Queer Dads, an Adoption Journey, and the Movie It Inspired: I Don’t Understand You

Queer Dads, an Adoption Journey, and the Movie It Inspired: I Don’t Understand You

Author: Jaimie Kelton – Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families'. June 9, 2025 Duration: 58:28

Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig are husbands, dads, filmmakers—and now the creators of a new dark comedy based on their real journey to queer parenthood. In this powerful and delightfully funny Pride Extravaganza episode, they sit down with host Jaimie Kelton to share how their long, complicated path to adoption—complete with a scam, soul-searching, and spreadsheets—turned into “I Don’t Understand You,” a heartfelt horror-comedy now hitting theaters.

The couple opens up about the grief, the grit, and the gay tax of becoming parents, how their birth mother became the hero of their story, and why queer joy deserves more screen time. Plus, Jaimie shares her reactions to the film (spoiler alert: she hasn’t finished it yet) and why telling our stories, no matter the genre, is an act of pride.

🎙️ “There’s a level of loss in queer family building. And also? So much joy.

🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!

Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!

🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Loved this episode?

Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!

OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:

🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

  • From blind date to 15 years together
  • A dark comedy based on their actual adoption journey
  • Facing a devastating adoption scam—and choosing to keep going
  • Working with a lawyer instead of an agency
  • Why their birth mother is the hero of the story
  • The trauma, thoughtfulness, and transformation of queer family building
  • Centering queer joy on screen

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig are partners in life, parenting, and storytelling. As filmmakers, their work explores the beauty, absurdity, and emotional complexity of modern life—and now, queer family building. Their new film, “I Don’t Understand You” (starring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells), is based on their own experience navigating the U.S. adoption system and finding joy, love, and humor in the chaos. They live in Los Angeles with their 5-year-old son.

🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

  • 🎥 I Don’t Understand You – In theaters now
  • Brian and David on Instagram: @cranoandcraig


🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?

Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!

🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!

Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube

🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 

🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website

🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hosted by queer mom Jaimie Kelton, The Queer Family Podcast-LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories offers a weekly space that is both uproariously funny and deeply genuine. Each episode features conversations with LGBTQIA+ parents, hopeful parents, and their allies, delving into the specific joys and hurdles of building a family outside of traditional frameworks. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the paths to parenthood-from adoption and fostering to IVF and surrogacy-and the everyday realities of raising kids in a world that can still feel unfamiliar. This podcast moves beyond theory, focusing on lived experiences that cover everything from health and fitness routines that work for queer families to navigating complex conversations about sexuality and society with children. The goal is straightforward: to share stories that normalize these experiences, elevate diverse voices, and celebrate the full spectrum of queer family life. Tuning in means connecting with a community, finding resonance in shared challenges, and gathering a lot of practical wisdom-and laughter-along the way. It’s a resource and a companion for anyone curious about or living within the beautifully expansive definition of a modern family.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories
Podcast Episodes
LGBTQ Fertility Options: Exploring California Cryobank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:49
In the third episode of the series, Nicole and Shannon Want a Baby, or Do They?, Jaimie, Nicole, and Shannon dive into the world of donor conception with Sydney Sharon, an expert from California Cryobank. With 45 years o…
LGBTQIA Adoption: How to Afford $50K in Costs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:16
In the second episode of the series, "Nicole and Shannon Want a Baby, or Do They?," Jaimie, Nicole, and Shannon sit down with Becky Fawcett, founder of HelpUsAdopt.org, a nonprofit offering financial grants to help famil…
Nicole And Shannon Want a Baby, Or Do They? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
Jaimie sits down with her assistant Nicole and her wife Shannon. Despite Nicole having worked on this podcast about queer families for over two years, they still haven’t decided if they want to have kids. As they weigh t…
From High School Besties To Queer Mamas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:32
Ashlyn and Jessica, high school friends turned life partners from Houston, share their journey to parenthood. They discuss the challenges of coming out, choosing a sperm donor, and navigating fertility treatments. They d…
A Tale of Love, Kids, and Surrogacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:04
Ali and Megan open up to Jaimie about giving the gift of family to another queer couple through surrogacy. Ali was a recently divorced mother of two when she swiped right for Megan on Tinder. Their connection was instant…
Surrogacy, Sperm Donation, and Raising a Rainbow Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:57
Jaimie chats with Damien Chambers, a gay dad through surrogacy, a known sperm and embryo donor, and founder of Surrogacy Agency, NewGen Families. They discuss the emotional and legal intricacies of surrogacy, sperm and e…