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Episodes
Sunday Jun 25, 2023
Sunday Jun 25, 2023
Christina Bailey (babybaileymamadrama on Instagram) joins us with her partner, Heather for this great episode on almost every family building subject you can imagine.Christina takes us through family decision making as a lesbian woman, getting married, having children, getting divorced, struggles over remaining embryos, pursuing single motherhood, finding love again and more babies!
It is an amazing story. If you are going through any of these experiences, you will gain a lot hearing from someone who has been through it all. And they still have time to educate us all through social media and hold down jobs!
Amazing women, amazing story.
Enjoy!
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
This episode will cover the legal and the practical. You'll learn about Vicki’s road to parenthood with her wife Michelle, and how she has a closer relationship to her child who is not genetically connected to her, than to her child who is genetically connected.
She'll tell you why it's so important to follow legal guidelines, even when they don’t seem to make sense. She'll also discuss how you can set yourself up for success (and your future child too) by ensuring that you have sound legal information and guidance.
The episode is engaging and informative. Vicki knows a lot about reproduction law, life, relationships, and the practical and psychological mile markers on your way to building a family.
Enjoy!
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Saturday Jun 17, 2023
Saturday Jun 17, 2023
Dr. Mark Leondires is the Founder, Medical Director and Partner in reproductive endocrinology at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be. He has won awards, recognition from professional organizations and has been a leader for change in the LGBTQIA+ community for decades.
He is also my co-author for the soon to be released book, Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception.
In this episode, Dr. Leondires gives us a tutorial on donor conception and IVF, talks about important medical issues to consider on your family building journey and shares his personal feelings about how to approach everything from choosing a donor to grieving the loss of using your genetics to have a child.
Dr. Leondires was once also a patient. He and his husband are now raising two beautiful boys after lots of time in the trenches and lessons learned. He feels strongly about helping others have an easier path to parenthood. You will hear his passion in this interview, and will learn a lot. Enjoy.
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday Jun 11, 2023
Sunday Jun 11, 2023
Today’s guest is Stacey Stevenson (she/they) joined Family Equality as the first Black Chief Executive Officer in 2021. With a background in the corporate sector, they decided to turn their business acumen, lived experience, and passion to work for LGBTQIA+ families and those who wish to form them.
In this episode you will learn about the bills that are threatening to erode at the freedom of the LGBTQIA+ community, and all of us. You will learn about the ways that the Family Equality is combating those threats and helping people stay safe. In the midst of hate and chaos, Family Equality is a positive and powerful presence and Stacey is an amazing leader.
You will also learn about Stacey’s family building journey and her thoughtful point of view (and trips to the White House!). This is an enlightening and engaging episode. Enjoy.
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday Jun 04, 2023
Sunday Jun 04, 2023
On this episode, we talk to Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna. Together they are dad’s to a beautiful boy, Maverick. So, although they are famous on social media as the Broadway Husbands, they are now, the Broadway Dads!
They had a long road to parenthood but feel it turned out the way it was supposed to be. We hear the story of how they chose their donor, found a surrogacy agency, handle tough questions from others, managed the huge financial bills as two performers and more. It is a lovely story filled with warmth and joy. I’m sure you will love listening to them as much as I did.
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday May 28, 2023
Sunday May 28, 2023
In this episode, you will meet Dr. Frederick Licciardi. He is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU School of Medicine and practicing reproductive endocrinologist at NYU Langone Fertility Center, where he is the Director of the Fellowship Program in Reproductive Endocrinology.
Dr. Licciardi has published numerous clinical articles and has seen thousands of donors and recipients in his decades of practice. Today, he will share valuable insights from his years in the field.
He will talk about the antral follicle count and why it is important in egg donor screening, how to investigate fertility treatment statistics, why PGT testing is more important if you are using a gestational carrier than if you are carrying the pregnancy yourself, and more.
If you want to learn more about how donors are screened and how to do your own research along the way, this episode is for you.
Enjoy.
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday May 21, 2023
Sunday May 21, 2023
I met Alexis Cirel, Esq. some years ago when she decided to expand her matrimonial practice to include third-party reproduction. At one time Alexis was herself a patient and needed many of the services she now helps her clients navigate. This experience gives her a unique perspective on the struggles her clients face and inspires her to help.
In this podcast, you can easily see how much Alexis cares, and how sound her advice is. She talks about several issues to think about when using donor conception and zeros in on how important it is to understand the legal differences between a donor and a parent. In this episode, we see how many problems can easily be avoided with a little legal assistance.
Tune in. I think you will find it very helpful.
xo
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday May 14, 2023
Sunday May 14, 2023
Melissa Lindsey discovered that she was donor-conceived when she was an adult. After putting together the pieces of her identity, she wanted to help others facing similar experiences and founded the Donor Conceived Community (DCC). They provide emotional and social support to donor conceived people (DCP) facing identity discoveries.
Through her personal experience and her conversations with donors, other DCP’s and parents of donor conceived children, her view of donor conception and what makes a family has changed. After listening to her, your views may change as well. She talks about nature vs. nurture, loss, disclosure, discovery and so much more.
If you are interested in hearing about the wide range of experiences that are possible for donor conceived people, and learning some tips that are commonly helpful to donor conceived children, this will be the podcast for you.
Enjoy!
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Saturday May 13, 2023
Saturday May 13, 2023
Our latest episode is for the mother (or parent), or mother (or parent) to be.
Mother’s Day can be difficult for many people on their journey to have a child. For people who have already become parents, it can be a great day. Either way, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I answer the most frequently asked question that we hear at the Center for Family Building every day: “How do I talk to my donor conceived child about their origins?"
Before I go any further, it is important to know that in this short video, I could not possibly cover everything, but I do give you a place to start. If you are listening to this episode, I urge you to watch it too because I provide many visual examples to help you create your narrative. Discussions with your child about their origin should be like dropping seeds during their childhood, and this episode describes how to begin doing it.
You will learn:
•A simple framework to use to think about starting your narrative•The background and research behind why it’s helpful, if possible, to start early•How to create a story that is right for you and your family•Examples of books you can use to share what is most important to you•Ways to chronicle your family journey
I hope you find this useful, and feel free to reach out to us with questions anytime.
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
Sunday May 07, 2023
Sunday May 07, 2023
Wow! If you want an episode jam-packed with donor conception information, this is it! Allison Rodgers, MD, is the Director of Education at Fertility Centers of Illinois and board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
She has been published in several medical journals, and has won several awards for her amazing work.
On our show, Dr. Rodgers shares valuable donor conception information in a way that is easy to understand. She talks about sperm donation, egg donation and gives us tips (from a medical perspective) on what to look for in a donor. She will help you understand what is important, and what is not, and why.
Dr. Rodger's experience with both secondary infertility and pregnancy loss have given her unique insight into reproductive medicine because she was once a patient too. It is clear that she understands the roller-coaster rider of infertility and how much she truly cares.
You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube!
If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...
Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding
You can also find me and lots of great resources at https://familybuilding.net/
Join our community, We would love to have you. https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/
Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FamilyBuild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@familybuildingcenter
Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM
About Lisa
As an author, researcher, licensed mental health professional and an expert in donor conception, Lisa Schuman is passionate about helping people on their donor conception journeys. After decades of work on staff at some of the world’s best fertility clinics, running workshops for donor conceived children and meeting with thousands of donors and recipients, she has had the opportunity to help so many people find an easier path to parenthood.
She began her podcast to help people on a larger scale. Lisa and her guests will
will share the tools and truths they have learned and help you get the information you need to have a better path to parenthood or manage tough parenting issues.
Lisa has personally struggled with almost every type of fertility treatment and has committed her career to helping others avoid regret, manage stress and find better ways to build the families of their dreams. There is so much to know and it is all too important to leave up to chance.
Donor Conception Conversations is the one podcast devoted to people who have used, or are considering using donor conception to build their family. You are not alone. We are here to provide information, support and maybe even entertain bit along the way.
To learn more about Lisa or to find more resources check out www.familybuilding.net