AllPaths Podcast

This episode features a conversation with Rachel Wilson, a therapist, yoga and meditation instructor, coach, and most recently, a postpartum doula and intended parent support coach. Rachel shares the difficult journey she and her husband undertook to welcome their son, Remiel, the "archangel of hope." After struggling with disappointment for a year, and facing financial limitations that closed the door on IUI/IVF, the couple chose international surrogacy in the country of Georgia in their early 40s.Rachel recounts the myriad of emotional and logistical roadblocks they faced, difficulties finding an egg donor, navigating bureaucracy and cultural differences, and the stress of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacting the region. She describes how she maintained resilience and connection—bonding with her baby and the gestational carrier from thousands of miles away by sending music, recordings of her and her husband reading stories like Goodnight Moon, and knitting baby items. She leaned heavily on her husband’s solid support and her daily yoga and meditation practice, which helped her hold the paradoxical balance of having hope while being willing to surrender control and expectations. The journey culminated in a rush to a Georgian hospital where they met their surrogate for the first time during the birth. While her family is now complete, Rachel also shares the final chapter of her journey, donating her remaining embryo.This experience led Rachel to embark on a new mission as an intended parent support coach, offering what she felt she lacked during her own process. She now hopes to help others prepare mentally and emotionally for their child’s arrival, assisting in creating necessary support “villages,” and focusing on supporting the critical transfer moment between the carrier and the intended parents. Rachel is particularly passionate about helping intended parents bond with their babies, sharing more about her journey, practical suggestions, and a bonding meditation in a recent article on our blog:  https://allpathsfb.org/bonding-with-your-unborn-child-during-surrogacy/.Connect with Rachel at https://www.intendedparentssupportcoach.com/.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:TTC over 40, surrogacy, gestational carrier, international surrogacy, donor conception, egg donation, embryo donation, postpartum, postpartum support, parenting after infertility, parenting support, family building, surrogacy journey, intended parents support, postpartum doula, egg donation, infertility support, family growth, emotional rollercoaster of parenting, navigating family building challenges, bonding with unborn child, international surrogacy, personal journey to parenthood, overcoming obstacles in parenthood, connecting with gestational carrier, support for intended parents, coping with disappointment in family building, bonding from afar, yoga and meditation for parents, emotional support during pregnancy, building a family through surrogacyCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode we welcome Kristin Dillensnyder to discuss her family building journey and her subsequent work in the fertility space. Kristin, a former military spouse now living in South Carolina, navigated the complicated, messy, and lonely process of IVF and infertility while living in a new city (Montgomery, Alabama) where social supports were scarce. She pursued several IUIs without success before moving on to three rounds of IVF, which ultimately resulted in the birth of her daughter, but also included experiencing a miscarriage. A significant challenge during her experience was having to pay 100% out of pocket for care, a realization that shaped her future advocacy efforts.Feeling a profound desire to stay in the fertility space and be the person she needed during her own struggle, Kristin developed the Two Week Wait Challenge, a free resource designed to help people stay busy, positive, and hopeful until they receive the results of their pregnancy test. Kristin’s business grew from there, becoming a self-proclaimed "Fairy God-Sister" who understands the specific lingo and emotional rollercoaster of IVF. In addition to her work as an IVF mindset coach through her business, Empowered Infertility, Kristin also hosts her own podcast, More Than Your Infertility, which focuses on reminding listeners that their fertility journey is not their only identity. The conversation culminates in a discussion of Kristin's passionate advocacy work, which started by fighting against the limited access to care for those without insurance coverage or the ability to pay out of pocket. Her efforts have evolved into actively fighting to keep medical care available for everyone, regardless of where they live or what their family looks like. Currently, she is actively fighting against the dangerous South Carolina Senate Bill S.323, an extreme total abortion ban that threatens to criminally charge women and those who assist them, and if passed, could be used as an example for other states to follow. While acknowledging the need to start small and develop your “advocacy muscles,” Kristin encourages people everywhere to get involved, emphasizing that action is key to regaining a sense of control when everything else, like infertility, feels out of control. Small actions, such as contacting their legislators, sharing social media posts, and spreading awareness, can add up to make a big impact, and importantly reminds us all to keep having joy in our lives, describing joy as a form of resistance.Connect with Kristin at www.empoweredinfertilitycoaching.com or @kristindillensnyder on Instagram. And to get easy action items to help fight against SB. 323, join the SC Fertility Advocates Facebook Group. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, infertility support, IVF journey, trying to conceive, reproductive health, family growth, assisted reproductive technology, emotional support for infertility, IVF coaching, military spouse infertility, parenting after infertility, infertility advocacy, two week wait support, coping with infertility, community support for parents, family planning resources, infertility awareness, mental health during IVF, navigating infertility, parenting stories, Military spouse, TriCare, TTC, IVF, coaching, life coach, infertility, Empowered Infertility, advocate, fertility advocate,...

This episode features Kerri Bicskei, an active duty military spouse, psychotherapist, and founder of the nonprofit organization Mindful Warrior Alliance. Kerri shares her ongoing family building journey, taking both holistic and Western medical approaches before being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, later complicated by endometriosis. Kerri and her husband ultimately decided to travel out of state for IVF, since as an active duty military family, lack of insurance coverage for treatment made cost a major barrier, fertility support at their local military installation had a several year waitlist, and they wanted to be closer to family for support during treatment. Throughout their journey, Kerri has experienced firsthand the unique and massive challenges military families face. Kerri explains how Tricare fails to cover most fertility expenses and how seeking mental health care through the military system is "truly not confidential," potentially flagging the service member's record and jeopardizing their career. She started Mindful Warrior Alliance to directly address these gaps, providing $5,000 financial scholarships to military members, spouses, Guard, Reserve, and veterans and offering six free mental health counseling sessions using a 100% confidential, HIPAA compliant platform, ensuring client information is not shared with command or insurance. Throughout the episode, Kerri highlights the importance of support systems, emphasizing the power of community, resilience, and the importance of seeking help and support during a complicated family building journey.Connect with Kerri at Mindful Warrior Alliance at https://www.mindfulwarrioralliance.org/. Need additional support as a military-connected person navigating family building challenges? Check out AllPaths’ monthly free/virtual Building Military Families Support Group.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, infertility, IVF journey, military families, military family, military member, military spouse, military veteran, emotional support, holistic fertility, mental health counseling, adoption, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, fertility scholarships, nonprofit organization, Mindful Warrior Alliance, military spouse support, reproductive health, mental health support, IVF success stories, fertility awareness, peer support groups, family planning, IVF, tricare, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, holistic fertility care, sibling, mental health, military families, support system, advocacy, patient advocacy, access to care, therapy, self-care, mindful warrior alliance, financial scholarships, grants CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In our latest episode, we welcome Maria and Elizabeth, the co-founders and co-directors of The ART of Infertility, to share their personal experiences with infertility and their collaborative advocacy work. Though their individual family building journeys took different paths, both Elizabeth and Maria emphasize the importance of the supportive communities they found as they navigated infertility diagnoses and their subsequent experiences with fertility treatment, loss, adoption, and step-parenting. They both also found that creative outlets like visual art and writing were immensely helpful for processing their journeys. Together Maria and Elizabeth founded The ART of Infertility, a national arts organization that challenges perceptions of infertility through visual art and storytelling and advocates for creativity to be incorporated as a therapeutic outlet for fertility patients as part of broader mental health support in clinical settings. Through exhibits, workshops, and their book Infertilities, A Curation, Elizabeth and Maria stress the need for open discussions about infertility to foster understanding and connection, and hope to inspire anyone feeling overwhelmed by their family building journey to explore creativity as a step towards healing.Connect with Maria and Elizabeth at https://www.artofinfertility.org/ or reach out to them directly at elizabeth@artofinfertility.org and maria@artofinfertility.org.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, infertility support, reproductive health, IVF experiences, adoption journeys, community support for infertility, coping with infertility, emotional impact of infertility, creative expression in fertility, infertility advocacy, peer support groups, family planning challenges, mental health and infertility, navigating infertility, stories of infertility, infertility awareness, support for couples, coping strategies for infertility, personal experiences with IVF, art and infertility, Infertility, clomid, timed intercourse, IUI, endometriosis, assisted reproductive technology, ART of Infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, DOR, IVF, male-factor infertility, grief, loss, reproductive loss, boundaries, visual art, egg retrieval, ovarian torsion, medical complications, medical trauma, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, embryo transfer, divorce after infertility, step-parent, step-parenting after infertility, community support, support group, peer support, RESOLVE the National Infertility Association, Progeny, fertility testing, couples support group, healing, fertility treatment, adoption, domestic infant adoption, open adoption, adoptive parent, parenting after infertility, advocacy, advocacy work, RESOLVE Advocacy Day, family building, family making, creative outlets, writing, art exhibit, identity and infertility, creative practices, mental health and creativity, creating awareness, reproductive rights, Infertiles, A Curation, blackout poetry, mixed media, painting, art exhibit, CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode, we speak with Becca Levin Nayak, an attorney specializing in adoption and assisted reproduction in Pennsylvania. Becca shares her own family building journey, begun with her ex-wife, where the couple navigated donor conception. The process of choosing a sperm donor was overwhelming, which Becca likened to selecting a partner on a dating app. Despite the challenges, Becca's first attempt at IUI resulted in a successful pregnancy, leading to the birth of her son. However, her path was not without heartbreak, as she faced miscarriages and the dissolution of her marriage, which prompted her to consider single parenthood. This journey took an unexpected turn when she met her current wife, who had two children from a previous co-parenting arrangement. The creation of their blended family is a beautiful illustration of the fact that genetic ties are not what make a family.The conversation then pivots to Becca's professional career, which was initially driven by her commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy following decisions like Lawrence v. Texas. She discusses the evolving legal landscape for LGBTQ+ families, her shift to focusing on assisted reproduction and adoption law, and the importance of securing parental rights for non-biological or genetic parents. Currently, Becca is an active advocate for the Pennsylvania Uniform Parentage Act (House Bill 350), which will modernize and clarify parentage law in the state to recognize diverse family structures and protect the rights of all parent/child relationships, regardless of how their families are built.LINKS:Connect with Becca at https://www.hangley.com/team-member/rebecca-levin-nayak and learn how you can help advocate for the Pennsylvania Uniform Parentage Act at https://www.pennparentage.org/.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, LGBTQ family, assisted reproduction, adoption attorney, blended family, parenting journey, sperm donor selection, intentional co-parenting, legal protections for families, family law advocacy, emotional support for parents, Pennsylvania Parentage Act, fertility clinic services, family structure diversity, parenting rights, miscarriage support, donor siblings, family formation resources, surrogacy laws, parenthood options, adoption, assisted reproduction, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, LGBTQ+, two moms, RMA Philadelphia, donor conception, donor sperm, donor siblings, IUI, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, intentional co-parenting, blended family, advocacy, parentage, LGBT Advocacy, family law, family formation lawyer, Pennsylvania Parentage Act, intent-based parenting, confirmatory adoption, legal protections, known donor, relationships, family groupsCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

On this episode, we welcome Courtney, a current PhD student at the Fletcher School of Tufts whose research focuses on the intersections of conflict, reproductive health, and humanitarian programming, to talk about her ongoing reproductive health journey. Her long medical path, which began with life-threatening blood clots (DVT and pulmonary embolism) at age 17, leading to a diagnosis of Factor 2 and Factor 5 clotting disorders and resulting in significant medical trauma. She was later diagnosed with endometriosis at 23, after struggling with symptoms for three or four years. Courtney discusses the difficulties of being gaslit and dismissed by medical providers regarding both her blood clots and her reproductive pain. She describes how she was eventually guided toward proper endometriosis care by a friend and colleague who had also experienced endometriosis and adenomyosis, providing essential support and guidance through an isolating experience.Courtney's severe pain and the eventual diagnosis of adenomyosis, the "evil cousin of endo," led her to the decision to pursue a medically indicated hysterectomy at 24. She explains that her clotting disorders meant that pregnancy would be dangerous due to the risk of increased clotting from estrogen flushes. She appreciated finding an endometriosis specialist, who respected her autonomy and supported her desire to reclaim her quality of life by rescinding the “ability to give life in a way.” While Courtney and her husband, Mark, aren’t quite ready to start growing their family yet, they plan to pursue international adoption.Courtney has since channeled her experiences into advocacy, testifying at the Massachusetts State House in support of comprehensive bills aimed at improving endometriosis care. She has become involved in the Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts (TEAM), an organization bringing together providers, patients, and caregivers to improve the lives of those with endometriosis through education and advocacy, of which AllPaths is a founding member. This November, Courtney is also running the Cambridge Half Marathon as a fundraiser for TEAM and AllPaths Family Building to support endometriosis advocacy efforts in Massachusetts, showcase the resilience of the endo community, and demonstrate that life can improve with proper treatment. Ultimately, Courtney stresses that there is no "ideal" or "normative" family building process, realizing through her own journey to this point that "what works for you is what the ideal is."LINKSSupport Courtney’s Half Marathon Fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-team-and-allpaths-family-building.Learn more about the Mount Auburn Center for Endometriosis Care at https://mountauburnhospital.org/services/gynecology/endometriosis-treatment.Get involved with endometriosis advocacy in Massachusetts at https://www.endoteam.org/ and https://allpathsfb.org/ma-advocacy/.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Endometriosis, medical gaslighting, patient education, medical trauma, adenomyosis, pelvic floor physical therapy, trust, TEAM, Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts, Mount Auburn Hospital,...

Today’s episode features Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife, parent, co-author of the book Baby Making for Everybody, and founder of PregnantTogether, a virtual community supporting queer and solo parents from preconception through parenting. Marea’s family grew through a non-traditional and "growthful" journey that involved co-parenting, a romantic relationship developing unexpectedly, the use of a known donor, having a child of their own (after a chemical pregnancy and then successful IUI), and eventually navigating a separation. They described the fertility process, alongside their experiences of pregnancy, birth, and separation, as deeply "humbling" and realized that if the process was this overwhelming to them as an "quote unquote expert" with training, then they could only imagine how it felt for others. This feeling of overwhelm and the observation that people often do not see the narratives of their non-traditional families in the mainstream world, led to the creation of the PregnantTogether community. By creating a space for LGBTQ+ individuals and solo parents, Marea hopes to provide a space where the unique stories of queer folks and solo parents are normalized and people can find the tailored support and resources that they wished they had had on their journey. PregnantTogether is excited to host the first virtual queer family building conference called “Together” this November 4th and 5th. Our conversation highlights the importance of normalizing diverse family structures, addressing the grief and disappointment inherent in the process, and connecting people to help smooth out the bumps of the family-building challenges. Find Marea and the community on Instagram @pregnanttogether.community or the website www.pregnanttogether.com.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Reproductive justice, queer parenting, queer family building, midwife, doula, fertility care, IUI, donor sperm, queer family stories, Baby-Making for Every Body book, grief, relationships, family, spiritual growth, at-home insemination, unsolicited advice, compassionate listening, family building, queer parenting, solo parenting, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ family support, insemination process, parenting community, family planning resources, fertility challenges, emotional support for parents, non-traditional families, midwifery care, online parenting support, community for queer families, navigating parenthood, parenting after divorce, inclusive parenting resources, support for trying to conceive, parenting workshops, LGBTQ+ family building conferenceCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

This week we’re celebrating the 50th episode of the AllPaths Podcast. For this milestone, we welcome special guest, friend, colleague, and AllPaths board member, Elizabeth Carr. Known worldwide as the first IVF baby born in the United States, Elizabeth shares the incredibly pioneering journey of her parents, Judy and Roger. Massachusetts residents who had to travel back and forth to Norfolk, Virginia because IVF was illegal in their home state at the time, they turned to IVF after medical complications from a ruptured appendix and three life-threatening ectopic pregnancies ultimately led to the removal of both fallopian tubes.Elizabeth details how her parents took a huge leap of faith based on a single, black-and-white, five-sentence flyer given to them by their OB/GYN. Their successful cycle involved developing the very first hormone protocol and resulted in only two eggs retrieved and one transfer. Despite facing intense media scrutiny around the birth, her parents immediately chose to forgo privacy so the world would know that this option was available and that their baby was "healthy and normal," a mission that Elizabeth actively carries on today. She explains that her work as a patient advocate, journalist, author, and board member is her deeply personal way of saying "thank you" to the entire fertility field—from doctors and nurses to therapists and organizations like AllPaths—for making her life possible.Driven by a fear that IVF offspring might become an "endangered species" following the Alabama court decision in 2024, Elizabeth has taken on a more urgent and powerful role in advocacy. She has leveraged her experience growing up under media scrutiny to become a loud voice for the community, which resulted in her being invited to the State of the Union and helping to rally efforts to restart IVF services in Alabama. Elizabeth, who currently works in patient advocacy and marketing for a genetic testing company, offers advice to those navigating infertility and for those supporting a loved one, but most importantly emphasizes that while she chooses to share her story, there is "zero pressure" for others to do so, affirming that everyone has a valuable place in the community regardless of how they show up.Connect with Elizabeth at https://ejordancarr.com/ or on Instagram @ejordan12Today we want to give a very special shoutout to our Presenting Sponsor, EMD Serono. Thank you for helping to make sure that no one who struggles with building their family has to walk alone.You can donate to or join the EMD Serono Walk team today at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamEMDSerono.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, assisted reproductive technology, IVF support, infertility journey IVF, in vitro fertilization, family building community, emotional support for parents, infertility resources, personal IVF stories, connections through infertility, reproductive technology, infertility awareness, IVF success stories, patient advocacy, family planning options, fertility treatment, reproductive healthcare, insurance coverage, fertility advocacyCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

This episode features longtime member of the AllPaths community Colleen, who shares her journey through the emotional devastation of recurrent pregnancy loss and IVF. After five losses and two unsuccessful IVF cycles, Colleen and her husband decided to take a much-needed break, but in a shocking turn of events, discovered she was pregnant the day after the sudden death of her father. Despite her history of loss and initial expectation that it would end badly, the pregnancy defied the odds, with HCG numbers doubling quickly, leading to the confirmation of a viable pregnancy. Their son, Liam John (named after her father, John), was born prematurely at 33 weeks and six days and required a two-week stay in the NICU. After deciding to try for a second child with strict parameters, they successfully conceived their son Logan on the very first attempt, who was born full-term in May 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic lockdown.Throughout the conversation, Colleen offers insights into coping with grief and the importance of community and advocates for using transparency and humor to break the isolation associated with loss, arguing that suffering in silence by "pretending I was okay" was the hardest part of the whole experience. From sharing about her experiences through her blog and social media and her volunteer work with AllPaths, Colleen has channeled her experiences into breaking the isolation and silence surrounding loss and the complexities of motherhood after loss, to help others feel less isolated while on their own difficult journeys.Connect with Colleen on Instagram @notquitejustright.A Special thank you to Mass General Brigham, for being a Champion Sponsor of our upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk!If the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital or Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center have been an important part of your journey, you can donate to or join Team MGB at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamMGB.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:pregnancy loss, chemical pregnancy, HCG test, positive pregnancy test, miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, fertility testing, IVF, genetic testing, ectopic pregnancy, methotrexate, NICU, humor as coping mechanism, blog, peer groups, relationships, grief, failed IVF cycles, pregnancy after loss, parenting after loss, parenting after infertility, family building, infertility support, pregnancy loss, recurrent miscarriage, IVF journey, emotional support, family growth, community support, pregnancy after loss, coping with grief, fertility treatments, parenting after loss, emotional wellness, support groups, navigating infertility, mental health in pregnancyCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

On this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we welcome Maggie Stryker, a former AllPaths group attendee and current volunteer to share her journey. Maggie and her partner began trying for a family in 2022, navigating a history of endometriosis while simultaneously undergoing multiple foot surgeries and recoveries. After eight or nine months of unsuccessful attempts, and facing physical and emotional pain, they pursued fertility testing, which ultimately led to the frustrating diagnosis of "unexplained infertility". This "worst diagnosis" meant discovering treatment effectiveness through trial and error, a process Maggie likened to being a "test bunny."Maggie's path included medicated cycles with Clomid and three rounds of IUI, all without success, eventually leading her to IVF. During this time, the world around her questioned her decision to pursue fertility treatments alongside her ongoing medical issues, but found crucial support, community, and practical advice through AllPaths’ support groups. After multiple egg retrievals, Maggie underwent a successful embryo transfer on a leap day, experiencing an early scare but ultimately having a successful pregnancy with her baby girl, Charlie. Throughout the conversation, Maggie emphasizes the crucial role of self-advocacy in medical care, the profound impact of genuine support from loved ones, and how the AllPaths community provided invaluable understanding and practical advice that outsiders couldn't. Planning to try to grow her family through remaining embryos, Maggie also hopes to become a fertility doula, drawing on her experience to support others on their journeys.A Special thank you to Champion Walk Sponsor Evernorth for their support and commitment to the fertility and family building community.If you've been helped by Freedom Fertility or VFP Pharmacy Group along your journey, you can donate to or join Team Evernorth at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamEvernorth.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, infertility journey, endometriosis and fertility, IVF experiences, unexplained infertility, fertility testing, emotional support in infertility, egg retrieval process, Clomid cycles, intrauterine insemination (IUI), coping with medical issues, support groups for fertility, community support in IVF, challenges of family planning, navigating fertility treatments, advocacy in infertility, dealing with pregnancy loss, emotional resilience in family building, personal stories of infertility, empowering friends in support, endometriosis, clomid, IUI, IVF, egg retrieval, rescue ICSI, frozen embryo transfer, hope, pregnancy after infertility, self-advocacy, patient advocacy  CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode, we are joined by Kristen Darcy, a long-time professional in the fertility industry, shares her personal family-building journey, which she describes as "months tricked into years" before she transitioned "out of the bedroom into...surgery and procedures." She recounts questionable diagnoses and fertility treatment, experiencing an ectopic pregnancy requiring emergency surgery, a challenging physical and emotional recovery, and eventually the births of her son and daughter. Kristen emphasizes the "invisible" nature of infertility, where individuals may appear "normal" outwardly but struggle immensely internally.Kristen's experiences deeply impacted her professional path, transitioning her from a preschool teacher running an early childhood learning center to an author and fertility coach, driven by the desire that "no other woman should feel this way". Her coaching practice offers a holistic, energetic, and spiritual approach to fertility support, tailored to individual needs. And Kristen has authored three books based on her personal and professional experiences: Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion, Love and Infertility, and Making Dads, co-written with Sara Naab. As Kristen has seen the fertility industry evolve, the ongoing need for emotional support has largely remained unchanged. Kristen advocates for self-empowerment, encouraging listeners to find balance, and leverage their inner strength as they navigate treatment, advising that anyone struggling with family building commit to doing "one nurturing thing every day" that will “remind you about how powerful you are and how you are enough.”LINKS:Connect with Kristen at https://www.kristendarcy.com/.SPECIAL THANK YOU to The Lemon Grove: Doula Agency & Perinatal Wellness Collaborative, for being a Leader Sponsor of our upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk! Donate to or join their Walk team at https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamLemonGrove.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Infertility, fertility treatment, IUI, IVF, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, community support, support, author, coach, wellness, fertility planning, for family and friends, communication, setting boundaries, grief, emotional fatigue, hope, resilience, advocacy, women’s health, holistic health, family building journey, infertility support, emotional impact of infertility, fertility treatment options, coping with infertility, personal stories of infertility, support for parents, navigating fertility challenges, self-care during infertility, infertility coaching, resources for fertility, secondary infertility, emotional resilience in parenting, holistic fertility approaches, community support for infertility, fertility and relationships, understanding unexplained infertility, family building resources, advocacy in fertility care, the journey to parenthoodCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode, we talk with Mirna Nova, founder of Fertility Inspired, about her 12-year-long journey to parenthood. Mirna opens up about her early diagnosis of PCOS, which she knew would make conceiving challenging, the physical toll of undergoing various treatments including Clomid, IUI, and multiple rounds of IVF, and the profound emotional impact of her journey. After over a decade Myrna's story took a hopeful turn when she decided to follow her gut and seek a new fertility specialist, resulting in the birth of her "little miracle," a daughter born at 26 weeks.Despite the unwavering support of her husband, Mirna experienced deep feelings of isolation and self-blame throughout the years spent trying to conceive. Inspired by her own lack of resources and support during her arduous journey, Mirna founded "Fertility Inspired" offering connection and guidance for those who are still struggling to grow their families. By providing a safe space for people to share their stories and access resources, Fertility Inspired focuses on addressing the mental and emotional pressure of fertility treatments, beyond just the physical injections and hormonal changes.In a few weeks, Fertility Inspired is hosting its first event, Let's Talk Fertility brunch on Sunday, September 14, at Granite Links in Quincy, MA featuring Mirna’s own Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Aaron Styer of CCRM Boston and other experts to educate and build community support in the New England area. This free event aims to create a beautiful, nurturing space for connection and friendship, recognizing that those facing infertility deserve a supportive and understanding community.LINKS:Connect with Mirna at https://linktr.ee/FertilityInspiredRSVP for the Let’s Talk Fertility brunch at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-fertility-embracing-hope-on-the-journey-to-parenthood-tickets-1423799926909THANK YOU to the Advocate Sponsors of our Footsteps for Family Building Walk! If any of these amazing clinics and organizations have been a part of your journey and you want a way to say thanks and give back, donate to or join their Walk team:Boston IVF - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamBostonIVFCCRM Boston - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamCCRMBostonFemasys - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamFemasysFirst Fertility - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamFirstFertilityGrain Fertility - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamGrainFertilityLabcorp - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamLabcorpSeattle Sperm Bank - https://bit.ly/2025WalkTeamSeattleSpermBankTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:family building, infertility support, PCOS and fertility, IVF journey, emotional...

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Olivia King, a Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter who, through sharing her fertility struggles on social media, has found purpose in helping others feel less alone as they navigate their own journeys. Olivia and her husband married with the immediate intention of starting a family. However, after trying unsuccessfully on their own and an unexplained infertility “diagnosis” despite normal or even "better than average" test results, they embarked on a difficult journey through three unsuccessful IUI cycles and multiple IVF attempts. Olivia recounts the devastating setbacks, including a first IVF cycle where only one out of fifteen retrieved eggs fertilized, and eventually no embryos were viable, leading to a significant decline in her mental health. A crucial turning point came when her husband encouraged her to seek support, leading her to AllPaths Support Groups, which provided her with much-needed hope, shared experiences, and practical advice, reflecting that, “just having someone who really understands the weight of infertility can make such a difference in how you cope with the struggles that come along with it.”Despite switching doctors twice in pursuit of hope and solutions, Olivia's journey continued to be fraught with challenges, as doctors initially dismissed her long-standing, severe period pain. It was a third doctor who finally suspected and confirmed Stage 4 Endometriosis, a condition that had been "wreaking havoc" in her body for over 20 years and was likely the underlying cause of her "unexplained infertility". This diagnosis, despite prior dismissals from medical professionals, brought both validation and immense frustration at the systemic issues in endometriosis care and has made Olivia a vocal proponent of self-advocacy in the medical system. While Olivia doesn’t know where the next steps in her journey will lead, she now uses her platform and her music as a therapeutic outlet, partnering with Play it Forward to fundraise for AllPaths Family Building, turning her pain into a powerful purpose to educate and advocate for others.Get a free download of Olivia’s song "In My Head" and watch the music video by donating to AllPath at https://www.playitforward.com/projects/olivia-king-fertility-fundraiserTOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Fertility treatment, IUI, unexplained infertility, IVF, gallbladder, patient advocacy, self-advocacy, endometriosis, endometriosis, excision surgery, MIGS surgery, family building, fertility journey, unexplained infertility, IVF experiences, endometriosis awareness, support for infertility, self-advocacy in healthcare, emotional impact of infertility, coping with fertility challenges, mental health and infertility, finding purpose in struggle, community support for family building, fertility testing, navigating fertility treatments, emotional support groups, growing your family, personal stories of infertilityCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we speak with Trystan Reese, a father of three, advocate, educator, and an "all-around nerd" when it comes to transgender fertility and family building. Trystan shares his personal and professional journey, starting with his experience growing up in a conservative town as a transgender man without the language to understand his identity, leading him to initially believe "there was something wrong" with him. He recounts how, after transitioning and taking testosterone, he chose to keep his reproductive organs, allowing him to ultimately build his family through both adoption and biology.Trystan reveals that as a young person, he never wanted to be a parent, a sentiment that aligns with data showing many transgender adolescents do not envision themselves in parental roles. Looking back on that time, Trystan reflects that “it's very possible that transgender youth, including myself at that age, just don't really see a world where they could ever be a parent.” He highlights the significant lack of fertility counseling he received 20 years ago when medically transitioning, where he was wrongly told testosterone would render him infertile. This experience fueled a healthy skepticism towards medical providers, as he found community knowledge often outpaced medical understanding. Trystan elaborates on his own pregnancy journey, describing it as a "cool weird science thing" that was mostly neutral, defying the universal expectation of dysphoria for trans pregnant people, as about a third feel neutral, and another third find it surprisingly improves their body comfort.His decision to go public with his pregnancy aimed to share a positive trans story and demonstrate expanded possibilities for others and was surprised that it was such a "big deal" outside the trans community. Since deciding to be public about his fertility journey, Trystan has been a passionate advocate for the entire trans community, including non-binary people, trans people of color, and transgender women. From training medical centers and fertility clinics globally on providing trauma-informed care and respectful communication for transgender patients to working towards reshaping public narratives and promoting broader trans inclusion through his sharing his own story, Trystan hopes to inspire everyone to use their "sphere of influence" to advocate for trans inclusion in their communities and workplaces.LINKS:Connect with Trystan at Collaborate Consulting and Trans Fertility Co..Read Trystan’s books How We Do Family (sharing his family's story through kinship adoption and pregnancy) and The Light of You (children’s book celebrating a pregnant transgender dad’s journey to bringing a new baby into a family)TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Trans fertility, reproductive care, adoption, kinship adoption, transgender community, dysphoria, gender identity, trans pregnant people, trans parents, feminist kids books, allyship, inclusion, provider support, reproductive justice, transgender reproductive justice, gay dad, transgender man, seahorse dad, author, activist, consultant, public speaker, transgender family building, fertility preservation for transgender individuals, LGBTQ+ parenting, parenting journeys, adoption and transgender families, transgender pregnancy experiences, support for transgender parents, navigating family building, reproductive health for transgender people, community support for LGBTQ+ families, emotional challenges in family building, resources for transgender...

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features a conversation with Alexis Eyler, the Executive Director of On Your Feet Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting birth parents post-placement. On Your Feet Foundation, founded in 2001, addresses the historical lack of post-placement services for birth parents, recognizing that open adoption, considered best practice since the 90s, highlighted a significant unmet need. The organization started with small "gap grants" and peer-led retreats, but now provides a comprehensive suite of services, including support groups, drop-in calls, a mentorship program, holiday assistance for children parented and placed, and enhanced mental health support for birth parents, including a soon-to-be-launched Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) Assessment Tool specifically for birth parents and group practice to provide direct, sustainable counseling and therapeutic services with adoption-competent therapists.The foundational belief of On Your Feet Foundation’s work is that by empowering and supporting birth parents, there is a positive "ripple effect" that ultimately improves outcomes for the entire adoption constellation. And while the organization's primary focus is providing crucial post-placement support for birth parents, Alexis shares about the specific resources they’ve developed for adoptive parents and those hoping to adopt. A key initiative is their "Activism in Adoption" program, which offers adoptee and birth parent-centered adoption education. This program provides an invaluable space for prospective adoptive parents and adoptive families to learn from the lived experiences of those most impacted by adoption, going beyond traditional education to foster a deeper understanding of race, relationships, and resilience within the adoption constellation. LINKS:For prospective adoptive parents, here is the direct link to the blog post Alexis talks about in her episode: Ethics in Adoption: 10 Questions about Birthparents that Prospective Adoptive Parents Should Ask When Vetting AgenciesConnect with On Your Feet Foundation and Activism in Adoption: Websites: https://onyourfeetfoundation.org/ and  https://www.activisminadoption.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyourfeetfoundation and https://www.facebook.com/ActivismInAdoptionInstagram: @OnYourFeetFoundation and @ActivisminAdoptionTwitter/X: @Here4BirthmomsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10148868/admin/dashboard/TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Birth parent support, Illinois, US, Canada, post-placement services for birth parents, parenting resources, adopted people, adoptive families, Activism in Adoption, adoption education, adoptee and birth parent centered adoption education, hopeful adoptive parents, adoption constellation, Mammha, PMADs, mental health grants, family building, adoption support, birth parent resources, postpartum mood disorders, adoption...

This episode of the podcast features Heather Smidt, owner of Wander Well Acupuncture in Lexington, MA and longtime AllPaths community member. Heather shares her family building journey, which included a late diagnosis of endometriosis, multiple losses, and the joy of her "rainbow baby" son, conceived during acupuncture school. She candidly shares the struggles of self-advocacy and feeling unheard by medical providers, contrasting her first, lonely journey with her secondary infertility experience, which was supported by the AllPaths community. Heather’s personal journey intertwines with her professional one, when her own experiences with decreased period pain after acupuncture led to her becoming a licensed acupuncturist, massage therapist, and reiki practitioner specializing in fertility. From helping to manage inflammation and treatment side effects to reducing stress and having a positive impact on emotional health, Heather shares how fertility acupuncture can complement traditional medical treatments and address the physical and emotional aspects of a family building journey. Throughout the conversation, Heather emphasizes that the fertility process is constantly clouded by "what ifs" and that whatever tools someone uses should be about making them feel better about their journey regardless of the outcome, rather than adding to their stress or self-blame.LINKS:Connect with Heather at https://wanderwellacupuncture.com/ or on Instagram @wanderwellacu.For help finding a fertility acupuncturist near you, visit the AllPaths Professional Directory at https://allpathsfb.org/professional-directory/ or The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine website at https://aborm.org/.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Endometriosis, acupuncture, East Asian medicine, reproductive endocrinologist, clomid, letrozole, IUI, pregnancy loss, rainbow baby, IVF, secondary infertility, one and no longer trying for another, Massachusetts, endometriosis care, endometriosis advocacy, professional directory, mind-body wellness, yoga, meditation, mental health support, talk therapy, guilt, blame, massage therapy, reiki, Lexington MA, preconception, assisted reproductive technology, fertility, for family and friends, family building, infertility support, endometriosis awareness, acupuncture for fertility, emotional support during IVF, navigating infertility, reproductive health, fertility journey, holistic family building, self-advocacy in healthcare, coping with infertility, secondary infertility, mindfulness in fertility, Eastern medicine for conception, holistic wellness for families, managing stress during IVF, community support for infertility, resources for family building, fertility acupuncture benefits, personal stories in infertility

In this episode, we chat with Valerie Imparato, a lawyer and artist originally from Haiti, currently living in Somerville, Massachusetts. Valerie shares her often complicated journey to parenthood. She recounts her initial easy conception followed by a miscarriage in Italy during Covid, and the subsequent "excruciating" nine months of trying before conceiving her daughter unexpectedly during a vacation where she was "not doing all the things" typically recommended for optimal fertility. Valerie also opens up about enduring two more miscarriages and an unsuccessful round of IVF, and her ongoing, emotionally taxing second IVF cycle.Our conversation delves into the profound impact her family building struggles have had on her relationships. She discusses the guilt of navigating secondary infertility while raising her three-year-old daughter, feeling as though she might be "robbing her of her childhood" due to the demands of treatments like IVF. She shares the frustration of comparing her journey to friends who conceive easily, and the strain the constant emotional and physical burden has placed on her marriage. We also touch on the unique generational grief experienced when family members pass away before new babies can be born. Some of Valerie’s biggest sources of support include a Bible study group specifically for women who have experienced miscarriages and fertility issues and the unexpected comfort of television shows like Severance that portray fertility struggles authentically. A significant part of Valerie's coping mechanism and expression is her art, which she uses to process emotions and experiences that are difficult to articulate through words. She emphasizes that her art often captures the "strange and alienating and lonely and clinical" aspects of IVF, rather than solely the outcome of having a baby, as she initially assumed IVF would be a guaranteed success. This includes the bureaucratic challenges like red tape, insurance issues, and constant phone calls related to treatments. A favorite piece from her show earlier this year is a portrait of Valerie in a hospital gown, depicted through embroidery for her body and skin, with actual hospital gown fabric and silk for the bed sheets. This piece took a "billion years" to create and, while rooted in her IVF journey, evokes memories of being in the hospital after her miscarriages, creating a feeling of "deja vu" and a "merry-go-round" of emotions related to trying to have or losing a baby. The expression on her face in this piece is described as "resigned". Sharing her art has created a sense of community with others who have experienced similar struggles and Valerie hopes that one day her daughter will see her art and understand "what this was like for me and why maybe sometimes I was the way that I was". Valerie is currently working on new art that will continue to explore this topic, but with a stronger link to her mom's illness. Listeners can view Valerie's art at her website https://www.valeriepimparato.com/ or by following her on Instagram @vp_visualart.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:IVF, secondary infertility, guilt, relationships, grief, pregnancy after loss, bible study, fertility challenges, art, visual art, community support, connection, shame, stigma, Severance, infertility in the media, family building, infertility support, miscarriage experience, IVF journey, parenting while trying to conceive, emotional impact of fertility issues, fertility consultation, pregnancy loss, trying to conceive tips, women’s health and fertility, coping with miscarriage, family dynamics during fertility struggles, supportive community for infertility, navigating pregnancy after loss, emotional well-being during IVF, fertility...

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Amanda Nordberg, a volunteer for the Footsteps for Family Building Walk, who shares her struggle with recurrent pregnancy loss and the emotional experience of pregnancy after loss. Amanda and her husband Andy began trying to conceive in 2020 and while they discovered that her body was "great at getting pregnant," it struggled to "stay pregnant". Over time, Amanda experienced multiple types of loss: an early miscarriage at 11 weeks (where the baby stopped growing at 9 weeks), which required a D&C procedure; an ectopic pregnancy around 6 weeks that was treated with methotrexate shots; and a chemical pregnancy. Eventually Amanda did have two nerve-racking, yet ultimately successful pregnancies resulting in her son Miles and daughter Zoey. Her journey highlights the multifaceted emotional toll of pregnancy loss, impacting not only the immediate moment of loss but also significantly altering subsequent pregnancies.Amanda's story also emphasizes the critical role of support and open communication. After her first loss, she decided to share her experience publicly on social media, which led to an outpouring of support from others who had gone through similar struggles. She connected with AllPaths (then Resolve New England) and found solace in their pregnancy loss support groups. Throughout the conversation, we explore how to navigate feelings of grief and hope, and how finding community can work towards ending the stigma surrounding pregnancy loss. Amanda's advocacy for openness and vulnerability shines through as she encourages others to find their people and allow themselves grace in their family building journey.Learn more about AllPaths’ pregnancy loss support groups and resources.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Missed miscarriage, D&C, miscarriage management, pregnancy loss, pregnancy loss group, ovulation testing, ectopic pregnancy, methotrexate, chemical pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, Boston IVF, pregnancy after loss, fear, anxiety, jealousy, anger, support, childbirth, therapy, Emily Oster, normalizing loss, find your people, walk, Footsteps for Family Building, AllPaths Family Building, annual walk, family building, pregnancy loss, infertility support, emotional support for pregnancy loss, coping with miscarriage, family growth journey, support groups for loss, navigating pregnancy after loss, community support for families, pregnancy after miscarriage, infertility awareness, mental health in pregnancy, pregnancy loss resources, stories of loss and hope, celebrating family building, sharing your pregnancy story, support for expecting parents, fertility challenges, pregnancy after loss experiences

On this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we invite Meg to share her continuing journey through recurrent miscarriages, unsuccessful fertility treatments, and an unflagging quest for answers. Meg, who runs "For the Barreness”, a infertility-focused blog and Instagram account, delves into her experience with seven miscarriages and eight rounds of IVF, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of recurrent losses, including the infrequently discussed postpartum experiences after miscarriage. Meg also shares the long road to receiving diagnoses of endometriosis, adenomyosis, autoimmune disorders, and a Müllerian Abnormality, several that were conditions she suspected she was dealing with for years due to severe menstrual pain, but was dismissed by medical professionals until after her recurrent losses.Meg elaborates on the creation of "For the Barreness," which she initially started out of loneliness in order to connect with others experiencing similar challenges, explaining how the name "Barreness" reclaims the often hurtful word "barren" to signify strength and regality within the community. The platform has grown into a vibrant online space where people offer mutual support, share stories, and find validation for difficult emotions such as anger and jealousy. Throughout our conversation, Meg also talks about other strategies and tools that she’s found to be helpful along this path, including finding a therapist with a fertility background who provides direct guidance and her love of reading "smutty fantasy" books as a form of escapism. Meg remains hopeful about the future and continues to grow the “For the Barreness” community, celebrating the resilience and beauty of all family building paths and outcomes.To connect with Meg at For the Barreness, visit https://www.forthebarreness.com/ or @for_the_barreness on Instagram. And if you are looking for support and resources around Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, we highly recommend checking on the nonprofit Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association: https://rplassociation.org/TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:TTC, endometriosis, adenomyosis, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, IVF, recurrent pregnancy loss, reproductive endocrinologist, reproductive immunologist, recurrent loss specialist, patient advocacy, self-advocacy, education, therapy, books, romantasy books, escapism, toxic positivity, Meg Faith, For the Barreness, family building, fertility struggles, miscarriage support, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis awareness, IVF journey, emotional support for infertility, parenting without children, community for infertility, overcoming fertility challenges, navigating family planning, resources for miscarriage, pregnancy loss awareness, building a family after loss, mental health and fertility, infertility and grief, reproductive health education, support groups for infertility, chronic illness and pregnancy, finding hope after loss

This episode features Jessica Katz, licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental health therapist, and parent to an egg-donor conceived child. During our conversation, Jessica shares her deeply personal and often challenging journey to parenthood, from her early struggles with irregular periods and feeling shame around her body and reproductive health, to an eventual diagnosis of ovarian insufficiency leading to the recommendation for donor egg IVF. The donor conception process was not without challenges, from navigating outdated agency databases to the emotional blow of discovering a seemingly ideal donor didn't pass medical testing. These setbacks ultimately led her to the realization that health and good character were far more important than physical traits in a donor.Jessica's journey continued with immense gratitude for her chosen donor, who demonstrated remarkable kindness and resilience even through a stressful pharmacy mishap during the retrieval cycle. After facing a continued stream of obstacles to an unsuccessful frozen transfer, a second cycle - though still plagued with challenges - ultimately was successful, and Jessica is now a proud mom to an almost one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Now navigating parenting a donor conceived child, Jessica values openness with her daughter about their journey, wanting to instill in her how special she is “because it took three people to make her and three people that all have such amazing strengths”.Inspired by her experiences, Jessica founded Empress Counseling, a practice dedicated to helping others navigate infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum challenges, named after the Empress Tarot Card symbolizing nurture and maternal energy. In her work, she advocates for compassion-focused therapy, encouraging clients to validate their feelings, practice genuine self-care beyond checklists, and give themselves permission to have needs. Jessica stresses that infertility is a unique "beast" and she works to dismantle the shame and blame often associated with it, emphasizing that your struggles or the results of your family-building efforts do not diminish your inherent worth.Connect with Jessica through her website (https://www.empresscounseling.com) or on Instagram @empresscounseling.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Fertility treatment, infertility, Irregular cycle, reproductive endocrinologist, diminished ovarian reserve, ovarian insufficiency, donor egg, donor conception, guilt, IVF, donor egg IVF, DEIVF, egg donor agency, anonymous egg donor, frozen embryo transfer, therapy, mental health support, parenting donor conceived children, trauma, shame, healing, therapist, compassion-focused therapy, self-care, compassion, Jessica Katz, Empress CounselingCONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.orgFollow us on social media @allpathsfbWant to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!