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

    When Standard IVF Isn’t Enough: How One Fertility Doctor Thinks Differently

    If you’ve been told “this is just your protocol,” “we’ll just try again,” or “everything looks fine” while IVF keeps failing, this episode is for you. Standard IVF works for many people, but not for everyone. So what happens when you don’t fit the usual box? In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Pietro Bortoletto, reproductive endocrinologist at Terra Fertility. He trained at Northwestern, Brigham & Women’s / Mass General, and Weill Cornell, and now focuses on the hard cases: diminished ovarian reserve, recurrent implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis, fibroids, and Müllerian anomalies. We talk about: Why he stepped out of the traditional IVF system How real experts think “outside the box” without going fringe When surgery actually helps (and when it’s just more trauma) The role of endometriosis, inflammation, and the immune system in fertility What thoughtful immunologic workups look like (and when they’re not useful) When to seek a second opinion and how to do it respectfully Mindset tools for staying sane when the road is long and uncertain This is not personal medical advice. It is a window into how a well‑trained REI thinks when standard IVF isn’t working, so you can have better, deeper conversations with your own team. 🔗 If you’re in treatment, using donors, or considering surrogacy and want more support with the emotional and decision‑making side of this journey, that’s exactly what we do inside The Building Your Family Community. You’ll find the link in the description. Guest resources: Website: https://www.terrafertility.com/ #IVF #Fertility #Infertility #FertilityTreatment #DiminishedOvarianReserve #RecurrentImplantationFailure #RecurrentPregnancyLoss #Endometriosis #FertilityDoctor #FertilitySupport #FertilityJourney #IVFSupport #TryingToConceive #FertilityClinic #FamilyBuilding

    49 min

  2. MAY 10

    Toxins & Fertility How to Think About Chemicals with the Co‑Founder of Green Chemistry

    Unexplained infertility. Failed cycles. Constant “what ifs” about plastics, products, and the environments we live in. We’re surrounded by headlines about “toxins” and especially worried about how they might affect fertility, but almost no one teaches us how to think clearly about any of it. In this episode, Lisa Schuman, LCSW, talks with Dr. John Warner, a founder of Green Chemistry, about how everyday materials may influence fertility and health, and how to think about risk without spiraling into fear. Dr. Warner shares the personal tragedy that pushed him to re‑invent how chemistry is taught and practiced, and together they explore what realistic, informed choices look like for people in fertility treatment, donor conception, and surrogacy. You’ll hear about: How environmental exposures intersect with fertility and overall health The “devastating realization” that changed Dr. Warner’s career What Green Chemistry is and why it matters for future parents Why testing chemicals is so complex (and why “no data” ≠ “safe”) How to ask better questions instead of panicking about “toxins” The four pillars of chemistry education and “intellectual ecology” How consumer choices quietly shape what companies create next Why fear itself can become toxic and block clear decision‑making If you’re going through IVF, using donor conception, working with a surrogate, or pregnant after infertility, this conversation offers a calmer, clearer way to think about your environment, without chasing perfection or drowning in guilt. Guest resources Website: https://johnwarner.org/ Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Environment on Fertility 03:42 John Warner's Journey to Green Chemistry 08:33 The Birth of Green Chemistry 15:43 Practical Steps for a Healthier Life 19:31 The Challenge of Testing and Regulation 25:58 Finding Reliable Information on Toxicity 27:51 The Four Pillars of Chemistry Education 29:00 Intellectual Ecology in Chemistry 30:08 Navigating Public Skepticism 32:55 Finding Balance in Information 34:54 Making Informed Choices 36:27 Embracing Chemistry in Daily Life 39:22 Consumer Responsibility and Market Influence 42:20 Understanding Marketing and Product Labels 45:45 Overcoming Chemophobia and Embracing Chemistry 49:39 The Role of Fear in Consumer Choices #fertility #IVF #donorconception #greenchemistry #environmentaltoxins #infertility #womenshealth #familybuilding #eggdonation #surrogacy

    54 min

  3. MAY 3

    When You’re Not the Genetic Parent: Staying Connected as a Couple

    If you’re building your family through donor conception and one of you is not genetically related to your child, this episode is for you. Lisa Schuman, LCSW, unpacks the real emotional challenges non-genetically related parents face: jealousy, insecurity, fear of being “less than,” and the quiet worry about connection and bonding. She walks you through five key suggestions for navigating these feelings together, so you can protect your relationship and your future family. You’ll learn:     Why the non-genetic parent often gets overlooked, and how to change that     How to talk openly about jealousy, insecurity, and grief      The critical difference between privacy and secrecy in donor conception     How to stay flexible as roles and feelings shift over time     What the genetically linked parent needs emotionally, and how to support each other as a team This conversation is about intention, compassion, and clear communication so both parents feel seen, secure, and fully “real” in their role. If you want a strong relationship and a healthy environment for your donor-conceived child, start here. Get free resources on donor conception here: https://familybuilding.net/free-downloads/ 00:00 Introduction to Donor Conception and Parenting Dynamics 01:44 Challenges for Non-Genetically Related Parents 02:59 Navigating Emotional Complexities 06:05 Five Key Suggestions for Couples 08:18 The Importance of Open Communication 10:16 Privacy vs. Secrecy in Family Building 12:04 Creating a Supportive Environment 14:36 Flexibility in Parenting Roles 15:06 Recognizing the Genetically Linked Parent's Role 17:16 Normalizing Feelings in Parenting 18:46 The Importance of Intention and Communication

    20 min

  4. APR 26

    Proactive Fertility: When To Get Checked, Freeze Eggs & Plan Ahead | Dr. Shefali Shastri, RMA NJ

    Most people only meet a fertility specialist in crisis mode. In this episode, Dr. Shefali Shastri, Clinical Director and Physician Partner at RMA New Jersey, explains what proactive fertility actually looks like. Dr. Shastri is a board‑certified reproductive endocrinologist who has helped bring thousands of babies into the world since joining RMA New Jersey in 2009. Inspired by her OB/GYN mother, she now combines cutting‑edge science with deeply personal, patient‑centered care. We cover: • Who should consider a fertility workup before trying • How to understand your “fertility age” vs your birthday age • What a proactive fertility checkup actually includes (hormones, AMH, ultrasound, semen analysis, basic genetic screening, etc.) • Red flags where you should not “wait a year” • Egg freezing, preimplantation genetic testing, and underlying genetic causes of infertility • Exercise, weight, stress and movement for fertility • Specific guidance for single parents by choice, queer couples, and people planning for donor conception or surrogacy • How to turn fear of “bad news” into informed, empowered decisions If you’re not trying yet but want options later, or you’re already in treatment and feeling stuck, this conversation will give you a clear, compassionate roadmap. Connect: • Learn more about Dr. Shastri and RMA New Jersey: https://rmanetwork.com/staff/shefali-mavani-shastri/ • Follor Dr. Shastri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shefalishastrimd/ • Get my proactive fertility & family‑building resources:https://familybuilding.net/free-downloads/

    38 min

  5. APR 19

    National Infertility Awareness Week: RESOLVE, Queer & Solo Parents, and How Your Story Changes Policy

    National Infertility Awareness Week is about more than awareness posts. It is about whose stories get heard, who gets left out, and how we turn lived experience into better policy for everyone building their family. In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle, the new CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. We talk about what RESOLVE is really doing behind the scenes, how they’re supporting single parents by choice and queer families, and why telling your story is one of the most powerful forms of advocacy you have. We also get practical: how to advocate for yourself at work, how to approach HR about fertility benefits, and how to find common ground in a divided moment so we can actually move legislation forward. We cover: What RESOLVE does for patients beyond social media during NIAW How current policies help some groups and still miss singles and LGBTQ+ families Concrete RESOLVE resources for talking to HR about fertility coverage Advocating for yourself at work without risking everything Using your story to build empathy, shift culture, and influence lawmakers Finding common ground across differences as a path to better legislation If you’re a single parent by choice, part of a queer couple, or anyone navigating reproductive medicine who has ever felt invisible, this conversation is for you. Episode resources Resolve: https://resolve.org/ National Infertility Awareness week: https://www.infertilityawareness.org/

    44 min

  6. APR 12

    What To Do With Unused Embryos: Options, Big Feelings & A 3‑Step Path Forward

    Deciding what to do with unused embryos after IVF can feel overwhelming, lonely, and loaded with grief. In this episode, we talk honestly about the emotional weight of unused embryos and why so many people get stuck here for years. I walk through the most common options clinics offer, explain what each one actually means, and introduce additional paths like compassionate transfer and using ritual when none of the standard choices feel right for you. Then I share a simple 3‑step system to help you move forward when you feel completely stuck, so you can make decisions that align with your values and find some peace with whatever you choose. In this episode you’ll learn: Why unused embryos bring up such big and conflicting feelings What your clinic’s standard options really involve (storage, donation, research, disposal, and more) What a compassionate transfer is and when it may be offered How ritual and meaning‑making can help with grief around unused embryos A practical 3‑step process to move from paralysis to the next right decision for you If you’re facing decisions about unused embryos and feel torn, this conversation is for you. You are not alone, and there is a way through. For more support around IVF, donor conception, and surrogacy, check the links in the show notes.

    14 min

  7. APR 5

    Jenna Wolfe on Building a Two‑Mom Family, Donor Conception & Coming Out on TV

    Journalist and TV anchor Jenna Wolfe joins therapist Lisa Schuman to share how she built a two‑mom family through fertility treatment and donor conception, came out on the Today Show, navigated a double mastectomy after a BRCA diagnosis, divorced, and is now co‑parenting two daughters. This episode is for anyone using reproductive medicine, or donor conception and worries, “Will my family really be OK?” We walk step‑by‑step through Jenna’s story: • Coming out publicly while pregnant and what she was most afraid of • Meeting her wife, deciding to have kids, and whose genetics to use • Fertility treatment in the public eye and choosing a sperm donor • Facing a double mastectomy as a new mom and talking to her kids about it • Divorce, building a healthy co‑parenting relationship, and focusing forward on the children • Small, doable changes that helped her get through fertility, surgery, and starting over If you’re building your family with fertility treatment, or donor conception, and want more structured support, you can learn about the Building Your Family education and support platform here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/ This episode is sponsored by Seattle Sperm Bank, a donor sperm bank focused on rigorous screening, a wide donor selection, and thoughtful support for LGBTQ+ and solo parents. Learn more here: https://www.seattlespermbank.com/building-your-family/

    49 min

  8. MAR 29

    ‘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
See All (178)

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
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Building your family

You Might Also Like