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Create A Happy Family

Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions

Who knew it could take more than two people to have a baby? 

Create A Happy Family is a weekly podcast for anyone exploring surrogacy or egg donation — hopeful parents, surrogates, and egg donors alike.  

This show brings you real stories, expert insights, and honest conversations from people who’ve lived it.  

Hosted by Whitney Hall — a two-time surrogate and surrogacy coordinator with Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions — each episode offers the clarity, transparency, and support you need to explore your family-building options with confidence.  

You’ll hear from intended parents, surrogates, egg donors, and professionals, each sharing their unique perspective to help guide yours.  

Whether you’re just beginning or deep in the decision-making process, Create A Happy Family will equip you with the knowledge, encouragement, and reassurance to move forward — feeling truly informed and supported.  

💫 Creating Happy Families via Egg Donation & Surrogacy, one relationship at a time.

Please click -->  Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions to find out more!

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  • 29 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 45 min
  • English

Episodes 29

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  • S4 · E46
    October 28 · 1 hr 4 min

    Your Surrogate is Pregnant. Now What?

    What is it really like for two dads to build their family through surrogacy? In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Whitney sits down with Will and Chris as they prepare to welcome their first child. They share how they found their way to surrogacy, what it’s been like building a relationship with their surrogate, Brie, and how they’ve stayed involved in the pregnancy while living in different states. Their journey has brought exciting milestones, unexpected challenges, and plenty of moments when they’ve leaned on each other, their surrogate, and their team at Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions. But their circle of support has grown beyond the people directly involved in their journey. What began as a way to document their experience for themselves and their son has grown into @twogaysandababy, where they share their journey as a gay couple building a family through surrogacy. While sharing their story has meant navigating difficult questions and comments, it has also opened the door to educating others about surrogacy and connecting with dads who understand their path to parenthood firsthand. In this episode, we discuss: - Choosing surrogacy as a path to fatherhood - Building a relationship with a surrogate across the distance - Navigating the surrogacy process with a trusted support team - Sharing their family-building journey publicly - Preparing to welcome their first child #surrogacy #gaydadsviasurrogacy #intendedparents #lgbtqfamilybuilding #twogaysandababy CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E45
    October 21 · 37 min

    Are Sibling Surrogacy Journeys Easier?

    Are sibling surrogacy journeys easier? It's easy to assume a second surrogacy journey with the same intended parents will be easier. But as Erika shares, the same family doesn't always mean the same journey. In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Erika shares what it was like to carry siblings for the same family, navigating pregnancy loss, anxiety, healing, and ultimately helping her intended parents welcome their second child. Along the way, she shares honest advice for surrogates and intended parents about communication, trust, and finding hope when the journey doesn't go as planned. In this episode, we discuss: Sibling surrogacy journeys Pregnancy loss during surrogacy Why every surrogacy journey is different Building trust throughout the journey Subscribe for more conversations about surrogacy, IVF, family building, intended parents, and reproductive medicine. #surrogacy #gestationalsurrogate #ivf #familybuilding #intendedparents CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E44
    October 14 · 58 min

    What Happens When IVF Doesn't Work?

    What happens when IVF doesn't work? After a failed IVF cycle, miscarriage, or difficult diagnosis, it's easy to feel like you've run out of options. But according to reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Leah Kaye, you're never just a diagnosis, and your story isn't over. In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Dr. Kaye shares how she helps patients navigate infertility with compassion, balance hope with realistic expectations, and explore the next steps in family building, including egg donation and surrogacy when appropriate. In this episode, we discuss: • Failed IVF cycles and pregnancy loss • When to consider egg donation or surrogacy • How fertility specialists approach complex cases • Why feeling heard is medicine • Supporting the whole person, not just the diagnosis Content note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Please take care while listening if these topics are especially tender for you. #ivf #infertility #fertilityjourney #surrogacy #familybuilding CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E43
    October 7 · 29 min

    What Happens After a Surrogate Gives Birth?

    What happens after a surrogate delivers and everyone goes home? In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Whitney sits down with Barette Best, a licensed postpartum doula and Surrogacy Education & Engagement Specialist at Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, to talk about a part of the surrogacy journey that doesn't always get as much attention: the fourth trimester. So much of a surrogacy journey is focused on getting to delivery. But once the baby is born and the journey everyone spent months preparing for is technically over, the surrogate begins a transition of her own—one that isn't always an obvious part of preparing for surrogacy. Whitney and Barette talk about a surrogate's life after a surrogacy journey, why the fourth trimester deserves its own conversation, and the new Fourth Trimester Program created to provide Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions surrogates with an additional layer of support after delivery. In this episode, we discuss: The fourth trimester after surrogacy A surrogate's life after a surrogacy journey What can change after delivery Postpartum support for surrogates Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions' Fourth Trimester Program #surrogacy #fourthtrimester #surrogatesupport #postpartum #lifeaftersurrogacy CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E42
    September 30 · 39 min

    Why Do Infertility Stories Matter?

    Why do our family-building stories matter, even before we know how they'll end? In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Whitney sits down with award-winning journalist, author, and host of the Infertile AF podcast Alison Prato to talk about the stories we tell about infertility, IVF, loss, and the many different ways families are built. Ali shares how her own experience with secondary infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss led her to start sharing her story, and why, nearly 400 episodes of Infertile AF later, she continues making space for others to share theirs. That belief in the importance of seeing our experiences represented extends to the stories we tell children, too. Whitney and Ali talk about her Work of ART book series and Petri Dish Princess, Ali's new book with Elizabeth Carr, the first person born through IVF in the United States, and what it means to bring a piece of IVF history to a new generation. In this episode, we discuss: Ali's experience with secondary infertility, pregnancy loss, and IVF The story behind Infertile AF Why family-building stories don't all need the same ending Representation in family-building stories Petri Dish Princess and Elizabeth Carr's IVF story #Infertility #infertileaf #ivf #familybuilding #petridishprincess Get your copy of Petri Dish Princess by heading to the link below! https://www.infertileafgroup.com/books CONNECT WITH INFERTILE AF https://www.infertileafgroup.com/ CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E41
    September 23 · 1 hr 4 min

    What Should You Know Before Becoming an Egg Donor?

    Egg donation may begin with a decision someone makes today but what could that decision mean years from now? In this episode of Create A Happy Family, psychotherapists Kristin Maljean and Leslee Murphy join Whitney to talk about preparing egg donors for both the process in front of them and the future implications of their decision. What does it mean to know there may be a person in the world who shares your genetics? What happens if that person wants contact someday? What might you tell a future partner or your own children? And in a world of consumer DNA testing, what does "anonymous" donation even mean anymore? Kristin also shares her perspective as an intended parent who built her family through egg donation and why the donor's story can become a meaningful part of a child's own story. In this episode, we discuss: What happens during an egg donor psychological evaluation Informed consent and donor readiness Genetic and mental health history Future contact and donor-conceived people The changing meaning of anonymous egg donation Talking with partners, family, and future children about donating What intended parents should know about donor screening Subscribe for more conversations about egg donation, donor conception, IVF, surrogacy, and family building. #EggDonation #EggDonor #DonorConceived #DonorConception #FamilyBuilding CONNECT WITH MEMORIAL WELLNESS & COUNSELING https://memorialwell.com/ CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E40
    September 16 · 34 min

    How Do You Find an LGBTQ-Friendly Fertility Clinic?

    How do you find an LGBTQ-friendly fertility clinic? Over three decades in reproductive medicine, fertility specialist Dr. Michael Guarnaccia has watched both fertility science and society's definition of family evolve. In this episode, he shares what LGBTQ individuals and couples should look for in a fertility clinic, and why personalized, relationship-centered care can make all the difference when building your family. Whether you're just beginning to explore IVF, egg donation, surrogacy, or other family-building options, this conversation offers practical guidance on choosing a fertility team that understands the needs of LGBTQ families and supports you every step of the way. In this episode, we discuss: How to choose an LGBTQ-friendly fertility clinic Why personalized fertility care matters Building a fertility team you can trust Egg donation and surrogacy for LGBTQ families Finding support throughout your family-building journey Subscribe for more conversations about IVF, egg donation, surrogacy, fertility, and family building. #LGBTQfamilybuilding #fertility #IVF #surrogacy #eggdonation CONNECT WITH NEW ENGLAND FERTILITY INSTITUTE https://www.nefertility.com/ @nefertility CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://www.createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E39
    September 9 · 48 min

    What Happens When Surrogacy Makes The Headlines?

    What does ethical surrogacy actually look like, especially when something goes wrong? Recent conversations surrounding the Baby Rumi case have raised difficult questions about surrogacy: Who protects the surrogate? Who protects the intended parents? And what happens when people disagree after a pregnancy has already begun? In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Whitney is joined by Katy Encalade, President & CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, and Crystal Chaing, Vice President of Surrogacy Program & Client Content Development. But before leading and supporting families through surrogacy professionally, Katy was a surrogate herself, and Crystal built her own family as an intended parent through surrogacy. Together, they move beyond one headline to explore what ethical surrogacy looks like in practice, and the safeguards that should be in place before a journey ever begins. Because ethical surrogacy isn't defined by what happens when everything goes according to plan. It's revealed in what happens when it doesn't. In this episode, we discuss: - What ethical surrogacy actually means - Thoughtful matching and hard conversations before pregnancy - Surrogate autonomy and intended parent rights - Independent legal counsel, screening, and professional support - What happens when surrogates and intended parents disagree - The role of an agency when a journey becomes complicated - Red flags to look for when choosing a surrogacy agency Subscribe for more conversations about surrogacy, IVF, egg donation, intended parenthood, and family building. #EthicalSurrogacy #Surrogacy #GestationalSurrogacy #IntendedParents #FamilyBuilding CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E38
    September 2 · 44 min

    The Birth Didn't Go as Planned... The Moment Was Better.

    Birth rarely goes exactly as planned. When Jessica's surrogacy journey unexpectedly ended in an emergency C-section, the moment she had been envisioning all along didn't happen the way she expected, but it became even more beautiful. In this episode of Create A Happy Family, Jessica shares how trust, communication, and a genuine relationship with her intended parents transformed an unexpected birth into one of the most meaningful moments of her life. From matching and pregnancy to delivery and life after surrogacy, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the best journeys are built on connection, not perfection. In this episode, we discuss: Finding the right intended parents Building trust throughout a surrogacy journey When birth doesn't go as planned Creating meaningful relationships through surrogacy Supporting intended parents during delivery Life after a successful surrogacy journey CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily #surrogacy #gestationalcarrier #birthstory #intendedparents #familybuilding

  • S4 · E37
    August 26 · 41 min

    When Should You Tell Your Donor-Conceived Child?

    When should you tell your donor-conceived child their story? Not "if," but "when." In today's world, donor conception is no longer something families can, or should, keep secret. More importantly, experts and donor-conceived adults agree that children benefit from growing up knowing their story. In this episode of Create A Happy Family, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Danny Shapiro and donor-conceived adult Josh McLaurin share why early disclosure matters, how it shapes identity, and why DNA isn't destiny. Together, they offer practical guidance and reassurance for parents navigating donor conception with honesty, love, and confidence. In this episode, we discuss: When to tell your donor-conceived child Why early disclosure matters Identity and donor conception Meeting your biological donor as an adult Common concerns intended parents have Why DNA doesn't define a family Subscribe for more conversations about donor conception, IVF, egg donation, surrogacy, and family building. #donorconception #ivf #eggdonation #familybuilding #intendedparents CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E36
    August 19 · 20 min

    When I Couldn't Be a Surrogate Anymore

    What happens when a surrogacy journey doesn’t go the way you hoped? In this episode, our host Whitney Hall gets vulnerable and shares the part of her story she rarely talks about: her third surrogacy journey ending after two failed transfers and the emotions that followed. After two successful journeys, Whitney never expected how much her identity had become tied to being a “successful surrogate” until that role suddenly changed. What followed was a complicated mix of grief, anger, loss, and questioning where she still fit within a space that had once felt so deeply connected to her purpose. This conversation explores: * the emotional impact of failed transfers in surrogacy * how identity can become tied to outcomes * unnamed grief and loss after a journey ends * what happens when hope no longer feels certain * learning to hold both heartbreak and meaning at the same time * why support matters even when a journey doesn’t move forward This episode is an honest reflection on surrogacy, loss, identity, and the quieter parts of this work that often go unseen. And for anyone navigating disappointment, grief, or an unexpected ending in this space, this conversation is a reminder that your story, your effort, and the hope you carried still matter.

  • S4 · E35
    August 12 · 1 hr 4 min

    You Want to Build Your Family, But Do You Know Your Options?

    Many people know they want to build a family, but they don’t fully understand the options available to them, or even where to start. In this episode of Create a Happy Family, Justine Witzke, PhD, MPH, Founder & CEO of Aligneage Fertility, shares how understanding your fertility can bring greater clarity to the family-building process. From semen analysis and male fertility preservation, to donor sperm, and coordinated care, Justine explains how better information can help intended parents make more informed decisions about their next steps, and why fertility care is about more than test results. It’s about understanding the whole person, their goals, and the path their path to parenthood. In this episode, we discuss: • What a semen analysis can tell you • Common misconceptions about fertility • Fertility preservation and future planning • Donor sperm and care options Whether you’re exploring IVF, egg donation, surrogacy, or sperm donation, this conversation offers practical insight to help you better understand your options and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. CONNECT WITH ALIGNEAGE FERTILITY https://www.aligneagefertility.com CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://www.createahappyfamily.com @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E34
    August 5 · 52 min

    How Surrogacy Psych Evaluations Really Work

    In this episode of Create A Happy Family, psychotherapists Leslee Murphy and Kristin Malejan explain how surrogacy psych evaluations really work, why clinics require them, and what they're actually looking for. Rather than searching for perfection, they're looking at the whole person to help set surrogates and intended parents up for a healthy, successful journey. In this episode, we discuss: What happens during a surrogacy psych evaluation Common misconceptions about psychological clearances How ASRM guidelines are used in real life Why psychologists look beyond a checklist Why communication, support, and expectations matter CONNECT WITH MEMORIAL WELLNESS & COUNSELING https://memorialwell.com/ CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily #surrogacy #psychologicalevaluation #gestationalcarrier #intendedparents #familybuilding

  • S4 · E33
    July 29 · 43 min

    What It's Really Like to Be a Surrogate

    Jordan dreamed of becoming a surrogate for more than a decade before finally taking the leap. In this episode, she shares what it's really like to be a surrogate, from matching with intended parents and navigating a surrogacy journey to delivery and life after birth. She opens up about the fears many women have before becoming a surrogate, the incredible relationship she built with her intended parents, and why she says surrogacy was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. When baby faced unexpected medical challenges after birth, Jordan found herself asking a question many surrogates fear: "Was this somehow my fault?" She shares how she worked through those emotions and what the experience taught her about trust, communication, and support. In this episode, we discuss: • Becoming a surrogate • Matching with intended parents • Pregnancy, delivery, and life after birth • Common fears and misconceptions about surrogacy • Navigating unexpected challenges after delivery • The power of communication, trust, and support Whether you're considering becoming a surrogate, exploring surrogacy as part of your family-building journey, or simply curious about the process, this conversation offers an honest look at what surrogacy is really like, and why Jordan says she'd do it again. CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily #surrogacy #surrogate #intendedparents #familybuilding

  • S4 · E32
    July 22 · 42 min

    I Helped Create a Family Before Starting My Own

    Hannah first considered egg donation as a way to help pay for college. What she didn't expect was how much the experience would change her life. In this episode, Hannah shares her journey as an egg donor, from seeing an ad on social media and navigating the screening process to helping create a family and learning that one of her donations resulted in a live birth. Now pregnant with her own daughter, she reflects on egg donation with an entirely new perspective and explains why she says she'd do it again. In this episode, we discuss: • Why Hannah chose to become an egg donor • Common fears and misconceptions about egg donation • The egg donation process and what to expect • Egg banks vs. private donation • Learning that a donation resulted in a baby • How becoming pregnant changed her perspective on helping other families Whether you're considering becoming an egg donor or simply curious about the experience, Hannah offers an honest look at the process, the impact it had on her life, and the families she helped along the way. CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily CONNECT WITH CHILES & WARREN https://www.chileswarrenlawgroup.com/

  • S4 · E31
    July 15 · 48 min

    IVF Laws Are Changing: What You Need to Know

    Every few months, another headline or proposed law leaves intended parents and surrogates wondering: “How could this impact my journey?” In this episode, ART attorney Joni Franklin breaks down what’s actually changing in surrogacy and IVF law, what people are misunderstanding online, and what intended parents and surrogates should really be paying attention to right now. We discuss evolving regulations, growing oversight, compensation shifts, legal misconceptions, and why experienced professionals matter more than ever in today’s landscape. This conversation isn’t about panic. It’s about clarity, realistic expectations, and moving through this process with confidence. CONNECT WITH FRANKLIN LAW OFFICE https://www.jfranklinlaw.com/ CONNECT WITH ART RISK FINANCIAL & INSURANCE SOLUTIONS https://www.chileswarrenlawgroup.com/ CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E30
    July 8 · 58 min

    How Do You Choose the Right Surrogacy Agency?

    Learning how to choose a surrogacy agency is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, whether you're hoping to become a surrogate or grow your family through surrogacy. But not all surrogacy agencies operate the same way. In this episode of Create A Happy Family, the Education and Matching Team at Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions shares what every surrogate and intended parent should know before saying yes to a surrogacy agency. From matching and education to communication, screening, advocacy, and support, we discuss the questions you should be asking and the standards every agency should meet. In this episode, we discuss: How to choose a surrogacy agency Questions to ask before signing with an agency Red flags to watch for What ethical agency standards look like How agencies should support surrogates throughout their journey How agencies should support intended parents from match to delivery Why communication, transparency, and advocacy matter Whether you're just beginning your research or deciding between agencies, our hope is that this conversation helps you move forward with confidence and clarity. #surrogacy #surrogacyagency #gestationalcarrier #intendedparents #familybuilding CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E29
    July 1 · 1 hr 3 min

    I Finally Became a Mom… But I Wasn't Prepared for Postpartum

    What happens after infertility… when you finally become a mom, but still find yourself struggling emotionally? In this episode, Blair shares her journey through recurrent loss, IVF, egg donation, and the unexpected reality of postpartum anxiety after finally welcoming her son, Archie. As a labor and delivery nurse, Blair spent years helping other families welcome babies into the world while navigating her own heartbreak behind the scenes. She opens up about repeated miscarriages, the emotional decision to use an egg donor, the moment she “just knew” her donor was meant to be part of their story, and the complicated emotions that came after finally becoming a mother. This conversation explores: • infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss • choosing egg donation • postpartum anxiety after infertility • the pressure to feel “grateful” after finally having a baby • learning to ask for help and give yourself grace • hope, resilience, and continuing to be brave through motherhood Whether you’re walking through infertility, postpartum, egg donation, or simply trying to navigate motherhood honestly, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone.

  • S4 · E28
    June 24 · 1 hr 2 min

    If IVF Is So Expensive, Why Transfer Just One Embryo?

    If IVF is so expensive, why would a fertility clinic recommend transferring just one embryo instead of two? It's a question many intended parents ask. After all, if you're investing so much time, money, and emotion into building your family, wouldn't transferring two embryos increase your chances of success? In this episode, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Julian Escobar explains why modern IVF treatment has moved toward single embryo transfers and why more embryos don't necessarily mean better outcomes. Drawing from his expertise and personal experience with growing his own family, we discuss the risks associated with multiple pregnancies, how IVF success is measured today, and why the ultimate goal isn't just pregnancy—it's bringing home a healthy baby. In this episode, we discuss: • Single embryo transfer vs. double embryo transfer • Why fertility clinics prioritize healthy outcomes • The risks of twin and multiple pregnancies • Common misconceptions about IVF success • How intended parents can make informed IVF treatment decisions If you've ever wondered why fertility doctors often recommend transferring a single embryo, even when transferring two seems like the better bet, this episode will help you understand the reasoning behind one of the most important decisions in IVF and fertility treatment. CONNECT WITH DR. JULIAN ESCOBAR https://conceivefertilitycenter.com/ @drjulianescobar CONNECT WITH GATHER RECORDS COLLECTION & REVIEW https://gatherrecords.com/ CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS https://createahappyfamily.com/ @createahappyfamily

  • S4 · E27
    June 17 · 37 min

    We Met Through Surrogacy. Now We're Family.

    Nick and Bailey met because of surrogacy. They never expected to become family. In this special Father's Day conversation, intended father Nick and surrogate spouse Bailey share how trust, vulnerability, and open communication transformed a surrogacy journey into a lifelong friendship. What started as supporting their wives became a relationship built on respect, honesty, and a shared commitment to helping one family grow. In this episode, we discuss: • The role of the intended father and surrogate spouse • Building trust throughout a surrogacy journey • Supporting your spouse through family building • Communication, respect, and setting expectations • How a surrogacy match became family Whether you're an intended parent, surrogate, or surrogate spouse, this conversation is a reminder that the relationships built along the journey can be just as meaningful as the destination. CONNECT WITH EGG DONOR & SURROGATE SOLUTIONS @createahappyfamily CONNECT WITH SEEDTRUST ESCROW #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #FamilyBuilding #Surrogate #IntendedFather #SurrogateSpouse #FamilyThroughSurrogacy #AssistedReproduction #FertilityJourney #CreateAHappyFamily

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