On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Jordana Brown joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her journey becoming a frum single mother by choice

-the unexpected path that led her here and how she never imagined this would be her story

-the emotional toll of letting go of “the plan” and the strength it took to move forward anyway

-the moment the decision became real, egg freezing, the heartbreak of multiple pregnancy losses, and the incredible strength she had to keep trying

-how people judged, supported, misunderstood, and sometimes surprised her—and what she wishes others understood about this path

If you’ve ever felt like your life looks different than you thought it would—or if you’re wondering what it means to choose motherhood on your own terms—this one is for you.

This is a special mother's day episode - for all the mothers out there who fought desperately, year after year, to have a child.

More about Jordana:

Jordana is a single mom living with her yummy daughter Amalia in Israel. She made Aliyah from Queens, NY in 2014, started out in Jerusalem and moved to Tel Aviv seven years ago. After getting her Master’s in speech pathology, Jordana hasn’t practiced in 10 years and now works in marketing. Jordana enjoys wine nights, reads voraciously and lives for European travel and her Friday brunches- none of these activities have happened since Amalia came on the scene. But she’s worth it.

Connect with Jordana:

-Follow her on Instagram

-Check out her blog

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Sarah Ickovitz, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her powerful story of navigating remarriage, discovering genetic challenges, and turning to IVF with genetic testing

-the emotional impact of learning you carry a genetic condition

-how she was able to make it through all the hard moments in the process

-what helps her stay focused and stay positive through it all

This is a moving conversation about what it means to rebuild, reimagine family, and keep going with courage.

More about Sarah:

-Sarah is a remarried Mom of 4. She has 1 IVF baby and 1 on the way. Inspiring others that true happiness does exist.

Connect with Sarah:

-Follow her on Instagram

-Send her an email

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Jessica Zucker, PhD, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her new book, “Normalize It”

-how she expands her lens to address a multitude of challenges that women face- that so often make them stay silent

-how to speak about the uncomfortable to help make you feel less alone (even though I hate that phrase- listen to hear why!)

More about Dr. Zucker:

Dr. Zucker specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health, which means she primarily works with women who are contemplating or struggling with pregnancy, pregnancy and infant loss, pregnancy after loss, pregnancy ambivalence, during transitions in motherhood, prenatal and postpartum adjustments, birth trauma, perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and in the midst of relationship challenges after the birth or loss of a child.

In her critically acclaimed, groundbreaking book I Had a Miscarriage, Jessica Zucker boldly exposed the silence, stigma, and shame that surround pregnancy loss and demonstrated the need to normalize conversations around painful reproductive events that too often go unspoken.

In Normalize It, Zucker expands her lens to address a multitude of challenges women face—from girlhood, body image, motherhood, reproductive choice, sexual trauma, menopause, and more—that so often incite shame and overwhelming cultural pressure to stay silent. Based on patient stories, coupled with cutting-edge psychological research, Zucker fearlessly shares her insights into the shame and stigma that shroud so many women’s experiences and explores the liberation that can follow when we get vulnerable and talk about the hard stuff.

Connect with Dr. Zucker:

-Check out her new book, Normalize It

-Take a look at her website

-Follow her on Instagram

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Estie Rose, MS, CGC, Heather Hipp, MD, and Gail Heyman, join Aimee Baron, MD for the second episode of our 5-part IWSTHAB x JSCREEN Podcast series is all about Fragile X. When people think of genetic testing before pregnancy, they often think of Tay-Sachs or cystic fibrosis—but Fragile X is just as important and far less understood. In this episode, Estie Rose and Dr. Heather Hipp explain the difference between recessive and X-linked conditions, what it means to be a Fragile X carrier, and how it can affect fertility and family planning.

We also hear from Gail Heyman, who shares her deeply personal journey navigating Fragile X in her own family—and how that led her to advocacy. Whether you're building your family or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with insight, honesty, and heart.

-Click here to watch Part 1: Introduction to Genetics and Infertility

More about Estie:

Estie Rose is a certified genetic counselor at jscreen. She has a special interest in community education and serves as a resource for individuals who are facing genetic health issues.

Connect with Estie:

-Follow her on Instagram

More about Heather:

Dr. Heather Hipp is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) physician and an Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University and then her MD degree at Emory University, where she continued her training in residency and fellowship. She is the Program Director for the REI fellowship at Emory and serves as chair for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Education Committee. Her profession memberships include American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society. She is also on the National Fragile X Foundation Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee. Her research focuses on women who are carriers for the fragile X mutation and their risk of premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as trends and outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States.

More about Gail:

Gail Heyman is a passionate advocate and leader in the Fragile X community. After her son was diagnosed in 1989, she co-founded the Fragile X Association of Georgia and has served as its director ever since. Her family’s experience—spanning three generations affected by Fragile X conditions—fuels her tireless work to raise awareness, promote research, and support others navigating similar challenges. Gail also serves on JScreen’s advisory board and has received national recognition for her leadership in genetic advocacy and inclusion.

-Click here to learn more about Gail's story

-Check out Carly Heyman's book, My eXtra Special Brother

-Learn more about Fragile X here

Connect with JScreen:

-Visit their website

-Coupon Code: IWSTHAB18 for $18 off initial testing (no expiration date on this offer)

-Follow JScreen on Instagram

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-Check out our Website

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shirel Korobkin, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her deeply personal fertility journey

-the stillbirth she experienced four years ago, a recent miscarriage, and the ongoing pain and resilience that define life after loss

-the powerful parallels between her own struggles and the journey of the Jewish people in Egypt

-what it means to seek liberation while still walking through grief

-tangible ways to care for yourself and “fill your cup” this holiday season—especially if your heart feels heavy during a time that celebrates freedom and renewal

More about Shirel:

Shirel, with a background in colour management and graphic communications, made Aliyah (moved) to Israel in 2020. During her first few months as a new immigrant (olah chadashah), Shirel discovered she was pregnant. After a healthy pregnancy, at 26 weeks, Shirel found out there was no heartbeat and had to deliver her baby. Shirel felt she had no one to turn to for support. Shortly after her loss she moved to a remote city with no English-speaking resources, friends, or family, which created a void for the support she desperately sought. She found IWSTHAB who helped guide her through her loss, a pregnancy after that loss (PAL), and eventually welcoming a healthy rainbow baby. Shirel currently resides in Harish, Israel, and is very involved with developing events and support for the English-speaking community there. She is very grateful to be working with IWSTHAB and looks forward to giving back to the very same community that helped her through her most difficult moments. Shirel understands the challenges new immigrants and members of English-speaking communities face while navigating their fertility journeys in Israel and looks forward to providing support with compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Connect with Shirel:

-Send her an email

-Join one of Shirel's support groups

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-Check out our Website

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Kasten RN, BSN, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her deeply personal journey through antepartum and postpartum depression

-hyperemesis gravidarum, and debilitating blood loss

-the relentless storm that made daily life unbearable

-how in the end, a hysterectomy was the only path forward, a choice that gave her back her health, her energy, and her sense of self

-the grief that came along with her hysterectomy and the knowledge that there would be no more children

More about Chaya:

I'm a 35 year old mother of 2. I'm a nurse who's passionate about women's health and education in the Healthcare field. I made aliyah with my family as a 20 year old single girl. I went to nursing school in Netanya and met my husband who's American there. We lived there for a few years and moved back. I had to do the American nursing boards which I did in February 2020. After a couple of nursing jobs, I now work at a juvenile detention center which I really enjoy. I like decorating cake and cupcakes and have recently discovered the fun of resin. In sharing my story, I hope to give chizuk and help out even one person who feels alone.

Connect with Chaya:

-Send her an email

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-Check out our Website

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Hott joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-grief, resilience, and the power of turning personal tragedy into a source of healing for others

-her experience navigating secondary infertility, a devastating stillbirth, and an early loss

-how each heartbreak deepened her grief and after years of heartbreak, pain and healing, she welcomed her rainbow baby, but her story didn’t end there

-how she took her pain and transformed it into purpose

-her journey of becoming a grief educator, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the unbearable weight of loss

Chaya will be running our Second/Third Trimester Loss group and the new Recurrent Loss group, which will be starting in May 2025.

More about Chaya:

Chaya is a Certified Grief Educator, trained by renowned expert David Kessler, and a Certified Trauma Coach through Daniel Schonbuch at the Torah Psychology School for Coaching and Counseling. She founded Jewish Grief Groups to support bereaved women after the loss of a pregnancy, baby, child, parent, spouse, sibling, or loved one.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chaya endured the stillbirth of her baby boy after a decade of infertility due to a medical condition. Months later, a miscarriage compounded her grief, leaving her isolated and lost—until she found IWSTHAB, whose support carried her through her losses and a subsequent pregnancy with her rainbow baby. Inspired by the healing she experienced, Chaya now helps others navigate grief with compassion and understanding.

Chaya lives in Pomona, NY, with her husband, three children, and one forever in her heart. She finds joy in working out, hiking, and cake decorating.

Connect with Chaya:

-Send her an email

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-Check out our Website

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Carly Joseph joins Aliza Konig, IWSTHAB's surrogacy consultant, to speak with Carly Joseph, to explore the deeply personal and emotional journey of surrogacy. From the initial struggles of building a family to the life-changing decision to pursue surrogacy, Carly is excited to normalize conversations around surrogacy and share her story in a vulnerable way in hopes that it will offer hope and comfort to others. They talk about...

-the journey to parenthood before considering surrogacy

-the emotions and uncertainties of choosing surrogacy

-navigating the first steps—agency vs. independent surrogacy

-building a relationship with a surrogate and staying connected throughout pregnancy

-the highs, the doubts, and the life-changing moment of holding her baby

-lessons learned and advice for intended parents

-how this experience led to the creation of a surrogacy concierge business to support others on this path

More about Carly:

Carly Joseph is a surrogacy concierge helping Intended Parents match with the right surrogates quickly. Having navigated her own two surrogacy journeys, Carly knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. Her mission is to combine personal experience with established relationships to help make the path to parenthood smoother. Carly works with intended parents who are ready to explore surrogacy, providing real, personal support from someone who's been there. Through her comprehensive support package, she handles the complex parts so you can focus on the excitement of growing your family.

Connect with Carly:

-Follow her on Instagram

-Send her an email

-Check out her website

Connect with us:

-Check out our Website

- Follow us on Instagram and send us a message

-Watch our TikToks

-Follow us on Facebook

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