Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

Have you ever wondered what meaningful, supportive gifts look like when someone you love is navigating infertility or a fertility journey? How can you shop with intention, without the toxins, overwhelm, or "one-size-fits-all" gifting? Ready to treat someone special (especially yourself)?

In this episode of Brave and Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine invites you into holiday joy with courage, compassion, and thoughtful connection, all through the lens of reproductive health and emotional well-being.

She is sharing a curated list of gift ideas specifically designed with the fertility community in mind. Gift-giving isn't just about objects. It's about connection, acknowledgment, and gentle encouragement during a deeply personal chapter.

Treat someone you love… and don't forget to include yourself!

In this episode you'll hear:

• [1:43] Gift guide overview
• [2:12] Idea #1: SheCanter
• [3:43] Idea #2: Infertile Tees
• [5:41] Idea #3: Fertility socks
• [6:44] Idea #4: Candle (toxin-free!)
• [9:27] Idea #5: Self-care/beauty products

Resources mentioned:

What happens when chronic endometriosis meets fierce advocacy and a wicked sense of humor? What if your most painful experiences become the catalyst for empowering others? And how does a uterus-shaped wine decanter become a national conversation piece for women's reproductive health?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine chats with Erica Loring, the self-declared "brains and uterus behind Shecanter," to talk about turning pain into purpose and stigma into laughter.

Erica shares her deeply personal health journey, from fainting spells through high-school to finally being heard, diagnosed, and validated after years of dismissal. Her story shines a light on endometriosis, PCOS, women's healthcare funding inequality, reproductive rights advocacy, and the power of representation through design.

Her viral product line, including uterus decanters, mugs, and more, has become both a feminist cultural symbol and a fundraising tool fueling research and resources for women with reproductive health conditions.

Listeners will learn how Erica transformed a frustrating medical experience into a thriving brand, using humor as activism and novelty products as conversation starters.

In this episode you'll hear:

• [2:37] Erica's endometriosis journey
• [4:14] Medical dismissal
• [4:58] Diagnosis barriers
• [7:18] Women's health funding
• [11:40] Novelty feminist products
• [15:26] Patient self-advocacy
• [17:22] Reproductive health organizations
• [19:07] Product design process
• [23:21] Empowering healthcare advocacy
• [28:08] Finding and purchasing the products

Resources mentioned:

What if you could walk into every holiday gathering feeling grounded instead of guarded? How would it feel to have a plan when the nosy fertility questions inevitably come your way? And what if you could protect your emotional well-being while enjoying the holidays full of joy and with boundaries intact?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine tackles the complicated reality of holiday conversations, fertility questions, and family-building pressure.

Listeners will learn practical, empowering tools for navigating holiday gatherings with confidence: how to identify an ally for support, and how to use communication strategies that range from soft deflection to strong boundary-setting.

In this episode you'll hear:

• [1:08] Tip #1 Don't Go
• [2:47] Tip #2 Find Your Ally
• [4:55] Tip #3 Plan Your Answers to Awkward Fertility Conversations
• [6:20] Tip #4 Plan an Exit Strategy
• [6:50] Tip #5 Plan Self Care and Recharge

What does it really take for men to build a family through IVF and surrogacy? How do you navigate the maze of sperm testing, egg donors, legal contracts, and international laws? And where do transparency, trust, and heart fit into this complex process?

In this honest and empowering episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to Richard Westoby, author, advocate, and host of IVF Daddies. Their conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey of gay men pursuing parenthood.

Richard shares his deeply personal experience of becoming a father to twins through surrogacy and his decade-long mission to help others do the same. Together, he and Dr. Shahine break down every step of the process. They talk about everything from fertility testing and choosing an egg donor to finding the right clinic, lawyer, and surrogate.

With humor and compassion, they discuss the emotional highs and lows, the legal and ethical complexities, and the hard truths about cost, timelines, and international options.

This conversation offers clarity, courage, and connection for anyone dreaming of becoming a parent through IVF and surrogacy.

In this episode you'll hear:

• [0:51] Meet Richard Westoby: author, advocate, and podcast host
• [4:29] Richard's personal story
• [6:05] Choosing the right egg donor
• [15:57] Fresh vs. frozen donor eggs
• [22:14] Finding the right clinic
• [30:48] International surrogacy insights
• [35:59] Legal must-knows
• [40:28] Realistic timeline & budgets
• [41:54] Red flags & green flags
• [43:19] Making it manageable
• [57:03] Trusted resources

Resources mentioned:

What does Trump's "Father of Fertility" claim really mean? How might his new IVF announcements impact real patients? And could policies disguised as "restorative" actually restrict reproductive freedom?

In this timely episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jessie Losch, Director of Government Affairs at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), to talk about the politics, promises, and pitfalls surrounding the latest White House statements on fertility care.

Jessie helps clarify what the October 16th announcement actually said — and what it didn't. Together, they explain Trump's partnership with pharmaceutical company EMD Serono, the creation of TrumpRx, and the proposed insurance coverage changes that claim to make IVF more affordable.

With so much misinformation swirling, Jessie explains how ASRM advocates for patients and providers in a rapidly shifting policy landscape, especially as fertility care becomes increasingly politicized in a post-Roe world.

Listeners will learn what's real and what's rhetoric in these "pro-IVF" promises, what the emerging term Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) really means, and how it could threaten access to standard fertility treatments.

Dr. Shahine and Jesse discuss the nuance behind headlines, the importance of informed consent, and practical steps patients and clinicians can take to support advocacy efforts through ASRM and RESOLVE.

In this episode you'll hear:

• [2:12] Understanding ASRM's role in advocacy
• [6:15] An explanation of Trump's IVF announcement
• [12:13] What is TrumpRX? And what does it mean for patients?
• [19:55] The red flags in "root cause" language
• [26:28] The rise of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM)
• [38:05] Legislation to watch: the Restore Act and Moral Framing
• [47:11 How to stay informed and take action

Please note there is no funding or sponsorship for this episode. See links below for facts and updates as policies change.

Resources mentioned: