Advertise on podcast: The Single Greatest Choice: For Single Women Exploring Solo Motherhood by Choice (SMBC), Fertility, and Having a Baby on Thei

What do you do when the path to motherhood keeps asking you to let go of the way you thought it would happen? I sit down with life coach and single mom by choice Victoria Kennedy to talk about her five-year journey to becoming a mother... a journey filled with difficult endings, unexpected pivots, heartbreaking losses, and ultimately, a deep trust in herself and the life she wanted to create. Victoria shares how she walked away from a seven-year toxic relationship at 34 and took the time she needed to rebuild herself before dating again. Motherhood was still something she deeply wanted, and when a later relationship came with an ultimatum — choose the relationship or keep pursuing fertility treatment — Victoria had to decide what she was and wasn't willing to give up. Victoria and I discuss:Choosing your desire for motherhood when a relationship asks you to give it upNavigating six IUIs, five IVF cycles, fertility setbacks, pregnancy loss, and an ectopic pregnancyMaking the emotional pivot to donor eggs and grieving the loss of a biological connectionSetting boundaries with well-meaning family and friends during fertility treatmentLetting go of the timeline you thought your life would followHow Victoria's experience led her to life coaching and helping women recognize "micro-self-abandonment"Developing the self-trust to make hard decisions without needing everyone else to understand them Your Next Steps:Learn more about Victoria Kennedy at https://www.victoriakennedy.studio/Connect with Victoria on Instagram at @VictoriaKennedy.studioSign Up for Community Groups: Connect with women on similar paths by signing up for upcoming groups at https://www.singlegreatestchoice.com/community-groups.Connect with me on Instagram: Follow @single_greatest_choice for daily inspiration and insights.Join the SGC Village: Become part of the community and stay up-to-date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up HERE at the bottom of the page. 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

Laura Runnels knew from a young age that solo motherhood was a path she was willing to take. What she couldn’t have known was exactly how that path would unfold, from exploring known donation to ultimately using a sperm bank, conceiving at home, and later deciding whether to grow her family again. In this episode, Laura and I talk about her path to becoming a solo mom to two donor-conceived children, including some of the less conventional routes she explored along the way and the questions that came up when she began considering a second child. We also dig into the work Laura is doing now in the donor conception community. Through the Donor Conception Journal Club, she makes peer-reviewed donor conception research more accessible while encouraging readers to think critically about what the research can and cannot tell us. And as a co-founder of Parts of Me, she is working to expand the range of donor-conceived experiences represented in books, media, arts, and culture. In this episode, we discuss: Laura’s early certainty that she wanted to become a mother, even if she did it on her ownHer experience searching for a known donor, including using dating apps specifically for that purposeHer eventual decision to use a sperm bank and her experience conceiving through at-home inseminationHow she thought about finances, capacity, family size, and the possibility of having a second or third childWhy donor conception research can be difficult for the average person to access and interpret, and how the Donor Conception Journal Club is helping bridge that gapThe importance of seeing a much wider range of donor-conceived experiences represented in books, movies, and culture through Parts of Me Resources Mentioned: Donor Conception Journal Club: www.dcjournalclub.comParts of Me: partsofme.orgThe Ones We Choose by Julie Clark Connect with Laura: On Instagram: @laurarunnelsOn LinkedIn: Laura Runnels Your Next Steps: Sign Up for one of our upcoming groups at https://www.singlegreatestchoice.com/community-groupsConnect with Katie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/single_greatest_choiceBecome part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up HERE at the bottom of the page 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

What does donor conception actually feel like from the child’s perspective as they grow into adulthood? I sit down with Kat Boldt, LPC, to discuss the lifelong journey of donor conception through the unique dual lens of a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and an adult donor-conceived person raised by a Single Mother by Choice. Kat shares her personal experience of growing up knowing her story, how finding 30 genetic half-siblings in adulthood altered her perspective, and what it’s like to process complex identity emotions across a lifespan. In this episode, we discuss: What connecting with genetic half-siblings (or sibling pods) looks like, from varied emotional reactions to forming deep lifelong bonds.Moving beyond simplified children's books to normalize all feelings around donor conception—not just "mom wanted me so much".Why telling children early and often builds positive identity and avoids the potential trauma of finding out later in adulthood.How open donor choices impact mental health outcomes, and why true anonymity is no longer guaranteed in the era of direct-to-consumer DNA testing.Letting your child lead language changes over time, finding positive role models, and utilizing therapist resources like the US Donor Conceived Council. Resources and Additional Information Discussed: US Donor Conceived Counsel (USDCC)USDCC Ask A TherapistLearn more about Kat's work at https://northcoastic.comFind Kat on Instagram at @katboldtcounseling More About Our Guest: Kat Boldt, LPC, was raised by a single mother by choice and has always known she was donor conceived. As a licensed counselor in Ohio, she specializes in providing affirming care to adult clients exploring sexuality, gender identity, and reproductive technologies, including donor conception. Learn more about Kat at https://northcoastic.com Your Next Steps: Sign Up for one of our upcoming groups at https://www.singlegreatestchoice.com/community-groups Connect with Katie on Instagram at @Single_Greatest_ChoiceBecome part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up HERE at the bottom of the page 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

What if "ready" doesn't feel the way you think it will? I sit down with licensed therapist and solo mom Carrie Meckler to explore one of the biggest myths women carry into the solo motherhood journey... that you have to be completely certain before you begin. Carrie shares her deeply personal journey from ending a relationship at 34 to beginning fertility treatment at 35, navigating multiple IUIs, IVF, donor selection, unexpected setbacks, and ultimately becoming the mom of her two year old son. This episode is about more than the logistics of fertility though. Carrie and I talk through the emotional side of deciding to become a solo mom... the grief, uncertainty, shame, hope, and courage that can all exist at the same time. Carrie shares what she's learned as both a therapist and a solo mother supporting other women who are considering this path, offering practical advice for taking the first step without needing to have every answer. Throughout our conversation, one message keeps resurfacing: you don't have to be 100% certain before you begin. In this episode, we discuss: Why waiting for complete certainty may be keeping you stuckMaking the decision to pursue solo motherhood after the end of a relationshipNavigating IUIs, IVF, donor selection, and the emotional highs and lows of fertility treatmentWhy community and therapy can make such a difference throughout the journeyPractical advice for breaking the Solo Mom decision process into manageable stepsLearning to hold both excitement and grief at the same time as you move toward motherhood Whether you're actively considering solo motherhood, in the middle of fertility treatment, or simply wondering if this path could be right for you, this conversation is filled with compassion, honesty, and reassurance that you're not alone. Your Next Steps: Learn more about Carrie at http://www.copingcounselingnc.comSign Up for one of our upcoming groups at https://www.singlegreatestchoice.com/community-groupsConnect with Katie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/single_greatest_choiceBecome part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up HERE at the bottom of the page 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

I sit down with Jeni to unpack a raw, deeply resonant, and incredibly insightful fertility journey. Jeni shares her evolution from viewing egg freezing as a simple piece of "mental insurance" at age 35 to navigating a grueling five-year path spanning five different fertility clinics. She describes the mental and physical toll of constant cycle adjustments, the burden of clinic communication woes, and the unique challenges of deciding when to finally stop using your own genetic material. We dive deep into how a direct conversation with her mother served as a turning point, prompting her to shift paths and explore embryo donation. Jeni shares her practical experiences onboarding with major matching organizations like Embryo Connections and Empower with Moxie, explaining how she navigated potential match criteria and discovered what genuinely mattered to her. Throughout it all, Jeni models a beautiful mindset shift: learning to release a tight grip on expectations, setting clear intuitive boundaries of "this and no further," and choosing to hold her solo parenting journey as lightly as possible. In this episode, we discuss: The emotional reality of egg freezing at 35 and how expectations can shift over time.Advocating for yourself across 5 different clinics and recognizing when a provider is not the right fit.Processing the decision to stop using your own eggs.The step-by-step onboarding process, cost realities, and managing weekly databases through agencies like Embryo Connections and Empower with Moxie.Shifting perspective from sperm donor filters to full embryo genetics, adjusting to physical match considerations, and managing communication alignment with donor families.Moving past the urge to strangle every choice. Connect with Katie: Website:singlegreatestchoice.comInstagram:@single_greatest_choice 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌 Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. ✍️ Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

Beth always knew motherhood was important to her, but becoming a single mom by choice wasn't a decision she made overnight. In this conversation, Beth shares the three-year journey between first considering solo motherhood and ultimately becoming pregnant, including the doubts, pauses, therapy sessions, and mindset shifts that helped her move forward with confidence. We also talk about what life actually looked like after her daughter arrived. Beth opens up about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, building a support system without family help, and the reality of creating a village as a solo mom. We explore the difference between having a plan and being attached to specific circumstances, and why flexibility matters so much in this journey. Plus, Beth shares the inspiration behind her children's book, Choosing Rose, written to help donor-conceived children understand their story. We discuss the importance of normalizing different family structures, finding balance as a mother, and the personal growth that can come from choosing a path that feels right for you, even when it looks different from what others expect. In this episode, we talk about: Why Beth chose solo motherhoodThe emotional ups and downs of deciding to become a single mom by choiceWhat happened when family support didn't look the way she expectedBuilding a village through paid support, friendships, and communityThe loneliness that can show up during pregnancy and postpartumHow becoming a solo mom transformed Beth's confidence and self-trustThe story behind Choosing Rose and talking to kids about donor conception Connect with Beth: WebsiteInstagram: @choosing.motherhood Instagram: @choosingmotherhoodbooks 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌 Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. ✍️ Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

Embryo donation can be a beautiful and deeply layered way to build a family, but it’s also a topic surrounded by questions, emotion, and a lot of unknowns. In this episode, I’m joined by Maya Grobel, a licensed clinical social worker, recipient parent, and documentary filmmaker, along with Jen Vesbit, a nationally certified counselor and donor parent. Together with their partner Gina Davis, they co-founded Empower with Moxi and the Moxi Matching platform, where they provide guidance, support, and education for embryo donors and recipients. We talk about what motivates donors and recipients, the emotional complexity on both sides, and the importance of feeling truly ready while also making space for grief. We also discuss how relationships between families can evolve over time. Maya and Jen share the personal experiences that led them to this work, including Maya building her family through embryo donation and Jen donating her remaining embryo to a single mother by choice. They also explain why more solo moms are beginning to consider embryo donation as part of their path to parenthood today. If you’re curious about embryo donation for yourself, or wondering what to do with remaining embryos, this conversation will help you better understand the logistics, the community, and most importantly, what it can look like to reimagine your own vision of family. In this episode, we talk about: The emotional journey of embryo donation from both donor and recipient perspectivesThe practical steps and timeline for directed, open embryo donationThe unique ways single parents are welcomed and supported in the Moxi Matching processHow to navigate family conversations, decision-making, and the “when is my family complete?” questionThe importance of community and support for solo moms considering this pathSupporting children (and donor families) in talking about genetic connections and expanded familyWhy choice, inclusivity, and agency are at the heart of building families through embryo donation Resources: EM•POWER with MoxiInstagram: @empowerwithmoxiMaya's websiteOne More ShotMaya's Podcast: Never Thought We'd Be HereJen on Instagram: @embryodonationsupport 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌 Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. ✍️ Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

What does it really take to let go of the fairy tale you were raised with and create a life, and family, that’s truly your own? In this episode, I sit down with Cheri Bergeron, Austin author, single mom by choice, and passionate advocate for women navigating new paths to motherhood. Cheri's journey has included fertility challenges, marriage and divorce, donor conception loss, and ultimately, building her family in unexpected and deeply intentional ways. Her story is raw, emotional, and so relatable for anyone who has found themselves facing a future far different from the one they once imagined. We talk honestly about the push and pull between career ambition and the dream of motherhood, and what happens when timelines, biology, or relationships don’t line up the way you hoped. Cheri shares the lessons she learned about advocating for yourself in the fertility world, building non-traditional village support, and making empowered choices no matter how many pivots your journey requires. We also open up about the real fears so many single mothers by choice face: Will our children be okay? What will people think if we have kids “later”? And how can intentional community shape the way we (and our kids) experience solo motherhood? In this episode, we talk about: Cheri's path from a “Prince Convenient” marriage to solo motherhood by choiceThe realities and surprises of using donor eggs and navigating IVF in your 40sGrieving the losses that come with fertility challenges and transitionsWhy clarity around your values can guide even the hardest decisionsRethinking what your village looks like, and building a non-traditional support systemHandling judgment, both real and imagined, from family and yourselfHow to hold space for kids’ questions and thrive as a single-parent family Connect with Cheri: WebsiteCheri's book, Mission: Motherhood 👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌 Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. ✍️ Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]. ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.

Donor conception is changing faster than most fertility clinics or sperm banks can keep up. More and more women are looking for alternative paths to parenthood that put autonomy, transparency, and connection at the center. If you’ve ever wondered about the world of known, open, and peer-to-peer sperm donation, or wanted more control and clarity on selecting a donor, this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Sofie Hafstrøm Kritsotaki, CEO of Y factor, a Copenhagen-based startup helping solo moms (and others) connect directly with sperm donors in a safe and user-friendly way. Sofie shares how Y factor works, why donor and recipient choice matters, and all the behind-the-scenes details about vetting, agreements, communication, and what it looks like to use the app. We break down what it’s actually like to search for a donor outside of the typical bank system, including logistics, legal considerations, and the emotional side of creating your family story. If you’re feeling both curious and cautious about moving beyond the default options, I hope this conversation helps you feel informed, empowered, and confident in exploring what’s possible. In this episode, we talk about: How peer-to-peer sperm donation gives both donor and recipient more agency and choiceWhat makes the Y factor platform different from banks and Facebook groupsWays to prioritize safety, legal clarity, and personal preference in open donor arrangementsThe real motivations behind why men become donors, and how that impacts your decisionNavigating conversations about expectations, boundaries, and future contact with the donorWhy so many single mothers by choice are leading the way in this new modelWhat to consider if you want siblings or want to connect with your child’s donor or half-siblings Learn more about Y factor and download the app here! 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected].

When I first connected with today's guest, Aliza, I felt such a spark of resonance. She has created exactly what she wished had existed on her own fertility journey. It’s an international, holistic, community-based egg freezing retreat designed to transform what can be an isolating, clinical, and overwhelming experience into something deeply supportive, connected, and even joyful. In this episode, Aliza shares her powerful story of navigating egg freezing in Vancouver, feeling the weight of soaring costs and emotional isolation, and realizing there had to be a better way. We dive into how her own medical and fertility path led to the founding of Fertility Co-Living. This is where women come together in Mexico City for a holistic egg freezing journey: acupuncture, red light therapy, nutrition guidance, nurse support, yoga, city excursions, and true companionship. We also open up about reclaiming the magic and meaning of becoming a mother on your own terms, and how stepping off the beaten path can create a life richer than you imagined. If you’ve thought about freezing eggs, are considering solo motherhood, or simply want to hear how one woman took her pain and turned it into collective healing, you’ll feel seen and supported in this conversation. In this episode, we talk about: Aliza's journey through egg freezing, disappointment, and the high financial and emotional costs in CanadaWhy fertility options abroad can offer both lower costs and richer supportHow Fertility Co-Living turns egg freezing into a restorative, communal, and even beautiful experienceThe importance of addressing mind, body, and spirit throughout the fertility journeyNavigating timelines, urgency, regret, and learning to trust your own intuition, not just the numbers or the pressureWho joins these retreats, and why the community you build is as transformative as the medical process itself Connect with Aliza: The Fertility Co-Living websiteInstagram: @thefertilitycoliving 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected].

Becoming a single mother by choice is complicated enough, but when you add layers of cultural expectations, family pressure, and the uncertainty of fertility, it can feel like there’s just no roadmap and no one who gets it. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Reema Kiran, executive coach, founder of Choice Mom Coach, and now published author of the book, Choice Mom. We go deep into her process of navigating unexplained infertility, cultural traditions, and making the call to prioritize motherhood on her own terms. Together, we share the real, lived experience of choosing this path despite fears and grief over what “should have been". Reema opens up about childhood dreams clashing with grown-up realities, the importance of mindset, and what it meant to face questions from family and her Indian community. We talk about what’s helped us both, and what it has looked like for our families (and ourselves) to come around to single motherhood by choice. Whether you’re in the thinking stage, facing fertility challenges, or wrestling with letting go of the life you imagined, this is a truly supportive, honest conversation. In this episode, we talk about: Navigating cultural expectations and family reactions as a single mother by choiceThe emotional side of infertility, failed fertility treatments, and shifting your mindsetReema's experience with egg freezing and entering the world of IVF on her ownGrieving the loss of the partner and child vision, and finding your own way forwardDay-to-day realities and surprises of solo motherhood (from mental load to mom guilt)How to speak with confidence to loved ones who might not understand your choicesThe power of self-compassion, community, and taking just one next step Connect with Reema: WebsiteInstagram: @choicemomcoachChoice Mom: An Empowering Guide to Becoming a Single Mother by Choice 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected].

There is so much noise out there about fertility, timelines, and the “right” way and time to become a mother. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate these decisions, especially as a single woman wondering what’s possible, what’s realistic, and what you really want. That’s why I was so excited to welcome back Dr. Natalie Crawford for this episode. Not only is she a leader in the fertility space and the co-founder of Fora Fertility here in Austin, but she’s also my own fertility doctor. In this conversation, Dr. Crawford shares about her new book, The Fertility Formula. She dives into what to know about the fertility process, what questions to ask, and how to make empowered decisions at every stage. Whether you’re just starting to think about your options, actively trying to conceive, or navigating the early years of solo motherhood, you’ll find so much useful information here. We touch on the emotional layers of solo motherhood by choice, challenge the “rush” narrative, and unpack how knowledge (not urgency!) creates real freedom and confidence. I left this conversation feeling more grounded and reminded that there is no “right” path - only the choice that’s right for you. I hope you walk away with a stronger sense of what’s within your control, how to advocate for your own well-being, and ways to gently hold space for the dreams you’re building, even if they look different than you once imagined. In this episode, we talk about: Why foundational fertility knowledge matters, and what Dr. Crawford wishes every woman knew soonerThe importance of advocating for yourself and naming your real goals in the fertility journeyHow inflammation, lifestyle choices, and environment actually impact your fertility and hormone healthThe pressures single women face around making the right choiceHow to navigate uncertainty, conflicting emotions, and evolving dreams, whether or not motherhood is your current goalWhat to do if you feel unsupported or uncertain in your clinic/doctor relationshipThe value of taking the next informed step, not letting anxiety or urgency take the lead Connect with Dr. Natalie Crawford: WebsiteInstagram: @nataliecrawfordmdTikTok: @nataliecrawfordmdLinkedIn: Natalie Crawford, MDYouTube: Natalie Crawford, MDPodcast: As a Woman 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected].

Sometimes the path to motherhood asks us to step into the unknown with courage, intention, and trust, especially when the journey doesn’t look anything like we first imagined. In this episode, I’m joined by Regine Smith, solo mom by adoption, and founder of SMBC Resources. Regine shares her powerful story of building her family through adoption as a single woman, navigating years of research and uncertainty, and ultimately embracing a version of motherhood that feels deeply right for her. We talk honestly about fear, doubt, and the pressure to “get it right” when becoming a solo parent, and how those feelings can nearly eclipse the beauty and healing that motherhood brings. Regine opens up about the realities of the adoption process, the challenges and joys of parenting a young child, and her commitment to making it easier for other women to find trustworthy support on their own journeys. Whether you’re considering adoption, donor conception, or simply exploring your options, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling seen, informed, and a little more at ease about what’s possible. In this episode, we talk about: Regine’s journey to solo motherhood and building her family through toddler adoptionWhat it’s really like to navigate years of decisions, research, and uncertainty before becoming a momThe emotional impact of fear and doubt, and why holding space for your child’s feelings is so essentialHow adoption actually works for single women (versus the stories we tell ourselves about what’s impossible)Finding community and autonomy as a solo mom, plus the realities of parenting through anxiety, growth, and changeThe story behind SMBC Resources, and how Regine is helping other single moms access vetted, supportive professionalsWhy the privilege of creating a safe, loving home can sometimes matter more than any plan we once had Connect with Regine: SMBC Resources website: smbcresources.comEmail: [email protected]: @smbcresources 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected].

There’s a unique kind of bravery in deciding to build your own family, especially when the path looks nothing like what you once imagined. In this season 9 opener, I’m joined by Lisa Proeber, fellow solo mom by choice, serial entrepreneur, and children’s book author. Lisa and I started this episode as strangers but quickly found ourselves deep in conversation about everything from demotions to starting businesses, surrogacy, solo travel, and the honest realities of single motherhood. Lisa shares her winding journey: early marriage in a conservative family, divorce, years of dating with the singular goal of becoming a mom, and ultimately making the leap into solo motherhood...during a global pandemic. We discuss the heartbreaks, the unexpected joy, and how the challenges of COVID, job loss, advocating for her son’s health, and taking big risks in business all wove together. Lisa opens up about what it’s really like to juggle it all as a single mom, why she loves the flexibility of entrepreneurship, and how she’s helping to tell new stories for families like ours through her board book, Mama Cow. In this episode, we talk about: The courage and chaos of picking a sperm donor (and throwing a hilarious sperm party!)Navigating solo motherhood through the shock of a pandemicWhat it looks like to get fired for being pregnant - and fight backHow Lisa leveraged adversity to launch multiple businesses, and the freedom she’s found in working for herselfThe gap in children’s books about nontraditional families, and why telling our stories mattersHelpful tips for finding support, outsourcing, and building a thriving solo mom lifeDating, surrogacy, and talking to kids about different families This is a warm, funny, and deeply honest conversation for anyone thinking about single motherhood by choice, or just looking for ways to write their own story! Connect with Lisa: Mama Cow board book + swagInstagram: @mamacowbooks 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected].

This episode is a little different than usual. In this Season 8 finale of The Single Greatest Choice Podcast, I’m stepping out of my usual interview role to share a personal reflection on the question I’m asked more than any other: Will I have a second child as a single mother by choice? Rather than offering a clear answer, this episode is about the process of living inside that question — the clarity that came and went, the tension between who I’ve been and who I’m becoming, and what it looks like to honor uncertainty without rushing toward resolution. In this episode, I share: Why deciding about a second child isn’t the same as deciding to tryWhat it means to choose “not deciding” as a valid place to standHow finances, age, capacity, identity, and work all factor into this questionThe joy and freedom of life with an older child — and what’s at stake in starting overOne of my core coaching frameworks for navigating high-stakes decisions with no clear right answerThe grief of imagined futures and the “ghost ships that didn’t carry us”Why sometimes holding on is part of integration, not avoidanceWhat I’m learning about letting go, identity, and trust as this year comes to a close This episode isn’t about arriving at certainty. It’s about honoring the space before clarity. Mentioned in this episode: Cheryl Strayed, Dear Sugar: “The Ghost Ships That Didn’t Carry Us” Looking for other single mothers by choice who share your city, career, identity, or stage of motherhood? Join the SGC Directory 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. 💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here at the bottom of the page. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]