In this episode of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together podcast, Niki Renslow, Senior Program Director, Family Source Consultants, and Dr. Brooke Friedman, San Diego Fertility Center, discuss the journey of intended parents in selecting a fertility clinic and navigating the surrogacy process. The conversation covers essential topics such as the importance of experience and success rates in clinics, common misconceptions about fertility services, the involvement of intended parents in decision-making, and the collaboration between fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies.
Dr. Friedman emphasizes the need for clear communication and outlines the steps involved in preparing surrogates for their journey. The episode also touches on innovations in fertility treatments and offers advice for new intended parents feeling overwhelmed by their choices.
Takeaways
In the powerful Season 3 finale of Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together, Chief Business Officer Cara Maple interviews Family Source Consultants’ Founder & CEO Staci Swiderski. Together, they reflect on a transformative season of episodes, revisiting highlights that centered on the legal, psychological, and emotional facets of surrogacy, egg donation, and third-party family building. This wide-ranging conversation celebrates the successes of intended parents, surrogates, donors, and the dedicated experts who support them—while exploring how Family Source’s mission has grown and deepened. Join us for this heartfelt conclusion to a season that’s brought dreams to life and created lasting communities of care.
In this compassionate and informative episode of Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together, host Cara Maple, Chief Business Officer at Family Source Consultants, sits down with Kate LeBlanc from AllPaths Family Building to talk about something that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential: support.
Whether you're just starting your fertility journey, exploring third-party reproduction, or navigating the emotional highs and lows of family building, having the right support can make all the difference. Kate shares how AllPaths provides inclusive, expert-led guidance, resources, and community for individuals and couples facing fertility challenges. Together, Cara and Katie explore the emotional toll of infertility, the value of finding your voice, and the many ways AllPaths helps people feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking connection, clarity, and confidence on their path to parenthood.
📩 Learn more or connect with AllPaths Family Building:
🌐 www.allpathsfamilybuilding.org
📧 info@allpathsfamilybuilding.org
In this special episode of Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together, host Chris Gao, Client Development Advisor at Family Source Consultants, reflects on his own experience as a Third-Party Coordinator at an IVF clinic and sits down with Rebecca Lyons, fellow Third-Party Coordinator at a surrogacy and egg donation agency. Together, they share a behind-the-scenes look at this essential role and how Third-Party Coordinators serve as a guiding force for intended parents, egg donors, surrogates, and clinics alike. From navigating timelines to offering emotional support, they discuss the nuances of building families through third-party reproduction and why empathy and organization are everything.
In this informative episode of Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together, host Chris Gao, Client Development Advisor at Family Source Consultants, is joined by renowned reproductive and family law attorney Andrew Vorzimer of Vorzimer Masserman. With decades of experience guiding international intended parents through the complex legal landscape of surrogacy in the U.S., Andrew provides critical insights into why the United States remains the most legally secure destination for family building through third-party reproduction.
From understanding parentage orders to navigating U.S. birthright citizenship, this episode sheds light on the legal processes, protections, and potential challenges international intended parents should be aware of. Whether you're just starting your journey or preparing to welcome your baby home, this conversation offers the legal clarity and confidence needed to move forward.
In this episode of Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together, host Chris Gao, Client Development Advisor, welcomes Ralph Tsong, Principal Attorney and Founder of Tsong Law Group, to explore the critical legal elements of egg donation.
Together, they break down the most important legal considerations for intended parents - including international ones - navigating donor agreements, rights and responsibilities, anonymity, and regulatory differences.
Whether you’re considering egg donation as part of your journey to parenthood or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers valuable guidance and clarity from a trusted legal voice in the field.
In this heartfelt episode of Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together, host Niki Renslow, Senior Program Director, sits down with Adriana Caro, a licensed professional counselor specializing in third-party reproduction. Together, they explore the emotional and psychological journey of becoming an intended parent—from navigating the uncertainties to building a support system that nurtures hope and resilience. Adriana shares insights from her practice, offering guidance on how to care for your emotional well-being and connect with your future family in meaningful ways. Whether you're just beginning your journey or deep in the process, this episode provides the compassionate support and expert wisdom you need.
In this insightful episode of Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together, host Chris Gao, Client Development Advisor, sits down with Marla Neufeld, a leading reproductive attorney at Greenspoon Marder LLP, to unravel the complex legal landscape of surrogacy and egg donation for international intended parents.
Marla shares her expert perspective on navigating cross-border legal frameworks, protecting parental rights, drafting secure contracts, and understanding the implications of citizenship and parentage. Whether you're just starting your family-building journey or supporting someone who is, this episode offers crucial legal knowledge to help you move forward with confidence.
Tune in to learn how the law can be both a challenge and a powerful ally in making dreams of parenthood a reality—no matter where you live.
marla.neufeld@gmlaw.com
Niki Renslow, Senior Program Director, meets with Nicole Johnson-Apfel, Senior Match Specialist, to talk about one of the most pivotal points in the surrogacy journey—the match meeting between intended parents and potential surrogates.
In this episode of Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together, Niki and Nicole share expert advice on how both parties can prepare emotionally and practically, what to expect during the meeting, and how to foster a strong, trusting relationship from day one.
Whether you're an intended parent excited to meet the woman who may help grow your family, or a surrogate ready to embark on this journey, this episode offers invaluable guidance to help you step into that first conversation with clarity and confidence.
In this inspiring episode of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together Podcast, host Niki Renslow—Senior Program Director at Family Source Consultants and former surrogate—sits down with Tiffany, one of the very first surrogates to join Family Source when they opened their doors in 2007.
With nearly two decades of perspective, Tiffany shares her remarkable surrogacy journey—from what led her to become a surrogate to the unforgettable experience of being part of the agency’s early beginnings. She opens up about the meaningful relationships she built, the emotional highs and challenges she faced, and how surrogacy has continued to shape her life all these years later.
Whether you’re new to surrogacy or simply curious about how it all began, Tiffany’s heartfelt story offers wisdom, warmth, and a powerful reminder of the lifelong impact that comes from helping build families.
In this episode of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together Podcast, host Chris Gao, Client Development Advisor at Family Source Consultants, is joined by Dr. Sasha Hakman from HRC Fertility to walk intended parents through what happens once their surrogacy journey officially begins.
Dr. Hakman shares expert insights into the medical timeline, embryo transfer process, and how intended parents can stay involved and informed throughout their journey. From the first medical screening to hearing your baby’s heartbeat, this episode provides a clear roadmap of what to expect — and how to prepare — every step of the way. If you're pursuing parenthood through surrogacy, this conversation is filled with expert guidance, compassion, and encouragement to support you on your path to parenthood.
In this heartfelt episode of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together Podcast, Niki Renslow, former surrogate and Senior Program Director at Family Source Consultants, sits down with former surrogate Mariah as she shares her deeply personal and inspiring surrogacy journey.
Mariah opens up about what first inspired her to become a surrogate, why she chose Family Source Consultants as her agency and support system, and how each of her surrogacy experiences was uniquely meaningful. With honesty and compassion, she reflects on the emotional highs, the challenges, and the life-changing impact of helping others build their families.
If you’re considering becoming a surrogate or simply want a firsthand look into what the journey entails, Mariah offers thoughtful advice, powerful perspective, and a beautiful reminder of the miracles that come from giving.
In this heartfelt episode of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles Together Podcast, we welcome Joey Guzman-Kuffel, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Founder of Counseling with Joey & Associates, alongside our very own Client Development Advisor, Chris Gao.
They explore the essential role of emotional and mental health support throughout the family-building journey — whether you're an intended parent, a surrogate, or an egg donor. They discuss what healthy support systems look like, how to find the right professionals and people to lean on, and the value of working with compassionate experts who understand the unique challenges and emotions that come with third-party reproduction.
This episode is a reminder that while the path to parenthood is deeply meaningful, it can also be complex — and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
In this episode of the Family Source Consultants Podcast,host Chris Gao welcomes Rich Geisler, attorney and founder of Fertility and Surrogacy Legal Group, to unpack a pressing topic on the minds of many intended parents: the executive order concerning birthright citizenship.
Rich breaks down what executive orders are, the currentlegal status of this particular order, and how it may affect international parents pursuing surrogacy in the U.S. They discuss the potential implications on citizenship, passport issuance, and offer insight into alternative solutions and legal safeguards. While many aspects remain uncertain, one thing is clear — the surrogacy community is staying proactive and committed to helping families navigate every step of the journey.
📌 Whether you’re an intended parent, a legal professional, or simply curious about surrogacy and policy changes, this episode is a must-listen.
Welcome to this heartwarming episode of Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together. I'm Staci Swiderski, CEO and Owner of Family Source Consultants.
Today, we are honored to be joined by Andy, a compassionate and dedicated gestational surrogate currently on her second journey. Andy opens up about the deeply personal reasons that led her to become a surrogate, the immeasurable joy she’s found in the process, and the lasting connections she's built with the families she’s helped create.
She also shares why she chose Family Source Consultants as her agency of choice and how the experience of helping others achieve their dreams of parenthood has changed her life in the most meaningful ways.
This episode is a beautiful tribute to the generosity, love, and humanity at the heart of surrogacy.
Tune in for an inspiring story that reminds us of the extraordinary ways people come together to build families. 💖
In this inspiring of the Bringing Dreams & Miracles TogetherPodcast, Andrea Rieckmann, Chief Administrative Officer at Family Source Consultants, sits down with one very special guest — egg donor #249 — who opens up about her experience as a six-time donor.
She shares the deeply personal stories behind each retrieval, the meaningful connections she felt with the recipient parents, and how her decision to become a donor helped her achieve her own goals, including paying for college. You'll hear why she chose Family Source Consultants to guide her through this journey and how the agency’s support made all the difference.
Whether you’re considering egg donation, are a recipient parent, or just want to better understand the incredible impact donors make, this episode is filled with honesty, heart, and hope.
Welcome to the Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together podcast! I'm Staci Swiderski, CEO and Owner of Family Source Consultants.
In this powerful episode, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Melvin Thornton—affectionately known as Dr. T.—from Global Fertility. Hosted by our very own Client Development Advisor, Chris Gao, this conversation dives deep into essential topics for LGBTQ+ intended parents.
From navigating egg donation and surrogacy to choosing the right fertility center and addressing the unique journey of HIV-positive parents, this episode offers compassionate, expert guidance for creating families in inclusive and affirming ways.
Whether you're just beginning your journey or actively planning your path to parenthood, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
💫Tune in and discover how dreams become families—together.https://www.drmelvinthornton.com/
Welcome to Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together—the podcast where we celebrate the inspiring journeys of surrogacy, egg donation, and the incredible people who help make family building possible. I'm Staci Swiderski, CEO and Owner of Family Source Consultants.
In today’s heartfelt episode, I’m joined by our co-host, Cara Maple, Chief Business and Client Success Officer, as we sit down with Erin and Dan—former intended parents with Family Source Consultants.
Erin and Dan candidly share their emotional path to parenthood, from navigating fertility challenges to making the life-changing decision to pursue surrogacy. They open up about why they chose Family Source Consultants and how their experience helped transform their dreams into reality.
This episode is a touching reminder of the strength, love, and community behind every family built through surrogacy.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with hope, resilience, and the power of partnership in the journey to parenthood. 💫
Welcome to Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together, the podcast where we share inspiring stories of surrogacy, egg donation, and the incredible individuals who make family building possible. I'm Staci Swiderski, CEO and Owner of Family Source Consultants.
In this powerful episode, our Senior Program Director, Niki Renslow, sits down with a truly extraordinary guest—Egg Donor 357, a six-time egg donor who has also served as a gestational surrogate. She opens up about what inspired her to begin this journey, what she’s learned from each donation, and how each experience shaped her life and the lives of others.
Her generosity didn’t stop with egg donation—she continued her journey of giving by carrying a child for intended parents as a surrogate. In this episode, she shares her heartfelt insights, memorable moments, and why she chose Family Source Consultants as her trusted partner along the way.
Tune in for an inspiring, emotional, and empowering story of selfless love, life-changing impact, and the miracles made possible through one woman’s gift. 💖
Welcome to Bringing Dreams and Miracles Together, the podcast where we explore the heart of family building through surrogacy and egg donation. I'm Staci Swiderski, Founder and Owner of Family Source Consultants, and I’m so glad you’re joining us for this important episode.
Today, our dedicated Client Development Advisor, Chris Gao, sits down with Melissa Brisman—a renowned reproductive attorney—to break down the legal landscape of surrogacy in New York under the Child Parent Security Act (CPSA).
Together, they explore critical protections for surrogates, the significance of having independent legal representation, and the key differences between traditional and gestational surrogacy. Whether you're a prospective surrogate, an intended parent, or simply interested in the evolving legal aspects of assisted reproduction, this episode is packed with expert insight and guidance.
Tune in to gain clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the legal safeguards that support a successful and empowering surrogacy journey. ⚖️👶