This episode brings together the science, medicine, and lived experience behind BRCA mutations. Emily Goldberg, JScreen’s Director of Genetic Counseling Services, breaks down what these mutations and what the risks look like. Dr. Melissa Frey, a GYN oncologist at Cornell, walks us through what happens after someone tests positive. We also hear from Heather Boussi, who shares her powerful story of living with both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

In this episode, we’re digging into male factor infertility: what it means, how it’s diagnosed, and how it impacts couples emotionally, physically, and relationally.

We’re joined by Paul Kassebaum, a quantum physicist, and his wife Julia Cohen, an economist as they open up about the medical and emotional twists and turns of their path. We also bring in experts: Dr. Ariel Moradzadeh, a reproductive endocrinologist, and Abbe Golding, a genetic counselor at Jscreen.

A therapist and mom of three, Julia Makowsky, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about antenatal depression, grieving the loss of future fertility after receiving a BRCA+ diagnosis, and how her view of G-d and faith has shifted

Esther Rollhaus, MD, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about all aspects of reproductive psychiatry, the reasons why someone would reach out, how meds are used as an adjunct to therapy, and myths about medication.

Dr. Sahar Wertheimer, Peggy Cottrell and Rachel Sentchuk join Aimee Baron, MD to talk about breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and infertility.

Dr. Bill Petok joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about the reasons why it’s hard for men to share their emotions, how men often act when they have gotten a fertility diagnosis, and the do’s and don’ts on what to say to the men in your life when they’re struggling.

Estie Rose MS, CGC, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about genetic testing, carrier testing and cancer screening as it relates to fertility and why genetic testing is important and why she recommends doing it before getting married/thinking about getting pregnant.

Dr. Dan Nayot, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about reopening post-COVID-19 shutdown, getting second opinions, what unexplained infertility really means and day 3 vs day 5 transfers.

Dr. Michael Werner, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about medical options for male infertility patients, ESSM, sperm mapping, Azoospermia and how those with this diagnosis actually do have viable sperm that can be found through various techniques.

Dr. Chavi Karkowsky, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about why one would need a MFM even before getting pregnant, when it’s hard for a care team to change their narratives about a patient and her book “High Risk: Stories of Pregnancy, Birth, and the Unexpected".

Dr. Elissa Hellman, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about her training regarding sensitivity to her infertility and loss patients, what she’s learned to say and never to say, and the patients that have stayed in her mind even years later.

Dr. Shy Krug, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about how to communicate more effectively with your partner/spouse during the fertility years, what to do when you disagree with your partner and how struggles lead to issues with intimacy.

Dr. Bat-Sheva Lerner Maslow joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about infertility, egg freezing, the right time to freeze eggs and more.

Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus, LSCW, MPH, PHD joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about intimacy challenges that can arise as couples struggle with their fertility.