Pregnantish - podcast cover

Pregnantish

Andrea Syrtashart19.com
There's no one way to be pregnant – just ask Andrea Syrtash. After nearly two dozen fertility treatments, a handful of surrogates and almost a decade of trying to get and stay pregnant, Andrea is now a proud mother. Pregnantish is a place for those that had unconventional paths to parenthood to tell their stories. Each episode, we'll hear from fertility experts and real people on their own nontraditional journey to being a parent.

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Episodes

Pregnantish Pride: Why Trystan Reese is a Trans Fertility Advocate

In this special Pregnantish Pride episode, we’re honored to welcome Trystan Reese — speaker, educator, and trailblazing trans dad — for a candid conversation about parenthood, advocacy, and what it means to build a family in a non-linear way. Trystan made headlines as a transgender man to publicly share his journey of carrying a biological child. But behind the media frenzy was a deeply personal decision — rooted in love and the desire to expand his family with his partner, Biff. While his story...

Jun 26, 202542 min

The Reality of Infertility With Reality Stars Nia Sanchez, Tara Conner + Whitney Bischoff Angel

What happens when reality TV stars face the reality of infertility? In this powerful pregnantish podcast episode, recorded live at our annual “Reality of Infertility” event, Andrea is joined by three bold voices/former and current reality stars: Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez (now seen on Bravo’s “The Valley”), Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, and Whitney Bischoff Angel, a former “Bachelor” winner and longtime fertility nurse. Together, they pull back the curtain on the funny and strange parts of recording...

Jun 05, 202545 min

Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told)

In this insightful and informative episode of the pregnantish podcast, first airing in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week '25, we're joined by Dr. Karen Tang, a board-certified gynecologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and the author of "It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told)" From media stories to medical discussions, fertility and infertility is full of misconceptions! This episode delves into how and why we s...

Apr 17, 202552 min

Love & Egg Freezing with Bachelor Star & Endometriosis Advocate, Lexi Young, and Fertility Specialist Dr. Valerie Libby

Former Bachelor star, In the Wild Dating founder, and passionate endometriosis advocate Lexi Young joins the Pregnantish Podcast to share her deeply personal journey with fertility, health struggles, and the power of speaking out. Lexi opens up about how endometriosis shaped her relationships—including the end of a long-term partnership—and why she chose to use her platform on The Bachelor to bring awareness to reproductive health challenges. In this episode, Lexi reflects on the physical and em...

Mar 13, 202544 min

Welcome to the Future of Fertility...and Where We're Still Behind

In this special new year episode of the Pregnantish Podcast, team member Carolyn Kossow—whose studies focused on assisted reproductive technology and third-party reproduction—joins award-winning journalist and author of “Elusive Mommyhood”, Ginanne Brownell, to explore the evolving landscape of fertility. From the rise of "ethical IVF" and surrogacy and third-party reproduction trends around the world, to the long-overdue focus on sperm factors and male factor infertility, we examine how reprodu...

Jan 30, 202543 min

The Science of Happiness Despite our Circumstances, with NYU Clinical Instructor, Dan Lerner

What does it mean to lead a happy life and to achieve a state of well being despite our external circumstances? In this holiday episode of the pregnantish podcast, Daniel Lerner, co-instructor of NYU’s most popular elective course “The Science of Happiness” explores what it means to live a truly fulfilling life - especially in the face of life’s challenges. According to Dan, the goal isn’t always to feel “happy” but to find meaning, build resilience and embrace a new perspective on stress. He in...

Dec 15, 202431 min

Real Talk About Pregnancy Loss + Stillbirth with Bachelor Nation Stars, Whitney Angel and Ashley Spivey

October marks Pregnancy and Infant loss Awareness Month. Though research indicates that miscarriages impact 1 in 4 people, we know that that number is probably far greater as that reflects only what is reported. We also know that this experience is devastating, no matter how many people the experience touches. Recorded live during our annual thought leader event in New York City, The Diversity of Infertility, this episode breaks the silence around stories of stillbirth, pregnancy loss, healing, ...

Oct 17, 202443 min

The Reality of Infertility with Bachelor Nation Star, Clare Crawley

Those who watch the long running reality dating show franchise, ABC’s The Bachelor , know that the women on it go the distance for a chance at love; and former contestant Clare Crawley is no exception. Clare is best known as the Runner Up in Season 16 of the series, leading to her role as ABC’s Bachelorette in Season 18. She also appeared on Bachelor in Paradise twice and Winter Games , making her one of the most recognizable cast members in The Bachelor franchise. But in recent years, Clare has...

Sep 22, 202435 min

Happy Anniversary, IVF: Early "Test Tube Baby" Parents

This month, July 2024, marks 46 years since the world's first IVF baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in the northwest of England. Since this historic day of Brown’s birth that made international headlines, the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies estimates that at least 12 million babies have been born as a result of IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, making “science babies” ubiquitous, albeit still too often misunderstood by the general public. ...

Jul 11, 202455 min

Real Talk About Egg Freezing with Actor Kimiko Glenn, from Orange is the New Black

Actor Kimiko Glenn has been performing since she was young, with recognizable roles as the voices of Izzy in My Little Pony and Baby Shark Brooklyn , and the star of Waitress on Broadway. She’s also known for her role as penitentiary inmate Brooke Soso on the popular Netflix series, Orange is the New Black , for which she received three ensemble Screen Actors Guild Awards. Now at 34 years old, Kimiko is embracing a new role: a woman taking charge of her fertility and freezing her eggs with two b...

May 30, 202430 min

Accelerating What's Possible: NIAW Interview with Dr Vrunda B. Desai & Sydney Sharon from CooperSurgical

If you’re navigating or considering undergoing fertility treatments like IVF, and are confused by all the tests and information out there, you are not alone. Sometimes in this process, we feel like we are given too much information and not enough information at the same time! This podcast episode, in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) 2024, is a spotlight on why we should advocate for our reproductive health and know our options. Dr. Vrunda B. Desai, FACOG, the VP of Medical and...

Apr 25, 202431 min

Endometriosis + Surrogacy Awareness Month with Figure Skating Champion, Tara Lipinski

World figure skating champion and sports commentator, Tara Lipinski, is known for breaking records and winning awards throughout her competitive skating career, including being the youngest athlete to win a gold medal at just 15 years old at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan. But, in the last year since Tara achieved another big dream and became a mom via gestational surrogacy, after five years of struggling to conceive, failed IVF cycles and devastating miscarriages, more have heard Tara’s voic...

Mar 14, 202442 min

Breaking Taboos With Former MTV Asia VJ Denise Keller + Miss Universe Japan Juri Watanabe

Former MTV Asia VJ and Television Presenter/Producer, Denise Keller, and Miss Universe Japan 2021, Juri Watanabe, are the definition of beauty, smarts and grace to their audiences who have followed them as celebrated major pageant winners and popular on-air talent. But, what they their fans may not know is the desire and drive both of these women have when it comes to breaking down taboos in Asian culture, and beyond, around issues like infertility, pregnancy loss and mental health. Denise, who ...

Feb 08, 202456 min

America's "Most Organized Man", Andrew Mellen, on How To Get Organized During Tough Life Chapters

Professional organizer and Author of “Unstuff your Life” and “Calling Bullsh*t On Busy”, Andrew Mellen, has been called “The most organized man in America”, and has spent his career helping people not only declutter their homes and schedules, but also their minds, their hearts and their lives. Andrew knows that during some of life's hardest chapters, like infertility and loss, it can seem overwhelming or even insurmountable to manage all the moving pieces - but he's determined to show that it's ...

Jan 11, 202432 min

Eboni K. Williams on Pursuing Single Motherhood with the Help of a Black Sperm Donor

American lawyer and bestselling author of “Bet on Black”, Eboni K. Williams, has been known to her audience on her daytime TV show, “Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams”, and during her time as the first Black cast member on The Real Housewives of NY, as an independent, outspoken and multi-talented woman. What some of her fans may not know is that in addition to all of these jobs, Eboni wants to add another important role to her work: mom. As a single woman, Eboni is hoping to start a fam...

Dec 21, 202334 min

Survivor Stars Jaclyn & Jon Misch Share Their Surrogacy Story and Surviving Stillbirth

Former Miss Michigan and Michigan State Football player Jaclyn and Jon Misch are best known for their time together on CBS’s “Survivor”, where Jaclyn won the title of first runner-up in Season 29 and where the couple had to navigate incredible challenges together on the island. One challenge that the couple knew they'd have to overcome together back at home was starting a family, as Jaclyn was born with MRKH - a condition that rendered her infertile and born without a uterus. In fact, Jaclyn was...

Nov 16, 202337 min

Infertility In the News: Why Reporter Jenny Anchondo Is Sharing Her Story of Secondary Infertility + Pregnancy Loss

Emmy-award winning news anchor and reporter Jenny Anchondo has reported on stories for over a decade, and has spent her career hearing people's life stories, but admits that until being touched by pregnancy loss and secondary infertility, she never had the desire to share her own story. Part of Jenny's story is the lack of awareness and knowledge she says that she had about her fertility, especially after easily conceiving her first child with her husband. As Jenny admits, “I didn't think you ca...

Oct 12, 202354 min

What this Donor Conceived Adult Wants Others to Know about Donor Conception

Emma Groenbaek grew up not only with the awareness about the fact that she was conceived via sperm donation, but pride connected to it. In fact, as a child, her bedtime book was the story of how she was created with the help of science and donor conception. So, perhaps it's no surprise that when social media came around, Emma, now 27 years old, started blogging, educating and posting about her donor conceived experience. Though she’s grateful to the sperm donor and her parents for pursuing this ...

Aug 24, 202329 min

Why This Couple Wants to Raise Awareness of Trans Fertility

When Benjamin Carmichael and Becca met doing advocacy work for Planned Parenthood in New England in 2018, they never imagined that months later, they'd match on Tinder, get engaged to marry exactly three years to the day, and set out to have children together. But both have always known that they wanted to become parents. For any couple, this chapter of trying to have a baby can be exciting and overwhelming; but for Benjamin and Becca, it's heightened by the fact that Benjamin is a trans man who...

Jun 22, 202331 min

Happiness Hacks & Getting Pregnant at 49: A Conversation with Bestselling Author, Karen Salmansohn

For over 25 years, Karen Salmansohn has been a multi bestselling author with approximately 2 million books sold globally. Her first book, “How To Be Happy Dammit” gained a slew of public fans including Madonna, Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra and Karen has since added coaching, speaking and consultation to her body of work. In this episode on happiness, which also explores how Karen became a mom at 50 years old, listeners are invited and instructed on how to best challenge negative messages and s...

Jun 14, 202327 min

Infertility Looks Like: 29 Year Old Model Tess Annique and Her Husband, NHL Star Sheldon Souray

When model and wellness influencer Tess Annique met retired NHL hockey star, Sheldon Souray in treatment for addiction in January 2017, she never imagined the two would later fall in love and marry. The two were good friends and shared life's most vulnerable moments as they tried to get sober. But months later, when they reconnected through a text message, Tess admitted she knew something had changed between them. After that, Tess and Sheldon fell in love, had a fairytale wedding and were excite...

Apr 29, 202338 min

Infertility Looks Like: Paralympic US Swim Star Mallory Weggemann and Her Husband Jay Synder

Just three months after Mallory Weggemann was rendered paralyzed after treatment for her back pain, she re-entered her happy place - the pool - and tried to regain not only her sense of strength, but her sense of self. Through this incredible challenge, Mallory learned about resilience, vulnerability, hope and persistence – qualities that not only helped her excel as a Paralympic Champion on the US swim team, but strengths that also helped her push forward during her struggle to conceive with he...

Apr 27, 202358 min

Infertility Looks Like: CNN Reporter Chloe Melas & Fitness Influencer Brian Mazza

When CNN Entertainment Reporter and New York Times best-selling author Chloe Melas married her husband, Fitness Influencer Brian Mazza, she expected them to start their family when they were ready, just as their friends had. After all, she was healthy and in her 20s and she didn't know anyone who had openly struggled with infertility. But when she was diagnosed with Low Ovarian Reserve at 29 and told that her husband had Male Factor Infertility, she knew that if she wanted to become a mother, sh...

Apr 20, 202351 min

Actor Camille Guaty Used Donor Eggs to Have Her Son…and Wants to Talk About it

Actor Camille Guaty is known for her many roles on TV and in films including Gotta Kick it Up, Prison Break and Scorpion. But what people watching her may not know is that behind the scenes, she struggled for many years to get and stay pregnant. Since getting pregnant via egg donor IVF in 2019, Camille has been public about her experience and why she not only doesn't hold shame for using an egg donor, but feels a source of pride connected to it. In this episode, Camille shares the moment she rea...

Mar 16, 202339 min

Why Samantha Busch + NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch Went the Distance to Have Another Baby Via Surrogacy

NASCAR fans may know Samantha Busch as the wife of stock car racing driver Kyle Busch; but in more recent years, more have learned that in addition to being a wife, a mom, and a lifestyle blogger, Samantha is also an infertility advocate through her non-profit, “The Bundle of Joy Fund” and her book, “Fighting infertility, Finding my Inner Warrior Through Trying to Conceive, IVF and Miscarriage.” As anyone in the infertility community knows, there is rarely a straight line to parenthood. In Saman...

Jan 05, 202341 min

Why I'm Undergoing IVF at 50 Years Old: An Interview with News Reporter, Darla Miles

Emmy winning reporter Darla Miles never imagined that she'd be the center of a story involving infertility, repeated miscarriages and trying to conceive at 50 years old, especially as she has reported on extraordinary stories throughout her career. In her 30s, Darla met her husband and was thrilled to get pregnant at 36 just before their wedding; but that pregnancy ended and kicked off a decade+ long challenge to conceive and other challenges, including the sudden loss of Darla's husband, who wa...

Dec 08, 202235 min

I’m Raising Donor Conceived Children & Recently Learned My Biological Dad Was a Sperm Donor

Sperm donation has been around since the 1950s and has helped build countless families for people with male factor infertility and/or for women without male partners. When it started, and in the decades that followed, most sperm donors were anonymous and many people who used sperm donors were actually discouraged from telling their offspring that they were conceived this way. But, as donor conception grew, so did the data and feedback from this group, who often demanded to know their genetic roo...

Nov 23, 202256 min

How Roe Vs Wade Impacts the Infertility Community

How will the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe Vs Wade impact the infertility community and those who face complicated pregnancies? According to the guests on the pregnantish podcast, Dr. Krishna Upadhya, VP of Quality Care and Health Equity at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, reproductive specialists Dr. Serena Chen and Dr. Lucky Sekhon, and fertility advocate, Davina Fankhauser, the future implications of assigning 'personhood' status to embryos will create less access to ...

Nov 03, 202234 min

Why I'm Using My Late Husband's Sperm to Try To Have a Baby: A Love Story

When Fabi traveled from California to Nashville for a football game in 2014, she never imagined her life would radically change. One night at a bar she met Josh, a handsome Army Ranger who had been stationed nearby. They would later describe the encounter as "love at first sight." The two were just starting out their lives in their 20s when Josh received a devastating diagnosis, he had a rare form of cancer called synovial sarcoma. Josh knew he wanted to preserve his sperm and later spoke to Fab...

Oct 20, 202240 min

Why this VP at Google is Sharing Her Infertility Story: An Interview with Sarah Kennedy Ellis

Those who have followed Sarah Kennedy Ellis’ career as a top CMO for blue chip companies, like Adobe, and now as a VP of Global Growth and Demand at Google, know how talented, driven and successful she is. What they may not know is that no matter how dedicated and focused Sarah is on one of her most important goals - having a baby - she has silently struggled behind the scenes... until recently. In one of her most vulnerable tweets to her business focused audience earlier this year Sarah shared,...

Sep 29, 202235 min
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