Episodes
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Danielle shares her story of trying to conceive over 40, navigating fertility treatment, donor egg IVF, and the anxiety of becoming pregnant after years of failed cycles. Over the course of the conversation, we chat about navigating boundaries while family building, the difference your mindset can make, self-empowerment and her inspiration to become an AllPaths Peer Support Group leader.
Danielle is a PhD scientist, academic researcher, published author, college professor, gymnastics coach, yoga teacher, CrossFit coach, pharmaceutical and biotech medical professional, leader, mentor, people-manager, women’s health researcher and advocate, fertility patient, sexual assault survivor, collegiate and master’s athlete, wife, friend, sister, aunt, teammate, speaker, writer, and of course, WARRIOR. More important than these labels, she defines herself by her values and beliefs. Her core belief is that humans have infinite capacity to change, and that change starts with self-awareness and acknowledgment that although we may not be in control of our circumstances, we are in control of how we react to those circumstances.
Read Danielle’s article in the AllPaths Magazine: https://allpathsfb.org/reclaiming-our-power-amidst-endless-uncertainty/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
TTC over 40; fertility treatment; IVF; donor conception; donor egg; DEIVF; toxic positivity; navigating boundaries; relationships; pregnancy after infertility; peer support; support groups
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Propa City Community Outreach founder Stephanie Crawford shares her family story, from the heartbreaking loss of her first son at 39 weeks to finding purpose in her pain by supporting others impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. Through her work as an educator, doula, and advocate, Stephanie’s work with “loss families” helps them advocate for positive healing for themselves and their communities.
Stephanie is an early childhood educator in the Boston public school system, a full-spectrum doula, children’s author, as well as a well-known pregnancy and infant loss grief support advocate. She is the founder and principal of Propa City Community Outreach, whose mission is to support families in the community who have experienced loss to navigate the healing process. She has partnered with local hospitals to develop strategies for supporting birthing people who experience loss as well as those with a history of pregnancy or birth-related trauma. Stephanie is the mother to angel Simeon and rainbow baby Amani and the godmother to 19 beautiful children of various ages.
Connect with Propa City Community Outreach: https://www.propacityco.org/
Learn more about Belle Jolie Doula Services: https://www.stephknowsbest.com/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Pregnancy loss; infant loss; stillbirth; grief; loss; healing; mental health; anxiety; pregnancy after loss; rainbow baby; doula support; full-spectrum doula; faith; therapy; postpartum anxiety; support group; loss support; Propa City Community Outreach; community support; advocacy;
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Missing episodes?
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A born and raised New Yorker, social worker Jen Rachman shares her family’s story from an ovarian cancer diagnosis that sadly left her infertile in her 20s, to the decision that surrogacy was the best route for her and her husband to grow their family. With the help of their agency, their surrogate, and their egg donor, they had their son 12 years ago.
Jen’s experience was so positive that it launched a new career path and she now works for Circle Surrogacy, the agency she used to grow her family. Her role is to assist and support intended parents who are exploring surrogacy to learn about the process and the services that are provided. She welcomes you to contact her for more information about building your family through surrogacy and/or egg donation at [email protected].
Learn more about Circle Surrogacy: https://www.circlesurrogacy.com/
Connect with Stupid Cancer: https://stupidcancer.org/
Join AllPaths’ Cancer and Fertility Support Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Cancer; ovarian cancer; survivor; young adult survivor; grief; loss; fertility treatment; intended parents; gestational carrier; surrogacy; donor conception; donor egg; parenting support; fertility preservation; mental health; social work; surrogacy agency; egg donation; peer support; support group; cancer and fertility;
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Liane Moccia’s story encompasses an infertility diagnosis, becoming a parent via IVF, as well as how her personal journey sparked a passion for holistic fertility support and a new career. Now a Registered Clinical Herbalist specializing in fertility and preconception planning, Liane highlights some of her favorite herbs to support optimal fertility and a healthy pregnancy. She shares some favorite resources for anyone building their family, including her work with clients and her role as an AllPaths Peer Support Group leader.
Liane is a Boston-based Registered Herbalist, RH(AHG) helping people prepare for pregnancy and take charge of their fertility by coming up with a clear plan including herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle change. Liane’s own infertility diagnosis led her to the healing power of plants and ultimately a career change after the birth of her twin daughters to help others on similar journeys. Liane spent 20 years in corporate marketing before returning to school to study herbalism. After becoming a certified herbalist, she was accepted as a peer-reviewed registered professional herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild.
Explore Liane’s content in the AllPaths Resource Library
Connect with Liane: https://lianemoccia.com/
IG @lianemoccia
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Fertility treatment; IVF; infertility; egg health; sperm health; holistic support; acupuncture; herbs; adaptogens; mind-body; wellness; pregnancy; community support; peer support;
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Founder of Building Military Families Network, Julie Eshelman shares about her ongoing family building journey, one that spans many years and states, highlighting the unique challenges that military families often face. We also hear about Julie’s rise as a leader in the community through her non-profit and advocacy work, and learn how anyone can get involved in the fight for access to fertility care and family building options.
Julie is the Founder, CEO & President of Building Military Families Network, a nonprofit with a mission to provide an empowering and supportive network to military and veteran families navigating the challenges in the family building process through support groups, education, and resources. She uses her infertility and pregnancy loss journey to help the 67% of military-connected families realize they are not alone in struggling to build and grow their families. Julie advocates for insurance coverage and access to care for military-connected families while raising awareness of the unique challenges they face due to the military lifestyle. Julie believes in breaking the chains of shame and embarrassment that these topics carry and instead empowering others to share their journeys and advocate for the next generation. In 2022 she was named AFI Fort Leavenworth Spouse of the Year for her awareness, advocacy, and leadership in infertility and military family building.
Learn more about Building Military Families Network: buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork.org
Join the AllPaths and BMFN Building Military Families Support Group: https://allpathsfb.org/support
Learn more about ASRM/RESOLVE Advocacy Day 2025: https://resolve.org/events/advocacy-day/
Read Julie’s memoir-in-progress: https://www.wearethemighty.com/category/infertility-memoir/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Military families; military spouse; infertility; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; fertility treatment; IVF; Building Military Families Network; ASRM; RESOLVE; advocacy; insurance coverage; veterans
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Kelly Soule shares about her ongoing journey and the difficulty of not knowing what’s next for her family. From processing IVF not working and a changing relationship with her own body, to attempting to adjust to having no sense of control and situations when expectations do not meet reality. Our conversation with Kelly touches on the emotions and decisions that so many people face when struggling to figure out what path to pursue, or to switch to.
Kelly is the Owner and Principal Planner of Kelly Elizabeth Events and 8 Stratton Events, specializing in corporate, non-profit and social events. Kelly and her husband Dan have been TTC For 4 years including multiple rounds of IVF, surgeries and various diagnoses. They are still working to grow their family. Kelly is originally from Westborough, MA but currently resides on Cape Cod. In her spare time she enjoys traveling to new places as well as advocating for animal rescue and IVF.
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
PCOS; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; uterine septum; fertility treatment; IVF; ectopic pregnancy; mental health; surrogacy; relationship with body; lack of control; expectations vs. reality; advice for family and friends
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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CEO and Founder of Family Source Consultants (FSC), Staci Swiderski shares her personal journey as an intended parent, welcoming a son via gestational surrogacy in 2005 and her experience as a known egg donor. Her own fertility challenges led her to found FSC in 2007 with a mission to build families through third-party reproduction with an approach that is “compassionate, empathetic, individualized, and heart-based”.
Staci has more than 16 years of experience in the field of reproductive medicine. She has vigorously grown the comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy agency to become a worldwide leader in the third-party reproduction field. Aside from work, Staci enjoys spending time with her family, traveling anywhere near a beach, watching sports (GO CUBS!), and listening to the many genres of music.
Learn more about Family Source Consultants: https://www.familysourceconsultants.com/
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Gestational carrier; surrogacy; intended parents; IVF; hysterectomy; egg donation; donor conception; third-party reproduction; infertility; peer support; advocacy; insurance coverage; fertility insurance;
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Andy Lamb shares his story of male infertility, mental health struggles, and the reinvention of who he was and what really mattered in life and family on his journey to become a father. Now a parent to three girls adopted through foster care, Andy supports other men struggling to grow their families as an AllPaths Peer Support Group leader and works to cultivate racial and cultural competency in communities through his family-founded non-profit, Raising Multicultural Kids.
Learn more about Raising Multicultural Kids: https://raisingmulticulturalkids.com
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Male-factor infertility; azoospermia; relationships; therapy; depression; adoption; foster care; parenting; multicultural kids; interracial adoption; peer support; building community; parenting support;
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Jennifer Redmond shares her story of infertility, loss, and embracing life as a family of two, how her own fertility journey has influenced her personal and professional life, and reflects on the evolution she’s seen in the fertility and family building space over her career.
Jennifer empowers women to take a 360-degree view of their wellness and helps them implement customized dietary and lifestyle changes to boost fertility and feel deeply supported in the process. A fertility and hormonal health expert, Jennifer is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Coach, graduate of the Women’s Functional and Integrative Medicine Professional Training Program, and Certified Hormone Health Educator. Formerly the co-founder and editor-in-chief of FertilityAuthority (now Progyny), and Director of Communications for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, she has literally written and edited thousands of articles on fertility and infertility. Jennifer is the Immediate Past President of AllPaths Family Building, where she also helps lead the Childless After Fertility and Family Building Challenges Group.
Learn more about holistic fertility support: jennredmond.com
IG @jennredmondinhc
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Infertility; pregnancy loss; fertility treatment; IVF; living childfree; childless after infertility; peer support; building community; functional nutrition; hormonal health; fertility support;
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Director of Family Advocacy at GLAD and recipient of the 2024 AllPaths Advocacy Award, Polly Crozier shares her own challenging family building story, as well as her advocacy for parentage equality inclusive fertility insurance bills throughout New England. A tireless, knowledgeable and effective advocate, Polly’s work focuses on youth and family issues, including parentage protections, adoption, access to fertility healthcare, transgender family law, juvenile justice, and child welfare, and work at the intersection of LGBTQ justice and reproductive justice, striving to ensure that all families will be protected regardless of how they were formed.
Learn more about GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): www.glad.org
IG @gladlaw
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
fertility health care; LGBTQ+; LGBTQ+ fertility; LGBTQ+ family building; same-sex family; fertility treatment; donor sperm; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; infant loss; co-parent adoption; advocacy; parentage; parentage equality
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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A Boston-based healthcare product strategist with a passion for social impact and community building, Haya shares her story, from unexplained infertility and loss, to pursuing fertility treatment (IUI & IVF) as a path to parenthood, culminating in a complicated twin pregnancy and postpartum experience. Over the course of the conversation we chat about navigating relationships and boundaries while family building, the importance of building community, mental health support, best practices on how to support a family member or friend who is struggling to grow their family, Haya’s role as an AllPaths volunteer support group leader, and Our Gathering Place, her new business aimed at supporting parents during the first early years.
Learn more about Our Gathering Place: https://ourgathering.place
IG @ourgathering.place
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
Unexplained infertility; miscarriage; pregnancy loss; IUI; IVF; twin pregnancy; multiples; parenting; navigating boundaries; relationships; therapy; postpartum depression; peer support; building community; parenting support; advice for family and friends
CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org
Follow us on social media @allpathsfb
Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!
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Welcome to the AllPaths Podcast, where we support and celebrate all of the different ways there are to grow your family.
Each week we'll talk with different members of the AllPaths Family Building community, sharing stories, hearing from experts in this space about fertility treatments and family building options, learning about current family building advocacy and how to get involved, and exploring incredible resources.
Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you never miss an episode and please help spread the word so that anyone who is struggling to grow their family can join the conversation.
