Becky & Ben's Fertility Spotlight

Can Infertility Be Funny? We Ask Comedian Kate-Lois Elliott

IVF is a serious business, but can humour help? We speak to comedian, actor and writer Kate-Lois Elliott about the comedy of conception. On stage, she tackles it head-on. Privately, her fertility journey is ongoing. We discuss the connecting force of comedy, particularly stand-up. We look for laughs in IVF clinics (dishy doctors and Ben’s sperm collection dilemma included). And we review how TV and films have tackled IVF and parenting choices, notably Friends, Sex & The City and Trying. (Less notably, Maybe Baby!) An honest, revelatory interview with a rising comedy star.                      Official podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com [https://fertility-spotlight.com/] Instagram: @fertilityspotlight Kate-Lois Elliott: https://www.kateloiselliott.com/ Instagram: @kateloiselliott  Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Family, Identity & Truth: Rebecca Coxon’s Amazing DNA Story

Some fertility journeys are dramatic, and Rebecca Coxon’s story is a shining example. An IVF triplet, she took a DNA test in her late twenties, discovering she was conceived using a sperm donor. She talks openly about this experience, and its effect on her and her family. We discuss her own attempt at IVF, and how the cycle was abandoned for personal reasons. And we explore her decision to donate her own eggs. Thoughtful and pragmatic, Rebecca goes deep into family emotions, conception and identity – and how her natural curiosity altered the course of her life. There’s a happy ending to this multi-layered story. And an acclaimed book, Inconceivable, that chronicles this remarkable adventure.                                                     Official podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com [https://fertility-spotlight.com/] Instagram: @fertilityspotlight Inconceivable, by Rebecca Coxon: https://amzn.to/49ogX0E [https://amzn.to/49ogX0E] Rebecca Coxon on Instagram: @rebeccacoxon  Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Your Breast, Your Fertility: Art, Science & The Quiet Self

What role does the breast really play in fertility? We speak to author and surgeon, Dr. Gabriel Weston, about this remarkable organ. We assess its sexual and maternal function, and how the two seem inextricably linked in history and culture. In fertility treatment, the breast is often ignored. But it’s an active participant in the reproductive system, conception and pregnancy. Referencing her acclaimed book about the human body, Alive, Gabriel assesses the breast in the context of western art, asking the question: what are we really seeing? We also discuss the remarkable biology behind breastfeeding, and the reality of breast cancer. The image of the breast has captivated humans for centuries. Away from all the noise, we reflect on its quiet role, in the female mindset, as companion and friend.                     Official podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com [https://fertility-spotlight.com/] Instagram: @fertilityspotlight Dr. Gabriel Weston on Instagram: @gabrielwestonalive  Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Sounds Therapeutic? How Music Can Help Fertility Patients

Can music make fertility treatment less stressful? Or more successful? We meet one of the world’s leading music therapists, Dr. Alison Short, associate professor at Western Sydney University. Music can humanise and de-stress, making it a compelling tool for managing anxiety and promoting wellbeing. We discuss how and when music can be used during the fertility process, and the role of music therapy in addressing issues in more depth. Our music choices are unique, says Alison, but she talks about the kind of music that may work best. She shares her research findings on music and fertility treatment, reflecting on the music tracks that comforted us during our own fertility struggles. Music is uniquely powerful. IVF patients could benefit from this. Close your eyes – and listen.                     Official podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com [https://fertility-spotlight.com/] Instagram: @fertilityspotlight Alison Short: https://researchers.westernsydney.edu.au/en/persons/alison-short/ [https://researchers.westernsydney.edu.au/en/persons/alison-short/] Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment   Extract from Dum Transisset Sabbatum, by John Taverner, performed by The Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford, conducted by Owen Rees. Label: Signum Classics. Used with permission.   Extract from Dido’s Lament, from Dido and Aeneas, by Henry Purcell, performed by Armonico Consort, conducted by Christopher Monks. Soprano: Rachael Lloyd. Label: Signum Classics. Used with permission.   Extract from La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin, by Claude Debussy, performed by Anna Tysbuleva (piano). Label: Signum Classics. Used with permission.   Extract from Messiah, by George Friderich Handel (arr. Mozart), performed by The Huddersfield Choral Society, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir. Charles Mackerras. Label: Signum Classics. Used with permission. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Watching & Waiting: The Secret Life Of An Embryologist

What really happens in the lab at a fertility clinic? We speak to Suzanne Cawood, one of the UK’s top consultant-embryologists. They work behind the scenes but, as Suzanne explains, embryologists play a crucial role in the IVF process. We talk about the passion and dedication required, and the multi-faceted nature of the job. We go in-depth on the technology, including the embryoscope, genetic testing, egg and embryo vitrification, AI and robotics. The embryologist’s workday is a busy mix of human and technical interactions, requiring stamina, sensitivity and a steady hand. Suzanne speaks enthusiastically about the privilege of working at the forefront of human life – and the unique set of skills every embryologist possesses.                                          Official podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com [https://fertility-spotlight.com/] Instagram: @fertilityspotlight Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.