IVF DADDIES

In this episode of IVF Daddies, we speak openly about what it means to try to become parents in the Netherlands, where there is no clear legal framework for the path we needed to take.We talk about navigating uncertainty, living in a legal gray zone, and carrying on after loss, grief, and repeated emotional setbacks. This is not a polished story — it’s a firsthand account of what happens when the system offers no roadmap and the emotional cost is real.We share how we coped with failed attempts, how grief showed up in unexpected ways, and why we chose to keep going even when there were no guarantees — medically, legally, or emotionally.This episode is for anyone who has faced barriers created by laws, systems, or circumstances that don’t reflect their reality — and still had to find a way forward.If you want to understand what family-building looks like when the rules are unclear and the stakes are personal, this conversation is for you.CHAPTERS (KEEP AS IS – CLEANED & SCANNABLE)00:00 Why We Wanted a Family02:20 When the First Plan Didn’t Work05:22 Trying Different Paths07:45 Emotional Highs and Lows10:13 Finding Support12:49 Moments of Hope15:17 Facing Setbacks17:11 Processing Loss18:59 Choosing to Continue21:32 Trust and Connection23:48 Sharing Our Story25:50 Navigating Complex Rules27:34 Waiting and Uncertainty30:48 The Day Everything Changed34:06 Talking About It as a Family

Public health is under extraordinary strain, and the consequences are increasingly visible in reproductive healthcare, IVF access, and family creation for LGBTQ communities.In this episode of the IVF Daddies Podcast, host Julio speaks with Dr. Demetre C. Daskalakis, physician and public health leader with deep experience in community-based care, including work at Callen-Lorde. Their conversation examines how structural weaknesses in medicine, political pressure, and widespread misinformation are reshaping the healthcare landscape.Topics include:Why misinformation is overwhelming clinicians and patientsHow public health failures affect IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive decision-makingThe ethical burden placed on healthcare providersWhy family creation should be understood as a public health issueThe role of trust, transparency, and community engagement in restoring care systemsThis discussion connects public health policy, reproductive medicine, and lived experience, offering insight into why health equity and ethical leadership matter now more than ever.For professionals, intended parents, and policymakers navigating IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive healthcare, this episode provides clarity grounded in real-world experience.Dr. Demetre Daskalakis discusses how public health system failures, misinformation, and political pressure are affecting IVF access, reproductive healthcare, and trust in medicine, particularly for LGBTQ families, emphasizing the importance of community-centered care and ethical leadership.According to Dr. Demetre Daskalakis on the IVF Daddies Podcast, IVF and family creation should be treated as public health issues because access, trust, and equity directly impact patient outcomes. Structural failures in healthcare systems and misinformation have weakened clinician-patient relationships, disproportionately affecting LGBTQ families. Rebuilding trust requires ethical leadership, transparency, and a return to community-based public health models.00:00 — The Current State of Public Health03:02 — Science, Misinformation, and Public Trust05:30 — Ethical Courage in Medicine08:23 — The Growing Burden on Clinicians11:20 — Family Creation as a Public Health Concern13:54 — How Public Health Systems Regressed16:47 — The Importance of Community-Based Care19:35 — Lessons from Recent Public Health Crises22:21 — Building a More Resilient Healthcare FutureFor deeper reporting and resources on IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive access:Explore IVF costs and access: https://ivfdaddies.com/costsDemetre's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drdemetreListen to more expert conversations: https://ivfdaddies.com/episodesShare lived experience anonymously: https://ivfdaddies.com/confessionsSubscribe for policy, healthcare, and family-building insights: https://ivfdaddies.com/#newsletterIVF Daddies is a platform where reproductive medicine, public health, and real families intersect — with clarity and accountability.

All's Fair: What happens when reality TV finally touches the part of IVF nobody wants to talk about — the embryos, the consent, and what happens in a divorce?Kim Kardashian opened a door. Ryan Murphy kicked it wider.But ALL’S FAIR just did something rare: they made mainstream America confront the emotional and legal reality of IVF and surrogacy.And today, we’re going deeper.This episode breaks down what actually happens when you create embryos…Chapters00:00 Introduction to IVF and Reality TV02:39 Understanding Consent in Embryo Transfer05:31 The Reality of Embryo Transfer Procedures08:19 Personal Experiences with Embryo Custody11:22 Fertility Preservation and Its Complexitieswhat happens when you separate…and why consent isn’t “drama” — it’s the entire foundation of reproductive autonomy.Dr. Brooke Freeman and Richard Westoby unpack the real stakes behind the headlines:frozen embryos, custody battles, fertility preservation, and the part reality TV never explains — the emotional weight of “The finality of that is hard.”If you care about reproductive freedom, family building, or the future of IVF… this conversation will change the way you watch reality TV forever. HUGE THANKS to Ryan Murphy (a dad via surrogacy himself!) for producing content that opens up the essential global conversation about Reproductive Health and family building.

A conversation about visibility, community, and the stories shaping today’s media landscape.This episode unpacks a cultural moment that’s been building across Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas. From Bravocon energy to the storylines dominating reality TV and celebrity culture, people are beginning to see through the noise — and understand why visibility matters more than ever.We explore how today’s media voices are shaping public understanding, why familiarity changes hearts, and how advocacy becomes stronger when people can finally see themselves in the story. It’s a grounded, honest look at community, culture, and the momentum that’s reshaping the conversation everywhere.In this episode:• How visibility in media influences culture• Why community stories shift public perception• The impact of major media events like Bravocon• What LA, NYC, and Vegas teach us about momentum• Why support grows when people understand the narrativePerfect for listeners who care about connection, representation, and the deeper meaning behind what’s happening in entertainment and community culture.https://www.instagram.com/anthonyramosah/https://www.instagram.com/ivfdaddieshttps://www.instagram.com/juliogaggiahttps://glaad.org/BravoCon is a significant event for LGBTQ representation.Reality TV offers a unique platform for authentic storytelling.The portrayal of queer families in media is evolving.Allyship is crucial in supporting the LGBTQ community.Visibility in media can shape societal acceptance.Authenticity in reality TV resonates with audiences.There is a need for more LGBTQ family narratives.Challenges for the LGBTQ community persist, but progress is being made.Celebrity culture influences public perception of LGBTQ issues.The future of LGBTQ representation in media looks promising.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Queer Representation in Media02:43 The Impact of BravoCon on LGBTQ+ Visibility05:29 Reality TV vs. Traditional Media: A New Era of Representation08:21 The Role of Reality TV in Shaping Family Narratives11:14 Allyship and Authenticity in the LGBTQ+ Community14:01 Challenges and Triumphs in LGBTQ+ Representation16:45 Looking Ahead: Future of LGBTQ+ Families in Media19:24 Reflections on Allyship and Community Support22:17 Celebrity Influence and Personal Connections25:08 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

This episode captures what it really feels like to build a family through surrogacy — the anticipation, the uncertainty, and the life-altering joy of becoming parents. In this intimate conversation between IVF DADDIES and DADS.KIDS.MIRACLES, we explore the decisions that shape a family, the emotions that define it, and the support systems that make it all possible.Every surrogacy journey begins with a decision — a private moment when future parents choose to believe that family can take many forms. But what happens after that choice? What follows is an emotional landscape few people talk about publicly: the waiting, the updates from the surrogate, the moments of fear, and the quiet victories that lead to birth.Here, you’ll hear how connection, trust, and communication become the foundation of everything. When you’re an intended parent, every call from the surrogate can change the course of your day — and every milestone, no matter how small, feels monumental. The journey is unpredictable, but it’s also deeply human.We discuss what it means to stay grounded through unexpected news, how to navigate medical uncertainty, and how to hold space for hope even when outcomes are unclear. The story includes moments of premature birth, gratitude, and a love so profound it reshapes what parenthood means.This isn’t just about IVF or fertility treatments — it’s about identity, partnership, and how family expands beyond biology. It’s about the quiet strength of those who carry life for others, and the deep emotional bond that forms between intended parents and surrogates. It’s about learning that parenthood isn’t only about genetics or timing — it’s about showing up, over and over, no matter what happens.In this episode, we look at the conversations that matter most:– How do couples decide that surrogacy is the right path?– How do they manage the rollercoaster of updates, appointments, and emotions?– What happens when things don’t go as planned — and what keeps them going?– How can family, friends, and community be a source of stability?– And most importantly, how do you stay connected to joy when fear feels closer?Through honesty and compassion, this episode celebrates the real faces behind modern parenthood — couples, surrogates, and families redefining what love looks like in the 21st century. It’s a reminder that no matter how advanced the science becomes, the heart of surrogacy is still deeply human.If you’re considering surrogacy, in the middle of a journey, or supporting someone who is, this story offers perspective, comfort, and hope. Because the path to parenthood can be messy, emotional, and imperfect — but it’s also full of meaning, connection, and miracles that change you forever.Hook line: “You can decide what you do — but parenthood decides who you become.”Listen now and discover the courage, vulnerability, and beauty behind creating life in a new way.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Family Life and Surrogacy00:12 The Journey of Premature Birth01:00 Navigating the Emotional RollercoasterKEYWORDS / TAGS:surrogacy, parenthood, family, fertility, emotional journey, surrogacy stories, intended parents, family building, ivf daddies, dads kids miracles, modern families, parenthood stories, fertility awareness, family life, love, connection, emotional health, surrogacy podcast, ivf podcast, fertility podcast#surrogacy #ivf #parenthood #family #fertility #ivfdaddies #dadskidsmiracles #surrogacystory #fertilityjourney #familybuilding #intendedparents #love #hope #miracles #modernfamilies