Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast with Dr. Luk

From a Beef Farm to AI-driven embryoscopes: Dr. Broussard's Story | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast

In this episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk is joined by Dr. Alicia Broussard, Laboratory Director at Generation Next Fertility. Dr. Broussard shares her incredible origin story, growing up on a beef farm in Indiana and working with embryos long before entering the world of human IVF. Together, they discuss how the lab and clinical teams collaborate daily to guide patient care — and why outcomes don’t depend on retrieval alone. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the lab doors and how new technology is shaping modern IVF, this episode is for you!

Holding Onto Hope After Failed IVF | Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast with Dr. Luk

In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with her former patient, Nikki, to explore her long and deeply personal journey navigating unexplained infertility and IVF.Nikki candidly shares how her path unfolded over many years, during a time when fertility treatments and testing were rapidly evolving. This conversation shines a light on the emotional toll of repeated disappointment, the role of therapy and support, and what it takes to keep going when outcomes feel uncertain. From early IVF cycles and failed transfers to later advances like embryo testing and personalized timing, both Nikki and Dr. Luk reflect on how both medicine — and they themselves — have changed along the way.This episode is for anyone navigating infertility, looking to feel seen and inspired through resilience, trust, and hope that grows over time.

Stress, Support, & Finding Emotional Balance | Heart to Heart with Fertility Therapist Lisa Schuman

In this episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk is joined by Lisa Schuman, LCSW, founder of The Center for Family Building, for a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about the emotional realities of fertility treatment.Together, they explore how stress, anxiety, loss of control, and uncertainty can show up at different stages of the fertility journey: whether it’s a first cycle, a repeat cycle, or a point where difficult decisions come into focus. Lisa shares practical, patient-friendly tools to help manage stress, build emotional resilience, and feel more grounded during treatment, along with metaphors and mindset shifts that make complex and overwhelming information easier to absorb.This episode also touches on topics many patients struggle with quietly: guilt, self-blame, donor decisions, genetic connection, and the pressure to “stay hopeful” while protecting emotional well-being. With warmth and honesty, Dr. Luk and Lisa emphasize that emotional care is a vital part of fertility care and that no one should feel alone in the process.

Sandra's Story: Heart defect, 24 IVF rounds, 2 surrogates

Pregnancy can be life-changing — but for Sandra, it could have been life-threatening. Born with a congenital heart defect, she was told carrying a baby could put both her life and her child’s at risk. In this powerful episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with Sandra to share her extraordinary eight-year journey through IVF, surrogacy, and the courage it took to become a mother against all odds.Sandra opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of doing 24 egg retrievals — many without anesthesia due to her cardiac condition — and the difficult medical trauma she carried from childhood. Together with Dr. Luk, she reflects on the bond between doctor and patient, the compassion that carried her through, and the strength it takes to keep going when the odds seem impossible.

Sarah's Fertility Journey with Perimenopause & DOR

Navigating fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, lonely, and unpredictable, especially when perimenopause and diminished ovarian reserve become part of the journey. In this heartfelt episode of the Heart to Heart Fertility Podcast, Dr. Janelle Luk sits down with Sarah, a chef and nutritionist who has spent the last two years cycling at Generation Next Fertility under the care of Dr. NejatSarah courageously shares her real-life story: donating her eggs in her 20s, discovering elevated FSH, facing hot flashes and perimenopause in her late 30s, and undergoing seven retrievals while holding on to hope for a family. She opens up about the emotional toll of fluctuating numbers, the unique isolation of being on the perimenopause: fertility overlap, and the strength she’s found through her husband’s support, nutrition, mindfulness, and a personalized approach to care.0:00 Welcome to Heart to Heart 1:22 Finding Out About Perimenopause & DOR5:18 Having Open Talks with Your Partner7:36 Navigating High FSH & Low AMH10:40 Providing Guidance & Making Decisions15:01 Staying Focused on The Process 18:32 Hope with Unexplained DOR19:57 Diet, Exercise, and Heat Flashes24:37 Going From Regular Cycles to Irregular Ovulation28:50 Sarah's AdviceSarah’s story is one of resilience, persistence, and honesty. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by test results, wondered what it’s like to cycle through perimenopause, or simply needed to hear that you’re not alone, this episode is for you!📲 Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahpachelli 🍋 Looking for meals that truly nourish? Sarah’s company, Ssere (@ssere_mealdelivery), makes it possible to eat well with ease. Built on ingredient integrity and a philosophy of balance, Ssere delivers fresh, nourishing dishes straight to your door. Support your health and lifestyle by visiting ssere.com......Welcome to 'Heart to Heart,' the podcast hosted by renowned Fertility Doctor, Dr. Janelle Luk. Join us as Dr. Luk opens up a heartfelt dialogue with a diverse range of guests, including patients who have experienced both success and challenges on their fertility journey, mentors who provide invaluable guidance, and peers who share their unique insights. In this podcast, you'll discover stories of resilience, hope, and triumph over adversity in the realm of fertility. Dr. Luk's compassionate and informative approach ensures that every episode is a source of inspiration and knowledge for anyone navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you're seeking guidance, support, or simply a deeper understanding of this important aspect of life, 'Heart to Heart' is here to foster connection, empathy, and community.💬 (212) 641-0906 | www.GenerationNextFertility.com📲 Follow us on Instagram: @Gen.Next.Fertility🔔 Subscribe for more patient stories, expert insights, and fertility education.#IVFJourney #FertilityStory #EggFreezing #IVFSupport #HeartToHeartPodcast