The Babymakers Fertility Podcast

Baby making is a team effort — but male fertility is still massively overlooked. In this must-listen episode, Dr. Danica Thornberry sits down with Dr. Paul Turek, a world-renowned male urologist and microsurgeon, to unpack what most couples don’t realize before IVF: male factor infertility is common, often treatable, and deeply connected to overall health.Dr. Turek explains why the semen analysis can be confusing (and even misleading), why IVF with ICSI may cause men to skip crucial medical evaluations, and how fertility can act as a powerful biomarker for male health — potentially flagging issues like hormone imbalance, chronic stress, lifestyle inflammation, varicocele, and even broader health risks.They also dive into what chronic stress does to the male nervous system (spoiler: constant cortisol can slash testosterone and sperm production), why numbers motivate men to change, and the practical lifestyle shifts that can meaningfully improve outcomes.If you’re trying to conceive, preparing for IVF, or you want your partner to feel like a real part of this process — this episode is essential. Want to work with Dr Turek? Visit www.theturekclinic.com, where you can schedule a consultation and read his blog! **Be sure to tune in to his podcast, Talk With Turek -- dedicated to male infertility and men's health: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-with-turek/id1760044922 Episode Timestamps:00:00 Chronic stress, cortisol, and the link to low testosterone + low sperm01:20 Why men get overlooked in fertility (and why that’s a huge mistake)03:57 Advanced paternal age: sperm age matters too (and why this is “new” for humans)06:44 Why Dr. Turek left traditional Western medicine to go holistic08:26 “IVF with ICSI is the worst thing that happened to men” (what he really means)10:06 Men skip evaluation before IVF — and what gets missed because of it14:40 Why semen analysis varies so much + the “poker hand” way to read results17:37 The lifestyle study: 65% conceived naturally after being “cleared male factor”23:39 Male infertility as a biomarker: cancer risk, comorbidities, and long-term health31:34 What actually causes low sperm count (varicocele, lifestyle, genetics, exposures)39:19 Chronic low-level stress: constant cortisol, primitive nervous system, and exhaustion46:05 Marijuana and male fertility: DNA damage, long exposure time, possible cancer links52:02 How to reach men: meet them where they are (phones, apps, partners, podcasts)57:08 Why listening is everything: the “doorway confession”, when men share ✨ Episode sponsors:The Seed Fertility Program: https://www.seedfertility.comPopular, affordable online fertility courses; including: Succeeding at IVF -> The 28-Day Seed Fertility Masterclass Healing After LossImproving Egg Quality for Egg Freezing Fertility MeditationsHolistic Guide to Endometriosis**Use PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS to get 20% OFF any Seed Fertility course!Interested in working with Danica?Click here to book a session:http://wellpeoplehealing.janeapp.com/

In this deeply honest and hope-restoring episode, Dr. Danica Thornberry sits down with former patient and SEED Fertility Masterclass alum Carly Joseph, who shares her multi-year fertility journey marked by IVF failure, endometriosis, grief, surrogacy, and ultimately motherhood.Carly and her husband began trying to conceive in 2020 during the height of COVID. What they expected to be a straightforward IVF path quickly became years of setbacks—poor embryo development, multiple failed transfers, a chemical pregnancy, and a diagnosis of endometriosis that required surgery. As her fertility journey unfolded, Carly was also navigating the devastating loss of her mother, compounding emotional and physical stress.After years of retrievals and transfers, Carly made the difficult decision to pursue gestational surrogacy. Even then, the journey tested her resilience: miscarriages with a proven carrier, emotional burnout, and moments of deep surrender. In a remarkable turning point, Carly’s eighth retrieval resulted in nine genetically normal embryos, leading to two successful surrogate pregnancies and the birth of two babies just 17 weeks apart.Now on the other side, Carly reflects on the lessons of patience, surrender, and self-compassion—and how this experience inspired her to create a concierge-style support service to help other women and couples navigate fertility and surrogacy with empathy and clarity.And remember, listeners of The Babymakers Fertility Podcast save 20% on all Seed Fertility online courses at SeedFertility.com, using the promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout.

Influencer and Los Angeles realtor Kati Cattaneo shares a story that still feels surreal. On the morning of January 7, 2025, she underwent her second IVF egg retrieval and later that same day, she watched her Palisades home burn down in a wildfire.In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode, Kati opens up about the emotional realities of fertility treatment: the pressure of tracking, the strain on relationships, the shame many women carry silently, and the importance of community. She shares how IVF unexpectedly prepared her to navigate grief, uncertainty, and loss — and how opening up online helped her heal while supporting others on similar journeys.This conversation explores infertility, resilience, surrender, and the quiet strength that emerges when women allow themselves to be seen, supported, and held by community.Follow Kati's family-building adventure on tiktok: @katicattaneo or Instagram: @katicatt ✨ Please help support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:The Seed Fertility Program: https://www.seedfertility.com. Use PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS to get 20% OFF any coursewellpeople Integrative Healing: https://www.wellpeoplehealing.com Book an appointment with any of their holistic providersInterested in working with Danica? Click here to book a session: https://wellpeoplehealing.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/1PODCAST INFO🍎 Apple Podcast: 🟢 Spotify: 🎧 RSS:

Often regarded as a “last resort” medicine, acupuncture is added to a fertility patient’s protocol when nothing else has worked. But HOW does acupuncture actually help improve fertility? Why do fertility patients love it so much?!In this episode, Danica interviews fellow fertility acupuncturist and colleague, Laura Erlich, for an insightful conversation that explains the unique role acupuncturists can play when they join the fertility patients’ team.We’re experts as perspectivizing this tough time, skilled at restoring hope and known for consistently presenting ways to “think outside the box” to view your situation with more patience and grace.Let’s face it - our world is changing. We’re evolving to be more reliant on technology, and that includes how we build our families.This episode takes the sting out of doing IVF and reminds us all that we’re part of something bigger…To work with Laura Erlich, visit mothernurturela.com.To save 20% on any course within SeedFertility.com, enter promocode BABYMAKERS20 at checkout.

Sharing tips, strategies and success stories that inspire… these doctors’ episodes inform and help women and couples to better understand their options; from a holistic and biomedical standpoint.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

This fascinating episode explains how the foods we choose during our cycle can serve as fertile “medicine” or they can work against our best efforts to conceive and stay pregnant.Registered dietician and podcast host Robyn Goldberg joins Danica for a discussion that speaks to the listeners who’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed by the information available about what to eat, particularly when trying to conceive.It’s a matter of truly understanding the power of nutrition and how food works once we eat it — because that knowledge informs our relationship with food, as well as the choices we make about dieting.Listeners will learn why certain foods are recommended during the phases of their menstrual cycle to support reproductive hormones, and why staying flexible about our lifestyle and food choices is important in maintaining our fertile potential.With decades of experience in Los Angeles helping patients overcome various forms of overly-structured and disordered eating, Robyn Goldberg shares what she feels is most helpful in creating a balanced approach to eating, staying nourished and preparing for pregnancy.To work with Robyn or learn more about her book and podcast, visit theeatingdisordertrap.com.To work with Danica and her team of holistic providers, either virtually or in-person in Los Angeles, visit wellpeoplehealing.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the leader in online fertility education… Empowering fertility patients worldwide using a combination of Fertile Thoughts and Fertile Foods.Use promocode BABYMAKERS20 to receive 20% all courses at SeedFertility.com and take back some control in a journey that feels out of your control.

In this episode, Danica interviews former fertility specialist, Dr. Paul Magarelli to discuss the integration of holistic modalities like Chinese medicine into the modern protocol of IVF.Sure, there’s a bridge now between the ancient art form of acupuncture and the modern science of babymaking, but it wasn’t always the case!Listeners will gain perspective as well as useful insight and advice from this conversation between two seemingly unlikely friends with the same goal … to help women and couples become parents.

Talking to your fertility doctor can be intimidating, but feeling comfortable enough to ask any question can help you relax enough to make a difference.Los Angeles fertility specialist Catherine DeUguarte, MD joins Danica in this casual conversation that attempts to “normalize” the fertility treatment conversation.Making more eggs, male factor, testosterone, marijuana, timing of sex, cold plunges, supplements and exercise are just a few important topics covered in this episode.You can find Dr DeUguarte at pfcla.comExecutive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

Endometriosis excision surgeon, patient advocate, and author of “Beating Endo”, Dr Iris Kerin Orbuch sits down with Danica to help patients learn much more about endometriosis and adenomyosis — in an effort to help them develop an individualized plan for treating (and beating!) endo.Everyday Dr Iris Kerin does detective work for patients who arrive at her office saying, “My doctor sent me here, but I don’t have any symptoms.”There’s a litany of different ways that endo reveals itself and this episode examines each one; helping to answer questions like: “Do I have endometriosis? Do I really need surgery?”The one thing Dr Iris Kerin wants patients to know is that endo is NOT limited to painful periods! It’s a leading cause of unexplained infertility and pregnancy loss, gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, anxiety, depression and urinary/genital dysfunction.Listeners will learn why a HOLISTIC (whole body) approach is what really makes a difference in longterm management of endo and improvement of fertility.To schedule a consultation with Dr Iris Kerin Orbuch, visit LAgyndr.com or on Instagram @dririsorbuch.The movies mentioned in this episode are available for download - EndoWhat.com and BelowTheBelt.com for those looking to learn even more.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick EdwardsThis episode is sponsored by:wellpeople Integrative Healing (wellpeoplehealing.com)The Seed Fertility Program- (seedfertility.com PROMO CODE: BABYMAKERS20)

This episode focuses on “girl power”, humor and optimism; it’s an uplifting reminder to stay focused on what you CAN do and what IS within your control.Meeting patients where they are in their fertility journey is one of Dr Jennifer Shulman’s many super powers. As an acupuncturist of 20 years, Jenn knows when to insert humor into this challenging conversation to help patients stay calm during an uncertain process.Through means of creating a realistic health plan and helping her patients continue to put one foot in front of the other, Jenn Shulman is a bright light always shining on an often dark path.Together with Danica’s experience, this episode covers 40 years of combined patient stories and thoughts on sub-fertility, infertility, IVF, and the many ways that acupuncture plays a big role in creating successful fertility outcomes.If you’re already seeing an acupuncturist, you’ll be reminded of why you keep going back… or you’ll allow this episode to encourage you to check it out — for an extra dose of support on your journey.To work with Jenn, visit www.JenniferShulmanAcupuncture.com or @acupuncturejenn on Instagram.And remember, listeners of The Babymakers Fertility Podcast save 20% on all Seed Fertility online courses at SeedFertility.com, using the promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout.

"It’s what we DO with our time that makes the biggest difference” — and that’s particularly true if you’ve been told you don’t have many eggs left in your reserve.Rather than rushing straight into a round of IVF and working against your eggs’ innate tendencies, women are learning how to lower the internal chatter created by thoughts of scarcity and not-enoughness…Former fertility patient Maureen describes her process in this inspiring episode — as she describes how she went from “diminished reserve” to “mother”; and explains why she’d do it all the same over again to create the life she has now.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com - the home of the first online fertility Masterclass and ancillary courses, including programs for Egg Freezing, Endometriosis and Healing After Loss.Listeners save 20% using promocode BABYMAKERS at checkout on SeedFertility.com.

This interesting conversation between Danica and Dr Tannaz Tolou presents the idea of “Individualized Care” and how the simple act of listening to our patients can reveal pathways to diagnosis and success.Topics covered in this episode include: navigating the adverse effects of diet (sugar), stress, inflammation, our immune system, endometriosis, PCOS, and male factor.This interview attempts to bring awareness to the fact that there IS more patients can do to help themselves succeed on their fertility journey; as knowledge really is powerful… especially in this field of nuanced medicine.Dr Tolou generously shares her insights into a variety of different IVF protocols and why some are more effective than others; and she discusses a few of the most important diagnostic tests and procedures that should be considered to help fertility patients move forward on their journey.Also mentioned is a discussion of the ways in which fertility doctors are changing some of the traditional IVF approaches to match the needs of their patients in the post-covid era.To contact Dr Tannaz Tolou for an appointment or to learn more about her practice, call 818.881.9800, email Paula@center4fertility.com or visit www.center4fertility.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com. Listeners interested in improving the holistic aspect of their fertility journey can save 20% on all Seed Fertility online courses by using the promo code BABYMAKERS at checkout.

The diagnosis of PTSD, until recently, has mostly been assigned to war veterans and victims of assault. However, the traumatizing struggle that many women and couples face when dealing with a diagnosis of infertility is ongoing. It’s not limited to an isolated event or circumstance. “Fertility PTSD”, by comparison to typical PTSD, subjects its patients to be re-triggered on a regularly repeating basis.As fertility patients “hang in”, month after challenging month, they develop a range of symptoms that include: an inability to trust, difficulty feeling safe, anxiety and panic, insomnia, isolation and physiological symptoms such as palpitations and in some cases, sympathetic shock which arises as they approach routine ultrasounds and exams, procedures and protocols.With each cycle attempt, they courageously tell themselves to “fight the good fight” and ignore bodily cues of dysregulation, in hopes of conceiving, staying pregnant and moving beyond the reproductive life chapter.This episode with Maternal Mental Health Psychologist, Dr Ivy Margulies, explains the physiological connection behind the metaphorical phrase “The Uterus Is Our Second Heart”; as the powerful connection between our mind’s perceptionand our body’s physiology can no longer be denied in this vulnerable community.Dr Ivy is an expert in the field of women’s reproductive psychology. She has dedicated her life to the mission of helping women during all stages of womanhood; including everything from infertility and childlessness, to loss of babies, infants and children, and including the grief that occurs due to the loss of their long held family building dream.As Dr Ivy explained, “When you’re stuck in feeling, you’re not thinking (rationally)”.This episode gives women (and their partners) a plethora of perspective, information, insights and effective strategies to better understand PTSD… as it pertains to baby-making and parenthood.Dr Ivy Margulies is taking new clients, in-person and virtually. Visit her website www.DrIvyLove.com to learn more; or reach out directly via email to schedule: drivylove@gmail.com.This episode was sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the original resource of online fertility education. For specific tools to reconcile pregnancy loss and grief associated with infertility, consider Healing After Loss — a course available inside SeedFertility.com that provides a downloadable workbook, a new perspective, and unique strategies to restore the hope that often gets lost along the way to motherhood. Use promo code BABYMAKERS and save 20%.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

In this very personal episode, Danica recounts her experience with Family Constellations facilitator, Leah Kalish of Los Angeles, exposing the healing power that awaits us once we release **generational trauma we’ve inherited from our parents…If your fertility journey has solely consisted of discouraging lab values, poor egg counts, procedures and protocols, you’ll find this discussion about Family Constellations & Embodiment Processing (somatic work) refreshing; as Leah Kalish explains how this subtle form of healing reorganizes your physiology to create more order and more alignment with optimal health and abundance.Healing the “mother wound” is a big one for many of us struggling with fertility issues. Making the choice to open our hearts and wombs to a greater flow of energy within the field of consciousness and divine love allows old trauma to be integrated.This type of shifting feels like a new imperative, especially as we are consciously creating a more evolved future generation!Leah Kalish is accepting new clients. To construct your own Family Constellation and experience the somatic embodiment process explained in this episode, visit LeahKalish.com.The Babymakers Fertility Podcast is brought to you by SeedFertility.com. Listeners will receive 20% off the price of any Seed Fertility course using the promocode BABYMAKERS20 at checkout.

Thinking about hypnosis can conjure up a mental image of spinning eyes and possible manipulation (!!), but… allowingoneself to be guided into a trance state can be exactly what patients need in order to create important changes on the subconscious level;This episode will explain how certified hypnotherapist Iris Sutalo uses the science of neuroplasticity to calm her clients’ anxiety, and using very little “woo woo” flowery language, she moves them beyond their limited beliefs, outdated patterning and mental blocks — those nagging doubts that so frequently crop up when we’re on the path to baby.A session typically begins by creating a SAFE SPACE, staying attuned to what’s happening in the PRESENT MOMENT, and helping them to RELAX are the first steps in creating a successful hypnosis session that can play a valuable role in setting up a future that consists of a NEW story…

Making the bedroom safe again after IVF and infertility” is rarely talked about but it’s one of the more common and vulnerable topics that show up everyday in the treatment rooms of fertility acupuncturists.This interesting conversation between Danica and Dr Denise Wiesner, L.Ac., DACM, a fellow acupuncturist & author of Conceiving With Love, reveals how they serve the community, filling in as “wise women mystics”, with the unenviable task of keeping patients focused on what truly matters; especially when life starts to revolve around a new type of burning desire — the biological imperative to become parents.For fertility acupuncturists, life becomes rich with the rewards of helping patients pick themselves up after multiple cycle attempts fail and disappointment occurs month after month, when they face unexpected delays, and confront a myriad of tough life choices.Danica and Denise dish about their role to provide “holistic and emotional support” and what it means to help perspectivize their patients when they’re presented with controversial decisions and heartbreaking choices; such as: what to do with mosaic embryos, discovering a bicornuate uterus, conceiving multiples and selective reduction, facing new fertility changes in a post-pandemic era, and overcoming the anxiety/depression that arises when perimenopause looms…These are just a few of the stressful issues that can be less harrowing if you have a skillful holistic team in place. Our goal for this episode is to help you know that if you’re dealing with infertility, you don’t have to face it alone.To schedule or learn more about Dr Denise Wiesner, L.Ac., DACM, click here: https://naturalhealingacupuncture.com/To work with Danica and her team of holistic providers, either virtually or in-person in Los Angeles, visit wellpeoplehealing.com.This episode is sponsored by SeedFertility.com, the leader in online fertility education… Empowering fertility patients worldwide using a combination of Fertile Thoughts and Fertile Foods.Use promocode BABYMAKERS20 to receive 20% all courses at SeedFertility.com and take back some control in a journey that feels out of your control.

We’re kicking off Season 2 of The Babymakers by bringing back Larissa Laskin and getting inside Danica’s head — to understand how and why she created The Seed Fertility Masterclass.The two women dish about the emotions, the triumphs, the recipes, the twists & turns, and personal growth that occurs when we’re building a family.Truly understanding and accepting what’s happening and taking a completely different look at the process of trying to conceive — that’s what helps women become mothers.The wisdom, confidence and personal development that happens along the way is what makes our fertility journey worthwhile.Join Danica and Larissa now as they reconnect and reflect on the various applications of Danica’s online offerings, and what she’s learned about the women who’ve used her courses successfully.Babymakers listeners can receive 20% off any course at SeedFertility.com, using the promo code: BABYMAKERS at checkout.

If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully for one year or longer to conceive, you’re likely frustrated and scratching your head about what to do with a diagnosis of ‘UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY’…In this episode Danica interviews Dr Nina Vyas of California Fertility Partners to discuss the rationale behind a step-by-step process of elimination to screen for impediments to pregnancy.You’ll appreciate this check list of sorts… as Dr Vyas starts with a thorough discussion of the OVARIES, then she covers all tests relevant to the UTERUS, and then MALE FACTOR.If you’ve been looking for answers, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.To contact Dr Nina Vyas, visit CaliforniaFertilityPartners.com or call 310.828.4008.

Fertility treatment can create heightened anxiety for even the most pragmatic women. Particularly during the quarantine, fertility anxiety went off the charts, and the layers of stress were correlated with poorer outcomes for the women and couples trying to conceive.What we learned from that era is valuable and so important now, as we face different life challenges and new sources of perceived stress.In this episode, Danica sits down with former fertility patient Sarah Adina to retell her story as a wild but beautiful adventure — now that she’s made it to the other side, a.k.a. Parenthood.This episode is sponsored by seedfertility.com - the first online resource for fertility. Save 20% of any fertility course using code BABYMAKERS at checkout.The episode is also sponsored by wellpeople Integrative Healing Center in Los Angeles.Follow for updates on Instagram @wellpeoplehealing. Or schedule a session here: www. Wellpeoplehealing.com.Thank you for listening! Please subscribe for notifications on next week’s episode. We welcome your questions and comments at @babymakers_podcast.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards

Trusting again in our body after multiple disappointments eventually leads to birthing ourselves as parents”, says world famous birth doula Lori Bregman.Finding areas of the babymaking journey where we can “reframe” what’s not happening into something that elevates us is so much better than being inauthentic with toxic positivity.This episode is a combination of woo woo and honest shares - we’re talking about what really happens during pregnancy, birthing and when things go so differently than planned.It’s a conversation that revolves around supporting women, helping them keep the faith when it’s hard, and introducing them to spiritual concepts, energy work and true healing after heartbreak.An open mind and an open heart help us to trust the process…Words matter, and what we THINK about our journey matters to us on a subconscious level. Using the power of visualization and repetition helps us attract what we desire and what we believe we deserve.Patient advocacy and birthing education that empowers patients? That’s how Lori steers her clients to avoid potential birthing trauma… she guides them to an experience they can reflect back on positively, many years later.Here you’ll learn about the “Aqua-dural” — a water birthing experience where women give birth at home with midwives; calmly welcoming a new baby into the world.After listening, you may want to join “The mama portal” - Lori’s virtual online community where members can get their questions answered and connect with other women making their way to pregnancy or onto a successful delivery.How we “show up” for this journey reveals where we are on our personal unfolding; so take a deep breath… sit back and prepare for the woo of baby-making, because taking this pathway really can make a positive difference.How to Contact Lori for an individual session? Email loribregman@loribregman.comOn Instagram @lbreggyBe sure to check out Needed.com for fertility, pregnancy, women’s health supplements for each stage of life.This episode is sponsored by seedfertility.com - the first online resource for fertility. Save 20% of any fertility course using code BABYMAKERS at checkout.The episode is also sponsored by wellpeople Integrative Healing Center in Los Angeles.Follow for updates on Instagram @wellpeoplehealing. Or schedule a session here: www. Wellpeoplehealing.com.Thank you for listening! Please subscribe for notifications on next week’s episode. We welcome your questions and comments at @babymakers_podcast.Executive Producer: Danica ThornberryAssociate Producer: Miranda OgletreeAudio Engineer: Patrick Edwards