The Future of Surrogacy

Simbe Family
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The podcast for surrogacy professionals that explores the people, innovations, and ideas building the next generation of surrogacy.

  1. How Negative Press in Surrogacy Turns One-Off Stories into Major Policy Threats (and How to Prevent It)

    4D AGO

    How Negative Press in Surrogacy Turns One-Off Stories into Major Policy Threats (and How to Prevent It)

    The surrogacy industry is at an inflection point. In today’s media environment, a single negative surrogacy story—often involving a bad actor or isolated failure—can quickly spiral into national headlines, public mistrust, and real legislative consequences. In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, we explore how negative press in surrogacy can evolve into policy risk and what agencies, advocates, and leaders can do to prevent that momentum from shaping regulation. We’re joined by crisis communications and long-term narrative experts, Lori Ruggiero and Rob Ford, from 5WPR, to break down how industries ranging from tech to sports to food safety have faced similar moments—and what surrogacy can learn from their successes and missteps. Together, we unpack how perception is formed, how media narratives gain traction, and why reactive PR is no longer enough in a fragmented, fast-moving news cycle. Our conversation goes beyond crisis response. It’s about proactive reputation strategy for the surrogacy field—before journalists call, before policymakers draft bills, and before misinformation hardens into “truth.” This episode makes the case for groundwork: monitoring narratives, aligning messaging across the industry, preparing leaders for media engagement, and investing in grassroots storytelling that reflects the ethical, responsible family-building journeys that are the norm.

    33 min
  2. What Top-Tier Agencies Understand About Insurance (That Others Don’t)

    FEB 2

    What Top-Tier Agencies Understand About Insurance (That Others Don’t)

    In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, we speak with Sarah Paige, CEO of ART Risk Solutions, about one of the most misunderstood—and most critical—components of modern surrogacy: insurance. The conversation breaks down how surrogacy insurance has evolved, and how insurance - when handled proactively -  becomes a true competitive advantage. Sarah outlines what she considers a “top-shelf” insurance package for surrogacy agencies, and makes the case for reviewing insurance before matching, not after—when options are already limited and costs are higher. The episode also covers:• Red-flag insurance requests and shortcuts that often backfire• The possibility of using data analytics & technology to hit open enrollment windows. • How ACA volatility and shortened open enrollment windows affect surrogacy planning -- and why you should be preparing for an EVEN SHORTER open enrollment window in 2026: Nov 1-Dec 15 • How smart agencies are using insurance planning as a competitive advantage This episode is essential listening for surrogacy agencies that want to understand how best to dial in insurance for surrogacy journeys.

    47 min
  3. What Drives Long Wait Times for Surrogacy Medical Records? And What Can Surrogacy Agencies Do To Reduce Timelines, Costs, and Risk? with Julie Egor of Predoc

    JAN 12

    What Drives Long Wait Times for Surrogacy Medical Records? And What Can Surrogacy Agencies Do To Reduce Timelines, Costs, and Risk? with Julie Egor of Predoc

    In this episode, we speak with Julie Egor from Predoc about one of the most persistent challenges facing surrogacy agencies today: surrogacy medical records. For many surrogacy agencies, medical records are the single biggest bottleneck in the surrogacy process—driving up costs, and extending timelines (and increasing stress/anxiety). Julie explains why surrogacy medical records often take so long to retrieve and how surrogacy agencies, like Alcea, improve outcomes when surrogacy medical records are complete, accurate, and delivered in a format that clinicians can quickly interpret and trust.  Julie also discusses how healthcare technology and AI can responsibly support surrogacy agencies—not by replacing human review, but by accelerating surrogacy medical record retrieval, organizing complex histories, and ensuring nothing critical is missed. And how Predoc is doing this for less, and how their surrogacy record retrieval and analysis turnaround times are often 5 days. When surrogacy medical records are treated as foundational healthcare, surrogacy agencies can reduce delays, lower costs, and move families forward with greater confidence. Bonus: PreDoc offers every surrogacy agency a risk-free trial, allowing agencies to use Predoc to pull medical records for one surrogate at no cost. Feel free to reach out directly to Julie to take advantage of this: julie@predoc.ai

    32 min
  4. Magic Wand: What Surrogacy Professionals Would Change in Surrogacy if They Could

    12/22/2025

    Magic Wand: What Surrogacy Professionals Would Change in Surrogacy if They Could

    Listen whenever you get your podcasts: Spotify | Apple As we close out the year, we’re doing something a little different. Throughout 2025, we spoke with some of the most respected voices in surrogacy, law, technology, and agency leadership. At the end of every conversation, we asked the same final question: “If you had a magic wand, what would you change?” This episode is a special year-end compilation of those answers. When you hear them back-to-back, clear patterns begin to emerge—shared concerns, shared hopes, and a collective vision for how the surrogacy industry can become safer, more transparent, and more human-centered. This short montage captures what surrogacy professionals actually want to change—and what may shape the next chapter of the industry as we head into 2026. Featuring insights from: Crystal Rosburg, CEO, All Love SurrogacyCaitlyn Devine, Executive Director, Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP)Kim Surratt, Founder, Surratt LawBillie Simmons, CEO, SimbeKaren Estrada, Program Director, GestacyAngela Hartshorn, Board Member, SEEDSJim Vandagrift, COO, Heart to Hands SurrogacyShraddha Jain, Chief Technology Officer, SimbeJenn Mathews, “The SEO Goddess,” AdobeSheriann G. Hicks, Founder, Hicks Law GroupAdam Winder, President & CEO, SeedTrustWhether you’re an agency professional, attorney, or technologist, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at the changes industry leaders believe matter most. Listen to this special compilation to hear—directly from the experts—what they would change if they had a magic wand, and where the future of surrogacy may be headed next.

    31 min
  5. Inside Surrogacy Escrow: Reducing Risk Through Technology, Education & Regulation with SeedTrust's Adam Winder

    12/09/2025

    Inside Surrogacy Escrow: Reducing Risk Through Technology, Education & Regulation with SeedTrust's Adam Winder

    Note: This episode was recorded only hours after it was confirmed that an agency-held escrow had engaged in fraudulent activity. In this episode, Erin Quick sits down with Adam Winder, one of the earliest innovators in surrogacy technology and the President & CEO behind SeedTrust, a financial platform built for escrow services in third-party reproduction; Orchid, a journey-management platform; and Adam has been deeply involved in medical-record collection through Gather. In this conversation, Erin and Adam explore how surrogacy has changed, where technology has accelerated progress, and why education, regulation, and transparency are essential for the industry’s next stage of growth. Adam shares his transition from banking into surrogacy, the emotional connections that shaped his work, and the challenges he sees as the field becomes more complex and digitized. They unpack the new SEEDS $10M bonding requirement, the differences between attorney-held, agency-held, and third-party escrow models, and the growing importance of cybersecurity (and cyber insurance!). This episode is both a reflection on how far the surrogacy escrow field has come — and a preview of where it’s going next. Key Takeaways The surrogacy industry has grown dramatically over the last decade, increasing the need for secure, transparent systems in escrow.Technology now plays a central role in improving efficiency, preventing fraud, and strengthening trust.Education is critical for intended parents and surrogates to make informed, safe decisions around escrow.There is a strong need for standardized practices, ethics, and financial oversight in surrogacy escrow.Insurance, bonding, and cybersecurity are core components of modern escrow protection.Regulation across escrow and surrogacy operations is both inevitable and necessary.The emotional dimension of surrogacy is often overlooked in business conversations.A badge, accreditation, or standards framework could help identify trustworthy industry providers.Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to Surrogacy and Current Landscape 02:13 — The Journey from Banking to Surrogacy 04:15 — Growth and Evolution of the Surrogacy Industry 05:48 — Technology’s Role in Surrogacy 08:20 — Understanding Escrow Models in Surrogacy 10:22 — The Importance of Third-Party Providers 12:28 — Challenges with Attorney- and Agency-Held Escrow 14:59 — The Need for Education in Surrogacy Escrow 17:25 — Establishing Standards for Escrow Providers 24:28 — Understanding Insurance and Bonding in Escrow 28:10 — The Importance of Due Diligence and Risk Management 31:20 — Navigating Internal and External Threats 35:37 — The Role of Standards and Accountability 38:51 — The Future of Regulation in Surrogacy and Escrow 40:14 — Embracing Technology and Innovation 44:51 — A Vision for a Better Surrogacy Experience

    52 min
  6. What Attorneys Wish Surrogacy Agencies Knew: Timing, Communication & Preventing Delays with Sherriann Hicks

    11/24/2025

    What Attorneys Wish Surrogacy Agencies Knew: Timing, Communication & Preventing Delays with Sherriann Hicks

    Strong agency–attorney partnerships are an essential part of an ethical, efficient, and emotionally smooth surrogacy journey. In this episode, Sheriann G. Hicks, founder of Hicks Law Group in Georgia, shares the legal insights and on-the-ground realities every surrogacy agency needs to understand to strengthen collaboration with attorneys. From when to loop in an attorney (hint: she recommends getting counsel involved around 15 weeks of the GC’s pregnancy!), how agencies can prevent avoidable delays with one simple question, and how to streamline parentage proceedings – Sheriann outlines the practical steps that make a dramatic difference. This episode is a must-listen for agency owners, case managers, and anyone working day-to-day in gestational carrier programs, offering both validation and constructive direction. You'll walk away with clear, actionable guidance you can implement immediately. About Our Guest: Sheriann G. Hicks, Esq. Sherriann H. Hicks, founder of The Hicks Law Group in Georgia, and a nationally recognized expert in assisted reproduction and surrogacy law. Since being admitted to practice in 1995, Sherriann has dedicated her career to helping intended parents, and gestational carriers navigate the complex legal landscape. She is a Fellow and past President of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) and past President of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers.  🔗 Website: https://www.hickslawgroup.com Listen whenever you get your podcasts: Spotify | Apple

    42 min
  7. Ranking on Google Used to Be the Goal. Now You Have to Rank with AI: What that means for Surrogacy Agencies.

    11/10/2025

    Ranking on Google Used to Be the Goal. Now You Have to Rank with AI: What that means for Surrogacy Agencies.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to make ChatGPT recommend your surrogacy agency when someone asks “Which is the best surrogacy agency?” — this one’s for you. Visibility for a surrogacy agency used to be all about getting your agency to the top of Google rankings. But that’s changing — fast. Now, AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are deciding who gets recommended before families ever reach the search engine rankings. In other words, you’re now competing for AI’s trust. In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, host Erin Quick talks with Jenn Mathews, aka the SEO Goddess, whose digital strategy expertise has powered brands like Nordstrom, Adobe, GitHub, and Smartsheet. Jenn breaks down the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — a brand-new discipline that talks through how your surrogacy agency can show up in AI-generated answers. 💡 You’ll Learn: What GEO is — and why it’s replacing SEO as the key to visibilityHow to get your surrogacy agency to show up when AI tools become the new search enginesWhy “being recommended” is the new version of “ranking #1”Why "Domain Authority" is meaningless (and a good test!)The biggest visibility mistakes agencies make (and how to fix them)Tools you can start using today — from Spy.gpt to  Ahrefs to SEMRush to Google Webmaster Tools. 🔗 Learn More Jenn Mathews: LinkedIn | seogoddess.comFollow The Future of Surrogacy: InstagramLinkedIn Website

    33 min
  8. The Opportunity Cost of Disconnected Apps in a Surrogacy Agency with Shraddha Jain

    10/27/2025

    The Opportunity Cost of Disconnected Apps in a Surrogacy Agency with Shraddha Jain

    In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, host Erin Quick sits down with Shraddha Jain, Chief Technology Officer at Simbe, to explore how surrogacy agencies are often trapped in a maze of disconnected tools—each one meant to help, but collectively creates chaos. But there is good news! Shaddha walks through how AI is literally stitching disconnected apps together to manage repetitive tasks and surface meaningful insights—giving agencies a comprehensive view of the patterns and trends they've never had access to before! Listen whenever you get your podcasts: Spotify | Apple Key Takeaways: Disconnected systems drain energy. Most agencies operate in a patchwork of tools that don’t talk to each other.Agent-based workflows change everything. Specialized AI agents can handle intake, scheduling, and data management, reducing errors and saving mental bandwidth.AI is a tool—not an authority. Human judgment, ethics, and empathy have to remain at the center of every decision.Specialization matters. Industry-specific AI expertise, like Simbe in surrogacy, outperforms general-purpose tools because it understands surrogacy’s unique nuances.Data creates predictability. AI can reveal trends and patterns that improve long-term business practices and client outcomes.Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: AI’s Role in Human-Centered Work Setting the stage: why AI belongs in surrogacy—and how it’s often misunderstood. 04:30 – Meet Shradha Jain Her background as a technologist and product leader building purpose-driven AI systems, and how she found her way to Simbe. 09:00 – The Problem with Patchwork Tools Why most agencies juggle disconnected CRMs, spreadsheets, DocuSign, and texting apps—and how that drains time and focus. 15:00 – Agent-Based Workflows Explained How Simbe’s AI agents automate repetitive tasks and surface insights, empowering human teams to focus on connection and care. 23:00 – AI as Support, Not Substitute Shradha and Erin discuss how empathy and judgment can’t be coded—but can be amplified with the right tools. 30:00 – Predictability and Insights How AI can help agencies identify red flags, improve screening, and manage risk across hundreds of data points. 38:00 – The Future of AI in Surrogacy Where innovation is headed—and what agencies should be doing now to prepare. 44:00 – Magic Wand Question If Shradha could wave a magic wand, every surrogacy agency would have an intelligent, integrated system that unites data, communication, and decision support in one place. 👤 Guest Spotlight Shradha Jain Chief Technology Officer, Simbe ✉️ shraddha@simbefamily.com Shradha is a technologist and product visionary focused on building human-centered AI. As CTO of Simbe, she leads the development of agent-based systems designed to support surrogacy professionals through intelligent automation and data integration—helping agencies reclaim time, reduce burnout, and focus on what really matters: people.

    38 min
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About

The podcast for surrogacy professionals that explores the people, innovations, and ideas building the next generation of surrogacy.

Information

  • Creator
    Simbe Family
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Simbe Family
  • Show Website
    The Future of Surrogacy