Building your family
Welcome to Building Your Family, the only expert-guided community platform designed for parents and parents-to-be using reproductive medicine to build their families. We provide unique strategies to help make your path to parenthood smoother and more informed—empowering you to navigate the critical decisions that shape your family’s future. At Building Your Family, we’ve already helped thousands of people navigate the complexities of family building and parenting with confidence. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to make these life-changing decisions with greater clarity, resulting in better outcomes and fewer regrets. We understand that many of the decisions you make along this journey can’t be undone, and that’s why our approach is all about offering you practical, actionable steps that you can start applying right now. Our educational components are tailored to help you think differently, make more informed choices, and take control of your experience—from fertility treatments to parenting strategies. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into your journey, Building Your Family is here to guide you with expert advice, specialized education, stress-reduction strategies, and the community support you need to make the best choices for you and your family. For more information, sign up for our newsletter, you will be able to stay up to date with the episodes, get information about our programs and most of all join our warm community. And follow us on social.// Monthly email: https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/ Watch the podcast on YouTube http://bit.ly/3E49Z1k Follow along on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/
Episodes
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
There’s a lot of strong advice about nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle. This episode shows how to make it work for your season of life—without “doing it all.” Dietitian and intuitive eating specialist Sam Previte explains gentle nutrition for TTC and pregnancy, so you can make steady improvements with less all‑or‑nothing pressure.
You’ll learn:
Intuitive eating: what it is (and isn’t) for TTC/pregnancyGentle nutrition basics—how to prioritize without overwhelmWhen to modify PCOS/IVF context, and how to spot under‑fuel/over‑do signals (sleep/eating/hydration)First steps this week and how to talk with your care team
Learn more about Sam Previte: https://find-foodfreedom.com/Follow Sam Previte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/find.food.freedom
#Fertility #IntuitiveEating #FertilityDiet #IVF #PCOS #WomensHealth #TryingToConceive #NutritionMyths
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Donor Embryos: Is It Still My Baby? (Patient Story) | Lauren Tassi
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
The most‑asked question: “If I don’t use my genetics, will the baby be mine?” Lauren Tassi (Your IVF BFF) shares her three‑year journey—how she moved from repeated IVF to choosing donor embryos—and what finally made the decision feel 100% hers. Practical insights on identity, language, epigenetics (carrying/parenting), hidden costs/expectations, and what to consider if you’re weighing donor embryos vs more IVF or donor eggs.
You’ll hear: - The turning point from IVF/donor eggs to donor embryos - “Is it still my baby?”—belonging, language, and epigenetics - Surprises: money, timelines, emotions, and partner dynamics - Scripts that helped (family/friends and self‑talk) - Advice if you’re considering donor embryos now
Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefullykidding/Follow Lauren on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopefullykidding
#DonorEmbryos #DonorConception #Fertility #IVF #TTC #PatientStory #YourIVFBFF #WomensHealth #ThirdPartyReproduction
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Cut through fertility misinformation. Dr. Lowell Ku (REI; leads ASRM’s technology professional group) separates myths from facts so you know what to trust online, from influencers, and in clinic—plus how to think about supplements and opinion vs evidence. We cover TTC with IUI/IVF and decisions using donor conception or surrogacy—what matters most and where to find reliable guidance.
- What to trust online: source hierarchy (guidelines/studies - summaries - opinions) - Red flags vs green flags (absolute claims, miracle fixes, cherry‑picked “proof”) - Supplements: evidence vs hype; how to sanity‑check a claim - Influencers vs doctors: personal stories vs clinical guidance (how to weigh both) - Questions to ask your clinic about protocols, testing, and add‑ons - Where to get reliable info for IVF/IUI, donor conception, and surrogacy
Learn more about Dr. Lowell Ku: https://dallasivf.com/Follow Dr. Lowell Ku on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drknockedup/
#Fertility #IVF #IUI #FertilityMyths #EvidenceBased #ASRM #WomensHealth #TryingToConceive #DonorConception #Surrogacy
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
You don’t need to stop exercising before or during fertility treatment—pause near the end of the cycle and right after retrieval. Here’s how to train smart, read your body, and know when it’s too much (or not enough)—plus high‑level pregnancy guidance. Dr. Sheeva Talebian (REI and competitive athlete) breaks down what’s safe, when to modify, and the signs you need more fuel, sleep, or hydration.
- You’ll learn - What’s safe around IUI/IVF (and why you pause near trigger/retrieval) - New understanding: don’t stop entirely—train smart, then resume - Body signals: sleep, eating, hydration—signs of over/under‑doing it - Two‑week wait mindset + movement - Pregnancy: high‑level modifications and red flags
Learn more about Dr. Sheeva Talebian: https://www.ccrmivf.com/Follow Dr. Sheeva Talebian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stalebian/
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Endometriosis: What Actually Works (Doctor Explains) | Dr. Jessica Ryniec
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Get evidence‑based answers on endometriosis—what it is (and isn’t), how it’s diagnosed, and what actually helps, so you know where to start today.Dr. Jessica Ryniec explains symptoms, diagnosis (what to expect from imaging vs surgical confirmation), treatment options (medical vs surgical), pain management, and fertility considerations—practical steps you can use now.
You’ll learn:
What endometriosis is (and common misconceptions)How doctors think about diagnosis and when to escalate careTreatment paths that actually help (meds, surgery, lifestyle)Fertility implications and decision pointsFirst steps this week and questions to ask your clinicWant live workshops and expert Q&A? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Learn more about Dr. Ryniec: https://www.ccrmivf.com/boston/jessica-ryniec-md/Follow Dr. Ryniec on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaryniecmd/
#Endometriosis
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Genetic Testing: Myths Busted (What Helps vs Hurts) | Doctor + Geneticist
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
What genetic tests actually do—and what they don’t—so you know when to use them (and when not to). Practical next steps.Chapters below. For step-by-step guides + live Q&A, join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
You’ll learn:
Screening vs diagnostic: what each actually tells youCarrier testing, NIPT, and embryo testing (PGT‑A/M): when it helps vs overkillLimits: false positives/negatives, VUS, and context (why “a result” ≠ a decision)Donor gametes: brief considerations for donor sperm/eggQuestions to ask your clinic + first steps this week
📚 Learn more about Dr. Thakur: https://www.genomeally.com/
#GeneticTesting #CarrierTesting #NIPT #PGT #Preconception #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth #Fertility #TryingToConceive
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
If you could reduce medical risks for your future child, would you? A reproductive medicine doctor + geneticist explains what actually helps before pregnancy—so you know where to start today.You’ll learn: what genetic screening covers (and doesn’t), how to think about carrier testing and embryo testing, practical preconception steps to lower risk, and how to talk with your care team.Want live workshops and Q&A? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Dr. Mili Thakur, MD/Geneticist • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
📚 Learn more about Dr. Thakur: https://www.genomeally.com/
0:00 What you’ll learn1:12 Who is Dr. Mili Thakur3:15 Understanding the basics of genetics8:43 Screening vs diagnostic (what each does)11:52 How to approach genetic testing in a family building journey15:23 How to assess genetic risk in family building19:50 Carrier testing (how to use results)25:45 Questions to ask your clinic + first steps
#GeneticTesting #CarrierTesting #NIPT #PGT #Preconception #FamilyPlanning #WomensHealth #Fertility
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
PCOS: What I Do Myself (Doctor + Patient) | Dr. Roohi Jelani
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
A fertility doctor who also has PCOS shares exactly what she does herself—and what she recommends to patients. Dr. Roohi Jeelani (MD, PhD) also breaks down ovarian aging, environmental toxin exposure, and the emotional/practical tools that actually help when you’re trying to conceive.
You’ll learn: how to recognize symptoms and pursue diagnosis, what really helps (lifestyle, meds, support), how to think about toxins and ovarian aging, and first steps to start with confidence.
Want live support and replays? Join the community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/Guest: Dr. Roohi Jelani (MD, PhD) • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Follow Dr. Roohi Jeelani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roohijeelanimd/
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Ashley “PCOSgurl” Levinson shares her PCOS journey—from diagnosis to national advocacy—and what actually helps when you’re overwhelmed.You’ll learn: how to recognize symptoms and pursue diagnosis, evidence‑aligned lifestyle and medical steps, advocacy lessons, and where to start if you think you might have PCOS.Want live support and workshops? Join our community: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Guest: Ashley Levinson (PCOSgurl) • Host: Lisa Schuman, LCSWFollow Ashley Levinson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcosgurl/
Why watch now: clear next steps and practical guidance you can use immediately—no fluff.
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
PCOS Fertility: What Really Works (Evidence‑Based) | Dr. Kristen Cain
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
PCOS Awareness Month is coming—get the facts from a veteran reproductive endocrinologist. Dr. Kristen Cain shares evidence‑based steps that actually help PCOS patients improve fertility and overall health.Want live support? Meet Dr. Cain in our workshop and get expert guidance, stress‑reduction strategies, and community support. Join here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
📚 Learn more about Dr. Kristen Cain: https://www.drkristencain.com/Follow Dr. Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkcain/

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









