Building your family

Lisa Schuman
  • 5.0 (13)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Building Your Family, the only expert-guided community platform designed for parents and parents-to-be using reproductive medicine to build their families. We provide unique strategies to help make your path to parenthood smoother and more informed—empowering you to navigate the critical decisions that shape your family’s future. At Building Your Family, we’ve already helped thousands of people navigate the complexities of family building and parenting with confidence. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to make these life-changing decisions with greater clarity, resulting in better outcomes and fewer regrets. We understand that many of the decisions you make along this journey can’t be undone, and that’s why our approach is all about offering you practical, actionable steps that you can start applying right now. Our educational components are tailored to help you think differently, make more informed choices, and take control of your experience—from fertility treatments to parenting strategies. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into your journey, Building Your Family is here to guide you with expert advice, specialized education, stress-reduction strategies, and the community support you need to make the best choices for you and your family. For more information, sign up for our newsletter, you will be able to stay up to date with the episodes, get information about our programs and most of all join our warm community. And follow us on social.// Monthly email: https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/ Watch the podcast on YouTube http://bit.ly/3E49Z1k Follow along on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/

  1. 3D AGO

    ‘Screw It’ Moments in Fertility: How Stress Quietly Shapes Your Family-Building Choices

    When you’re going through fertility treatment, donor conception, or surrogacy, it’s completely normal to hit a point where you think, “Ugh… screw it.” In this solo episode, Lisa Schuman names and explains the “Screw It Principle”: the quiet ways stress, exhaustion, jealousy, and resentment slip into big decisions about clinics, donors, and agencies. She breaks down the two versions of “screw it” moments, why they feel so good in the moment, and how they can slowly pull you away from your deepest values for yourself and your future child. You’ll learn: The two types of “screw it” decisions and how they show up in fertility, donor conception, and surrogacy How decision fatigue, jealousy, and burnout push you toward what feels comforting instead of what matches your long-term values A simple two-question checkpoint to catch “screw it” moments in real time How to gently redirect that “I’m done” energy into safer places, without judging yourself Lisa also shares a free Stress Tools Guide to help you calm your nervous system when you feel burned out, angry, or jealous, so you can return to big choices with more clarity and self-compassion. She also points you to SART, a resource for looking up official U.S. IVF clinic data so you can better align clinic choices with your values, not just your stress level. You are not weak for having “screw it” moments. You’re human. This episode helps you notice them before they quietly steer the parts of your family-building journey that matter most. Episode resources Grab your free ebook here: https://familybuilding.net/free-downloads/ Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) - https://www.sart.org/  Fertility and Sterility: https://www.fertstert.org/

    20 min

  2. MAR 22

    Inside the IVF Lab: How Clinics Keep Your Embryos Safe with AI

    Most patients never see what actually happens to their eggs and embryos once they disappear “into the lab.” In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Dr. Eduardo Hariton to unpack what safety really looks like in modern IVF: barcodes, double-checks, lab standards, and how AI is starting to support better decisions. Dr. Hariton earned his MD from Harvard Medical School and MBA from Harvard Business School, has published over 70 papers and presentations, and leads innovation across a large fertility network. He brings a rare perspective that combines hands-on patient care with systems-level insight into how labs actually run day to day. We cover: How eggs and embryos are labeled, tracked, and verified at every step Why lab conditions and protocols can quietly impact success rates How clinics use redundancies, checklists, and technology to prevent errors Where AI is already being used in IVF (and what is still early hype) What “good” answers sound like when you ask your clinic about safety How donor eggs, sperm, and embryos are handled and safeguarded Practical questions you can take to your own clinic without feeling adversarial If you’re using IVF, donor gametes, or surrogacy to build your family, this conversation is designed to give you clarity and better questions, not fear. Guest resources Dr. Hariton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haritonmd/ Dr. Hariton’s website: https://rscbayarea.com/doctors/hariton/ AutoIVF Technology: https://autoivf.com My resources Building Your Family Podcast: https://familybuilding.net/podcast/ If you want help turning this episode into specific questions and checklists for your own journey, you’ll find guides and tools in our community.

    50 min

  3. MAR 15

    Trans Family Building with Trystan Reese: Same Love, Harder Path to Parenthood

    Trans people don’t want “special” families. They want what every parent wants: to tuck their kids in at night and know they’re safe. In this episode of Building Your Family, Lisa Schuman, LCSW, sits down with educator and advocate Trystan Reese to talk about trans family building: what’s the same, what’s different, and what trans parents need from clinics, communities, and allies right now. They cover: • Trystan’s journey as a pregnant trans man and becoming a parent • Why trans people’s desire to parent is the same as anyone’s • How fertility, pregnancy, and adoption can be more complex for trans individuals • The role of supportive communities and affirming medical care • How providers can build real trust with humility and curiosity • Legal protections like second‑parent adoption and why they matter • What non‑trans patients using donor conception or surrogacy can learn from trans families about “difference and belonging” Whether you’re trans, cis, a fertility patient, or a clinician, this conversation will help you better understand and support trans families in a world where family building is increasingly politicized. Resources & Links – Learn more about Trystan Reese: https://www.trystanreese.com/ – Building Your Family community, workshops, and newsletter: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/ – Learn more about Collaborate Consulting: https://collaborate.consulting/ – Learn more about Transfertility: https://transfertility.co/ Building Your Family is hosted by Lisa Schuman, LCSW, a leading expert in fertility, donor conception, and surrogacy, helping parents and professionals support children growing up in “different” families. #TransFamilyBuilding #TransParents #TransPregnancy #LGBTQFamily #QueerParenting #FertilityJourney #DonorConception #Surrogacy #InclusiveCare #AffirmingCare #LGBTQHealth #BuildingYourFamilyPodcast #TrystanReese #InfertilitySupport #FamilyBuilding

    46 min

  4. MAR 8

    Empowering Your Fertility Journey: From Egg Freezing to Future Choices with Dr. Jaime Knopman

    How do you make smart, grounded choices about egg freezing today that support whatever comes next – IVF, donor conception, or deciding not to pursue treatment at all? In this episode, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Jaime Knopman joins Lisa to unpack the real numbers, timing, and trade‑offs so you can feel more empowered and less sold to. We talk honestly about when egg freezing makes sense, what “ideal before 35” actually means in real life, and why success rates are never higher than about 75% – no matter what the brochure says. Dr. Knopman explains how to think about lab quality, age, and medical factors, while Lisa brings in the emotional side of planning for the possibility of future IVF or donor conception. In this conversation, we cover: How to think about fertility planning in your 20s and 30s When to consider egg freezing or embryos – and when it may not be worth it The truth behind egg freezing success rates and “control is an illusion” Common myths about egg quality and what actually matters How today’s decisions can shape later choices, including donor conception Why your lab and team are so important Chapters: 00:00 Empowering Fertility Planning 06:02 Navigating the Decision to Freeze Eggs or Embryos 11:56 Addressing Concerns About Egg Quality 17:57 Debunking Myths Around Egg Quality 23:44 Grieving and Acceptance in Fertility 29:39 The Importance of the Lab in Fertility Treatments If you’re in fertility treatment, thinking about egg freezing, or considering donor conception and want more emotional support and education, you can find my workshops and membership at https://familybuilding.net/ Learn more about Dr. Jaime Knopman: https://drjaimeknopman.com/ Follow Dr. Jaime Knopman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjaimeknopman/ #fertilityjourney #eggfreezing #fertilityplanning #fertilityawareness #reproductivehealth #ivfjourney #donorconception #infertilitysupport #womenshealth #fertilityclinic

    37 min

  5. MAR 1

    Loving Your Donor‑Conceived Child When Your Feelings Are Complicated

    Many intended parents secretly ask themselves: “How can I have such negative feelings about donor conception and still love my child?” In this episode, Lisa talks directly to that fear. She explains why you don’t have to “feel good” about donor conception to be a deeply loving, attuned parent – and how the part of you that’s grieving and the part of you that loves your child are not the same part. We explore: • How guilt, grief, and ambivalence can show up during and after treatment • The “two parts of you” that get intertwined during fertility treatment – and how to start gently separating them • What Lisa has seen in younger donor‑conceived people who are doing well emotionally • Why the extent to which parents are comfortable with their family story shapes how safely their children can talk about it • Small, practical steps you can take if you can’t imagine feeling fully “okay” about donor conception, but you still want to move forward If you’re building your family with donor eggs, sperm, or embryos and carrying a lot of complicated feelings, this conversation is for you. For more support and education around donor conception, visit Building Your Family: familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/ #donorconception #donoreggs #donorsperm #donorconceived #intendedparents #fertilitysupport #ivfjourney #ivfcommunity #infertilitysupport #familybuilding #reproductivemedicine #mentalhealth

    21 min

  6. FEB 22

    Peeing, Pooping, Sex & Your Pelvic Floor: Pregnancy, Postpartum & Beyond with Dr. Sara Reardon

    Leaking when you laugh, rushing to the bathroom “just in case,” constipation, or painful sex after birth… common, yes. Normal, no. In this episode, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Sara Reardon (aka The Vagina Whisperer), joins me to break the silence on peeing, pooping, pregnancy, postpartum, and sex. We talk about what your pelvic floor actually is, why it matters during fertility treatment, pregnancy, birth and menopause, and how small changes can make a huge difference in daily life. Dr. Sara shares practical guidance from her app and new book Floored, including how to breathe, move, poop, and have sex in ways that support your pelvic floor instead of fighting it. We also cover C‑section recovery, scar tissue, back pain, and why “adult diapers are not your destiny.” In this episode, you’ll learn: What the pelvic floor does and how it affects peeing, pooping, sex, and core strength Why pregnancy, birth, and C‑sections change your pelvic floor (and what to do about it) How stress and tension show up in your pelvic floor during fertility treatments Simple relaxation, breathing, and bowel movement techniques you can start today The truth about Kegels and when they help vs. when they make things worse How to navigate dryness, pain with sex, and shame around “down there” When to see a pelvic floor PT and how apps and books like Floored can help Whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, in perimenopause, or just tired of wondering what’s “normal,” this conversation will give you clear, compassionate education and next steps. Learn more about Dr. Sara Reardon: https://thevagwhisperer.com/ Follow Dr. Sara Reardon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer/

    50 min

  7. FEB 15

    Dad or Donor? 6 Things To Decide Before You Define The Relationship

    When you’re building your family with donor conception, one huge decision often gets skipped: Are we setting this person up as “Dad” (or “Mom”)… or as a “Donor”? This episode is not about what your child might eventually choose to call them. It’s about the role you intentionally create at the beginning and how that choice shapes expectations, time, money, relationships, and logistics for everyone involved. It can be beautiful, or it can become very complicated, depending on how it’s set up. In this solo episode, I walk you through six key topics to think about before you decide: • Legal realities and responsibilities • Emotional expectations for you, your co-parent / donor, and your child • Family and societal expectations • Occupational and lifestyle implications • Time and financial commitments • How your own story and history shape the relationship I also share three practical ways to process your responses, so you’re not just spinning in worry, but actually moving toward a more grounded, thoughtful decision for you and your future child. This episode is not legal advice and cannot replace personalized medical, legal, or mental health support. It’s meant to offer ideas, language, and frameworks as you navigate donor conception and modern family building. 👉 Want more support as you make donor-related decisions? Attend our free donor considerations workshops for people using reproductive medicine to build their families. Get your ticket here: https://familybuilding.net/events-page/ #donorconception #donorconceived #familybuilding #fertilityjourney #IVFcommunity #singlemotherbychoice #LGBTQfamily #thirdpartyreproduction #surrogacyjourney #modernfamily #donorissues #knownDonor #intendedparents #reproductivemedicine #chosenfamily

    12 min

  8. FEB 8

    Premature Ovarian Insufficiency & Donor Eggs: Fitness Coach Kyla Burke’s IVF Story

    What if you’re told you’re in premature menopause at 34 – and your only path to pregnancy is IVF with donor eggs? In this episode, I’m joined by fitness coach Kyla Burke, who shares her personal journey with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), IVF, and ultimately pregnancy using donor eggs from a friend. Kyla talks honestly about: – Mistaking her early POI symptoms for lingering COVID effects – Learning what AMH actually means and how it changed her plans – Moving from her own eggs to donor eggs – emotionally and practically – The loss of control that comes with IVF and donor conception – How she prepared her body and mind for pregnancy after treatment – Staying active during pregnancy to support her mental health – The realities of postpartum recovery (and how pelvic floor therapy helped) – The pressure of “bouncing back” and unrealistic social media expectations – Aging, fitness, and maintaining health while building a family Throughout the conversation, Kyla comes back to one core message: You’re not failing if treatment is hard, if transfers fail, or if you need donor eggs. Your body is not broken – and you deserve support for your mental health and recovery just as much as for your lab results. This episode is for anyone facing POI, IVF, donor eggs, or simply trying to hold onto their physical and emotional wellbeing through fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. ⚠️ Important: This episode is for education and reflection only. It is not medical, genetic, or legal advice. Always discuss your specific situation with your own care team or therapist. 🌱 Ongoing support for donor conception & surrogacy families If you want more than one‑off episodes and would like ongoing workshops, courses, and community around donor conception, surrogacy, and talking to your child, you can learn about the Building Your Family community here: 👉 https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/ To receive free resources and updates about future workshops and episodes, you can also join my newsletter here: 👉 https://familybuilding.net/newsletter/

    57 min
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to Building Your Family, the only expert-guided community platform designed for parents and parents-to-be using reproductive medicine to build their families. We provide unique strategies to help make your path to parenthood smoother and more informed—empowering you to navigate the critical decisions that shape your family’s future. At Building Your Family, we’ve already helped thousands of people navigate the complexities of family building and parenting with confidence. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to make these life-changing decisions with greater clarity, resulting in better outcomes and fewer regrets. We understand that many of the decisions you make along this journey can’t be undone, and that’s why our approach is all about offering you practical, actionable steps that you can start applying right now. Our educational components are tailored to help you think differently, make more informed choices, and take control of your experience—from fertility treatments to parenting strategies. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into your journey, Building Your Family is here to guide you with expert advice, specialized education, stress-reduction strategies, and the community support you need to make the best choices for you and your family. For more information, sign up for our newsletter, you will be able to stay up to date with the episodes, get information about our programs and most of all join our warm community. And follow us on social.// Monthly email: https://familybuilding.net/newsletter-sign-up/ Watch the podcast on YouTube http://bit.ly/3E49Z1k Follow along on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecenterforfamilybuilding/

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Schuman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    171
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Building your family

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