AllPaths Podcast

AllPaths Family Building
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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.

  1. 19 HR AGO

    Bar Bathroom Trigger Shots and a Side of Fries

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

    48 min

  2. 10 FEB

    Sex, (IVF) Drugs, and Communication

    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: The Arc of Sex and Intimacy During Family BuildingWe’re Not on the Same PageFind a mental health provider 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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

    51 min

  3. 3 FEB

    Dr. Carmel’s Journey: Get Curious

    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.comLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarmeldc/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorCarmelHPHCINSTAGRAM: 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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at

    37 min

  4. 27 JAN

    Kip’s Journey: Validating the "Endo Odyssey"

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

    59 min

  5. 20 JAN

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

    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 Follow us on social media @allpathsfb Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at a href="mailto:podcast@allpathsfb.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    39 min

  6. 13 JAN

    Emma’s Journey: Changing Perspectives, Changing Policy

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

    50 min

  7. 6 JAN

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

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

    46 min

  8. 30/12/2025

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

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

    37 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    AllPaths Family Building
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AllPaths Family Building
  • Show Website
    AllPaths Podcast