Choosing Chaos: Solo Motherhood by Choice

Send us Fan Mail In this personal episode, Laura shares her decision to pause Choosing Chaos: Solo Motherhood by Choice for now. She reflects on what this podcast and its community have meant to her, and offers a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has listened, shared their stories, and made space for the experiences of others. This isn’t necessarily goodbye, but for now, it’s time to pause. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Choosing Chaos , Laura sits down with Asha Sen, a single mother by choice and author of Nothing Between Us , to talk about building a family through donor conception and gestational surrogacy. They explore the realities of becoming a mom, navigating unexpected challenges, and discovering that even when motherhood is something you've worked so hard for, the experience can still be complicated, messy, and full of surprises. 📚 Read Asha's memoir, Nothing Between Us : https://a.co/d/0cg97HBm Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Jennifer Johnston brings a truly unique perspective to Choosing Chaos — she was adopted at birth, and years later, she became an adoptive mom herself. In this episode, Jennifer shares her experience building her family through adoption and the incredible perspective that comes from experiencing adoption from both sides. She talks openly and positively about the gift of adoption, the emotional highs and lows that can come with the process, and why understanding adoption laws, your rights, and the realities of each state’s process is so important for anyone considering this path to parenthood. We also talk about what motherhood looks like now that her daughter is school-aged — navigating the emotions, independence, friendships, and changing needs that come with watching your little one grow into her own person. And underneath it all is Jennifer's experience living with chronic illness. She shares what it means to be a present, engaged mom while managing fibromyalgia, the days when her body doesn't cooperate, and the reality of being the only parent when you're the one who needs care, too. This is a conversation about adoption, motherhood, resilience without the cliché, and the beautiful complexity of building a family in a way that may not look traditional — but can be every bit as full, loving, and meant to be. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the stage of motherhood you thought you’d love… turns out not to be your favorite? In this episode, Laura sits down with Connie Rutherford, single mom by choice to six-year-old twin girls, for a candid and often hilarious conversation about the realities of raising kids on your own—and why Connie is absolutely loving this stage of motherhood. Connie is a self-proclaimed calendar person, and keeping life moving with twins means organization is practically a survival skill. We talk about the chaos behind the carefully planned schedule, the parts of motherhood that have been harder than expected, and why the infant stage simply wasn’t her thing. Now that her girls are six, Connie is finding her groove and genuinely enjoying the conversations, personalities, and independence that come with this age. Connie is also the author of Searching for Tadpoles: The Journey to Motherhood of a Single Mother by Choice. 📖 Amazon | BookBaby 📱 Instagram | TikTok Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Choosing Chaos , Laura sits down with Noam Friedlander, a writer, author, genealogist, and solo mom, for an honest conversation about the realities of motherhood in the toddler years. Noam shares what life looks like balancing motherhood, work, creativity, and the mental load of doing it all without another parent automatically sharing the responsibility. They talk about identity, building a village, accepting help, the parts of pre-motherhood life that can be missed, and what Noam has learned about letting go of perfection and focusing on what matters. Laura and Noam also talk about her work as an author, including her children's book The Hopeful Bunny , a heartwarming story about a bunny who dreams of becoming a single mother and building a family of her own. Learn more about The Hopeful Bunny and purchase the book: The Hopeful Bunny — International Press Group Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode, Alicia shares her journey through motherhood by choice, navigating the toddler and preschool years, career pressures, and the unexpected possibility of growing her family. We talk about letting go of perfection, adapting to the seasons of motherhood, and finding your own version of what a complete family can look like. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What does solo motherhood look like years after becoming a mom? Anka shares an honest look at raising a school-aged child, navigating the evolving challenges of solo motherhood, balancing work and family, finding community, and the lessons she's learned along the way. She also shares advice for women considering this path and those already living it. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In Part Two of Sandra’s story, we continue to explore the realities of raising a child as a Single Mom by Choice, navigating the pressures of life and motherhood, caring for aging parents, managing burnout, and finding the strength to just keep moving forward. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sandra shares what it looks like to navigate 11 years of Single Motherhood by Choice—from raising a donor-conceived daughter and navigating questions around family and identity, to balancing work, finances, aging parents, burnout, and building what comes next. Through it all, Sandra shares the reality of feeling overwhelmed while continuing to “just keep moving,” offering an honest and relatable look at resilience, growth, and finding grace in the chaos. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Catrina joins us to talk about the deeply personal path that led her to solo motherhood after losing her husband to melanoma. We talk about choosing motherhood, building a life around her son, navigating the everyday realities of raising a toddler on her own, and the importance of having a strong village. Catrina brings honesty, resilience, and perspective to a conversation about grief, motherhood, and trusting that things will work out. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Choosing Chaos , Stephanie shares her journey to becoming a single mom by choice to twin boys and how motherhood became the catalyst for healing, conscious parenting, and redefining the life she wanted to create for her family. Together, we explore breaking generational patterns, raising children with intention, and the ongoing process of discovering who we are alongside motherhood. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In Part Two of my conversation with Alex, we explore the parts of solo motherhood that often go unspoken. Alex shares what it's like to carry the weight of always being the strong one, how she has navigated dating while raising a toddler, and the ongoing journey of finding joy while living alongside grief. We also discuss the importance of building community, accepting support, and creating a life that feels both full and meaningful. This episode is an honest conversation about resilience, connection, and embracing the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Connect with Alex on Instagram: @alexfi24 . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Life is beautifully full—and sometimes incredibly hard. In Part One of Alex's story, we explore what it looks like to intentionally build a life that makes room for both joy and grief. Alex shares how she prioritizes creating meaningful moments with her daughter, Tilly, filling their days with fun, connection, and adventure while navigating the realities of solo motherhood. We also talk about finding your village in both expected and unexpected places, and why building a "hired village" has been essential in helping Alex manage the day-to-day demands of work, home, and motherhood. Finally, Alex opens up about navigating grief while raising a toddler and the ways motherhood has shaped her healing journey. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that life can hold many things at once—love and loss, chaos and calm, grief and joy—and still feel wonderfully full. Connect with Alex on Instagram: @alexfi24 . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Laura sits down with Dena to talk about the intentional choices, unexpected turns, and quiet magic that led her to solo motherhood. After years of pursuing a more traditional path to parenthood, Dena made the courageous decision to trust herself and create the life she had imagined—on her own terms. Dena shares what solo motherhood has looked like for her—from balancing career and toddlerhood to finding her village and learning to give herself grace when things don't go according to plan. It's an honest conversation about trusting the journey, embracing the chaos, and discovering that sometimes the best things in life unfold differently than we imagined. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Choosing Chaos: Solo Motherhood by Choice , Laura sits down with Kristin, a solo mom by choice, former professional ballet dancer, and owner of a dance retail store specializing in pointe shoe fittings. Kristin shares what led her to stop waiting for the "right time" or the "right partner" and pursue motherhood on her own. Together, they dive into the realities of life as an older first-time solo mom—from navigating sleep deprivation and the mental load of parenting to balancing work, leaning on family, and coping with the expectations that come with this journey. Follow Kristin on Instagram: @kristinruggs Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Financial planning is one of the biggest questions many women face when considering solo motherhood—but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this episode, I sit down with financial planning expert Phil Weiss to discuss how women can build a strong financial foundation before and throughout their journey as a Single Mom by Choice. Together, we explore practical strategies for preparing for fertility and family-building costs, creating financial security on a single income, planning for the unexpected, balancing today's expenses with tomorrow's goals, and raising financially confident children. Whether you're just beginning to explore solo motherhood or are already raising your family, this conversation offers thoughtful guidance to help you make informed decisions and feel more confident about your financial future. Connect with Phil Weiss 📧 Email: philweiss@apprisewealth.com 🌐 Website: https://apprisewealth.com/ Follow Phil & Apprise Wealth • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-weiss • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AppriseWealth/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phweiss11/ • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdxgFt2cD1r5WP0-Y6LqMDg Free Resources • Free eBook: https://apprisewealth.com/ebook • 5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Finance: https://apprisewealth.com/5-things/ • Blog: https://apprisewealth.com/blog-sign-up/ Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a deeply personal one. I open up about the hope, uncertainty, and heartbreak that can come with trying to grow your family as you get older. From fertility struggles to questions about what the future may hold, I share the emotions of not knowing whether I'll be able to give my son a sibling—or if my body is capable of making that dream a reality. A vulnerable and emotional conversation about hope, grief, and finding strength in the unknown. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the life you choose doesn't align with the expectations of those around you? In this episode of Sparks of Change , Laura sits down with Joayne Larson, facilitator, coach, and intercultural competence practitioner, to explore how we navigate differences in our relationships while staying true to ourselves. Through the lens of Single Motherhood by Choice, they discuss family expectations, societal norms, communication, self-trust, and the importance of maintaining connection without sacrificing authenticity. Learn more about Joayne and her work at Sparks of Change . Joayne's work focuses on helping individuals and groups navigate differences, strengthen communication, and create meaningful transformation through intercultural competence and personal growth. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Part 2 of Controversial Topics continues the conversation with Andrea, Annie, and Kristen as we shift from some of the more divisive parenting opinions into the deeper layers of the Single Mom By Choice journey. In this episode, we talk about the donor experience — including navigating the donor process, genetics, donor-conceived sibling connections, and the emotional weight that can come with making these decisions. We also discuss the reality of asking for help, why that can feel so difficult, and the importance of building a support system and village along the way. What started as a conversation around controversial topics became something much bigger: honest dialogue, shared experiences, and unexpected connection. Whether you’re a Single Mom By Choice, considering this path, or simply curious about the conversations happening behind the scenes, this episode offers a candid look into the complexity, vulnerability, and community that can come with building a family differently. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In Part 1 of Controversial Topics , Andrea, Annie, and Kristen dive headfirst into some of the biggest conversations surrounding the Single Mom By Choice journey. From structured vs. unstructured learning and differing views on vaccinations, to the importance of male role models, dating during pregnancy, and what it really takes to build a strong support system — nothing is off limits. This honest conversation dives into the perspectives behind the opinions, the personal experiences behind the choices, and the topics people are often hesitant to discuss openly. Whether you agree, disagree, or are simply curious, this episode creates space for real conversations, different viewpoints, and the complexity that comes with modern motherhood. Support the show