The Babymakers Fertility Podcast

This episode ties everything together for those on the path to motherhood! It’s 90 full minutes of women’s wisdom you can use to tackle (or embrace!) the issues that arise along the journey. This special conversation with author and public speaker Arian De Bonvoisin is about maintaining a trusting perspective when disappointments and delays occur. Realizing that you’re already a mother in someone’s else’s eyes, reminds you to stay focused on things you CAN control — like finding more patience and trusting that inner knowing… Listening to today’s episode will restore your feelings of empowerment and possibility, and leave you feeling more at peace.Ariane invites listeners to enjoy her free download: Spirit Mama Manifesto, a beautifully designed guide for women on their fertility and motherhood journey.This free download includes empowering affirmations and principles to help women reduce stress, trust their bodies, release expectations, and embrace divine timing. It serves as a companion to her book, Spirit Mama: A More Conscious Journey Through Motherhood.Listeners can download the free Manifesto here:
https://www.spiritmamabook.comFor more about Ariane and her work as a transformational coach and speaker, you can also visit:
https://www.arianedebonvoisin.com.

Licensed psychotherapist and fertility coach Keri Cohen discusses the impact of stress, cortisol and social media; and our innate desire to somehow stay ‘in control’ as family building attempts often force us to accept challenging circumstances, and soften our grip on the illusion that any of it is actually within our control…Having been through the IVF process herself numerous times, Keri recognized a gap in traditional therapy for “IVF women” and those struggling with the multitude of decisions and frustrations that accompany fertility treatments.This episode is as soothing as it is directional. It addresses real feelings that come up in therapy and offers insights for women to pursue during fertility counseling for more support. The topics covered include:•Self talk•Secondary Infertility•Fertility PTSD•Vulnerability•Serving others•Living in the surrender•True readiness •How we spend this time really matters•Perils of social media & our reactions to what we see•How the fertility journey creates more resilience — and fosters the “mother within” who’s there alreadyYou’ll find perspective and inspiration in this conversation that’s all about embracing what’s happening, in order to move forward.To begin working with Keri, you can send her an email or visit her website:[email protected]*This show is sponsored by SeedFertility.com. Listeners of The Babymakers’ Fertility Podcast save 20% on all SeedFertility online courses, using promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout. To work with Danica, visit www.DanicaThornberry.com.Thanks for listening!

This episode explores the various benefits that can come from working with a functional medicine provider when you’re focused on building your family. In this lively conversation , Danica introduces Dr Tali Kahan, a natural medicine doctor and functional medicine practitioner in West Los Angeles. The two share their insights and clinical perspectives on: hormone optimization, immune system regulation, mold detection and candida detoxification in an effort to help listeners realize they it is often possible to find answers when the diagnosis is “unexplained infertility”. A holistic approach that leaves “no stone unturned” on the path to baby not only improves the chance of a successful pregnancy; it empowers patients with better health for the rest of their lives. Interested in working with Dr Tali Kahan to pursue functional medicine testing for your fertility or general health journey? Reach out to her here: [email protected] 310.909.7054Save 20% on all courses inside SeedFertility.com by entering BABYMAKERS at checkout. Thanks for listening!

This episode is for everyone who’s worried about their egg supply; particularly those women between age 38 to 44…In this empowering discussion full of education and useful information, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz helps calm our growing anxiety about aging, scarcity and what our ovarian labs REALLY tell us about our fertility. After listening, you’ll understand why you want to “love” your ovaries, instead of potentially aging them prematurely with sugary inflammatory foods, toxic thoughts & friendships, and the hormones from stress!We explored what “lifestyle medicine” actually means - specifically when you’re #ttc….What are the most powerful tools we can employ when we’re racing against our biological clock and how does it help us to slow down… when the narrative is telling us we’re already too late?The role of feeling safe and establishing trust within the doctor patient relationship is vital to calm your overactive nervous system which indirectly improves your reproductive system!How we VIEW our journey can impact our outcome — so it’s time to start looking for deeper meaning and the possible spiritual lessons surrounding your babymaking journey. This episodes asks you to look at those things, as well as your ovarian lab markers, to optimize what you do have to work with. Diminishing egg reserve presents an opportunity to improve your health and your life… by staying mindful of what you’re consuming and how you integrate it. It’s time to be really intentional about what you believe, and what you’re telling your body. Dr Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz offers individualized empowering gynecological care at any stage. Visit her on Ig: @askdrsuzanneAnd schedule appointments here: www.TheDrSuzanne.com

This episode is for the listeners on the path to baby who wish they had a detective to help them solve their complex fertility case.🕵️‍♀️Dr Adeeti Gupta is an expert in both traditional and holistic women’s health. Everyday she works with women and couples to help them understand the role inflammation plays in failed IVF cycles, pregnancy loss, cancers, hormonal imbalances (like PCOS), autoimmune infertility and endometriosis. This episode is filled with empowering information about the myriad ways that inflammation works against our babymaking efforts and fertility outcomes. Dr Gupta offers us the chance to understand what’s going on behind the scenes with the sneakiness of inflammation, while sharing some of her favorite anti-inflammatory techniques that downregulate the inflammatory cascade and optimize our hormones. Intralipids, peptides, supplements, red light photon therapy, diet changes and a mind-body lifestyle balanced perspective are a few tools discussed to give YOU more tools for your toolbox and ideas to discuss with your physician. To work with Dr Adeeti Gupta and learn more about her treatment approaches, visit www.longevitycenterbeverlyhills.com and/or www.dradeetigupta.com. She’s on Instagram at @walkingyn.

What’s a woman to do once she’s made her way through Unexplained Infertility? Help OTHER women get through it!!That’s what Abbe Feder’s doing — guiding women everywhere with her own podcast, fertility coaching, social media and supportive e-blasts. When the diagnosis is “unexplained” is when we have to ask ourselves, “What more can I/we do to get to the root of the problem? What can I/we start doing differently, to create a different outcome?”You’ll feel the compassion, support and empathy Abbe Feder brings to her clients as a fertility coach to help women moving forward when the journey to baby feels like an uphill climb with disappointments at every turn. If you want to remember how to keep going, when all you want to do is give up, this episode is just for you. You’ll feel seen, heard, understood and redirected.Wanna work with Abbe? You can find her on instagram @abbefeder, or through her website (www.incirclefertility.com) and listen to her Women’s Wellness podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-wellness-with-abbe-feder/id1681652191As always, a thank you to Seed Fertility (www.seedfertility.com) for sponsoring this episode! Listeners can save 20% off any of the Seed Fertility courses — with the promo code BABYMAKERS at checkout.

This fascinating episode explores the role of our subconscious mind; particularly the way our thoughts — what we think about our bodies and our fertility — impact our lives’ outcomes.Learning HOW to change our story by changing our inner narrative begins with choosing to believe that it’s possible, and then employing simple practices like visualizations and sitting still in meditation to create lasting change.Hypnotherapist and founder of the “Connect The Mind” app, Amy Budden, sits with Danica to share a multitude of powerful insights gleaned over decades, leading thousands of mind-body hypnosis clients in Los Angeles and worldwide to their successful outcomes.Using hypnosis and customized visual guided meditations, Amy leads her clients to the most optimal version of themselves — providing them with a full toolbox of resources they can use to overcome perceived limitations and setbacks; guiding them to their desired goals (health, motherhood, prosperity, freedom, and peace from anxiety to name a few!).Amy explains the neuroscience of how we heal and transform our body with mental practices and new beliefs, by guiding our brainwaves beyond a state of stress and overwhelm to relaxation, connection and ease: a naturally more receptive, more fertile head space!This episode includes a brief meditation led by Amy that takes listeners through a coherence exercise using heart-brain coherence, creating a mental state of regeneration, inspiration, positivity, calm and centeredness.You’ll want to return to this calming episode that’s full of high vibrations and concepts that lead you back to your highest self — the part of you who knows it’s possible to cultivate a “magnet for miracles” using your breath, a vision and different thoughts!Wanna work with Amy Budden? You can find her here: https://www.connectthemind.com/ Download Connect The Mind on iPhone:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/connect-the-mind/id6578415871Amy’s way of saying thank-you, enjoy 25% off with these codes below: 💫Monthly:https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=6578415871&code=WELCOME25OFFMONYearly:https://apps.apple.com/reAmy here — Connect the Mind app is live ✨ Guided calm, healing & clarity, anywhere 🌿Download on iPhone:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/connect-the-mind/id6578415871This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com — listeners will save 20% on all Seed Fertility courses when they enter promo code BABYMAKERS at checkout!

This inspiring episode captures the essence of what is possible for women on the path to baby who completely open their mind and heart to the process.Using the wisdom of The Seed Fertility Masterclass and acupuncture consultation time with Dr Danica, she learned how to re-route her thoughts of self-doubt and scarcity to a new found wholeness and a readiness to receive. Listeners will enjoy this story that brings it all together… for a couple who never stopped believing in their dream to create a family.Save 20% on the program that’s helping women all over the world achieve their dream of motherhood using code BABYMAKERS on https://www.seedfertility.com/courses.

In this deeply personal and uplifting episode, Dr. Danica Thornberry is joined by Drea, a woman she met by chance at Sprouts Farmers Market —right in the middle of the now-infamous “where did all the eggs go?” moment. What starts as a funny, synchronistic encounter turns into a powerful conversation about loss, faith, nourishment, nervous system healing, and becoming the kind of woman who can hold the unknown without collapsing into it.Drea shares how she conceived her first child easily in her mid-thirties; then later—after years of being vegan—began a difficult stretch of recurrent early pregnancy loss in her early 40s. Feeling dismissed by doctors who said “it’s your age” and offered little support, she became an empowered self-advocate -- exploring progesterone, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, dietary shifts, and deeper emotional/spiritual healing.A major thread throughout the episode is the relationship between food + fertility. Drea describes moving away from a grain-heavy vegan diet to slowly reintroducing eggs, wild salmon, and high-quality fats, while cutting inflammatory seed oils—changes that helped her feel stronger and more resourced. At the same time, she navigated the invisible layers that often accompany fertility struggles: fear, grief, control, self-worth, and the nervous system’s ability to trust/receive.The story takes an even more mystical turn through the presence of her son, who repeatedly had vivid dreams about his future sister “Eleanor” including a moment where he warned she “couldn’t come right now,” just days before another loss. After a final miscarriage, a plant medicine ceremony and a silent meditation retreat helped Dre process deep fear, release control, and reconnect to a grounded inner knowing.Soon after, she conceived again, this time through what she describes as a magical, connected moment with her husband. Her son again affirmed in a dream: “She’s coming and she’s going to stay.” That pregnancy became her daughter—born naturally at 43—arriving with perfect timing during the lockdown period, which unexpectedly allowed their family to bond deeply.The episode closes with a powerful message for listeners: there is strength within you, fear can exist without defining you, and your job is to keep returning to stillness, truth, and self-trust—while staying open to how motherhood arrives.If you’re navigating loss, uncertainty, or the long middle of a fertility journey, this episode is a reminder that healing can be both practical and spiritual and that your story isn’t over.To learn how to support your fertility with food & mindset, consider the monthly membership inside The Seed Fertility Masterclass (www.seedfertility.com)! Listeners of The Babymakers Podcast receive a 20% discount when they enter promo code: BABYMAKERS at checkout — valid on all products and online courses.

In this episode of The Babymakers Podcast, Dr. Danica Thornberry sits down with fellow acupuncturist Dr. Carla Vidor for a grounding, yet expansive conversation about the role of the Divine Feminine energy in fertility, inflammation, and healing -- using receptivity instead of forcing...Together, they explore how modern fertility care often overemphasizes control, urgency, and data—while overlooking the profound role of nervous system regulation, intuition, quiet, and embodied trust. Drawing from decades of clinical experience, personal fertility journeys, and Chinese medicine philosophy, this episode reframes fertility as a process that thrives in balance, softness, and self-advocacy.Dr. Carla shares her path into women’s health and fertility acupuncture, the importance of modulating (not suppressing) inflammation during implantation, and how acupuncture and herbs support immune regulation. The conversation weaves science with spirituality, addressing psychoneuroimmunology, stress, recurrent pregnancy loss, and why slowing down can be one of the most powerful fertility interventions available.This episode is especially supportive for women feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected from their bodies during fertility treatment—and offers a reminder that receptivity is not passivity, and surrender does not mean giving up.

In this episode of The Babymakers Podcast, Dr. Danica Thornberry meets with Dr. Rayan Elkhattah (aka “Dr E”), an endometriosis excision surgeon making a big difference in the Los Angeles fertility community. Together they unpack why endo is so frequently misunderstood and therefore misdiagnosed; setting the stage for an empowering episode about self advocacy + partnership with our providers when we’re on the path to baby/healing.The term “medical gaslighting” is discussed and how it still occurs in modern healthcare (particularly in gynecology & infertility practices), to highlight the pivot that occurs when we work with a physician who listens to their patients. Dr. Elkhattah explains how endometriosis isn’t a clear cut surgical disease, and why even the best excision surgery has limits—if the nervous system, immune system, gut health, trauma history, and lifestyle factors aren’t also addressed.One focus of the conversation is central sensitization, a situation where chronic pain derails the nervous system, such that the body continuously fires pain signals even after adhesions are removed, suggesting that healing isn’t linear, and recovery often requires a multidisciplinary approach (including pelvic PT, integrative nutrition, acupuncture, mind-body tools, stress reduction, and trauma-informed care).If you’ve been told your pain or infertility is “stress-related”, implying you need to “just relax”, or if you’ve wondered why pelvic surgery didn’t fix infertility, this episode offers clarity, validation, and insight for a more hopeful—more complete—path forward.To schedule with Dr Elkattah or to learn more about the Iris Wings Sanctuary for Endometrosis and their multi-modal, holistic approach to healing endo, visit IrisWings.com, and @IrisWings on Instagram.Interested in working with Dr. Danica? Click here to book a session: http://wellpeoplehealing.janeapp.com/✨This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com, where you’ll find “A Holistic Guide to Healing Endo”, an online course offering other expert interviews including Dr Iris Kerin Orbuch and leading fertility specialists, discussing what makes them suspect endometriosis and how to decide if surgery is your next step.Listeners can use PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS to save 20% on any Seed Fertility course.

In this episode, Dr. Danica Thornberry meets with Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino; a board-certified family physician, breast cancer survivor, and integrative/functional medicine leader at Love.Life to unpack an 8-year fertility journey shaped by resilience, root-cause healing, and a major mindset shift.Jaclyn shares how a breast lump discovered accidentally at age 33 led to a multitude of rapid decisions (double mastectomy, chemo, hormone suppression), and how fertility preservation quickly became part of a survival plan. She walks us through the emotional and functional medicine “detective work” she did that helped her understand how her body had become “hospitable” to disease—notably: unprocessed trauma, chronic stress, and estrogen metabolism issues.On the fertility side, Jaclyn details the cycle that finally worked: surrendering control, building daily rituals (sun on the belly, meditation/visualization), consistent acupuncture + herbs, targeted minerals, and mitochondria support. She also explains why the “perfect plan” can often backfire, how to stay curious when doctors discourage you, and how to advocate for yourself without losing feminine "softness" in the process.This episode is a grounded mix of medicine and meaning—reminding listeners that hope CAN stay alive, even when the dream takes a different shape. To work with Dr Jaclyn Tolentino, please visit Love.Life to book a virtual session or schedule in-person care in El Segundo, CA. At Love.Life, Jaclyn provides holistic care and a comprehensive functional medicine approach to wellness. You can follow her on Ig @drjaclyntolentino and learn more about her on her website: drjaclyntolentino.com. Support this podcast by sharing with other women who could use an infusion of hope on this often challenging journey. Episode is sponsored by The Seed Fertility Program (www.seedfertility.com). Listeners can use promo code BABYMAKERS to receive 20% off monthly memberships and all available courses.

Baby making is a team effort — but male fertility is still massively overlooked. In this must-listen episode, Dr. Danica Thornberry sits down with Dr. Paul Turek, a world-renowned male urologist and microsurgeon, to unpack what most couples don’t realize before IVF: male factor infertility is common, often treatable, and deeply connected to overall health.Dr. Turek explains why the semen analysis can be confusing (and even misleading), why IVF with ICSI may cause men to skip crucial medical evaluations, and how fertility can act as a powerful biomarker for male health — potentially flagging issues like hormone imbalance, chronic stress, lifestyle inflammation, varicocele, and even broader health risks.They also dive into what chronic stress does to the male nervous system (spoiler: constant cortisol can slash testosterone and sperm production), why numbers motivate men to change, and the practical lifestyle shifts that can meaningfully improve outcomes.If you’re trying to conceive, preparing for IVF, or you want your partner to feel like a real part of this process — this episode is essential. Want to work with Dr Turek? Visit www.theturekclinic.com, where you can schedule a consultation and read his blog! **Be sure to tune in to his podcast, Talk With Turek -- dedicated to male infertility and men's health: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-with-turek/id1760044922 Episode Timestamps:00:00 Chronic stress, cortisol, and the link to low testosterone + low sperm01:20 Why men get overlooked in fertility (and why that’s a huge mistake)03:57 Advanced paternal age: sperm age matters too (and why this is “new” for humans)06:44 Why Dr. Turek left traditional Western medicine to go holistic08:26 “IVF with ICSI is the worst thing that happened to men” (what he really means)10:06 Men skip evaluation before IVF — and what gets missed because of it14:40 Why semen analysis varies so much + the “poker hand” way to read results17:37 The lifestyle study: 65% conceived naturally after being “cleared male factor”23:39 Male infertility as a biomarker: cancer risk, comorbidities, and long-term health31:34 What actually causes low sperm count (varicocele, lifestyle, genetics, exposures)39:19 Chronic low-level stress: constant cortisol, primitive nervous system, and exhaustion46:05 Marijuana and male fertility: DNA damage, long exposure time, possible cancer links52:02 How to reach men: meet them where they are (phones, apps, partners, podcasts)57:08 Why listening is everything: the “doorway confession”, when men share ✨ Episode sponsors:The Seed Fertility Program: https://www.seedfertility.comPopular, affordable online fertility courses; including: Succeeding at IVF -> The 28-Day Seed Fertility Masterclass Healing After LossImproving Egg Quality for Egg Freezing Fertility MeditationsHolistic Guide to Endometriosis**Use PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS to get 20% OFF any Seed Fertility course!Interested in working with Danica?Click here to book a session:http://wellpeoplehealing.janeapp.com/

In this deeply honest and hope-restoring episode, Dr. Danica Thornberry sits down with former patient and SEED Fertility Masterclass alum Carly Joseph, who shares her multi-year fertility journey marked by IVF failure, endometriosis, grief, surrogacy, and ultimately motherhood.Carly and her husband began trying to conceive in 2020 during the height of COVID. What they expected to be a straightforward IVF path quickly became years of setbacks—poor embryo development, multiple failed transfers, a chemical pregnancy, and a diagnosis of endometriosis that required surgery. As her fertility journey unfolded, Carly was also navigating the devastating loss of her mother, compounding emotional and physical stress.After years of retrievals and transfers, Carly made the difficult decision to pursue gestational surrogacy. Even then, the journey tested her resilience: miscarriages with a proven carrier, emotional burnout, and moments of deep surrender. In a remarkable turning point, Carly’s eighth retrieval resulted in nine genetically normal embryos, leading to two successful surrogate pregnancies and the birth of two babies just 17 weeks apart.Now on the other side, Carly reflects on the lessons of patience, surrender, and self-compassion—and how this experience inspired her to create a concierge-style support service to help other women and couples navigate fertility and surrogacy with empathy and clarity.And remember, listeners of The Babymakers Fertility Podcast save 20% on all Seed Fertility online courses at SeedFertility.com, using the promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout.

Influencer and Los Angeles realtor Kati Cattaneo shares a story that still feels surreal. On the morning of January 7, 2025, she underwent her second IVF egg retrieval and later that same day, she watched her Palisades home burn down in a wildfire.In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode, Kati opens up about the emotional realities of fertility treatment: the pressure of tracking, the strain on relationships, the shame many women carry silently, and the importance of community. She shares how IVF unexpectedly prepared her to navigate grief, uncertainty, and loss — and how opening up online helped her heal while supporting others on similar journeys.This conversation explores infertility, resilience, surrender, and the quiet strength that emerges when women allow themselves to be seen, supported, and held by community.Follow Kati's family-building adventure on tiktok: @katicattaneo or Instagram: @katicatt ✨ Please help support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:The Seed Fertility Program: https://www.seedfertility.com. Use PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS to get 20% OFF any coursewellpeople Integrative Healing: https://www.wellpeoplehealing.com Book an appointment with any of their holistic providersInterested in working with Danica? Click here to book a session: https://wellpeoplehealing.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/1PODCAST INFO🍎 Apple Podcast: 🟢 Spotify: 🎧 RSS:

Often regarded as a “last resort” medicine, acupuncture is added to a fertility patient’s protocol when nothing else has worked. But HOW does acupuncture actually help improve fertility? Why do fertility patients love it so much?!In this episode, Danica interviews fellow fertility acupuncturist and colleague, Laura Erlich, for an insightful conversation that explains the unique role acupuncturists can play when they join the fertility patients’ team.We’re experts as perspectivizing this tough time, skilled at restoring hope and known for consistently presenting ways to “think outside the box” to view your situation with more patience and grace.Let’s face it - our world is changing. We’re evolving to be more reliant on technology, and that includes how we build our families.This episode takes the sting out of doing IVF and reminds us all that we’re part of something bigger…To work with Laura Erlich, visit mothernurturela.com.To save 20% on any course within SeedFertility.com, enter promocode BABYMAKERS20 at checkout.

Sharing tips, strategies and success stories that inspire… these doctors’ episodes inform and help women and couples to better understand their options; from a holistic and biomedical standpoint.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

This fascinating episode explains how the foods we choose during our cycle can serve as fertile “medicine” or they can work against our best efforts to conceive and stay pregnant.Registered dietician and podcast host Robyn Goldberg joins Danica for a discussion that speaks to the listeners who’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed by the information available about what to eat, particularly when trying to conceive.It’s a matter of truly understanding the power of nutrition and how food works once we eat it — because that knowledge informs our relationship with food, as well as the choices we make about dieting.Listeners will learn why certain foods are recommended during the phases of their menstrual cycle to support reproductive hormones, and why staying flexible about our lifestyle and food choices is important in maintaining our fertile potential.With decades of experience in Los Angeles helping patients overcome various forms of overly-structured and disordered eating, Robyn Goldberg shares what she feels is most helpful in creating a balanced approach to eating, staying nourished and preparing for pregnancy.To work with Robyn or learn more about her book and podcast, visit theeatingdisordertrap.com.To work with Danica and her team of holistic providers, either virtually or in-person in Los Angeles, visit wellpeoplehealing.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the leader in online fertility education… Empowering fertility patients worldwide using a combination of Fertile Thoughts and Fertile Foods.Use promocode BABYMAKERS20 to receive 20% all courses at SeedFertility.com and take back some control in a journey that feels out of your control.

In this episode, Danica interviews former fertility specialist, Dr. Paul Magarelli to discuss the integration of holistic modalities like Chinese medicine into the modern protocol of IVF.Sure, there’s a bridge now between the ancient art form of acupuncture and the modern science of babymaking, but it wasn’t always the case!Listeners will gain perspective as well as useful insight and advice from this conversation between two seemingly unlikely friends with the same goal … to help women and couples become parents.

Talking to your fertility doctor can be intimidating, but feeling comfortable enough to ask any question can help you relax enough to make a difference.Los Angeles fertility specialist Catherine DeUguarte, MD joins Danica in this casual conversation that attempts to “normalize” the fertility treatment conversation.Making more eggs, male factor, testosterone, marijuana, timing of sex, cold plunges, supplements and exercise are just a few important topics covered in this episode.You can find Dr DeUguarte at pfcla.comExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

Endometriosis excision surgeon, patient advocate, and author of “Beating Endo”, Dr Iris Kerin Orbuch sits down with Danica to help patients learn much more about endometriosis and adenomyosis — in an effort to help them develop an individualized plan for treating (and beating!) endo.Everyday Dr Iris Kerin does detective work for patients who arrive at her office saying, “My doctor sent me here, but I don’t have any symptoms.”There’s a litany of different ways that endo reveals itself and this episode examines each one; helping to answer questions like: “Do I have endometriosis? Do I really need surgery?”The one thing Dr Iris Kerin wants patients to know is that endo is NOT limited to painful periods! It’s a leading cause of unexplained infertility and pregnancy loss, gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, anxiety, depression and urinary/genital dysfunction.Listeners will learn why a HOLISTIC (whole body) approach is what really makes a difference in longterm management of endo and improvement of fertility.To schedule a consultation with Dr Iris Kerin Orbuch, visit LAgyndr.com or on Instagram @dririsorbuch.The movies mentioned in this episode are available for download - EndoWhat.com and BelowTheBelt.com for those looking to learn even more.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

This episode focuses on “girl power”, humor and optimism; it’s an uplifting reminder to stay focused on what you CAN do and what IS within your control.Meeting patients where they are in their fertility journey is one of Dr Jennifer Shulman’s many super powers. As an acupuncturist of 20 years, Jenn knows when to insert humor into this challenging conversation to help patients stay calm during an uncertain process.Through means of creating a realistic health plan and helping her patients continue to put one foot in front of the other, Jenn Shulman is a bright light always shining on an often dark path.Together with Danica’s experience, this episode covers 40 years of combined patient stories and thoughts on sub-fertility, infertility, IVF, and the many ways that acupuncture plays a big role in creating successful fertility outcomes.If you’re already seeing an acupuncturist, you’ll be reminded of why you keep going back… or you’ll allow this episode to encourage you to check it out — for an extra dose of support on your journey.To work with Jenn, visit www.JenniferShulmanAcupuncture.com or @acupuncturejenn on Instagram.And remember, listeners of The Babymakers Fertility Podcast save 20% on all Seed Fertility online courses at SeedFertility.com, using the promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout.

"It’s what we DO with our time that makes the biggest difference” — and that’s particularly true if you’ve been told you don’t have many eggs left in your reserve.Rather than rushing straight into a round of IVF and working against your eggs’ innate tendencies, women are learning how to lower the internal chatter created by thoughts of scarcity and not-enoughness…Former fertility patient Maureen describes her process in this inspiring episode — as she describes how she went from “diminished reserve” to “mother”; and explains why she’d do it all the same over again to create the life she has now.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com - the home of the first online fertility Masterclass and ancillary courses, including programs for Egg Freezing, Endometriosis and Healing After Loss.Listeners save 20% using promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout on SeedFertility.com.

This interesting conversation between Danica and Dr Tannaz Tolou presents the idea of “Individualized Care” and how the simple act of listening to our patients can reveal pathways to diagnosis and success.Topics covered in this episode include: navigating the adverse effects of diet (sugar), stress, inflammation, our immune system, endometriosis, PCOS, and male factor.This interview attempts to bring awareness to the fact that there IS more patients can do to help themselves succeed on their fertility journey; as knowledge really is powerful… especially in this field of nuanced medicine.Dr Tolou generously shares her insights into a variety of different IVF protocols and why some are more effective than others; and she discusses a few of the most important diagnostic tests and procedures that should be considered to help fertility patients move forward on their journey.Also mentioned is a discussion of the ways in which fertility doctors are changing some of the traditional IVF approaches to match the needs of their patients in the post-covid era.To contact Dr Tannaz Tolou for an appointment or to learn more about her practice, call 818.881.9800, email [email protected] or visit www.center4fertility.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com. Listeners interested in improving the holistic aspect of their fertility journey can save 20% on all Seed Fertility online courses by using the promo code BABYMAKERS at checkout.

The diagnosis of PTSD, until recently, has mostly been assigned to war veterans and victims of assault. However, the traumatizing struggle that many women and couples face when dealing with a diagnosis of infertility is ongoing. It’s not limited to an isolated event or circumstance. “Fertility PTSD”, by comparison to typical PTSD, subjects its patients to be re-triggered on a regularly repeating basis.As fertility patients “hang in”, month after challenging month, they develop a range of symptoms that include: an inability to trust, difficulty feeling safe, anxiety and panic, insomnia, isolation and physiological symptoms such as palpitations and in some cases, sympathetic shock which arises as they approach routine ultrasounds and exams, procedures and protocols.With each cycle attempt, they courageously tell themselves to “fight the good fight” and ignore bodily cues of dysregulation, in hopes of conceiving, staying pregnant and moving beyond the reproductive life chapter.This episode with Maternal Mental Health Psychologist, Dr Ivy Margulies, explains the physiological connection behind the metaphorical phrase “The Uterus Is Our Second Heart”; as the powerful connection between our mind’s perceptionand our body’s physiology can no longer be denied in this vulnerable community.Dr Ivy is an expert in the field of women’s reproductive psychology. She has dedicated her life to the mission of helping women during all stages of womanhood; including everything from infertility and childlessness, to loss of babies, infants and children, and including the grief that occurs due to the loss of their long held family building dream.As Dr Ivy explained, “When you’re stuck in feeling, you’re not thinking (rationally)”.This episode gives women (and their partners) a plethora of perspective, information, insights and effective strategies to better understand PTSD… as it pertains to baby-making and parenthood.Dr Ivy Margulies is taking new clients, in-person and virtually. Visit her website www.DrIvyLove.com to learn more; or reach out directly via email to schedule: [email protected] episode was sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the original resource of online fertility education. For specific tools to reconcile pregnancy loss and grief associated with infertility, consider Healing After Loss — a course available inside SeedFertility.com that provides a downloadable workbook, a new perspective, and unique strategies to restore the hope that often gets lost along the way to motherhood. Use promo code BABYMAKERS and save 20%.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

In this very personal episode, Danica recounts her experience with Family Constellations facilitator, Leah Kalish of Los Angeles, exposing the healing power that awaits us once we release **generational trauma we’ve inherited from our parents…If your fertility journey has solely consisted of discouraging lab values, poor egg counts, procedures and protocols, you’ll find this discussion about Family Constellations & Embodiment Processing (somatic work) refreshing; as Leah Kalish explains how this subtle form of healing reorganizes your physiology to create more order and more alignment with optimal health and abundance.Healing the “mother wound” is a big one for many of us struggling with fertility issues. Making the choice to open our hearts and wombs to a greater flow of energy within the field of consciousness and divine love allows old trauma to be integrated.This type of shifting feels like a new imperative, especially as we are consciously creating a more evolved future generation!Leah Kalish is accepting new clients. To construct your own Family Constellation and experience the somatic embodiment process explained in this episode, visit LeahKalish.com.The Babymakers Fertility Podcast is brought to you by SeedFertility.com. Listeners will receive 20% off the price of any Seed Fertility course using the promocode BABYMAKERS20 at checkout.

Thinking about hypnosis can conjure up a mental image of spinning eyes and possible manipulation (!!), but… allowingoneself to be guided into a trance state can be exactly what patients need in order to create important changes on the subconscious level;This episode will explain how certified hypnotherapist Iris Sutalo uses the science of neuroplasticity to calm her clients’ anxiety, and using very little “woo woo” flowery language, she moves them beyond their limited beliefs, outdated patterning and mental blocks — those nagging doubts that so frequently crop up when we’re on the path to baby.A session typically begins by creating a SAFE SPACE, staying attuned to what’s happening in the PRESENT MOMENT, and helping them to RELAX are the first steps in creating a successful hypnosis session that can play a valuable role in setting up a future that consists of a NEW story…

Making the bedroom safe again after IVF and infertility” is rarely talked about but it’s one of the more common and vulnerable topics that show up everyday in the treatment rooms of fertility acupuncturists.This interesting conversation between Danica and Dr Denise Wiesner, L.Ac., DACM, a fellow acupuncturist & author of Conceiving With Love, reveals how they serve the community, filling in as “wise women mystics”, with the unenviable task of keeping patients focused on what truly matters; especially when life starts to revolve around a new type of burning desire — the biological imperative to become parents.For fertility acupuncturists, life becomes rich with the rewards of helping patients pick themselves up after multiple cycle attempts fail and disappointment occurs month after month, when they face unexpected delays, and confront a myriad of tough life choices.Danica and Denise dish about their role to provide “holistic and emotional support” and what it means to help perspectivize their patients when they’re presented with controversial decisions and heartbreaking choices; such as: what to do with mosaic embryos, discovering a bicornuate uterus, conceiving multiples and selective reduction, facing new fertility changes in a post-pandemic era, and overcoming the anxiety/depression that arises when perimenopause looms…These are just a few of the stressful issues that can be less harrowing if you have a skillful holistic team in place. Our goal for this episode is to help you know that if you’re dealing with infertility, you don’t have to face it alone.To schedule or learn more about Dr Denise Wiesner, L.Ac., DACM, click here: https://naturalhealingacupuncture.com/To work with Danica and her team of holistic providers, either virtually or in-person in Los Angeles, visit wellpeoplehealing.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the leader in online fertility education… Empowering fertility patients worldwide using a combination of Fertile Thoughts and Fertile Foods.Use promocode BABYMAKERS20 to receive 20% all courses at SeedFertility.com and take back some control in a journey that feels out of your control.

We’re kicking off Season 2 of The Babymakers by bringing back Larissa Laskin and getting inside Danica’s head — to understand how and why she created The Seed Fertility Masterclass.The two women dish about the emotions, the triumphs, the recipes, the twists & turns, and personal growth that occurs when we’re building a family.Truly understanding and accepting what’s happening and taking a completely different look at the process of trying to conceive — that’s what helps women become mothers.The wisdom, confidence and personal development that happens along the way is what makes our fertility journey worthwhile.Join Danica and Larissa now as they reconnect and reflect on the various applications of Danica’s online offerings, and what she’s learned about the women who’ve used her courses successfully.Babymakers listeners can receive 20% off any course at SeedFertility.com, using the promo code: BABYMAKERS at checkout.

If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully for one year or longer to conceive, you’re likely frustrated and scratching your head about what to do with a diagnosis of ‘UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY’…In this episode Danica interviews Dr Nina Vyas of California Fertility Partners to discuss the rationale behind a step-by-step process of elimination to screen for impediments to pregnancy.You’ll appreciate this check list of sorts… as Dr Vyas starts with a thorough discussion of the OVARIES, then she covers all tests relevant to the UTERUS, and then MALE FACTOR.If you’ve been looking for answers, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.To contact Dr Nina Vyas, visit CaliforniaFertilityPartners.com or call 310.828.4008.

Fertility treatment can create heightened anxiety for even the most pragmatic women. Particularly during the quarantine, fertility anxiety went off the charts, and the layers of stress were correlated with poorer outcomes for the women and couples trying to conceive.What we learned from that era is valuable and so important now, as we face different life challenges and new sources of perceived stress.In this episode, Danica sits down with former fertility patient Sarah Adina to retell her story as a wild but beautiful adventure — now that she’s made it to the other side, a.k.a. Parenthood.This episode is sponsored by seedfertility.com - the first online resource for fertility. Save 20% of any fertility course using code BABYMAKERS at checkout.The episode is also sponsored by wellpeople Integrative Healing Center in Los Angeles.Follow for updates on Instagram @wellpeoplehealing. Or schedule a session here: www. Wellpeoplehealing.com.Thank you for listening! Please subscribe for notifications on next week’s episode. We welcome your questions and comments at @babymakers_podcast.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

Trusting again in our body after multiple disappointments eventually leads to birthing ourselves as parents”, says world famous birth doula Lori Bregman.Finding areas of the babymaking journey where we can “reframe” what’s not happening into something that elevates us is so much better than being inauthentic with toxic positivity.This episode is a combination of woo woo and honest shares - we’re talking about what really happens during pregnancy, birthing and when things go so differently than planned.It’s a conversation that revolves around supporting women, helping them keep the faith when it’s hard, and introducing them to spiritual concepts, energy work and true healing after heartbreak.An open mind and an open heart help us to trust the process…Words matter, and what we THINK about our journey matters to us on a subconscious level. Using the power of visualization and repetition helps us attract what we desire and what we believe we deserve.Patient advocacy and birthing education that empowers patients? That’s how Lori steers her clients to avoid potential birthing trauma… she guides them to an experience they can reflect back on positively, many years later.Here you’ll learn about the “Aqua-dural” — a water birthing experience where women give birth at home with midwives; calmly welcoming a new baby into the world.After listening, you may want to join “The mama portal” - Lori’s virtual online community where members can get their questions answered and connect with other women making their way to pregnancy or onto a successful delivery.How we “show up” for this journey reveals where we are on our personal unfolding; so take a deep breath… sit back and prepare for the woo of baby-making, because taking this pathway really can make a positive difference.How to Contact Lori for an individual session? Email [email protected] Instagram @lbreggyBe sure to check out Needed.com for fertility, pregnancy, women’s health supplements for each stage of life.This episode is sponsored by seedfertility.com - the first online resource for fertility. Save 20% of any fertility course using code BABYMAKERS at checkout.The episode is also sponsored by wellpeople Integrative Healing Center in Los Angeles.Follow for updates on Instagram @wellpeoplehealing. Or schedule a session here: www. Wellpeoplehealing.com.Thank you for listening! Please subscribe for notifications on next week’s episode. We welcome your questions and comments at @babymakers_podcast.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

This conversation takes listeners on a path inward to demonstrate how the process of “trying to conceive” has the potential to reveal a new version of ourselves.Mindfulness, consciousness, breathwork and personal discovery are highlighted as techniques that women (and couples) may find helpful in overcoming the anxiety and nervous system upregulation that occurs during fertility treatment, and later, preparation for giving birth.This episode describes how Danica met Lauren and how the two of them worked together to create “Yoga for the 4 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle” for people using the Seed Fertility Program.Lauren blended her love for science, teaching, coaching and Yoga to create FertileFromWithin.com, her virtual fertility coaching program that guides women from stress to self-love, within the safety of community.Fertility Yoga movements for each of the 4 Phases of the Cycle is an intuitive process; it has the power to take people out of their heads and into a more open part of their mind… allowing access to more “fertile potential.”To learn more about Lauren Enright or to receive her FREE Mind-Body Toolkit, visit BreatheWithLauren.com. Her Instagram account Is @FertileFromWithin.The 4-Phase yoga routine she created for Seed Fertility is now available and can found inside the SeedFertility.comMASTERCLASS.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

This episode features Ali Prato, host of the award-winning podcast “Infertile AF”. As the co-founder of @fertilityrally, and the author of “Work of ART”, her new children’s book about family-building using IVF, Ali shares her own story and connects others through the power of storytelling and community. Anyone feeling alone, ashamed or scared to navigate the world of infertility will benefit from this empowering conversation filled with interesting perspective and insights that consistently help people move forward with support, increased fertile confidence, and a sense of resolve. You can follow Ali at @infertileAFstories; become a part of the @fertilityrally community, or purchase her book here: https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)

Dr. Michael Vermesh and Danica discuss memorable stories collected during 20 years of working together with IVF patients previously labeled as “tough cases”.Using "old school" IVF protocols and low doses of medication may offer women diagnosed with Advanced Maternal Age, Premature Ovarian Failure, or Diminished Ovarian Reserve, the chance to create a successful pregnancy where other protocols and approaches have failed.Dr. Vermesh explains the value of looking at “the whole person” (viewing patients holistically in terms of their stress levels, relationship, overall health and emotional state), which can put patients at ease while creating the feeling of working together as a babymaking team.The role of the immune system in reproductive medicine is highlighted in this episode; because it’s another area where treatment can make all the difference in creating a successful outcome.It can be difficult to predict or properly diagnose autoimmune issues that affect fertility because certain immune markers may not become elevated until fertilization and implantation take place. Dr Vermesh explains how he is using a simple infusion of Intralipids to reduce the number of pregnancy losses, by reducing an overactive natural killer cell response.To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Vermesh, visit www.center4fertility.com.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

In this special episode, Ashley Marrs, daughter of IVF pioneer doctors Richard Marrs & Joyce Vargyas, shares what it was like to grow up in a family known internationally for creating the first human being in the United States from a frozen embryo!From an appearance on CNN News in her mother’s arms as a newborn baby, to the transition of her nursing career into the world of IVF, Ashley recalls the details of her own PCOS healing journey that led her to have kids despite hormone challenges.This conversation explains the important role of PATIENT EMPOWERMENT in the IVF process — and how empowered patients can address the myriad of emotions that accompany repeated disappointment and frustration from failed IVF attempts.Ashley’s work as an IVF nurse included helping patients understand the different IVF medication protocols, assisting in what we now call Individualized Care. Instead of “cookie cutter” cycles and repeating what wasn’t working, Ashley taught patients how to advocate for changes and how to face the deeper, personal discovery moments that show up on this medical pathway to baby.Join Danica and Ashley Marrs (Woods) as they discuss various IVF strategies learned along the way, while working in the trenches with thousands of fertility patients.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

In this most soothing episode, Dr Samantha Munson, a PhD specializing in mindfulness and health psychology, explains how a meditation practice can really help when we want to turn to fear and give in to anxiety… Setting reasonable expectations, embracing the fact that our minds are made to wander, and becoming more comfortable with uncertainty are just a few ways to allow mindfulness to become a useful component of your babymaking journey. Dr Samantha Munson is the founder of Grow True Psychology; she also practices in Los Angeles at wellpeople Integrative Healing Center.Her focus in Health Psychology can bring healing benefits to clients experiencing:-life adjustment-health conditions, such as cancer, chronic pain, illness or infertility-relationship stress-anxiety-transitions-depressionTo schedule with Dr Munson or to learn more about her practice, please visit www.growtruepsychology.com (http://www.growtruepsychology.com/). This episode is sponsored by @wellpeoplehealing and @seedfertility. For a limited time, listeners can receive 20% off the price of any course inside SeedFertility.com, using the promo code BABYMAKERS Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

Women on the fertility journey struggle with feeling alone, broken, confused and often will grapple with shame… This endearing conversation with Sally Hayes cracks open the hearts of listeners and helps them know that there’s a community here that’s got their back (and their womb!).Through the organizations she’s founded (@WomenInSelfHealing and @WeAreMatrikas) and her proprietary abdominal massage series (known as ”The WISH Method”), she has assisted countless women in creating a treasured collaborative healthcare team.In this episode you’ll learn why it’s important to prioritize self-care as a woman (before, during and after pregnancy); and learn the specific benefits of receiving abdominal massage if you’re dealing with menstrual pain, trying to conceive, preparing for IVF Embryo Transfer, experiencing pregnancy complaints or healing in the postpartum.To contact Sally Hayes for more info, please visit her websites:www.womeninselfhealing.com and www.womanwellbeingcollaborative.com.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Balanced hormones are essential for babymaking, so we interviewed integrative wellness expert Dr Taz Bhatia (author of The Hormone Shift and Super Woman Rx ) to learn more about optimizing ovarian potential and improving fertility. In this info-packed episode, Dr Danica and Dr Taz break down the three most common ovarian challenges for women on the fertility journey: hypothalamic ovulatory dysfunction PCOS Premature Ovarian Failure due to a diagnosis of premature menopause The first step in returning the ovaries to a state of balance involves understanding what creates imbalance in the first place. A pioneer in the field of integrative women’s reproductive health, Dr Taz shares her unique diagnostic system, innovative health strategies, and her unique experience as a holistic physician who transitioned her medical practice from the ER to the world of integrative medicine. Dr Taz is a “super woman” and a super doctor; she’s knowledgeable, innovative and incredibly passionate about helping other women become more empowered about their hormones. Whether you’re navigating preconception, muddling through a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, or navigating peri/post menopause, this conversation will provide new insights that point you in a solid direction forward. To see Dr Taz in Los Angeles, email [email protected], or learn more about her Centre Spring clinic in Atlanta: Sponsoredcentrespringmd.comhttps://www.centrespringmd.comDr. Taz Bhatia M.D. | Integrative & Holistic Doctor AtlantaExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

This is one of the best feel-good episodes of The Babymakers Podcast, as wives Toby & Lindsay share details about their VIRAL babymaking story — when they made headlines as “2 Lesbian Wives Pregnant At The Same Time!”This story involves many of the typical fertility hurdles and hiccups (ie. miscarriage, polyps, upsetting ultrasounds, and worry about male factor), but it drives home the idea that keeping an OPEN HEART & MIND is key to family building in today’s complicated world.You’ll love hearing how the two supported each other in a process that felt frustrating at times with so much uncertainty, and how the journey taught them to control what they could while allowing something bigger than themselves to handle the rest.Both women describe what the process was like for them — from the early days when they both used The Seed Fertility Program to improve their fertility, all the way to the moment when they delivered their babies within weeks of each other.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Endearing partnerships can be formed between medical doctors and holistic practitioners to provide fertility patients with a sense of cohesive support and a sense of deeper meaning to the overall experience of infertility treatment. This episode highlights many shared memories and points of connection between Danica and Dr Guy Ringler.In this interview, Dr Ringler acknowledges the positive impact of “patient empowerment” especially in this challenging field of medicine, the power of storytelling to provide inspiration at the right time, and the benefits to be gained by taking a holistic approach to baby-making.Dr Ringler is known internationally for helping gay men become fathers through surrogacy and egg donation. After 30 years and several thousand successful live births, Dr Ringler still feels passionate about his work, and the listeners will feel his dedication in this very heartwarming interview.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

In this illuminating episode actress Brenda Strong, voice of Mary Alice from Desperate Housewives and the former Spokesperson of the American Fertility Association, emphasizes the power of energetic healing, breathwork and spiritual consciousness in downplaying fear, doubt and the need to control.Brenda describes the term “Divine Feminine” as empowering for both women AND men, because the act of surrendering, being patient, finding balance and embracing vulnerability can strengthen us as complete individuals.Sharing our stories and making our mess into our message, as ways to combat the shame that often accompanies the family-building journey.Watch Brenda’s TED Talk about breathing as a way to combat the stress and uncertainty that accompanies infertility, by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jQMTR_t8vgExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Improving fertility often takes a village, and in this episode, Danica interviews one of her mentors, Dr Daoshing Ni, to discuss the role of the acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine in overcoming obstacles to family-building.A respected pioneer, teacher and specialist in the field of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for fertility, “Dr Dao” has imparted his wisdom and insights about this ancient form of energy medicine to help thousands of women conceive against the odds.If you’ve been struggling to get pregnant or stay pregnant, if you’re dealing with endometriosis or have a male partner with impaired sperm parameters, or if you’re considering a career as a fertility acupuncturist, you’ll gain deeper understanding and perspective from this heartwarming interview.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

There’s an outdated paradigm occurring in the fertility space — it’s the assumption that miscarriage and failed attempts to conceive are mostly due to “bad eggs”. Turns out, male factor (sperm issues) are now believed to be causing 50% of the problem in poor fertility outcomes.When besties Ronit Menashe and Vida Delrahim experienced pregnancy loss within one week of each other, the search for answers began. This episode uncovers what they learned about prenatal vitamins, mens’ health, antioxidants, the thyroid and the value gained from emphasizing holistic health.All too often and for far too long, the burden of improving fertility outcomes has been placed primarily on the female partner. Ronit and Vida, as co-founders of WeNatal, are on a mission to help bring more balance to the equation and that’s resulting in more pregnancies and happier couples.For a FREE bottle of WeNatal fish oil with the purchase of a subscription of the him & her prenatal http://shrsl.com/2jge8-33xf-1f7o3Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

IVF Pioneer Dr Richard Marrs joins Danica in this compelling, factual story of the early days of IVF. Dr Marrs explains the origin of IVF science to address women’s fertility challenges with pelvic inflammatory disease in the 1970s and discusses his role in the refinement of ovarian stimulation protocols in the 1980s and 1990s that have shaped the successful IVF protocols used to this day.This episode shares an inside view of the history of assisted reproductive technology and expands into the disturbing negative fertility outcomes that occurred as possible side effects of COVID (ie. viral antibodies, vaccines, and the stress associated with lockdown during the pandemic).Dr Marrs’ visionary insights, collaborative research moments and 50 years of clinical patient care form the basis for this discussion about IVF and how it has been used successfully to create more than 4 million humans as of 2024.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS)

Receiving a diagnosis of “unexplained” infertility that may include Recurrent Pregnancy Loss can be a heartbreaking, unnerving experience for women/couples who feel ready to have a baby. Oftentimes, these problematic cases are the end result of having endometriosis, an inflammatory condition that affects the pelvic structures and reproductive system.Expert endometriosis excision surgeon Larry Orbuch joins this episode to explain what endo looks like, why it works against our efforts to conceive, how it impacts other body systems, and how recent advancements in technology have made endometriosis excision surgery more effective than ever.When endo surgery (laparoscopy) is paired with a holistic approach that may include acupuncture, pelvic floor physical therapy, nutrition and gut health, a woman’s fertility is frequently improved — along with her quality of life.You can find Dr. Larry Orbuch at lagyndoc.com and on social media as @drlarryorbuchExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

This empowering episode tackles four complex taboo subjects that women often deal with in silence until they show up on the fertility journey — vulvadynia, painful sex, thyroid dysfunction and menstrual pain. Getting a diagnosis of endometriosis to address these interconnected conditions requires persistence, patience and perseverance. If you’re struggling with pain or have experienced unexplained miscarriage(s), this episode is for you.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

This episode discusses the spectrum of grief that shows up in the process of family-building. From the loss of the dream of an effortless pregnancy, to the loss of pregnancies or live children, the fertility journey typically insists that we learn how to pick up the pieces and continue moving forward. Psychologist Debi Frankle, often referred to as “The Grief Lady” from the Calabasas Counseling & Grief Center, presents numerous strategies for resolving the heartache and paralysis that loss leaves in its wake.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

Highlighting the roles of nutrition, mindset and personal development that are pivotal when preparing for pregnancy, “awakening fertility” author Heng Ou shares insights and wisdom she’s inherited from her traditional Asian relatives. This episode reveals differences in diet and perspective that are effective in helping women overcome fertility challenges – by quieting their minds and listening for the whispers of unborn babies.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

The decision to turn to a third-party when building a family is far from easy. This episode helps listeners feel more at ease by demystifying the process, managing anxiety along the way, and keeping the focus on what really matters.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)