
Surrogacy, Fatherhood & Family Life with Stuart Armfield & Francis Haugen
What They Don’t Tell You (but we will!)Show Notes
Today, we’re joined by two amazing guests - Stuart Armfield and Francis Haugen - for a powerful and honest conversation all about their journey to parenthood through surrogacy.
Stuart and Francis open up about the emotional rollercoaster of starting a family as a same-sex couple, the challenges they faced along the way, and the absolute joy of becoming dads. From the very first step to meeting their baby for the first time, this episode is full of heart, hope, and helpful advice for anyone considering surrogacy or curious about what the journey really looks like.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
When and why surrogacy became the right path for them
The emotional and practical realities of finding a surrogate
How they navigated unexpected challenges and supported each other
Handling judgment, assumptions, and awkward questions
What it felt like to meet their baby for the very first time
How becoming parents changed their relationship
The biggest surprises of fatherhood - and what they wish they’d known
Whether you’re exploring alternative paths to parenthood or just want to hear a truly heartwarming story, Stuart and Francis bring vulnerability, humour and inspiration to one of our most moving episodes yet.
✨ Follow Stuart https://www.instagram.com/stueyarmfield and Francis https://www.instagram.com/francishaugen 🎥 You can also watch their family journey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4851n8f6HEqxxpK8JCZ4bg
Go to see their show https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2025/oct/stuart-and-francis-show-live
More from What They Don’t Tell You (but we will!)
In this episode of What They Don’t Tell You, Matt and Emily Norris sit down with Zak Marks, founder of Kitt Medical, to talk about the reality of living with severe allergies, both as someone who has them, and as parents raising a child with one.
This week’s episode of What They Don’t Tell You is extra special, we’re joined by our 9-year-old son, Jackson. He has requested to make this episode for some time!
This week on What They Don’t Tell You, we sit down with writer, podcaster, and queen of parenting honesty Cat Sims (@notsosmugnow) for a conversation that’s as funny as it is heartfelt.
Back to School with Sophie David (Happy Little Learners) Back-to-school season can stir up a mix of emotions - excitement, nerves, and even a bit of Sunday-night dread, for both kids and parents.
This week on What They Don’t Tell You, Emily and Matt sit down with dietitian and author Nichola Ludlam-Raine to unpack the hot topic of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). From sneaky “healthy” products that are more processed than you’d think, to the everyday guilt parents feel about feeding their kids, Nichola breaks down the science in a relatable, real-world way.