In Conversation: Family Building After 40

What is In Conversation?

In Conversation is Yesh Tikva’s live conversation series, bringing together professional expertise, lived experience, and the voices of people navigating complex family-building experiences.

Rather than a formal webinar or presentation, each gathering is designed around thoughtful discussion. Conversation Partners help open the conversation, with space for participants to listen, reflect, ask questions, and—if they choose—share their own perspectives.

Is In Conversation a support group?

No. In Conversation is not a traditional support group, therapy group, or webinar.

It is a facilitated conversation around a specific topic, designed to make room for perspectives and questions that may not always fit neatly into a clinical appointment, educational program, or other setting.

Who can attend?

That depends somewhat on the topic, but conversations may include people with lived experience, those currently making family-building decisions, partners or loved ones, mental health and medical professionals, clergy, community professionals, and others interested in learning more.

You do not need to have a particular diagnosis, treatment history, or family-building experience to attend unless otherwise noted in the event description.

Will I be expected to share my personal experience?

No. Sharing of any kind is always optional.

You are welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable, whether that means joining the discussion, asking a question, or simply listening.

If you do choose to share something personal, what and how much you share is entirely at your discretion. That being said, we're only together for an hour and we want to make room for many perspectives by sharing the space.

Do I need to turn my camera on?

We encourage participants to join in whatever way allows them to be most present and comfortable. Unless otherwise noted for a particular conversation, there is no expectation that you speak, share personal information, show your face, or type in the chat.

Are conversations recorded?

No. In Conversation sessions are intentionally live and are not recorded.

We want participants to be able to engage in a candid and thoughtful conversation without wondering where their words or someone else’s may appear later.

Is what participants share confidential?

We ask everyone who joins an In Conversation gathering to respect the privacy of others and not share another participant’s personal story outside the conversation.

Because these are community conversations rather than confidential therapy groups, however, Yesh Tikva cannot guarantee confidentiality. We encourage each participant to use their own discretion when deciding what they feel comfortable sharing.

Can I submit a question ahead of time?

Yes. Registration includes an opportunity to submit a question, concern, or topic you hope the Conversation Partners will explore.

Advance questions help us understand what participants are wondering about and may help shape the discussion. We may not be able to address every submitted question.

There will also be opportunities to ask questions during the live conversation.

Is there a cost to attend?

No. In Conversation is offered at no cost to participants.

If you are able, we invite you to consider a suggested donation of $18 per attendee. Donations help Yesh Tikva continue offering accessible programs, resources, and spaces for meaningful conversation.

A donation is never required to participate.

Is In Conversation only for people experiencing infertility?

Not necessarily. While many conversations grow out of the experiences of infertility and complex family building, individual topics may explore treatment decisions, reproductive health, donor conception, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy and parenting after these experiences, relationships, identity, and other experiences connected to family building.

Check the individual event description to see whether a particular conversation feels relevant to you.

Can professionals attend?

Absolutely. Mental health professionals, reproductive health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other professionals are welcome at conversations relevant to their work.

One of the goals of In Conversation is to create opportunities for professional knowledge and lived experience to exist in the same room and for each to inform the other.

That being said, there is no self-promotion allowed at In Conversation events.

Unless specifically stated, participation in an In Conversation event does not include continuing education credit.

Will I receive medical or mental health advice?

In Conversation is educational and community-based. It is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, legal, or other professional care.

Conversation Partners may share professional knowledge or personal experience, but they cannot provide individualized treatment recommendations or clinical advice during the event.

What if I need to leave early or step away?

That is completely fine. These topics can sometimes bring up unexpected feelings, and you are welcome to quietly step away, turn off your camera, or leave the conversation at any time.

What if I need an accommodation to participate?

We want In Conversation to be as accessible as possible. You can let us know about accessibility needs during registration, and our team will do our best to support your participation.

How will I join?

In Conversation gatherings are held virtually on Zoom unless otherwise noted.

Registered participants will receive information about how to join before the event.

How can I hear about future conversations?

You can keep an eye on Yesh Tikva emails and our calendar to hear about upcoming In Conversation gatherings, programs, and resources.

Each conversation stands on its own, so you are welcome to attend one that speaks to you or return for topics that feel relevant along the way.