161. Surrogacy Unfiltered: Everything You Wanted to Know (but were afraid to ask) with Aliza Abrams Konig
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
Release Date: 03/31/2025
169. This Wasn’t the Plan: Choosing Motherhood on My Own with Jordana Brown
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Jordana Brown joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her journey becoming a frum single mother by choice -the unexpected path that led her here and how she never imagined this would be her story -the emotional toll of letting go of “the plan” and the strength it took to move forward anyway -the moment the decision became real, egg freezing, the heartbreak of multiple pregnancy losses, and the incredible strength she had to keep trying -how people judged, supported, misunderstood, and sometimes surprised her—and what she wishes...
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168. Second Chances, Sacred Choices: A Fertility Story of Love and Genetics with Sarah Ickovitz
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Sarah Ickovitz, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her powerful story of navigating remarriage, discovering genetic challenges, and turning to IVF with genetic testing -the emotional impact of learning you carry a genetic condition -how she was able to make it through all the hard moments in the process -what helps her stay focused and stay positive through it all This is a moving conversation about what it means to rebuild, reimagine family, and keep going with courage. More about Sarah: -Sarah is a remarried Mom of 4. She has 1 IVF baby...
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167. “Normalize It” with Dr Jessica Zucker
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Jessica Zucker, PhD, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her new book, “Normalize It” -how she expands her lens to address a multitude of challenges that women face- that so often make them stay silent -how to speak about the uncomfortable to help make you feel less alone (even though I hate that phrase- listen to hear why!) More about Dr. Zucker: Dr. Zucker specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health, which means she primarily works with women who are contemplating or struggling with pregnancy, pregnancy and infant loss,...
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166. Fragile X Syndrome: A Silent Factor in Infertility
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Estie Rose, MS, CGC, Heather Hipp, MD, and Gail Heyman, join Aimee Baron, MD for the second episode of our 5-part IWSTHAB x JSCREEN Podcast series is all about Fragile X. When people think of genetic testing before pregnancy, they often think of Tay-Sachs or cystic fibrosis—but Fragile X is just as important and far less understood. In this episode, Estie Rose and Dr. Heather Hipp explain the difference between recessive and X-linked conditions, what it means to be a Fragile X carrier, and how it can affect fertility and family planning. We also...
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165. Fill Your Cup with Shirel Korobkin
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shirel Korobkin, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her deeply personal fertility journey -the stillbirth she experienced four years ago, a recent miscarriage, and the ongoing pain and resilience that define life after loss -the powerful parallels between her own struggles and the journey of the Jewish people in Egypt -what it means to seek liberation while still walking through grief -tangible ways to care for yourself and “fill your cup” this holiday season—especially if your heart feels heavy during a time that celebrates freedom and...
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164. At The End Of My Rope: My Hysterectomy Story with Chaya Kasten
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Kasten RN, BSN, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -her deeply personal journey through antepartum and postpartum depression -hyperemesis gravidarum, and debilitating blood loss -the relentless storm that made daily life unbearable -how in the end, a hysterectomy was the only path forward, a choice that gave her back her health, her energy, and her sense of self -the grief that came along with her hysterectomy and the knowledge that there would be no more children More about Chaya: I'm a 35 year old mother of 2. I'm a nurse who's...
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163. Turning Pain into Purpose with Chaya Hott
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Hott joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -grief, resilience, and the power of turning personal tragedy into a source of healing for others -her experience navigating secondary infertility, a devastating stillbirth, and an early loss -how each heartbreak deepened her grief and after years of heartbreak, pain and healing, she welcomed her rainbow baby, but her story didn’t end there -how she took her pain and transformed it into purpose -her journey of becoming a grief educator, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the unbearable...
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162. From Heartbreak to Hope: My Surrogacy Journey with Carly Joseph
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Carly Joseph joins Aliza Konig, IWSTHAB's surrogacy consultant, to speak with Carly Joseph, to explore the deeply personal and emotional journey of surrogacy. From the initial struggles of building a family to the life-changing decision to pursue surrogacy, Carly is excited to normalize conversations around surrogacy and share her story in a vulnerable way in hopes that it will offer hope and comfort to others. They talk about... -the journey to parenthood before considering surrogacy -the emotions and uncertainties of choosing surrogacy -navigating...
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161. Surrogacy Unfiltered: Everything You Wanted to Know (but were afraid to ask) with Aliza Abrams Konig
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Aliza Abrams Konig joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -the complex and deeply personal journey of surrogacy—one that comes with unique challenges, especially within the Jewish community -the realities of surrogacy, the emotional and halachic considerations, and the questions that so many intended parents struggle with -finding a “kosher” surrogate—how hard is it, and what are the costs? Are grants available? -the emotional and relational aspects—how involved are partners, and how does that shape the bond with the baby? -preparing for...
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160. Finding Calm in the Chaos with Dr. Aliza Ancier
Talking Away the Taboo with Dr. Aimee Baron
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Dr. Aliza Ancier joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -mindfulness and how this technique can ground people during times of stress or anxiety (hello fertility journey) -what mindfulness is and isn’t, some misconceptions, how she personally found it helpful after her loss stillbirth, and some practical suggestions on how to incorporate pieces of it into your own life -learning new ways to cope with the ups and downs *For practical solutions, jump to the end of the episode (36:21) More about Aliza: Dr. Aliza Ancier PT, DPT, PCES specializes in...
info_outlineOn this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Aliza Abrams Konig joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...
-the complex and deeply personal journey of surrogacy—one that comes with unique challenges, especially within the Jewish community
-the realities of surrogacy, the emotional and halachic considerations, and the questions that so many intended parents struggle with
-finding a “kosher” surrogate—how hard is it, and what are the costs? Are grants available?
-the emotional and relational aspects—how involved are partners, and how does that shape the bond with the baby?
-preparing for someone else to carry your child—what if disagreements arise?
-explaining surrogacy to your child—when and how to tell them, and do some parents choose not to?
This conversation is honest, raw, and full of insight for anyone exploring surrogacy or supporting someone on this path. Whether you’re considering surrogacy yourself or just curious about the experience, this episode sheds light on the deeply personal and communal aspects of building a family through surrogacy.
More about Aliza:
Aliza Abrams Konig is the Director of Student Leadership at Yeshiva University. Throughout Aliza’s career, she has worked within areas of student life, team building, creating curricula, and enriching the experiences of thousands of students through Experiential Education. Earlier in Aliza's career she served as the YU Director of Alumni Engagement, Assistant Principal at Central, Yeshiva University High School for Girls, Director of Student Life at Stern College, and as the Director of Jewish Service Learning for the University, where she built the service learning curriculum and established chessed missions around the world. Aliza is a member of the inaugural Wexner Field Fellows program through the Wexner Foundation. She has spoken worldwide in synagogues, community centers, and schools about leadership, education, faith, prayer and issues related to the contemporary Jewish family, dating, infertility, surrogacy and family, and is a sought-after consultant on surrogacy. Aliza holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College, and a Master’s in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is now a doctoral candidate at Wurzweiler. Aliza, her husband Samuel, and their family live in Riverdale, New York, where they are very involved with their community, synagogue, and other local organizations.
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