Surrogacy doesn't have to be overwhelming. On Surrogacy Made Simple, we walk you through this life-changing journey without the complexity and confusion, so you can focus on what's most important - welcoming your new baby! We chat about surrogacy agencies, independent surrogacy, donor eggs, IVF, inducing lactation and all the things important to you. You'll love real stories from intended parents, surrogates and advice from experts in the field. Your surrogacy expert, Dr Alyssa Small Layne (OBGYN, mom through surrogacy), will be your guide.
The holidays can feel like the brightest spotlight on what’s missing—especially when intended parents are still waiting, longing, or grieving their path to parenthood. Scrolling through social feeds packed with family celebrations, facing sensitive questions from relatives, or enduring pregnancy announcements at festive gatherings can sting in ways few people understand. It’s exhausting to keep showing up, pretending, or shrinking yourself just to survive the season.
But you don’t have to go through it alone or unprepared. In this episode, Alyssa Small Layne shares 8 practical, compassionate strategies to protect your emotional and financial wellbeing, set boundaries without guilt, and create tiny moments of comfort and control—even before your baby arrives.
🎧 Press play and discover how to make holidays survivable, honest, and even full of hope.
What You’ll Learn:
02:23 — Why the holidays amplify grief, longing, and comparison for intended parents
07:14 — How to decide your level of participation and give yourself permission to opt out
08:55 — The power of having a “safe person” at every gathering
11:31 — Scripts for handling nosy, insensitive holiday questions about surrogacy or infertility
13:12 — Creating exit plans and time limits to save energy at hard events
16:27 — Handling pregnancy announcements without falling apart
19:48 — Building new traditions—even ones focused on your future child
22:00 — Special tips for navigating surrogacy during the holidays—whether matched or still waiting
24:53 — How to honor both your emotional and financial budget while building your family
Resources Mentioned:
BloomBridge Surrogacy App (https://bloombridge.gojunie.com/)
Free Surrogacy Starter Kit for Intended Parents (https://gojunie.com/surrogacy-starter-kit)
#40 Surrogacy Costs Soaring: Are Luxury Gifts Really Necessary? (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SXUZBRBslmtzKJurdCzn8?si=UJ52XYgrRqueps-jXXkvlA)
Key Takeaways:
You do not owe anyone holiday participation that harms your emotional health.
Preparing responses ahead of time reduces anxiety during gatherings.
A designated safe person can anchor you when conversations become difficult.
Triggers do not mean failure, they are normal and temporary responses.
New traditions can help you reclaim meaning during a sensitive season.
🎧 Ready to reclaim peace and comfort this holiday season?Listen now and let Alyssa Small Layne guide you to a gentler, stronger holiday—just for you.
“You are allowed to protect your peace during the holidays.”
20 Nov 2025
#68 Surrogate Profiles 101: Avoiding Mistakes and Finding Your Ideal Match
Worried about making a mistake when choosing your surrogate? You’re not alone—one wrong decision can lead to contract battles, lost money, or broken dreams. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and miss the subtle warning signs hiding in a profile.
In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne reveals exactly how to choose a surrogate step-by-step: what signals caution, how to interpret health notes, and which “green flags” actually matter. Real profile examples, actionable tips, and must-ask questions will help you avoid common pitfalls—and confidently invest in the right match for your family.
🎧 Press play so you can match with clarity and peace of mind!
What You'll Learn:
00:07 — The emotional reality of reading that first surrogate profile
05:02 — Why your fertility clinic’s requirements must guide your decision
07:01 — How to anchor your preferences and stay focused
11:00 — Spotting hidden red/orange flags before it’s too late
14:41 — Surrogate compensation, double embryo transfers, and support systems
18:40 — How health history (like thyroid antibodies) should affect your choice
30:27 — Why location, insurance, and termination views are critical to “how to choose a surrogate”
44:18 — The biggest financial red flag you should never ignore
Resources Mentioned:
BloomBridge Surrogacy App (https://bloombridge.gojunie.com)
Surrogate vetting essentials (https://gojunie.com/resources/surrogate-vetting-essentials%E2%81%A0)
Episode #66 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1QyiuoQAfJurrfaW97iLS7?si=ea4vWERyS0qQ-eOam8dEvQ)
https://gojunie.com/podcast/episode/5 (https://gojunie.com/podcast/episode/5)
Surrogacy BluePrint Course (https://gojunie.com/blueprint)
Key Takeaways:
Review both clinic and personal criteria before saying yes to a match
State laws on termination and reproductive rights can affect your journey
Look for consistency, honesty, and a strong support system in profiles
Use professional guides to vet red flags and protect your investment
Matching isn’t luck—it’s clarity, alignment, and communication
🎧 Want to feel confident about how to choose a surrogate?Download the Surrogate Vetting Essentials Guide on BloomBridge and start your matching journey with clarity!
6 Nov 2025
#67 Surrogacy in Insurance 2026: Higher Premiums, Liens, and New Rules for Intended Parents
Navigating surrogacy insurance is more daunting than ever in 2026.
Thinking you’ve found the perfect surrogate, only to worry about the massive, unpredictable expenses hiding in her insurance?
You’re not alone. As surrogacy insurance evolves in 2026, many intended parents are blindsided by exclusions, rising premiums, and devastating liens—making “insurance options for surrogacy 2026” more confusing (and essential) than ever.
In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne and Sarah Paige break down every insurance option, debunk myths about surrogacy-friendly plans, and show you how to spot red flags before you match.
Feeling overwhelmed? This discussion will help you take control, protect your budget, and safeguard your journey with confidence.
Don’t let insurance confusion steal your peace—press play to get clarity now!
What You’ll Learn:
00:00 — Why surrogacy insurance is more complicated (and expensive) in 2026
01:32 — What qualifies as “surrogacy friendly” insurance—and why it matters
05:39 — How premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maxes are changing
07:16 — Liens explained: hidden risks in surrogacy insurance
13:27 — Lloyd’s of London and other alternative insurance policies you should know
15:13 — Liens vs. compensation: understanding “right to reimbursement”
27:19 — How to compare your insurance options for surrogacy in 2026
39:11 — Most common states for lien policies and insurance pitfalls
46:17 — The new surrogacy climate in California (and what it means for your journey)
Resources Mentioned:
BloomBridge Surrogacy App (https://bloombridge.gojunie.com/)
ART Risk (https://artrisksolutions.com/)
Creative Family Connections Surrogacy Law Map (https://creativefamilyconnections.com/us-surrogacy-law-map/)
Key Takeaways:
Premiums are up 18%—out-of-pocket costs now average $10,600 per journey.
Liens are expanding, especially in California, Oregon, Colorado, and Ohio.
Never hide surrogacy from an insurer—it can void coverage and risk employment.
Always compare lien policies to Lloyd’s plans to find the true cost.
Legal support and professional insurance review are essential before matching.
🎧 Wondering which insurance options for surrogacy 2026 are right for you? Use BloomBridge to get your policy professionally reviewed before you match!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
89
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
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