My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation. Welcome to Episode 2; Surrogacy and workplace rights ft. Fertility Matters at Work Mike and Wes are back with a brand new episode. Chatting to two of the co-founders of Fertility Matters at Work, Clare Ingle and Becky Kearns. Sadly Natalie Silverman couldn't join us due to prior commitments. In this episode we tackle the conversations to have with your employer. What do...
Aug 03, 2023•2 min•Season 2Ep. 2
My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit surrogacy organisation. Welcome to Episode 1; Surrogate Stories Mike and Wes chat to two first time surrogates, Megan and Kay - both with very different stories to tell, but both aligned on one fact. Especially an episode for the extreme feminists; their body is not being exploited, listen in to learn more. Megan is childless by choice, married to Ed and carried a pregnancy for a same sex couple ...
Jul 31, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 1
We're excited to tell you about Season 2 of My Surrogacy Journey, the podcast! Proudly sponsored by Herts & Essex Fertility Centre. It's been a while since the end of Season 1 but Michael and Wes are back soon with some amazing guests and this trailer gives you an exclusive sneak peak of what's to come! From surrogate stories, international surrogacy tips and tricks, a Mexico City special and even an episode on MRKH plus much more we're convinced you'll love this season more than our first. ...
Jul 28, 2023•1 min
Wes and Michael are back soon for Season 2! Sponsored by Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, a leading UK fertility clinic with the best success rates in the East of England that has helped create over 7000 babies. Season two is crammed full of wonderful content, created just for you. So, get subscribing! See you all soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 27, 2023•49 sec
Christmas can be a really special time, but it can also be a difficult one. Michael and Wes hear from Kelly Da Silva, Fertility Mentor at My Surrogacy Journey. Kelly is a former fertility patient with a background in emotional support. She works to develop and improve the patient experience for those on their fertility journey, with a specific focus on emotional support. She talks about the importance of preparing for Christmas, when you might be struggling with infertility and childlessness. An...
Dec 06, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Andrew Spearman and Gina Kinson are back in the studio with Wes to discuss surrogate expenses. In this episode, you will hear from three different perspectives, Gina, who is an Experienced GS Surrogate and My Surrogacy Journey Surrogate Coordinator, Wes, who was an Intended Parent and has had two children via Surrogacy, and Andrew, an experienced family law practitioner, who talks about where surrogate expenses fall with regards to the law. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educat...
Nov 15, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Anna and Wes are joined in the studio by Andrew Spearman and Gina Kinson to talk about those things that could potentially go wrong on a surrogacy journey and how to be as prepared as possible. Andrew Spearman is an experienced family law practitioner with a specialism in Surrogacy & Fertility law, and Gina Kinson is an Experienced GS Surrogate and My Surrogacy Journey Surrogate Coordinator. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational support for intended parents, surrogates...
Nov 08, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Wes is joined in the studio by Fran Steyn and Sophie Smith. Fran is the UK's leading fertility nurse specialist with over 15 years experience, and also an egg donor, and Sophie and her husband had their baby via surrogacy after Sophie suffered seven miscarriages . Sophie's best friend offered to be their surrogate and had their son, Theo, two years ago. Sophie is also the Egg Donor Coordinator at My Surrogacy Journey. They discuss what it means to be a donor from the IP's point of view and what ...
Nov 01, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this week's episode Anna talk to Virginia Hart in the US. Virginia is the founder and CEO of ART Risk Financial and Insurance Solutions. ART Risk specialises in providing insurance and financial solutions for intended parents. Anna asks Virginia to break down insurance for intended parents who choose to do surrogacy in the US. Virginia covers what insurance intended parents need, their surrogate needs and then finally their new born. Virginia breaks down what option are available and the cost...
Oct 25, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Wes is joined in the studio by Francesca Steyn, the UK's leading fertility nurse specialist with over 15 years experience. Fran and Wes discuss how to choose a clinic, from location to inclusivity, what you need to consider and how to make the right choice. Fran gives some useful tips on what to expect as an intended parent once you have chosen a clinic. Wes shares his experience on choosing a clinic and what he learnt. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational content to supp...
Oct 18, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Why do intended parents need to consider STDs and HIV when starting on their surrogacy journey? Wes is joined by Dr. Carole Gilling-Smith in the studio, to discuss just that. Carole is the CEO, Medical Director, and founder of the Agora Clinic in Hove, offering both NHS and privately funded treatments. She is a Consultant Gynaecologist with particular expertise in Fertility and Reproductive Medicine. With nearly 40 years of experience, she has a diverse research portfolio and continues to publis...
Oct 11, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Michael is joined by regular guest on the series, Andrew Spearman. In this week's episode Michael and Andrew are talking about all things UK law when it comes to surrogacy. Andrew is Head of Family Law at Laytons LLP. Andrew is a specialist Fertility and Surrogacy lawyer and a recognised leader in the field of legal parenthood for the UK and LGBTQ+ Families. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational content to support intended parents, surrogates, donors and their families in ...
Oct 04, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Rich Vaughn and Rachel West talk to Anna about the Law in the US and Canada around surrogacy. Fertility law attorney Rich Vaughn has over 20 years of experience and founded the International Fertility Law Group (IFLG), one of the most successful and best-known law firms in the world focusing on assisted reproductive technology law, based in the US. Rachel West regularly works with couples and individuals who wish to become parents, as well as surrogates (gestational carriers), with all aspects o...
Sep 27, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Wes and Michael are in the studio this week discussing the benefits of going down the independent route vs. choosing an agency. They share their experience of an independent route when they had their children, and talk about what they learnt and what they would do differently. This episode is helpful to any intended parents at the start of their journey and working out where to begin. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational content to support intended parents, surrogates, do...
Sep 20, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this week's episode Michael is in the studio with Freddy McConnell, Andrew Spearman and Carole Gilling Smith to talk about surrogacy for the trans community. Freddy McConnell is a trans-activists, parent, journalist and a filmmaker. His film Seahorse (2019) was a documentary that recounted the early stages of his transition, to the decision to carry his child. Andrew is an experienced family law practitioner with a specialism in Surrogacy & Fertility law, and Carole is the CEO, Founder &a...
Sep 13, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Wes and Michael are in the studio and are joined remotely but Lynson Miles and Kirsty Crompton. Lyndon is a Consultant Embryologist, Clinic Director at Centre for Reproduction & Gynaecology Wales. He has extensive experience from working in six IVF clinics, including six years as Senior Embryologist and Harvard Instructor at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. Kirsty Crompton MBA is Director of Business Development, Reproductive Medicine EMEA at Cryoport. Cry...
Sep 06, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Wes and Anna are joined by Kicki Hansard and Emiliana Hall. Emiliana founded The Mindful Birthing Group because of her love and passion for supporting parents and families, The Mindful Birthing Group offers birth preparation hypnobirthing courses for all births. Emiliana has been a surrogate and is a qualified doula. Kicki is the Chief Executive Officer at The Doula Association, an organisation of independent doulas. The Doula Association seeks to embed, raise the profile and visibility of doula...
Aug 30, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this week's episode Wes and Anna and joined by Sheena Byrom OBE. Sheena is a practicing midwife, with over 40 years worth of experience, and works hard to support other midwives to ensure a positive birthing experience for everyone. She was one of the UK’s first consultant midwives and provides consultancy services for the NHS trust and worldwide. Sheena and her daughter, and joint owners of the renowned midwifery journey The Practising Midwife. She talks to Anna and Wes about birthing plans ...
Aug 23, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Michael and Wes are joined in this week's episode by Bill Evans from Igenomix, to talk all things genetic screening. Bill explains what is involved in genetic screening, carrier screening, and what is offered via the NHS and other clinics. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational content to support intended parents, surrogates, donors and their families in the UK. If you want to know more about My Surrogacy Journey, then visit: https://www.mysurrogacyjourney.com/ My Surrogacy...
Aug 16, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this week’s episode Michael is joined by Gina Kinson Experienced GS Surrogate and My Surrogacy Journey Surrogate Coordinator. Gina talks about why she chose to become a surrogate, how she spoke to her family about it when she decided that’s what she wanted to do, and how she felt giving her IP’s this amazing gift. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational content to support intended parents, surrogates, donors and their families in the UK. If you want to know more about My ...
Aug 09, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this week's episode Anna is joined by two other intended parents, Sophie Beresiner and Sophie Smith. The three have an open and honest conversation about why they chose to do surrogacy and what are their biggest learnings from their experiences. Sophie Beresiner, writer of the award-winning Sunday Times column, The Mother Project, was left with no function in her ovaries after chemotherapy. Her and her husband, then embarked on surrogacy, firstly in the States, before having their much longed...
Aug 02, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey the podcast. The series is designed and made to help anyone starting on their surrogacy journey, whatever stage you are at. Each week, the hosts Anna Buxton, Michael and Wes Johnson-Ellis are joined by specialists in their field to discuss surrogacy and share practical, educational and helpful tips and advice. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and educational to support intended parents, surrogates, donors and their families in the UK. If you want to kn...
Jul 26, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1
My Surrogacy Journey is the UK's number 1 surrogacy podcast, that is made to support, educate and entertain listeners, whatever stage of the journey they are at. The hosts, Wes, Michael and Anna have all had their own surrogacy journeys and use their experiences to share stories and advice. Each week the hosts will be joined by specialists to discuss practical and useful tips, whatever stage of the journey you are at. My Surrogacy Journey brings together experts and education to support intended...
Jul 21, 2021•1 min
