AllPaths Podcast

AllPaths Family Building

Building a family can be a complicated, messy, lonely, and sometimes heartbreaking process, but you don't have to navigate this challenging journey alone.

Join the AllPaths Family Building community as we talk with people who are currently trying to grow their family, those whose family building journey has come to an end, and experts in the fertility and family building space.

Together we'll:

*Hear family stories, providing real-life perspectives that highlight the many different paths a family building journey can take.

*Explore different fertility treatments and family building options with experts in this space.

*Get connected to a variety of supportive resources so you feel better equipped to tackle any challenges that may arise in your family building journey.

*Learn about ongoing advocacy work that promotes access to fertility care and family building options - and you can get involved.

No matter what you encounter on your journey - struggles while TTC, IUI, IVF, donor conception, surrogacy, adoption, pregnancy loss, pregnancy and parenting after, or remaining childless not by choice - the real-life insights from people who have traveled those paths can provide connection, comfort, and hope.

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94 episodes
Updated July 28

Episodes94

Newest first

Jun 3, 2025 · 42 min
Jodi’s Journey: One from Each Column
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
May 27, 2025 · 42 min
Matt’s Journey: "I'm doing everything I possibly can to make sure her name never gets lost"
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
May 20, 2025 · 53 min
Shannon’s Journey: "This Is Your Body, This Is Your Life"
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!
May 13, 2025 · 53 min
Lauren C's Journey: IVF Finds a Way to Humble You
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
May 6, 2025 · 46 min
Lauren D’s Journey: Our family is now complete to what WE define as complete
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Apr 29, 2025 · 47 min
Dr. Styer’s Journey: It's a privilege to be part of my patients' stories.
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Apr 22, 2025 · 48 min
Erin and Stephen's Journey: For Some People, It's Not a Straight Line From A to B
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Apr 15, 2025 · 32 min
Annie and Gene’s Journey: From Infertility to Innovation
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Apr 8, 2025 · 27 min
Rebecca’s Journey: “This is right for me and right for my family.”
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Mar 31, 2025 · 36 min
Karen’s Journey: “I was so focused on being pregnant that I lost sight of wanting to be a mom.”
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Mar 25, 2025 · 38 min
Marissa’s Journey: Reproductive plans should never be small talk
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Mar 18, 2025 · 40 min
Lea’s Journey: “I hadn't felt like I had belonged in the infertility community before.”
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb 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
Mar 11, 2025 · 24 min
Megan’s Journey: Becoming Parents After Cancer Was Worth the Wait
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Mar 4, 2025 · 43 min
Kerry’s Journey: "How do I feel hope and trust in my body?"
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Feb 25, 2025 · 37 min
Ginanne’s Journey: Children should never feel like there was something shameful or weird about how they were born
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Feb 18, 2025 · 41 min
Jillian’s Journey: You’re young and healthy, just try again!
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Feb 11, 2025 · 44 min
Annie's Journey: "Something I've always felt really grateful for is how wanted I was from the very start."
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!
Feb 4, 2025 · 40 min
Joe’s Journey: “There’s nothing elective about infertility”
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!
Jan 28, 2025 · 46 min
LaMone’s Journey: I Became What I Needed
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 sisters-in-loss.com blackdoulasassociation.com fertilityforcoloredgirls.com 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!
Jan 21, 2025 · 50 min
Alison’s Journey: “My heart was missing a piece and it was you.”
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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!