Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Jessica Zucker, PhD, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her new book, “Normalize It” -how she expands her lens to address a multitude of challenges that women face- that so often make them stay silent -how to speak about the uncomfortable to help make you feel less alone (even though I hate that phrase- listen to hear why!) More about Dr. Zucker:  Dr. Zucker specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health, which means she primarily works with women who are contemplating or struggling with pregnancy, pregnancy and infant loss, pregnancy after loss, pregnancy ambivalence, during transitions in motherhood, prenatal and postpartum adjustments, birth trauma, perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and in the midst of relationship challenges after the birth or loss of a child. In her critically acclaimed, groundbreaking book I Had a Miscarriage, Jessica Zucker boldly exposed the silence, stigma, and shame that surround pregnancy loss and demonstrated the need to normalize conversations around painful reproductive events that too often go unspoken. In Normalize It, Zucker expands her lens to address a multitude of challenges women face—from girlhood, body image, motherhood, reproductive choice, sexual trauma, menopause, and more—that so often incite shame and overwhelming cultural pressure to stay silent. Based on patient stories, coupled with cutting-edge psychological research, Zucker fearlessly shares her insights into the shame and stigma that shroud so many women's experiences and explores the liberation that can follow when we get vulnerable and talk about the hard stuff. Connect with Dr. Zucker: -Check out her new book, Normalize It -Take a look at her website -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Estie Rose, MS, CGC, Heather Hipp, MD, and Gail Heyman, join Aimee Baron, MD for the second episode of our 5-part IWSTHAB x JSCREEN Podcast series is all about Fragile X. When people think of genetic testing before pregnancy, they often think of Tay-Sachs or cystic fibrosis—but Fragile X is just as important and far less understood. In this episode, Estie Rose and Dr. Heather Hipp explain the difference between recessive and X-linked conditions, what it means to be a Fragile X carrier, and how it can affect fertility and family planning. We also hear from Gail Heyman, who shares her deeply personal journey navigating Fragile X in her own family—and how that led her to advocacy. Whether you're building your family or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with insight, honesty, and heart. -Click here to watch Part 1: Introduction to Genetics and Infertility More about Estie:  Estie Rose is a certified genetic counselor at jscreen. She has a special interest in community education and serves as a resource for individuals who are facing genetic health issues. Connect with Estie:  -Follow her on Instagram More about Heather: Dr. Heather Hipp is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) physician and an Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University and then her MD degree at Emory University, where she continued her training in residency and fellowship. She is the Program Director for the REI fellowship at Emory and serves as chair for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Education Committee. Her profession memberships include American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society. She is also on the National Fragile X Foundation Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee. Her research focuses on women who are carriers for the fragile X mutation and their risk of premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as trends and outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States. More about Gail:   Gail Heyman is a passionate advocate and leader in the Fragile X community. After her son was diagnosed in 1989, she co-founded the Fragile X Association of Georgia and has served as its director ever since. Her family's experience—spanning three generations affected by Fragile X conditions—fuels her tireless work to raise awareness, promote research, and support others navigating similar challenges. Gail also serves on JScreen's advisory board and has received national recognition for her leadership in genetic advocacy and inclusion. -Click here to learn more about Gail's story -Check out Carly Heyman's book, My eXtra Special Brother -Learn more about Fragile X here Connect with JScreen:  -Visit their website -Coupon Code: IWSTHAB18 for $18 off initial testing (no expiration date on this offer) -Follow JScreen on Instagram Connect with us:  -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shirel Korobkin, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her deeply personal fertility journey -the stillbirth she experienced four years ago, a recent miscarriage, and the ongoing pain and resilience that define life after loss -the powerful parallels between her own struggles and the journey of the Jewish people in Egypt -what it means to seek liberation while still walking through grief -tangible ways to care for yourself and “fill your cup” this holiday season—especially if your heart feels heavy during a time that celebrates freedom and renewal More about Shirel:  Shirel, with a background in colour management and graphic communications, made Aliyah (moved) to Israel in 2020. During her first few months as a new immigrant (olah chadashah), Shirel discovered she was pregnant. After a healthy pregnancy, at 26 weeks, Shirel found out there was no heartbeat and had to deliver her baby. Shirel felt she had no one to turn to for support. Shortly after her loss she moved to a remote city with no English-speaking resources, friends, or family, which created a void for the support she desperately sought. She found IWSTHAB who helped guide her through her loss, a pregnancy after that loss (PAL), and eventually welcoming a healthy rainbow baby. Shirel currently resides in Harish, Israel, and is very involved with developing events and support for the English-speaking community there. She is very grateful to be working with IWSTHAB and looks forward to giving back to the very same community that helped her through her most difficult moments. Shirel understands the challenges new immigrants and members of English-speaking communities face while navigating their fertility journeys in Israel and looks forward to providing support with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Connect with Shirel: -Send her an email -Join one of Shirel's support groups  Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Kasten RN, BSN, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her deeply personal journey through antepartum and postpartum depression -hyperemesis gravidarum, and debilitating blood loss -the relentless storm that made daily life unbearable -how in the end, a hysterectomy was the only path forward, a choice that gave her back her health, her energy, and her sense of self -the grief that came along with her hysterectomy and the knowledge that there would be no more children More about Chaya:  I'm a 35 year old mother of 2. I'm a nurse who's passionate about women's health and education in the Healthcare field. I made aliyah with my family as a 20 year old single girl. I went to nursing school in Netanya and met my husband who's American there. We lived there for a few years and moved back. I had to do the American nursing boards which I did in February 2020. After a couple of nursing jobs, I now work at a juvenile detention center which I really enjoy. I like decorating cake and cupcakes and have recently discovered the fun of resin. In sharing my story, I hope to give chizuk and help out even one person who feels alone. Connect with Chaya: -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Hott joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -grief, resilience, and the power of turning personal tragedy into a source of healing for others -her experience navigating secondary infertility, a devastating stillbirth, and an early loss -how each heartbreak deepened her grief and after years of heartbreak, pain and healing, she welcomed her rainbow baby, but her story didn't end there -how she took her pain and transformed it into purpose -her journey of becoming a grief educator, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the unbearable weight of loss Chaya will be running our Second/Third Trimester Loss group and the new Recurrent Loss group, which will be starting in May 2025. More about Chaya:  Chaya is a Certified Grief Educator, trained by renowned expert David Kessler, and a Certified Trauma Coach through Daniel Schonbuch at the Torah Psychology School for Coaching and Counseling. She founded Jewish Grief Groups to support bereaved women after the loss of a pregnancy, baby, child, parent, spouse, sibling, or loved one. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chaya endured the stillbirth of her baby boy after a decade of infertility due to a medical condition. Months later, a miscarriage compounded her grief, leaving her isolated and lost—until she found IWSTHAB, whose support carried her through her losses and a subsequent pregnancy with her rainbow baby. Inspired by the healing she experienced, Chaya now helps others navigate grief with compassion and understanding. Chaya lives in Pomona, NY, with her husband, three children, and one forever in her heart. She finds joy in working out, hiking, and cake decorating. Connect with Chaya: -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Carly Joseph joins Aliza Konig, IWSTHAB's surrogacy consultant, to speak with Carly Joseph, to explore the deeply personal and emotional journey of surrogacy. From the initial struggles of building a family to the life-changing decision to pursue surrogacy, Carly is excited to normalize conversations around surrogacy and share her story in a vulnerable way in hopes that it will offer hope and comfort to others. They talk about... -the journey to parenthood before considering surrogacy -the emotions and uncertainties of choosing surrogacy -navigating the first steps—agency vs. independent surrogacy -building a relationship with a surrogate and staying connected throughout pregnancy -the highs, the doubts, and the life-changing moment of holding her baby -lessons learned and advice for intended parents -how this experience led to the creation of a surrogacy concierge business to support others on this path More about Carly:  Carly Joseph is a surrogacy concierge helping Intended Parents match with the right surrogates quickly. Having navigated her own two surrogacy journeys, Carly knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. Her mission is to combine personal experience with established relationships to help make the path to parenthood smoother. Carly works with intended parents who are ready to explore surrogacy, providing real, personal support from someone who's been there. Through her comprehensive support package, she handles the complex parts so you can focus on the excitement of growing your family.  Connect with Carly: -Follow her on Instagram -Send her an email -Check out her website Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Aliza Abrams Konig joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the complex and deeply personal journey of surrogacy—one that comes with unique challenges, especially within the Jewish community -the realities of surrogacy, the emotional and halachic considerations, and the questions that so many intended parents struggle with -finding a “kosher” surrogate—how hard is it, and what are the costs? Are grants available? -the emotional and relational aspects—how involved are partners, and how does that shape the bond with the baby? -preparing for someone else to carry your child—what if disagreements arise? -explaining surrogacy to your child—when and how to tell them, and do some parents choose not to? This conversation is honest, raw, and full of insight for anyone exploring surrogacy or supporting someone on this path. Whether you're considering surrogacy yourself or just curious about the experience, this episode sheds light on the deeply personal and communal aspects of building a family through surrogacy. More about Aliza:  Aliza Abrams Konig is the Director of Student Leadership at Yeshiva University. Throughout Aliza's career, she has worked within areas of student life, team building, creating curricula, and enriching the experiences of thousands of students through Experiential Education. Earlier in Aliza's career she served as the YU Director of Alumni Engagement, Assistant Principal at Central, Yeshiva University High School for Girls, Director of Student Life at Stern College, and as the Director of Jewish Service Learning for the University, where she built the service learning curriculum and established chessed missions around the world. Aliza is a member of the inaugural Wexner Field Fellows program through the Wexner Foundation. She has spoken worldwide in synagogues, community centers, and schools about leadership, education, faith, prayer and issues related to the contemporary Jewish family, dating, infertility, surrogacy and family, and is a sought-after consultant on surrogacy. Aliza holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College, and a Master's in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is now a doctoral candidate at Wurzweiler. Aliza, her husband Samuel, and their family live in Riverdale, New York, where they are very involved with their community, synagogue, and other local organizations. Connect with Aliza: -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Dr. Aliza Ancier joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -mindfulness and how this technique can ground people during times of stress or anxiety (hello fertility journey) -what mindfulness is and isn't, some misconceptions, how she personally found it helpful after her loss stillbirth, and some practical suggestions on how to incorporate pieces of it into your own life -learning new ways to cope with the ups and downs *For practical solutions, jump to the end of the episode (36:21) More about Aliza:  Dr. Aliza Ancier PT, DPT, PCES specializes in helping women navigate their motherhood journey. She has a doctorate in physical therapy with a special interest in maternal health and is a trained mindfulness teacher and educator. Aliza is a mother to three wonderfully rambunctious children at home and one of her twins, in her heart. Connect with Aliza: -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rachel Polans, MS, CGC joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her years helping others navigate the complexities of genetic disorders -her life as a woman facing infertility, longing for the moment she'd finally carry a child -the unimaginable turn life took when she did get pregnant -her journey through her very-wanted pregnancy, and the ultimate decision to terminate for medical reasons (TFMR) More about Rachel:  Rachel Polans lives in New York, New York with her husband and their dog. She works as a pediatric genetic counselor at a major academic medical center in NYC, where she sees patients affected by genetic disorders and helps them to navigate genetic testing and genetic diagnoses. Rachel started her own fertility journey in the summer of 2023 and since then has been struggling with pregnancy loss and infertility. She feels strongly about sharing her fertility struggles in hopes to bring awareness and to help others who may find themselves in similar situations.   Connect with Rachel: -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube    

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, an anonymous guest joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -being a “normal” frum (religious) woman—living the life she always imagined…until everything changed -the agonizing journey of facing a devastating diagnosis, weeks of uncertainty, and the unbearable weight of an unthinkable decision -her story of pain, grief, and resilience -a glimpse into the realities of TFMR (Termination for Medical Reasons) in the frum community Disclaimer: The voices in this episode have been altered using AI to ensure anonymity of our guest. Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Natalie Richeimer, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor, Education and Outreach Manager at Jscreen, Bat-Sheva L. Maslow MD, REI, RMA, and Rena Fox, RNC-OB, BSN, join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about genetics and Infertility. The introductory episode of our 5-part IWSTHAB x JSCREEN Podcast series dives into the genetic aspect of fertility and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) workups, setting the stage for an engaging and informative series that blends expert knowledge with deeply personal stories. Moderated by Dr. Aimee Baron of IWSTHAB, in this epsiode, we speak to Natalie, a reproductive genetic counselor, will explain what a genetic counselor does and how genetics factor into infertility evaluations. Dr. Batsheva Maslow (REI) will provide a medical perspective on infertility evaluations and how certain diagnoses and/or findings can help direct treatment. And finally,  Rena Fox will share her personal journey as part of a carrier couple who chose IVF for genetic reasons, shedding light on the real-life implications of genetic fertility challenges.  More about Natalie:  Natalie Richeimer, MS, CGC, is a board certified genetic counselor at jscreen with clinical experience in adult, pediatric, and reproductive genetic counseling. She holds a master's degree in human genetics and genetic counseling from the Keck Graduate Institute. Natalie is a native Torontonian, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two boys. She has published research in the Journal of Genetic Counseling on the impact of orthodox Jewish clergy's role in prenatal genetic counseling. Prior to her work as a genetic counselor, Natalie worked as a high school STEM teacher for 7 years in Los Angeles. She is passionate about reproductive health education and community engagement. Natalie has a special interest in outreach, with the goal of increasing awareness of and access to genetic counseling. Natalie has partnered with local organizations and high schools to provide community education. More about Dr. Maslow: Dr. Bat-Sheva Lerner Maslow is double board-certified in OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility and is the lead physician at the Reproductive Medical Associates of New Jersey - Jersey City office. Dr. Maslow has a special interest in education, research, and the clinical care of single women considering proactive fertility preservation.  Outside of the office, Dr. Maslow lectures and writes on the intersection of halakha and reproduction. She serves as the Director of Medical Education for the North American Yoatzot Halacha Program and is a board member of several organizations related to Jewish women and health. She maintains an active educational presence on social media discussing issues related to reproduction in the Jewish community.  Dr. Maslow attended Barnard College and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Connecticut, where she also completed a master's degree in clinical and translational research More about Rena:  Rena is an experienced nurse with 6 years in labor and delivery and 2 years in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Having personally gone through IVF, she combines professional expertise with personal insight to provide compassionate care and support to those navigating fertility challenges. Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chani Melamed joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -our last conversation, around Mother's day, where she shared her fervent belief that she would one day be a mother...even after 14 years of marriage -how 5 months ago, her daughter was born! (I sobbed when she told me). And I knew, that when she was ready, I wanted her to share the story of her pregnancy -the years of infertility, this time with the lens of what kinds of things they did to try to have a child -numerous medical procedures, doctor appointments, looking into adoption, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, and davening (praying) -the anxiety of finally being pregnant, parenting after infertility and some of the comments that people (still) make to her. Sigh. Connect with Chani: -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shira Collings joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her medical trauma, and she never thought she would get to a place where she would feel comfortable having a baby -how she and her husband pursued adoption, but soon discovered that there were all kinds of issues that arose with that path to parenthood as well -returning to trying to get pregnant naturally, but becoming plagued with recurrent loss and Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) -her complicated feelings during all parts of the process, what kinds of support she needed to get through each stage, and where she is now in the process (she's 30 weeks pregnant) Books mentioned “The Baby Decision” and “Motherhood- Is it for me?” More about Shira: Shira Collings, MS, NCC, LPC (she/they) is a psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She primarily specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, and is especially passionate about providing LGBTQ+-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and fat-affirming eating disorder care. Shira's personal experience with pregnancy loss sparked their passion for supporting those who are struggling to build their families as well. Connect with Shira:  -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Michelle (Malka) Grunstein, LMFT CATC-IV, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the beginning of her journey to becoming a SMBC -how she is finally pregnant again (after three early losses) and gives us a window into the process -how she needed to do IVF and use a sperm donor, which were both completely new experiences for her -dealing with some complications which forced her on bed rest -the insensitive comments from IRL friends and people on the internet…sigh And through it all, she is doing it alone but with the incredible support of a village. Malka is such an inspiration- you MUST listen to her story. More about Michelle (Malka) Grunstein: Michelle is a licensed therapist who is multifaceted. Some of her specialties include child and adolescent development, addiction, trauma (EMDR), grief, depression, and anxiety. She is currently the Clinical Director and Executive Director of multiple dual diagnosis treatment centers, catering to those struggling with mental health and addiction. Michelle's difficult childhood lead her to become a therapist as a young adult and she has built her career with the focus of helping others. Despite attempts at dating and building a family throughout adulthood, she has been unable to do so due to a combination of infertility and not finding "the one". Michelle has chosen to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom through the use of a donor and has been on the journey of becoming a solo mom by choice for the last few years. Connect with Michelle:  -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Sharon Cabelly joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -how she has NEVER gotten over her pain -her rich and full life as a teacher - a job that she adored -how she yearned for a large family -her medical issues, that meant she was only able to have one child (and now three grandchildren) -how the comments have never stopped, people constantly ask her why she only has one, even to this day -her story, bringing these insensitive comments to light, so others will learn what NOT to say when meeting someone for the first time More about Sharon:  I am a retired early childhood educator.  I have written and recorded eight children's books, which are in the process of being published.  I love reading to children all over the world, especially those who are in hospitals or ill at home.  I enjoy speaking on podcasts, sharing my journey and talking about my books.  Giving back to the world is what throws me out of bed each and every day.   I want to help anyone that I can who has experienced a loss during pregnancy.  It is especially important to me to change the way that people speak to others, with insensitivity and incessant questions.  The more that we talk about these issues, the more that we will be able to change the trajectory of this narrative.  Connect with Sharon:  -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Nechamie Stefansky joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -having endured struggle earlier on in her life -her fear of infertility -why it was important for her to talk about her story -how secondary infertility has healed parts of her she wasn't ready to face until she had no choice -how grieving her two losses (a miscarriage and chemical pregnancy) was an important piece of her healing, and how yoga grounded her during this journey -how she tries to maintain a positive but realistic attitude, which helps her have strength to move forward More about Nechamie:  I live in Monsey, NY with my husband and two beautiful daughters. I'm a yoga instructor for both adults and children, as well as a remedial teacher. I'm doing my best to navigate the challenges of secondary infertility, while also finding joy and peace in my life. Connect with Nechamie:  -Follow her on Instagram -Reach out to her by email Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn    

DISCLAIMER: This episode talks about the original sources where infertilty and pregnancy loss are discussed. Topics and ideas mentioned here may be triggering or comforting for people, depending on where you are on your journey. Please be advised. On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Hadassah Shemtov, the cofounder of the “Batsheva Learning Center” joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -a number of the sources that discuss infertility and pregnancy loss -her hope that having this knowledge could help shape the way people process and relate to some of the difficult experiences that they are having on their journey -the concept of being “busy with” Pe'ru U'revu (being fruitful and multiply) versus “fulfilling” the mitzvah (commandment) of Pe'ru U'revu -how adoption or raising someone else's child is considered the same as being a biological parent -the essential value of a jewish soul, from the time of conception, even if that soul doesn't become a live child More about Hadassah: Hadassah co-founded Batsheva Learning Center in 2015 and continues to shape the organization's vision and direct its ongoing activities. She is passionate about education and excited about creating innovative learning opportunities for women. She lives in Los Angeles where she directs the Beis Midrash track at Ohel Chana High School.  Connect with Hadassah:  -Follow Batsheva Learning Center on Instagram -Check out their courses -Subscribe to her Substack  -Listen to their podcast Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Michelle (Malka) Grunstein, LMFT CATC-IV, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -how she has always known that she wants to be a mother -how she decided that by the time she was 30, if she didn't meet someone, she would take steps to do this by herself -her multiple failed relationships including a broken engagement -insensitive comments like, "you better start trying now because you're running out of time" from her fertility doctors -multiple fertility treatments and 3 miscarriages -her continued journey on this path She shares the unvarnished story about how steadfast one sometimes needs to be in order to fulfill their dreams. More about Michelle (Malka) Grunstein: Michelle is a licensed therapist who is multifaceted. Some of her specialties include child and adolescent development, addiction, trauma (EMDR), grief, depression, and anxiety. She is currently the Clinical Director and Executive Director of multiple dual diagnosis treatment centers, catering to those struggling with mental health and addiction. Michelle's difficult childhood lead her to become a therapist as a young adult and she has built her career with the focus of helping others. Despite attempts at dating and building a family throughout adulthood, she has been unable to do so due to a combination of infertility and not finding "the one". Michelle has chosen to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom through the use of a donor and has been on the journey of becoming a solo mom by choice for the last few years. Connect with Michelle:  -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rachel Shanken joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her journey to becoming an adoptive parent, something she never envisioned herself doing -the heartbreaking conversation as a single woman in her 30s when her doctors said that she may never have biological children -getting married, but then struggled through the ups and downs of umpteen failed cycles to try to get pregnant, first with her eggs and then with donor eggs (and a devastating miscarriage) -her three adopted children and her journey to bring them into her life This is a story of persistence, hope and resilience that you are not going to want to miss. More about Rachel: Rachel Shanken, a devoted mother, embraced adoption after a challenging journey through IVF with her husband. Their unwavering desire for a family led them to choose adoption as their path to parenthood. With 15+ years of experience as a NYC-based somatic therapist (www.MindBodyWise.com), Rachel blends her deep understanding of infertility and assisted reproduction with her therapeutic knowledge to assist people with the complex emotional terrain of fertility, offering compassionate and non-judgmental support along their unique paths to parenthood. Connect with Rachel:  -Follow her on Instagram -Check out her website Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Ellie Levi, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her story of becoming a SIM: Single Intentional Mom to her 3 year old daughter, Ayelet HaShachar -her thought process and emotions about each stage of the process -the experience of being one of the first to her freeze eggs in her community -how she tried to stay true to halacha (jewish law) throughout -the many ups (some very funny moments!) and downs (lack of support from some people in her life, insensitive comments, etc.) The thing about Ellie is that she's so articulate, meticulous and intelligent - it's clear that she has investigated every area of this journey, and just like Rachel said to Yaakov/Jacob, "I am dead without children," Ellie felt that being a mother was her calling.  This is her remarkable journey.  More about Ellie: Elisheva [Ellie] Levi is a licensed architect in the state of New York and has designed schools, hospitals , high rise residential, transportation and infrastructure facilities. She is a self-described life-long student of Tanach and to that end she has given Torah lectures in Jewish communities across the US and in several countries around the world. You can listen to recordings of her shiurim on yutorah.org and OU Women's Initiative. She has been published in the YU Torah to Go, the Times of Israel blog, the New York Times Metropolitan Diary and Architectural Record Magazine. Ellie also serves as the past President of the American Friends of Bat Melech, a domestic violence shelter serving the religious community in Israel, an organization for which she continues to volunteer. She is also the lucky SMBC (Single Mom by Choice) of her daughter Ayelet HaShachar and they reside in Northern New Jersey. Connect with Ellie:  -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Elissa Felder joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her years of primary infertility, coupled with the devastating loss of her infant son  -her book, “From One Life to the Next Life: The Sacred Passage After Death,” which has become a lifeline for those navigating the churning waters of grief -her raw, soul-baring journey from paralyzing grief to living a life infused with purpose and passion -words of wisdom gathered from Elissa's personal life and expertise on living a fuller, more intentional life More about Elissa: Elissa started and actively manages the only international community of practice for women engaged with traditional Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society). The community mission is to share experiences, give encouragement, network, learn together and help to develop and support each other. She is responsible for building the community and providing on-going professional development. The knowledge she has acquired motivated her to write a personal memoir of loss and grief weaving in Jewish teachings about life, death and afterlife. Her book, “From One Life to the Next Life: The Sacred Passage After Death,” was published by Mosaica Press. She is also the head of the women's division of the Rhode Island Chevra Kadisha and is a sought after speaker on topics of life, death, the work of the Chevra Kadisha and grief. In addition, Elissa is the Coordinator for all of Core's Communities of Practice. These communities offer training, resources and support for those who want to strengthen their communities on an intentional and ongoing basis. In her role, Elissa helps each of these many international communities grow and thrive. Locally, Elissa Founder and Director of Core Connects RI, a non-profit organization that aims to deepen women's connections to one another, to Jewish wisdom and Jewish values, to empower each other to find greater meaning, purpose and possibility in life and to cultivate unity without uniformity. As director she is passionate about providing others with opportunities to grow and become. She runs programming both online and in person. Elissa works tirelessly to bring Jews together and celebrates the commonalities rather than the differences. Through all of these experiences Elissa mentors and encourages others on their journeys and even finds time to teach a weekly Parsha class. Connect with Elissa:  -Contact her via email -Check out her website -Purchase her book Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shirel Korobkin and Shani Weinmann Kay join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the realities of the fertility community in Israel, one year after October 7th -what the last 365 days has been for them personally and as individuals who have taken active roles in trying to hold space for others -advice to those of us who live in the diaspora, as to how we can best support our friends and family there, and be a light to them and they manage this difficult time -Shirel speaks about her grief work @IWSTHAB -Shani speaks about sharing her miscarriage publicly with @timesofisrael  More about Shirel:  Shirel Korobkin moved from Toronto to Israel in 2020 and now lives in Harish. She works as a Grief Educator and Group Support Lead for English speakers at "I Was Supposed To Have A Baby," a Jewish fertility and pregnancy loss organization. Shirel is also actively involved in building the English-speaking community in Harish through events and shiurim. Connect with Shirel: -Follow her on Instagram -Join one of Shirel's support groups More about Shani:  Shani Weinmann Kay was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in the Jewish community of Toco Hills. She attended Torah Day School of Atlanta and Yeshiva Atlanta before coming to Midreshet Harova and then joining the IDF, serving as a Combat Medic in the Artillery Brigade. She has a degree in Dance, is studying Psychology, and is a reservist in Search and Rescue. Connect with Shani: -Follow her on Instagram -Learn more about her family's nonprofit The Eli Kay Project Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Aliza Tropper, LMHC, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the emotions that come up during the quest to build a family -the guilt, shame, sadness, anxiety, inadequacy, etc., and how they manifest -suggestions on how to make these deep feelings more manageable, like self-soothing, mini-breaks, reaching out for support and even medication if things become too overwhelming This line really stuck with me- “if you don't grieve, you spend the rest of your life grieving.” We all need to take the time and space to feel all the feelings, but make sure you are taking care of yourself in the process too! More about Aliza:  Aliza Tropper, LMHC, is a Licensed Psychotherapist with over 12 years of experience. Based in Cedarhurst, NY, her practice specializes in helping adolescents and adults navigate anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and trauma. Aliza takes a holistic approach, incorporating techniques like EMDR, Sensorimotor (somatic) psychotherapy, CBT, and DBT to facilitate long-lasting transformation in alignment with personal values. Aliza's practice also runs DBT groups for both adolescents and adults and offers online therapy in NY, NJ and Florida. Connect with Aliza:  -Take a look at her website -Check out her women's DBT groups -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Tee Simpser joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her diabetes diagnosis which she received when she was 12, which made it natural for her to share when she had trouble getting pregnant -her 6 years of primary infertility -heartbreaking disappointments, life-threatening complications and all kinds of insensitive comments -how she saw herself in the Chana/Penina story from the Book of Shmuel (book of Samuel), as she longed to be a mother, while watching everyone else around her get pregnant -her consideration of adoption at one point Spoiler alert: Tee does have two children, but her story teaches so many powerful lessons- 1- share your pain so that you can get the support you need 2-Call people out when they are making you uncomfortable More about Tee:  Tee Simpser is a Jewish, modern Orthodox woman living the happily hectic life of an educator, wife, and mom to 2 miracle babies. One of Tee's biggest goals in life is to destroy stigmas by talking about taboo topics like physical/mental health and infertility awareness. Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Esther Rollhaus, MD, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -all aspects of reproductive psychiatry -the reasons why someone would reach out -how meds are used as an adjunct to therapy -the many safe and effective treatments that can be used before, during and after pregnancy -many of the myths about meds More about Esther Rollhaus, MD: Dr. Esther Rollhaus is an adult, child, and reproductive psychiatrist in private practice in Riverdale, NY and via telepsychiatry to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Florida. A graduate of Stern College for Women, Icahn School of Medicine, and Montefiore Medical Center, she has a particular interest in reproductive and perinatal psychiatry. She has presented at national and international conferences on women's mental health, infertility, and family therapy. Connect with Dr. Rollhaus:  -Follow her on Instagram -Check out her website -Give her a call at (347) 380-5714 Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rachel Daar Cohen joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -a powerful, raw, and deeply emotional story of resilience after a tremendous amount of struggle -her struggle with infertility, trauma, grief, addiction, and endometriosis -how kindness is so important as we never know what people are really going through More about Rachel: Rachel Cohen is a firm believer that sharing some of her life experiences and struggles will help other women feel less alone. Preschool special ed teacher by day and writer by night, Rachel is dedicated to shining a light on difficult topics and shattering stigmas through her written and spoken word. Since struggling with endometriosis, infertility and medical trauma for many years, Rachel has become a proud advocate for others with endo and she now works hard to arm women with the accurate information necessary to take control of their own disease and get the proper medical care they deserve. Rachel lives with her husband, two children and dog in Houston, TX. Connect with Rachel: -Check out her blog -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chavie Bruk joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -pain and the way it changes over time -her and her husband's permanent infertility -adopting 5 children at different ages (some as newborns and some later in life) -her grieving the loss of a biological child  -how grief morphs and changes with the passage of time, but how it doesn't really go away (and that's okay!) -how sitting and immersing yourself in the sadness can actually make it a easier to hold -forgiving yourself when there is communal pain on top of personal pain -and how it's pretty impossible to be able to hold both Connect with Chavie: -Follow her on Instagram  -Check out her website Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Peri Lyman joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her two amazing daughters -one of whom has special needs and the other of a free spirit, loving life -her experience getting asked if she's a grandmother yet and the questions that make her crazy -how it feels to be asked insensitive questions -what are the kinds of things that should always be off limits -the best my way is to approach these kinds of situations More about Peri: Peri Lyman is the founder of Loaleinu.com, Mom of adult children, friend of the friendless, weirdo sympathizer, offbeat chick living in a mainstream Jewish community with NO grandchildren. Connect with Peri: -Check out her website -Follow her on instagram  Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Ricki Steiner joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her primary infertility journey this far -why she decide to start talking openly about her struggles on social media -how she feels when people tell her they're praying for her (with a whole sidebar on her relationship with G-d right now) -how she deals with insensitive comments -what tools she uses to keep herself afloat More about Ricki: Ricki Steiner lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and dog Crimson. She currently works in marketing for a fragrance company. Her goal on social media has always been (and will alway be) to make people feel seen and heard, not matter the struggle. Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Talia Mizrahi, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist Certified Grief Educator, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -how to talk to children about grief and loss -sharing news in a way that is developmentally appropriate for each child -normalizing the greiving process for children by explaining that you may be sad one day and not the next -making sure that each child knows that they are not their feelings by explaining that you can feel sad, but you're not a sad person More about Talia:  Talia is trained as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and is a Certified Grief Educator. She has a passion for authentic conversations and believes deeply in the power of connection as people share their stories of loss and integration in the context of a caring community. Talia found tremendous comfort in the relationships she built with fellow-grievers in the aftermath of her own loss, and has pivoted professionally to make grief support her primary focus (and love!). She facilitates a grief group for adults under the supervision of grief expert David Kessler, runs an in-person group at a local children's grief center, and educates on grief-informed practice in several arenas. Talia feels it is an honor and privilege to be invited to walk alongside those in grief, and she is humbled to be able to hold space for others at their most vulnerable moments. Talia lives in Cincinnati, and when she is not drinking dark roast coffee or making up silly rhyming songs to amuse her children, she daydreams about curling up on the couch with a good book. Connect with Talia:  -Send her an email -Follow her on Instagram -Check out her LinkedIn Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rabbi Elchanan Poupko joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -his recent piece about the insensitivity in the orthodox community to people who are struggling to have a child -his personal story of infertility and the pain he and his wife carried for all those years -how their infertility challenges made him a passionate voice for those who are still in the trenches -practical takeaways on what you can say and do to ease some of the pain More about Rabbi Poupko: Rabbi Elchanan Poupko is a writer, a teacher, and a rabbi. Rabbi Poupko has written hundreds of articles in three languages on topics ranging from Jewish law, to current events, and infertility in the Jewish community. He is the host of The Jewish World podcast. He lives with his family in New Haven, Connecticut. Connect with Rabbi Poupko: -Follow him on Instagram -Check out his posts on Threads -Watch his videos on YouTube -Follow him on X -Read some of his articles; Infertility Lack of Awareness Month, Jewish holiday guide to friends, family of childless people, Fertility: Children Are Not Shawarma, IVF for agunot: A welcome change, A miscarriage never ends at a miscarriage, Your IVF Child Does Not Need ‘Koshering', Lech Lecha: Infertile Nation, Nothing immoral about IDF IVF, The loneliness of Orthodox infertility Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rachel Goldberg LMFT, PMH joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -binge and restrictive eating habits and how that can affect fertility -the reasons why disordered eating or exercise can cause fertility issues -the guilt and shame that go along with this these diagnoses -the small changes suggestions people can make to try to get them out of a destructive feeding pattern -her thoughts on ozempic and other meds that have been linked to increased fertility success and how that plays a role in someone's habits  This article on safe exercises that CAN be done during fertility treatments was also mentioned in this episode. More about Rachel:  Rachel Goldberg is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Los Angeles, specializing in eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and infertility, with a special focus on third-party reproduction. As a certified perinatal fitness instructor and personal trainer, Rachel's background enriches her approach to navigating body image, disordered eating, and fitness in relation to fertility, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. She is also a regular contributor to various media outlets. Connect with Rachel:  -Follow her on Instagram -Check out her website -See her posts on X -Reach out to her via email Contact us:  -Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -TikTok -Facebook -YouTube -Email us at info@iwassupposedtohaveababy.org

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Reva Schlanger Peyser MS, RD, CDN joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -a myriad of issues surrounding fertility in regard to body image and eating disorders -how people feel like their body is failing them during the struggle to build a family -how people might use eating, nutrition, exercise to try to take back some control -rigid behaviors that can be detrimental to helping people find balance with their body -practical suggestions on how people can ground themselves, even when things feel so out of control More about Reva: Reva Schlanger Peyser MS, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian specializing in counseling those who struggle with eating disorders and/or disordered eating. She has experience working in many different eating disorder treatment facilities and is not practicing in the private practice space. Reva's mission is to help clients heal their relationship with food and body. In her free time, Reva loves to cook and spend quality time with her family including her golden retriever, Daisy. For Reva, life's all about relishing the flavors, both on the plate and in the heart. Connect with Reva: -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Curt Sechrist joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -his fertility journey, with the backdrop of becoming part of the Jewish community -his childhood and when he realized that he was gay -his experience of being exposed to more of Jewish culture and religion, and how that became an even bigger part of his life when he met his future husband, Adam -his decision to convert -why they chose to adopt instead of pursuing surrogacy -their adoption process and the incredible journey that brought them to their son More about Curt: Curt is a former Broadway and TV actor turned Jewish professional. He was raised in the UK and spent 15 years working in London before moving to NYC in 2013. He met his husband shortly afterwards and they built their life together before relocating to San Francisco in 2020 where they welcomed their son through open adoption. They moved back to NY in 2022 where most of their friends currently live. Curt is a Jew by Choice and now spends his time thinking about ways to make folks feel welcome in Jewish life and community. Curt and his husband are passionate about telling their adoption story and helping be the example of same sex family building they never had growing up. Connect with Curt: -Reach out to him via email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her upbringing, her passion for her job as a community rabbi, and having a stillbirth -her baby, Leo, who she lost -what grief looks like when your job is to hold people in *their* pain -how she has managed to get through all of it More about Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman: Karen Glazer Perolman is the Senior Associate Rabbi at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, NJ, the congregation she has served since 2008. She studied at the University of Maryland at College Park (2004) followed by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York (M.A.H.L., 2009; Ordination, 2010). While in rabbinical school Karen had the privilege to serve as a teaching assistant to theology professor Rabbi Eugene B. Borowitz, z”l. She sits on the board of Project Kesher and was a member of the CCAR Taskforce on Women in the Rabbinate from 2017-2020. She is a grateful alumnus of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's Clergy Leadership Program and CLAL's Rabbis Without Borders, GLEAN, and LEAP fellowships. Karen is a voracious reader which fuels her passion to understand the relationships between food, spirituality, politics, Judaism, feminism and social justice. She is married to Liz Glazer, a lawyer-turned-standup comedian and are parents to baby Eloise, teenage cat Jack, and Leo, of blessed memory. Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shira Collings joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her personal experience with recurrent pregnancy loss (4 heartbreaking losses) -how navigating grief is hard enough after a loss, as most people don't truly understand what a grieving person needs -the added layers of being part of the queer community, which brings up other ways that people can feel isolated and alone -needing to find supports that are LGBTQ+ affirming and grief knowledgeable (almost a unicorn!) -the guilt and shame they carry (thinking the loss is their fault because of their lifestyle choices) -the judgement they might face from people about family building More about Shira: Shira Collings, MS, NCC, LPC (she/they) is a psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She primarily specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, and is especially passionate about providing LGBTQ+-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and fat-affirming eating disorder care. Shira's personal experience with pregnancy loss sparked their passion for supporting those who are struggling to build their families as well. Connect with Shira:  -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rob Reider joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the stillbirth of his daughter, Lila, in December 2017 -how he dealt with the grief and overwhelming heartache -how he and his his wife, Tehila, got through those early weeks (spoiler alert- they were both a mess) -the power of community and finding other men to talk with, who could validate his feelings and let him know he was not alone More about Rob: Rob Reider is a musician, father, husband, and Executive Director/Co-Founder of SAD DADS CLUB. He currently lives in Falmouth, Maine with his wife, Tehilah, and their rainbow baby, now four-year old son, Dallas. Rob and Tehilah's daughter and forever firstborn, Lila, was delivered stillborn at 38 weeks. Rob co-founded SAD DADS CLUB alongside Jay (Bella's dad) and Chris (Izzy's dad) as a way for fathers to connect and support one another through the unique complexities of infant and child loss from the father's perspective. The ever-growing community has created a space for men to be vulnerable, expressive, and supportive with one another. As a community, SAD DADS CLUB is working to redefine masculinity and showcase the strength, power, and benefits of being emotionally in touch and expressive in a healthy way. SAD DADS CLUB helps fellow bereaved fathers navigate life after loss by nurturing a supportive community and providing access to mental health services. Connect with Rob: -Check out the SAD DADS CLUB Website -Follow them on Instagram -Read their stories Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, David Melamed joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -his 14-year struggle to have a child -his candid and heartfelt discussion of the most painful and challenging moments -the sources of strength and upliftment on this journey -his courage and emotional depth This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the male psyche and the profound pain of infertility More about David: David Melamed is originally from Denver and moved back to his hometown about 10 years ago. He runs a search marketing agency with his beautiful wife, Chani. He got married at 28, and now, 14 years later, he still wonders if he was supposed to rub the esrog jelly counter-clockwise, and that's why the gods are punishing him with this infertility rollercoaster. Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Jen Blumenfeld joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the story of her 3 beautiful children, some of whom came into this world through donor eggs (you'll have to listen to find out which ones!) -longing for a child and having multiple failed cycles -how Jen and her husband came to considering donor eggs -Jen's relationship with her donor, unlike an anonymous donor, Jen knew her donor, which made the decision so much easier for her -building her family with the help of science and a modern-day miracle -the idea of epigenetics - what comes from your biology, what comes from your environment -parenting *all* her children and ensuring they get the love and attention they need More about Jen: Jen Blumenfeld lives in Oakland, California, with her husband, three daughters, and their energetic 12-year-old doodle puppy. A Bay Area native, Jen has always been deeply engaged in the Jewish community, consistently contributing as a lay leader. From helping establish the Mission Minyan nineteen years ago to serving on membership and outreach committees at her synagogue, and leading parent committees at her children's schools, Jen dedicates her free time to building and nurturing Jewish community. Jen has a background in fashion, retail, and e-commerce. For the past three years, she has been a stay-at-home mom to her three girls. Jen has served on the Hasidah board for the past seven years, where she is passionately committed to normalizing infertility in all its forms and assisting couples in their journey to parenthood. Having experienced the pain of infertility herself, Jen understands the significant financial burdens and socio-emotional challenges it presents. Being a recipient of donor eggs, she deeply believes that helping someone become a parent is the greatest gift one can offer. Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Elana Frank, CEO of Jewish Fertility Foundation, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her own fertility journey - the tale of a woman who will go to any length to build her family -doing IUIs in a doctor's home in Israel to turning to IVF back in the States and then choosing a donor embryo for her last child -her experience with secondary infertility - the yearning for another child while feeling guilty for not being happy with the two children she already had -how she started and grew her organization, Jewish Fertility Foundation, in the midst of her journey   More about Elana: Elana Frank has 20+ years of experience working with nonprofits (Jewish Community Relations Council of NY, Kfar Hassidim Youth Village in Israel, Jewish Fertility Foundation) through fundraising, marketing, community outreach, volunteer recruitment, board development, and program development. After personally experiencing the pain and loneliness of infertility, yet noticing how lucky she was to have had her journey begin in Israel, where it's free, Elana was inspired to help others. Cost, education, and access were tremendous obstacles for this “unspoken” issue in the Jewish community, so she rallied countless like-minded people and created the Jewish Fertility Foundation. She has since received national attention through awards and public speaking engagements for the work that the Jewish Fertility Foundation has accomplished. Elana lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband, three boys, and their fish “Devil.” Connect with Elana:  -Visit JFF's Website -Check out JFF's Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Emily Getz joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -how she and her husband had their first child naturally and never expected that it would be difficult trying to build their family -her stillbirth and multiple miscarriages, 1 ectopic, 4 rounds of IVF and still no baby -the grief, shock, loss and heartbreak that were almost pushed to the side as they pursued every possible step in order to try to have another child -the decision of whether to walk away and be done with this part of their lives, try adoption, do IVF one more time or use donor eggs -how they came to the realization that using an egg donor was the best chance for a good outcome -how Emily wanted to connect with her donor, even beyond her looks an decided using a Jewish donor was the thing that helped her transmit some piece of her to a future baby, even if it wasn't her genetics Connect with Emily: -Follow her on Instagram -Check out her Website Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, neonatologist, Michelle Weissman, MD joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -how she became a single mother by choice...to 4 children -how this was never her "plan A" and she didn't even consider becoming a parent until she was in her 30s, with no dating prospects on the horizon -the process of how and why she got comfortable with the idea -how she broke the news to her parents and their reaction and her entire fertility journey -her support system, her community's reaction to her children, and what her kids think about being raised by a single mother More about Michelle Weissman, MD:  Michelle Weissman, MD is a neonatologist in Bergen County, NJ and the proud mother by choice to 4 amazing boys, ages 14, 12 (twins) and 10. Growing up in the modern orthodox community, this path was never “Plan A” for her, but she has been surrounded by a warm and supportive family and community.  She shares her story to give hope and strength to those still waiting to build the family of their dreams. Connect with Michelle Weissman, MD:  -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube    

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo,  Dr. Eric Surrey, Rabbi Idit Solomon, and Lori Metz, LCSW, CCM, BC-THM join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the most frequently asked questions about donor conception -who considers using a donor -how one picks a donor -the emotions that people typically grapple with -who needs to know that you are using a donor (the egg salad comment was so great here!) -how the Jewish community relates to donor-conceived children Spoiler alert: Dr. Surrey was the doctor that Rabbi Solomon used for her donor-conceived children, and she talks all about that here. If you are thinking about embarking on a donor journey, or you are already on that road, this is the episode for you. More about Dr. Eric Surrey: Dr. Eric Surrey is a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist at CCRM Colorado. He is past President of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Society of Reproductive Surgeons and the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society and currently serves on the Executive Council of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. More about Rabbi Idit Solomon:  Rabbi Idit Solomon is the founder of Hasidah. Rabbi Solomon earned a Master's Degree in Jewish Education and led the Department of Jewish Education in Columbus, OH. She is also an alumnus of the Rabbis Without Borders program and a member of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's Clergy Leadership Program. More about Lori Metz, LCSW, CCM, BC-THM:  Lori Metz, LCSW, CCM, BC-THM, is a therapist, author, creator, and host of LIFE, love, insight, fertility, experiences podcast, manages support groups, workshops, and speaks publicly.  She has worked in health care for over twenty years in various settings such as hospitals, home care, health insurance, and patient safety oversight organizations, serving an array of communities. Her expertise on mental health, how to process and cope with infertility psychologically and emotionally, pursuing third-party reproduction to build your family, deciding to redefine your vision of family as well as communication skills, relationship strategies, self-care, nurturing, and more. She encourages curiosity and changing your perspective when going through treatment and using gratitude to cope. Her profound understanding of those providing care, needing care, and paying for care has allowed her to develop successful strategic campaigns and programs across the country.  She is currently organizing an initiative to add donor conception and adoption to the medical intake process by replacing the category “other” with donor and adoption. The change will improve health outcomes while reducing unnecessary costs. Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Taliya Corbett joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the story of her daughter, Ora, who was stillborn, after having 4 healthy boys -how she was raised as a Muslim, and fell in love with Judaism (and her husband, Ari) and converted at 26 -dealing with secondary infertility after she had her first -how she always wanted to have a girl and the difficult pregnancy with her daughter (she had preeclampsia and Ora was also on the small side) -the huge shock that Ora was stillborn -the delivery, her grief process and how she tries her best to be the best mother she can to all her children Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chari Pere joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her miscarriage, a harrowing experience of losing a very wanted pregnancy -how she wanted to take her skills and talent and use it to help people all over the world fell less alone -how she decided to tell her story via cartoons -why she wanted to tell her story via the Jewish lens and gives her suggestions on how to get through this kind of a loss. -her series of cartoons, “Miscarried: An Unspoken Cartoonmentary” Connect with Chari: -Follow her on Instagram -View her portfolio Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chani Melamed joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -getting married at 26 years old -her 14 year marriage to her husband without children -how she has been able to remain positive and have a zest for life despite her challenges with fertility -how she chooses to enjoy life each and every day through her "go-getter" attitude -how she remains hopeful after all this time Connect with Chanie: -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shira Collings MS, NCC, LPC joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -eating disorders, body image, and fertility journeys -how each of them, separately or together, can make Passover challenging -giving yourself grace to engage with the eating restrictions as little or as much as you want -setting boundaries on conversation topics or triggers -leaning into ritual to make the holiday meaningful for you Connect with Shira: -Email her at shira@iwassupposedtohaveababy.org Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Tzipora Grodko joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -7 pain points people in the singles and fertility community feel as when they are hosted by family or friends for the holidays -the heaviness in your heart when you are struggling with infertility -how people are treated when they are a guest in someone's home -what people can do to create a safe space for all their guests Connect with Tzipora: -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Elisheva Levitt joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the surrogacy story of her twins, who were born after three heartbreaking pregnancy losses and years of searching for a surrogate -the pregnancy of her first child that left her with a blood incompatibility and her body attacked any subsequent attempts to try to bring another baby into this world -how she and her husband began researching surrogacy as their last resort to try to build the family -how she got through all her losses, the miraculous story of finding her surrogate, about the pregnancy, and how she told her children about their birth story Connect with Elisheva: -Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Aliza Konig, Reena Bloom and Chana Shaffer join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -what brought them to surrogacy -how they navigated that journey -how they managed their family and friends during the process -how Reena and Chana had previous pregnancies, and surrogacy was chosen as a miraculous way they could grow their families -the time spent raising awareness and sensitivity about surrogacy -helping others navigate this process Connect with the guests: -Email info@iwassupposedtohaveababy.org Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube  

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Dr. Sahar Wertheimer, Peggy Cottrell and Rachel Sentchuk join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -Rachel's story about testing positive for BRCA1 at 21 and then taking control of her health and her future with testing and egg freezing at 25 -Dr. Wertheimer's advice on the options a patient with a gene mutation or cancer diagnosis has in terms of fertility treatments, and the “numbers funnel” of egg freezing -Peggy's advocacy on the importance of giving people information about testing and choices to intervene as they might learn about a cancer diagnosis in themselves or family member -Peggy's experience as a genetic counselor with @sharsheretofficial and how she supports people in the decisions they make regarding their health and fertility, and how she connects patients with peers to get more support Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube