Surrogacy is often talked about in headlines or celebrity news, but rarely explained in a way that helps people truly understand the experience behind it. In this episode, I’m joined by surrogacy consultant Jessie Jaskulsky, founder of Surrogacy Simplified, to talk openly about what the surrogacy process actually looks like, the misconceptions that surround it, and the emotional reality many families face while trying to grow their family.

Jessie shares her personal path through pregnancy loss, infertility, and ultimately two surrogacy journeys that helped her welcome her daughters. From navigating the logistics and cost to managing grief, uncertainty, and public judgment, this conversation brings compassion and clarity to a topic that is often misunderstood.

In this episode, we discuss:

What surrogacy actually means and the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy
Common misconceptions about why families pursue surrogacy
Why public conversations about surrogacy can be filled with judgment and misinformation
The emotional toll of infertility, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys
How intended parents cope with uncertainty and lack of control during a surrogacy pregnancy
What the financial reality of surrogacy can look like and ways families plan for it
How to begin exploring surrogacy if it’s something you’re considering
The bond between parents and babies born through surrogacy
How friends and family can better support someone going through this process

To connect with Jessie Jaskulksy follow her on Instagram @surrogacysimplified, check out all her resources at linktr.ee/surrogacysimplified

You can also join her free Intended Parent Community: https://tally.so/r/mORv9A

00:00 Surrogacy, Stigma, and the Comments Families Shouldn’t Face

02:00 What Most People Get Wrong About Surrogacy

05:49 Gestational Carrier vs Surrogate Explained Simply

08:07 The Real Reasons Families Turn to Surrogacy

10:16 Why Celebrity Surrogacy Stories Spark So Much Judgment

13:07 Infertility, Anxiety, and the Emotional Side of This Process

15:34 What Surrogacy Really Costs, and Why

22:11 The First Steps for Families Considering Surrogacy

25:22 The Hardest Part, Letting Go of Control

30:06 Bonding, Love, and the Truth About Surrogacy Babies

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