Welcome to SurroTales! I'm your host, Emma Lehman, an American living in New Zealand and an aspiring mom on the wild ride that is surrogacy. SurroTales is a platform for intended parents and surrogates to share their stories and advice they’ve learned along the way. Whether you're deep into surrogacy, have already been through it, just starting out, feeling lost, or simply curious about the process, this podcast is for you.
Maddy Lehman (Our Surrogate!) Round 2: Lila’s Birth Story
Maddy Lehman recounts Lila's birth story with the host, detailing the emotional journey from the days leading up to delivery to the surprises and events that unfolded during labor in this interview.
14 Feb 2025
Dominque Francis: Intended Mom & Founder of Lullabuy & Redroom
In this episode, I chat with Dominique as she shares her deeply personal journey through infertility. From enduring multiple rounds of IVF in both New Zealand and the USA to navigating devastating miscarriages, Dominique takes us through the emotional and physical toll of her experience.
After years of trying, her doctor eventually encouraged her to explore surrogacy—an idea she initially struggled to embrace. She opens up about the courage it took to share her story on social media and later with the NZ Herald, leading to an overwhelming response from generous women willing to help. One of the most unexpected yet beautiful moments? A childhood friend stepping forward to offer the ultimate gift.
As she moves through the approval process while preparing for another IVF cycle, Dominique reflects on the challenges of control—or lack thereof—throughout infertility and surrogacy. We also discuss her motivation to start two businesses, Lullabuy and Redroom, which have given her a sense of purpose and control outside of her fertility journey.
Throughout it all, Dominique has learned invaluable lessons about resilience, partnership, and the power of empathy. Her story is one of strength, hope, and the incredible kindness of others.
----
Episode Info:
Cryoport (https://ivf.cryoport.com/)
NZ Herald article (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/kiwi-fitness-founder-on-infertility-heartache-and-search-for-a-surrogate/WHY2L3A5EZHSNN5YSJYW5M37LQ/)
Love Makes A Family (https://lovemakes.family/)
Lullabuy (https://www.lullabuy.co.nz/)
Redroom (https://www.redroom.nz/)
----
Instagram: @surrotales (https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/)
Email: surrotales@gmail.com
26 Jan 2025
Victoria Fritz: Intended Mom & Founder of BabyBumps
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Victoria, who shares her remarkable journey of navigating life with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis—one that came unexpectedly as an adult during her medical training. We dive into how this life-changing event influenced many aspects of her life, including her career, her fertility and her family planning decisions...ultimately leading her to pursue surrogacy.
Victoria opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of searching for a surrogate and what inspired her to launch BabyBumps, an independent surrogacy platform designed to connect intended parents and surrogates through mutual respect and trust.
We also chat about her IVF journey, from the highs and lows of multiple rounds to the most unconventional places we've both done our injections. Victoria shares the invaluable lessons she's learned throughout her fertility experience so far and hints at what’s next for her surrogacy and family-building journey.
Victoria shares valuable insights for anyone facing fertility challenges or exploring surrogacy. Her journey reflects resilience, hope, and the innovative vision behind Baby Bumps—her inclusive platform that is sure to make a lasting impact in the surrogacy world.
----
Episode Info:
BabyBumps:
Website (https://www.baby-bumps.org/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hello_babybumps/)
----
Instagram: @surrotales (https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/)
Email: surrotales@gmail.com
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
28 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
37
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
Contact SurroTales
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of SurroTales?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
