Fun Freetime - Secret Circus Musical

The Secret Circus Musical

Minneapolis Engagement

In The Heart of The Beast Theater

May 1^st at 6:00 pm & May 2^nd at 2:00 pm, 2026

 

Check out the original, touring production of The Secret Circus Musical!

Where L.A. Ringleaders work with talented Minneapolis Jugglers, Dancing Puppets and Accordion Playing Clowns to create an all-ages, visually rich performance where Big Feelings are safe under our Big Top!

The Secret Circus Musical reminds our inner child that what makes you strange is what makes you shine!

You can learn more in this interview:

What was the inspiration behind the show?

I've been running a queer punk circus variety show for over 10 years to encourage people to express themselves. When Bob Baker Marionette Theater wanted to collaborate with us, I thought, what better time to write an original all ages puppet musical about feeling your feelings? I asked Holly Anne Mitchell to write the script while I wrote the songs and within hours, we had The Secret Circus Musical! Soon it was clear to us that we were writing to heal our inner child and that sentiment has been reflected back to us in each city we tour. It's been really beautiful healing and being healed by strangers...we all have a lot more in common than we think. And the kiddos just have a grand ol time!

What are some of the challenges of incorporating a variety of things like juggling and puppetry into one show?

Well that part has been surprisingly fluid! The puppets and circus performers are almost one in the same and we quickly forget who is the person and who is the puppet, another theme of the show. However, the challenge for me as Ringleader is organizing new puppeteers and circus performers in each city we tour. It takes more rehearsals with a new cast every time, but we always find new jokes and creative perspectives and most importantly make new friends :)

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?

I hope our audiences will FEEL THE FEELS whatever that means to them. When we trust each other to share our feelings, we build com

If you're interested - get tickets here

Money Matters - States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing (and Tips)

With housing costs consuming up to 50% of the median income in some states, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing to highlight where homeownership is least affordable for the average resident.

For this report, WalletHub analyzed mortgage and home energy payments across all 50 states. These costs were then combined and compared with each state’s median household income to determine where people spend the largest share of their income on housing.
 

Highest % of Income Spent	Lowest % of Income Spent
1. Hawaii (50.02%)	41. Kentucky (20.34%)
2. California (43.00%)	42. Mississippi (20.13%)
3. Massachusetts (33.67%)	43. Arkansas (19.93%)
4. Oregon (33.56%)	44. Indiana (19.70%)
5. Washington (32.97%)	45. Illinois (19.70%)
6. Colorado (32.58%)	46. Ohio (19.68%)
7. Nevada (32.36%)	47. Nebraska (19.34%)
8. Idaho (30.88%)	48. Kansas (18.64%)
9. Montana (30.47%)	49. West Virginia (18.39%)
10. New York (30.41%)	50. Iowa (17.26%)

To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-where-people-spend-the-most-least-on-housing/145461



 
“Homeowners and home buyers have faced whiplash over the past few years, with housing prices soaring and interest rates fluctuating from historic lows back up to the highest rates in more than a decade. In the most expensive state, housing costs can take up around 50% of the median income. In order to manage expensive mortgage payments and other key housing costs, it’s important for homeowners to budget effectively.”
–
“People in Hawaii spend the most on housing as a percentage of their income. The average Hawaiian shells out 50% of their income between monthly mortgage payments and home energy costs. For comparison, Iowa residents only spend an average of 17% of their income on housing costs.”

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


5 Tips for Saving on Housing

1. Get a shorter mortgage: You can save a staggering amount of money on interest just by taking out a 15-year mortgage rather than a 30-year mortgage. Naturally, your monthly payments will be much higher, but if you can afford it, your wallet will thank you in the long run.
    
2. Improve your budgeting skills: Learning how to budget properly is essential for making sure you have enough money to afford your monthly housing bills on top of all your other expenses. If you haven’t bought a house yet but plan to in the future, you should strive to budget money each month toward a down payment, after putting money toward your basic needs and paying down existing debt.
    
3. Make a large down payment: The larger your down payment is, the less interest you’ll pay over the course of your mortgage, and the better interest rates you may receive. Plus, making a down payment of at least 20% of the property’s price will prevent you from having to purchase private mortgage insurance.
    
4. Minimize your use of utilities: Utilities won’t be as big of a cost as your mortgage, but they still add up quickly. Taking shorter showers, lowering your thermostat by a few degrees during the winter, raising it by a few during the summer, turning lights off when they’re not necessary and doing other things to minimize your use of utilities can save you a lot.
    
5. Improve your credit before buying: The better your credit score is, the better your interest rate on a mortgage is likely to be. The best ways to improve your credit score include making on-time payments on your existing debts, keeping your credit utilization low and checking your credit report for errors. You can check your credit score and report for free right here on WalletHub.

More From WalletHub

• Best Real Estate Markets
• Best & Worst Cities for First-Time Home Buyers
• Best & Worst Places to Rent in America
• Best States to Live In
• States With the Best & Worst Budgeters
• Changes in Inflation by City
• Best & Worst State Economies
• States Where People Have the Highest Income

Healthy Habits - The Dangers of Self-diagnosis In The Age of Social Media

Social media is increasingly used by younger generations to self-diagnose mental health conditions. Here mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at this surge in self-diagnosis and the dangers behind this. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are being used as hubs for health problems but without any professional qualification they often spread inaccurate or misleading medical content creating further confusion, anxiety and incorrect conclusions for the individual.

Mental health expert Noel McDermott comments: “Self-diagnosis is never a good idea no matter the source. All humans filter experience and as a psychological professional one of the skills I give to patients is developing a network of people to help them identify when they are struggling. Lack of insight into being ill is a part of the diagnosis of any mental health condition. It’s a part of the condition and insight is only gained from interacting with others. Often diagnosing there is a problem requires an understanding of the individual's normal baseline functioning as we are all unique. It’s the changes to this individual normal that indicates a problem, not a deviation from any made up normal discovered online. Additionally, a professional making a diagnosis has two things that are essential, qualifications and ongoing professional learning and experience over time. The other thing they will have will be some accountability. They have skin in the game. If they get it wrong there will be consequences for them. 

The motivation behind social media creators 

A TikToker, YouTuber etc won’t have any of these things. They will have a drive to generate followers and interactions and in many cases a motivation to sell products and services from their sponsors. The business model of online platforms is money for the audience, either payments due to having a lot of followers or sponsorship for being able to promote products and services. A health professional on the other hand has a business model based upon helping people and that help is defined by evidence and that professional has legal duties to work within their competencies, to stay in their lane. Ill-informed and unaccountable quacks online cause harm directly to people. Many will remember the epidemic and the proliferation of false medical information that happened. The Covid enquiry has stated categorically that use of the vaccines saved millions of lives.  That’s not an opinion, it's a fact. If TikTok had determined public health policy during the pandemic millions would have died in the UK, again that’s a fact. 

With issues around psychological health and wellbeing the issues are just as stark. Most of what influencer's offer is in the realm of fiction. If there are any facts in the content it’s either by accident or simply a hook into some snake oil. It’s important because figures worldwide show preventable mortality from mental health disorders as one of the leading causes of death, add in disability and the figures jump significantly*. Psychological disorders lead to preventable deaths and disabilities at an alarming rate. Suggesting for example that people should use Facebook to diagnose and cure their cancer would be seen by most people as reprehensible. The stakes are just as high with mental health issues. It is the case for example that in most countries around the globe pretending to be a medical doctor and offering medical services without license is a criminal offence. And it should be because it’s life and death, but so is mental health. The issue is why do these platforms allow content that is dangerous in this manner? Money it seems is the influencer here. 

The danger of online influencers

Most people don’t understand that a regulated health profession has to follow ethical guidelines that constraints what they say and do. There is usually some version of the wording, ‘honest and truthful’ in dealings with the public. Online influencers have no such constraints on them. Influencers and content can literally lie just to get a large audience and that large audience is the goal. Not honesty, not truthfulness and not the complex task of helping someone with complex mental health issues. A content generator who is also a health professional will be aware of the need to chase the issues, but will also be constrained by ethical guidelines. Their survival (income) isn’t dependent on clicks but on helping people get well. They can’t do that if they lose their license by lying and cheating. 

Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ work within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. Mental Health Works offers in situ health care and will source, identify and co-ordinate personalised teams to meet your needs – https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/ 

Music Minute - Tracy Lawrence: No Alibis Tour (Second Leg)

As country music icon, businessman and philanthropist Tracy Lawrence nears the third month of his 2026 No Alibis Tour, he has no plans of stopping as he announces a second leg of dates, adding 33 shows to the run. With select dates presented by Peachtree Entertainment, the new shows will hit markets like San Antonio, Tucson and Green Bay. The tour began last month and will now go through October, featuring a hometown stop in Nashville in May at the Ryman Auditorium for the third year in a row following back-to-back sellouts. Presale begins today, April 21 at 10 a.m. local time with general onsale beginning this Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. local time – tickets can be purchased here.   “I've felt such an incredible response from fans showing up for the No Alibis Tour night after night,” said Lawrence. “The energy has been unreal. It only made sense to keep that momentum going, so we're adding more dates into the fall and taking this thing even further.”   Lawrence has already drawn in major crowds on the tour throughout states like Texas and Florida, hitting the midwest this weekend for stops in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He spent 2025 touring across the country as well, playing with Josh Turner and for his own headline shows. He also returned to NFR joining Rodeo Live! for an interview following his performance – watch here. The country icon also drew in a huge audience at Stagecoach last year, packing out the Palomino Stage to a rowdy audience singing back every word of his countless hits.   Last year marked a milestone year for Lawrence's charity, Mission:Possible, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert. The Nashville community came together like never before for the beloved event after a refrigerated truck broke down, spoiling 650 stored turkeys. After calling out to social media, the event saw over 2,400 turkeys donated, making the new total 5,350 cooked and frozen distributed turkeys. The added donations brought the total to 50,000+ meals provided for those in need. The night ended with a special benefit concert featuring performances by Lawrence, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Cagle, Eric Paslay and Halfway to Hazard, raising over $355,000 from ticket sales, silent auction items, significant artist donations and more.   In addition to his robust music career, Lawrence has launched a growing line of cooking products, featuring all-natural marinade and seasoning. These products tout being completely free from MSG, gluten, sugar and genetically modified organisms (non-GMO) and is sold in select Scheel's stores as well as Amazon and Lawrence's website. He joined FOX & Friends to launch the seasoning during Labor Day weekend (watch here) and the marinade last fall (watch here). Select profits from the marinade and seasoning benefit Lawrence's Mission:Possible charity.    Keep up with Lawrence on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.   No Alibis Tour Dates: May 2, 2026 in Marietta, Ohio at Peoples Bank Theatre May 3, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. at Ryman Auditorium May 7, 2026 in Savannah, Ga. at Johnny Mercer Theater* May 8, 2026 in Dothan, Ala. at Dothan Civic Center* May 9, 2026 in Brandon, Miss. at Brandon Amphitheater+ May 14, 2026 in Wichita, Kan. at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center Concert Hall* May 16, 2026 in Pasadena, Texas at Pasadena Strawberry Festival May 28, 2026 in Spartanburg, S.C. at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium* May 29, 2026 in Roanoke, Va. at Berglund Performing Arts Center* May 30, 2026 in Reading, Pa. at Santander Performing Arts Center* June 5, 2026 in Fayetteville, Ga. at Fayetteville Amphitheater June 6, 2026 in Orange Beach, Ala. at The Amphitheater at the Wharf+ June 7, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. at Carolina Country Music Festival June 11, 2026 in Decatur, Ala. at Rock the South* June 12, 2026 in Corinth, Miss. at Crossroads Arena* June 19, 2026 in Wildwood, N.J. at Barefoot Country Music Festival June 20, 2026 in Cumberland, Md. at First Peoples Wing-Off & Music Festival June 21, 2026 in Webster, Mass. at Indian Ranch Amphitheatre June 27, 2026 in Bonner Springs, Kan. at Country Stampede July 5, 2026 in Crystal Beach, Texas at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort Crystal Beach July 10, 2026 in Midland, Texas at Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center* July 11, 2026 in South Padre Island, Texas at South Padre Island Convention Center July 17, 2026 in Abilene, Texas at Abilene Convention Center Auditorium* July 18, 2028 in San Antonio, Texas at Freeman Expo Hall July 24, 2026 in Kearney, Neb. at Buffalo County Fairgrounds July 25, 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colo. at El Pomar Great Hall at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts* July 31, 2026 in Harrington, Del. at Delaware State Fairgrounds Aug. 6, 2026 in Brownstown, Ind. at Rock the Rind Music Festival Aug. 7, 2026 in Peoria, Ill. at Prairie Home Alliance Theater* Aug. 8, 2026 in Worthington, Iowa at Worthington Memorial Park Aug. 13, 2026 in Glen Allen, Va. at Innsbrook After Hours Concert Series Aug. 14, 2026 in Pikeville, Ky. at Appalachian Wireless Arena* Aug. 15, 2026 in New Bern, N.C. at Maola Aug. 23, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall* Aug. 27, 2026 in Prescott Valley, Ariz. at Findlay Toyota Center Aug. 28, 2026 in Chandler, Ariz. at The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Aug. 29, 2026 in Long Beach, Calif. at Cali Country Cruise Sept. 4, 2026 in Folsom, Calif. at Stage 1 Theater at Harris Center for the Arts Sept. 11, 2026 at Shreveport, La. at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium* Sept. 12, 2026 at Nacogdoches, Texas at Festival Park Sept. 17, 2026 in Pryor, Okla. at Born & Raised Music Festival Sept. 24, 2026 in Akron, Ohio at Akron Civic Theatre* Sept. 25, 2026 in Albany, N.Y. at Palace Theatre* Sept. 26, 2026 in Rochester, N.Y. at Main Theater at Kodak Center* Oct. 1, 2026 in Bismarck, N.D. at Bismarck Event Center* Oct. 2, 2026 in Rapid City, S.D. at The Monument - Fine Arts Theatre* Oct. 3, 2026 in Sioux City, Iowa at Orpheum Theatre Sioux City* Oct. 15, 2026 in Erie, Pa. at Liberty Park* Oct. 16, 2026 in Saginaw, Mich. at Theater at Dow Event Center* Oct. 22, 2026 in Green Bay, Wis. at EPIC Event Center* Oct. 23, 2026 in Toledo, Ohio at Stranahan Theater* Oct. 24, 2026 in Wabash, Ind. at Ford Theater at Honeywell Center*   Bold are newly added dates * presented by Peachtree Entertainment + co-headline with Gary Allan

ABOUT TRACY LAWRENCE: With 13M albums sold and 18 No.1 singles, Tracy Lawrence has solidified his status as a cornerstone of country music for more than thirty years. Even as he continues to release music and tour, the CMA and ACM award winner's ambitions have also extended to numerous media and charity projects. His interest in working with younger artists and being able to explore different topics led to the “TL's Road House” podcast, which has featured guests such as HARDY, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and more.   Over three decades into his decorated career, Lawrence's legacy continues to evolve. He spent 2024 touring with artists like Riley Green, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and more on top of his first-ever headlining show at the Ryman, which was sold out, and he returned to the iconic venue this year with another sold-out show. After revisiting his catalog with the Hindsight 2020 Vol 1, 2 and 3 and Live at Billy Bob's Texas albums, Lawrence released his Out Here In It EP, available everywhere now. Meanwhile, Lawrence continues to uphold his commitment to helping those in need across Middle Tennessee and beyond with his Mission:Possible non-profit committed to serving the homeless. From its humble beginnings cooking Thanksgiving dinners for the Nashville Rescue Mission to frying over 15K turkeys to date, the organization has raised more than $1.3M for those in need. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, Lawrence was honored with the 2023 CRS Humanitarian Award.   For additional information on Tracy Lawrence, please visit his website, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.   ABOUT MISSION:POSSIBLE: Tracy Lawrence's Mission:Possible exists to raise support and awareness of the homeless population in Middle Tennessee and beyond. The organization was launched in 2006 with its initial fundraising event, Mission:Possible Turkey Fry which has raised over $1.3M for Nashville Rescue Mission, fried over 15K turkeys and provided over 135K meals to the homeless and hungry of Middle Tennessee. In 2021, the organization created an annual Spring event, Mission: Possible Celebrity Golf Classic which has raised nearly $1.5M to date.

Book Nook - The Mark Twain Book of Quotes

The Mark Twain Book of Quotes is a lively and thought provoking collection of wit, wisdom, and keen observation from one of America’s most beloved literary voices. Drawn from Twain’s novels, essays, lectures, letters, and speeches, this carefully curated volume captures the humor, humanity, and sharp social insight that has made Mark Twain both timeless and essential.

By turns hilarious, irreverent, and profoundly perceptive, The Mark Twain Book of Quotes speaks to readers who appreciate intelligence wrapped in laughter. Whether you’re a lover of classic literature, a student of American history, or simply someone who enjoys a clever turn of phrase, this book offers moments of reflection and joy on every page.

Organized by themes including human nature, politics, humor, truth, morality, education, philosophy, and the art of living, The Mark Twain Book of Quotes is easy to browse, endlessly quotable, and perfect for sharing. It makes an engaging gift for readers of all ages who value time-tested insight that still feels remarkably modern.

Book Nook - Quiet Leadership: The power of introversion in schools

Amid rising staff burnout in UK schools, retention challenges and increasing accountability pressures¹, there is a quiet shift taking place in leadership culture. “The most effective school leaders,” argues ex-headteacher Andrew Marsh in his new book Quiet Leadership, “are no longer those who command the loudest voice in the room—but those who know when to step back, listen, and empower others.”

In an education system which is shaped by urgency, targets and top-down decision-making, Quiet Leadership presents a compelling alternative: a model rooted in trust, clarity and purposeful restraint. Rather than driving change through constant direction, he suggests that sustainable improvement comes from creating the conditions in which teachers can think, act and lead with confidence.

At a time when teacher wellbeing is under intense scrutiny and schools are searching for ways to do more with less, this book offers a timely and practical approach for schools everywhere.

Leading UK expert, Mary Myatt echoes this in her recent review, “Quiet Leadership is an important read for anyone who cares about education, people and the kind of leadership that nurtures rather than depletes. It’s a gentle but powerful call to reimagine what strength looks like in our schools, and beyond².”

Drawing on real-world experience and practical insight, Andrew offers school leaders a clear framework for reducing unnecessary noise, active listening, thoughtful decision making, understanding their team, avoiding micromanagement and building stronger, more resilient teams. Quiet Leadership challenges the assumption that effective leadership must always be visible and directive, instead championing a quieter, more intentional approach that puts people at the centre. Above all, quiet leaders know that they don’t know it all.

As the education sector continues to grapple with recruitment, retention and reform, Quiet Leadership provides a timely reminder that how leaders lead matters as much as what they lead. In turning down the volume, school leaders may find they are better able to hear—and harness—the collective strength of their teams.


Andrew Marsh retired from teaching in 2024 at the age of 50. After spending 46 years in classrooms, first as a pupil, then as a university student, a class teacher, and finally as a school leader, he wanted a new challenge.

Enriching Education - Principles of Reggio Emilia: How Learning Thrives Through Collaboration

Originally published here

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning

Hello, I’m Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse. As a longtime Reggio Emilia–inspired educator, I’ve spent much of my career observing how children make meaning together, through shared questions, collective problem-solving, and moments of genuine connection. Collaboration has always been one of the most powerful forces in early childhood learning, and it’s a principle that continues to inspire me every day.

One of the most meaningful beliefs within the Reggio Emilia methodology is that learning is inherently social. Children do not construct knowledge in isolation; they build understanding through relationships: with peers, educators, families, and the world around them. Learning comes alive when ideas are shared, explored together, and shaped through collaboration.

Within the Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, collaboration is not an occasional group task or a scheduled activity. It is a way of learning that honors children as thinkers who grow through interaction, dialogue, and shared discovery.

A Note About the “Reggio Emilia Curriculum”

We as teachers at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse are Reggio Emilia-inspired, and it is through our beliefs that we co-construct this learning in an emergent fashion, select open-ended materials, and nurture the Third Teacher: the environment. In practice, there is no such thing as a Reggio curriculum, Reggio material, Reggio furniture, or Reggio loose parts. Unlike Montessori, where it is the ‘Montessori Method’ with very clearly outlined learning and materials, Reggio Emilia-inspiration lives within us. When we use the phrase “Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum”, we mean only to identify our emergent and project-based teaching practices.

Collaboration Is How Ideas Grow

In the Reggio Emilia methodology, collaboration allows children’s thinking to evolve. An idea offered by one child becomes a starting point rather than a conclusion. Through shared exploration, children listen to one another, question assumptions, and refine their understanding together.

This process helps children see that learning is not about finding the “right” answer, but about exploring possibilities. When children collaborate, they begin to understand that ideas are flexible, expandable, and strengthened through collective thought. Learning becomes deeper because it is built together.

What Collaboration Looks Like in the Classroom

Collaboration within the Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum is visible in everyday classroom moments, especially in shared projects that invite children to work side by side over time.

One of our favorite collaborative experiences is the creation of shared classroom murals. Using a large poster board, children gather around a single shared space where everyone contributes. There are no assigned sections or individual ownership of the work. Instead, children negotiate space, respond to one another’s ideas, and build upon what already exists.

As the mural grows, so does the collaboration. Children make room for each other, borrow ideas, adapt their plans, and learn that their work exists as part of a larger whole. The focus is not on the final product, but on the relationships and thinking that unfold throughout the process. Read here for instructions on how you can do this at home!

Learning With Others Builds Empathy and Perspective

Collaboration in early childhood is deeply connected to social and emotional growth. When children work together, they practice considering viewpoints beyond their own. They learn how to listen, how to compromise, and how to navigate moments of disagreement respectfully.

Within the Reggio Emilia methodology, these experiences are essential. Children begin to understand that their ideas matter, but so do the ideas of others. Collaboration helps children develop empathy, patience, and an appreciation for different perspectives, laying the groundwork for meaningful relationships both inside and outside the classroom.

Collaboration Encourages Persistence and Problem-Solving

The collaborative nature of the Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum also supports persistence. When challenges arise, children are not facing them alone. Working alongside peers encourages children to stay engaged, try new approaches, and revisit ideas rather than giving up.

Through shared problem-solving, children learn that there are multiple ways to explore a question or overcome an obstacle. They experience the value of teamwork and discover that learning often happens through trial, reflection, and collective effort.

A Classroom Culture Rooted in Belonging

Collaboration helps shape a classroom culture where children feel a strong sense of belonging, and ensuring that every child belongs is our ultimate mission at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse. When children regularly contribute to shared projects and group experiences, they see themselves as valued members of a learning community.

Within the Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, collaboration communicates an important message: every child has something meaningful to offer. Learning becomes a shared responsibility, and children develop confidence knowing their ideas contribute to the collective experience.

 

Keep reading about the seven principles of Reggio Emilia! We’ll be posting the following five shortly!

• (1) Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning
• (2) Learning Thrives Through Collaboration
• (3) Children are Natural Communicators
• (4) The Classroom is the Third Teacher
• (5) Teachers are Partners and Guides
• (6) Documentation is Communication
• (7) Parents are Partners in Learning

Healthy Habits - Y factor

 Y factor is a new sperm donor matchmaking app that has launched in the USA (and has already launched in other parts of the world from UK, across Europe to Australia, New Zealand and Canada). The app helps connect singles and couples with parenting aspirations to men willing to donate sperm directly, bypassing sperm banks. The exchange, agreed by both parties, can either be through at-home insemination (aka turkey baster method), clinical insemination or sexual intercourse. 

Created by a Danish tech-startup, Y factor was founded by Ole Schou, the owner of Cryos International – the world’s largest sperm bank. The CEO of Y factor, Sofie Hafström Kritsotaki, wants to revolutionise the fertility industry in USA. 

For the solo mother, the lesbian couple, the heterosexual couple, or any other family constellation, it provides the opportunity to evaluate the donor on a deeper level. Y factor allows users to get to know each other personally before committing to the donation. Y factor encourages users to establish mutual agreements regarding the nature of their relationship before proceeding with actual donations, ensuring that both parties are aligned with realistic expectations. 

Y factor ensures a personal, secure, and simple experience, providing safety guidelines and legal support through reproductive lawyer Melissa B Brisman, Esq

I had a chance to learn more in this interview with Sofie Hafström Kritsotaki, CEO of Y factor

 

 

Why can the topic of finding sperm donors have so much stigma attached to it?

We believe that the stigma around finding a sperm donor mostly comes from outdated ideas about family, genetics, and masculinity, plus the fact that donor conception has often been treated as something private or shameful rather than ordinary family-building. Luckily, the world is changing rapidly and building families outside of the heteronormative family context is becoming more and more normal.

In addition, the stigma around private sperm donation largely stems from a lack of structure, transparency, and mainstream representation. At Y factor, we're working to change that. Every day, thousands of people connect privately to find donors. We also work to normalise private donation by fostering open conversations, sharing real stories from our community, and collaborating with professionals who support alternative paths to parenthood. Private donation deserves the same dignity and support as any other family-building route, and Y factor is here to help make that the norm. Our app enables users to make informed decisions, communicate openly, and set clear expectations, whether you're a donor or someone hoping to start a family. We believe that giving users more control and visibility in their donor journey will help normalise private sperm donation as a viable, ethical, and responsible choice.

Why might a family be looking outside of traditional sperm banks to find a match?

There are many different reasons that a family might consider a private donor over a sperm bank donor. 

• More control over the process: You get to set the terms of the donation, and you can personally vet and get to know the donor to understand whether they are the right match for you. You can plan the donation on your own timeline. 
• Personal connection: You are able to get to know the person behind the donation, understand their personality and values, and you get the option to stay in contact after the donation. This could be important if you want your child to know their origins from day 1 or if you are looking for a more involved role of the donor as an uncle figure or co-parent. 
• Access: Many intended parents do not have access to the desired fertility treatments or donor sperm through the sperm banks, whether due to restrictive national regulations, very high costs, or long waitlists for the desired type of donor.

 

How does Y factor help make it easier for families, but still safer than online forums or groups?

Y factor is founded by Ole Schou, owner of the global sperm bank Cryos International. Built on over 40 years of experience in the fertility industry, we have taken all that knowledge to build a superior technical product that fits the users’ needs. Y factor focuses on transparency at all times during the matching process, guiding users through the process of finding/ becoming a sperm donor at an accessible price point. Compared to online forums, we ask our users to disclose critical information up front, we have built in safety and moderation features in the app, and users can only talk to each other after showing mutual interest. A full overview here:

• Detailed profiles: Donors need to report past donation history, and all users are required to disclose donation preferences to create transparency from the start.
• Advanced search and filtering - Clear donation preferences make it possible to only match with people who align with your wishes. 
• Safety features - We have built in safety features such as ID-verification, in-app calls and moderation that help you protect your personal data, make sure you are talking to a real person, and proactively remove bad actors.
• Mutual Interest: Chat only unlocks when there is a match, so users don’t get flooded by unwanted messages on their first day on the app. 
• Inclusive - Everyone is welcome as long as they follow our community guidelines.
• Hands-on moderation - In-app reporting feature to flag inappropriate behaviour, moderation, and follow up through our customer support team.