IVFU
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsIVFU invites you in for no-holds-barred, candid conversations about making families the new-fashioned way. Host Sam Shaber, a mother via egg donor and surrogate, introduces you to a diverse group of people, (straight, gay, lesbian, and single intended parents), who built their families through IVF, adoption, fostering, donor sperm and eggs and much more - even a couple who’ve chosen to live happily childfree after infertility. Whether you've ridden the fertility rollercoaster yourself, or watched someone you love go through it, join Sam and her guests as they talk openly about the quest to become parents, from the darkest moments of doubt to the warmest feels of joy, and all the identity-challenging, life-changing moments in between.
Get more info on IVFU and download our theme song "Freak in
Love" at www.ivfupodcast.com.
Keep up with the latest IVFU updates and special announcements!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Donate to help IVFU keep going at Venmo.com/ivfupodcast and PayPal.me/ivfupodcast.
Get in touch! Email us your thoughts, questions and transcript
requests at [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Season 2 Finale: Therapist Savannah Answers Your Questions
November 24, 2021 05:00 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MBTherapist and fertility/adoption expert Savannah Sanfield answers your questions about emotions, self-care, marriage during infertility, adoption, surrogacy, childfree living, third party reproduction, jealousy, resentment, self-image, self-hatred, RESOLVE.org insecurity, identity crises, co-dependency, baby showers, parenting after infertility, love, partnership, empathy, babies, postpartum depression, early childhood parenting, and more. With personal experience of infertility and 3rd part...
From a Salsa Jar to My Son: Alix Olson's Alternative Road to Motherhood
November 17, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 62.9 MBWriter/activist/spoken word star Alix Olson has never been predictable, but no one is more surprised than she to realize how much it means to be a mother. Hear the origin story of her first son, born after her sperm donor made his contribution into a "well-rinsed Tostitos jar," and her shock at wanting a second child, but then experiencing painful secondary infertility, having to "play straight" to access her insurance coverage, and becoming a single mother after her then-wife transitioned i...
Dynamic Do-Over: How Infertility Inspired a Mother and Daughter
November 10, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MBDaughter Nicole founded a surrogacy agency after her struggle with infertility, while her mother Pam launched the Baby Quest Foundation to award grants for fertility treatments to those who can't afford it. After struggling for years with infertility, through IVF, miscarriages, fertility treatments, fertility meds, pregnancy fails, and more, Nicole Lawson was able to have her first child through a surrogate. She worked with surrogacy again for her second child, and was inspired to leave her ...
Facebook Groups: the Ultimate Love/Hate Affair
November 03, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 62.6 MBFertility coach Oana Gharbi shares her story and strategies for coping with IVF, secondary infertility, hormones, protocols, pompous doctors, and sometimes, when it's best to stop and live your life. Having experienced her own personal pain and loss with the death of her first husband, then acute secondary infertility with her second husband, Oana discovered her true calling as a coach and advocate for people still on the journey to family after deciding to stop IVF and restore peace and hap...
A Priest and a Rabbi Walk Into a Podcast
October 27, 2021 07:00 - 44 minutes - 60.5 MBReverend Julia Offinger, Associate Rector of Grace Church in New York City and Rabbi Rachel Brown, educational director of Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson, Ohio talk candidly with Sam about the roles of faith, love and grace in the struggle to make a family. It’s a rare chance to ask the direct questions about the religious rules of IVF and alternative reproduction, from the Episcopal stance on infertility to the Catholic stance on IVF to the Jewish stance on egg donation and surrogacy, and mor...
The Infertility Soda Machine – How IVF Changed Comedian Jay Palumbo
October 20, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBComedian/writer/advocate Jennifer 'Jay' Palumbo talks openly about how infertility changed her career, her priorities and her marriage – and how she still comes out laughing. After grueling IVF treatments, embryo transfers, pregnancy fails and office baby showers, Jay finally had a successful pregnancy which produced her son Michael and moved her to become an advocate and a figurehead in the fertility/infertility fight. Then she got pregnant by accident which surprised the entire world - and...
Making It Legal: Tara's Queer Family Story
October 13, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes - 67.6 MBWriter, comedian and frequent host of The Moth Radio Hour, Tara Clancy talks candidly about the many hoops she and her first wife jumped through to become legal, lesbian moms, from fighting for insurance coverage as one of the earliest same-sex couples to do reciprocal IVF, to getting both parents' names on the birth certificate, to the moment when gay marriage became legal – the day after her second son was born. Now remarried, Tara also shares her excitement in this new, third chance at mo...
Happy as a Family of Two (and No One Wants Your Ass-vice)
October 06, 2021 07:00 - 50 minutes - 69.6 MBResolve activist and fertility advocate Brooke Kingston shares the rewards of living child-free - and giving your dogs their own living room. Sam and Brooke talk openly about the possibilities for happiness and self-empowerment when choosing to live child-free after infertility, or "child-free not by choice." Baby showers, pregnant sisters and sibling rivalry, women's rights, IVF and infertility support, marital issues, march on Washington, RESOLVE's advocacy day and the rewards of being an ...
Two Dads Foster-to-Adopt Pt 2: The Greatest Reward of All
September 29, 2021 07:01 - 48 minutes - 67.1 MBChris and Jesse's second experience with fost-adopt was "a completely different rodeo," as they became a beautiful family with a fragile baby and his toddler brother. Learn how they were supported through foster-to-adopt and family services organization Vista Del Mar as they worked to care for children who were victims of abuse and mental illness, the sacrifices they made to ensure the kids got the best physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and medical support, and the ways ...
Two Dads Foster-to-Adopt Pt 1: Love and Heartbreak
September 29, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 57.8 MBMarried couple Chris and Jesse share their turbulent story of trying to make a family through the foster-to-adopt system. You'll learn about their big gay wedding (one of the first in California after gay marriage became legal), their entry into the fost-adopt emergency placement system with guidance from historic adoption and child placement agency Vista Del Mar, their unexpected relationship with the baby's birth mother, and their emotional experience with childhood sickness in the form of...
Donors That Look Like Me: Infertility as a Black Woman
September 22, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 62.6 MBSchoolteacher Melissa talks frankly about forging her own unique path to motherhood as a single Black woman in the white-centric world of fertility. You'll hear how Melissa's experience with premature ovarian syndrome has given her a crash course in infertility, trying to become a single mom by choice, Black sperm and egg donors, the cost of IVF and fertility treatments, and the value of getting fertility support and medical info from a doctor who listens to you. Want to support Melissa? Do...
How Two Moms Make a Family
September 15, 2021 07:00 - 46 minutes - 64.2 MBRobin Hopkins and Jaimie Kelton, creator/hosts of award-winning podcast If These Ovaries Could Talk, don't hold back about the unique challenges, dark moments, and hilarious swings of queer family-making, including reciprocal IVF, the different parenting roles of lesbian moms, the hunt for a sperm donor, donor siblings, infertility support, and more. Check out Robin & Jaimie's award-winning podcast (and their book of the same name) If These Ovaries Could Talk at www.ovariestalk.com. ht...
Season 2 Trailer
September 09, 2021 03:42 - 1 minute - 1.37 MBThat's right, friends, IVFU is back with all new stories about making a family the new-fashioned way. Subscribe and share and tune in Sept. 15 for episode 1 of Season 2. Get more info on IVFU and download our theme song "Freak in Love" at www.ivfupodcast.com. Keep up with the latest IVFU updates and special announcements! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Donate to help IVFU keep going at Venmo.com/ivfupodcast and PayPal.me/ivfupodcast. Get in touch! Email us yo...
The Biggest Surprise of All (Bonus!)
November 17, 2020 08:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBIn one complete live story, Sam brings you on a journey through her years of fertility fails, giving up, going forward, getting a huge gift, and starting on a path to surrogacy – only to meet the greatest surprise of all once Darwyn was finally in her arms. Privacy Policy and California Privacy Notice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S E13: Bonus: The Biggest Surprise of All
November 17, 2020 08:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBIn one complete live story, Sam brings you on a journey through her years of fertility fails, giving up, going forward, getting a huge gift, and starting on a path to surrogacy – only to meet the greatest surprise of all once Darwyn was finally in her arms. Privacy Policy and California Privacy Notice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Part of Our Family
November 09, 2020 08:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBSeason finale: Hear Sam & Kaylee's postpartum secrets and surprises. Kaylee and Sam reconvene after Darwyn's birth to discuss the adventure they've shared, confess what they were both thinking in the hospital, and explore the surprising secrets of motherhood no one ever talks about. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hear f...
S E12: Part of Our Family
November 09, 2020 08:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBSeason finale: Hear Sam & Kaylee's postpartum secrets and surprises. Kaylee and Sam reconvene after Darwyn's birth to discuss the adventure they've shared, confess what they were both thinking in the hospital, and explore the surprising secrets of motherhood no one ever talks about. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hear f...
Surrogates Are Not Crazy People
November 03, 2020 08:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBMeet Kaylee as she's 8 months pregnant with Sam's son, Darwyn. Is that weird? Yes and no. They talk about their paths to this moment, their relationship to each other and the baby, and the who, what and why of carrying someone else's child. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hear from you! Send your comments, questions, and...
S E11: Surrogates Are Not Crazy People
November 03, 2020 08:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBMeet Kaylee as she's 8 months pregnant with Sam's son, Darwyn. Is that weird? Yes and no. They talk about their paths to this moment, their relationship to each other and the baby, and the who, what and why of carrying someone else's child. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hear from you! Send your comments, questions, and...
I Would Want a Doctor to Treat Me Like Family
October 27, 2020 14:23 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBHear Dr. Luk's IVF insights. Sam talks candidly with her first fertility specialist, Dr. Janelle Luk of Generation Next Fertility, about her personal journey to being an REI, what makes a great doctor, and why we can't just make tons of babies easily, the way rabbits do, dammit. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hear from ...
S E10: I Would Want a Doctor to Treat Me Like Family
October 27, 2020 14:23 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBHear Dr. Luk's IVF insights. Sam talks candidly with her first fertility specialist, Dr. Janelle Luk of Generation Next Fertility, about her personal journey to being an REI, what makes a great doctor, and why we can't just make tons of babies easily, the way rabbits do, dammit. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hear from ...
I Was Put Here to Be Clementine's Mom
October 20, 2020 07:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBHear Kathleen's transracial adoption story. What happens when you know you want to adopt, but no one wants you back? Maybe you wind up finding the perfect match in a child who is nothing like you. To read Kathleen's blog about parenting visit thisoldmom.com. For Kathleen's essays about transracial parenting: I Racially Profiled My Black Child – This Old Mom Why Am I Brown? – This Old Mom How Does A White Mom Explain Michael Jackson to Her Black Child? – This Old Mom For episode transc...
S E9: I Was Put Here to Be Clementine's Mom
October 20, 2020 07:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBHear Kathleen's transracial adoption story. What happens when you know you want to adopt, but no one wants you back? Maybe you wind up finding the perfect match in a child who is nothing like you. To read Kathleen's blog about parenting visit thisoldmom.com. For Kathleen's essays about transracial parenting: I Racially Profiled My Black Child – This Old Mom Why Am I Brown? – This Old Mom How Does A White Mom Explain Michael Jackson to Her Black Child? – This Old Mom For episode transc...
You Might Need to Cry in Your Car
October 13, 2020 07:00 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBTherapist Savannah keeps us sane. Sam talks with her own therapist, Savannah, whose specialty in infertility issues stems from her own journey to have a child through egg donation. Together, they unpack the emotional minefield of infertility - a minefield that's different for every person who walks through it. Savannah Sanfield is a marriage and family therapist, certified parent coach and maternal mental health specialist. She supports post and preconception families (prenatal to 6 years) ...
S E8: You Might Need to Cry in Your Car
October 13, 2020 07:00 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBTherapist Savannah keeps us sane. Sam talks with her own therapist, Savannah, whose specialty in infertility issues stems from her own journey to have a child through egg donation. Together, they unpack the emotional minefield of infertility - a minefield that's different for every person who walks through it. Savannah Sanfield is a marriage and family therapist, certified parent coach and maternal mental health specialist. She supports post and preconception families (prenatal to 6 years) ...
Take a Dip in the Sperm Pool
October 06, 2020 15:46 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBDive into Maureen's solo IVF quest and activism. Social worker Maureen could only be described with one word: resilient. Okay, two words: resilient and hilarious. Somehow, between doing IVF as a single woman, navigating sperm banks, egg donors and the cost of it all, she still finds the strength to lobby for IVF health coverage at the state capitol. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, ...
S E7: Take a Dip in the Sperm Pool
October 06, 2020 15:46 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBDive into Maureen's solo IVF quest and activism. Social worker Maureen could only be described with one word: resilient. Okay, two words: resilient and hilarious. Somehow, between doing IVF as a single woman, navigating sperm banks, egg donors and the cost of it all, she still finds the strength to lobby for IVF health coverage at the state capitol. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, ...
Guinea Pigs in a Big Experiment
September 29, 2020 07:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBExperience IVF in the 1980s with Lolly & Marvin. Lolly and Marvin tried IVF in its early days, eventually opening their minds to adoption, which at that time involved ads in PennySaver newspapers across the country. And somehow they found their perfect match, even without the Internet. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hea...
S E6: Guinea Pigs in a Big Experiment
September 29, 2020 07:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBExperience IVF in the 1980s with Lolly & Marvin. Lolly and Marvin tried IVF in its early days, eventually opening their minds to adoption, which at that time involved ads in PennySaver newspapers across the country. And somehow they found their perfect match, even without the Internet. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please visit samshaber.com We want to hea...
S E5: An Open Adoption, Internationally
September 22, 2020 07:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBFind out how Julie found family in Ethiopia. A shocking medical diagnosis forced Julie to give up on IVF, but she couldn't give up on her need to be a parent. In an international adoption journey that took her all the way to Ethiopia, Julie learned how much love and work being a parent could be. Editor’s Note: Julie's children approved this episode and gave permission for its airing. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more in...
An Open Adoption, Internationally
September 22, 2020 07:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBFind out how Julie found family in Ethiopia. A shocking medical diagnosis forced Julie to give up on IVF, but she couldn't give up on her need to be a parent. In an international adoption journey that took her all the way to Ethiopia, Julie learned how much love and work being a parent could be. Editor’s Note: Julie's children approved this episode and gave permission for its airing. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more in...
S E4: Maybe I Could Donate an Egg... or 70
September 15, 2020 07:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBEgg donor Mary bares all for us. Three-time egg donor Mary has amazing tales to tell about her reasons for donating eggs, the physical and emotional rollercoaster she rode, and why she kept on doing it anyway. In a toast to self-care and her "donor retirement," Mary reminds us to "drink more bubbles" whenever possible. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please v...
Maybe I Could Donate an Egg... or 70
September 15, 2020 07:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBEgg donor Mary bares all for us. Three-time egg donor Mary has amazing tales to tell about her reasons for donating eggs, the physical and emotional rollercoaster she rode, and why she kept on doing it anyway. In a toast to self-care and her "donor retirement," Mary reminds us to "drink more bubbles" whenever possible. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, performances and music please v...
S E3: Are We Allowed to Cuss?
September 08, 2020 07:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBLearn how songwriter Kyler survived secondary infertility. Singer/songwriter Kyler had her first child easily and was surprised and devastated when her next pregnancies resulted in miscarriage after miscarriage. What do you do when you're already in the "kid world" and everyone around you is popping out multiple siblings like it ain't no thang? For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, perfo...
Are We Allowed to Cuss?
September 08, 2020 07:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBLearn how songwriter Kyler survived secondary infertility. Singer/songwriter Kyler had her first child easily and was surprised and devastated when her next pregnancies resulted in miscarriage after miscarriage. What do you do when you're already in the "kid world" and everyone around you is popping out multiple siblings like it ain't no thang? For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, perfo...
2 Dads, 3 Kids
September 01, 2020 07:30 - 51 minutes - 47 MBMeet Mike and Rey whose family is made from love and surrogacy. Most gay men weren't having kids when Michael and Rey got together. Seventeen years later, they have three kids, two dogs and a house in Hollywood. With total candor, they share their thoughts on role models, reproduction, surrogates, stigmas, secrets – and the biggest love of all: family. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song “Freak in Love” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories,...
S E2: 2 Dads, 3 Kids
September 01, 2020 07:30 - 51 minutes - 47 MBMeet Mike and Rey whose family is made from love and surrogacy. Most gay men weren't having kids when Michael and Rey got together. Seventeen years later, they have three kids, two dogs and a house in Hollywood. With total candor, they share their thoughts on role models, reproduction, surrogates, stigmas, secrets – and the biggest love of all: family. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song “Freak in Love” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories,...
S E1: Not a Romantic Comedy
September 01, 2020 07:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBIn our debut episode, you'll meet Sam's good friend Steph, a 5-year IVF survivor and New York-based high school counselor who still has her sense of humor. Hang with them as they talk candidly about that brutal phrase "advanced maternal age," as well as yoga retreats, annoying things people say, marriage, infertility rage, and the love of friends. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, pe...
Not a Romantic Comedy
September 01, 2020 07:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBIn our debut episode, you'll meet Sam's good friend Steph, a 5-year IVF survivor and New York-based high school counselor who still has her sense of humor. Hang with them as they talk candidly about that brutal phrase "advanced maternal age," as well as yoga retreats, annoying things people say, marriage, infertility rage, and the love of friends. For episode transcripts and to download our theme song, “Freak in Love,” visit ivfupodcast.com For more information about Sam’s live stories, pe...
Introducing IVFU
August 18, 2020 07:00 - 2 minutes - 1.93 MBSee our Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and our California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Season 1 Trailer
August 18, 2020 07:00 - 2 minutes - 1.93 MBHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.