Ep 16 Queer Mama

Ep 16 Queer Mama

In this week's episode of Sperm Sisters, we're joined by our very first guest, Freya Lyons (@thequeermama) a second-generation queer mum who is donor conceived and has gone on to use a donor herself. Freya shares her incredible story, from navigating a sibling network that's even bigger than ours to building a meaningful relationship with her donor (who, we're delighted to report, sounds like a genuinely lovely bloke). We also talk about the two wonderful mums who raised her, how growing up in a loving LGBTQ+ family shaped the parent she is today, and what it's like raising donor-conceived children with openness from the very beginning. Insightful, heartwarming and packed with wisdom, this is one of those conversations that stays with you long after the episode ends. A huge thank you to Freya for being so generous, honest and hilarious. You're officially an honorary Sperm Sister 💛 If you're looking for brilliant content on queer parenting, donor conception and modern family life, give Freya a follow on Instagram: @thequeermama. 🎙️ Sperm Sisters Podcast - Queer Mama 🎧 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all podcast platforms to be notified when new episodes drop. 📺 Watch every episode on YouTube. 📱 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes chaos, bonus clips and sister updates. -------------------------------------- Get in touch and share your story with us, we're looking to interview people on upcoming episodes!  Email us at: spermsisterspod@gmail.com Whatsapp your questions: 07507 834096 Follow us on insta: @spermsisterspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/spermsisterspodcast/] Subscribe on YouTube: @SpermSistersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@SpermSistersPodcast]

Ep 15 Money Jizz

It’s how much to have a behbeh?!  In this week's episode of Sperm Sisters, we're following the money. As three donor-conceived sisters, we investigate the rising cost of fertility treatment, IVF, and sperm donation in the UK, asking whether eye-watering clinic fees are pushing people towards finding donors on social media instead. Oh, and Mandy’s back! We call Mum to hear what fertility treatment was really like in the 1980s. She gives us a bit of an eye opening biology lesson, it’s pretty insightful to be fair!  And… introducing Sperm Sisters Mailbag! 🎉 For the first time, we're answering your questions, sharing our thoughts, and diving into the topics you want us to discuss. This episode covers: * UK fertility clinics * IVF and fertility treatment * The cost of sperm donation * Donor conception * Social media sperm donors * Listener questions and real-life experiences Educational, eye-opening, and as always... completely unhinged. 🎙️ Sperm Sisters Podcast: Money Jizz 🎧 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all podcast platforms so you're the first to hear new episodes.  📺 Watch every episode on YouTube.  📱 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes chaos, bonus clips and episode updates. 💌 Got a question for Sperm Sisters Mailbag? Send us a voice note on WhatsApp (07507 834096) - you might hear yourself featured in a future episode! -------------------------------------- Get in touch and share your story with us, we're looking to interview people on upcoming episodes!  Email us at: spermsisterspod@gmail.com Whatsapp your questions: 07507 834096 Follow us on insta: @spermsisterspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/spermsisterspodcast/] Subscribe on YouTube: @SpermSistersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@SpermSistersPodcast]

Ep 14 Getting To Know You

When you've spent decades apart, it's not just the big life events you miss, it's the glorious teenage disaster stories and embarrassing moments that help you piece together who your long lost sibling really is.  In this week's episode of Sperm Sisters, we're swapping DNA discoveries for teenage traumas as three donor-conceived sisters continue the important work of exposing each other's pasts.  Helen reveals the full extent of her Kate Nash-inspired college fashion choices (it was a confusing time for everyone involved), Nat revisits a couple of talent show incidents she'd probably rather forget, and Gemma shares why she stripped off in the middle of a lesson.  🎙️ Sperm Sisters Podcast 🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all podcast platforms to be notified when new episodes are released 📺 Watch on YouTube 📱 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes chaos and bonus content We've also recently shared our story with the BBC: 📰 Read our BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vyz109prvo [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vyz109prvo] 🎙️ Listen to our BBC Radio interview: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nsz6l4 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nsz6l4] -------------------------------------- Get in touch and share your story with us, we're looking to interview people on upcoming episodes!  Email us at: spermsisterspod@gmail.com Whatsapp your questions: 07507 834096 Follow us on insta: @spermsisterspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/spermsisterspodcast/] Subscribe on YouTube: @SpermSistersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@SpermSistersPodcast]

Ep 13 Passata, Passata!

"Unofficial sperm donor sells BBC 'baby batter' delivered with tomato passata." Yes, you read that right. Inspired by a recent BBC Wales article, this week on the Sperm Sisters podcast we dive into the alarming rise of "DIY" fertility options and the hidden risks that come with them. For many people, soaring fertility treatment costs have made unofficial sperm donation seem like a more affordable route to parenthood. But that lower price tag can come with serious consequences: unregulated donors, no medical screening or background checks, legal uncertainty, and in some cases, donors later seeking parental rights. But before all that… would you trust a carton of tomato passata as a way of keeping sperm frozen in the post? We certainly wouldn't.  Read Gemma Dunstan's article here: "Unofficial sperm donor sells BBC 'baby batter' delivered with tomato passata." [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1j2349j8zjo]  Make sure you also watch: "Swipe Right for Sperm" [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002xlyn] on BBC iPlayer  -------------------------------------- Get in touch and share your story with us, we're looking to interview people on upcoming episodes!  Email us at: spermsisterspod@gmail.com Whatsapp your questions: 07507 834096 Follow us on insta: @spermsisterspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/spermsisterspodcast/] Subscribe on YouTube: @SpermSistersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@SpermSistersPodcast]

Ep 12 Before You Knew

In this deeply personal episode of Sperm Sisters, we share the exact moment we discovered we weren't biologically related to our dads. The split-second before and how our entire identities changed after.  As three donor-conceived sisters born during the largely unregulated era of 1980s sperm donation, we revisit the conversations that changed our lives forever and the emotional aftermath of learning that our identities, family histories, and sense of self were not what we thought they were. Guided by Nat, this episode explores what it feels like to have the rug pulled out from under your feet, how people process life-altering news, and the complex reality of rebuilding your identity after donor conception discovery. If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in a therapy session, then this episode is for you. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of death, grief, family trauma, and loss of identity. If today isn't the day for that, may we gently redirect you to one of our sillier episodes (perhaps Viking Sperm?) and we'll see you next time. Support for Donor-Conceived People If you were conceived before 1991 in the UK, you may be entitled to two free counselling sessions through the Donor Conceived Register (DCR) service, with additional sessions available at a subsidised rate. You can register with the DCR without submitting DNA. For more information, contact the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust: donorconceivedregister@lwh.nhs.uk [donorconceivedregister@lwh.nhs.uk] 🎙️ Sperm Sisters Podcast – Before You Knew 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all podcast platforms 📺 Watch on YouTube -------------------------------------- Get in touch and share your story with us, we're looking to interview people on upcoming episodes!  Email us at: spermsisterspod@gmail.com Whatsapp your questions: 07507 834096 Follow us on insta: @spermsisterspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/spermsisterspodcast/] Subscribe on YouTube: @SpermSistersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@SpermSistersPodcast]