join us as we listen to genetic counselor Dena tell me what has popped up on my panels. I've never had any genetic testing done, so I am excited to hear the results, but also really nervous!

We welcome on McKenzie Caldwell, registered dietitian who specializes in fertility and pregnancy. McKenzie shares a different perspective on the fertility industry and ways in which she would like to see them improve. In this episode, she talks about the rampant fat phobia that exists within the medical community, and specifically the fertility industry. She also shares lots of wonderful advice on how to nourish your body to get ready for pregnancy. Here are some of the links and resources she mentions: Website: www.feedyourzest.com Fueling Male Fertility by Lauren Manaker: https://www.nutritionnowcounseling.com/ebooks/fueling-male-fertility Fat positive fertility clinic list: https://nicolasalmon.co.uk/fat-positive-fertility-clinics-high-bmi/ Paper on BMI healthcare: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/2/2/11

I'm so excited for you all to meet @OutspokenAdoptee. Outspoken and I started communicating over a year ago about donor conception and adoption. We quickly found that there are so many similarities on how the Fertility Industry and Adoption Industry is run. Since than we believe that in order to make the changes that adoptees and donor conceived people are calling for we are our best allies. It is important that our two communities understand each others struggles, and work hand in hand in supporting each other on what we all want, making these industries child centered.

Erin Maya is not just a Donor Conceived person, but also very musically accomplished. She has written the very first musical about donor conception. In this episode she talks about her donor conception story, struggling with how she should identify, and how she created this amazing new up-and-coming musical. The first concert preview of this musical will be January 8th. Tickets are available for in person and live stream here: www.thecompletepicturemusical.com @thecompletepicturemusical @theerinmaya

Everyone meet Nurse Jess! Jess is a registered nurse and former egg donor who had a terrifying and near fatal experience when she donated her eggs to a friend. Her story is very disturbing but important to hear to understand what some many egg donors are put through and how they are misled. Jess's handle is jes_ss2019

Today we are interviewing Rachel (they/them) who was conceived using both donor sperm and a donor egg. Their perspective, and lived experience is incredibly unique, even in the Donor Conceived community. Rachel and I both discovered our coping mechanism is humor, so please join us as we laugh our way through this episode.

We are back with Dena Dna! And we are going to start the process of getting genetic testing done to myself. In this episode, you were going to listen to how a genetic counselor interprets your family, medical history, what they need and what questions you need to be prepared for. In this episode, you'll hear Dena referring to different videos that she has already put out. Here are the clips. Genetic Discrimination: https://youtu.be/JmO6asTLZLc?si=vXHp0lHYj-Jf1yBw Genetic Mutation: https://youtu.be/uLgLws_flZk?si=wgvOajtru0ThhLbv

We welcome genetic counselor Dena Dna. This three part series will show all of us how genetic testing works. In this part we are going to learn about what genetic testing is, what we can test for, and terminology. This is a incredibly important episode to listen to, since there is so much miss information flying around about genetic testing.

Today we welcome Mel Bornico of the United States Donor Conceived Council. The USCDD is a non-profit group formed and led by donor conceived people to advance change that promote their health, welfare, and human rights. If you've been wondering how you can be more active to support dcp rights and legislation, this is the episode to listen to. Donate to the USDCC here: https://givebutter.com/USDCC23?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=donate%3A+send+usdcc+to+asrm+2023 T-shirt Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1532164183/it-sucks-when-the-evidence-can-talk-tee?click_key=441bb25ab9205721fcf98b47b570163b098b1265%3A1532164183&click_sum=e5f70a65&ref=shop_home_active_1 Donate to Laura's DCP event: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donor-conceived-event?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

I'm so excited to introduce our first sperm donor to the podcast, Dylan. Dylan started donating at 20 years old, but unfortunately found out he was misled by the cryo-bank and now has over 90 children! Recently, an article was published about him and his recipient parents in which they all felt horribly miss characterized, so let's take some time to clear things up! Donation link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donor-conceived-event?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer shirt link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1532164183/it-sucks-when-the-evidence-can-talk-tee?click_key=441bb25ab9205721fcf98b47b570163b098b1265%3A1532164183&click_sum=e5f70a65&ref=shop_home_active_1

We are consistently getting bombarded with egg donation recruitment ads on social media. They make it look like it's an easy side hustle that results in a huge amount of money. In walks Dr. Diane Tober. Dr. Tober is a Medical Anthropologist who is one of the very few people studying the side effects of egg donation, how the industry treats egg donors, and how egg donation in the USA compares to other countries. This is an incredible episode filled with horrifying statistics and very troubling data. Links that are cited in the episode: https://dianetober.com/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10815-023-02855-3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405661820300149

We are so lucky to have Devin Shuman as our guest today! Devin is a genetic counselor who works a lot with donor Conceived people. She leads us through what ableism is, and the history of Eugenics. And then talk about how they are woven into the Fertility Industry.

Meet DNAngels! A non-profit that helps NPEs, adoptees, and donor conceived people find their biological families using Ancestry. In this episode they break down how they do this investigation, share some incredible stories, and give some incredible advice on how you can find your family. There website: https://www.dnangels.org

It means so much to me to welcome Jess on, a recipient parent of triplet donor conceived children. Jess walks us through the process that she and her wife had of picking a clinic, selecting a donor, everything that they went through, and what eventually led to a perspective change on how to raise their donor conceived children. If you're a recipient parent, this is the one you've got to listen to. Jess shares all the things that she wished she knew when they first started the process.

Continue listening to David Berry, one of the donor conceived children and products of fertility fraud, Dr. Morris Wortman. David talks about how he confirmed Wortman is his biological father, how this discovery impacted other siblings, and how you can help get the Fertility Fraud Legislation passed in the United States. Contact information: Russell Dye russell.dye@mail.house.gov Communications Director Rep. Jim Jordan R Ohio 2142 Rayburn House Office Building 202-225-6906 Find your representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative David Berry: berry@berrychronicles.com

We welcome David Berry on the podcast who is a donor conceived person and a product of fertility fraud from Dr. Wortman who recently deceased in a plane crash. David walks us through his complicated emotions over this sudden death and how he found out Dr. Wortman was his biological father.

You need to meet Cassandra! Cassandra is a donor conceived person who didn't find out she was sperm donor conceived until she was 35. The lack of transparency her family had with her caused severe mental health issues through out her whole life. Now Cassandra is one of our most valued advocates.

In today's episode, Laura is talking to fellow Donor Conceived Person Jamie! Jamie was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 13. Jamie goes into detail on how epilepsy greatly affected her life, and how an earlier diagnosis would have saved her years of anguish. But how could she have gotten an earlier diagnosis? Maybe we should ask the clinic that her donor came from...

Welcome back to INSEMINATION! Today I interview Stef, the Donor Conceived Queen. Stef talks about how she was a late discovery and the trauma that was inflicted on her by her recipient parents. The manipulation and gaslighting that do many donor conceived people go through is horrifying and needs to be acknowledged and addressed.

We welcome on our first Recipient Parent to the show! Sharon Leya is also the author of the ‘My Donor Story'. A series of inclusive books that explain the donor conception process for donor conceived children. Not only do we talk about the book when we start discussing some points of contention between the donor conceived community and recipient parents. Please understand that this conversation may be triggering for some donor conceived people. But I ask for you not to just focus on what or how Sharon asks a question, but listen to the full conversation and hear how she listens and responds to my perspective. This was a wonderful conversation that I hope can add to a healthy dialogue between recipient parents and donor conceived people, and I am so excited to share it. Please understand that a lot of the things that I say are my opinion, I'd love to hear other Donor Conceived opinions in the comment section. You can find her book here: https://www.mydonorstory.com/

We are so excited to have our first Canadian guest on, Kat Palmer who now only is donor conceived, she's also a Barwin Baby. In the USA we have Dr. Klein, in Canada they have Barwin. Dr. Barwin was nicknamed the ‘Baby God' for how successful he was, but behind the scenes it was very different. Barwin not only committed fertility fraud by switch out the chosen donor dna for his own, but he also switched around the the dna in other pregnancies.

We welcome Senator Gallivan and Assembly Women Paulin to the podcast. The Senator is the sponsor in the Senate for The Donor Conceived Persons Protection Act and the Assembly Women is the sponsor in the Assembly. This bill is getting introduced in New York and would require banks and clinics to verify the donor's medical history that they provide and to maintain that information for 25 years. Listen to these two legislatures talk about the bill, why it's important, how it works, and what you can do to support it. Find all of your elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials and let them know you support: NY State Senate Bill S2122A The Donor Conceived Persons Protection Act (Steven's Bill).

FIRST time ever, we have two Donor Conceived siblings on the podcast! Listen to how Anna and Brad found each other. They were both late discovery with incredible and shocking journeys on how they found out that they were donor conceived. And as promised, if you would like to help get the Donor Conceived Persons Protection Act passed please email: arivera@nysenate.gov and paulina@nyassembly.gov

If you are a recipient parent or are thinking about using donor conception this episode is a MUST. Our guest on this episode is therapist and author Jana Rupnow whose specialty is counseling recipient parents. In this episode we dive into infertility trauma, how to tell your child they're donor-conceived, and when. We also hear about the TERRIFYING events Jana has witnessed while working for the Infertility Industry.

Our next guest really is the Captain America of Fertility Fraud Legislation, Eve Wiley! Eve spearheaded the Fertility Fraud Legislation which would make it illegal for a doctor to switch out the chosen donor gametes with their own or any other that they feel like. Right now in the USA this egregious act is only considered illegal in eleven states. The Fertility Fraud Legislation is now getting voted on federally. To support please call or email your local legislature and tell them as a constituent you want them to sponsor HR 451 the Fertility Fraud Legislation. Let's get this done!

You NEED to hear whistler blower Michelle recount what it was like working for one of the largest cryo-banks worldwide. She talks about the red flags she witnessed and the incident that terrified her, and ultimately got her fired for not going along with it. Insemination audience please help us find the recipient parents of 'Grey' so we can properly warn those families.

Our next guess has an incredibly unique story as someone who was conceived via traditional surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy is when someone is conceived using the intended father's sperm, which is then inseminated into the egg donor/surrogate's body. So Andi's egg donor, the surrogate is both her biological and birth mother. In Andi's words, "I was conceived to be sold." Listen to Andi talk about the complex emotional journey she has been going through to understand her roots, conception, and her healing.

We all met Jacoba Ballard when the whole nation watched and was shook by the documentary ‘Our Father' on Netflix that premiered in May 2022. On today's episode listen to Jacoba talk about things that were not included in the documentary, what Dr. Cline has been doing since the premiere, and how you can help Jacoba in her fight for justice. Get ready because this episode will leave you shocked and stunned!

Vanessa's story will leave you SHOCKED as she recounts her experience of being an egg donor and the absolute valid fear she has for her egg donor conceived children. This story must be heard by people thinking about becoming an egg or sperm donor, recipient parents, and donor conceived people to understand the potential life long risks. If you are someone or know someone who used egg donation from X and Y consulting in Arizona from 2002-2003 and used 'Vanessa Donor' or were conceived through these eggs please contact Laura directly here: https://www.laurahighfive.com/contact so we can get you your updated medical history from Vanessa.

Follow comedian and sperm donor baby Laura High as she dives into to the terrifying world of donor conception and the infertility industry. This unregulated unethical multi-billion industry has created an InsemiNATION. And we are going to fix it together.