Episodes
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In this episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with leading family law attorney Brett Ward to unpack one of the most complicated—and increasingly common—legal questions in modern fertility care: what happens to embryos if a relationship ends?
Brett explains how courts approach embryo ownership disputes, including the role of clinic consent forms, mutual intent, state law, and competing constitutional rights. He also discusses whether couples can create separate legal agreements outside of clinic paperwork—and when those agreements are actually enforceable.
The conversation also explores the long-term legal implications of creating embryos with a partner, including questions around future parental rights and even potential child support obligations.
For anyone considering IVF, this episode is a critical reminder that fertility decisions are not just medical—they can also create lasting legal relationships. Brett shares the key legal steps patients should take before creating embryos to protect themselves and avoid future disputes.
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In this episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with author Ali Mann Stevens to discuss her deeply personal fertility journey and the inspiration behind her book Maternal Hope.
Ali opens up about navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional complexity of holding onto hope through uncertainty. She shares why she chose to tell her story—and how storytelling can transform isolation into connection, not just for the person living it, but for everyone who reads it.
Together, Brittney and Ali explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of community, and why sharing these experiences openly helps others feel less alone in their own fertility journeys.
This conversation is a moving reminder that even in the most difficult moments, connection and storytelling can be a source of healing and hope.
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Missing episodes?
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In this intimate episode of Modern Conception, Brittney sits down with therapist Batya Novick to explore one of the most complex and least discussed aspects of infertility: the grief that lingers even after becoming a parent.
Batya shares her personal and professional perspective on the emotional toll of secondary infertility, and what it means to grieve the sibling you imagined for your child. Together, she and Brittney discuss the quiet, often misunderstood pain of letting go of a vision for your family, and why that grief can coexist with deep gratitude.
This conversation offers validation, language, and support for anyone navigating infertility, loss, and the emotional realities of family-building that rarely get spoken about openly.
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Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women — yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions in women’s health.
In this episode of Modern Conception, I sit down with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Sheeva Talebian for a candid, no-BS conversation about:
• What endometriosis actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Why so many women are dismissed for years
• The connection between endometriosis and fertility
• IVF considerations for patients with endo
• Surgery vs. medical management
• How inflammation, lifestyle, and stress play a role
We also shift gears and talk about Dr. Talebian’s personal approach to health — from marathon training and strength work to how she maintains energy, balance, and longevity while running a demanding clinical practice.
This episode is equal parts science and strategy — designed to help women feel informed, empowered, and in control of their bodies.
Whether you’re navigating endometriosis, thinking about fertility, or simply want smarter insight into hormonal health, this one is essential listening.
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In this episode of Modern Conception, Liza Camellerie shares her decision to become a mother on her own—and why waiting for the “right” partner was no longer part of her plan.
Liza opens up about what it really means to choose single motherhood by choice: the clarity, the grief, the empowerment, and the pushback that often comes with stepping outside traditional family norms. She speaks candidly about letting go of the family structure she once imagined and embracing a path that felt aligned, intentional, and right for her.
Brittney and Amanda explore how Liza’s story reflects a broader shift in modern family-building—where agency, preparation, and self-trust matter more than following a prescribed timeline—and why choosing motherhood on your own terms is not a fallback, but a fully valid and powerful choice.
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In this episode of Modern Conception, Alyssa Tucker shares her extraordinary path to creating twiblings—siblings born around the same time through two completely different pregnancies.
Alyssa opens up about transferring an embryo to a surrogate while simultaneously becoming pregnant herself, and what it meant to carry one child while another was growing through surrogacy. She reflects on the emotional complexity, logistics, and identity questions that come with this rare and deeply intentional family-building journey.
Brittney and Amanda explore what Alyssa’s story reveals about modern fertility, choice, and the evolving definition of family—challenging the idea that there’s only one “right” way to become a parent, or to create siblings.
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In this episode of Modern Conception, Andy Youmans shares his journey to becoming a single father by choice through surrogacy and egg donation—and why waiting for the “right” partner was never part of his plan.
Andy opens up about deciding to pursue parenthood on his own terms, navigating the logistics and emotions of building a family solo, and raising his daughters with pride, honesty, and intention. His story challenges outdated ideas about what families are supposed to look like and offers a powerful reminder that love, preparation, and commitment—not tradition—are what truly define parenthood.
Brittney explores what it means to rewrite the script around fatherhood, masculinity, and modern family-building—and why choosing your path unapologetically can be the most powerful decision of all.
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In this episode of Modern Conception, model Anna Herrin opens up to Brittney Sobel about a decision that sparked both curiosity and criticism: turning to IVF after only a few months of trying to conceive.
In a culture that often ranks suffering and treats fertility care as something you have to “earn,” Anna challenges the idea that people must struggle for years before they’re allowed to ask for help. She shares why choosing IVF early was the right path for her—and how even young, healthy, wellness-focused people can face unexpected fertility realities.
Brittney talks with Anna about judgment, shame, and the pressure to justify reproductive choices, especially in an industry that glamorizes perfection and control. Her story reminds us that infertility and fertility care don’t follow a single timeline—and that everyone deserves the right to make proactive, informed decisions about their body and their future.
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Amanda Warsavsky is a mom of three whose path to building her family was anything but simple.
After a successful IVF cycle and the creation of healthy, genetically tested embryos, Amanda experienced recurrent pregnancy loss — including early miscarriages and multiple failed and complicated pregnancies that no one could fully explain.
For years, she was told everything looked “normal,” until a late diagnosis of endometriosis finally offered a piece of the puzzle.
In this deeply honest conversation, Amanda walks us through:
What it’s like to keep getting pregnant — and keep losing those pregnancies
How repeated loss affects your body and your mental health
Why endometriosis often goes undiagnosed in fertility patients
The decision to turn to surrogacy
And how surrogacy ultimately helped her complete her family
This episode is for anyone who has ever been told “everything looks fine” while their reality says otherwise — and for those navigating pregnancy loss, infertility, or the path to alternative family building.
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Selby Drummond joins Modern Conception for an honest, nuanced conversation about her decision to remain on antidepressants during pregnancy—and the importance of prioritizing maternal mental health.
In this episode, Selby shares how she weighed medical guidance, stigma, and fear while making deeply personal choices for herself and her baby. We discuss the realities of mental health during pregnancy, why “doing everything right” can look different for every woman, and the relief that comes from trusting evidence-based care over judgment.
This conversation is for anyone navigating pregnancy, mental health, or the pressure to be perfect—and a reminder that caring for yourself is caring for your baby.
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In this episode of Modern Conception, hosts Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski sit down with world-renowned reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Brian Levine to break down what every person should know about IVF, surrogacy, egg freezing, and maximizing your chances of success on the path to parenthood.
Dr. Levine brings clarity, honesty, and decades of clinical experience to some of the biggest questions in fertility today, including:
Maximizing IVF
The most common misconceptions about surrogacy
The one thing every patient should do before their first IVF cycle
What the most successful IVF journeys share in common
Is there a “right” age to freeze your eggs?
How AI is shaping fertility
He also shares a glimpse into what fertility treatment will look like in 10 years and rapid-fire takeaways you’ll want to save and share.
Packed with expert insights and practical advice, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and more confident in your next steps.
#Brianlevine #drbrianlevine #IVF #ivfexpert #surrogacy #fertilitydoctor #IVFsuccess #ivfsuccesstips #eggfreezing #fertilitytreatment #fertilitypodcast #womenshealth #Modernconception #itisSloane #BrittneySobel #AmandaZurawski
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In this powerful episode of Modern Conception: A New Era of Fertility, Decoded, hosts Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski sit down with Simmone Taitt, founder of Poppy Seed Health, to share an intimate and deeply moving look at her journey through infertility, loss, healing, and now—surrogacy.
With her baby born just weeks ago, Simmone opens up about the moment she realized surrogacy was the right path, the experiences that shaped her decision, and the beauty and complexity of building a family on her own terms.
Together, we explore:
The emotional path from infertility to surrogacy
What surprised her most about the fertility journey
Why breaking the silence around infertility matters
How her work at Poppy Seed Health intersects with her personal journey
The message she wants others to hear about nontraditional paths to parenthood
This episode is a vulnerable, hopeful, and deeply human conversation about redefining family, honoring your story, and choosing the path that’s right for you.
#SimmoneTaitt #infertility #surrogacyjourney #fertilitystories #modernmotherhood #womenshealth #fertilitysupport #surrogacy #Brittneysobel #Amandazurawski #Modernconception #fertilitypodcast #itissloane
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When Jenna shared on national television that she was expecting her first child — and that she was a lesbian — she had no idea how many people her story would touch.
In this episode of Modern Conception, Jenna opens up about her life as a single mother raising two daughters in New York City, her unexpected cancer diagnosis, and how these experiences transformed not only her identity, but her purpose.
A nutritionist and wellness expert, Jenna also dives into:
What it felt like to come out publicly while pregnant
Navigating motherhood and identity on her own terms
How a cancer diagnosis reshaped her approach to health
What she wants her daughters to know about strength, love, and self-acceptance
The daily practices that keep her grounded and well
This is a conversation about courage, authenticity and rebuilding your life with intention.
#fertilitystories #lgbtqparent #jennawolfe #amandazurawski #brittneysobel #modernconception #fertilitypodcast #itissloane
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Why do so many women grow up not understanding their own bodies—and what can we do about it?
In this powerful episode of Modern Conception: a new era of fertility, decoded, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, OB-GYN, author, and founder of ThreeForFreedom, joins Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski to unpack the truth about reproductive health, fertility and self-advocacy.
Dr. Lincoln has educated more than 4 million women online by breaking down taboos and misinformation surrounding periods, fertility, birth control, and beyond. Together, she, Brittney and Amanda dive into:
🚺 Why so many of us were never taught how our bodies work
💡 The biggest myths about fertility and reproductive health
🩺 How to detect infertility early and get care sooner
💊 Why access, education, and advocacy are the future of women’s healthcare
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt in the dark about their body—or wants to feel empowered to advocate for their care.
🎙️ Modern Conception x it is Sloane — because understanding your body shouldn’t be revolutionary.
#DrJenLincoln #WomensHealth #FertilityPodcast #ModernConception #itIsSloane #FertilityJourney #ReproductiveHealth #OBGYN #FertilityAwareness #FemaleHealth #KnowYourBody #HealthcareAdvocacy
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Content creator, attorney, and strategist Katie Grossbard joins hosts Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski on Modern Conception: a new era of fertility, decoded to share her personal journey of proactively freezing her eggs at a young age—and why she believes knowledge is power when it comes to reproductive health.
In this candid conversation, Katie opens up about what inspired her to take control of her fertility timeline, how her community reacted, and the mental and physical realities of the process. She, Brittney and Amanda discuss why women shouldn’t wait to get informed, how to advocate for yourself in a healthcare system that often leaves women behind, and the importance of reproductive justice and accessible fertility care.
🎙️ Listen if you’ve ever wondered:
What it’s really like to freeze your eggs
How to navigate friends’ and family’s reactions
Why proactive fertility care matters
How to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed
✨ Presented by it is Sloane — fertility care, simplified.
#fertility #womenshealth #reproductivejustice
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What really happens during IVF—and what’s just a myth? In this episode of Modern Conception, we sit down with Dr. Arielle Bayer, a leading reproductive endocrinologist, to tackle the questions you actually want answered. From whether you can stay on GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) during IVF, to the truth about sex during a cycle, to whether IVF really increases your chances of twins—we cover it all.
If you’re considering IVF, supporting someone through it, or just curious about the science and emotions behind modern fertility, this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and insider perspective you need.
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Infertility is on the rise—and access to care is falling behind. In this powerful episode, Chelsea Clinton joins Brittney Sobel and Amanda Zurawski of it is Sloane to unpack why more Americans are struggling to build families, how systemic inequities are deepening, and why infertility is a public health issue—not just a private one.
They discuss:
Why infertility is skyrocketing in the U.S.
The impact of racism, geography, and economics on access to fertility care
What abortion bans mean for IVF and miscarriage care
What real solutions could look like
This is a must-listen conversation about justice, policy, and reclaiming reproductive agency.
