Shows
This is InfertilityA Message for Our ListenersIn today's episode, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of This Is Infertility and to share what's ahead as the podcast evolves. This is not a goodbye, but a transition. One that allows us to continue telling meaningful stories while expanding into education and new conversations across 3 podcasts: fertility, women's health, and menopause. To follow along on this journey, follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @ProgynyInc. Visit Progyny's Education page for more resources. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at Comms@progyny.com. ...
2025-12-2906 min
This is InfertilityBuilding Family After Breast Cancer: A Broken Brown Egg AHA Grant Winner's StoryGuest: Deniece and Gardy Delerme, AHA Grant Recipients Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny 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...
2025-10-2013 min
This is InfertilityRedefining Family: Choosing to Move On After Recurrent LossGuest: Justine Galloway, Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny 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...
2025-09-2514 min
This is InfertilityBeating the Odds: From Cystic Fibrosis to Fatherhood Guest: Dustin and Tequila Menken, Progyny Members at TE Connectivity Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny "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...
2025-07-1410 min
This is InfertilityUFCW Local 152: How Personal Pain Led to Life Changing Benefits Guest: Danny Ross, Jr., UFCW Local 152 President Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny 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...
2025-07-0121 min
This is InfertilityFamily Building Without Barriers: Maggie's Reciprocal IVF Journey Guest: Maggie Garnsey, Progyny Member at Santander Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny 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...
2025-05-1915 min
This is InfertilityFrom Struggle to Storybook: The Journey Behind Cupcakes Everywhere Guest: Erin Sarris, Progyny Member Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny 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...
2025-05-0515 min
This is InfertilityBuilding Better Benefits—for Bread Financial and HerselfIn this episode, we hear a deeply personal and professional journey. As a benefit's leader, Deanna Allison was on a mission to bring better fertility and family building benefits to her company, Bread Financial. Simultaneously, Deanna had also just set out on her own path to parenthood, realizing she would likely need support to build a family. 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...
2025-04-2113 min
This is InfertilityLove & Surrogacy: A Broken Brown Egg AHA Grant Winner's StoryWhen Kristina and Lorenzo set out to build their family, they knew their path wouldn't be traditional. Kristina's complex medical history including epilepsy, endometriosis, and thalassemia made pregnancy unsafe, but that didn't stop them from pursuing their dream of having a child. 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 ot...
2025-04-0714 min
This is InfertilityHealing Through Song: Nelly Joy's Journey Through Endometriosis, IVF, and GriefInfertility is a deeply personal and often isolating experience, but for singer-songwriter Nelly Joy, music became both an outlet and a source of connection. In this episode, Nelly shares her raw and emotional journey with endometriosis and the struggles she faced while trying to conceive, which pushed her limits physically and emotionally. 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...
2025-03-241h 10
This is InfertilityHealing Through Song: Nelly Joy's Journey Through Endometriosis, IVF, and GriefInfertility is a deeply personal and often isolating experience, but for singer-songwriter Nelly Joy, music became both an outlet and a source of connection. In this episode, Nelly shares her raw and emotional journey with endometriosis and the struggles she faced while trying to conceive, which pushed her limits physically and emotionally. 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...
2025-03-241h 10
This is InfertilitySecondary Infertility, Surrogacy, Surprise!For Alex Kornswiet, the path to parenthood started with unexpected ease, having her first son after one round of IVF, following a blocked fallopian tube diagnosis. Trying to have their second child wasn't as smooth sailing. Alex and her husband experienced secondary infertility and a frustrating path including canceled cycles, recurrent pregnancy loss, and emotional isolation. 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...
2025-03-1021 min
This is InfertilityAMH, IVF, OMG: How an At-Home Fertility Test Fast-Tracked Erin's Path to MotherhoodNewly engaged and nearing her thirties, today's guest knew she wanted children in the future, so she opted for an at-home fertility test. The results shocked her, revealing something that changed everything - her biological clock was ticking faster than she had expected. What started as curiosity quickly became a call to action. 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...
2025-02-2419 min
This is InfertilitySingle Parent by Choice: Choosing Solo Motherhood and Overcoming LossFor today's guest, becoming a mother wasn't just a dream—it was a promise she made to herself. In her mid-30s, Erica Ward knew she wanted to be a parent more than she wanted to be a wife. By 40, she made the decision to pursue single motherhood, despite the challenges ahead. 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...
2025-02-1017 min
This is InfertilityHow Laura Overcame Infertility and Postpartum DepressionWhat happens when the path to parenthood takes unexpected turns? For Laura, it meant navigating the heartbreak of unexplained infertility, the frustrations of multiple failed IUIs, and the surprising joy of a positive pregnancy test during the unlikeliest of cycles. But as her story unfolds, it becomes clear that getting pregnant was just the beginning. 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...
2025-01-2720 min
This is InfertilityFood and Lifestyle to Fertility: Ashley's Egg Freezing JourneyAshley Chukwu is a 30-year-old food and wine blogger in Atlanta, living her life without the prospect of building a family soon. So, when her mom suggested she consider freezing her eggs, Ashley decided to do some research. At the time, she knew little about the process or whether her insurance would cover it. That's when she discovered her employer offered fertility preservation through Progyny. 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, an...
2025-01-1316 min
This is InfertilitySeason 7 Spotlight: How the Right Support Created Families and AdvocatesSeason 7 of This is Infertility continued to venture into education, advocacy, personal stories, and notably, some new areas of women's health! 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 ba...
2024-12-1617 min
This is InfertilityProtecting Her Fertility Future in the Face of Breast Cancer In honor of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're highlighting Joyelle Fleming's story with breast cancer, which began at the young age of 31. During her journey, Joyelle was faced with a difficult decision – what to do about her future fertility given the impact of cancer treatment. With the support of her doctors and access to fertility benefits through Progyny, Joyelle was able to freeze her eggs and focus on fighting cancer. 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 st...
2024-10-0719 min
This is InfertilityThe Importance of Celebrating Small Wins: Mandy's IVF JourneyToday's guest discusses her unexpected struggles with infertility. After a year of trying to conceive, Mandy Menaker trusted her instincts and decided to seek advice from others. She turned to Julie Campbell, at Progyny, who helped guide her on how to find the right fertility clinic, navigate insurance, and understand the ins and outs when it comes to fertility treatment. 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...
2024-09-2328 min
This is InfertilityTeamwork makes a dream work: How Jennifer's village made parenthood possibleToday's episode is a story of teamwork. Along each step of her path to parenthood, Jennifer Osmond's obstacles were overcome with the help of her village; A doctor who laid out options and supported her along the way. An employer that provided Progyny and eased the financial strain of fertility treatment. And a wife who managed the logistics of their journey so that Jennifer could focus on her well-being. 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
2024-08-1212 min
This is InfertilityTeamwork makes a dream work: How Jennifer's village made parenthood possibleToday's episode is a story of teamwork. Along each step of her path to parenthood, Jennifer Osmond's obstacles were overcome with the help of her village; A doctor who laid out options and supported her along the way. An employer that provided Progyny and eased the financial strain of fertility treatment. And a wife who managed the logistics of their journey so that Jennifer could focus on her well-being. 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
2024-08-1212 min
This is InfertilityExperiencing the Unexpected: Sarah's IVF JourneyToday's episode is a story of trial and error. Sarah Freese was not expecting to have difficulty conceiving until she discontinued her birth control and found that her menstrual cycle didn't return. She was suddenly thrusted into a new world, one filled with new medical terms, fertility doctors, and a treatment plan that came with a high price tag. 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...
2024-07-0116 min
This is InfertilityOvercoming the Emotional Toll of InfertilityToday's episode highlights the emotional toll that infertility can take on individuals and couples. Our guest speaks candidly on how her fertility journey affected her mental health, marriage, and perspective towards friends who found easy success with pregnancy. 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...
2024-05-2016 min
This is InfertilityBecoming a Single Parent by Choice: How Gloria Met EmmetWith a focus on her career and a determination to find the right "other half" for her child, today's guest shares her journey to being a single parent by choice. 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...
2024-04-0816 min
This is InfertilityFrom Surgeries to Success: Haley's Path to ParenthoodThe journey to ideal health is a constant battle. And when emergency surgery is needed, most may not think twice about the impact this will have on their future fertility. In today's episode, we hear from Haley, who shares her family building journey. It's one marked by multiple diagnoses, surgeries, and financial strain. Despite these setbacks, Haley was determined to become a parent. She advocated for herself and found a doctor that she could trust. She then learned her employer had a fertility benefit, which relieved the financial pressure and helped her to reach her goal. Haley's...
2024-03-2521 min
This is InfertilityUnexplained Infertility, Diminished Ovarian Reserve, and Switching DoctorsStruggling with disbelief, enduring back-to-back treatments, cancelled appointments, and an overwhelming emotional toll - these experiences are all part of Sonya Heer's journey to building a family. How did she get here? Sonya and her husband embarked on what most couples do: they got married, spent some quality time together, and then wanted to expand their family. But, after months of not having success, Sonya turned to a specialist where she was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. This left Sonya with more questions, but she persevered and continued treatment. After more rounds, she realized there must be something else to...
2024-01-2915 min
This is InfertilityBecoming a Single Parent by Choice: IVF + a Sperm DonorToday's guest spent a great deal of time juggling a lot of things many tasks on a tight schedule – she was busy creating a successful career for herself , as she was creating a successful career for herself as a senior producer at a media and entertainment companySenior Producer at Warner Brothers Discovery Sports. Lakia Holmes At 37 years old, Lakia Holmes realized one day that her to-do's at work may not be the only thing functioning on a tight schedule. Aware of her biological clock, Lakia looked into freezing her eggs, so she could continue waiting for the pe...
2024-01-1617 min
This is InfertilityA Mic for the LGBTQIA+ Community: The Queer Family Podcast Almost three years ago, we published a list of our Top 17 Favorite Fertility Podcasts. Topping that list was a podcast called, If These Ovaries Could Talk, a show centered around the lesbian experience of fertility and family building. 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...
2023-12-0422 min
This is InfertilityA Mic for the LGBTQIA+ Community: The Queer Family PodcastAlmost three years ago, we published a list of our Top 17 Favorite Fertility Podcasts. Topping that list was a podcast called, If These Ovaries Could Talk, a show centered around the lesbian experience of fertility and family building. 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...
2023-12-0422 min
This is InfertilityFinding the Right... Everything: A Journey of Trial and ErrorToday's guest walks us through her experience with the wrong physician, the wrong clinic, the wrong treatment, the wrong coverage, and the wrong...well, everything. Sherri Sawyerr describes her experience of trial and error in pursuing parenthood, and how taking the wrong path can often pave the way for the right one. 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...
2023-11-2020 min
This is InfertilityFinding the Right... Everything: A Journey of Trial and ErrorToday's guest walks us through her experience with the wrong physician, the wrong clinic, the wrong treatment, the wrong coverage, and the wrong...well, everything. Sherri Sawyerr describes her experience of trial and error in pursuing parenthood, and how taking the wrong path can often pave the way for the right one. 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...
2023-11-2020 min
This is InfertilityTransformative Benefits: An Inside Look at an Amazonian's Family Building JourneyIn the LGBTQIA+ community, options for family building are often limited – some by the ways employers choose to define infertility, and who can gain access to the benefit. Today's guest, Stephanie Kalili, always knew she wanted to be a mom, but she didn't know what this journey might look like for her. After meeting her wife and building a life together, Stephanie knew she was interested in conception through reciprocal IVF. The only problem was access and affordability. Luckily for Stephanie, she happens to be employed Amazon, an employer that offers inclusive family building benefits through Progyny. ...
2023-10-2318 min
This is InfertilityEpisode 168: Egg Freezing 101The 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. 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...
2023-10-0920 min
This is InfertilityEgg Freezing: The Backup PlanPeople are increasingly having children later in life and for some, the decision is to have no children at all. Those who teeter between the options, unsure of their decision, know that one thing is true; time is ticking. 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...
2023-09-2524 min
This is InfertilityReproductive Urologists and Endocrinologists: What's the Difference? September is Urology Awareness Month, which is quite necessary considering there are less than four hundred practicing Reproductive Urologists in the United States. This episode serves as an opportunity to understand the intense training it takes to become a Reproductive Urologist (RU), what role they play in men's health and reproductive health, as well as how they work in conjunction with Reproductive Endocrinologists. 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...
2023-09-1116 min
This is InfertilityFertility 101: MenopauseThe 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. 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...
2023-08-2828 min
This is InfertilityEmpowering Resilience: A Broken Brown Egg AHA Grant Winner's StoryIn Episode 86: The Broken Brown Egg, we were introduced to Regina Townsend, the passionate voice behind The Broken Brown Egg; a blog, resource hub, community, and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, informing, and advocating for those who are questioning or dealing with infertility, with a particular focus on the Black experience. 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...
2023-07-3126 min
This is InfertilityMale-Factor Infertility: IVF & the UnexpectedToday's guest, Lizzy Colas, went into her marriage knowing she would likely need IVF to have a baby since her partner was diagnosed with male-factor infertility. What the couple didn't know was how frustrating this process would be. Lizzy shares how they were able to navigate their journey, the support from their loved ones, and why they advocated for themselves throughout the entire process. Lizzy makes a few things clear – the impact of having access to a comprehensive family building benefit and how a doctor can make all the difference. Dr. Joseph Alukal, a reproductive urologist, joins to...
2023-06-1926 min
This is InfertilityThe Long Road to Building a FamilySeven years ago, Michelle Meyer and her husband, Alex, had no idea what was in store for them and their dreams of starting a family. Those years were filled with multiple diagnoses (from male factor infertility, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and endometriosis), fertility treatments (IUI, medicated cycles, and IVF), and a mix of emotions from failed transfers and miscarriages. 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
2023-05-2231 min
This is InfertilityA Teacher's Quest to ParenthoodWe always talk about enacting change on this podcast and that's exactly what today's guest did when she felt her journey was at a halt. In honor of National Teacher's Appreciation Week, meet Tara Stark, a teacher, who shares her experience after being diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, faced multiple failed rounds of IVF, and a pregnancy loss. Tara was frustrated and knew she needed a change. She also needed financial support to afford these treatments. So that's exactly what Tara did. She sought out a school district with the kind of benefits she saw necessary for an employer...
2023-05-0817 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: Building a Family After LossToday's episode is a great example of the magic some people experience on their path to parenthood. When Sarah and her husband Brian started trying at a time that felt right for them, they realized other factors may be at play, in this case, male factor, to be exact. For Sarah, the IVF process ran smoothly and successfully. And part of this was due to the fact that she had access to an employer-sponsored benefit through AT&T, so her financial burden of treatment was relieved by the Progyny benefit. As smooth as her process may have...
2023-04-2430 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: The Catalyst to Bringing Fertility and Family Building Benefits to Her EmployerIt's National Infertility Awareness Week and this year we have one central theme – one we discuss frequently on this podcast – the importance and need for employer-sponsored fertility and family building benefits. We've heard from previous guests about how to advocate for coverage from within an organization, the view point from a benefits consultant on why it's important, and today's guest sheds light on what it was like to find a family building benefit while being a patient herself. In this episode we hear how Ashley S. went through her own infertility struggle that led to a diagnosis of P...
2023-04-1020 min
This is InfertilityRescripting the Conversation Around FertilityToday's guest was thrusted into the world of infertility and soon became a co-founder to address the lack of education when it came to reproductive health. Kristyn Hodgdon was first diagnosed with PCOS after getting married and embarked on a long journey which included IUI, IVF, miscarriage, twins, and everything in between. 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...
2023-03-2721 min
This is InfertilityBundle of Joy via a Gestational SurrogateThis episode features a guest who is not new to this podcast, or to Progyny at all. You may remember her from Episode 34: Transforming Pain into Bundles of Joy, where she described turning her experience with infertility into the Bundles of Joy foundation which has now distributed a million dollars in grant money to those struggling with infertility. 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...
2023-03-1335 min
This is InfertilityWhen the Right Decision is a Difficult OneIn honor of Black History Month, we're highlighting a story that we know all too well – the fight with fibroids. This condition impacts about 80% of Black women and while it's common, many will never know they have it or require medical intervention. 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 Mic...
2023-02-1327 min
This is InfertilityWhen the Right Decision is a Difficult OneIn honor of Black History Month, we're highlighting a story that we know all too well – the fight with fibroids. This condition impacts about 80% of Black women and while it's common, many will never know they have it or require medical intervention. 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 Mi...
2023-02-1327 min
This is InfertilityFertility 101: Preparing for Your First Fertility Clinic AppointmentThe 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. 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 fam...
2023-01-3018 min
This is InfertilityFertility 101: Preparing for Your First Fertility Clinic AppointmentThe 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. 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...
2023-01-3018 min
This is InfertilityHow a Former Googler Formed His FamilyWelcome back to season six of This is Infertility! As you may have heard from the trailer, we have a new season filled with new guests, new stories, and new twists and turns but one thing that has stayed constant through all the episodes and seasons – people who want to share their story with the infertility community. 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 med...
2023-01-1621 min
This is InfertilityHow a Former Googler Formed His FamilyWelcome back to season six of This is Infertility! As you may have heard from the trailer, we have a new season filled with new guests, new stories, and new twists and turns but one thing that has stayed constant through all the episodes and seasons – people who want to share their story with the infertility community. 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 me...
2023-01-1621 min
This is InfertilityYear End Recap: This is Infertility Season 5At Progyny, we believe in the flexibility and power of giving patients the ability to choose -- choose their doctors, choose the best treatment plan, and ultimately choose what feels comfortable during their journey. For this season's recap, we decided to highlight episodes that featured choice and adversity and how some of our guests have overcome the unfortunate realities we sometimes face on the path to parenthood. 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...
2022-12-1923 min
This is InfertilityInfertility in the Military: From the Male's POVToday's guest is Progyny's own, Justin Smith. Prior to joining the Progyny team, Justin spent 17 years in the U.S. Military service as an Army Medic. During the peak of the war with Iraq and Afghanistan, Justin was on the brink of battling something he had yet to encounter, infertility. 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 i...
2022-11-0719 minThis is InfertilityInfertility in the Military: From the Male's POVToday's guest is Progyny's own, Justin Smith. Prior to joining the Progyny team, Justin spent 17 years in the U.S. Military service as an Army Medic. During the peak of the war with Iraq and Afghanistan, Justin was on the brink of battling something he had yet to encounter, infertility. 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...
2022-11-0719 minThis is InfertilityEgg Freezing: Love, Career, and Future Kids"Do you want to have kids?" 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...
2022-08-1512 minThis is InfertilityEgg Freezing: Love, Career, and Future Kids"Do you want to have kids?" 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...
2022-08-1512 minThis is InfertilityFrom "That's Not Good Enough" to ParenthoodGoing through IVF is challenging no matter what, but the difference between going through treatment without coverage and then again with coverage, can make a big difference. 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 journ...
2022-08-0118 minThis is InfertilityFrom "That's Not Good Enough" to ParenthoodGoing through IVF is challenging no matter what, but the difference between going through treatment without coverage and then again with coverage, can make a big difference. 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 jo...
2022-08-0118 minThis is InfertilityEpisode 136: When IVF Seems Unattainableo two fertility journeys are the same, and with unique nuances of the emotional, physical, and financial strains on the parent(s), the path to parenthood is often long and strenuous. While immediate success with treatment like IUI or IVF is ideal, sometimes a happy ending takes time. 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 aft...
2022-07-0516 minThis is InfertilityEpisode 136: When IVF Seems Unattainableo two fertility journeys are the same, and with unique nuances of the emotional, physical, and financial strains on the parent(s), the path to parenthood is often long and strenuous. While immediate success with treatment like IUI or IVF is ideal, sometimes a happy ending takes time. 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...
2022-07-0516 min
This is InfertilityLGBTQ+ Family Building: Two Moms SquadJune is Pride Month and with all the different paths to parenthood available for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, it's a great time to elevate these voices from the community. 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...
2022-06-0626 min
This is InfertilityLGBTQ+ Family Building: Two Moms SquadJune is Pride Month and with all the different paths to parenthood available for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, it's a great time to elevate these voices from the community. 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 Heat...
2022-06-0626 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: It Takes a Village: The Importance of SupportIt's National Infertility Awareness Week, and this year, we've crafted two episodes that address the age-old truth: it takes a village. Not only does it take a village to raise a child as the saying goes, but it also often takes a village to start or grow a family, especially with an infertility diagnosis. Reproductive endocrinologists, nurses, Patient Care Advocates, managers, and HR leaders all play a crucial role in the journey, but a personal support system – friends, family, or a partner, can be the crux of someone's village. Earlier this week, we talked to Cristina Loughrey, a Progyny Me...
2022-04-2724 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: It Takes a Village: The Importance of SupportIt's National Infertility Awareness Week, and this year, we've crafted two episodes that address the age-old truth: it takes a village. Not only does it take a village to raise a child as the saying goes, but it also often takes a village to start or grow a family, especially with an infertility diagnosis. Reproductive endocrinologists, nurses, Patient Care Advocates, managers, and HR leaders all play a crucial role in the journey, but a personal support system – friends, family, or a partner, can be the crux of someone's village. Earlier this week, we talked to Cristina Loughrey, a Progyny Mem...
2022-04-2724 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: It Takes a Village: It Starts with YouIt's National Infertility Awareness Week, and this year, we've crafted two episodes that address the age-old truth: it takes a village. Not only does it take a village to raise a child as the saying goes, but it also often takes a village to start or grow a family, especially when challenged with infertility. Reproductive Endocrinologists, Nurses, Patient Care Advocates, managers and HR leaders, partners, family members and friends may all step up, but at the end of the day, the journey starts with you. That was certainly true for Cristina Loughrey on her journey to motherhood...
2022-04-2528 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: It Takes a Village: It Starts with YouIt's National Infertility Awareness Week, and this year, we've crafted two episodes that address the age-old truth: it takes a village. Not only does it take a village to raise a child as the saying goes, but it also often takes a village to start or grow a family, especially when challenged with infertility. Reproductive Endocrinologists, Nurses, Patient Care Advocates, managers and HR leaders, partners, family members and friends may all step up, but at the end of the day, the journey starts with you. That was certainly true for Cristina Loughrey on her journey to motherhood...
2022-04-2528 min
This is InfertilityA STEM Professional's Fertility JourneyMany times, the family building journey can make someone feel alone and without help. This sentiment rang true to Priya Santhanam, Ph.D., a scientist and engineer in the STEM field. 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...
2022-01-1024 min
This is InfertilityTurning Dreams into Reality with Employer-Sponsored CoverageScott McGahey and his wife were among the 1 in 8 that struggled with infertility – their attempts at IUI and IVF failed, and when their employer-sponsored coverage ran out, the couple started thinking their dream of starting a family was impossible. 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 su...
2021-12-0620 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode16: Navigating Your Family Building Journey Through the HolidaysWhen it comes to family building, the holidays can be a time of heightened anxiety, sensitive conversations, and awkward family encounters. Dealing with infertility can prove to be challenging on its own but paired with pressing questions from relatives can really make one feel as though it's their fault. 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...
2021-11-2933 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 15: COVID-19 Update: FDA Vaccine Approval, Booster shots, and Trying to ConceiveCOVID-19 and its aftermath has changed everything, leaving us with more questions on how to navigate this new normal. When it comes to the vaccine and fertility, pregnancy, and trying to conceive, new concerns have come to light about how to proceed. Progyny's Lissa Kline, Senior Vice President of Provider and Member Services, and Dr. Alan Copperman, Progyny's Medical Director, sat down in a recent webinar to discuss these key learnings, including the vaccine, booster shots, and how it impacts your family building journey. While this episode is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets...
2021-11-0327 min
This is InfertilityPCOS and Fertility: How Expedia's Fertility Benefit Gave New HopeThere are a multitude of challenges that people face on their family building journey -- whether it's being misdiagnosed, not having enough information about your health, or facing a global pandemic. Angela Vega experienced all three, among others. 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...
2021-09-2031 min
This is InfertilityEgg Freezing: The Fertility Window as a Working WomanA lot of pressure is placed on women to start thinking about family building early in their lives due to the "fertility window" or "biological clock". 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...
2021-07-1228 min
This is InfertilityStaying Optimistic During the Family Building JourneyFamily building comes with its ups and downs, but as the old saying goes, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. 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...
2021-06-2830 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 10: Prioritizing Your Mental Health During Your Fertility JourneyMental health awareness and prioritization are certainly on the rise. As May was Mental Health Awareness Month, we at Progyny wanted to shed light on the serious intersection of mental health and fertility. 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...
2021-06-0138 min
This is InfertilityExcruciating Period Pain that Led to an Endometriosis DiagnosisFor some, infertility is a complete surprise, but for others, they know going into it that they might have trouble conceiving down the line. The latter situation is common for those who are diagnosed with endometriosis, PCOS, and other conditions that may lead to infertility. These diagnoses absolutely don't guarantee a negative impact, and each condition is treatable. Fertility troubles or not, endometriosis can cause serious pain in your everyday life, a topic we will get into with this week's guest. In this episode, we hear from Andrea Ford about her experience with an endometriosis diagnosis, and...
2021-05-1727 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 8: Building a Family in 2021Today's bonus episode comes from a recent Progny webinar, "Building a Family in 2021." It's the start of the new year, which might mean access to new benefits and new opportunities to start or continue building the family of their dreams. Moderated by Progyny's Selena Campbell and experts Dr. Susanna Park, a reproductive endocrinologist at San Diego Fertility Center, Kayleigh Hajny – a Progyny success story, and Joni Vick, Clinical Educator Supervisor at Progyny, they discuss how the Progyny benefit works, an overview of fertility treatments, and answers to frequently asked questions during the journey. Plus, you will hear di...
2021-02-1537 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 7: Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients: Focusing on Survival and Your Life After CancerOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which means today's bonus episode is all about fertility preservation for cancer, otherwise known as oncofertility. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down but understanding your fertility options from day one can make all the difference. Thanks to earlier detection and improved treatments, survival rates among cancer patients have increased steadily, and as a result, focus has shifted from immediate treatment to life after cancer too, including your future fertility. This episode comes from a recent webinar featuring Meghan Curci, Progyny Patient Care Advocate, Jaime Knopman, M.D...
2020-11-0248 min
This is InfertilityPCOS and Fertility: An early diagnosis, IUIs, IVF, and Baby LivIt's PCOS Awareness Month and for those who have PCOS, you may know firsthand how difficult it can be to conceive naturally. Kayleigh and Steven Hajny always wanted to have a baby. But when Kayleigh was 16 and diagnosed with PCOS, she was set to believe this was a pipe dream that wouldn't happen for her unless she did IVF. So, they decided to go to a fertility specialist for help. What they didn't expect was the number of treatments and the amount of disappointment they faced. After nine medicated timed intercourse cycles, a failed IUI...
2020-09-1424 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 6: Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black CommunityToday's bonus episode comes from a recent Progyny webinar, "Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black Community", which reflects on the inequalities and institutionalized racism within the fertility industry. Moderated by Progyny's Manager of Member Services, Selena Campbell, and experts Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, and Dr. Renita White, this panel breaks down some of the issues that uniquely face Black women in their fertility journeys, weighed in on why they aren't getting the care they need, and how they can advocate for it. Panelists: Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Chair, UNC...
2020-09-0732 min
This is InfertilityEgg Freezing: Preventative Care & EmpowermentA huge misconception in the world of fertility is that egg freezing is an elective procedure and should, therefore, be treated like one. This is absolutely untrue. Women are born with all the eggs they will produce during a lifetime, therefore, the quality and quantity of viable eggs diminish as time goes on. And doctors are finding the leading cause of female-factor infertility is diminished ovarian reserve starting around age 35. Advanced technologies, however, allow women to freeze their eggs before this happens, opening up the possibility of having biological children at some point down the...
2020-08-1738 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 3: COVID-19 - Telehealth in Your Fertility JourneyJust because most in-person fertility treatments are paused due to COVID-19, doesn't mean you can't chat with your doctor, discuss a protocol and get the ball moving forward while in quarantine. In this bonus episode we are sharing a panel conversation that explains how telehealth can help you get started or continue moving along on your fertility journey during COVID-19. Learn what to expect, how telehealth differs from an in-person visit, and how treatment in the clinic will look with new social distancing and safety precautions in place. We understand how difficult infertility is—and ho...
2020-05-1137 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: Different Paths Can Lead to the Same PlaceIn honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation'. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility. We're focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our sm...
2020-04-2421 min
This is Infertility#NIAW: The Callahans' New OhanaIn honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation'. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this ever-expanding world of infertility. We're focusing these episodes on change, how our guests have changed since we last visited them, how their priorities have changed, and how their situation has changed. We hope by doing so we can do our sm...
2020-04-2325 min
This is InfertilityBonus Episode 2: COVID-19 – Your Fertility and Well-beingIn a matter of weeks, COVID-19 has infiltrated all aspects of life from our ability to see friends and loved ones, to our planned medical procedures and treatments. With American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) pausing fertility treatments, patients are left wondering what they should do next. In today's bonus episode, we're airing a panel discussion, curated by Progyny, on fertility and wellbeing during this time. We'll hear from three fertility specialists, Dr. Janet Choi of CCRM NY, and Dr. Lorna Marshall of Pacific NW Fertility, and Michele Carroll a clinical social worker and Provider Account Manager at Progyny...
2020-04-1545 min
This is InfertilityHow Uterine Fibroids Can Impact FertilityFebruary is Black History Month, and unfortunately, uterine fibroids have a disproportionate impact on African American women. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus, and while they usually cause no harm, they can have an impact on fertility. In today's episode, we hear from Amelia "Mimi" Brown, who shares her complex infertility journey. After a year of failing to conceive naturally, Mimi decided it was time to visit a doctor, which is when she was diagnosed with both PCOS and uterine fibroids, and her husband was diagnosed with male factor infertility. Over the past...
2020-02-0323 min
This is InfertilityOvercoming Failed Fertility Treatments: A Male's PerspectiveInfertility is a journey that is complex and emotionally challenging for anyone involved, but there tends to be a lack of focus on the feelings and emotions of male partners. In today's episode, we hear from Philip Schmidt, who shares his perspective on experiencing an infertility journey. Philip and his wife endured three years of emotional, physical, and financial challenges in their family building journey. Fortunately, everything turned around for the couple when Philip found a new job that offered comprehensive fertility coverage, allowing them to expand their family in a way they never could've imagined. We'll learn how...
2020-01-2036 min
This is InfertilityBest of This Is Infertility Season 1: Episode 9During our break between season 2 and season 3, we're re-playing our most popular episodes. Our most popular episode for season 1 is Episode 9 featuring Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley, former stars of The Real Housewives of Orange County. This episode originally aired on July, 9 2017. Find details of the episode, here. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com See you next season!
2020-01-1325 min
This is InfertilityBest of This Is Infertility Season 2: Episode 35During our break between season 2 and season 3, we're re-playing our most popular episodes. Our most popular episode for season 2 is episode 35 featuring Jamie Stelter from NY1. This episode originally aired on April 22, 2019. Find details of the episode, here. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com See you next season!
2019-12-3036 min
This is InfertilityNot Another Instagram Ad: How Doctors are Serving Fertility EducationPeople use social media for several reasons. For Instagram, most use it to keep in touch with friends and families while others use it to highlight their culture or connect with their fans. They're also turning to Instagram to get information, get inspired, and build communities. It's become a place for people to voice their opinions and share info, especially when it comes to infertility. Some will use Instagram to document their IVF journey (#IVF has over 1M posts) or talk about their loss (#miscarriage has over 360K posts). Regardless of where someone is in their journey, they can...
2019-10-0719 min
This is Infertility#InfertilityUncovered: Infertility Support Throughout Progyny's Patient Care AdvocatesThis is the last episode in our four-part series for National Infertility Awareness Week on #InfertilityUncovered. This episode is going to follow the experience of a patient who is covered by the Progyny Fertility Benefit, while taking a deep dive into an invaluable resource she found along the way, The Progyny Patient Care Advocate Team. Infertility is a disease that demands support, and today we will examine what real supportive care grounded by experience and devotion really looks like. Today's host is Melissa Johnson, Director, National Accounts at Progyny. Guests include: Jennifer Kattula & the member of the Progyny Patient...
2019-04-2526 min
This is Infertility#InfertilityUncovered: IVF in the WorkplaceThis is the third episode in our four-part series for National Infertility Awareness Week on #InfertilityUncovered. Why, in 2019, are American workplaces still so bad at dealing with issues around infertility? That is the question that Katherine Goldstein, reporter and host of the podcast The Double Shift, asks in her article for Slate titled, "IVF & The Office." Katherine has been researching and writing about issues relating to women and the workplace for years now, and when she turned her attention to infertility and the workplace she found herself with more questions than answers. In this episode Katherine uncovers what she's...
2019-04-2424 min
This is Infertility#InfertilityUncovered: When Limited Fertility Benefits Fall ShortThis is the second episode in our four-part series for National Infertility Awareness Week on #InfertilityUncovered. If a fertility benefit is offered, but there are no providers who accept it, is it really a benefit at all? In this episode we from Wajmah Yaqubi who found herself asking that very question when she researched her employer's fertility benefit. Wajmah is still trying to conceive, and she's doing it with very little coverage for her fertility treatments that she needs. Today's host is Brandi Guthrie, Provider Account Manager at Progyny. Guests include: Wajmah Yaqubi For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast...
2019-04-2323 min
This is Infertility#InfertilityUncovered: In the Spotlight with Jamie StelterNational Infertility Awareness Week falls on 4/21 – 4/27 and this year's theme from RESOLVE is #InfertilityUncovered. For this week, we're doing a four-part series on what it's like to truly uncover the world of infertility. The first episode is with Jamie Stelter, the morning transit and traffic reporter for NY1 and a co-host with Pat Kiernan on Morning's on 1. She's been smiling on TV for so long that many who watch her feel like they know her, but of course, we don't really know what's going on in people's lives… not until they tell us. In today's episode Jamie shares her infe...
2019-04-2234 min
This is InfertilityEndometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF After Being DiagnosedThis is the second episode in our four-part series on endometriosis and we've broken this episode into two parts. After paying out of pocket for four unsuccessful rounds of IVF, Amanda Lesesne had an exploratory laparoscopy which revealed grade three endometriosis. She had the endometriosis tissue removed and decided to try IVF for a fifth time. This time she entered the process with renewed hope, a new financial situation (she now has Progyny Fertility Benefits), and an audio recorder. In part two, we follow Amanda in real time as she experiences her fifth cycle of IVF. Today's host is...
2019-03-1232 min
This is InfertilityEndometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF Before Being DiagnosedThis is the second episode in our four-part series on endometriosis and we've broken this episode into two parts. Amanda Lesesne went through four rounds of IVF before she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a disease she had never really heard of, but one that explained a lot of the symptoms she had experienced since she was a teenager. In part one, we will hear about Amanda's past, what it was like to have to pay for multiple rounds of IVF, and how she finally came to have laparoscopic surgery for her endometriosis. Amanda will also discuss her decision to...
2019-03-1125 min
This is InfertilityEndometriosis & Infertility: Jessica Smith-PayneMarch is Endometriosis Awareness Month! Endometriosis is a common, often painful, hard to diagnose condition, and it can affect a woman's fertility. For this month, we're doing a four-part series on this disease. In the first episode, we hear from Jessica Payne who experienced pain since she was a teenager. She tried to live a normal life but everything changed when she tried to get pregnant. We also hear from Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, a reproductive endocrinologist with Texas Fertility Center, who dives into how endometriosis is diagnosed, treatment options and how women can build the family of their dreams...
2019-03-0432 min
This is InfertilityThe Two-Week Wait During Fertility Treatment: Surviving, Coping, and Finding SupportThe two-week wait is a term used to describe the period of time in between a treatment cycle and the first blood pregnancy test. It can be a stressful time. In today's episode Lissa Kline, a licensed clinical social worker, and Dr. Georgia Witkin, a clinical psychologist, sit down to discuss some survival and coping methods that can help alleviate some of the stress of waiting, and some ideas for how partners of those who've undergone treatment can better offer support during this critical time. Today's host is Lissa Kline, VP of Provider and Member Services at Progyny. Guests...
2019-02-2525 min
This is InfertilityTaking Control of Her Future by Freezing EggsWhen Laura Perez turned 35, she felt like she was running out of time. She was in a long-term relationship, but her partner already had children from a previous marriage and indicated that he didn't want to have any more kids. So, Laura took things into her own hands and froze her eggs. For Laura, freezing her eggs was an empowering process that gave her peace of mind, and it also changed the nature of her relationship with her boyfriend (now husband!) Today's host is Selena Campbell, Patient Care Supervisor at Progyny. Guests include: Laura Perez from Progyny and Dr...
2018-11-2623 min
This is InfertilityOncofertility: Helping Patients Navigate Between Oncology and FertilityOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in light of this, we are dedicating four episodes to oncofertility – the bridge between oncology and reproductive research that explores and expands options for the reproductive future of cancer survivors. In the fourth and final episode of our oncofertility series, we hear from Kristin Smith, who dedicated her life to helping educate young cancer patients about their fertility preservation options. As Program Manager for Fertility Preservation at Northwestern Medicine and the Oncofertility Consortium, Kristin helps patients navigate their treatment between their oncology team and their reproductive endocrinology team. We...
2018-10-2922 min
This is InfertilityLGBTQ+ Family Building: One Voice that Changed a Company's Paternity Leave Policy for Same-Sex ParentsJason Rudman and his husband Alvin utilized a gestational surrogate to start their family, and then, two years later, utilized another one to continue their family. Along the way Jason used his voice to change his employer's paternity leave policy and ended up helping more than just his immediate family. Today's host is Salaia DaCruz, Sr. Account Manager at Progyny. Guests: Jason Rudman If you missed it, we released a few episodes on family building for same-sex couples: https://progyny.com/podcast/episode-5/ https://progyny.com/podcast/episode-6/ https://progyny.com/podcast/episode-7/ https://progyny.com/podcast/episode-8/ For...
2018-09-1713 min
This is InfertilityThis is Infertility - TrailerThis is Infertility: No two fertility journeys are the same. For that reason, we are breaking from the typical podcast form. Each episode is hosted by a different voice who brings their own unique point of view to the complex and ever changing world of infertility. This is Infertility is a podcast from Progyny, debuting during National Infertility Awareness Week 2018.
2018-03-2301 min