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. 10h ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. May 17

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    183
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Building your family

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