Embryo adoption created an extraordinary dynamic in Brian & Karen’s extended family— where baby Faith was actually conceived years before her teenage cousin Casey was even born! In this Season 5 finale of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, Casey shares excerpts from her award-winning essay about embryo adoption, while her aunt Karen opens up about the emotional journey through loss, faith, and ultimately welcoming Faith home. It’s a beautiful illustration of how embryo adoption not only grows families- it creates advocates for the tiniest lives, who need someone to speak up for them.Here is the link to check out Casey's full essay and those of the other finalists in the contest she won: https://lutheransforlife.org/article/2025-lfl-national-essay-contest-winners/ 

Meet Katherine Jackman, the first grandmother featured on The Embryo Adoption Podcast. After remembering President Bush's 2005 "snowflake children" White House event, Katherine suggested embryo adoption to her daughter and son-in-law during their fertility struggles. Their journey brought Katherine a new grandson and even inspired her to write a new children's book explaining embryo adoption through a farming allegory! You’ll be enriched as Katherine shares her unique perspective on supporting adult children through the process, the unexpected emotions of embryo loss, and the joy of welcoming her miracle grandson.  Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you get your audio.

In this moving episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, Executive Director Tamara Martin of Arrows in the Sky shares profound insights on navigating the complex grief of failed embryo adoption transfers and pregnancy loss. Drawing from her own hard journey, Tamara discusses how spouses may grieve differently and the vital importance of memorializing lost children. Plus, she shares her ministry's mission of providing free care packages with grief resources to families facing infertility and loss. Tamara’s compassionate perspective provides validation for the grieving and guidance for those supporting them. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your audio.

Why does the NEDC require its adopting families to complete a home study, and what’s involved? How are open adoption relationships worked out? And why do all NEDC adopters go through training/education modules? Christian Adoption Consultants Lead Social Worker & Embryo Program Coordinator Rebekah McGee answers all those questions and more in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast. Plus, Rebekah shares the heart for adoption that led her to this work in the first place. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ben & Emily Parker felt called to embryo adoption- seeing it as a beautiful picture of the Gospel in miniature, and less of a rollercoaster for their three young daughters than other forms of adoption or care for vulnerable children. In this episode, hear how their journey’s going & how they’re sharing it with their daughters. Plus, they encourage other families -fertile & infertile- to pursue embryo adoption as a way to affirm the value of human life, not solely as treatment for infertility. Find this episode helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ezekiel Lee went from thinking embryo adoption sounded “so sci-fi”… to becoming an NEDC dad! But he and his wife Rachel were frustrated there was no book comprehensively covering how to pursue embryo adoption. So, Ezekiel decided to write it himself! He talks about the book, Once Frozen, Now Family: How to Pursue Embryo Adoption, and How Seven Families Did It, in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast. Plus, he and Rachel share their own story. Here’s a link where you can order the book: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Frozen-Now-Family-Adoption/dp/B0DY1VW7LG?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Philip and Kahlie share their seven-year journey through infertility, their decision to pursue embryo adoption, and the challenges they faced—including selecting embryos during a natural disaster! They also reflect on how the whole process deepened their spiritual understanding of adoption, inspiring them to advocate for embryo adoption in their community… all in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

At first, having children came easy for Eric & Nana. But then they encountered secondary infertility before they felt their family was complete. In this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, find out how they turned to two kinds of adoption -including embryo- to complete their family. In the process, God brought them a youngest child who was actually conceived before their oldest!  Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Abby & Bryce Thomas may be the only couple we know who literally drove all night (they actually slept in the car!) to get to their frozen embryo transfer. While the early part of their journey with the NEDC didn’t work out as they hoped, they felt led by the Lord to return three years later. Now, as you’ll learn in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, things are totally different. You’ll love this story of how God has grown Abby & Bryce to a family of six- and not just through embryo adoption!

Randy and Jenni share their journey from unexplained infertility to the joy of parenthood through embryo adoption, guided by faith and ethical considerations. They reflect on the emotional process, the birth of their son Silas (frozen for 9.5 years!), and they have a surprise to unveil, so listen all the way to the end! Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Because of a previous battle with a tumor, Drew knew having children might be a challenge when he & Chrissy got married. He was right, but now they’re both thankful for their eventual answer -embryo adoption- and confident it was the road God had for them all along. It’s even created opportunities for them to share their son Theo and his story at art shows! But more than anything, it’s taught them that God is enough, even when facing the possible death of a dream. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this compelling Season 5 kickoff episode, we hear from Hannah Strege, the first official embryo adoption baby, as she shares her extraordinary journey and ongoing advocacy for embryo adoption. From her parents' simple "seed analogy" explanation of her origins to memorable moments like visiting the White House, Hannah's story is both inspiring and thought-provoking. She reflects on her genetic family, discusses her unique perspective on embryo adoption as a bridge in the pro-choice/pro-life debate, and calls for necessary reforms in the fertility industry. Now a licensed social worker, Hannah envisions a future dedicated to adoption counseling and raising awareness about this life-giving option for families facing infertility. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Donors’ and recipients’ feelings can change in surprising ways during the embryo adoption process, so anticipating the unexpected can lead to a better experience. In this Season 4 finale of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, psychologist Dr. Jaclyn Davis shares key findings from her extensive research with embryo adoption families.  NOTE: If you would like to learn more about joining Dr. Davis’s embryo adoption support group, you may email her at jaclyndavisphd@gmail.com. Here is the link to her private practice: https://www.glenforestpsychological.com/. Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

After a long stretch of unexplained infertility, Amber describes it as “incredible, crazy, and magic” when she and Matt learned they were pregnant with twins through embryo adoption. In this episode, they share their helpful, inspiring story- highlighting the importance of communication, openness to unique family-building methods, and gratitude for the journey that’s brought them closer together. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

NEDC President Dr. Jeffrey Keenan thinks February’s landmark Alabama Supreme Court ruling could lead to a more life-affirming world for frozen embryos. But it won’t happen without navigating some complex questions: Does “life begins at conception” include embryos? Are we willing to advocate for more ethical IVF? Can Christian believers unite on a life-affirming approach to fertility treatment? Dr. Keenan walks through some of these vital questions in this special episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Brittany & John once thought Klinefelter syndrome had erased any hope of experiencing pregnancy. Now, they’re in awe of God’s goodness as Brittany is about to deliver their embryo adoption baby. In this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, they share their journey, which they call “miraculous & remarkable.” Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Embryo adoption and infertility can be very tough on people who are “planners," like Jenna and her husband. They never planned to be a one-child family, but they are. In this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, Jenna unpacks an embryo adoption journey of both lasting joy and lingering disappointment. She also describes how God is working through her shattered plans to shape her. May her story bring you comfort, peace, and hope. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Known as “The Queen of Christian Fiction,” bestselling author Karen Kingsbury has a new movie out- and it’s about embryo adoption! Karen joins The Embryo Adoption Podcast to talk about her newly released film Someone Like You (based on her book of the same name). It’s a story she believes in so much, she used her life savings to finance it! Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Embryo adoption parents Isaac & Olivia Hall say people have been asking them a lot more questions about embryo adoption and IVF lately. The spark: February’s Alabama Supreme Court decision declaring embryos to be human lives. Isaac & Olivia are a natural go-to couple, not only because they’ve adopted embryos, but because Isaac is a pastor. Hear more about the conversations they’re having post-Alabama. Plus, learn from their own journey, which starts with a deeply felt family connection to adoption, in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast. Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 

John & Sarah were prepared for another failure when the embryos in their second NEDC transfer were graded lower than those in their first. Now, they have twins from that transfer! Lots of helpful stuff in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, including takeaways on overcoming cancer, the importance of having a mentor couple, not putting too much stock in an embryo’s grade, and trusting God at a deeper level!  Don’t forget to share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.