Redefining Family

In this compelling episode of Redefining Family, host Jonathan Wilson engages in a deep conversation with Diane Hinson, a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and the founder of Creative Family Connections LLC, one of the world’s leading surrogacy agencies. Diane opens up about her journey as a single mother and how her passion for family equality led her to create a top-tier surrogacy agency known for its compassionate care and unparalleled legal expertise in reproductive rights and surrogacy law.

Throughout the episode, Diane discusses her commitment to advancing family equality, highlighting her work in securing landmark court rulings for same-sex parents and advocating for gay-friendly surrogacy legislation. She offers an expert breakdown of the surrogacy process, providing valuable advice on choosing a surrogate and selecting the right surrogacy agency. The conversation also explores ethical concerns in surrogacy, particularly the debate around embryo production and the moral considerations that prospective parents must navigate.

Diane emphasizes the importance of selecting quality surrogates who are driven by a genuine desire to help others build a family, rather than financial motivation. She shares actionable tips for choosing a surrogacy agency and what to look for in a surrogate to ensure a positive and successful surrogacy experience.

A standout moment in the episode is when Diane states, "Finding a surrogate who is doing it for the right reasons, not just for money, is crucial. It’s about ensuring they truly want to help someone build a family." This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate world of surrogacy, reproductive rights, and the evolving definition of family.

Tune in to gain expert insights and practical advice from one of the most respected figures in the surrogacy field, Diane Hinson. Whether you're considering surrogacy or simply curious about the legal and ethical aspects of family building, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

In this episode of Redefining Family, host Jonathan Wilson welcomes Cenk Bulbul, who shares his journey from Turkey to the United States and his experience as a single father of two.

Cenk's early life involved constant relocation due to his father's role as a general in the Turkish army. Despite humble beginnings, he and his siblings prioritized education. He attended a prestigious boarding school, studied industrial engineering, and earned a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1994.

Cenk's self-discovery journey was challenging, as being gay in Turkey meant facing significant societal discrimination. After completing his master's degree, he returned to Turkey but remained closeted, driven by a desire to have children, even considering a heterosexual relationship. Realizing he needed to live authentically, he moved to New York for a PhD in marketing at NYU. Six months after relocating, he came out to his advisor and went on his first date in 2002. His sister was a crucial support, helping him come out to their parents, who eventually accepted him.

In 2016, Cenk began pursuing adoption but switched to surrogacy after setbacks. He connected with a surrogate through friends. And with the help of his surrogate and using donor eggs, he became a parent in 2019. Initially, Cenk didn't plan to have a second child but he realized he wanted to have a sibling for her first-born daughter and he had his second daughter in 2021 working with the same surrogate.

As a proud single father of two, Cenk reflects on his journey, the challenges he faced, and the joy of building his family. Jonathan thanks Cenk for sharing his inspiring story and encourages listeners to subscribe to Redefining Family for more heartfelt stories. Tune in to hear Cenk Bulbul’s incredible story of resilience and the pursuit of family.

In this heartwarming episode of Redefining Family, host Jonathan Wilson sits down with Brit and Sydney Sharon, a couple whose journey from high school friends to loving partners and dedicated parents is truly inspiring. As proud members of the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities, Brit and Sydney share their story of love, acceptance, and community.

Brit and Sydney's love story began in high school and blossomed as they traveled abroad together. Married for eight years, they quickly started their family, raising their children with a strong sense of belonging rooted in their Jewish heritage. Brit, born on a Kibbutz in Israel and having moved to Southern California, brings a rich cultural background, while Sydney’s Ashkenazi heritage complements Brit’s Sephardic Orthodox roots.

Their journey has had challenges. Brit came out to her friends in high school but faced difficulty with her parents when she and Sydney started dating. Over time, and after the loss of three grandparents, Brit's father became more accepting and now advocates for their family. Sydney, who had only dated guys before Brit, shares their reconnection in Tel Aviv and how they built a relationship that has lasted 15 years.

Building their family is a central focus for Brit and Sydney. They discuss the joys and challenges of the sperm donor process and raising their children in a private Jewish school, fostering a community among LGBTQ+ families. They also hope to expand their family with a fourth child.

Advocacy and community are significant in Brit and Sydney’s lives. They promote acceptance and inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities. Sydney shares her experience discovering six siblings through her father's sperm donation, adding another layer of complexity to their story. This episode is filled with personal reflections and advice for other LGBTQ+ couples on similar journeys.

In this insightful episode of Redefining Family, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Mark Leondires.  He is the founder, Medical Director and Partner in reproductive endocrinology at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be. He is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as being a  passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ family building. 

Dr. Leondires reflects on his upbringing in a Greek Orthodox household where he was unaware of the concept of being gay until college. Despite a strong desire to be a dad, it wasn't until his mid-thirties that he realized his relationships with women weren't fulfilling his dream of fatherhood. Currently, 70-80% of Dr. Leondris's patients are LGBTQ+. He shares his family story, being married to a man and having two kids through egg donation and surrogacy.

Before meeting his husband, Dr. Leondires was prepared to become a single dad. In 2010, Dr. Leondris and his husband achieved a pregnancy through egg donation and surrogacy, prompting him to recognize the challenges LGBTQ+ families face and inspiring him to help others. His caregiving nature led to the creation of Gay Parents to Be, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ family planning.

Dr. Leondires and Jonathan share their experiences of choosing egg donors, emphasizing the importance of examining the donor’s family tree. They also discuss the rigorous selection process for surrogates and egg donors, with only a small percentage making it through. The importance of being truthful with children about their origins is highlighted, with a suggestion to practice the story while holding the child. Jonathan shares his journey of informing his mother about his surrogacy plans, highlighting her ongoing struggle to fully accept it.

The discussion touches on the legality of gay surrogacy, noting that the US and Canada are the only countries where it is fully legal. They also talk about handling societal norms, like celebrating Mother’s Day in LGBTQ+ families.

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Redefining Family, host Jonathan Wilson sits down with Bryan Lambillotte to discuss his journey of self-discovery, coming out, and building a family with his husband Chris through surrogacy. Bryan shares intimate details of his experiences, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way.

Bryan knew he was gay from grade school, a realization that led to a significant moment right after he graduated high school, when his parents discovered a downloaded video, which inadvertently prompted his coming out. His little sister was the first to know about his sexuality and provided immense support. When his dad confronted him about liking boys, the conversation led to an accepting and positive outcome. Similarly, a heartfelt conversation with his mom offered further emotional support.

Bryan and Chris met in 2011 on Grindr and celebrated their 5-year dating anniversary by getting married. In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to have children and chose surrogacy as their path to parenthood. This process took two years, during which they found an egg donor and a surrogate, eventually welcoming twins.

The journey to surrogacy was fraught with challenges. The first surrogate they loved was disqualified due to a small hole in her heart. The second surrogate revealed she was pregnant just before the embryo transfer, leaving Bryan feeling defeated and questioning their chances of becoming parents. However, Chris’s encouragement kept them going, and they finally found a third surrogate with successful previous experiences, leading to the birth of their children.

Chris also shares his experience with postpartum depression and the backlash he faced, shedding light on an often overlooked aspect of the post-birth journey for new parents. The episode concludes with Bryan offering valuable advice for future gay parents considering surrogacy, emphasizing resilience and the importance of support.

In this episode of "Redefining Family," Jonathan sits down with the Broadway Husbands, Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna, to delve into their journey of love, identity, and parenthood.

Bret opens up about growing up in Texas with three brothers, one of whom had special needs. Feeling pressure to compensate for what his brother couldn't fulfill, Bret struggled with acceptance for being different. Despite his mother's resistance to his sexuality, Bret came to terms with being gay at the age of 12. He shares his experience of hiding his true self and ultimately cutting ties with his brothers and their wives after the birth of his son in 2022.

Stephen shares his own story of adversity, recounting the bullying he faced from a young age. Leaving home at 12 to attend the American School of Ballet in New York City, he grappled with emotional unavailability before coming out to his mother at 23. Though initially met with resistance, Stephen's mother eventually embraced his truth.

The couple reflects on their journey to sobriety, having met in AA rooms, and their decision to become parents. After facing setbacks with a surrogate pulling out in 2019, they found hope when a mutual friend offered to carry their baby. Despite a heartbreaking miscarriage, their perseverance led to the successful birth of their son in 2022.

As gay parents, Bret and Stephen share the profound lessons they've learned along the way, highlighting the resilience, love, and strength that define their unique family. Their story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the redefinition of traditional notions of family.

In this emotionally charged episode of Redefining Family host Jonathan shares his personal journey of redefining family dynamics, resonating deeply with guest Sam  Lantz’ story. Sam bravely opens up about his realization of his sexuality in his teens and the profound struggles he faced in coming to terms with it.

Growing up in a Mormon family, Sam grappled with conflicting emotions and societal pressures. Despite having a large family, he now only maintains contact with a few siblings due to their inability to accept him for who he is. Sam's decision to distance himself from his mother was an act of self-preservation, shielding himself from further emotional harm.

The pain of losing his closest friend to homophobia and battling with suicidal thoughts paints a poignant picture of Sam's journey to self-acceptance. Through sheer determination, he found the strength to overcome his darkest moments, realizing that his happiness should not come at the expense of others' prejudices.

Sam's narrative takes a hopeful turn as he shares the joy of finding love with his husband and reconnecting with family members who have embraced their own LGBTQ+ children. Despite a turbulent past, Sam's story is a testament to resilience and the power of love to conquer adversity.

As the episode concludes, Sam offers a reflection on his experience of being a contestant on Netflix Squid Games, sharing behind the scenes looks and what he learned about himself through the process. 

Welcome to this week's episode of "Redefining Family"! Join Jonathan as he sits down with Jake and Sean Taylor-Baumann for a heartfelt conversation about their journey of growing up gay in Utah and navigating the complexities of identity and family.

Jake opens up about the challenges of reconciling his sexuality with his Mormon upbringing, sharing the pivotal moments of realization and eventual acceptance. He reflects on the years spent keeping his true self hidden until finding the courage to come out as an adult, a decision catalyzed by meeting his now-husband, Sean.

Sean shares his own experiences of grappling with his sexuality from a young age, recounting the struggles of trying to conform to societal expectations of masculinity while knowing his truth. He candidly discusses the reactions of his parents upon coming out and the transformative moment of meeting Jake at 19.

The couple delves into the complexities of their relationship, including a temporary breakup spurred by conflicting beliefs about faith and love, ultimately reaffirming their commitment to each other. They also share the emotional rollercoaster of their surrogacy journey, from the heartbreak of miscarriage to the overwhelming joy of expecting triplets.

Amidst the challenges, Jake and Sean offer a message of resilience and hope, reminding listeners that even in the darkest moments, there are brighter days ahead. Tune in as they redefine what it means to create a family rooted in love, acceptance, and unwavering determination.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! Today, Jonathan shares his personal journey of building his family outside of his blood relatives.  He discusses the pivotal moment when he decided to let go of his 18 blood relatives, marking the beginning of his freedom journey.

Joining Jonathan is his lifelong friend  D. D has been a constant source of support for Jonathan through his darkest times.

Jonathan opens up about the challenges he faces in maintaining relationships with his niece and nephew, despite their efforts to reach out. He also reflects on the complexity of familial bonds and the difficulty of reconciling past hurts.

D asks Jonathan if he sees any possibility of reconciling with his father. Jonathan expresses uncertainty, recognizing the weight of his father's decisions.

The conversation shifts to Jonathan's lifelong desire to become a parent, viewing it as the ultimate teaching role. They discuss the significance and challenges of Jonathan contemplating single parenthood.

Join us next time as we continue to explore Jonathan's journey of self-discovery and the evolution of his journey.

On this week's episode of Redefining Family, Jonathan has the pleasure of speaking with his old friend Jonathan Goldstein and his daughter Madi Goldstein.   At seventeen, Madi came out to Jonathan and his wife as transgender.  Since then, they have not only supported her, but have become advocates for her and the trans and queer communities.

Jonathan discusses the realization him and his wife had that Madi was struggling with her gender identity.  Madi explains that she felt a disconnect with her mind and body, which made her feel so very isolated.  With the support of her family, Madi is thriving and finally feels like she belongs.  Madi also talks about finding community and support online, and Jonathan discusses advice he has for parents of trans and queer children.

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More About The Goldsteins

Jonathan and his wife have been married for over 20 years and are the proud parents of two amazing kids. Madi who is 18 and Micah who is 16. In addition to parenting two amazing teenagers, Jonathan has been a youth group advisor to temple youth groups affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) off and on since 1998. When he is not attending youth group events,  Jonathan can be found at his synagogue where he is a Cantorial Soloist. But, more often you can find him managing the Energy & Utility Practice at CG Infinity.