Create A Happy Family

Choosing surrogacy isn't just about deciding to move forward — it's about knowing who you can trust to support you through the process. In this episode, Monroe shares what he learned after going through two very different surrogacy journeys. Along the way, he offers perspective and advice shaped by what he experienced firsthand — including moments where transparency, ethics, and consistent support made all the difference. Rather than theory, this conversation focuses on what stood out after experiencing journeys with two different agencies — and how working with the right people changed the entire experience. This episode is for anyone researching surrogacy or egg donation who wants to feel informed, supported, and confident before taking the next step.

Advocacy is the heartbeat of Amy's surrogacy journey. In this episode, Amy shares the wisdom she gained through her experience as a surrogate — from her commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ family building to the personal lessons she learned navigating a serious medical complication. Through her story, Amy reflects on how advocacy shows up at every stage of surrogacy: listening to your body, speaking up when something doesn't feel right, and showing up with care and intention for the families and surrogates involved. This conversation explores: Advocacy in surrogacy and assisted reproduction Supporting LGBTQ+ families through family building Navigating medical uncertainty during pregnancy Why listening to your body and trusting your instincts matters How lived experience shapes better support for surrogates and intended parents If you're considering surrogacy, egg donation, or assisted reproduction — whether as a potential surrogate or intended parent — this episode offers clarity, support, and a grounded perspective on what it means to create families with care.

Are you overwhelmed by parenting advice — and wondering if you're doing it wrong? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Rebekah Diamond explains why modern parenting feels louder and more confusing than ever — and how to filter social media, marketing, and online parenting advice without losing confidence in yourself. You worked intentionally to become a parent. You want to do this right. But the constant stream of parenting tips, newborn overwhelm, and influencer opinions can make anyone doubt themselves. In this episode, we break down: • Why modern parenting culture fuels insecurity • How to tell the difference between evidence-based parenting advice and marketing • What newborns actually need in early parenthood • When to call your pediatrician — and when reassurance is enough • How to rebuild parental confidence and trust your instincts This conversation isn't about ignoring science. It's about understanding it — and filtering out the noise so you can parent with clarity, calm, and confidence. Whether you're a new parent or preparing to bring your baby home after fertility treatment or surrogacy, this episode offers grounded, practical guidance to help you move forward feeling supported and steady.

Starting the surrogacy journey can feel overwhelming — especially when you're trying to figure out who to trust and what really matters. In this episode, Crystal shares her experience as an intended parent navigating loss, fear, and the early days of surrogacy, when anxious Googling and conflicting information made everything feel uncertain. She speaks honestly about ethics, control, and the red flags she didn't know how to spot at the beginning — and what actually brought clarity over time. This conversation is for intended parents at the very start of their surrogacy journey who want to feel informed, grounded, and confident as they take their next step.

Being diagnosed with infertility at a young age can feel like the end of the story — even when it's not. In this episode, Emily shares what it was like to be told at 25 that she was already in menopause with no eggs, and how that diagnosis reshaped her path to motherhood. She talks openly about grief, donor eggs, and the gaps in education and support she experienced along the way. Emily also shares why she created the Hopeful Mama Foundation — to ensure others navigating infertility, donor conception, or surrogacy don't have to do it alone. This conversation is for anyone seeking clarity, support, and confidence as they explore their family-building options.

In this episode, Whitney talks with Samantha, a mom of two whose simple "why not?" led her to become a surrogate for two dads — and help create a family. Samantha opens up about the real surrogacy journey: what inspired her to start, what the process truly involves, and what it felt like to see two fathers meet their baby for the first time. She offers an honest, compassionate look at what it means to support others through one of life's most meaningful experiences. This is a story about choice, courage, and the incredible ways families come together today.

Fertility isn't just about trying harder — it's about understanding time and timing. In this episode, Dr. Melvin Thornton explains what most couples miss about fertility, including why properly timed intercourse and early evaluation matter more than many people realize. If you're trying to get pregnant, navigating infertility, or wondering when to seek help, this conversation breaks down the foundational steps before moving to IVF or advanced treatment. Dr. Thornton also addresses one of the most overlooked contributors to infertility: male factor fertility. Nearly 40% of fertility challenges involve sperm health, yet many couples delay or skip a semen analysis early in the process. In this episode, you'll learn: • What "time and timing" really mean when trying to conceive • When age becomes a critical fertility factor • Why ovulation tracking matters • Why sperm analysis should often come first • How to approach fertility testing in a structured, informed way Whether you're just starting your fertility journey or reassessing next steps, this episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance to help you focus on the fundamentals before escalating care. Understanding fertility starts with clarity — and clarity starts with the right information.

What starts as one surrogate saying yes grows into something much bigger. In this episode, Whitney sits down with Cassie, a three-time surrogate whose journey didn't just help create families — it sparked a growing community of surrogates who support, celebrate, and carry one another through every stage of the process. Cassie shares how her desire to become a gestational carrier began long before she had children of her own and how taking one step forward led to a ripple effect she never could have planned. From being the only surrogate she knew to watching a trusted, local network grow beyond her imagination, Cassie reflects on the power of patience, shared experience, and showing up honestly. In this episode, you'll hear about: How Cassie's surrogacy journey expanded into meaningful community Why shared experience deepens support The role of trust, ethics, and communication in sustainable journeys Holding space for both celebration and grief within community Cassie's story is a reminder that you don't always see the impact you're making — but sometimes, one decision can change far more lives than you ever expected. AUDIO: What starts as one surrogate saying yes grows into something much bigger. In this episode, Whitney sits down with Cassie, a three-time surrogate whose journey didn't just help create families — it led to a growing community of surrogates who support, celebrate, and carry one another through every stage of the process. Cassie shares how her desire to become a gestational carrier began long before she had children of her own, and how taking one step forward created a ripple effect she never could have planned. From early connections to watching a trusted local network grow, she reflects on the power of shared experience, patience, and showing up honestly for one another. This conversation explores what makes surrogacy feel sustainable beyond the medical side — including trust, ethics, clear communication, and the importance of holding space for both celebration and grief within a community. Cassie's story is a reminder that you don't always see the impact you're making in the moment — but sometimes, one decision can shape far more lives than you ever expected.

Egg donation is often discussed in clinical terms — procedures, timelines, and compensation — but for some donors, the experience goes beyond the calendar and includes unexpected relationships with the intended parents. In this episode, Morgan shares what egg donation was actually like for her, including what surprised her most and how her experience challenged common assumptions about donors, boundaries, and attachment. She reflects on navigating relationships thoughtfully, being invited to meet the baby she helped create, and how intention shaped her journey. If you're thinking about egg donation or want a clearer picture of what the experience can actually look like, this conversation offers insight from someone who's been through it.

In this episode, Whitney talks with Korbet Annis, a stem cell expert, to explain the key differences between cord blood banking and newborn stem cell banking. From how each is used to the misconceptions families often hear, Korbet breaks down the science in a clear, approachable way. This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to make informed decisions before birth. For more information, visit the following links: VitalCells [https://vitalcells.com/] https://online.flippingbook.com/view/60551055/ https://vimeo.com/957259315

In this episode, Whitney talks with Amy Huston, who shares her experience building a family through egg donation and surrogacy after medical challenges made pregnancy impossible. From IVF setbacks to releasing the need for genetic connection, Amy reflects on "borrowed trust," letting go of control, and finding peace on an unexpected path to parenthood.

In this episode, Whitney is joined by Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, known as The Egg Whisperer, for a clear and practical conversation about what to do before starting fertility treatment. From simple testing and the TUSHY Method to egg freezing, embryo quality, and egg donation, Dr. Aimee explains how to approach fertility with knowledge, confidence, and self-advocacy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone taking their first steps — or wishing they had clearer answers sooner.

Parenthood doesn't always look the way we plan — but it can still be everything we dreamed of. Whitney talks with Liz & Brian Goulding and Brandon, three intended parents who built their families through egg donation. Their stories are filled with honesty, hope, and courage — from facing fertility realities and heartbreak to finding peace and joy in a different path to parenthood.

In this special episode, Whitney talks with the Surrogate Education and Matching Team at Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions — the women who help connect surrogates and intended parents every day. Through transparency, trust, and compassion, they show how every family begins with people who care deeply about making the journey personal and meaningful. 🌿

Two women — 2,700 miles apart — connected through surrogacy and built a lifelong friendship. After loss, Jackie found hope through Kaitlin, a first-time surrogate who carried her daughter and helped her become a mother. Their story is proof that love creates family in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. 🌷

Two women share how becoming egg donors changed their lives in ways they never expected. From emotional surprises to lasting connections, they reveal how giving the gift of life gave them something even greater — a deeper sense of purpose and love. 🌿

When Lisa and Aaron McDonnell began their first surrogacy journey, they never imagined they'd be back here — years later, starting again with the same surrogate who made them parents the first time. In this heartfelt conversation, host Whitney Hall sits down with Lisa and Aaron to talk about what it's like to grow your family through surrogacy twice — and with the same person who helped bring your first child into the world. They share the emotions, faith, and gratitude that led them to say yes again, the lessons they've carried from their first journey with Claire, and what it means to build a family grounded in love, trust, and hope. If you've ever wondered what surrogacy really looks like — emotionally and relationally — this story will remind you that family isn't defined by biology alone, but by the people who choose to create it together. Follow Lisa, Aaron, and Claire's ongoing sibling surrogacy journey on our social media, and join the Create a Happy Family community for more real stories from those creating families — and those who help make them possible.

Faith and fertility aren't opposites — they can work together to create new life. 🌿 Whitney talks with Pamela Brantley Dunnings — attorney, theologian, cancer survivor, and mother of twins through surrogacy — about how God can work through science to build families with love, grace, and purpose. A conversation about hope, ethics, and the miracles that happen when faith meets fertility.

Ever wonder what happens to your eggs after retrieval? Or what those mysterious embryo grades actually mean? In this eye-opening episode, Whitney sits down with Lucille Little, a traveling embryologist with nearly a decade of experience in human IVF, to break down the behind-the-scenes science of fertility treatment. Lucille has worked in top labs across the country and brings a unique blend of expertise and clarity to a topic that often feels overwhelming. Together, they dive into the step-by-step process that happens inside the lab—from fertilization and embryo development to grading, genetic testing, freezing, and beyond. Whether you're an intended parent, surrogate, egg donor, or just fertility-curious, you'll walk away from this episode with a clearer understanding of: -What embryologists actually do -How embryos are graded and why it matters -Common myths and misconceptions about embryo quality -The role of the lab in IVF success rates -What to ask your clinic about embryo care and storage Lucille's passion for helping people build families is contagious, and her insights are a must-hear for anyone navigating IVF or third-party reproduction. 🎧 Listen now to demystify the lab side of IVF—and feel empowered with the knowledge you deserve.

What does it mean to live a life of service? For Bridget Romero, it began with military discipline and sacrifice — and it continues today through the selfless act of surrogacy. In this inspiring episode of Create a Happy Family, Bridget shares how a quiet whisper became her calling. From being inspired by her cousin's infertility journey, to balancing single motherhood, to walking through the shots, structure, and sacrifice of surrogacy — her story is one of courage, purpose, and love. Bridget reminds us that service doesn't end with a uniform. Sometimes, it begins again with a new mission: helping another family's dream come true. In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ How Bridget's military background prepared her for the discipline of surrogacy ✅ Why she describes her calling as "a whisper that grew louder" ✅ The role of self-advocacy and research in saying yes to surrogacy ✅ How she explained the process to her 12-year-old daughter — and her daughter's touching response ✅ The joy and nerves of being pregnant again after more than a decade ✅ Why surrogacy is about more than just the baby — it's about lifelong connection and purpose Whether you're a veteran, a single parent, or someone simply curious about surrogacy, Bridget's story will inspire you to listen to that whisper in your own life — and maybe even discover your new mission.