In this episode of The Stories We Leave You, Julie and Ryann take a deep dive into one of the most requested parts of their story — how they built their family as an LGBTQ+ couple. From always knowing they wanted kids to realizing just how complicated that journey would be, they walk through the emotional, logistical, and often unexpected realities of trying to conceive without a “traditional” path. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into months of research, conversations, and figuring things out as they went — with no clear roadmap and no one around them who had done it before.

They share the full, unfiltered process of choosing a known sperm donor, navigating boundaries, and having the kinds of conversations most people never even think about — legal agreements, parental rights, financial responsibilities, and the “what if” scenarios that come with it all. From awkward logistics (yes, including jars, syringes, and speculums) to the emotional weight of building a family in a nontraditional way, this episode gives a real look at LGBTQ+ family planning, donor conception, and what it actually takes behind the scenes.

Julie and Ryann also open up about the emotional complexities that came with using a known donor — how it impacted their relationship, identity, and sense of connection as parents. They talk about the unexpected challenges, including shifting dynamics with their donor, fears around how their kids might feel, and the importance of communication, legal protection, and trust throughout the process. This episode ends with the moment everything changed — finally getting pregnant after months of trying… and finding out it was twins.

The lesbian conception book they mention is The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, & Birth by Stephanie A. Brill and Kim Toevs.

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.

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/

In this episode of The Stories We Leave You, Julie and Ryann take a deeper dive into their origin story — from awkward early impressions to becoming best friends, falling in love, and navigating a relationship that didn’t exactly start the “traditional” way. What begins with humor (yes… including fart stories) quickly turns into a real, unfiltered conversation about how they met, what they first thought of each other, and how their connection grew over time. This episode blends humor with vulnerability as they reflect on the early days of their relationship and the moments that shaped everything that followed.

They open up about coming out, identity, and what it felt like to share deeply personal truths for the first time — including Julie’s experience growing up with a father struggling with drug addiction and incarceration. Ryann shares what it was like hearing those stories from a completely different upbringing, highlighting the contrast between their backgrounds and how that built a deeper level of trust and connection. The episode also touches on navigating sexuality, internal conflict, and the emotional complexity of falling in love while already in a relationship, offering an honest look at choices, growth, and what it takes to move forward.

Throughout the episode, Julie and Ryann reflect on how their relationship was built on friendship first — something they believe is the foundation of what has helped them last nearly two decades. From college days and shared apartments to building a life, raising kids, and evolving identities, this conversation captures the messy, imperfect, and deeply human reality of love, relationships, and becoming who you are.

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.

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/

In this episode of The Stories We Leave You, Julie and Ryann dive deeper into who they are as individuals and as partners, sharing the very different paths that shaped them long before they built a life together. From Julie growing up in a low-income household with early responsibility to Ryann’s more traditional middle-class upbringing, this conversation explores how those differences show up in their marriage, parenting, and everyday life. It’s an honest look at identity, privilege, work, and the experiences that quietly shape how we move through the world.

They also talk about career pivots, burnout, and how becoming parents forced them to rethink everything — from leaving teaching and retail schedules behind to building careers that actually support family life. This episode leans into the reality of modern parenting, including decision fatigue, feeding kids (why is that so hard?), and the constant balancing act between structure and chaos. It’s relatable, funny, and refreshingly unfiltered, especially as they navigate their different personalities — one more Type A and planned, the other more impulsive and go-with-the-flow — and how that dynamic actually works.

The conversation also touches on starting the podcast itself, from buying the domain to debating branding, photos, and what it means to “do it right” versus just starting messy. Along the way, they share glimpses into Ryann’s transition and how that continues to shape their family identity, as well as the ongoing, very real process of figuring things out in real time. At its core, this episode is about growth, partnership, and building a life that works for you — even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

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.

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/

In this first episode of The Stories We Leave You, Julie and Ryann introduce themselves, their family, and the real reason this podcast exists. From raising four kids in a loud, chaotic household to navigating identity, transition, and parenting in real time, this episode sets the foundation for the honest, unfiltered storytelling to come. What started as a way to leave behind stories for their children quickly evolves into something bigger — a space to share the messy, complicated, and deeply human moments that shape who we are.

They open up about what it’s like to go from being a two-mom household to a mom-and-dad family after Ryann’s transition, and the very real, very raw conversations that came with it — including questions from their kids about identity, labels, and what it all means. This episode dives into LGBTQ+ parenting, gender identity, sexuality, and the pressure to “have answers,” while embracing the reality that sometimes… you just don’t. It’s honest, funny, and at times deeply vulnerable, especially as they unpack how kids process big life changes with surprising simplicity compared to adults.

Julie and Ryann also get into the realities of family planning as an LGBTQ+ couple — from misconceptions about IVF to navigating sperm donation, finances, and the lack of accessible information when they were starting out. They talk about the decisions they made, what they learned along the way, and why sharing these experiences matters for other families trying to figure it out too. This episode is a mix of laughter, chaos, and meaningful conversation — the kind that makes you feel seen, understood, and 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.

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/