Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

What does it really take for men to build a family through IVF and surrogacy? How do you navigate the maze of sperm testing, egg donors, legal contracts, and international laws? And where do transparency, trust, and heart fit into this complex process?  In this honest and empowering episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to Richard Westoby, author, advocate, and host of IVF Daddi...

What does Trump's "Father of Fertility" claim really mean? How might his new IVF announcements impact real patients? And could policies disguised as "restorative" actually restrict reproductive freedom?  In this timely episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jessie Losch, Director of Government Affairs at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), to talk about the...

Why do our moods shift so dramatically across the month? What's really happening in our brains during the luteal phase of our cycle? And could understanding our hormones actually make us feel better?  In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with evolutionary psychologist and author Sarah E. Hill, PhD to talk about the fascinating link between hormones, brain function, and o...

What does infertility feel like from a man's point of view? How do couples navigate years of uncertainty, loss, and hope when answers never come? And can creative expression, like writing a book, help rebuild connection in the midst of pain? In this powerful and vulnerable conversation of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with The Empty Nest author Jared Walker to talk about infertility,...

What if your skin cells could help you have a baby? Could the future of fertility mean having genetically related children even if a woman is in menopause or lost fertility due to cancer treatments? In this fascinating episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Dr. Paula Amato, reproductive endocrinologist and researcher at Oregon Health & Science University, to unpack the ground...

What happens when a fertility doctor becomes the patient? How does infertility change the way you practice medicine? And what can we all learn from a journey that blends science, compassion, and lived experience?  In this special episode of Brave and Curious , the tables are turned as Dr. Lora Shahine takes the guest seat to share her personal fertility story. Interviewed by fertility advocate Jen...

Why does hair loss happen to so many women? And how do you know when it's more than just shedding? Could stress, hormones, or nutrition be the culprit? And most importantly, when should you see a dermatologist instead of just buying another supplement from social media?  In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with dermatologist and hair loss expert, Dr. Joyce Park, to answ...

What happens when a DNA test reveals more than you bargained for? How do you process finding out that your family story isn't what you thought it was? And can identity, belonging, and love transcend genetics?  In this moving episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with actress and writer Lisa Brenner to explore how an unexpected DNA result changed her life and inspired her new film,...

What's the truth about egg freezing success rates? Is IVF really a guarantee for building a family? And how do you separate fertility facts from fiction when the internet is full of clickbait headlines?  In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with her friend and fellow reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Lucky Sekhon, to explore the myths and realities of modern fertility ca...

What does balance really mean in fertility care? Can Eastern medicine like acupuncture and herbs truly support reproductive health? And how can Western and Eastern approaches come together for better outcomes?  In this episode of Brave and Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine leans into these big questions in a conversation that bridges two worlds of medicine. Joining Dr. Shahine is Dr. Lorne Brown, acupunc...

What happens when the most fertile years of your life are taken from you? How do you rebuild when trauma collides with your deepest hopes for motherhood? What does it mean to pursue fertility after prison?  In this powerful episode of Brave & Curious, you'll hear Dr. Lora Shahine's conversation with Amanda Knox who spent four years in an Italian prison and eight years fighting a wrongful murder co...

Have you ever wondered if flying could impact your fertility? Worried about what happens if you need to travel after an egg retrieval? Curious whether that long-awaited vacation might interfere with success with embryo transfer?  In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Shahine answers the most common questions about fertility, flying, travel and IVF. She includes practical tips for travel days an...

Trying to get pregnant in your 40s and feeling bombarded with terms like "geriatric pregnancy" or "diminished ovarian reserve"? Wondering if age is the final word in fertility? Curious about what you can do instead of what you can't? In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine is getting real about trying to conceive after 40—with clarity, compassion, and science-backed strategies. She c...

Thinking about adding supplements to your fertility journey? A quick search online can leave you swimming in advice—or drowning. How do you know what really works and what's just hype? In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine takes a deep dive into one of the most talked-about fertility supplements: CoQ10. This naturally occurring antioxidant has been linked to improvements in egg qua...

Is your morning coffee helping or hurting your fertility? Should you quit caffeine cold turkey while trying to conceive—or during pregnancy? And where can you turn for solid, trustworthy advice? (Hint: NOT random internet forums) In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down what we really know about caffeine and reproductive health—from both Western and Eastern medical perspec...

Wondering what's actually 'normal' in the first trimester? You're not the only one frantically Googling every twinge and symptom. Early pregnancy can feel like a rollercoaster of questions—and not always a fun one.  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine walks you through the first trimester with clarity and calm. She shares the most common concerns she hears from patients and what m...

Is your makeup messing with your hormones? Could your cleaning products be impacting your fertility? And how do we make informed choices without spiraling into fear or perfectionism?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine invites us to ask bold questions about the everyday products we use—and the hidden chemicals within them. Joining her is activist and author Lindsay Dahl, who's sp...

Is a tilted uterus stopping you from getting pregnant? Could it be the reason for painful periods or backaches? Has the term "retroverted uterus" been brought up at one of your recent doctor's appointments? In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine is taking the mystery out of the retroverted (or tilted) uterus. She explains what it is, how common it is, and whether it impacts fertilit...

Do you know that uteruses come in different shapes? How about a unicornuate uterus?  You can have a uterine anomaly without symptoms and it can impact your reproductive health, miscarriage risk, and pregnancy outcomes.  Inspired by Celina Spooky Boo's fertility story, this episode of Brave & Curious explores unicornuate uterus. Dr. Lora Shahine explains this congenital anomaly, how it's diagnosed,...

What's the difference between IUI and IVF? Which one is right for you? And how do you navigate the emotional and financial rollercoaster of fertility treatment with clarity and courage? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine offers a compassionate, clear-eyed look at the two most common fertility treatments: Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).  She goes...

What exactly is an ovarian cyst—and should you be worried if you have one? Could your pain be more than just a normal part of your cycle? And how do you even begin the conversation with your doctor?  In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine invites you to get curious about your body, embrace the power of knowledge, and tackle the unknowns of ovarian health with bravery and clarity. Dr...

What if IVF didn't have to mean so many shots? Could a new protocol allow for fewer shots, less office visits, AND be less expensive?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Linnea Goodman to answer these questions and more. They review Dr. Goodman's research into a protocol, not new to the fertility field around the world, but new to most listeners in the United Sta...

What's really in your skincare products? Can "natural" actually mean effective? And how do we navigate the beauty aisle with both curiosity and caution? In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jenna Levine, founder of LINNÉ Botanicals, for a brave and eye-opening conversation about skincare that's safe, minimal, and deeply rooted in integrity. Jenna brings her passion...

What exactly is egg freezing? Is there an ideal age to do it? How many eggs should you freeze to give yourself the best shot at future fertility? In this episode of Brave & Curious , Dr. Lora Shahine walks listeners through the top 10 most Googled questions about egg freezing. From the basics of what the process entails to more nuanced questions about success rates and cost, she provides clear, th...

What happens when we stop whispering about miscarriage and start telling our stories out loud? How can we begin to shed the shame and silence that so often surround women's health experiences? And why is open dialogue so essential in shifting the cultural narrative around infertility, menopause, and mental health? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by psy...