Building your family

The REAL Keys to Fertility Success | Dr. Eric Widra on IVF, Success Rates & Lab Quality

What truly drives fertility success? Dr. Eric Widra, Chief Medical Officer at US Fertility, shares what patients need to know about IVF, success rates, and the role of lab quality in getting pregnant.
In this episode of Building Your Family, Dr. Widra offers clear, evidence-based insight into:
How success rates are calculated (and what to watch out for)
Why your clinic’s lab may be the most important factor in your outcome
The biggest shifts in the fertility field over the last two decades
What patients often overlook when choosing a fertility provider
Whether you're just starting treatment or evaluating your options, this conversation will help you make informed, confident decisions on your path to parenthood.
Useful links from this episode: https://www.shadygrovefertility.com/https://www.asrm.org/https://www.sart.org/

What Happens When You Meet Your Donor and Siblings as an Adult? | Freya Lyon's Donor Conception Story

What is it really like to meet your donor—or your donor siblings—as an adult, after your values and worldview are already in place? In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Freya Lyon shares her journey as a donor-conceived person who felt confident in her identity, only to experience a major shift when she met genetic relatives later in life.
Freya opens up about what surprised her, how these relationships shaped her views on family, and how they influenced her own approach to building a family. If you’ve ever wondered about late-in-life donor connections, identity, or the complexities of modern family-building, this episode offers rare insight and heart.
📌 Subscribe for more real-life stories and expert guidance on donor conception, surrogacy, and modern parenthood.
🔔 New episodes weekly on the Building Your Family podcast.
Follow Freya on Instagram: @thequeermamaFollow Freya on TikTok: @thequeermama

Surrogacy, Love & LGBTQ+ Parenthood: How Two Dads Built Their Family

Two gay dads share their surrogacy journey and lessons on LGBTQ+ parenting, visibility, and love. Discover how they built their family—and a community—along the way.
In this heartfelt episode of Building Your Family, Mike and George open up about the joys and challenges of becoming parents through surrogacy. From navigating the process to raising two beautiful children, they offer honest insight and hope for others on similar paths.
Now advocates for inclusion and education, they’re helping more LGBTQ+ families feel seen and supported.
📚 Learn more about Families Out Loud: https://www.familiesoutloudevents.com/Follow Families Out Loud on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/families_out_loudFollow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msnaric/Follow George on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porgiemoore/🎧 Subscribe for more stories on family and parenthood!
 

Dr. Danielle Lane on Equity, Inclusion & Improving Fertility Outcomes

This week’s episode may feel like listening in on a heartwarming chat between two fertility professionals — because it is. But it’s also full of meaningful insight on how to navigate some of the most complex and personal parts of family building.
My guest, Dr. Danielle Lane, is not only a brilliant fertility specialist — she’s also someone setting high standards for inclusion, diversity, access, and patient success. In this conversation, we talk openly about:
Donor conception
Surrogacy
Agency models and success rates
How to make empowered, informed decisions
What true inclusion in fertility care should look like
Whether you’re early in your journey or deep in decision-making, Dr. Lane offers wisdom that can help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.
 Tune in, take what you need, and share with someone who could benefit from this powerful conversation.
 Don’t forget to subscribe to the Building Your Family podcast for more expert-led episodes.
📚 Learn more about Dr. Danielle Lane: https://lanefertilityinstitute.comFollow Dr. Danielle Lane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdaniellelane
 

Donor-Conceived Half Sisters Reunited by DNA

What happens when two donor-conceived women, raised in different families, discover they're genetic half-sisters?
In this powerful episode, we sit down with two women whose paths crossed thanks to DNA — not childhood. Raised by single parents in separate homes, they reflect on the moment they connected, what it was like growing up with questions, and why they chose to search as adults.
They open up about bonding more with donor siblings than with their donor, and how their own experience of family is influencing how they build their future families. With honest stories and surprising insights, they explore what it means to share DNA — and how genetic connections can reveal both deep similarities and unexpected differences.
📚 Learn more about Kiara Rae Schuh: WebsiteFollow Kiara on Instagram
📚 Learn more about Johnna Palic: WebsiteFollow Johnna on Instagram
🎧 Subscribe for more stories on family and parenthood!

When Medicine Meets Empathy: Patient Autonomy in Fertility Care

This week on the podcast, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Janelle Luk—fertility expert, Ivy League-trained physician, and co-founder of Generation Next Fertility. Though classically trained, Dr. Luk takes a deeply personalized approach to fertility care. She shares how she helps patients make deeply personal decisions—like using donor conception, freezing eggs or embryos, or even stepping back for a break—by truly listening to their stories. Together, we explore how honoring patient autonomy can sometimes mean going against the expected medical path to create a future that truly fits the individual or couple. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating fertility or supporting others on that journey.
📚 Learn more about Dr.Luk: Generation next fertilityFollow Dr.Luk on Instagram: @goodluckluk

Donor Conception Is Her World: Kate Davies on Family & Identity

Author Kate Davies, known for her novel Nuclear Family, joins us to share her personal and literary journey through donor conception. As a donor-conceived person who pursued donor conception with her wife, Kate reflects on the evolving meaning of family, identity, and connection. Her experiences offer a powerful perspective on the complexities and beauty of modern family-building.
Whether you're curious about donor conception, LGBTQ+ family building, or how personal stories inspire fiction, this conversation is a must-listen.
📚 Learn more about Kate's book on her websiteFollow Kate on Instagram🎧 Subscribe for more stories on family and parenthood!

Choosing Donor Conception: Expert Insights & Personal Journey with Dr. Melnick

Thinking about choosing donor conception to build your family? Today’s episode is a must-watch! Dr. Melnick, Director of Third Party Reproduction at Cornell Fertility Center, shares expert insights on selecting a donor, making crucial fertility decisions, and balancing medical recommendations with personal values.
But this isn’t just a clinical perspective—Dr. Melnick used donor conception herself to become a single mother by choice. Her unique experience as both a fertility doctor and a parent through donor conception makes this conversation incredibly valuable.
In this episode, we cover:Choosing the right sperm or egg donorShould you use a known donor? Pros & consKey medical & ethical considerations in donor conceptionWhy patient autonomy matters in fertility decisionsDr. Melnick’s personal journey to parenthood
Whether you're considering donor conception, in fertility treatment, or just exploring options, this episode will give you essential insights from a leading expert who truly understands the process—both professionally and personally.
Subscribe for more expert fertility insights!Have questions? Drop them in the comments!
Useful links from this episode
Dr. Alexis Melnick
Website

Two Dads, One Dream: Jeff Levin’s Surrogacy & Egg Donation Journey

How do two dads navigate the journey to parenthood through surrogacy and egg donation? In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Levin, a therapist and proud dad, to hear the real story behind his path to fatherhood. From choosing an egg donor and surrogate to overcoming unexpected challenges, Jeff shares the highs, the hurdles, and the heartfelt moments that led him and his husband to the family of their dreams.
If you’re a same-sex couple considering parenthood—or simply curious about the process—this episode is packed with honest insights, expert advice, and inspiration for anyone on their own family-building journey.
Useful links from this episode:
Jeff Levin:Website

Fertility & Stress: How Eastern Medicine Can Help with Dr. Susan Fox

Struggling with stress and fertility challenges? 🌱 Acupuncturist Dr. Susan Fox brings decades of experience blending Eastern and Western medicine to help you feel better. In this episode, she shares insights on managing stress, improving reproductive health, and finding balance on your fertility journey.
🔹 How Eastern medicine views fertility & well-being🔹 Practical stress management techniques🔹 The role of acupuncture in reproductive health
Don't miss these expert tips to support your journey to parenthood!
Subscribe for more fertility insights!
Useful links from this episode:
Resolve websiteASRM
Dr Susan Fox
WebsiteHealth YouniversityFertility QuizEvent