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PODCAST

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer Family Planning & Creation

"becoming babyREADY" is a Queer-centred podcast exploring the journeys of 2SLGBTQIA+ family creation. Through conversations with Queer parents and professionals, we dive into what it takes to build intentional families — from legal and financial prep to emotional support and hands-on care. Rooted in Canada and reaching around the world, these stories offer insight, inspiration, and community for anyone growing their family with pride.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

00:42:36

Reproductive Law, Rights, and Reform with Sara Cohen...

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/11/13

When it comes to family creation, the legal side can feel overwhelming — but Toronto-based fertility lawyer Sara Cohen has made it her mission to change that.Sara works with intended parents, donors, surrogates, and agencies to help make family-building possible — and she’s also one of the most respected voices advocating for modern, inclusive updates to reproductive law in Canada and beyond.In this episode, Sara and I dive into the world of fertility law, reproductive rights, and the importance of

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00:42:01

Stef Vachon of "Together Moving Forward" chats with...

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/11/06

A Divine Future — Stef Vachon’s Journey to Fatherhood✨ Sometimes, you hold onto the dream of becoming a parent… until the years pass and you gently let that dream go. That was true for Stef Vachon and his husband — until one unexpected moment changed everything.After years focused on their careers and relationship, one movie night set a new path in motion. Within 24 hours, they made the life-changing decision to begin their foster-to-adopt journey. ✨More than two years later, they met the child who

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00:56:32

Jameel Mayers of Fathernetics chats with becoming...

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/10/30

Meet Jameel—a dad, podcaster, author, and all-around powerhouse. He and his husband Nicholas have been together for 22 years, and eight years ago, they began their foster-to-adopt journey, welcoming their now 12-year-old son into their lives.In our chat, Jameel opens up about the raw vulnerability of navigating the foster care system in Arizona, and what it really meant to open their hearts and home.But that’s not all—Jameel also hosts the podcast Fathernetics, where he dives into modern Queer

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00:59:13

Rowan & Dani of Understory Cafe chat with becoming...

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/10/23

✨ Chances are Rowan Jette Knox + Dani Gaede have already touched your Queer life — through their words, their work, or their fierce advocacy.I had the honour of sitting down with them to talk life, love, family, and the BIG dreams they’re cooking up next.Between the two of them, they’ve written powerful books, driven DEI initiatives, slayed in marketing, and fought for equity across so many spaces. And now? They’re onto something brand new: a cozy, community-rooted café + wine bar in the heart of

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00:41:20

Author Allison Olson chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/10/16

✨ What happens when you’re both an adoptee and an adoptive parent?You gain a powerful perspective — one that can challenge, reshape, and rewrite the narratives we’ve all been told about adoption.Today I’m sitting down with Allison Olsen, who never set out to become an author. But when she couldn’t find children’s books that told the adoption story with honesty, compassion, and balance… she wrote them herself. 📚💡Now, Allison is on a mission to shift the way adoption is talked about — for adoptive

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00:46:04

Author Kirsty Loehr chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/10/09

✨ Life has a way of sparking the most wonderful things. ✨Take Kirsty Loehr for example 👇A chance to study creative writing abroad inspired her first book, A Short History of Queer Women — a brilliant tribute to the Queer women who came before us and walk alongside us today. 🌈📚Then, choosing to grow her family with her (now) ex-wife opened up even more questions: How exactly do Queer women navigate parenting?That journey gave birth (pun intended 😉) to her newest book: A Short History of Queer

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00:38:48

Sharon Leya of "My Donor Story" chats with becoming...

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/10/02

✨ The journey to parenthood is rarely simple — and for single/solo parents by choice, it’s often a whole other level of complex. While there are beautiful overlaps with Queer family-building, solo parenting comes with its own unique set of emotional, financial, and logistical challenges. 🍼💸💪Carrying, birthing, and raising a child on your own? That’s no small feat. And then come the big questions from our kids: “Where did I come from?” “Why is our family different?” 😅That’s why I’m thrilled to

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00:54:17

Gail, Lalita & Katherine chat with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/09/25

✨ Today I’m so excited to share the brilliance of editor Gail Schwarz and two of her powerful contributors, Lalita and Katherine — just a few of the many voices behind the groundbreaking new book, “Boyhood Reimagined.” 📖💫Co-edited by Gail and Ada Malone, this collection brings together stories and reflections from Queer parents — cis, trans, and non-binary mothers — who are raising sons in a world that doesn’t always reflect our families back to us. 🌈👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏾Together, we dive into what it

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00:56:29

Cristina & Adriana chat with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/09/18

🌍✈️ If you love Queer joy, globe-trotting adventures, and heartwarming family vibes — you need to follow @loveislovearoundtheworld 💕✨Cristina & Adriana have known each other for over 20 years (most of that time as a couple!), but it’s only been in the past decade that they’ve finally shared the same city, the same home — and now, the same passport stamps. 🌎💌These two fierce mamas are now travelling the world with their beautiful baby girl, proving that Queer family love truly knows no

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00:38:32

David Morgenstern from Gaddies chats with becoming...

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/09/11

Becoming a gay parent can feel incredibly isolating.How do you find other gay dads?Where’s the sense of community?And why does it often feel like nothing in the parenting world was designed with you in mind?That’s where David Morgenstern comes in. A gay dad to a 4-year-old with a background in marketing, David set out to build something more than just a brand—he built a movement.Gaddies is fun, stylish, and community-driven. What started as a line of apparel meant to make a statement has grown into

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00:42:34

Ness Dixon chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/09/04

Midwifery care looks vastly different depending on where you are in the world—and even from one region to another. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Ness Dixon, a passionate and multi-talented professional who, among many roles, serves as a Registered Midwife in Ontario, Canada. In our conversation, Ness shares insights into the traditional roots of midwifery and how the profession has evolved over the past few decades to meet the changing needs of birthing people and their families.To learn

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01:08:52

Aldo and Kim chat with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/08/28

When you ask someone on a first date, “Do you want kids?”—you likely have a clear vision of the future you're hoping to build.For Kim and Aldo, that vision took a full decade, countless challenges, and unwavering commitment to bring to life. After exploring every possible path to parenthood, they’re now living the dream they once imagined.In today’s episode, I speak with them from their home in the Netherlands about their incredible journey to family—navigating bureaucracy, overcoming obstacles,

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00:58:52

Jaimee and Lisa chat with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/08/21

What do you do when you’ve got young kids, thriving careers, and life already feels full?If you're Lisa and Jaimee, you add twins to the mix—and start a podcast to capture it all.Today, I’m chatting with the dynamic duo behind The Two Mom Edit, a podcast that’s honest, funny, and deeply relatable. From how they found each other, to building their beautiful family, to sharing the messy, magical moments in between—Lisa and Jaimee keep it real.You can find their show on Apple Podcasts and follow

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00:49:02

Brian Rosenberg chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/08/14

Growing up during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic meant living with a deep, often paralyzing fear. So much was unknown, and the narrative at the time made it feel like a life sentence—especially for those of us who were Queer. The idea of creating a family, let alone using your own genetic material, felt impossibly out of reach.But oh, how far we've come.Today, I’m deeply honoured to speak with Brian Rosenberg, founder of GWK Academy. Brian is a gay, HIV-positive parent of three who

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00:57:29

Dara Roth Edney MSW/RSW chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/08/07

The last thing any hopeful parent wants to hear is, “You can’t move forward until you’ve had a counselling session.”But in Canada, Implications Counselling is a required step for anyone using donor eggs or sperm to grow their family — and that includes all individuals and couples, not just Queer folks.While it might sound like a barrier, for Dara Roth-Edney, it's actually an opportunity: a chance to ensure hopeful parents feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate the complexities of

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00:41:00

Angela Briones chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/07/31

When you finally pluck up the courage to come out to your parents, you cross your fingers and hope that, for the most part, nothing really changes. You want to feel that love and support. Sometimes you don’t think about the questions and concerns that your own parents may have. Do you give them space for that? Do they give you space to ask your questions and feel your feelings? Angela Briones is my guest on the show today and she talks about her podcast where she tackles this subject and so much

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00:57:21

Jay Chapman chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/07/24

It’s not uncommon for people to say they didn’t grow up with a strong, deep-seated desire to become a parent. For some, that longing doesn’t emerge until later in life—once they’ve found their footing professionally, or after hearing the powerful, personal stories of others who’ve built their families in different ways.Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Jay Chapman. He and his partner are the proud dads of two vibrant preteens, and they make their home just outside Melbourne, Australia. You can

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00:52:02

Cassie & Marissa chat with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/07/17

This episode airs with a trigger warning.Cassie and Marissa, as a two-uterus household, made a decision familiar to many lesbian couples—they agreed that the eldest, Marissa, would be the first to carry a pregnancy. By her own account, Marissa experienced a relatively smooth and uncomplicated pregnancy. It was the labour, birth, and recovery that proved to be the most difficult and traumatic part of her transition into parenthood. Cassie was left feeling helpless through the process which was deeply

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00:52:14

Sarah chats with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/07/10

International love stories have a special way of capturing our hearts, sparking that hopeful question: Can love truly conquer distance?Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Sarah about the incredible journey she and her wife embarked on—one that spanned continents and oceans. Despite living on opposite sides of the world, they built not only a deeply loving relationship, but also a beautiful, growing family. Their story has taken them across the Atlantic more than once, but for now, they’ve

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00:58:24

Dan & Michael chat with becoming babyREADY

becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer... ·

2025/07/03

It felt like it should have been easier, especially since they were both perfectly healthy. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Michael and Dan, two Melbourne-based IPs (intended parents). Their journey to parenthood took them around the world in search of the perfect egg donor and surrogate — a journey that ultimately helped them build the beautiful family they have today.You can learn more about their beautiful family by following them on Instagram @aussiedadzdream

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