Podcasts about California Cryobank

00:00 - PreShow Banter™ — We're Not Ready For the Finger Thing01:40 - Trading in Jock Straps for Jock Hacks – BHIS - Talkin' Bout [infosec] News 2025-03-2403:24 - Story # 1: GitHub Action hack likely led to another in cascading supply chain attack07:53 - Story # 2: Wiz to Join Google Cloud: Making Magic Together14:47 - Story # 3: Oracle denies breach after hacker claims theft of 6 million data records19:52 - Story # 4: Critical flaw in Next.js lets hackers bypass authorization25:47 - Story # 5: Cloudflare builds an AI to lead AI scraper bots into a horrible maze of junk content29:20 - Story # 6: Ex-Michigan QB coach Matt Weiss facing 24 federal charges in hack of thousands of student accounts35:47 - Story # 7: DNA of 15 Million People for Sale in 23andMe Bankruptcy38:40 - Story # 8: Everything you say to your Echo will be sent to Amazon starting on March 2844:03 - Story # 9: We partner with world-renowned scambusters to create our own fraud-fighting call centre52:01 - Story # 10: Sperm donation giant California Cryobank warns of a data breach54:19 - Story # 11: Microsoft: New RAT malware used for crypto theft, reconnaissance56:32 - Story # 12: TrustedSec | Trimarc Joins Forces with TrustedSec to Strengthen…

The Cybercrime Wire, hosted by Scott Schober, provides boardroom and C-suite executives, CIOs, CSOs, CISOs, IT executives and cybersecurity professionals with a breaking news story we're following. If there's a cyberattack, hack, or data breach you should know about, then we're on it. Listen to the podcast daily and hear it every hour on WCYB. The Cybercrime Wire is brought to you Cybercrime Magazine, Page ONE for Cybersecurity at https://cybercrimemagazine.com. • For more breaking news, visit https://cybercrimewire.com

If you're navigating or considering undergoing fertility treatments like IVF, and are confused by all the tests and information out there, you are not alone. Sometimes in this process, we feel like we are given too much information and not enough information at the same time! This podcast episode, in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) 2024, is a spotlight on why we should advocate for our reproductive health and know our options.Dr. Vrunda B. Desai, FACOG, the VP of Medical and Clinical Affairs at CooperSurgical, joins Andrea in studio to share how CooperSurgical is accelerating what's possible to help people build their families sooner, and how tests like PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGTai can revolutionize the embryo selection process. She is a Physician, Researcher, Educator and Medical Affairs leader at CooperSurgical and is a Board-Certified Ob/Gyn with fellowship training in Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery. Dr. Desai is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University School of Medicine. She's seen first hand how many options current fertility treatment patients have when trying to build or expand their families.This episode also features back Sydney Sharon, Social Media and Community Manager at California Cryobank by CooperSurgical, who shares how she and her wife Brit chose their sperm donor and why representation matters when we talk about infertility and modern family building. Thanks to episode sponsor CooperSurgical – a fertility and women's health company, that puts time on the side of women, babies and families at the moments that matter most – for supporting this conversation. For more, visit coopersurgical.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sydney Sharon was a California Cryobank client before she became an employee! She and Lala share their respective donor stories and journeys to parenthood. Sydney also answers questions about the donor vetting and selection process, the information made available to prospective parents, and the costs involved.   GTL Bonus video episodes available Mondays at 9am Pacific on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GiveThemLalaPodcast?si=9oETguBpysJbttBz I am proud to have partnered with California Cryobank, and to help educate and inform everyone about all the ways one can bring kids into the world through this partnership.  #CCBPartner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2, Colton continues his conversation with Sydney Sharon and Carey Jones from California Cryobank where they discuss the thought process that goes into choosing an egg donor. For more information, please visit: https://www.cryobank.com and https://donoreggbankusa.com. Head to Cryobank.com and use promo code DADDYHOOD for a free level 2 subscription to the donor catalog. Offer available for 90 days. This episode was shot by Eleanor Matthews, edited by Patchwork Piñata, and produced by Avery Siegel. Original theme song by Jon The Dad. ******The experiences and stories shared in this podcast are personal to the speakers based on the time they were building their families. They may not reflect the experiences others have or will have in relation to donor preference, benefit coverage, cost of services, and time frames. Furthermore, ID Disclosure Donors have agreed to allow California Cryobank to release certain identifying information to any donor conceived individuals once they turn 18. This information may include: donor's full name, donation location and last known address or email. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Colton sits down with Sydney Sharon and Carey Jones from California Cryobank to discuss the thought process that goes into choosing an egg donor. For more information, please visit: https://www.cryobank.com and https://donoreggbankusa.com ***Disclaimer: The intended parent must qualify for Donor Egg Bank USA's The Assured Refund Plan® and if someone is interested, they should read the Financial Plan for more details and restrictions. Furthermore, the experiences and stories shared in this podcast are personal to the speakers based on the time they were building their families. They may not reflect the experiences others have or will have in relation to benefit coverage, cost of services, and time frames. This episode was shot by Eleanor Matthews, Edited by Patchwork Piñata and Produced by Avery Siegel. Original theme song by Jon The Dad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jaimie Kelton is interviewed by Gavin and David from the “Gaytriarchs” podcast in this bonus episode of The Queer Family Podcast. They discuss the challenges and joys of parenting as queer individuals, including Jaimie's personal journey to motherhood as a lesbian mom. They touch on the stereotypes that can come with being a gay dad or lesbian mom and the complexities of raising a son. Jaimie also shares her frustrations with PR agents trying to exploit her audience for free advertising. Tune in for a fun and insightful conversation about queer parenting and the unique experiences that come with it.

We're back with another solo ep and I'm chatting all about my story of being a donor-conceived baby! That's right-- I've never met my dad, but I HAVE met quite a few of my half-siblings (or DIBLINGS as we call them)... spoiler alert: there are a lot of us.  Learn about how I found out, how I feel about it, and what my situation looks like today. You never know... YOU just might be my half-sibling and not even know it... !! Healing The Source IG HealingTheSource.org

l BONUS l Jaimie has some exciting news to share y'all! You can now watch video episodes on Spotify!  A brief introduction to The Queer Family Podcast and Jaimie's personal journey of building a family as a gay mom. She talks about her experience with infertility and the lack of representation for LGBTQIA+ families in the fertility space. Jaimie also announces that the podcast is now available in video format on Spotify and encourages listeners to watch the episodes there. She concludes by promoting California Cryobank, the sponsor of the season, and invites listeners to share their own family stories.

A Mic for the LGBTQIA+ Community: The Queer Family Podcast. Join Jaimie in this Bonus Episode as she guests on ‘This ‘Is Infertility” with Dan Bolger.  Almost three years ago, we published a list of our Top 17 Favorite Fertility Podcasts. Topping that list was a podcast called “If These Ovaries Could Talk,” a show centered around the lesbian experience of fertility and family building. Today's guest, Jaimie Kelton, created this podcast after going through the journey to build her family and struggling to find relatable content and education for queer identities. As her following has grown, so has her podcast. Jaimie explains how her show has now evolved into “The Queer Family Podcast,” a podcast for diverse identities, and all LGBTQIA+ stories alike. She dives deep into her story, the evolution of the podcast, and the reality of family-building in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

S14 EP15 BONUS | Join Jaimie in this Holiday Bonus Episode as she guests on 'Lost Spaces' with K Anderson! Jaimie shares her experience growing up in San Francisco surrounded by queer culture but struggling to recognize her own queerness. She discusses the male-dominated gay world she witnessed in the 80s and 90s and the lack of representation of gay women. Jaimie reflects on her journey of self-discovery, including experimenting with women and eventually embracing her identity as a lesbian. She also discusses the challenges of coming out to her parents and the stereotypes surrounding "U-Haul lesbians." Throughout her story, Jaimie emphasizes the importance of embracing one's differences and shedding the need for perfectionism. Dive into this special episode with a personal touch from Jaimie.

S14 EP14 BONUS | We interrupt our regular content to bring you Holiday Bonus Episodes of podcasts that Jaimie loves and has guested on! Listen to the intro to hear an update and funny story from Jaimie before diving into an episode of “Who's Your Daddy” with Michael and Matt. Jaimie and the fellas go deep into her personal story of struggling through unexplained infertility and over 3 years (!!) of trying to have a baby through IVF and IUI. She also shares some very exciting news that came to be a pretty big surprise!

S14 BONUS | In this bonus holiday episode, Jaimie sits down with Robin and Anna, the creators of the short film "Pivot." They discuss the inspiration behind the film and its powerful message. The film tells the story of a young girl who rebels against societal expectations and fights against wearing a dress. The film explores themes of self-acceptance, identity, and the importance of allowing children to be true to themselves. "Pivot" has been well-received in film festivals and is currently being considered for an Oscar nomination. The creators encourage everyone to watch and share the film to promote inclusivity and understanding.

American lawyer and bestselling author of “Bet on Black”, Eboni K. Williams, has been known to her audience on her daytime TV show, “Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams”, and during her time as the first Black cast member on The Real Housewives of NY, as an independent, outspoken and multi-talented woman. What some of her fans may not know is that in addition to all of these jobs, Eboni wants to add another important role to her work: mom. As a single woman, Eboni is hoping to start a family with the help of sperm donation and IVF and is well aware not only of the shortage of Black sperm donors available, but also the stigma of being “another Black single mom in America.”In this episode, taped in front of a live audience in New York City at the "Diversity of Infertility" pregnantish event, Eboni shares why she's pursuing single parenthood at this stage of her life, what she wishes others knew about the process, including why 'open donation' was important to her, and why we need to elevate the conversation about the need for more diverse sperm donor options. This episode is presented by California Cryobank, a top sperm bank in the U.S., shipping to all 50 states and to over 40 countries. With one of the largest and most diverse selection of sperm donors, California Cryobank is proud to have helped more than 75,000 people create their families for over 45 years. Visit cryobank.com for more information, and use promo code SPERMISH for a FREE Level 2 Subscription for access to their portfolio of donors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S14 EP12 | Dr. Lulu, a Nigerian-born pediatrician and advocate, shares her personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance as a queer person. Growing up in a homophobic and religious society, she struggled with internalized homophobia and rejected her own child when they showed signs of being feminine. However, after her child revealed themselves as transgender, Dr. Lulu had a change of heart and became an advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth. She emphasizes the importance of unlearning societal norms and accepting and affirming our children for who they truly are. Dr. Lulu also discusses her new gender-affirming family coaching practice and the importance of supporting siblings in the transition process.

Taylor word vomits her baby fears all over Sydney Sharon, the Social Media and Community Manager at California Cryobank. They talk about the protocol of donor kids meeting their sperm donor and potential siblings, what Tay's future kids should call her and TD (because duh they have the same name), and Sydney REVEALS whether or not The Taylors' kids will be able to meet their sperm donor when they're 18 - because of course the Taylor's forgot to look at that when they chose their donor…they were too busy focusing on how hot he was.Sponsors:Ritual: Ritual is offering my listeners 30% off during your first month. Visit ritual.com/TAYLOR to start Ritual or add Essential For Women 18+ or Prenatal to your subscription today.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S14 EP11 | Moe Ari and Tiffany, hosts of the Be Your Own Love Goals podcast, share their journey as a queer couple. They met in college, became friends, and eventually fell in love. Moe Ari later came out as transgender, and they decided to start a family through reciprocal IVF. They faced challenges with their families' acceptance and had difficult conversations about their donor choice. Despite the obstacles, their families have come around and are now obsessed with their daughter, Nova. The couple emphasizes the importance of being your own “love goals” and creating your own authentic journey of partnership.

S14 EP10 | Freya Lyon, a queer mom and donor-conceived child, shares her journey of finding her "bio dad" and connecting with her donor-conceived siblings. She discusses her experience growing up with queer moms, her own journey of becoming a parent, and the importance of open communication and honesty in donor-conceived families. Freya emphasizes the significance of answering the questions of donor-conceived children and providing them with the option to connect with their donors or half-siblings.

S14 EP9 | Eddie and Aurelio discuss their journey of adopting in the UK and becoming parents to twin toddlers during the pandemic. They emphasize the need for a support network and resources during the adoption process, and how the COVID-19 pandemic added both challenges and opportunities for bonding with their children. They now provide representation and support for other same-sex couples and adoptive parents through their popular social media platforms.

S14 EP8 | Emme Reynolds, a transgender parent to two children in a newly blended family, shares their journey of self-discovery and transition. She discusses the importance of listening to each other's stories and understanding the challenges and complexities of transitioning. Emme emphasizes that transition is not a one-time event but an ongoing process, and highlights the difficulties faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the current political climate. She also touches on the support she has received from her family and the importance of visibility and representation. Overall, Emme encourages open and honest conversations about gender identity and the experiences of trans individuals.

S14 EP7 | Liz Glazer, an award-winning stand-up comedian and queer mom, shares her journey to parenthood and the stillbirth of her first daughter, Leo Pearl. She discusses the struggles and grief associated with pregnancy loss, emphasizing that all forms of loss are equally difficult. Liz also talks about her wife's decision to freeze her eggs and their experience using a sperm bank. Despite the tragedy, Liz and her wife decided to try again and successfully welcomed their daughter, Eloise. Liz highlights the importance of being there for someone experiencing grief and offers insights into the unique nature of grieving for a child who never lived.

 | S14 EP6 | Dr. Mark Leondires and Lisa Schuman discuss the importance of disclosure and open communication when parenting donor-conceived children. They emphasize the need to drop seeds of information from an early age, allowing children to gradually understand their unique family story. The guests also highlight the significance of language and terminology when discussing donors. The conversation touches on the challenges of managing expectations and the potential impact of meeting donor siblings or the donor themselves. The guests introduce their new book, "Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception," which provides guidance and support for individuals and couples navigating the donor conception process.

S14 EP4 | In the first part of this 2-part episode, we're diving deep into that Search for The Superhuman, y'all! Lisa Schuman and Dr. Mark Leondires, co-authors of "Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception," share insights on choosing the right donor and explore the unique perspectives and experiences LGBTQIA+ individuals bring to this exciting and complex family-building journey. Stay tuned for part 2, which will be released next Monday. OR catch it right now on our Patreon channel, where we'll delve into how the heck you navigate parenting and life as a donor-conceived family.

| S14 EP3 | Nat Vikitsreth is a licensed clinical psychotherapist and child development specialist, and host of the Come Back to Care Podcast. She shares her personal journey, growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, and embracing her identity as a trans woman. Nat's work goes beyond therapy; she offers vital support to the queer community by being the "trans auntie of the village, loving up on other parents, especially queer parents." She discusses the importance of self-awareness and being present with our children. Her message reminds parents (especially Jaimie

Mohsin, Matthew, and Dahlia are best friends and hosts of the podcast "Tiny Huge Decisions,” where they explore in depth the possibility of Dahlia becoming a surrogate for Mohsin and Matthew. They sat down with Jaimie to discuss the questions they've grappled with in the decision-making process, including the impact on their friendship, the legal and emotional aspects of surrogacy in the UK, and how their cultural and religious backgrounds play into all of it. They also delve into the importance of having strong female role models in their children's lives and the potential long-term relationship between Dahlia and the child. We get deep and personal on the intricacies of surrogacy and also delve into the complexities of friendship, family, and personal identity with these candid and fun BFFs. "Surrogacy with a close friend adds new layers and complexities to the process." - Matthew If you like the episode, make sure to leave us a review and support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for as low as $2/month! We want to hear from you! Call us: 646-470-1840 thequeerfamilypodcast.com / thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok/YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast Thanks to California Cryobank (code QUEERFAM),  Our Shelves (code QUEERFAM) and our Patreon supporters.  Interested in advertising? Check out our packages here. Follow and Find Tiny Huge Decisions Watch Video Episodes right now on YouTube Order the #ITOCT book based on this podcast on Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: Tiffany Topol Logo art: Daneen Stevenato. Buy our merch here. For a full transcript of this episode and more info about the host visit our website   Chapters: | 0:00:00 | Introduction to the podcast and sponsors. | | 0:00:30 | Mohsin discusses the challenges of being gay in a religious and cultural family. | | 0:01:40 | Introduction to the podcast "Tiny Huge Decisions" and its premise. | | 0:02:47 | Behind the scenes info about Mohsin and Dahlia's friendship and Mohsin and Matthew's relationship. | | 0:04:13 | Ally voicemail from Shephathia asking about a term for children of LGBTQ parents. | | 0:05:43 | Answering Shephathia's question about the term "queer spawn" for children of LGBTQ parents. | | 0:07:09 | Request for listeners to reach out and share their thoughts and stories. | | 0:08:19 | Introduction of the podcast hosts and their backgrounds. | | 0:09:46 | Summary of the podcast "Tiny Huge Decisions" and its exploration of surrogacy. | | 0:10:37 | Discussion about the relevance of Dahlia's work as a medical anthropologist. | | 0:11:05 | Introduction and background of the friendship between Mohsin and Dahlia | | 0:12:27 | Mohsin's coming out story and how Dahlia was the first person he told | | 0:14:06 | Dahlia's reaction to Mohsin's coming out | | 0:16:06 | Mohsin's inner turmoil and struggles with faith, culture, and family | | 0:18:27 | Matthew's coming out experience in a small town in Ireland | | 0:19:03 | Dahlia's observation of Mohsin's transformation after coming out | | 0:19:32 | Mohsin and Matthew's meeting and marriage | | 0:20:08 | Discussions about family building in their relationship | | 0:20:35 | Comparing their backgrounds and the sense of community from big families | | 0:20:35 | Age difference and discussions about having kids | | 0:21:09 | Importance of discussing family building intentions early on | | 0:21:41 | Considerations and challenges of LGBTQ+ family building | | 0:22:39 | Dahlia offers to be a surrogate as a joke | | 0:23:23 | Dahlia's proposal is taken seriously and discussed further | | 0:24:13 | Excitement and research about surrogacy options | | 0:25:34 | Decision to focus on surrogacy before exploring other options | | 0:26:10 | Podcast idea to have dedicated discussions and do research | | 0:27:46 | Structured conversations with experts and disciplined approach | | 0:29:33 | Dahlia's husband supports her decision without involvement in discussions | | 0:30:52 | Surrogacy in the UK and differences from the US | | 0:31:08 | Introduction to surrogacy in the UK | | 0:31:24 | Differences between UK and US surrogacy laws and costs | | 0:32:14 | Legal differences between UK and US surrogacy | | 0:33:19 | Discussion on the process and agreements in UK surrogacy | | 0:34:51 | Challenges of being friends and surrogacy | | 0:36:16 | Importance of sharing real-time experiences and negotiations | | 0:36:56 | Complexities of long-term relationship with the child | | 0:38:11 | Importance of strong female role models in their children's lives | | 0:39:34 | Plan in case the answer is no revealed in episode 7 | | 0:40:32 | Where to find the podcast and social media handles | | 0:41:35 | Thanking sponsor California Cryobank | | 0:41:56 | Matthew: Love is love | | 0:41:58 | Jamie: Enjoyed the episode, listen/watch another | | 0:42:23 | Jamie: Support show on Patreon, bonus content, love and adoration |

Mia Cooley, founder of xHood, joins Jaimie to discuss her journey as a queer parent and the work she is doing to support black and brown parents and intended parents. Mia shares her experience of having her first child with a previous partner and navigating co-parenting, as well as her journey to having a baby with her current partner. She also discusses the importance of representation and community support for queer families and highlights the work of Exhood in providing resources and events for black queer parents. "We provide family building and nurturing support to black and brown parents and intended parents." - Mia Cooley If you like the episode, make sure to leave us a review and support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for as low as $2/month! We want to hear from you! Call us: 646-470-1840 thequeerfamilypodcast.com / thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok/YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast Follow and find Mia Cooley Instagram Facebook Thanks to California Cryobank (code QUEERFAM),  Our Shelves (code QUEERFAM) and our Patreon supporters.  Vote for us at the Signal Awards! Family & Child-Raising / LGBTQ+ Watch Video Episodes right now on YouTube! Order the #ITOCT book based on this podcast on Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: Tiffany Topol Logo art: Daneen Stevenato. Buy our merch here. Interested in advertising? Check out our packages here.

Episode 145: Family Planning for the LGBTQIA+Future Dr. Hoque explains how to assist with family planning for the LGBTQIA+ community. Some principles such as avoiding unintended pregnancies and reducing and early treatment of STIs are discussed.  Written by Ashfi Hoque, MBA, MS4, Ross University School of Medicine. You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Arreaza: Welcome to episode 145 of the Rio Bravo qWeek podcast. My name is Hector Arreaza, a faculty member of the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program.Ashfi: Hello everyone, I am Ashfi Hoque a 4th-year medical student at Ross University School of Medicine. I am from Long Beach, California. Patient advocacy and patient-centered care have always been a priority of mine. I've volunteered for years at the LGBT+ center in Weho and Long Beach. Today we will be discussing Family Planning for everyone while learning ways to become LGBTQIA+ inclusive. Arreaza: Yes, family planning is important, and I'm glad you included all types of families. I believe medical care must be offered to everyone, and I also believe in freedom of conscience, that's why I can freely express that I support traditional family for me. Why did you choose this topic?Ashfi: I chose this topic because my partner recently went to get her physical. Her provider had an extensive conversation about family planning and even discussed the anticipated cost of freezing her oocytes. I really loved the way this provider went about the conversation so I started researching ways I can support my community and also teach others to provide Queer inclusive medical care. What is LGBTQIA+?LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, etc. The community will be referenced as the Queer community, an umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or not cisgender. There are many inequalities that the community faces and we can do our due diligence to educate ourselves continuously and be aware that terminology and health needs may change. We have another Rio Bravo episode, Caring for LGBTQ+ Patients on Episode 103, that discusses healthcare disparities, but during this episode, we will be diving into an introduction to bridging health gaps, creating health equity, and building trust with the community. A 2023 Global Survey found that the self-identified Queer community represents 9% of the population, while the true estimate may be higher due to safety concerns. While diabetics are 10-13% of the population. These statistics show that as a medical provider, you'll encounter Queer patients more often than you think. One of the healthcare issues that Queer folks face is a lack of family planning.What is Family Planning?The World Health Organization (WHO) defines family planning as “the ability of individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through the use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility.”Family planning serves three critical needs: Avoiding unintended pregnanciesReducing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)Early treatment of STDs to reduce rates of infertilityWhen discussing family planning for patients, here are some examples of questions you can ask. What name may I use to address you?What are your pronouns?What is your gender? (Only if necessary for care, what is your assigned sex at birth?)Are you sexually active?What is the gender(s) of your partner(s)?Are you concerned about unintended pregnancy?Are you currently using any contraceptive measures?Are you taking any precautions to reduce STI/STD such as physical barriers like condoms, dental dams, or any harm reduction such as PrEP?What kind of STI/STD screening are you requesting?Do you need me to request additional labs such as oral or anal swabs?Those questions must be asked in a natural, non-judgmental way. While STD/STI screening and treatment is part of family planning, the part that we tend to neglect is the desire for Queer folks to build a family. Why is Family Planning Important for the LGBTQIA+ community?The Queer community gained the legal right to marry eight years ago, in 2015. They did not have the nationwide right to adopt until the last state, Mississippi, overturned the unconstitutional restrictions for the Queer community to adopt in 2016. A UCLA study in 2018 titled, “How many same-sex couples in the US are raising children?” reported cis-heterosexual couples: 3% are raising at least one adopted child and 95% are raising biological children while same-sex couples: 21.4% are raising at least one adopted child and 68% have a biological child. When it comes to family planning, there is more than adoption for Queer people. Queer folks are not offered the same pregnancy planning options, such as cis hetero-couples who are experiencing infertility or cis-women planning for advanced maternal age pregnancy. However, the options are quite similar. These options require specific types of planning, and that information can be provided to patients by their primary care doctor. A couple needs to know their options and consider the long-term financial planning necessary for surrogacy, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor insemination. The main difference for many Queer couples is the method of conception needed. Depending on sexual orientation and gender identity, patients may have varying reproductive needs as part of their family planning. We cannot make assumptions about how family planning should look and need to remember this journey looks different from person to person and couple to couple.How to approach family planning with the LGBTQIA+ community? Basic tenants of providing medical care for queer patients: Clinics specializing in Queer family planning found patient-centered care leads to better outcomes. The best approach is to be mindful, conscious, and to communicate without assumptions. We have to start with providers building trust, being honest, showing sensitivity assisting with reproductive services, and working towards being more knowledgeable about Queer parenthood. A provider could ask questions such as: Would you like information about family planning?What do you imagine your future family to look like?Would you like to see options and potential costs?Would you need a referral for a specialist?Or it can be as simple as being honest about your scope of knowledge by stating, “I am not well versed in LGBTQIA+ community issues but what ways can I support you?” It is ethically appropriate to transition care to a physician with better knowledge if you feel unable to assist a person from the LGBTQ+ community. Make sure to do it in a polite and respectful way.Gender inclusive: With more people openly identifying as non-binary and trans, there is a need for a gender-neutral approach to discussing a patient's biological and reproductive needs. First, we will avoid assuming gender identity based on the biological sex of a patient. Episode 14 of Rio Bravo does a great job of breaking down gender diversity and the difference between gender identity and biological sex. For transgender and nonbinary patients, providing care for medical transitioning often includes conversations about family planning before starting HRT. It is common to ask patients about to begin HRT if they would like to freeze their sperm or eggs. Second, we want to avoid assuming anything based on what reproductive organs a patient has. We can ask a patient about their intention to start a family. Avoid asking if a trans patient has received transitional surgery (bottom surgery) unless it is completely necessary for the care we are providing. Instead, it is appropriate to ask the patient if birthing is an option? Have you given birth before? Were there any complications? Is there any current hormonal treatment? This mindful strategy is also useful for patients who may have limitations in: producing oocytes or sperm, the ability to house a fetus in utero, or implantation and fertility. Third, we are going to address our underlying beliefs and assumptions about gendered parenthood. Parenthood is almost always thought of as motherhood and fatherhood, but this can be alienating for transgender patients. There are many possible ways of being a parent, and to be inclusive let's consider the possibility of a masculine woman or transmasculine man being a birthing parent or of a transgender woman being the mother of a child without giving birth to the child. There are many more scenarios we can discuss at another point. In the interest of time, we are going to shift into discussing family planning for lesbian and gay people and couples. Sexuality inclusive:For homosexual cis-gendered people who are single or in relationships, family planning can look similar to couples facing infertility issues. When having family planning conversations with these patients, a provider should ask broad, unassuming questions. If you have established that a queer person or couple wants a child, then you can ask if they have a family plan. If the patient or couple has a plan, follow the couple's lead. If the patient(s) do not have a plan, then you can begin to ask questions like: Do you have someone in mind to be a birth giver? Do you have a sperm donor? Do you have an egg donor? These questions are a great transition into discussing the following options for family planning.What are the options for having a newborn and the financial and ethical cost?Having a child can cost up to $100k, and this does not even include the cost of childcare. Infertility treatment is not covered by regular insurance, so patients need either infertility insurance or private financing to cover the cost of treatment. However, fertility insurance does not cover same-sex couples. There is a large emotional, physical, and ethical cost to deciding which route to choose. Let's discuss options and obstacles.1. Donor Insemination: The most affordable route is having a birth-giving parent who is fertile with a known sperm donor. This method can be as simple as using a syringe to inseminate the uterus-carrying person, but we need to consider necessary attorney fees to terminate the parental rights of the sperm donor. Sperm from a sperm bank requires an extensive workup including STD panel, HIV, and genetic disorder screening. The sperm donor gives up all parental rights during the process. The price of these procedures is constantly changing and depends on location.California Cryobank costs start at $1200 for anonymous donors and $1900 for identification disclosure donor which the child will receive information about the donor at age 18. Selecting a donor can include specifics such as race, talents, education, hobbies, physical attributes, and showing donor baby photos. There are two common insemination processes:Intracervical insemination: semen inside the cervical opening and covers the cervixIntrauterine insemination: semen is inserted through the cervix and placed directly into the cavityThe next option jumps up in cost significantly.2. Freezing Eggs (Oocyte Cryopreservation):Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles, reports a single cycle of egg freezing can cost $6-10k per freezing cycle and may need multiple cycles without medication. The medications are typically around $3-6k depending on how much your body needs. Storage is an additional cost of $700-$1,000 a year. This is an option for parents planning pregnancy during advanced ages.3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): It is a process where an oocyte is collected similarly to freezing eggs but fertilized with a partner's or donor's sperm.Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles reports it costs $8-13k per cycle of fertilization. It is an option for those who have issues with infertility, previous pelvic inflammatory diseases, surgeries, and issues with implantations.4. Surrogacy: This is the process of hiring a professional birthing surrogate to carry an embryo. This is an alternative option for couples who decline or cannot carry a pregnancy. The surrogate has no legal rights or biological relation to the fetus. Family Tree Surrogacy reports it costs about $45-65k.5. Adoption: Foster care adoption in California can be $1-5k. American Cost of Adoption, reports the cost of adoption for infants in California $40-70k including the medical expenses for the birth-giving person and legal expenses for the process. Versus adopting an infant from another country due lack of resources and poverty may better their lives or cause a higher demand for infants which may be an ethical issue. Also, transcultural adoption where the race of the parents and the children are different, and navigating culture and race with the children. Adoptees have reported having racial identity crises.With all these studies, it is well documented that providers will not be perfect at giving care to the Queer community. These studies do not represent every queer person and do not take the intersectionality of race, class, or gender identity into consideration. It is our job as providers to be supportive of all types of patients in order to increase their access to proper medical care. _______________Conclusion: Now we conclude episode number 145, “Family Planning for the LGBTQIA+.” Future Dr. Hoque explained how queer people can be included in family planning conversations, even before heterosexual couples. She described some options such as donor insemination, freezing eggs, IVF, and adoption. Dr. Arreaza explained that it is important to ask reproductive questions in a natural, non-judgmental way to all your patients, and refer to another professional when needed. This week we thank Hector Arreaza and Ashfi Hoque. Audio editing by Adrianne Silva.Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:American Adoptions—How Much Does a Private Adoption Cost in California? [And Why?]. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://www.americanadoptionsofcalifornia.com/adopt/cost-of-adoption-in-californiaAmerican Adoptions—LGBTQ Adoption: Can Same-Sex Couples Adopt? (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://www.americanadoptions.com/adopt/LGBT_adoptionCarpenter, E. (2021). “The Health System Just Wasn't Built for Us”: Queer Cisgender Women and Gender Expansive Individuals' Strategies for Navigating Reproductive Health Care. Women's Health Issues, 31(5), 478–484.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2021.06.004Choosing the Right Sperm Donor | California Cryobank. (n.d.-a). Retrieved July 14, 2023, from HTTPS://www.cryobank.com/how-it-works/choosing-your-donor/Choosing the Right Sperm Donor | California Cryobank. (n.d.-b). Retrieved July 14, 2023, from HTTPS://www.cryobank.com/how-it-works/choosing-your-donor/Cost of Egg & Embryo Freezing in the U.S. | PFCLA. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://www.pfcla.com/blog/egg-freezing-costs. (2012, April 25).Donor Insemination. American Pregnancy Association.https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/donor-insemination/Hollingsworth, L. D. (2003). International adoption among families in the United States: Considerations of social justice. Social Work, 48(2), 209–217.https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/48.2.209In vitro fertilization (IVF): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007279.htmIngraham, N., Fox, L., Gonzalez, A. L., & Riegelsberger, A. (2022a). “I just felt supported”: Transgender and non-binary patient perspectives on receiving transition-related healthcare in family planning clinics. PLOS ONE, 17(7), e0271691.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271691Ingraham, N., Fox, L., Gonzalez, A. L., & Riegelsberger, A. (2022b). “I just felt supported”: Transgender and non-binary patient perspectives on receiving transition-related healthcare in family planning clinics. PLOS ONE, 17(7), e0271691.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271691Ingraham, N., & Rodriguez, I. (2022a). Clinic Staff Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Integrating Transgender Healthcare into Family Planning Clinics. Transgender Health, 7(1), 36–42.https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2020.0110Ingraham, N., & Rodriguez, I. (2022b). Clinic Staff Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Integrating Transgender Healthcare into Family Planning Clinics. Transgender Health, 7(1), 36–42.https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2020.0110Klein, D. A., Malcolm, N. M., Berry-Bibee, E. N., Paradise, S. L., Coulter, J. S., Keglovitz Baker, K., Schvey, N. A., Rollison, J. M., & Frederiksen, B. N. (2018). Quality Primary Care and Family Planning Services for LGBT Clients: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Guidelines. LGBT Health, 5(3), 153–170.https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2017.0213PFCLA. (n.d.). The Cost of IVF in California. Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://www.pfcla.com/blog/ivf-costs-californiaPODCAST. (n.d.). Rio Bravo Residency. Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://www.riobravofmrp.org/qweek/episode/fcb76527/episode-103-caring-for-lgbtq-patientsRotabi, K. S. (n.d.). From Guatemala to Ethiopia: Shifts in Intercountry Adoption Leaves Ethiopia Vulnerable for Child Sales and Other Unethical Practices.Smoley, B. A., & Robinson, C. M. (2012). Natural Family Planning. American Family Physician, 86(10), 924–928.Surrogate Compensation | How Much Do Surrogater Paid in CA? (n.d.). Https://Familytreesurrogacy.Com/. Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://familytreesurrogacy.com/blog/surrogate-pay-california/The National Academies Press. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://nap.nationalacademies.org/thisisloyal.com, L. |. (n.d.). How Many Same-Sex Couples in the US are Raising Children? Williams Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2023, fromhttps://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/same-sex-parents-us/Royalty-free music used for this episode: "Rain in Spain." Downloaded on October 13, 2022, from https://www.videvo.net/ 

The Queer Family Podcast Pride Extravaganza! | S12 Ep 9 |Brit and Sydney Sharon (aka @thesharonmoms) share their inspiring journey as Jewish queer moms who built their family through IUI and reciprocal IVF. They also reveal a surprising discovery about Sydney's dad being a sperm donor in his youth, leading them to connect with six donor siblings. The couple discusses the profound impact of their Jewish faith and the joy they experienced in establishing relationships with their newfound biological siblings. Through their story, they serve as a shining example of the beauty and strength of queer families when faced with minimal complications. Using their platform, Brit and Sydney aim to increase visibility, challenge misconceptions about biological connections in families, redefine womanhood, and redefine traditional roles and rituals within marriage. If you like the episode, make sure to leave us a review and support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for as low as $2/month! "We definitely need to be safe, and now that we have kids we take it even further. We need to make sure that we're all safe. We're not just a same sex couple, we're a same sex Jewish couple, and the antisemitism that's been on the rise these last couple of years is scary." Sydney Sharon Watch Video Episodes right now on YouTube! thequeerfamilypodcast.com / thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok/YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: Tiffany Order the #ITOCT book based on this podcast on Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: Tiffany Topol Logo art: Daneen Stevenato. Thanks to Mosie Baby (code: family) and our Patreon supporters! Promo code PRIDE2023 gets you level 2 subscription for free or a discounted level 3. Good for 90 days at California Cryobank!  We want to hear from you! Email us at thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com Buy our merch here. Interested in advertising? Check out our packages here. Follow The Sharon Moms

Just three months after Mallory Weggemann was rendered paralyzed after treatment for her back pain, she re-entered her happy place - the pool - and tried to regain not only her sense of strength, but her sense of self.Through this incredible challenge, Mallory learned about resilience, vulnerability, hope and persistence – qualities that not only helped her excel as a Paralympic Champion on the US swim team, but strengths that also helped her push forward during her struggle to conceive with her husband, Jay.While Mallory initially wondered about her ability to get pregnant and have children when she found out about her paralysis, and while others seeing her in a wheelchair may assume the infertility is on ‘her side', the couple faced hurdles due to Jay's Male Factor Infertility – something that is a reality for many men and couples, and a diagnosis too often left out of the storytelling of infertility.Now Jay and Mallory are new parents and believe this tough chapter of navigating infertility, a MicroTESSE surgery to try to extract Jay's sperm, and the experience of doing fertility treatments together ultimately brought them even closer.This episode on finding hope in the face of challenges, how to love your body when you feel it's failing you and why vulnerability is a sign of strength, also features Scott Brown and Lauren Isley from California Cryobank™ who share insight and advice for those facing male factor infertility and may need sperm donation to build their families.Today's episode, in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week 2023, is presented by California Cryobank™, which carefully selects the highest quality sperm donors to give clients the best possible opportunity for a safe and successful pregnancy. For more, visit cryobank.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Stork'd, Julia talks with Eve Wiley, a proponent and champion of legislation to prevent fertility fraud in the unregulated reproductive medicine industry. Eve's mother was the victim of artificial insemination by her fertility doctor using his sperm without her consent. Eve's story takes her on a roller coaster journey of learning that neither her mother's husband, her dad, nor the sperm donor of record was her father. You will hear the shocking truths about what is allowed in this industry and why legislation is necessary.  You don't want to miss this dramatic story.     IN THIS EPISODE:    [02:14] Eve tells her genetic identity background, and when she finally had access to her medical history   [07:51] Eve was 16 years old when she discovered she was a donor-conceived offspring and how that affected her family dynamic  [15:52] The bio dad comes into the picture  [21:40] The bombshell is dropped.  Eve's mom's fertility doctor is her donor dad without her mother's consent  [33:04] Eve describes the psychological impact she felt and the community members who supported what the doctor did  [39:31] Eve explains the grief she experiences and reflects on the history of why she is the face of fertility fraud legislation  [45:45] Reproductive medicine is not regulated and is not held accountable for their actions  [49:20] Eve lists many much-needed legislative changes she wants to see in this industry  [53:31] Legislative changes lead to price increases for sperm  [56:00] Eve discusses the definition of family    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    It is unfair to the donor-conceived person that they must manage everyone else's feelings connected in this relationship.  The doctor in question essentially medically raped Eve's mother.   More states need to create legislation governing the reproductive medical industry.     RESOURCE LINKS:   Stork'd - Facebook   Stork'd - Instagram     Stork'd- YouTube     Eve Wiley - Instagram    Eve Wiley - Website    Eve Wiley - Twitter    ABOUT: Eve Wiley  My name is Eve Wiley, and I'm the product of fertility fraud.     My parents struggled with infertility and carefully selected an anonymous sperm donor (donor 106 from California Cryobank) to conceive me. When I was 18, I found Donor 106 and developed a wonderful father-daughter relationship.  In 2018, through commercial DNA testing, I learned that my mother's fertility doctors used his own sperm instead of the donor my parents selected and consented to. He is my biological father.    I was even more shocked to learn that in 2019, this fact pattern was a crime in only ONE STATE: California. I set out to change the laws in Texas and other states creating civil and criminal causes of action for victims. As of 2022, 8 states have passed some sort of fertility fraud bill.  

Eve Wiley has become a prolific advocate for fertility legislation ever since her DNA Discovery revealed she was born of her mom's fertility doctor's sperm, and NOT the specimen from whom they picked on a list from California Cryobank. See a news clip here. Find your congressperson and write them an email about FERTILITY FRAUD LEGISLATION BILL HR 451. Show Information Buy the process journal Who Even Am I Anymore Instagram: @everythingsrelativepodcast Facebook: @everythingsrelativepodcast Twitter: @evesturges Email: eve@everythingsrelativepodcast.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingsrelativepodcast Website: www.everythingsrelativepodcast.com   Subscribe: Apple Podcasts 

You can also check out this episode on Spotify!Family dynamics are complicated—but what happens when you learn that you have dozens (and possibly hundreds) of siblings? When writer Chrysta Bilton's mom decided to build a family as a gay woman in the early 80s, she employed a sperm donor. This man also played a role in Chrysta and her sister's life as “dad.” But he continued to donate to other women—in secret—for almost 10 years. Chrysta learned this shocking truth from an article in the New York Times. On this episode, Chrysta joins Dr. McBride to discuss family secrets, shame, her unconventional coming-of-age story, and how all of this affected her mental and physical health. Chrysta's critically acclaimed memoir “Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings,” is available now.Join Dr. McBride every Monday for a new episode of Beyond the Prescription. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at lucymcbride.com/podcast.Get full access to her free weekly Are You Okay? newsletter at https://lucymcbride.substack.com/welcomePlease be sure to like, rate, review — and enjoy — the show!The transcript of our conversation is here!Dr. McBride: My family is everything to me. I think a lot about how they're like me and they're not like me. And there are many ways they're not like me, that they're so lucky not to be like me. And there are things that I've inherited from my parents that I'm grateful for, and there are things that I would maybe tweak a little bit. But I think all of us need to recognize how much we have in our genetic profile that we take for granted sometimes, and then [00:00:30] how much we're capable of change even though we may think we're just genetically programmed to be, you know, forgetful or not ask for directions when we're lost. I guess my point is it's good to reflect on where we came from, it's good to reflect on where we're going, and it's good to kind of sketch out in our minds where we fit in our family dynamic because that informs a lot of our daily health habits, the way we think, the way we feel. And today's guest is [00:01:00] such an important example of someone who's reflected deeply on what it means to be part of a family that became a lot bigger than she ever knew. Hello, and welcome to my office. I'm Dr. Lucy McBride, and this is "Beyond the Prescription," the show where I talk with my guests like I do my patients, pulling the curtain back on what it means to be healthy, redefining health as more than the absence of disease. [00:01:30] As a primary care doctor for over 20 years, I've realized that patients are much more than their cholesterol and their weight, that we are the integrated sum of complex parts. Our stories live in our bodies. I'm here to help people tell their story, to find out are they okay, and for you to imagine and potentially get healthier from the inside out. You can subscribe to my weekly newsletter at lucymcbride.substack.com [00:02:00] and to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. So, let's get into it and go beyond the prescription. What defines a family? What are the ingredients for healthy family relationships? What happens to us mentally and physically when family secrets are kept, and then when they are revealed? These are some of the important questions Chrysta Bilton explores in her critically acclaimed memoir, "Normal Family: [00:02:30] On Truth, Love, and How I met My 35 Siblings." In it, Chrysta describes how she learned that she has dozens, if not hundreds of siblings, the offspring of sperm donor Number 150 from the California Cryobank, and how she has reckoned with her past to better understand herself, what is nature, what is nurture, and how she cares for her mental and physical health. Chrysta, thank you so much for joining me today. Chrysta: Thank you so much for having me. I really admire [00:03:00] what you're doing with this podcast. I'm so grateful to be here. Dr. McBride: I appreciate that. And I wanna start with your mother who sounds like a real character. I mean, I kind of loved her from the minute I learned about who she was. She was a lesbian in the early '80s, desperate to have a family when a lot of sperm banks wouldn't even let gay women participate. So, tell me what she did. Chrysta: Yeah. They wouldn't allow gay women or single women for that matter. So, it was a different time. I think we forget how [00:03:30] far we've come, at least in certain parts of the country, in terms of homophobia. But in the '70s and '80s, even '50s and '60s, when my mom was growing up, everyone was closeted at that time. When she decided she wanted to have a family in her 30s after getting sober from drug addiction and, you know, dealing with a whole host of other stuff from her chaotic upbringing, what she wanted more than anything was to have this family. But she didn't know a single gay person who had had kids. You know, she knew women who were in marriages who were maybe on the side exploring their sexuality, [00:04:00] but she didn't know a single person who had set out to do this out in the open. And, you know, I describe a comical journey that she has to trying to find a father or, you know, a sperm donor for her kid. She starts with this place called the Repository of Germaninal Choice, which in the early '80s was this...basically this traveling salesman type man with a briefcase who she'd read about in the "LA Times" or "The New York Times" who'd come to your home with a binder filled with what he called, like, Nobel laureate sperm donors. And you'd flip through these [00:04:30] anonymous men with no pictures and she picked a mathematics prodigy. And that was gonna be my sperm donor. And she tried to get pregnant and she didn't. And then she got spooked and hired a PI to get a photo of this would-be mathematics prodigy. And this very unattractive professor photo came back and she was like, "You know what? I need to know the father of my kids and I want him to be good-looking." These were her criteria for what she wanted. So, she went on this manhunt and my very handsome model, musician, actor, [00:05:00] man who would become my father walked into a hair salon in Beverly Hills and she was like, "That's it. That's the one." And she took this man to lunch and paid him $2,000 to give her sperm. And I refer to him as my dad, not a sperm donor because after that initial transaction, my mother realized that, you know, she was filled with shame about going about having a family in this different way. And she felt like maybe she was depriving me of something by not giving me a dad. So, she then paid this [00:05:30] man to play a role in my life and I knew him as dad. Dr. McBride: And he promised her at that time that he wouldn't donate sperm to anybody else, that you and your sister Kaitlyn would be the only offspring, yet he was making a living off of donating his sperm. Tell me about the moment that your mom learned about him not keeping that promise. Chrysta: Shortly after the hair salon transaction, she made him swear he would never do this for anyone else. And at the the time, he was just like, "Of course," because it's not like [00:06:00] women were coming up to him at hair salons on a daily basis and, you know, lesbian women asking him to father a child. But then it became more apparent why she was so adamant about this because shortly after that she took him to the California Cryobank, which was just starting at this time, to be tested for STDs and to test his sperm count. And he saw a bunch of men walking in and out of donation rooms and he was like, "Oh, now I understand. It's because she was gonna bring me here and she knew I'd get ideas." And he did. So, while he was [00:06:30] playing dad to us, he then donated to the California Cryobank for almost 10 years, 3 times a week. I think he was one of their most prolific sperm donors. And we did not learn about this until I was in my 20s. And through a wild series of events that I document in the book, my mother discovered it from a front-page story in "The New York Times" featuring my dad with his arm around one of these half-biological siblings. And it was a big story at the time because he was [00:07:00] one of the first anonymous sperm donors to "come out" and welcome all of his biological children to come meet him. So, yeah, that started a real nervous breakdown for my mother who, I think, already had a lot of shame around our family that was so different to the other families around us. But this was too different, I think, in her mind. Dr. McBride: And how long was it between that 2005 New York Times article where his story was revealed and you finding out that this man who is your father and not really always present in your [00:07:30] life but part of your life had fathered these other children? Chrysta: So, my mother decided that she would never tell us this story. And by the way, after "The New York Times" story, like, this was a huge story. Suddenly, you know, "60 Minutes" was calling to have my dad come on, and lots of newspapers were coming to interview him. There was a documentary film crew from Canada who were gonna document the story. So, I don't know how my mom thought she could keep this from us forever, but she did. And the only reason she finally sat down with me and my little sister to tell [00:08:00] us was because, again, through just a bizarre series of events, it turned out that I was most likely dating my half-brother, which I guess is, you know, what happens when sperm donation is that unregulated. That's the fear. It just happened to happen in my actual life. Dr. McBride: And so, that brought the conversation to a head. You had to know and she told you. Chrysta: That's right. Yeah. And that was a lot to unpack because she had never told me that she'd paid my father to have me. I was told that they were best friends who had had a kid [00:08:30] together, and she'd also never told me that he'd been financially incentivized to play the role of dad. So, even though she didn't say all that in that initial conversation about the siblings, it just alerted me to the fact, which I already in my gut knew that there was just so much more to the story of my conception and upbringing than my mother had told me. So, yeah, the book is a bit of a mystery because it's tracking me as I unpack what the real story was, if that makes sense. Dr. McBride: And so, what do you think holding [00:09:00] that secret in your mom's body and mind did to her? I mean, how did that affect her everyday life? Chrysta: You know, my mother was someone who had a lot of secrets, which of course stemmed from having a lot of shame. And beyond just the secret of my conception and the true nature of my mother and father's relationship, it turned out that there were quite a few really big life events that I didn't know about my mother. Like, I didn't know about her traumatic childhood, I didn't know about a couple really [00:09:30] heavy things that she had gone through. Shame is just such a powerful emotion. I think that's a big theme in my book, shame, because I inherited a lot of shame from my mom. You know, she was ashamed of being gay. I was ashamed of having a mother who was gay. She was ashamed of...you know, there was some suicide and some other really heavy stuff in her family history and alcoholism, and she was ashamed of all that. So, you know, the problem with keeping secrets is then you can't really be close to people because you're presenting a false self and you're not really your whole self. Yeah, [00:10:00] the book is sort of me mirroring that journey to being false. And then ultimately I wrote a book about it, so I guess it's all out in the open now. But yeah, I don't know, shame and secrets, it's a topic that I'm very interested in. Dr. McBride: Yeah. And I think shame is an almost universal experience that we all have and it does so much damage. And I think it propagates this notion that we need to keep things under the vest and we need to keep secrets. But the secrets perpetuate the shame and the shame perpetuates the secrets. And so, the treatment, if you will, is coming [00:10:30] clean and being honest about who we really are and showing up as ourselves and daring to be vulnerable, which isn't easy if you've experienced trauma in your life as it sounds like your mom did as a youngster. Chrysta: Yeah, that's absolutely right. You know, there's another piece of it too. So, the shame perpetuates the secrets and the secrets perpetuate the shame, but then also close you off to other people that you can only heal through those relationships, and I think through revealing those parts of yourself and then being loved in return, which, of course, you have to then have [00:11:00] healthy relationships to find that. I feel like people who have a lot of secrets and shame also sometimes seek out more unhealthy connection. Dr. McBride: So, you're a parent, Chrysta. I think sometimes as parents we struggle about what we should reveal to our kids about our past, our own struggles. I mean, I think some parents think that we should just cover that up and not talk about how hard things were because we don't wanna give our kids ideas, like telling your child that you smoked as an adolescent might give them an idea that they could smoke. When actually I think being honest and open with our [00:11:30] kids helps them feel less alone and helps them feel less shame because they too have ups and downs and struggles. And I wonder how the secret keeping in your family when you were being raised, how that affected your mom's parenting. Like, if you look back on how you were parented, can you see the traces of the secrets being held? Chrysta: Absolutely. I mean, there was so much going on beyond just the shame and the secrets. My mom also struggled with probably a mood disorder [00:12:00] and also severe drug and alcohol addiction. And so, even if I didn't know what was going on, it was clear that I was a parent to my mother from a very early age. And even if she said she wasn't drinking, it was still clear that things were insane. I just didn't understand the cause. So, I guess that's out of the bubble of just speaking about the shame and the secrets. But I definitely think that it was only as an adult and understanding both of my parents, like, their full story and biography, that I was able to [00:12:30] get over a lot of the resentment I had about some of the more dysfunctional ways that I was raised, and also find it's not as much forgiveness but just, like, so much compassion for both of them. Because I think when you understand people's stories, you just can't help but have compassion because everyone's been through things that shape them in some way. Dr. McBride: When your mom told you about the sperm bank donor at 150, what was your initial reaction? Anger, resentment, confusion? I mean, what went through your mind? Chrysta: You said earlier, you had said... What [00:13:00] I loved about the book is that, you know, I cried, I laughed and I was like, I think those were my two emotions. I didn't know if I should be completely overwhelmed and start hysterically crying or if I should burst into tears of laughter because it felt like growing up me and my little sister had been through so much. You know, my mom was involved in many pyramid schemes, so life was very boom or bust. We were on the verge of homelessness multiple times. She had her drug addiction up and down. She also had all these relationships with women who would come in for a few years and then leave. So, family was [00:13:30] so complicated to us already. It was just like, if this was going to happen to anyone we knew, of course, it would be us that potentially had hundreds of brothers and sisters because the universe has a great sense of humor and they just wanna throw one more thing at us, I guess. But yeah, I think at the time I was at a very fragile and vulnerable state because I had just gotten over an eating disorder. I was quitting drinking because I realized that I think I just had a biological propensity towards alcoholism and so I wanted to cut that as a possibility [00:14:00] early on. So, I was just doing a lot of healing work and this was just one thing too many to deal with at that time. So, I just shut the door on it and sort of pretended that it wasn't a thing for almost 10 years. You know, also, my father had become homeless at that point and that was a whole other thing emotionally to deal with for me. So, yeah, it was just too much at that time. But then once it was a different time in my life and I was in a better place, then it came back in a really interesting and powerful way. Dr. McBride: So, what allowed you to go [00:14:30] from kind of compartmentalizing it and sort of walling it off in your mind, this whole other life you potentially had, to inviting your siblings, the ones who were known, to, like, a family reunion? I mean, that's a big leap. Chrysta: That's a big leap. Yeah. I think just a lot of emotional maturity and also being in such a different place. You know, I'd had kids at that point, I had a loving partnership, I had really healed things with my mother [00:15:00] in many ways. So, I think that I was just like, you know, you can grow in stages, I think, and take on different challenges at different times. And I think it was just, "Okay, all the other areas of my life were pretty settled. Maybe I can look at this now." But also it was the way that one of the siblings came into my life. No one in my family was interested in art, but I really was. And I'd wound up after college where I'd studied writing, I'd wound up going to this tiny little art school in Italy called the Florence Academy of Art. I only [00:15:30] discovered that school through a random set of events. And it's like Renaissance painting. It's not exactly, you know, oil painting, it's just not really something that a lot of people you've encountered in life go to study. And one of my half-sisters studied there right after me as a coincidence. And that was just such an incredible coincidence. And, you know, we had all the same friends and we were so alike, but it was one of those sliding doors. Genetics is more powerful than nurture. It [00:16:00] was so much, it was so much to think about that I was... And she had grown up, you know, across the country in a very different family and we dressed the same, we had the same gardening books. So, when she reached out to me as opposed to other times when I'd been contacted by siblings and just sort of ignored it, I was like, "Wow, this is pretty crazy. Okay. I'll have one sister, one extra sister. I can get to know this one woman because we have so much in common and the universe has put us in this interesting situation." And then [00:16:30] what was fascinating to me is she had grown up thinking that the father who had raised her was her biological parent. And it was only through taking a DNA test on ancestry.com that she learned that she had a sperm donor. And I document some of her psychological experience with that in the book. But what was fascinating was that her attitude towards this larger biological family was so profoundly different from the attitude I had taken. Like, I thought, "Oh, this is one more thing to feel ashamed of and this is [00:17:00] so weird and strange." And for her she was like, "I have always been an only sibling, I always wanted a sister. And, oh my god, now I have dozens of sisters, maybe hundreds of sisters. And my life was so boring and this is just the most exciting thing that's ever happened. It's like a lifetime movie. This doesn't happen in real life," you know? So, she was excitedly getting to know all of the siblings that she could track down. And I was just confronted with such a different attitude towards the whole thing that [00:17:30] it occurred to me, "Oh, I could have that attitude. At any point, I could just choose to see this completely differently." And that was really powerful. So, I did. So, I sort of just took her lead and, you know, she suggested, she's like, "Why don't we do a family reunion?" And I was like, "Okay. I'll host it. I'm big sister, it's appropriate." Dr. McBride: That's amazing. I mean, when you were gathered around with all of your different half-siblings, what were the similarities among you? What were the threads that were, like, undoubtedly [00:18:00] genetic and biological? Can you think of any? Chrysta: Yeah. Well, to start with the physical similarities are uncanny. Physically, I take more after my mother, but my little sister Kaitlyn looks exactly like our dad. And I would say that maybe 80% to 90% of the siblings look exactly like my dad. So, you know, anyone who came over that weekend, it was like an episode of "The Twilight Zone" because when we were just all standing next to each other, we just all looked like siblings. But there are a lot of us. You know, beyond the physical, we all have a different [00:18:30] mother and we all shared completely different upbringings. But still just as a scientific case study of all these people who come from the same sperm donor, it's fascinating. The great majority of us have ADD, which, you know, I know is proven to be already a very biological thing. So, that manifested in, you know, the first night we went out to a restaurant, all of our phones are always at 1%. We're very spacey, we lose things all the time. I'm sure somewhere in this conversation I'll trail off. So, as we're leaving the restaurant, the waiter comes running after [00:19:00] us with, like, four sets of keys, three phones, two purses. And it's this hilarious moment of, "Oh my god, this is just bizarre." Dr. McBride: And this is family. Chrysta: And this is family. Yes, absolutely. And it's been pretty cool. Since coming out with the book, I realized that there's also this whole community, it's called the NPE community, which is the Not Parent Expected. I didn't even know that was a community, but it is. And it's people, you know, who were adopted and never told, or who had a sperm donor and [00:19:30] were never told. Again, I think the origin of never telling is often rooted in shame. But those kids gain a lot from knowing about their biological origins. And even just seeing in my sibling group, the kids who were never told, they described things about themselves that they could never relate to their biological family that confused them or made them feel out of place, and then just knowing the information, looking in the mirror, and seeing a different person. So, that wasn't my experience. I knew [00:20:00] my father, but that's such fascinating psychological material to work with. Dr. McBride: Yeah. I mean, in medicine, you know, we talk about nature and nurture, right? We talk about what is inherited, what is fixed, and then what is environmental, situational. And, you know, when you're trying to help someone become healthier in some way, you always try to kind of tease apart what is something you can't control and what is something you can. And what's so interesting in hearing you talk right now is, you know, you had these, like, [00:20:30] fixed commonalities, like, these facial features, maybe hair color, maybe even ADD, which I think is nature and nurture, but it's a lot of nature, and then there are these experiences that you had that were completely different. Some of you were told from the beginning that you had a sperm donor and some were not. And the psychological impact of that on people's health is huge. And that's really where I would as a doctor, if someone was struggling with, like, addiction or disordered eating and having had that background, I would [00:21:00] suggest they lean into that sort of nurture part because that's where you can reclaim some sense of agency and control over your story, or what you tell yourself about where you came from. Because I think the...as you outline in your book, for you and for your siblings, the dishonesty, which I don't think was intentional, but the withholding of the truth really does so much harm to people, when I think in your mom's case, she was just trying to protect you. Chrysta: Yeah. I think in a lot of these parents' [00:21:30] cases. You know, I think at the time, we talked about we've come so far, you know, now there are books, you know, whether it's a gay family raising a kid or a single parent. Like, there are specific books where you can start introducing those ideas in sweet age-appropriate ways from very early on. But none of that material existed back then. And often these sperm banks were advising parents not to tell their kids. And, you know, there's all kinds of fear like where it's the case of a heterosexual couple and the man is infertile, I think there's shame in that. And so, [00:22:00] you know, "Will this child not love me the same if they think that I'm not biologically connected to them?" And so, I have so much compassion for the reasons why the parents didn't tell the truth. That's not shared by all of the siblings. Sometimes there's a lot of anger around it. Dr. McBride: I'm sure. But to me, that's sort of the varsity head space if you can get there, is like I'm sure you've experienced some anger and frustration towards your mom. I mean, that would be kind of weird if you didn't. I think we all have that and I think my kids are probably stewing at me right this minute as we speak for some reason. But anger then can [00:22:30] become curiosity which can become understanding, and that can lead to empathy and compassion. And that's where I hope I am with my parents, and I hope we can all get because I think, you know, as parents we're doing the best we can and we sometimes think that withholding information is the right thing to do when actually kids are more perceptive and intuitive than we sometimes give them credit. Chrysta: Yeah, absolutely. But I also think it's, like, of course, everything's age appropriate. Like, if you're [00:23:00] really stressed about something that you don't want them to take on, it's not necessarily something you wanna share with them at, you know, a certain age, of course. But yeah, these bigger things and especially as they are ready to deal with them or understand them, I think it's helpful to connect with your kids in that way. But, you know, I don't know, I have a seven-year-old and a five-year-old. I'm sure once I have teenagers, it'll be a whole other... Dr. McBride: Yeah. I mean, I think you're right, it has to be age-appropriate. You don't wanna share all of your dirty laundry with a five-year-old because that becomes a burden, and they can't handle emotionally a lot of information that [00:23:30] they can't relate to or understand. But I also think that kids have a sixth sense and know when we're not being authentic or honest. My kids are teenagers now and I actually love this phase of parenting because they're so able to understand things in meaningful ways, and so you can really be honest with them, it's great. But you also don't wanna be, you know...I never wanna be the person who is, like, the kid's best friend because I feel like they need the knowledge that we have, like, some guardrails and boundaries, and that we are still the authority even if we don't act like one every day. [00:24:00] What does your life look like now vis-a-vis these half-siblings? Are they part of your life? Do you connect with them? What is that like? Chrysta: Yeah. Some of the siblings call it more like a cousin relationship. I always had a very small family with the exception of my mom's girlfriends who would come in and out. But when you have so many, it's impossible to have deep relationships with all of them. There are now siblings whose names I don't know. You know, it starts with trying to keep track of their pets or their birthdays, and then it's just information overload and you sort of remember one key [00:24:30] detail that separates one person from another, like where they're from or what they're interested in. But what I have is close relationships with some of them, whether that's through common interest, or you know, location, being close by because they're all over the U.S. We're still waiting for our first international sibling. I'm sure it exists but... You know, my core family is me, my husband, my kids, and my mom, and my sister that I grew up with. But there are now this rich extended family that I see, you know, a few times [00:25:00] a year. And, you know, also all the siblings, you know, originally they were on Facebook and then they moved to WhatsApp, and then WhatsApp became incredibly overwhelming because you'd go on and after a few days of not being on, and there'd be, like, 500 new messages, and all on one thread and you just couldn't keep up. So, then we moved to this app called Discord, which is sort of like Slack if you're familiar with that, where you can organize by topic. So, genealogy is a topic, politics is a topic. You know, everyone's very passionate about their views even though their views [00:25:30] can be on either side of the spectrum. So, that's also hilarious. Dr. McBride: Can you talk to me a little bit about...? It sounds like you had an eating disorder, you had a wobbly relationship with alcohol. I mean, how much do you think that was genetic and how much do you think was environmental? Chrysta: You know what? There was some point at which my husband was getting to know me, which he was really the first person I ever really opened up to about the truth. You know, around adolescence, I had started lying about what was happening at home. I was ashamed that we had financial struggles, I [00:26:00] was ashamed of my mom being gay, I was ashamed of her alcohol...like, so many things. So, I was very much a fake person for a lot of my life. And I think that contributed to the eating disorder and the substance abuse because alcohol, I think, made me feel comfortable in social settings where I had this horrible anxiety otherwise. Dr. McBride: How did the eating disorder serve you in the time you kind of "needed it?" Chrysta: I think it gave me a sense of control when my family situation was so out of control. You know, my father was [00:26:30] living in the streets and my mom was at one point in a halfway house or in rehab for coke addiction, and I was taking care of my little sister like I was the mom and it was just a tremendous amount of responsibility, I think, early on. And I think that the eating disorder gave me a sense of control. And there was also this strange element of wanting to be childlike. And so, my physicality suddenly became, like, almost prepubescent, if that makes... It's very bizarre. [00:27:00] I wanted to be taken care of and there was some sort of reaction people would give me like, "Oh you're so delicate." I could just... I don't know, it played into something.  Dr. McBride: Yeah. I think we make the mistake in assuming that girls or boys who are suffering from anorexia are just vain or they wanna fit into their jeans. I think it's so much more complicated. I had a patient recently who was starving herself consciously and then sort of unconsciously because she was experiencing gender dysphoria and didn't wanna menstruate. [00:27:30] I mean, I think we can't assume that the path to these disorders, whether it's a relationship with food or alcohol are kind of one size fits all. Chrysta: Yeah. I mean, I'm sure there was a vanity to it as well. I had had a really abusive boyfriend in high school that continued for many years and, you know, he had started calling me pudgy. And so, there was an element of wanting to, like, be loved. But I think it played into I wasn't getting my needs met and it was like I had just somehow indulged [00:28:00] in something nurturing. I was, like, gonna deprive myself of that rather than allow others to be depriving me of it because I couldn't control...I don't know, it's complicated. I don't pretend to be a psychologist. Dr. McBride: I think what you're hitting on is what so many people with disordered eating struggle with. I mean, it's a physical, psychological, and mental health manifestation of not having your emotional needs met. And instead of identifying that and then trying to problem solve for it, which you may have not been capable of at that age, you're sort of [00:28:30] channeling all of this distress into the attempt to control your body. Chrysta: Yeah, totally. So, recovering from some of that stuff definitely happened in stages. Like, the first thing I worked on was my eating disorder because it got pretty bad. You know, I'm 5'6 and I got down to, like, 95 pounds. I went into a school doctor when I was in college just because I felt ill and they could notice. They noticed how much I weighed and they started asking me questions about my eating. And for whatever reason, I don't know if it was this [00:29:00] overriding desire to be healthy because I was both anorexic and bulimic. And so, I admitted that I sometimes threw up, enough to give this woman who I was speaking to plenty of red siren warning signs. And so, for whatever reason she just made me sign away that I would go into treatment for that. And so, I started seeing a therapist once a week. And luckily, I think when you catch that disorder pretty early, I had only been in it for two years, two or three years, I think there's a lot more success rate than people who have been struggling with it for a long time. So, I started seeing this [00:29:30] wonderful therapist. And she was working on some of the psychological piece, but she also just wanted me to gain weight. And so, even though I wasn't necessarily figuring out all the reasons why I was anorexic, I would just sit at the plate and, like, force myself to eat. So, I'm really grateful that I'm fully recovered. I don't struggle with it at all. Dr. McBride: It's incredible that you must have had very good treatment because a lot of people don't fully recover and never do. It's so interesting that you say the thing about the...just eating. You know, my patients who have anorexia get [00:30:00] so mad at me or the nutritionist, or the psychologist that they're being forced to eat when they're like, "I'd rather just talk about what's going on and what the roots of this are." Or, they just don't wanna do it at all, but... Chrysta: They just don't wanna get to it yet. So, they're like, "Let's stall." Dr. McBride: Well, they wanna be the one anorexic in the history of treatment who can stay underweight and underfed. They think that there's, like, a workaround. But the reason you have to eat before you talk about the feelings is because until you're fed, you can't really get to the root causes. I mean, if you're underfed, your brain just isn't [00:30:30] working properly. So, vitamin F is the most important ingredient, food, for then uncovering what the root causes are and connecting the dots between what's happened in your life and what's happening in your mind to then be healthy. Chrysta: Definitely. Yeah. And there's this concept that I was introduced to, which in general I think with getting healthy over things is, like, contrary action. So, it's like even while you're maybe sitting with a therapist and talking about all the reasons why you do something that you know to be dysfunctional, you can do that but [00:31:00] you can also just behave in the way that you know is the functional way. Dr. McBride: Yes. Chrysta: Even if it's against your instincts. And then sometimes the behavior can lead to the health too. Like, it can be a reverse. Dr. McBride: Yes, you're exactly right. You can stop drinking even though you may have convinced yourself, you know, "This is just temporary and I probably am fine drinking," which will then reinforce your recovery and you can talk in AA or with a therapist about the reasons behind why you drink too [00:31:30] much and kind of hit it from both angles. So, there's the practical, the psychological way of getting ourselves out of behaviors that are self-sabotaging. So, it sounds like, for you, the disordered eating and the alcohol served a purpose. Chrysta: And relationships as well. I would say that my biggest addiction was to toxic relationships, both female friendships and men that I was attracted to. With the nurture side, you can understand why I had loved my mother who was a drug addict, and [00:32:00] that there are patterns to that type of relationship that you get into. So, I was very attracted to men who just could not show up for me emotionally, or who I had to say because ultimately they couldn't meet my needs. So, it took a lot of work to get over that one too. Dr. McBride: Yeah, that's a big one and one we commonly see, you know, in the world and I see and my patients and in friends. I think the saying is that we're comfortably uncomfortable, right? It's like you know your discomfort, and so then you gravitate to repeat history. It's like a repetition [00:32:30] compulsion that we have until the light bulb goes on and you're like, "Wait a minute. This relationship is not serving me. It's actually unhealthy." So, when did that happen for you vis-a-vis relationships? Chrysta: That one happened later. So, I'd say I, like, hit the eating disorder then the addiction, then even though I had recovered from those things, I was in this, I would say I was addicted to this guy that I had been on and off for 10 years. And I tell a little bit of that crazy story in the book, but that's just a sliver. And he was physically abusive and psychologically, and I think [00:33:00] just mentally unwell. I actually don't think he was a bad person. I just think he had a real mental illness but I could just not stay away from this person. And I think it was only when we started talking about kids and I was like, "Oh." There was this instinct where I was, like, for whatever reason, I could allow someone to treat me that way. But when I suddenly imagine little kids in the picture, that was the thing that allowed me to finally end that relationship. Thank goodness. I think just because I had had, you know, my parents, who I do have [00:33:30] so much compassion for, I think they had been really hurt in their childhood and then they had not fully healed enough that they could parent in a healthy way. And I think just not wanting to do that to a kid was really the thing. Dr. McBride: Well, you had clearly suffered so much in your childhood and you'd already worked so hard to get through the disordered eating and the alcohol issue. I don't wanna put words in your mouth, but it sounds like you just didn't wanna pass on any of that chaos to the extent you have control over that as a parent. Chrysta: Yeah. No, that's exactly right. Which of course doesn't mean that [00:34:00] like, "Oh, now there are no challenges and it's..." you know, life continues to throw challenges in your way. But to the extent that there's stuff I can do that I can work on, yeah, you know, trying. There's progress, not perfection. Dr. McBride: That's right. So, what's your relationship with your mother like now? Chrysta: Oh, it's a great relationship. I'm so happy to say she's sober for more than a decade. And I'm still very much her parent and there's some codependency there on her side. So, it's not like, oh, we completely went to a [00:34:30] normal relationship. Like, she sometimes accidentally calls me mom. You know, I take full financial care of her, which at one point was a real stress but is now okay. Thank goodness. But she is an extraordinary grandparent and she's just a really beautiful person.  Dr. McBride: That's incredible. It's really a testament to your sort of inner strength and also just the work you've done that you have so much compassion and forgiveness for her. Because like I said in the beginning, it's really the book is kind of, like, a love letter to her, which you [00:35:00] wouldn't expect because, you know, things started out pretty chaotically. Chrysta: Yeah. You know, the big thing that stopped me from writing this book, you know, even before I knew about the siblings, I was compelled to write the story of me and my mother. And I would do various drafts throughout the years. And I think there was one time when I'd accidentally left a draft on my computer and she'd found it and she went to hysterics, and she was so upset and she couldn't believe I was writing this thing. And so, I think I put the project down for, like, 10 years because I was like I didn't wanna hurt my mom because there was a lot of challenging [00:35:30] material in that book. And I think that I was also worried that beyond getting over the hump of her feelings about it, which was a long process, it was also not wanting readers to judge her. And, you know, everyone's like, "I have all these problems with my mom," but as soon as you hear other people telling you, "Oh, she was a terrible mother," you take offense to that even if you hold sometimes those views. But I've been pleasantly surprised that for the most part, of course, you know, once you get [00:36:00] a lot of readers, people have divergent views. But for the most part, people have loved the character of my mother. And she is a character. I would say that there's never been anyone like her. Dr. McBride: If you're listening to this, you have to read this book not only because of the story of the sperm donor and your myriad siblings but because of your mom. And you paint her in a very empathetic, protective, and beautiful light. Chrysta: Oh, thanks. Yeah, I tried to bridge the gap I think between being honest because it got hard, you know, when she was doing lines in the carpool [00:36:30] for our high school, things got dark. But I think sometimes it's also good to see stories of that, and then see that you can get through it and out of it. Of course, that's not everyone's. My dad is still on the streets. So, it's not like it's a perfect Hollywood ending, although he's happy in his way with that. Dr. McBride: So, what would you say, what is a family? What defines a family? Is it the people that we are genetically connected to, or is it people that you cultivate a relationship with? Chrysta: I think it's different for [00:37:00] every single person and there's, like, a journey to figuring out what that is for you. But I'd say that whatever you define family as, it's such an important component of mental health to feel that you have a family, and even if you're building that. You know, I know some people that grew up in situations where they couldn't find peace with their parent because it wasn't...you know, maybe it was someone who had more ill intentions or had really done serious damage. So, I would never say, like, go find peace with that person. My conception of family is ever-changing. [00:37:30] But you've definitely built family through shared experiences. So, even if biology brings people into my life, it doesn't become family until you've spent time together. Dr. McBride: And I think, to me, family is also about shared vulnerability. It's about feeling safe to kind of show up as our true authentic selves, and it's about being seen and being heard. And it's also, to me at least, about people celebrating your [00:38:00] wins with you, and then mourning your losses with you, and being there for the highs and the lows. Chrysta: Yeah, the people that you share your deepest life with, I would say. Dr. McBride: That's right. So, Chrysta, what do you do now in your everyday life to maintain your health? Let's start with mental health first. Not that mental and physical health are separate. In fact, that's the whole point of this podcast. But what do you do to maintain your mental health? Chrysta: I would say spending time with loved ones, trying to be a good person, you know, trying to be a present [00:38:30] parent. I'm still sober, I participate in some groups through that. Speaking of the biological component, like, I am on an SSRI, and that helped me a lot. And whether that's nature or nurture, a lot of the siblings are also on meds. So, I don't know that's important to mention as well, I think. Because, like, I could never meditate until I was on that and people would be like, "If you just meditated, it would go away." And I was like, "Well." Dr. McBride: I'm really glad you mentioned the SSRI part because it is always a question, "Is my anxiety disorder, is [00:39:00] my depression genetic or is it environmental? Should I be doing therapy or meds? Should I be doing both?" And I think we can't really measure in blood or with testing, like, how much someone's emotional health or emotional challenges are genetic and how much are environmental. But there's a role for medication. I completely agree with the people who say that we have, in many ways, medicalized the human condition and that we're over-prescribing Prozac. But [00:39:30] I only believe that when we're talking about not understanding the person in their deepest truest sense and simply prescribing a pill and assuming that the pill will do the work. But for so many of my patients, and it sounds like for you, the medication is just another tool in the toolkit in addition to the work you do in sober groups, the work you do in therapy, and then just showing up as you are. And so, I think it's really important to destigmatize medication. It's [00:40:00] not a crutch, it's a tool like all the other things you do. Chrysta: Totally. Also, like, I don't know that it would've worked had I not been able to do all the work to get over some of the things. I don't know if I'd medicate and then suddenly my eating disorder would've gone. I had to do a lot of work on that and I had to do a tremendous amount of therapy to get out of my abusive relationship cycle, and I had to do a ton of work to be sober. But after I had done all that work, and I would say I did a ton of it, I still had this crippling anxiety. I did [00:40:30] have a block against medication in my brain and it took a lot...you know, and I don't know what exactly that block was, but I remember seeing the psychologist and he is like, "Let's just say, I'm not saying there's any proof that this is the case, but let's say that taking this takes one year off your life, but the rest of those years that you live, you're a less anxious person, would you still take it?" I was like, "Yeah, that would be great." And so, I was like, "What is that thing?" And he is like, "Also you could just get right off, you know, in a responsible way with a..." And I had also seen because I came from a family of drug addiction, I was [00:41:00] very terrified of pills because I had worked so hard to be sober and, you know, that's why I have ADD and I don't medicate for it because I'm like, "There is some possibility of abuse there. I don't wanna go anywhere near it." Not saying that people shouldn't. But finally, I was like, "Look, I've done all this work and for some reason, this is still happening. Maybe I don't need it forever, but I'll try it." And it really helped me. Dr. McBride: Yeah. I think some of the reasons that people get hung up on these medications and not taking them when they're appropriate is exactly what you said. They're afraid of kind of losing control. Maybe this wasn't your situation, but they're afraid [00:41:30] of being, you know, labeled as, like, mentally ill officially if they're on medication or they think they can just do more work, which is, of course, noble and valiant and wonderful and needed. But, for example, Prozac is not gonna make an anorexic eat necessarily. Food is more important than serotonin at that moment, right? All the work you did kind of laid the groundwork for, I would imagine, the SSRI helping with that, whatever, 5%, 10% of anxiety that needed to be turned down on [00:42:00] the volume knob. And by the way, you're not gonna probably have a year lopped off of your life because of the SSRI. I would argue that you'll probably live longer because you won't have all this unnecessary cortisol and adrenaline coursing through your veins, like, raising your blood pressure and heart rate. And again, it's not a panacea. And that's the mistake we make, I think, is that you know it's gonna do the work then it's gonna fix all of our problems when actually, you know, just, like, going for a brisk walk or you know, connecting with an old friend. Like, that's just part of the [00:42:30] puzzle. Chrysta: A hundred percent. Yeah. Dr. McBride: And then what do you do for your physical health now? I mean, do you exercise? Do you eat healthy? Chrysta: I do eat healthy. I indulge as well, but I eat very healthy. I don't cook. That was not part of our family tradition, but my husband thankfully does. So, I'm cooked five-star meals for most of my meals, which I'm very grateful for. I eat healthy and I need to start exercising, but that's maybe on this year's bucket list. I do have two small children. So, I would say that that is a very [00:43:00] physically active role, but I need to throw exercise into there for sure. Dr. McBride: I mean, it sounds like you're like most people. You do a lot of things well, you have aspirations, and then you're giving yourself a little break for not doing things perfectly. Tell me as a final question, if you could, what the process of writing this book and getting it out there in the world did for you in terms of kind of, I don't wanna say the word closure because that's too cliche or cute, but, like, what did it do psychologically to get this book out there in the [00:43:30] public? Chrysta: I think closure, yeah, it is cute, but I do think that there was an element of closure. I think there was also, like...talk about contrary action. Like, I had been so ashamed of the story for so long and it's sort of been eating inside me and now the story is fully out there. And I think that the deepest motivation for writing the book was that at different points in my life, memoirs specifically as a genre, but I guess literature as well in general, novels, contributed so much to me feeling less alone. You know, I read "Glass Castle." Dr. McBride: [00:44:00] I was gonna say you must have read "Glass Castle." Chrysta: Yeah. My sister brought it to me actually because she had been assigned it in school and she brought it to me, you know, in secret like it was, you know, the secret gift and she said, "You've gotta read this. It's our story." Even though it's not our story, our story is so different, but we just couldn't believe that a woman had been through this thing that she was so ashamed of and then she'd written a book and put it all out there and wasn't ashamed anymore. So, I think in that way, the stories are similar. But what I got so much from it was just feeling less [00:44:30] alone and feeling like, "Oh, I'm not in a place yet where I'm ready to share this story." You know, I think part of me thought in my own case, I was like, "No man is ever gonna marry me if he knows that I have this history of mental health, I have this crazy family. You know, no one's gonna ever sign up for this." I'm so glad that that didn't turn out to be true. But I think that memoirs specifically, I think when people vulnerably share their truth, it just helps you to frame your own truth. And so, I think that I had already gotten to a place where [00:45:00] I was more open. I just love memoir. And for whatever reason, I also just have this deep urge to tell this story from a really young age. And I don't know exactly, I can't fully understand why I had that deep urge, but it ate at me that I hadn't done it. And so, now I just feel a deep sense of relief that it's completed. I listened to another one of your podcast episodes, which was so wonderful with that amazing author "Corrections in Ink." And she said something about, like, she had [00:45:30] not had compassion for herself until she was rereading her book and could see herself as a character on the page. And I would say there was a really interesting psychological experience. I narrated the audiobook and rereading it through in one sitting, narrating it. I was just like, "Ooh, this little girl went through a lot." Dr. McBride: It sounds like you just followed your gut and your instinct to put this on paper, and it sounds like also you're now getting a flood of readers reaching out to you. You're also getting new [00:46:00] siblings, even last night. Chrysta: I don't know if that's the book. I think that's just coincidence. I don't think... You know, I mean, hey listen, maybe you're one of my siblings listening to this podcast... Dr. McBride: Maybe so. Chrysta: ...right now and you should go take an ancestry.com test. Dr. McBride: I'm going to, for sure. I think you've helped other people feel seen just like you did when you read "The Glass Castle." Chrysta: I have had such a diverse spread of readers reach out, people who discovered they had also biological siblings because they were the product [00:46:30] of a sperm donor, you know, young women who had a parent with substance abuse issues, mothers who had substance abuse issues, who read the book and were like, "I wanna get help." There have been so many different people that had a gay parent in the '70s and '80s and have never met another person. A few months ago I was at a fancy dinner and I was sat next to someone who just this incredibly fancy person and they were like, "Oh, what do you do?" And I was gonna mention the book, you know, and [00:47:00] of course, I mentioned the book and it was before it came out and he's like, "What's it about?" And I said, "Well, you know, my father who's now, you know, homeless and struggles with schizophrenia was secretly one of the most prolific sperm donors in history. It turned out I had all these siblings and..." but I just decided to like put it out there. Dr. McBride: Love it. Chrysta: And I was absolutely sure that this person next to me was gonna be like, "Oh, I gotta scoot further away from this person." He's like, "Oh, I had a really bad drug problem for a really long time." And then the guy across to me is like, "My mother's schizophrenic." And I'm just like, "Oh, this is [00:47:30] such a better conversation than whatever small talk we possibly would've..." You know, it's like, at any level of society, everyone's got...every family has its complexity. And I think that if we were all just more open, of course, I'm not promoting oversharing, like, you know, you don't need to tell your boss your life story. Dr. McBride: I could not agree with you more. First of all, that's much more interesting than talking about the weather or sports at a dinner table where you don't know everybody. And then [00:48:00] secondly, when you are a leader like you have been, it gives other people permission to be honest about their own stories. And who knows, maybe that helps them in a small way at being more authentic in their regular lives. Chrysta: Yeah. I think that's the power of vulnerability and getting over shame, is, yeah, maybe you can, in that tiny way, help other people to do that as well. Dr. McBride: Chrysta, I'm so grateful that you joined me today. You have an incredible way of writing and relating to not only your family [00:48:30] but to your reader. And I just can't thank you enough for writing this book and for spending time with me today. Chrysta: Thank you so much for having me, really. It's lovely. Dr. McBride: Thank you all for listening to "Beyond the Prescription." Please don't forget to subscribe, like, download, and share the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you catch your podcasts. I'd be thrilled, if you like this episode, to rate and review it. And if you have a comment or [00:49:00] question, please drop us a line at info@lucymcbride.com. The views expressed on this show are entirely my own and do not constitute medical advice for individuals. That should be obtained from your personal physician. "Beyond the Prescription" is produced at Podville Media in Washington, D.C.  Get full access to Are You Okay? at lucymcbride.substack.com/subscribe

There's a shortage of Black sperm donors and this especially hurts Black lesbian and queer couples. Black sperm makes up between 3% and 5% of what's available at cryobanks. This comes as the majority of cryobank customers are lesbian or queer. This shortage causes some people to look for sperm elsewhere, including Facebook. This episode we learn why this shortage is so severe, the legal issues that may arise when using a sperm donor on social media, and why so few Black people donate sperm. This story is from the podcast Beyond Black History Month. If you want to hear more stories like this, subscribe here or where ever you get your podcasts from.   Co-host and audio engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Co-host and managing producer of podcasts: Femi Redwood  Producers: Jill Webb and Dempsey Pillot

Sperm donation has been around since the 1950s and has helped build countless families for people with male factor infertility and/or for women without male partners.When it started, and in the decades that followed, most sperm donors were anonymous and many people who used sperm donors were actually discouraged from telling their offspring that they were conceived this way. But, as donor conception grew, so did the data and feedback from this group, who often demanded to know their genetic roots.On this pregnantish podcast, Andrea interviews two women, Sydney Sharon & Hayley Darknell-King, who live in different countries but share a similar experience of learning as adults that their biological dads were sperm donors. Sydney's dad was a sperm donor in the 1980s and Hayley was conceived, via sperm donation, during the same period. Both women know sperm donation from another perspective, too, as women in lesbian marriages who relied on sperm donation to build their respective families.This episode explores Sydney and Hayley's personal stories and discoveries as they learned about their conception stories and DNA, how this information has positively changed their lives and/or made them question their identities, and how this information has shaped them as parents of donor conceived people today.This episode is sponsored by California Cryobank, which carefully selects the highest quality sperm donors to give clients the best possible opportunity for a safe and successful pregnancy. In fact, less than 1% of applicants can become a California Cryobank donor. Interested in starting your search? Head to cryobank.com and enter the code PREGISH to gain access to a free Level Two subscription in 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

There's a shortage of Black sperm donors and this especially hurts Black lesbian and queer couples. Black sperm makes up between 3% and 5% of what's available at cryobanks. This comes as the majority of cryobank customers are lesbian or queer. This shortage causes some people to look for sperm elsewhere, including Facebook. In this episode, we learn why this shortage is so severe, the legal issues that may arise when using a sperm donor on social media, and why so few Black men donate sperm.   

Considering using a sperm donor for your fertility journey? The Fertility Docs and a special guest are here to provide some guidance. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they interview Dr. Jaime Shamonki of California Cryobank. They're discussing everything from how sperm banks pick donors to why sperm donors donate. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.

Welcome to Season 4 of Stork'd! This introduction episode kicks off with the concept of “Choose Your Hard”,  assuming that you have access to those choices. Throughout this episode, you will hear snippets of Julia and several of her guests from this upcoming season discussing their family building stories. This episode focuses on a compilation of choices, tradeoffs and experiences guests encounter in building their families including: choosing divorce, to freeze eggs, to do one more round of IVF after many miscarriages, or to not have kids. The episode also features stories from families facing circumstances outside of their control such as illness, discovering you are donor conceived and loss.  In this episode, Julia touches on her feelings about Roe v. Wade and the impacts on future families with the choices they may no longer have.  Finally, we are excited for our first sponsor, California Cryobank. Tune in this season to weekly episodes celebrating all families and we hope you enjoy season 4!    IN THIS EPISODE:    [1:36] How do you choose your tradeoffs? [2:25] “Choose Your Hard” poem. How Julia interprets this poem from the perspective of our family lives. [4:38] What is Julia's “hard?” The difficulties she has faced when she chose to be a single parent. [6:36] How “Choosing Hard” applies to guests you will hear on future season 4 episodes. [7:00] A clip of future season 4 guest, Jen, expressing her emotions around choosing divorce. [8:10] Future season 4 guest, Cam, and her choice to freeze her eggs. [9:36] Meg's choice to build a family solely through adoption. [11:45] Chelsea watched as her parent deteriorated due to a terminal illness. How was she able to cope with those things that were thrust upon her and out of her control?  [12:45] Discovering your father was a sperm donor and you have donor conceived siblings. How Sydney connected with her BioSibs [13:50] Discovering you are donor conceived at age 13. How Louise experienced this stunning revelation. [15:30] Faced with the unthinkable: Yvette's heartbreaking story of her son's death days after he was born. [17:30] Dealing with 8 miscarriages: Lauren's choice to find another doctor who ulitmalely saved her life. [19:14] Overturn of Roe v. Wade - the potential implications for women to access life saving medical treatments. [22:38] What to expect for Season 4!   KEY TAKEAWAYS:    No matter what decision you make, it is going to be hard. There will be things that come up that create complications, but regardless of the decision, there will be challenges that arise.  Sometimes we don't get to choose our circumstances. Instead, choosing your hard can be navigating things that happen TO us.  In every episode, we end up hearing a pivot point, where someone's life goes through a change in which they had to make a decision; they had to choose which direction their life was going to go. Season 4's new sponsor, California Cryobank, holds a special place in Julia's family. She chose her sperm donor from California Cryobank.    RESOURCE LINKS   Stork'd Facebook Page   Stork'd on Instagram   Stork'd YouTube Channel   Stork'd Website   California Cryobank

Infertility doesn't just affect your physical body. It also affects your mind and your relationships, which is why it can be helpful to meet with a couples and sex therapist. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they talk to a renowned couples and sex therapist, Marissa Nelson of IntimacyMoons™. Learn how Marissa helps couples on their infertility journey and what you can do to stay connected with your partner. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's podcast is brought to you by Theralogix and California Cryobank.

Building a family with donor sperm is more common today than ever before. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine meets with the father of modern sperm donation, Dr. Cappy Rothman, who explores the past, present, and future of the sperm donation process.As the co-founder of California Cryobank, the world's largest sperm bank, Dr. Rothman has been at the forefront of assisted reproduction since its inception. Dr. Shahine and Dr. Rothman dig into the history of sperm banking (spoiler alert: The concept wasn't well-received when first shared in the 1950s) and his advocacy for sperm bank access for couples experiencing infertility. The episode also touches upon 23andMe and Ancestry.com's implications with donor anonymity, what people generally want in a donor, the information captured by sperm banks, and much, much more.You can learn more about Dr. Rothman here: https://www.laweekly.com/the-god-of-sperm/Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media!Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedInBaby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is a Mark Ramsey Media production.

Building a family with donor sperm is more common today than ever before. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine meets with the father of modern sperm donation, Dr. Cappy Rothman, who explores the past, present, and future of the sperm donation process.As the co-founder of California Cryobank, the world's largest sperm bank, Dr. Rothman has been at the forefront of assisted reproduction since its inception. Dr. Shahine and Dr. Rothman dig into the history of sperm banking (spoiler alert: The concept wasn't well-received when first shared in the 1950s) and his advocacy for sperm bank access for couples experiencing infertility. The episode also touches upon 23andMe and Ancestry.com's implications with donor anonymity, what people generally want in a donor, the information captured by sperm banks, and much, much more.You can learn more about Dr. Rothman here: https://www.laweekly.com/the-god-of-sperm/Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media!Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedInBaby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is a Mark Ramsey Media production.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Everyone's fertility journey is unique, so our listeners have different questions about everything from their diagnosis to their treatment options. The Fertility Docs are here to answer them! Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they discuss everything from semen analysis and sperm health to conceiving with scar tissue after a C-section. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes. Today's podcast is brought to you by Ovation Fertility and California Cryobank.

Wondering what happens to your precious eggs after your egg retrieval procedure for IVF? The Fertility Docs and a special guest provide an inside look at the next steps in the IVF lab. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they talk with Dr. Aldo Esterhuizen, the lab director at Ovation® Fertility Nashville. Listen and learn about the next steps in the lab. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's podcast is brought to you by California Cryobank and Theralogix.

If you haven't been able to conceive using IUI, you might be wondering when you should consider IVF. The Fertility Docs have the answer. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they talk to Dr. Kate O'Leary from Midwest Fertility Specialists about when to move to IVF. Listen as they discuss what you'll want to consider to help make this decision. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's podcast is brought to you by Theralogix and California Cryobank. 

When you keep seeing one negative pregnancy test after another, you're willing to do everything possible to have a baby. However, should acupuncture be one of those things? Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they talk to Lisa Grant OMD, founder of Fertility Reset Online, about acupuncture for infertility. Listen to learn how acupuncture can work with your fertility treatment. You'll also find out how your tongue and your pulses (yes, there is more than one) play a role in acupuncture. Interested in learning more about acupuncture? Get 20% off the Fertility Reset Online program by visiting drlisagrant.com/fertilitydocsuncensored. Use code FERTILITYDOCS at checkout. Today's episode is brought to you by Ovation Fertility and California Cryobank.

If you're dreaming of having a baby but it hasn't happened yet, it may be time to start thinking about getting started with fertility care. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they speak with special guest John Whitney, fertility care advocate and director of Ovation® Fertility Storage Solutions. Listen to this episode to learn about the first steps you should take on your fertility care journey. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Theralogix and California Cryobank.

The questions from listeners like you keep coming, and the Fertility Docs are happy to keep answering them. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they answer the questions that are on our listeners' minds. They're talking about everything from conceiving with chronic endometritis to when to start fertility treatments after trying to get pregnant on your own. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's podcast is brought to you by Ovation Fertility and California Cryobank.

What happens when you want to store your eggs, sperm or embryos? Long-term storage comes into play! Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they interview special guest John Whitney, director of Ovation® Fertility Storage Solutions. He's discussing the ins and outs of storing frozen eggs, sperm and embryos as well as the special situations that can come up. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.Today's episode is brought to you by Theralogix and California Cryobank.

Today's podcast is brought to you by Theralogix and California Cryobank. If you're getting ready to start ovarian stimulation for IVF, you're probably wondering what to expect. The Fertility Docs are here to shed some light on the meds to stimulate those ovaries. Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center as they discuss what you need to know before you get started with ovarian stimulation. You'll learn everything from the different types of meds to why you shouldn't compare yourself to your friends who have done IVF. Have questions about infertility? Visit FertilityDocsUncensored.com to ask our docs. Selected questions will be answered anonymously in future episodes.

Meet Matchmaker Rachel Russo, a solo parent who believes that having a baby on her own is one of the single best decisions she's made for her love life.At 30 years old, Rachel had a client who was also a top fertility doctor and offered her the opportunity to freeze her eggs for free. Rachel declined, thinking marriage and babies would soon come. Little did she know then that six years later, as she faced a tough fertility journey, she would look back on the doctor's offer with some regrets. Rachel says that with "a ticking clock" and a strong desire for motherhood, she decided to pursue having a baby without a partner in her mid 30s, thinking that not only can love come later, but that this step may actually improve her love life.In this interview, Andrea and Rachel discuss why the term 'single mom by choice' doesn't resonate with Rachel, how picking a sperm donor is the same and different from the love matches she picks for her clients, and why she wants to share her story publicly and inspire other singles to consider this step.This episode is supported by California Cryobank, the #1 sperm bank recommended by physicians, which maintains the highest quality standards to give clients the best possible opportunity for a safe and successful pregnancy. To learn more, visit www.cryobank.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kaleigh investigates a misunderstanding with California Cryobank in 2001 that led to the birth of a much younger half-sister in 2008. She also gets into the technical aspects of sperm donation and finds out some shocking news on the phone with Brian, an employee of the sperm bank. Follow, share, and rate the podcast if you're a fan. Thank you for listening! LINKS: Website: http://www.messageinabottlepod.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messageinabottlepodcast/ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCzTeW79iAQELoakzzWrwDZQ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/message-in-a-bottle-with-kaleigh-karnal/id1599333077 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7r2Vrf4bn1bi8KY1wqVm4s CONTACT: All media inquiries and people interested in sharing their donor conception story please email kaleighkarnal2@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/messageinabottlepod/support

Top Fertility Questions, Answered with Alice Crisci In episode #126 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Alice Crisci talks about Top Fertility Questions, Answered. More about Alice Crisci: Alice Crisci is a cancer survivor, entrepreneur, healthcare media host, and activist. She founded MedAnswers to end the spread of healthcare misinformation and speed consumer access to specialty medicine. The company's first mobile app product, FertilityAnswers, has a highly engaged user base and social media following, which has amassed a large and unique dataset driving fertility marketing strategies for national brands and R&D companies. She also founded an oncofertility charity, Fertile Action, three weeks into her breast cancer diagnosis at 31-years-old. She co-authored the first fertility preservation bill in the country and went on to lobby for reproductive change on behalf of the California Cryobank (now Generate Life Sciences) and as a patient advocate at all levels of government. She is the proud mama to a seven-year-old fertility preservation miracle, who was a frozen day-two-embryo for five years. Thank you for listening! Follow Alice on Instagram: @fertilityanswersapp @fertilityanswers_ FertilityAnswers app is free to download on both iOS and Android. Asking questions is free as well. Follow Coach Kela on Instagram: @kela_healthcoach Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://coachkela.com/ For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at podcast@coachkela.com.

Natalie was one of the first kids adopted by two gay dads, at the same time. She chats about her amazing childhood and being part of an open adoption. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), First Republic Bank, AND our Patreon supporters!

Justin and Hugh wanted a child, and when an acquaintance offered an egg and to carry the baby, they thought they won the lottery. But the woman got pregnant and disappeared. Four years later, they're still in litigation over their son. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), Trust & Will, Storyworth AND our Patreon supporters!

Robin Lowey shares about having a baby in the 90s when no one in her community was having kids, using her brother as a donor, and that book she wrote about trailblazing lesbians. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), Trust & Will,  EveryPlate (code oct199) AND our Patreon supporters!

Trystan Reese was just a year into a relationship when his (now) husband's niece and nephew were about to be removed from their home by Child Protective Services. Trystan and Biff took in the two kids, becoming caregivers overnight. Then their family grew when Trystan, who is transgender, became pregnant. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), BetterHelp, KiwiCo, AND our Patreon supporters!

Tim Gullicksen from San Francisco back in 1989 wanted to help families that were in need of a sperm donor and he came across the California Cryobank there was only one obstacle in his path and that was he is gay, Back then and even now gay men are still not allowed to be sperm donors at clinics in the USA. Tim had to pretend he was straight to bypass their screening process in order to help create what he was lead to believe would be a maximum of 10 families, but could be more like 90+ families, he was assigned the donor I.D 1237. Tim knows of over 30 biological offspring tracked down with the assistance of DNA websites and the Donor Sibling Registry but has formed a close connection with 22 of them, and every year they have a meet-up at Bass Lake in California. Tim shares what it's like to live in this reality and how his offspring feel about having as many siblings as they do. A very fun and insightful episode full of interesting information and outlooks for instance can being gay be genetically inherited 5 his offspring identify as queer. What's does Tim's love interests or partners think of him being a donor? Plus lots more and although Tim never set off or imagined to have formed a family from his donations this is now very much a part of his identity. To find out more about this episode and Tim's story visit this episode information page. https://ivfdonationworld.com/episode-38-a-gay-mans-guide-to-forming-a-family/ Follow the podcast on Instagram @SpermDonationWorld

Bria and her wife, Melissa fought through rejection from family, miscarriage, medical micro-aggressions, and a PCOS diagnosis. But there's still hope on the horizon. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), BetterHelp, Modern Fertility, AND our Patreon supporters!

Cassie and Erin were pregnant with twins and went into labor at 25 weeks. Their son died in the NICU, and their daughter has developmental issues because of being born prematurely. Despite what they've gone through, their daughter is the light of their life, they are hopeful and trying again. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), Title Nine AND our Patreon supporters!

Alyce and Zoe met, fell in love, moved into Alyce's childhood home, asked Zoe's brother for sperm, and made a baby. In that order. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), BetterHelp, Modern Fertility, AND our Patreon supporters!

Alia identifies as asexual, Emily identifies as bisexual, and together they co-parent Emily's son from a previous relationship. And now they're trying to have a child together. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound or Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), BetterHelp, AND our Patreon supporters!

Lilian and Laura have been trying to have a baby while stationed in Japan, six hours apart! How are they doing that? With an English translator and a lot of tickets for the bullet train so they could meet up at a clinic in the middle. Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound or Audible. ovariestalk@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB: @ovariestalk  Medium @robin633 Edited by EditAudio press Brett Henne theme song: Songfinch & Tiffany Topol Thanks to California Cryobank (code: OCT), Thrive Causmetics, Title Nine, AND our Patreon supporters!

This week on Fertility Help Hub's podcast, we had the great pleasure of speaking with a sperm donor from California Cryobank – a leading international sperm bank. Listen in full below, or via your favourite podcast app, to find out why he became a sperm donor, what he thinks of the California Cryobank programme and whether he would donate if he wasn't paid. We also discuss his feelings and thoughts about sperm donor conceived offspring contacting him later in life. As I have sperm donor conceived children myself, this was a very special and interesting chat to have. If you're looking at using a donor, California Cryobank ( https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?data=04%7C01%7C%7C73a28a608c914a45fd7808d90fa15bd1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637558007967948527%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&reserved=0&sdata=NbJpdD15f4rfAHdq2poSarN4zaNN5eOW1euh7eO2sfU%3D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cryobank.com%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfertility-help-hub ) is giving Fertility Help Hub readers special access to all donors with a free Level 3 Subscription ( https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?data=04%7C01%7C%7C73a28a608c914a45fd7808d90fa15bd1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637558007967948527%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&reserved=0&sdata=tEdygxKYF8GPJmxwcei6VP6lhFlWv4EvL3M6OoY8ncM%3D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cryobank.com%2Fdonor-subscription%2Foptions%2F ) ($250 value). Just use promo code: *FHH2021* ( https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?data=04%7C01%7C%7C73a28a608c914a45fd7808d90fa15bd1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637558007967958521%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&reserved=0&sdata=CZ87fYjwBfpXeWXvr1NwXBWg8PigS%2F8ESiIWao9208c%3D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cryobank.com%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfertility-help-hub )

Tay sit's down with California Cryobank's own Scott Brown to break down the sperm donor process and what Tay can to do get the ball rolling.  He answers all her questions including if you can see pictures of your baby daddy, how to keep her baby from marrying its half sibling, and just how pricey it's all going to be.  Wait, is Tay really ready for a baby??? Produced by Dear Media

Many listeners have asked Sarah to tell the story of how she became an only parent to her daughter, Violet. This is the day she tells that story! Then actor/singer Amanda Noret Reed coaches Liz on how to strengthen her voice. The keys are good posture and diaphragmatic breathing. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help save money on professional blow outs: Dry Bar’s heated straightening brush, “The Brush Crush.” Starfish Envy: https://starfishenvy.typepad.com/ Single Mothers By Choice https://www.singlemothersbychoice.org/ California Cryobank: https://www.cryobank.com/ Amanda Noret Reed: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0912073/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 Amanda Noret Reed Twitter: @amanda_noret The Brush Crush: https://www.thedrybar.com/the-brush-crush-heated-straightening-brush Happier In Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts — Happier With Gretchen Ruben, Do The Thing, and Side Hustle School. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

In the second of our three-part series “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping,” your host Andrea Silenzi heads to California Cryobank. Will she find her dream donor? To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Bona Floor Cleaners, Teen Counseling, Rothy's, Thomas' English Muffins, and ThredUp.

Denae, Vanessa, and “The Shaft” sit down with Suzy to hear her journey to becoming a mother in a more unique way -- using an anonymous donor to have her son. Suzy shares the difficulties, joys, and the many in-betweens of the process with honesty and insight. As always, Vanessa and Denae have a weekly check-in to chat about sex, work, and random life happenings. Today's episode leaves us with information about using an anonymous donor, being a single mother by choice, and how she thought through this decision. In this episode we talk about: Spinning Babies Intrauterine insemination (IUI): https://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/intrauterine-insemination/ California Cryobank: https://www.cryobank.com/ Seattle Sperm Bank: https://www.seattlespermbank.com/ Single Mothers by Choice: https://www.singlemothersbychoice.org/about/ Subscribe today on any podcast listening app and leave a rating and review to let us know what you think! Your feedback makes our day. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! If email is your thing, send us a note at hello@atyourcervix.us Just a reminder, the purpose of this podcast is to educate and empower, it is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. Guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter, you should consult your doctor or another professional healthcare provider.

Tammy is a single-mother-by-choice who used both an egg and a sperm donor to conceive her son. She went to Panama for donor egg IVF with sperm she had shipped from California Cryobank. We discuss the decision to leave the U.S. to have her fertility treatments and IVF (In vitro fertilization) process. She became pregnant on her second try and came back to the U.S. to deliver her child. The pregnancy was difficult for Tammy, she had gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia. As a result, her son was six weeks early. The premature birth completely wrecked her home return plans. Tammy does express gratitude to the NICU for preparing her role as a mother. She also celebrates postpartum doulas and why she found hers indispensable. Tammy is very open about how motherhood has changed her, including her decision to leave the U.S. and make some lifestyle changes for herself and her son. That opens the door to the conversations about the benefits of being a solo mother and how this path has a lot fewer complications than coupled parents. We both agree that the single-mother-by-choice-path needs to be more accepted as a plan A, not just a plan B. Don’t get hung up on the definition of family, the concept is changing and that’s a wonderful thing! Some highlights of today’s conversation: Tammy’s expectations of love, marriage, and family. Why she waited till 47 to pursue motherhood. Why Tammy went to Panama to pursue egg donor IVF and why it was a good experience. How she managed to find a doctor in the US to liaise with the doctors in Panama. The challenge of seeking fertility options overseas and working with the U.S. as well. Tammy’s difficult pregnancy and premature birth. How premature birth ruined any support system plans. Why it can be hard to ask for help. The benefits of hiring a postpartum doula. Tammy’s health issues and why she has made some major life changes. Why single-motherhood is great! The importance of separating marriage and romance from parenthood. Why dating isn’t a priority for Tammy. How to create your own support system. The cohabitation trend within the single-mother-by-choice community. How the new generation is redefining the meaning of family. Resources California Cryobank Sign up to be a podcast guest

In this episode Molly has the honor of being a fly on the wall during a home insemination. Plus former SpermCast guest and surrogate, Shelby Gale has made a big decision and Amanda and Molly explore all the options at California CryoBank. Support this independent podcast at patreon.com/spermcastGot questions? Call or text 323-741-1818 or email Molly at spermcast@gmail.comFollow SpermCast here: Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // SpermCastPod.comFollow Molly here: Instagram // Twitter Follow Amanda here: Instagram // Twitter See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Molly - still almost 40 and still looking for a donor - sits down with TV director and former roommate, Andy DeYoung. Will she get what she wants? Or will she have a melt down? And what's the real deal with Sperm Banks? Molly speaks with special guest, Katie Krentz to hear about her recent experience at California CryoBank. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this month's episode of Outspoken Voices, we talk with three experts in family formation for LGBTQ parents. Scott Brown joins us from California Cryobank to discuss working with sperm donors and cryobanks, Erica Horton of Growing Generations discusses surrogacy and egg donation, and Dr Juan Alvarez of Fertility Centers of Illinois explains fertility treatments for gay and lesbian prospective parents. Here are links to some of the websites mentioned in this month's episode: - California Cryobank: https://cryobank.com/ - Growing Generations: https://www.growinggenerations.com/ - Fertility Centers of Illinois: https://fcionline.com/ Find more episodes of the Outspoken Voices Podcast at: https://www.familyequality.org/podcast/

In this month's episode of Family Equality Council's Outspoken Voices Podcast, we're talking about using sperm donors, and the unique families and relationships that can emerge when "donor siblings" come into contact. We talk with Scott Brown from California Cryobank, Amber Leventry, a parent from Vermont, and Emily McGranachan, Family Equality Council's East Coast Regional Manager. Find more information on our guests at http://www.familyequality.org/podcast

This week, Inc. editors and writers discuss the challenges cities face when they attempt to foster an environment conducive to innovation hubs, and if Americans should have the right to not respond to work email after hours. We also examine if Amazon is on the verge of becoming a monopoly, and who, if anyone, might stand in its way. Finally, we interview Heidi Hayes, co-founder and CEO of Donor Egg Bank, whose company was acquired by California Cryobank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocking the mysteries of male fertility and male infertility. Ever wonder about how to boost male fertility? How successful are vasectomy reversals?  Host Dawn Davenport, Executive Director of Creating a Family, the national infertility & adoption education and support nonprofit, interviews Dr. Cappy Rothman, founder of The Center for Male Reproductive Medicine, and co-founder and medical director of California Cryobank. He is a board certified urologist and nationally recognized authority on andrology, the urological sub-specialty of male reproductive health. For a discussion of this show, go to our blog tomorrow http://creatingafamily.org/blog/.  Creating a Family has many free resources related to this topic on our website at http://creatingafamily.org/infertility/resources/maleinfertility/?.  If you enjoyed this show, we would very much appreciate you leaving us a review on iTunes. Either go to this website (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id266386337) or if you have iTunes on your phone, tablet or computer, simply type in "Creating a Family", click on Ratings/Reviews, and click on the # of stars. It only takes a moment and it really helps others find us. Thanks. Show Highlights Support the show (https://creatingafamily.org/donation/)

4/25/2013 - Pregnancy and childbirth are among the most natural things in the world, conception is something that does not necessarily come easily for a great many people. Infertility has been estimated to affect some 15% of all couples in the western world who are trying to conceive. During this hour we talk with Scott Brown of California Cryobank about fertility and options for those who choose to use  a sperm donor. Check out his documentary Kids of 5114. This short film provides extraordinary insight into the lives of people who are born from donors.

Episode 67 - 1/31/13 – What would you do if you were faced with a sudden life threatening catastrophe? You may already know the answer if you endured 9/11, or made it through a natural disaster such as  hurricane Sandy. During this episode, we talk with Keith Josef Adkins the writer and director of a new provocative sci-fi series, “The Abandon”,  that follows a group of African American men and women after a catastrophic alien invasion. We are also joined by Scott Brown of California Cryobank to talk about where science fiction meets life and about what is really possible with today's cryogenic technologies.

With Mother's Day and Father's Day approaching, Dr. Fritz & Melissa talk about the psychological impact and treatment process of infertility as well as the related legal issues. They are joined by Zoey Mendoza an INCIID (www.INCIID.org) scholarship recipient, Scott Brown, California Cryobank (www.cryobank.com) , and Melissa Brisman, Esq., Reproductive Possibilities, LLC (www.reproductivepossibilities.com). Air Date 4/26/12

At a Choice Mom networking event in San Francisco, Maia Midwifery's Kristin Kali talked with women about how to balance the love they started with on this journey with the stress they feel from secretly fitting in doctor inseminations -- and cycles of 2ww and no smiley faces on the pregnancy tests -- with the rest of their work and personal life. This 9-minute conversation is part of ChoiceMom.org's Focus on Fertility (http://www.choicemoms.org/fertility/) package. Thanks to Sepal Reproductive Devices (http://www.totalconception.com) and California Cryobank (http://www.cryobank.com) for their continuing support of these Choice Chat podcasts.

Especially if you are a new mom, single parents need stress-relief strategies and energy boosts. Noted pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears, a spokesperson for Happy Baby, offers simple tips, signs of postpartum depression, and discusses IQ’s link to attachment. Also on this show: Dr. Charles Sims on cord blood banking. Fertility Q&A: at-home use of cervical cap vs. syringe. (Originally produced December 2009) Thanks to California Cryobank and Sepal Reproductive Devices for their continuing support of the Choice Chat podcast.      

When Choice Mom Lori Gottlieb wrote in Atlantic Monthly that perhaps settling for Mr. Good Enough might have been the smart choice, it created a firestorm of debate in the community. Now that she's interviewed marriage and dating experts, neurologists, and married and single men and women -- and applied what she's learned into her own dating life -- she's back with the full report in her book "Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough." We talk in this interview about, among other things, the penchant many Choice Moms might have for the "alpha maie" pre-motherhood, and how much things change in time. She talks about the platonic friend she wishes she'd married. And the "hot date" material she's glad she didn't meet until she was 10 years wiser. Sponsored by Sepal Reproductive Devices and California Cryobank. Learn more on ChoiceMoms.org.

In this unique, detailed show, we hear directly from a formerly anonymous sperm donor (now running this service for donor families), who contributed for 15 years, about the contact he has now had with a few of his offspring. We talk about how the industry has changed since he provided fresh sperm to infertile couples. He honestly discusses his motivations at the time, the responsibility he now feels for the 200-plus offspring he estimates he now has, and what his experience tells him about the interest donor-conceived offspring have about their donor. After he made contact with offspring via the Donor Sibling Registry, he admits to confusion about the best way to proceed and talks openly about the issues it has brought to his own family life. He also talks about the value he believes donated gametes have in enabling people to build their own family, despite the complications it can bring.This show was sponsored by California Cryobank.

This episode features Jennifer, 8 months pregnant, who was part of a Choice Moms conversation circle that included six women talking about how we got to this stage of our journey, concerns we have for our children, how men play a role in our lives, and more.It is a great example of the kinds of honest discussions we can and do have with each other, the thought that goes behind our decisions, and the plans we make for building the best world we can for our children.The Choice Mom community is vast and varied and worldwide, and as this podcast allows us to hear, when we consciously reach out to each other we can be our own best support network.This podcast was sponsored by California Cryobank, which sponsored a CD about "Answering the Daddy Question" that came out of this roundtable discussion.

In this show, recorded at a New York City networking event for Choice Moms, authors Mikki Morrissette and Louise Sloan talk about their Choice Mom journeys. What has been harder than we expected? What has been easier? What advice do we have for other single moms? What have we learned from interviewing Choice Moms and from our own personal experiences?It also includes insight from mental health therapists Patricia Mendell and Joann Paley Galst about the rights to complain, and to ask for support.This show was sponsored by California Cryobank, which was the gold sponsor of the New York City workshop.

Eventually every Choice Mom wonders how to address the inevitable "Do I have a dad?" question from their child. In this show -- excerpted from the new 50-minute CD about the same topic now available on the ChoiceMoms.org website -- experts including Jane Mattes (Single Mothers by Choice) and Berkeley-based family psychologist Anne Bernstein (author of "Flight of the Stork: How Children Think [and When] about Sex and Family Building") walk us through some of our concerns about this issue.This show was sponsored by California Cryobank.

In this conversation with Felicia, a therapist and Choice Mom, we get up close and personal about a common issue that isn't talked about much: coping with miscarriage. In her case, twice.We also discuss the leap of faith it takes to make this decision. And the vulnerability she felt after she brought her newborn home.This episode was sponsored by California Cryobank.

When Lori Gottlieb wrote an article about the merits of settling for Mr. Good Enough (Atlantic Monthly, March 2008), it set off a firestorm of debate within the Choice Mom community and across the U.S. in general. In this show, we talk with Lori about the strong responses she's gotten from people on both sides of the discussion. We also talk openly with Choice Mom Lily about the sometimes shamed viewpoint even within our own community that single parenting can be incredibly rewarding but also can be a lonely path. After you listen, feel free to comment on the Being blog of the ChoiceMoms.org website.This show was sponsored by California Cryobank.

There are important changes needed, and slowly happening, in the donor sperm industry. On this show host Mikki Morrissette talks with three people about what anyone should understand and think about before choosing a sperm donor from a particular sperm bank. We hear from Jessica,  a Choice Mom-in-the-making, about what she learned in researching 26 U.S. sperm banks. We talk with Dr. Charles Sims, co-founder of the California Cryobank, about the progress being made in industry reform. And we learn from Alice Ruby, director of The Sperm Bank of California, the only non-profit sperm bank in the U.S., who defines what consumers need to look for when selecting a sperm bank.This show was sponsored by California Cryobank (which had no editorial input into the content of this show).For more on this topic, visit VoicesofDonorConception.com, as well as forthcoming calls to action for the Choice Mom community about the reform movement, which will be posted at ChoiceMoms.org.

In this 15-minute conversation with New Zealand-based social scientist Ken Daniels, author of “Building A Family With the Assistance of Donor Insemination,? we talk about several controversial topics: the diverse make-up of families today, how to talk to children about being donor conceived, the role of the donor in a family’s life, and the importance of being proud and confident about the way we build our families (regardless about whether society wants us to feel some shame or stigma about it).This show was sponsored by Choice Chat sponsor California Cryobank.3:15I define families very broadly….now of course we have such a diverse range and forms of families. But the central bit of a family remains the same. Families are about loving and caring and nurturing. That can be done by one person, by two people, by more than two people. 7:10The way I encourage parents to tackle this [telling the child of donor origins] is ‘I want to tell you about our family history, this is about us as a family, this is how we came to be.’ When I say this to parents it is as if the light goes off and the bell rings….it is so much easier [than separating the child by saying ‘you were donor conceived.’] 9:10There tends to be an emphasis on donors and children and parents. I prefer to think of it as families. In a sense, the donor is part of the family. Not in the sense that they are a parent and they’re going to be involved. But they’ve had a part in the creation of this family, and to deny that is to try to pretend that something is not what it’s really like.10:25The history of donor insemination….is shrouded in secrecy. There’s been a lot of stigma and shame. I’m keen to bring this out in the open and say, ‘let’s be proud of the way we’ve built our family. We love these kids.’14:20This book is designed to help parents parent in a confident way. To be secure about what they’re doing. Because if you’re not secure, kids will pick it up.

Jaimie welcomes Colton Underwood, former NFL player and Bachelor star, to discuss his journey from playing football to embracing his identity as a gay man. Colton shares his struggles with internalized shame, his unique coming out process, and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed his life. He opens up about his ongoing surrogacy journey with his husband, the importance of being intentional in building a family, and the steps they are taking to ensure their future children know they were made with love. Discover Colton's plans, aspirations, and advocacy for LGBTQIA family building.To get a deeper understanding of Colton's inspiring journey and insights into queer family planning, listen to the full episode. Stay tuned for more incredible stories and discussions from The Queer Family Podcast.

Jaimie welcomes Kelsey and Kymaria, the dynamic influencer duo behind @houseofk.love. They delve into their unique coming-out stories, dealing with religion, and forming a blended family. The couple shares insights into their experiences raising their daughter within a loving, queer household and Kelsey's transition into instant parenthood. Touching on the challenges and joys of their relationship, they reveal their thoughts on having more children and what pride means to them. This episode is a heartfelt conversation on love, family, and identity.Listen to the full episode for an enriching experience and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "The Queer Family Podcast.

Jaimie sits down with Vicky and Charisse Pasche, the founders of the Dapper Boi clothing brand. They share their queer family journey, including the challenges of coming out, their unique fertility experiences leading to the birth of their twins, and the inspiration behind creating an inclusive clothing line. They delve into the importance of visibility, representation, and the power of authentic self-expression through fashion. Their heartfelt stories underscore the significance of community and advocacy within the LGBTQIA+ landscape.Listen to the full episode for an enriching experience and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "The Queer Family Podcast.

Jaimie gives a warm welcome to Caitlyn and “Wanda”, the brains behind the hilarious TikTok account "2.ladies.and.2.babies." They chat about how they met, their coming out stories, picking a donor, and what it's like for each of them to be both bio and non-bio moms to their kids. They also highlight the playful dynamic in their family, sharing their funny take on parenting and the joy of watching their kids embrace their beautiful family identity. The episode mixes in lots of laughs and real talk about the ups and downs of parenting as a modern LGBTQIA+ family.Listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "The Queer Family Podcast.

Jaimie gets emotional welcoming Jaymes Black, CEO of Family Equality to the show. They highlight initiatives for supporting LGBTQIA families throughout the country. They also discuss the unsettling rise of anti-trans resolutions within New York's District 2 CEC board where Jaimie's kids attend school, and the resulting mobilization and activism. With personal anecdotes and actionable insights, this episode underscores the ongoing fight for equality and the challenges faced even in progressive areas. Join them for a compelling look into advocacy, community, and resilience.Listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "The Queer Family Podcast.

Lauren and Amanda Brown are back! The interracial lesbian moms share updates on their family-building journey, including Lauren's recent decision to become a gestational surrogate for a two-dad family. They discuss their motivations for choosing surrogacy, the emotional highs and lows, and the intricacies of the process, including a detailed narrative of the screening process, embryo transfer, and matching with the intended parents, offering valuable insights for anyone considering or curious about surrogacy. They also explore broader themes like LGBTQIA advocacy and the true meaning of Pride, highlighting the power of chosen family and the unique bonds within the queer community.Listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "The Queer Family Podcast.

 Jaimie welcomes the “gay grandmas” of “Canada's Gayest Family,” Jan and Linda, to the show. They share their compelling journeys through decades of LGBTQ+ history, from living in secrecy to becoming advocates and icons within their community. Joined briefly by Linda's daughter, Karen, they discuss the significance of pride, evolving family dynamics, and the strides made for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Their conversation blends poignant memories with hopeful perspectives, highlighting resilience, activism, and family love.Listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "The Queer Family Podcast.

Jaimie concludes the second annual Pride Extravaganza with Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD, discussing the organization's efforts to combat misinformation and advocate for the LGBTQIA community. Together, they delve into current challenges, such as anti-trans sentiments infiltrating local school districts, and strategies for fostering understanding and inclusivity. Sarah highlights the importance of ongoing activism, voter engagement, and resilience in the quest for equality. Jaimie also details her personal experience with rising anti-trans sentiments in New York City's School District 2, highlighting the infiltration by groups like Moms for Liberty. Sarah Kate provides pragmatic advice on how to tackle such localized bigotry, emphasizing education, strategic questioning, and the importance of a unified front in the fight for equality. Stay informed and inspired by this empowering conversation, and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from The Queer Family Podcast.

Rosie O'Donnell opens up about her experiences as a parent, discussing her journey with raising a child on the autism spectrum and the challenges and joys that come with it. She shares her insights on gender identity and the importance of unconditional love and acceptance. Jaimie also reflects on her own fears and struggles as a parent, including her initial reservations about having a son and the non-biological connection she has with her daughter, and Rosie lovingly tells Jaimie that she needs therapy