Explore every episode of the podcast The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queer Parenting, Co-Lactation & Rethinking the Nuclear Family | 09 Nov 2026 | 00:50:45 | |
What if queer families aren't the exception to the rules of parenting, but the ones showing us how to rewrite them? Bianca, a reproductive justice strategist at Forward Together, shares her journey with a known sperm donor, co-lactation, and navigating motherhood as a non-biological parent. From the pressure to fit traditional family structures to the unequal division of parenting labor, we explore how queer families are challenging the nuclear family ideal—and why everyone stands to benefit. We also dig into chosen family, reproductive justice, LGBTQ representation, and the power of community to redefine what family can look like. Topics: LGBTQ parenting, queer families, lesbian parenting, co-lactation, induced lactation, known sperm donors, donor conception, non-biological parenting, reproductive justice, chosen family, nuclear family, gender roles, equal parenting, LGBTQ representation. 🏳️🌈 About the guest(s)/ Resources Mentioned Bianca is a strategist at Forward Together, an organization advancing reproductive justice for queer and trans people of color. She contributed her personal experience with co-lactation to the organization's New Visions anthology, which explores family, care, and reproductive justice beyond traditional definitions. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
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🎧 Loved this episode? OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!
🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube
🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website
🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Gay Dads, Foster Care & the Cost of Building a Family Through Surrogacy | 04 Nov 2026 | 00:46:51 | |
For LGBTQ families, the path to parenthood often comes with a steep learning curve. And sometimes, you have to become your own expert just to navigate it. James and his husband have navigated foster care, heartbreak, and now independent surrogacy. Along the way, they've faced staggering costs, complicated legal processes, and fertility clinics that claim to be LGBTQ-inclusive but don't know how to serve LGBTQ families. Rather than keep everything he's learned to himself, James founded First Breath Fertility Consulting, turning his own family-building challenges into education, resources, and community for others navigating the same path. Topics: LGBTQ parenting, gay dads, queer family building, foster care, independent surrogacy, fertility clinics, egg donation, surrogacy costs, fertility support. 🏳️🌈 About the guest(s)/ Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Parenting Is a Hot Mess (Even When You're Gay) | Gaytriarchs Crossover | 26 Oct 2026 | 00:40:04 | |
Parenting is messy. Queer parenting is no exception. And sometimes you just need to complain about it with your gay friends. The hosts of Gaytriarchs, David F.M. Vaughn and Gavin Lodge, join Jaimie for a hilarious, unfiltered conversation about raising kids, surviving modern parenting, and why even LGBTQ+ spaces aren't immune to patriarchy. Fresh off their delightfully chaotic live event with Gays With Kids, the three parents get into everything from screen-time battles and teenage independence to the impossible expectations placed on today's parents. Plus, why does everything default to male, and why are we all so terrified to let our kids do the things we did at their age? It's a whole lot of laughs, a little righteous feminist rage, and a reminder that none of us really knows what we're doing. And maybe that's okay. Topics: LGBTQ parenting, queer families, gay dads, lesbian moms, screen time and kids, parenting teenagers, childhood independence, modern parenting, gender stereotypes, patriarchy, misogyny, parenting expectations 🏳️🌈 About the guest(s)/ Resources Mentioned David F.M. Vaughn and Gavin Lodge are the hosts of Gaytriarchs, a hilariously unfiltered comedy podcast about gay dads, parenting, pop culture, and the absurdities of family life. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors PUT YOUR BRAND LINK HERE! 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| HIV Stigma: What Every Parent Needs to Know | 19 Oct 2026 | 01:03:19 | |
HIV treatment and prevention have come a long way, but stigma, misinformation, and outdated beliefs continue to shape how we talk about HIV and AIDS. What should parents and families know, and how can we better prepare our children to advocate for their own health? This week on The Queer Family Podcast, Jaimie Kelton welcomes HIV advocates Masonia Traylor, founder of Lady Burgundy, and Jerrell Hartnett of GLAAD for an eye-opening conversation about HIV awareness, sexual health education, and raising informed, empowered children. Through their lived experiences with HIV, Masonia and Jerrell challenge common misconceptions, explain HIV testing and prevention, discuss U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable), and explore why HIV stigma continues despite decades of medical progress. The conversation also tackles HIV criminalization, pregnancy, bodily autonomy, medical self-advocacy, and the importance of age-appropriate conversations with children. Plus, a powerful connection between HIV stigma, anti-LGBTQ bullying, and Spirit Day reminds families that supporting LGBTQ youth requires action all year long. Because raising informed, compassionate children starts with being willing to learn alongside them. Topics: HIV awareness, HIV stigma, HIV and AIDS, LGBTQ parenting, queer families, sexual health education, HIV testing, HIV prevention, U=U, bodily autonomy, medical self-advocacy, HIV and pregnancy, LGBTQ youth, Spirit Day, LGBTQ bullying. 🏳️🌈 About the guest(s)/ Resources Mentioned Masonia Traylor is an Emmy-nominated producer, mother of two, HIV advocate, and founder and executive director of Lady Burgundy, a nonprofit serving women and youth across the southeastern United States through HIV prevention and intervention. Living with HIV for 16 years, Masonia has spent much of that time publicly sharing her experience and advocating for better education, resources, and support. Jerrell Hartnett is Associate Director of Education and Advocacy at GLAAD and lead author of the organization's 2026 HIV Stigma Report. Living with HIV for 13 years, Jerrell combines personal experience with research and media advocacy to challenge misinformation, increase visibility, and help reshape the public conversation about HIV. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned GLAAD — HIV advocacy, media representation, and LGBTQ inclusion Spirit Day — Resources for supporting LGBTQ youth CDC HIV Resources — HIV testing, prevention, and treatment information HIV.gov — Information about HIV and U=U 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Our Kids' Sperm Donor Is No Longer Anonymous. Now What? | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:15:40 | |
What happens when the sperm donor you never expected to know suddenly becomes someone you could text? Jaimie is joined by her wife, Anne, for a candid, funny, and occasionally heated conversation about a surprising new chapter in their family's donor-conception journey. What started as a simple question about their daughter's medical history led to something neither of them anticipated: their sperm donor's phone number and an open invitation to reach out. But just because they can contact him, does that mean they should? Jaimie and Anne have different feelings about it, and their kids have opinions of their own. Plus, the two moms take on misogyny, school dress codes, victim-blaming, and what it means to raise a daughter and a son in a world still steeped in patriarchy. It's a little family update, a little feminist rant, and a very real look at how LGBTQ+ families continue to evolve long after the kids arrive. Topics: Donor conception, LGBTQ families, lesbian parenting, sperm donors, donor siblings, Open ID donors, donor-conceived children, medical history, two-mom families, misogyny, school dress codes, parenting, consent 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Two Gay Dads, Three Siblings: A Foster Care Story | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:35:55 | |
What does it take for two gay dads to build a family through foster care? Psychologist and author Dr. Kevin Nadal shares how he and his husband went from newly approved foster parents to raising three biological siblings, all adopted through New York City's foster care system. From receiving a call about a newborn with less than a day's notice to navigating adoption during a global pandemic, Kevin opens up about the emotional realities of foster-to-adopt parenting, the importance of biological family connections, and the challenges of raising Black children in a transracial adoptive family. He also explores the isolation of gay fatherhood, the importance of LGBTQ+ parenting communities, and why he believes his family came together exactly as it was meant to. Topics: gay dads, LGBTQ families, foster care, foster-to-adopt, adoption, transracial adoption, biological siblings, queer parenting, gay fatherhood, LGBTQ family building 🏳️🌈 About the guest(s)/ Resources Mentioned Dr. Kevin Nadal is a psychologist, professor, author, and father of three. His work explores the intersections of psychology, social justice, and identity, with books addressing queer psychology, microaggressions, Filipino American psychology, and Asian American psychology. His latest creative venture is Nothing but Net, a queer romance novel that combines basketball, love, and psychology. Kevin lives in Harlem, New York, with his husband and their three children, all adopted through the New York City foster care system. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.co 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Queer Families Deserve Better Care with B.J. Woodstein | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:56:39 | |
B.J. Woodstein is a queer mom, doula, lactation consultant, author, and LGBTQ+ specialist who knows firsthand how much the right support can change a family’s experience. After difficult pregnancies, birth complications, painful breastfeeding, and healthcare providers who didn’t always understand her two-mom family, B.J. became the kind of provider she wished she’d had. Jaimie and B.J. talk about queer family building, birth trauma, feeding, advocacy, inclusive language, and why LGBTQ+ people deserve healthcare that sees and respects who they actually are. Topics: LGBTQ families, queer parenting, lesbian parenting, queer family building, donor conception, sperm donation, pregnancy, hyperemesis gravidarum, birth trauma, breastfeeding, chestfeeding, lactation, doulas, inclusive healthcare, LGBTQ healthcare, nonbinary birth, gender-affirming care 🏳️🌈 About the guest(s)/ Resources Mentioned B.J. Woodstein is a writer, translator, former academic, LGBTQ+ specialist doula, lactation consultant, counselor, and bibliotherapist. She lives in the UK with her wife and their two children. B.J. is also the author of We’re Here: A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent, which combines practical family-building information with the experiences of LGBTQ+ parents, as well as Be Fruitful, which focuses on family building in the Jewish community. She also co-runs Queer Wayfinder, which offers counseling, coaching, and bibliotherapy for LGBTQ+ people. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Making a Baby Was So Complicated, They Built an App | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:50:39 | |
description Sydney and Gina knew they wanted to build a family—and they knew, as a lesbian couple, it would take planning. What they didn’t expect was a stage-three endometriosis diagnosis right as they began trying to conceive. In this episode, they walk Jaimie through their queer fertility journey: choosing a known sperm donor, navigating the legal agreements, three failed IUIs, the emotional and financial toll of fertility treatment, and finally moving to IVF. They also talk about grieving differently as partners, advocating for yourself in the medical system, and what it means to parent without a genetic connection. Their experience ultimately inspired them to create WeFertility, an app designed to help people manage the paperwork, appointments, finances, and endless logistics of family building. A candid conversation about queer parenting, LGBTQ families, IVF, known donors, endometriosis, and finding something meaningful on the other side of a difficult fertility journey. Topics: queer parenting, LGBTQ families, lesbian parenting, queer family building, IVF, IUI, known sperm donors, fertility treatment, endometriosis, donor conception, LGBTQ parenting 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned WeFertility - the app designed to help people manage the paperwork, appointments, finances, and endless logistics of family building. WeFertility Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wefertilityapp WeFertility TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wefertilityapp?_r=1&_t=ZP-99ePpNsDHEU WeFertility Website: https://wefertilityapp.com Gina Brickey Instagram: @ginabrickey_ Sydney Brickey Instagram: @sydneybrickey94 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Pregnancy Is So Butch: Queer Parenthood, Identity & Letting Go | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:47:21 | |
Meghan and Erika never imagined parenthood would be part of their story. Growing up without examples of queer families—and navigating neurodivergence and fears about losing themselves in parenthood—they weren't even sure they wanted children. Then listening to this podcast helped Meghan realize there might be another possibility. Now they're raising their three-year-old son, Nova, with another baby on the way. They share a fertility journey that included IUIs, miscarriage, IVF, and an unexpected final vial from their dibling community. Erika also opens up about navigating pregnancy as a butch woman—and discovering that carrying a baby didn't make her feel less connected to her identity. Quite the opposite. As Erika puts it: “I think pregnancy is so butch.” 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Meghan and Erika are a queer couple and parents to three-year-old Nova, with their second child on the way. Erika, a proud butch woman, is currently pregnant with their second child and hopes that sharing her experience can offer representation for other butch people considering pregnancy. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned Meghan and Erika on Instagram - Follow along on their journey 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Finding the Right Donor—and Finding Our Way to Parenthood | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:44:00 | |
What happens when you want to build a family—but have no idea where to start? Kaelyn, known online as one half of @kaelynandveronica, joins Jaimie to share how she and her wife found their way to parenthood by doing what so many LGBTQ+ families do: looking to the families who had done it before them. Kaelyn shares the emotional—and sometimes surprising—process of choosing a sperm donor, two years of fertility treatments before becoming pregnant with their daughter Rosie, and why having donor siblings has become such a meaningful part of their family's story. She also opens up about Veronica's experience as the non-biological mom, raising Rosie with an open understanding of donor conception, and how postpartum depression is shaping their conversations about having another child. Plus, why Kaelyn says if she could have dinner with anyone, she'd choose Rosie's donor—just so she could say thank you. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Kaelyn is a social media manager, content creator, wife to Veronica, and mom to their almost-three-year-old daughter, Rosie. Through @kaelynandveronica, she shares their life as a two-mom family, from donor conception and fertility to parenting and LGBTQ+ family life. Her work also focuses on helping others navigate family building and showing more of the many ways families can be created. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| How to Legally Protect Your LGBTQ+ Family | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:59:52 | |
Is your LGBTQ family as legally protected as you think it is? LGBTQ+ family law attorney Rachel Levy joins Jaimie to break down the legal steps queer and trans families should know about—from confirmatory and second-parent adoption to donor agreements, estate planning, healthcare decisions, name changes, gender markers, and more. Rachel explains why being listed on your child's birth certificate may not be enough to establish parental rights, what families using known donors should put in writing, and why finding an attorney who actually understands LGBTQ+ family law matters. They also dig into the realities facing trans adults and parents of trans kids right now, including name changes, document updates, privacy and safety concerns, and the enormous differences in protections from state to state. And while the political climate can feel terrifying, Rachel offers an important reminder: frightening headlines don't always tell the whole legal story, and meaningful protections for LGBTQ+ families are still advancing at the state level. This episode isn't about panic. It's about knowing your rights, asking the right questions, and taking the extra steps that can help protect the people you love. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Rachel Levy is an attorney with Jerner Law Group, an LGBTQ+ family law firm based in Philadelphia. Her practice focuses on adoption and assisted reproductive technology (ART), estate planning, family building, and transgender legal issues, including name changes and legal affirmation. Rachel is passionate about helping LGBTQ+ families understand their rights and take the legal steps needed to protect themselves and their children. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned Jerner Law’s LGBTQ+ Resources Hub: www.jernerlaw.com/lgbtq-resources/ 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Two Dads, One Mom, and a Whole New Way to Think About Family | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:42:20 | |
What happens when three people intentionally choose to build a family together? Vikram Kolmannskog is a psychotherapist, writer, and dad raising his four-year-old son with his husband, Daniel, and their son's mother, Cecilia. From finding each other through a queer family forum to navigating home insemination, biology, and the realities of three-parent co-parenting, their path to family is anything but traditional. Vikram and Jaimie talk about the messy reality of parenting, biological vs. non-biological connection, the pressure to identify the "real" dad, and the deeply ingrained gender roles that still tell us mothers should nurture while fathers should provide. It's a conversation about rupture and repair, challenging the rules we've inherited, and what queer families can teach us about what really makes someone a parent. Because family isn't biology. It's love, commitment—and sometimes a whole lot of mess. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Vikram Kolmannskog is the author of Reflections on Parenting from a Gestalt Therapist Father: Life with Leo, a personal exploration of his first years of parenthood. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Lesbian Community to Trans Elder: Reid Vanderburgh’s Story | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:41:31 | |
Reid Vanderburgh spent more than 20 years living in lesbian community before realizing he was trans. More than 30 years later, he's a retired therapist, author, stepfather, chosen grandfather, and proud trans elder. Reid joins Jaimie to talk about finding the language to understand yourself, becoming the therapist he once needed, and why younger generations give him hope. They also explore chosen family, the power of representation, and what Reid calls the most important relationship he ever found—the one with himself. It's a conversation about identity, belonging, empathy, and the gift of becoming who you are. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Reid Vanderburgh is a retired therapist, author, trans elder, and longtime LGBTQ+ advocate who transitioned more than 30 years ago. After his own experience with therapists who didn't understand what he was going through, Reid became one of the early openly trans therapists dedicated to serving the trans community, working with hundreds of clients throughout his career. He's also an author, longtime member of the Portland Gay Men's Chorus, stepfather, and proud chosen grandfather. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Parenting Ourselves While Raising Our Kids | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:48:19 | |
Not every episode about queer families is about making a family. Sometimes it's about healing the person who became one. This week, Jaimie sits down with Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda, hosts of the Late in 88 podcast, to explore the "baby gay" still living inside all of us. Together they unpack growing up queer in the 80s and 90s, the importance of queer history, how today's political attacks echo the past, and why doing our own healing helps us raise more confident, resilient kids. Whether you're a parent or simply someone still unlearning shame, this conversation is a reminder that our stories—and our history—matter. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda are lifelong friends and the hosts of Late in 88, a podcast that explores queer history through the lens of their own childhoods growing up in conservative Alberta during the late 1980s and 1990s. Blending personal storytelling with queer history, child psychology, and cultural context, they invite listeners to reconnect with—and heal—their own "baby gay." 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned Website: https://latein88.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/late.in.88/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@late.in.88 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Late.in.88 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| She Grew Up With Two Gay Dads in the 70s—Here's What She Wants Parents to Know | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:48:24 | |
Melissa Pas Blake grew up with two dads—but not in the way many queer families exist today. After losing her mother to cancer at just six years old, Melissa was raised by her father and his lifelong partner, Ken, throughout the 1970s and 80s, long before LGBTQ+ families had visibility or legal protections. In this heartfelt conversation, Melissa shares what it was like growing up in a loving home while her dads remained largely closeted, why their relationship wasn't something anyone talked about, and how she eventually came to understand the extraordinary family she'd always had. Together, Jaimie and Melissa explore what children actually need to thrive, how family is built through consistency and love—not gender—and why representation matters so deeply for the next generation. They also discuss second-parent adoption before it even had a name, coming out as the child of queer parents, and the lasting impact of growing up in a home filled with safety, joy, and unconditional love. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Melissa Pas Blake is a clinical hypnotherapist, heart-healing practitioner, and Parkinson's wellness specialist. Raised by her father and his lifelong partner after losing her mother to cancer at age six, Melissa brings the unique perspective of someone who grew up in a loving gay household during the 1970s and 80s. Today, she helps others heal emotional wounds while sharing her family's story to inspire and support LGBTQ+ families everywhere. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned Instagram: @pasitivesolutions/ LinkedIn: Melissa Pas Blake https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissablake2/ Website: pasitivesolutions.com https://pasitivesolutions.com/homecoming/ 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Why We Need to Reclaim “Lesbian Bed Death” | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:26:14 | |
When a clip from one of our earlier Tea Time episodes sparked a heated debate online, we knew we had to dedicate an entire episode to it. This week, we're unpacking the history of "lesbian bed death"—where the term came from, why many researchers now reject it, and whether it's time for queer women to reclaim it altogether. We talk about intimacy, consent, long-term relationships, aging, emotional connection, and why comparing queer relationships to heteronormative standards misses the point entirely. Whether you're in a decades-long partnership or just moved in together, this is one of our most thoughtful (and funniest) Tea Time conversations yet. Why You'll Love This Episode This isn't just a conversation about sex—it's a conversation about how queer relationships are often misunderstood. Jaimie and Dianni challenge decades of assumptions, share personal experiences from opposite ends of long-term relationships, and ultimately ask a bigger question: What if we've been measuring intimacy all wrong? 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Dianni is Jaimie’s friend, fellow queer human, and co-host of Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni, a short-form bonus series featuring casual, unfiltered conversations about their very different queer little lives. Together, they spill the tea on what’s happening behind the scenes, compare notes across generations and life stages, and talk about the things that don’t always make it into a regular episode of The Queer Family Podcast. Funny, curious, and always ready to ask the follow-up question, Dianni helps turn Tea Time into the kind of conversation that feels like eavesdropping on two friends catching up. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Tea Time: What Comes After Cancer? | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:17:45 | |
Anne has officially finished her final cancer treatment. In this special Tea Time episode, Jaimie sits down with her pal Dianni for an honest conversation about what comes next for her family after a year and a half of chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation, targeted treatment, and caregiving. Jaimie talks about how cancer changed their family, what it was like watching their children navigate the journey, rebuilding intimacy after illness, and the unexpected routines that helped her stay grounded through it all. It's a quieter, more vulnerable conversation than usual—one about hope, healing, and finding your way forward after surviving something life-changing 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Dianni is Jaimie’s friend, fellow queer human, and co-host of Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni, a short-form bonus series featuring casual, unfiltered conversations about their very different queer little lives. Together, they spill the tea on what’s happening behind the scenes, compare notes across generations and life stages, and talk about the things that don’t always make it into a regular episode of The Queer Family Podcast. Funny, curious, and always ready to ask the follow-up question, Dianni helps turn Tea Time into the kind of conversation that feels like eavesdropping on two friends catching up. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Secret Test I Give Every Podcast Guest | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:09:29 | |
What really happens behind the scenes of The Queer Family Podcast? 👀 In this special preview of Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni, Jaimie is spilling the tea on podcast guest pet peeves, the secret ways she can tell whether someone pitching themselves for the show has actually listened, and what happens when people come on with an agenda of their own. Yes, there are secret tests. Yes, Jaimie knows when you’ve only watched a few social clips. And yes… she has feelings. 😬 This is just a preview. Listen to the full episode—and binge more short, fun, unfiltered Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni episodes—on the exclusive subscriber feed or Patreon. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Secret Test I Give Every Podcast Guest | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:16:51 | |
Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni is a subscriber-only bonus series where Jaimie and her friend Dianni sit down for short, fun, unfiltered conversations about their very different queer little lives. It’s casual, behind-the-scenes, and a little messy—in the best way. This week, the tea is hot. ☕️ Jaimie and Dianni are pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes of The Queer Family Podcast—from the secret ways Jaimie can tell whether a potential guest has actually listened to the show to people who come on just to push their wares, and one particularly frustrating mansplaining interview. Jaimie opens up about what it takes to produce the show, why she feels so protective of her audience, and what happens when a guest confidently pushes back with information she knows isn’t right. Plus: the very specific question hiding in Jaimie’s guest questionnaire that tells her almost everything she needs to know. 👀 Short, messy, unfiltered, and a little feisty. Just how Tea Time should be. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Dianni is Jaimie’s friend, fellow queer human, and co-host of Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni, a short-form bonus series featuring casual, unfiltered conversations about their very different queer little lives. Together, they spill the tea on what’s happening behind the scenes, compare notes across generations and life stages, and talk about the things that don’t always make it into a regular episode of The Queer Family Podcast. Funny, curious, and always ready to ask the follow-up question, Dianni helps turn Tea Time into the kind of conversation that feels like eavesdropping on two friends catching up. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| They Raised a Family While Hiding Their Love | The Rainbow Aunties | 29 Jun 2026 | 01:00:03 | |
Wilma and Marilyn—better known as The Rainbow Aunties—have loved each other for more than four decades. But for much of that time, they couldn't live openly as a couple. In this moving conversation, they share how they fell in love in college while Marilyn was in a relationship with a man, why they spent years hiding their relationship, and how military policies, religion, fear, and the threat of losing their children shaped every decision they made. Despite every obstacle, they quietly built a family together, raised two daughters, became grandparents, and eventually found the courage to tell the world the truth about their love. This episode is a powerful reminder that Pride exists because generations before us fought simply to love openly. Wilma and Marilyn's story is one of resilience, sacrifice, family, and a love that never let go. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Wilma and Marilyn, known online as @therainbowaunties_, are authors, content creators, grandparents, and longtime advocates for LGBTQ visibility. Together for more than forty years, they share stories about love, aging, family, and queer history with warmth, humor, and honesty. Through their social media and their memoir, From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow, they remind people of every generation that it's never too late to live authentically. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Known Donors, IVF & One Very Special Embryo | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:56:47 | |
When Calypso and her wife Nat decided to start their family, they never imagined the twists and turns ahead. From navigating the UK's fertility system and searching for a known donor to traveling internationally for IVF, their journey was filled with unexpected setbacks, difficult decisions, and more than a few emotional rollercoasters. In this episode, Calypso shares how one embryo became one pregnancy, the health challenges that changed their plans, and the lessons they learned about resilience, trust, and queer family building along the way. It's a hopeful, honest conversation about what it takes to create a family—and why sometimes the path that unfolds isn't the one you originally planned. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Calypso Barnum-Bobb is a queer creator, storyteller, and founder of Mother Calypso, a platform documenting her and her wife Nat's journey to parenthood. Through honest and heartfelt content, she shares the realities of queer family building, fertility treatment, donor conception, and the emotional highs and lows that come with creating a family. Based in London, Calypso is also the co-founder of People Like Us Retreats, which creates transformative retreat experiences for queer women, trans, and non-binary people around the world. Her work centers on visibility, community, and helping LGBTQIA+ people feel less alone in their journeys. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Closeted Mormons to Gay Dads of Three | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:48:58 | |
Jake and Sean never expected a conversation on Grindr to lead to marriage, parenthood, and three kids at once. Raised in conservative Mormon families, both men spent years trying to reconcile their faith with their sexuality. In this episode, they share how they met while still closeted, fell in love while trying to "find wives," navigated coming out, left the LDS church, and eventually built their family through surrogacy. They also open up about pregnancy loss, the emotional realities of family building, and the unforgettable moment they learned they weren't having one baby—or even two—but triplets. It's a beautiful conversation about faith, love, resilience, and creating the family you once thought was impossible. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Jake and Sean are Utah-based dads to triplets, former Mormons, real estate professionals, and LGBTQ+ family advocates. Through their social media platform, @daddiestothree, they share the joys, challenges, and everyday realities of raising triplets while helping normalize queer families for millions of viewers. Their story of faith, love, surrogacy, and parenthood has inspired families around the world.. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Queer Parents, Preteens & Puberty with José Rolón | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:24:46 | |
The babies aren't babies anymore. In this candid conversation, Jaimie sits down with returning guest and friend José Rolón (NYC Gay Dad) to talk about parenting preteens and teenagers as LGBTQ+ parents. From puberty and emotional regulation to first crushes, social media, and navigating the outside world's assumptions about queer families, this episode explores what changes—and what stays the same—as our kids get older. Jaimie and José share honest stories about raising confident kids, keeping communication open during the middle school years, helping children navigate questions about their families, and finding humor in the chaos of parenting adolescents. They also discuss what it's like when your family exists in the public eye and how to empower kids to feel proud of who they are and where they come from. Because it turns out building the family was only the beginning. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) José Rolón is the creator of NYC Gay Dad, an author, advocate, and one of the most recognizable voices in LGBTQ+ parenting. As a father of three teenagers, José has spent years sharing the realities of queer family life, fatherhood, and raising confident, compassionate children. He is also Jaimie's co-host on Love, Take Two, the podcast celebrating life's second acts and proving that sometimes the sequel really is better than the original. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Raising Donor-Conceived Kids With Honesty and Pride | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:36:58 | |
In Part 2 of the conversation with donor conception expert, author, therapist, and podcaster Lisa Schuman, Jaimie flips the roles and asks the questions, diving deep into donor conception, queer family building, and the emotional realities of parenting in donor-conceived families. Drawing from decades of experience in reproductive medicine, Lisa shares what research reveals about communication openness, why honesty with donor-conceived children matters so deeply, and how LGBTQ+ families have helped shape the conversation around intentional parenting. The conversation explores internalized homophobia, non-biological parenting, genetics, identity, and the fears many queer parents quietly carry. It is an affirming and thoughtful discussion about trust, openness, and the many valid ways families are created. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Lisa Schuman is a therapist, author, adoption and donor conception expert, and the founder of the Center for Family Building. She is the co-author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception and host of the podcast Building Your Family with Lisa Schuman. Lisa has spent decades helping individuals and couples navigate infertility, donor conception, adoption, and the emotional complexities of family building. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Donor Conception, Pride & Intentional Parenting | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:40:22 | |
Jaimie sits down with therapist, author, podcaster, and donor conception expert Lisa Schuman. Lisa turns the mic on Jaimie as they explore the origins of The Queer Family Podcast, the emotional realities of donor conception, the fears many queer parents carry around biological connection, and why queer families are some of the most intentional families out there. They also discuss humor, resilience, Pride, and the importance of showing up for the entire LGBTQIA+ community right now. They also discuss:
🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Lisa Schuman is a therapist, author, adoption and donor conception expert, and the founder of the Center for Family Building. She is the co-author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception and host of the podcast Building Your Family with Lisa Schuman. Lisa has spent decades helping individuals and couples navigate infertility, donor conception, adoption, and the emotional complexities of family building. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Love, Transition & Parenthood with Jake and Hannah Graf | 08 Jun 2026 | 01:02:41 | |
Jaimie and special co-host José Rolón (@nycgaydad) sit down with married couple Jake and Hannah Graf — authors, advocates, and parents of two — to talk about love, transition, intentional family building, and the beautiful chaos of parenting. Jake shares why he chose to pause testosterone and create embryos years before meeting Hannah, while Hannah opens up about transitioning while serving in the British Army and believing she’d never experience love or parenthood. Together, they talk about finding each other, navigating surrogacy as a trans couple, becoming parents during the height of the COVID lockdowns, and the powerful realization that biology is only one small piece of what makes a family. They also discuss:
This conversation is funny, emotional, deeply affirming, and a reminder that queer families don’t just exist — we thrive. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Jake Graf is a filmmaker, writer, actor, and director based in London. A longtime advocate for trans visibility and LGBTQ+ families, Jake has worked extensively in film and television and is passionate about telling authentic queer stories. Hannah Graf is a former British Army officer, public speaker, and advocate for trans inclusion. After becoming one of the first openly trans officers in the British Army, Hannah has used her platform to champion visibility, inclusion, and family representation. Together, Jake and Hannah are parents to two daughters and co-authors of the children’s book The Silly Frilly Dress, a story about self-expression, identity, and allowing kids to be exactly who they are. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Known Donor, Reciprocal IVF & Three Kids Later | Vanessa & Jory | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:51:37 | |
Vanessa and Jory of @modernfamilynextdoor join the Pride Extravaganza to share their journey from closeted college classmates to raising three children together. They open up about religious shame, coming out to family, known donor conception, reciprocal IVF, difficult pregnancies, and the emotional realities of non-bio parenting in queer families. This conversation is funny, vulnerable, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating LGBTQ family building. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Vanessa and Jory are the creators behind @modernfamilynextdoor where they share the realities of raising a queer family online with honesty, humor, and heart. Through their content, Vanessa and Jory have become a source of visibility and representation for other LGBTQ+ families navigating similar journeys. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Real Dads Carry Their Babies: Two Trans Dads Build a Family | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:39:50 | |
Chase and Oliver share their journey to becoming parents as two trans dads navigating IVF, pregnancy, identity, and queer family building. The couple opens up about meeting as lesbians before both later coming out as trans, deciding who would carry, stopping testosterone to conceive, navigating failed IUIs, finding the right donor, and ultimately becoming pregnant through IVF. They also discuss trans visibility, redefining masculinity, pregnancy dysphoria, chest feeding, queer travel, and what it means to raise a child in today’s political climate. It’s a deeply honest, funny, and hopeful conversation about intentional parenthood and building a family on your own terms. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Chase and Oliver are trans dads, content creators, and queer travel advocates based in the Chicago area who document LGBTQ-friendly destinations and community spaces through their platform, @explorewithchase. In this episode, they share their journey to parenthood — from transitioning together after first meeting as lesbians, to navigating donor conception, IVF, pregnancy after testosterone, and what it means to redefine fatherhood and masculinity as they prepare to welcome their first child. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors California Cryobank Use code QUEERFAM26 for a free level 3 subscription to their donor catalogue! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our websit 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni: Moving In Together, ADHD Messiness & Lesbian Relationship Fears | 25 May 2026 | 00:21:20 | |
Episode Summary (Podcast Apps) Dianni is spiraling a little… because she and her girlfriend are talking about moving in together. 😅 In this Tea Time episode, Jaimie and Dianni get real about lesbian U-Hauling, commitment anxiety, ADHD messiness, relationship fears, and what actually happens when your life starts getting more serious. From clutter fights and “where does this belong?” energy to deeper conversations about intimacy, long-term partnership, and building a life together, this episode is basically queer couples therapy… but funny. Also: Jaimie accidentally becomes the queer fairy godmother again. Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni is our new Patreon bonus series — and for the next two weeks, we’re giving everyone a free taste before these episodes disappear behind the paywall on June 1st. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Jaimie & Dianni Spill the Tea: Gay Cruises, Gay Dads & Gay Chaos | 18 May 2026 | 00:16:04 | |
Episode Summary (Podcast Apps) Welcome to Tea Time with Jaimie & Dianni — a brand new bonus series from The Queer Family Podcast. For the next two weeks leading up to the Pride Extravaganza, we’re giving listeners a free taste of the Patreon-exclusive chaos before these episodes disappear behind the paywall on June 1st. In this first episode, Jaimie gives us a brutally honest recap of the recent gay family cruise she went on. From lesbian vs. gay boy energy to cruise culture, parenting exhaustion, queer community dynamics, and all the chaos in between — nothing is off limits. This episode is free on the main feed for a limited time before the series moves exclusively to Patreon on June 1st. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
• The new Tea Time series will move exclusively to Patreon after June 1st. 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Raised by Two Moms: Zach Wahls on LGBTQ Families, Advocacy & Running for Senate | 11 May 2026 | 00:42:13 | |
What happens when a kid from a queer family chooses to stand up and defend his family in front of lawmakers? Zach Wahls—author, advocate, and Iowa State Senator—first made national headlines as a teenager when he spoke out in support of his two moms during a marriage equality hearing. The moment went viral and helped shift the conversation around LGBTQ+ families. But this conversation goes far beyond that speech. Zach shares what it was really like growing up with two moms in the Midwest—from navigating homophobia in school to the fear of speaking up, including the moment he stayed silent as a kid and how that experience shaped his path into advocacy. The conversation also explores the intentionality behind queer family building, how parents can support their kids in finding their own voice (without forcing them into advocacy), and what it means to grow up in a family that’s often politicized. Now running for U.S. Senate, Zach also speaks to what’s at stake in the current political moment—and why this fight still matters. This episode is about courage, timing, and finding your voice—when you’re ready. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it—and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review The Queer Family Podcast to help more families find these stories. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Zach Wahls is an Iowa State Senator, author, and nationally recognized advocate for LGBTQ+ families. Raised by two moms, he first gained national attention for his viral 2011 testimony in support of marriage equality. Today, he continues his advocacy through public service and is currently running for the U.S. Senate. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Unexpected Pregnancy to Known Donor RIVF: A Queer Family Building & IVF Journey | 04 May 2026 | 00:33:29 | |
Kaya Colin—therapist, couples coach, and parent of two—shares a deeply layered journey through identity, belonging, and queer family building. From an unexpected first pregnancy that challenged how others saw their queerness, to navigating single parenthood, to falling in love with their transmasculine partner and building their second child through reciprocal IVF—this story is complex, resilient, and deeply honest. We unpack what it means to feel “not queer enough,” the emotional toll of fertility journeys, and how to stay connected to your partner through identity shifts and everything that comes with building a family. Kaya also shares their decision to use a known donor, how they talk to their kids about their origin stories, and why their family is preparing to leave the U.S. in search of safety and alignment. This is a conversation about redefining family, reclaiming identity, and choosing your path—even when it doesn’t fit into anyone else’s box. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Kaya Colin (she/they) is a queer, non-binary therapist, couples coach, and founder of The Relational Compass. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Kaya specializes in helping couples navigate transitions, connection, and communication through a neuroscience-informed, relational approach. They are a parent of two and bring both professional expertise and lived experience to their work—particularly when it comes to relationships, identity, and family building within the LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Two Dads, Three Years of Adoption, and a Surrogacy Miracle | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:57:26 | |
What happens when the path you thought you were on… just doesn’t work out? This week, we’re talking to Phil and Jonathan—two dads who spent three years in the adoption process before realizing it might not be how they’d build their family. We get into everything: the waiting, the emotional toll, the near misses, and what it’s like navigating a system that isn’t exactly built for queer families. And then—everything shifted. From choosing an egg donor to an unexpected offer from a best friend to become their gestational carrier, their story is a powerful reminder that queer family building rarely follows a straight line. We also talk about what it really means to intentionally choose parenthood as a queer couple—and how different that process is from the “let’s see what happens” approach many straight couples get to take. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about your path to parenthood… this episode is for you. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Phil is an eight-time published author who writes queer young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as children’s books—including Little Golden Book biographies of icons like Billy Porter, Judy Garland, and Liza Minnelli. Jonathan is a luxury wedding planner based in New York City, where he works with couples to create intentional, high-end celebrations that reflect who they are. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families: The “Do We Want Kids?” Conversation | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:49:14 | |
Dianni Hall—queer Latina, former full-time traveler, and Jaimie’s new assistant producer on The Queer Family Podcast(!) —joins us for a conversation that starts with queer family life and dating… and turns into a very real discussion about queer parenting, LGBTQ+ families, and whether or not to have kids at all. We talk about LGBTQ parenting, intentional relationships, and what it means to build a life outside the traditional path—plus the very real questions that come up when you’re part of LGBTQ families thinking about the future. This is one of those gay podcast stories that is equal parts hilarious, chaotic, and deeply honest. Biggest Takeaway? When you don’t have a blueprint, you get to build your life on purpose. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Dianni Hall is a queer Latina, podcast producer, and former full-time traveler who spent six years backpacking around the world. She previously hosted the podcast While She’s Away, where she shared stories of solo female and queer travel. She now works behind the scenes on The Queer Family Podcast and Love, Take Two—and is officially stepping out from behind the curtain. 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Co-produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Queer Family Life, IVF & LGBTQ+ Parenting—And Why It All Feels So Hard Right Now | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:52:39 | |
Robin Maril—law professor, former Human Rights Campaign attorney, and host of A Queer Guide to Saving Democracy—joins us for a conversation that starts with queer family life and IVF… and expands into what’s happening in the U.S. right now. We talk about LGBTQ+ families, donor conception, and parenting in the LGBTQ+ community—plus the real LGBTQ+ family challenges that come with raising kids in today’s political climate. This is one of those gay podcast stories that holds both the deeply personal and the very real. Biggest Takeaway? Raise good kids. Stay engaged. Be a Care Bear. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Robin Maril is a law professor, former Human Rights Campaign attorney, and host of A Queer Guide to Saving Democracy. She lives in Portland with her wife and their two kids and has spent her career working on LGBTQ+ rights and policy. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| A Very Real Family Update | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:13:29 | |
This week’s episode is a little different—and very real. When a scheduled guest wasn’t ready to share their story, Jaimie and her wife Anne stepped in for an impromptu, unfiltered check-in on their own lives. Recorded in the middle of family chaos (kids awake past bedtime, dog whining, one shared mic…), this episode is exactly what queer family life actually looks like behind the scenes. They open up about Anne’s breast cancer journey—from diagnosis in December 2024 through chemo, surgery, radiation, and ongoing targeted treatment—and where things stand now: finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s honest, messy, funny, and full of love—the kind of conversation that reminds you you’re not alone in the hard stuff. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Foster to Adopt as a Gay Dad: Jameel Mayers’ Path to Parenthood | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:59:52 | |
Jaimie sits down with fellow podcaster Jameel Mayers, host of Fathernetics, to talk about his journey to fatherhood through the foster-to-adopt system. Jameel shares the emotional realities of fostering, the challenges of navigating agencies as a queer couple, and the moment they met their son, Jacob, who would eventually become their forever child. Together, they explore the complexities of trauma-informed parenting, open communication, and raising kids with confidence and self-awareness. The conversation also dives into how queer parents challenge societal norms, why representation matters, and how intentional parenting can shape the next generation. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Jameel Mayers is the host of Fathernetics, a podcast exploring fatherhood through real, honest conversations with dads from all walks of life. Through his platform, he highlights diverse parenting journeys—including adoption, surrogacy, and fostering—while building community and connection among intentional parents. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Surrogacy for Gay Dads: Cost, Ethics & Building a Family | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:54:39 | |
Jaimie sits down with Daniel Berezowsky to talk about his and his husband’s journey to parenthood through surrogacy — and how their work in human rights shaped every step. They share the emotional and financial realities of IVF, choosing an egg donor, and waiting to be matched with a surrogate, along with the surprising lessons they learned along the way — including letting go of assumptions and expanding what family can look like. A thoughtful, honest conversation about queer family building, intention, and hope. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Daniel Berezowsky is a human rights practitioner, writer, and soon-to-be dad who is documenting his journey to parenthood with his husband through his platform, Two Dads to Be. Originally from Mexico and now living in New York City, Daniel brings a thoughtful, human rights-centered approach to family building — asking not just how to become a parent, but how to do it with care, intention, and respect for everyone involved. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Leaving the American Dream: Raising a Trans Daughter and Starting Over in Spain | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:44:34 | |
What happens when the life you built no longer fits who you are — or the world no longer feels safe for your family? In this episode, Jaimie sits down with TJ Shimeld to talk about coming out after marriage, building an unconventional but beautiful co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife, raising a transgender daughter, and ultimately making the life-changing decision to leave the U.S. for Spain. It’s a conversation about identity, reinvention, grief, freedom, LGBTQ family experiences, and what it means to finally build a life that feels aligned. TJ shares how the 2016 election marked the beginning of a deep unraveling of the “American dream” he thought he was supposed to want — and how that unraveling eventually led him, his husband, and his daughter Opal to a more peaceful, affirming life abroad. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) TJ Shimeld is an author, speaker, life coach, and real estate investor currently living in Spain with his husband and daughter. After years of living a life that looked like the “American dream” from the outside, TJ chose a radically different path — one centered on authenticity, healing, and freedom. Today, he helps others navigate transformation, reinvention, and possibility. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Surrogacy, Parentage Orders, and the Legal Side of Queer Family Building | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:51:55 | |
What does it really take to build a family through surrogacy as a same sex couple? In this episode, Jaimie sits down with attorney and dad Alexander Paykin to talk about his family’s surrogacy journey, the many unexpected twists along the way, and the legal realities queer parents need to understand before getting started. Alexander shares how he and his husband chose an egg donor, what surprised them most about the surrogacy process, and why so much of queer family building comes down to preparation, paperwork, and knowing the laws in the right states at the right time. They also get into parentage orders, second-parent adoption, and just how complicated the legal side of having a baby the queer way can be. It’s a conversation full of practical insight, real-life experience, and a powerful reminder that LGBTQ+ parents are some of the most intentional parents out there. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Alexander Paykin is a New York-based attorney and founder of Paykin Law. A gay dad through surrogacy, he brings both legal expertise and personal experience to conversations about the complexities of queer family building. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "We Bought Sperm 4 Months In”: A Trans Dad + Cis Mom’s Donor Conception Story | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:34:51 | |
Robert and Shannon are “two regular degular schmegular queers” who went from friends… to dating… to buying sperm in just a few months (yes, it’s as lesbian as it sounds). In this episode, they share what it looked like to build a family as a cisgender woman and a transgender man, including the realities of trans fertility, the complicated emotions around fertility preservation, and the deeply values-based way they chose a sperm donor: not for height or Ivy League degrees — but for happiness. We also talk about raising a donor-conceived toddler with openness from day one, why donor conception is a “muscle” you build with practice (and books), and the moment their two-year-old asked a question that proved it was all starting to click: “Were you there?” Plus: PCOS, the IUI-to-IVF pivot, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a successful transfer, and what they’re considering as they think about baby #2. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Robert (a trans dad) and Shannon (a cis mom) built their family through donor conception and IVF after years of friendship turned fast-tracked love story. They’re now raising their donor-conceived daughter with openness, intention, and a shared commitment to happiness above all. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Lesbian IVF Journey: From Infertility to Double Donor Twins | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:50:01 | |
Building a family didn’t happen the way same sex parents Sarah and Beth originally imagined. What began as a straightforward plan unfolded into miscarriage, multiple rounds of IUI, IVF, and ultimately the realization that neither of them could use their own eggs. They share what it meant to pivot again and again — and how they ultimately welcomed their 13-year-old twin boys through both an egg donor and a sperm donor. They also talk about approaching donor conception transparency from day one (including Sarah writing her kids a personalized storybook before they were even born), and how puzzles became an unexpected antidote to doomscrolling during politically heavy times — eventually inspiring Artfelt, a puzzle company that commissions and pays LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Sarah Julian is the founder of Artfelt Puzzles, a jigsaw puzzle company that commissions and pays LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists exclusively, combining art, community, and action by putting money directly back into artists’ hands through licensing and revenue share. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Come Out. Make Art. Repeat. | Coming Out Later in Life + Raising a Trans Teen | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:48:46 | |
Jaimie sits down with Hilde Festerling—queer mom, children’s writer, and the creator of the all-ages “barnyard gothic” audio drama podcast The Goat American Novel. Hilde shares the story of coming out later in life, navigating an amicable divorce, and building a creative partnership with her girlfriend. The heart of the episode is how Hilde’s family used storytelling as a literal lifeline: writing and producing a full podcast with her kids (and extended family!) became a sacred space through adolescence, transition, and big family change—while also creating queer representation that can still feel accessible for kids in conservative environments. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the guest(s) Hilde Festering is a children’s writer and storyteller, and the creator of the all-ages “barnyard gothic” podcast The Goat American Novel. Built with an ensemble of family voice actors—including her kids, siblings, ex-husband, girlfriend, and more—the project became both an epic storytelling experiment and a creative family tradition that supported connection through major transitions. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Seven Kids, One Lesbian, and a Graduation Gift of Sperm | 09 Feb 2026 | 01:07:05 | |
Lex Beach is a gay mom of seven kids (ages 8–23), and her LGBTQ family-building story truly covers the waterfront: donor sperm, IUIs, donor sibling connections, parenting through divorce, blended same sex family life, known-donor attempts, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, and ultimately IVF. Lex knew she wanted to be a mom from the jump—and at 22, she got pregnant (the gay way) right after college… with sperm her parents literally bought as a graduation gift. From there, the story only gets bigger: twins, more pregnancies, co-parenting across households, a queer Brady Bunch era, and hard-earned reflections on what helps queer relationships survive the parenting years. Also: Jaimie forgets to hit record (again), records with a sick kid at home (again), and we all learn why favorite animals are somehow always in donor profiles… but braces aren’t. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book ] 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| BONUS EPISODE: Love, Take Two: A Very Special Announcement (with Jose Rolón / @nycgaydad) | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:17:43 | |
We were supposed to be dark this week… but instead, we popped in with a very special bonus episode. In this short, unscripted, slightly chaotic conversation, Jaimie is joined by longtime friend and collaborator Jose Rolón (aka @nycgaydad) to officially announce their brand-new podcast:💥 Love, Take Two 💥This episode, recorded without a producer, without an editor, and without a microphone (sorry in advance), gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how Love, Take Two came to life — from messy recording moments and last-minute decisions to big creative leaps, studio learning curves, and the joy of building something new together. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two podcast hosts try to record an announcement without supervision… this is it. 💖 About Love, Take Two Love, Take Two is a conversation-driven podcast about second acts, fresh starts, and the unexpected turns that lead us exactly where we’re meant to be. From breakups to breakthroughs. From setbacks to comebacks. From “this didn’t go how I planned” to “this is better than I imagined.” There’s a comma in the title on purpose — Love, take two — like a love letter from your present self to your past self, reminding you that it gets better. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
• How this show is a breath of fresh air in heavy times 🏳️🌈 Guests Featured in Season One of Love, Take Two Season One is stacked with artists, creatives, and cultural icons who’ve lived their own “take two” moments, including:
…and more. 💬 Final Note This episode is messy. It’s heartfelt. It’s very on-brand for two people building something new in real time. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s “too late” to start over — this show (and this bonus ep) is for you. Love, Take Two 💖 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jaimie Kelton 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| ARCHIVE: Marie Newman on LGBTQ+ Rights, Trans Advocacy & Fighting Anti-Trans Laws | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:54:15 | |
I’m putting this archived conversation back into the world because, like many of you, I’m feeling overwhelmed, angry, and honestly a bit helpless after the most recent ICE killing of Alex Pretti. When violence like this happens it can feel impossible to know where to put our grief or how to turn it into action. This episode with Marie Newman is a reminder that change doesn’t come from waiting to feel less scared—it comes from people who decide to show up anyway. Marie has gone the distance, personally and politically, and hearing from someone who has fought these fights before feels grounding right now. I hope it does for you too. ARCHIVED EPISODE: Marie Newman isn’t just an advocate—she’s a fighter. As a former Congresswoman from Illinois, she took on big fights for LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare equity, gun reform, and more. But her mission became personal when her daughter came out as transgender, propelling her even deeper into the fight for equality. In this episode, Marie shares her unexpected path to Congress, the struggles of passing meaningful legislation, and why she refuses to back down—even as anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric ramps up across the U.S. and beyond. She also opens up about her family’s journey, the reality of raising a trans child in today’s political climate, and what we can all do to push back against the attacks on our rights. 🔥 Nobody is coming to save us—we have to be the ones to step up. 🔥 🏳️🌈 🏳️🌈 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content & help keep these stories alive! 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways 🏳️🌈 ✔️ How Marie’s fight for LGBTQ+ rights began—and why she made it her mission ]✔️ Her journey to Congress & the challenges of passing real change ✔️ Raising a trans child & navigating the medical & legal system ✔️ The dangerous rollback of trans rights & DEI policies ✔️ How to get involved and push back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation 🏳️🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️🌈 Marie Newman is a former U.S. Congresswoman from Illinois who built a career fighting for marginalized communities. Before politics, she worked in marketing, anti-bullying activism, and women’s rights advocacy. She’s also the author of A Life Made From Scratch, a powerful memoir about her journey. As the mother of a trans daughter, Marie has dedicated her career to creating a more inclusive world. 📖 Preorder her book, "A Life Made From Scratch," here 🏳️🌈🎧 Loved this episode? Leave a review & support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content! 🏳️🌈 💬 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email at thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 📲 Let’s Connect! Follow us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈🎥 Watch & Listen: 📺 Watch full video episodes on YouTube 📖 Order the #ITOCT book on Amazon, IndieBound, or Audible 🎶 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🎵 Theme song by: Tiffany Topol 🎨 Logo art by: Daneen Stevenato 🛍️ 🏳️🌈Put your activism into action 🗳️ Vote, donate, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights 📢 Call your representatives—let them know we won’t stand for discrimination 💡 Educate yourself & others on policies affecting our community History is watching. What we do now matters. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. While we chat with amazing organizations, The Queer Family Podcast isn’t responsible for any decisions or actions taken by listeners based on the content of the show. Always consult with a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Trans Dad Shares Journey of Self-Discovery and Parenthood | 19 Jan 2026 | 00:49:11 | |
ARCHIVE (Recorded in 2024): Meet Shawndeez, a non-binary trans dad who shares their journey towards self-discovery and parenthood. Shawndeez discusses the challenges they faced as a queer and trans individual, their decision to pursue IVF and egg retrieval, and the importance of unconditional love in the parent-child relationship. Shawndeez also talks about their work supporting parents of trans children and the need for compassionate guidance in navigating the complexities of gender identity. Tune in for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️🌈 With a PhD in Gender Studies from UCLA, Shawndeez is not only thoroughly literate in topics surrounding gender and sexuality but also applies this knowledge to real-world contexts. As a trans-parent who has navigated personal and social transformations, Shawndeez now dedicates a significant portion of their work to supporting parents of trans children, helping to bridge gaps in understanding and fostering love and acceptance within families. If you loved this conversation, share it with someone who needs it — especially a parent, grandparent, or loved one who’s trying to learn how to better support the trans young person in their life. And if you want to support the show, check out the Patreon: patreon.com/thequeerfamilypodcast. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors! 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned
🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| ARCHIVAL: Children’s Equality in Ireland with Ranae von Meding | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:47:08 | |
This episode was recorded in 2020 and originally released under the show’s former name, If These Ovaries Could Talk. While Ranae von Meding’s family life may look a bit different today, the laws in Ireland have not meaningfully changed—and many same-sex parents are still fighting for full legal recognition and protection for their children. At eight months pregnant, Ranae von Meding learned a shocking truth: after the birth of her child, her wife Audrey would not be legally recognized as a parent under Irish law—even though they were married, and even though Audrey is the genetic parent. In this archival episode (recorded in 2020), Ranae shares how she and Audrey built their family through reciprocal IVF abroad, the exhausting workarounds required when care isn’t fully accessible at home, and why Irish law has left many LGBTQ+ families in precarious legal territory. She also explains what it looks like to fight back—through advocacy, organizing, and Equality for Children, a campaign centered on one core message: this is about children’s rights. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️🌈
🗂️ Archival Note This episode was originally released under the show’s former name. Audio quality, sponsor ads, and cultural context reflect the time in which it was recorded. 🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsors! 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Resources Mentioned 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Edit Audio 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| ARCHIVAL: Shipping Fresh Sperm Can Work! | 05 Jan 2026 | 00:56:02 | |
This episode originally aired back when the show was called If These Ovaries Could Talk, hosted by Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins — before the show evolved into The Queer Family Podcast. Over the years, I’ve had countless listeners reach out asking the same thing: “Can you connect me with Emily and Sara? I want to learn how they shipped fresh sperm.” So I’m resurfacing this conversation because yes — it can work. And since this episode first aired, Emily and Sara have helped many others create their families using the same method. In this archival episode, Emily and Sara share the truly unforgettable story of how they made a baby by shipping fresh sperm to Northern Canada, using test yolk buffer, precise temperature control, and the kind of coordination that can only come from a very committed family — including Sara’s brother Justin, one of her quadruplet siblings and their known donor. Between COVID travel restrictions, cargo flights to remote communities, DIY temperature experiments, and more than a few logistical curveballs, this episode is equal parts educational, funny, stressful, and deeply hopeful. 🗂️ Archival Note This episode was originally released under the show’s former name. Audio quality, sponsor ads, and cultural context reflect the time in which it was recorded. 🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
🏳️🌈 About the Guest(s) 🏳️🌈
🏳️🌈 Legal & Parentage (Canada-Specific)🏳️🌈 Emily and Sara discuss working with a lawyer to create a known donor agreement, and navigating province-by-province differences in parentage laws. Requirements vary, and they emphasize the importance of understanding local regulations. 🏳️🌈 Sponsors (Original Air Date) 🏳️🌈 This episode originally included ads for TUSHY, First Republic Bank, and Storyworth. 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| ARCHIVAL: What Does Pride Mean to You? | 29 Dec 2025 | 00:22:55 | |
As we head into a new year, we’re revisiting a very special episode — and carrying those Pride vibes forward with us. This episode originally aired as the finale of our very first Pride Extravaganza, where all month long (and a little beyond) we doubled up on Queer Family goodness with incredible guests and powerful stories. For this grand finale, I asked every single Pride Extravaganza guest one simple but loaded question: What does Pride mean to you? What you’ll hear is a moving compilation — a beautiful quilt of voices reflecting on Pride as visibility, self-love, family, community, resistance, joy, responsibility, and hope. These answers will absolutely give you the feels. Let this episode be your reminder as we move forward together: Pride is every day. Stay proud of who you are. Stay proud of your differences. Stay proud of your uniqueness. And keep showing up — unapologetically. We’re here. We’re queer. We make families. And we make beautiful, intentional families. Happy Pride — always. 🌈✨ This episode originally aired as Season 12, Episode 13, closing out the show’s first-ever Pride Extravaganza. Audio quality, format, and language reflect the time it was recorded. 🏳️🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/ 🏳️🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||