Background

Birthstory

Radiolab7 de junio de 201801:00:04
Compartir episodio:Descargar

Descripción del Episodio

We originally posted this episode in 2015, and it inspired producer Molly Webster to take a deep dive into the wild and mysterious world of human reproduction. Starting next week, she’ll be taking over the Radiolab podcast feed for a month to present a series of mind-bending stories that make us rethink the ways we make more of us.

You know the drill - all it takes is one sperm, one egg, and blammo - you got yourself a baby. Right? Well, in this episode, conception takes on a new form - it’s the sperm and the egg, plus: two wombs, four countries, and money. Lots of money. 

At first, this is the story of an Israeli couple, two guys, who go to another continent to get themselves a baby - three, in fact - by hiring surrogates to carry the children for them. As we follow them on their journey, an earth shaking revelation shifts our focus from them, to the surrogate mothers. Unfolding in real time, as countries around the world consider bans on surrogacy, this episode looks at a relationship that manages to feel deeply affecting, and deeply uncomfortable, all at the same time. 

Birthstory is a collaboration with the brilliant radio show and podcast Israel Story, created to tell stories for, and about, Israel. Go check ‘em out! 

Israel Story's five English-language seasons were produced in partnership with Tablet Magazine and we highly recommend you listen to all of their work at  http://www.tabletmag.com/tag/israel-story

This episode was produced and reported by Molly Webster.

Special thanks go to: Israel Story, and their producers Maya Kosover, and Yochai Maital; reporters Nilanjana Bhowmick in India and Bhrikuti Rai in Nepal plus the International Reporting Project; Doron Mamet, Dr Nayana Patel, and Vicki Ferrara; with translation help from Aya Keefe, Karthik Ravindra, Turna Ray, Tom Wasserman, Pradeep Thapa, and Adhikaar, an organization in Ridgewood, Queens advocating for the Nepali-speaking community. 

Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate.

Episodios Recientes

Birthstory

Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura

Ver toda la categoría →
Desinteligencia Artificial

Desinteligencia Artificial

By shows

Ilustración decadentista del siglo xxi

Machine Gods

Machine Gods

By shows

The official podcast of the singularity. News, analysis, and interviews with the people who are building the AI future. New episodes twice weekly starting the week of October 19th, wherever you get your podcasts and at youtube.com/@machinegodspod

The Binge Crimes: What Happened to the Harrisons?

The Binge Crimes: What Happened to the Harrisons?

By shows

From the outside, 3635 Pitch Pine Crescent looked like the kind of home where nothing bad could happen, the gathering place for every birthday and holiday. Until one spring night when tragedy struck. In less than five years, three people would end up dead in the same house. Each time, the authorities found a way to explain it away. But the family who loved them knew something was wrong. Host Amy Dempsey Raven, an investigative reporter for the Toronto Star, spent more than a decade asking what really happened inside that house. Binge all episodes of What Happened to the Harrisons?, ad-free by subscribing to The Binge. Search and follow The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases feeds on Apple Podcasts and hit Subscribe, or visit ⁠GetTheBinge.com. From serial killer nurses to psychic scammers – The Binge is your home for true crime stories that pull you in and never let go. New episodes drop on the first of every month. Join our free newsletter for behind-the-scenes details at Patreon.com/TheBinge. The Binge – Feed your true crime obsession. A Sony Music Entertainment production.  Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cañones o Mantequilla

Cañones o Mantequilla

By shows

Un espacio donde los analistas de El Orden Mundial debaten temas de la actualidad internacional. Un pódcast semanal de El Orden Mundial. Síguenos en redes en @canonesomantequilla.podcast y en @elordenmundial . Descubre nuestro contenido en elordenmundial.com

CAMINO AL ÉXITO por BRIAN TRACY

CAMINO AL ÉXITO por BRIAN TRACY

By shows

🎙️ CAMINO AL ÉXITO con Brian Tracy ¿Listo para resultados previsibles? 🚀 En este podcast, desglosamos la psicología del alto rendimiento. Aquí el éxito no es un accidente, es una habilidad que se aprende. 🧠💼 Descubre cómo dominar la autodisciplina, triplicar tu productividad y alcanzar metas con claridad cristalina. 🎯 Basado en leyes de causa y efecto, te damos el mapa exacto para ganar más y vivir mejor. ⏱️💰 ¡Deja de desear y empieza a lograr! El viaje a la cima comienza aquí. 🏔️✨ ¡Suscríbete y toma el control de tu destino! 🔥

Entre el mundo y yo con Anaís

Entre el mundo y yo con Anaís

By shows

Bienvenidos a “Entre el Mundo y Yo”, el podcast donde la historia mundial se cuenta como si fuera el chisme más sabroso de la familia. Aquí Anaís mezcla guerras, revoluciones y anécdotas personales con humor, sarcasmo y comparaciones que te harán decir: “Mi hermana en Cristo, ¿qué acabo de escuchar?” Porque sí: tragedia + tiempo = comedia, y aquí vas a descubrirlo con relatos que son tan absurdos como interesantes. Prepárate para reír, sorprenderte y aprender, todo al mismo tiempo.

We Fixed It, You're Welcome

We Fixed It, You're Welcome

By shows

Armchair quarterbacking isn’t just for sports anymore. We’re taking the same approach to companies: what would you do in their shoes? Each episode, our lively panel will debate a new issue ripped from the headlines involving a different well-known company. Between our instincts, experiences, and unsolicited opinions, we may just come up with gold. At the end, we’ll critique ourselves and see how we did. If we fixed it, you’re welcome! Season 3 launched January 20, 2026. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode!

Notes from the Edge

Notes from the Edge

By shows

Notes From the Edge is where polished stories end and the truth begins. Hosted by writer, trauma educator, executive advisor, and author Lisa Lacy, this globally ranked podcast explores survival, identity, trauma, addiction, recovery, leadership, relationships, and reinvention through raw, deeply human conversations. No scripts. No small talk. Just the stories we were taught to hide, the roles we performed to survive, and the truths that set us free. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the edge. www.lisalacy.com