Redefining Family

In this episode of "Redefining Family," we wrap up Season Three with a heartfelt reflection on my personal journey and the experiences I've had with my father during his recent hospitalization. I share the emotional rollercoaster of reconnecting with my dad, navigating complex family dynamics, and finding closure in our relationship. The episode begins with my recounting of the unex...

In this episode of "Redefining Family," I had the pleasure of welcoming Mark O'Looney and Owen Cannon, an inspiring Irish couple living in the United States. As passionate advocates for LGBTQ+ family rights, particularly in the realm of surrogacy, they shared their unique journey as parents to two daughters, Aria and Nala, both born via surrogacy. Mark and Owen opened up about their...

In this episode of "Redefining Family," I had the pleasure of reconnecting with my long-time friend, Johnny Lee, who shared his deeply personal journey toward parenthood alongside his husband, Sebastian. Having known Johnny for over 15 years, it was both exciting and enlightening to delve into a conversation that explored not only his path to fatherhood but also his coming out experience...

In this episode of Redefining Family , host Jonathan Wilson speaks with BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson, a couple whose lives changed when a photo of their son’s birth went viral. BJ and Frankie, both high school teachers, reflect on how much society has evolved, noting how being gay is now more accepted compared to the struggles they faced growing up. Frankie shares his difficult coming out experien...

In this compelling episode of Redefining Family , host Jonathan Wilson engages in a deep conversation with Diane Hinson, a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and the founder of Creative Family Connections LLC, one of the world’s leading surrogacy agencies. Diane opens up about her journey as a single mother and how her passion for family equality led her to create a top-tier surrogacy agency...

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 board...

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...

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...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Redefining Family , host Jonathan Wilson sits down with Bryan Lambillotte to discuss his journey of self-discovery, coming out, and building a family with his husband Chris through surrogacy. Bryan shares intimate details of his experiences, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. Bryan knew he was gay from grade school...

In this episode of "Redefining Family," Jonathan sits down with the Broadway Husbands, Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna, to delve into their journey of love, identity, and parenthood. Bret opens up about growing up in Texas with three brothers, one of whom had special needs. Feeling pressure to compensate for what his brother couldn't fulfill, Bret struggled with acceptance for being...

In this emotionally charged episode of Redefining Family host Jonathan shares his personal journey of redefining family dynamics, resonating deeply with guest Sam  Lantz’ story. Sam bravely opens up about his realization of his sexuality in his teens and the profound struggles he faced in coming to terms with it. Growing up in a Mormon family, Sam grappled with conflicting emotions and societal pr...

Welcome to this week's episode of "Redefining Family"! Join Jonathan as he sits down with Jake and Sean Taylor-Baumann for a heartfelt conversation about their journey of growing up gay in Utah and navigating the complexities of identity and family. Jake opens up about the challenges of reconciling his sexuality with his Mormon upbringing, sharing the pivotal moments of realization...

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! Today, Jonathan shares his personal journey of building his family outside of his blood relatives.  He discusses the pivotal moment when he decided to let go of his 18 blood relatives, marking the beginning of his freedom journey. Joining Jonathan is his lifelong friend  D. D has been a constant source of support for Jonathan through his darkest times. Jon...

On this week's episode of Redefining Family, Jonathan has the pleasure of speaking with his old friend Jonathan Goldstein and his daughter Madi Goldstein.   At seventeen, Madi came out to Jonathan and his wife as transgender.  Since then, they have not only supported her, but have become advocates for her and the trans and queer communities. Jonathan discusses the realization him and his wife...

This week on "Redefining Family,"  Jonathan interviews internationally recognized and award-winning musician and composer Blake Allen.   Blake was raised Mormon and came out to his blood related family at 18 years old, which at the time, did not go over very well.  However Blake explains that since then, him and his parents have learned to love each other in the way that they know how, e...

This week on Redefining Family Jonathan opens the episode talking about the very scary state of our country and worries for our future.   Jonathan then interviews Robert Oliver, LGBTQ advocate, political organizer, and is also running for the West Hollywood City Council.  Robert opens up about always knowing he was gay but also feeling like an outcast.   Robert was raised in a reform, Jewish famil...

This week on "Redefining Family" Jonathan opens the episode by discussing the devastating overturn of Roe Vs. Wade and where we go from here. He is then joined by Laura-Rose Thorogood.  Laura-Rose Thorogood, the founder of the LGBT Mummies , which is an organization based in the UK but provides support worldwide for LGBTQ women wanting to start a family.   Laura-Rose did not officially c...

This week Jonathan speaks with Arsham Parsi,  an Iranian LGBT human rights activist living in exile in Canada.   Arsham discusses when he first realized he was gay and what it was like growing up in Iran knowing he was different.   Arsham discusses the consequences of being gay in Iran, fleeing the country and how his family had to flee soon after.  He also discusses his relationship with his fami...

This week on Redefining Family Jonathan interviews author Jonathan Alexander.   Jonathan first talks about his struggles growing up in the deep south, especially once he decided he wanted to come out.  He turned 18 at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and he tried to come out in college, however there was no real support or community for LGBTQ+ individuals.  Jonathan then discusses how he ended u...

In this week's episode of "Redefining Family" Jonathan opens the show by talking about his amazing weekend at PRIDE in West Hollywood.  He then talks about his cousin that got HIV and how the mental effects of what was happening to him turned out to, sadly, be his demise. Jonathan then interviews HIV educator and advocate Kalob Gossett.   Kalob first opens up about coming out to his...

On this episode of Redefining Family, Jonathan first opens up about the boundaries he has had to create with his family to protect himself, which included a recent interaction with a close friend of his father's.  Jonathan then gets the chance to speak with standup comedian and LGBTQ+ activist Calvin Cato.   Calvin first talks about his upbringing, not being exposed to the gay community as a...

On this week's episode of Redefining Family, Jonathan starts the show by opening up about his time at The Men Having Babies Conference in San Fransisco.   Jonathan then has a wonderful conversation with Erick Matos, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and a public policy specialist with nearly a decade of experience in state and local government. Erick opens up about what it was like growing...

On this week's episode of "Redefining Family" Jonathan starts off the show by talking about how he felt like he came out later in life when he was in his 20's.  However, after talking to this week's guest Kathy Kiger, he realized that there are people that come out even later than he did, and wow, does Kathy have a story to tell. Kathy grew up in Texas to a very religious...

On this week's  Redefining Family, Jonathan opens the episode with an update on his life, talking about finding a surrogate and unexpected twists and turns along the way. Jonathan then brings on his amazing guest, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart.  Naomi's list of accolades and accomplishments is long and ever so impressive.  However what's more impressive are Naomi's powerful m...

This week Jonathan opens the episode by talking about how he has always felt supported by his ancestors, but some people have showed up negatively in his past, so he has had to make some tough decisions.  That being said, he has no regrets. ç  Having survived sexist violence and anti-lesbian disownment as a youth, Dr. Grant became a go-to resource on gender and sex among her peers and colleagues a...