In this episode of The Stories We Leave You, Julie and Ryann continue their journey into LGBTQ+ family planning and share the real, unfiltered story behind growing their family beyond twins. Picking up where they left off, they dive into what it looked like to revisit the idea of having more kids after feeling overwhelmed, how “baby fever” crept back in, and the very real, very quick decision to try again. From navigating the emotional side of starting over to figuring out logistics like choosing between a known donor and a sperm bank, this episode gives an honest look at what it takes to build a family in a nontraditional way.

They walk through the process of selecting a sperm donor through a sperm bank, what to look for (and what actually matters), and why it was important for them to choose an open donor their children could potentially connect with later in life. Julie and Ryann also share the financial realities of buying sperm and going through the IUI (intrauterine insemination) process—including why they chose a clinical route instead of trying at home. What they expected to be another long journey like their first experience turned into something completely different… getting pregnant on the first try.

Beyond the logistics, this episode also touches on the emotional layers of LGBTQ+ conception—decision-making as a couple, navigating roles in pregnancy, and what it means to feel connected to your children in different ways. They open up about the realities of pregnancy during COVID, the conversations around who would carry their final child, and how they ultimately decided what was right for their family. This is a raw, funny, and deeply honest look at trying to conceive as a queer couple, filled with both practical insight and real-life moments that make you feel a little less alone.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. https://juliebeckllc.com/