The Embryo Adoption Podcast

What do you do when you already have four kids but still feel like your family isn't finished? For Joshua and Abigail Koehler, the answer came through a Facebook article, a lot of prayer, and the NEDC. They're now parents to 22-month-old twin girls born through NEDC embryo adoption. In this episode, they share what it felt like to want more when they already had so much, how their older kids reacted, what the NICU experience was really like, and why they'd tell any couple on the fence to just keep walking through the doors God opens.  

After failed adoption attempts — including bringing a baby home from the hospital, only to have him returned — Sean and his wife Amber heard about NEDC embryo adoption and decided to try one more time. This episode is their story: the fundraising, the hormone injections, transfer day in Knoxville, and what it felt like when it didn't work. It's honest, it's hopeful, and it ends with a direct challenge to Christian couples who are wondering if embryo adoption could be for them. 

Sean DeMars, podcast host and fertility ethics commentator who walked the NEDC process himself, joins to probe tough questions about IVF ethics. He and Mark trace industry incentives, how NEDC handles donated embryos, and the surprisingly emotional task of browsing embryo profiles. Short, thought-provoking conversation on practice, policy, and personal experience.

What happens to frozen embryos that IVF families never use? In this portion of the National Embryo Donation Center's interview on the Room for Nuance podcast, learn about a problem few in the fertility industry want to talk about — and the Christian ministry that stepped in to do something about it. This episode covers what the NEDC is, how embryo adoption works as a rescue mission, and the staggering scale of frozen human life waiting for a family. 

A Match.com message. A Facebook Live wedding during COVID. A zero sperm count diagnosis. And then — twin boys. Gregory and Jennifer File's path to parenthood was anything but conventional, but they'll tell you every detour was part of God's plan. In this episode of the Embryo Adoption Podcast, hear how embryo adoption gave them the family they'd always prayed for. 

 After receiving their infertility diagnosis the day before Christmas Eve, Brett and Erika Hamoen faced a year of deep grieving before discovering embryo adoption through the NEDC. In this heartfelt conversation, they discuss the challenges of being a Canadian couple pursuing embryo adoption, the hostile adoption training environment they avoided, and the incredible moment when Eloise entered the world. 

After years of infertility treatments and a devastating diagnosis, Erin and Rodney walked out of their fertility doctor's office at their lowest point. But a brief mention of embryo adoption -something they'd never heard of- would eventually lead them to their twin daughters and a beautiful relationship with their donor family. Hear their honest story of grief, hope, and unexpected blessings in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast.

The Embryo Adoption Podcast is back for season six!  When Aaron and Monica Harris married in their 40s, they immediately faced infertility challenges. After failed IVF attempts, a cross-country move, and multiple miscarriages, they discovered embryo adoption through the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC). This episode chronicles their emotional rollercoaster—from devastating losses to the miraculous moment they saw two heartbeats on the ultrasound. Hear how they navigated special consideration embryos, found their faith tested and strengthened, and ultimately welcomed twin boys whose Mandarin middle names mean "praise" and "accepted grace." Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your audio.

Embryo adoption created an extraordinary dynamic in Brian & Karen’s extended family— where baby Faith was actually conceived years before her teenage cousin Casey was even born! In this Season 5 finale of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, Casey shares excerpts from her award-winning essay about embryo adoption, while her aunt Karen opens up about the emotional journey through loss, faith, and ultimately welcoming Faith home. It’s a beautiful illustration of how embryo adoption not only grows families- it creates advocates for the tiniest lives, who need someone to speak up for them.Here is the link to check out Casey's full essay and those of the other finalists in the contest she won: https://lutheransforlife.org/article/2025-lfl-national-essay-contest-winners/ 

Meet Katherine Jackman, the first grandmother featured on The Embryo Adoption Podcast. After remembering President Bush's 2005 "snowflake children" White House event, Katherine suggested embryo adoption to her daughter and son-in-law during their fertility struggles. Their journey brought Katherine a new grandson and even inspired her to write a new children's book explaining embryo adoption through a farming allegory! You’ll be enriched as Katherine shares her unique perspective on supporting adult children through the process, the unexpected emotions of embryo loss, and the joy of welcoming her miracle grandson.  Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you get your audio.