smbc

It’s a wild time to start IVF right now, so Meredith’s got a stream of consciousness for y’all this week, from rage about Tommy Tuberville’s thoughtlessness to Backup Plan listener reactions.

In this episode, Meredith covers:
00:39 - Where she’s currently at in her conception timeline
05:09 - Personal Feelings on the IVF Ruling in Alabama

Read the full blog post for this episode.

Articles about the ruling...

• The science of IVF: What to know about Alabama's 'extrauterine children' ruling, NPR
• Doctors and patients fearfully proceed with IVF after Alabama court rules embryos are children, NBC News

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Created, produced and hosted by Meredith Kate, co-produced by Julian Hagins.

@backupplanpod on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.

backupplanpod.com for show notes, transcripts, partner links, and our newsletter.

I didn't mean to take another hiatus, but curveballs were thrown! This week you'll hear about my birthday, an attempted break-in, triangulated travel from LA to Orlando to NYC, and my latest fertility updates: revised sperm results, fluctuating AMH levels, and a timeline for cryopreservation and egg retrieval.

Created, produced and hosted by Meredith Kate, co-produced by Julian Hagins.

@backupplanpod on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.

backupplanpod.com for show notes, transcripts, partner links, and our newsletter.

Remember the flutters of first crushes and the buzz of schoolyard whispers? Together with my daughter Estela, we take a heartfelt plunge into the world of tween crushes and the ensuing gossip that can feel like navigating a minefield. We swap stories, with Estela offering a peek into the pulse of today's tween experiences, rife with the excitement and anxiety of burgeoning attractions, as well as the sometimes harsh reality of gossip. Through laughter and a bit of cringing, we dissect how to manage the tender confessions of young hearts, proposing personal journals as a safe haven for those secrets not quite ready for the light of day.

Ah, the rollercoaster of tweenage drama, where yesterday's crush could become today's mortification—believe me, I've been there. Recalling my own tales of awkward crushes, like the time I found myself bewildered by the Brazilian classmate I once admired from afar, I share how these experiences, complete with the perils of puberty and cruel jokes, shaped my understanding of the often strange dance of youthful attraction. We encourage embracing individual preferences without the sting of judgment and invite our listeners to join the conversation—because whether you're a parent navigating these waters with your child or simply reminiscing about your own squirm-worthy escapades, we're all in this together. Catch our candid discussions on Instagram at Seeking Different, and share your own journey through the laughs and the lessons of growing up.

Hera and Estela bring you a new episode - that explains why they've taken a bit of a hiatus. They've both been writing books! And Hera has just released her memoir, ten years in the making, that's both deeply personal and universally touching. "Defying Silence," her memoir, unveils the heart-wrenching journey of losing her son and the struggle against a justice system that let them down. Hera and Estela grapple with the profound impact of stories like this and how they foster connections, albeit with a mindfulness to shield the innocence of our younger listeners. Through the revelation of Hera's book, they contemplate the challenges of presenting mature themes while still engaging in meaningful conversations with those not yet ready to hear them, such as Estela herself.

Switching lanes to advocacy, the episode intensifies as we discuss the indispensability of adult intervention in safeguarding children's rights and well-being. Recounting her own battles within the family court system, Hera emphasizes the urgency for reforms that truly put children first. They dissect the implications of not only hearing but believing the voices of the young in legal quandaries, and the profound necessity for systemic overhaul. The dialogue is a call to action, urging listeners to recognize the stories of struggle that too many face and to join the fight for a future where the next generation's battles are not as daunting as their own.

As an Aussie writer living in New York with the man she loved, Alexandra Collier has the dream life. Until, she wakes up with ‘baby fever’. And, her partner doesn’t feel the same. But, as the relationships ends, a new possibility opens  up — becoming an SMBC  (a solo mum, by choice).

This is Part II of Donor Dylan's story.

Picture this – you just found out you have 97 biological children. Baffled? So was our guest, Donor Dylan, when he discovered this shocking revelation due to sperm donation. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Dylan unravels his rollercoaster journey of having so many biological children. We dig into his initial reactions, the impact on his family, and how he's been dealing with the emotional maze of these complex relationships. Unraveling the darker side, we bring to light the ethical implications of sperm banks distributing to numerous families beyond the agreed limits and the necessity for tracking such information.

Shifting gears, we touch upon the delicate issues surrounding communication and honesty within these donor-conceived families. How do these children perceive events like Father's Day? What are their experiences of interacting with donor siblings? Dylan shares his poignant instances of parting with the kids after visits and the importance of being open with them. To lighten the mood, we have an interesting segment where Dylan describes himself as a drink - a metaphorical peek into his personality. Join us as we delve into the intriguing world of non-traditional families, their unique challenges, and joys.

Ever wonder what it's like to walk into a sperm bank, answer some peculiar questions, donate, and then years later discover you have 97 biological children? That's exactly what happened to Donor Dylan, our guest in this riveting discussion. Dylan lets us into his journey of discovery, the shock of learning that he has a multitude of biological children, and the string of lies from the sperm bank that have shaped his life in unimaginable ways. We promise you a front row seat into the complex and often misunderstood world of sperm donation, as Dylan shares his quest to bring humanity into the business of creating humans. 

Dylan doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable bits. He talks about the antiquated laws that hinder gay men from donating, and the uncanny questions thrown his way at the sperm bank. We also tackle the controversial issue of donor anonymity and the weighty responsibilities Dylan grapples with as he navigates ties with numerous biological children. Equally important, Dylan shares his heartwarming experience of being discovered by a group of mothers he donated to, and the profound connections he's formed with his donor-conceived families. Brace yourself for an enlightening and emotive journey that will challenge your understanding of sperm donation and its far-reaching implications.

We're focusing on obtaining sperm, y'all. This is where Meredith is currently at in trying to figure out how to get Michael's bodily fluids from one corner of the country to another.

Check out the website for additional show notes, including links to buy your own DIYICI supplies.

Created, produced and hosted by Meredith Kate, co-produced by Julian Hagins.

@backupplanpod on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.

backupplanpod.com for show notes, transcripts, partner links, and our newsletter.

Remember the buzz of preparing for a new school year? Those summer play dates that were the perfect blend of fun and preparation for the upcoming educational journey? We, Hera and Estela, take you back to those times, sharing personal anecdotes as we navigate the world of play dates - the joy, the inclusion, and the potential challenges. We even touch on the exciting yet nerve-wracking process of transitioning from a carefree summer to a structured school year.

Our conversation dives into the distinction between play dates held for kids starting a new school and parties during the year. We also share our insights about the pros and cons of hosting play dates at public venues versus at home. We discuss how to deal with mean kids and bullying, how to handle birthday party anxieties, and how to strike the balance between having a lively party and avoiding drama. Our regular special guest Isa adds a delightful touch, sharing her favorite play date activities from a 4 year old kid's perspective. Join us for a heartfelt and candid discussion that every parent, and child, can relate to!

In this episode, Hera and Estela discuss planning a non-traditional family adventure. Recorded while in Costa Rica, they walk through how to find lodging and flights as well as what a day at language immersion camp looks like at Explornatura Kids camp in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. In addition to the highlights like monkey sightings and surf, they discuss the low lights and things to avoid for a better travel experience. 

In this episode, Hera and Estela review the new Barbie movie. They discuss the parallels between Barbie and real life as well as review the movie from the perspective of a mom and of a kid. Hera also breaks down the parts of the movie that were likely not meant for kids and Estela highlights the parts she understood more than her mom realized. 

In the first episode of season two, Hera and Estela and joined by little sister Isa as they give a quick summer camp recap and discuss the topic of consent. Hera explains to the girls how everything from touching hair to hugs and kisses are things that require permission. 

In the final episode of season one for Seeking Different, Hera and Estela sit down with Angela Stepancic (founder of Reproductive Village Cryobank) to discuss her plans to open the first Black owned cryobank that's specifically focused on helping Black families by sourcing Black donors. Angela talks through her journey to opening (coming summer 2023) to include why she was called to start this business, her thoughts around regulations in the sperm industry, and some of the things her bank is looking to do to revolutionize the way we think about sperm donation and improve access for Black families. 

In this episode, Estela dishes about what it was like becoming a big sister and Hera shares her thoughts on the differences between having one child as an SMC and having two. They also discuss how their family was built on top of the tragedy of losing Estela's brother and Hera's son Prince. 

In this episode, Hera and Estela discuss traveling as an SMC family to Cartagena, Colombia. Highlights include a scary bus incident in Playa Blanca and the incredible experience they had in the Afro-Colombian Village of Palenque. They share the highlights as well as some savvy tips for traveling with kids.

In this mini episode, Estela and Hera look back on the first season thus far to talk about favorite moments, things they learned, and Estela discusses how ignorance about non-traditional family can play out in the school setting. Isa makes an appearance at the end of the episode to give her definition of a donor as well as a hilarious look into the mind of a four year old. 

In this episode, Hera and Estela discuss recess and the playground where ALL the drama goes down. From navigating bullies to the evolution of kid conversations. The littlest McLeod - Isa - also makes a special appearance in this episode and reveals her understanding of "donor" as well as her feelings about heroes and Orange Juice. 

In this episode of Seeking Different, Hera and Estela interview Lara McLeod (Hera's sister) and discuss the importance of having a village. Being a parent is hard no matter what type of family you have, and having a strong village to help raise your children is critical to family health. Lara, affectionately known as "Tia", discusses how she felt about Hera using a donor to become a mom, what being an aunt has been like for her, her feelings on family dynamics, and how being an aunt has influenced her views on parenting as a whole. 

It was Independent School Decisions week in the DMV this past week and our house is all a buzz! In this episode of Seeking Different, Hera and Estela discuss what goes into deciding on a school and give an inside look from a kid's perspective of the admissions process - from "the buddy" to the on site testing to choosing the best school.

In this episode of Seeking Different, Hera and Estela interview mother Abigail from The Podcast "The Judgement Free Zone" and her child Kenley "KG". They candidly discuss what it's like to have a blended family, divorce, and gender identity. Kenley is one of the bravest children we've met, and breaks down what's like to be born in a girl body but feeling very much like a boy.