Create A Happy Family

Summary In this heartfelt episode, Whitney and Alyx dive into the emotional, practical, and life-changing aspects of surrogacy. Alyx shares what inspired her to become a surrogate, the importance of researching and finding the right match, and the legal and medical preparations that go into the journey. She also reflects on the powerful relationships built with her intended parents, the support sh...

Summary: In this heartfelt episode, Whitney Hall sits down with Abby and Kara to explore their emotional journeys through surrogacy. They reflect on the challenges they’ve faced, the deep and unexpected connections formed, and the transformative nature of the experience. With honesty and warmth, they share how trust, community support, and shared vulnerability shaped their paths and helped them gr...

Summary: What does it look like to care for your whole self during the fertility journey—not just your body, but your heart and mind too? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Nicole Lange, a licensed acupuncturist and holistic fertility educator, to explore how slowing down, tuning in, and embracing both Eastern and Western wisdom can make a powerful impact. Nicole shares her personal path to a...

Summary: In this heartfelt conversation, Whitney sits down with Ali to discuss her powerful journey through grief and surrogacy. Ali opens up about the challenges of losing her husband, Thomas, and the emotional complexities of pursuing motherhood after loss. She shares her experience with the surrogacy process—from the delicate steps of egg retrieval to the moment she found the perfect match in A...

Summary: Whitney sits down with Victoria for an open and heartfelt conversation about infertility, endometriosis, and the emotional challenges of using donor eggs. Victoria shares how she found healing through community and why she founded Infertility Unfiltered to provide a space for honest conversations. She discusses the complexities of family dynamics, the importance of support systems, and ho...

Summary In this episode, Whitney sits down with Claire, a two-time gestational carrier who shares what it’s like to walk through not one, but two very different surrogacy journeys. In her first experience, Claire opens up about navigating the heartbreak of a miscarriage followed by the joy of a successful embryo transfer. In her second journey, the pregnancy progressed smoothly until the anatomy s...

Summary In this episode, Whitney sits down with Mike and George, the inspiring founders of Families Out Loud, a community-centered organization supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, solo parents, and allies on their path to parenthood. Mike and George open up about their own journey to becoming dads—from the uncertainty of where to begin, to the unexpected challenges they faced on delivery day....

Summary In this insightful episode, Whitney and Ruth take a deep dive into the world of egg donation. Ruth shares her motivations for becoming a donor, the vital support she received from her family and medical professionals, and the emotions surrounding her contribution to family building—particularly within the LGBTQ community. She walks through the matching process, the considerations between k...

Summary This episode is full of heart, laughter, and the kind of love that reminds you why family-building matters so much, especially during Pride Month. Whitney sits down with Zach and Scott Sutton, two joyful, thoughtful dads who share their journey to parenthood through egg donation and surrogacy. From choosing between an unidentified or known egg donor, to navigating delivery day with their s...

Summary In this episode, Whitney is joined by Brandi Pearce, a mom of three whose path to parenthood through surrogacy is nothing short of inspiring. Battling Crohn’s disease made pregnancy too risky, but that never deterred Brandi from her dreams of becoming a mother. She turned to surrogacy not once, but three times to create her beautiful family. Two of those journeys were independent, and her...

Get ready for a beautiful and insightful conversation with Dr. Alison Wilson, a licensed psychologist and expert in fertility counseling. As a respected voice in the field and a dedicated advocate for mental health in reproductive journeys, Alison shares her wisdom on the emotional complexities of surrogacy and egg donation covering everything from grief and trust to communication and mental healt...

Summary In this heartfelt episode, Ashley Harris takes us on her deeply personal journey through infertility, adoption, and surrogacy. Starting with her childhood dreams of adopting, Ashley shares how the years brought both unexpected joys and painful struggles. After multiple failed IUIs and IVF cycles, compounded by the emotional toll of miscarriages, Ashley and her husband decided to explore su...

Summary: Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and fertility loss, which may be difficult for some listeners. In this episode, I sit down with Brittany to talk about her emotional and incredibly meaningful journey to motherhood through egg donation and IVF. Brittany shares openly about her diagnosis of endometriosis, her experience with a successful embryo transfer that...

Summary In this heartfelt episode, Whitney sits down with Amy and Rachel to discuss the deeply personal and evolving nature of their egg donation journey. Rachel, originally expecting her role as a donor to be unidentified, shares how her connection with Amy developed into a lasting and meaningful relationship. Amy reflects on what it meant to find not just a donor, but a person who would forever...

Summary Whitney welcomes Zach French for an enlightening discussion on infertility awareness, surrogacy advocacy, and the power of community support. Zach shares his personal journey that led him to champion ethical surrogacy and establish a nonprofit dedicated to supporting intended parents. The conversation covers financial challenges, the need for transparency in grants, and the importance of s...

Summary In this conversation, Whitney speaks with Scott and Erin about their journey to parenthood through egg donation and their ongoing advocacy for infertility awareness. They discuss the isolation many experience during infertility, the importance of sharing personal stories, and the need for better healthcare coverage and support systems. The conversation highlights the role of advocacy in cr...

Summary In this conversation, Whitney and Dr. Dara Havemann delve into the complex world of infertility. They address common misconceptions and explore the deep emotional impacts that infertility can have on individuals and families. Dr. Havemann emphasizes the importance of open communication, both among those experiencing infertility and within their support networks. She also discusses the vari...

Summary In this episode, Kiely Shimabukuro takes us through her incredible journey as a four-time gestational carrier, sharing the experiences that have shaped her dedication to the surrogacy community. She talks about the importance of validation and connection, the challenges faced by surrogates, and how her passion for advocacy led her to create a safe space for sharing experiences and seeking...

Summary: In this special episode, Whitney launches a series of conversations for National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), focusing on the power of storytelling, advocacy, and support. Whitney shares the history and mission behind Resolve: The National Infertility Association and explains why raising awareness is critical to breaking the stigma surrounding infertility. She emphasizes that infert...

Summary In this heartfelt episode, Alyssa shares her emotional journey as an egg donor, giving us an inside look at the challenges and triumphs she encountered along the way. Alyssa candidly discusses her motivations for donating eggs, the steps involved in the matching process, and the strong bond she developed with her intended parents. She also reflects on the ups and downs of the medical proce...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Megan takes us through her surrogacy journey with remarkable candor. She discusses the emotional drivers that led her to become a surrogate and the vital support she received from her family throughout the process. Megan details the nuances of matching with intended parents, the stress of transfer day, and the rollercoaster of waiting for pregnancy confirmati...

Summary In this episode, Allison shares her emotional journey of becoming a parent through surrogacy, offering insights into the highs and lows of the process. She discusses the challenges of IVF and the joy of finding a surrogate, Kellie, who felt like the perfect match. Allison reflects on the excitement and anticipation of transfer day, the support from family and friends, and the strength she...

Summary In this engaging episode, children whose mom has been a surrogate for two different families open up about their personal experiences and evolving understanding of surrogacy. Interviewed by peers whose moms were also surrogates, the discussion dives into how they explain the concept of surrogacy to their friends and the excitement they feel about being part of such unique family dynamics....

In this episode of Me, You, & Who?!, Executive Director Katy Encalade takes us inside the 2024 SEEDS Conference—a gathering dedicated to setting ethical standards in egg donation and surrogacy. Katy sits down with industry leaders, including Adam Winder of SeedTrust, Dr. Joao De Pinho of Reproductive Centers of America, Lisa Chiya, President and Founder of Genesis Group, as well as the Co-Foun...

Summary In this insightful episode, Whitney talks with Marla Neufeld, an ART attorney and former intended parent, about the complex world of Assisted Reproductive Technology law. Focusing on surrogacy in Florida, they discuss common misconceptions, the emotional and financial challenges intended parents face, and the crucial role of clear communication and strong legal support throughout the proce...