If you’re a Mark Surrogacy Surrogate, we want to help you on your healing journey.
Along with Joey Guzman-Kuffel, LMFT, from Counseling with Joey & Associates, Surrogacy Is is sponsoring up to 3 counseling sessions for any incredible women who were affected by this unethical agency and now need a safe space to express and process their feelings so they can move forward towards healing.
In these sessions, you will be met exactly where you’re at, so you can get exactly what you need out of your healing sessions. Whether that’s identifying your complex feelings over the situation, wanting to regain control of your surrogacy story, or rebuilding your sense of trust.
These confidential sessions are a judgment-free zone offered at no cost to provide comfort and loving community to those who didn’t deserve to have Mark Surrogacy taint their surrogacy experience in this way.
If you are interested in our sponsored sessions, please fill out an interest form here: https://surrogacyis.typeform.com/surrosupport
***If you know a surrogate who would benefit from these sessions, please share this information with them.
#SurrogacyIs #SurrogacyIsAgency #SurrogacySupport #MarkSurrogacy #MarkSurrogacyScandal #MarkSurrogacySurrogates #SurrogateCoumseling
The IVF process is incredible, but complex to understand—especially for kids. So how do you share that magic with your kiddos? 🤷♀️🤷♂️
Today’s podcast guest, Dawn McCahon, couldn’t find anything to help her explain IVF to her kids—so she created it herself—and the children’s book, “Pretty as a Petri” was born. 👶📖
🎧Listen and hear about…
💜Dawn’s IVF story and how isolating she felt it was back then
💜The beautiful, 28-year process it took for her to bring this book to life—including how when she started, people told her there wasn’t a place for it, and how she never gave up on the dream to share this story with others
💜The incredible impact this book has on families today and how it can help celebrate IVF journeys, surrogacy journeys, and donor conception journeys.
👉Hear all about it in this podcast episode—then make sure to get your hands on this wonderful book for yourself. You can find “Pretty as a Petri” at www.prettyasapetribook.com or on Amazon.
#SurrogacyIs #SurrogacyIsLove #SurrogacyIsAgency #SurrogacyIsAPodcast #SurrogacyPodcast #IVFFamilies #IVFBabies #IVFChildrensBooks #PrettyAsAPetri
Whether or not to share your surrogacy experience online is always a weighted decision. ⚖️ Pro? Being able to spread awareness about how beautiful surrogacy can be. 🫶 Con? You’re basically opening up the floodgates for strangers to have (and share) their wild opinions. 😩
The incredible women in this episode’s podcast know all too well about this predicament, and each has felt called to share their surrogacy experiences online in meaningful ways with our community! (And for that, we’re so thankful to them! 💜)
In our latest Surrogacy Diaries, we sat down with our Surrogacy Is Ambassadors—Sam, Lyndsey, Rylea, and Brooke to casually chat about…
✔️ The emotional rollercoaster that comes during the medical screening
✔️How being a surrogate can so easily become such a huge part of your identity
✔️ The reasons they felt compelled to share their surrogacy stories
✔️ The beautiful ways surrogacy can empower not only you as a surrogate, but also inspire those in your family
✔️Why transparency is so important in the surrogacy world—and why research (like our Surrogacy Is guide) is so, so helpful
Tune in for an hour of good surrogacy sisterhood conversation!
Then make sure you’re following our wonderful ambassadors to see more of their content and updates!
💜Sam: @surrogate.sam
💜Lyndsey: @ncmommaandsurrogate, @lstrickland1026
💜Rylea: @takentochurchill
💜Brooke: @brookee2116
👉If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Surrogacy Is Ambassador, fill out a form here: https://eform.pandadoc.com/?eform=693071dc-34d1-4bcc-b2c5-4f6e6fbad6a
**Note: We would like to apologize for some technical issues we experienced during the recording of this episode. You may notice that some guests lost their connection during the recording, and we were unable to salvage some of their footage or edit without it being obvious.
#SurrogacyIs #SurrogacyIsAPodcast #SurrogacyPodcast #SurrogacyIsAgency #SurrogacyIsLove #SurrogacyIsForSurrogates #SurrogacyStories
If you’re in the surrogacy community, the chances you have seen or even own something from @surrogatesisterdesign are high. (You might not even realize those cute socks from your agency came from her!) 😍
In this episode, we’re chatting with Kristal, the woman behind the popular surrogacy swag brand! 💜
Listen and find out…
✨Why she started Surrogate Sister Design (and how it morphed from a side project to something much more)
✨About her own surrogacy experience
✨What her favorite products are to create
✨Some of the challenges she faces
✨Plus so much more!
Her unique, one-of-a-kind designs are created to be worn, shared, and loved! Her shop was developed to advocate, encourage, support, and empower surrogates on their journeys.
And we are, personally, super fans. 🤗
After the episode, make sure to follow her at @surrogatesisterdesign on Instagram. Then make sure to give her shop so love at www.etsy.com/shop/SurroSisterDesign
Dr. Toni, a super rad 2x surrogate and the creator of Wombs of Angels, joins Casey and Sunshine to chat about her surrogacy experiences and how she found herself creating beautiful resources for the surrogacy community.
🎧Listen in as Dr. Toni tells us about her story and how she went from doctors telling her she would likely never carry a successful pregnancy to later, not only giving birth to her own daughter but also birthing two surrogate babies as well! 😲
Now Dr.Toni stays involved with the surrogacy community by developing useful guides and the one-of-a-kind “Grow Through It Milestone & Affirmation Surrogacy Journal.” This journal helps surrogates organize all their surrogacy information (think med cal, appointments, etc.), while also providing a space for them to journal their feelings, enjoy affirmations + coloring pages, and even find useful tips.
We were also lucky enough to chat about Dr. Toni’s next big project, “Heal Through It,” a postpartum surrogacy ebook that addresses all the unique and challenging postpartum feelings and recovery obstacles that surrogates face after their surro-baby’s birth.
✨Hear all about Dr. Toni’s incredible offerings in this podcast episode, and use the exclusive code: SURROIS25 at wombsforangels.com to get a special Surrogacy Is listeners' discount on her surrogacy affirmation journal! ✨
💛Follow @wombs_of_angels on Instagram and visit www.wombsofangels.com for more information and to shop (Don’t forget your code!).
#SurrogacyIs #SurrogacyIsAgency #SurrogacyIsAPodcast #SurrogacyPodcast #SurrogacyCommunity #WombsOfAngels #SurrogacyIsForSurrogates #SurrogacySupport #SurrogacyJournal #SurrogacyRecovery #SurrogacyPostpartum
Did you know non-birthing parents can still have the opportunity to breastfeed their babies? Alyssa Schnell, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and proud breastfeeding mom of three (two by birth and one by adoption), has done it —and now helps other parents do it too with her practice focused on induced lactation.
🗣️In this episode, Casey and Sunshine chat with Alyssa on how she helps intended parents, adoptive parents, and same-sex women who want to share in the feeding responsibilities by stimulating milk production for non-birthing parents.
🎧What You’ll Hear:
✔️What it means to induce lactation
✔️Why it’s so important to determine what success looks like for you
✔️The optimal time to start the process (hint: it might be sooner than you realize)
✔️The medication that’s involved and how to set realistic pumping routines
✔️Ways to find emotional support on your induced lactation journey
✔️Baby-led bottle feeding methods that can support your breastfeeding/induced lactation goals
✔️Alternative ways to connect/bond with your baby through comfort or feeding
And so much more!
If you’re a non-birthing parent interested in induced lactation, you don’t want to miss this incredible and informative time with Alyssa!
💛Follow @alyssa_schnell_ibclc on Instagram or find more information or book a free mini consultation with Alyssa on her website here: www.alyssaschnellibclc.com
📲And as always, please like, share, and subscribe to stay in the know for surrogacy journey resources.
#SurrogacyIs #SurrogacyIsLove #SurrogacyIsAPodcast #SurrogacyPodcast #SurrogacyIsAgency #IPSupport #InducedLactation
How do you know what an appropriate range is for surrogacy compensation? What is too-low and what is too good to be true (because there are catches with it)? How does someone new on a surrogacy journey know how to research compensation? 🤔In this episode of Surrogacy Misconceptions with Surrogacy Is Founders, Casey and Sunshine break down all the need-to-know information that can help you feel informed and empowered when deciding what compensation range feels right for you on your journey. 🤗They’ll go over topics such as: ✨ What does base compensation mean and what does all-in compensation mean?✨ Should compensation be negotiable?✨ Why Southern California surrogates are in such high demand.✨ Should surrogates feel guilty about asking for a different compensation? ✨ Why looking at compensation + benefit packages together is so important.✨ How your “basket items” can influence your compensation range.✨ What red-flags to look for around compensation talks…… And so much more! If you’re a new surrogate, an experienced surrogate wanting to be more informed, or even an intended parent curious about surrogate compensation, this episode is for YOU! 💜💜💜
Krystal Williams from Blooming Love Postpartum Support knows how challenging the newborn stage can be—and she also recognizes the significant shift that occurs for intended parents when they finally bring their sweet baby home.
In this episode, Krystal chats with us about the virtual newborn classes she offers, specifically designed for intended parents. In her classes, she skips all the unnecessary topics like healing postpartum and focuses her time on what intended parents really need: tips to boost their parenting confidence and the specifics to consider when using surrogacy to becoming new parents (ie: how to travel back home with baby, what feeding options to explore, ways to bond with baby—and more!) 🫶
🎧What You’ll Hear:
✔️ How Krystal focuses on painting a realistic picture of what life looks like with a newborn + all the care tips catered to IPs
✔️ The importance of navigating new emotions with a baby, and why, if the connection isn’t instant, that’s okay!
✔️How to rely on your personal strengths to balance responsibilities with your partner (if you have one)
✔️ Ways to distinguish the helpers & the guests in your inner circle
✔️ Why it’s important to recognize when you’re reaching your tap-out zone
✔️ Reasons why you might want to consider hiring a postpartum doula
Plus lots more. 🤗
If you’re an intended parent, looking for helpful resources, you want to give this episode a listen!
💛Follow @bloominglovepdx on Instagram for more insights and class information or visit: www.bloominglovepdx.com
#SurrogacyIs #SurrogacyIsLove #SurrogacyIsAgency #SurrogacyIsAPodcast #SurrogacyPodcast #IPSupport #IPNewbornClasses #IPClasses #IPPostpartumDoula
Jessie Jaklusky is the driving force behind Surrogacy Simplified, a consulting firm built from lived experience, deep empathy, and fierce advocacy. In this episode, Jessie shares the heartbreak that changed everything—the loss of her son, Luke, at 22 weeks—and the resilient path that led her to become a proud mother through surrogacy to daughters Lily and Luna.
With openness and heart, Jessie takes us through the real moments—grief, diagnosis, determination, and finally, the joy of holding her babies thanks to surrogacy. Today, she offers personalized, concierge-style guidance for Intended Parents, helping them navigate the complex, emotional road with clarity, support, and hope.
🎧 What You'll Hear:
Jessie’s deeply personal journey through loss and surrogacy
The inspiration behind Surrogacy Simplified
Real talk about grief, resilience, and rebuilding
What she wishes every Intended Parent knew
Myths, mean tweets, and the powerful truths behind them
✨ Jessie has been through it all—and now she’s here to walk with others on their journey to parenthood.
📲 Learn more at linktr.ee/surrogacysimplified
💛 Follow @surrogacysimplified for real support, honest insight, and practical IP guidance.
#SurrogacyIsSupport #SurrogacyIsLove #SurrogacyJourney #SurrogacySimplified
Coming soon 🎧✨ Meet Jessie Jaklusky—Founder of Surrogacy Simplified, mother through surrogacy, and a woman who turned unimaginable heartbreak into an unstoppable mission.
After losing her son at 22 weeks and facing a diagnosis of Asherman’s Syndrome, Jessie didn’t just seek parenthood—she created a way to help others get there too. Now, through Surrogacy Simplified, she walks alongside Intended Parents offering personalized guidance, honest insight, and deep emotional support.
💛 Trailer Sneak Peek:
From loss to Lily & Luna
The emotional truth of Intended Parenthood
Why simplifying surrogacy changes everything
🎧 Full episode drops next Tuesday!
📲 Learn more: linktr.ee/surrogacysimplified
Follow @surrogacysimplified for more Intended Parent support
#SurrogacySimplified #PodcastTrailer #SurrogacyIsHope #LossToLight
Agency vs. Independent Surrogacy Journeys: What’s Really the Difference? 🤔
It’s one of the most common questions in surrogacy: Should I go independent, or work with an agency? In this honest and eye-opening episode of our Misconceptions Series, Casey and Sunshine break it all down—no fluff, just real talk. 🎧
✨ What does an agency actually do?
✨ What do you need to handle a journey on your own?
✨ And most importantly… what’s the right fit for you?
⚠️Spoiler: Doing it solo takes a lot more than people think.
Whether you're a potential surrogate or an intended parent trying to figure out your next step, this convo is packed with insight, clarity, and a few laughs too.
In this deeply moving episode of Surrogacy Is a Podcast, we sit down with Dani Wade- writer, advocate, and IVF warrior for a conversation that brings light to the emotional layers of infertility.
Dani shares her raw and powerful story from countless retrievals and transfers to grief, loss, and the search for hope in the waiting. With honesty and grace, she opens up about how infertility has shaped her identity, tested her strength, and inspired her to create space for others walking the same path.
This is a special National Infertility Awareness Week episode, that honors the quiet strength of those trying to conceive and invites surrogates to better understand the emotional journeys of the intended mothers they walk alongside.
Whether you’ve experienced infertility yourself, supported a friend, or are stepping into the world of surrogacy—this conversation is a reminder that you are never alone. 💛
In this powerful and informative episode, we’re joined by Meryl Rosenberg—Founder and CEO of Art Parenting, and a longtime leader in reproductive law—to break down Michigan’s historic shift in surrogacy legislation.
With warmth and clarity, Meryl explains what the new law means for surrogates and intended parents, the protections it offers, and how it brings Michigan in line with a more compassionate, inclusive future for family building.
Whether you’re a surrogate, intended parent, or simply curious about surrogacy law, this conversation offers real insight, expert guidance, and plenty of heart. 💛
🎧 Tune in to learn:
What Michigan’s new surrogacy law actually changes
The legal & emotional support families need during the journey
Tips for navigating surrogacy with confidence and care
The Truth About Fertility & Surrogacy with Dr. Aimee, The Egg Whisperer
In this episode of Surrogacy Is..., we’re joined by Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, aka The Egg Whisperer—a leading fertility specialist, reproductive endocrinologist, and host of The Egg Whisperer Show! 🥚✨
Dr. Aimee breaks down everything you need to know about egg freezing, IVF success factors, common fertility myths, and the emotional journey of fertility treatments. Plus, she shares expert insights for intended parents considering surrogacy or egg donation.
💡 Whether you’re on your own fertility journey, supporting a loved one, or just curious about the science behind making babies, this episode is packed with hope, knowledge, and real talk.
🎧 Tune in now and get the expert advice you need! #SurrogacyIs #FertilityJourney #EggWhisperer
🚨 New Episode Coming Soon! 🚨 We’re sitting down with Dr. Aimee, The Egg Whisperer 🥚✨ to dive into the truth about fertility, egg freezing, IVF, and what intended parents really need to know. Whether you’re navigating your own fertility journey or considering surrogacy, this episode is packed with expert insights and real talk. 🎙️💖
🎧 Episode drops next week—who’s excited?!
Ever wondered who the guiding hands are behind each surrogacy journey? In this special episode of Surrogacy Diaries, we sit down with our incredible Journey Coordinators—experienced surrogates who now dedicate their time to supporting others through this life-changing process.
Join us as we:
Share Heartfelt Stories: Our Journey Coordinators open up about their personal surrogacy experiences, from the joyous highs to the challenging moments, offering a genuine glimpse into the surrogate's world.
Offer Practical Advice: Whether you're a current surrogate or considering becoming one, gain valuable insights and tips from those who've walked the path before and now mentor others.
Enjoy Lighthearted Moments: Amidst deep conversations, we sprinkle in laughter and relatable anecdotes, showcasing the camaraderie and support within our community.
This episode is a tribute to the unsung heroes who ensure every surrogacy journey is filled with compassion, guidance, and unwavering support. Tune in to feel inspired, informed, and connected to a community that truly understands.
Listen now and discover the stories behind the coordinators who might just be guiding your journey!
🎙️✨ It’s time for another Surrogacy Diaries episode! 🎉 We’re sharing on all things surrogacy—real stories, real laughs, and all the feels. 💕
And guess what? For this next episode, we’re bringing in the ultimate experts—our Journey Coordinator surrogates! These incredible mamas have been there, done that, and now they’re here to support YOU. Get to know more of the faces behind Surrogacy Is! (who knows, maybe your JC is featured!)
🎧 Full episode next week! Who’s tuning in?! 👀👇
WHO & WHAT would you love to see featured on our upcoming episodes?! Got burning questions or a specialist you'd like to here from...DROP IT IN THE POLL BELOW! (We also have a Podcast Interest Guest Form in our if you'd like to be one or nominate one!)
We’re thrilled to chat with World Renowned Fertility Specialist, Dr. Said Daneshmand from San Diego Fertility Center. He is a leading fertility expert who’s reshaping how we think about reproductive care. 🌈 Learn how he helps intended parents and surrogates navigate embryo transfers, debunks myths about testing, and builds lifelong bonds through surrogacy journeys. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a family or supporting one, this episode is full of heart, science, and actionable insights.
From mini-vacations after embryo transfers to groundbreaking fertility science, here's a sneak peek into next weeks episode!
World renowned #fertilityspecialist, Dr. Said Daneshmand dives into the magic of building families, the emotional connections in surrogacy, and why he’s challenging the status quo in fertility care.
Surrogates and intended parents, you won’t want to miss this one!
In this episode, we sit down with Kiely, founder of That Surrogate Life and a four-time surrogate, to explore the heart of surrogacy. Kiely shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and how those experiences inspired her to create a supportive community for surrogates and intended parents.
We dive into the emotional and practical sides of surrogacy, discuss her “Send a Friend” program, and uncover the misconceptions she’s working to change. Whether you’re curious about surrogacy or seeking inspiration from someone who’s walked the path, this episode offers heartfelt insights and empowering advice. 💕
✨ Learn more about Kiely’s mission to empower surrogates and support intended parents at ThatSurrogateLife.com.
🎧 Tune in to learn how Kiely is reshaping the surrogacy conversation and creating lasting impact.
#SurrogacyJourney #EmpoweredSurrogacy #SurrogacySupport