Podcasts about family building

When is it time to stop fertility treatment? In this episode of SART Fertility Experts, Dr. Kelly Lynch and clinical psychologist Dr. Danielle Kaplan discuss the medical, emotional, financial, and relationship factors that can influence this difficult decision. They explore IVF prognosis, treatment fatigue, mental health challenges, and the importance of setting realistic expectations. The conversation also covers alternative paths to family building, including donor gametes, gestational carriers, adoption, and living without children. Listeners will gain compassionate, practical guidance on navigating grief, uncertainty, and the transition to whatever comes next with hope and support. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

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.

The conversation delves into the importance of life insurance education and the impact of avoidance and misconceptions about life insurance costs. It also explores the lack of insurance education in schools and the wealth gap's influence on insurance understanding in black and brown communities. Additionally, it addresses the role of agents in insurance mistrust and the impact of captive agents on policy options. The discussion also covers the basics of health insurance, including ACA marketplace coverage and private health insurance, with considerations for self-employed individuals. Furthermore, it provides insights into term insurance and mortgage protection as part of life insurance basics. The conversation covers the topics of mortgage protection, term life insurance, living benefits, return of premium, and indexed universal life insurance (IUL). It delves into the importance of mortgage protection and term life insurance, the process of shopping for mortgage protection, and the detailed understanding of indexed universal life insurance (IUL) and its benefits. The conversation covers a range of topics related to insurance, including the analogy of Ramen noodles, the impact of pre-existing conditions, the importance of understanding debt and expenses, generational wealth and insurance, affordability, and the importance of starting early. The key takeaways emphasize the role of insurance in protecting both the living and the deceased, as well as the importance of education and understanding before making insurance decisions.TakeawaysInsurance educationImportance of life insurance Term life insurance for mortgage protectionLiving benefits of life insuranceReturn of premium optionIndexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) Insurance is not just for when you die, it's also for protecting what you're building while you're alive and the people you love.Education and understanding are crucial before making decisions about insurance.Chapters00:00 The Cost of Life Insurance08:35 Insurance Company Mistrust20:40 Life Insurance Basics34:09 Shopping for Mortgage Protection42:38 The Ramen Noodles Analogy48:09 Generational Wealth and Insurance59:25 Affordability and the Importance of Starting Early

GuestPete Anevski, CEO, Progyny PGNYCompany:ProgynyWebsiteprogyny.comTicker: $PGNYPete's BioPete Anevski is the Chief Executive Officer at Progyny, where he leads the company's strategic vision and growth as it transforms the family building and women's health benefits industry. With decades of experience building and scaling operations at leading healthcare and technology companies, Pete is driving Progyny's aim to deliver equitable, high-quality care for women and families.Under Pete's leadership, Progyny has expanded its footprint to support millions of lives across the U.S. and globally, while introducing new solutions that address care gaps across fertility, maternal health, parenting, menopause, and midlife. He is a passionate advocate for redefining the standard of care, building an integrated, data-driven model that improves outcomes, enhances the member experience, and lowers costs for employers.Prior to becoming CEO, Pete served as Progyny's President and Chief Financial Officer. Before joining Progyny, he was Chief Financial Officer at WebMD, where he helped scale the organization and expand access to health information for millions of consumers.A recognized industry leader, Pete was named to the TIME100 Health list for protecting access to IVF, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year, Crain's New York Notable Leader in Healthcare, and a Champion for Women's Health by The World Economic Forum. A frequent speaker on the future of women's health and family building benefits and continues to work closely with top employers, consultants, and policymakers to champion access and innovation.Company BioProgyny (Nasdaq: PGNY) is a global leader in women's health and family building solutions, trusted by the nation's leading employers, health plans and benefit purchasers. We envision a world where everyone can realize their dreams of family and ideal health. Our outcomes prove that comprehensive, inclusive and intentionally designed solutions simultaneously benefit employers, patients, and physicians.Our benefits solution empowers patients with concierge support, coaching, education, and digital tools; provides access to a premier network of fertility and women's health specialists who use the latest science and technologies; drives optimal clinical outcomes; and reduces healthcare costs.Headquartered in New York City, Progyny has been recognized for its leadership and growth as a TIME100 Most Influential Company, CNBC Disruptor 50, Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare, Forbes' Best Employers, Financial Times Fastest Growing Companies, INC. 5000, INC. Power Partners and Crain's Fast 50 for NYC. For more information, visit www.progyny.com.

The longing for another child can consume you — even when you already have one you love fiercely. Infertility can strain your marriage, drain your bank account, and follow you straight into midlife. Award-winning journalist, infertility advocate, and host of Infertile AF, Ali Prato shares her raw journey through secondary infertility and IVF, including the toll it took on her relationship and finances, and why she turned her pain into a movement and a larger cultural conversation. You'll learn why getting pregnant is harder than we're taught, how to advocate for yourself with doctors, the high cost and low odds of infertility treatments, and why grief can coexist with deep gratitude. Hit play, beauties. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AGE BOLDLY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guests are Megan and Mike Scherer, co-founders of Worth the Wait, a nationwide oncofertility non-profit organization. After Mike's experience as a testicular cancer survivor and their own fertility issues, they wanted to offer hope and resources for others navigating the world of oncofertility. Worth the Wait's mission is to empower young adult cancer survivors on their path to parenthood. They provide financial support and educational resources for fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy while advocating for oncofertility within the healthcare system and beyond.Having both Mike and Megan as guests, we talk about cancer from both the patient and caregiver perspective, fertility issues from reproductive cancers, the families Worth the Wait has helped build, making their mission a family affair with their son Elliott, and so much more!!!This is a conversation that should happen so much more, especially in the young adult cancer space. Please share with those in your life that may be dealing with oncofertility concerns.Resources:Website: https://worththewaitcharity.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worththewaitcharity/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorthTheWaitCharityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/79794452/Megan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganscherer/Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-schererwtw/Follow:Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/My website: https://melissagrosboll.comEmail me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

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/

Surrogacy is often talked about in headlines or celebrity news, but rarely explained in a way that helps people truly understand the experience behind it. In this episode, I'm joined by surrogacy consultant Jessie Jaskulsky, founder of Surrogacy Simplified, to talk openly about what the surrogacy process actually looks like, the misconceptions that surround it, and the emotional reality many families face while trying to grow their family. Jessie shares her personal path through pregnancy loss, infertility, and ultimately two surrogacy journeys that helped her welcome her daughters. From navigating the logistics and cost to managing grief, uncertainty, and public judgment, this conversation brings compassion and clarity to a topic that is often misunderstood. In this episode, we discuss: What surrogacy actually means and the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy Common misconceptions about why families pursue surrogacy Why public conversations about surrogacy can be filled with judgment and misinformation The emotional toll of infertility, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys How intended parents cope with uncertainty and lack of control during a surrogacy pregnancy What the financial reality of surrogacy can look like and ways families plan for it How to begin exploring surrogacy if it's something you're considering The bond between parents and babies born through surrogacy How friends and family can better support someone going through this process To connect with Jessie Jaskulksy follow her on Instagram @surrogacysimplified, check out all her resources at linktr.ee/surrogacysimplified  You can also join her free Intended Parent Community: https://tally.so/r/mORv9A 00:00 Surrogacy, Stigma, and the Comments Families Shouldn't Face 02:00 What Most People Get Wrong About Surrogacy 05:49 Gestational Carrier vs Surrogate Explained Simply 08:07 The Real Reasons Families Turn to Surrogacy 10:16 Why Celebrity Surrogacy Stories Spark So Much Judgment 13:07 Infertility, Anxiety, and the Emotional Side of This Process 15:34 What Surrogacy Really Costs, and Why 22:11 The First Steps for Families Considering Surrogacy 25:22 The Hardest Part, Letting Go of Control 30:06 Bonding, Love, and the Truth About Surrogacy Babies Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don't forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surrogacy is often talked about in headlines or celebrity news, but rarely explained in a way that helps people truly understand the experience behind it. In this episode, I'm joined by surrogacy consultant Jessie Jaskulsky, founder of Surrogacy Simplified, to talk openly about what the surrogacy process actually looks like, the misconceptions that surround it, and the emotional reality many families face while trying to grow their family. Jessie shares her personal path through pregnancy loss, infertility, and ultimately two surrogacy journeys that helped her welcome her daughters. From navigating the logistics and cost to managing grief, uncertainty, and public judgment, this conversation brings compassion and clarity to a topic that is often misunderstood. In this episode, we discuss: What surrogacy actually means and the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy Common misconceptions about why families pursue surrogacy Why public conversations about surrogacy can be filled with judgment and misinformation The emotional toll of infertility, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys How intended parents cope with uncertainty and lack of control during a surrogacy pregnancy What the financial reality of surrogacy can look like and ways families plan for it How to begin exploring surrogacy if it's something you're considering The bond between parents and babies born through surrogacy How friends and family can better support someone going through this process To connect with Jessie Jaskulksy follow her on Instagram @surrogacysimplified, check out all her resources at linktr.ee/surrogacysimplified  You can also join her free Intended Parent Community: https://tally.so/r/mORv9A 00:00 Surrogacy, Stigma, and the Comments Families Shouldn't Face 02:00 What Most People Get Wrong About Surrogacy 05:49 Gestational Carrier vs Surrogate Explained Simply 08:07 The Real Reasons Families Turn to Surrogacy 10:16 Why Celebrity Surrogacy Stories Spark So Much Judgment 13:07 Infertility, Anxiety, and the Emotional Side of This Process 15:34 What Surrogacy Really Costs, and Why 22:11 The First Steps for Families Considering Surrogacy 25:22 The Hardest Part, Letting Go of Control 30:06 Bonding, Love, and the Truth About Surrogacy Babies Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don't forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is a leader of a company that's a huge victory for womankind. Dr. Janet Choi is the Chief Medical Officer of Progyny, who provides comprehensive fertility, family building, and women's health benefits for a global workforce. Hear how they've expanded their family building benefits over the years, the types of fertility benefits they offer, how they sell these women's health benefits to employers, the impressive feedback from physicians in their network, and how they find healthcare providers to work with. Tune in to this episode to spread the availability of life-changing fertility, family building, and women's health benefits.   Learn more: Dr. Janet Choi Progyny Progyny LinkedIn   Today's Hot Flash and other stats from: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Surrogacy is often talked about in milestones — matching, transfer, birth. But what about the parts no one prepares you for?In this episode, Eloise Edington is joined by Naia Adamia, Founder & CEO of Be Parent - a full-service surrogacy agency dedicated to creating ethical, inclusive journeys that honour intended parents, surrogate carriers and donors alike.Together, they unpack what “ethical surrogacy” really means beyond paperwork, how matching truly works in practice, and the emotional realities that intended parents often underestimate. From navigating donor conception, to supporting surrogates before, during and long after birth, this conversation explores the human side of family building.They also discuss one of the most common fears — bonding — and why connection doesn't begin at birth, but much earlier than many people realise.If you're considering surrogacy, in the middle of the process, or simply want to better understand what a truly supported journey should look like, this episode offers clarity, reassurance and insight.To learn more or book an intended parent consultation, visit https://beparentsurrogacy.com/?utm_source=the-ribbon-box&utm

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

In this episode of The Ribbon Box Podcast, Eloise Edington is joined by Samantha Stacks, Intake Manager in the Surrogacy Department at ACRC Global, to explore the emotional side of surrogacy and the connections that make this path to parenthood so meaningful.Samantha sits at the very beginning of many surrogacy journeys, supporting both intended parents and surrogates as they take their first steps. Together, Eloise and Samantha talk about the emotional moments people often underestimate - from the quiet weight of waiting periods to the tenderness of early match conversations, and the powerful moment when a baby is finally placed into their parents' arms.They also discuss what it really means to build trust between intended parents and surrogates, how bonding develops when the pregnancy is carried by someone else, and why the concept of an “emotional transfer” can be just as significant as the medical milestones in surrogacy.This episode offers a thoughtful, honest look at the human side of family building, highlighting the depth of trust, vulnerability and connection that shape the surrogacy journey.If you're considering surrogacy, or simply want to understand the relationships behind this path to parenthood, this conversation offers valuable insight and reassurance.To learn more about surrogacy or to schedule a free intended parent consultation, visit ACRC Global here: https://www.acrcglobal.com/?utm_source=the-ribbon-box&utm

In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I'm joined by Dr Carole Gilling-Smith, Medical Director of The Agora Clinic and Trustee of Fertility Action, to talk about family building within the LGBTQ+ community.If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community and thinking about becoming a parent, or you love someone who is, this episode is a practical starting point. We talk about treatment pathways, donor conception, fertility preservation, NHS inequality, and how to make sure you are supported properly by a clinic that understands your needs.This is about education, empowerment and knowing your options.What we cover in this episodeWhy fertility equality on the NHS is still not where it should beThe postcode lottery affecting IVF fundingWhy three full IVF cycles should be the national standardThe additional financial barriers faced by same sex couplesWhy six self funded IUIs before NHS eligibility is deeply problematicThe risks of sourcing donor sperm onlineChoosing between known donors and donor banksHow clinics should approach inclusive paperwork and languageWhy pronouns and preferred names matter in clinical settingsShared motherhood and reciprocal IVFFertility testing for both partners before deciding who carriesSupporting gay male couples through complex pathways involving egg donation and surrogacyWorking with the trans community around fertility preservationPreserving sperm or eggs before starting hormone treatmentThe emotional impact of genetic connection and non biological parentingWhy counselling is essential before treatment beginsSupporting patients who fear internal examinations or surgical environmentsCreating clinic spaces that feel safe, calm and inclusiveAbout Dr Carole Gilling-SmithDr Carole Gilling-Smith is the Medical Director of The Agora Clinic, one of the UK's leading fertility clinics for the LGBTQ+ community, based in Brighton and Hove.She is also a founding Trustee of Fertility Action, the UK charity campaigning for fertility equality and better access to treatment.Carole has been a long standing advocate for:Equal NHS funding for fertility treatmentInclusive fertility care for LGBTQ+ patientsFertility education in schools and universities

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're talking with Jason and Nan Britt from Bethlehem Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in the country with three campuses in Georgia—and a fourth on the way. Jason serves as Lead Pastor, while Nan has pioneered a powerful inclusion ministry called Bethlehem Buddies, designed to help children, students, and adults with special needs fully participate in the life of the church. In this conversation, they unpack how inclusive ministry became a defining part of Bethlehem's culture and how any church—regardless of size—can take meaningful steps in this direction. Is your church unsure how to serve families affected by special needs? Do you feel overwhelmed by where to start or afraid of doing it wrong? Jason and Nan offer practical, hope-filled wisdom rooted in real-life experience. Revitalization with intentional mission. // Bethlehem Church is a revitalization story at every campus. When Jason arrived 14 years ago, the church had plateaued and was struggling to reflect its surrounding community. Rather than questioning the church's heart, Jason focused on intentionality—helping the congregation shift from insider-focused habits to an outward-facing mission. Located near Athens, Georgia, Bethlehem serves a family-centric community, prompting leaders to double down on reaching families and the next generation. That commitment laid the groundwork for inclusion ministry, even before the church realized it. Seeing an unreached community. // Nan's background in special education played a critical role in shaping Bethlehem Buddies. Long before it became a formal ministry, Jason and Nan were deeply immersed in the lives of families affected by disability. When they arrived at Bethlehem, they recognized that many families in their community wanted to attend church but lacked the support to do so. Rather than being opposed to special needs ministry, churches often feel overwhelmed by it. Bethlehem chose to take a different approach—starting small, stepping in with humility, and learning along the way. Inclusion, not separation. // Nan defines inclusion as inviting people with disabilities into the same environments as everyone else—preschool, kids ministry, student ministry, and adult worship—rather than isolating them into separate spaces. Inclusion honors the individual and recognizes that people with disabilities don't all look the same or need the same support. A five-year-old with autism and a 30-year-old man with Down syndrome should be welcomed into age-appropriate environments, with individualized support when needed. The goal isn't just inclusion, but belonging—creating space for people to contribute and use their gifts within the body of Christ. The buddy model at scale. // Bethlehem Buddies pairs each individual with a trained volunteer—called a “buddy”—whose role is simple but powerful: be their best friend for 90 minutes. Buddies focus on connection over compliance, valuing relationship more than control. While some individuals prefer quieter environments, most are included directly into existing ministries with one-on-one support. Parents can attend worship knowing their child or adult family member is safe, known, and loved. Over time, this model has grown from serving one child to serving more than 300 families every weekend. Unexpected volunteer impact. // One of the biggest surprises has been how Bethlehem Buddies shapes volunteer culture. The ministry attracts people who might never serve in traditional kids or student roles—men, teenagers, business leaders—and cultivates empathy, humility, and ownership. Jason notes that the ministry has become one of the strongest volunteer-recruiting pipelines in the church, strengthening the overall mission and heart of Bethlehem. From program to culture. // Early on, Nan personally recruited volunteers by tapping shoulders and inviting people she saw potential in. Over time, inclusion became embedded in the church's DNA. Today, the culture itself recruits. Serving families affected by special needs has reshaped Bethlehem's understanding of the gospel—reinforcing the truth that the kingdom of God is for everyone, especially “the least of these.” Jason emphasizes that while inclusion started as the right thing to do, it has become one of the most spiritually formative aspects of the church. Simple steps for churches. // For churches wondering where to begin, Nan encourages leaders to start with one service, one plan, and one conversation. Decide how you would respond if a family arrived this Sunday. Identify a few volunteers who could serve as buddies. Use a detailed family intake form to prepare volunteers and build trust with parents. Jason urges pastors to see opportunity rather than obstacles—and to remember that you don't need to be an expert to start, just willing to learn. To learn more about Bethlehem Church and the Bethlehem Buddies Network, visit bethlehemchurch.us. Churches interested in starting or strengthening inclusion ministry can email Nan directly and take take a look at Bethlehem’s Buddies Volunteer Handbook. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Risepointe Do you feel like your church’s or school's facility could be preventing growth? Are you frustrated or possibly overwhelmed at the thought of a complicated or costly building project? Are the limitations of your building becoming obstacles in the path of expanding your ministry? Have you ever felt that you could reach more people if only the facility was better suited to the community’s needs? Well, the team over at Risepointe can help! As former ministry staff and church leaders, they understand how to prioritize and help lead you to a place where the building is a ministry multiplier. Your mission should not be held back by your building. Their team of architects, interior designers and project managers have the professional experience to incorporate creative design solutions to help move YOUR mission forward. Check them out at risepointe.com/unseminary and while you’re there, schedule a FREE call to explore possibilities for your needs, vision and future…Risepointe believes that God still uses spaces…and they're here to help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey, friends. Welcome to the unSeminary Podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. I really want you to lean in today. This is one of those issues that we see in churches all the time that I really hope tons churches that are leaning in or listening in today will lean in on this issue, particularly if you’re a growing church. This might be one of those just up over the horizon issues that it that you can get ahead on and work ahead on now and and actually create more space for more people in your community. Rich Birch — Really excited to have Jason and Nan Britt with us. They’re from Bethlehem Church. It’s repeatedly one of the fastest growing churches in the country with three locations, if I’m counting correctly, in Georgia. Jason is the lead pastor and Nan has championed a program called Bethlehem Buddies. And we’re really looking forward to pulling this apart. They offer that all campuses and they provide inclusive support to help preschooler, child, teenager, and adults with special needs transition smoothly into one of the church’s worship environments. So Jason, Nan, welcome to the show. So glad that you are here.Nan Britt — Thank you. Jason Britt — And we’re thankful, thankful for for you having us.Rich Birch — Yeah, Jason, why don’t you tell us, kind of give us the picture of Bethlehem Church, kind of tell us a little bit about the church, kind of set the picture. If we were to arrive… Jason Britt — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — …on a typical weekend, what would we experience?Jason Britt — Yeah. It’s three campuses, hopefully four soon. They’re all revitalization story. We just actually relocated our broadcast campus about a mile down the road. We’re a year in now… Rich Birch — Nice. Jason Britt — …December when you’re broadcasting this. And so we opened, new and it’s a revitalization story, multiple services, and it’s just a church that had history. And all of our campuses, Rich, are revitalization stories, too.Jason Britt — And it was a church with history that just had the courage, if you will, to envision a new future or be open to envisioning a new future. And we’ve been here for 14 years. It was my first senior pastorate, and it’s been a phenomenal year. And the church has just embraced the mission of leading people to discover new life in Christ in all areas of our ministry.Rich Birch — Why don’t we stick with you, Jason, and double click on revitalization. Jason Britt — Yeah. Rich Birch — Kind of pull apart that picture a little bit, help people, because I know there’s people that are listening in today that are on the other side of revitalization. And they’re thinking, hey, you know, what were some of, you know, you first stepped into that journey. What were some early questions that you were asking that really about that kind of led you to the place of like, hey, this is what I think the church could become. Where what started that journey for you?Jason Britt — Yeah, I think even in the process of, you know how it goes in different denominations or tribes have different ways of calling a pastor. And so for me, as I talked with the group that was selecting a pastor, the church had been plateaued for a number of years, plateaued, declining, kind of fell on that. And ultimately, my question for them is, what’s your limiting, have you guys considered your limiting factor? You know, and I think our church, although the heart was there, it did not reflect the community as a whole. And so by that, I mean the heart for mission was there, but not the intentionality of mission, if you will.Jason Britt — And so we really kind of began a two to three year journey of what would it look like for our church to reflect our community. And our community, Rich, we’re outside we’re kind of the bedroom community of Athens Georgia. Rich Birch — Okay. Jason Britt — All of our campuses surround the college town of Athens and it’s very family-centric, very kid-centric. I mean it’s not a high single adult population out here, if you will. This is where families live. And so we really needed to double down and become incredibly serious about the next generation and reaching families.Jason Britt — And I think it was just the reality of getting intentional with what our mission and heart was. The church wasn’t, I think I heard years ago, maybe on your podcast or somebody else, a pastor say, when you take over a church, one of two things are happening. They either believe they won the Super Bowl or they believe they’re losing every game.Jason Britt — Neither he goes, neither—I think it was Jud Wilhite said, I’m not sure… Rich Birch — Okay. Yeah, yeah. Jason Britt — …He goes, neither are true. Rich Birch — Right. That’s good. Jason Britt — But you have to understand their psyche… Rich Birch — Right. Jason Britt — …and the way they see their ministry. So for me, the gift of Bethlehem, Rich, was they were, they were, they were ready to win. I didn’t have to convince them they had to change a ton. I just had to, in many ways, give permission to see things differently. That if you will, the local church tends to be drift toward insider focused…Rich Birch — Yep, that’s true. Yeah.Jason Britt — …and the gospel is very outsider focused. And so for us, it was a lot of, if you will, deconstructing some things before we reconstructed, a lot of examining the fruit of what we were doing, not the intent. You know, that was a lot of the earliest, probably where lot people that you’re listening, your listeners are in revitalization. A lot of it’s not what we, early on, is not what we need to do that we’re not doing is what we need to stop doing that we’re doing.Rich Birch — Right. That’s good.Jason Britt — Right. And that’s the hard part, the deconstruction.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. That’s true.Jason Britt — That was my first two or three years. It’s when I had a full head of hair and no gray, you know what i’m saying, bro? And so it was good though, man.Rich Birch — Yes, for sure.Jason Britt — And so that was our early days of really the heart didn’t need a lot of work. The direction and the intentionality to mission, if you will, strategy and vision. So.Rich Birch — Well, I think there’s a lot of churches that are listening in that I think can relate with that idea of like, hey, the heart of our church is is right, but we’re not really taking intentional steps. And at some point as a leadership team, you realized that there were families that wanted to participate fully, but needed something different in order to do that. That’s ultimately what led us to what we’re talking about today. Rich Birch — What opened your eyes to that gap? What kind of got the ball rolling for you as a leadership team, for you specifically or for our leadership team as you were thinking about this issue?Nan Britt — Yeah, so, um you know, we’ve always been in ministry, Jason in ministry, but really my calling has been early on in special education. You know, that was my training and experience.Rich Birch — Okay.Nan Britt — And ah so professionally, you know, that was my job as a teacher. And so really for the first 10 years of our marriage, Jason walked alongside that road with me. And so the students that I taught really had a lot of needs. And so we really got to know those families. We were really immersed in the special needs community of families.Nan Britt — And so as we came to Bethlehem, we knew, we just knew this was such a great need. This was really an unreached group of people in our community. And so we were excited at the opportunity to be able to serve these families. You know, with him taking that role as as lead pastor, we wanted to make that a priority with our church.Nan Britt — And so that was that was an easy way for me to get involved as a volunteer. So I served as a volunteer for several years because that was just my experience and training and gifting and, you know, what I felt called to to do to to take what I had learned and really use that, you know, in the church.Jason Britt — Yeah, I think we’ve been to some great, we served at two great churches before we came here, awesome churches. If I said them, many of your listeners would know they were awesome and we have nothing, but I remember us being there. A lot of times it was, as we as we were serving there, it was not a, nobody’s against special needs ministry. It just seems overwhelming. Rich Birch — That’s true. Yeah.Jason Britt — Right. And that’s what you find is nobody’s against doing it. It’s just kind of what it seems overwhelming, if you will, or where do we even start? And so I think for us, when we came, our kids were young. And as Nan began to It just began as with one person. Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — And really beginning inclusion there. It was more of instead of being overwhelmed by it, almost, if you will… Nan Britt — Yeah. Jason Britt — …taking a step in and giving the example of what of what that looks like.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great. I love that. And let’s let’s start, we’re going to get into some tactics in a second, but Jason, I want you to think about from like at a 30,000 foot point of view. My impression as an outsider, looking at this, you know, what you guys are doing, it’s pretty robust. You’ve created a pathway for children, students, adults with special needs to be fully included. And we’ll talk about what that means in a minute. But it to me, i think this could struggle if it’s just a tactic. It seems like what you’ve done has been able to talk about it really at kind of a cultural, this who we’re trying to be. So talk to us how we do that as senior leaders. How do we move this from beyond just like this is another thing we do to like, oh, this is a part of who we are. This is how we see ourselves.Jason Britt — Yeah, and and Nan could probably fill a little bit of the gaps here, but I think for me, I would say two things to senior leaders or senior teams if you’re talking about that. I think the cultural piece is when it becomes a kingdom of God, everybody’s invited at the table. Nan Britt — Yes. Jason Britt — The least of these, marginalized, which we know the gospel – Jesus is more drawn to empty hearts and empty lives than he is full rooms, if you will, you know? And so then in our society, the poor, the marginalized or the least of these is not only poor and impoverished, but oftentimes it’s families who have lived and wrestled with and, walk through this. And so creating space for everybody, I would say was a very, for us, Jesus-centric type thing. Nan Britt — Yes. Jason Britt — It was like this, if we are for the least of these, if we are for all people, that was one of our kind of core values as Bethlehem Church is a church for all people, right? Gospel, for God so loved the world. That’s a pretty broad path right there, the world.Rich Birch — Right. Yes.Jason Britt — So then let’s be intentional there. And, and the thing that I would tell you now, and as Nan gets into the tactics, we didn’t do this to start. This wasn’t the reason. The reason was it was the right thing and we could do this, but, Rich, man, I am telling you, when you begin to serve these families and and you see the joy and the blessing and what it does to the heart of the church, you cannot exchange.Rich Birch — That’s true.Jason Britt — Serving these families, when I talk to other pastor buddies that are stepping into this or some good friends that are in the Buddies Network who would do this, I’m like, man, what it does for the whole of your church when it comes to the heart of Christ, you know, and we’ve seen it go from one kid to three serving 300 families a weekend now. And so it’s been a crazy thing. But what it does for the overall mission and heart of the church and the volunteers and the church seeing this is a powerful thing.Rich Birch — Yeah, I would agree. You know, we talked a little bit beforehand about yeah when I esrved at Liquid Church for years, and this has been a part of our story there. It’s like of my proudest things that we had been a part of. And but but I want to take a step back. And Nan, can you help us understand when you say the word inclusion, what do you mean by that as opposed to separation?Rich Birch — So I’ll paint a bit of a picture for you. Maybe I’m a church of, I don’t know, 5-, 600 people. And sure, there are some kids that we can see. There are kids with special needs. And and I’m like, don’t don’t we just want to create a place where we can like put those kids away so they don’t bother us? Again, I’m I’m using hyperbole. Nan Britt — Right. Rich Birch — Obviously, I’m playing a bit of the devil’s advocate. I don’t actually believe that. Nan Britt — Right. Rich Birch — But what what do you mean by inclusion, not separation? What does that look like?Nan Britt — Yes. Well, inclusion simply means that you are, in the church setting, looking at preschool ministry, kids ministry, students, adult ministries, and really just looking for opportunity to include everyone into those environments. You know, and we know that some people, individuals with disabilities, just may need some individualized love, care, and support. But I think inclusion also speaks more importantly to honoring people and seeing people as individuals. Rich Birch — So true.Nan Britt — And so, for example, we know that a 30-year-old man with Down syndrome looks very different than a five-year-old with autism. And so inclusion is honoring and seeing a person for who they are. And so we want to invite a 30 year old man with Down syndrome into the same opportunities that we’re inviting other 30 year old men in in the church. Nan Britt — And so, so that just gives an example and it actually simplifies things a lot. You know, you you’re really whatever is being offered, you know, at your church, for each age group, you’re you’re simply just opening up that opportunity for our kids and adults with disabilities and special needs to be a part of that.Nan Britt — And then, like we said, we just know sometimes that may mean they need some individualized support in order to be a part of those ah great ministries happening. But it I think inclusion really speaks to honoring that individual and seeing them, what they can contribute to the body of Christ. Nan Britt — And so we know everyone wants to be included, but belonging is really the goal. You know, people, we we know the difference, you know, as people when we’re included in a place, but when we’re invited to to to contribute back… Rich Birch — So good. Nan Britt — …and to use our gifts and strengths, you know, that’s when you really feel a sense of belonging. And so I think that’s the power of inclusion versus just, hey, let’s just provide a separate space and because this is what we’re supposed to do.Rich Birch — Right. Right. So can you get tactical on that? What does that actually look like for, because I, you know, I, I understand doing this at a one or two people, but at scale, 3-, 400, 500 every weekend over a year, like that’s, how do you actually do that? We’ll stick with you, Nan. If I’myeah, what what does that look like? How do how do we provide that care? How do we and how do we learn how we can best support people and then communicate with them and all that? What does it kind of… Nan Britt — Yes. Rich Birch — I know there’s a lot there, I understand… Nan Britt — Yes.Rich Birch — …but but give us kind of an overview. We start there.Nan Britt — eah, that’s a great question. I think it’s really important to first define your goal of like… Rich Birch — Right. Nan Britt — …okay, what is our goal and why are we we providing disability ministry, special needs ministry? And what I believe is the goal of it is that so a family can attend worship, can attend a worship service together on a Sunday morning.Rich Birch — Great.Nan Britt — That is the goal. You know, first, over other nights of programming happening at your church, we believe that we want our families to hear the gospel message, the hope of Jesus, to experience worship, prayer, sit under preaching. And so that’s why we we want to focus on inviting them and providing support around a worship service. We know most likely for parents to be able to attend the service, then that means their child or adult is going to need some individualized support and care.Nan Britt — And so that’s that’s where the Buddies team, the Buddies ministry comes in. And so ah you’re going to need some some volunteers. And so really, i think that simplifies it a lot because I think churches get overwhelmed to think, man, do we need to provide something every time the doors of our church are open? And I would say a great place to start and focus on is we want families to be invited to your worship service. Nan Britt — And then equally, ah we want our individuals to experience the love of Christ, grow in their faith, be be in community um with others. And so I think that’s the place to start is while mom and dad get to attend a service and they’re siblings, then we provide a volunteer to pair up with kids and adults with disabilities.Nan Britt — And then from there, you already have these great ministries happening in your church, kids ministries, student ministries, sometimes on a Sunday morning. And then you’re able to just join in the great ministry happening with that buddy support with a child.Nan Britt — And then I do think that if you have the space at your church, you can also offer a classroom space for kids and adults who prefer a quieter setting or do better in a small group setting. Then you can offer another space that that also has the same great ministry happening. So I really think those volunteers drive the ministry… Jason Britt — Yeah. Nan Britt — …and then just get to participate in with with all the great things happening on a Sunday morning at your church.Rich Birch — I love that. Jason, can you, let’s talk about it from the side, because Nan was talking there about the volunteer side of the equation. Let’s talk about it from that end.Rich Birch — What have you seen, kind of what impact has adding buddies and adding a really robust inclusion culture to your church?Jason Britt — Yeah.Rich Birch — How has that kind of impacted the volunteers who are and engaged in this ministry?Jason Britt — Yeah, I think a couple things and our kids will be examples, but they’re friends as well. What you see is there, and and we’ve seen this with male leadership, is there are people that would probably not raise their hand and say, hey, I want to be in preschool or kids ministry. But the chance to pair up and walk with a teenager with special needs, to be included, to be a one-on-one individualized and walk into our kid’s town or our midtown, which is our younger environments, it’s very empowering. And, I mean, it just opens opportunities for connection. And that’s one thing that we’ve seen, that we see people who may not want more than handing out a, but if you will, just on the Sunday service, if you were the Sunday morning weekend environment, serving opportunities, obviously there’s more in the church, but those coffee, parking lot, greeter, than kids ministry. A lot of your churches that you minister to look similar ours, you know what I mean? Jason Britt — And so what we found was that stream of empowering and inviting, and candidly our buddies ministry, is stronger in the recruiting aspect than our kids or student ministry because it’s so unique and it calls things out of people that maybe the other don’t, if you will. We’ve seen that. And so I would say that that was one of the benefits that we didn’t know early on. Nan maybe did just because of her background in special needs. But as we’ve seen it, I mean, you know, students, it’s a powerful thing when you’re watching a 16-year-old, 17-year-old high schooler, when you’re watching them walk with a five-year-old with autism or Down syndrome into a children’s ministry class. That’s just a pretty powerful thing. The humility, the ownership, there’s just… Nan Britt — Empathy. Jason Britt — …empathy. That rich, the discipleship piece of that’s incredibly strong. You know… Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. Jason Britt — …that just in this simple, it’s not filling a hole, it’s empowering. And so that’s one of the things we’ve seen. I mean, I know you’ve been around, if you were Liquid, even the Night to Shine, obviously the the Tim Tebow thing. Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s fantastic. Jason Britt — Even that, that’s probably the big mass on a mass scale we do where the church is incredibly involved. But then the opportunities it’s opened up for us on the outside of the church to partner with other nonprofits and bring nonprofits that for serve families with special needs, but we get to bring a gospel presence to that. Rich Birch — Love it.Jason Britt — And that’s because of what we’re doing internally. So I’ve seen both of those things that the mission fulfilled in ways that it’s not just serving those families with special needs, but taking the church to a place we’ve never been.Rich Birch — Yeah, I love that. And, you know, to underline something you said there that we’ve seen through multiple conversations that I think when we cast a big picture and a big responsibility to volunteers, they will step up to that. In fact, they’ll actually lean in. They’ll be like,I’m this is great. This requires a lot of me.Jason Britt — Yes.Rich Birch — I would love to lean in.Jason Britt — Yes.Rich Birch — So Nan, what have you learned about, let’s keep keep on this whole topic here, volunteers. What have you learned about recruiting, finding these volunteers, training them so they feel prepared, confident, like, you know, this is your professionally, you said this… Nan Britt — Right. Rich Birch — …your this is your professional background, but, you know, you take your average 16-year-old, they’re not professionally equipped for this. And so how do you help them get to a place where they can be a buddy?Nan Britt — Right.Rich Birch — Talk us through what that looks like.Nan Britt — Yes. It’s, it’s really, it’s so exciting. That’s something that I’ve always been passionate about to connect people to purpose. And so, and then like you said, to take what I have learned and, and really, put it into terms and, and easy ways, easy strategies for, everyday volunteers to feel equipped.Nan Britt — And, and, and so I think that we, a lot of our training materials have come from that that we love to share with churches because we that’s something that we prioritize is we we have many volunteers that serve that do have a background in special education a lot like myself with experience, and I think they’re needed for sure in this ministry. But we have the majority of our volunteers are teenagers and adults who are businessmen. They own their own construction company. Women who you know are stay-at-home moms. Teenagers who, yeah, who would say, hey, I have a heart for this. I’m available. And we love that. We think that that is absolutely the right person to serve. And so we’ve just found some easy ways. Nan Britt — We are highly prepared on our end as a staff. to ah provide the best experience possible for the volunteer and the child on a Sunday morning. And so we do that with, we have a great family form that we have all of our families fill out. We’ve done that for 11 years. It’s a really detailed form. And so we feel like that gives us so much great information about the child or adult that we’re working with, that the parent has given us. Their interests, their likes, things that their dislikes, what to do to to help them stay calm and engaged. We utilize that every week. We get that in the hands of the volunteers so they feel equipped to to know the child they’re paired up with. Jason Britt — Yeah. Nan Britt — And then we we have great just engaging activities and and Bible stories and worship that that just provide the best experience possible for for an hour and a half on a Sunday morning while they’re with us. We want our volunteers to feel supported, to just enjoy being with their child or adult. You know, we say your role is to be their best friend on a Sunday, to hang out. We really prioritize connection over compliance. You know, we’re highly relational. It’s very individualized. And so we, I think that takes away a lot of the nervousness for our volunteers. Jason Britt — Yeah.Nan Britt — And we really, do have great experiences because church is different. Church is different and should be different than school, than therapy, than camp.Rich Birch — Right.Nan Britt — And so you really can have such a a great experience, you know, for an hour and a half, you know, during a service and people feel equipped. We encourage them. We support them. And, and as you know, Rich, people step in to, to volunteer and, but they always come back to us and say, they are so much more of a blessing to me.Jason Britt — Yeah, yeah. Nan Britt — You know, they, they are really ministering to me because our kids and adults, you know, just have such a, a peaceful presence and unhurried spirit, gracious. They’ll pray for you. And so they turn around and bless our volunteers and minister to them. And in so many greater ways than we, than we ever really do for them. Jason Britt — It’s good.Rich Birch — Yeah, love that. And you use the word buddy, and I’d love to double click on that. You you talked about this, Nan, this idea of be their best friend that, you know, for that 90 minutes every week. It’s not about compliance. Talk us about talk to us about that a little bit more, kind of unpack that a little bit. What does that look like? Because that’s a nuance that I think people might, who have not been around this kind of ministry might not understand that. So unpack that a little bit more. What’s that look like?Nan Britt — Yes. So that’s, that’s what we choose to call our volunteers, buddies, buddy volunteers. And we we think it’s, it fits whether you’re with a child or with your, whether you’re with an adult with a disability. And I think that, the the beauty and the success of the ministry is it’s just individualized, you know, undivided attention for a whole, like you said, 90 minutes where we want our kids and adults to feel seen and heard and valued.Nan Britt — And so if you’re a buddy volunteer, you you have that permission to just celebrate and make that morning just all about their child and get on their level, play with them. You know, we we give a lot of direction around ways to interact with people that have differences. You know, if they’re in a wheelchair, if they don’t verbally communicate, hey, here’s some creative ways of of how you can interact with your buddy. And just to that, you know, to to just place such a high value on that child or adult. And yeah, and there there’s so much celebration around it and so much joy. I think people who walk by buddies or around our ministry, that’s the culture of it’s just so much joy and celebration.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s great.Nan Britt — Even when they’re you’re in the presence of so many complex needs, you know, this is a group of people who have a lot of hardships and and very complex needs on paper, but yet you can still just have such a great experience as a buddy volunteer. And like I said, I think that the reason for it is it’s so individualized and it’s ah based around their interest, what they like, and really valuing them and then sharing the love of Jesus. Jason Britt — Yeah.Nan Britt — You know, that unconditional love. That is what we are we strive to share, you know, as a buddy volunteer to our kids and adults. Jason Britt — And I think, we’re Rich, I would add, I think in your churches that are listening, now, then we’re 10 years in, the culture recruits. Nan Britt — True.Jason Britt — Early on, early on, I would say Nan, and she doesn’t give herself enough credit for this, she shoulder tapped a lot of people and would say, hey, you know this is when the church was very smaller and it was. But in the early days, it was a lot of, just like there’s individual care, I would just say the recruiting was individualized… Nan Britt — Yes. Jason Britt — …by Nan, tapping shoulders, saying, hey, I see this in you, or hey, I think you could help me. I mean, I think about… You know, our friends, Richard, Andy, some of these guys who were men’s men that are friends of mine that and and she would just be very specific. Would you and and all of them were like, absolutely. Nan Britt — Yeah.Jason Britt — Before they even knew what they were getting into.Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — I just think early on, I would tell you now our culture does a lot of the recruiting.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Jason Britt — But early on it was individualized. I see this in you, that shoulder tapping. Nan Britt — Yep, that’s true. Jason Britt — It was never necessarily my vision for it, recruiting people. It was more of the individualized. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Jason Britt — And then now it’s part of our culture, but I would say it didn’t start. It just became a part of our culture. Nan Britt — Yeah. Jason Britt — Does that make sense?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s 100%. 100%. That’s a great thing to underline, even just in general… Jason Britt — Yes. Rich Birch — …but specifically in this this ministry, that those early people that we get involved really do kind of cast vision for the future of like, oh, we’re looking for more of these kind of, like you said, whoever those guys are, your men’s men guys.Jason Britt — Yeah.Rich Birch — It’s like, well, that then creates a door for like other guys like that to say, hey, I want to be a part of that.Nan Britt — Absolutely.Rich Birch — And yeah, that’s good.Nan Britt — Yes.Rich Birch — I was also don’t underestimate the the power of the person asking. I know you highlighted this celebrating your wife, but that’s very true. Like that you want to, the person you put in in charge of this wants to be the kind of person that is trusted and is loved and has got some wisdom. So Jason, sticking with you, I’m sure you get calls from leads, from other lead pastors or executive pastors that might have some like common misunderstandings or fears that about starting a special needs ministry. What are some of those fears that they have and what do you say to them to try to say, no, no, you should do this. What are what are the things that come up in a conversation like that?Jason Britt — It’s great question. I think a lot of times it’s not, it’s, if you don’t have a background or awareness or someone in your family or close to you that has special needs or disabilities, there is a lot of what if, what if, what if.Rich Birch — Right.Jaon Britt — And so like, what if the needs extreme, you know, they have feeding tube or they kind of create the worst case scenario or the hardest situation to go, I don’t know if we could ever. Rich Birch — Right. Jason Britt — And what you realize is the vast majority, the, the, the, the needs not that extreme. So it’s kind of almost right size and go in. No, no, no, no. I think you’re, you’re out thinking, you know, in church, you’ve been around church, Rich, you know, we have a way of out-thinking ourselves somehow of going, well, what if…Rich Birch — Sure. Sure.Jason Britt — Hey, Hey, Hey, there’s a really good chance, you know?Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — And so I think that’d be one of going, no, I think, but a lot of times it’s not from against, it’s just a lack of awareness. Rich Birch — Right. Jason Britt — You know, it’s not, we can’t do this because. I think liability, something that comes up, I mean, candidly, Rich, you know, in this day and age of liability and stuff like that. And I think again, the reality is, we are 10 years in, 300 families. It’s just not something we’ve ever dealt with. Nan Britt — Yeah. Jason Britt — You know, got think these families love these kids more than we could ever love these kids.Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — And so we’re going to be fully equipped and they’re, they’re not, if there’s great needs that, that are, that, they’re probably not going to check them in. They’ll sit with them in the service. You know what I mean? Something like that.Rich Birch — Yep, sure.Jason Britt — I think sometimes that would be one. And then… Nan Britt — Well, yeah, and I would just say, I think that’s when it’s important to have have humility and invite in someone that, like myself that, and I only say myself because like a teacher. Someone who has experience and training professionally in this field so that they’re able to to answer those questions, and to really right size and give a realistic. You know, and I’ve been in some of those conversations before to say, you know, in 11 years, that’s not something that we’ve ever dealt with the church… Jason Britt — Right. Yeah. Nan Britt — …but, but, Hey, here’s something else that you need to think about.Jason Britt — Yeah.Nan Britt — And so I think it’s, it’s really important. I have a lot of respect for leaders who show humility in saying, Hey, I, I even admit I have some ignorance about this conversation… Rich Birch — Yeah. Right. Nan Britt — …and I’d like to invite in so ah someone, an expert in this area to help us move forward in this conversation. Yeah.Jason Britt — Yeah, that’s been the, I think that’s the, yeah, that’s what we have talked to. Again, it’s almost permission, that Nan’s right, humility and just going, okay, we don’t know what we don’t know, let’s just ask some questions. Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — But the other thing I would say is, like, we don’t have, um if you will, a room. We don’t have space. We don’t, we’re we’re for it. And I think we go back to our early days, neither did we. You know It was all inclusion-based and all still is before we had a safety room, if you will, or before we had, what do you call it?Nan Britt — We don’t call it a safety room. It’s just a buddy space. Jason Britt — Buddy Space. Like like you know if there’s a kid that’s having an issue or or you know something. We didn’t we have a little more now than we did, but back in the day, it was more inclusion and just start where where you’re at. Nan Britt — Yeah. Jason Britt — You can do something.Nan Britt — That’s right.Rich Birch — Yeah. I think that’s a good word, Jason, that I think we get way too far ahead of us. And we’re like, we and we picture 300 families and like, oh my goodness, what’s going to happen? It’s like, well, how about but we start with the two kids that are right in front of us?Nan Britt — That’s right. Jason Britt — That’s it.Rich Birch — And what can we do to support those families? Nan, you said this, I’d love to invite you in on these conversations. I’m sure there’s churches that are listening in there like I would love Nan’s help. Talk to me about the buddies network. This is a way—I love this—you guys have stepped out to try to help more churches. Talk us through what that is. How do you help churches? How can you engage with them that sort of thing.Nan Britt — Yes. I mean, you’re exactly right. That’s that’s where the idea came from, is that in our area, you know, around metro Atlanta, around Athens, we are in weekly conversations with churches of of how to start a ministry or just begin, like you’re saying, what are some easy steps, tangible ways to serve families, bring awareness to it. And so we just decided, you know, out stewarding, being a good steward of the the great work God has done at Bethlehem, the resources he’s provided for us that we love. Nan Britt — Jason and I, we, we, our big kingdom church people. We love partnering with churches. We love knowing other pastors. And, and so that’s been exciting for me just to work with other churches and share with them. I think we’ve learned so much at Bethlehem, like Jason said, from being very small with no budget, no space, being very conservative in, in what we’ve done to now having a huge ministry, a large ministry, having great space. Jason Britt — Right.Nan Britt — I think we just have learned so many ways to be able to equip churches. And and that’s really the heart behind it. And so we’ve done this last year, really, I have I’m leading that and and kind of initiating that. We just have put in quarterly quarterly lunches if you are nearby and close to us to join us for that. Quick things to your inbox that give ideas. We share our resources. We’re where we don’t want you to recreate something, spend time on that.Bethlehem Church — Because like you said, a lot of that a lot of times it’s kids’ ministries, people who already wear a lot of hats at their churches. I mean, they are overwhelmed. They are leading kids’ ministry. We have some a part of our network that are family pastors, and then they have also been given this task of, hey, figure out special needs ministry as well.Jason Britt — Yeah. Nan Britt — Or volunteers. They’re not paid. So it’s our desire just to get in there and help equip. Jason Britt — Yeah. Nan Britt — And to make it fit the structure of your church. You know, every church is unique. And so ah we just want to make this tangible and easy. And so, yeah. And so we we walk alongside churches really at their own pace, you know, of what they say, hey, we need help with this. Jason Britt — Yep.Nan Britt — And in 2026, we hope to keep expanding resources and more so online that really allow churches outside of Georgia, you know, to access more resources.Rich Birch — Yeah, that which you’ve provided and we’ll link to this, the Buddies Volunteer Handbook. I thought this was great, kind of a I know I love this kind of thing. I’m always like diving deep on, wow, it’s so cool to see what people do. I love this. Talk to us a little bit about this resource. How does it fit in your… Nan Britt — Yes. Rich Birch — …like in your process with Buddies and all that?Nan Britt — Yes. For sure, you know, the first few years, like we’re saying of our ministry, that our our procedures and systems looked more like just a Word document. Rich Birch — Right.Nan Britt — You know, something that I would share onboarding volunteers of, hey, this is your role as a buddy. You know, this is what it means to serve at our ministry. This is these are the expectations. This is… And then in time, you know, we created that. It turned into a handbook, you know, a nicely you know printed handbook that that matched really what our kids ministry handbook and our student ministry handbook looked like. And so it is a great resource that that’s how we onboard volunteers and kind of their their first invitation into the ministry of we go through that handbook with them. We prioritize, hey, this is what we say is your role and what a win is in our ministry. So it goes through a lot of our our systems put around the ministry, the procedures. And what I like to share with churches is kind of what Jason was saying. Really, special needs ministry fits neatly into that that umbrella of all the systems and procedures and policies that a church already has in place for kids ministry… Rich Birch — Yeah. Nan Britt — …and student ministry, special needs ministry fits within that. And that is the way we function at our church. And so there, back when you said there really is not additional liability or additional policies for special needs ministry. So, that’s contained in our handbook. And yeah, it’s a great resource to share with our volunteers and drives the the goals and expectations of the ministry. Jason Britt — Yeah . Rich Birch — That’s so good. Nan Britt — And that’s what we share a lot with we share our handbook with churches and then our family form. Most churches are saying, hey, you mentioned the form that you give to parents.Rich Birch — Yeah. Help us understand that. Yeah. Yes.Nan Britt — Hey, can you share that with us? And we say, absolutely. Just just take our logo off of it. You put your church logo on there. Rich Birch — Yes. Nan Britt — And you just just just start using that because that’s that’s another great resource we share.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great. So as we’re coming down to land, kind of a same similar question to both you. I’ll start with you, Nan. Let’s picture that you’re a leader within a church who’s got a passion for this area and is like thinking, hey, we we need to take some steps in the next, maybe the next six months, next three months to kind of move this from, hey, we’re helping a couple kids to we want to create a bit more structure there. What would you say to them to like, Hey, here are some first steps that you should be taking to try to expand this beyond something that’s informal to like, we’re trying to make this a little bit more part of what we do, not just something we’re kind of dealing with. It’s like, we’re going to actively add this.Nan Britt — Right. Yeah, I think that’s a great question. I think something immediately that churches can do is to have a conversation, you know, around kids ministry, around the team on Sundays, and essentially just to have a plan in place of, okay, what would we do if a family visited our church? And just by having a conversation and being prepared, really just allows you to welcome that family without the stress and panic on your face. Rich Birch — Sure. Right. Nan Britt — You know, of that we know it’s unintentional, but we never want a family to feel like an inconvenience or a burden or unwelcomed at our church. But simply by having a plan of okay, what would we do if a family came? And I think that that could easily be we’re going to get them checked in and they’re going to go into our kids’ ministry environments. But maybe we can have two or three extra volunteers on call that we would utilize or we might pull from our existing kids ministry classes to be a buddy for that morning for that child in the second grade class. That’s that’s pretty easy to do. But if you have already talked through that, then when a family comes, it doesn’t send you in a into panic mode.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Nan Britt — And and then, like because as we said, the parents are still there. They’re in service. You can always call them or text them with a question or a need that you might have. And then from there, I think it gives you time to put some systems in place. What that might be like is you you prioritize a Sunday morning service. If you if you offer multiple services, I always tell churches, hey, you know, pick, choose a service and build your volunteer team around one service. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good.Nan Britt — And then that is a service you can communicate to the community of, hey, we’re offering our buddies team at the nine o’clock service on Sunday morning. We’d love to invite you to attend at this time. That’s pretty manageable for churches rather than feeling overwhelmed of, wow, do we need to offer her volunteers at every service that we have on a Sunday? So just starting small. Jason Britt — Yep, yep. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Nan Britt — And then, like I said, an easy step is, is, getting access to a family form. Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. Perfect. Nan Britt — And like I said, we can easily share that with you because you collect such great information that really helps you feel prepared for the hour and a half that the family’s with you on a Sunday morning.Rich Birch — Yeah. That’s great. So similar question, Jason, let’s say you’re, imagine you’re a lead pastor and, you know, somebody on their team comes to you and says, Hey, we, we had this conversation as a huddle, like, Hey, what could we do? And we realized we’ve got to add some more emphasis on this. We, you know, if, if we had a family come today, oh, I’m not sure, you know, we might be able to serve one kid or two kids if they came or one or two people if they came, but we’re not, I’m not sure if we had any more than that, that we, and we’d like to add some more volunteer time. We’re not looking for money, just kind of some more emphasis. What would you say to a lead pastor who had someone come to them? How would you kind of coach them to respond to that, to a, to a leader that came with them with that kind of request?Jason Britt — Yeah, I would say just because I know how does a senior pastor would, hey, we got this, we got this. It seems like there’s always about five things pressing and and and it’s like another thing, you know. I would say see the opportunity.Rich Birch — Love it.Jason Britt — That’s what I would just go, man, the opportunity and, you know, see the opportunity for gospel presence. I mean, I think some of my favorite stories, and we don’t have time to get to them, have been families that came or brought their special needs adult or student, or and they’ve been baptized because of that, you know. So the opportunity of it, it is a communit… Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so good. Jason Britt — …of people that in the local church we are for, but oftentimes unintentionally we haven’t been prepared for or, and again, it’s legitimate and get it. I think it’s the, also there’s just great resources. Like I just got, we just came off, I mean, you know, this stuff, Rich, there’s just like there’s people who help out. We just came off of a two-year generosity initiative. And I need help thinking strategically. Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — I don’t need, you know, and and they help that. Well, there’s people like Nan. Uh, there’s people that are out there that are there to help.Rich Birch — Right.Jason Britt — And I think there’s a lot more similarities in churches with people who can help… Nan Britt — Yeah.Rich Birch — Yes. Jason Britt — …than just like I needed in the general there. That’s the same thing I would tell a pastor. Don’t be overwhelmed. See the opportunity. Nan Britt — Yeah.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good.Nan Britt — I would add, I think that’s key that, you know, in the same way that, like you’re saying, in the world of production or other ministries, we are familiar with contracting with people who that’s their specialty. That’s their skill. That’s their experience. I think it’s the same way in this conversation with special needs ministry. I think that is the quickest way to… Jason Britt — Yep. Nan Britt — …move along the conversation is to maybe to consider contracting with a person that that has that is a professional in this. It it it will eliminate all of those what-if questions… Jason Britt — Yep. Nan Britt — …the fear around it, and someone who knows this this ministry and knows what to do. Jason Britt — Yep. Absolutely. Rich Birch — That’s so good. Nan Britt — You know who’s not surprised by the needs of people with disabilities and special needs. So I think that for churches that And like we said, it’s it’s similar to contracting with other needs around the church.Rich Birch — Right. Good.Nan Britt — So just as quickly as you can, get someone in the conversation that is an expert and kind of knows ah you know what how to care, how to care for these kids. Jason Britt — Yep, yep.Rich Birch — So good. Well, Nan, we’ll give you the last word. If people want to get in touch with with you, with the church to talk about the network or to just just even learn more, where do we want to send them online so they can access more information, you know, that sort of thing?Nan Britt — Yes. So ah they are welcome to email me, nan@bethlehemchurch.us. I would love that to just, like I said, eat weekly, that’s really my role on our staff now is is talking and training and and just working alongside churches. So I would love to connect. And then our website is BethlehemChurch.us, which they can find our Bethlehem Buddies page. Just see a lot of great resources there and then get in touch with our staff there as well. Jason Britt — Yep.Rich Birch — That’s great. Appreciate you guys being here today. Thank you so much. And thanks for what you’re doing. Appreciate being on the show today.Nan Britt — Thanks so much. Jason Britt — Thank you.

Most people naturally focus on photos and eye color when choosing a donor. It's the first thing you see and it feels concrete. But if that's all you focus on, it's easy to overlook some of the genetics and long‑term implications that may matter even more for your family. In Part 2 of my conversation with social scientist and philosopher Jonathan Anomaly, we talk about how to think about donor eggs, donor sperm, and genetics in a way that actually helps you choose a donor. Jonathan works with a company developing and researching embryo testing tools, so he sits at the intersection of ethics, economics, and genetics. In this episode, we cover: – Why it's especially important, when you're choosing a donor, to look beyond photos and understand their medical and family history. – What to pay attention to in a donor's medical and family history (and what matters less than you might think) – How donor screening and embryo testing can work together – and where it's overkill – Common decision traps: getting stuck on looks, “vibe,” or minor traits while ignoring long‑term implications – A high‑level framework for choosing a donor that looks beyond photos Our goal is not to tell you which donor to pick, but to give you a clearer framework so you feel less lost and more grounded in what really matters for your family. ⚠️ 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.

As we wrap up 2025, this final episode of The Fertility Podcast is a heartfelt reflection on the year we've had and a look ahead to what's coming. I'm joined by Katie Rollings, founder of Fertility Action, for a candid chat about the emotional toll of trying to conceive at this time of year, what has changed in the support landscape, and why we need more trust, better information, and continued compassion in the fertility space.If this time of year feels like a gut punch, you are not alone. Whether you are grieving a loss, recovering from a failed cycle, or quietly carrying the weight of infertility, I hope this episode reminds you that your experience matters and that support is out there.What we discuss in this episode:Why it is okay to feel conflicted or overwhelmed during the festive seasonCreating your own boundaries, traditions, and safe spaces during the holidaysWhat Fertility Action's support groups are hearing most including pregnancy announcements, TTC burnout, relationship issues and intimacy questionsHow the groups are structured (TTC versus positive test and beyond) and why that mattersThe rise in patients feeling confused by medical advice, conflicting information online and social media rabbit holesFertility as both emotional and transactional and how clinics need to do better at meeting patients with empathy and psychological safetyThe importance of honest, regulated medical guidance and why peer support should not replace professional adviceProgress on fertility education and policy change and why 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for advocacyKatie's hopes for empowering patients and reaching earlier stages in the fertility journey through GP education and accessA note on the mental load this season:If you have found yourself thinking “I really thought this would be our year”, you are not alone. That sense of grief, reflection, and uncertainty can be especially heavy during the holidays. But you are allowed to set limits. To say no. To opt out of conversations or events. You are not selfish for protecting your peace.Whether it is preparing a few phrases for difficult family questions, giving yourself permission to decline invites, or joining a support group for the first time, do whatever helps you feel grounded.And if you need a glimmer of hope, plan something just for you. Something small, comforting, or creative such as making a Christmas bauble while you chat with others who get it.Let's keep the conversation going:Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddyEmail your thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.comLearn more about support groups and resources at fertilityaction.orgSubscribe on your podcast app to stay updated for 2026Leave a review or share this with someone who might need itThank you again for listening this year. However you are ending 2025, I wish you peace, space to breathe, and a gentle start to whatever comes next.Until next time.

Hey y'all, this podcast contains potentially disturbing content. Our show includes graphic references to topics such as sexual abuse, self-harm, violence, eating disorders, explicit language, and sexual acts. Listener discretion is advised. This show is for mature audiences only. Hosts Nino, Christoph and Dr. Mikey interview Ray Weber, a queer non-binary licensed midwife, about LGBTQ+ pregnancy and family building — covering midwifery vs. doulas, home births and birth centers, donor and fertility options (IUI/IVF), trans and non-binary pregnancy care, discrimination in healthcare, pain management, and practical postpartum support.

Tue, Dec 9 7:25 AM → 10 Wed 10:39 AM 09DEC25 - Taunton MA - Fire in multi-family building with multiple rescues Radio Systems: - Taunton MA Area Police Fire

Tue, Dec 9 7:25 AM → 10 Wed 10:39 AM 09DEC25 - Taunton MA - Fire in multi-family building with multiple rescues Radio Systems: - Taunton MA Area Police Fire

This week on Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens the episode with a heartfelt, honest reflection on the season — a season filled with growth, new challenges, motherhood in full force, and the behind-the-scenes work of building Your Fertility Village.In this extended intro, Jacqueline shares what has made this season look different: • balancing toddlerhood, therapies, travel, and packed schedules • learning new systems and outsourcing for the first time • navigating the emotional load of motherhood and marriage • pouring time and heart into building Your Fertility Village • why solo episodes became more common this season • and what “the power in the pause” has taught herAs the show approaches its season break, Jacqueline also gives an update on the official launch of Your Fertility Village in the new year — and how listeners can join right now as founding members for just $7/month (locked in for life!).After the intro, we revisit one of the most downloaded episodes in Motherhood Intended history: “Boy Moms Talk Gender ‘Disappointment'” — a refreshingly honest conversation about navigating complex emotions around family building, motherhood expectations, and the feelings few parents say out loud.Whether you're a longtime listener or hearing this episode for the first time, this conversation continues to resonate for a reason.Resources Mentioned• Join Your Fertility Village as a founding member → https://your-fertility-village.mn.co/landing • Follow Motherhood Intended on Instagram → @motherhood_intendedSupport the show__________________________________________________________________________________

I'm so excited to share my latest episode of The Egg Whisperer Show with you! This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Schuman, a leading therapist, award-winning researcher, and author who specializes in family building, donor conception, and surrogacy. Lisa and I dive deep into the critical role mental health plays in fertility treatments, especially when third-party reproduction, like egg or sperm donation and gestational carriers, is involved. She shares her personal journey and decades of professional expertise, introducing us to The Center for Family Building and its new expert-guided community platform. In this episode, we cover: What inspired Lisa to specialize in family building and fertility counseling. The mission behind The Center for Family Building and its resources for patients. Why mental health support is essential for individuals and couples navigating fertility treatments, surrogacy, or adoption. Unique ways Lisa supports diverse family structures, including LGBTQIA+ and single-parent families. Lisa's five-step process for choosing a donor and why it's so important to consider the psychological and genetic aspects of family building. Read the full show notes and transcript on Dr. Aimee's website. You can find Lisa Schuman's site: The Center for Family Building Do you have questions about IVF? Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class. The next live class call is on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.   Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org  where you can schedule a consultation. More ways to connect with Dr. Aimee: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Subscribe to the newsletter to get updatesFollow on Instagram

I'm honored to interview Jaimie Kelton for today's episode. She shares interesting parts of her journey as a queer parent, discusses elements of queer family building, and opens up about her three-year infertility journey as a queer woman. Her motherhood story includes birth trauma and postpartum anxiety. As a podcast host, Jaimie explains how hearing from the guests on her show has helped her on her healing journey.  Jaimie Kelton hosts The Queer Family Podcast, an award-winning show that uplifts and normalizes LGBTQIA+ families by sharing real, candid, and often hilarious stories about queer family building. She is a Webby Honoree and was named one of GO Magazine's “100 Women We Love.” Jaimie has also been named one of Podcast Magazine's “Top 50 Moms in Podcasting.” Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, People, Parents Magazine, and more. She is the co-author of If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We've Learned About Making an LGBTQ Family. A longtime performer, queer mom, and outspoken advocate, Jaimie brings humor and heart to every conversation about parenting, visibility, and justice for LGBTQ families.  Show Highlights: Jaimie's family-building journey for her and her wife to have two children, making a lot of decisions quickly The logistics of each of them carrying a child, which meant multiple IUI and IVF cycles for Jaimie to get pregnant Switching doctors and clinics: why it was refreshing to change things up Differences in clinics for LGBTQIA+ families and non-LGBTQIA+ families Jaimie's philosophy of “gay drafting”and how it works for queer families The not-so-simple process of filling out paperwork for their babies' birth certificates Jaimie's relatively easy pregnancy and the traumatic birth of her son via emergency C-section Postpartum struggles with severe anxiety and fears about her son dying Feeling “out of control” and stuck when you know you should be grateful Parenting with “a little more than normal” worry and fears Jaimie's podcast topics, which allow her to learn and experience healing from hearing other people's stories Resources: Connect with Jaimie Kelton: Website, Instagram, TikTok, The Queer Family Podcast, and If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We've Learned About Making an LGBTQ Family Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773.  There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we normalize the conversations around egg donation, surrogacy, and ethics in fertility solutions from an IVF momma with over 35 years in healthcare, Mary Fusillo. About Mary: Mary Fusillo, RN, BSN, MS, is the founder and CEO of Family Solutions International, a leading organization in third-party reproduction and fertility consulting. With over 25 years in infertility care and 35 years in healthcare, Mary has pioneered programs in egg donation, surrogacy, and reproductive ethics. Inspired by her own fertility journey, she built trusted companies like The Donor Solution and 3 Sisters Surrogacy, connecting families worldwide with compassionate, ethical fertility solutions. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in bioethics, Mary brings deep insight into the medical, emotional, and ethical sides of modern family building.  

After 41 years in the industry, Tom Craddock is handing the reins of his successful roofing business down to his capable son (and world-class professional cyclist), Lawson. They come from different generations and have their own perspectives and ideas. But both father and son know the key to their success: maintaining a sky-high standard of quality. Today on the Roofr Report, we're sitting down with our October Roofrs of the Month, Tom and Lawson Craddock, to talk: Finding their business niche in residential reroofingThe benefits of staying small and keeping it in the familyWhy top athletes are exceptional team membersHow they've streamlined operations, bit by bit, through Roofr

In this episode, Chels talks to Alexis and Lilian (@one99four & @lilianbrilliant_) who have recently welcomed their baby daughter into the world. Alexis and Lilian share their love story and journey to parenthood - from navigating reciprocal IVF to their birth story and a NICU stay, and finding their rhythm in postpartum and shared motherhood. Alexis and Lilian also touch on the stigmas or hurdles they've had to navigate as a same sex family. In Germany, where their daughter was born, only the birth mother is legally and automatically listed on the birth certificate - meaning Lilian would have to ‘adopt' her own daughter in an arduous process which can take up to 18 months. Alexis and Lilian run @sapphiccircle - retreats and community events for queer women. You can find their beautiful YouTube channel here. You can join our Growing community on instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@growingupraisinguspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see photos of our weekly guests, behind the scenes moments, and keep up to date with episode releases.This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Taungurung, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that sovereignty of the lands on which this podcast was recorded was never ceded and pay our respects to the original storytellers of this land. 

For years, Jenna Wolfe was a familiar face on NBC's Today Show and Weekend Today, delivering news with humor and heart. Behind the scenes, she was on a deeply personal journey—building a family with her partner, fellow NBC journalist Stephanie Gosk. Over a decade ago, Jenna made headlines when she came out publicly on the show and announced she was expecting their first child. What the headlines didn't reveal were the intimate realities behind that moment—from navigating fertility treatments to selecting a sperm donor and not knowing how the national viewing audience would react to her coming out. In this inspiring episode, Jenna speaks with pride about her family and stepping into motherhood, a role she never imagined but deeply cherishes, living with the BRCA gene, and the resilience she's built through life's challenges. We're also joined by Dr. Nicole Ulrich, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Director of Advocacy at The Fertility Institute, part of the First Fertility Network. She offers fertility education that so many of us wish we knew and insights on the importance of self-advocacy in reproductive health.This episode is presented by First Fertility, a network of clinics in 14 states supporting all paths to parenthood. For more, visit FirstFertility.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your kids don't just hear your words—they absorb your healing image. The way you respond to sickness, stress, and setbacks paints the picture of what healing looks like for them. And that picture will shape their future. But here's the challenge: we live in a world that makes any mom who questions the medical model feel like a “weirdo.” For years, I stayed quiet. I discovered homeopathy, but my family thought I was nuts. I thought, “Maybe if I had more authority, then they would listen.” That led me to chiropractic college, where learning anatomy and physiology gave me the confidence to finally speak boldly about the body's design to heal. In this episode, I share why I refuse to stay quiet anymore—and why you shouldn't either. You'll learn: What a healing image is and why it matters more than perfection. The reality of rising chronic illness in kids. How the medical model pushes fear and undermines a mom's confidence. Why being authentic, even if it makes you the “weirdo mom,” is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. How homeopathy can help you carry a healing image with confidence. Friend, heal the mom, heal the family. Your healing image is the foundation of revival.

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We parents try to do all the things we can to help our children to grow up. We advise. We admonish. We even end up preaching at them sometimes. But it's not what we say, it's what we do, how we live – what they see our life to be, that has the greatest impact in shaping them as they grow up.   A Godly Example Well, this is the last message in a series that I have called, “Building a Godly Family” and what I've decided to do; I talked to a friend of mine in the U.S., his name is Mark. He has nine children of his own and I thought I'd ask him for his top three or four tips. Now if you want to find out what they are, stick with me today on the programme because we are going to explore what a father of nine had to say. Now I don't know how things are in your neck of the woods but one of the really hot topics around where I live is binge drinking amongst teenagers. I mean, blind Freddy can see that alcohol abuse is so incredibly destructive. I was listening to a doctor at the head of the Emergency Ward in our local hospital and he was saying that something like eighty percent of the young people under thirty, who get admitted to the Emergency Ward of the hospital on a weekend, are there because of alcohol related issues. Now that's amazing – violence, injury, illness – it's pretty scary and it kind of begs the question: "How does that happen?" I mean how does a kid go from being this beautiful little baby to a drunken teenager in the gutter? And to combat this teenage binge drinking they have been running an ad on television – a bunch of Australian men in the back yard drinking beer and one of the dads send his young son to the fridge to get him another bottle of beer. And the punch line is about making the point that our children are taking in our habits. They're watching us, they are taking it all in, they pick up things by what rubs off from us. Do you know something? That kind of makes sense. Where there is drinking, child abuse, all those things are so negative, so destructive and yet this powerful imprinting thing happens to children in a family. And parents ... we as parents, we're right up there; we are the authority figures and when a child is growing up the only reality that it has is the family that it's living in. That's all that child knows; you grow up in the family and that's it. You don't know any different whether it's anger, violence, alcohol abuse, whatever it is, if that's a powerful part of your reality growing up, it's going to leave an imprint. Now, our DNA determines who we naturally are but our personalities; our characters, our view of ourselves and others, our morals, our values, our patterns of behaviour – all of those things are hugely ... hugely shaped by our environment. God's plan is for a loving family, not just a nuclear family, the way we are used to in the West, I guess but the wider family. If you have a Bible, I want you to grab it, open it up with me. We are going to the New Testament, the Book of Titus chapter 2, beginning at verse 2. This is what it says: Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love and endurance. Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behaviour, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands so that the word of God may not be discredited. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say. You see what's happening here? Paul is writing to Titus and he's saying, "Look, Titus, look, here's how it is: older men should set an example; older women should set an example so that the younger men and the younger women will learn from the older ones, so that needs to be handed down from the older men and women to the younger men and women and then, from the younger men and women, to their children." See, so much of our behaviour comes from the behaviour we learn from older people, both as children and as adults. That's why mentorship is so important. You may have heard me talk about a man, Graham, my business partner for twenty years. Now Graham is about seventeen or eighteen years my senior and he taught me so many things – I watched his behaviour. He was good and descent and effective in so many ways and I learned from him. I became all that I am by watching him and learning from him, like ... like a life's apprentice. We have been talking these last few weeks about building a godly family and today I want to get really down to earth with some practical things. I believe ... I truly believe that the most powerful thing that you and I can do to build a godly family is to be a godly person and to live a godly life. Let me say that again; this is important. The most powerful thing that you and I can do to build a godly family is to be a godly person and to live a godly life. Are you an older man or woman? Some societies respect their elders, other like mine, well; we're not quite as good at this as we should be. Anything old is out of date; it's beyond its use-by date; it's old fashioned. We take older people and we stick them in nursing homes. I don't generalise, but as a society, mine doesn't value older people as much as some other societies do. But you older people can be such a godly influence in your family. You've been around, you know something. You should have godly wisdom that comes from a life-long faith in and walk with Jesus Christ. You are not involved any more, by and large, in the daily cut and thrust and pressures of bringing up children. What a godly influence you can be on your grandchildren! You can be gentle, yet powerful. The glow, the radiance of God that shines through your eyes and your mouth can be such an influence. And you parents! What a godly influence you can be on one another and on your children, husband and wife, by your behaviour and your countenance and your attitude and deeds and encouragement, how you can support one another. Maybe one of you is behaving badly – under pressure, you're tired – the other one draws alongside and in love, steers things down the right path. And then the kids, instead of seeing their mother and father arguing and pulling in different directions, they see them trusting in God and supporting one another. What sort of lifelong imprint do we think that is going to leave on our children? Each of us have bad habits – sin, anger, selfishness, low self-esteem, pride, dishonesty, whatever it is, those things can be handed down – in fact, they will be handed down to our children. But when we choose to deal with them; when we sacrifice them to God; when we let Him into that space, to change us, the fruit will be to our children and to their children and to a thousand generations. When the simple daily habits of our lives are godly, Christ honouring, humble, this is a powerful blessing on our children. This is the most powerful thing that we can do to build a godly family, to be godly. Now I mentioned earlier on, Mark, my friend in the U.S., he kind of lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. I asked him to tell me what was one of the most important things that he knew about building godly family? Listen to what he says: Everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. (Luke chapter 6, verse 40) While not usually thought of as a verse on parenting, the implications are clear. “We cannot hope to produce that in our children which we ourselves, do not possess”, writes Mark. “Our children, after all of our teaching, creative or not, intentional or not, verbal or not, will be like us. So, watch your own heart for it is the wellspring of life and don't forget that the first things that must be dealt with, should be dealt with first, including keeping our marriage the priority in our family.” Um, them's wise words, don't you think?   Faith Comes by Hearing This "building a godly" family thing, you know what I think? I think it is about realising that we all, each one of us, in our families, need to see things through a fresh set of eyes. Every time I look up at the stars and the moon, I'm gob-smacked. The whole Milky Way thing, it's almost like a cloud, like countless specks of stardust strewn across the sky, and then like clockwork every morning, this amazing ball of fire and light and warmth comes over the horizon – the sun, it never fails. Now I'm wondering, if you or I had never been taught anything about the earth and the solar system and the sun and the moon and the universe, if we knew nothing about any of that, what would we make of it? If we stood here on planet Earth and watched this whole heavenly light show go on, day by day, what would we make of it without the knowledge scientists have given us? Well, actually, we don't have to look too far. There were so many theories down through the ages: the earth is flat, the earth's at the centre – everything else revolves around it, the stars are little holes in the firmament – the skin that is stretched up where the sky is somewhere. See, what happens is we look at this incredible cosmic light show that rolls past every day from our miniscule perspective, not realising how small and how narrow our view is and we get a distorted picture. We think the earth is the centre of the universe; we think that we're the biggest most important thing in this cosmos and this whole light show revolves around us. You see what happens? And it's exactly what's happened down through the ages but once we got the facts we started looking at things completely differently – at least a trillion, trillion stars in the known universe and how the sun is just one of them. I mean, even our galaxy of billions of stars is such a small pinprick on the map of the universe – it's just so infinitesimally small even though it takes light, travelling at 5.88 trillion miles per year, over a hundred thousand years to travel from one end of the galaxy to the other. You see how radically the facts transform our understanding of reality? It's mind blowing stuff! Well, what, if anything, does this have to do with the subject that we have been talking about these last few weeks on the programme, ‘Building a Godly Family'? Well, as it turns – everything! I talked earlier about Mark, my friend. I shared that he has nine children and I shared with you what he had to say about setting a godly example because ultimately our children will end up being like us and so how we live our lives ends up being the most important sermon we'll ever preach. Well, here's the next thing he said, in his top three – his second tip for building a godly family. Have a listen: Faith, he says, comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. What do we mean by this? The written Word of God is absolutely central to everything we do in parenting and to birthing faith in the hearts of our children. My wife and I, we can talk, lecture, admonish, discipline, correct, nag ... whatever we want to do until we are blue in the face and it will be no good at all unless the Spirit of God takes His own Word and does a work in the hearts of our children. Therefore, we believe we must expose and challenge our kids with God's Word as often as possible. In our home, that has taken the form over the years, of bedtime stories, Scripture readings at the dinner table, family devotion times, Scripture memory, using real life experiences to show how God's Word speaks into every situation. To someone who hasn't grown up in this environment, well, that may seem a little odd, but it makes so much sense. See, we started out by talking about the different perspectives we can have on the cosmic light show, depending on whether or not we know the truth about how it works. If we know the truth we understand the earth is a tiny little speck of dust, if we don't we imagine that it's the centre of the universe. We only learn the difference when we hear the truth. And it's exactly the same for us as people. If we don't know the truth about God – who He is, what He did for us through Jesus, His Son, who we are when we believe in Jesus, how we can respond to His incredible love that God has lavished upon us – unless we know those things then we are going to live out our lives in complete ignorance; completely from the wrong perspective. It's when we teach our children the Word of God that they develop a godly perspective that bears so much fruit. It's exactly what God taught His people, Israel, just before they crossed into the Promised Land. If you have a Bible, open it up at Deuteronomy chapter 6, verses 4 to 9: Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, will all your soul, with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise up and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. So in other words, if you want to build a godly family, tell the kids about Jesus. Here's the amazing thing: I actually ask Mark's children for their comments. What do they like about being in their family? Do you know what they said, the kids? Reading the Bible together, the creative teaching, the family prayer time; these were some of the things the KIDS said they liked about their family. Well, go figure!!   The Olive Trees Around the Table I want to share with you a story that blew me away, that Mark, my friend, shared with me. And my prayer is that it will blow you away too. It's all about fruit, in fact, it's about olives – the fruit of investing in and building a godly family. Now you and I both know that whenever we invest in anything, what the word "investment" really means is sacrifice now to reap a harvest later because investing is about putting something that we have in hand now; something that we could use or spend in another way. Investing is about taking that thing and planting it somewhere else to reap a reward down the track. If we save for our retirement, we take money that we could blow on things that we'd enjoy today, we set it aside in some form of investment plan, so that the seed grows into a tree that will feed us when we are retired. If we decide to lose weight and get fit, we sacrifice today's ‘eat whatever I want' plan – we sacrifice that in order to reap the reward of a healthier body. We give up time that we would rather spend watching television to exercise to reap the reward. As it turns out, exactly the same principle applies when we invest the time and the effort and the emotional energy that's required to build a godly family. This friend of mine, Mark, with nine children, which I still shake my head at – Mark's final take when I ask him the top three things; tips that he had on building a godly family, well, it comes from Psalm 128. Now grab your Bible, open it up – Psalm 128 is written to the father in the family – it's a message specifically to dads. Have a listen; it's actually a very short Psalm: Happy is everyone who fears the Lord and who walks in his ways.  You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy and it shall go well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around the table. Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children's children. Peace upon Israel. Now, I guess to our twenty first century ears maybe that take on family might seem a tad patriarchal. Remember it was written to a people who lived very much in a patriarchal society, so let's go with it. Verse 1: Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. We are blessed; "happy", blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. That's what we have been talking about over these last few weeks – putting God first in everything … every part of our lives, including the way we do family – that brings blessings. Verse 2 describes that blessing: You shall eat the fruit of your labour; you shall be happy and it will go well with you. You know, that's the natural consequence of when we honour God. But now, have a listen to verse 3: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, patriarchal, the wife is the fruitful vine but it comes back to the Old Testament view of what blessing is. Blessing in the Old Testament equalled lots of children and your own lands, pretty simple, so to the person reading that Psalm when it was written, that's what verse 3 means. The first part is about the wife having a lot of children but have a listen again to the second part of that verse: Your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Olive shoots ... they grow up into might olive trees that bear one of the staples of the Eastern diet, olives, from which comes the precious commodity of olive oil. Now have a listen to what my friend Mark wrote about this particular verse. Here it is word for word from this father of nine children and it just rocked my socks off. I hope you are blessed by what Mark wrote too. God impacted us with this idea out of our own family study of the Scriptures some time back. It comes out of Psalm 128, verse 3 which says: “The children will be like olive shoots around the table of the man who fears God.” When learning that olive plants take between sixteen and eighteen years of careful cultivation, pruning and watering and during that time, typically they bear very little fruit and that after the eighteenth year they bear abundant fruit for many, many years to come, it gave us a reason to persevere and not be weary in well doing. That is an incredible truth from Scripture that has kept us going through some really tough times with our kids. Don't you love how God packs so much into His Word, it's so full of truth. What an amazing picture of these olive shoots around the table and we invest in them – this fresh, young shoot – all that effort and investment that the farmer puts into the tree for years. It occupies a part of his orchard, takes investment and work and it bears almost no fruit and then ... then one day, just as God had always planned, all along, that tree produces olives. I love olives! There's a cafe just down the road from us, owned by a Greek man, Alex, and he makes these olives that are to die for and you get them with some Turkish bread, and bit of Greek dip and ... AH, fabulous! But imagine, Alex's olives come from one of those trees ... a tree somewhere, that some farmer has nurtured and cared for for sixteen to eighteen years until finally, it bears fruit. You see this wonderful picture? And just to top it off the Psalmist, at the end of the Psalm, helps us to realise that it doesn't end with just the olives of that first tree – there is so much more. Psalm 128, verse 6: “May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.” This investment in these little olive shoots, sitting around the table of the parents who fear God; who honour God; these parents who are prepared to invest tirelessly, day after day, is going to bear fruit in a little while - fruit that will last for generations. I look at my three: Simon almost thirty now, Michael in his late twenties and Melissa our baby who has just turned eighteen and Jacqui and I, we are so proud of whom they are. We are so delighted to see the fruit finally growing – to see them making their way in this world, rising up to be the people who God naturally made them to be. Now I have to tell you, really, doing the whole little kid thing, it's not my naturally gig ... it's just not. It was hard work for me. So for me, many days, it was such a tough road – being a dad, going through teaching the children over and over and over again, but the fruit ... the fruit that that investment is now bearing is so incredibly worth it, I have to tell you. I want to encourage you today that wherever your family is, whatever is going on, whatever dysfunction you perceive will absolutely prevent you from building a godly family, I want to encourage you that the Word of God is true. That when we begin to honour God and to fear God and we step out and we say, “I am believing God for a godly family,” I got to tell you, the Spirit of God will come in power. He will show us what to do. He will show us what to say. He will show us how to live and it might take a while, but I have to tell you, my God and your God – that God is about building a godly family.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Mary Rood Cunningham, a Senior Client Success Manager at Maven Clinic, and Dr. Viraj Radia, a pediatrician with Maven Clinic, join us to discuss breastfeeding's benefits, best practices, and obstacles. To learn more about Maven Clinic and to join at no cost for FSBP Members around the globe, check out www.mavenclinic.com/join/fsbp. Check out our Events page for free webinars and other events to stay connected with us. Join us for AFSPA Live to discuss Resetting for the Season: Mental Health and Family Building on Thursday, August 28, at 11 AM ET. You can watch here. If you'd like to submit a question, just ask it here. 

In this episode, Jacqueline opens up about her entire journey to motherhood, from hopeful beginnings and unexpected infertility, to devastating losses, NICU stays, IVF, and eventually surrogacy. She vulnerably shares the highs, lows, and in-betweens of becoming a mom to three beautiful children, explains why there is no one “right” way to build a family, and lists multiple different family building options for those facing infertility. What You'll Learn:Jacqueline's complete fertility journey from IUI to IVF to surrogacyThe emotional and physical realities of infertility and lossInsight into IVF, embryo testing, surrogacy, egg/sperm donation, and moreThe differences between gestational vs. traditional surrogacyWhy it's okay to grieve the story you thought you'd haveOptions available to build a family when things don't go as plannedSend us a Text Message with questions, suggestions, or to just say hello!Support the showIf you're interested in helping give the absolute greatest gift to deserving intended parents, learn more about becoming a surrogate (and earn up to $650 just for taking the first few simple steps!): share.conceiveabilities.com/hello12

In this special on-course episode of Golf and Politics, Matt is joined by PJ, Alex, and Fritz Wenzel of Ring Digital for Nine Holes, Nine Questions during the Nightbirde Foundation Charity Outing at Virtues Golf Club. From humble beginnings in journalism and law to building a successful family-run digital firm serving top political and corporate clients, the Wenzels share their journey, lessons learned, and plenty of laughs along the fairways. They discuss golf's role in family bonding and business networking, the secrets to building a business that thrives, and their takes on Trump's agenda, congressional dysfunction, AI in politics, and the next big shifts coming to campaigns and advertising. How golf became the Wenzel family's shared passion and business tool The ups and downs of working with family (and why radical humility is key) Their journey from journalism and law to entrepreneurship and political strategy Secrets to business success: niche, value, reinvestment, and transparency Using golf to build lasting client relationships and grow influence Dream golf courses and trips they'd choose forever Political predictions: Will Republicans pass Trump's agenda? Can they hold Congress? Hot takes on AI's role in future campaigns and the death of traditional journalism In This Episode: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textIn this powerful episode of the FASD Success Show, Jeff sits down with Cornelia Fornefeld, a fierce and funny foster mom from Germany who's turning personal adversity into national impact.Cornelia opens up about the whirlwind journey of raising her daughter Dana, who came into her home at just five weeks old. Despite being a trained social worker and early childhood educator, Cornelia quickly discovered that parenting a child with FASD meant learning a whole new playbook. From chaotic daycare days to total school refusal and aggressive behaviors, she shares what life was like before they knew what they were really dealing with.After years of misdiagnosis and confusion, Cornelia and her husband pushed for clarity and finally received an FASD diagnosis. But even then, support was hard to come by. So, like many caregivers, Cornelia rolled up her sleeves and built the resources she wished existed.Here's what you'll take away from this episode:The real story of Dana's early red flags, and how they were misunderstood for years.How Cornelia handled aggressive behaviors at home and what finally helped things shift.The importance of finding the right school environment, and how one change gave Dana purpose and pride.Cornelia's tips for regulating your child (and yourself!) when things get hard.How she used coaching and training to move from reactive to proactive parenting.Why Cornelia created "Flausen im Kopf," a business focused on changing the conversation around FASD in Germany.We also dig into:What FASD advocacy looks like in a country with limited diagnosis centers.The growing grassroots movement in Germany and Cornelia's major role in it.Her upcoming event bringing together 15+ orgs and advocates for a day of training, networking, and community.Cornelia's story is raw, inspiring, and full of those lightbulb moments that help you feel less alone. Her honesty about the burnout, the frustration, and the eventual breakthroughs is exactly what so many caregivers need to hear.So whether you're deep in the struggle or trying to find your next right step, this episode is packed with relatable moments and real-world strategies.Tune in and get ready to feel seen, supported, and maybe even a little fired up.Show Notes: Stay Connected and EmpoweredJoin our Facebook community: FASD Caregiver Success GroupFollow us on Facebook: FASD SuccessSubscribe to the @FASDSUCCESS YouTube ChannelSupport the show

Today, Ali is talking to Marea Goodman, licensed midwife, author, and founder of PregnantTogether, a virtual community supporting queer folks and solo parents from preconception through parenting. Marea co-authored the book,  Baby Making for Everybody–Fertility and Family Building for LGBTQ+ and Solo Parents, and today, they share their family building story, including having an early loss via IUI, and also having their son through IUI. They talk about their passion for empowering people with the information they deserve to grow their families, and about dismantling the isolation and stigma that still surrounds queer and solo parenthood. They also talk about inclusive midwifery, queer fertility, and how we can better support all kinds of families on their journey to parenthood. "We're trying to create a community for folks who don't fit into the mainstream family building world, to build connections, share resources and rely on each other. It's been a beautiful thing that has also really helped me personally on my queer parenting journey," Marea says. For more info, go to www.pregnanttogether.comFollow on IG: @pregnanttogether.communityTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Solo parenting; LBGTQ+ family building; queer family building; donor eggs; donor sperm; midwifery; pregnancy; birth; postpartum; mental healthEPISODE SPONSORS: BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND WORK OF ARTAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “Beautiful Bird” tells the story of three parents, one incredible boy and a family built with love—and a little bit of science.Pre-orders are available now! The first 150 copies will be Personalized, Signed and Numbered! Don't miss out on this limited edition! Tap the link in bio and stories to order your copy today.When Helen decides to have a baby on her own, she welcomes Jack Bird into the world through IUI with the help of her friend, Aaron. But when Jack is born and needs extra care in the NICU, Aaron and his partner, Blake, fall in love with Jack, too. Together, the three join forces to raise Jack, proving that family isn't about how you start—it's about how you grow.Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFor bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-requestFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipGENERATIONS CRYOVAULTwww.gencryo.comIG: @generationscryovaultWhen you're navigating fertility treatments, every decision feels big—because it is big. But did you know that when it comes to storing your reproductive tissue—including eggs, sperm, and embryos—you DO have a choice? Most clinics automatically store your tissues—or hand you off to their partner. But guess what? It doesn't have to be that way. Enter Generations CryoVault, which believes in the motto, "Your tissues. Your choice." When you choose to work with Generations CryoVault, they help you transfer your tissues securely and easily to their headquarters – a place you can trust. Take control of this part of your journey by visiting gencryo.com. And make sure to mention Infertile AF to receive 1 free month of storage.BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Dr. Michael Homer as he explores the fertility treatment options available to LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples. From IUI and IVF to reciprocal IVF, egg and sperm donation, and gestational surrogacy, Dr. Homer breaks down how personalized care plans can help make parenthood possible for every family. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step, this episode offers expert guidance on building the family of your dreams.

Vikram Bhaskran, CEO and Co-Founder, and Dr. Rohan Ramakrishna, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Roon, have taken on the mission to provide trustworthy and personalized medical information to patients and caregivers. Leveraging technology and the expertise of medical professionals, Roon has created a comprehensive resource for navigating medical challenges. They emphasize the importance of addressing misinformation and providing accurate, science-based information. The platform is not intended to replace doctors, but to supplement relevant information and enable better communication with healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes. Vikram explains, "Our mission is to be the best place online for anyone navigating any health condition. I started the company really through my own journey as a caregiver to my dad, who had ALS. And in that journey, I had two insights. One is that the biggest tech companies fail us. And in this moment of crisis, most people navigating any health condition will turn to "Doctor Google" and Facebook groups, which can be an overwhelming experience. And so I felt we could do better as someone coming from the tech world. I was at Pinterest before this, and my second insight was that there's a finite number of doctors. And so the experience of health today for really anyone is that you spend a ton of time in waiting rooms. You spend a ton of time waiting for someone to answer your health questions. And so Roon was born out of those two insights. And our goal is to be the best online platform to scale the world's best medical experts and their knowledge." Rohan elaborates, "The doctors are from more than 70 different academic medical institutions, and the number is growing. They represent all the experts who have expertise to share alongside the health journeys we've launched. So as of today, we've launched brain cancer, ALS, dementia, Fertility and Family Building, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and we are soon to launch several other conditions related to women's health, including gynecological health. Our experts span the doctors you would expect, such as oncologists, neurologists, and OBGYNs, among others, but also social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and legal and financial counselors - really anyone who has real expertise that they can lend to the experience of a journey. So much of dementia care, for example, is not driven by your neurologist, but by the experience of caring for someone who needs help, whether it's at a memory care facility or a skilled nursing facility, dealing with issues that doctors typically don't have a great answer for."  #Roon #HealthcareInformation #MedAI #HealthcareOutcomes #DigitalHealth roon.com Download the transcript here

Vikram Bhaskran, CEO and Co-Founder, and Dr. Rohan Ramakrishna, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Roon, have taken on the mission to provide trustworthy and personalized medical information to patients and caregivers. Leveraging technology and the expertise of medical professionals, Roon has created a comprehensive resource for navigating medical challenges. They emphasize the importance of addressing misinformation and providing accurate, science-based information. The platform is not intended to replace doctors, but to supplement relevant information and enable better communication with healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes. Vikram explains, "Our mission is to be the best place online for anyone navigating any health condition. I started the company really through my own journey as a caregiver to my dad, who had ALS. And in that journey, I had two insights. One is that the biggest tech companies fail us. And in this moment of crisis, most people navigating any health condition will turn to "Doctor Google" and Facebook groups, which can be an overwhelming experience. And so I felt we could do better as someone coming from the tech world. I was at Pinterest before this, and my second insight was that there's a finite number of doctors. And so the experience of health today for really anyone is that you spend a ton of time in waiting rooms. You spend a ton of time waiting for someone to answer your health questions. And so Roon was born out of those two insights. And our goal is to be the best online platform to scale the world's best medical experts and their knowledge." Rohan elaborates, "The doctors are from more than 70 different academic medical institutions, and the number is growing. They represent all the experts who have expertise to share alongside the health journeys we've launched. So as of today, we've launched brain cancer, ALS, dementia, Fertility and Family Building, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and we are soon to launch several other conditions related to women's health, including gynecological health. Our experts span the doctors you would expect, such as oncologists, neurologists, and OBGYNs, among others, but also social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and legal and financial counselors - really anyone who has real expertise that they can lend to the experience of a journey. So much of dementia care, for example, is not driven by your neurologist, but by the experience of caring for someone who needs help, whether it's at a memory care facility or a skilled nursing facility, dealing with issues that doctors typically don't have a great answer for."  #Roon #HealthcareInformation #MedAI #HealthcareOutcomes #DigitalHealth roon.com Listen to the podcast here

As part of our Pride Month celebration, we're honored to welcome Richard Westoby and Julio Gaggia — better known as the IVF Daddies and hosts of the popular podcast by the same name. In this episode, they share their personal family-building stories — from Richard's surrogacy journey over a decade ago with his then-partner, to Julio's experience becoming a parent through step-parenting. Together, they model a beautiful and honest version of gay fatherhood that embraces advocacy, growth, and breaking traditional norms.

On today's episode, Ali talks to Whitney, a surrogate, and her husband, Geremi, about working with ConceiveAbilities, a leading egg donor and surrogacy agency. When people think about surrogacy, they often focus on the surrogate herself—but what about her partner? The truth is, a strong, supportive partner can make all the difference. Emotional strength, physical support, shared sacrifice—surrogacy is a team effort in every sense. Today, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what that partnership really looks like. Whitney, an experienced surrogate with ConceiveAbilities who delivered for her intended parents about a year and a half ago—and her husband, Geremi, who serves in the U.S. Air Force, talk about Whitney's decision to become a surrogate; building their own family (including a devastating miscarriage); what happened when they met the intended parents; surrogacy and military life; and much more. They also talk about how the experience transformed not just Whitney's life, but Geremi's too.Find out more about ConceiveAbilities on IG: https://www.instagram.com/conceiveabilities/For more information on surrogacy or becoming a surrogate click on this link:https://share.conceiveabilities.com/apratorafTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: TTC; miscarriage; surrogacy; IVF; egg retrieval; surrogacy success; military lifeEPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ARTAli's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologyhttps://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksDo not miss Ali's children's book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFor bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-requestFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipBELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code INFERTILEAF for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest: Marea Goodman, Co-Founder of PregnantTogether Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny   For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples going through their family building journeys, having a medical support system that truly understand their lived experience can make all the difference.  In this episode, we hear from Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife, parent of three, and co-author of Babymaking for Everybody about the role and importance of a midwife.   Marea explains how midwives operate across a wide range of settings, from hospitals and fertility clinics to birth centers and home births. While midwives often fly under the radar, they play a vital role in family building, especially in spaces where traditional care may feel less inclusive. Marea offers an in-depth look at the role of midwives, including how they complete years of clinical training to become licensed healthcare providers.   Today, Marea's practice supports at-home births, where they connect with patients on a deeply personal level through shared identity, lived experience, and affirming care.  Over time, Marea noticed just how isolating this journey can be for queer and solo parents. That realization led them to co-create PregnantTogether, a virtual community designed to bring these families together. The platform supports people all over the world, offering both connection and logistical help in one beautiful space.  This episode is a reminder of the power of identity-informed care and how transformative it can be to feel seen and supported.  For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.  

Start Pride Month with love, hope, and a heartwarming story. In this episode, Jove Meyer and Kyle Torrence—two dads-to-be and beloved LGBTQ+ influencers—share their family-building journey. From choosing a donor and surrogate to deciding how much to share online, Jove and Kyle bring humor, heart, and intention to every step. If you're curious about surrogacy, donor conception, or simply love a powerful family story, this episode is for you. Family Building community Events and webinars: https://familybuilding.net/events-page/   Learn more about Jove Meyer: https://jovemeyer.com/ Follow Jove Meyer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovemeyer/ Follow Kyle Torrence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyletorrence/

In this episode, hosts Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center discuss the process of using a gestational carrier. They break down who might need a gestational carrier, the medical and legal aspects to consider, and how to navigate the journey from start to finish. The discussion also covers the difference between a traditional surrogate and a gestational carrier, explaining why modern surrogacy almost always involves a gestational carrier—someone who carries a pregnancy without a genetic connection to the baby. The docs also address common questions about choosing a carrier, working with an agency, and the emotional and financial aspects of the process. Whether you're considering surrogacy due to medical conditions, infertility, or other personal reasons, this episode provides valuable insights into how a gestational carrier can help individuals and couples grow their families.

Pleased to have Kenny Burgos, the Chief Executive Officer of the New York Apartment Association (NYAA), on this episode.  NYAA owns & manages nearly 1M affordable housing units in the NYC metropolitan area, making Kenny the leader of the largest trade organization representing private multifamily building owners in the country.   Kenny was born and raised in the Bronx. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science and was an eco major at SUNY Albany.   Before heading up NYAA, Kenny was elected to represent the 85th Assembly District in the southeastern Bronx as a Democrat, the second youngest elected official in the state of NY.   Kenny is also a podcast host himself. His “Housing New York with Kenny Burgos podcast” is a weekly NYAA production that recaps housing policy news, provides insider analysis, and discusses issues like rent stabilization, zoning, and real estate trends. The podcast covers topics such as the City of Yes plan, composting fines, scaffolding regulations, and the housing court backlog. I shall plug the podcast link in our show notes.   Please follow Kenny at @kennyburgosny & NYAA @housingNY ON IG, and his presence on X may be followed at @kennyBurgosNY.

Guest: Maggie Garnsey, Progyny Member at Santander Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny   For LGBTQ+ couples, traditional fertility coverage can leave them behind with little to no access to the actual coverage. Many are forced to undergo unnecessary, emotionally taxing procedures to meet outdated definitions of infertility. For Maggie and her wife, Alli, they thought they would need to pursue IUI, like many of their friends.   However, Maggie discovered that her employer, Santander Bank, offered inclusive fertility benefits through Progyny and that they had something rare: options.  In this episode, Maggie takes us through their family forming journey: from discovering the benefit, to forgoing healthcare through Alli's role in the military in pursuit of the best family building option. The couple opted for a reciprocal IVF journey, where using a sperm donor, Alli would retrieve eggs, genetically test and freeze embryos, for Maggie to one day soon, take on the role of carrying the pregnancy.   Maggie also shares the importance of their village, showing up in ways that make the journey feel a little lighter, like hosting their friends to help choose a sperm donor and consulting couples they know have been in their shoes. Maggie shares her gratitude for how seamless their journey has been thus far, and when Alli returns from her upcoming deployment, their dreams of family will soon become a reality.  For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.   https://youtu.be/GyHdAkXq1KoWatch this episode on YouTube:     Music: HA2XAHY5DVIOKQVA

When your job becomes your identity, everything else fades into the background. In this episode, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton guide first responders through the journey of rediscovering who they are beyond the uniform (Amazon Affiliate—so they can build a more balanced, fulfilling life.

On today's episode, Ali talks to Intended Parent, Maggie, and Surrogate, Jessie, about working with ConceiveAbilities, a leading egg donor and surrogacy agency. Maggie explains how she and her husband, Matt, started trying to conceive more than five years ago. She talks about seven rounds of Clomid, multiple miscarriages, and moving on to IVF. When that wasn't successful, she pivoted to surrogacy, after she and Matt were matched with Jessie. Jessie talks about being a nurse, why there are so many nurses who become surrogates, and why she decided to become a surrogate in the first place. "My heart just ached for women who couldn't have babies," Jessie says. "I love my babies so much. I feel so deeply passionate about making sure that another woman has a chance to love a baby, because it's just the greatest gift." Maggie and Jessie talk about meeting for lunch before the transfer, their deep bond, the difficulties of her pregnancy, and finally, how Maggie's daughter, Josie, entered the world. Maggie also talks about where she and Matt are now. Make sure to stay tuned to the end!Find out more about ConceiveAbilities on IG: https://www.instagram.com/conceiveabilities/For more information on ConceiveAbilities Empower Nurse Campaign click on this link:https://share.conceiveabilities.com/apratoncFor more information on surrogacy or becoming a surrogate click on this link:https://share.conceiveabilities.com/apratorafTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Infertility; TTC; miscarriage; Clomid; IUI; IVF; egg retrieval; immunotherapy drugs; surrogacy; IVF success; surrogacy successEPISODE SPONSORS: WORK OF ARTAli's Children's Book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologyhttps://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksDo not miss Ali's children's book about IVF! It's been getting rave reviews. “Work of ART” is the story of an IVF kiddo the day he learns he is a “work of ART” (born via IVF and ART). For young readers 4-8. Hardcover. Written by Ali Prato; Illustrated by Federico Bonifacini.Personalized and non-personalized versions are available. Order yours now at https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksFor bulk orders of 10 or more books at 20% off, go to https://www.infertileafgroup.com/bulk-order-requestFERTILITY RALLYIG: @fertilityrallywww.fertilityrally.comNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at fertilityrally.com. We offer 5 to 6 support groups per week, three private Facebook groups, tons of curated IRL and virtual events, and an entire community of more than 500 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey.Join today at link in bio on IG @fertilityrally or at www.fertilityrally.com/membershipEMBRYO SOLUTIONIf you're navigating infertility, have you ever thought about embryo donation as a family building solution? Embryo donation is when one family that has gone through IVF donates their embryos to support the family-building efforts of another family. Embryo Solution is an agency with an important mission: to fill the gap between infertility and excess embryos by connecting all parties involved. Whether you're looking to build your family or you've gone through IVF and you have embryos in storage that you're not sure what to do with, Embryo Solution can help. To find out more go to www.embryosolution.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"Don't be afraid to fail. I think that when people see us, they see all the success and see where we are at. But we've failed so many times and I think that's what keeps me going.” Master P    Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor sit down with Hip-Hop legend and entrepreneur Master P, who joins the guys to talk about his rise from the third ward projects of New Orleans to becoming a music mogul to businessman to creating an empire for his family while sharing the power of perseverance and giving back. A conversation filled with so many life lessons, stories and experiences, the guys really get into the ins and outs of what has shaped Master P into the man he is today.  Long before he became known as the “Ice Cream Man”, Master P breaks down his early hustles, how he turned a $10,000 loan into a thriving business, why he refused a $1Million music deal from Jimmy Iovine and the lessons in understanding your worth. Being a savvy businessman was a day one trait for Master P who always emphasized ownership, financial literacy and capitalizing on talents to create a career path. Sharing inside perspective into his early relationship with Snoop Dogg, P explains how he gave the blueprint of ownership and power in freedom by helping him with Death Row Records.  We all see the success in the journey, but sometimes the heartache along the way is what really defines our path. From losing his brother at a young age to the passing of his daughter a few years ago, Master P gets real about mental health struggles, especially in the black community and why the pain of losing a child never goes away but it does keep him focused on his mission of building awareness, encouraging acceptance and providing resources for those who face similar situations.  Speaking with Ryan about the unconditional bond of parenting, Master P is honest about the ups and downs of this relationship with son Romeo and how family dynamics challenge us all to have faith, forgiveness and find ways to overcome adversity. His relationship with God guides his journey as he continues to be passionate is in his purpose.  After being cut from the Charlotte Hornets, Master P talks about life-changing events as he pivoted from sports to music and points to the one moment that impacted him deeply. Mentoring today's youth and setting an example for future generations is at the forefront of all P does through his music, business endeavors and community service.  Tap into this impactful conversation for a true story of rags to riches, the importance of gratitude and never giving up on the things that drive us to be better humans, parents and examples in culture and society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices