The Single Greatest Choice: For Single Women Exploring Solo Motherhood by Choice (SMBC), Fertility, and Having a Baby on Their Own Through Donor Conception or Adoption

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 conceptionConnect 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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com.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 familyConnect 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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com.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.

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 itselfConnect 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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com.

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 leadConnect 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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com.

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 familiesThis 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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com.

It’s easy to feel “behind” when it seems like everyone around you is moving forward with partnerships, pregnancies, and families — and meanwhile you’re fielding questions from parents, watching friends’ announcements roll in, and quietly feeling the pressure of time. The biological clock conversation can feel loud, heavy, and incredibly anxiety-provoking, especially in your late 30s and 40s.In today’s episode, I’m joined by Beth Gulotta — licensed therapist, founder of NYC Therapeutic Wellness, and host of the podcast Quiet the Clock. Beth has spent years supporting women who feel out of sync with cultural timelines, while also navigating her own very real and layered journey with partnership, egg freezing, infertility, pregnancy loss, and becoming a mother at 40.Together, we talk honestly about what it’s like to want a child while living inside uncertainty. We explore the emotional and practical tension between taking action — getting information, exploring options, making decisions — and learning how to loosen your grip on the parts you simply can’t control. We also name the grief, comparison, and complicated feelings that can surface when life doesn’t unfold the way you once imagined it would.In this episode, we talk about:The emotional impact of feeling “behind” in your 30s or 40sNavigating misaligned timelines within a partnershipBeth’s experience with egg freezing, natural conception at 39, and secondary infertilityHow to take proactive steps without letting anxiety run the showWhy we so often put our lives on hold while we’re “waiting,” and how to stop missing the life you’re actually livingMaking decisions based on how you want to feel, not what you think you should wantSupporting yourself during the holidays, when longing and triggers can feel amplifiedThis is a thoughtful, compassionate conversation for anyone who is carrying questions about fertility, timing, and what it means to trust yourself when the path forward isn’t clear.Connect with Beth:Have a listen to Beth’s podcast Quiet the Clock.Follow Beth on Instagram.Learn more about NYC Therapeutic Wellness on their website.👩‍👧‍👦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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

The search for a sperm donor can be overwhelming for anyone, but for Black women, the lack of available Black donors adds a whole new layer of complexity. When Lakia Holmes—senior producer of Bleacher Report’s branded sports content, award-winning journalist, and now a single mom by choice—began exploring her fertility options at 37, she had no idea just how winding the path would be.What started as an egg-freezing consultation quickly revealed blocked fallopian tubes and a 2% chance of conceiving naturally. Suddenly, the dream she’d been putting off to grow her career became something she could no longer wait on. Choosing IVF meant choosing herself—and stepping into the unknown as a solo Black woman navigating infertility, donor scarcity, and the fear of how this choice might impact her career.In our conversation, Lakia shares the emotional and logistical realities of that season: long donor waitlists, genetic mismatches, profiles with only a name or two left… and then the moment a miracle phone call changed everything.“It wasn’t my plan A, but my plan B worked out pretty damn well.” — LakiaLakia opens up about the fast-moving year that followed—egg retrievals, her very first embryo transfer, and the shock and gratitude of being pregnant with her daughter, Isla, who arrived in May 2024. She also speaks honestly about postpartum depression, rebuilding her support system, heading back to work in the sports media world, and dipping her toe back into dating as an SMBC.Most recently featured in Forbes, Lakia is now using her platform to bring fertility awareness to the Black community and to tell the story she once needed to hear.Her honesty, humor, and courage offer such a powerful reminder: when you decide your dream of becoming a mother can’t wait any longer, so much becomes possible.In this episode, we explore:How an egg-freezing consult revealed blocked fallopian tubesRecognizing that waiting for the “right time” or the “right partner” might mean waiting foreverWhy Black sperm donors are so scarce—and how that impacts Black women pursuing donor conceptionFinding a donor when the options feel impossibly limitedGetting pregnant on her very first embryo transferLakia’s experiences during pregnancy and birthPostpartum depression and learning to ask for helpReturning to work, navigating childcare, and preparing to travel againReentering the dating world as a solo mom by choiceFind out more about Lakia’s coaching at Lakia Holmes | Fertility Coach, Speaker & Advocate👩‍👧‍👦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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

What would you have to change to make solo motherhood possible? For novelist Tory Henwood Hoen, the answer meant reimagining the structure of her life. She left New York City for Vermont, moved in with her mom during pregnancy, and built a rhythm that allowed her to pursue both her dream of motherhood and her passion for writing. Through it all, she discovered that becoming a single mother by choice isn’t just about making one big decision, but rather about creating space for what truly matters.In today’s conversation, Tory shares how she built a life that supports solo motherhood: from freezing her eggs at 36, doing IVF at 39, and getting pregnant with her first transfer, to writing her second novel while parenting. Her story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the path that looks like starting over is actually the one that leads you home to yourself.In this episode on building a life that supports solo motherhood, we discuss:The emotional and practical steps that led Tory to pursue motherhood on her own;Moving from New York City to Vermont to prioritize family, finances, and creative space;Writing her second novel while parenting a newborn, and how motherhood sharpened her creative focus;The importance of community and connection in the SMBC journey;Redefining success and identity in midlife;Creating space for what matters most;And more.More about ToryTory Henwood Hoen is a novelist based in Vermont, where she is a solo mother by choice to her toddler daughter. Her debut novel, THE ARC, was published in 2022, and her second novel, BEFORE I FORGET, comes out December 2, 2025. Before pursuing her dream of writing books, Tory worked as a magazine editor, a brand director, a copywriter, and a content consultant in New York City and Paris.You can learn more about Tory and her work on her website or connect with her on Instagram (@toryhenwoodhoen).👩‍👧‍👦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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

After a pregnancy marked by hyperemesis and countless challenges, Mel Anderson returns to share the next chapter of her story. This time, it’s a much brighter one.The birth of Mel’s daughter didn’t go exactly as planned, but from the very first moment she heard her daughter’s cry, everything shifted. Instead of bracing herself for postpartum depression, Mel was surprised to feel a rush of love and relief.The weeks that followed became a season of healing and sweetness, allowing herself to recover slowly. She discovered how much she loves the simple rhythms of newborn life, and how motherhood has brought her more presence and joy than she ever imagined.Now, eight months in, Mel is not only thriving as a mom, but she’s reconnecting with her passion for yoga: dreaming of ways to guide other single mothers by choice through movement, breath, and grounding practices designed especially for this community.In this episode on Mel’s postpartum experience as a single mother by choice, you’ll hear about:Recovering physically and emotionally after a difficult pregnancy and birthThe unexpected sweetness of newborn life and early motherhoodDaily rituals of connection and presence with her daughterHow Mel is dreaming of a platform to support SMBCs through yoga and meditationAnd much more!👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC 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 The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.🏘️Join our community, The SGC VillageReach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

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 Expectations and Embracing Flexibility. Inside The Village, each month we take on a broad coaching topic that applies across every stage of the solo motherhood journey, from considering this path to parenting young children. Along with a monthly coaching episode like this one, members also receive a companion workbook and access to an entire library of past themes.In today’s conversation, you’ll hear about:Releasing unrealistic expectations of perfection, both in parenting and in lifeBuilding resilience when things don’t go according to plan (another failed transfer, a toddler meltdown, or changes in your own path to motherhood)Practical ways to adjust plans with more ease and less pressureLearning to “ride the wave” of unpredictability, even when it feels uncomfortableWhether you’re just beginning to imagine solo motherhood or you’re deep in the day-to-day of raising your child, this episode will help you soften rigid expectations, prioritize what matters most, and find more peace in the process.And if you love this episode and want more like it, I’d love to welcome you inside The Village—a community designed to support women at every stage of the journey with resources, coaching, and connection.👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC 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 The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.🏘️Join our community, The SGC VillageReach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

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 than her share of plot twists on the road to motherhood: divorce, miscarriage, five egg retrievals, two IVF cycles, and one hard-won embryo that became her son. She opens up about what it really took—emotionally, physically, and financially—to make her dream of motherhood happen.And her story doesn’t end there.Now a proud mom to a two-year-old, Julie shares what it’s been like to date as a solo mom, including an unplanned pregnancy at 45 and the evolving relationship that followed. We talk about rediscovering yourself in motherhood, building connections with other donor sibling families, and Julie’s advocacy work with the Stork Foundation, which helps families access IVF through grants.Whether you’re still navigating fertility as a single woman or already parenting solo, Julie’s mix of honesty, humor, and hope is one you don’t want to miss.In this episode, we cover:Navigating miscarriage, divorce, and solo motherhood during the pandemicDoing multiple egg retrievals and two rounds of IVF in her early 40sThe emotional toll of losing an embryo and trying againMaking the leap from egg freezing to IVF with donor spermAdvocating for IVF access through the Stork FoundationDating as a solo mom and navigating an unexpected pregnancy at 45Building a donor sibling community and raising a happy toddler soloWhy prioritizing self-care matters in solo motherhoodAnd moreResources mentioned:The Stork FoundationLittle Words Project - Hope BraceletSociety for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)It Starts With the Egg BookPulling Down the Moon Holistic Fertility CenterConnect with Julie: Instagram: @chijulesJulie’s PR Firm👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC 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 The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.🏘️Join our community, The SGC VillageReach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

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, Beile made the leap into solo motherhood in her late 30s and early 40s. But the transformation didn’t stop there. After being laid off while on maternity leave with her second child, she took her expertise in finance and turned it into a thriving financial coaching business, Money & Freedom.Today, she lives with her boys in Portugal, runs an online business, and shares her journey as a podcaster and entrepreneur. She opens up about her fertility story, life after the baby years, building community abroad, dating as a solo mom, and what it really means to design a life that fits you, and your kids.If you’ve been craving stories about solo parenting older children, or wondering what’s possible for your career and lifestyle as an SMBC, you won’t want to miss this one!In this episode on solo parenting older children, we discuss:Navigating donor conception and fertility treatments in Denmark;Parenting through the toddler years and deciding to have a second child;Raising two boys with honesty, confidence, and joy;Being laid off on maternity leave and pivoting into entrepreneurship;Becoming financially free and moving her family to Portugal;Dating as a solo mom (and how ChatGPT supports her search);The mindset shift from waiting to be saved to building her dream life;And much more!Connect with Beile Grünbaum:Website | YouTube | Instagram | Podcast👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC 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 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 katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

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, both before and after becoming a solo mom.In this episode, I’m joined by Sige, a psychotherapist and solo mother by choice who brings a wealth of wisdom from both her personal and professional life. Sige shares how a low AMH diagnosis and a breakup led her to pursue solo motherhood through IUI, and how she beat the odds by conceiving on her first try. But it’s her unique approach to communal living and her commitment to building intentional support systems that truly make her story stand out. Together, we talk about what it takes to raise a child without a partner, not by doing it all alone, but by choosing interdependence, community, and creativity. In this episode on building a strong support system before and during solo motherhood, we discuss:How a low ovarian reserve shifted Sige’s timeline and led her to IUI;The emotional pivot from partnership to solo parenting;What it’s like to conceive on your first IUI attempt, despite low fertility markers;The practical and emotional benefits of communal living;Navigating dating and boundaries as a solo mom;How to create a village of support when raising a child alone;Introducing donor conception and donor siblings to your child;Reclaiming creativity and rediscovering yourself after early motherhood;And so much more.Connect with Sige WeismanYou can learn more about Sige’s therapy work on her website.Connect with her artwork on Instagram, @sigeweisman.art or at www.sigeweisman.com.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: How to Conceive Naturally: And Have a Healthy Pregnancy after 30👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC 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 The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.🏘️Join our community, The SGC VillageReach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com