Dana, and her partner Helen, started their family building journey three decades ago, when building a family as a lesbian couple was even more difficult than it is now.  

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Author: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception https://read.macmillan.com/lp/building-your-family/

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What happens when two experienced fertility medical professionals are nearing retirement but are constantly distressed by the cost of fertility treatment?  The answer: open your own clinic and find a way to make fertility treatment cost effective for everyone.  In this episode, you will learn about this and how Dr. Karen Hammond and Dr. Nicholas Cataldo have similar success rates to conventional IVF clinics and help their patients save money on treatment.  Hard to believe, I know, but it is true.  What’s more, they are caring, sensitive and thoughtful about each patient's journey.  This is a fascinating episode, and not to be missed!

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Today you are in for a treat that you won’t find anywhere else.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Kathryn Go will give us a little show-and-tell. So, if you are able to also watch it on YouTube, I would recommend it.  She will show you the instruments she uses and things that people who don’t work in a clinic, don’t typically see.  Even if you are familiar with IVF, there is nothing like someone taking you step by step through the process, hearing what embryologists think about and seeing the instruments they use.

In this episode, Dr. Go will discuss:

• the elements important to have a good lab

And…she will also give you some insight into the future. Yes, you will learn about discoveries that are coming one day, and some that are right around the corner.

It is fascinating!  I think you will agree.

Enjoy!

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

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There are some things we share on the podcast that are objective.  As a researcher, I have tremendous regard for focusing on what is proven and making well educated choices. As a therapist, I also understand that choosing a donor is a very personal, and often emotionally charged experience.  Even the most academically oriented people I see often make decisions based on emotion.  There is no right and wrong here.  What's most important is that you are educated about your options, and then make a choice that's right for you.

In this episode, you will meet Jarret Zafran. He is a lawyer and runs a surrogacy agency which he built from the bricks of knowledge he gleaned on his way to becoming a father.  

It was not always easy for Jarret and his husband Elliot, but they learned how to navigate the surrogacy and egg donor process, make decisions as a team and in the end, trust their gut, which may sound surprising coming from two academically oriented men.

I'm sure you will get some great “take away’s” for yourself or someone you care about.  Enjoy!

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

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Advances in medicine have improved success rates and the opportunity to have the healthiest child possible.  Yet, the alphabet soup of terms for genetic testing can be confusing to decipher.  Then add donor conception to the mix, and most people are left feeling bewildered and nervous, wondering if they are making the right choices.

In this episode, Dr. Eric Forman will break down genetic testing and help you understand how it works, how it has changed over time, and what you need to know about genetic testing and donor conception.

If you want a class on how to understand the process of genetic testing and get some great recommendations about how to decide if it is right for you, listen to this episode.  I think you will be glad you did.

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

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Christina Bailey (babybaileymamadrama on Instagram) joins us with her partner, Heather for this great episode on almost every family building subject you can imagine.

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

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This episode will cover the legal and the practical.  You'll learn about Vicki’s road to parenthood with her wife Michelle, and how she has a closer relationship to her child who is not genetically connected to her, than to her child who is genetically connected. 

She'll tell you why it's so important to follow legal guidelines, even when they don’t seem to make sense. She'll also discuss how you can set yourself up for success (and your future child too) by ensuring that you have sound legal information and guidance. 

The episode is engaging and informative.  Vicki knows a lot about reproduction law, life, relationships, and the practical and psychological mile markers on your way to building a family.

Enjoy!

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding

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Dr. Mark Leondires is the Founder, Medical Director and Partner in reproductive endocrinology at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be. He has won awards, recognition from professional organizations and has been a leader for change in the LGBTQIA+ community for decades. 

He is also my co-author for the soon to be released book, Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception.

In this episode, Dr. Leondires gives us a tutorial on donor conception and IVF, talks about important medical issues to consider on your family building journey and shares his personal feelings about how to approach everything from choosing a donor to grieving the loss of using your genetics to have a child.

Dr. Leondires was once also a patient.  He and his husband are now raising two beautiful boys after lots of time in the trenches and lessons learned.   He feels strongly about helping others have an easier path to parenthood. You will hear his passion in this interview, and will learn a lot. Enjoy. 

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding

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Today’s guest is Stacey Stevenson (she/they) joined Family Equality as the first Black Chief Executive Officer in 2021. With a background in the corporate sector, they decided to turn their business acumen, lived experience, and passion to work for LGBTQIA+ families and those who wish to form them. 

In this episode you will learn about the bills that are threatening to erode at the freedom of the LGBTQIA+ community, and all of us.  You will learn about the ways that the Family Equality is combating those threats and helping people stay safe.  In the midst of hate and chaos, Family Equality is a positive and powerful presence and Stacey is an amazing leader.

You will also learn about Stacey’s family building journey and her thoughtful point of view (and trips to the White House!).  This is an enlightening and engaging episode. Enjoy.

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding

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On this episode, we talk to Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna. Together they are dad’s to a beautiful boy, Maverick.  So, although they are famous on social media as the Broadway Husbands, they are now, the Broadway Dads! 

They had a long road to parenthood but feel it turned out the way it was supposed to be.  We hear the story of how they chose their donor, found a surrogacy agency, handle tough questions from others, managed the huge financial bills as two performers and more.  It is a lovely story filled with warmth and joy.  I’m sure you will love listening to them as much as I did.

If you are interested in any of the topics discussed in this episode...

Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thecenterforfamilybuilding

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Looking for My Lifebook? https://a.co/d/deSACrM