Never Thought We'd Be Here

Never Thought We'd Be Here

Join Maya Grobel, psychotherapist, parent via embryo donation, and EM•POWER with Moxi/Moxi Matching co-founder, as she talks with guests about all things embryo donation. Hear real stories from embryo donors and recipients, and listen in as Maya and the Moxi Matching team tackle questions about directed embryo donation/donor conception, sharing genetics, and the meaning of family. EM•POWER with Moxi is an organization deeply rooted in education, support, and ethical practices for embryo donation. And Moxi Matching is a directed embryo donation matching platform and journey management service.

  1. Sep 24

    From IVF to Embryo Donation: A Journey in Resilience -- Meet Lauren

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo recipient, Laura. Maya talks with Lauren about an eight year fertility journey that moved through four IVF retrievals, embryo donation, adoption paperwork, and ultimately a surprise pregnancy that led to their baby boy. It is a candid conversation about grief, resilience, changing expectations, and how relationships with embryo donors can shape the experience in ways no one can fully predict. Lauren shares what it was like to navigate multiple losses, build a meaningful connection with her donors, and then carry a pregnancy after deciding to pursue adoption. This episode is especially useful for anyone trying to understand embryo donation as part of a broader family-building path, not always as a final destination. Chapters 00:00 Lauren’s embryo donation story and why it mattered 01:29 Starting fertility treatment and the first IVF attempts 02:36 Four IVF cycles, six embryos, and repeated losses 04:08 Hearing about embryo donation for the first time 05:23 Finding a donor through online matching 06:33 Choosing a donor based on shared values and family fit 07:44 Planning for four embryos, then receiving five 08:10 Learning the donor was pregnant during the process 10:59 Legal completion and embryo shipping to Maryland 11:49 First donated-embryo transfer and early pregnancy hope 12:56 The miscarriage that changed everything 14:36 How close the families became and why boundaries mattered 18:13 Defining the relationship with the donor family 20:53 Four donor-embryo transfers and no live birth 22:38 Why Lauren did not regret the connection with her donors 24:22 Grieving genetics and processing repeated disappointment 26:55 Turning toward adoption after embryo donation 27:19 Why adoption felt easier after genetic grief 28:05 Surprise pregnancy during the adoption process 29:29 The emotional whiplash of changing paths 30:22 Birth of their baby boy and what genetics mean now 32:13 Making meaning of the journey and possibly writing a book 33:43 What embryo donation ultimately gave her 34:42 Advice for people in the thick of fertility decisions Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    From IVF to Embryo Donation: A Journey in Resilience -- Meet Lauren

  2. Sep 10

    What Makes a Good Match – A Moxi Team Chat

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by the Moxi team, co-founders Jen and Gina. This team chat with Maya, Gina, and Jen looks at what actually helps an embryo donation match work, and why some promising pairings do not move all the way through. Their conversation centers on flexibility, emotional maturity, self-knowledge, and the reality that a good match is often bigger than one profile or one meeting. It also digs into the extra layers that can change a match, including embryo quality, genetics, clinic policies, timelines, and contact preferences. Chapters: 00:00 Opening the team chat: what makes a good match? 01:29 Why flexibility and emotional maturity matter most 03:52 Knowing yourself, your boundaries, and your family’s needs 05:25 When specific preferences are helpful and when they can shift 06:43 Checking assumptions and recognizing unexpected fit 08:47 Why donor declines are usually values-based 09:36 Reframing rejection as a mismatch, not a failure 13:19 What it feels like on the donor side without matching support 15:12 Normalizing recipient disappointment and protecting the bigger picture 16:58 Embryos matter too: quality, testing, and cohort fit 18:37 Clinic requirements and why some strong matches still stall 20:31 Genetics as a major layer of matching 21:50 Why full family history and genetic counseling are essential 23:56 Comfort levels with autism and other risk considerations 27:46 Other reasons a match can fall apart after matching 30:04 Clinic policies, transfer location, and flexibility 31:16 Why timelines vary so much in journey management 32:23 Matching multiple recipients from one donor cohort Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    What Makes a Good Match – A Moxi Team Chat

  3. Aug 25

    Paying It Forward Through Embryo Donation -- Meet Rahul

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo donor Rahul. In this episode, Rahul shares his inspiring journey through IVF, embryo donation, and surrogacy, highlighting the emotional and practical aspects of family building and giving back. Rahul offers his personal insights into the process, matching with recipients, and how to navigate complex fertility decisions. Rahul also shares how he and his family talk with their children about donor-conceived connections, why recipient-led matching mattered, and what he hopes other donors take from his experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Rahul's background 2:43 Rahul's journey to parenthood and IVF experiences 5:18 Discovering the US fertility conference and international care 9:30 The process of embryo creation, transfer, and pregnancy 11:57 Considering embryo donation after having children 14:06 Matching with recipients and the donation process 17:44 Connecting with recipients and building relationships 18:17 Supporting recipients and navigating the emotional journey 19:18 Reflections on family, legacy, and future generations 22:25 The importance of openness and communication with children 28:55 Rahul's advice for donors and those considering donation Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    Paying It Forward Through Embryo Donation -- Meet Rahul

  4. Aug 11

    Child-Led or Parent-Led? What Embryo Donation Families Need to Know -- A Moxi Team Chat

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by the Moxi team, co-founders Jen and Gina. Maya, Jen, and Gina, the co-founders of Moxi Matching and EM•POWER with Moxi, to unpack what “child-led” really means in embryo donation. They explore how that idea shapes disclosure, matching, communication, and long-term family relationships, with a focus on how parents can create a strong framework while still leaving room for children’s changing needs. They discuss how child-led parenting differs in theory versus practice, why parents still have to make the first decisions, and how flexibility, curiosity, and check-ins help families navigate connection over time. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the discussion on child-led family building 04:08 What does child-led mean in embryo donation? 07:14 Parenting perspectives on being child-led 09:16 Evolving understanding of child-led parenting 12:21 How children influence family connection decisions 16:14 Children's understanding of embryo donation over time 19:44 Checking in with children about their feelings 22:38 Setting family boundaries and legal considerations 26:22 Matching families based on values and connection preferences 29:58 Addressing fears and uncertainties in matching 31:22 The role of language and children's lead in relationships 32:20 Honoring individual differences among children 33:50 Final thoughts on confidence and flexibility in family building Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    Child-Led or Parent-Led? What Embryo Donation Families Need to Know -- A Moxi Team Chat

  5. Jul 21

    What Embryo Donation Taught Me About Love, Legacy, and Creating Family on My Terms – Meet Lara

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is joined by embryo recipient Lara.  In their conversation, Lara shares her inspiring journey through embryo donation, from fertility challenges to building a meaningful relationship with her donors, and her experience as a single mom by choice. Discover insights on navigating embryo donation, building relationships, and embracing love and flexibility in family building. Chapters 00:00 Embarking on the Journey of Embryo Donation 02:36 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Embryo Donation 05:18 Building Relationships with Donors 08:19 The Dynamics of Communication and Connection 11:04 Experiencing Pregnancy and Sharing News 13:39 Reflections on Being a Single Mom by Choice 16:45 Advice for Future Parents Considering Embryo Donation Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    What Embryo Donation Taught Me About Love, Legacy, and Creating Family on My Terms – Meet Lara

  6. Jul 9

    The Journey to Child-Centered Embryo Donation -- Meet Kori

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, Maya sits down with Kori - a single parent by choice and embryo donor. In this heartfelt interview, Kori shares her journey as a solo parent, her experience with embryo donation, and her evolving relationship with her donor and recipient family. Their insightful conversation dives into the emotional, logistical, and relational aspects of embryo donation and how it redefines family and parenthood. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Embryo Donation Journey 02:26 Understanding the Decision to Donate Embryos 04:33 Conceptualizing Embryos: Hope and Reality 07:20 Expectations and Mindset Shifts in Donation 09:24 Navigating Relationships with Recipients 11:32 Evolving Connections and Family Dynamics 14:11 Child-Centered Approaches in Embryo Donation 16:18 Reflections on the Process and Future 18:35 Advice for Potential Donors Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    The Journey to Child-Centered Embryo Donation -- Meet Kori

  7. Jun 25

    How LGBTQ Couples Are Creating Chosen Families -- Meet Chris & Mitch and Tony & Paulo

    In this episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, Maya sits down with embryo donors Chris and Mitch and their recipients, Tony and Paulo- who were beyond the perfect match for each other!  The interview explores the journey of two gay couples navigating embryo donation, surrogacy, and building their families. They share personal stories, challenges, and the importance of connection, communication, and hope in family building. Tony and Paulo’s surrogate is currently pregnant and we couldn’t be more happy for them! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unique Family Building Journeys 01:15 Chris and Mitch's Surrogacy Experience 04:18 The Decision to Donate Embryos 06:25 Paulo and Anthony's Journey to Parenthood 09:44 Discovering Moxie and Embryo Donation 13:35 Facilitated Match Meeting and Connection 16:39 Expectations vs. Reality in the Donation Process 17:45 Building Relationships and Family Dynamics 22:32 Building Connections in the Family Journey 24:55 The Unique Perspective of LGBTQ+ Parenting 27:37 Navigating Family Dynamics and Expectations 29:36 Addressing Fears and Concerns in the Process 35:21 Embracing the Journey of Parenthood 38:23 Advice for Future Parents on Their Journey Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    How LGBTQ Couples Are Creating Chosen Families -- Meet Chris & Mitch and Tony & Paulo

  8. Jun 18

    Navigating Embryo Donation as a Trans Man – Meet Ash (Part II)

    In this two part episode of Never Thought We’d Be Here, host Maya Grobel is Ash, a trans man who is also an embryo donor. In part one, Ash shares an honest and insightful look into his journey through IVF, fertility preservation, and the decision to donate his embryos to multiple families. This conversation explores the complexities of gender identity, medical interventions, and the profound impact of reproductive choices, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. In part two, Maya continues the conversation with embryo donor Ashton, who talks more about his experience as a trans man navigating ART, his incredibly successful egg retrieval, and the decision to donate his embryos rather than pursue family building himself. Thank you for listening! To learn more about EM•POWER with Moxi or Moxi Matching, visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Love what you're hearing? Let us know by subscribing or giving us a 5-star rating or review!

    Navigating Embryo Donation as a Trans Man – Meet Ash (Part II)
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Join Maya Grobel, psychotherapist, parent via embryo donation, and EM•POWER with Moxi/Moxi Matching co-founder, as she talks with guests about all things embryo donation. Hear real stories from embryo donors and recipients, and listen in as Maya and the Moxi Matching team tackle questions about directed embryo donation/donor conception, sharing genetics, and the meaning of family. EM•POWER with Moxi is an organization deeply rooted in education, support, and ethical practices for embryo donation. And Moxi Matching is a directed embryo donation matching platform and journey management service.

Information

  • Creator
    Never Thought We'd Be Here
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Never Thought We'd Be Here
  • Show Website
    Never Thought We'd Be Here

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