New LiSTNR documentary podcast exposes shocking truths about Australia's fertility industry

What lengths would you go to have a child? Would you be comfortable finding sperm on Facebook? How would you feel finding out you might have 700 siblings? The latest season of the award-winning Secrets We Keep podcast, By Any Means, dives into the ‘wild west’ of the fertility industry, unpacking the ethical dilemmas and personal stories behind sperm donation, egg donation, and surrogacy. By Any Means is available exclusively on LiSTNR from today and across all platforms from May 28.

Series host, Amelia Oberhardt, is returning to the Secrets We Keep masthead, having previously hosted the award-winning first series, Secrets We Keep: Shame, Lies and Family. By Any Means is the sixth season of Secrets We Keep and explores the many facets of fertility, from searching for donor sperm on Facebook to going undercover and exposing how the surrogacy market in Colombia really operates. Amelia speaks with donors and donor-conceived adults about their life-altering experiences and realisations. She also speaks to fertility experts and clinicians who continue to debate the ongoing tension between donor anonymity and transparency.

Host Amelia Oberhardt said: “Following the success of Season 1 of Secrets We Keep: Shame, Lies & Family, I’ ve again been drawn into the world of family secrets, this time the overlap with the fertility industry. It’ s a fascinating area to delve into because there are so many vested interests. From the parents who keep the secrets of their children’s conception from them, to the adult children who are demanding change at all levels of government. I wanted the series to give a 360-degree view of this sector, and let the audience decide how, and what, needs to change.”

LiSTNR Head of Factual, Clair Weaver, adds: “Secrets We Keep: By Any Means is a compelling podcast documentary that combines quality journalism with emotionally-charged, inspiring and sometimes confrontational stories of people involved in the fertility industry. This series lifts the veil on the extraordinary lengths people go to in their quest for a family and the emotional rollercoaster of fertility journeys. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about modern fertility and will leave listeners asking themselves the big questions about consent, identity and human rights. This season of Secrets We Keep continues to demonstrate LiSTNR’s commitment to publishing powerful and important journalism that engages audiences and drives change”.