Redefining Family
Does your family say “I Love You” yet it feels empty? You are not alone. Many in the LGBTQ+ community have faced this reality. Host Jonathan Wilson explores how and why we must overcome this obstacle in his podcast Redefining Family. His show spotlights stories of resilience as his guests share how they have redefined their definition of who they consider to be their real family. Heartfelt, honest, and vulnerable, these stories of overcoming shed light on what family actually means.
Episodes
42 episodes
Giving the Gift of Life: Inside the World of a Surrogate with Zara Hilliard
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 reconnectin...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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34:07
From Ireland to the U.S.: Mark O'Looney and Eoin Cannon's Fight for Family Rights
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 surroga...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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1:00:20
From Coming Out to Parenthood: Johnny Lee's Inspiring Story
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, i...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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1:06:01
Overcoming Adversity: BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson’s Story of Love and Legal Triumph
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 m...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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1:03:36
Surrogacy Laws and Family Equality: A Conversation with Diane Hinson
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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58:04
Building a Family: Cenk Bulbul’s Surrogacy Experience as a Single Gay Dad
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 relocatio...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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49:58
Love, Faith, and Inclusivity: Brit and Sydney Sharon’s Story
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 member...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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1:02:17
Embracing Parenthood and LGBTQ+ Family Building with Dr. Mark Leondires
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. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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47:15
Overcoming Obstacles: Bryan and Chris Lambillotte’s Surrogacy Journey
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 thr...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:05:59
Love, Resilience, and Parenthood: The Journey of Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna aka The Broadway Husbands
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 t...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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52:19
Squid Games Sam Lantz’ Journey on Redefining His Family
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 i...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:05:13
Faith, Family, and Identity: A Story of Courageous Love with Jake and Sean Taylor-Baumann
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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52:21
Family Time With D
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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43:59
Jonathan & Madi Goldstein - Demonstrating Parental Love
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 t...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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37:19
Blake Allen - Coming Out To Mormon Parents
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 ti...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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39:46
Robert Oliver - Esteemable Acts
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 runni...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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37:13
Laura-Rose Thorogood - LGBT Mummies
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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36:51
Arsham Parsi - Consequences Of Being Gay In Iran
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. &nbs...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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34:58
Jonathan Alexander - Learning To Accept Yourself
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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54:23
Kalob Gossett - Spreading HIV Awareness
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 tur...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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42:31
Calvin Cato - Learning To Love Yourself
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 ch...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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44:18
Erick Matos - Showing Up For The Ones You Love
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 LGB...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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43:26
Kathy Kiger - Coming Out Later In Life
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 ther...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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44:44
Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart - Sisterly Love
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 Washing...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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36:06
Dr. Jamie M Grant - It Takes A Village
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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49:24