Brave & Curious Podcast

I’m tired of infertility and miscarriage being full of shame and silence.

Fertility, reproductive health, and wellness are deeply personal—and sometimes, deeply challenging. Brave & Curious is a space for open, honest conversations about the science, emotions, and decisions that shape our reproductive journeys.

Hosted by Dr. Lora Shahine, a double board certified OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist, author, and advocate, this podcast blends evidence-based medicine with empathy and curiosity.

Recommended by HeyReprotech’s “Good Listens 2022” - check it out!

Fact Vs. Fiction on Fertility, Egg Freezing, and IVF Today with Dr. Lucky Sehkon
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Fact Vs. Fiction on Fertility, Egg Freezing, and IVF Today with Dr. Lucky Sehkon

What’s the truth about egg freezing success rates? Is IVF really a guarantee for building a family? And how do you separate fertility facts from fiction when the internet is full of clickbait headlines? 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with her friend and fellow reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Lucky Sekhon, to explore the myths and realities of modern fertility care. Dr. Sekhon shares both science and lived experience through her personal journey with IVF and personal expertise in guiding patients through tough choices.

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Balance and an Eastern Approach to Fertility Care with Lorne Brown, Dr.TCM
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Balance and an Eastern Approach to Fertility Care with Lorne Brown, Dr.TCM

What does balance really mean in fertility care? Can Eastern medicine like acupuncture and herbs truly support reproductive health? And how can Western and Eastern approaches come together for better outcomes? 

In this episode of Brave and Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine leans into these big questions in a conversation that bridges two worlds of medicine. Joining Dr. Shahine is Dr. Lorne Brown, acupuncturist and host of the Conscious Fertility podcast, who brings a holistic perspective rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.

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Amanda Knox: Sentenced to Infertility
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Amanda Knox: Sentenced to Infertility

What happens when the most fertile years of your life are taken from you? How do you rebuild when trauma collides with your deepest hopes for motherhood? What does it mean to pursue fertility after prison? 

In this powerful episode of Brave & Curious, you’ll hear Dr. Lora Shahine’s conversation with Amanda Knox who spent four years in an Italian prison and eight years fighting a wrongful murder conviction. Amanda has turned her pain into purpose. 

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To Fly or Not to Fly and Other Travel Tips for Fertility
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

To Fly or Not to Fly and Other Travel Tips for Fertility

Have you ever wondered if flying could impact your fertility? Worried about what happens if you need to travel after an egg retrieval? Curious whether that long-awaited vacation might interfere with success with embryo transfer? 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Shahine answers the most common questions about fertility, flying, travel and IVF. She includes practical tips for travel days and leaves you informed to make the right decisions for you with your own doctor’s guidelines. 

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Fertility Over 40: What You Really Need to Know About Conception, Testing & IVF
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Fertility Over 40: What You Really Need to Know About Conception, Testing & IVF

Trying to get pregnant in your 40s and feeling bombarded with terms like “geriatric pregnancy” or “diminished ovarian reserve”? Wondering if age is the final word in fertility? Curious about what you can do instead of what you can't?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is getting real about trying to conceive after 40—with clarity, compassion, and science-backed strategies. She covers the impact of age on fertility, the power of early testing, and why aligning your family-building goals with real timelines is more important than ever.

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CoQ10 and Fertility: What You Need for Egg and Sperm Health
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

CoQ10 and Fertility: What You Need for Egg and Sperm Health

Thinking about adding supplements to your fertility journey? A quick search online can leave you swimming in advice—or drowning. How do you know what really works and what’s just hype?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine takes a deep dive into one of the most talked-about fertility supplements: CoQ10. This naturally occurring antioxidant has been linked to improvements in egg quality and sperm health—but is it right for you?

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How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? Understanding Caffeine and Fertility
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? Understanding Caffeine and Fertility

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down what we really know about caffeine and reproductive health—from both Western and Eastern medical perspectives. 

Dr. Shahine shares the actual caffeine content in your favorite drinks, answers the most common questions she hears from patients, and offers guidance on how to personalize your caffeine habits based on your own goals and body.

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You’re Pregnant, Now What? Your Guide to the First Trimester
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

You’re Pregnant, Now What? Your Guide to the First Trimester

Wondering what’s actually ‘normal’ in the first trimester? You’re not the only one frantically Googling every twinge and symptom. Early pregnancy can feel like a rollercoaster of questions—and not always a fun one. 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine walks you through the first trimester with clarity and calm. She shares the most common concerns she hears from patients and what might war.

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Detox Your Home: Cleaning House with Lindsay Dahl
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Detox Your Home: Cleaning House with Lindsay Dahl

Is your makeup messing with your hormones? Could your cleaning products be impacting your fertility? And how do we make informed choices without spiraling into fear or perfectionism? 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine invites us to ask bold questions about the everyday products we use—and the hidden chemicals within them.

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Is Your Tilted or Retroverted Uterus Harming Your Fertility?
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Is Your Tilted or Retroverted Uterus Harming Your Fertility?

Is a tilted uterus stopping you from getting pregnant? Could it be the reason for painful periods or backaches? Has the term “retroverted uterus” been brought up at one of your recent doctor’s appointments?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is taking the mystery out of the retroverted (or tilted) uterus. She explains what it is, how common it is, and whether it impacts fertility or pregnancy. Good news: in most cases, it doesn’t.

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Unicornuate Uterus: What It Means for Fertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Unicornuate Uterus: What It Means for Fertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

Do you know that uteruses come in different shapes? How about a unicornuate uterus? 

Inspired by Celina Spooky Boo’s fertility story, this episode of Brave & Curious explores unicornuate uterus. Dr. Lora Shahine explains this congenital anomaly, how it’s diagnosed, and the spectrum of potential outcomes it can create for fertility and pregnancy.

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Considering IUI vs. IVF: Which One is Best for You?
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Considering IUI vs. IVF: Which One is Best for You?

What’s the difference between IUI and IVF? Which one is right for you? And how do you navigate the emotional and financial rollercoaster of fertility treatment with clarity and courage?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine offers a compassionate, clear-eyed look at the two most common fertility treatments: Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

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Ovarian Cysts Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Ovarian Cysts Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine invites you to get curious about your body, embrace the power of knowledge, and tackle the unknowns of ovarian health with bravery and clarity.

Dr. Shahine walks through the five most important things to know: symptoms, types, causes, treatment options, and red flags. From the commonly harmless functional cysts to more complex types like endometriomas and dermoid cysts.

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Fewer Shots, Same Success: A New IVF Protocol with Dr. Linnea Goodman
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Fewer Shots, Same Success: A New IVF Protocol with Dr. Linnea Goodman

What if IVF didn’t have to mean so many shots? Could a new protocol allow for fewer shots, less office visits, AND be less expensive? 

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Linnea Goodman to answer these questions and more. They review Dr. Goodman’s research into a protocol, not new to the fertility field around the world, but new to most listeners in the United States that has many benefits to IVF patients.

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Clean Beauty and Skin Care with Jenna Levine
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Clean Beauty and Skin Care with Jenna Levine

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jenna Levine, founder of LINNÉ Botanicals, for a brave and eye-opening conversation about skincare that’s safe, minimal, and deeply rooted in integrity.

Jenna brings her passion for formulation, ingredient sourcing, botany, and herbal medicine to life through her brand LINNÉ Botanicals. Her story is personal—shaped by her path to motherhood and her commitment to creating products she trusts for herself and her family.

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Egg Freezing Top 10 Questions
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Egg Freezing Top 10 Questions

What exactly is egg freezing? Is there an ideal age to do it? How many eggs should you freeze to give yourself the best shot at future fertility?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine walks listeners through the top 10 most Googled questions about egg freezing. From the basics of what the process entails to more nuanced questions about success rates and cost, she provides clear, thoughtful answers rooted in science and clinical experience.

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Normalize It with Dr. Jessica Zucker: Shame, Stigma & Women’s Stories
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Normalize It with Dr. Jessica Zucker: Shame, Stigma & Women’s Stories

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by psychologist and author Jessica Zucker, founder of the #IHadAMiscarriage movement. Drawing from her own experience of miscarriage and her professional expertise, Jessica shares how storytelling and vulnerability have the power to change the way we view and talk about women's health. 

Jessica’s book Normalize It further explores these themes, encouraging women to own their experiences and find connection through honesty and shared truth. Together, Dr. Shahine and Jessica dive into the many ways women are pressured to stay silent about their bodies and emotions—from miscarriage and infertility to menopause and mental health.

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Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant

Are you trying to conceive and feeling unsure about where to start? Wondering if you're making mistakes that could be delaying your journey to parenthood? Curious about what really impacts fertility—and what steps you can take today to improve your chances?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine shares the five most common mistakes couples make when trying to get pregnant—and how to avoid them. Dr. Shahine also offers practical, evidence-based tips to support your fertility journey from the very beginning.

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Your Surrogacy Questions, Answered: Myths vs. Facts with Mollie Huyck
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Your Surrogacy Questions, Answered: Myths vs. Facts with Mollie Huyck

Surrogacy can be a beautiful and life-changing path to parenthood — but it’s also one that’s often misunderstood. In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down the most frequently asked questions and biggest misconceptions about gestational surrogacy with the Director of the Gestational Surrogacy Program at Pacific NW Fertility, Mollie Hyuck. 

From who the legal parents are, to whether the surrogate can keep the baby (spoiler: she can’t), to understanding the emotional, medical, and ethical realities — this episode is your evidence-based guide to what surrogacy is and what it isn’t.

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Surrogacy Journey Step by Step Guide with Mollie Huyck
Lora Shahine, MD Lora Shahine, MD

Surrogacy Journey Step by Step Guide with Mollie Huyck

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine has an eye-opening conversation with Mollie Huyck to explore the often complex and deeply personal world of surrogacy. Mollie is Director of Gestational Surrogacy Program at PNWF. Mollie's experience in the reproductive health field is deeply intertwined with a personal journey of unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, which spanned a decade of medical treatments including use of gestational surrogacy.

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