In this unfiltered podcast about infertility, journalist and mom-of-two Ali Prato, who went through secondary infertility and IVF herself, talks to women—and some men—about the messy, frustrating, painful, heartbreaking, absurd and sometimes humorous journey to have a baby. Or in some cases, to not have a baby. Each episode tells a different story about family building, getting real about miscarriages, egg freezing, sperm and egg donation, IUIs, endometriosis, male factor infertility, adopti ...
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Welcome to Building Your Family, the only expert-guided community platform designed for parents and parents-to-be using reproductive medicine to build their families. We provide unique strategies to help make your path to parenthood smoother and more informed—empowering you to navigate the critical decisions that shape your family’s future. At Building Your Family, we’ve already helped thousands of people navigate the complexities of family building and parenting with confidence. Our goal is ...
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Dad Life and Leadership | Fatherhood, Work Life Balance, Personal Growth, Leadership at Home, Career and Family, Building a Legacy, Living Fully
Rob Rohde l The Leadership Coach for Dads
Dad Life and Leadership is the show for ambitious fathers who refuse to choose between chasing their dreams, leading boldly at home, and living fully in every area of life. If you’re tired of feeling stuck between family, career, and personal growth, this is your place. Each week, Rob shares practical leadership insights, real-world fatherhood strategies, and powerful mindset shifts to help you succeed at work, show up at home, and build the legacy you were made for. Whether you're managing ...
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Listen as Scott and Steve Demme discuss ways to build faith and family.
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Love Your People Well - Christian Motherhood Tips, Marriage Help, and Family Relationship Building
Jessica Hayes, LPC, LMFT - Christian Marriage And Family Therapist, Pastor’s Wife, Mom of 4
Welcome to the podcast that helps you build healthy, happy, and holy family relationships! As a marriage and family therapist, pastor’s wife, and mom of 4 little ones, I know the ups and downs of Christian family life can get overwhelming. We all get discouraged sometimes. And the busy world can distract us from what truly matters. That’s why every week here on the podcast, you’ll find biblical encouragement and practical tips to help you enjoy family life more. Together, we’ll deepen our ma ...
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Welcome to Road to Building a Family. If you only dig traditional families this is not the place for you. We're talking about foster care, adoption, co parenting, single moms by choice, and sperm aka baby daddy in a bottle. So hop on take the ride. Enjoy!
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“At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)Oleh Steve Demme
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249 // 3 Ways Satan Is Seeking To Destroy Your Family And Your Faith
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23:48Deepen your Christian walk with the Finding Your Identity In Christ devotional workbook! Episode 249 // It’s easy to get caught up in the flow of everyday life. But do you realize that there is an Enemy at war against you? At war against your family? As Christians, we often think about the power of Jesus Christ in our lives and we pray for the Holy…
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#003: When Winning at Work Means Losing at Home (And How to Change It)
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19:00Sign up for my FREE live "3 Shifts" Masterclass here _ If you’ve ever felt the guilt of being at work while missing family moments...or sitting at home but thinking about your inbox...this episode is for you. We’re getting real about the hidden cost that ambitious dads pay when success and presence start pulling against each other, and why "providi…
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The REAL Keys to Fertility Success | Dr. Eric Widra on IVF, Success Rates & Lab Quality
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46:38What truly drives fertility success? Dr. Eric Widra, Chief Medical Officer at US Fertility, shares what patients need to know about IVF, success rates, and the role of lab quality in getting pregnant. In this episode of Building Your Family, Dr. Widra offers clear, evidence-based insight into: How success rates are calculated (and what to watch out…
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"So Now What?" author Lana Manikowski on IUIs, IVF, and thriving as a Childless Not by Choice Advocate
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48:29Today, Ali is talking to Lana Manikowski, a fellow Chicagoan, a certified life coach and the author of "So Now What?" -- a roadmap to help you create a life you love without the children you always dreamed about. Lana tells Ali about her years-long infertility journey, starting with an "unexplained infertility" diagnosis and 7 IUIs. Lana explains m…
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#002: How leading at home BEFORE you lead at work can actually accelerate your dreams
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18:17Sign up for my FREE live "3 Shifts" Masterclass here _ If you’ve ever found yourself asking, "Am I leading where it matters most, or just getting by at home?" this episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into why leading fully at home changes everything - not just your family’s future, but your fulfillment, your energy, and your success outside the…
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248 // Help! How Can I Help My Struggling Child? (10 Tips To Help Them)
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26:41Grab the Joy In The Journey 40-day Devotional on finding biblical joy in the hard seasons of motherhood. Episode 248 // There’s nothing more painful than watching your kids struggle. But when they are struggling, there are ways that you can help! Last week, we looked at caring for our hearts when our kids struggle. Today, let’s dive into some pract…
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#001: When “Good Enough” Isn’t Cutting It (And You Know You’re Built For More)
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10:10Sign up for my FREE live "3 Shifts" Masterclass here You’ve got the job, the house, the family. On paper, it all looks solid. But deep down, you feel it — the quiet ache that says: This isn’t it. There’s more. In this episode, Rob Rohde shares the behind-the-scenes shift that led to the evolution of this podcast — and the deeper mission it now carr…
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Ever wonder how some dads manage to lead confidently at work and stay deeply connected at home? How they chase big dreams without burning out… or breaking the very relationships that matter most? Here’s the truth: You were never meant to choose between being a great dad and building a meaningful career. I’m Rob Rohde — single father of five, leader…
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What Happens When You Meet Your Donor and Siblings as an Adult? | Freya Lyon's Donor Conception Story
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44:33What is it really like to meet your donor—or your donor siblings—as an adult, after your values and worldview are already in place? In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Freya Lyon shares her journey as a donor-conceived person who felt confident in her identity, only to experience a major shift when she met genetic relatives later in life. F…
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Surrogacy mama Libby Wicks on ectopic pregnancies, surrogacy and NewGen Families, the agency that helped her bring home a baby girl
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56:02Today Ali is talking to Libby Wicks, a surrogacy mama who went through a five-plus year struggle to have her baby girl. Libby talks about her not one, but two ectopic pregnancies, her emergency tube removal, and being diagnosed (wrongly, she would find out much later) with Asherman's Syndrome. She also talks about IVF and how her infertility journe…
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John 16:13, "When the Spirit of truth comes.”Oleh Steve Demme
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247 // Help! My Kids Are Struggling And I Feel Helpless. (10 Tips To Help You)
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29:22Grab the Joy In The Journey 40-day Devotional on finding biblical joy in the hard seasons of motherhood. Episode 247 // When you are hurting because your kids are hurting… what can you do? We usually want to jump to action steps to help them. What should I say? What can I do? Those things are important… and we’ll tackle that next week :-) But we ca…
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John 3:34, "He gives the Spirit without measure.”Oleh Steve Demme
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Surrogacy, Love & LGBTQ+ Parenthood: How Two Dads Built Their Family
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45:11Two gay dads share their surrogacy journey and lessons on LGBTQ+ parenting, visibility, and love. Discover how they built their family—and a community—along the way. In this heartfelt episode of Building Your Family, Mike and George open up about the joys and challenges of becoming parents through surrogacy. From navigating the process to raising t…
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"Normalize It" and "I Had a Miscarriage" author Jessica Zucker, PhD
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40:59Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health. Today, Ali is talking to Jessica about her new book, "Normalize It," her first book, "I Had a Miscarriage," and Jessica's own infertility journey, including a devastating pregnancy loss at 16 weeks. "I felt like I was living in a document…
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246 // Taming Your Tongue: Practical Tips From The Proverbs
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29:10Grab your FREE conflict resolution cheat sheet today! Episode 246 // Want to change your family relationships? Your home atmosphere? Change your words. What you say, and how you say it, will shape every relationship you care about. Scripture talks often about our words and how we use them. And the Bible gives very specific wisdom about how to use o…
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Dr. Danielle Lane on Equity, Inclusion & Improving Fertility Outcomes
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40:44This week’s episode may feel like listening in on a heartwarming chat between two fertility professionals — because it is. But it’s also full of meaningful insight on how to navigate some of the most complex and personal parts of family building. My guest, Dr. Danielle Lane, is not only a brilliant fertility specialist — she’s also someone setting …
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Psalm 132:9. "Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy.”Oleh Steve Demme
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Emily Oster, Professor of Economics at Brown University and founder of ParentData.org on how we can teach the next gen about fertility, sex ed, and more
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27:11It's another Infertile AF expert minisode! On today's episode, Ali welcomes Emily Oster, a Professor of Economics at Brown University, a bestselling author, and the founder of ParentData.org. Emily has a talent for translating complex data into practical advice—an approach that has made her a trusted voice for millions of parents. Today, she and Al…
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Who Is This Jesus? A Devotional For Holy Week in Colossians 1:15-23 [BONUS]
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15:46We are in the middle of Holy Week, friends. The week when we remember Jesus’ last days as He walked toward the cross. We celebrate the forgiveness of our sins on Good Friday and the incredible truth of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. So today, we’ll pause our usual podcast plans to reflect together. I want to share my “Daily-ish Devotional Thoug…
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Donor-Conceived Half Sisters Reunited by DNA
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51:52What happens when two donor-conceived women, raised in different families, discover they're genetic half-sisters? In this powerful episode, we sit down with two women whose paths crossed thanks to DNA — not childhood. Raised by single parents in separate homes, they reflect on the moment they connected, what it was like growing up with questions, a…
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Single Mom by Choice Kristin Duncan on sperm donation, IVF, egg donation, and never regretting having a baby on her own
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54:02On today's episode, Ali interviews Kristin Duncan, a single mom by choice, about the journey to having her 2 1/2 year old son, Blake. Kristin explains why she made the decision to have a kiddo on her own and talks us through the entire process, from having a "sperm donor choosing party" with her sisters to finding out she had stage two silent endom…
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Joe was a dear brother that I have known and loved for over 50 years.Oleh Steve Demme
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245 // Can You Tame Your Tongue? Wisdom And Encouragement From James 3
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21:02Grab the Keep Your Cool, Mama! 40-day devotional on emotional control. Episode 245 // Scripture offers great encouragements - and great warnings - about the power of our tongue. Words tend to shape the quality of our relationships, and they can slip out quickly. Our words are shaped by our emotions. And just like our emotions can be hard to manage,…
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When Medicine Meets Empathy: Patient Autonomy in Fertility Care
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39:50This week on the podcast, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Janelle Luk—fertility expert, Ivy League-trained physician, and co-founder of Generation Next Fertility. Though classically trained, Dr. Luk takes a deeply personalized approach to fertility care. She shares how she helps patients make deeply personal decisions—like using donor conception…
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"You are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3)Oleh Steve Demme
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244 // Handling Your Hot Moment: 9 Tips To Start Calming Down In The First 90 Seconds
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29:02Grab the Keep Your Cool, Mama! 40-day devotional on emotional control. Episode 244 // We all have those moments when we’re about to lose it. How can you cool down when you’re in that hot-button moment? This is a common mom struggle - even for Christian mamas who are walking closely with Jesus! And we want our words and our reactions to show the fru…
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"Vanderpump Rules" and "The Valley" star Kristen Doute on miscarriage, IUI and pregnancy after loss
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45:22Today, Ali is talking to the "Vanderpump Rules" and "The Valley" GOAT: Kristen Doute. Kristen shares her entire family building story, starting with back in the day, when she and co-star Scheana Shay talked about freezing their eggs (although Kristen didn't do it then) to today, when she is happily engaged and expecting her first baby, a daughter, …
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Donor Conception Is Her World: Kate Davies on Family & Identity
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42:44Author Kate Davies, known for her novel Nuclear Family, joins us to share her personal and literary journey through donor conception. As a donor-conceived person who pursued donor conception with her wife, Kate reflects on the evolving meaning of family, identity, and connection. Her experiences offer a powerful perspective on the complexities and …
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John 15:3, “You are clean because of the Word that I have spoken to you.”Oleh Steve Demme
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243 // Yes, Your Emotional Struggles Are Impacting Your Family: How, Why, And What To Do
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29:28Grab a FREE Bible study for managing depression and sadness. Episode 243 // Big, heavy, hard emotions are going to happen in life. And one of the problems is that they won’t just impact you. When you’re struggling, your whole family is impacted. So in today’s episode, I want to share 5 ways that your emotional struggles are impacting your family (d…
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Real Housewives star Roxy Earle and Dr. Arnold Mahesan on infertility, IVF and creating an app to help women conceive
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33:21Today, Ali is talking to Roxy Earle, an entrepreneur, influencer, and star of The Real Housewives of Toronto, alongside her husband, Dr. Arnold Mahesan, a respected fertility specialist. Roxy and Arnold share their family building journey, including how Roxy was told by a few doctors, before she met and fell in love with Arnold, that in order to ha…
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Choosing Donor Conception: Expert Insights & Personal Journey with Dr. Melnick
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37:49Thinking about choosing donor conception to build your family? Today’s episode is a must-watch! Dr. Melnick, Director of Third Party Reproduction at Cornell Fertility Center, shares expert insights on selecting a donor, making crucial fertility decisions, and balancing medical recommendations with personal values. But this isn’t just a clinical per…
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"For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)Oleh Steve Demme
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Keren W. on recurrent pregnancy loss, low sperm count, IVF and the loss of her daughter at 17 weeks gestation
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55:43Today, Ali is talking to Fertility Rally member Keren, who is still in the thick of her years-long infertility journey. Keren talks about growing up with seven siblings in "evangelical spaces," how her parents opted her out of sex ed in school; and having one of her ovaries removed, due to a cyst, at the age of 16. She talks about having a chemical…
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242 // Why Emotions Are Tough To Manage, And How To Get Your Heart Back Under Control
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24:45Grab the Joy In The Journey 40-day devotional, to find biblical joy even in the hardest seasons of motherhood. Episode 242 // Do you sometimes feel totally overwhelmed by your emotions? Anxiety. Anger. Sadness. Stress. Every mom has seasons of hard emotions. But it’s worth asking the question… why. Why are you struggling? When we understand some of…
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Two Dads, One Dream: Jeff Levin’s Surrogacy & Egg Donation Journey
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45:21How do two dads navigate the journey to parenthood through surrogacy and egg donation? In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Levin, a therapist and proud dad, to hear the real story behind his path to fatherhood. From choosing an egg donor and surrogate to overcoming unexpected challenges, Jeff shares the highs, the hurdles, and the heartfelt momen…
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241 // Part 2: Spiritual Action Steps To Help You Stand Firm, Feel Better, And Manage Emotions Well
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20:47Grab the Joy In The Journey 40-day devotional, to find biblical joy even in the hardest seasons of motherhood. Episode 241 // Ready for part 2? We’ve looked at the 5 practical steps that help us manage seasons of stress and overwhelming emotions. But what about the spiritual action steps? Those are even MORE important! We all go through emotionally…
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The Many Facets of the Blood of Jesus, #1
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29:16"The life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making atonement for your souls. It is the blood given in exchange for a life that makes purification possible.” (Leviticus 17:11)Oleh Steve Demme
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240 // Part 1: Practical Action Steps To Help You Feel Better When You’re Stressed And Emotional
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22:59Grab the Keep Your Cool, Mama! 40-day devotional on emotional control. Episode 240 // Feeling stressed? Pressured? Overwhelmed by big emotions? You are not alone - and there are action steps that will help! I’m going to divide this conversation into two parts. Today, join me to look at 5 practical things we should all do when we’re in the overwhelm…
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IVF Mom of Two and Start Asking Fertility Coach Nichelle Sublett, Part Two
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24:10Today, Ali is catching up with Mrs. North Carolina 2018 and IVF mom of two, Nichelle Sublett. Ali and Nichelle first spoke on Infertile AF back in 2019 -- and a lot has happened since then! At the time, Nichelle was 32 weeks pregnant with her first baby, son Hudson, who is now five. Nichelle had suffered five miscarriages and felt like her body was…
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Fertility & Stress: How Eastern Medicine Can Help with Dr. Susan Fox
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44:17Struggling with stress and fertility challenges? 🌱 Acupuncturist Dr. Susan Fox brings decades of experience blending Eastern and Western medicine to help you feel better. In this episode, she shares insights on managing stress, improving reproductive health, and finding balance on your fertility journey. 🔹 How Eastern medicine views fertility & wel…
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"He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him.” (Hebrews 7:25)Oleh Steve Demme
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Special Crossover Episode: Ali x Fertility Doctors Uncensored
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41:58It's a very special crossover episode! Today, Ali talks to the three brilliant and badass board certified reproductive endocrinologists from Fertility Doctors Uncensored, Dr. Carrie Bedient, Dr. Abby Eblen and Dr. Susan Hudson. Ali and the Doctors talk about separating fact from fiction, why community is so important in the infertility community, a…
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239 // I Can’t Handle These Emotions! Understanding The 4 Most Common Emotional Struggles That Moms Deal With
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22:50Grab the Joy In The Journey 40-day devotional, to find biblical joy even in the hardest seasons of motherhood. Episode 239 // Emotions can be totally overwhelming. But, understanding them can be really helpful in getting them under control - so they stop hurting your family relationships. Today, we’ll take a look at understanding the 4 most common …
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How Fertility Clinics Screen Egg Donors | Ethics & Process
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39:14Ever wondered what really happens when fertility clinics screen egg donors? Dr. Rudick, Director of Third Party Reproduction at Columbia University Fertility Center, shares the essential steps she takes to protect the emotional and physical well-being of both donors and recipients. With complex decisions and sometimes conflicting interests, she rev…
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Intended Parent Maggie and Surrogate Jessie on Family Building with ConceiveAbilities
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56:30On today's episode, Ali talks to Intended Parent, Maggie, and Surrogate, Jessie, about working with ConceiveAbilities, a leading egg donor and surrogacy agency. Maggie explains how she and her husband, Matt, started trying to conceive more than five years ago. She talks about seven rounds of Clomid, multiple miscarriages, and moving on to IVF. When…
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238 // A Season Of Stress: 10 Encouragements For Finding Light At The End Of The Tunnel
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28:19Grab the Joy In The Journey 40-day devotional, to find biblical joy even in the hardest seasons of motherhood. Episode 238 // Stress is inevitable. It’s not fun - but we know it will happen eventually. And when stress hits us, we need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Well, friend, my family has been going through a very stressful …
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"You are the God Who sees. You are El Roi.”Oleh Steve Demme
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