Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine18 Nov 2025

Ep 150 A Gay Dad's Real Talk on IVF & Surrogacy with Richard Westoby

What does it really take for men to build a family through IVF and surrogacy? How do you navigate the maze of sperm testing, egg donors, legal contracts, and international laws? And where do transparency, trust, and heart fit into this complex process?

In this honest and empowering episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to Richard Westoby, author, advocate, and host of IVF Daddies. Their conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey of gay men pursuing parenthood.

Richard shares his deeply personal experience of becoming a father to twins through surrogacy and his decade-long mission to help others do the same. Together, he and Dr. Shahine break down every step of the process. They talk about everything from fertility testing and choosing an egg donor to finding the right clinic, lawyer, and surrogate.

With humor and compassion, they discuss the emotional highs and lows, the legal and ethical complexities, and the hard truths about cost, timelines, and international options.

This conversation offers clarity, courage, and connection for anyone dreaming of becoming a parent through IVF and surrogacy.

In this episode you'll hear:

[0:51] Meet Richard Westoby: author, advocate, and podcast host
[4:29] Richard's personal story
[6:05] Choosing the right egg donor
[15:57] Fresh vs. frozen donor eggs
[22:14] Finding the right clinic
[30:48] International surrogacy insights
[35:59] Legal must-knows
[40:28] Realistic timeline & budgets
[41:54] Red flags & green flags
[43:19] Making it manageable
[57:03] Trusted resources

Resources mentioned:

Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

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