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. hace 1 d

    Challenge Accepted: Building a Global PCOS/PMOS Movement

    When Sasha Ottey was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (recently renamed PMOS, or Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) in 2008, her doctor handed her a brief pamphlet and told her not to worry about her irregular cycles, just to “come back when she wanted to get pregnant.” Feeling that her concerns weren’t being taken seriously, Sasha began researching and soon discovered that she was one of millions around the world with PCOS/PMOS, a diagnosis that wasn’t even listed on the National Institute of Health's list of diseases and conditions. Refusing to accept the status quo, Sasha went on to found PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, building a powerhouse of global support and legislative advocacy for the community. Despite dedicating her life to supporting others through their diagnoses and the lifelong impacts of the condition, Sasha found her own family building journey to be a lonely one when she decided to try to grow her family in her late 30s. She opens up about the vulnerability of undergoing a major myomectomy to remove 10 fibroids in 2020, followed by an aggressive IVF protocol. Given just a 20% chance of success, Sasha beat the odds on her first attempt and is now the mother of a thriving four-year-old girl. Through it all, PCOS Challenge has made enormous strides over the years, from successfully lobbying the NIH to list the condition to getting September unanimously designated as PCOS Awareness Month, which helped increase federal research funding by nearly 50%. Sasha also provides a candid look at the controversial renaming of the condition to PMOS and previews the upcoming PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium, taking place in Boston on September 19th. This full-day program, co-hosted by Mass General Brigham, brings together patients, supporters, healthcare professionals, researchers, leading PCOS/PMOS experts, and patient advocates for education and dialogue focused on improving care, treatment, research, and access. This year’s Symposium features specialized patient tracks including Spanish-language sessions and an adolescent-led policy lab designed to empower the next generation to use their voices and drive real change. To connect with PCOS Challenge, visit https://pcoschallenge.org/ and register for the upcoming Symposium at https://pcoschallenge.org/symposium/boston/. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PMOS, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, preventative health care, reproductive health care, fibroids, uterine fibroids, myomectomy, IVF, maternal near miss, postpartum depression, mental health, body image, depression, anxiety, PCOS Challenge, Sasha Ottey, menstrual health, insulin resistance, metabolic issues, pre-diabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, cancer risk, PCOS Advocacy, patient advocacy, patient-centered research, research funding, GLP-1s, advocacy, PCOS Awareness Month, PMOS Awareness Month, PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium 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!

  2. 1 sept

    The “Funky Chromosome” Bedtime Story

    In this episode, we sit down with Kelsey Reynolds, a Board-Certified Reproductive Genetic Counselor with a unique entry into the field. Inspired by her own parents' decade-long journey with infertility and her mother’s bedtime stories explaining their family's inherited chromosomal translocation as simply a "funky chromosome," Kelsey’s career path led her to helping families navigate the complexities of genetic testing during conception, pregnancy, and parenting. The conversation unpacks the clinical realities of Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) during IVF, detailing the differences between available screenings and addressing one of the most painful and frequent questions faced by the fertility community: how pregnancy loss can still occur even after embryos have been genetically tested. She gently explains that while PGT is an incredibly powerful screening tool, it is not a 100% guarantee, highlighting the vital need for both patients and providers to balance hope with realistic expectations. Looking ahead, Kelsey highlights exciting, rapid advancements in prenatal screening, such as non-invasive blood tests for single-gene conditions and personalized therapies that can treat genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis during pregnancy. She offers practical advice on how patients can prepare for a genetic counseling appointment to make the most of their time, and shares valuable community resources like the Undiagnosed Disease Network that can guide and support families who are navigating rare diseases while trying to conceive and beyond. Finally, the hosts and Kelsey invite listeners to join them at the upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk in October. Driven by her passion for equity in healthcare, Kelsey is walking to support AllPaths' vital work in making family building options more accessible and to help raise the awareness and funding needed to continue to support the fertility and family building community. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Fertility treatment, IVF, family building, genetic counseling, reproductive health, infertility support, IVF process, preconception genetic testing, embryo genetic testing, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT), PGT testing, carrier screening, genetic testing options, pregnancy loss, PGT-A, PGT-SR, emotional support for families, navigating infertility, reproductive genetic counselor, family planning resources, pregnancy journey, genetic conditions, genetic testing for embryos, support for parents, community support, rare disease support, Footsteps for Family Building Walk 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!

  3. 25 ago

    Building a Bigger Table

    Content Warning: Please note that this conversation includes discussions of domestic violence and child abuse. Take care of yourself while listening and see below for helpful support resources. Every child deserves a foundation of unconditional love, a truth that Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer learned firsthand after surviving a broken foster care system to build a beautiful family of his own. In this episode, Rob shares his deeply moving personal journey of entering the foster care system at age 12 and aging out at 18 with little more than a trash bag of belongings. He opens up about his childhood trauma, confronting severe parental and foster abuse, and how his path toward mental-health healing through therapy became the foundation for the compassionate, purpose-driven life he leads today. Rob recounts how he and his husband, Reece, built their family by adopting five children through the same system. He details the sudden, overwhelming transition of bringing four young children under the age of four into their home within three months, navigating discrimination during the application process, and fighting an intense legal battle to finalize their adoptions. Rob also shares the story of welcoming their fifth son, Alex, who joined the family as an 18-year-old facing homelessness, embodying Rob’s drive to ensure there’s room for everyone at his table. The discussion also explores the origin of Comfort Cases and how a simple family discussion about empathy led to a massive volunteer-led effort that replaces trash bags with dignified, essential-filled backpacks. Today, the 96% volunteer-run organization has delivered more than 360,000 backpacks and duffels filled with pajamas, toiletries, and comforting items to youth in care across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the necessity of communal investment in the future of foster youth, and the truth that it is never too late to give a young person the unconditional support and love they deserve. Learn more about Comfort Cases and get involved at comfortcases.org. National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 800-799-7233Text “BEGIN” to 88788Live ChatWebsite Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline Call 800-422-2253Text “GO” to 800-422-4453Live ChatWebsite TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: family building, adoption from foster care, public adoption, foster care, adoption journey, foster care awareness, parenting advice, domestic violence support, child abuse discussion, mental health in parenting, resources for parents, nonprofit organizations for families, emotional support for parents, LGBTQ+ parenting, parenting through trauma, raising multiracial families, empathy in parenting, unconditional love in families, community support for families, child welfare education, Rob Scheer, Comfort Cases, Comfort Cases nonprofit, stories of resilience, mental health and 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!

  4. 18 ago

    Don't Be An Athena

    In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we welcome Kayla Branstetter, an educator and author, to share her personal journey through unexplained infertility and miscarriage. Currently pursuing a doctorate in healthcare with a focus on narrative medicine, Kayla shares how her experiences and the subsequent "masking" of her grief led her to go public with her story to combat the societal judgment that often surrounds family building, from when and how someone has children to the size of their family and the parenting choices they make. Drawing on her research in narrative medicine, she explores how storytelling can dissolve shame and create vital connections. The discussion turns to Kayla’s new book, Don't Be an Athena, which examines the historical and systemic issues of medical gaslighting and misogyny. Throughout the book, Kayla highlights the critical need for self-advocacy, exposing the historical and systemic minimization of women's health with a range of personal and interviewed stories from the 1950s to today. She explains the book's central metaphor, the myth of Athena and Medusa, to illustrate how society often demonizes victims instead of empowering survivors through visibility, resources, and validation. Finally, Kayla offers practical wisdom for navigating the "noise" of family building, emphasizing that partners should protect their family unit and make decisions based on their own physical and mental health rather than external expectations. For those supporting friends or family, she stresses the importance of providing a safe, "listening ear" free from unsolicited advice. This episode serves as a powerful resource for anyone feeling invisible in their struggle, offering a message of empowerment, survival, and advocacy. Get your copy of Don’t Be an Athena through the AllPaths Bookshop here and a portion of your purchase supports our mission at no extra cost to you! A special thank you to CCRM Fertility of Boston for sponsoring this episode and for their support and commitment to the AllPaths community. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Kayla Branstetter, Don’t Be an Athena, unexplained infertility, miscarriage, loss, PMADs after loss, blocked fallopian tube, rainbow baby, grief, depression, disordered eating, relationships and infertility, relationships and grief, mental health support, journaling, processing grief, family building, infertility journey, miscarriage support, parenting challenges, navigating pregnancy, emotional support for parents, fertility treatments, personal stories of motherhood, advocacy for women, reproductive health education, community support for families, LGBTQIA family building, awareness of postpartum depression, stories of hope in parenting, understanding infertility, challenges of motherhood, resources for women, fertility education, empowerment in family planning, medical gaslighting, reproductive trauma 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!

  5. 11 ago

    “Love makes a family, but DNA makes a person.”

    In this episode, licensed social worker and founder of Beyond the Cradle Consulting Max Tang shares their experience as a donor-conceived person and their advocacy work to improve outcomes for donor-conceived people, donors, & parents. Max, a biracial, egg donor-conceived person from a monoracial Chinese American family, first discovered their origins during middle school when their parents revealed that they and their twin brother were conceived using a white egg donor. This revelation sparked years of identity confusion and grief, as Max struggled to reconcile their internal identity as a Chinese American with the world’s perception of their appearance and the medical system’s lack of transparency. The conversation continues through Max’s later journey of self-discovery, which was influenced by the rise of anti-Asian hate during the pandemic and led to a decision to take a DNA test that unexpectedly resulted in a connection with their biological mother. This meeting debunked long-held myths about the donor and helped Max see the family resemblance that they’d always struggled to find with their parents. This personal evolution "radicalized" Max in a positive way, leading them to facilitate peer support groups for BIPOC and multiracial donor-conceived adults and to advocate for a more human-centered, transparent approach within the fertility industry. Through Beyond the Cradle Consulting, Max is now dedicated to ensuring that donor conception is treated as a lifelong journey rather than a one-time medical event. Creating resources and providing opportunities for connection that prioritize the long-term well-being of all parties involved in the donor conception process, Max offers invaluable advice about the importance of early disclosure, maintaining openness and curiosity when it comes to preferred terms and relationships with genetic relatives, and emphasizing the dual truths that "love makes a family, but DNA makes a person" and "love may not see color, but the world does." Connect with Max at https://www.beyondthecradle.org/ and @beyondthecradle on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Donor conceived, donor conception, donor egg, transracial donor conception, multicultural donor conceived person, Biracial egg donor conceived person, donor conceived person (DCP), therapist, social worker, Max Tang, Beyond the Cradle Consulting, US donor conceived council, family building, donor conceived, egg donor, multiracial identity, family support, parenting through donor conception, identity discovery, DNA testing, donor siblings, donor support groups, mental health for donor conceived people, donor conceived community, family medical history, navigating donor conception, racial identity, Identity development in donor conceived people, identity formation, donor conceived resources, donor conception best practices, advocacy 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!

  6. 4 ago

    It’s OK To Be Human

    This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Kallie Chausse, a baker and photographer, to discuss her journey to parenthood. After marrying the boy next door in her early 20s and trying to conceive without success, Kallie discovered at the age of 24 that she had the egg count of a woman in her 50s. This diagnosis launched her into the world of IUI treatments and strict hormonal monitoring. After a devastating first failure, Kallie successfully conceived her daughter Violet, though she candidly discusses the traumatic birth and postpartum depression that followed, which she believes were tied to "lingering infertility emotions" she hadn't yet processed. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic added a layer of complexity to Kallie's attempt for a second child, forcing her to navigate fertility treatments in isolation and manage stressful insurance delays that nearly canceled the cycle that ultimately led to her daughter Ivy. Kallie reflects on the "tunnel vision" of treatment and the intense pressure she felt to be the "perfect employee" while juggling medical appointments and the mental load of early motherhood. Through these challenges, she found strength in a supportive nurse and a growing online community of others who understood her "silent struggles," eventually leading her to let go of the shame she once felt. Now an AllPaths Walk Ambassador, Kallie uses her experience to advocate for others, encouraging those in the trenches of fertility treatment and parenting after infertility to honor their feelings and seek validation and community support. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Fertility testing, infertility, fertility treatment, Clomid, IUI, irregular periods, reproductive health, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), postpartum depression, parenting after infertility, community support, validation, fertility insurance, parental leave, AllPaths Family Building, Footsteps for Family Building Walk, family building support, emotional support for parents, infertility journey, coping with infertility, IUI process, family building community, navigating fertility challenges, fertility specialist consultation, egg count concerns, seeking emotional support, mental health during pregnancy, balancing work and family, fertility treatment experiences, support for new parents, listening and validating emotions, supportive friends during infertility 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!

  7. 28 jul

    "If I just get up and take a shower, I've done something today."

    In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Jen Rogalski, Assistant Director of Empty Arms Bereavement Support, to discuss her journey through late-term pregnancy loss and her subsequent path to healing. Jen shares the heartbreaking story of losing her first son, Baby R, at 37 weeks after noticing decreased fetal movement. She describes the "robotic" days following the diagnosis, the challenges of navigating a loss after the initial swell of support passed, and the vital role that peer support from Empty Arms played in helping her and her husband, Eric, through the depths of grief. Now parenting a living son, two-year-old Drew, Jen shares how she used the Count the Kicks app during that pregnancy to monitor fetal movement, which provided her with a sense of empowerment and security by giving her tangible data and how the Empty Arms community continued to provide support as she navigated pregnancy and parenting after loss. Jen’s personal experience also prompted a major career shift. After Drew’s birth, she began working for the organization that had provided such a lifeline for her, helping expand Empty Arms’ support services by creating regional "hubs" and developing bereavement resource bags for local hospitals, with items designed to provide immediate practical and emotional comfort as well as connection to the community so that other parents aren't left to find help on their own as she once was. Beyond local support, Jen is also a passionate advocate for stillbirth prevention. She has traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak with legislators about prevention measures and frequently shares her story to encourage others to find a voice for their own experiences. Her work aims to bridge the gap between medical trauma and community healing, ensuring no parent feels they are "floating on a pool raft" alone. Throughout the conversation, Jen offers poignant advice for those starting their family-building journeys and for friends looking to support someone through loss. She emphasizes the power of consistent check-ins, sharing how a simple daily text message from a family member for an entire year provided a necessary lifeline during her darkest days. By speaking openly about her experience and transition from a grieving parent to a leader at Empty Arms, Jen’s story underscores the vital link between community support and healing, showing how peer connections can transform the isolation of loss into a shared journey of recovery. Connect with Empty Arms at https://www.emptyarmsbereavement.org/. Learn more about Count the Kicks and download the app at https://countthekicks.org/. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Pregnancy loss, late-term pregnancy loss, placental health, placental abnormalities, medical trauma, bereaved parents, community support, peer support, family building support, coping with pregnancy loss, stillbirth awareness, parenting after loss, grief support for parents, family building resources, emotional support for parents, navigating grief, nonprofit family support, bereavement support groups, advocacy for stillbirth prevention, Count the Kicks, pregnancy after loss, community support for parents, peer support for grieving parents, mental health after loss, connecting with bereaved parents, understanding pregnancy complications, grief, loss, peer support, peer support groups, Empty Arms Bereavement 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!

  8. 21 jul

    Sarah and IVF Babe

    In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Sarah Weiss, a New Jersey native who began documenting her family-building journey on day one on her social media. Sarah discusses the early days of her marriage in 2023 when she and her husband were diagnosed with male factor infertility after just three months of trying, a discovery made possible by a proactive OB-GYN who suggested also testing the male partner at the start. What Sarah initially expected to be a straightforward IVF process turned into a much longer journey with two egg retrievals and three frozen embryo transfers before the birth of her miracle, Mia. Sarah shares the emotional toll of failed cycles, the "dark place" of feeling hopeless despite doing everything "right," and navigating the compounding grief of multiple setbacks. Beyond the medical logistics, Sarah reflects on the duality of maintaining her business and relationships while her fertility journey felt like a "hot mess express." Documenting her experiences on social media provided a vital sense of community and helped her process the emotional toll of failed cycles, support which has continued as the conversation has shifted to Sarah’s transition into motherhood and the reality of the “survivors guilt” and anxiety that often accompany pregnancy and parenting after infertility. Contemplating being “won and done,” Sarah emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and allowing space for both grief and joy during difficult times for whatever lies ahead. Connect with Sarah on Instagram @sarah.and.babes and TikTok @sarahandbabes. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Male-factor infertility, PCOS, PMOS, infertility, resentment, validation, community support, IVF, egg retrieval, genetic testing, embryo transfer, online community, pregnancy after infertility, anxiety, perinatal anxiety, family goals, won and done, one and done, remaining embryos, mental health support, bodily autonomy, self-advocacy, scheduled c-section, parenting after infertility, survivor’s guilt, relationships, isolation, friendship, family building, infertility support, IVF journey, male factor infertility, trying to conceive, TTC, fertility clinic, social media and infertility, emotional support during IVF, supportive friends during infertility, navigating fertility treatments, community support for infertility, documenting fertility journey, advocacy in fertility care, overcoming infertility challenges, parenting after infertility, survivor's guilt in infertility, sharing pregnancy journey, mental health and fertility 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!

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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.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    AllPaths Family Building
  • Años en activo
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodios
    100
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © AllPaths Family Building
  • Sitio web del podcast
    AllPaths Podcast