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. 1d ago

    Zoom Out: The One Egg Freezing Question No One Asks

    In this first episode of the Zoom Out series, reproductive therapist, researcher, and author Lisa Schuman, LCSW unpacks the most important question almost no one asks about egg freezing. Lisa explains why “How many eggs can I freeze?” is only part of the story, and why you also need to understand how many cycles and eggs you’re likely to need for the kind of family you actually want in the future. She introduces her Zoom Out Theory – a simple framework to help you step back from panic, manage stress, and make clearer decisions about your fertility. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and research, Lisa also shares surprising data about non‑genetic parenthood options: how many egg freezing patients are open to donor eggs, embryos, or other paths if needed, and why that matters for how aggressively you pursue more cycles now. You’ll learn: The critical egg freezing question almost no one thinks to ask Why freezing “as many eggs as possible” isn’t always necessary – or helpful How your emotional state can quietly distort your fertility decisions What Lisa’s research reveals about patients’ real openness to non‑genetic options A practical way to zoom out and plan for your long‑term family, not just the next cycle If you’re considering egg freezing – or you’ve already frozen eggs and are wondering what comes next – this episode will help you balance facts and feelings so you can move forward with more confidence. #eggfreezing #fertility #ivfjourney #fertilitypreservation #reproductivehealth #ttc #familybuilding #donorconception

    9 min

  2. Jul 5

    From Infertility to Motherhood: Dr. Jessica Gray on Resilience, Miscarriage & Finding Control

    In this episode of Building Your Family, Lisa Schuman, LCSW sits down with Dr. Jessica Gray, a physician who has lived through infertility, miscarriage, and the intense pressures of medical training on her way to motherhood. Jessica shares how a stressful childhood shaped her resilience, what it was like to face endometriosis and IVF as both a doctor and a patient, and how she coped when a long‑hoped‑for pregnancy ended in miscarriage. She talks candidly about binders of notes, hours of research, and the feeling of “doing everything right” and still not getting the outcome she hoped for. Together, Lisa and Jessica explore the emotional burden of infertility on both partners, the importance of support systems, and the small planning behaviors that can create a sense of control in an uncertain journey. Jessica reflects on how she now gives back to the infertility and parenting community, and what she would say to her younger self who was just starting down this road. If you’ve felt isolated, overwhelmed, or “not like yourself” during infertility or pregnancy, this conversation offers validation, practical coping ideas, and hope. Dr. Jessica Gray resources: Website: https://www.drjessicagraymd.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessicagraymd #infertility #miscarriage #IVFjourney #endometriosis #ttccommunity #infertilitysupport #pregnancyloss #mentalhealth #familybuilding #fertilitytreatment #resilience #motherhood #medicaltraining #emotionalhealth #buildyourfamilypodcast

    40 min

  3. Jun 28

    Single Motherhood by Choice: 5 Steps Before You Decide (with Alexis Melnick, MD)

    If you’re single or in a relationship that isn’t working and you’re quietly Googling “single motherhood by choice,” this episode is for you. In this conversation with SMBC fertility doctor Alexis Melnick, MD, we walk through 5 clear steps to help you decide before your back is against the wall. We cover both paths: staying on the relationship track and exploring single motherhood by choice on your own timeline. You’ll hear about the emotional, practical, financial, and support‑system questions to ask yourself so you can move from spiraling alone at 2 a.m. to making a grounded plan. Inside this episode: • Who this is really for (single, dating, or in a shaky relationship) • The 5‑step framework Alexis uses with clients considering SMBC • Grief, stigma, and the “mourning period” for the life you imagined • Why so many people say they wish they’d decided earlier • How to know you didn’t “fail” if you choose this path If you’re considering donor conception or surrogacy as a single parent, this will help you feel less alone, more informed, and better prepared. Work with Alexis: [alm2036@med.cornell.edu] Get my free family‑building resources: 10 Things Donor Conceived Children Want Their Parents To Understand: https://familybuilding.net/free-downloads/ #singlemotherbychoice #singlemotherhood #donorconception #fertilityjourney #queerfamily

    39 min

  4. Jun 21

    Queer Family Pride Special: Donor Conception, Talking To Kids, and Embracing Your Family

    In honor of Pride, this episode is a love letter to queer family building. I’ve pulled my favorite moments from conversations with LGBTQ+ parents, a fertility doctor, a midwife, a donor‑conceived person, and queer influencers who’ve built their families through donor conception and surrogacy. Together, they share how they answer intrusive questions, how they talk to their kids about donors and surrogates, and how they’ve learned to fully embrace the families they fought so hard to create. We talk about: • Navigating fertility clinics, donor conception, and surrogacy as queer intended parents • What to actually say when people ask, “But who’s the real mom/dad?” • Age‑appropriate language for talking to children about donors and surrogates • Grief, joy, and pride on the path to queer parenthood • How our families feel now that their children are here If you’re using reproductive medicine, donor conception, or surrogacy to build your family, you are not alone. This episode is meant to sit beside you in the messy middle, give you words when you’re tongue‑tied, and remind you that your family is real, valid, and worthy of celebration. Please join us on the anniversary of Stonewall for a free Queer Family Building workshop. Register here: https://familybuilding.net/events-page/ #QueerFamily #DonorConception #QueerFertility #FamilyBuilding #DonorConceived #Pride

    13 min

  5. Jun 14

    Broadway Husbands: Their Road to Maverick (Pride Tribute) Re-Released for Pride in Bret’s Honor

    Re-released for Pride 2026 — In loving memory of Bret Hanna-Shuford (1979–2026) In this beloved episode, I sit down with Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna — the Broadway Dads — to talk about one of the most heartfelt and hard-won family-building journeys I’ve ever witnessed. Together, these two Broadway performers navigated egg donation, surrogacy, financial challenges, a lost match, a miscarriage, and a global pandemic before welcoming their son, Maverick, in 2022. Bret passed away in January 2026 after a sudden and devastating illness. He was 46 years old. Stephen is now raising Maverick on his own — and remains a fierce, loving advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in their pursuit of parenthood. I re-release this episode with a full heart, because Bret’s spirit, humor, and generosity shine through every minute of it. In this episode we cover: • How Bret and Stephen chose their egg donor — and why the first profile felt right • The surrogacy process as two performers managing a major financial investment • How they handled the hard questions from others • What they wish they had known going in • The moment they knew it was “supposed to be this way” This one is for every queer person who has ever dreamed of becoming a parent — and for Bret, who never stopped believing it was possible. Episode resources Buy the new book "Goodnight Break a Leg": https://bit.ly/GoodNightBreakALegBook #DonorConceptionConversations #Pride2026 #BroadwayDads #LGBTQFamily #BroadwayHusbands #Surrogacy #QueerParenting #DonorConception #EggDonation #GayDads #InMemoriam #FamilyBuilding #BretShuford #BuildingYourFamily #RepresentationMatters #LGBTQ

    27 min

  6. Jun 7

    Queer Families & Donor Conception: Building Strong Bonds Beyond Biology with Jaimie Kelton

    What does it really look like to build a queer family today – with donor conception, infertility, and non‑biological parenting in the mix? In this episode of Building Your Family, Lisa sits down with long‑time queer family advocate and podcast host of the Queer Family Podcast, Jaimie Kelton to talk honestly about infertility, the emotional weight of genetics, and the many paths LGBTQ+ families take to build their families. They explore how advocacy and resources for queer families have evolved, why non‑biological connections can be just as deep as genetic ones, and how humor helps normalize complex family dynamics. You’ll hear candid stories about slow bonding, the myth of the “instant magical moment,” and why accepting your unique path changes everything. Lisa and Jamie also dig into the importance of intentional parenting, open communication about donor conception, and how to create safety for kids to ask questions about their origins. If you’re a queer parent, planning a family, or supporting LGBTQIA families, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and community for the journey. You’ll learn: How advocacy and resources for queer families have changed Why infertility and emotional struggles are universal and important to acknowledge How to navigate feelings about genetics and non‑biological parenting Practical ways to talk with kids about donor conception Why community support and openness matter so much for LGBTQ+ family building Guest resources Website: https://www.thequeerfamilypodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast

    1h 4m

  7. May 31

    Ask the Experts: Everything You Need to Know About Donor Conception — with Dr. Mark Leondires

    Re-released for Pride 2026 — Because this conversation never gets old What does it actually feel like to need a donor to build your family? How do you choose the right one? What does the medical process look like — and what does the emotional process look like? In this rare co-author conversation, I put these questions to Dr. Mark Leondires, Founder and Medical Director of Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be — and he turns them right back on me. Together, Dr. Leondires and I wrote Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception. In this episode, we give you the condensed, honest version — the medical clarity, the practical steps, and the emotional truth — all in one place. You’ll walk away knowing: • The key medical steps in egg, sperm, and embryo donation • How to think about choosing a donor — and what really matters • The emotional landscape most people don’t expect • What to tell your children — and when • Why donor conception is more mainstream than ever, and what that means for your family Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or are already in the process, this episode gives you clear, actionable guidance from two of the leading voices in the field. No fluff. No overwhelm. Just answers. #DonorConceptionConversations #Pride2026 #DonorConception #LGBTQFamily #EggDonation #SpermDonation #IVF #FertilityDoctor #BuildingYourFamily #DrMarkLeondires #IllumeFertility #GayParentsToBe #FamilyBuilding #QueerFamily #FertilityPodcast #ListenNow Co-authors Lisa Schuman &; Dr. Mark Leondires answer your biggest donor conception questions — medical, emotional &; practical. 50+ years of expertise in one episode. ABOUT THE GUESTS Dr. Mark Leondires, MD — Founder and Medical Director, Illume Fertility; Founder, Gay Parents To Be; co-author, Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception. Father through donor conception and surrogacy. Lisa Schuman, LCSW — Founding Director, The Center for Family Building; host, Donor Conception Conversations podcast; co-author, Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception; award-winning researcher, ASRM.

    56 min

  8. May 24

    Secondary Infertility & PCOS: What To Do When Doctors Say “Just Keep Trying”

    She was only 25 and already knew something was wrong. If you have one child and are secretly struggling to have another, this episode is for you. Margarita’s story of secondary infertility and PCOS shows what happens when “just keep trying” isn’t good enough. In this episode of Building Your Family, Lisa Schuman sits down with Margarita Lainez to talk about the often overlooked reality of secondary infertility and PCOS. After having her first child with ease, Margarita assumed a second would come naturally. Instead, she faced month after month of negative tests, dismissive “just keep trying” advice, and the heavy guilt of not giving her son a sibling. Margarita shares what it was like to live this while working inside the fertility world, how she finally pushed for a real workup and received a PCOS diagnosis, and the grief, shame, and loneliness that came with that season. Together, Lisa and Margarita explore self‑advocacy, setting boundaries, protecting your mental health, and finding the right support when friends, family, or even doctors don’t fully understand. If you’re in the middle of your own fertility journey, especially secondary infertility, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more equipped to ask for what you need. Inside this episode: What secondary infertility can feel like day‑to‑day Being told “just keep trying” when you know something is wrong Getting to a PCOS diagnosis and what self‑advocacy really looked like Shame, blame, and the pressure to “give a sibling” Setting boundaries, finding community, and caring for your mental health What grounded, realistic hope can look like after grief If you’re in secondary infertility or on a donor conception path and want help with the emotional and decision‑making side, that’s exactly what we do inside Building Your Family. 👉 Learn more and get support here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/ Guest resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarita-lainez-950a2860/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaritalainez100/ #secondaryinfertility #PCOS #fertilityjourney #infertilitysupport #buildingyourfamily #donorconception #ttccommunity

    34 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
    186
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Building your family

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