Dr. Katherine Koniares, CCRM Boston 
https://www.ccrmivf.com/  

For more information about advocating for fertility benefits, visit Progyny's Talk To HR page at progyny.com/talktohrtoday 

Visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ProgynyInc 

Dr. Ijeoma (Ij) Iko, Pinnacle Fertility Chicago
https://www.pinnaclefertility.com/phy... 

For more information about advocating for fertility benefits, visit Progyny's Talk To HR page at progyny.com/talktohrtoday

Visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Progynyinc.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jaime Knopman from CCRM Fertility of New York and author of Own Your Fertility, for a candid conversation about egg freezing, fertility preservation, and grief. 

Dr. Knopman shares what inspired her to write the book, who it’s for, and why fertility preservation can be one of the first acts of agency in reproductive health. We unpack common misconceptions about egg freezing. 

The conversation also turns to a topic often left unspoken: fertility-related grief. Dr. Knopman reflects on how grief shows up when timelines shift and how patients can hold both hope and loss at the same time. 

This episode is for anyone navigating fertility decisions, questioning timing, or seeking clarity and compassion along the journey. 

Own Your Fertility is now available on Amazon! 

Guest: Dr. Jaime Knopman, Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Director of Fertility Preservation for CCRM Fertility of New York 

Hosts:  

Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny 

Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services, Progyny 

--- 

For more information, visit Progyny’s Education page. This show does not constitute medical advice. 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @progynyinc, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more resources. 

Music: YH1DOJKVSNXFR8GG

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:58) - Why egg freezing and grief?
• (02:26) - Fertility preservation and egg freezing
• (05:06) - What is a good age to freeze eggs?
• (07:04) - If I freeze my eggs am I losing eggs?
• (08:55) - Egg freezing and birth control
• (09:30) - Breast cancer and fertility preservation
• (10:00) - Grief and family building
• (13:28) - The role of partners and community in family building
• (15:06) - Dr Knopman's Book!
• (16:12) - Fertility benefits create better outcomes
• (18:22) - Resilience
• (00:00) - Chapter 13
• (00:00) - Chapter 14

Visit Progyny's Education page for more resources. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at Comms@progyny.com.

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Thank You for Your Stories & Thank you for Listening

Dan Bulger: Since 2018, we've released hundreds of episodes. We've spoken with people from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different family structures, different paths to parenthood, and different outcomes. We've heard stories of hope and heartbreak, of waiting rooms and phone calls, of cycles that didn't work and moments that finally did. We've talked about grief, resilience, uncertainty, joy and everything in between. And what stands out most looking back is the generosity of the people who trusted us with their stories. To every guest who came on this podcast and spoke honestly about their experience, we just want to say thank you. You helped countless people feel less alone. You helped normalize conversations about this stuff, and you helped build a community rooted in empathy and understanding. This is Infertility really is your show. And to you, our listeners, I want to thank you too. We hope you found some value in hearing others going through these emotions, treatments, and journeys. We started this podcast because people needed it, and it lasted for so long because you found meaning in it, and that's something we'll always be proud of.

What's Next?

Dan Bulger: Why change things now? When This is Infertility began, the focus was clear. Infertility stories needed space and visibility, and that work is still incredibly important. But today, the organization behind the podcast and the place that I work, Progyny, supports people across a much broader spectrum of care, from fertility and family building to pregnancy and postpartum and leave benefit navigation to menopause. It's a full suite of benefits that supports life's most important stages. Now we didn't want to start talking about menopause or pregnancy and postpartum on a podcast that people have come to expect stories about infertility, so it only makes sense to change things up. We also wanted to update our formula. We love sharing your stories, but we also know that you love hearing from experts, and you'd like to hear them unscripted and uncensored. So, we're shaking things up a little bit, starting in January. We're expanding into three podcast experiences; each focused on a different stage of care, fertility, women's health, and menopause. We're excited to get started with this new format and these new channels. We know that we can provide the kind of content that you're looking for wherever you might be in life. Personal stories will always matter. They're at the heart of everything we do at Progyny and here on our podcast channels, this evolution simply allows us to tell more stories in more ways for more people across every stage of care.

Today's guest always dreamed of building a family. But when she and her husband began trying to conceive, they faced years of unanswered questions and a string of devastating losses.

Like many military families, Julie Eshelman's journey was shaped not just by infertility, but by deployments, changing doctors, starting over in new states, and a healthcare system that doesn't always recognize the unique challenges military families face in building a family. Julie and her husband were unable to access full fertility coverage under TRICARE, creating a financial burden to top up the physical and emotional stress they were already experiencing.

These years of heartbreak also led to joy and purpose. Julie is now the mom of a rambunctious three-year-old, and she founded the Building Military Families Network, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military and veteran families through infertility, loss, and family building. Through resources, education, and support groups, she's working to ensure others in her position don't walk this path alone.

In this episode, Julie shares her story of why she's determined to help others navigate a system that has historically overlooked the reproductive needs of those who serve.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast, and use #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Deniece discovered a lump that led to a stage two breast cancer diagnosis just days before her 33rd birthday. In today's episode, she and her husband Gardy share their emotional journey navigating cancer treatment, fertility preservation, and the financial burden that comes with unexpected medical challenges.

Faced with a fast-moving and shocking diagnosis, Deniece made the decision to freeze her eggs before beginning chemotherapy. That choice offered a sense of control, hope, and the possibility of family for her and Gardy. A few years later, Deniece was cancer-free, married to Gardy, and they were ready to embark on family building.

But their journey was far from straightforward. Deniece experienced miscarriage, underwent major surgery to remove dozens of fibroids, and faced multiple rounds of unsuccessful fertility treatments. Each setback tested her endurance, but Deniece was strong and resilient, backed by Gardy's continued love and support.

With renewed strength and financial support from programs like the AHA Grant from The Broken Brown Egg and Progyny, they are one step closer to making their dream a reality. This time with experience, hope, and support behind them.

Check for applications cycles of AHA Grants at www.thebrokenbrownegg.org

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Many of the stories we share on this show end with successful pregnancy, that's the goal of family building, after all. But not every journey reaches that destination, and it's important to shine a light on those stories. Sometimes the family building journey means embracing the family you already have and giving yourself permission to come first.

Today's episode features Justine Galloway, who is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. As an avid runner, diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological condition that made running forward nearly impossible without falling, she reinvented herself, going on to complete two half-marathons, the NYC Marathon, and even setting a Guinness World Record all by running backwards. That same grit carried her into the world of family building.

Justine got married at 38 and was hopeful about starting her family. At first it seemed fairly easy, they got pregnant quickly but soon miscarried, which was not abnormal for a first-time pregnancy. But after three miscarriages in one year, she knew something wasn't right.

That's when she turned to IVF. The medications and shots were difficult, but with the support of her partner, it was doable. Still, the cycles didn't bring the results they hoped for. The couple found new hope when Justine had access to Progyny through her employer. It felt like they could really try again. She got pregnant again, and she even graduated from the fertility clinic into the care of her OB-GYN. But when she came back to check the heartbeat, she was met with the devastating news again.

That's when Justine knew, after five years of dedicating their time to having a baby, they needed to move on. She needed to put her mind and body first. She wants people listening to this podcast to know that it's okay to make that decision, to choose yourself and your partner as family, and that you are not alone in this.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Teonna had always known she wanted to have a lot of kids. At the age of nineteen, she discovered something that would change the trajectory of her life: she might be infertile due to sickle cell disease.

Despite years of managing sickle cell, in and out of hospitals, doctor's offices, and attending sickle cell conventions, no one had ever talked to her about the link between sickle cell and infertility. Unfortunately, fertility preservation was too financially out of reach.

But Teonna's story didn't stop there. She endured a failed bone marrow transplant, chronic pain, and the emotional toll of navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks the reproductive needs of those living with this chronic illness. Out of that struggle came a new purpose. Teonna co-founded SC RED (Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive) to raise awareness, expand education, and fight for equitable access to fertility care for those with sickle cell disease.

In this episode, Teonna opens up about her journey and why she's determined to ensure no one else faces the same barriers alone. This Sickle Cell Awareness Month, she hopes that the future of living with sickle cell can be about thriving and not just surviving.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tJXUXwChtA8

Firefighters face physical and emotional challenges at work, but what about when they're facing challenges with fertility?

In this episode we hear from Maia Brown, a firefighter paramedic and president of The Beltane Guild, a nonprofit dedicated to firefighter reproductive health. Maia shares her deeply personal journey, from discovering diminished ovarian reserve in the middle of paramedic school, to undergoing IVF, to realizing how little support exists for firefighters facing fertility and family building challenges.

Now, through The Beltane Guild, Maia is helping fire departments nationwide create comprehensive reproductive health policies and offering grants to firefighters undergoing treatment.

She raises the question; can this job have an effect on our reproductive health? Firefighters are exposed to unique circumstances like stress, toxins, irregular sleep schedules and Maia has been partnering on groundbreaking research and resources to protect future generations of firefighters who see families in their futures.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7fOu6C7p-h4

In this powerful and personal episode, Ashley Rodón, wife of Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón and President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation, opens up about their emotional path to parenthood. Ashley shares how her dreams of starting a family were met with unexpected heartbreak, multiple pregnancy losses, and the resilience to keep moving forward.

From the devastation of her first miscarriage to the miracle of her daughter Willow, Ashley reflects on the highs and lows of her fertility journey. Along the way, she found strength and support through her partner, family, friends, and community. Now living life as parents of three, she and Carlos founded The Carlos Rodón foundation, a non-profit bringing people hope through The Willow Grant, which offers the opportunity for families to afford fertility treatment.

Ashley shares how their foundation has grown, partnering with organizations like the Nest Egg Foundation and Columbia Fertility to make family building more accessible to all.

This episode proves how the right platform, purpose, and lived experience can spark lasting change for those who need it most.

To learn more or apply for a Willow Grant, visit https://rodonfoundation.org/apply/

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CCfSsklVXes

The Fertility 101 Series, because there's no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.

Today's episode is a deep dive into the role of genetics in fertility care and planning. We're joined by Jay Shaw, a certified genetic counselor and Senior Product Manager at Fulgent Genetics, who walks us through the basics and beyond when it comes to genetic testing.

We start with a foundational overview, and Jay makes sure to break down the medical jargon for us. What is genetic testing? And what do terms like "carrier screening," "single gene disorder," and "pathogenic variant," actually mean?

From there, Jay explains how test results can inform decisions around IVF, embryo selection, and prenatal diagnostic testing. She also walks us through options available to people and couples when carrier screening reveals shared risks, including IVF with genetic testing, sperm or egg donation, and early interventions during pregnancy or at birth.

Jay also shares how genetic testing is expanding with new tools for cancer screening, direct-to-consumer options, and exciting advancements on the horizon, including genome sequencing and the potential for AI to transform how we interpret genetic results.

Genetic testing is a crucial part of the family-building journey, protecting the health of your baby and ensuring a well-informed pregnancy. Tune in to hear all that it has to offer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

"I grew up with an expiration date."

Dustin Menken was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that brought him lifelong health challenges and made him part of the 98% of men with CF who are infertile. He never imagined he'd live to see 40, let alone become a father. But with persistence, support from his wife Tequila and a critical fertility benefit from his employer, TE Connectivity, through Progyny, Dustin beat the odds. Again.

In this episode, Dustin and Tequila Menken share their remarkable story: from a childhood spent in hospitals to navigating genetic testing, sperm aspiration, and multiple IVF cycles. They walk us through the setbacks, the emotional toll, and the moment they finally learned they were expecting their daughter, Jannie Bell Allena, who has now arrived healthy and thriving.

Tune into this episode for the Menkens story of resilience, partnership, and the power of access. Behind every fertility journey is a deeply personal fight - one that can be helped with the right support.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Danny and Elizabeth Ross got married at 26, excited to start their lives together and hopeful about growing a family. When they started trying, they were met with a series of challenges that changed everything.

Elizabeth was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS. Danny had male factor infertility. After a year of trying to conceive, they were told their best option was IVF. At the time, they had no fertility coverage.

They started with IUI. One attempt turned into two, then six, then thirteen. They tore through their savings. Elizabeth suffered an ectopic pregnancy that led to the removal of one of her fallopian tubes. They had hit a wall. IVF was their next and only option.

On their third round of IVF, their first daughter was finally born, and they welcomed their second, a few years later. Through it all, Danny and Elizabeth remained each other's rocks: husband, wife, and best friends.

Today, Danny is the president of UFCW Local 152, where he oversees the benefits for thousands of union members. When the opportunity arose to improve those benefits, his mind immediately went to fertility. Could they offer fertility coverage to union families so others wouldn't have to go through what he did?

After an exhaustive search, they decided to partner with Progyny, a labor-friendly benefit with experience supporting union members. For Danny, what stood out most were the Progyny Care Advocates and Smart Cycle plan design. It was everything they never had: guidance, clarity, and a path to better outcomes.

Tune into this episode as Danny reflects on the impact of adding fertility coverage to his union's benefits and the importance of leaving things better than he found them.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Music:

V7DM5RBZLGAXKDRW

The Fertility 101 Series, because there's no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.

When it comes to fertility, men are half of the equation, but too often, they're the half that gets forgotten or overlooked. This Men's Health Month, we're joined by Dr. Paul Turek, a world-renowned urologist and male fertility expert, to talk all things sperm, from how it's made to how it affects fertility and IVF.

Dr. Turek explains how sperm health isn't just about making babies, it's also a sign of a man's overall health, tied to things like life expectancy, cancer risk, and heart health. Dr. Turek also tells us about his podcast, Talk with Turek, where he and Rob Clyde expose men's health and talk about it frankly – tackling the issues that matter. So, if you want to hear more on men's health from Dr. Turek, you're in luck!

And if you've never thought about getting a semen analysis, this episode might change that. Whether you're thinking about starting a family, planning for the future, or just want to stay healthy, your sperm may tell you more than you could believe.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Video Version: https://youtu.be/VNTff8wEGmk

For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples going through their family building journeys, having a medical support system that truly understand their lived experience can make all the difference.

In this episode, we hear from Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife, parent of three, and co-author of Babymaking for Everybody about the role and importance of a midwife.

Marea explains how midwives operate across a wide range of settings, from hospitals and fertility clinics to birth centers and home births. While midwives often fly under the radar, they play a vital role in family building, especially in spaces where traditional care may feel less inclusive. Marea offers an in-depth look at the role of midwives, including how they complete years of clinical training to become licensed healthcare providers.

Today, Marea's practice supports at-home births, where they connect with patients on a deeply personal level through shared identity, lived experience, and affirming care.

Over time, Marea noticed just how isolating this journey can be for queer and solo parents. That realization led them to co-create PregnantTogether, a virtual community designed to bring these families together. The platform supports people all over the world, offering both connection and logistical help in one beautiful space.

This episode is a reminder of the power of identity-informed care and how transformative it can be to feel seen and supported.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

For LGBTQ+ couples, traditional fertility coverage can leave them behind with little to no access to the actual coverage. Many are forced to undergo unnecessary, emotionally taxing procedures to meet outdated definitions of infertility. For Maggie and her wife, Alli, they thought they would need to pursue IUI, like many of their friends.

However, Maggie discovered that her employer, Santander Bank, offered inclusive fertility benefits through Progyny and that they had something rare: options.

In this episode, Maggie takes us through their family forming journey: from discovering the benefit, to forgoing healthcare through Alli's role in the military in pursuit of the best family building option. The couple opted for a reciprocal IVF journey, where using a sperm donor, Alli would retrieve eggs, genetically test and freeze embryos, for Maggie to one day soon, take on the role of carrying the pregnancy.

Maggie also shares the importance of their village, showing up in ways that make the journey feel a little lighter, like hosting their friends to help choose a sperm donor and consulting couples they know have been in their shoes. Maggie shares her gratitude for how seamless their journey has been thus far, and when Alli returns from her upcoming deployment, their dreams of family will soon become a reality.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

https://youtu.be/GyHdAkXq1KoWatch this episode on YouTube:

Music: HA2XAHY5DVIOKQVA

When Erin Sarris and her husband first visited a fertility clinic, they were hit with unexpected news: severe male factor infertility and an immediate recommendation to pursue IVF. What followed was a long, winding, and often painful journey filled with setbacks, from failed cycles to loss and emotional isolation.

Now a mother of three and author of Cupcakes Everywhere: One Sweet Tale of Overcoming Infertility, Erin shares how infertility reshaped her view and inspired a metaphorical children's book that captures the bittersweet reality of struggling to grow a family. This conversation is raw, vulnerable, and ultimately a reminder that even when the path to parenthood is anything but straightforward

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VRuXbZ4g460

Music Code: HA2XAHY5DVIOKQVA

Deanna shares how her team's search for better benefits led them to adopt Progyny, a decision driven by lived experience, better outcomes, and the desire to truly meet their associates' needs.

Deanna was able to utilize Progyny, navigating unsuccessful egg retrievals, and ultimately choosing to use donor eggs to have her beautiful baby girl. Through it all, Deanna's personal experience and professional purpose were aligned — knowing she had done right by Bread Financial Associates through the lens of her own experience.

Tune in to explore what it means to build inclusive benefits and how validating it can be when those benefits end up supporting you, too.

Guests: Deanna Allison, Director, Benefits, Well-Being, and Financial Programs, Bread Financial

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, they share their deeply personal journey of sacrifice in pursuit of a surrogate—highlighting the emotional highs and lows along the way, from downsizing their apartment to postponing their wedding. They open up about the importance of trust in the surrogacy process and the unwavering love and support they've found in each other; Kristina and Lorenzo remind us there is more than one way to build a family.

Thanks to the AHA Grant from The Broken Brown Egg and Progyny, they are one step closer to making their dream a reality. They offer heartfelt advice for others navigating the complexities of infertility, emphasizing the power of advocacy, community, and perseverance.

Applications for the latest cycle of AHA Grants can be found at www.thebrokenbrownegg.org, starting April 8th!

Guests: Kristina King and Lorenzo Bellard, AHA Grant Recipients

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

From touring with country music legends to navigating the complexities of infertility, Nelly's story is one of physical resilience, partner support, and using art to heal.

Listen to her song Baby Showers to discover how Nelly Joy is turning her experiences into then reminder that we are not alone.

Guest: Nelly Joy, Musician

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

You can find this episode at youtube.com/progyny

Music:

As challenges continued to mount and her doctor recommended the couple pursue surrogacy. Amid the challenges of the pandemic, Alex and her husband welcomed their second son with the help of a selfless surrogate that they could not be more thankful for.

And just when they thought their long path to parenthood had finally come to a close... they encountered one more beautiful yet unexpected surprise! Listen to the episode and see more about Alex's story on her viral Instagram.

Guest: Alex Kornswiet, Progyny Member and Infertility Advocate

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/47ZVW2abFb0

In this episode, Erin Antoniak takes us along her journey of preserving her fertility as a back-up plan, which then evolved into a complex path to parenthood.

She explains how Progyny's family building coverage through her husband's employer, Salesforce, gave her the freedom to pursue treatment without financial barriers. She also shares how documenting the journey, from the hardest days to the happiest moments, connected her with a growing Instagram audience and impacted her community.

Watch Erin's story through her own eyes on Instagram.

Guest: Erin Antoniak, Salesforce Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Her path wasn't easy, from choosing a sperm donor, failed IUIs to IVF, and devastating loss. While Erica grieved for her pregnancies and felt the financial toll, she never gave up. Tune in to hear how support from Progyny's fertility benefits and donor eggs led to her happy ending of becoming a mom.

Guest: Erica Ward, Progyny Member at Sleep Number Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y6Ln16ecXGM

For our 200th episode, Laura shares the honest reality of facing postpartum depression after her first pregnancy—an experience she never thought she would have after fighting to conceive. With fertility benefits through Progyny she welcomed a second child into her family a few years later. This time, Laura went into her second postpartum journey with the expectations, knowledge, and tools to manage her PPD symptoms effectively.

This episode is a powerful reminder that family-building journeys are rarely straightforward. They're filled with highs, lows, and the moments that teach us the true meaning of resilience.

Guest: Laura, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Ashley shares her journey—from researching the process and navigating her benefits to handling injections and undergoing the procedure. She discusses challenges along the way, the importance of representation, and reflects on the peace of mind she's gained from taking control of her fertility.

Tune in to hear Ashley's experience and learn how support from her company helped her make a decision that aligns with her goals and lifestyle.

Guest: Ashley Chukwu, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

As we wrap up, we're shining a spotlight on two recurring themes that have defined this season: the power of support and the ripple effect of advocacy.

From their doctor's care or employer's benefits package to the unwavering encouragement of a partner or patient care advocate, we brought back a few episodes from this season that prove — no one's journey has to be a solo one.

This episode isn't just a look back—it's a reminder of the strength that comes from being supported and what it takes to advocate for yourself and others.

Guests: Progyny members: Hanna Peters, Danielle Faith, Jennifer Osmond, and Lakia Holmes

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Listen to the episodes featured:

• Episode 174: Becoming a Single Parent by Choice: IVF + a Sperm Donor

• Episode 181: #NIAW: A Path to Parenthood Turned into a Path to Purpose

• Episode 183: Overcoming the Emotional Toll of Infertility

• Episode 189: Teamwork Makes a Dream Work: How Jennifer's Village Made Parenthood Possible

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Georgia Witkin, Clinical Psychologist and infertility expert. She shares practical advice on handling the holidays so you can enjoy the season. She'll walk us through her empowering pre-holiday checklist with strategies to navigate the season; from preparing thoughtful responses for tough questions, to leaning into moments that bring you peace and joy.

Whether it's finding ways to stay present or exploring new traditions that work for you, this episode is about helping you reclaim the holidays on your terms. And stick around for Dr. Witkin's answers to your personal questions.

Guest: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Clinical Psychologist and Infertility Expert

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more resources on Mental Health and the Holidays, watch our latest webinar: Supporting emotional wellness: Navigating boundaries and stress while on a family building journey

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today, Jessica works alongside adoptees, families, and professionals, as a program facilitator and adoptee advocate, creating spaces that celebrate and honor diverse backgrounds and foster deeper connections. Join us as Jessica dives into the importance of community, mentorship, and how she's using her experience to support others.

Guest: Jessica Luciere

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

A note from our host: My parents were foster parents throughout my life. Over time, they helped over 100 kids before they retired. In fact, my younger brother was adopted through that program. Being a kid, I had a different family life than my friends and neighbors. For me, it was a source of pride, and I still believe my parents are heroes.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

They tell the stories of their own surrogacy journeys, with Sammi's experience as a two-time surrogate and Carly's journey as a parent through surrogacy. They bring personal and professional insights into what makes these partnerships successful. They also dive into the importance of compatibility, navigating legal and financial hurdles, and understanding the different relationship dynamics surrogates and intended parents may seek.

Tune in to hear Sammi's and Carly's experiences and how to be thoughtful in the surrogacy journey to create happy, healthy babies.

Guests: Carly Vollero, General Counsel at Nodal and Sammi Itatani, Program and Community Manager at Nodal

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Through this candid conversation, they discuss the often-overlooked aspects of menopause, from hair loss to mental health, shedding light on the profound impact it has on a woman's identity and quality of life. Together, they emphasize the importance of normalizing these conversations and encouraging women to seek support and treatment during this pivotal time.

Guest: Dr. Juliana Hauser, Therapist and Menopause Expert

Host: Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Joyelle reflects on her experience, from navigating fertility preservation to finding strength and support from loved ones and breast cancer advocacy groups. Her story highlights the power of proactive choices and the peace of mind they can provide in the face of life's toughest moments.

To learn more about oncofertiltiy, check out resources here

Breast cancer resources mentioned in this episode:

· Imerman Angles

· The Breasties

· Touch BBCA

· Hair & Hope

Guest: Joyelle Flemming, Progyny Member at Genentech

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

After the rollercoaster of emotions and multiple rounds of fertility treatment, Mandy and her husband Eric finally achieved their dream of becoming parents. But the journey didn't stop there, Mandy later conceived her second child naturally, a surprise that reaffirmed the unpredictable nature of fertility.

Along the way, Mandy learned how to advocate for herself and celebrate small wins to help cope with the ups and downs of IVF. Inspired to help others facing similar challenges, Mandy wrote an article for PR Daily, offering practical tips and emotional support to those navigating a family building journey

You can read her article here: What a difficult fertility journey taught me about being a better communicator

Guest: Mandy Menaker, Fertility Advocate

Host: Julie Campbell, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

They both faced their own unique struggles, Mary with secondary infertility, experiencing multiple miscarriages after her first child, and Nicole facing the heartbreak of failed attempts and what seemed like the never-ending emotional hurdles of egg donation and surrogacy.

With time, friendship, and medical intervention, both women found ways to grow their families and meaningful ways to incorporate their experiences into their careers.

Guests: Mary Lamattina, benefits consultant and Nicole Gomez Fisher, award-winning writer, director, and producer of the film, Good Egg

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, she opens up about how these challenges inspired her to create Chosen Infertility Group, a nonprofit dedicated to providing local resources, advocacy, and financial grants to those struggling with infertility in Detroit. Lauren's story is one of courage, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others find hope amidst their own.

Guest: Lauren Clements, Founder and President of Chosen Infertility Group

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Without Jennifer's support system, her journey would not have been made possible.

Guest: Jennifer Osmond, Progyny Member at AT&T

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, we dive into the detailed process of egg donation and its profound implications for families with Aisha Lewis, President of Everie, a known donor egg program.

Aisha discusses the steps involved on both ends of the egg donation process, from the pivotal choices donors can make surrounding their anonymity and the meticulous screening process donors undergo, to the legal considerations that ensure clarity and protection for all parties involved.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of egg donation, the different considerations, and how patients and donors can be empowered in their decisions.

Guest: Aisha Lewis, Everie

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode is also a video: https://youtu.be/_Wh0UdTfnrU

In this episode, Whitney tells us about her decision to freeze her eggs in 2013, a decision that provided her with peace of mind as she navigated life's uncertainties. She also shares where she is today, almost a decade later, and her journey to parenthood.

Whitney now uses her personal journey to empower women with choices and provide compassion and support to patients during their own egg freezing journeys.

Guest: Whitney Bischoff Angel, RN, BSN, OVA Egg Freezing

Host: Julie Campbell, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/1yuxJ1if_9U

Sarah then discovered her employer, LinkedIn, offered coverage for fertility treatment through Progyny. This meant she didn't need to make cost-based decisions and instead was able to pursue treatment that would result in the best possible outcome. Join us for this episode to hear how Sarah navigated her family building journey, the highs and lows that came with it, and how through trial and error, she found a path that worked.

Guest: Sarah Freese, Principal Customer Success Manager at LinkedIn, Infertility Advocate, and Progyny Member

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/zrTFKlhA7qs

This week's episode answers all the questions around transgender family building options and how it works. Dr. Daniel Potter at HRC Fertility joins us to discuss the impact of hormone affirming therapy, the importance of fertility preservation, questions to consider if one is deciding to build a family, and how to better serve this community.

Guest: Dr. Daniel Potter, Regional Medical Director at HRC Fertility

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

The book covers everything from initial considerations and emotions to the medical and genetic processes involved, selecting the right donor, and talking to children about their donor conception.

Tune in to hear how to manage the challenges of a donor conception journey.

Guest: Dr. Mark Leondires and Lisa Schuman, LCSW, authors of Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception

Dr. Mark Leondires

Medical Director and Founding Partner

at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents to Be

Lisa Schuman, LCSW

Founder of The Center for Family Building

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/kX60smGnP9k

Hana Peters and her husband started trying to have a baby and soon realized they needed to seek additional support. In this episode, Hana shares her journey. She speaks on the unsolicited advice she received along the way and how this impacted her relationships, her initial reaction to a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, and how she was able to pursue parenthood with a dedicated doctor and through her employer-sponsored benefit, Progyny.

For mental health support and resources, check out:

• Progyny Article: Coping with stress during fertility care

• This is Infertility Podcast episode: Bonus Episode 10: Prioritizing Your Mental Health During Your Fertility Journey

• Employer guide: How to support employees with infertility mental health guide

Guest: Hana Peters, Progyny Member at Salesforce

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode is also a video! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/o_-IvppWYK0

Her latest book, Reconceptions: Modern Relationships, Reproductive Science, and the Unfolding Future of Family, calls upon her experience of becoming a single parent by choice. She dives into her own family building journey, how she's navigated using a sperm donor and the relationships she's built from this, and how she's rethinking and redefining the meaning of family.

Guest: Rachel Lehmann-Haupt, award-winning journalist and author

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Danielle Zoll has dedicated herself to advocacy and awareness through her St. Louis based organization, Making a Miracle. The isolation Danielle felt along her path to parenthood with endometriosis, lack of coverage, and pregnancy loss, inspired her to build a community that supports others along their family building journeys.

Tune in for how Danielle made her miracle.

Guest: Danielle Zoll, founder of Making a Miracle

Host: Emma Gallagher, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Navigating the stress of her ticking biological clock, Gloria Soler went from realizing that the perfect parenting partner was not yet on her horizon to manifesting her own dreams of parenthood. Gloria went to find the doctor, the right sperm donor, the right treatment, and with a comprehensive employer-sponsored benefit, Gloria met the love she had been searching for all along, her son Emmet.

Tune into Gloria's journey with Progyny to learn how she navigated her path to parenthood.

Guest: Gloria Soler, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Haley's journey embodies the realities that many face on the path to parenthood: a mix of setbacks, doubts, and ultimately, hard-won victories.

Guest: Haley, Progyny Member

Host: Shannon Zuber, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This week's guest, Dr. Paul Dudley, Medical Director of Pinnacle Fertility Atlanta, dives into what tests are expected during an initial consultation, including the need for a blood test, semen analysis (if a partner is involved), and comprehensive assessments like an ovarian reserve evaluation. He also shares his perspective on at-home fertility testing kits and when to seek guidance from your doctor when trying to conceive.

Guest: Dr. Paul Dudley, Medical Director, Pinnacle Fertility Atlanta

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Our guest, Latham Thomas, Founder of Mama Glow, elaborates on the diverse responsibilities of doulas, ranging from offering emotional and physical support in co-creating your birth plan, to advocating for individuals and facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers. She explains what to keep in mind when finding the right doula for you. And highlights how doulas work to address birth disparities within marginalized communities.

Latham shares Mama Glow's mission of democratizing doula support, which aims to transform maternal care on what she describes as the childbearing continuum.

Guest: Latham Thomas, Founder of Mama Glow

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today's guest, Purvi Tailor, Vice President of Human Resources at Ferring U.S., describes Ferring's groundbreaking approach to employee benefits. With a focus on enhancing the family building journey for employees, she discusses the implementation of the, "Building Families at Ferring" package, which includes access to unlimited financial support for family building care, 26 weeks of paid parental leave, and a supportive workplace culture.

Tune in to learn how you can start reimagining your company's benefits package for a brighter future.

Guest: Purvi Tailor, Vice President of Human Resources at Ferring U.S.

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Music:

Artist: Andy G Cohen Track: A Perceptible Shift URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

Artist: Josh Woodward Track: Hollow Grove Instrumental Version URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

Artist: Jahzzar Track: MainSquare URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

In this episode, hear how Sonya navigated her journey, how she advocated for herself and found the right doctor, how unexplained infertility turned into diminished ovarian reserve, and why despite it all she continued. Sonya also shares the stress of paying for treatment and the difference when she gained access to a comprehensive family building benefit through her employer.

Guest: Sonya Heer, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Aware of her biological clock, Lakia looked into freezing her eggs, so she could continue waiting for the perfect partner for her and her future baby. However, her doctor informed that her best chance What she wasn't prepared for her doctor to tell her was that her best bet at motherhood was through IVF. and that she had two blocked fallopian tubes, leaving her with a 2% chance of natural conception. Lakia was shocked into a realization; being a mother is what she has always wanted, partner or no partner.

In this episode, Lakia dives into her decision to become a single parent by choice, her family building experience, and the impact of having access to family building benefits. Tune in for Lakia's

journey of single motherhood by choice, and how she was able to do it with donor sperm and the help of her Progyny PCA.

Guest: Lakia Holmes, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today our host sits down with 30 of our amazing in-network reproductive endocrinologist to answer your burning questions. Wondering what these doctors are thinking along your journey? Tune in for their expert medical opinions, taste in waiting room music, and unrelenting support for the people they treat every day.

For more episodes featuring our medical experts, check out:

• Episode 166: Reproductive Urologists and Endocrinologists: What's the Difference?

• Episode 162: Fertility 101: Unexplained Infertility

• Episode 150: Fertility 101: Preparing for Your First Fertility Clinic Appointment

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

Guests:

• Alex Quaas, Shady Grove Fertility

• Allison Rodgers, FCI

• Anate Brauer, Shady Grove Fertility

• Anish Shah, Shady Grove Fertility

• Emily Barnard, Shady Grove Fertility

• Gayane Ambartsumyan, RPMH

• Ian Waldmen, CCRM

• Jason Yeh, Aspire HFI

• John Crochet, Shady Grove Fertility

• Jonah Bardos, CCRM

• Joseph Davis, Shady Grove Fertility

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.

Guest: Jaimie Kelton, Host of The Queer Family Podcast

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

During her journey with multiple physicians and IVF cycles, inadequate coverage, limited representation, and ultimately, the decision to use donor eggs: Sherri realized that it's important to have a voice through all of this. And she uses that voice on her YouTube, @SherriYvette, where she encourages perseverance and togetherness through an experience that so many women are silently living through. In this episode, hear from Sherri on the other side of trial and error. She dives into how she found Progyny through her new employer, a clinic that suits her needs, and the progress she's been able to make in her journey.

Guest: Sherri Sawyerr, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Music:

Artist: Kai Engel Track: Brand New World

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

Artist: Lee Rosevere Track: Maximum Relax

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: All the Answers

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Easy Life

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Sad Marimba Planet

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Making a Change

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Betrayal

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

On the path to building a family, Brian and his wife, Jenny, found themselves at a financial crossroad. Their coverage for fertility treatment was miscommunicated, which left them confused about what they actually need to pay vs what was covered. Left completely in the dark, with one common goal of having a child, they chose the only clear-cut financial benefit that was laid out for them, a Veteran's discount. Having experienced this, Brian now speaks about his experience – and has presented at DisruptHR, where he discussed the need for more support in the workplace.

Listen to him here: Brian Tucker: Work LIFE Balance Talk

We also hear from Dr. Tolulope Bakare, a Reproductive Urologist from Posterity Health, and Dr. Ron Feinberg, Reproductive Endocrinologist from RADfertility of CCRM, about the treatment options when diagnosed with male factor infertility.

Guest:

• Brian Tucker, Director of Human Resources at Elior North America, Veteran, and Infertility Advocate

• Dr. Ron Feinberg, RADfertility

• Dr. Tolulope Bakare, Posterity Health

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Luckily for Stephanie, she happens to be employed Amazon, an employer that offers inclusive family building benefits through Progyny.

In fact, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, honors an organization each year with the Hope Award for Access. This award is given to an organization that is really moving the needle and expanding access to fertility and family building care – and this year this honor goes to Amazon.

To learn more about Amazon's benefits, visit here. To learn more about RESOLVE's annual Night of Hope gala, visit here.

Guest: Stephanie Kalili, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, our host speaks with Dr. Anate Brauer, IVF Director at Shady Grove Fertility New York about all things egg freezing. She answers questions ranging from, "Why do people freeze their eggs?" to "How does it even work?"

If you're questioning whether you would like to freeze your eggs, or just wonder about this modern medical practice, let this educational episode serve as a starting place.

For additional resources and answers to frequently asked questions, check out:

• Egg Freezing: Frequently Asked Questions

• Progyny Webinar: Egg Freezing 101

• Five Egg Freezing Myths and Facts

Guest: Dr. Anate Brauer, IVF Director at Shady Grove Fertility New York

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today's guest, Shannon Fender, wasn't always certain about parenthood, but at one point she realized she should put things in place in case that was something she wanted to pursue in the future. In this episode, Shannon dives into her experience with egg freezing and her gratitude for employers like hers, who have chosen to invest in the lives of their employees. Shannon is joined by Dr. Kathy Hong, an REI from RMA of NJ, where she describes the medical preparation and procedure that's part of the egg freezing process.

Guests: Shannon Fender, Progyny member, Dr. Kathy Hong, RMA of New Jersey

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, Progyny's Chief Medical Officer and Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Janet Choi gives insight into the role of RUs and how they differ from Reproductive Endocrinologists (REIs).

Dr. Choi expands on her own position as an REI; what kind of training she received, who she treats, and how male patients can benefit from seeing an RU if they are already seeing an REI.

Video mentioned in this episode: Reproductive Urologists Can Help Men with Infertility

Guest: Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, Progyny's Chief Medical Officer and Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Janet Choi gives an overview about all the things you need to know about menopause.

Menopause has long been an undiscussed and overlooked medical issue despite the fact that it will impact half of the population after the age of 50. While the scope of care for those going through menopause is not yet where it needs to be, becoming well-versed in the concept is the first step to caring for yourself or others in this transitional stage of life. Dr. Choi breaks down the classic symptoms and mental health effects surrounding menopause, as well as how one might mitigate these bodily changes with treatments. She also touches on her own experience and outlines life with menopause, next steps, and why menopause should be better supported.

Guest: Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Music:

Artist: Doctor Turtle

Track: The Ants Built a City on His Chest

URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

Track: Where I lay my hat that's my wife URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

Artist: Steve Combs Track: Small Spaces URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

Artist: Jahzzar Track: Sleepin' URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: Dew URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/ Track: MainSquare URL: https://freemusicarchive.org/

In this episode, Chris dives into their dual diagnosis of endometriosis and male-factor infertility, and the obstacles he and his wife faced on their path to parenthood. While they did have fertility coverage through Chris' work, two rounds of IVF were still a financial burden. Chris, impacted mentally, physically, and financially, decided to share his story on social media in hopes to encourage others to know they're not alone in this journey. In his post, he highlights the importance of employers choosing to invest in the lives of their employees through family building benefits. The responses took him a bit by surprise, and he soon found a whole community that was standing with him in solidarity and sharing stories of their own.

Guest: Chris Callahan, Workplace Fertility Advocate

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today, we meet Sametra Thompson, an active-duty service member in the U.S Army. After receiving a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and experiencing a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, Sametra became the recipient of of The AHA Grant, a grant established by The Broken Brown Egg in partnership with Progyny. This grant has played a crucial role in Sametra's journey, reflecting her unwavering determination in the face of discouraging results. Her story also brings attention to the challenging realities of fertility treatment costs without proper insurance coverage, underscoring how sometimes the best decision may not be financially viable.

Guest: Sametra Thompson, AHA Grant Recipient

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, Dr. Callum Potts breaks down the unexplained infertility diagnosis. He walks us through the four factors of fertility, how they work collectively to create a natural pregnancy, and why these four factors could test normally without positive results. Dr. Pott's discusses treatment options such as IUI and IVF, and how someone may decide on which path to take.

While an unexplained infertility diagnosis is frustrating, Dr. Potts emphasizes that treatment options are not limited and testing normal is a positive thing.

Guest: Dr. Callum Potts, CCRM in Miami

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

But how do we find the answers? For Jessica it was through additional research from the lab. After a few tests, it revealed chromosomal abnormalities to be the reason why her previous pregnancies ended in a loss.

In this episode hear how Jessica navigated her family building journey – to include using pre–implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), how she dealt with loss, and why she started The Hadwin Family Foundation.

Guest: Jessica Hadwin, co-founder of The Hadwin Family Foundation and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Dr. Joseph Alukal, a reproductive urologist, joins to explain the complexities and realities of male factor infertility.

Progyny also hosted a webinar dedicated to male fertility. To watch it on-demand, click here.

Guest: Lizzy Colas, Progyny Member, and Dr. Joseph Alukal, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today's episode features Mia Cooley, a Black, queer, mother of three whose desire to connect with families that looked like hers, created an inclusive community called xHood.

xHood is a safe space that supports Black and queer families through the journey of parenthood. It's an area that's often challenged by a lack of representation in the healthcare industry, in parenting groups, and even in local communities. The frustration of feeling ostracized has motivated Mia to create a center for advice, a venue for resources, a starting point for advocation in the workplace, and just a space vent.

In this episode, Mia shares why she started this organization, details of the annual Black Parent Pride Summit, and her path to parenthood.

Guest: Mia Cooley, Founder of xHood

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Michelle shares the journey they've been on, the impact of Wayfair's family building benefit through Progyny, and how she feels optimistic on what lies ahead.

Guest: Michelle Meyer, Senior Recruiter at Wayfair, and Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, hear why Tara joined Tennessee Fertility Advocates, where she found support, and how she advocated for herself for herself and for family building benefits.

This is Progyny's first video podcast. This episode is available for listening and watching. Find this episode, future video podcasts, and education content on Progyny's YouTube.

Guest: Tara Stark, Teacher at Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, and Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

As smooth as her process may have been, life was throwing hurdles at Sarah simultaneously. She tells us how she navigated building a family while grieving the loss of her mother and how life has a way of presenting beautiful beginnings when they are most needed.

Guest: Sarah Liggett, Progyny Member and Dr. Barrett Cowan, Posterity Health

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode we hear how Ashley S. went through her own infertility struggle that led to a diagnosis of PCOS and multiple prescriptions of Clomid. It also led her to realize that she could play a role in bringing family building benefits to a company that didn't previously have them. Ashely advocated for a benefit, vetted through all the different options in the market, and realized that Progyny's benefit plan design could meet the needs of her organization, including herself.

A reminder that if you're looking to bring family building coverage to your organization, visit Progyny's Talk to HR page or Progyny's Employers page for additional resources.

Guest: Ashley S., Benefits Professional

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Along this journey, Kristyn came to the conclusion that there was no reason to bear the experience of fertility treatment alone. A cathartic blog turned into something bigger, which today Kristyn and her co-founder Abby call, Rescripted.

In this episode, Kristyn walks us through her family building journey, the importance of having family building care, and creating a community filled with support.

Guest: Kristyn Hodgdon, Rescripted, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today Samantha Busch joins us to discuss her most recent step on her family building journey, gestational surrogacy. She shares what's been happening over the last few years, what the transition was like to carrying her own child, to how she found someone to carry her second. We also hear from Dr. Dorette Noorhasan a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert from CCRM Dallas Fort Worth. Dr. Noorhasan describes both her personal and professional experience with finding a gestational carrier, and how being the patient has altered her experience as the provider.

Guest: Samantha Busch, Bundle of Joy Foundation, and Dr. Dorette Noorhasan, CCRM Dallas

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Join us as Carolynn shares her experience with male factor infertility, multiple rounds of IVF, the emotional and financial toll this journey took on her and her husband, and how she's on a mission to change access to family building care in Canada with Fertility Matters Canada.

Guest: Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director, Fertility Matters Canada

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we speak to Shannon Walker about the barriers to expanding her family. She's challenged with secondary infertility, fibroids, the COVID-19 pandemic, financial barriers, and physicians who didn't understand her needs. Shannon was starting to lose hope till one day her husband joined Microsoft. She quickly learned about the Progyny benefit offered through Microsoft and realized this journey wasn't over.

Guest: Shannon Walker, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Fertility 101: Uterine Fibroids - https://progyny.com/education/podcast/episode-92/

In today's episode, our host speaks with five doctors about how a person can prepare to meet with a fertility doctor. They answer questions ranging from, "What should you bring to the initial evaluation?" to, "What is a transvaginal ultrasound and how do you prepare for that?"

Let this episode serve as a good starting place to ease any anxiety or questions about the family building journey.

For additional resources and answers to frequently asked questions, check out

• Frequently Asked Questions During a Fertility Journey
• 8 Tips To Getting Started with Fertility Treatments
• Progyny Webinar: Your Family Building Journey with Progyny

Guests: Dr. Michael Drews from RMA of New Jersey, Dr. Jennifer Brown from Northeastern Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Linnea Goodman from Virginia Fertility and IVF, Dr. Thomas Molinaro, from RMA of New Jersey, Dr. Kathleen Hong from RMA of New Jersey

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we hear from Russ Freyman, a former Google employee, who wanted to continue to build his family with his wife. After trying for some time, they found themselves hitting a wall. So, they decided to turn to medical intervention. While they were going through treatment, Russ and his wife kept reminding each other, there was nothing wrong with facing this challenge. People start their families in so many different ways and this was just part of their story. Russ dives into their diagnosis, different treatment paths, how Progyny's Patient Care Advocate saved the day, and an unexpected twist at the end.

Guest: Russ Freyman, Progyny member

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast, and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your family, friends, and loved ones. We'll be releasing a new episode every other week.

As a result of physical, emotional, and financial roadblocks, we now know how important it is to advocate for fertility benefits in the workplace. If you want help and don't know where to start, Progyny is here for that too, go to progyny.com/talktohr, and we'll provide you with the information you need to start the conversation.

Here are the full episodes from our recap:

• Episode 145: Infertility in the Military From a Male's POV

• Episode 126: Unexpected Detours of Black Woman on the Journey to Parenthood
• Episode 138: From "That's Not Good Enough" to Parenthood
• Episode 130: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Advocating from Within

Guests: Justin Smith, Delaine Williams, Caitlin Day, Chrissy Hogie Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Nowhere in her plan did she account for how much time it would take to find the right care. In this episode, we'll hear about Amber's journey and how she went through multiple Clomid prescriptions, three rounds of IVF, and a friend in the field, to get to where she is today.

Guest: Amber Walther, High School Teacher

Host: Julie Campbell, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, ocomment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Guest: Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Justin takes us on the journey of what it was like to be in the military and go through fertility treatment. Looking back on the four IUI cycles and three IVF cycles that he had endured with his partner at the time, Justin believes in the importance of speaking up about your infertility before treatment is no longer an option.

Guest: Justin Smith, Progyny

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Throughout this episode, we go along with Emily on her family building journey in real-time. Through video updates, she documented her process from the moment she came off her cancer medication, to the moment she first heard her son's heartbeat. Emily takes us through the full frontal oncofertility experience, and every emotion that comes with it.

Guest: Emily Rich, Progyny member

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Throughout their journey, Demi and Tom have shared via social media (primarily to their nearly 2 million TikTok followers). Today, the couple share with us their tips for supporting your partner through loss and how partnership is the foundation of healing. For more from Demi and Tom, check out their TikTok @demiandtom.

Guest: Demi and Tom Schweers

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

What she expected to be a fairly simple journey turned out to be quite complex. In today's episode, we hear how Angela goes from thinking fertility treatments are a guarantee to conquering Clomid, ovarian cysts, seven rounds of IUI, and three rounds of IVF, all on her quest to motherhood.

Guest: Angela Hatem, freelance writer

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, we hear from Marilyn about something that changed her life completely — the infertility community. This community became the support system she needed during her treatment. These friends have been through the thick of infertility with her, and inspired her to create her own community with inspirational t-shirts called, Infertile Tees.

We're also hosting a webinar called, "Infertility in the Latinx and Hispanic Communities", that will feature Marilyn Gomez and dive into common myths about infertility in these communities, how to get the support you need, and where to access information and care. This discussion is open to anyone who wants to learn more about a family building journey and is free and open to anyone who would like to attend. For more information and to register for this webinar, see here.

Guest: Marilyn Gomez

Host: Crystal Cid, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

That is exactly what happened to today's guest, Dontaria Terrell, when a cyst burst 30,000 feet in the air. Dontaria had been ignoring her pain, assuming it was normal. Her emergency surgery led to the discovery of Uterine Fibroids, propelling Dontaria to think critically about her health, reproductive future and fertility preservation.

Guest: Dontaira Terrell, Entertainment Journalist and On-Air Host

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

For some people this question may come with ease, for others, it may raise more questions and emotions. Today's guest is comfortable with not knowing whether or not she sees herself as a parent but most importantly she's given the ability to pursue a treatment that can preserve her fertility if she decided to change her mind.

In this episode, we hear from Sarah Fisher Lu on why she deferred her decision to have a child by freezing her eggs with Progyny. She explains what this experience was like, how Progyny's Patient Care Advocates (PCA) made her feel comfortable and supported, and she will never regret this decision.

Guest: Sarah Fisher Lu, Progyny Member

Host: Lola Lorber, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today's guest shares her experiences with IVF before and after receiving the Progyny benefit through her employer. Caitlin Day expresses the overwhelming process of managing every aspect of her fertility treatment, and how much of a relief it was to find assistance and personalization through Progyny.

She emphasizes that fertility treatments are not a one size fits all solution. After receiving the benefit, Caitlin felt empowered – like her journey was unique to her – and not dictated by dollar maximums or "run of the mill" care.

Guest: Caitlin Day, Progyny Member

Host: Russ Freyman, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we explore Endometrial Receptivity Testing, a clinical aspect of embryo transfer and implantation. Mike Large, from CooperSurgical, walks us through the process and breaks down some of the complicated language and mechanics that go with it.

Mike explains the proper window of implantation, how it isn't the same for everyone, and how a test called ERPeak can help determine this timing. He provides a step-by-step description of the process women go through to pinpoint the most valuable time to implant an embryo, shedding light on a process commonly discussed by doctors and embryologists, but not always talked about with patients.

Guest: Mike Large, Senior Director of Life Sciences Innovation at CooperSurgical

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, we hear from Hilary Patterson, a Progyny member with a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, and hear how she persevered through her fertility challenges. Hilary's experience includes trying to conceive for a year, attempting IUI for six months, and going through IVF as a last resort after learning she had the Progyny benefit. Her path to parenthood was surely not what she was expecting, but the journey was well worth the result.

Guest: Hilary Patterson, Teacher, Infertility Advocate, and Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Dr. Lowell Ku from Dallas IVF will help break down what can lower sperm quality, thus impacting overall male fertility. Each of these causes start with the letter T and can serve as a good reminder to practice healthy habits.

To reference the episode around male infertility, check out Episode 108: Fertility 101: Male Factor Infertility

Guests: Dr. Lowell Ku, Dallas IVF

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we meet Heather and Jess Camarillo, a same-sex couple from California who struggled to start their family and documented the process on their Instagram.

While the couple wasn't surprised they needed to go through fertility treatment, a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve left them in shock. Hear how Heather and Jessica navigated multiple rounds of IVF, embryo adoption, and the impact of having Progyny through Heather's employer, LinkedIn. The Camarillo's are currently writing a book about their journey to parenthood and trying for baby number two.

Guests: Heather & Jess Camarillo, Progyny members

Host: Crystal Cid, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we explain holistic approaches that can often be additive when trying to conceive or struggling with infertility. Acupuncture, bodywork, and Eastern Medicine are used to treat stress, target inflammation, and promote energy flow, healing many ailments and potentially aiding in a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Daryl Thuroff from New York's Yinova Center breaks down Eastern Medicine and fertility to how it works, what you can expect, and how it can integrate with treatment recommended by a fertility specialist.

Guest: Daryl Thuroff, DACM, LAc, LMT, Yinova Center

Host: Shannon Zuber

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Guests: Ian Armstrong, UX Manager at Dell

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

That was certainly true for Cristina Loughrey on her journey to motherhood. Cristina spent much of her 20's and 30's focused on building her career, and not having found the perfect partner, she began to accept that motherhood may not be in the cards for her. Then Cristina found Ian, and together, they found Progyny.

Cristina's village included her partner, her employer, her doctor, and care team who helped her through multiple rounds of IVF in a single year, and eventually a pregnancy. In this episode, Cristina details her journey through infertility, stress, and the possibility of the treatment being unsuccessful.

Guests: Cristina Loughrey, Senior Manager of Content Strategy and Narrative Architect at LinkedIn

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Like many who are on this journey, Chrissy was inspired to change the way people accessed care for fertility treatments. She realized that she could be the one to "push" and work with her employer to add comprehensive fertility and family building coverage. In this episode, Chrissy discusses how she was able to support her HR and benefits team to find a fertility benefit solution that addressed all the needs of a fertility patient and was inclusive of the entire workforce.

If you're inspired by this episode and would like to make the case to bring fertility benefits to your organization, visit Progyny.com/TalktoHR to get started.

Guests: Chrissy Hogie, Infertility Advocate

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Guest: Dr. Jac Sherman, Intimacy & Relationship Coach

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Guests: Dean Hutchinson, Vice President of legal services at Circle Surrogacy

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Enter Health in Her Hue, a digital platform that connects Black women and women of color to culturally competent and sensitive healthcare providers and offers health information and content that centers their lived experience. Founded by Ashlee and Eddwina, Health in Her Hue helps Black women navigate the healthcare system and find doctors who address their unique concerns.

In today's episode, Ashlee and Eddwina discuss the importance of advocacy, representation, and support when it comes to infertility in the Black community.

Guests: Ashlee Wisdom and Eddwina Bright, Health in Her Hue

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, we hear how Delaine had to advocate for herself, the split decisions she had to make about her body after being diagnosed with uterine fibroids and endometriosis, and how rounds of IUI and IVF lead to questioning what path was right.

Guest: Delaine Williams, Progyny

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we discuss how someone can choose the right fertility clinic for their needs. Dr. Paul Lin of Seattle Reproductive Medicine discusses what requirements and key things someone should look for when assessing a fertility clinic. He also offers tips on how to identify a clinic's specialties, what factors to consider before and during the first visit, and how to ensure you're getting the best treatment.

Guest: Dr. Paul Lin, SRM

Host: Selena Campbell, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In Priya's culture, having children is an important life milestone and she, like so many others, imagined a life that followed the blueprint of get a degree, have a successful career, have kids, and maintain a harmonious work/life balance. Things didn't exactly go as planned.

Her experience with miscarriage, IUI, IVF and successfully navigating her employer's fertility benefit was the start of her advocacy. When Priya began her journey, she found the lack of women in STEM led to an inherent lack of women in STEM talking about fertility. This gap and her own experience led her to become a tireless advocate for infertility awareness in her field.

On today's episode, Priya walks us through the importance of emotional support while on a fertility journey, the crucial impact of a robust family planning benefit, and the need to bring conversations around infertility to the forefront for women in all industries.

Guest: Priya Santhanam, Progyny Member

Host: Lissa Kline Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This season's year-end episode highlights the six-part series we released in April as part of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) and features several experts who fight in different areas of their lives for fertility coverage.

There are so many ways to be an advocate, such as listening to and subscribing to this podcast, so we thank you for being part of this community. Our podcast is nothing without the collective knowledge and experience from the fertility patients and professionals that we feature.

Season 5 will be back on January 10!

Here are the six full-length episodes referenced in this recap:

1. Episode 98: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in North Dakota
2. Episode 99: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Benefits Consultants Taking the Lead
3. Episode 100: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in New York and Beyond
4. Episode 101: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: State Mandate in Colorado
5. Episode 102: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Supporting Advocacy Groups and Companies
6. Episode 103: Fighting for Fertility Coverage: Bringing Benefits to An Employer

Hosts: Dan Bulger, This is Infertility Producer and Editor

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Just as the couple started considering other options, Scott got amazing news. His employer, Willis Tower Watson, had enacted Progyny, meaning Scott and his wife could continue their family building journey on their own terms – with financial help and support from a Patient Care Advocate.

Today's episode dives into Scott's journey – filled with challenges, heartache, and the surprise of a lifetime – finally becoming a dad.

Guest: Scott McGahey, Progyny

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today's episode features tips on how to handle tough situations and challenging questions about family building this holiday season, as well as leaning on partner support, distancing yourself when need be, and creating new traditions. Being around family during the holidays can bring up many emotions but it is important to remember that you are not alone.

While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Experts: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Progyny; Regina Townsend, The Broken Brown Egg; Khaled Kteily, Legacy

Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Hear how Keia and Richard navigated fertility treatments, surrogacy, foster to adopt, and a challenge they didn't think they'd encounter – the experience around a transracial adoption. Keia opens up about her experience around having a Caucasian baby, the need to educate others, and one universal theme of, "you don't need to look alike to love alike."

Guest: Keia Jones-Baldwin, Clinical Therapist and Life Coach

Host: Selena Campbell , Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Claire discusses her debate over fostering or adopting a child, the experience and difference between domestic and international adoption, and what led her and husband to their decision.

Guest: Claire Gibson, author of Beyond the Point

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Expert: Dr. Alan Copperman, Progyny and RMA of NY.

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month so this week, Molly sat down with her friend and our colleague, Lissa Kline, for a deeply personal conversation about pregnancy loss, grief, motherhood, strength, and the importance of connections.

Guest: Molly Ryman, Actress

Host: Lissa Kline, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

On today's episode, Dr. Lora Shahine of Pacific Northwest Fertility answers those common questions associated with RPL, the differrent treatment options, and reminds us that no matter what, we're not broken.

Guest: Lora Shahine, Pacific Northwest Fertility

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we talk about oncofertility and the opportunity this gives to patients for life after cancer. Dr. Wael Salem of CCRM San Francisco joins us to help breakdown the most common questions and misconceptions when it comes to fertility preservation before undergoing cancer treatment.

Guest: Dr. Wael Salem, CCRM San Francisco

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Holly Smith has donated her eggs to six different families. In today's episode, she shares the physical and emotional aspects of her journey, recounts her own fertility experience, and stresses the importance and beauty in providing joy for others trying to conceive.

Guest: Holly Smith, Progyny Patient Care Advocate

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Angela, a Progyny member through Expedia, was initially misdiagnosed with endometriosis at an early age but when she decided she wanted to have kids, they correctly diagnosed her with PCOS. Once she learnt what was going on in her body, she had to deal with a whole new set of challenges. From a misdiagnosis, to IVF, to finding fertility coverage, to having a baby while testing positive for COVID, Angela covers everything in her journey and what the experience taught her.

Guest: Angela Vega, Progyny Member

Host: Dan Bulger

Interested in learning more about how to bring the Progyny benefit to your workplace? Visit www.progyny.com/talktohr to learn more.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we discuss PCOS and the challenges that come with it. Dr. Todd Deutsch from Advanced Reproductive Center educates us on the causes of PCOS, treatment options, and how PCOS impacts fertility and family building.

Guest: Dr. Todd Deutsch, Advanced Reproductive Center

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

For more episodes around PCOS, check out series:

• Episode 13: PCOS and Fertility: Getting Pregnant with PCOS
• Episode 14: PCOS and Fertility: Creating Awareness about PCOS
• Episode 15: PCOS and Fertility: When the PCOS Symptoms Don't Match
• Episode 49: PCOS and Fertility: Why it's a Serious Challenge to Get Pregnant with PCOS
• Episode 50: PCOS and Fertility: How Certain Foods Can Help with PCOS Symptoms
• Episode 51: PCOS and Fertility: An IVF Baby After Ectopic Pregnancies
• Episode 82: PCOS and Fertility: An early diagnosis, IUIs, IVF, and Baby Liv

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Eloise talks about the process of being an egg donor and gestational carrier, as well as the ups and downs that come with it. During her journey, Eloise noticed the discrepancies in healthcare for women of color when she was told that "black women don't have fertility issues." This influenced her to create Family Inceptions, an agency that seeks out surrogates or egg donors that carefully places them with others who are a perfect match for them, as well as RAMP, an agency designed to prioritize minorities in their family building journey.

Guest: Eloise Drain, Family Inceptions, Reproductive Association of Multiethnic Professionals

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Amy's story consists of ten doctors, nine rounds of IVF, four miscarriages, an international move, and eventually, a healthy baby girl. And while Amy's experience was unique to her and her husband, her stories and advice have already helped thousands out there struggling with their own version of infertility.

Guest: Amy Klein, The Trying Game: Get Through Fertility Treatment and Get Pregnant Without Losing Your Mind

Host: Dan Bulger

If you want to purchase 'The Trying Game', you can find it here.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

If you missed our previous installments, check out:

Bonus Episode 11: Journey To Fatherhood: Finding Support in the Journey

Bonus Episode 13: Journey To Fatherhood: Male Infertility 101

Experts: Brandon Johnson, MHS, LGSW, Infertility Isn't Inferior, Dr. Bradford A. Kolb, HRC Fertility and Progyny's Medical Advisory Board

Host: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Same-sex male couples have many options when it comes to family building, some of which could include finding a gestational carrier, donor tissue purchase, embryo transfer, PGT-A testing. etc. Progyny and some of its medical partners, including Dr. Mark Leondires, Fertility Specialist at RMA of Connecticut, facilitated a study assessing the clinical decisions same-sex male couples have to make throughout their journey. Tune into today's episode to hear him discuss the findings and detail the experience of same-sex couple family building.

Expert: Dr. Mark Leondires, RMA of Connecticut, Gay Parents to Be

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

It can be hard to figure out where to start when it comes to tests, treatments, or just finding emotional support throughout the process. Join Dr. McCoy, a director of surgery and male fertility, and Dr. O'Shaughnessy, a reproductive endocrinologist, in learning how men can take the first step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle which contributes to their family building journey.

While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Experts: Travis W. McCoy, Director of Surgery and Male Infertility at Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Althea O'Shaughnessy, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado

Host: Dan Bulger, Producer and Host of This Is Infertility Podcast

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Katie Becker, a Progyny member through Hearst (she works at Elle Magazine), felt the weight of having to pick between starting a family or focusing on her career. Katie's journey led her to fertility preservation, aka egg freezing, which was made financially possible by her employer-sponsored coverage.

In this episode, Katie discusses the factors that went into her decision, and how sharing her story via Instagram helped build a safe space for other women going through the same process.

Check out Katie's article on all things egg freezing to learn more about her experience!

Guest: Katie Becker, Progyny member

Host: Dan Bulger

Interested in learning more about how to bring the Progyny benefit to your workplace? Visit www.progyny.com/talktohr to learn more!

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Tissue donation can be confusing to navigate, so Progyny recently hosted a webinar to discuss the ins and outs. Join Dr. Georgia Witkin, donor egg and sperm expert, as she explores how and why donor egg of sperm may be a good option, what to consider during the process, and the difference between a known donation vs. using an egg and sperm bank.

While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Experts: Jaime Shamonki, Chief Medical Officer at Generate Life Sciences, Juan P. Alvarez, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois

Host: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

That was the case for Matt Walters and his wife, Corinne. The couple went through IUI, IVF, and even a miscarriage, on their journey to create a family, but the difficult times gave way to a strengthened relationship and an appreciation of life's small moments.

Matt, who has the Progyny benefit through his employer, LinkedIn, talks about the reassurance he felt through the support system at Progyny and how the couple felt a sense of relief when exploring fertility options without the steep financial burden.

Guest: Matt Walters, Progyny Member, LinkedIn

Host: Julie Hunt

Interested in learning more about how to bring the Progyny benefit to your workplace? Visit www.progyny.com/talktohr to learn more!

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

That is why we at Progyny are launching a three-part webinar series on men and infertility.

Our first installment focused on the emotional impact infertility can have on men, who often suffer in silence. Our experts discussed how to ask for support, talk about the journey, and recover from a loss.

While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Experts: Will Rivera II, Co-founder, Fertility in Colour for Men, Denny Ceizyk, Author of Almost a Father, Arthur J. McGrath, LCSW, CST, BCN, MPA, Psychotherapist

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In today's episode, we explain some of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to fertility, male-factor infertility, and how lifestyle choices impact fertility.

Dr. Natan Bar-Chama, a reproductive urologist and Progyny network specialist, walks us through everything you need to know on male-factor infertility. Tune into this episode to also learn about how a post-COVID environment has made it easier for men to take the first steps in their family building journey.

Expert: Dr. Bar-Chama, Progyny Network Specialist, RMA of New York, Mount Sinai Hospital

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

When we left off, Jessica and Samantha were expecting their first child through IVF, after going through 10 failed IUIs first. Excitedly awaiting their daughter, the Paces had no idea that the COVID-19 pandemic was just around the corner, and their first taste of motherhood would be very different than they expected.

In today's episode, Jessica and Samantha give us an update on motherhood, while Dr. Paula Amato of Oregon Health and Science University highlights family building options for same-sex couples.

Guests: Samantha and Jessica Pace, Progyny Members

Expert: Dr. Paula Amato, Fertility Specialist at Oregon Health and Science University

Host: Dan Bulger

You can find Jessica and Samantha Pace's first episode here.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Family building and fertility treatment can be incredibly stressful. In fact, 55% of people feel infertility is more stressful than unemployment and 61% feel it is more stressful than divorce. That is why, on May 26, Progyny hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Alice Domar, Mollie Walker, and Dr. Georgia Witkin, dedicated to prioritizing mental health while on a fertility journey.

A fertility journey can feel all consuming, so in this episode, our experts emphasize putting yourself first, advise on how to maintain relationships with loved ones, and share resources for mental health support.

While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.

Experts: Alice Domar, Executive Director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health and the Director of Mind/Body Services at Boston IVF, Mollie Walker, Co-founder of Tennessee Fertility Advocates, Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, we hear from Andrea Ford about her experience with an endometriosis diagnosis, and how having access to fertility coverage enabled her to make better decisions about treatment. While more research is needed, Dr. Colleen Casey discusses current treatment options available for endometriosis, and explains core fertility testing options such as PGT-A and PGT-M.

We also hear from Andrea how she was able to afford treatment through employer sponsored coverage from Progyny.

Guest: Andrea Ford, Progyny Member

Expert: Dr. Colleen Casey, Center for Reproductive Medicine

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, Bethany Johnson discusses her experience with infertility and how women have historically been blamed for "barrenness." Over time, this blame has trickled down through generations, lingering in the language we use to discuss women's health and consistently disregarding how male factor infertility contributes 30% to 40% of the time. Bethany and her colleague, Margaret Quinlan, took this historical context and applied it to the modern phrases and attitudes society has normalized surrounding a woman's life. They co-authored the book, You're Doing it Wrong! Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise, to educate others on the constant barraging of unsolicited advice the world seems to dump on motherhood constantly.

As Dr. Georgia Witkin taught us last episode, there's way more to infertility than stress management, exercise, and dieting. Motherhood isn't one size fits all either, so it's important to advocate for yourself and continue on the path that works for you.

Guest: Bethany Johnson, co-author of You're Doing it Wrong! Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise

Host: Dan Bulger

Want to read Bethany's book? Click here.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Today's topic focuses on the link between stress and fertility. People often assume that stress is the cause of infertility, but stress frequently follows fertility treatments, as our expert will tell you. But stress is natural – there is no research to suggest that it is a direct cause of infertility. In this episode, you will learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to relieve unhelpful stress, support yourself and support others during this taxing journey.

There's no better person to join us for this episode than Dr. Georgia Witkin. Dr. Witkin is a clinical psychologist, educator, and director, with roles at Progyny, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and RMA of New York. She has her own column dedicated to mental health and fertility in Psychology Today.

Feeling stressed out? Give this episode a listen.

Expert: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This is the last episode of the series, and it's all about advocating for yourself. Today we hear from Sarah Barnes; she realized early on her employer didn't provide coverage for fertility treatment. She first reached out to HR and asked, 'why don't you offer fertility coverage?' It turns out they weren't even aware this was something employees wanted in their plans. So, Sarah consistently reached out to HR, spoke to colleagues, gathered informative data, and accumulated over 100 signatures to show that this was a benefit that employees needed.

Whether you are currently looking for fertility coverage or know someone who is, or you're just here to learn, this episode will show you what the power of support, persistence, and advocacy can do for any organization.

Guest: Sarah Barnes, Advisor, Integrated Marketing at ALSAC

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode features Davina Fankhauser, the co-founder and President of Fertility Within Reach. Davina started her organization after struggling with infertility herself. Since the age of 22, she knew she would have trouble conceiving due to an endometriosis diagnosis. Still, once she and her husband started trying, they discovered that male factor infertility was also a contributor. She went through countless treatments, spending all her savings, but eventually had two successful pregnancies. Thinking back on her experience, she felt she had suffered a deep injustice by not having access to sufficient fertility coverage. Her position on RESOLVE's support line turned into helping Massachusetts change its definition of infertility, opening up coverage to many more people. Her work at Fertility Within Reach helps guide others to develop the courage and access the resources needed to make a legislative change in their state.

Guest: Davina Fankhauser, Co-founder and President of Fertility Within Reach

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

In this episode, you'll hear from Christina Yannetsos, a key advocate for the expansion of fertility coverage in Colorado. Christina is a fighter in every sense of the word, competing in Judo at an Olympic level, putting her energy towards injured athletes, then lobbying for fertility warriors like herself. Since she made such an impact on families in Colorado, you'd think she would have coverage for her own fertility healthcare, right? Unfortunately, that's not the case. Although she made progress on the state level, her employer is self-insured, so the state mandates don't apply.

As you can see, there is still much more work to be done! Christina is still working hard with RESOLVE and the Colorado Fertility Advocates to continue to make a difference. Tune in to learn how you can advocate for coverage in your state.

Guest: Christina Yannetsos, Colorado Fertility Advocates, Emergency Physician, Assistant Professor University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Medical Director Forensic Examiner Program.

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This marks our 100th episode, and we wanted to make this one extra special by hosting an extraordinary guest. Today you'll hear from Risa Levine, a fertility advocacy superstar who's working with RESOLVE (Barb Collura, CEO of RESOLVE, was our first guest – listen here). Risa is a practicing attorney in New York City and is mainly responsible for New York's state mandate for fertility coverage. Risa's efforts stemmed from her own experience with infertility, which resulted in her spending roughly $270,000 out of pocket for treatment. With her background in advocacy and ties to Capitol Hill, Risa decided to organize the facts about fertility coverage (or lack thereof) to advocate for others in the same situation. She emphasizes how coverage allows for healthier decision-making, which makes it no longer about the cost, but what will be most effective.

Guest: Risa Levine, attorney and fertility advocate with RESOLVE

Host: Dan Bulger

See RESOLVE's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

This episode will dive into how benefits consultants can help drive this change. Elaine-Marie Cannella, from Willis Towers Watson, recognizes employees are the force behind a successful company. So, providing employees with the benefits they need to be fulfilled and to lead healthy lives is extremely important. All too often, fertility benefits are overlooked. It's seen as expensive and unnecessary when in reality, people are silently struggling to make ends meet for treatment and medication, which ultimately can crossover into the workplace. So how do you get your employer to listen? In this episode and our special NIAW series, you'll learn how to approach your employer with facts and research that can't be ignored.

Guest: Elaine-Marie Cannella, RN, BSN, MSN, Willis Towers Watson

Host: Dan Bulger

See Resolve's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Tara Brandner knew firsthand what it was like to struggle with infertility. Her experience involved an endometriosis diagnosis, several miscarriages, three failed IUI cycles, and IVF. Soon after giving birth, Tara reflected on her turbulent experience with fertility treatment. She concluded that people should not have to go through the financial and emotional stress that she did. Tara decided to use her expertise as a doctorate nurse practitioner and veteran fertility warrior to form a non-profit, Everlasting Hope, that would provide community and resources for infertility. The platform has grown significantly, and she has emerged as a force behind advocating for fertility coverage in her state. Here's Tara's story.

Guest: Tara Brandner, founder of Everlasting Hope

Host: Dan Bulger

For more information on Everlasting Hope, check out the website, Instagram, and Facebook. See Resolve's website for fertility advocacy resources in your state and Progyny's Talk to HR page for assistance in requesting coverage from your employer.

For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.