If These Ovaries Could Talk

Jaimie sits down with Liam—a Scottish-born, England-based gay dad—who shares the winding road he and his husband took to adopt their daughter through the UK’s foster-to-adopt system. From intense evaluations to surprise newborn pick-up calls, this story is filled with love, bureaucracy, and a whole lot of intention.You’ll hear how growing up under Section 28 shaped Liam’s identity, how he and his husband made the decision to adopt, and why they ultimately said yes to early permanence—despite the risks. It’s a moving, insightful story that shows just how badass LGBTQIA+ parents are.

Caitlyn, one half of @2ladiesand2babies on social media joins Jaimie to talk all things queer parenting, social media, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ visibility. From hilarious parenting fails to the not-so-funny rise of online hate, they dive into how social media has shifted for queer creators in today's political climate. They also discuss second-parent adoption, why legal protection is a must for LGBTQ+ families, and how to handle the trolls that come with being openly queer online.This is a fun and heartfelt conversation between two gay moms who are just trying to raise good humans—while also dealing with a lot of ridiculousness from their kids (and the internet).

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.

Heather grew up in the Bible Belt as the daughter of a gay man and a pastor’s granddaughter, suppressing her truth for years. She married a man, started a family, and did everything ‘right’—until, at 38, she realized she was a lesbian… while on a literal therapy call in the closet. Now, she’s untangling decades of religious trauma, reclaiming her identity, and proving that it’s never too late to live your truth.

Jaimie sits down with gender diversity expert Rachel Hulstein-Lowe to talk about raising transgender and non-binary kids in today’s political climate. Rachel, a parent of a non-binary child, shares insights on the impact of anti-trans legislation, generational shifts in understanding gender, and how parents can advocate for their kids. She also opens up about her own family’s history—her father came out in the Midwest during the AIDS crisis—and how the stigma against gay people then mirrors today’s attacks on the trans community. This episode is all about love, resilience, and the power of community in the face of discrimination.

As the U.S. ramps up its attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights, it’s hard not to see the parallels with Italy and other conservative countries tightening their grip on queer families. The Queer Family Podcast dives into this reality with Giuseppe, a single gay dad who built his family through surrogacy in the U.S.—something he could never have done in his home country of Italy, where surrogacy and adoption for queer parents are outright banned.Despite these barriers, Giuseppe persevered, proving once again that LGBTQIA+ folks will always find a way to thrive. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, chosen family, and the unbreakable spirit of queer parents everywhere. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation about the global fight for family equality and how, no matter what laws are thrown at us, we will keep pushing forward.

Jaimie shares a heartwarming conversation with Sophie and Agnese from London, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of queer families. They detail navigating the NHS fertility system, selecting a sperm donor, and the emotional challenges faced during the process, including a sperm shipment fiasco, a miscarriage, and a couple of womb switches along the way. Through perseverance and adaptability, their journey ultimately leads to a successful pregnancy. Tune in for an inspiring testament to love, determination, and the beautiful complexities of LGBTQIA family-making.

Jaimie sits down with Caitlin, a lesbian mom who, alongside her wife Ashley, spent six years navigating the path to parenthood with a known donor. They dive into the complexities of donor relationships, legal agreements, and the unexpected yet beautiful involvement of the donor’s parents as paternal grandparents. Caitlin shares her experiences with different insemination methods, medical challenges, and the profound joy of growing their family. This episode offers an honest and insightful look at the many layers of building a family within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Jaimie welcomes Sarah and Tamara to discuss their journey as queer moms and grandmothers, exploring the complexities of known donor conception, non-biological parenting, and how gender norms influence body image. Sarah shares her personal experience with the BRCA gene and the emotional journey of breast removal, offering diverse perspectives on body identity and self-expression. Together, they emphasize the importance of open conversations about gender and representation. The episode also highlights their documentary, Not Quite That, and its role in sparking meaningful dialogue within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Jaimie interviews Elle Moxley, founder of the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, to discuss the ongoing fight for gender-affirming care and trans rights amidst political regressions. With a new administration coming into the White House, this timely conversation underscores the urgent need for community support, visibility, and action in combating hate and protecting transgender individuals. Elle shares insights on fostering collaborative solidarity and provides valuable resources for building stronger, more inclusive communities. This episode focuses on the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community and offers hope and guidance for navigating these challenging times.

Replay Alert: Originally Aired 2023 Jaimie and guest co-host Tom dive into the complexities of known donor dynamics in queer parenting, featuring insights from guests Marea and Ray, midwives sharing their personal journeys. Explore the intricacies of donor selection, legal agreements, and family integration. Marea and Ray discuss their unique conception stories and how supportive community structures like midwifery can enhance the childbirth and postpartum experience. Discover how their shared experiences led to the collaborative development of their book, "Baby Making for Everybody," offering guidance for LGBTQ and solo parents navigating family building.

Replay Alert: Originally Aired 2020 This episode first aired in 2020, back when the show was called If These Ovaries Could Talk, co-hosted with Jaimie’s co-founder, Robin Hopkins. With the new changes coming to government, Gena Jaffe’s work with Connecting Rainbows is more important than ever.In this episode, Gena shares her journey using reciprocal IVF to create her family and how that experience inspired her to found Connecting Rainbows. Her organization helps LGBTQ folks navigate starting, growing, and protecting their families. This conversation is just as relevant today as it was when it first aired. Tune in and learn how Connecting Rainbows continues to make an impact!

Join Derek and Romaine of The DNR Show for a festive bonus holiday episode featuring special guest Jaimie!

Jaimie chats with Aiden, a trans dad, about embracing differences, self-discovery, and building his family—first as a solo parent and later in a polyamorous relationship. They dive into sperm donation with a known donor, IVF, pregnancy loss, and the importance of connection, community, and representation. Aiden also shares his dream of starting a podcast for trans parents.

Jaimie welcomes Lamia to the to discuss zir journey of embracing gender fluidity and using Ze/Zem pronouns. They explore Lamia's experiences navigating parenthood as both a biological and non-biological parent within a queer and multi-ethnic context. Lamia shares personal stories, including the challenges and joys of raising children with known donors, the importance of energetic healing through acupuncture, and the impact of losing close relatives. This episode offers an intimate look into queer family dynamics, gender identity, and community support.

Katie tells Jaimie about how she went from not wanting kids to ending up with 10 of them. As a queer mom who built her family through fostering and adoption, Katie shares her journey of embracing a queer identity while married to a man, and navigating the unique challenges of parenting a big family. Together, they dive into themes of love, chosen family, and the deep connections that come with fostering and adoption. Katie also talks about her work with Camp Quest, a summer camp dedicated to critical thinking and inclusion. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about creating safe spaces and empowering young minds.

Jaimie revisits her birth story, originally shared on the podcast when it was called "If These Ovaries Could Talk." Celebrating over seven years of normalizing LGBTQIA family narratives, Jamie reflects on how her expectations of an idyllic birth experience were upended, a metaphor she connects to the current socio-political climate and the Thanksgiving week. After years of unexplained infertility, Jaimie finally got pregnant. One would think that would mean she was due an easy birth. But one would be wrong for thinking that. From birth to busted boobs. Hear how her second child made his way into the world.

Megan and Greyson join Jaimie to talk about their journey to parenthood. They discuss using a known donor, at-home insemination with a Frida Fertility kit, and navigating family planning as an LGBTQIA couple in Florida’s challenging political climate. Megan highlights disability representation in parenting, while Grayson shares stories of his transition and military service, offering a powerful narrative of love, resilience, and identity.

Join Jaimie for an inspiring episode with Aspen and Eren, exploring LGBTQIA+ family dynamics, gender identity, and inclusive parenting. Aspen shares their journey from wanting to parent solo to finding love with Eren and choosing a known donor. Eren discusses their non-binary identity and the challenges of authentic, supportive parenting in a society slow to embrace fluidity. This episode highlights resilience, love, and the importance of representation for LGBTQIA+ families and future generations.

Jaimie and guest S. Bear Bergman delve into love, family, and LGBTQIA identity against the backdrop of the 2024 political climate. Bear shares his journey from coming out at 15 to 35+ years of activism and parenting as a queer, trans parent. He opens up about the joys and challenges of inclusive parenting, co-parenting with a known donor, and living progressive values. Bear also introduces his new book, Special Topics in Being a Parent, packed with insights for inclusive parenting. Tune in for a heartfelt, hopeful, and humorous look at modern queer family life.