AllPaths Podcast

A Financial Transaction and a Gift from God

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Ruthie, a Boston-area school counselor and educator, to discuss her incredibly complex and high-stakes journey to motherhood. Ruthie’s story begins at age 34, when she and her husband, Chris, faced immediate fertility challenges including a blocked fallopian tube and IVF, soon followed by their first miscarriage, which tragically occurred just a week after the sudden death of her father-in-law. The journey grew even more harrowing during a subsequent twin pregnancy when one baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephaly, while the other was found to have a potentially fatal chromosomal abnormality. During a procedure intended to manage these complications, both babies were lost and Ruthie suffered a life-threatening hemorrhage, requiring nine blood transfusions.

The trauma continued weeks after delivery when Ruthie experienced a near-fatal secondary hemorrhage at work, caused by a rare uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that was narrowly caught by her fertility doctor just before a scheduled hysterectomy. Despite further setbacks with additional miscarriages and failed surrogacy attempts, Ruthie and Chris eventually turned to the "adoption gauntlet.” They first adopted their daughter from Florida during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and later navigated a sudden, complicated legal situation to adopt their daughter’s biological half-brother eighteen months later.

Today, Ruthie reflects on the mental health toll of these experiences, including her battle with severe postpartum anxiety and the years of therapy required to process her medical trauma. Her story serves a greater purpose of dismantling the stigma surrounding reproductive grief and serves as a testament to the diverse, often "messy" ways families are built. Throughout the conversation, Ruthie emphasizes the necessity of mental health support and encourages others navigating similar hardships to advocate for themselves and seek community rather than suffering in isolation.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Blocked tube, IVF, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, twin pregnancy, genetic testing, selective reduction, surrogacy, failed cycle, gestational carrier, adoption, private adoption, sibling adoption, family building, infertility journey, adoption stories, IVF experiences, miscarriage support, medical trauma, uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM), emotional support for parents, surrogacy options, parenting challenges, navigating fertility issues, family growth options, coping with loss, adoption process insights, counseling for parents, pregnancy after loss, mental health in parenting, support for infertility, understanding adoption, family planning resources, building a family, sharing fertility stories

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

You May Feel a Bit of Pressure

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, hosts Emily and Liane sit down with author Amy Gallo Ryan to discuss her infertility memoir, You May Feel a Bit of Pressure: Observations from Infertility's Heart-Wrenching Ride. Amy shares her struggle with unexplained infertility, recounting the grueling process of multiple IVF rounds, the isolation of quitting her job to focus on treatment, and the heartbreak of an ectopic pregnancy followed by emergency surgeries. Despite these challenges, Amy eventually welcomed her daughter, Hazel, and later twins, through a journey that taught her the profound lesson of being out of control.

The conversation delves into the emotional "connective tissue" of the fertility experience, which inspired Amy to organize her book by universal emotions such as hope, courage, and shame rather than just medical diagnoses. She reflects on how infertility became an identity marker for her, leading her to transition from women's journalism to writing as a way to process her trauma and reclaim a sense of control. By sharing her story with profound vulnerability, Amy hopes to make others feel "seen" in a way she never was during her own treatment and offers a message of hope to those in the "darkest depths," reminding them that there is a future where this pain will not be their daily reality regardless of the outcome of their journey.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Unexplained infertility, infertility, clomid, IUI, IVF, support, community, control, fresh transfer, frozen transfer, failed cycle, chemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, genetic testing, family building, infertility memoir, emotional support, navigating infertility, women's health, fertility treatment, IVF journey, unexplained infertility, support community, fertility podcast, coping with loss, hopeful stories, family planning, personal experiences, fertility challenges, emotional rollercoaster, sharing stories, women's experiences, building family, connecting through struggles

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Grief Shared Is Grief Divided

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we are joined by Rachel Spekman, a therapist and career strategist from Massachusetts. Rachel shares her arduous three-year journey to motherhood, which involved multiple fertility treatments, multiple losses, and navigating the healthcare system as a same-sex, mixed-race couple. Eventually she had two successful frozen embryo transfers, leading to the birth of her seven-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. Rachel’s story highlights the emotional and physical toll of family building, the "naive innocence" often felt at the start of fertility treatments, and the importance of maintaining a sense of humor through the many "hoops" and administrative hurdles of the process. Rachel also touches upon the specific nuances of her family’s story, including the challenges of finding diverse donor pools and the unexpected joy of connecting with her children's "diblings" (donor siblings).

Beyond her path to parenthood, Rachel discusses how these life-altering experiences served as a catalyst for a complete career transformation, prompted in part by a lack of support from her corporate employer when she experienced complications requiring bedrest during her first pregnancy which unfortunately ended in a loss. Today, Rachel uses her personal experiences with grief and professional pivoting to help others navigate major life transitions. She emphasizes the importance of building a "board of advisors" for emotional support, sharing how a curated support system of medical professionals, therapists, and community members helped her navigate isolation and grief and encouraging anyone going through an identity transformation to embrace the philosophy that "grief shared is grief divided."

Connect with Rachel at http://www.rachelspekman.com.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility journey, LGBTQ family planning, donor conception, fertility support, emotional support in infertility, IVF process, miscarriage, loss, pregnancy loss, grief, LGBTQ+, same-sex family building, mixed-race donor conception, mixed-race couple, parenting after loss, fertility therapy, navigating pregnancy loss, community support for families, personal stories of infertility, coping with miscarriage, family building resources, peer support groups, fertility clinics, identity transformation, mental health in family planning, same-sex parenting, family building stories

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

So Now What?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we speak with Lana Manikowski, an author and certified life coach who navigated a seven-year infertility journey that ended at age 44 after multiple rounds of IUIs and IVFs left her without a baby. Lana candidly discusses her decision to forgo further routes like adoption to avoid additional heartache, reframing the choice to stop treatment not as a failure, but as a courageous act of choosing oneself and one’s partnership. Lana opens up about the isolation, self-judgment, and "tiered grief" she experienced when her body didn't work as expected, and how she eventually found the strength to move forward with intention.

Lana shares how she transformed her struggle into a mission to help others rediscover their purpose beyond parenthood. The conversation explores practical strategies for reclaiming joy and relevance when the dream of motherhood does not come to fruition and the ways that Lana introduces a roadmap for life beyond infertility through her coaching program, Thrive After Infertility, her own podcast, and book, So Now What?. We also dive into her creation of The Other’s Day Brunch, an annual event in Chicago designed to provide a supportive community for childless women during Mother’s Day weekend, and her advocacy work with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to improve the continuum of care for patients whose treatments do not result in a baby and tips for people tackling the broader social challenges of being childless.

Connect with Lana at https://lanamanikowski.com/.

And get your ticket to the Other’s Day Brunch, May 8-9 2026 at https://lanamanikowski.com/othersday/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Unexplained infertility, IUI, IVF, childfree, childless after infertility, childless, resources, stories, meaningful lives without children, fertility treatment, So Now What?, Lana Manikowski, ASRM, fertility clinic, guilt, grief, shame, failure, fertility journey, childless not by choice, family building support, infertility resources, navigating infertility, emotional support for infertility, adoption discussions, couples without children, life after infertility, coping with childlessness, infertility treatment options, community for childless individuals, grief and infertility, celebrating motherhood alternatives, connecting during infertility, life coaching for infertility, fertility treatment insights, infertility awareness, support for childless couples, understanding unexplained infertility

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Law School, Lymphoma, and a New Path

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:30:00 -0400

In this episode, we welcome Rijon Charne, the founding attorney of Sunray Fertility Law. Rijon’s specialization in reproductive health law was a direct result of her personal experience as a cancer survivor and the educational and financial hurdles she faced during her own fertility journey. Just two days after graduating from law school, Rijon was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. During this time, she encountered significant resistance and a lack of information regarding fertility preservation from her medical providers. Her initial oncologists failed to discuss the impact of chemotherapy on her fertility, and one even dismissed the idea of egg freezing because of the cost and time involved.

This struggle was compounded by insurance obstacles when her insurance company refused to cover her fertility preservation, claiming it was "not medically necessary". Rijon realized the inequity of this situation, noting that while her initial treatment carried a 20% risk of infertility, a potential relapse would require chemotherapy with a nearly 100% infertility rate. These experiences sparked a "fire" in her to address these inequities through legal advocacy.

Although she originally trained to be a litigator and had ignored earlier "signs" pointing toward reproductive law during law school, Rijon ultimately felt that her cancer journey was the catalyst that put her on her destined professional path. She has since collaborated with the Alliance for Fertility Preservation to advocate for and successfully pass a House bill in Texas that requires insurance companies to cover fertility preservation for cancer patients, and now helps others navigate the legal complexities of assisted reproduction, domestic and international surrogacy, and establishing legal parentage.

Connect with Rijon at https://sunrayfertility.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

fertility preservation, cancer, fertility treatment, infertility, family building, Sunray Fertility Law, family building, fertility preservation, surrogacy journey, reproductive law, Hodgkin's lymphoma, cancer and fertility, egg freezing, IVF options, LGBTQ family planning, fertility advocacy, emotional support for infertility, navigating fertility treatments, nonprofit family building resources, legal rights for parents, fertility clinic support, surrogacy laws, building diverse families, family formation law, fertility education, support for cancer patients, intended parents, egg donation, sperm donation, gestational carrier, assisted reproduction, legal parentage rights, surrogacy, step-parent adoption, second parent adoption, LGBTQ+, confirmatory adoption, twiblings, gestational surrogacy, traditional surrogacy, international surrogacy, education, reproductive healthcare, reproductive education

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

A Different Ride for Everyone

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:30:00 -0400

In this episode, Kristy Koser, a licensed professional clinical counselor specializing in reproductive mental health, shares her family building journey. After years of struggling with infertility and experiencing multiple miscarriages during IUI and IVF cycles, Kristy and her husband eventually welcomed their daughter via surrogacy in 2017. Because Kristy and their gestational carrier lived close to one another in rural Virginia, she was able to be intimately involved in the process, attending every doctor's appointment and "vicariously living" for nine months. Kristy describes the experience as beautiful, but acknowledges the emotional and financial complexities she had to navigate. She struggled with the "mental load" of asking for help from a busy working mother and figuring out where she fit into the equation of her own child's birth. Financially, the couple relied on personal savings, "side hustles"- including a TTC greeting card company Kristy started - and a GoFundMe supported by their extended family.

After the birth of her daughter, their family moved back to Ohio and began considering a second child. Kristy reached out to her original carrier to see if she was available, but learned the woman was already preparing to carry for another family. Because they were unsure if they wanted to use a different gestational carrier, the couple began exploring the foster-to-adopt process. Shortly after, Kristy had a "wild, vivid dream" that her carrier was pregnant with another one of her children, but she soon discovered that she was actually the one who was pregnant. This came as a major surprise, as she had previously been told she likely could not carry a pregnancy herself.

Kristy’s pregnancy occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant she experienced much of it at home with limited medical contact as appointments were scaled back. In August 2020, she gave birth to her son via an emergency C-section. Despite a difficult recovery, she valued the experience because it was something she never thought she would get to have. She now uses this experience with many different family building pathways to inform her work. From her PhD research, which examined how fertility treatments impact couple satisfaction, to training other mental health professionals on how to navigate the complexities of the fertility world, Kristy is dedicated to helping others navigate the challenges of family building with resilience.

Connect with Kristy at https://aporiacounseling.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Mental health, Ohio, Virginia, therapist, couples therapist, Pennsylvania, LIC, infertility, reproductive mental health, fertility treatment, medicated cycle, clomid, letrozole, IUI, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, IVF, genetic testing, surrogacy, gestational carrier, grief, loss, intended parents, insurance coverage, PhD program, greeting card company, TTC Greeting Cards, couples, partners, relationships, couples therapy, resilience, parenting, new parenthood, newborn, pregnancy, expecting after infertility, expecting after loss, parenting after, professional development for mental health providers, coaching, McDonalds french fries, pomegranate juice, infertility support, family building journey, surrogacy process, emotional support for parents, navigating IVF, reproductive health counseling, coping with infertility, family planning resources, mental health in fertility treatment, building a family through surrogacy, personal stories of infertility, understanding IVF treatments, psychological support for fertility, infertility awareness, family building options, fertility clinic resources, emotional challenges in surrogacy, understanding reproductive endocrinology, counseling for intended parents, community support for infertility

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Bar Bathroom Trigger Shots and a Side of Fries

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:15:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we welcome Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, who offers the rare perspective of being both a seasoned IVF nurse with over 15 years of experience and a former IVF patient. Jacqueline shares the candid details of her family building journey, which was complicated by a pituitary gland cyst that prevented her from ovulating. She discusses the clinical challenges she faced, including failing the Clomid challenge and struggling as a "terrible patient" whose hormones were nearly impossible to regulate during IVF cycles.

Our conversation highlights the importance of self-advocacy and listening to one's body, especially when clinical data and personal experience don't align. Jacqueline details her unconventional decision to pivot from IVF back to IUI, a move her doctors hadn't seen before, which eventually led to the birth of her two sons. She humorously recalls the "small victories" along the way, including the time she successfully administered a trigger shot in a bar bathroom in Newport while finally allowing herself to relax and "live her life". This episode also sheds light on contrasting experiences within families; despite sharing the same DNA, Jacqueline and her sister had “completely different experiences with fertility treatments,” reinforcing that there is no "cookie-cutter" path to parenthood.

Finally, Jacqueline discusses her passion project, Chasing Babies, a coaching service she founded to provide fertility coaching and postpartum guidance that clinical settings often lack. She provides insights into current fertility research and explains the medical basis behind popular rituals, such as eating McDonald's french fries after an egg retrieval to help prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Whether discussing the depths of postpartum depression or the "superstitions" that provide hope, Jacqueline’s story serves as a reminder that while the journey may have twists and turns, every unique track is valid.

Connect with Jacqueline at https://chasingbabiesfertility.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility RN, pre-op, PACU nurse, nursing, clomid challenge, IUI, IVF, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, false positive, PCOS, infertility, parenting after IVF, fertility research, Boston IVF, fertility clinic, clinical research, family building, IVF journey, infertility support, fertility treatments, IVF nurse, IUI success stories, emotional support fertility, fertility coaching, navigating infertility, personal fertility journey, reproductive health, coping with infertility, patient advocacy in IVF, postpartum support, infertility awareness, assisted reproductive technology, fertility clinics, fertility resources, family planning, overcoming infertility challenges, PMAD, postpartum depression, postpartum support, fertility support, self-advocacy, support, fertility coach

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Sex, (IVF) Drugs, and Communication

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:15:00 -0400

In this special Valentine’s Day episode of the AllPaths podcast, host Emily is joined by her husband, Andy, for a candid conversation about the impact of fertility and family building challenges on relationships. Now 20 years into their marriage and parents to 13-year-old triplets via IVF, they draw on their own experience to answer a series of questions submitted by the community regarding the strain family building can place on a partnership. They tackle the difficult realities of the process, which they describe as a "0 out of 10" experience that fundamentally redefines one's understanding of being a partner and forces couples to reckon with constant, high-stakes stress. By addressing these listener concerns, they hope to help others navigating the "utter grind" of treatments feel less isolated in their struggle.

The discussion dives deep into the impact of medicalized family building on communication, intimacy, and grief. Emily and Andy address community-submitted queries regarding the "profound sense of powerlessness" often felt by non-carrying partners and the frustration of receiving a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility". They offer unflinchingly honest reflections on the pressure of "scheduled sex," the self-consciousness that arises when a partner feels their body is "failing," and the friction caused by different grieving styles. The couple shares practical strategies for maintaining connection, such as carving out intentional time to enjoy being with each other without talking about family building and using long walks to facilitate difficult conversations. Ultimately, Emily and Andy emphasize the necessity of approaching your partner with curiosity rather than assumptions and treating each other with grace throughout a process that can fundamentally change you as a person. Wherever you are on your journey, this episode provides validation and offers an honest perspective on prioritizing connection.

Resources for navigating family building with a partner:

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Relationships, infertility, fertility, sex, intimacy, sex and infertility, Valentine’s Day, fertility treatment, grief, family building, IVF journey, infertility support, relationship challenges, couples communication, emotional support during IVF, navigating fertility treatments, mental health support, couples counseling, infertility and men, masculinity, mental health and infertility, family growth options, coping with pregnancy loss, intimate relationships during IVF, understanding infertility struggles, grief in family building, support for partners in IVF, communication tips for couples, emotional toll of fertility treatments, family planning discussions, overcoming infertility challenges, building a family together

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Dr. Carmel’s Journey: Get Curious

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Dr. Carmel Wiseman, a fertility optimization specialist who acts as a "detective" to uncover the hidden barriers preventing people from growing their families. Dr. Carmel shares her eight-year journey, which began at age 41 and included multiple miscarriages, IUIs, and IVF cycles in both the United States and Israel. She details the unique challenges she faced, including a significant childhood medical error where her thyroid was accidentally removed, and her eventual discovery that mycotoxin illness (mold exposure) was a primary factor in her own fertility struggles. Ultimately, her journey was resolved through an empowered choice rather than a medical success. She reached a point where she felt she could either continue trying to have a baby at age 50 or use her experience to help others avoid the same lengthy, confusing struggle. She chose the latter, becoming the guide she wished she had during her own journey. Today, she shares that “95% of the time, I'm just 100% at peace with it,” finding joy and fulfillment as an "auntie" and by contributing to the successful family-building stories of her clients.

The discussion explores Dr. Carmel’s comprehensive approach to fertility, which utilizes functional medicine and genomic testing to evaluate the health of both partners. She emphasizes the importance of looking beyond hormones to investigate environmental toxins, metabolic health, and male-factor issues such as sperm DNA fragmentation. Dr. Carmel advocates for couples to "get curious" and begin optimizing their health ideally a year or two before trying to conceive, as addressing issues like heavy metal toxicity or epigenetic risk factors requires time. She explains that while the goal is often a healthy baby, the process of functional optimization provides couples with health management tools that last a lifetime, regardless of the outcome.

Get in touch with Dr. Carmel:

WEBSITE: www.doctorcarmel.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarmeldc/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorCarmelHPHC
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.carmel/
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/DoctorCarmel/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

IUI, fertility over 40, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, TTC over 40, international fertility treatment, IVF, thyroid, donor egg, egg donor IVF, cost of IVF, cost of fertility treatment, twin loss, miscarriage, functional medicine, environmental toxins, micotoxin exposure, micotoxin illness, childless after infertility, childless after family building challenges, integrative medicine, male factor infertility, sperm fragmentation, semen analysis, Israel, Australia, oxidative stress testing, first-trimester miscarriages, fertility optimization, GrowBaby, genetic testing

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kip’s Journey: Validating the "Endo Odyssey"

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:28:00 -0400

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Malcolm "Kip" McKenzie, a retired OBGYN with 35 years of experience with 20 years of focus on treatment of endometriosis, particularly complex surgical management. We discuss the complex and often misunderstood reality of living with endometriosis, which can impact many people’s ability to conceive. Reflecting on the misconceptions surrounding the condition, Kip acknowledges his own past errors in understanding and treatment, highlighting the need for better education and advocacy.

The conversation touches on the relationship between endometriosis and fertility, discussing how outdated views can hinder proper diagnosis and treatment. Kip emphasizes the importance of understanding the origins of endometriosis, moving away from myths and towards a more empowering and scientifically grounded paradigm. Kip explains that endometriosis is likely a single embryologic event occurring at six weeks gestation rather than the result of "retrograde menstruation” as doctors have incorrectly hypothesized for the past century. He candidly addresses his past clinical mistakes to highlight how inadequate provider training and medical gaslighting often leave patients feeling traumatized and ignored. To combat these issues, his clinical focus in semi-retirement is on a specialized surgical fellowship designed to teach doctors effective excision techniques for removing the disease entirely.

Beyond training surgeons, Kip is working to elevate patient voices, advocating for improved care and a greater understanding of the condition as a co-founder of The Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts (TEAM). TEAM is currently fighting for state legislation that will create a dedicated task force to address the lack of funding, public awareness, and research surrounding this serious condition. This episode serves as both a scientific deep-dive into endometriosis and a call to action for "EndoWarriors" and providers to continue pushing for systemic change in healthcare.

Visit https://allpathsfb.org/ma-advocacy/ to learn how you can advocate for improved care and understanding and find endometriosis resources and patient stories here.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Endometriosis, retrograde menstruation, advocacy, The Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts (TEAM), endowarriors, psycho-emotional trauma, medical gaslighting, infertility, fertility, excision surgery, self-advocacy, validation, specialized surgical fellowship, patient advocacy, hysterectomy, fertility struggles, family building, women's health, reproductive health, infertility awareness, endo advocacy, chronic pain, gynecological health, emotional support, patient empowerment, surgical treatment, endometriosis education, healthcare provider training, patient experiences, advocacy tools, mental health, hormonal health, pelvic pain, endometriosis community

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Nancy’s Journey: From an MRKH Diagnosis to “Two Miracles”

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:15:00 -0400

In this episode, we talk with Nancy Weatherby, the Intended Parent Outreach Manager at Circle Surrogacy, about her personal and professional experience with family building through surrogacy. Nancy shares her story of being diagnosed at age 17 with MRKH syndrome, a rare birth defect that typically means a person is born with ovaries but without a uterus. She details the medical complexities of this condition, which for her included having only one kidney and facing significant hurdles during IVF. Despite these challenges, Nancy was encouraged by a forward-thinking doctor who "planted the seed" of hope by predicting that future advancements in IVF and surrogacy would one day allow her to become a parent.

Nancy’s path to parenthood involved two different surrogacy journeys that highlight the different ways to navigate the process. Her first child was born through an independent match after an initial agency experience proved to be a poor fit; however, Nancy notes that managing the legal, financial, and insurance aspects herself was like a "part-time job.” For her "sibling journey," she turned to her sister-in-law, who offered to be their surrogate after their previous gestational carrier was unable to move forward due to a medical complication. These experiences eventually led Nancy to a 22-year career at Circle Surrogacy, where she now uses her personal background to educate and advocate for intended parents. She strongly recommends working with an agency to ensure legal security and to allow parents to focus on building a bond with their surrogate rather than managing logistical "moving parts."

The conversation also provides valuable advice for those struggling with fertility, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and peer support. Nancy discusses the "grieving process" of realizing one cannot carry a pregnancy and suggests that connecting with a therapist or a support group can be vital for emotional health. She also highlights the success of normalizing birth stories with her now-adult children, who grew up knowing they were "special deliveries" made possible by the kindness of others. Ultimately, Nancy encourages intended parents to be open about their needs and to find a path that feels right for their specific family goals.

Are you looking for support as an intended parent? Get in touch with Nancy and Circle Surrogacy at nancy@circlesurrogacy.com and learn more about AllPaths support group and resources for intended parents at https://allpathsfb.org/resource-library/surrogacy-resources/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Surrogacy, gestational carrier, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, congenital disorder, fertility treatment, IVF, intended parent, surrogacy agency, independent match, Circle Surrogacy, peer groups, therapy, mental health support, grief, talking about surrogacy with children, family building, surrogacy journey, MRKH syndrome, IVF success, parenting options, emotional support, surrogacy agency, adoption process, intended parents, surrogacy stories, peer support groups, surrogacy laws, family growth, navigating infertility, building a family, surrogacy resources, surrogacy benefits, support for intended parents, surrogacy misconceptions, journey to parenthood

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Emma’s Journey: Changing Perspectives, Changing Policy

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:45:00 -0400

This episode features Emma Berens, the Federal Government Affairs Manager for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) who brings a unique perspective to her work as an IVF baby herself. Growing up in Massachusetts, Emma and her sister were born through IVF after their mother, Patrice, navigated unexplained infertility with the help of the state’s historic insurance coverage mandate. Emma shares how her family's open and positive framing of her "petri dish" origins instilled a deep appreciation for medical science and innovation from a young age, leading her to a career dedicated to protecting reproductive healthcare.

The conversation explores Emma’s transition into reproductive health advocacy, a path solidified by the overturning of Roe v. Wade and her mother's prescient warning that IVF access would eventually face opposition. Emma highlights her professional efforts to change policies and perspectives on the federal and state levels, emphasizing the power of patient stories to move the needle even among skeptical or religious lawmakers. She offers practical advice for those looking to get involved in the movement, suggesting that plugging into local coalitions is the most effective way to find community while protecting access to treatment.

A major portion of the discussion focuses on the rise of Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM), which Emma describes as an ideologically driven rebranding of diagnostics used to exclude or limit access to evidence-based treatments like IVF. She warns that RRM legislation can be deceptive by framing itself as "holistic" or "patient-centered" while it actually removes choices and can lead to detrimental delays in care. Ultimately, the episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and the ongoing need for nonpartisan advocacy to ensure the right to build a family remains a protected, fundamental priority.

Visit https://allpathsfb.org/advocacy-work/ to get involved!

Today’s episode is brought to you by The Herbal Fertility Handbook by Liane Moccia. For a trusted, holistic resource to support your path to pregnancy, The Herbal Fertility Handbook is available wherever books are sold.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

IVF, insurance coverage, IVF baby, conceived through IVF, insurance coverage mandate, Massachusetts, ASRM, federal advocacy, advocacy, healthcare, infertility, unexplained infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, science, patient journey, patient advocate, Catholicism, religion, state-level advocacy, South Carolina, personhood, insurance mandate, California, Tennessee, regulate IVF clinics, pro-family, patient stories, restorative reproductive medicine, RRM, AMA, protecting access to care, patient-centered care, evidence-based treatment, reproductive health advocacy, infertility resources, patient advocacy in fertility, IVF experiences, reproductive endocrinology, mental health in fertility treatment, infertility awareness, community support for infertility, reproductive technology, advocacy for reproductive rights, fertility treatment options

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Rep. Bartley’s Journey: Supporting the ‘Family That Is Vermont’

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:15:00 -0400

In this first episode of 2026, we talk with Vermont State Representative Ashley Bartley, 2025 AllPaths Advocacy Award winner, about her intertwined journey of family building and political service. Ashley, a fourth-generation Vermonter, recounts her personal experience with pregnancy loss and how the desire to grow her family eventually led her to seek public office, in fact making the decision to run for office while she was in labor. Now a champion for legislative reforms aimed at improving the lives of growing Vermont families, Ashley emphasizes how housing, workforce retention, and healthcare are interconnected issues that affect the state’s ability to support young families.

Our conversation highlights Rep. Bartley's advocacy for bill H.302, which would require private and public insurance in Vermont to provide coverage for fertility care. Ashley explains how this legislation is vital for the state's economy and workforce, as it will help retain younger residents who might otherwise relocate to neighboring states for better reproductive health benefits, as Vermont is the only remaining state in the Northeast that does not have a fertility insurance law. She urges listeners, both Vermonters and those who live outside of the state, to become "squeaky wheels" in the effort to ensure these family building supports move off the "wall" and into law. Together our persistence and shared effort can help support the collective "family that is Vermont".

For the latest on Vermont Fertility Advocacy efforts, visit https://allpathsfb.org/vt-advocacy/ and join the Vermont Fertility Advocacy group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/vtfertilityadvocacy/.

To share your story and support of H.302 with Rep. Bartley directly, you can email her at abartley@leg.state.vt.us.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss, miscarriage, fertility healthcare, insurance coverage, Vermont, fertility insurance coverage, Vermont health care, VT, Vermont families, H.302, Noah Kahan, family building, fertility advocacy, Vermont family support, miscarriage support, child care crisis, maternal health, reproductive health, blended families, emotional support for families, family growth journey, navigating pregnancy loss, family planning resources, community support for families, infertility awareness, Vermont legislation, family building stories, emotional resilience in family growth, family planning challenges, supportive friendships in parenting, Vermont reproductive policies

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

YOUR Advocacy Journey: Demystifying the Process and Finding the Power in Your Story

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:45:00 -0400

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide to demystifying the advocacy process for those who want to support family-building issues, but are nervous or don’t know where to start. Hosts Kate and Emily share their own early anxieties about testifying and understanding policy to reassure listeners that even seasoned advocates started with the same fears. They emphasize that you do not need to be a policy expert or a professional lobbyist to be effective; in fact, your personal story is your "most powerful currency" because it provides a human frame of reference that can change a legislator's mind more effectively than statistics alone.

To help you get started, the episode outlines practical steps such as identifying your state-level elected officials and building relationships with them at your local coffee shop, a friendly chance encounter at a sunflower field, and community office hours. And while personal connections with legislators can lead to significant policy wins, it’s important to remember that advocacy is a team sport. Organizations like AllPaths provide resources for tracking bills and preparing testimony, whether you choose to participate in person, virtually, or through written submissions. From the powerful impact of a physical "preemie diaper" held up during a Senate debate to the simple act of sending a thank-you note during the "off-season," every authentic relationship with officials and story shared helps advance the collective goals of our community.

Visit https://allpathsfb.org/advocacy-work/ or reach out to us at admin@allpathsfb.org to get started on your advocacy journey!

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, fertility advocacy, infertility support, share your story, personal advocacy, advocacy resources, family growth journey, advocate for change, family building community, fertility preservation, legislative advocacy, grassroots advocacy, emotional support for families, navigating infertility, state legislatures, writing to your representative, personal experiences in advocacy, infertility legislation, community support for families, becoming an advocate, advocacy 101

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Maya & Jen’s Journeys: From ‘One More Shot’ to Empowering Others

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, hosts Kate and Emily sit down with Maya and Jen, the founders of EM•POWER with Moxi, to explore their experiences with embryo donation. Maya, a psychotherapist and creator of the documentary One More Shot, shares her four-and-a-half-year struggle with infertility that, after multiple unsuccessful rounds of IVF and egg donation, culminated with the birth of her daughter conceived via embryo donation. Jen offers the perspective of a donor, recounting her experience as a former IVF patient with a complete family and single remaining embryo that she chose to donate to a recipient who now has an eight-year-old son. Together, they highlight how their personal histories informed the creation of Moxie Matching, a platform designed to provide the education and logistical support they found lacking during their own journeys.

The discussion delves into the critical distinctions between directed donation and anonymous clinic programs when considering donor conception. Jen and Maya explain that "directed" donation allows for transparency regarding genetic origins, which they believe is essential for a child’s welfare as they grow. They also clarify the importance of terminology throughout the process, from why they prefer the term embryo donation over embryo adoption for important legal reasons, to how donor and recipient parents can normalize conversations about genetic origins and support children as they navigate their own definitions of family and connection. Ultimately, Maya and Jen’s own stories and work in this space, provide guidance into a unique and celebrated expansion of family while prioritizing the long-term well-being of the children involved.

Learn more about Talking to Kids about Embryo Donation (webinar).

Connect with Maya, Jen, and EM•POWER with Moxi at https://www.empowerwithmoxi.com/.

Watch One More Shot, Maya’s film chronicling her family building journey https://www.onemoreshotfilm.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, fertility clinic, IUI, IVF, diminished ovarian reserve, Clomid, donor egg, known donor, directed donor, embryo donation, embryo adoption, unsuccessful cycle, failed IVF cycle, insurance coverage, assisted reproduction, donor conception, genetic testing, DNA testing, genetics, One More Shot documentary, therapist, reproductive therapist, embryo donor, male factor infertility, ICSI, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, viable embryos, twin pregnancy, EM•POWER with Moxi, Moxi Matching, embryo disposition, donate to science, recipient, embryo donor support, emotional support, Embryo Donation Support, remaining embryos, family building, embryo donation, fertility journey, IVF experience, reproductive medicine, assisted reproduction, donor conception, parenting paths, support groups for infertility, emotional support for parents, family growth options, All Paths podcast, navigating fertility challenges, genetic counseling, embryo matching, donor egg cycles, community for fertility patients, parenting through IVF, connecting with embryo donors, family narratives in assisted reproduction, education, counseling, directed embryo donation, genetic counseling, mental health, legal counseling, donor conceived child, genetic connections, It’s Not the Stork book series, personhood rights

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Karalyn’s Journey: YOU know when your family is complete.

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0400

This episode features Karalyn Connolly, a longtime New Englander, parent of three, and professional in the fertility space. Over the course of the conversation, Karalyn recounts the unexpected challenge of facing unexplained secondary infertility after her first pregnancy was achieved easily. She describes the process as scary and isolating, leading to feelings of self-blame, immense pressure, and guilt. After initial conversations with her OBGYN and waiting the mandated 12 months of trying (as she was under 35), Karalyn moved through medicated cycles, timed intercourse, and eventually four unsuccessful IUI cycles. The lack of spousal agreement on continuing treatment added an additional layer of complication, forcing Karalyn to question if she should be satisfied with the family she already had.

Karalyn’s eventual IVF journey was extensive and emotionally draining, involving travel outside of New Hampshire due to insurance mandates. She underwent four retrievals and seven transfers, four of which ended in chemical pregnancies. At her breaking point, she tried one last retrieval, and though the fresh transfer failed, she transferred her final two frozen embryos, which resulted in the birth of her healthy boy/girl twins. She notes that the worry and fear associated with the losses never fully disappeared until she held her babies. After the delivery of her twins, Karalyn felt closure and knew her family building journey was finally complete.

Her personal journey came full circle when, years later, she joined Femasys, a biomedical company dedicated to women's health and fertility. Karalyn found this move fulfilling, giving her the opportunity to help families achieve their parenting goals. Learn more about Femasys and their work at https://femasys.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Femasys, secondary infertility, trying for another, unexplained infertility, infertility, self-blame, fertility treatment, medicated cycles, timed intercourse, IUI, unsuccessful cycles, fertility benefits, IVF, guilt, insurance mandate, not on the same page, reproductive endocrinologist, egg retrieval, transfer, chemical pregnancy, frozen embryo transfer, twin pregnancy, multiples, full-term twin, medical sales, women’s healthcare company, insemination, FemVue, Sono-HSG, FemaSeed, intratubal insemination, ITI, family building, secondary infertility, fertility journey, fertility challenges, emotional support, family growth options, infertility resources, reproductive health, women's health, fertility treatments, parenting multiples, IUI procedures, IVF alternatives, pregnancy loss, family planning, support for infertility, personal stories of infertility, overcoming infertility, fertility awareness, infertility advocacy

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Dr. Crawford’s Journey: "I'm a Physician, But I'm a Person First"

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Natalie Crawford, a board-certified OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialist who practices in Austin, Texas, and who many will recognize as being one of the most well-known fertility doctors on social media. She has been active on social media for over a decade, hosting the As a Woman podcast and maintaining a YouTube channel, alongside her debut book, The Fertility Formula, scheduled for spring 2026. Her efforts are driven by a passion to provide fundamental knowledge to patients who she felt were seeing her too late and lacked basic understanding of their reproductive health.

Dr. Crawford opens up about her own family building story, which began during her residency and included multiple pregnancy losses and an ectopic pregnancy. Noting that she felt dismissed by her own doctor despite being an OB/GYN herself, this experience profoundly changed how she approaches patients, emphasizing compassion and the power of a physician's words. When conventional testing came back normal, leading to an unexplained infertility diagnosis, she decided to use her REI fellowship research to investigate natural fertility, focusing on topics like inflammation, vitamin D, ovarian reserve, and environmental toxins. Her personal "n of one study" involved anti-inflammatory lifestyle changes which, combined with Clomid, resulted in her pregnancy. Her later diagnosis of celiac disease served as a profound example of how autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, which are often overlooked, can impact fertility.

Considered an "OG of fertility doctors on social media" for having pioneered this space, when Dr. Crawford first started sharing her personal story and professional insights online, she received "so much hate from our field and my colleagues" who believed physicians should maintain separation between their personal and professional lives. However, she stood firm, believing that being open about her experiences with pregnancy loss and infertility was crucial for building trust and connection with her patients, emphasizing that she is a person first. Ultimately, her commitment to transparency and education has significantly influenced how fertility expertise is shared and received in the public domain.

The conversation also touches on the debate surrounding Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM), with Dr. Crawford advocating for comprehensive care that includes conventional treatments like IVF, stressing that while root cause evaluation is crucial, it should not eliminate the option of IVF and that any method that seeks to eliminate or severely restrict standard fertility treatments should be concerning to patients and providers.

Connect with Dr. Crawford at nataliecrawfordmd.com or on social media @nataliecrawfordmd.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Reproductive Endocrinologist, OB/GYN, Fora Fertility, Dr. Natalie Crawford, pregnancy loss, infertility, unexplained infertility, ectopic pregnancy, fertility education, fertility treatment, IVF, restorative reproductive medicine, RRM, Celiac Disease, inflammation, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, fertility support, family building journey, pregnancy loss, infertility awareness, reproductive health education, natural fertility, hormone health, IVF process, cycle tracking, emotional support for infertility, lifestyle changes for fertility, fertility doctor insights, fertility and inflammation, understanding ovarian reserve, couples fertility health, patient advocacy in fertility, fertility resources, women’s health education, male fertility factors, compassionate care in fertility

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Carrie’s Journey: Polypectomy, Peer Support, and Paying for IVF

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode we welcome Carrie Van Steen, a parent through IVF and professional in the fertility field. Carrie details her personal family building journey, which began more than two decades ago and was not the straightforward path she had always envisioned. After initial testing failed to find issues, Carrie’s gut instinct prompted her to push for more comprehensive testing, revealing that she and her husband had a less than 5% chance of achieving pregnancy even with IUI, meaning IVF was their only option. Following an unsuccessful first IVF cycle which depleted their savings, she experienced a devastating chemical pregnancy that triggered anxiety and depression. Success finally came with her last two embryos, only after a polypectomy and D&C treated polyps that had previously gone undetected. Carrie notes that she did not truly exhale and release the worry and stress until her daughters were actually in her arms.

Carrie’s own fertility journey started about a year after she entered the industry, initially working as an executive assistant for the president of a fertility company. Her professional role gave her close insight into the field, leading her to quickly advocate for more testing when her early attempts to conceive were unsuccessful. Driven by a desire to pay it forward every single day, Carrie found herself embedded in the fertility world even after her own family was complete, watching the industry "explode" in the early 2000s.

Carrie now works daily to pay it forward as the Manager of Patient Experience & Clinic Success of BUNDL Fertility, a multi-cycle IVF refund guarantee program that she helped launch. The program allows patients who qualify to purchase a money-back guarantee, returning 100% of their money if they are not successful. Carrie stresses that this option provides patients with financial control in a journey where they often feel they have none over their bodies or outcomes. She offers critical advice to listeners: advocate for yourself, understand that no two IVF cycles are alike, and be kind to yourself regardless of your emotional state during treatment, offering her own story as an example of the importance of community, communication, and self-advocacy in family-building journeys.

Learn more about BUNDL at https://www.bundlfertility.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

patient advocate, IVF mom, fertility treatment, twin pregnancy, TTC, trying to conceive, diagnostic testing, clomid, IUI, insurance coverage, relationships, IVF, ICSI, grief, saline sonogram, failed cycles, medical debt, out-of-pocket expenses, anxiety, depression, uterine polyps, polypectomy, D&C, frozen transfer, pregnancy after infertility, community support, support groups, peer support, IVF journey, infertility support, emotional support for infertility, reproductive health, fertility clinic advice, parenting after IVF, fertility treatment options, patient advocacy in fertility, financial assistance for IVF, fertility community support, coping with infertility, egg freezing, fertility awareness, IUI cycles, mental health and infertility, navigating IVF, fertility resources, healthcare, Inception Fertility, BUNDL Fertility, multi-cycle IVF refund program, for friends and family, setting boundaries, family building

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Dr. Durant’s Journey: "I became my own case study"

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Fallon Durant, a Laboratory Supervisor in the embryology lab at Boston IVF. Dr. Durant shares the seven-year journey that she and her husband endured while trying to grow their family, a path marked by recurrent pregnancy losses. As a scientist with a PhD and a subspecialty in Molecular Cell Biology and Development, she found herself becoming her own case study as she searched for answers regarding her unexplained recurrent loss, which she theorized was linked to her rare autoimmune diseases. Through it all, she turned to creative outlets like teaching yoga and using aerial circus arts to express the "unfathomable grief" she carried, even performing an entire act centered on the hurtful things people say to those experiencing loss.

Driven by her personal experience, Dr. Durant decided to shift her research focus to fertility science, specifically studying regeneration and how it applies to fibrotic diseases like endometriosis and uterine scarring. She eventually moved into the clinic, wanting to apply her technical skills to help patients daily. Describing embryologists as the "unseen warriors" and the "beating heart of the clinic," Dr. Durant offers a glimpse inside the lab, from sharing the personal mantra she repeats during ICSI (injecting sperm into an egg) to remind herself and the team of the significance of the work to demystifying the complex process of embryo grading, clarifying that it is a snapshot in time based on expansion, the inner cell mass, and the trophectoderm, rather than a guarantee of success. And most importantly, Dr. Durant wants fertility patients to know that even if they never talk to or see the embryologists, their cases are never treated as "just another number" and that she hopes each patient feels “the positive vibes and all the love and care” that's coming from everyone in the embryology lab.

If you are experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss and are looking for support, and/or are a professional looking for research opportunities, we recommend connecting with the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Embryology, recurrent pregnancy loss, fertility challenges, IVF, embryologist, immunology, reproductive immunology, infertility, taboo, RPLA, aerial, circus, community, finding peace, science, medicine, hope, grief, vulnerability, holding space, family building, recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF journey, fertility support, emotional support, pregnancy loss experiences, fertility treatments, infertility journey, community support for infertility, embryo grading, IVF success stories, coping with miscarriage, fertility clinic insights, personal fertility journeys, Dr. Fallon Durant, All Paths podcast, navigating infertility, compassionate care in fertility, fertility science, support groups for loss

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Rachel’s Journey: Knitting Him Into Existence

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:30:00 -0400

This episode features a conversation with Rachel Wilson, a therapist, yoga and meditation instructor, coach, and most recently, a postpartum doula and intended parent support coach. Rachel shares the difficult journey she and her husband undertook to welcome their son, Remiel, the "archangel of hope." After struggling with disappointment for a year, and facing financial limitations that closed the door on IUI/IVF, the couple chose international surrogacy in the country of Georgia in their early 40s.

Rachel recounts the myriad of emotional and logistical roadblocks they faced, difficulties finding an egg donor, navigating bureaucracy and cultural differences, and the stress of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacting the region. She describes how she maintained resilience and connection—bonding with her baby and the gestational carrier from thousands of miles away by sending music, recordings of her and her husband reading stories like Goodnight Moon, and knitting baby items. She leaned heavily on her husband’s solid support and her daily yoga and meditation practice, which helped her hold the paradoxical balance of having hope while being willing to surrender control and expectations. The journey culminated in a rush to a Georgian hospital where they met their surrogate for the first time during the birth. While her family is now complete, Rachel also shares the final chapter of her journey, donating her remaining embryo.

This experience led Rachel to embark on a new mission as an intended parent support coach, offering what she felt she lacked during her own process. She now hopes to help others prepare mentally and emotionally for their child’s arrival, assisting in creating necessary support “villages,” and focusing on supporting the critical transfer moment between the carrier and the intended parents. Rachel is particularly passionate about helping intended parents bond with their babies, sharing more about her journey, practical suggestions, and a bonding meditation in a recent article on our blog: https://allpathsfb.org/bonding-with-your-unborn-child-during-surrogacy/.

Connect with Rachel at https://www.intendedparentssupportcoach.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

TTC over 40, surrogacy, gestational carrier, international surrogacy, donor conception, egg donation, embryo donation, postpartum, postpartum support, parenting after infertility, parenting support, family building, surrogacy journey, intended parents support, postpartum doula, egg donation, infertility support, family growth, emotional rollercoaster of parenting, navigating family building challenges, bonding with unborn child, international surrogacy, personal journey to parenthood, overcoming obstacles in parenthood, connecting with gestational carrier, support for intended parents, coping with disappointment in family building, bonding from afar, yoga and meditation for parents, emotional support during pregnancy, building a family through surrogacy

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kristin’s Journey: Becoming the IVF “Fairy God-Sister”

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode we welcome Kristin Dillensnyder to discuss her family building journey and her subsequent work in the fertility space. Kristin, a former military spouse now living in South Carolina, navigated the complicated, messy, and lonely process of IVF and infertility while living in a new city (Montgomery, Alabama) where social supports were scarce. She pursued several IUIs without success before moving on to three rounds of IVF, which ultimately resulted in the birth of her daughter, but also included experiencing a miscarriage. A significant challenge during her experience was having to pay 100% out of pocket for care, a realization that shaped her future advocacy efforts.

Feeling a profound desire to stay in the fertility space and be the person she needed during her own struggle, Kristin developed the Two Week Wait Challenge, a free resource designed to help people stay busy, positive, and hopeful until they receive the results of their pregnancy test. Kristin’s business grew from there, becoming a self-proclaimed "Fairy God-Sister" who understands the specific lingo and emotional rollercoaster of IVF. In addition to her work as an IVF mindset coach through her business, Empowered Infertility, Kristin also hosts her own podcast, More Than Your Infertility, which focuses on reminding listeners that their fertility journey is not their only identity.

The conversation culminates in a discussion of Kristin's passionate advocacy work, which started by fighting against the limited access to care for those without insurance coverage or the ability to pay out of pocket. Her efforts have evolved into actively fighting to keep medical care available for everyone, regardless of where they live or what their family looks like. Currently, she is actively fighting against the dangerous South Carolina Senate Bill S.323, an extreme total abortion ban that threatens to criminally charge women and those who assist them, and if passed, could be used as an example for other states to follow. While acknowledging the need to start small and develop your “advocacy muscles,” Kristin encourages people everywhere to get involved, emphasizing that action is key to regaining a sense of control when everything else, like infertility, feels out of control. Small actions, such as contacting their legislators, sharing social media posts, and spreading awareness, can add up to make a big impact, and importantly reminds us all to keep having joy in our lives, describing joy as a form of resistance.

Connect with Kristin at www.empoweredinfertilitycoaching.com or @kristindillensnyder on Instagram. And to get easy action items to help fight against SB. 323, join the SC Fertility Advocates Facebook Group.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility support, IVF journey, trying to conceive, reproductive health, family growth, assisted reproductive technology, emotional support for infertility, IVF coaching, military spouse infertility, parenting after infertility, infertility advocacy, two week wait support, coping with infertility, community support for parents, family planning resources, infertility awareness, mental health during IVF, navigating infertility, parenting stories, Military spouse, TriCare, TTC, IVF, coaching, life coach, infertility, Empowered Infertility, advocate, fertility advocate, IUI, HSG, support group, finsta account, church, religion and IVF, prayer warriors, fear, judgement, worry, two-week wait, two-week wait challenge, pee on a stick, positive pregnancy test, hopeful, infertility community, IVF mindset coach, fertility advocacy, access to care, pay-out-of-pocket, South Carolina, abortion ban, total abortion ban, S.323, Wren (SC), RESOLVE, State Strong, ASRM, ACOG, disappointment

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kerri’s Journey: The gap between what's offered and what we need

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:30:00 -0400

This episode features Kerri Bicskei, an active duty military spouse, psychotherapist, and founder of the nonprofit organization Mindful Warrior Alliance. Kerri shares her ongoing family building journey, taking both holistic and Western medical approaches before being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, later complicated by endometriosis. Kerri and her husband ultimately decided to travel out of state for IVF, since as an active duty military family, lack of insurance coverage for treatment made cost a major barrier, fertility support at their local military installation had a several year waitlist, and they wanted to be closer to family for support during treatment.

Throughout their journey, Kerri has experienced firsthand the unique and massive challenges military families face. Kerri explains how Tricare fails to cover most fertility expenses and how seeking mental health care through the military system is "truly not confidential," potentially flagging the service member's record and jeopardizing their career. She started Mindful Warrior Alliance to directly address these gaps, providing $5,000 financial scholarships to military members, spouses, Guard, Reserve, and veterans and offering six free mental health counseling sessions using a 100% confidential, HIPAA compliant platform, ensuring client information is not shared with command or insurance. Throughout the episode, Kerri highlights the importance of support systems, emphasizing the power of community, resilience, and the importance of seeking help and support during a complicated family building journey.

Connect with Kerri at Mindful Warrior Alliance at https://www.mindfulwarrioralliance.org/.

Need additional support as a military-connected person navigating family building challenges? Check out AllPaths’ monthly free/virtual Building Military Families Support Group.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility, IVF journey, military families, military family, military member, military spouse, military veteran, emotional support, holistic fertility, mental health counseling, adoption, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, fertility scholarships, nonprofit organization, Mindful Warrior Alliance, military spouse support, reproductive health, mental health support, IVF success stories, fertility awareness, peer support groups, family planning, IVF, tricare, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, holistic fertility care, sibling, mental health, military families, support system, advocacy, patient advocacy, access to care, therapy, self-care, mindful warrior alliance, financial scholarships, grants

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Elizabeth & Maria’s Journeys: The Art of Healing

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In our latest episode, we welcome Maria and Elizabeth, the co-founders and co-directors of The ART of Infertility, to share their personal experiences with infertility and their collaborative advocacy work. Though their individual family building journeys took different paths, both Elizabeth and Maria emphasize the importance of the supportive communities they found as they navigated infertility diagnoses and their subsequent experiences with fertility treatment, loss, adoption, and step-parenting. They both also found that creative outlets like visual art and writing were immensely helpful for processing their journeys.

Together Maria and Elizabeth founded The ART of Infertility, a national arts organization that challenges perceptions of infertility through visual art and storytelling and advocates for creativity to be incorporated as a therapeutic outlet for fertility patients as part of broader mental health support in clinical settings. Through exhibits, workshops, and their book Infertilities, A Curation, Elizabeth and Maria stress the need for open discussions about infertility to foster understanding and connection, and hope to inspire anyone feeling overwhelmed by their family building journey to explore creativity as a step towards healing.

Connect with Maria and Elizabeth at https://www.artofinfertility.org/ or reach out to them directly at elizabeth@artofinfertility.org and maria@artofinfertility.org.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility support, reproductive health, IVF experiences, adoption journeys, community support for infertility, coping with infertility, emotional impact of infertility, creative expression in fertility, infertility advocacy, peer support groups, family planning challenges, mental health and infertility, navigating infertility, stories of infertility, infertility awareness, support for couples, coping strategies for infertility, personal experiences with IVF, art and infertility, Infertility, clomid, timed intercourse, IUI, endometriosis, assisted reproductive technology, ART of Infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, DOR, IVF, male-factor infertility, grief, loss, reproductive loss, boundaries, visual art, egg retrieval, ovarian torsion, medical complications, medical trauma, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, embryo transfer, divorce after infertility, step-parent, step-parenting after infertility, community support, support group, peer support, RESOLVE the National Infertility Association, Progeny, fertility testing, couples support group, healing, fertility treatment, adoption, domestic infant adoption, open adoption, adoptive parent, parenting after infertility, advocacy, advocacy work, RESOLVE Advocacy Day, family building, family making, creative outlets, writing, art exhibit, identity and infertility, creative practices, mental health and creativity, creating awareness, reproductive rights, Infertiles, A Curation, blackout poetry, mixed media, painting, art exhibit,

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Becca's Journey: "Leave all your assumptions at the door."

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we speak with Becca Levin Nayak, an attorney specializing in adoption and assisted reproduction in Pennsylvania. Becca shares her own family building journey, begun with her ex-wife, where the couple navigated donor conception. The process of choosing a sperm donor was overwhelming, which Becca likened to selecting a partner on a dating app. Despite the challenges, Becca's first attempt at IUI resulted in a successful pregnancy, leading to the birth of her son. However, her path was not without heartbreak, as she faced miscarriages and the dissolution of her marriage, which prompted her to consider single parenthood. This journey took an unexpected turn when she met her current wife, who had two children from a previous co-parenting arrangement. The creation of their blended family is a beautiful illustration of the fact that genetic ties are not what make a family.

The conversation then pivots to Becca's professional career, which was initially driven by her commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy following decisions like Lawrence v. Texas. She discusses the evolving legal landscape for LGBTQ+ families, her shift to focusing on assisted reproduction and adoption law, and the importance of securing parental rights for non-biological or genetic parents. Currently, Becca is an active advocate for the Pennsylvania Uniform Parentage Act (House Bill 350), which will modernize and clarify parentage law in the state to recognize diverse family structures and protect the rights of all parent/child relationships, regardless of how their families are built.

LINKS:

Connect with Becca at https://www.hangley.com/team-member/rebecca-levin-nayak and learn how you can help advocate for the Pennsylvania Uniform Parentage Act at https://www.pennparentage.org/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, LGBTQ family, assisted reproduction, adoption attorney, blended family, parenting journey, sperm donor selection, intentional co-parenting, legal protections for families, family law advocacy, emotional support for parents, Pennsylvania Parentage Act, fertility clinic services, family structure diversity, parenting rights, miscarriage support, donor siblings, family formation resources, surrogacy laws, parenthood options, adoption, assisted reproduction, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, LGBTQ+, two moms, RMA Philadelphia, donor conception, donor sperm, donor siblings, IUI, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, intentional co-parenting, blended family, advocacy, parentage, LGBT Advocacy, family law, family formation lawyer, Pennsylvania Parentage Act, intent-based parenting, confirmatory adoption, legal protections, known donor, relationships, family groups

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Courtney’s Journey: Liberating Yourself from Uterine Shame

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0400

On this episode, we welcome Courtney, a current PhD student at the Fletcher School of Tufts whose research focuses on the intersections of conflict, reproductive health, and humanitarian programming, to talk about her ongoing reproductive health journey. Her long medical path, which began with life-threatening blood clots (DVT and pulmonary embolism) at age 17, leading to a diagnosis of Factor 2 and Factor 5 clotting disorders and resulting in significant medical trauma. She was later diagnosed with endometriosis at 23, after struggling with symptoms for three or four years. Courtney discusses the difficulties of being gaslit and dismissed by medical providers regarding both her blood clots and her reproductive pain. She describes how she was eventually guided toward proper endometriosis care by a friend and colleague who had also experienced endometriosis and adenomyosis, providing essential support and guidance through an isolating experience.

Courtney's severe pain and the eventual diagnosis of adenomyosis, the "evil cousin of endo," led her to the decision to pursue a medically indicated hysterectomy at 24. She explains that her clotting disorders meant that pregnancy would be dangerous due to the risk of increased clotting from estrogen flushes. She appreciated finding an endometriosis specialist, who respected her autonomy and supported her desire to reclaim her quality of life by rescinding the “ability to give life in a way.” While Courtney and her husband, Mark, aren’t quite ready to start growing their family yet, they plan to pursue international adoption.

Courtney has since channeled her experiences into advocacy, testifying at the Massachusetts State House in support of comprehensive bills aimed at improving endometriosis care. She has become involved in the Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts (TEAM), an organization bringing together providers, patients, and caregivers to improve the lives of those with endometriosis through education and advocacy, of which AllPaths is a founding member. This November, Courtney is also running the Cambridge Half Marathon as a fundraiser for TEAM and AllPaths Family Building to support endometriosis advocacy efforts in Massachusetts, showcase the resilience of the endo community, and demonstrate that life can improve with proper treatment. Ultimately, Courtney stresses that there is no "ideal" or "normative" family building process, realizing through her own journey to this point that "what works for you is what the ideal is."

LINKS

Support Courtney’s Half Marathon Fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-team-and-allpaths-family-building.

Learn more about the Mount Auburn Center for Endometriosis Care at https://mountauburnhospital.org/services/gynecology/endometriosis-treatment.

Get involved with endometriosis advocacy in Massachusetts at https://www.endoteam.org/ and https://allpathsfb.org/ma-advocacy/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Endometriosis, medical gaslighting, patient education, medical trauma, adenomyosis, pelvic floor physical therapy, trust, TEAM, Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts, Mount Auburn Hospital, hysterectomy, uterus, uterus party, MIGS, minimally invasive gynecological surgery, fertility, family building, patient autonomy, MA legislature, MA state house, advocacy, advocacy work, MA advocacy, endo bills, endometriosis bills, reproductive health, medical advocacy, women's health, infertility support, adenomyosis, patient empowerment, healthcare navigation, emotional support, community support, endometriosis awareness, advocacy efforts, PhD student experiences, personal health journeys, intersectionality in healthcare, fertility options

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Marea's Journey: Redefining Family Through Relationships, Commitment, and Connection

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:15:00 -0400

Today’s episode features Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife, parent, co-author of the book Baby Making for Everybody, and founder of PregnantTogether, a virtual community supporting queer and solo parents from preconception through parenting. Marea’s family grew through a non-traditional and "growthful" journey that involved co-parenting, a romantic relationship developing unexpectedly, the use of a known donor, having a child of their own (after a chemical pregnancy and then successful IUI), and eventually navigating a separation. They described the fertility process, alongside their experiences of pregnancy, birth, and separation, as deeply "humbling" and realized that if the process was this overwhelming to them as an "quote unquote expert" with training, then they could only imagine how it felt for others.

This feeling of overwhelm and the observation that people often do not see the narratives of their non-traditional families in the mainstream world, led to the creation of the PregnantTogether community. By creating a space for LGBTQ+ individuals and solo parents, Marea hopes to provide a space where the unique stories of queer folks and solo parents are normalized and people can find the tailored support and resources that they wished they had had on their journey. PregnantTogether is excited to host the first virtual queer family building conference called “Together” this November 4th and 5th. Our conversation highlights the importance of normalizing diverse family structures, addressing the grief and disappointment inherent in the process, and connecting people to help smooth out the bumps of the family-building challenges.

Find Marea and the community on Instagram @pregnanttogether.community or the website www.pregnanttogether.com.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Reproductive justice, queer parenting, queer family building, midwife, doula, fertility care, IUI, donor sperm, queer family stories, Baby-Making for Every Body book, grief, relationships, family, spiritual growth, at-home insemination, unsolicited advice, compassionate listening, family building, queer parenting, solo parenting, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ family support, insemination process, parenting community, family planning resources, fertility challenges, emotional support for parents, non-traditional families, midwifery care, online parenting support, community for queer families, navigating parenthood, parenting after divorce, inclusive parenting resources, support for trying to conceive, parenting workshops, LGBTQ+ family building conference

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Elizabeth’s Journey: From Number One to a Voice for Many

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week we’re celebrating the 50th episode of the AllPaths Podcast. For this milestone, we welcome special guest, friend, colleague, and AllPaths board member, Elizabeth Carr. Known worldwide as the first IVF baby born in the United States, Elizabeth shares the incredibly pioneering journey of her parents, Judy and Roger. Massachusetts residents who had to travel back and forth to Norfolk, Virginia because IVF was illegal in their home state at the time, they turned to IVF after medical complications from a ruptured appendix and three life-threatening ectopic pregnancies ultimately led to the removal of both fallopian tubes.

Elizabeth details how her parents took a huge leap of faith based on a single, black-and-white, five-sentence flyer given to them by their OB/GYN. Their successful cycle involved developing the very first hormone protocol and resulted in only two eggs retrieved and one transfer. Despite facing intense media scrutiny around the birth, her parents immediately chose to forgo privacy so the world would know that this option was available and that their baby was "healthy and normal," a mission that Elizabeth actively carries on today. She explains that her work as a patient advocate, journalist, author, and board member is her deeply personal way of saying "thank you" to the entire fertility field—from doctors and nurses to therapists and organizations like AllPaths—for making her life possible.

Driven by a fear that IVF offspring might become an "endangered species" following the Alabama court decision in 2024, Elizabeth has taken on a more urgent and powerful role in advocacy. She has leveraged her experience growing up under media scrutiny to become a loud voice for the community, which resulted in her being invited to the State of the Union and helping to rally efforts to restart IVF services in Alabama. Elizabeth, who currently works in patient advocacy and marketing for a genetic testing company, offers advice to those navigating infertility and for those supporting a loved one, but most importantly emphasizes that while she chooses to share her story, there is "zero pressure" for others to do so, affirming that everyone has a valuable place in the community regardless of how they show up.

Connect with Elizabeth at https://ejordancarr.com/ or on Instagram @ejordan12

Today we want to give a very special shoutout to our Presenting Sponsor, EMD Serono. Thank you for helping to make sure that no one who struggles with building their family has to walk alone.

You can donate to or join the EMD Serono Walk team today at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamEMDSerono.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, assisted reproductive technology, IVF support, infertility journey IVF, in vitro fertilization, family building community, emotional support for parents, infertility resources, personal IVF stories, connections through infertility, reproductive technology, infertility awareness, IVF success stories, patient advocacy, family planning options, fertility treatment, reproductive healthcare, insurance coverage, fertility advocacy

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Colleen’s Journey: “Where are the casseroles?”

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

This episode features longtime member of the AllPaths community Colleen, who shares her journey through the emotional devastation of recurrent pregnancy loss and IVF. After five losses and two unsuccessful IVF cycles, Colleen and her husband decided to take a much-needed break, but in a shocking turn of events, discovered she was pregnant the day after the sudden death of her father. Despite her history of loss and initial expectation that it would end badly, the pregnancy defied the odds, with HCG numbers doubling quickly, leading to the confirmation of a viable pregnancy. Their son, Liam John (named after her father, John), was born prematurely at 33 weeks and six days and required a two-week stay in the NICU. After deciding to try for a second child with strict parameters, they successfully conceived their son Logan on the very first attempt, who was born full-term in May 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic lockdown.

Throughout the conversation, Colleen offers insights into coping with grief and the importance of community and advocates for using transparency and humor to break the isolation associated with loss, arguing that suffering in silence by "pretending I was okay" was the hardest part of the whole experience. From sharing about her experiences through her blog and social media and her volunteer work with AllPaths, Colleen has channeled her experiences into breaking the isolation and silence surrounding loss and the complexities of motherhood after loss, to help others feel less isolated while on their own difficult journeys.

Connect with Colleen on Instagram @notquitejustright.

A Special thank you to Mass General Brigham, for being a Champion Sponsor of our upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk!

If the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital or Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center have been an important part of your journey, you can donate to or join Team MGB at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamMGB.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

pregnancy loss, chemical pregnancy, HCG test, positive pregnancy test, miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, fertility testing, IVF, genetic testing, ectopic pregnancy, methotrexate, NICU, humor as coping mechanism, blog, peer groups, relationships, grief, failed IVF cycles, pregnancy after loss, parenting after loss, parenting after infertility, family building, infertility support, pregnancy loss, recurrent miscarriage, IVF journey, emotional support, family growth, community support, pregnancy after loss, coping with grief, fertility treatments, parenting after loss, emotional wellness, support groups, navigating infertility, mental health in pregnancy

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Maggie’s Journey: Hope in French Fries and Leap Days

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

On this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we welcome Maggie Stryker, a former AllPaths group attendee and current volunteer to share her journey. Maggie and her partner began trying for a family in 2022, navigating a history of endometriosis while simultaneously undergoing multiple foot surgeries and recoveries. After eight or nine months of unsuccessful attempts, and facing physical and emotional pain, they pursued fertility testing, which ultimately led to the frustrating diagnosis of "unexplained infertility". This "worst diagnosis" meant discovering treatment effectiveness through trial and error, a process Maggie likened to being a "test bunny."

Maggie's path included medicated cycles with Clomid and three rounds of IUI, all without success, eventually leading her to IVF. During this time, the world around her questioned her decision to pursue fertility treatments alongside her ongoing medical issues, but found crucial support, community, and practical advice through AllPaths’ support groups. After multiple egg retrievals, Maggie underwent a successful embryo transfer on a leap day, experiencing an early scare but ultimately having a successful pregnancy with her baby girl, Charlie. Throughout the conversation, Maggie emphasizes the crucial role of self-advocacy in medical care, the profound impact of genuine support from loved ones, and how the AllPaths community provided invaluable understanding and practical advice that outsiders couldn't. Planning to try to grow her family through remaining embryos, Maggie also hopes to become a fertility doula, drawing on her experience to support others on their journeys.

A Special thank you to Champion Walk Sponsor Evernorth for their support and commitment to the fertility and family building community.

If you've been helped by Freedom Fertility or VFP Pharmacy Group along your journey, you can donate to or join Team Evernorth at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamEvernorth.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility journey, endometriosis and fertility, IVF experiences, unexplained infertility, fertility testing, emotional support in infertility, egg retrieval process, Clomid cycles, intrauterine insemination (IUI), coping with medical issues, support groups for fertility, community support in IVF, challenges of family planning, navigating fertility treatments, advocacy in infertility, dealing with pregnancy loss, emotional resilience in family building, personal stories of infertility, empowering friends in support, endometriosis, clomid, IUI, IVF, egg retrieval, rescue ICSI, frozen embryo transfer, hope, pregnancy after infertility, self-advocacy, patient advocacy

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kristen’s Journey: “Out of the bedroom, out of my body, out of control”

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:30:00 -0400

In this episode, we are joined by Kristen Darcy, a long-time professional in the fertility industry, shares her personal family-building journey, which she describes as "months tricked into years" before she transitioned "out of the bedroom into...surgery and procedures." She recounts questionable diagnoses and fertility treatment, experiencing an ectopic pregnancy requiring emergency surgery, a challenging physical and emotional recovery, and eventually the births of her son and daughter. Kristen emphasizes the "invisible" nature of infertility, where individuals may appear "normal" outwardly but struggle immensely internally.

Kristen's experiences deeply impacted her professional path, transitioning her from a preschool teacher running an early childhood learning center to an author and fertility coach, driven by the desire that "no other woman should feel this way". Her coaching practice offers a holistic, energetic, and spiritual approach to fertility support, tailored to individual needs. And Kristen has authored three books based on her personal and professional experiences: Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion, Love and Infertility, and Making Dads, co-written with Sara Naab.

As Kristen has seen the fertility industry evolve, the ongoing need for emotional support has largely remained unchanged. Kristen advocates for self-empowerment, encouraging listeners to find balance, and leverage their inner strength as they navigate treatment, advising that anyone struggling with family building commit to doing "one nurturing thing every day" that will “remind you about how powerful you are and how you are enough.”

LINKS:

Connect with Kristen at https://www.kristendarcy.com/.

SPECIAL THANK YOU to The Lemon Grove: Doula Agency & Perinatal Wellness Collaborative, for being a Leader Sponsor of our upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk!

Donate to or join their Walk team at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamLemonGrove.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, fertility treatment, IUI, IVF, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, community support, support, author, coach, wellness, fertility planning, for family and friends, communication, setting boundaries, grief, emotional fatigue, hope, resilience, advocacy, women’s health, holistic health, family building journey, infertility support, emotional impact of infertility, fertility treatment options, coping with infertility, personal stories of infertility, support for parents, navigating fertility challenges, self-care during infertility, infertility coaching, resources for fertility, secondary infertility, emotional resilience in parenting, holistic fertility approaches, community support for infertility, fertility and relationships, understanding unexplained infertility, family building resources, advocacy in fertility care, the journey to parenthood

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Mirna’s Journey: From Struggle to Inspiring Hope

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0400

In this episode, we talk with Mirna Nova, founder of Fertility Inspired, about her 12-year-long journey to parenthood. Mirna opens up about her early diagnosis of PCOS, which she knew would make conceiving challenging, the physical toll of undergoing various treatments including Clomid, IUI, and multiple rounds of IVF, and the profound emotional impact of her journey. After over a decade Myrna's story took a hopeful turn when she decided to follow her gut and seek a new fertility specialist, resulting in the birth of her "little miracle," a daughter born at 26 weeks.

Despite the unwavering support of her husband, Mirna experienced deep feelings of isolation and self-blame throughout the years spent trying to conceive. Inspired by her own lack of resources and support during her arduous journey, Mirna founded "Fertility Inspired" offering connection and guidance for those who are still struggling to grow their families. By providing a safe space for people to share their stories and access resources, Fertility Inspired focuses on addressing the mental and emotional pressure of fertility treatments, beyond just the physical injections and hormonal changes.

In a few weeks, Fertility Inspired is hosting its first event, Let's Talk Fertility brunch on Sunday, September 14, at Granite Links in Quincy, MA featuring Mirna’s own Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Aaron Styer of CCRM Boston and other experts to educate and build community support in the New England area. This free event aims to create a beautiful, nurturing space for connection and friendship, recognizing that those facing infertility deserve a supportive and understanding community.

LINKS:

Connect with Mirna at https://linktr.ee/FertilityInspired

RSVP for the Let’s Talk Fertility brunch at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-fertility-embracing-hope-on-the-journey-to-parenthood-tickets-1423799926909

THANK YOU to the Advocate Sponsors of our Footsteps for Family Building Walk!

If any of these amazing clinics and organizations have been a part of your journey and you want a way to say thanks and give back, donate to or join their Walk team:

Boston IVF - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamBostonIVF
CCRM Boston - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamCCRMBoston
Femasys - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamFemasys
First Fertility - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamFirstFertility
Grain Fertility - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamGrainFertility
Labcorp - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamLabcorp
Seattle Sperm Bank - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamSeattleSpermBank

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility support, PCOS and fertility, IVF journey, emotional toll of infertility, coping with miscarriage, resilience in family planning, natural remedies for fertility, fertility awareness, support for trying to conceive, navigating IVF, family building resources, community support for infertility, mental health and fertility, dealing with pregnancy loss, hope in infertility, Fertility Inspired, fertility inspired community, couples struggling to conceive, understanding infertility challenges, family planning journeys

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Olivia’s Journey: Finding Answers, Playing It Forward

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Olivia King, a Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter who, through sharing her fertility struggles on social media, has found purpose in helping others feel less alone as they navigate their own journeys.

Olivia and her husband married with the immediate intention of starting a family. However, after trying unsuccessfully on their own and an unexplained infertility “diagnosis” despite normal or even "better than average" test results, they embarked on a difficult journey through three unsuccessful IUI cycles and multiple IVF attempts. Olivia recounts the devastating setbacks, including a first IVF cycle where only one out of fifteen retrieved eggs fertilized, and eventually no embryos were viable, leading to a significant decline in her mental health. A crucial turning point came when her husband encouraged her to seek support, leading her to AllPaths Support Groups, which provided her with much-needed hope, shared experiences, and practical advice, reflecting that, “just having someone who really understands the weight of infertility can make such a difference in how you cope with the struggles that come along with it.”

Despite switching doctors twice in pursuit of hope and solutions, Olivia's journey continued to be fraught with challenges, as doctors initially dismissed her long-standing, severe period pain. It was a third doctor who finally suspected and confirmed Stage 4 Endometriosis, a condition that had been "wreaking havoc" in her body for over 20 years and was likely the underlying cause of her "unexplained infertility". This diagnosis, despite prior dismissals from medical professionals, brought both validation and immense frustration at the systemic issues in endometriosis care and has made Olivia a vocal proponent of self-advocacy in the medical system. While Olivia doesn’t know where the next steps in her journey will lead, she now uses her platform and her music as a therapeutic outlet, partnering with Play it Forward to fundraise for AllPaths Family Building, turning her pain into a powerful purpose to educate and advocate for others.

Get a free download of Olivia’s song "In My Head" and watch the music video by donating to AllPath at https://www.playitforward.com/projects/olivia-king-fertility-fundraiser

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, IUI, unexplained infertility, IVF, gallbladder, patient advocacy, self-advocacy, endometriosis, endometriosis, excision surgery, MIGS surgery, family building, fertility journey, unexplained infertility, IVF experiences, endometriosis awareness, support for infertility, self-advocacy in healthcare, emotional impact of infertility, coping with fertility challenges, mental health and infertility, finding purpose in struggle, community support for family building, fertility testing, navigating fertility treatments, emotional support groups, growing your family, personal stories of infertility

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Trystan’s Journey: A trans uterus is NOT an uninhabitable environment

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we speak with Trystan Reese, a father of three, advocate, educator, and an "all-around nerd" when it comes to transgender fertility and family building. Trystan shares his personal and professional journey, starting with his experience growing up in a conservative town as a transgender man without the language to understand his identity, leading him to initially believe "there was something wrong" with him. He recounts how, after transitioning and taking testosterone, he chose to keep his reproductive organs, allowing him to ultimately build his family through both adoption and biology.

Trystan reveals that as a young person, he never wanted to be a parent, a sentiment that aligns with data showing many transgender adolescents do not envision themselves in parental roles. Looking back on that time, Trystan reflects that “it's very possible that transgender youth, including myself at that age, just don't really see a world where they could ever be a parent.” He highlights the significant lack of fertility counseling he received 20 years ago when medically transitioning, where he was wrongly told testosterone would render him infertile. This experience fueled a healthy skepticism towards medical providers, as he found community knowledge often outpaced medical understanding. Trystan elaborates on his own pregnancy journey, describing it as a "cool weird science thing" that was mostly neutral, defying the universal expectation of dysphoria for trans pregnant people, as about a third feel neutral, and another third find it surprisingly improves their body comfort.

His decision to go public with his pregnancy aimed to share a positive trans story and demonstrate expanded possibilities for others and was surprised that it was such a "big deal" outside the trans community. Since deciding to be public about his fertility journey, Trystan has been a passionate advocate for the entire trans community, including non-binary people, trans people of color, and transgender women. From training medical centers and fertility clinics globally on providing trauma-informed care and respectful communication for transgender patients to working towards reshaping public narratives and promoting broader trans inclusion through his sharing his own story, Trystan hopes to inspire everyone to use their "sphere of influence" to advocate for trans inclusion in their communities and workplaces.

LINKS:

Connect with Trystan at Collaborate Consulting and Trans Fertility Co..

Read Trystan’s books How We Do Family (sharing his family's story through kinship adoption and pregnancy) and The Light of You (children’s book celebrating a pregnant transgender dad’s journey to bringing a new baby into a family)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Trans fertility, reproductive care, adoption, kinship adoption, transgender community, dysphoria, gender identity, trans pregnant people, trans parents, feminist kids books, allyship, inclusion, provider support, reproductive justice, transgender reproductive justice, gay dad, transgender man, seahorse dad, author, activist, consultant, public speaker, transgender family building, fertility preservation for transgender individuals, LGBTQ+ parenting, parenting journeys, adoption and transgender families, transgender pregnancy experiences, support for transgender parents, navigating family building, reproductive health for transgender people, community support for LGBTQ+ families, emotional challenges in family building, resources for transgender parents, representation in media for transgender families, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, medical care for transgender individuals, stories of transgender parents, parenting advice for LGBTQ+ families, societal perceptions of transgender pregnancy, fertility options for transgender individuals, inclusive family planning practices

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Alexis’ Journey: Reframing the Concept of Family

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features a conversation with Alexis Eyler, the Executive Director of On Your Feet Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting birth parents post-placement. On Your Feet Foundation, founded in 2001, addresses the historical lack of post-placement services for birth parents, recognizing that open adoption, considered best practice since the 90s, highlighted a significant unmet need. The organization started with small "gap grants" and peer-led retreats, but now provides a comprehensive suite of services, including support groups, drop-in calls, a mentorship program, holiday assistance for children parented and placed, and enhanced mental health support for birth parents, including a soon-to-be-launched Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) Assessment Tool specifically for birth parents and group practice to provide direct, sustainable counseling and therapeutic services with adoption-competent therapists.

The foundational belief of On Your Feet Foundation’s work is that by empowering and supporting birth parents, there is a positive "ripple effect" that ultimately improves outcomes for the entire adoption constellation. And while the organization's primary focus is providing crucial post-placement support for birth parents, Alexis shares about the specific resources they’ve developed for adoptive parents and those hoping to adopt. A key initiative is their "Activism in Adoption" program, which offers adoptee and birth parent-centered adoption education. This program provides an invaluable space for prospective adoptive parents and adoptive families to learn from the lived experiences of those most impacted by adoption, going beyond traditional education to foster a deeper understanding of race, relationships, and resilience within the adoption constellation.

LINKS:

For prospective adoptive parents, here is the direct link to the blog post Alexis talks about in her episode: Ethics in Adoption: 10 Questions about Birthparents that Prospective Adoptive Parents Should Ask When Vetting Agencies

Connect with On Your Feet Foundation and Activism in Adoption:

Websites: https://onyourfeetfoundation.org/ and https://www.activisminadoption.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyourfeetfoundation and https://www.facebook.com/ActivismInAdoption
Instagram: @OnYourFeetFoundation and @ActivisminAdoption
Twitter/X: @Here4Birthmoms
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10148868/admin/dashboard/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Birth parent support, Illinois, US, Canada, post-placement services for birth parents, parenting resources, adopted people, adoptive families, Activism in Adoption, adoption education, adoptee and birth parent centered adoption education, hopeful adoptive parents, adoption constellation, Mammha, PMADs, mental health grants, family building, adoption support, birth parent resources, postpartum mood disorders, adoption education, emotional support for birth parents, open adoption, peer support groups, adoption agency questions, navigating adoption, mental health for birth parents, parenting after adoption, nonprofit family support, adoption advocacy, birth parent rights, therapeutic services for birth parents, virtual support groups, family building stories, adoption constellation, community resources for parents

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Heather's Journey: "It's not because you ate the cheese."

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:57:00 -0400

This episode of the podcast features Heather Smidt, owner of Wander Well Acupuncture in Lexington, MA and longtime AllPaths community member. Heather shares her family building journey, which included a late diagnosis of endometriosis, multiple losses, and the joy of her "rainbow baby" son, conceived during acupuncture school. She candidly shares the struggles of self-advocacy and feeling unheard by medical providers, contrasting her first, lonely journey with her secondary infertility experience, which was supported by the AllPaths community.

Heather’s personal journey intertwines with her professional one, when her own experiences with decreased period pain after acupuncture led to her becoming a licensed acupuncturist, massage therapist, and reiki practitioner specializing in fertility. From helping to manage inflammation and treatment side effects to reducing stress and having a positive impact on emotional health, Heather shares how fertility acupuncture can complement traditional medical treatments and address the physical and emotional aspects of a family building journey. Throughout the conversation, Heather emphasizes that the fertility process is constantly clouded by "what ifs" and that whatever tools someone uses should be about making them feel better about their journey regardless of the outcome, rather than adding to their stress or self-blame.

LINKS:

Connect with Heather at https://wanderwellacupuncture.com/ or on Instagram @wanderwellacu.

For help finding a fertility acupuncturist near you, visit the AllPaths Professional Directory at https://allpathsfb.org/professional-directory/ or The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine website at https://aborm.org/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Endometriosis, acupuncture, East Asian medicine, reproductive endocrinologist, clomid, letrozole, IUI, pregnancy loss, rainbow baby, IVF, secondary infertility, one and no longer trying for another, Massachusetts, endometriosis care, endometriosis advocacy, professional directory, mind-body wellness, yoga, meditation, mental health support, talk therapy, guilt, blame, massage therapy, reiki, Lexington MA, preconception, assisted reproductive technology, fertility, for family and friends, family building, infertility support, endometriosis awareness, acupuncture for fertility, emotional support during IVF, navigating infertility, reproductive health, fertility journey, holistic family building, self-advocacy in healthcare, coping with infertility, secondary infertility, mindfulness in fertility, Eastern medicine for conception, holistic wellness for families, managing stress during IVF, community support for infertility, resources for family building, fertility acupuncture benefits, personal stories in infertility

Valerie’s Journey: From Hospital Gowns to Powerful Art

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:32:00 -0400

In this episode, we chat with Valerie Imparato, a lawyer and artist originally from Haiti, currently living in Somerville, Massachusetts. Valerie shares her often complicated journey to parenthood. She recounts her initial easy conception followed by a miscarriage in Italy during Covid, and the subsequent "excruciating" nine months of trying before conceiving her daughter unexpectedly during a vacation where she was "not doing all the things" typically recommended for optimal fertility. Valerie also opens up about enduring two more miscarriages and an unsuccessful round of IVF, and her ongoing, emotionally taxing second IVF cycle.

Our conversation delves into the profound impact her family building struggles have had on her relationships. She discusses the guilt of navigating secondary infertility while raising her three-year-old daughter, feeling as though she might be "robbing her of her childhood" due to the demands of treatments like IVF. She shares the frustration of comparing her journey to friends who conceive easily, and the strain the constant emotional and physical burden has placed on her marriage. We also touch on the unique generational grief experienced when family members pass away before new babies can be born. Some of Valerie’s biggest sources of support include a Bible study group specifically for women who have experienced miscarriages and fertility issues and the unexpected comfort of television shows like Severance that portray fertility struggles authentically.

A significant part of Valerie's coping mechanism and expression is her art, which she uses to process emotions and experiences that are difficult to articulate through words. She emphasizes that her art often captures the "strange and alienating and lonely and clinical" aspects of IVF, rather than solely the outcome of having a baby, as she initially assumed IVF would be a guaranteed success. This includes the bureaucratic challenges like red tape, insurance issues, and constant phone calls related to treatments. A favorite piece from her show earlier this year is a portrait of Valerie in a hospital gown, depicted through embroidery for her body and skin, with actual hospital gown fabric and silk for the bed sheets. This piece took a "billion years" to create and, while rooted in her IVF journey, evokes memories of being in the hospital after her miscarriages, creating a feeling of "deja vu" and a "merry-go-round" of emotions related to trying to have or losing a baby. The expression on her face in this piece is described as "resigned".

Sharing her art has created a sense of community with others who have experienced similar struggles and Valerie hopes that one day her daughter will see her art and understand "what this was like for me and why maybe sometimes I was the way that I was". Valerie is currently working on new art that will continue to explore this topic, but with a stronger link to her mom's illness. Listeners can view Valerie's art at her website https://www.valeriepimparato.com/ or by following her on Instagram @vp_visualart.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

IVF, secondary infertility, guilt, relationships, grief, pregnancy after loss, bible study, fertility challenges, art, visual art, community support, connection, shame, stigma, Severance, infertility in the media, family building, infertility support, miscarriage experience, IVF journey, parenting while trying to conceive, emotional impact of fertility issues, fertility consultation, pregnancy loss, trying to conceive tips, women’s health and fertility, coping with miscarriage, family dynamics during fertility struggles, supportive community for infertility, navigating pregnancy after loss, emotional well-being during IVF, fertility treatments, understanding ovulation, parenting struggles, generational grief in family building

Amanda’s Journey: Did somebody give my uterus a one-star rating?

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:45:00 -0400

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Amanda Nordberg, a volunteer for the Footsteps for Family Building Walk, who shares her struggle with recurrent pregnancy loss and the emotional experience of pregnancy after loss. Amanda and her husband Andy began trying to conceive in 2020 and while they discovered that her body was "great at getting pregnant," it struggled to "stay pregnant". Over time, Amanda experienced multiple types of loss: an early miscarriage at 11 weeks (where the baby stopped growing at 9 weeks), which required a D&C procedure; an ectopic pregnancy around 6 weeks that was treated with methotrexate shots; and a chemical pregnancy. Eventually Amanda did have two nerve-racking, yet ultimately successful pregnancies resulting in her son Miles and daughter Zoey. Her journey highlights the multifaceted emotional toll of pregnancy loss, impacting not only the immediate moment of loss but also significantly altering subsequent pregnancies.

Amanda's story also emphasizes the critical role of support and open communication. After her first loss, she decided to share her experience publicly on social media, which led to an outpouring of support from others who had gone through similar struggles. She connected with AllPaths (then Resolve New England) and found solace in their pregnancy loss support groups. Throughout the conversation, we explore how to navigate feelings of grief and hope, and how finding community can work towards ending the stigma surrounding pregnancy loss. Amanda's advocacy for openness and vulnerability shines through as she encourages others to find their people and allow themselves grace in their family building journey.

Learn more about AllPaths’ pregnancy loss support groups and resources.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Missed miscarriage, D&C, miscarriage management, pregnancy loss, pregnancy loss group, ovulation testing, ectopic pregnancy, methotrexate, chemical pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, Boston IVF, pregnancy after loss, fear, anxiety, jealousy, anger, support, childbirth, therapy, Emily Oster, normalizing loss, find your people, walk, Footsteps for Family Building, AllPaths Family Building, annual walk, family building, pregnancy loss, infertility support, emotional support for pregnancy loss, coping with miscarriage, family growth journey, support groups for loss, navigating pregnancy after loss, community support for families, pregnancy after miscarriage, infertility awareness, mental health in pregnancy, pregnancy loss resources, stories of loss and hope, celebrating family building, sharing your pregnancy story, support for expecting parents, fertility challenges, pregnancy after loss experiences

Meg's Journey: From the Pain of "Barren" to the Power of “the Barreness”

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:15:00 -0400

On this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we invite Meg to share her continuing journey through recurrent miscarriages, unsuccessful fertility treatments, and an unflagging quest for answers. Meg, who runs "For the Barreness”, a infertility-focused blog and Instagram account, delves into her experience with seven miscarriages and eight rounds of IVF, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of recurrent losses, including the infrequently discussed postpartum experiences after miscarriage. Meg also shares the long road to receiving diagnoses of endometriosis, adenomyosis, autoimmune disorders, and a Müllerian Abnormality, several that were conditions she suspected she was dealing with for years due to severe menstrual pain, but was dismissed by medical professionals until after her recurrent losses.

Meg elaborates on the creation of "For the Barreness," which she initially started out of loneliness in order to connect with others experiencing similar challenges, explaining how the name "Barreness" reclaims the often hurtful word "barren" to signify strength and regality within the community. The platform has grown into a vibrant online space where people offer mutual support, share stories, and find validation for difficult emotions such as anger and jealousy. Throughout our conversation, Meg also talks about other strategies and tools that she’s found to be helpful along this path, including finding a therapist with a fertility background who provides direct guidance and her love of reading "smutty fantasy" books as a form of escapism. Meg remains hopeful about the future and continues to grow the “For the Barreness” community, celebrating the resilience and beauty of all family building paths and outcomes.

To connect with Meg at For the Barreness, visit https://www.forthebarreness.com/ or @for_the_barreness on Instagram.

And if you are looking for support and resources around Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, we highly recommend checking on the nonprofit Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association: https://rplassociation.org/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

TTC, endometriosis, adenomyosis, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, IVF, recurrent pregnancy loss, reproductive endocrinologist, reproductive immunologist, recurrent loss specialist, patient advocacy, self-advocacy, education, therapy, books, romantasy books, escapism, toxic positivity, Meg Faith, For the Barreness, family building, fertility struggles, miscarriage support, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis awareness, IVF journey, emotional support for infertility, parenting without children, community for infertility, overcoming fertility challenges, navigating family planning, resources for miscarriage, pregnancy loss awareness, building a family after loss, mental health and fertility, infertility and grief, reproductive health education, support groups for infertility, chronic illness and pregnancy, finding hope after loss

Jessica’s Journey: Chutes and Ladders

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This episode features Jessica Katz, licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental health therapist, and parent to an egg-donor conceived child. During our conversation, Jessica shares her deeply personal and often challenging journey to parenthood, from her early struggles with irregular periods and feeling shame around her body and reproductive health, to an eventual diagnosis of ovarian insufficiency leading to the recommendation for donor egg IVF. The donor conception process was not without challenges, from navigating outdated agency databases to the emotional blow of discovering a seemingly ideal donor didn't pass medical testing. These setbacks ultimately led her to the realization that health and good character were far more important than physical traits in a donor.

Jessica's journey continued with immense gratitude for her chosen donor, who demonstrated remarkable kindness and resilience even through a stressful pharmacy mishap during the retrieval cycle. After facing a continued stream of obstacles to an unsuccessful frozen transfer, a second cycle - though still plagued with challenges - ultimately was successful, and Jessica is now a proud mom to an almost one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Now navigating parenting a donor conceived child, Jessica values openness with her daughter about their journey, wanting to instill in her how special she is “because it took three people to make her and three people that all have such amazing strengths”.

Inspired by her experiences, Jessica founded Empress Counseling, a practice dedicated to helping others navigate infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum challenges, named after the Empress Tarot Card symbolizing nurture and maternal energy. In her work, she advocates for compassion-focused therapy, encouraging clients to validate their feelings, practice genuine self-care beyond checklists, and give themselves permission to have needs. Jessica stresses that infertility is a unique "beast" and she works to dismantle the shame and blame often associated with it, emphasizing that your struggles or the results of your family-building efforts do not diminish your inherent worth.

Connect with Jessica through her website (https://www.empresscounseling.com) or on Instagram @empresscounseling.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, infertility, Irregular cycle, reproductive endocrinologist, diminished ovarian reserve, ovarian insufficiency, donor egg, donor conception, guilt, IVF, donor egg IVF, DEIVF, egg donor agency, anonymous egg donor, frozen embryo transfer, therapy, mental health support, parenting donor conceived children, trauma, shame, healing, therapist, compassion-focused therapy, self-care, compassion, Jessica Katz, Empress Counseling

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Lisa’s Journey: A Safe Space to Say the Unsayable

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode we welcome Lisa Rosenthal, President of the AllPaths Family Building Board of Directors. Lisa shares her deeply personal and often challenging six-and-a-half year journey through infertility, which began when she was 26 and "very naive" about conception. She recounts undergoing extensive fertility treatments, including being one of the first patients in the US to use Lupron injections. Lisa discusses the significant challenges of the time, noting that IVF success rates were only around 19% for the best candidates, and the personal struggle of balancing privacy with the need for support, often feeling "the nastiest, meanest, infertile person in the world". She famously made the decision to openly share her journey with 200 colleagues, a move that unexpectedly revealed 15 others in the same struggle, including two best friends who were unaware of each other's experiences, profoundly shaping her commitment to advocacy and transparency around fertility and family building challenges.

Lisa eventually achieved her dream of parenthood, welcoming three children. Her journey profoundly impacted her professional life, leading her to dedicate 37 years and counting to patient advocacy in this space. She highlights that despite advancements in science and technology, the biggest patient complaint remains not feeling seen and heard, emphasizing the critical need for a "human touch" in fertility care that often gets lost. Lisa shares valuable advice, encouraging those struggling to connect with trustworthy non-profit resources like AllPaths, emphasizing the importance of open communication and setting boundaries with friends and family during treatment, and promoting "radical self-acceptance" throughout the process. Her ambition for AllPaths is to triple its reach so that fewer people will say, "I didn't know you existed" when they needed support most.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, fertility treatment, patient advocate, American Fertility Association, magazine, Lupron, IVF, pregnancy rate, pregnancy loss, advocacy, therapy, resources, support, boundaries, legislation, genetic testing, community support, isolation, board service, volunteer, AllPaths Board of Directors, First Fertility, support group, connection, communication, radical self-acceptance, unsolicited advice, for family and friends, family building, infertility support, fertility treatment, reproductive health, patient advocacy, IVF journey, emotional support, parenting journey, family growth, AllPaths Family Building, community support, fertility awareness, reproductive endocrinology, coping with infertility, parenting advice, emotional wellbeing, fertility resources, infertility stories, peer support groups, navigating family building

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Bruce’s Journey: "Whose Tummy Did I Come Out Of?"

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Bruce, an attorney in the Boston area. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Bruce and his husband built their family through surrogacy with gamete donation, going through the process twice with different surrogates in different states. After leaving his previous career to become a stay-at-home parent, his own family building experience and encouragement from his husband led him to law school and ultimately his solo practice Modern Family Law, which focuses exclusively on matters related to family formation through assisted procreation.

Our conversation delves into the emotional journey of family building, noting that gay men pursuing surrogacy often begin with optimism, contrasting with the skepticism or despair some heterosexual couples may experience after long struggles with infertility. Bruce also discusses his role as an advocate in Massachusetts, particularly his significant involvement in the coalition to pass the Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA), which was finally signed into law in 2024 after over eight years of effort. He explains that the MPA provides much-needed clarity on parentage for families created through modern methods like gamete donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy, moving beyond traditional definitions. The Act simplifies the process for intended parents to establish legal parentage and clearly states that donors are not parents, offering crucial protections and streamlining legal procedures.

Beyond his legal practice and advocacy work, Bruce also teaches at his alma mater, Northeastern University School of Law. There he helps shape the future of family law, a specialty that in his eyes goes beyond assisted procreation or family formation, to touch everyone and helps to shape people's identities and relationships in the world.

LINKS:

Connect with Bruce at modernfamily.law

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Third-party reproduction, assisted-procreation law, family formation law, assisted reproduction technology law, private practice, LGBTQ+, same-sex couple, intended parents, surrogate, gestational carrier, surrogacy, egg donation, gamete donation, embryo donation, remaining embryos, full genetic siblings, egg donor, sperm donor, known donor, family law, teaching, Northeastern School of Law, advocacy, Massachusetts Parentage Act, parentage, parental rights, family building, surrogacy, gamete donation, LGBTQ parenting, Massachusetts Parentage Act, assisted reproduction, family law, infertility solutions, intended parents, emotional journey to parenthood, family formation law, legal rights in surrogacy, navigating fertility clinics, parentage laws, advocacy in family law, third party procreation, egg donation, embryo donation, support for LGBTQ families, establishing parentage

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Annika’s Journey: “My wife knocked me up.”

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we welcome Annika, an attorney specializing in assisted reproductive technology (ART), who offers a unique perspective as both a professional in the field and someone who built her own family through reciprocal IVF. Annika shares her personal journey with her wife, including the decision to use reciprocal IVF (her wife's egg, Annika carried) and the financial and emotional considerations that guided their path. The conversation highlights the significant financial hurdles of fertility treatment and the inequity of insurance coverage that exists, even in states like Massachusetts that have a fertility mandate. In addition to being their preference for non-clinical reasons, reciprocal IVF was medically recommended for their family, but was considered "elective" because they did not attempt conception "the old-fashioned way" or through IUI/ICSI first.

A 2013 graduate of BU Law, Annika studied assisted reproductive technology (ART) and was particularly interested in ARTs intersection with "intent-based parentage". A past co-chair of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association and current GLAD Law Board Member, Annika shares her passion for her practice, which combines estate law, family formation, confirmatory adoptions, and pro bono name changes for the transgender community. She also discusses her advocacy work for the Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA), sharing how her daughter, Maya – affectionately known as the "MPA baby" – was born during the campaign and even participated in its signing.

In both her practice and her own personal experience, Annika has witnessed the societal stigma surrounding fertility treatments, contrasting the openness in the queer community about needing medical intervention with the shame often experienced by straight couples. She criticizes outdated terms like "social infertility" and "elective" treatments, emphasizing their harm in insurance advocacy. The importance of updated terminology isn’t just reserved for during the family building process, but is also important for when talking about parenting, from intent-based parentage in law to the need for updated language in medical forms that are more inclusive of diverse family structures.

LINKS:

Connect with Annika: https://www.absesq.com/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, reciprocal IVF, LGBTQ family planning, fertility treatment options, assisted reproductive technology, parenting with same-sex couples, emotional support for parents, fertility insurance coverage, navigating fertility challenges, queer family advocacy, medical history for families, parenting and legal rights, family formation law, financial aspects of IVF, support for LGBTQ parents, personal experiences in family building, family planning resources, parenting journeys, overcoming fertility stigma, legal issues in family creation, Attorney, assisted reproduction technology law, reciprocal IVF, LGBTQ+ fertility, two moms, same-sex couples, queer couple, queer family, donor sperm, donor conception, PCOS, natural cycle, cost of fertility treatment, fertility, family building, Massachusetts Parentage Act, insurance coverage for fertility care, confirmatory adoption, social infertility, inclusive insurance mandates, family formation law, intent-based parenting, intent-based parentage

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Will’s Journey: An IVF Insider’s Path to Parenthood

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we speak with Will Baird, a father of three who grew up with a unique perspective on family building. Will shares how his father, a PhD in animal sciences who began working in human IVF in the late 80s/early 90s, exposed him to the lab environment from a young age. He and his twin sister, conceived through IUI, have fond memories of going to the IVF lab with his father on weekends. As an adult, Will worked alongside his father and ultimately became a fertility patient himself. Will openly shares the emotional experience of going through IVF as a patient, even while working in the field, highlighting in particular the challenge of managing expectations through the process of attrition – the natural decrease in the number of eggs and embryos from retrieval to blastocyst stage.

Inspired by the stress and false alarms associated with traditional cryostorage tank monitoring using simple methods like yardsticks and temperature probes that don't indicate liquid nitrogen levels, Will talks about the shift his career path took to address this critical need. He is now CEO and co-founder of Boreas Monitoring Solutions, a company providing a weight-based monitoring system that sits under storage tanks to infer the liquid nitrogen level. Will's focus is on raising awareness about this new technology and educating the next generation of embryologists about safer storage methods. Reflecting on his path, Will is grateful for being able to help families and contribute to the field in a way he feels has a significant impact, including keeping his last embryo safe as it sits in a tank monitored by his system.

LINKS:

Learn more about Boreas Monitoring Solutions at https://www.boreasmonitoring.com/

Connect with Will on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-baird-1b930195

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Unexplained infertility, IVF, genetic testing, IVF lab, lab work, cryostorage, quality control, Boreas Monitoring Solutions, family building, IVF journey, emotional support in fertility, infertility struggles, IUI, assisted reproductive technology, managing expectations in IVF, parenting after IVF, egg retrieval process, embryo storage, fertility clinic support, family growth stories, infertility resources, navigating infertility, family building podcast, various monitoring IVF, understanding IVF success rates, attrition, embryologists, emotional journey of IVF, fertility awareness, connecting with IVF patients

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Jodi’s Journey: One from Each Column

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:30:00 -0400

This episode features speaker and author Jodi Mitchel Tolman, who shares how she and her husband navigated multiple paths over six years to build their family after facing challenges with fertility. Their family ultimately consisted of three children: one genetic child from a previous marriage, one adopted daughter, and one son born via donor egg. Now all grown, Jodi was inspired to write their story in her recently released book, One From Each Column: My 46-Year Trek from Abusive Childhood to Elusive Motherhood.

Throughout the conversation, Jodi details the various paths she took, starting with miscarriages, followed by unsuccessful IUI and three rounds of IVF using her own eggs. She recounts her "hair-raising" adoption story, which involved her daughter Chloe's birth mother changing her mind multiple times and an eight-month legal process, while emphasizing that this traumatic experience is infrequent and not the norm in adoption. She also shares the successful journey of having her youngest son, Jack, via donor egg at age 46.

Jodi’s story not only tells of her road to parenthood, but explores how her early challenging life experiences fostered the resilience needed to overcome obstacles in family building. A key takeaway from Jodi's advice is that the ultimate goal is parenting and that there is zero difference in how you love a child regardless of the road they took to find their way home.

LINKS:

https://www.joditolmanspeaks.com.

https://www.instagram.com/joditolmanspeaks

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joditolmanspeaks

https://www.facebook.com/joditolmanspeaks

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, adoption stories, infertility support, parenting journey, donor egg process, IVF experiences, secondary infertility, emotional support for parents, parenting through challenges, family dynamics, navigating adoption, fertility treatment, conversations with children about family, parenting goals, resilience in parenting, family building options, personal stories of motherhood, open adoption discussions, coping with miscarriage, family support networks, Jodi Mitchel Tolman, Adoption, Donor Egg, IUI, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, resilience, One from Each Column, Parenting, family dynamics, communication, personal boundaries, support, birth mother, origin story, secondary infertility, normalizing conversations

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Matt’s Journey: "I'm doing everything I possibly can to make sure her name never gets lost"

Tue, 27 May 2025 09:45:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, Matt Smith, founder of Wandering Soul Beer Company, shares his personal experience with stillbirth and how this profound loss directly inspired the creation of his brewery and its flagship beer, Melody Maker. Matt and his wife Abby were expecting their first child and had just purchased their first house when their journey took a tragic turn when their daughter, Melody, passed away at 35 and a half weeks gestation. Adding to the trauma of losing Melody, Abby had to undergo emergency surgery after Melody was delivered. Matt recounts being in the hospital, seeing Abby taken away, and wondering if he would ever see her again. This “double whammy sort of situation” left both he and Abby feeling broken and unsure where to turn. In the days and weeks following, Matt and Abby found help through friends, family, hospital teams, others who had experienced stillbirth, and AllPaths (then Resolve New England). Matt acknowledged how difficult it was to take the first step in seeking support and how isolating it all felt when some family and friends said nothing because they were afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Matt explains that his experience with Melody is directly tied to his work with Wandering Soul. His main beer, Melody Maker, is dedicated to her, with the story printed on the can. Creating Wandering Soul has allowed him to process many of his feelings, even though he sometimes feels like an "alien" in the typically "fun and happy beer" world. This unexpected platform has reached many people, prompting them to reach out with their own stories of grief and loss. Matt shares how he has realized the importance of being honest about how he is doing, contrasting it with a societal tendency to avoid talking about sadness, and is committed to honoring his daughter's memory, while raising awareness and normalizing discussions around grief through his openness with their story.

As Matt discusses how he and Abby continued to grow their family, the conversation underscores that grief is not linear and does not disappear just because they have gone on to have two living daughters. Matt and Abby make sure to talk about Melody with her sisters, acknowledging that she is just as much a part of their family as they are. By being open about Melody within their family and the larger community, Matt hopes he is helping to normalize conversations about grief and family building struggles, encouraging others to find community and realize they are not alone.

Connect with Matt at https://wanderingsoulbeer.com/story/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss, stillbirth, maternal near miss, grief, loss, communal grief, community support, hypervigilance, trauma response, family building support, pregnancy loss resources, stillbirth awareness, grieving process, parenting after loss, community support for families, emotional healing through grief, stories of loss and recovery, family building journeys, support for grieving parents, mental health and parenting, coping with stillbirth, raising awareness of pregnancy loss, Wandering Soul beer, grief and trauma response, connecting through shared experiences, navigating family building challenges, honoring lost children, pregnancy after loss, support for fathers in grief

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Shannon’s Journey: "This Is Your Body, This Is Your Life"

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we welcome guest Shannon Cook to share her journey. Shannon recounts her experience navigating fertility struggles, including early attempts at conception, misdiagnoses like hydrosalpinx and stage three endometriosis, and multiple miscarriages. Despite feeling defeated at times, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and trusting your intuition throughout the process. Shannon's journey ultimately led her to IVF, surgery to address a tubal issue she suspected early on, and finally, a successful transfer. She shares openly about the emotional rollercoaster of IVF, the impact of the journey on her relationships, and the process of grieving her losses. Currently ending her second trimester of pregnancy, Shannon talks about resilience, self-care, and finding community throughout her journey.

Shannon also discusses practical aspects of coping, such as the pitfalls of relying too heavily on Dr. Google or even ChatGPT for emotional support, and the importance of setting boundaries on information seeking. She talks about how taking mindful breaks and engaging in activities unrelated to the fertility journey have helped her maintain a sense of self. Shannon has also found it helpful to get involved in fertility advocacy work, starting with sharing her story in small circles like her yoga classes and aiming for broader conversations and larger advocacy events to break down the stigma surrounding fertility challenges.

Connect with Shannon on Instagram @shannoncookyoga

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Family Building, Fertility Journey, Fertility Struggles, Fertility Challenges, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, Hydrosalpinx, Endometriosis, Misdiagnosis, IVF, In Vitro Fertilization, Egg Retrieval, Embryo Transfer, Euploid Embryo, Surgery, Self-Advocacy ,Trust Your Intuition , Grief, Processing Loss, Relationships, Partner Support, Friendship Support, Family Support , Coping Mechanisms, Therapy, Mindfulness, Anxiety, Information Overload, Dr. Google, ChatGPT, Setting Boundaries, Advocacy, Stigma, Community, Support, Resilience, Self-Care, Not Rare, Not Shameful, Don't Compare Yourself, Ask Questions, Dr. Bortoletto, Boston IVF, Dr. Jessica Zucker, "I Had a Miscarriage", IVF journey, fertility struggles, infertility support, emotional support, reproductive health, self-advocacy, fertility challenges, endometriosis awareness, community support, mental health during pregnancy, coping with miscarriage, fertility education, mindful practices, family growth stories, women's health advocacy, navigating fertility treatments, holistic family building, fertility yoga

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Lauren C's Journey: IVF Finds a Way to Humble You

Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This episode features Lauren Hart Clancy, a perinatal advocate, AllPaths peer group leader, parent through IVF, and co-chair of the 2025 Footsteps for Family Building Walk. Lauren shares her journey through multiple IVF cycles, a delayed male-factor infertility diagnosis, and health complications after an egg retrieval. Throughout the conversation, Lauren talks about the vital role of emotional support and finding community, highlighting the significant impact a supportive provider and the AllPaths community had in the journey to her second son. A longtime educator and advocate focused on maternal and child health, Lauren shares how she transitioned from being a participant in support groups to becoming an AllPaths group leader, helping others navigate their own transition to pregnancy and parenthood after a complex family building journey. She also discusses her advocacy work with the Boston Chapter of Chamber of Mothers, focusing on the need for systemic support for families via affordable childcare, paid leave, and improving maternal health outcomes and emphasizing that the journey to parenthood is not just a personal struggle but a societal issue as well.

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @VillageAdvocate and at the Boston chapter of Chamber of Mothers at https://chamberofmothers.com/ or by emailing bostonchapter@chamberofmothers.com.

And join Lauren this fall at our Footsteps for Family Building Walk - sign up at https://bit.ly/FootstepsforFamilyBuilding2025.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Public health advocate, volunteer, peer group leader, 2025 Footsteps for Family Building Walk, fertility testing, male factor infertility, depression, anxiety, grief, shame, fertility treatment, IVF, PGT-A testing, pregnancy loss, biochemical pregnancy, testicular extraction, expecting after infertility and/or loss, parenting after infertility/loss, therapy, community support, Chamber of Mothers, accessible childcare, maternal health, paid family medical leave, family building, fertility journey, IVF support, emotional support for families, parenting after infertility, reproductive health, male factor infertility, fertility treatment options, community support for parents, mental health in family building, coping with pregnancy loss, advocacy for parents, infertility awareness, maternal health advocacy, peer support networks, AllPaths Family Building, navigating fertility challenges, emotional resilience in parenting, finding the right fertility clinic, family planning resources

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Lauren D’s Journey: Our family is now complete to what WE define as complete

Tue, 06 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we speak with Lauren Delaney, a co-chair for AllPaths’ annual Footsteps for Family Building Walk. Lauren shares about the roads she and her husband Ryan travelled to build their family. Ryan faced significant health issues including two kidney transplants, so together Lauren and Ryan navigated fertility preservation, fertility treatment, and multiple losses. They recognize the toll this journey can have on mental health and relationships. Now parenting two "rainbow babies" conceived through IVF, Lauren shares how she found healing and community by helping others. At her former workplace, she started the Pathways to Parenthood employee resource group to provide a safe space for colleagues who were navigating family building challenges, which led to increased fertility coverage and pregnancy loss bereavement leave. Lauren’s own experiences have led her to be an enthusiastic advocate for the importance of community when facing a difficult journey and finding people who will sit with you during challenging times.

Join Lauren this fall at our Footsteps for Family Building Walk! Sign up at https://bit.ly/FootstepsforFamilyBuilding2025.

Learn more about Lauren's employee resource group and how you can advocate for family building support in your workplace at https://allpathsfb.org/family-building-support-at-work/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility support, IVF journey, emotional health, parenting challenges, fertility treatment, family growth, mental health during IVF, couples therapy, coping with infertility, family planning, reproductive health, fertility resources, support groups for parents, navigating IVF, relationship during fertility treatment, family building community, pregnancy loss support, fertility awareness, personal stories of IVF, Footsteps for Family Building Walk, kidney transplants, health complications, Sperm Banking, fertility preservation, IVF, miscarriages, Chemical Pregnancies, Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) Procedure, employee resource group, Pathways to Parenthood, Workplace Policy Changes, increased fertility coverage,pregnancy loss, bereavement leave

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Dr. Styer’s Journey: It's a privilege to be part of my patients' stories.

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 07:30:00 -0400

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Aaron Styer, a reproductive endocrinologist, medical director of CCRM Boston, and AllPaths Board Member. Dr. Styer shares his professional journey into fertility medicine, sparked by his grandmother and mother who were both nurses, and a desire to build meaningful relationships with patients. The discussion covers what patients should consider when visiting a fertility specialist for the first time, how to approach second opinions, and the sensitive process of discussing alternative family-building options like donor conception. Dr. Styer emphasizes the emotional challenges of infertility, including loss, anxiety, and loneliness, advocating for open communication and acknowledging these feelings alongside medical considerations. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Styer underscores the importance of maintaining an open mind and a flexible approach, reminding listeners that while the journey to parenthood may not always follow a straight path, there are many avenues to explore.

LINKS:

CCRM Boston: https://www.ccrmivf.com/boston/ccrm-chestnut-hill-office/

Want to get in touch with Dr. Styer? Email admin@allpathsfb.org and we’ll pass your message along!

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Reproductive endocrinologist, CCRM Boston, fertility treatment, infertility, Vanderbilt, medical school, maternity, obgyn, birth, patient support, empowerment, family building, fertility preservation, cancer and fertility, gender transition, fertility benefits, egg freezing, IVF, embryo transfers, fertility testing, second opinion, first appointment, treatment cycle, donor conception, adoption, loss, grief, anxiety, loneliness, jealousy, mental health support

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Erin and Stephen's Journey: For Some People, It's Not a Straight Line From A to B

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 07:30:00 -0400

This episode featuring Erin, a longtime AllPaths group leader, and her husband Stephen offers a raw and unfiltered look at their decade-long struggle with infertility and it’s emotional toll. From the early days of excitement and expectation to the stark realization that building their family would not be as straightforward as they had hoped, Erin and Stephen share the pivotal moments in their journey, including their experiences with fertility treatments, the heartache of miscarriages, and the eventual decision to move forward with direct egg donation.

Through their story, they highlight the importance of finding support, being educated patients, and connecting with others who have walked similar roads before you to combat the isolation that can often accompany infertility. Each piece of their experience reveals the complexities of hope, loss, and resilience, ultimately leading them to embrace the understanding that there are many paths to parenthood and every family's path is different.

LINKS:

Connect with Erin at www.erinchrusciel.com/ThisIsTrying

Join AllPaths Donor Conception Peer Support Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

infertility support, family building journey, donor egg process, IUI, IVF, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, infertility, emotional support, infertility resources, navigating infertility, peer support groups, donor egg, parenting after IVF, parenting donor conceived children, fertility clinics, understanding ovarian reserve, diminished ovarian reserve, personal stories of infertility, mental health in family building, support for couples, known donor, donor conception, donor egg IVF, community support, peer groups

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Annie and Gene’s Journey: From Infertility to Innovation

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Annie and Gene Carelli, a married couple and licensed Pharmacists from the Philadelphia area, join us to share their family’s story and the inspiring way they turned their challenges into a resource for others navigating fertility treatment. After unsuccessfully trying to conceive on their own, Annie and Gene were diagnosed with unexplained infertility and entered the world of fertility treatment. Initially thinking their pharmaceutical background would make the process easier, Annie and Gene were surprised by the challenges they faced, particularly Annie's mental block when it came to self-administering IVF injections. After the birth of their first daughter, Gene volunteered at their clinic, biking around South Philadelphia to help close the gap in medication and administration education and support for local patients.

The overwhelming demand for their services led them to recruit some local friends who were RNs and officially launch Fertility Home Care around the same time their second daughter was born. Passionate about patient education, Annie and Gene’s goals are reducing stress, medication preparation and administration errors so that patients can focus on other demanding aspects of the IVF process with comfortability and a good mindset. Throughout the conversation, Annie and Gene discuss not only the technical aspects of fertility treatments, but also emotional burden that accompanies fertility treatments and the need for open dialogue and support around these issues.

Connect with Annie and Gene at https://fertilityhc.com/ and @fertilityhc on social media.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, infertility, unexplained infertility, IUI, IVF, OHSS, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pharmacist, medication, injections, family building, infertility journey, IVF support, fertility clinic resources, emotional support during IVF, navigating infertility, IUI experiences, natural cycle IVF, IVF injection training, fertility home care, couple's fertility journey, overcoming infertility challenges, support for infertility, infertility community, personal stories of IVF, coping with miscarriage, fertility medications,

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Rebecca’s Journey: “This is right for me and right for my family.”

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we’re joined by Rebecca Daddio, LCSW PMH-C and AllPaths peer group leader to hear about her personal and professional journey through the complexities of family building. Rebecca shares her experiences with unsuccessful fertility treatments, pregnancy loss, the path that led to donor conception and, after the birth of her son, the decision to remain a one-child family. Throughout the journey, Rebecca quickly realized the value of various support systems and resources she utilized, including therapy, yoga, meditation apps, and acupuncture. Her personal experiences ultimately led Rebecca to a fulfilling career as a certified perinatal therapist supporting other individuals and families facing similar struggles through her private practice in Connecticut and her involvement with AllPaths Family Building and Postpartum Support International.

LINKS:

Connect with Rebecca at https://www.rebeccadaddiolcsw.com/

Join Rebecca at AllPaths’ One and No Longer Trying for Another Peer Support Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, fertility journey, donor conception, IVF support, IUI process, emotional support for parents, unexplained infertility, donor egg IVF, donor egg, one and not longer trying for another, one and done not by choice, peer support groups, perinatal social work, coping strategies for parents, mental health and motherhood, resources for fertility challenges, community support in family building, navigating infertility, overcoming fertility obstacles, parenting after infertility, therapy for fertility issues, understanding donor egg process, family planning support, AllPaths Family Building, volunteer, peer group leader,

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Karen’s Journey: “I was so focused on being pregnant that I lost sight of wanting to be a mom.”

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:24:00 -0400

This episode features an in-depth discussion with Karen about her journey through infertility and adoption. She openly shares the challenges she faced, including the emotional toll of successful fertility treatments, the impact that family building struggles can have on relationships, and how she determined adoption was the best path for her family. As Karen recounts her experience of matching with her daughter’s birth mother and the emotional intricacies of that relationship, she emphasizes the importance of having a support system, whether through friends, family, online communities, or support groups, and the importance of staying open to all possibilities as you navigate the twists and turns of your journey.

Visit Karen at Possibili Teas in Bridgewater, MA.

Learn about AllPaths’ Adoption Support Group at https://allpathsfb.org/support/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Massachusetts, infertility, fertility treatment, IUI, unexplained infertility, mental health support, access to care, fertility testing, polyps, relationships, fertility insurance coverage, adoption, adoption agency, birth parent, closed adoption, Georgia, hope, grief, family and friends, community support, Instagram, therapy, family building, infertility support, adoption journey, emotional support in infertility, navigating family growth, IVF experiences, fertility treatment options, coping with infertility, community support for families, personal adoption stories, family growth challenges, mental health in family building, infertility awareness, support groups for infertility, family building resources, understanding infertility, adoption process explained, building a family through adoption, stories of hope in infertility, supporting families in transition

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Marissa’s Journey: Reproductive plans should never be small talk

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:08:00 -0400

In this episode, Marissa Hathaway, MPH, Doula, and owner of The Lemon Grove, delves into her background and her transition from global health to becoming a full-time doula. Recounting her challenges with infertility, including the grief of losing pregnancies while supporting other families during their births, Marissa highlights the importance of having a support system, both personally and professionally. We discuss how crucial it is to have open conversations about challenging fertility and family building experiences, the importance of compassionate care and understanding in clinical settings, and the impact a dedicated support system can have during difficult times.

Connect with Marissa at https://www.thelemongrove.care/ or on Instagram @the.lemon.grove

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, infertility support, doula services, endometriosis awareness, reproductive health, pregnancy loss, miscarriage support, IVF, IVF journey, emotional support during infertility, maternal health advocacy, fertility counseling, parenting after loss, trauma-informed care, fertility resources, pregnancy after loss, twin pregnancy, community support for infertility, family planning options, self-care in infertility, navigating pregnancy challenges, support for expectant parents

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Lea’s Journey: “I hadn't felt like I had belonged in the infertility community before.”

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:43:00 -0400

Today’s episode features AllPaths volunteer Lea, a Boston-based biotech professional and leader of our Trying for Another Peer Support Group. After months of trying to conceive, Lea was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, which cast doubt on her ability to have biological children. She recounts navigating her options, including IVF and adoption, and her experiences with the adoption process, IUI, IVF, and an ectopic pregnancy. Lea also discusses the emotional toll those experiences took on her relationships and mental health and the feelings of guilt and anger that arose, especially after she went back to fertility treatments when her first child was six-months old, trying to balance her existing responsibilities with her desire to grow her family. Leah's story highlights the importance of community and support, and how she found her people at AllPaths.

Join Lea for AllPaths' Trying for Another Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support/

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, secondary infertility, fertility treatment, low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, IUI, IVF, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, grief, anger, sibling age gap, pregnancy announcements, peer support, community support, support groups, family building support, infertility journey, IVF experiences, trying for another group, peer support for parents, emotional challenges of parenting, family expansion, navigating fertility treatments, low AMH awareness, coping with fertility struggles, community for parents, fertility podcast, managing family planning, resources for infertility, mental health in family building, support for growing families, coping with pregnancy loss, navigating relationships during infertility, understanding reproductive health

Megan’s Journey: Becoming Parents After Cancer Was Worth the Wait

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:15:00 -0400

Megan Scherer joins us to share her family's journey through cancer and infertility, which then led to the creation of the nonprofit organization, Worth the Wait. After her husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer, they faced numerous challenges in starting their family. Megan discusses the importance of fertility preservation and the support they received, which ultimately led to the birth of their son. Inspired by their family’s experience, Megan and Mike founded Worth the Wait to help others facing similar battles. The organization aims to provide education on oncofertility, advocate for better awareness and support for young cancer survivors, and offer financial assistance to those needing help with fertility preservation and family building.

Megan and Mike started Worth the Wait, a 501c3, after their personal experience with cancer and infertility. They turned their adversity into a national charity that helps cancer survivors keep the hope of parenthood alive through financial assistance programs, advocacy work and oncofertility education. Being parents to their son Elliott is their greatest joy!

LINKS:

Connect with Worth the Wait: https://worththewaitcharity.com/, on social media @worththewaitcharity

Get support through AllPaths’ Cancer & Fertility Group: allpathsfb.org/support

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Cancer, cancer survivor, testicular cancer, fertility preservation, fertility treatment, infertility, IUI, IVF, insurance coverage, access to care, cost of care, Ohio, Worth the Wait Charity, young adult cancer survivors, oncofertility, oncofertility education, advocacy, financial support, financial assistance, grants, adolescent cancer patients, young adult cancer survivors, surrogacy, adoption, fertility preservation coverage, Alliance for Fertility Preservation, cryopreservation, emergency preservation grants, family building grants, community support, social media, support, for family and friends, what not to say

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kerry’s Journey: "How do I feel hope and trust in my body?"

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode we speak with Kerry Hinds about her family-building journey and her work as a fertility yoga teacher. Kerry shares her journey, struggling to conceive and navigating fertility treatment in a foreign country, the emotional challenges and losses she faced, and the unexpected experience of becoming pregnant without intervention. Kerry also shared how yoga became her lifeline during difficult times and how she developed her unique approach to fertility yoga, incorporating restorative poses, gentle movements, and community support to help manage stress and connect with your body during a challenging family building journey. In addition to her virtual yoga studio Fertile Body Yoga, Kerry shares about her other projects, including her podcast Fringe Fertility, fertility yoga teacher training, and an upcoming in-person fertility retreat in Hillsborough, NH in April 2025.

Kerry Hinds is the owner and founder of Fertile Body Yoga, a virtual yoga studio that is dedicated to supporting women navigating their fertility journey - whatever it may look like. She offers both livestream and on-demand Fertility Yoga Classes and Small Group Programs that embrace the complete journey - physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, spiritually, and socially.

Kerry has been teaching yoga for 20 years and has been specializing in fertility yoga for 8 years. Her classes and offerings are Informed by her own experiences with pregnancy loss, years of IVF, and eventually completing her family with 2 children. Kerry has supported 1000’s of women on their fertility journeys so far and is on a mission to help people conceive and birth with yoga and community. Kerry also hosts Fringe Fertility - a podcast that highlights supportive fertility practices beyond the doctor’s office.

LINKS:

Fertile Body Yoga: www.fertilebodyyoga.com

Retreat Information: https://www.justine-cohen.com/onfertileground

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Boston, Washington, Germany, fertility treatment, IUI, IVF, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, chemical pregnancy, D&C, trust, hope, affordable fertility treatment, fresh transfer, frozen embryo transfer, stopping treatment, mental load, spontaneous pregnancy, psychosocial support, yoga, restorative yoga, regulating the nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, stress, fight or flight, pelvic floor, opening the pelvis, prenatal yoga, postpartum yoga, fertility yoga, slow flow yoga, mindful movements, community support, spiritual practice, fertility retreat, Bethel Farms, New Hampshire, sauna, yoga class, reiki, meditation, massage, farm to table, spirit babies, conscious conception, rewilding, mercier therapy, minimalist fertility, fertility yoga, family building, emotional support fertility, holistic fertility journey, IVF experiences, fertility wellness, prenatal yoga, yoga for stress relief, coping with infertility, fertility community, mindful movement yoga, reproductive health, yoga teacher training, fertility retreats, overcoming infertility, mental health in fertility, fertility yoga classes, natural conception support, yoga for women, fertility journey support

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Ginanne’s Journey: Children should never feel like there was something shameful or weird about how they were born

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, London-based American author and journalist Ginanne Brownell recounts her challenging journey of infertility, miscarriage, donor conception, and gestational surrogacy. Now parent to twins born in 2018, Ginanne’s personal experience navigating the intricate legal landscape of surrogacy made her a committed family building advocate, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of surrogacy, its ethical dimensions, and the importance of inclusive legislation like the the Michigan Family Protection Act that she helped craft which was signed into law in April 2024. Ginanne’s book, Elusive Mommyhood: An Investigative Reporter’s Personal Journey into IVF and Surrogacy, encapsulates her journey and the broader context of surrogacy, aiming to educate and empower those considering this path to parenthood and honor and uplift the voices of the adult children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies.

LINKS:

Connect with Ginanne on Instagram @elusive.mommyhood

Read Elusive Mommyhood: https://ginannebrownell.com/elusive-mommyhood/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

author, advocate, journalist, Michigan, London, Elusive Mommyhood, fertility treatment, IVF, surrogacy, donor sperm, miscarriage, egg freezing, unexplained infertility, gestational carrier, donor egg, donor conception, intended parents, twin pregnancy, twins, pre-birth order, parentage, parental order, history of surrogacy, global surrogacy, compensated surrogacy, surrogacy contracts, Michigan Fertility Alliance, fertility healthcare, Center for Reproductive Rights, assisted reproduction, Family Equality, ethical surrogacy, international surrogacy, equity, grassroots advocacy, family building, surrogacy journey, IVF experiences, infertility support, surrogacy laws, fertility healthcare, ethical surrogacy, parenting through surrogacy, gestational carriers, family advocacy, emotional journey of surrogacy, surrogacy success stories, navigating infertility, surrogacy in the US, challenges of surrogacy, surrogacy and legal issues, personal stories of surrogacy, surrogacy book release, surrogacy and parenthood

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Jillian’s Journey: You’re young and healthy, just try again!

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This episode features Jillian, an ER/ICU RN, Organ Donation Coordinator, and Nursing Supervisor/Educator and AllPaths peer group leader, whose journey includes unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF, and pregnancy after infertility and loss. Jillian's professional background offers her a unique perspective on fertility treatment and reproductive healthcare care, while her personal experiences often highlighted the stark contrast between medical insight and the emotional complexities of navigating grief and the need for understanding and support within the healthcare system. As Jillian recounts her journey to this point, we also explore the anxiety that is familiar to many who have experienced loss and the discussion turns to the importance of not only finding compassionate and understanding healthcare providers, but to the crucial role of a supportive community throughout the whole process.

Visit https://allpathsfb.org/support/ to join Jillian for one of AllPaths' Primary Pregnancy Loss Support Groups.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Nursing, RN, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, recurrent pregnancy loss, grief, relationships, unexplained infertility, IVF, genetic testing, fertility insurance coverage, fertility insurance, lack of control, fear, anxiety, guilt, mental health support, therapy, spontaneous pregnancy, expecting after loss, healthcare, postpartum challenges, community support, insurance consultation, support groups, peer support, primary pregnancy loss, volunteer, toxic positivity, family building, pregnancy loss, IVF journey, emotional support, infertility struggles, miscarriage awareness, reproductive health, parenting after loss, therapy for infertility, compassionate care, support groups, peer support, navigating healthcare, mental health during pregnancy, coping with miscarriage, community for parents, emotional wellbeing in fertility, understanding pregnancy loss, finding a supportive OB, journey to parenthood

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Annie's Journey: "Something I've always felt really grateful for is how wanted I was from the very start."

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:37:00 -0400

In this episode, we sit down with Annie, an ENT resident with a unique perspective on medicine, identity, and family. Born to two moms through donor insemination, Annie shares how she always knew she was deeply wanted.

We explore her journey as a donor-conceived person, her evolving thoughts on connecting with her donor father and 20 half-siblings, and how her experience shapes her medical approach. Highlighted throughout is the importance of openness and transparency in donor conception, both within families and from donors themselves. Annie also sheds light on the gaps between what healthcare professionals are taught and what patients actually feel—especially in the world of fertility, and LGBTQ+ family building.

Join us for a heartfelt and insightful conversation on identity, belonging, and the diverse ways in which families are formed.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Donor conceived person, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ fertility, LGBTQ+ family building, same-sex family, fertility treatment, donor insemination, donor sperm, fertility treatment, donor siblings, family building, donor conception, LGBTQ family, sperm donor, family diversity, adoption stories, fertility journey, medical training and family, openness in parenting, intentional parenting, family support, donor insemination, half siblings, transparency in donor conception, family dynamics, emotional support for families, Jewish sperm donors, navigating family structures, fertility awareness, parenting advice

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Joe’s Journey: “There’s nothing elective about infertility”

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:28:00 -0400

Advocate, founder of Grain Fertility, and father through IVF, Joe Cody shares his family's journey which spanned four years and included multiple failed cycles and significant financial burdens. We explore the emotional and practical challenges faced by families navigating infertility, the immense impact that proactive conversations with extended family - or a lack thereof - can have on a growing family, and the systemic issues within healthcare that complicate fertility treatments.

Joe also shares about his work since infertility, channeling his experiences into helping others navigate the complexities of infertility and advocating for accessible resources, equitable access to care, and supportive communities.

Joe Cody is an IVF dad who has worked on health care policy and advocacy since 2008. He founded Grain Fertility after he and his wife went through a nearly 4 year journey to have their daughter and his wife used a 3-ring binder she put together to help keep their fertility journey organized. He is an active volunteer with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and served as the co-chair for National Advocacy Day in 2020 and 2021. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his amazingly supportive wife, their 4 year old daughter, and their rescue dog, Fuskie.

LINKS:

Learn about Grain Fertility: https://www.grainfertility.com/

IG @joecody5

Join advocates across the US for RESOLVE Advocacy Day 2025: https://resolve.org/events/advocacy-day/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, IVF, one and no longer trying for another, therapy, mental health support, advocacy, RESOLVE, Advocacy Day, access to care, cost of care, reproductive health care, assisted reproductive technology, Grain Fertility, patient advocacy, care coordination, IVF journey, infertility support, family building, fertility advocacy, emotional toll of infertility, fertility treatment options, navigating IVF, patient advocacy in fertility, financial aspects of IVF, sharing infertility stories, mental health and infertility, hormone testing and fertility, family planning challenges, infertility awareness, personal experiences with IVF, fertility clinics, support networks for infertility, coping with infertility, growth through adversity, Grain Fertility app

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

LaMone’s Journey: I Became What I Needed

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 08:49:00 -0400

LaMone Downey Leonard, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Founder and CEO of Rising Hope Counseling and Wellness joins us to discuss her family building journey. Her mission is to create safe and supportive healing spaces for those experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, life transitions, perinatal mental health, and reproductive trauma including fertility and pregnancy and infant loss. LaMone hopes to continue to normalize the act of seeking support and to spread the message that everyone deserves their happiness and healing. LaMone talks about her recurrent pregnancy loss and navigating the feelings of grief following infant loss.

LaMone hopes to continue to normalize the act of seeking support and to spread the message that everyone deserves their happiness and healing. She earned her BS in Sociology from Cornell University and her MSW from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. She is a Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Advocate, Fertility Advocate, a Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT-200), Double Dutch Aerobics Instructor & Groove.

LINKS:

Connect with LaMone: https://www.risinghopecw.com/

Fertility and Loss Resources for the BIPOC Community

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Chemical pregnancy; fibroids; blocked tubes; PCOS; fertility treatment; IVF; loss; recurrent pregnancy loss; second trimester loss; mental health; anxiety; depression; grief; self-care; therapy; faith; pregnancy and infant loss; BIPOC; trauma; LICSW; social work; Rising Hope; PAIL; advocacy; pregnancy loss leave; self-care; mind-body; doula support; community support;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Alison’s Journey: “My heart was missing a piece and it was you.”

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

A Connecticut native who now calls Massachusetts home, Alison is a second-grade teacher and solo parent of one. Alison walks us along her path to becoming a single mother by choice, recurrent pregnancy losses, the grief of not being able to give her son a sibling, and coping with the range of emotions associated with knowing this was not how she had ever envisioned growing her family. Alison also opens up about the reality of parenting without a partner and her struggle with feeling like she has to do it all, while emphasizing the importance of a supportive community throughout the whole journey.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Single mother by choice, single parent, fertility treatment, donor conception, donor sperm, IUI, IVF, ICSI, genetic testing, PGT testing, insurance coverage, insurance appeal, therapy, chemical pregnancy, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, D&C, grief, anger, recurrent pregnancy loss, RPL, pregnancy loss leave, pregnancy after loss, trying for another, blighted ovum, one and not longer trying for another, solo parenting

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Janene's Journey: “Everyone is deserving of a family.”

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Join us as we explore Janene Oleaga’s work as a family formation attorney and reproductive rights advocate. Janene's deeply held belief that everyone deserves a family is reflected in her commitment to guiding families through various family building pathways such as adoption, surrogacy, and more. Throughout the episode, Janene's passion for advocacy shines as she discusses her role in shaping positive changes in Maine's laws, illustrating how grassroots efforts can lead to significant shifts in societal attitudes towards family building. With a focus on community and support, Janene emphasizes the importance of finding a support system while navigating the complexities of family building. This heartfelt conversation highlights not only personal stories of resilience, but also the collective efforts to ensure that all families, regardless of their paths, are recognized and protected.

Janene Oleaga, Esq. (she/her) is a fertility lawyer and reproductive rights advocate assisting individuals and couples pursuing reproductive arrangements including surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, embryo donation, embryo disposition, pre-birth and post-birth judgments of parentage, and adoption matters including confirmatory adoption and step parent or second parent adoptions. Janene founded Oleaga Law LLC from the premise that all individuals have the right to a family regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.

Janene, a board member of AllPaths Family Building and the BIVF Foundation, was awarded 40 Under 40 by Maine Business Journal in recognition of her reproductive rights advocacy efforts in Maine. She has been a legal resource to Out magazine, The Today Show, SHAPE, Above the Law, Good Housekeeping, Refinery29, and more. Janene is also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Legal Professional Group, the ABA Assisted Reproduction and Adoption Committee, National LGBTQ Bar Association, Men Having Babies, and more.

Janene is licensed in Maine, New York, and New Hampshire, with experience representing clients for intrastate arrangements, interstate arrangements, and international arrangements.

LINKS:

Janene’s practice Oleaga Law LLC https://www.mainereproductionlawyer.com/

Learn more about ASRM/RESOLVE Advocacy Day 2025: https://resolve.org/events/advocacy-day/

Shop AllPaths gear w/Overseasoned Amy: https://bit.ly/restore_reproductive_liberty_collection

Portland Press Herald Op Ed, Nov. 1, 2023: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/11/01/maine-voices-we-love-our-children-but-we-love-our-guns-more/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family formation attorney, family formation law, Maine, New York, reproductive rights advocacy, family building, fertility journey, infertility, assisted reproduction, egg donation, sperm donation, embryo donation, genetic material, surrogacy, LGBTQ+ family formation, LGBTQ+ family planning, adoption, legal parentage, confirmatory adoption, GLAD Law, fertility insurance, ASRM, RESOLVE, Advocacy Day, federal advocacy, state advocacy, Overseasoned Amy, Matriarch, Maine Biz 40 under 40, personhood, parental rights, estate planning, marriage equality, fertility legislation, inclusive family law, navigating infertility, personal stories of fertility, community support for family building, obstacles in family planning

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kate’s Journey: Celebrating 10 years as Executive Director of AllPaths Family Building

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Kate Weldon LeBlanc, Executive Director of AllPaths Family Building, shares her journey of an unexplained infertility diagnosis, loss, and her path to parenthood. With fertility treatment, Kate and her husband Joe successfully became pregnant with their now high school senior, Sophie. Kate discusses the emotional, mental, and social tolls of infertility and the impact that her own family building journey had on her career, leading her to AllPaths (then Resolve New England) 10 years ago.

Over the past decade, Kate has not only led with unwavering dedication but also inspired a bold new era of family building, where inclusivity and emotional support are at the forefront. From every community member who has been fortunate enough to witness her compassion and dedication firsthand, to the thousands across New England and beyond who have been impacted by her passionate advocacy work, Kate's vision and commitment have shaped our organization's growth and success.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, fertility treatment, unexplained infertility, IUI, IVF, fertility insurance coverage, secondary infertility, pregnancy loss, one and no longer trying for another, grief, advocacy, ASRM, community, collaboration, reproductive health, reproductive health care, Resolve New England, AllPaths Family Building

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Danielle’s Journey: “I’m not interested in miracle stories anymore.”

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Danielle shares her story of trying to conceive over 40, navigating fertility treatment, donor egg IVF, and the anxiety of becoming pregnant after years of failed cycles. Over the course of the conversation, we chat about navigating boundaries while family building, the difference your mindset can make, self-empowerment and her inspiration to become an AllPaths Peer Support Group leader.

Danielle is a PhD scientist, academic researcher, published author, college professor, gymnastics coach, yoga teacher, CrossFit coach, pharmaceutical and biotech medical professional, leader, mentor, people-manager, women’s health researcher and advocate, fertility patient, sexual assault survivor, collegiate and master’s athlete, wife, friend, sister, aunt, teammate, speaker, writer, and of course, WARRIOR. More important than these labels, she defines herself by her values and beliefs. Her core belief is that humans have infinite capacity to change, and that change starts with self-awareness and acknowledgment that although we may not be in control of our circumstances, we are in control of how we react to those circumstances.

Read Danielle’s article in the AllPaths Magazine: https://allpathsfb.org/reclaiming-our-power-amidst-endless-uncertainty/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

TTC over 40; fertility treatment; IVF; donor conception; donor egg; DEIVF; toxic positivity; navigating boundaries; relationships; pregnancy after infertility; peer support; support groups

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Stephanie’s Journey: I needed someone to say, “You had a baby, he passed away. Do you miss him?”

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Propa City Community Outreach founder Stephanie Crawford shares her family story, from the heartbreaking loss of her first son at 39 weeks to finding purpose in her pain by supporting others impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. Through her work as an educator, doula, and advocate, Stephanie’s work with “loss families” helps them advocate for positive healing for themselves and their communities.

Stephanie is an early childhood educator in the Boston public school system, a full-spectrum doula, children’s author, as well as a well-known pregnancy and infant loss grief support advocate. She is the founder and principal of Propa City Community Outreach, whose mission is to support families in the community who have experienced loss to navigate the healing process. She has partnered with local hospitals to develop strategies for supporting birthing people who experience loss as well as those with a history of pregnancy or birth-related trauma. Stephanie is the mother to angel Simeon and rainbow baby Amani and the godmother to 19 beautiful children of various ages.

Connect with Propa City Community Outreach: https://www.propacityco.org/

Learn more about Belle Jolie Doula Services: https://www.stephknowsbest.com/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss; infant loss; stillbirth; grief; loss; healing; mental health; anxiety; pregnancy after loss; rainbow baby; doula support; full-spectrum doula; faith; therapy; postpartum anxiety; support group; loss support; Propa City Community Outreach; community support; advocacy;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Jen’s Journey: “Families are built on love.”

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0400

A born and raised New Yorker, social worker Jen Rachman shares her family’s story from an ovarian cancer diagnosis that sadly left her infertile in her 20s, to the decision that surrogacy was the best route for her and her husband to grow their family. With the help of their agency, their surrogate, and their egg donor, they had their son 12 years ago.

Jen’s experience was so positive that it launched a new career path and she now works for Circle Surrogacy, the agency she used to grow her family. Her role is to assist and support intended parents who are exploring surrogacy to learn about the process and the services that are provided. She welcomes you to contact her for more information about building your family through surrogacy and/or egg donation at jrachman@circlesurrogacy.com.

Learn more about Circle Surrogacy: https://www.circlesurrogacy.com/

Connect with Stupid Cancer: https://stupidcancer.org/

Join AllPaths’ Cancer and Fertility Support Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Cancer; ovarian cancer; survivor; young adult survivor; grief; loss; fertility treatment; intended parents; gestational carrier; surrogacy; donor conception; donor egg; parenting support; fertility preservation; mental health; social work; surrogacy agency; egg donation; peer support; support group; cancer and fertility;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Liane’s Journey: “I think we’ve just been fired by our IVF doctor!”

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Liane Moccia’s story encompasses an infertility diagnosis, becoming a parent via IVF, as well as how her personal journey sparked a passion for holistic fertility support and a new career. Now a Registered Clinical Herbalist specializing in fertility and preconception planning, Liane highlights some of her favorite herbs to support optimal fertility and a healthy pregnancy. She shares some favorite resources for anyone building their family, including her work with clients and her role as an AllPaths Peer Support Group leader.

Liane is a Boston-based Registered Herbalist, RH(AHG) helping people prepare for pregnancy and take charge of their fertility by coming up with a clear plan including herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle change. Liane’s own infertility diagnosis led her to the healing power of plants and ultimately a career change after the birth of her twin daughters to help others on similar journeys. Liane spent 20 years in corporate marketing before returning to school to study herbalism. After becoming a certified herbalist, she was accepted as a peer-reviewed registered professional herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild.

Explore Liane’s content in the AllPaths Resource Library

Connect with Liane: https://lianemoccia.com/

IG @lianemoccia

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment; IVF; infertility; egg health; sperm health; holistic support; acupuncture; herbs; adaptogens; mind-body; wellness; pregnancy; community support; peer support;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Julie’s Journey: It began several states ago.

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Founder of Building Military Families Network, Julie Eshelman shares about her ongoing family building journey, one that spans many years and states, highlighting the unique challenges that military families often face. We also hear about Julie’s rise as a leader in the community through her non-profit and advocacy work, and learn how anyone can get involved in the fight for access to fertility care and family building options.

Julie is the Founder, CEO & President of Building Military Families Network, a nonprofit with a mission to provide an empowering and supportive network to military and veteran families navigating the challenges in the family building process through support groups, education, and resources. She uses her infertility and pregnancy loss journey to help the 67% of military-connected families realize they are not alone in struggling to build and grow their families. Julie advocates for insurance coverage and access to care for military-connected families while raising awareness of the unique challenges they face due to the military lifestyle. Julie believes in breaking the chains of shame and embarrassment that these topics carry and instead empowering others to share their journeys and advocate for the next generation. In 2022 she was named AFI Fort Leavenworth Spouse of the Year for her awareness, advocacy, and leadership in infertility and military family building.

Learn more about Building Military Families Network: buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork.org

Join the AllPaths and BMFN Building Military Families Support Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support

Learn more about ASRM/RESOLVE Advocacy Day 2025: https://resolve.org/events/advocacy-day/

Read Julie’s memoir-in-progress: https://www.wearethemighty.com/category/infertility-memoir/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Military families; military spouse; infertility; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; fertility treatment; IVF; Building Military Families Network; ASRM; RESOLVE; advocacy; insurance coverage; veterans

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Kelly’s Journey: Hurry up and wait.

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Kelly Soule shares about her ongoing journey and the difficulty of not knowing what’s next for her family. From processing IVF not working and a changing relationship with her own body, to attempting to adjust to having no sense of control and situations when expectations do not meet reality. Our conversation with Kelly touches on the emotions and decisions that so many people face when struggling to figure out what path to pursue, or to switch to.

Kelly is the Owner and Principal Planner of Kelly Elizabeth Events and 8 Stratton Events, specializing in corporate, non-profit and social events. Kelly and her husband Dan have been TTC For 4 years including multiple rounds of IVF, surgeries and various diagnoses. They are still working to grow their family. Kelly is originally from Westborough, MA but currently resides on Cape Cod. In her spare time she enjoys traveling to new places as well as advocating for animal rescue and IVF.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

PCOS; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; uterine septum; fertility treatment; IVF; ectopic pregnancy; mental health; surrogacy; relationship with body; lack of control; expectations vs. reality; advice for family and friends

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Staci’s Journey: Zigzag to the finish line.

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0400

CEO and Founder of Family Source Consultants (FSC), Staci Swiderski shares her personal journey as an intended parent, welcoming a son via gestational surrogacy in 2005 and her experience as a known egg donor. Her own fertility challenges led her to found FSC in 2007 with a mission to build families through third-party reproduction with an approach that is “compassionate, empathetic, individualized, and heart-based”.

Staci has more than 16 years of experience in the field of reproductive medicine. She has vigorously grown the comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy agency to become a worldwide leader in the third-party reproduction field. Aside from work, Staci enjoys spending time with her family, traveling anywhere near a beach, watching sports (GO CUBS!), and listening to the many genres of music.

Learn more about Family Source Consultants: https://www.familysourceconsultants.com/

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Gestational carrier; surrogacy; intended parents; IVF; hysterectomy; egg donation; donor conception; third-party reproduction; infertility; peer support; advocacy; insurance coverage; fertility insurance;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Andy’s Journey: Mourning the loss of what you thought your family was going to be.

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Andy Lamb shares his story of male infertility, mental health struggles, and the reinvention of who he was and what really mattered in life and family on his journey to become a father. Now a parent to three girls adopted through foster care, Andy supports other men struggling to grow their families as an AllPaths Peer Support Group leader and works to cultivate racial and cultural competency in communities through his family-founded non-profit, Raising Multicultural Kids.

Learn more about Raising Multicultural Kids: https://raisingmulticulturalkids.com

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Male-factor infertility; azoospermia; relationships; therapy; depression; adoption; foster care; parenting; multicultural kids; interracial adoption; peer support; building community; parenting support;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Jennifer’s Journey: Still a family, just a family of two.

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Jennifer Redmond shares her story of infertility, loss, and embracing life as a family of two, how her own fertility journey has influenced her personal and professional life, and reflects on the evolution she’s seen in the fertility and family building space over her career.

Jennifer empowers women to take a 360-degree view of their wellness and helps them implement customized dietary and lifestyle changes to boost fertility and feel deeply supported in the process. A fertility and hormonal health expert, Jennifer is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Coach, graduate of the Women’s Functional and Integrative Medicine Professional Training Program, and Certified Hormone Health Educator. Formerly the co-founder and editor-in-chief of FertilityAuthority (now Progyny), and Director of Communications for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, she has literally written and edited thousands of articles on fertility and infertility. Jennifer is the Immediate Past President of AllPaths Family Building, where she also helps lead the Childless After Fertility and Family Building Challenges Group.

Learn more about holistic fertility support: jennredmond.com

IG @jennredmondinhc

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility; pregnancy loss; fertility treatment; IVF; living childfree; childless after infertility; peer support; building community; functional nutrition; hormonal health; fertility support;

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Polly’s Journey: Someone shouldn’t have to experience tragedy for things to be equal.

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Director of Family Advocacy at GLAD and recipient of the 2024 AllPaths Advocacy Award, Polly Crozier shares her own challenging family building story, as well as her advocacy for parentage equality inclusive fertility insurance bills throughout New England. A tireless, knowledgeable and effective advocate, Polly’s work focuses on youth and family issues, including parentage protections, adoption, access to fertility healthcare, transgender family law, juvenile justice, and child welfare, and work at the intersection of LGBTQ justice and reproductive justice, striving to ensure that all families will be protected regardless of how they were formed.

Learn more about GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): www.glad.org

IG @gladlaw

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

fertility health care; LGBTQ+; LGBTQ+ fertility; LGBTQ+ family building; same-sex family; fertility treatment; donor sperm; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; infant loss; co-parent adoption; advocacy; parentage; parentage equality

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Follow us on social media @allpathsfb

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Haya’s Journey: Unexplained Infertility - So Many Variables and Unknowns

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

A Boston-based healthcare product strategist with a passion for social impact and community building, Haya shares her story, from unexplained infertility and loss, to pursuing fertility treatment (IUI & IVF) as a path to parenthood, culminating in a complicated twin pregnancy and postpartum experience. Over the course of the conversation we chat about navigating relationships and boundaries while family building, the importance of building community, mental health support, best practices on how to support a family member or friend who is struggling to grow their family, Haya’s role as an AllPaths volunteer support group leader, and Our Gathering Place, her new business aimed at supporting parents during the first early years.

Learn more about Our Gathering Place: https://ourgathering.place

IG @ourgathering.place

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Unexplained infertility; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; IUI; IVF; twin pregnancy; multiples; parenting; navigating boundaries; relationships; therapy; postpartum depression; peer support; building community; parenting support; advice for family and friends

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Introducing the AllPaths Podcast

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:52:38 -0400

Welcome to the AllPaths Podcast, where we support and celebrate all of the different ways there are to grow your family.

Each week we'll talk with different members of the AllPaths Family Building community, sharing stories, hearing from experts in this space about fertility treatments and family building options, learning about current family building advocacy and how to get involved, and exploring incredible resources.

Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you never miss an episode and please help spread the word so that anyone who is struggling to grow their family can join the conversation.