Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

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Ep 13 Love Makes a Family: An Adoption Story with Cathie Quillet Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

There are many ways to build a family, and today we're talking about adoption. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Cathie Quillet, a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and public speaker, to expound on the ins and outs of adoption.

This episode focuses on Cathie's endometriosis diagnosis that forever changed her perspective on building a family. Cathie shares her story on overcoming immense fertility challenges—including multiple miscarriages, IVF, partial hysterectomy, and oophorectomy—as part of her journey to adoption. Additional topics discussed include an overview of adoption agencies, deciding between domestic and international adoptions, adoption waiting lists, adoption costs, and a step-by-step guide to adoption.

You can learn more about Cathie here: https://thequilletinstitute.com/about-cathie/

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

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This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank.

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Ep 12 Against the Odds: Having a Baby Naturally After Failing IVF with Kaci Aitchison Boyle Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

Each person's fertility journey can be full of surprises, and Baby or Bust guest Kaci Aitchison Boyle is no exception. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with communications master (and former patient) Kaci to discuss her experience undergoing years of fertility treatments—and a surprise pregnancy at age 40.

This episode focuses on Kaci's fertility story, starting with the common misconception from adolescence that getting pregnant is easy for everyone. Kaci shares her challenges starting a family, learning about different fertility treatments, undergoing multiple rounds of IUI and IVF, and the experience of being a parent after loss. For anyone struggling to build a family, this episode will provide you with comfort and hope.

You can learn more about Kaci here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaciaitchison/

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

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Ep 11 Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Through Infertility with Dr. Ali Domar from Harvard University Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Let's get to the heart of emotional stress and its impact on physical health. Reproductive endocrinologist and host Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Dr. Ali Domar, a world leader in mind-body medicine, for an honest discussion about stress, infertility, grief, empathy, and the many different emotions that come with family building.

Dr. Domar is a pioneer in the application of mind/body medicine and reproductive health, and in this episode, she sheds light on the discoveries she's made about stress and the body throughout her career. Dr. Shahine and Dr. Domar dive right into stress and its correlation with infertility, along with the benefits of developing mind/body management skills. Additional points of discussion include the differences between the way men and women process stress with infertility, the emotional impact of IVF between partners, and celebrities' impact—for better and for worse—on the way we understand infertility.

You can learn more about Dr. Domar here: www.dralicedomar.com

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

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Ep 10 When Infertility is the Man's Fault with Laura and Jon Summers from Infertility Man Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

Infertility can feel like a women's club, but men are also affected by the emotional tolls. Dr. Lora Shahine speaks with Jon and Laura of Infertility Man (a website, YouTube channel, and soon-to-be book) to share their perspective on building a family through IVF after Jon survived testicular cancer.

Jon and Laura chat about their decision to proceed with IVF, document their fertility story online, and mission to illuminate the male factor in infertility. The two recount undergoing 14+ egg retrievals and IVF cycles, share tips for improving couples' communication and discuss finding normalcy through daily routines.

You can learn more about Jon and Laura here: https://www.infertilityman.com

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

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Ep 9 IVF is Not Like Ordering Off A Menu and Other Celebrity Misconceptions with Jennifer "Jay" Palumbo Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Buckle up for some frank conversations about infertility. In this episode of Baby or Bust, host Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Jennifer "Jay" Palumbo, an award-winning writer, stand-up comic, and infertility advocate, to discuss pop culture's role in misconceptions about IVF and fertility.

Our guest, an infertility warrior and women's health advocate, brings a refreshing voice to mainstream fertility discussions. Lora and Jennifer discuss the nuances of fertility-related controversies by prominent figures (including Paris Hilton, Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, Lena Dunham, and Janet Jackson) and clarify misunderstandings about fertility in public discourse.

You can learn more about Jennifer here: https://wonderwomanwriter.com/

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

Advertising Inquiries: info@audiotocracy.com

Ep 8 Validating Your Own Fertility Journey with Kaela McDougall from 'Infertile Mafia' Podcast Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

This episode acknowledges the loneliness of infertility and support systems to help. Reproductive endocrinologist and host Dr. Lora Shahine meets with podcaster and advocate Kaela McDougall to discuss the pain of infertility, humor as a tool for healing, and the special connection shared between those who have experienced infertility.

Kaela is the co-host of The Infertile Mafia, a podcast dedicated to sharing truths about infertility, IVF, and trying to conceive. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Kaela tells her story about experiencing infertility, starting her podcast, and finding solace in the strong community she's discovered on social media. Lora and Kaela explore the benefits of honoring your emotions, finding strength in vulnerability, and advocating for yourself.

You can find more about Kaela here: https://infertilemafia.podbean.com/

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

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Advertising Inquiries: info@audiotocracy.com

Ep 7 When and How to See a Fertility Specialist with Dr. Natalie Crawford from Fora Fertility Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

It's tough to know when to see a fertility doctor, and this episode will help you figure out the right time. Host Dr. Lora Shahine joins friend and fellow reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford for an informative chat about their work, including misleading media portrayals and relationships with infertility patients.

As doctors who have committed their careers to helping others build families, Dr. Shahine and Dr. Crawford have seen it all. This episode debunks common misconceptions—IVF recommendations, waiting periods before seeing a fertility doctor, patient ages—through a lens of compassion. This episode gives a run-through of what you can expect in your first visit, finding a clinic that's a good fit, and considerations with at-home testing.

You can learn more about Dr. Natalie Crawford here: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

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Ep 6 Lesbian Family Building Options with Jaimie and Robin from 'If These Ovaries Could Talk' Podcast Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

When you're in the LGBTQ+ community, there's a lot to navigate with parenthood. Today, host Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins, creators and authors of the podcast and book If These Ovaries Could Talk, for an enlightening conversation about building—and celebrating—families of all forms.

This episode is a crash course on the reproductive possibilities within the LGBTQ+ community. Jaimie, Robin, and Lora discuss reproductive discrimination, second-parent adoption laws, and deciding the road that's right for you. Lora also shares her medical insight on reproductive possibilities among a couple with uteruses and ovaries, such as receiving donor sperm and undergoing reciprocal IVF.

You can find more about Jaimie and Robin here: https://www.ovariestalk.com

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

Advertising Inquiries: info@audiotocracy.com

Ep 5 Donor Egg Family Building with Dr. Shannon Clark from Babies After 35 Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Today, we're talking all about egg donors as a way of building your family. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Dr. Shannon Clark, a double board-certified OB/GYN, and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, who became pregnant via egg donor after multiple failed cycles of IVF.

While Dr. Clark is a physician, she's also experienced life as a fertility patient. In this episode, Dr. Clark tells her story about building a family after 40 and the ultimate decision to use an egg donor. She and Dr. Shahine discuss the beauty of egg donations, egg donor registry selections, celebrating your journey, and more.

You can learn more about Dr. Shannon Clark here: https://www.babiesafter35.com

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

Advertising Inquiries: info@audiotocracy.com

Ep 4 Black Women and Fertility: Less Judgement, More Understanding with Filmmaker Chiquita Lockley Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Infertility affects people from all walks of life, but why are Black women twice as likely to suffer from infertility and half as likely to seek treatment?

In this thought-provoking episode of Baby or Bust Chiquita Lockley, film director, and producer, discusses the perception and reality of infertility in the Black community with our host Dr. Lora Shahine.

This episode explores the complex relationship between fertility treatment and the Black community, spawning from historical burdens, stigmas, assumptions, and shame. With a determination to educate through documentary filmmaking, Chiquita reflects on the mission and goals for her ground-breaking documentary film on fertility in the Black community, Eggs Over Easy.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:00] Infertility in the Black community

[2:18] Chiquita's personal journey and inspiration for her documentary

[6:39] The impacts of infertility and miscarriage

[11:08] The financial and medical barriers of infertility

[14:31] Shame and stigma around infertility in the Black community

[16:20] Personal stories and advocacy

[19:18] Representation and education

[19:37] What you can do to help

Connect with Chiquita Lockley:

LinkedIn- www.linkedin.com/in/chiquita-lockley-61333692

IG - @quitawrites

Easy Over Easy Film www.eggsovereasyfilm.com

Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media:

Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

This episode of Baby Or Bust was produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, Bray's Run Productions, and Greg Moga. Executive produced by Nick Panella and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media.

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