Best PSingle Mother By Choice Podcasts (2025)

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S8E12 Managing Expectations & Embracing Flexibility as a SMBC (A SGC Village Podcast Sneak Peek) 38:27

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8d ago38:27

38:27

Motherhood—especially solo motherhood—rarely unfolds exactly the way we imagined. Fertility treatments don’t always go as planned, babies don’t follow sleep schedules, and even our best-laid visions of how life “should” look often get disrupted. In this episode, I’m sharing one of our private Village Podcast episodes on the theme of Managing Expect…

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Goodbye Podcast, Hello YouTube 8:52

13d ago8:52

8:52

I’m wrapping up The Backup Plan as a podcast and moving the project fully to YouTube. As a single mom by choice, raising my child through IVF with my gay best friend’s sperm and living multi-generationally with my mom, I’ll be sharing the next chapter of this journey in video form. 👉 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backupplanpod 👉 Access…

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S8E11 Pursuing Solo Motherhood, Part 2: Tara Resnick on Resilience and IVF as a Single Woman 53:28

22d ago53:28

53:28

Even with careful planning, none of us can predict how our path to motherhood will unfold. When we last spoke with Tara Resnick, she was preparing for another egg retrieval and left us with quite the cliffhanger. Today, she’s back to share the next chapter of her journey toward solo motherhood. In this conversation, Tara speaks with honesty and vul…

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S8E10 Julie Ferguson on IVF, Solo Motherhood, and Finding Love After Baby 1:04:19

1M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Julie thought she was freezing her eggs for a future partner. Instead, she ended up fertilizing all of them on her path to become a mom on her own—then finding love and partnership afterward. That’s the short version of Julie Ferguson’s story, but there’s so much more to it. Julie is a PR firm owner and solo mom by choice who’s been through more th…

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S8E9 Pursuing Solo Motherhood: Tara Resnick on Love, Loss, and Choosing Herself 1:03:36

2M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Life doesn’t always unfold the way you imagined. For Tara, that meant rethinking everything she thought she knew about love, family, and the “perfect” timing. After years in relationships that weren’t moving toward the future she desired, she found herself at a crossroads: stay stuck waiting for someone else to come around, or start creating the li…

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S8E8 Solo Parenting Older Children and Thriving in Business With SMBC Beile Grünbaum 1:06:24

2M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

What does life look like a decade into solo motherhood? If you've ever wondered what’s on the other side of the baby and toddler years, this conversation with Beile Grünbaum will give you an exciting glimpse. Beile is a solo mom by choice of two sons, now 10 and 12, and her story is anything but ordinary. A former financial journalist in Denmark, B…

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S8E7 Finding a Known Donor and Choosing Solo Motherhood with Viveka Mandhyan 59:38

3M ago59:38

59:38

What if the desire to become a parent is strong, but the partner hasn't shown up? In this episode, I’m talking with Viveka, a school psychologist who has spent her career supporting kids and families—and who’s now navigating her own path to solo motherhood. Viveka started out as a preschool special education teacher, is certified as a yoga instruct…

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S8E6 Building a Strong Support System in Solo Motherhood With Therapist and SMBC Sige Weisman 1:07:15

3M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It takes a village”, but what does that actually look like when you’re choosing to become a mom on your own? Today’s guest is the perfect example of why becoming a single mother by choice doesn’t mean you have to raise your child alone. You’ll hear exactly what it can look like to build a deeply supportive village…

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S8E5 One Embryo Is All It Took: Kellyn Nagel's IVF Story as a Single Mother by Choice 1:14:04

4M ago1:14:04

1:14:04

What happens when you only get one viable embryo and it’s your only shot at becoming a mom? For Kellyn, her single embryo became the greatest gift of her life. Today’s guest is Kellyn Nagel, a fellow single mother by choice and dedicated attorney who represents children in foster care. Kellyn shares her emotional and financial journey through ferti…

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S8E4 Solo Parenting Two Kids After 40, With SMBC Randi Maves 1:12:09

4M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

Solo parenting one child is a big job. Add a second baby to the mix, and do it all without a co-parent, and everything shifts. In this episode, I’m joined by Randi Maves, a solo mom by choice to two boys, four years apart. Randi wouldn’t trade this life for anything, but she’s honest about how intense it can be juggling two different stages of pare…

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S8E3 Dating as a Single Mother by Choice With Erin Russell 58:22

4M ago58:22

58:22

The desire to share life with a partner doesn’t just disappear when we choose to start our families on our own. And it doesn’t have to. Today’s new episode is a beautiful reminder that both things can be true: you can want motherhood and partnership, and you don’t have to give up one to have the other. At 35, Erin Russell was faced with the hard re…

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S8E2 Expanding Your Family as a SMBC: Lauren Harris’s Journey to Three Kids 1:08:00

5M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

Expanding your family as a single mother by choice isn’t always easy — but many solo moms desire more than one child, and today’s conversation is a beautiful example of how it can unfold. Lauren — a returning guest and seasoned SMBC — shares her journey from welcoming her first daughter to expanding her family with twins, all in just a few years. A…

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S8E1 Inside the SGC Retreat: Curveballs, Self-Compassion and the Magic of Letting Go 39:27

5M ago39:27

39:27

I recently wrapped up one of the most unpredictable SMBC retreats I’ve ever hosted, and I’m still unpacking all the lessons it had to teach me. This solo episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when things go completely off-script, and how self-compassion, surrender, and unexpected moments of connection carried me through. This isn’t yo…

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Welcome to The Single Greatest Choice 2:07

5M ago2:07

2:07

You always imagined becoming a mom someday, but what if someday doesn’t look the way you expected? Maybe you're considering solo motherhood, wondering if having a baby on your own is really possible. Maybe you know you want to be a mom, but the clock is ticking, you’re single and aren’t sure what to do next. Perhaps you’re already on the path: rese…

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S7E9 My Story: How & Why I Chose to Have a Baby on My Own 1:03:59

9M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

For most of my life, I believed that finding the right partner was the key to starting a family. I spent nearly 20 years searching for the perfect relationship, thinking that marriage had to come first before motherhood. But at 39, I was single and I still deeply wanted to become a mom. That’s when I decided I was done waiting. I would have a baby …

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S7E8 Egg Freezing, IVF & Dating as a Single Mother: Eboni K. Williams’ SMBC Story 1:18:23

10M ago1:18:23

1:18:23

When Eboni K. Williams froze her eggs, she had zero intention of using them, but she did it anyway, just in case. Years later, at 38, her perspective on motherhood shifted, and she was grateful she had taken steps to preserve her fertility. That decision gave her the freedom to pursue solo motherhood on her own timeline, using IVF to welcome the ch…

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S7E7 Adopting a Child as a Single Black Woman Based Overseas With SMBC Richelle Carey 55:20

10M ago55:20

55:20

Are you waiting for a partner to give you the ‘green light’ to become a mom? For Richelle Carey, the answer became clear in her mid-40s: She wasn’t going to wait anymore. After freezing her eggs at 42 and attempting IVF at 46, Richelle realized she wasn’t attached to biological motherhood. What she truly wanted was to become a mom. That’s when she …

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S7E6 Kids or Childfree? Considering (Solo) Motherhood With Keltie Maguire 56:10

11M ago56:10

56:10

Deciding whether to have kids is one of the most personal, and often most complex, choices a woman can make. For many, considering solo motherhood brings up even more questions: Should I wait for a partner? Can I do this on my own? What if I’m not sure I want kids at all? In this episode, I sit down with Keltie Maguire, coach and host of the Kids o…

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S7E5 Becoming a Single Mother by Choice After Divorce with SMBC Jamela Black 1:14:29

11M ago1:14:29

1:14:29

When Jamela’s marriage ended at 37, she wasn’t interested in dating. Instead she decided to become a Single Mother by Choice (SMBC). With a deep desire for motherhood and a clear vision of the kind of family she wanted to create, she embraced solo motherhood by choice with the full support of her mom, who even helped her choose the right sperm dono…

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S7E4 The Emotional & Physical Reality of IVF for Single Women with Whitney Foley 56:11

11M ago56:11

56:11

Pursuing IVF as a single woman is a deeply personal decision; one that comes with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. For Whitney Foley, the desire to become a mom was stronger than her fear of doing it alone. At 34, after years of dating and waiting for the “right” partner, she realized she didn’t want to leave motherhood up to chance. …

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S7E3 From Single Mom by Chance to Choice: Virginia Drader’s Journey to Pregnancy Without a Partner 50:21

12M ago50:21

50:21

Life doesn’t always go according to plan but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the dream of growing your family. Today’s guest, Virginia Drader, knows this journey well. After unexpectedly becoming a single mom after a divorce in her late 20s, she spent the next decade focused on her career and raising her son. But after a surprise pregnancy…

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Season 2, Episode 5: Conquering Black-to-school Anxiety and Planning Epic Play Dates 27:51

1y ago27:51

27:51

Remember the buzz of preparing for a new school year? Those summer play dates that were the perfect blend of fun and preparation for the upcoming educational journey? We, Hera and Estela, take you back to those times, sharing personal anecdotes as we navigate the world of play dates - the joy, the inclusion, and the potential challenges. We even to…

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Season 2, Episode 8: The Man with 97 Biological Children (Part I) - Donor Dylan's Tale of Sperm Donation and Discovery 21:51

1y ago21:51

21:51

Ever wonder what it's like to walk into a sperm bank, answer some peculiar questions, donate, and then years later discover you have 97 biological children? That's exactly what happened to Donor Dylan, our guest in this riveting discussion. Dylan lets us into his journey of discovery, the shock of learning that he has a multitude of biological chil…

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Season 2, Episode 7: Confronting Discrimination: A Tale of Hair, Friendship, and a Beyonce Concert 23:46

1y ago23:46

23:46

What happens when the feeling of belonging is put to the test? You're about to hear the tale of a Beyonce concert, a couple of extra guests, and an unexpected lesson in friendship and values. We laugh, we cringe, and we learn as we recount that night when we had to sit on the floor, shunned by a friend. Through this personal story, we want to make …

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Season 2, Episode 4: Planning Adventure Travel with Kids (Costa Rica) 27:42

1y ago27:42

27:42

In this episode, Hera and Estela discuss planning a non-traditional family adventure. Recorded while in Costa Rica, they walk through how to find lodging and flights as well as what a day at language immersion camp looks like at Explornatura Kids camp in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. In addition to the highlights like monkey sightings and surf, they discu…

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Season 2, Episode 6: Embracing Diversity - A Conversation on Unique Family Structures 28:05

1y ago28:05

28:05

This week we recap on the first week of school and discuss how kid social interactions have changed post pandemic (particularly for kids who were school aged during the height of it). Have you ever considered how remote learning impacted children's social skills? Picture this, a young student, fresh from a year of remote learning, navigating the tr…

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Season 2, Episode 9: Part II of Donor Dylan's Story - The Sperm Donor with 97 Biological Children 22:30

1y ago22:30

22:30

This is Part II of Donor Dylan's story. Picture this – you just found out you have 97 biological children. Baffled? So was our guest, Donor Dylan, when he discovered this shocking revelation due to sperm donation. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Dylan unravels his rollercoaster journey of having so many biological children. We dig into his initia…

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Season 2, Episode 10: Defying Silence: A Mother's Memoir and the Fight for Children's Justice 19:21

1y ago19:21

19:21

Hera and Estela bring you a new episode - that explains why they've taken a bit of a hiatus. They've both been writing books! And Hera has just released her memoir, ten years in the making, that's both deeply personal and universally touching. "Defying Silence," her memoir, unveils the heart-wrenching journey of losing her son and the struggle agai…

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Season 2, Episode 11: Navigating the Thrills and Spills of Tween Crushes and School Yard Gossip 22:40

1y ago22:40

22:40

Remember the flutters of first crushes and the buzz of schoolyard whispers? Together with my daughter Estela, we take a heartfelt plunge into the world of tween crushes and the ensuing gossip that can feel like navigating a minefield. We swap stories, with Estela offering a peek into the pulse of today's tween experiences, rife with the excitement …

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Season 3: Episode 1: Revolutionizing Donor Identity Disclosure with Dylan Morgan from Cascade Cryobank 28:53

1y ago28:53

28:53

Ever wondered what it's like to transition from a sperm donor to the Chief Operations Officer of a leading cryobank? Join us in an eye-opening episode of Seeking Different as Dylan Morgan, COO of Cascade Cryobank, takes us through his personal and professional journey. We'll explore Cascade Cryobank's groundbreaking Early Identity Disclosure Progra…

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"Bonus Mini EP": Season Recap and "Into the Mind of a Four Year Old" 13:46

1y ago13:46

13:46

In this mini episode, Estela and Hera look back on the first season thus far to talk about favorite moments, things they learned, and Estela discusses how ignorance about non-traditional family can play out in the school setting. Isa makes an appearance at the end of the episode to give her definition of a donor as well as a hilarious look into the…

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Season 1, Episode 12: Growing the Family from Two to Three 24:29

1y ago24:29

24:29

In this episode, Estela dishes about what it was like becoming a big sister and Hera shares her thoughts on the differences between having one child as an SMC and having two. They also discuss how their family was built on top of the tragedy of losing Estela's brother and Hera's son Prince.By Hera and Estela McLeod

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Season 2, Episode 1: Summer Recap and CONSENT 16:00

1y ago16:00

16:00

In the first episode of season two, Hera and Estela and joined by little sister Isa as they give a quick summer camp recap and discuss the topic of consent. Hera explains to the girls how everything from touching hair to hugs and kisses are things that require permission.By Hera and Estela McLeod

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Season 2, Episode 2: I'm a Barbie Girl, In a Barbie World (Movie Review and Deep Thoughts) 25:26

1y ago25:26

25:26

In this episode, Hera and Estela review the new Barbie movie. They discuss the parallels between Barbie and real life as well as review the movie from the perspective of a mom and of a kid. Hera also breaks down the parts of the movie that were likely not meant for kids and Estela highlights the parts she understood more than her mom realized.…

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Season 1, Episode 7: Two Moms, a Son, and Two Households 24:40

1y ago24:40

24:40

In this episode of "Seeking Different", Hera and Estela interview Mom Denise and her Son Sawyer. Sawyer explains how he feels his family is "normal" in their progressive town in the suburbs of Tampa, Florida. They also discuss what it's like to move between two parental homes, favorite books, and a love affair with Boba Tea.…

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Season 1, Episode 13: Interview with Angela Stepancic, Founder of the First Black Owned Sperm Bank - Reproductive Village Cryobank (RVC) 25:11

1y ago25:11

25:11

In the final episode of season one for Seeking Different, Hera and Estela sit down with Angela Stepancic (founder of Reproductive Village Cryobank) to discuss her plans to open the first Black owned cryobank that's specifically focused on helping Black families by sourcing Black donors. Angela talks through her journey to opening (coming summer 202…

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Season 1, Episode 9: It Goes Down on the Playground 18:21

1y ago18:21

18:21

In this episode, Hera and Estela discuss recess and the playground where ALL the drama goes down. From navigating bullies to the evolution of kid conversations. The littlest McLeod - Isa - also makes a special appearance in this episode and reveals her understanding of "donor" as well as her feelings about heroes and Orange Juice.…

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Season 1, Episode 8: It Takes a Village 32:40

1y ago32:40

32:40

In this episode of Seeking Different, Hera and Estela interview Lara McLeod (Hera's sister) and discuss the importance of having a village. Being a parent is hard no matter what type of family you have, and having a strong village to help raise your children is critical to family health. Lara, affectionately known as "Tia", discusses how she felt a…

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Season 1, Episode 6: School Choice - Featuring Kid Logic 31:20

1y ago31:20

31:20

It was Independent School Decisions week in the DMV this past week and our house is all a buzz! In this episode of Seeking Different, Hera and Estela discuss what goes into deciding on a school and give an inside look from a kid's perspective of the admissions process - from "the buddy" to the on site testing to choosing the best school.…

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Season 2, Episode 3: Fireside Chat with Donor Conceived Community (DCC) Founder Melissa Lindsey 47:06

1y ago47:06

47:06

In the second episode of Season two - Hera and Estela sit down to chat with Melissa Lindsey, the founder and director of The Donor Conceived Community (DCC). DCC provides peer support, education, and resources for people navigating donor conception and DNA discoveries. Melissa shares her story, why she started the organization, and some tips for bo…

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Season 1, Episode 11: Family Trip to Colombia 26:09

1y ago26:09

26:09

In this episode, Hera and Estela discuss traveling as an SMC family to Cartagena, Colombia. Highlights include a scary bus incident in Playa Blanca and the incredible experience they had in the Afro-Colombian Village of Palenque. They share the highlights as well as some savvy tips for traveling with kids.…

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S7E2 Sperm Donation for Single Women: How SMBC Valerie Bauman Found the Right Fit 49:09

1y ago49:09

49:09

At some point, every single woman who dreams of motherhood faces a critical question: Do I keep waiting for the right partner, or do I take control of my future? For Valerie Bauman, that moment came at 38, during the pandemic, when dating felt nearly impossible. She realized she couldn’t put her dreams on hold any longer and made the empowering dec…

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S7E1 Why Educated Women Are Turning to Egg Freezing With Marcia Inhorn, Author of ‘Motherhood on Ice’ 1:02:17

1y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

As more women pursue higher education and successful careers, the dating landscape is shifting. For the first time in history, women are earning more degrees than men. Could that very achievement be making it harder to find a life partner? With fewer equally educated men in the dating pool, many single women are left wondering: Should I freeze my e…

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Season 3, Episode 1: Revolutionizing Donor Identity Disclosure with Dylan Morgan from Cascade Cryobank 28:53

1y ago28:53

28:53

Ever wondered what it's like to transition from a sperm donor to the Chief Operations Officer of a leading cryobank? Join us in an eye-opening episode of Seeking Different as Dylan Morgan, COO of Cascade Cryobank, takes us through his personal and professional journey. We'll explore Cascade Cryobank's groundbreaking Early Identity Disclosure Progra…

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S6, Ep 10: SMBC with a known donor, Ashley Coates 1:01:00

1y ago1:01:00

1:01:00

My final guest of this season is Ashley Coates, a longtime Instagram friend and solo mom by choice living in Portland, Oregon. When Ashley decided to pursue solo motherhood, she decided to ask a close friend to be her known donor. What happened next feels almost too good to be true. Tune in as Ashley shares her experience of navigating conception, …

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S6, Ep 9: Solo Mum Society founder, author and podcast host, Alisha Burns 1:00:26

1y ago1:00:26

1:00:26

We discuss more about….. The transition from corporate life to focusing on solo motherhood. The joys and challenges of parenting during a global pandemic. Her mother’s health crisis and its impact on her responsibilities. The process of writing her book featuring stories of 20 Australian SMBCs. Strategies for achieving a better work/life balance. P…

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Season 1, Episode 5:Seeking Different: Season 1, Episode 5: Divorce, Blended Families, and Gender Identity 27:54

1y ago27:54

27:54

In this episode of Seeking Different, Hera and Estela interview mother Abigail from The Podcast "The Judgement Free Zone" and her child Kenley "KG". They candidly discuss what it's like to have a blended family, divorce, and gender identity. Kenley is one of the bravest children we've met, and breaks down what's like to be born in a girl body but f…

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S6, Ep 8: “Accidental” SMBC through foster to open adoption with Elizabeth Friedland 1:04:08

1y ago1:04:08

1:04:08

We discuss more about….. Elizabeth’s journey to fostering and adoption. Balancing professional life with motherhood. The emotional and logistical challenges of fostering. dating and introducing our children to a future partner. Building and relying on a support system. Insights and advice for those considering fostering or adoption. Connect with El…

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S6, Ep 7: SMBC to two through adoption with Emily Driscoll 49:36

1+ y ago49:36

49:36

We discuss more about….. Emily's initial adoption research and the steps involved in the process. The emotional journey and uncertainties of getting matched. The costs and logistical aspects of adopting in the U.S. Adjusting to motherhood and balancing work with childcare. The importance of support and strong friendships in solo motherhood. 👩‍👧‍👦Th…

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S6, Ep 6: Celine Charlotte, a quick journey from considering to parenting 1:11:22

1+ y ago1:11:22

1:11:22

We discuss more about….. Celine's transition into embracing single motherhood. The challenges and emotional journey of egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Moving from the Netherlands to Sedona, and eventually to New York City. The vital role of community and support for SMBCs. Balancing business and motherhood, and the importance of surrounding ones…