In this Stork’d Munchkin, Michelle Yu discusses how companies are starting to recognize the value of working mothers and providing the right support to those working parents to help them thrive
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Michelle Yu co-founded Josie, a company designed to support new moms re-entering the workforce, using their “three pillars” to facilitate success. Josie works directly with the employer to educate and create an infrastructure of resources and policies, coaching to the new parent and, last of all, managerial training. Studies support working mothers bringing skills to the workplace such as empathy, the ability to listen and multitasking, functions they perform daily at home. Could the American culture contribute to the challenges women face when returning to the workforce after welcoming a newborn into their home? Don’t miss this enlightening episode that will educate employers, managers and new parents.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[3:03] Michelle shares her career background, and she recognized when she re-entered the workforce an unmet need, so she founded Josie
[6:36] There is data supporting employers appreciate mothers being in a leadership role because of the exact skills they use at home, they bring to the office and discussion regarding education needed to provide support for working moms at the business level
[8:58] Michelle feels that an essential component of returning to work for a thriving transition is to decide what your values and vision are going forward and get support from family and employee support groups
[13:05] What about the mom who does not have the resources or family support, and what resources does Josie provide
[18:24] Research about parenting in the US and talk about a parenting crisis
[22:39] Michelle explains how the interaction between her program and clients works and what she sees for the future
[27:19] What Michelle would want new parents to know and what her challenges are as a mom of a three and five-year-old
[33:06] Unmet expectations can defeat you
[41:01] Michelle shares what family means to her
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Moms ready to re-enter the workforce often don’t have the support they need because no program is in place at work that addresses the unique situation of working and having an infant at home.
When the transition back to work is unsuccessful, mothers can feel that they have unmet expectations and that they are failing their infant. Services like Josie can assist them through the transition.
Many businesses do not offer parental leave. This can cause women to be emotionally and physically exhausted, often causing them to leave the workforce because of the cost of child care.
RESOURCE LINKS:
https://myjosie.com/
BIOGRAPHY:
Michelle Yu is the CEO at Josie, whose mission is to transform the working parent experience. Her work focuses on cultural transformation at the organizational level and personalized support at the individual level to drive retention and engagement among the working parent population.
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Chelsea Conaboy discusses scientific research about the changes that occur in your brain in anyone responsible for the ongoing care of a baby, not just birthing mothers.
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In this Stork’d Munchkin, Chelsea Conaboy discusses scientific research on why the brain undergoes profound changes and expose the flaws perpetuated by the myth that mothering is solely a woman's domain, known as "maternal instinct."
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Many new parents share that they feel a shift in identity as they begin to care for a child in the house. It can be hard to identify what’s changed and why. If you have ever found yourself as a parent thinking, “I feel the same but also so different, why?” or “what is happening to me? Why do I feel the way I do?”, or “who am I now that I am a parent?” this episode is for you.
Chelsea Conaboy, author of Mother Brain, shares that this transformation into new parenthood has a scientific basis, affecting mothers and all individuals caring for an infant. The brain is being rewired for nurturing. She will share her scientific research on why the brain undergoes profound changes and expose the flaws perpetuated by the myth that mothering is solely a woman's domain, known as "maternal instinct." In truth, these changes occur in anyone responsible for the ongoing care of a baby. Get ready to discover the science behind the shift in all our brains, regardless of gender or parental role.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[3:03] Chelsea shares what drove her to write the book Mother Brain
[6:36] Chelsea discusses the concept of maternal instinct versus the science of the brain when you become a parent
[13:10] Discussion of the research in this field
[18:13] What advice would Chelsea give to a new parent? She describes the guilt she experienced when she had her son
[23:26] Chelsea dives into when you should seek help for your feelings and what she would change in our culture
[29:36] There is an impact on the entire family dynamic when a baby comes into the home, affecting even the relationships you have with other parents
[35:09] Chelsea would like to see more research in the area of fathers, non gestational parents and social policy
[38:01] Chelsea stresses that when you need help, ask for it, and a discussion of solo parenting and the shame they endure
[45:18] Discussion of how the human brain has developed over time, Chelsea's view of family and how her research has informed her parenting
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The maternal instinct theory has been passed down through generations trying to explain what goes on within the brain of a woman who has a child or cares for a child.
Two things shape the parental brain. One is hormones, and the other is experience. Babies are such powerful stimuli for the brain that anyone caring for them also experiences hormonal changes.
The bottom line for parents is that having a newborn is a process. It is hard, and that is normal. Accept that your brain changes when you commit to caring for an infant. Don't feel guilty if you struggle with how you feel inside.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY: Chelsea Conaboy
I am a health and science journalist. I started my career at the small but mighty Concord Monitor in New Hampshire, where I discovered my love for narrative writing. I wrote about health care at the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Boston Globe, and I was part of the Globe staff that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings. For three years, I led the features report at the Portland Press Herald in Maine, where I edited weekly sections on arts and entertainment, books, food, and sustainable living. My writing has also been published by The New York Times, Mother Jones, Politico, the Boston Sunday Globe magazine, National Journal, The Week, ParentMap, and WBUR. I have been a fellow with the Poynter Institute, the National Library of Medicine and the Health Coverage Fellowship led by writer Larry Tye.
Mother Brain: How Neuroscience Is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood, published by Henry Holt & Co., is my first book. The writing and reporting of Mother Brain was supported by a generous grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Public Understanding of Science and Technology Program. Parts of Mother Brain were written in the cabins of the Hewnoaks Artist Residency.
In this Stork’d Munchkin, James Mahan discusses anonymity of sperm donors and how some states are moving away from complete anonymity to European models that allow children of sperm donors to know where they came from.
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In this Stork’d Munchkin, James Mahan discusses how surrogacy law differs in each state and what you need to know in terms of contracts and such.
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Going through a fertility journey, you need a great fertility doctor and…. a lawyer? Both intended parents and those helping them conceive by donating sperm, eggs, embryos or serving as surrogates need lawyers to protect their rights and support the intention behind the relationship. James Mahan, a seasoned attorney and founder of The Surrogates Corner, brings his expertise to discuss putting your family-building intentions into a contractIn today’s episode Julia speaks with James to learn all the details of current fertility law practices including how and when to seek legal support, the are current political and ethical trends impacting fertility law and how the law and your emotions intersect. This episode unpacks crucial details about contracts, surrogate rights, donor selection (both egg and sperm), and the ever-evolving legal landscape of surrogacy across different states. While challenges may arise, the fulfillment of building a family outweighs the hurdles. If this topic resonates with you or someone you know, tune in for this informative episode!
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:56] James shares how he became familiar with surrogacy and his naval background
[8:04] James discusses the differences between being egg, sperm and embryo donors
[12:07] Anonymous donations are not guaranteed, and the trend is moving in that direction
[16:32] Contracts have changed because the entire space has changed, and James discusses various clauses intended parents and surrogates want to be included in their contracts
[23:09] James discusses the under-representation of specific communities looking for donors from that community and how different states have different laws regarding surrogacy
[34:19] James discusses personhood rights, abortion rights and the rights of the surrogate
[39:08] Discussion of embryo donation, storage, gifting embryos and egg-freezing exchange
[45:39] Financial caps for egg donors versus sperm donors and when should a lawyer be engaged
[51:42] James “undefines” family
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
In the past, women who had a child through surrogacy often moved to avoid the stigma of not being able to become pregnant. Surrogacy is now an accepted way of building a family today.
Anonymous donations are not practical for the child for several reasons. Emotionally, they may want to know their parentage, and knowledge is power if there is a medical situation in the future.
Each state has its laws regarding surrogacy. Some states do not allow compensated surrogacy. Get informed about your state law before deciding to become a surrogate or an intended parent in your state.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY: James Mahan
I went to graduate school at Cambridge University and found myself boxing for the Cambridge University team. I had the fortunate experience of winning my Cambridge-Oxford bout and earned my Varsity Blue (essentially a varsity letter in the sport). My experience boxing and practicing in the ring became a metaphor for this new blog and law firm, The Surrogate’s Corner.
While still on Active Duty, I was able to return to my alma mater to teach in the Economics Department. During my time teaching at the Naval Academy and throughout my three years in law school, I worked for my parents’ law firm, getting to learn the ropes of the surrogacy field and Third-Party Reproduction law (TPR), which is also referred to strangely as ART law (Assisted Reproductive Technology). That became the focus of my law career. After graduating from Stanford in 2018, I earned my license in California and started taking over the day-to-day operations of the firm’s ART practice.
My experience working with Surrogates has always been meaningful and insightful. I began to hear stories from Surrogates who felt like they were on their own when it came to disagreements or uncertainties regarding the legal aspects of the surrogacy process, especially so after their initial surrogacy contracts were signed. Surrogacy agencies tried to help the matches succeed but often had to be the neutral referee between the Gestational Carrier and Intended Parent(s) when things got challenging. Many attorneys working with Surrogates are only hired to review their contracts. After that, if a Surrogate has questions or issues, they can find themselves independently without legal assistance unless they are willing to pay for it themselves.
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Gail Sexton Anderson discusses the role Donor Concierge plays in finding their clients' surrogates and the process around that.
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In this Stork’d Munchkin, Gail Sexton Anderson discusses the role of characteristics and DNA in finding a donor and potential complexities and tips when choosing a donor.
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Curious about how to find an egg donor, sperm donor or surrogate? Gail Sexton Anderson, the visionary behind Donor Concierge, addresses all of these questions and provides insights about how the process operates and who covers expenses.
Donor Concierge assists clients requiring third party fertility (aka donor or surrogacy support) in their family building journey. Choosing someone outside your family to enable your family to grow can be really complicated and emotional and together we explore all these nuances. Gail and her team are dedicated to supporting clients through every step. If using a donor or a surrogate is on your mind, this episode is not to be missed—it's brimming with vital information.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:51] Gail explains what services the Donor Concierge provides and defines language used in the field
[6:36] Gail shares the details of how Donor Concierges operates, how they assist clients navigating through the donor field and what clients are looking for in their search
[18:06] There are three types of searches: egg donor, sperm donor and surrogacy search. What kinds of information are shared, and what are good reasons for openness in the process rather than anonymity
[26:59] Where are surrogates found, and what are the trends
[35:44] What is the future of the way fertility and third-party fertility are supported, and are there legal issues
[42:37] When should an intended parent seek the Donor Concierge
[46:15] Gail shares what family means to her
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Finding the correct egg or sperm donor cannot be overstated. It does make a difference because an egg is not just an egg, and sperm is not just sperm. Every egg carries genetic information that forms who your child will be one day.
Multiple things can and do go wrong in the process of building a family through egg and sperm donation and surrogacy. Having a firm like Donor Concierge on your side is beneficial because they walk through those difficulties with you.
The process of egg and sperm donation or having a surrogate is not just a means to an end. It is your child’s story; it is your family's story. Open communication is essential, and anonymity should be a thing of the past. There is too much information lost when anonymity is a factor.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY:
Gail Sexton Anderson has dedicated her career to helping intended parents from all walks of life build families. She founded Donor Concierge as a compassionate approach to helping intended parents sort through the gauntlet of egg donor, sperm donor and surrogacy options. Gail is a Harvard-trained counselor with 25 years of experience helping intended parents have the baby they always dreamed of.
After graduate school, Gail joined a research group in the Psychology Department at Yale University. Later, she joined a group of researchers in pediatric neurology at Yale New Haven Hospital doing developmental testing with children born prematurely of very low birth weight. Gail is also a graduate of Alice Domar’s Mind Body Fertility Program through Boston IVF and has served on a Radcliffe panel with other fertility experts. In her career in the fertility industry, Gail has been the Executive Director of one of the leading surrogacy agencies and helped start two different egg donor agencies. Gail is an empathic listener who brings a calming influence to what can often be an emotionally stressful process.
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Emily Silver discusses the mission of Nurture by NAPS to provide clients with individualized care backed by medical research and her own experiences as a mother.
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In this Stork’d Munchkin, Emily Silver discusses her experiences as a first time mom trying to “do it all” and how those experiences have translated to her work in Nurture by NAPS.
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Emily Silver, co-founder of Nurture by NAPS, offers resources, support, and education to parents throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and toddlerhood. Whether expecting your first, second, or third child, Emily provides evidence-based professional insights to help you navigate a journey filled with cherished memories, even during the often stressful and sleepless period of welcoming a newborn into your home. NAPS is committed to providing genuine support and evidence-based education. Emily addresses the challenges of dealing with social media critics who may guilt-trip you for not adhering to their perceived parenting norms. If you've recently given birth or know someone who could benefit from Emily's expertise, don't miss this episode of Stork’d.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:10] Emily shares her backstory of not having children, founding Nurture by NAPS, having three children and offering support and education to parents
[6:11] Discussion regarding other countries offering institutionalized support services for new parents, which are not provided in the US and mental health needs for parents
[10:25] Emily reveals her situation during pregnancy and how a program like NAPS would have made all the difference, and she discusses what NAPS offers
[15:24] Emily believes parents should be able to get advice without judgment, using breastfeeding as an example
[20:19] Discussion regarding sleep training, the need for support and education for new parents and what Emily would like to see in the future
[30:10] Emily discusses what family means to her
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Do not let anyone, including social media, guilt you into making decisions regarding your child that do not come from your heart and how you desire to nurture and parent your baby.
Our nation is woefully behind in offering services to new moms because the services are privatized. Other countries do a much better job because it is a part of their healthcare system.
Asking for support is critical when you have your new baby. So, don’t be afraid to ask and narrow down the list of who you would trust to help or to give you advice.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY:
Emily’s passion for educating and supporting families stems from her personal experience dealing with loss. She lost a sister to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), has had multiple miscarriages, and has dealt with the anxiety and the stigma that comes with taking medication while pregnant and breastfeeding. You can be assured that taboo topics are just not taboo for Emily! Emily began her career in General Medicine before working as a Labor & Delivery nurse, where she met NAPS co-founder Jamie O’Day. While working in Labor & Delivery, Emily went back to school to get her master’s degree in nursing and become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She practiced as a Nurse Practitioner in an OBGYN office for several years before running NAPS full time with Jamie. Emily best supports families through NAPS by pulling from her vast medical background, and her own experiences with pregnancy and parenting as a mother of three girls. After graduating from Boston College, Emily received her graduate degree from UMass Boston. Emily is a Family Nurse Practitioner and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She lives in Charlestown, MA with her husband, AJ, three daughters Grace (age 7), Madelyn (age 5), Eloise (age 1), and dog Maisey (age 9).
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Gina Ballard discusses why she fosters teens instead of young children and the difference that that makes in the lives of those teens and for society as a whole.
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In this Stork’d Munchkin, Gina Ballard discusses a time she spoke up about a suspected foster neglect situation and how that situation was a catalyst to shift from mentoring teens to fostering teens.
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Resources:
Gina Ballard approaches everything in life with an open heart, a willingness to stand in truth, deep compassion and a lot of humor and her family journey embodies all of those traits.
Gina is a passionate advocate for fostering. She and her husband focus on providing a safe, welcoming home for teenagers in the foster care system and have most recently adopted a teenage son. Prior to becoming a foster parent, she and her first husband experienced setbacks to their family building due to a PCOS diagnosis. Gina ultimately meets the love of her life and navigates complicated and imperfect family dynamics with her step children. Eventually, Gina finds mentoring and fostering and builds a support community for other foster parents.
In this episode of Stork’d, Gina candidly shares her expert insights on these aspects of family-building, holding nothing back. With authenticity and openness, she delves into various complex topics and situations. When Gina defines her family, she beautifully refers to them as the "Godspot" and "Opulent Threads." Gina’s life and stories will inspire you, especially for those considering foster parenting. Don't miss out on this empowering episode.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:21] Gina introduces herself, shares all of her roles in life and compares the dark days that she and Julia went through to when Saturn comes back to the point of your birth
[4:46] Gina walks through the changes that occurred after her divorce and how a disastrous text message led to a positive outcome
[15:52] Gina discusses foster parenting and how it differs from the parenting or step-parenting roles and how becoming a step-parent evolved to mentoring and then to becoming a foster parent
[25:45] How do you prepare your home for a foster child, providing respite for foster families and the foster-parenting community
[36:12] Gina explains why she wanted to become a foster parent and how they decided to adopt their son
[46:46] Gina discusses the myths of fostering and adopting
[52:19] Gina expresses what family means to her
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Step-parenting may be one of the most challenging ways to build and define a family. The best approach when step-parenting is to express yourself on what is right and wrong. Don’t become a doormat because you may explode after holding your emotions. In some cases, you may not be able to mend the relationship.
There is an enormous need for foster parents for teens. Babies and younger children are easier to place, and teens are left to age out if not taken into a foster family.
Foster parents need to be sensitive to the child's environment in their new home. Specifically, their bedrooms should reflect who they are and their interests.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY:
Gina Nicole Ballard is an Intuitive Copywriter, Subtle Energy Medicine, and Feng Shui Practitioner by day and a Foster Mom by night. She is passionate about connecting with empaths, heart-centered entrepreneurs, and those struggling to embody who they came to be. She works with people to move out of their past and into their future and is devoted to empowering youth to come home to their gifts and live in full alignment.
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Carey Cook discusses the hard decisions she made in her fertility journey and learning how to trust your body’s signals. Learning what a “yes” and “no” feel like in your body.
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In this Stork’d Munchkin, Carey Cook discusses her personal experience when somebody chose her to be the recipient of their embryos. She explains her thoughts and feelings around the process and trusting her intuition.
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Carey Cook, a Fertility Coach and Self-Care Strategist is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community as they navigate the intricacies of building a family. Carey shares her journey with IUI, Reciprocal IVF and ultimately embryo donation. She shares how she and her wife found their embryo donor, how they each experienced emotional reactions to the experience of sharing or not sharing a genetic relationship with your child, and how the embryo donation experience has shaped their child’s half sibling group.
In this episode, Carey shares how to pivot your expectations as your fertility path changes, and how to use your own body and intuition to make decisions that are right for you. This episode of Stork’d is more than just a conversation—it's a valuable opportunity for a free therapeutic experience. You don't want to miss out.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[3:00] Carey shares her family planning journey
[6:45] Carey talks what the genetic composition of their child would look like based on the provided options
[10:12] Carey talks about the feelings surrounding being genetically connected.
[12:08] Carey walks through the decision to do a private embryo donation and the multiple ways of finding a donor
[21:22] Carey discusses the type of therapy she practices, how your body gives you clues to support your decisions and how she teaches her clients to know the difference between what a yes or a no feels like
[25:00] The process after the embryo donor decision is made and deciding how much communication you want
[31:37] Carey discusses the information she can share with her child when the time comes, and she talks about the differences between the LGBTQ+ and straight communities going through this journey
[34:21] Discussion surrounding society’s opinions of what is right and wrong for gays and solo parents and the questions that Carey’s clients have for her
[39:00] Carey talks about her soul family; she defines what family means to her and reminds the listener there are many free sources on the internet and social media
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
When a couple cannot have a child, they sometimes say, “If we don’t, it’s okay.” That statement is more than likely said to protect their emotions.” There is a lot of grief associated with failed treatments for having children.
Being genetically connected to your child is an emotion that some people need to have. It troubles them when they think about it. Other people are happy to have a child and don’t emotionally deal with genetics.
There are multiple ways of finding donated embryos. Each has different caveats that the recipient needs to research before deciding.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY:
Carey Cook, Fertility Coach and Self-Care Strategist, is passionate about helping people who are spiraling into the anxious abyss of expanding their families. I have a MA in Counseling Psychology and 13+ years helping people move through trauma and transform their lives. I help people get out of their heads and into their bodies so they feel more connected to their fertility process in a trusting, confident way. During my own fertility process, I witnessed how wildly hetero the whole process is. That’s why I started Embodied Pride. This is a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ to explore our unique needs around growing their families.
I believe that the entire fertility journey goes beyond the person who wants to grow a baby in their uterus. The fertility journey is happening for all persons who are creating and welcoming a new baby. You are on a whole fertility journey if you are a partner or using a surrogate. You are on this journey whether you are using your own sperm, egg or womb or using donors. Embodied Pride is for all persons who are a part of the whole fertility journey.
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