Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

Doing time in prison is one thing, but doing it during childbearing years can be a lifetime sentence of its own. In this gripping episode of Baby or Bust, Amanda Knox shares her experience of wrongfully losing her most fertile years in prison with our host Dr. Lora Shahine. Since being in an Italian prison for four years and on trial for murder for another eight, Amanda Knox has used her platform to speak out about the fertility consequences on women in prison. In an honest discussion with host and reproductive endocrinologist Lora Shahine, Amanda shares her lifelong desire to be a mom, women's unique challenges of becoming mothers after prison, her grief with a miscarriage, trauma's impact on fertility, and more. Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media. Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga and executive produced by Paul Anderson and Nick Panella for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Fasten your seatbelts for a controversial⁠—and educational⁠—episode about COVID-19 and fertility. In this intimate episode, host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine provides an illuminating medical overview of the pandemic's impact on the fertility community. This episode quells COVID-19 rumors and fears by deciphering studies about infections and vaccinations. Lora highlights the origins of misleading COVID-19 vaccine fears, addresses COVID-19's effect on menstrual cycles and fertility, and provides her take on risks associated with getting vaccinated. For a digestible analysis of COVID-19 and fertility data, listen to this episode. Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Today's men have almost 60% less sperm than their parents or grandparents, and research points to environmental toxins as the likely culprit. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Dr. Shanna Swan, an award-winning scientist, and researcher, to talk through toxins' impact on our reproductive and overall health. With over 200 scientific papers (including one that went viral) and a successful book, Dr. Swan is a leading voice in toxins awareness in fertility medicine. This episode tackles big topics about humanity—Are humans on their way to extinction? Why are sperm counts dropping? Does our species have a reproductive problem?—and get specifics about actions to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors. You can learn more about Dr. Swan here: https://www.shannaswan.com/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Building a family with donor sperm is more common today than ever before. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Lora Shahine meets with the father of modern sperm donation, Dr. Cappy Rothman, who explores the past, present, and future of the sperm donation process. As the co-founder of California Cryobank, the world's largest sperm bank, Dr. Rothman has been at the forefront of assisted reproduction since its inception. Dr. Shahine and Dr. Rothman dig into the history of sperm banking (spoiler alert: The concept wasn't well-received when first shared in the 1950s) and his advocacy for sperm bank access for couples experiencing infertility. The episode also touches upon 23andMe and Ancestry.com's implications with donor anonymity, what people generally want in a donor, the information captured by sperm banks, and much, much more. You can learn more about Dr. Rothman here: https://www.laweekly.com/the-god-of-sperm/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Sperm donation is more common than ever, but it's rare to hear about the donor's motivations and repercussions—until now. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine meets with long-time sperm donor Zack to learn about his experience discovering, applying, and becoming a frequent donor. Zack's initial motivation for becoming a sperm donor seems like something out of a movie script: He was a starving student who needed to pay the rent. What started as a solution to make ends meet has grown into a mission to help others build families, and this Baby or Bust episode explores the ins and outs of embracing this much-needed role in the fertility process. From detailing the application process to remembering his own family's reactions, this refreshing discussion will open your eyes to the possibilities that come from sperm donations. You can learn more about The Seattle Sperm bank here: https://www.seattlespermbank.com/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Surrogacy is shrouded in misconceptions, and it's often the answer to the end of a long infertility journey. Eloise Drane, the owner of egg donor and surrogacy agency Family Inceptions, tackles the misunderstood topic head-on with Baby or Bust host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine. Eloise Drane is deeply familiar with the surrogacy process—personally and professionally. As a six-time egg donor and three-time gestational surrogate, this episode highlights Eloise's perspective on traditional vs. gestational surrogacy, the role of a surrogacy agency, considerations with surrogacy compensation, and advice for intended parents. Together with Dr. Shahine, this episode gives an honest depiction of surrogacy while dispelling common stigmas. You can learn more about Eloise here: https://familyinceptions.com/about-us/meet-our-team/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Male infertility: How common is it, and what can you do to beat the odds? In this information-packed episode of Baby or Bust, reproductive endocrinologist and host Dr. Lora Shahine speaks with Dr. Paul Turek, a leading innovator in male reproductive health and founder of The Turek Clinic, to separate fact from fiction with male infertility. This episode gives you all the must-knows about improving male fertility—from the food you consume and the lifestyle you lead. Dr. Turek shares his wisdom on why history is the most crucial consideration for a low sperm count, clarifies what evidence says about ideal nutrition, and addresses if someone can *really* be too fit to be fertile. Our host and guest also touch upon marijuana's effect on sperm motility, the risks of BPA exposures with reproductive health, supplements that might improve sperm count, and Dr. Turek's views on COVID-19's relationship to sperm production. A must-listen for anyone interested in the male factor of infertility. You can learn more about Dr. Paul Turek here: https://www.theturekclinic.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Many women suffer in pain—from periods, intercourse, and everyday life—for years before getting a diagnosis. In today's episode, Dr. Lora Shahine meets with guest Dr. Sonia Bahlani, a chronic pelvic pain specialist, to uncover advice that helps listeners advocate for the care they need and deserve. The two doctors discuss our society's acceptance of pain as part of the female experience (spanning back to the 1800s) if periods are supposed to be painful, and common signs of endometriosis. Dr. Bahlani also shares her recommendations for listening to your body, rejecting gaslighting, recognizing racial bias in medical environments, and considering a holistic approach to health for pain relief. You can learn more about Dr. Sonia Bahlani here: https://www.pelvicpaindoc.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

There are many ways to build a family, and today we're talking about adoption. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Cathie Quillet, a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and public speaker, to expound on the ins and outs of adoption. This episode focuses on Cathie's endometriosis diagnosis that forever changed her perspective on building a family. Cathie shares her story on overcoming immense fertility challenges—including multiple miscarriages, IVF, partial hysterectomy, and oophorectomy—as part of her journey to adoption. Additional topics discussed include an overview of adoption agencies, deciding between domestic and international adoptions, adoption waiting lists, adoption costs, and a step-by-step guide to adoption. You can learn more about Cathie here: https://thequilletinstitute.com/about-cathie/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Each person's fertility journey can be full of surprises, and Baby or Bust guest Kaci Aitchison Boyle is no exception. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with communications master (and former patient) Kaci to discuss her experience undergoing years of fertility treatments—and a surprise pregnancy at age 40. This episode focuses on Kaci's fertility story, starting with the common misconception from adolescence that getting pregnant is easy for everyone. Kaci shares her challenges starting a family, learning about different fertility treatments, undergoing multiple rounds of IUI and IVF, and the experience of being a parent after loss. For anyone struggling to build a family, this episode will provide you with comfort and hope. You can learn more about Kaci here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaciaitchison/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Let's get to the heart of emotional stress and its impact on physical health. Reproductive endocrinologist and host Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Dr. Ali Domar, a world leader in mind-body medicine, for an honest discussion about stress, infertility, grief, empathy, and the many different emotions that come with family building. Dr. Domar is a pioneer in the application of mind/body medicine and reproductive health, and in this episode, she sheds light on the discoveries she's made about stress and the body throughout her career. Dr. Shahine and Dr. Domar dive right into stress and its correlation with infertility, along with the benefits of developing mind/body management skills. Additional points of discussion include the differences between the way men and women process stress with infertility, the emotional impact of IVF between partners, and celebrities' impact—for better and for worse—on the way we understand infertility. You can learn more about Dr. Domar here: www.dralicedomar.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Infertility can feel like a women's club, but men are also affected by the emotional tolls. Dr. Lora Shahine speaks with Jon and Laura of Infertility Man (a website, YouTube channel, and soon-to-be book) to share their perspective on building a family through IVF after Jon survived testicular cancer. Jon and Laura chat about their decision to proceed with IVF, document their fertility story online, and mission to illuminate the male factor in infertility. The two recount undergoing 14+ egg retrievals and IVF cycles, share tips for improving couples' communication and discuss finding normalcy through daily routines. You can learn more about Jon and Laura here: https://www.infertilityman.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Buckle up for some frank conversations about infertility. In this episode of Baby or Bust, host Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Jennifer "Jay" Palumbo, an award-winning writer, stand-up comic, and infertility advocate, to discuss pop culture's role in misconceptions about IVF and fertility. Our guest, an infertility warrior and women's health advocate, brings a refreshing voice to mainstream fertility discussions. Lora and Jennifer discuss the nuances of fertility-related controversies by prominent figures (including Paris Hilton, Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, Lena Dunham, and Janet Jackson) and clarify misunderstandings about fertility in public discourse. You can learn more about Jennifer here: https://wonderwomanwriter.com/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

This episode acknowledges the loneliness of infertility and support systems to help. Reproductive endocrinologist and host Dr. Lora Shahine meets with podcaster and advocate Kaela McDougall to discuss the pain of infertility, humor as a tool for healing, and the special connection shared between those who have experienced infertility. Kaela is the co-host of The Infertile Mafia, a podcast dedicated to sharing truths about infertility, IVF, and trying to conceive. In this episode of Baby or Bust, Kaela tells her story about experiencing infertility, starting her podcast, and finding solace in the strong community she's discovered on social media. Lora and Kaela explore the benefits of honoring your emotions, finding strength in vulnerability, and advocating for yourself. You can find more about Kaela here: https://infertilemafia.podbean.com/ Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

It's tough to know when to see a fertility doctor, and this episode will help you figure out the right time. Host Dr. Lora Shahine joins friend and fellow reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford for an informative chat about their work, including misleading media portrayals and relationships with infertility patients. As doctors who have committed their careers to helping others build families, Dr. Shahine and Dr. Crawford have seen it all. This episode debunks common misconceptions—IVF recommendations, waiting periods before seeing a fertility doctor, patient ages—through a lens of compassion. This episode gives a run-through of what you can expect in your first visit, finding a clinic that's a good fit, and considerations with at-home testing. You can learn more about Dr. Natalie Crawford here: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

When you're in the LGBTQ+ community, there's a lot to navigate with parenthood. Today, host Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins, creators and authors of the podcast and book If These Ovaries Could Talk, for an enlightening conversation about building—and celebrating—families of all forms. This episode is a crash course on the reproductive possibilities within the LGBTQ+ community. Jaimie, Robin, and Lora discuss reproductive discrimination, second-parent adoption laws, and deciding the road that's right for you. Lora also shares her medical insight on reproductive possibilities among a couple with uteruses and ovaries, such as receiving donor sperm and undergoing reciprocal IVF. You can find more about Jaimie and Robin here: https://www.ovariestalk.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Today, we're talking all about egg donors as a way of building your family. Host and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Dr. Shannon Clark, a double board-certified OB/GYN, and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, who became pregnant via egg donor after multiple failed cycles of IVF. While Dr. Clark is a physician, she's also experienced life as a fertility patient. In this episode, Dr. Clark tells her story about building a family after 40 and the ultimate decision to use an egg donor. She and Dr. Shahine discuss the beauty of egg donations, egg donor registry selections, celebrating your journey, and more. You can learn more about Dr. Shannon Clark here: https://www.babiesafter35.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Infertility affects people from all walks of life, but why are Black women twice as likely to suffer from infertility and half as likely to seek treatment? In this thought-provoking episode of Baby or Bust Chiquita Lockley, film director, and producer, discusses the perception and reality of infertility in the Black community with our host Dr. Lora Shahine. This episode explores the complex relationship between fertility treatment and the Black community, spawning from historical burdens, stigmas, assumptions, and shame. With a determination to educate through documentary filmmaking, Chiquita reflects on the mission and goals for her ground-breaking documentary film on fertility in the Black community, Eggs Over Easy. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:00] Infertility in the Black community [2:18] Chiquita's personal journey and inspiration for her documentary [6:39] The impacts of infertility and miscarriage [11:08] The financial and medical barriers of infertility [14:31] Shame and stigma around infertility in the Black community [16:20] Personal stories and advocacy [19:18] Representation and education [19:37] What you can do to help Connect with Chiquita Lockley: LinkedIn- www.linkedin.com/in/chiquita-lockley-61333692 IG - @quitawrites Easy Over Easy Film www.eggsovereasyfilm.com Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books This episode of Baby Or Bust was produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, Bray's Run Productions, and Greg Moga. Executive produced by Nick Panella and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media.

Can a fertility support group help you on your family building journey? Experiencing infertility can feel lonely, but our guest, Kimberly Nicholson, shares how a community support group, organized by the national fertility organization RESOLVE, helped her navigate the roller coaster of emotions. Kimberly has now founded her own RESOLVE fertility support group and shares the benefits she sees helping others through similar struggles. In this conversation, Kimberly and Dr. Shahine discuss the pros and cons of fertility support groups, resources for finding local groups, what a typical meeting looks like, and valuable tips for anyone thinking of joining an infertility support group. In this episode you'll hear: [2:51] Finding support and overcoming isolation [8:25] The role of support groups in infertility [10:57] Building lifelong friendships in support groups [19:27] The challenges of support groups [22:46] Starting a support group and finding participants [24:40] How support groups differ from the support of family and friends [27:15] Normalizing infertility and sharing knowledge [28:12] Connecting with the infertility community You can learn more about finding a support group near you at resolve.org/support/find-a-support-group. If you're in or near Bellevue, Washington, you can register to join Kimberly's group here: resolve.org/event/wa-bellevue-general-infertility-peer-led-support-group/2024-09-10 Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books This episode Baby Or Bust was produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, Bray's Run Productions, and Greg Moga. Executive produced by Nick Panella and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, yet many with this experience suffer in the shadows. In this Baby or Bust episode, host Dr. Lora Shahine meets with Dr. Ruth Lathi, an OB/GYN professor and Director of the Multi-specialty Recurrent Pregnancy Loss program at Stanford University, to discuss pregnancy loss and finding support. Our guest shares her motivation to open a repeat pregnancy loss center, misconceptions about miscarriage, common causes of miscarriage, and bringing compassion to patients. With multiple references to studies and patient stories, Dr. Shahine and Dr. Lathi broach this challenging topic with information and empathy. You can learn more about Dr. Ruth Lathi here: https://profiles.stanford.edu/ruth-lathi Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media: Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn This episode of Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Baby Or Bust season 1 teaser. Connect with Dr. Lora Shahine on social media! Tik Tok | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn Baby Or Bust is Produced by Mark Ramsey, Jaime Solis, and Greg Moga. Executive Produced by Nick Panella, and Andrew Greenwood for Workhouse Media. Baby Or Bust is produced in partnership with the Seattle Sperm Bank. Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]