Shows
AllPaths PodcastValerie’s Journey: From Hospital Gowns to Powerful ArtIn this episode, we chat with Valerie Imparato, a lawyer and artist originally from Haiti, currently living in Somerville, Massachusetts. Valerie shares her often complicated journey to parenthood. She recounts her initial easy conception followed by a miscarriage in Italy during Covid, and the subsequent "excruciating" nine months of trying before conceiving her daughter unexpectedly during a vacation where she was "not doing all the things" typically recommended for optimal fertility. Valerie also opens up about enduring two more miscarriages and an unsuccessful round of IVF, and her ongoing, emotionally taxing second IVF cycle.Our conversation delves...2025-07-2946 minAllPaths PodcastAmanda’s Journey: Did somebody give my uterus a one-star rating?This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Amanda Nordberg, a volunteer for the Footsteps for Family Building Walk, who shares her struggle with recurrent pregnancy loss and the emotional experience of pregnancy after loss. Amanda and her husband Andy began trying to conceive in 2020 and while they discovered that her body was "great at getting pregnant," it struggled to "stay pregnant". Over time, Amanda experienced multiple types of loss: an early miscarriage at 11 weeks (where the baby stopped growing at 9 weeks), which required a D&C procedure; an ectopic pregnancy around 6 weeks that was treated with methotrexate shots; and...2025-07-2243 minAllPaths PodcastMeg's Journey: From the Pain of "Barren" to the Power of “the Barreness”On this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we invite Meg to share her continuing journey through recurrent miscarriages, unsuccessful fertility treatments, and an unflagging quest for answers. Meg, who runs "For the Barreness”, a infertility-focused blog and Instagram account, delves into her experience with seven miscarriages and eight rounds of IVF, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of recurrent losses, including the infrequently discussed postpartum experiences after miscarriage. Meg also shares the long road to receiving diagnoses of endometriosis, adenomyosis, autoimmune disorders, and a Müllerian Abnormality, several that were conditions she suspected she was dealing with for years due...2025-07-1549 minAllPaths PodcastJessica’s Journey: Chutes and LaddersThis episode features Jessica Katz, licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental health therapist, and parent to an egg-donor conceived child. During our conversation, Jessica shares her deeply personal and often challenging journey to parenthood, from her early struggles with irregular periods and feeling shame around her body and reproductive health, to an eventual diagnosis of ovarian insufficiency leading to the recommendation for donor egg IVF. The donor conception process was not without challenges, from navigating outdated agency databases to the emotional blow of discovering a seemingly ideal donor didn't pass medical testing. These setbacks ultimately led her...2025-07-0839 minAllPaths PodcastLisa’s Journey: A Safe Space to Say the UnsayableIn this episode we welcome Lisa Rosenthal, President of the AllPaths Family Building Board of Directors. Lisa shares her deeply personal and often challenging six-and-a-half year journey through infertility, which began when she was 26 and "very naive" about conception. She recounts undergoing extensive fertility treatments, including being one of the first patients in the US to use Lupron injections. Lisa discusses the significant challenges of the time, noting that IVF success rates were only around 19% for the best candidates, and the personal struggle of balancing privacy with the need for support, often feeling "the nastiest, meanest, infertile person in...2025-07-0150 minAllPaths PodcastBruce’s Journey: "Whose Tummy Did I Come Out Of?"This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Bruce, an attorney in the Boston area. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Bruce and his husband built their family through surrogacy with gamete donation, going through the process twice with different surrogates in different states. After leaving his previous career to become a stay-at-home parent, his own family building experience and encouragement from his husband led him to law school and ultimately his solo practice Modern Family Law, which focuses exclusively on matters related to family formation through assisted procreation.Our conversation delves into the emotional journey of family building...2025-06-2440 minAllPaths PodcastAnnika’s Journey: “My wife knocked me up.”In this episode, we welcome Annika, an attorney specializing in assisted reproductive technology (ART), who offers a unique perspective as both a professional in the field and someone who built her own family through reciprocal IVF. Annika shares her personal journey with her wife, including the decision to use reciprocal IVF (her wife's egg, Annika carried) and the financial and emotional considerations that guided their path. The conversation highlights the significant financial hurdles of fertility treatment and the inequity of insurance coverage that exists, even in states like Massachusetts that have a fertility mandate. In addition to being their...2025-06-1745 minAllPaths PodcastWill’s Journey: An IVF Insider’s Path to ParenthoodIn this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we speak with Will Baird, a father of three who grew up with a unique perspective on family building. Will shares how his father, a PhD in animal sciences who began working in human IVF in the late 80s/early 90s, exposed him to the lab environment from a young age. He and his twin sister, conceived through IUI, have fond memories of going to the IVF lab with his father on weekends. As an adult, Will worked alongside his father and ultimately became a fertility patient himself. Will openly shares the...2025-06-1030 minAllPaths PodcastJodi’s Journey: One from Each ColumnThis episode features speaker and author Jodi Mitchel Tolman, who shares how she and her husband navigated multiple paths over six years to build their family after facing challenges with fertility. Their family ultimately consisted of three children: one genetic child from a previous marriage, one adopted daughter, and one son born via donor egg. Now all grown, Jodi was inspired to write their story in her recently released book, One From Each Column: My 46-Year Trek from Abusive Childhood to Elusive Motherhood.Throughout the conversation, Jodi details the various paths she took, starting with miscarriages, followed...2025-06-0342 minAllPaths PodcastMatt’s Journey: "I'm doing everything I possibly can to make sure her name never gets lost"In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, Matt Smith, founder of Wandering Soul Beer Company, shares his personal experience with stillbirth and how this profound loss directly inspired the creation of his brewery and its flagship beer, Melody Maker. Matt and his wife Abby were expecting their first child and had just purchased their first house when their journey took a tragic turn when their daughter, Melody, passed away at 35 and a half weeks gestation. Adding to the trauma of losing Melody, Abby had to undergo emergency surgery after Melody was delivered. Matt recounts being in the hospital, seeing...2025-05-2742 minAllPaths PodcastShannon’s Journey: "This Is Your Body, This Is Your Life"In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we welcome guest Shannon Cook to share her journey. Shannon recounts her experience navigating fertility struggles, including early attempts at conception, misdiagnoses like hydrosalpinx and stage three endometriosis, and multiple miscarriages. Despite feeling defeated at times, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and trusting your intuition throughout the process. Shannon's journey ultimately led her to IVF, surgery to address a tubal issue she suspected early on, and finally, a successful transfer. She shares openly about the emotional rollercoaster of IVF, the impact of the journey on her relationships, and the process of...2025-05-2053 min
Cycles and SeasonsEpisode 16: Mental Health Support and InfertilityIn this episode, Jennifer talks with Kendra Quincy Knauf. Kendra is a licensed mental health counselor with a specialization in perinatal mental health, particularly supporting people dealing with fertility challenges, pregnancy after loss, and postpartum identity. She has worked in multiple settings, particularly in the community mental health space with a diverse group of clients over the past ten years. Currently she has a telehealth private practice. Kendra spent years undergoing fertility treatments and is a NICU mom. Kendra lives in the metro-Boston area with her family, and volunteers with her town government, undergraduate alumni organization, and is a...2025-05-1359 minAllPaths PodcastLauren C's Journey: IVF Finds a Way to Humble YouThis episode features Lauren Hart Clancy, a perinatal advocate, AllPaths peer group leader, parent through IVF, and co-chair of the 2025 Footsteps for Family Building Walk. Lauren shares her journey through multiple IVF cycles, a delayed male-factor infertility diagnosis, and health complications after an egg retrieval. Throughout the conversation, Lauren talks about the vital role of emotional support and finding community, highlighting the significant impact a supportive provider and the AllPaths community had in the journey to her second son. A longtime educator and advocate focused on maternal and child health, Lauren shares how she transitioned from being a participant...2025-05-1353 minAllPaths PodcastLauren D’s Journey: Our family is now complete to what WE define as completeIn this episode, we speak with Lauren Delaney, a co-chair for AllPaths’ annual Footsteps for Family Building Walk. Lauren shares about the roads she and her husband Ryan travelled to build their family. Ryan faced significant health issues including two kidney transplants, so together Lauren and Ryan navigated fertility preservation, fertility treatment, and multiple losses. They recognize the toll this journey can have on mental health and relationships. Now parenting two "rainbow babies" conceived through IVF, Lauren shares how she found healing and community by helping others. At her former workplace, she started the Pathways to Parenthood employee resource gr...2025-05-0646 minAllPaths PodcastDr. Styer’s Journey: It's a privilege to be part of my patients' stories.In this episode, we welcome Dr. Aaron Styer, a reproductive endocrinologist, medical director of CCRM Boston, and AllPaths Board Member. Dr. Styer shares his professional journey into fertility medicine, sparked by his grandmother and mother who were both nurses, and a desire to build meaningful relationships with patients. The discussion covers what patients should consider when visiting a fertility specialist for the first time, how to approach second opinions, and the sensitive process of discussing alternative family-building options like donor conception. Dr. Styer emphasizes the emotional challenges of infertility, including loss, anxiety, and loneliness, advocating for open communication and...2025-04-2947 min
We're All InsaneSurviving Premature Birth of Twins After IVF#podcast #ivf #pregnancy #infertility #twins Fatty15 is on a mission to optimize your C15 levels to help you live healthier, longer. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/INSANE and using code INSANE at checkout!!!Jess opens up about her emotional and unforgettable journey to motherhood through IVF. After years of trying to conceive, she was blessed with twins — but their arrival came earlier than expected. Born prematurely, both of her babies spent time in the NICU, and she shares th...2025-04-2850 minAllPaths PodcastErin and Stephen's Journey: For Some People, It's Not a Straight Line From A to BThis episode featuring Erin, a longtime AllPaths group leader, and her husband Stephen offers a raw and unfiltered look at their decade-long struggle with infertility and it’s emotional toll. From the early days of excitement and expectation to the stark realization that building their family would not be as straightforward as they had hoped, Erin and Stephen share the pivotal moments in their journey, including their experiences with fertility treatments, the heartache of miscarriages, and the eventual decision to move forward with direct egg donation. Through their story, they highlight the importance of finding support, being ed...2025-04-2248 minAllPaths PodcastAnnie and Gene’s Journey: From Infertility to InnovationAnnie and Gene Carelli, a married couple and licensed Pharmacists from the Philadelphia area, join us to share their family’s story and the inspiring way they turned their challenges into a resource for others navigating fertility treatment. After unsuccessfully trying to conceive on their own, Annie and Gene were diagnosed with unexplained infertility and entered the world of fertility treatment. Initially thinking their pharmaceutical background would make the process easier, Annie and Gene were surprised by the challenges they faced, particularly Annie's mental block when it came to self-administering IVF injections. After the birth of their first daughter, Ge...2025-04-1532 minAllPaths PodcastRebecca’s Journey: “This is right for me and right for my family.”In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we’re joined by Rebecca Daddio, LCSW PMH-C and AllPaths peer group leader to hear about her personal and professional journey through the complexities of family building. Rebecca shares her experiences with unsuccessful fertility treatments, pregnancy loss, the path that led to donor conception and, after the birth of her son, the decision to remain a one-child family. Throughout the journey, Rebecca quickly realized the value of various support systems and resources she utilized, including therapy, yoga, meditation apps, and acupuncture. Her personal experiences ultimately led Rebecca to a fulfilling career as a...2025-04-0827 minAllPaths PodcastKaren’s Journey: “I was so focused on being pregnant that I lost sight of wanting to be a mom.”This episode features an in-depth discussion with Karen about her journey through infertility and adoption. She openly shares the challenges she faced, including the emotional toll of successful fertility treatments, the impact that family building struggles can have on relationships, and how she determined adoption was the best path for her family. As Karen recounts her experience of matching with her daughter’s birth mother and the emotional intricacies of that relationship, she emphasizes the importance of having a support system, whether through friends, family, online communities, or support groups, and the importance of staying open to all possibilities as...2025-03-3136 minAllPaths PodcastMarissa’s Journey: Reproductive plans should never be small talkIn this episode, Marissa Hathaway, MPH, Doula, and owner of The Lemon Grove, delves into her background and her transition from global health to becoming a full-time doula. Recounting her challenges with infertility, including the grief of losing pregnancies while supporting other families during their births, Marissa highlights the importance of having a support system, both personally and professionally. We discuss how crucial it is to have open conversations about challenging fertility and family building experiences, the importance of compassionate care and understanding in clinical settings, and the impact a dedicated support system can have during difficult times.2025-03-2538 minAllPaths PodcastLea’s Journey: “I hadn't felt like I had belonged in the infertility community before.”Today’s episode features AllPaths volunteer Lea, a Boston-based biotech professional and leader of our Trying for Another Peer Support Group. After months of trying to conceive, Lea was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, which cast doubt on her ability to have biological children. She recounts navigating her options, including IVF and adoption, and her experiences with the adoption process, IUI, IVF, and an ectopic pregnancy. Lea also discusses the emotional toll those experiences took on her relationships and mental health and the feelings of guilt and anger that arose, especially after she went back to fertility treatments when he...2025-03-1840 minAllPaths PodcastMegan’s Journey: Becoming Parents After Cancer Was Worth the WaitMegan Scherer joins us to share her family's journey through cancer and infertility, which then led to the creation of the nonprofit organization, Worth the Wait. After her husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer, they faced numerous challenges in starting their family. Megan discusses the importance of fertility preservation and the support they received, which ultimately led to the birth of their son. Inspired by their family’s experience, Megan and Mike founded Worth the Wait to help others facing similar battles. The organization aims to provide education on oncofertility, advocate for better awareness and support for young cancer su...2025-03-1124 min
What The FertilityPlatonic Love Letter with Aliza SirAliza Sir shares her story with secondary infertility, a blighted ovum, Asherman's diagnosis and more.Asherman's specialist: Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Dr. Peter Movilla; Dr. Isaacson recently moved to New OrleansFacebook Group: Asherman's Syndrome Awareness & Support Anyone who is in New England, Here is a Zoom support groups facilitated by AllPaths Family Building (a regional nonprofit) to be wonderful.Platonic Love link: https://platonicloveletter.substack.com/ My miscarriage story: https://platonicloveletter.substack.com/p/why-getting-pregnant-wont-be-on-my?How music has helped me through grief: https://platonicloveletter.substack.com/p/issue-78-songs-for-a-terrible-horrible?How to help a friend thr...2025-03-101h 08AllPaths PodcastKerry’s Journey: "How do I feel hope and trust in my body?"In this episode we speak with Kerry Hinds about her family-building journey and her work as a fertility yoga teacher. Kerry shares her journey, struggling to conceive and navigating fertility treatment in a foreign country, the emotional challenges and losses she faced, and the unexpected experience of becoming pregnant without intervention. Kerry also shared how yoga became her lifeline during difficult times and how she developed her unique approach to fertility yoga, incorporating restorative poses, gentle movements, and community support to help manage stress and connect with your body during a challenging family building journey. In addition to her...2025-03-0443 minAllPaths PodcastGinanne’s Journey: Children should never feel like there was something shameful or weird about how they were bornIn this episode, London-based American author and journalist Ginanne Brownell recounts her challenging journey of infertility, miscarriage, donor conception, and gestational surrogacy. Now parent to twins born in 2018, Ginanne’s personal experience navigating the intricate legal landscape of surrogacy made her a committed family building advocate, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of surrogacy, its ethical dimensions, and the importance of inclusive legislation like the the Michigan Family Protection Act that she helped craft which was signed into law in April 2024. Ginanne’s book, Elusive Mommyhood: An Investigative Reporter’s Personal Journey into IVF and Surrogacy, encapsulates her journe...2025-02-2537 minAllPaths PodcastJillian’s Journey: You’re young and healthy, just try again!This episode features Jillian, an ER/ICU RN, Organ Donation Coordinator, and Nursing Supervisor/Educator and AllPaths peer group leader, whose journey includes unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF, and pregnancy after infertility and loss. Jillian's professional background offers her a unique perspective on fertility treatment and reproductive healthcare care, while her personal experiences often highlighted the stark contrast between medical insight and the emotional complexities of navigating grief and the need for understanding and support within the healthcare system. As Jillian recounts her journey to this point, we also explore the anxiety that is familiar to many who have...2025-02-1841 minAllPaths PodcastAnnie's Journey: "Something I've always felt really grateful for is how wanted I was from the very start."In this episode, we sit down with Annie, an ENT resident with a unique perspective on medicine, identity, and family. Born to two moms through donor insemination, Annie shares how she always knew she was deeply wanted.We explore her journey as a donor-conceived person, her evolving thoughts on connecting with her donor father and 20 half-siblings, and how her experience shapes her medical approach. Highlighted throughout is the importance of openness and transparency in donor conception, both within families and from donors themselves. Annie also sheds light on the gaps between what healthcare professionals are taught and...2025-02-1144 minAllPaths PodcastJoe’s Journey: “There’s nothing elective about infertility”Advocate, founder of Grain Fertility, and father through IVF, Joe Cody shares his family's journey which spanned four years and included multiple failed cycles and significant financial burdens. We explore the emotional and practical challenges faced by families navigating infertility, the immense impact that proactive conversations with extended family - or a lack thereof - can have on a growing family, and the systemic issues within healthcare that complicate fertility treatments.Joe also shares about his work since infertility, channeling his experiences into helping others navigate the complexities of infertility and advocating for accessible resources, equitable access t...2025-02-0440 minAllPaths PodcastLaMone’s Journey: I Became What I NeededLaMone Downey Leonard, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Founder and CEO of Rising Hope Counseling and Wellness joins us to discuss her family building journey. Her mission is to create safe and supportive healing spaces for those experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, life transitions, perinatal mental health, and reproductive trauma including fertility and pregnancy and infant loss. LaMone hopes to continue to normalize the act of seeking support and to spread the message that everyone deserves their happiness and healing. LaMone talks about her recurrent pregnancy loss and navigating the feelings of grief following infant loss....2025-01-2846 minAllPaths PodcastAlison’s Journey: “My heart was missing a piece and it was you.”A Connecticut native who now calls Massachusetts home, Alison is a second-grade teacher and solo parent of one. Alison walks us along her path to becoming a single mother by choice, recurrent pregnancy losses, the grief of not being able to give her son a sibling, and coping with the range of emotions associated with knowing this was not how she had ever envisioned growing her family. Alison also opens up about the reality of parenting without a partner and her struggle with feeling like she has to do it all, while emphasizing the importance of a supportive community...2025-01-2150 minCycles and SeasonsEpisode 8: Acupuncture for FertilityEpisode 8: Acupuncture for FertilityIn this episode, Jennifer talks with Erin Walker, a Licensed Acupuncturist who specializes in fertility and perinatal care. Erin is the owner of Boston Integrated Health in Boston, MA,Key topics discussed:Erin’s journey to becoming an acupuncturist who specializes in fertilityAll the ways acupuncture can support your whole body, including your menstrual cycle and fertilityThe philosophy behind acupuncture and Traditional Chinese MedicineWhat happens in an acupuncture session The benefit of working with a fertility acupuncturist when you’re trying to conceive naturally or with ferti...2025-01-1542 min