This is Infertility is a bi-weekly podcast where we fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same and it can be long, painful, and lonely. It’s our mission to give those struggling a platform to be heard, a community connection, and an opportunity to raise awareness of the 1 in 6 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.
Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Stitcher Podcasts Google Podcasts
This is Infertility

Episode 214: From Pain to Purpose: Founding the Carlos Rodón Foundation

Guest: Ashley Rodón, President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation
Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny

In this powerful and personal episode, Ashley Rodón, wife of Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón and President of the Carlos Rodón Foundation, opens up about their emotional path to parenthood. Ashley shares how her dreams of starting a family were met with unexpected heartbreak, multiple pregnancy losses, and the resilience to keep moving forward.

From the devastation of her first miscarriage to the miracle of her daughter Willow, Ashley reflects on the highs and lows of her fertility journey. Along the way, she found strength and support through her partner, family, friends, and community. Now living life as parents of three, she and Carlos founded The Carlos Rodón Foundation, a non-profit bringing people hope through The Willow Grant, which offers the opportunity for families to afford fertility treatment.

Ashley shares how their foundation has grown, partnering with organizations like the Nest Egg Foundation and Columbia Fertility to make family building more accessible to all.

This episode proves how the right platform, purpose, and lived experience can spark lasting change for those who need it most.

To learn more or apply for a Willow Grant, visit https://rodonfoundation.org/apply/

For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Dan Bulger

Host

Dan Bulger
Producer at Progyny

Dan has been in the healthcare industry for the past ten plus years as a multimedia content producer. Better known as ‘Video Dan’ he has interviewed numerous doctors, patients and other experts in the world of fertility. He’s also the producer for this podcast, This is Infertility and the producer behind the Progyny YouTube Channel which features interviews with dozens of the nation’s leading fertility specialists. On a personal note Dan’s parents started fostering kids when he was four years old, and he considers himself a proud older brother to over 100 foster children.

Ashley Rodón

Guest

Ashley Rodón
The Carlos Rodón Foundation

About the Rodóns: In March of 2018 we drove to our ultrasound appointment hoping to see our 11 week 6 day old baby boy. What we experience was a nightmare come true. A doctor looking over and saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t find a heart beat.” Our world changed. After a successful D&C we waited a few months then tried again. On Mother’s Day Ashley found out she was expecting again. We were terrified, but also optimistic. The doctors seemed so as well. She miscarried our second child two weeks later. Emotionally destroyed, we gave up “trying” to have a child. Months went by and Ashley’s mental health deteriorated. We decided to go see a fertility specialist who assured us IVF would be our answer. We finally felt hope. We were set to start the process when Ashley found out she was pregnant with our miracle, Willow. We will never forget the hope we felt knowing IVF could be the answer. We want to provide that same hope to couples who are begging for a family after recurrent pregnancy loss, but cannot overcome the insurmountable cost that comes along with it.