In this episode of Redefining Family, host Jonathan Wilson welcomes Cenk Bulbul, who shares his journey from Turkey to the United States and his experience as a single father of two.

Cenk's early life involved constant relocation due to his father's role as a general in the Turkish army. Despite humble beginnings, he and his siblings prioritized education. He attended a prestigious boarding school, studied industrial engineering, and earned a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1994.

Cenk's self-discovery journey was challenging, as being gay in Turkey meant facing significant societal discrimination. After completing his master's degree, he returned to Turkey but remained closeted, driven by a desire to have children, even considering a heterosexual relationship. Realizing he needed to live authentically, he moved to New York for a PhD in marketing at NYU. Six months after relocating, he came out to his advisor and went on his first date in 2002. His sister was a crucial support, helping him come out to their parents, who eventually accepted him.

In 2016, Cenk began pursuing adoption but switched to surrogacy after setbacks. He connected with a surrogate through friends. And with the help of his surrogate and using donor eggs, he became a parent in 2019. Initially, Cenk didn't plan to have a second child but he realized he wanted to have a sibling for her first-born daughter and he had his second daughter in 2021 working with the same surrogate.

As a proud single father of two, Cenk reflects on his journey, the challenges he faced, and the joy of building his family. Jonathan thanks Cenk for sharing his inspiring story and encourages listeners to subscribe to Redefining Family for more heartfelt stories. Tune in to hear Cenk Bulbul’s incredible story of resilience and the pursuit of family.

In this heartwarming episode of Redefining Family, host Jonathan Wilson sits down with Brit and Sydney Sharon, a couple whose journey from high school friends to loving partners and dedicated parents is truly inspiring. As proud members of the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities, Brit and Sydney share their story of love, acceptance, and community.

Brit and Sydney's love story began in high school and blossomed as they traveled abroad together. Married for eight years, they quickly started their family, raising their children with a strong sense of belonging rooted in their Jewish heritage. Brit, born on a Kibbutz in Israel and having moved to Southern California, brings a rich cultural background, while Sydney’s Ashkenazi heritage complements Brit’s Sephardic Orthodox roots.

Their journey has had challenges. Brit came out to her friends in high school but faced difficulty with her parents when she and Sydney started dating. Over time, and after the loss of three grandparents, Brit's father became more accepting and now advocates for their family. Sydney, who had only dated guys before Brit, shares their reconnection in Tel Aviv and how they built a relationship that has lasted 15 years.

Building their family is a central focus for Brit and Sydney. They discuss the joys and challenges of the sperm donor process and raising their children in a private Jewish school, fostering a community among LGBTQ+ families. They also hope to expand their family with a fourth child.

Advocacy and community are significant in Brit and Sydney’s lives. They promote acceptance and inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities. Sydney shares her experience discovering six siblings through her father's sperm donation, adding another layer of complexity to their story. This episode is filled with personal reflections and advice for other LGBTQ+ couples on similar journeys.

In this insightful episode of Redefining Family, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Mark Leondires. He is the founder, Medical Director and Partner in reproductive endocrinology at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be. He is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as being a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ family building.

Dr. Leondires reflects on his upbringing in a Greek Orthodox household where he was unaware of the concept of being gay until college. Despite a strong desire to be a dad, it wasn't until his mid-thirties that he realized his relationships with women weren't fulfilling his dream of fatherhood. Currently, 70-80% of Dr. Leondris's patients are LGBTQ+. He shares his family story, being married to a man and having two kids through egg donation and surrogacy.

Before meeting his husband, Dr. Leondires was prepared to become a single dad. In 2010, Dr. Leondris and his husband achieved a pregnancy through egg donation and surrogacy, prompting him to recognize the challenges LGBTQ+ families face and inspiring him to help others. His caregiving nature led to the creation of Gay Parents to Be, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ family planning.

Dr. Leondires and Jonathan share their experiences of choosing egg donors, emphasizing the importance of examining the donor’s family tree. They also discuss the rigorous selection process for surrogates and egg donors, with only a small percentage making it through. The importance of being truthful with children about their origins is highlighted, with a suggestion to practice the story while holding the child. Jonathan shares his journey of informing his mother about his surrogacy plans, highlighting her ongoing struggle to fully accept it.

The discussion touches on the legality of gay surrogacy, noting that the US and Canada are the only countries where it is fully legal. They also talk about handling societal norms, like celebrating Mother’s Day in LGBTQ+ families.