AllPaths Podcast

You did the retrieval, waited anxiously for the results, and received the news that your embryo is chromosomally normal and ‘healthy.’ So why didn’t it become a successful pregnancy?

This heartbreaking paradox is one of the most confusing hurdles in modern fertility treatment. When patients undergo standard pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A), they often assume an embryo labeled "normal" guarantees a healthy pregnancy. Yet, as today’s guest explains, even fully tested euploid embryos fail to result in a live birth 40% to 50% of the time.

Jeremy Grushcow, founder and CEO of Juniper Genomics, shares the limitations of standard pre-implantation genetic testing, how Juniper is helping families get deeper genomic clarity, and howPGT-A acts like a quick headcount of chromosomes, confirming whether all 46 "books" are present on the shelf, but it never opens those books to read the genetic text inside. Even with all 46 chromosomes in place, hidden sequence-level "typos" or more technically, reduced viability variants within vital developmental genes, can quietly halt an embryo's growth.

Jeremy’s dedication to this field is deeply personal: during his PhD in molecular genetics, his family tragically lost a young relative to a sudden cardiac event caused by an undetected single-gene disorder. That loss illuminated the life-saving importance of identifying hidden risks early and stayed with him through careers in law and population genetics. When a clinician later challenged him on why he would "medicalize" pregnancy, Jeremy was galvanized to act.

Embryos can be screened for monogenic conditions through PGT-M, but that requires families knowing that they’re at an increased risk of passing on a specific condition at the start. Through PGT-G testing, Juniper takes the books off the shelf, opens them up, and reads the actual letters across all 3 billion base pairs of DNA to detect reduced viability variants that contribute to unexplained pregnancy loss and implantation failures. And while sequencing embryos through PGT-G is at the core of Juniper Genomics' mission, their work extends well beyond the embryo stage. Recognizing that embryo quality is only one part of the fertility equation, they tackle unexplained transfer failures and pregnancy loss from multiple angles including parental blood testing, RNA transcriptome data, and more so that families, clinicians, and payers can choose confidence over uncertainty at every step.

Learn more at https://www.junipergenomics.com/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

PGT-G, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Genomics, PGT-A, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy, Whole-Genome Sequencing, Transcriptome / RNA Sequencing, Euploid Embryos, Reduced Viability Variants, Single-Gene Disorders, Genetic "Typos", Carrier Screening, Jeremy Grushcow, Juniper Genomics, Juniper Insight (Parental Blood Panel), Euploid (Meiosis Medication), Evie (Vaginal Microbiome), Stem-Cell-Derived Gametes, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Embryo Transfer Failure, Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF), Paternal Age & Sperm Genetics, Gamete Quality, Sperm Freezing, Surrogacy & Donor Gametes, Removing Patient Self-Blame, IVF Economics & Payer Alignment, Healthcare Efficiency

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After enduring four pregnancy losses in just twelve months, the most healing words Macie heard didn’t offer false hope or easy silver linings, they simply acknowledged the brutal truth: "it's not ok, this sucks." In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, Macie, a 26-year-old Michigan native living in Massachusetts with her husband and their Great Dane, Luna, shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss.

Macie speaks candidly about the physical and emotional toll of repeated loss, beginning with a first-trimester miscarriage following a high-risk monosomy X screening, moving through subsequent unexplained losses, and navigating a diagnosis of Factor V Leiden that required daily blood thinner injections. She reflects on the loneliness of facing pregnancy loss at a young age, the sting of well-intentioned but dismissive comments like "you're young, you have time," and the pivotal moment an ultrasound technician gave her permission to stop putting on a brave face and acknowledge that her situation simply was unfair and painful.

Towards the end of the conversation, Macie offers a vulnerable look at being in the "messy middle" of her family building journey as she is currently pregnant again, exploring the complex mix of anxiety and guarded hope as she reaches the end of the first trimester while managing progesterone support, daily injections, and clear genetic testing. Together with the hosts, she examines the comfort found in specialized perinatal therapy, the power of connecting with peers in the AllPaths "Expecting After" Support Group, and the practical ways loved ones can show up by offering safe, quiet spaces to grieve rather than trying to fix the unfixable. And by speaking candidly from the unresolved middle of her journey rather than waiting for the safety of the other side, Macie reminds us that you don’t need a neatly tied-up ending for your story, your grief, or your guarded hope to matter.

🧡 You are not alone: https://allpathsfb.org/support/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss, miscarriage support, recurrent pregnancy loss, pregnancy after miscarriage, infertility support groups, Factor V Leiden pregnancy, blood thinners during pregnancy, progesterone supplementation pregnancy, NIPT testing early pregnancy, genetic counseling prenatal, coping with pregnancy loss, pregnancy anxiety after loss, miscarriage causes testing, early pregnancy bleeding causes, fertility clinic evaluation recurrent loss, Sara Bareilles, the messy middle, pregnancy after loss, Expecting After support group, peer support, support groups, AllPaths Family Building support, emotional support infertility, prenatal blood clotting disorders, how to support someone after miscarriage, how to support someone after pregnancy loss

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Driven by the stark reality that half of all recurrent pregnancy loss cases go completely unexplained, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA) co-founder Megan Hanson shares her story and discusses turning patient heartbreak into scientific progress. Megan opens up about her personal path through six consecutive miscarriages, the trauma and anxiety of navigating pregnancy loss, and growing her family, first through gestational surrogacy in 2021 and later through an unexpected spontaneous pregnancy in 2023. She reflects on the dismissive reactions often encountered in healthcare settings after miscarriages and underscores why medical curiosity and emotional support must be prioritized after every loss.

Turning her pain into systemic action, Megan explains how she and her husband founded RPLA on the principle that "unexplained is unacceptable," asserting that finding answers requires dedicated research funding and prioritization. She highlights RPLA's key initiatives, including support and resources for anyone navigating recurrent pregnancy loss, an annual research grant funded in partnership with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the launch of the RPL Community Registry on the I Am Rare platform. This HIPAA-compliant registry allows anyone aged 18 or older with multiple losses to contribute self-reported health and care navigation data, creating a community-powered data set to help researchers discover root causes, identify and eliminate healthcare barriers, and turn collective lived experiences into meaningful scientific progress. Ultimately, Megan emphasizes how patient-contributed data can give purpose to personal grief while finding answers and improving care for future families.

• Connect with RPLA at https://rplassociation.org.
• Join the RPL Community Registry at https://rplassociation.org/rpl-community-registry.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss, miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA), Megan Hanson, recurrent miscarriage support, unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, RPL Community Registry, pregnancy loss research registry, surrogacy, gestational surrogacy, intended parents, IVF with PGT, reproductive immunology and miscarriage, antiphospholipid syndrome miscarriage, pregnancy and infant loss awareness, emotional support after miscarriage, support groups, peer support, support groups for pregnancy loss, fertility advocacy and research, navigating fertility after loss, how to support someone after pregnancy loss, maternal fetal medicine for recurrent loss, pregnancy after loss, parenting after loss, NICU and premature birth after loss, time to live birth after miscarriage, AllPaths Family Building, American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), research grant funding, community dataset, grief support

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

How do you hold space for others through infertility, pregnancy, and the postpartum period while quietly navigating your own recurrent pregnancy loss?

In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Caitlin Vinter, a perinatal therapist and mother of two, to discuss her personal and professional journey. Caitlin candidly shares her three-and-a-half-year path through recurrent pregnancy loss, enduring five miscarriages alongside multiple rounds of IUI and IVF, a blood clotting disorder, and recurring endometritis infections. She reflects on the emotional strain of navigating unpredictable fertility treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of unexplained loss, and the eventual arrival of her sons following targeted medical interventions and perseverance, all while supporting her clients through their own, often complicated, journeys.

Drawing on both her lived experience and her clinical practice specializing in perinatal mental health, Caitlin offers insights into coping with the profound uncertainty and emotional weight of fertility struggles and recurrent loss. Our conversation covers the heavy emotional toll of cumulative and disenfranchised grief, the importance of finding specialized support communities, the reality of partners processing loss differently, and ways to cope with feeling a profound lack of control over your own body, journey, and future. Caitlin shares the mantras and mindsets that helped her throughout her own struggles, including radical acceptance, staying flexible through twists and turns, and allowing space for both joy and grief.

Caitlin also offers advice to friends and family who are unsure how to support a friend or family member navigating fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, or other types of reproductive grief. We discuss a few ways to show up for a loved one during the episode, but read Caitlin’s blog post, based on her journal entry written about a year into her own family building struggles, for a deeper dive into how choosing action and acknowledgment over silence can make all the difference when helping loved ones feel seen during their journey.

Connect with Caitlin at Era Psychotherapy.

Find support and community at AllPaths’ free, virtual Pregnancy Loss Groups.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss, miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss, IUI, IVF, fertility treatment, infertility, endometritis, pregnancy after loss, mantra, radical acceptance, flexibility, mental health support, mental health provider, therapist, therapy, group support, peer support, AllPaths Family Building, Return to Zero, grief, relationships, perinatal therapist, PMH-C, Postpartum Support International, resilience, reproductive grief, disenfranchised grief, cumulative grief, for family and friends

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In this mini-episode of the AllPaths Podcast - regular full-length episodes resuming next Tuesday - host Emily catches up with listeners, expressing gratitude for the success of AllPaths’ recent Footsteps for Family Building Walk, while acknowledging the emotional challenges of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in October.

Recognizing that 1 in 4 confirmed pregnancies ends in loss, Emily speaks openly about the lingering, evolving nature of grief and emphasizes how crucial a safe, open space to talk with others is for healing. Finally, Emily shares valuable support offerings from AllPaths, including two free monthly virtual support groups, personalized mental health professional matching and curated resources to ensure no one has to grieve in isolation.

AllPaths Loss Support & Resources:

• Free Virtual Pregnancy Loss Support Groups: Two monthly groups, one tailored for individuals who are not yet parenting and another open to anyone who has experienced loss, including those with living children, providing support to those who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, TFMR, and/or recurrent pregnancy loss.

• Mental Health Provider Directory & Matching: Access to specialized mental health professionals focused on family building challenges through the AllPaths’ Professional Directory. Email admin@allpathsfb.org for customized provider matching based on insurance, location, virtual preferences, and more.

• Resource Library: Discover additional podcast episodes, guidance for loved ones, and support tools in the Loss section of the AllPaths’ online Resource Library.

• Wave of Light: As part of PAIL Month, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed every October 15th, culminating with Wave of Light around the world, created by families lighting candles to honor the little ones held in their hearts from 7-8p local time. AllPaths participates in the Wave of Light each year by lighting our Remembrance Lantern and we invite you to join us at https://allpathsfb.org/wave-of-light/.

Don't miss our next episode!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to the AllPaths Podcast on your favorite app so you are notified as soon as regular, full-length episodes resume next Tuesday. If this mini-episode brought you comfort, please take a moment to leave a rating or review, and share it so anyone struggling to grow their family can join the conversation.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

AllPaths Family Building, community, Footsteps for Family Building Walk, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, PAIL, October, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Wave of Light, peer support, support groups, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, chemical pregnancy, TFMR, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, primary pregnancy loss, Pregnancy and Infant, grief, loss support, grief support, supporting a friend or family member

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode of the podcast, AllPaths Executive Director Lauren sits down with volunteer support group leaders Ashley, Kristen, and Jillian to discuss their personal family building journeys and talk about the power of peer support. Each guest shares the unique path that led them to this community: Kristen details her experience navigating secondary infertility, severe diminished ovarian reserve, and a successful "kitchen sink" IVF protocol; Jillian reflects on enduring back-to-back pregnancy losses and a failed IVF transfer before ultimately being able to successfully carry to term; and Ashley opens up about her struggle with endometriosis, IVF challenges, and her rewarding path to parenthood through foster care adoption. Together, they highlight how community support creates a vital safety net for people navigating complicated, often isolating, fertility and family building journeys .

The conversation explores what makes AllPaths' 20+ free virtual monthly support groups such a compassionate, low-pressure resource for anyone navigating fertility treatments, loss, adoption, or any other family building path. The leaders unpack the dynamics of group sessions, where attendees are free to simply listen or share at their own pace, give advice only when requested, and connect through mutual understanding and levity. They also offer practical wisdom on advocating for oneself in medical settings, prioritizing mental health therapy, and how friends and family can thoughtfully show up for loved ones with simple check-ins rather than unsolicited advice. No matter what twists and turns you encounter on your journey, this episode provides a comforting reminder that no one has to walk alone.

🔸Find your people in one of AllPaths' free, virtual peer support groups today.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, IVF, pregnancy loss, recurrent pregnancy loss, adoption, adoption through foster-care, peer support groups, volunteer, nonprofit, peer leaders, fertility support groups, IVF support group, peer support infertility, miscarriage support group, pregnancy loss support, infertility, secondary infertility support, trying for another, diminished ovarian reserve information, IVF success stories, PGT testing, adoption support group, foster care adoption support, postpartum anxiety after infertility, virtual peer support groups fertility, AllPaths Family Building, how to support someone with infertility, fertility therapist resources, coping with infertility and loss, navigating IVF journeys, family building resources nonprofit

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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In today’s episode, we’re delighted to introduce Boston-based reproductive endocrinologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital at Mass General Brigham and new member of the Board of Directors for AllPaths Family Building

Dr. Zachary Walker to the AllPaths community. Dr. Walker reflects on his career trajectory, from discovering his passion for reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) during his residency in Birmingham, Alabama, to completing his fellowship and joining the faculty in Boston.

Dr. Walker is particularly passionate about the issue of racial disparities in reproductive healthcare and the significant gaps in access and outcomes between communities. Our discussion covers the discrepancies in standard semen analysis metrics, lower IVF success rates among Black and Hispanic patients, and the underutilization of fertility preservation among minority groups, with Dr. Walker noting that these inequities persist even after controlling for factors like insurance coverage and proximity to care. To help address these clinical uncertainties, Dr. Walker highlights his current research at Brigham, including studying the impact of fibroid surgeries on IVF outcomes and a novel investigation into sperm molecular structures to better diagnose male factor infertility beyond standard semen analysis.

Looking toward the future of fertility care, Dr. Walker shares about his recent launch of a dedicated transgender fertility preservation clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in collaboration with Fenway Health and Boston Children's Hospital. After learning from the community the significant hurdles transgender individuals can face during their family building experiences, Dr. Walker is determined to streamline this process so patients wouldn't have to "run a marathon" just to find accessible care and specialized support.

Other projects that Dr. Walker is working on include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in IVF workflows and advocacy for underutilized integrative resources like pelvic floor physical therapy for conditions such as endometriosis. Ultimately, Dr. Walker encourages anyone embarking on a family-building journey to build a reliable support network and find a care team that will listen and empower them to navigate complex fertility decisions with clarity and trust.

Connect with Dr. Walker on Instagram @zachwalker.md.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Zachary Walker, fertility care, reproductive endocrinologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mass General Brigham, AllPaths Family Building Board of Directors, nonprofit Board of Directors, healthcare disparities, IVF racial disparities, infertility racial disparities, male factor infertility, semen analysis DNA fragmentation, sperm centriole testing, fibroids and fertility myomectomy, intramural fibroid fertility treatment, egg freezing fertility preservation, transgender fertility preservation, LGBTQ fertility care, LGBTQ+ fertility care, transgender fertility preservation, transgender fertility preservation clinic, Fenway Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, pelvic floor physical therapy for fertility, AI embryo selection IVF, PGT embryo genetic testing, endometriosis diagnosis and treatment, how to support someone with infertility, IVF success rates and access to care,

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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In this milestone 100th episode of the AllPaths podcast, hosts Emily and Lauren welcome Judy Carr, the first mother through IVF in the United States. Judy shares the story of her pioneering path to parenthood in the 1980s, which began with three ectopic pregnancies resulting in the loss of her fallopian tubes. After receiving a pamphlet about a new clinic attempting to help people with fertility problems from her OB-GYN, Judy and her husband traveled to Virginia to consult with Dr. Howard Jones and Dr. Georgiana Jones. What followed that initial consult was a pioneering, highly personalized treatment plan that included the first hormonal stimulation protocol for fertility patients. And while some injections and blood draws could be done in Judy’s home state of Massachusetts, the bulk of her treatment had to be done at Drs. Jones’s clinic in Virginia because IVF was banned in MA at the time as "fetal experimentation." Judy’s first cycle resulted in two eggs, but only one was viable. That single egg was fertilized and transferred, coincidentally on Judy's birthday. After remaining at the clinic for a few days of monitoring, she was sent home with Dr. Georgiana Jones's memorable advice: "go home and don't you get your period." Thankfully she didn’t and that egg became America’s first IVF baby.

Judy reflects on the intense historical interest surrounding her daughter's birth, from the secretive hospital plans dubbed "Operation Santa Claus" to the press conference held when Elizabeth was just three days old. She discusses the life-long bond she had with Drs. Jones, a follow-up study that debunked myths about IVF children's intelligence, and how a libel lawsuit against a newspaper resulted in funds to build a new clinic. Comparing early IVF practices to modern reproductive medicine, Judy highlights game-changing developments like embryo freezing, while cautioning against the loss of personalized care and doctor-patient relationships that can sometimes occur in today's protocol-driven clinics.

Offering advice for individuals currently navigating fertility journeys, Judy highlights the emotional resilience required for family building, the importance of community support, and the ongoing need for insurance reform and public advocacy, emphasizing that accessible, compassionate care is essential for anyone who is trying to build the family of their dreams.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, fertility treatment, fertility care, Judy Carr, America’s first IVF mom, IVF mom, Judy Carr interview, Elizabeth Carr, first IVF baby in the United States, history of IVF in the United States, early IVF pioneers Drs. Howard and Georgiana Jones, access to care, legal and political barriers to fertility treatment in the 1980s, Operation Santa Claus, IVF success stories, IVF pregnancy experience, infertility support and advocacy, family building after infertility, ectopic pregnancy and fertility, IVF emotional support and mental health, embryo freezing and egg freezing, advances in reproductive technology, IVF insurance and coverage, IVF patient-centered care, IVF stigma and public perception, AllPaths podcast 100th episode, early US vs. UK IVF protocols, how IVF works hormone protocols Pergonal, IVF ethical and legal history, infertility resources and peer support, tips for preparing for IVF, doctor-patient relationship

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When Sasha Ottey was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (recently renamed PMOS, or Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) in 2008, her doctor handed her a brief pamphlet and told her not to worry about her irregular cycles, just to “come back when she wanted to get pregnant.” Feeling that her concerns weren’t being taken seriously, Sasha began researching and soon discovered that she was one of millions around the world with PCOS/PMOS, a diagnosis that wasn’t even listed on the National Institute of Health's list of diseases and conditions. Refusing to accept the status quo, Sasha went on to found PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, building a powerhouse of global support and legislative advocacy for the community.

Despite dedicating her life to supporting others through their diagnoses and the lifelong impacts of the condition, Sasha found her own family building journey to be a lonely one when she decided to try to grow her family in her late 30s. She opens up about the vulnerability of undergoing a major myomectomy to remove 10 fibroids in 2020, followed by an aggressive IVF protocol. Given just a 20% chance of success, Sasha beat the odds on her first attempt and is now the mother of a thriving four-year-old girl.

Through it all, PCOS Challenge has made enormous strides over the years, from successfully lobbying the NIH to list the condition to getting September unanimously designated as PCOS Awareness Month, which helped increase federal research funding by nearly 50%. Sasha also provides a candid look at the controversial renaming of the condition to PMOS and previews the upcoming PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium, taking place in Boston on September 19th. This full-day program, co-hosted by Mass General Brigham, brings together patients, supporters, healthcare professionals, researchers, leading PCOS/PMOS experts, and patient advocates for education and dialogue focused on improving care, treatment, research, and access. This year’s Symposium features specialized patient tracks including Spanish-language sessions and an adolescent-led policy lab designed to empower the next generation to use their voices and drive real change.

To connect with PCOS Challenge, visit https://pcoschallenge.org/ and register for the upcoming Symposium at https://pcoschallenge.org/symposium/boston/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PMOS, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, preventative health care, reproductive health care, fibroids, uterine fibroids, myomectomy, IVF, maternal near miss, postpartum depression, mental health, body image, depression, anxiety, PCOS Challenge, Sasha Ottey, menstrual health, insulin resistance, metabolic issues, pre-diabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, cancer risk, PCOS Advocacy, patient advocacy, patient-centered research, research funding, GLP-1s, advocacy, PCOS Awareness Month, PMOS Awareness Month, PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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In this episode, we sit down with Kelsey Reynolds, a Board-Certified Reproductive Genetic Counselor with a unique entry into the field. Inspired by her own parents' decade-long journey with infertility and her mother’s bedtime stories explaining their family's inherited chromosomal translocation as simply a "funky chromosome," Kelsey’s career path led her to helping families navigate the complexities of genetic testing during conception, pregnancy, and parenting.

The conversation unpacks the clinical realities of Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) during IVF, detailing the differences between available screenings and addressing one of the most painful and frequent questions faced by the fertility community: how pregnancy loss can still occur even after embryos have been genetically tested. She gently explains that while PGT is an incredibly powerful screening tool, it is not a 100% guarantee, highlighting the vital need for both patients and providers to balance hope with realistic expectations.

Looking ahead, Kelsey highlights exciting, rapid advancements in prenatal screening, such as non-invasive blood tests for single-gene conditions and personalized therapies that can treat genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis during pregnancy. She offers practical advice on how patients can prepare for a genetic counseling appointment to make the most of their time, and shares valuable community resources like the Undiagnosed Disease Network that can guide and support families who are navigating rare diseases while trying to conceive and beyond.

Finally, the hosts and Kelsey invite listeners to join them at the upcoming Footsteps for Family Building Walk in October. Driven by her passion for equity in healthcare, Kelsey is walking to support AllPaths' vital work in making family building options more accessible and to help raise the awareness and funding needed to continue to support the fertility and family building community.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility treatment, IVF, family building, genetic counseling, reproductive health, infertility support, IVF process, preconception genetic testing, embryo genetic testing, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT), PGT testing, carrier screening, genetic testing options, pregnancy loss, PGT-A, PGT-SR, emotional support for families, navigating infertility, reproductive genetic counselor, family planning resources, pregnancy journey, genetic conditions, genetic testing for embryos, support for parents, community support, rare disease support, Footsteps for Family Building Walk

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

Content Warning: Please note that this conversation includes discussions of domestic violence and child abuse. Take care of yourself while listening and see below for helpful support resources.

Every child deserves a foundation of unconditional love, a truth that Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer learned firsthand after surviving a broken foster care system to build a beautiful family of his own. In this episode, Rob shares his deeply moving personal journey of entering the foster care system at age 12 and aging out at 18 with little more than a trash bag of belongings. He opens up about his childhood trauma, confronting severe parental and foster abuse, and how his path toward mental-health healing through therapy became the foundation for the compassionate, purpose-driven life he leads today.

Rob recounts how he and his husband, Reece, built their family by adopting five children through the same system. He details the sudden, overwhelming transition of bringing four young children under the age of four into their home within three months, navigating discrimination during the application process, and fighting an intense legal battle to finalize their adoptions. Rob also shares the story of welcoming their fifth son, Alex, who joined the family as an 18-year-old facing homelessness, embodying Rob’s drive to ensure there’s room for everyone at his table.

The discussion also explores the origin of Comfort Cases and how a simple family discussion about empathy led to a massive volunteer-led effort that replaces trash bags with dignified, essential-filled backpacks. Today, the 96% volunteer-run organization has delivered more than 360,000 backpacks and duffels filled with pajamas, toiletries, and comforting items to youth in care across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the necessity of communal investment in the future of foster youth, and the truth that it is never too late to give a young person the unconditional support and love they deserve.

Learn more about Comfort Cases and get involved athttps://www.comfortcases.org/http://comfortcases.org.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

• Call 800-799-7233
• Text “BEGIN” to 88788
• Live Chat
• Website

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

• Call 800-422-2253
• Text “GO” to 800-422-4453
• Live Chat
• Website

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, adoption from foster care, public adoption, foster care, adoption journey, foster care awareness, parenting advice, domestic violence support, child abuse discussion, mental health in parenting, resources for parents, nonprofit organizations for families, emotional support for parents, LGBTQ+ parenting, parenting through trauma, raising multiracial families, empathy in parenting, unconditional love in families, community support for families, child welfare education, Rob Scheer, Comfort Cases, Comfort Cases nonprofit, stories of resilience, mental health and parenting

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we welcome Kayla Branstetter, an educator and author, to share her personal journey through unexplained infertility and miscarriage. Currently pursuing a doctorate in healthcare with a focus on narrative medicine, Kayla shares how her experiences and the subsequent "masking" of her grief led her to go public with her story to combat the societal judgment that often surrounds family building, from when and how someone has children to the size of their family and the parenting choices they make. Drawing on her research in narrative medicine, she explores how storytelling can dissolve shame and create vital connections.

The discussion turns to Kayla’s new book, Don't Be an Athena, which examines the historical and systemic issues of medical gaslighting and misogyny. Throughout the book, Kayla highlights the critical need for self-advocacy, exposing the historical and systemic minimization of women's health with a range of personal and interviewed stories from the 1950s to today. She explains the book's central metaphor, the myth of Athena and Medusa, to illustrate how society often demonizes victims instead of empowering survivors through visibility, resources, and validation.

Finally, Kayla offers practical wisdom for navigating the "noise" of family building, emphasizing that partners should protect their family unit and make decisions based on their own physical and mental health rather than external expectations. For those supporting friends or family, she stresses the importance of providing a safe, "listening ear" free from unsolicited advice. This episode serves as a powerful resource for anyone feeling invisible in their struggle, offering a message of empowerment, survival, and advocacy.

Get your copy of Don’t Be an Athena through the AllPaths Bookshop here and a portion of your purchase supports our mission at no extra cost to you!

A special thank you to CCRM Fertility of Boston for sponsoring this episode and for their support and commitment to the AllPaths community.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Kayla Branstetter, Don’t Be an Athena, unexplained infertility, miscarriage, loss, PMADs after loss, blocked fallopian tube, rainbow baby, grief, depression, disordered eating, relationships and infertility, relationships and grief, mental health support, journaling, processing grief, family building, infertility journey, miscarriage support, parenting challenges, navigating pregnancy, emotional support for parents, fertility treatments, personal stories of motherhood, advocacy for women, reproductive health education, community support for families, LGBTQIA family building, awareness of postpartum depression, stories of hope in parenting, understanding infertility, challenges of motherhood, resources for women, fertility education, empowerment in family planning, medical gaslighting, reproductive trauma

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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In this episode, licensed social worker and founder of Beyond the Cradle Consulting Max Tang shares their experience as a donor-conceived person and their advocacy work to improve outcomes for donor-conceived people, donors, & parents. Max, a biracial, egg donor-conceived person from a monoracial Chinese American family, first discovered their origins during middle school when their parents revealed that they and their twin brother were conceived using a white egg donor. This revelation sparked years of identity confusion and grief, as Max struggled to reconcile their internal identity as a Chinese American with the world’s perception of their appearance and the medical system’s lack of transparency.

The conversation continues through Max’s later journey of self-discovery, which was influenced by the rise of anti-Asian hate during the pandemic and led to a decision to take a DNA test that unexpectedly resulted in a connection with their biological mother. This meeting debunked long-held myths about the donor and helped Max see the family resemblance that they’d always struggled to find with their parents. This personal evolution "radicalized" Max in a positive way, leading them to facilitate peer support groups for BIPOC and multiracial donor-conceived adults and to advocate for a more human-centered, transparent approach within the fertility industry.

Through Beyond the Cradle Consulting, Max is now dedicated to ensuring that donor conception is treated as a lifelong journey rather than a one-time medical event. Creating resources and providing opportunities for connection that prioritize the long-term well-being of all parties involved in the donor conception process, Max offers invaluable advice about the importance of early disclosure, maintaining openness and curiosity when it comes to preferred terms and relationships with genetic relatives, and emphasizing the dual truths that "love makes a family, but DNA makes a person" and "love may not see color, but the world does."

Connect with Max at https://www.beyondthecradle.org/ and @beyondthecradle on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Donor conceived, donor conception, donor egg, transracial donor conception, multicultural donor conceived person, Biracial egg donor conceived person, donor conceived person (DCP), therapist, social worker, Max Tang, Beyond the Cradle Consulting, US donor conceived council, family building, donor conceived, egg donor, multiracial identity, family support, parenting through donor conception, identity discovery, DNA testing, donor siblings, donor support groups, mental health for donor conceived people, donor conceived community, family medical history, navigating donor conception, racial identity, Identity development in donor conceived people, identity formation, donor conceived resources, donor conception best practices, advocacy

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This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Kallie Chausse, a baker and photographer, to discuss her journey to parenthood. After marrying the boy next door in her early 20s and trying to conceive without success, Kallie discovered at the age of 24 that she had the egg count of a woman in her 50s. This diagnosis launched her into the world of IUI treatments and strict hormonal monitoring. After a devastating first failure, Kallie successfully conceived her daughter Violet, though she candidly discusses the traumatic birth and postpartum depression that followed, which she believes were tied to "lingering infertility emotions" she hadn't yet processed.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic added a layer of complexity to Kallie's attempt for a second child, forcing her to navigate fertility treatments in isolation and manage stressful insurance delays that nearly canceled the cycle that ultimately led to her daughter Ivy. Kallie reflects on the "tunnel vision" of treatment and the intense pressure she felt to be the "perfect employee" while juggling medical appointments and the mental load of early motherhood. Through these challenges, she found strength in a supportive nurse and a growing online community of others who understood her "silent struggles," eventually leading her to let go of the shame she once felt.

Now an AllPaths Walk Ambassador, Kallie uses her experience to advocate for others, encouraging those in the trenches of fertility treatment and parenting after infertility to honor their feelings and seek validation and community support.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fertility testing, infertility, fertility treatment, Clomid, IUI, irregular periods, reproductive health, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), postpartum depression, parenting after infertility, community support, validation, fertility insurance, parental leave, AllPaths Family Building, Footsteps for Family Building Walk, family building support, emotional support for parents, infertility journey, coping with infertility, IUI process, family building community, navigating fertility challenges, fertility specialist consultation, egg count concerns, seeking emotional support, mental health during pregnancy, balancing work and family, fertility treatment experiences, support for new parents, listening and validating emotions, supportive friends during infertility

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In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Jen Rogalski, Assistant Director of Empty Arms Bereavement Support, to discuss her journey through late-term pregnancy loss and her subsequent path to healing. Jen shares the heartbreaking story of losing her first son, Baby R, at 37 weeks after noticing decreased fetal movement. She describes the "robotic" days following the diagnosis, the challenges of navigating a loss after the initial swell of support passed, and the vital role that peer support from Empty Arms played in helping her and her husband, Eric, through the depths of grief. Now parenting a living son, two-year-old Drew, Jen shares how she used the Count the Kicks app during that pregnancy to monitor fetal movement, which provided her with a sense of empowerment and security by giving her tangible data and how the Empty Arms community continued to provide support as she navigated pregnancy and parenting after loss.

Jen’s personal experience also prompted a major career shift. After Drew’s birth, she began working for the organization that had provided such a lifeline for her, helping expand Empty Arms’ support services by creating regional "hubs" and developing bereavement resource bags for local hospitals, with items designed to provide immediate practical and emotional comfort as well as connection to the community so that other parents aren't left to find help on their own as she once was. Beyond local support, Jen is also a passionate advocate for stillbirth prevention. She has traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak with legislators about prevention measures and frequently shares her story to encourage others to find a voice for their own experiences. Her work aims to bridge the gap between medical trauma and community healing, ensuring no parent feels they are "floating on a pool raft" alone.

Throughout the conversation, Jen offers poignant advice for those starting their family-building journeys and for friends looking to support someone through loss. She emphasizes the power of consistent check-ins, sharing how a simple daily text message from a family member for an entire year provided a necessary lifeline during her darkest days. By speaking openly about her experience and transition from a grieving parent to a leader at Empty Arms, Jen’s story underscores the vital link between community support and healing, showing how peer connections can transform the isolation of loss into a shared journey of recovery.

Connect with Empty Arms at https://www.emptyarmsbereavement.org/.

Learn more about Count the Kicks and download the app at https://countthekicks.org/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pregnancy loss, late-term pregnancy loss, placental health, placental abnormalities, medical trauma, bereaved parents, community support, peer support, family building support, coping with pregnancy loss, stillbirth awareness, parenting after loss, grief support for parents, family building resources, emotional support for parents, navigating grief, nonprofit family support, bereavement support groups, advocacy for stillbirth prevention, Count the Kicks, pregnancy after loss, community support for parents, peer support for grieving parents, mental health after loss, connecting with bereaved parents, understanding pregnancy complications, grief, loss, peer support, peer support groups, Empty Arms Bereavement Support

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In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we sit down with Sarah Weiss, a New Jersey native who began documenting her family-building journey on day one on her social media. Sarah discusses the early days of her marriage in 2023 when she and her husband were diagnosed with male factor infertility after just three months of trying, a discovery made possible by a proactive OB-GYN who suggested also testing the male partner at the start. What Sarah initially expected to be a straightforward IVF process turned into a much longer journey with two egg retrievals and three frozen embryo transfers before the birth of her miracle, Mia. Sarah shares the emotional toll of failed cycles, the "dark place" of feeling hopeless despite doing everything "right," and navigating the compounding grief of multiple setbacks.

Beyond the medical logistics, Sarah reflects on the duality of maintaining her business and relationships while her fertility journey felt like a "hot mess express." Documenting her experiences on social media provided a vital sense of community and helped her process the emotional toll of failed cycles, support which has continued as the conversation has shifted to Sarah’s transition into motherhood and the reality of the “survivors guilt” and anxiety that often accompany pregnancy and parenting after infertility. Contemplating being “won and done,” Sarah emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and allowing space for both grief and joy during difficult times for whatever lies ahead.

Connect with Sarah on Instagram @sarah.and.babes and TikTok @sarahandbabes.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Male-factor infertility, PCOS, PMOS, infertility, resentment, validation, community support, IVF, egg retrieval, genetic testing, embryo transfer, online community, pregnancy after infertility, anxiety, perinatal anxiety, family goals, won and done, one and done, remaining embryos, mental health support, bodily autonomy, self-advocacy, scheduled c-section, parenting after infertility, survivor’s guilt, relationships, isolation, friendship, family building, infertility support, IVF journey, male factor infertility, trying to conceive, TTC, fertility clinic, social media and infertility, emotional support during IVF, supportive friends during infertility, navigating fertility treatments, community support for infertility, documenting fertility journey, advocacy in fertility care, overcoming infertility challenges, parenting after infertility, survivor's guilt in infertility, sharing pregnancy journey, mental health and fertility

CONNECT WITH ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING: https://allpathsfb.org

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This episode of the AllPaths Podcast features women's health advocate La-Anna Douglas. La-Anna shares the complex story of her 16-year journey through infertility, which began with excruciating menstrual cycles in her teenage years that were often dismissed by medical professionals who simply labeled her the "girl with bad periods". After years of being "shut down" by doctors, a series of persistent self-advocacy efforts and fertility testing revealed a rare anatomical reality: La-Anna has two uteruses, two cervixes, endometriosis, and fibroids.

La-Anna candidly details the immense emotional and financial strain of her path, including a painful and failed IVF cycle that cost the couple over $12,000 out of pocket. She speaks openly about her lowest point

of despair and how she found healing through the unwavering support of her husband, who affirmed his love for her "with or without children." Her story ultimately leads to the joy of two "miracle" daughters born nine years apart, both conceived spontaneously to everyone’s shock.

Beyond her personal story, La-Anna discusses her transformation from someone "suffering in silence" to a bold reproductive health advocate who has shared her testimony on global platforms and even testified before Congress. She offers vital advice on the importance of self-advocacy, learning medical terminology to better communicate with doctors, and prioritizing self-care. This episode serves as a powerful testament to resilience, reminding listeners that their worth is inherent and that even in the most challenging family-building journeys, hope still stands.

Connect with La-Anna on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hopestillstands/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Infertility, fertility testing, hysterosalpingogram (HSG), uterus didelphys, endometriosis, IVF, financial burden of infertility, secondary infertility, fibroids, endometriosis, robotic laparoscopic myomectomy, secondary infertility, Hope Still Stands, advocacy, self-advocacy, hope, relationships and infertility, reproductive health, women’s health advocacy, reproductive healthcare, patient advocacy, empowerment, mental health, family building, infertility support, reproductive health issues, double uterus, endometriosis awareness, IVF journey, Clomid treatment, self-advocacy in healthcare, emotional support for infertility, hope in family planning, navigating fertility challenges, community support for women, overcoming infertility struggles, personal fertility stories, health empowerment for women, coping with infertility, fertility treatments explained, mental health and infertility

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we sit down with journalist and author Ruthie Ackerman to discuss her memoir, The Mother Code, and her journey to parenthood. For much of her life, Ackerman resided in the "hell no" camp regarding children, driven by a family mythology that she possessed a "flaw" in her DNA inherited from a long line of women who abandoned their children. However, after researching her ancestors and uncovering that these stories were half-truths, she began to dismantle these narratives and open herself up to the possibility of building a family. This shift led her through a challenging path of maternal ambivalence, egg freezing, a divorce, and eventually into the world of assisted reproduction with her second husband.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of fertility preservation and the "gut punch" of discovering that the eggs Ackerman froze at 35 were not viable when she attempted to use them at 41. After enduring failed IVF rounds and the significant financial and emotional toll of fertility treatment, Ackerman and her husband considered donor conception. She candidly shares the "push and pull" of their decision to try IVF with donor eggs: the relief of not passing on rare genetic disorders contrasted with a profound sense of loss over the lack of a genetic connection and physical resemblance. Ultimately, she chose a donor based on a "spark" of connection—someone she felt she would want to have coffee with—rather than medical history, SAT scores, or physical similarities.

Now the mother of a nearly six-year-old daughter, Ackerman discusses the importance of breaking the silence and shame surrounding donor conception. She highlights the need for more honest, vulnerable stories of life and parenthood in a society that often presents binary choices as the only options. Through her writing and advocacy, she seeks to reassure others that while the journey can be terrifying, it is also filled with unexpected joy. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that there are many ways to have a good life and that it doesn't always look the way you’d imagined it would.

Get your copy of The Mother Code through the AllPaths Bookshop here and a portion of your purchase supports our mission at no extra cost to you!

A special thank you to CCRM Fertility of Boston for sponsoring this episode and for their support and commitment to the AllPaths community.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, egg freezing, donor eggs, IVF journey, reproductive health, maternal ambivalence, fertility options, family narratives, emotional support in fertility, women's health, parenting choices, fertility challenges, stories of motherhood, egg viability, second opinions in fertility, donor conception, donor egg decision making, Ruthie Ackerman, The Mother Code, psychological aspects of fertility, support for parents, modern family planning, navigating fertility

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at podcast@allpathsfb.org!

This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Dr. Kim Murray, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified perinatal mental health provider, candidly recounting her history of recurrent pregnancy loss, the physical and emotional toll of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and her and her husband’s struggles with postpartum depression. Dr. Murray’s family building journey was shaped by a generational history of loss where women in her family often experienced one loss for every live birth — a pattern she ultimately mirrored with two miscarriages and two live births. During the two pregnancies carried to term, she dealt with hyperemesis gravidarum, a rare condition that eventually led to the difficult decision to stop after two children despite her dream of having a large family.

Beyond her personal experience, Dr. Murray offers vital professional insights into perinatal mental health, emphasizing that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are biological and physiological crises, rooted in brain chemistry and hormones, rather than a lack of "grit." Dr. Murray talks about both her own and her husband’s experiences with postpartum depression and the stark differences in resources and understanding that existed for them. Dr. Murray also offers practical guidance on navigating changing relationships and family dynamics as you grow your family, such as how to talk to young children about pregnancy loss. Ultimately, Dr. Murray punctuates the discussion with a message of grace: if you’re struggling with mental or physical health during this complex time it is not your fault.

Connect with Dr. Murray at https://www.safehavenfamilytherapy.com/.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with perinatal mental health, reach out to Postpartum Support International for support and resources: https://postpartum.net/get-help/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

family building, perinatal mental health, perinatal mental health support, postpartum support for dads, mental health support, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, mental health therapy, emotional support for parents, navigating family growth, creating a family, coping with loss, family therapy, pregnancy, hyperemesis gravidarum, support for new parents, mental health resources, coping strategies for infertility, discussing pregnancy loss, parenting after loss, mental health

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In this episode, Toronto-based coach Reema Kiran shares her personal experience of becoming a single mother by choice. Despite initial fertility assessments suggesting she would have a high egg yield, her attempts at egg freezing resulted in only two eggs, a result she realized was not a sufficient "insurance policy." This medical setback, combined with the feeling that her biological window was closing, propelled her into active family building in her mid-thirties. Reema’s decision to become a solo parent was also deeply influenced by her South Asian heritage and her parents’ arranged marriage which “wasn’t always a happy marriage.” Growing up in a culture where arranged marriage is common, she was determined to never settle for a relationship just to have children, even though choosing single parenthood was viewed by many as going against societal and familial expectations.

Once Reema made the decision to pursue motherhood on her own. She meticulously managed the donor selection process, eventually choosing an open donor whose personal values and upbringing closely aligned with her own, however her path was further complicated by unexplained infertility, leading to six unsuccessful rounds of medicated IUI before she transitioned to IVF. A pivotal turning point occurred after a devastating first round of IVF where none of her three embryos passed genetic testing, leaving her at the "lowest of the low." This experience triggered a critical mindset shift from a "type A" need for control to a state of surrender, where Reema utilized her professional coaching background to navigate the emotional toll. After making the strategic decision to switch donors for her second round of IVF, she achieved a successful pregnancy.

Reema describes her pregnancy and the unmedicated birth of her daughter as an empowering culmination of her journey, supported by her family and a doula. Throughout the process, she learned to navigate the complex emotions of "grieving the fairy tale" of a traditional family structure while embracing the unique advantages of being a single mother by choice, such as having the final say in all parenting decisions. Now an author, consultant, and mother of a three-and-a-half-year-old, Reema provides emotional support and coaching to women considering similar non-traditional paths to parenthood, hoping to fill the gaps in support that she encountered. Reflecting on her journey through her coaching practice and her book, Choice Mom, emphasizing that her only regret was not starting the process sooner.

Connect with Reema at Choice Mom Coaching.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

single mother by choice, solo parent, family building, fertility journey, fertility treatment, egg freezing, IUI, IVF, genetic testing (PGT-A), IVF success, fertility assessment, donor conception, sperm donor, donor selection, open vs. anonymous donors, sperm banks, cultural scarcity, unexplained infertility, emotional support in fertility, single parenting, Choice Mom Coaching, Reema Kiran, mindset, personal development, coaching, navigating infertility, parenting without a partner, fertility treatments, support for single mothers, fairy tales, coping with infertility, family planning, cultural perceptions of motherhood, personal development in parenting

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