What does it take to build a family when the road stretches across continents? In this episode of Fathernetics, Aldo and Kim share their powerful 10-year surrogacy journey that spans the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, and the US. From navigating laws and cultural expectations to the emotional highs and heartbreaking setbacks, their story is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of chosen family.

You’ll hear how these two gay dads kept their vision alive through international challenges, the lessons they’ve learned about patience and partnership, and why visibility for LGBTQ+ families matters now more than ever. Their experience is not just about parenthood—it’s about perseverance, identity, and redefining what family looks like.

If you’ve ever wondered what the surrogacy process is like across borders, or if you’re seeking stories of fatherhood told with honesty and heart, this episode will leave you inspired.

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In this extended episode of Fathernetics, Mark and Eoin open up about their family’s surrogacy journey and the joy of raising two kids in a culturally rich, mixed-heritage home. From navigating the emotional highs of surrogacy to recognizing the potential money traps that hopeful parents should watch out for, they bring honesty and humor to every detail of their story.

Food plays a big role in their family life, and they share how good meals have become a grounding force while raising little ones. The conversation also explores Ireland vs. America as home bases—where their kids can thrive, where family support feels strongest, and how different cultural perspectives shape their parenting experience.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways for parents considering surrogacy, meaningful reflections on cultural identity, and a whole lot of heart.

#Fathernetics #IntentionalParenting #SurrogacyJourney #LGBTQParents #GayDads #ParentingAcrossCultures #CulturalAwareness #IrelandVsAmerica #ModernFatherhood #ParentingWithPurpose #SurrogacyStories #RaisingMixedKids

In this episode, I team up with my uncle and lifelong mentor, Crispin M., who coaches fatherhood through the dynamics of the tennis court. From perfecting your serve to mastering the match point, Crispin shows us how each play on the court mirrors moments in parenting—challenging us to stay agile, strategic, and always ready to learn alongside our kids.

In this conversation:

• Finding your serve: how crafting a pre-kickoff routine sets the tone for the whole day
• Rallying through the rough patches: strategies for staying present when parenting feels like a long set
• Reading your opponent—and your child: mastering the art of observation to anticipate needs before they arise
• The importance of “changeovers”: taking intentional breaks to reset, recharge, and reconnect as a family

"Never make provisions for failure.'

Chrispin brings the precision of a coach, the camaraderie of a doubles partner, and the wisdom of an uncle who’s seen it all. Whether you’re upmatch or downmatch, this episode serves up the plays you need to turn every point into an opportunity for growth, connection, and—above all—love.

Trevor Said WHAT?! Fatherhood Gets Candid

In this episode, I sit down with Trevor—an only child, proud husband, and devoted dad of two—to explore the realities and rewards of fatherhood through his lens as part of an interracial LGBTQ+ family.

We dive into questions like:

• What does fatherhood look like when you’ve never had siblings?

• How do two dads balance identity, culture, and parenting?

• What are the ups and downs of the adoption process?

From heartfelt reflections to everyday parenting wins and challenges, Trevor brings a warm, honest voice to the table. Whether you’re navigating parenthood, adoption, or allyship, there’s something here for you.

🎧 Tune in—and let the realness begin.

In this fabulously candid episode, I catch up with my brother Abbas—our dad’s favorite protégé—who’s mastered the art of viewing life through the vibrant prism Dad handed him. We dive into how growing up under Dad’s watchful gaze shaped Abbas’s compass as a son, how sibling shenanigans turned us into lifelong allies, and how he’s taken that same fierce love into the world as a mentor and “father” to chosen family.

Abbas reflects on the attributes he inherited—compassion and tenacity from Mom, but above all resilience and integrity from Dad—and how those lessons have sculpted the way he carries himself, making him stand out among men. Expect heartwarming anecdotes about negotiating curfews (and friendly rivalries), lessons in loyalty forged at , and Abbas’s vision for extending our family’s legacy of compassion and courage far beyond our household. Tune in for a blend of big-brother sass (from yours truly) with big-brother brilliance—proof that sometimes the best way to honor Dad is to see the world through his shades on.

In this episode, Shawn and Tyler (@shawnandtylerb) kick things off with stories from their trip to see Beyoncé live in Houston. I jump in with my own memories of meeting Beyoncé a few times at church—alongside Kelly Rowland—back in the day.

We explore how their different upbringings shaped them: Shawn grew up without a dad in his life, while Tyler was close to his. Their YouTube channel, once a window into their everyday lives, skyrocketed when they shared the arrival of Harrison—their newborn son through adoption.

We dive into their experiences of growing up without seeing families like theirs reflected in the world, and how that fuels their mission to create a community that represents them—for themselves, and for their son.

#GayDads #LGBTQParents #AdoptionJourney #BeyonceFans #TwoDads #LGBTQFamily #GayParents #FatherhoodPodcast #LGBTQRepresentation #GayDadsOfInstagram #LGBTQLove #AdoptiveParents #RepresentationMatters #FatherneticsPodcast #LoveMakesAFamily

In this episode of Fathernetics, Louis & Sean takes us through the winding path of becoming a father via surrogacy in Canada. From the early days of uncertainty — paperwork, waiting lists, and emotional hurdles — to the life‑changing moment he held his child for the first time, Sean’s story is as real and raw as it gets.

He shares what surprised him most about the process, the challenges unique to LGBTQ parents navigating international surrogacy, and the powerful lessons about patience, resilience, and redefining family along the way.

This isn’t just about becoming a parent — it’s about rewriting what parenthood can look like and the community it takes to make it possible.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and join the conversation @fathernetics.

#Fathernetics #SurrogacyJourney #LGBTQFamily #GayDads #QueerParenting #ModernParenting #FatherhoodPodcast #ParentingStories #ChosenFamily

In this episode of Fathernetics, we sit down with Ethan Levy — whose life story captured national attention when his adoption by LGBTQ parents made the New York Times. Raised between the iconic shores of Fire Island and the vibrant streets of Chelsea, Ethan offers a candid look into what it means to grow up embraced by queer culture and family values.

Ethan opens up about identity, belonging, and the power of safe spaces for LGBTQ youth. He reflects on the unique challenges and joys of being part of a famously public adoption story and shares why he’s committed to fostering deeper conversations and connections within the queer community today.

This is more than a personal history, it’s an invitation to rethink what family looks like and how we create inclusive spaces for the next generation.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and join the conversation @fathernetics.

#Fathernetics #LGBTQFamily #QueerParenting #AdoptionStory #FireIsland #ChelseaNYC #FatherhoodPodcast #ModernParenting #SafeSpaces #QueerVoices

Anthony C. Brings the D(iscussion)

In this episode of Fathernetics, I get on a call with my good friend Anthony—a straight father, husband to Sophia, and proud dad to a beautiful daughter. We dive into the realness of fatherhood from his perspective, the joys and challenges of raising a girl in today’s world, and how he keeps his identity as a husband, friend, and man in balance.

From navigating marriage to sharing laughs about our own parenting fails, this one is full of gems for dads from all walks of life. Whether you’re a new father or deep in the game, Anthony brings relatable wisdom and warmth you won’t want to miss.

Topics We Covered:

• Raising daughters with intention

• The evolving role of modern dads

• Friendships and emotional support for men

• Marriage maintenance while parenting

• Laughs, life, and the lessons in between

Follow us on IG: @fathernetics

🎙 Episode: #8 - Same Love, Different Leaves

In this episode of Fathernetics, I sit down with my close friend, Shally V, to explore how culture shapes our experiences as LGBTQ+ individuals and fathers. Coming from a deeply rooted Indian background and now building his life, career, and family in America, Shally shares his unique journey of navigating identity, tradition, and fatherhood as a straight cis-gendered male.

We discuss:

🌏 The cultural contrasts between growing up in India vs. the U.S.

🏳️‍🌈 How LGBTQ+ identity is perceived across different cultures

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 The common threads that connect us as fathers, regardless of background

💬 The importance of representation, acceptance, and chosen family

Despite the differences in where we come from, this conversation highlights how much we truly share when it comes to love, family, and fatherhood.

👉 Let’s keep the conversation going! Follow me on Instagram @fathernetics for more insights and - eventually - behind-the-scenes moments.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and join us on this journey of connection!