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Infertility conversations often center on women, but roughly half the time, male factors play a role. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Deaton joins us to break down what male factor infertility actually looks like, why it's so often overlooked, and what treatment options exist today. We talk through the emotional weight it carries for men and couples alike, and why a diagnosis isn't the end of the story. If you or someone you love is navigating this, this conversation offers both clarity and hope.

Dr. Jeff Deaton is Associate Professor and Division Director of Reproductive Medicine at Wake Forest University, where he directs the Center for Fertility and Reproductive Surgery. With over 40 years in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, he's the author of When Waiting Becomes Life, a collection of stories and compassionate guidance for couples navigating infertility.

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When a pregnancy is anything but typical, the emotional weight can be overwhelming, and yet mental health support is often the last thing families are offered. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kari Millican, PsyD, LPC-S, PMH-C, Division Manager of Mental Health Therapy at Phoenix Children's Hospital, to talk about what it means to care for the whole family when a fetus or infant is medically fragile.

Dr. Millican shares how Phoenix Children's is breaking new ground in perinatal mental health by walking alongside parents through some of the most frightening and uncertain moments of their lives, from a difficult prenatal diagnosis to the NICU and beyond. She speaks to the unique grief, fear, and love that coexist when your baby's life hangs in the balance, and why tending to a parent's mental health is not a luxury — it's a critical part of the child's care.

Whether you're a parent living this reality, a provider supporting families in crisis, or someone who loves someone navigating a medically complex pregnancy or infant journey, this episode will leave you feeling seen, informed, and reminded that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same breath.

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Leonard Lopoo to explore the concept of wantedness and its implications for reproductive health, policy, and well-being. What does it mean for individuals to achieve their reproductive goals, and how can systems, programs, and policies better support those aspirations?

Drawing on his research, Dr. Lopoo discusses wantedness as a framework for understanding reproductive intentions and outcomes, highlighting the social, economic, and policy factors that shape people's ability to make and realize decisions about childbearing. Together, we examine how shifting the focus from outcomes alone to individuals' goals and preferences can lead to more person-centered approaches to reproductive health and family well-being.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on reproductive autonomy, equity, and what it takes to create conditions in which every person can pursue the future they want.

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