Pod·ology
Season 1
“When Waiting Becomes Life” - Dr. Jeff Deaton The Emotional Side of Infertility
Is AI My New Best Friend?: Artificial Intelligence and Relationships
by Daniel Bernal, Carolyn Huffman, Jeff Deaton
Welcome to another episode of Pod-ology! What happens when life doesn’t follow the timeline you planned? In this episode, Daniel and Carolyn sit down with reproductive endocrinologist and author-- our own Jeff Deaton, to explore the emotional and physical challenges of infertility. Drawing from decades of clinical experience—and his book When Waiting Becomes Life—Jeff walks us through the complexity of infertility. Whether you’re in the midst of infertility treatment, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to understand, this episode invites you to rethink what it means to live fully even during uncertainty. Episode Highlights: Impact of fertility on relationships and identity Alternative paths to parenthood How friends and family can support loved ones in the journey Dr. Jeff Deaton is a well known fertility expert who currently directs the Wake Forest University Center for Fertility and Reproductive Surgery in Winston Salem, NC. A respected voice in the field of infertility, he has published multiple scientific papers and helped countless women and couples achieve their goal of having a family. Visit Resolve: The National Infertility and Family Building Association (https://resolve.org/) for helpful resources on how to navigate the infertility journey or find a support group in your area. To find a clinic near you got to Society for Assisted Reproduction: https://www.sart.org/ For information on a variety of topics including infertility, unexplained infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and male infertility visit: ReproductiveFacts.org Dr. Jeff Deaton’s website: jeffdeatonmd.com When Waiting Becomes Life is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Bookshop.org, Powell’s Books and Walmart. For direct links to your favorite book retailer see below. Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/JDeatonAmazon Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/JDeatonBandN Books-A-Million: https://tinyurl.com/JDeatonBAM Bookshop.org: https://tinyurl.com/JDeatonBookshop Powell's Books: https://tinyurl.com/JDeatonPowellsBooks Walmart: https://tinyurl.com/JDeatonWalmart
What happens when AI starts to feel like a companion? In this episode, we explore AI friendships, loneliness, emotional attachment, and the line between a helpful tool and a harmful replacement. Hosts, Daniel Bernal, Carolyn Huffman, and Jeff Deaton are joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Kelly Wiley, LMFT, for a thoughtful and sometimes humorous conversation about AI companions, emotional attachment, and mental health. Together, they explore where AI can be useful—and where it could potentially erode the human relationships we need most. Highlights: Why AI relationships feel so real? When therapists get concerned Red Flags to watch out for Impact on adolescents
Welcome to another episode of Pod-ology. What if biology had a “pause” button? In this episode, we explore the science—and cultural implications—of egg freezing. From career planning to cancer treatment, fertility preservation is reshaping how and when people think about family-building. With our own reproductive endocrinologist Jeff Deaton taking the lead, we unpack what egg freezing actually involves, who it’s for, and the emotional and ethical questions that come with putting reproduction “on ice.” Episode Highlights: Egg freezing isn’t a guarantee—it’s a strategic option. Success depends heavily on age and egg quality, not just the number frozen. Timing matters more than most people think. Early-to-mid 30s is often the optimal window, while outcomes decline significantly after 40. The process is intensive but short-term. About two weeks of hormone injections, monitoring, and a brief outpatient retrieval procedure. Fertility preservation reflects modern life choices. From cancer patients to career-focused individuals, egg freezing is reshaping how people plan families. Dr. Jeff Deaton is a well known fertility expert who currently directs the Wake Forest University Center for Fertility and Reproductive Surgery in Winston Salem, NC. A respected voice in the field of infertility, he has published multiple scientific papers and helped countless women and couples achieve their goal of having a family. To find a clinic near you go to Society for Assisted Reproduction: https://www.sart.org/