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

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 [e-mail]—we love hearing your stories!

🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!

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

🏳️‍🌈 Order the .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}