From an Eight-Hour First Date to Fatherhood: George & Mike of Families Out Loud on Egg Donation, Surrogacy, and Navigating the NICU

What happens when two guys meet, talk for eight hours straight on their first night together, fall in love, and decide to build the family they've always dreamed of? Well, it's quite the story. And this week, Ali is getting all of it.Ali is joined by George and Mike, husbands, dads, and the founders of Families Out Loud, a nonprofit family-building community and traveling conference dedicated to making the path to parenthood through assisted reproduction safer, more understood, and a whole lot less lonely. And not just for LGBTQ+ families, but for every family, and every route to parenthood.George and Mike take us all the way back to the beginning: their instant connection, their shared dreams of becoming dads, and the twists, turns, decisions, and emotions that came with making those dreams a reality.We get into ALL of it, including:How they knew they wanted to become parentsNavigating the world of egg donation and choosing their donorFinding the right surrogate to help grow their familyTheir decision to do a double embryo transferThe emotional roller coaster of pregnancy and parenthood through surrogacyTheir experience inside the NICUHow their personal journey inspired them to create Families Out LoudWhy education, advocacy, and community are so critical for ALL intended parentsThis convo is equal parts funny, emotional, eye-opening, and inspiring. George and Mike are incredibly candid about what it took to become dads, what they learned along the way, and why they're now so passionate about helping other families navigate their own journeys. Because there is no one-size-fits-all way to make a family. And every single one of those stories deserves to be told, celebrated, and supported.Learn more about Families Out Loud: familiesoutloud.orgIG: @families_out_loudEPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe latest book in the Work of ART series, “Petri Dish Princess," tells the incredibly cool origin story of Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby in the United States.GENERATIONS CRYOVAULTYour Tissues. Your Choice.Whether you're storing embryos, eggs, or sperm, choosing where to keep your precious reproductive materials is a BIG decision. Generations CryoVault understands just how much hope, love, and possibility is behind every single one, and they're committed to providing secure, reliable storage with the care and compassion families deserve.Because your embryos aren't just another number. They're a piece of your story, your future, and potentially your family.https://gencryo.comIG: @generationscryovaultPHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy