Growing up during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic meant living with a deep, often paralyzing fear. So much was unknown, and the narrative at the time made it feel like a life sentence—especially for those of us who were Queer. The idea of creating a family, let alone using your own genetic material, felt impossibly out of reach.
But oh, how far we've come.
Today, I’m deeply honoured to speak with Brian Rosenberg, founder of GWK Academy. Brian is a gay, HIV-positive parent of three who generously shares the story of how he and his husband built their family through adoption and surrogacy. He also opens up about the mission behind GWK Academy—an organization dedicated to supporting Queer people on their path to parenthood.
To learn more about the organization he created, follow: @gwk_academy or visit: https://gwkacademy.org and @@gays_with_kids The organization he mentioned re: adoption for older children is found at: https://www.yougottabelieve.org
The last thing any hopeful parent wants to hear is, “You can’t move forward until you’ve had a counselling session.”
But in Canada, Implications Counselling is a required step for anyone using donor eggs or sperm to grow their family — and that includes all individuals and couples, not just Queer folks.
While it might sound like a barrier, for Dara Roth-Edney, it's actually an opportunity: a chance to ensure hopeful parents feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate the complexities of assisted reproduction.
Today, Dara joins me to share more about this essential process and the work she and her team do at Informed Fertility.
Learn more at informedfertility.ca or follow Dara on Instagram at @dara.informedfertility.
When you finally pluck up the courage to come out to your parents, you cross your fingers and hope that, for the most part, nothing really changes. You want to feel that love and support. Sometimes you don’t think about the questions and concerns that your own parents may have. Do you give them space for that? Do they give you space to ask your questions and feel your feelings?
Angela Briones is my guest on the show today and she talks about her podcast where she tackles this subject and so much more.
You can learn more about Angela by visiting her website: and following her on Instagram: @thegaypodcast_foreveryone
It’s not uncommon for people to say they didn’t grow up with a strong, deep-seated desire to become a parent. For some, that longing doesn’t emerge until later in life—once they’ve found their footing professionally, or after hearing the powerful, personal stories of others who’ve built their families in different ways.
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Jay Chapman. He and his partner are the proud dads of two vibrant preteens, and they make their home just outside Melbourne, Australia. You can follow their family’s journey and catch glimpses of their everyday joy on Instagram: @twodadsandtwins
This episode airs with a trigger warning.
Cassie and Marissa, as a two-uterus household, made a decision familiar to many lesbian couples—they agreed that the eldest, Marissa, would be the first to carry a pregnancy. By her own account, Marissa experienced a relatively smooth and uncomplicated pregnancy. It was the labour, birth, and recovery that proved to be the most difficult and traumatic part of her transition into parenthood. Cassie was left feeling helpless through the process which was deeply distressing.
It’s important to say that today, the whole family is thriving and doing beautifully. But getting to this place has required time, healing, and the support of therapy to fully process the intensity of their early experience.
Watch this family evolve over time on Instagram: @cassie.maggiore
International love stories have a special way of capturing our hearts, sparking that hopeful question: Can love truly conquer distance?
Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Sarah about the incredible journey she and her wife embarked on—one that spanned continents and oceans. Despite living on opposite sides of the world, they built not only a deeply loving relationship, but also a beautiful, growing family. Their story has taken them across the Atlantic more than once, but for now, they’ve found a home in Germany.
To learn more about Sarah and her family, you can follow their journey on Instagram: @sarah.beste_simmler
It felt like it should have been easier, especially since they were both perfectly healthy.
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Michael and Dan, two Melbourne-based IPs (intended parents). Their journey to parenthood took them around the world in search of the perfect egg donor and surrogate — a journey that ultimately helped them build the beautiful family they have today.
You can learn more about their beautiful family by following them on Instagram @aussiedadzdream
Over the past 100 episodes, I’ve had the absolute privilege of connecting with some truly remarkable Queer Professionals and Queer Parents. Each conversation has opened my mind, challenged my assumptions, and left me inspired in ways I never could have imagined. Together, we’ve explored the beautiful, messy, courageous, and deeply personal journeys of family creation in our community—and it’s been nothing short of transformative.
Saying I’m honoured doesn’t even begin to cover it. These guests have shared their stories with vulnerability and strength, and I am endlessly grateful.
And to you—yes, you—thank you for tuning in, sharing, and growing with me. Your presence and support are what keep me going. Here's to the next 100 episodes and all the powerful stories still to come. 💖
Cyndel and Kendra have navigated nearly every challenge a Queer couple can face in the early stages of building a family — including living in a tiny house in a deeply conservative area.
Today, we dive into their experiences with surprise pregnancies, induced lactation, co-lactation, La Leche League support, and so much more. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
You can learn more about this family by following Cyndel on IG @cyndel.celestil or her cooking page @cynless_eatz
For many, the dream of starting a family with a partner comes with the hope—and expectation—that it will last a lifetime. But sometimes, that dream changes. Relationships end. Dynamics shift. And you're left wondering: What now?
How do you make choices that keep your children at the centre, while also honouring your own heart, your hopes, and your vision for the future?
Today on the show, I’m speaking with a parent who is navigating this complex terrain. To protect their privacy—and that of their former partner—pseudonyms are being used.
Choosing a donor is a deeply personal process—you carefully sift through profiles, searching for the one that feels like the perfect fit for your family. But what happens when that donor backs out at the last minute?
If you’re Tanner and his husband, you pivot. You find another incredible person, then connect with the surrogate who will help bring your child into the world—and in the process, you gain a lifelong friend.
Today on the podcast, Tanner shares the journey he and his husband took to build their family through surrogacy. You can follow their story on Instagram @our.missing.piece and also check out Tanner’s amazing baking business @bakewithtanner
When you know deep in your heart that you’re meant to be a parent and carry a child, all you truly need are the ingredients to make it happen — unless, of course, challenges with ovulation arise.
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Amy and Alyson, who set out on their family-building journey, full of hope and curiosity about how their story would unfold.
You can learn more about this beautiful family by following them on Instagram @aecud
Through their family creation journey, Morgan and her wife learned just how important it is to understand who might be the best fit to carry a pregnancy. They worked with a wide range of practitioners along the way—but it wasn’t until much later in the process that someone finally slowed things down and shared the types of testing that could actually support their decision-making.
Today, Morgan is a Queer TTC (trying to conceive) support coach and Doula, using her experience to guide others through similar paths.
You can learn more about Morgan and the incredible work she’s doing by following her on Instagram @iam_mamomhk
Today I have the opportunity to introduce you to Bethan. She and her wife just became parents to baby number two only five days before we recorded this conversation.
Bethan and I take some time to talk about how they made the decisions that they did as they set about creating the family of their dreams. Now they have two gorgeous children and some decisions to make.
Gabrielle always knew she wanted to become a parent—but what she didn’t expect was meeting someone who would join her on that journey. She had imagined becoming a solo parent by choice, but life had other plans. Soon after meeting her wife, they embraced co-parenting together. Now, they’re raising a ten-year-old and a one-year-old—and they have a feeling their story is still unfolding.
You can follow the beautiful evolution of Gabrielle’s family on Instagram @queer.quirky.cool
I have a special place in my heart for those who choose to grow their families through the public system. They step into a process where rules can change at any moment, yet they open their hearts time and time again. With unwavering love, guidance, and support, they welcome children into their homes—sometimes as a temporary refuge, and sometimes as the forever family those children deserve.
Today, I’m honoured to welcome Marc and Eben to the show to share their journey of fostering to adopt. When they first met in the Midwest in 2003, they probably never imagined they'd one day call Rhode Island home. But two decades later, they’ve built a beautiful life there, raising two children and caring for a collection of animals on their hobby farm.
In this episode, we talk about their experience navigating the foster system in Rhode Island and the meaningful connections they’ve maintained with some of their children's biological family members.
You can learn more about them and their life by following them on IG @2dadlife
So many people dream of having a baby and building a family, only to be met with the harsh reality of how financially out of reach the process can feel. So what do you do?
If you're Sabrina and her wife, you start by exploring online donor profiles—searching for someone who feels like the perfect fit for your future family.
Today, Sabrina shares their incredible journey to parenthood, including the emotional rollercoaster of a 92-day NICU stay with their newborn baby girl.
Want to learn more about Sabrina and her family? Follow their story on Instagram @alainas_mam90
One of the most painful challenges in parenting can be navigating the breakdown of a relationship, especially when it feels like the world—and the system—isn't on your side.
Today, I have the honour of introducing you to Tiq Milan. His story is deeply moving. Right now, Tiq doesn't have a relationship with his daughter, after the courts in Texas ruled in favour of his ex.
Despite the heartbreak, Tiq continues to seek out light in the darkest places. Grounded in his faith, he chooses hope, resilience, and love—finding moments of beauty and strength even in the most difficult times.
To learn more about the incredible human that Tiq is, follow him on Instagram @themrmilan
Sometimes, the most important conversation isn’t just about how we’ve built our families—it’s about how we shape the world in which we raise them.
Today, I’m honoured to welcome Joanna Johnson to the podcast. We discuss the state of the world today and why every vote in every election truly matters.
Learn more about Joanna and her insights by following her across social media @unlearn16.
If there is an up or a down that a two uterus parent household can face than Sarah and Gina have faced them all!
Today I introduce you to a pair of moms living in Cyprus, who have been through it to create their three gorgeous children.
You can learn more about Gina & Sarah by checking out their IG page @you.me.our3
**There were some delays as we recorded so you will find that I didn’t ask a lot of questions and they shared their story from the heart**
