Today’s topic is all about embracing fulfillment and purpose beyond being a mum. While being a mum is incredibly rewarding, it’s also essential to nurture our own growth, healing, interests, and passions. In this episode, I share six practical ways to help you find and embrace fulfillment and purpose outside of your role as a mum. Join me to explore how to enrich your life beyond motherhood.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Don't miss out on our free resource guide accompanying this episode! Click HERE to discover six practical ways to find and embrace fulfilment and purpose beyond motherhood. 

Check out the following episodes mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 88 - Goal setting for single mums

Episode 414 - Setting and achieving mindset goals

Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - HERE

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In today’s episode, I wanted to alert you to 10 dating red flags that are crucial for you to be aware of. For many, starting to date again is both exciting and daunting, especially if you haven’t dated in years. It’s easy to either expect the best of everyone or be overly cautious. Today, I’ll help you identify potential red flags to avoid unhealthy dynamics in your new relationships.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Don't miss out on our free resource guide accompanying this episode. Click HERE to get practical tips on identifying dating red flags and ensuring healthy relationship dynamics.

Listen to Episode 367 - Love bombing... What is it? What are the signs to look out for? And why is it dangerous?

Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - HERE

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I am thrilled to welcome Daria, a single mum from Victoria, Australia. I love it when single mums come on the show to share their stories. It's incredibly powerful to hear other people's journeys. Stories, like Daria's, help women feel less alone, understood, and connected, fostering a sense of community.

Today, Daria shares her story as a single mum, offering insights and inspiration to our listeners. Her story is a testament to the strength found in single motherhood. Join me for this very open chat as we dive into her journey and celebrate the incredible community of single mums. Tune in to feel connected and empowered by Daria's inspiring story. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

You can connect with Daria on her Instagram.

Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - HERE

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Are you considering a separation or divorce? In this episode, I share six things people wish they had known before getting a divorce in relation to communication and relationships.

Good communication is a vital ingredient of a strong marriage. The problem is that some people aren't good at it. If there's a breakdown in communication, it's much harder to build and maintain a happy relationship.

Getting a divorce is not something that is usually decided on overnight. It is something that really needs to be thought through. It helps to be aware of some of the many things that can be considered before making this life-changing decision.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to Episode 286 - Four Biggest Predictors of Divorce by John Gottman

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Are you considering a separation or divorce? In this episode, I share some of the things people have mentioned as what they wished they knew about the more significant impact of divorce before actually getting a divorce. Here, I share five different viewpoints to give you a different perspective on things and to give you some things to consider.

Getting a divorce is not something that is usually decided on overnight. It is something that really needs to be thought through. It helps to be aware of some of the many things that can be considered before making this life-changing decision.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Transitioning from wife or partner to single mother is not easy. The pain from a loss of a relationship is never an easy time. There will be days when you feel you can’t handle it alone. I want to assure you, first and foremost, that you can do this! Be proactive during this time. The beginning is always the hardest, but you can take it one step at a time, and soon you will find out what works for you and what doesn't.

In this episode, I share some tips on how you can support yourself through this process of transitioning from being in a partnership to becoming a single mum. I hope you find these tips helpful as you go through this transition.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Download the Ultimate List of Me-Time Ideas HERE.

Listen to Episode 307 - Asking for help HERE.

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I chat with you about the six mindset transition milestones of a divorce. The transition of moving from a partnership, or marriage, to being a single parent is a process, but how quickly you get through it is dependent on how willing you are to let go and engage in the process. This is important so you are not stuck in the pain forever. 

The six milestones will help you become more aware of what’s coming. These milestones are from Alan Wolfelt’s book, Transcending Divorce, Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart.

There’s a whole range of stages that one might go through in order to heal. Here, I talk about the starting point of divorce, the transition steps in between, and the end (which leads to new beginnings). Each person is different, and you will progress at your own pace. Your journey is your own journey.

I hope that listening to this episode will help you become more aware of your own journey, and to ask for help if you think you need it.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to my previous episode, 307 - Asking for help, HERE.

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Today I talk with you about the emotional journey and transition from being in a partnership or marriage to being a single parent. All divorces start with a relationship, and like any kind of loss, the end of a marriage may trigger various reactions.

In this episode, I share the phases that may help you understand where you are now and provide some advice to help you navigate this difficult time. I also talk about the 3-year stages of the transition process. Transition is hard, and sometimes we resist it out of fear, frustration, and impatience. It’s important to have that knowledge and to trust the process. Change is not instant and may take time to allow for our transitioning.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

No one enters into a relationship with the intention of separating from their partner someday. So it's no surprise that a separation or divorce can become a rollercoaster of emotions even for the most level-headed individuals. It's a big adjustment! Until recently you had shared hopes and dreams with your partner, and suddenly it's all gone. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and confused and as if you have completely lost who you are. But this is all normal and manageable. 

Today I talk about some strategies to help you rediscover yourself. One important decision you have to make after a separation is deciding where your life goes from here.

Divorce or separation only marks the end of a chapter in your life. And it's the opportunity for a brand new one!

I hope that the things I share help you and I truly wish you the best with your journey. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

 

In this week’s episode, I talk about managing emotions. When you’re a single mum, you may encounter twice the stress, twice the frustration, and twice the burnout that traditional father and mother parenting may experience. It is important to tune in and manage your emotions well because you have a huge influence on your child’s development. Learning to manage your own reactions is one of the most important ways you can teach your child how to manage their own emotions.

In Episode 311, I discussed emotions and what they are. And today I hope to give you an understanding of how to manage them. I know it is surely easier said than done, but the payoff is huge, for you and your child. I also talk about the difference between emotions and feelings, negative self-talk, the cycle of thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, and quick tips on how to manage your emotions.

 Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week we are celebrating our 6th podcast anniversary!

Greg joins me on the show this week. It’s just us having a chat on how the show has evolved over the years. We reminisce about our memorable travel moments, past guests and learnings, planning for our wedding, life in Goondiwindi, and Greg’s top relationship tips. Even my daughter pops in to say hello!

This show started as a small passion project and it just grew over time, talking to so many incredible guests, and reaching thousands of listeners.

I will never get tired of saying THANK YOU for making this show a part of your single mum journey. I am truly grateful!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Today I talk with you about emotions. How we live and interact with others is influenced by our emotions. It could even be said that we are ruled by our emotions. We make decisions based on whether we are happy, angry, or sad. It’s important to understand how your emotions are expressed and the impact they have on your actions because they can help us navigate life with ease.

In this episode, I talk about the eight basic emotions that we are born with, and how they can stimulate a response in our body that influence our actions, behaviour, and decision-making. I also talk about blending emotions to produce a new emotion.

I want you to know that it’s okay to experience any type of emotion, even those that can be difficult to cope with like anger or fear. Understanding your emotions helps us learn how to manage them, and it helps build healthy, satisfying relationships.

Listen to the episode to know more!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

You can probably recall situations in your life that have made you uncomfortable. Right now, you may already be trapped in a cycle of avoidance without even knowing it. Avoidance in general are actions a person takes to escape from difficult thoughts and feelings. It may cause panic and anxiety when not managed properly. And you may find yourself restricting your life as you avoid people, events, and opportunities in an attempt to keep anxiety at bay. This can create an unhealthy and vicious cycle which intensifies over time.  

In this episode I will discuss what exactly avoidance is. In order to change anything, you must first start becoming aware of when it’s occurring, so I will also share different types of avoidance coping, graded exposure therapy and other strategies for healthy emotional coping techniques plus breaking the cycle of avoidance.

I hope it helps you!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of cultivating an abundance mindset for single mums. Mindset can profoundly impact our lives, shaping how we view the world, engage in self-talk, and form our core beliefs. Changing our mindset is hard work, requiring time, effort, and consistency, but it is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves. This shift also positively impacts our children, passing on the gift of positivity and possibility. While abundance may seem like an unrealistic dream due to the many challenges single mums face, an abundance mindset can shift perspectives and attract positive opportunities. We explore practical strategies for single mums to embrace an abundance mindset, leading to a life filled with joy, fulfilment, and prosperity. Tune in to learn how you can empower yourself and create a life you love. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - HERE

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Check out Episode 218 - Mindset Tool #1

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

Discover practical strategies to cultivate an abundance mindset as a single mum! Sign up HERE to get our free resource guide based on this insightful podcast episode.

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about emotions, managing emotions, and how they can affect our body if we avoid dealing with them.

When emotional trauma occurs, there is the choice to either deal with the emotions effectively or avoid them. For many people, avoidance becomes their primary coping mechanism, because the trauma is too painful to deal with at the time. Or it may be because there isn't the capacity to deal with it at that time.

Instinctively we want to avoid pain and discomfort and would very much rather avoid facing these emotions head-on. But emotional avoidance, if left unchecked over time, can extend suffering and, in the long run, may do more harm than good. What you resist, persists.

In this episode, I talk about what suppressed emotions can do to our body and mind when we don't release them. Listen as I share some tips on how to identify your avoidance coping mechanisms and take steps toward making changes to help you heal.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Moving forward after a crisis can be really tough. And becoming a single mum can definitely be a crisis. A crisis can also be something such as struggling with anger, loneliness, fatigue, financial worries, and a whole array of emotions that you might be going through. And when we’re dealing with a crisis, we might be carrying all the stress ourselves, carrying it on our shoulders, as we embark on this new chapter of our life.

In this episode, I share a few tips that can help you move forward when crisis hits. I hope that what I discuss will help you move forward with a plan and with confidence.

Know that there are many other single mums grappling with exactly the same issues, and many have come up with creative solutions and are now thriving in life. Build a support system of family and friends that you can turn to for encouragement and support. You've got this!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about asking for help. As single mums, we often struggle to ask for help. You might feel you want to do it all, but it can be very exhausting. Others may not have trouble asking for help. But for those of us who do, I share my thoughts on why many of us are reluctant to ask for help. I also talk about practicing discernment on who to ask and when the appropriate time to ask for help is, plus some obstacles that stand in our way when asking for help. 

I hope that what I shared today helps you. If you truly are struggling, please ask for help. A lot of people love helping others, be grateful to accept the help you need and pass it forward someday. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

To listen to my podcast episode on boundaries, click HERE. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have Isabelle Silbery joining me.

Isabelle is a reality TV star who shined into the limelight as one of the members of ‘The Silberys’ in Gogglebox Australia. She is the youngest member of ‘The Silberys’ alongside her mother (Kerry) and grandmother (Emmie), bringing multi-generational women’s relationships and voices to TV screens every week.

They have recently written a book called Out of the Box, a memoir where they share their most personal memories and lessons learned. She also writes for Body+Soul, Mamamia and Kidspot about all the things people are thinking, but not saying. Sex, motherhood, love, divorce, and relationships – nothing is off-limits.

Isabelle is a social commentator, writer, and philanthropist. She is an investor in social impact projects, driven by collaborative, purpose-driven thinking that leads to connection and social change. Day to day, she is a domestic goddess and mumma to her seven-year-old son – her most important job of all.

In this episode, Isabelle talks about:

• How her book, Out of the Box, came to fruition.
• How through the process of writing the book, her mother, grandmother and herself learned so much about each other and how it brought them much closer together.
• Dealing with PTSD.
• Co-parenting with her ex-husband, and now transitioning into a blended family as a newly married woman.
• Her recent miscarriage and how it also affected her husband.
• Stories about married life.
• And so much more!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

You can check out Isabell’s book, Out of the Box HERE. The book is also available as an audiobook.

You can also connect with Izzy on Instagram.

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about boundaries from a single mum's perspective. This is a very difficult time for many single mums as they transition to single or co-parenting after separation. Having healthy boundaries enables you to learn to say no to situations that do not align with your values.

Today I discuss some traits of someone with rigid boundaries and someone with healthy boundaries and I talk about the types of boundaries.

I know it can be tough at first to put boundaries in place, especially if it is new to you, but if you do it right, boundaries will allow you to set your priorities and it will give you time to do the things that are more important, resulting in a more manageable life PLUS help your self-esteem.

I hope this episode encourages you to set your boundaries and helps you gravitate toward people who respect your boundaries.

 Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about worry and how to manage it. As mums, we can all relate to feeling worried at one time or another.  We tend to have a lot of things on our plate as we juggle issues that come with separation, home, and work-life.

In this episode, I talk about the different things we often worry about and I share tips on what we can do to deal with worry, and specifically five ways we can manage our worries. I also talk about the difference between rumination, anxiety, and worry. 

I hope that this episode helps you turn your worries into more productive thoughts and helps you realise that you have the power over how you handle the stress that comes with being a mum.

 Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about habits and how they can be used as part of your goal-setting process. I believe that setting goals can help create the life that you want. These habits that I talk about have helped me achieve many of the goals I have set for myself, and because of that, I am able to live life more purposefully toward the life I want to live.

Today I introduce ten habits that will help you align your intentions with your future vision, so you become the person you want to become. May you put all these habits into action and keep yourself on track with your eyes on the prize – becoming the best version of yourself.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to Episode 88 – Goal setting for single mums – HERE.

Join Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about decision-making and the questions you can ask yourself to help you reflect when you are making your decisions.

Getting into the habit of asking yourself these reflection questions can help you gain clarity and creates that inner dialogue to help you examine your own thoughts and feelings before making the tough and big decisions that will need to be made when you are going through divorce or separation.

Along with sharing these questions for you to ask yourself and reflect upon, in this episode I also share what to be mindful of so you can avoid self-sabotage, along with some actions that support decision-making.

It is my hope that this episode helps you become more intentional about setting aside time for reflection in order to help be aware and build confidence when making big decisions.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to Ep 301 – Four biggest mindset mistakes that can affect your decision-making - HERE.

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I talk about the four biggest mindset mistakes single mums can make when making decisions and some tips on how to avoid them. Do you recognise one or more in yourself right now? 

It's something I’ve identified in many of my single mum coaching clients. 

It is my hope that this episode helps you overcome these mindset mistakes, helps you explore all your options, and ultimately directs you to the best possible outcome for your situation.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week’s episode is very special for two reasons –

1. It’s my 300th episode, woohoo!
2. This is the first time I have my partner Greg joining me on the show!

In this episode, Greg and I chat about dating, new relationships, and the blending of families. 

We cover:

• How we got back into dating after separation.
• Things to consider before dating again.
• Setting boundaries when dating.
• The top 3 words to describe what we’re looking for when dating.
• The importance of having a thorough discussion on blending two families as the relationship progresses.
• The challenges I encountered with making big changes in life such as moving in together.
• Sharing parenting responsibilities in blended families.
• And our top tips when it comes to dating and relationships.

In this raw and natural episode, you’ll hear unfiltered parts of me and Greg just having fun talking and sharing stories and experiences with one another.

I hope you can relate to the things we discuss and that it helps you gain new perspectives when it comes to dating and relationships.  

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Join Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have Hannah Strong joining me. Hannah Strong is an industry expert, coach, and therapist, specialising in helping mums to support their children in the best way possible through divorce and throughout a childhood of growing up with separated parents - so their children do not just survive and get by, but thrive! She supports mums through her own framework which is not only based on the science of child brain development and Hannah’s psychological knowledge as a therapist but also her own lived experience as a separated mum of two children.  

Through Hannah’s lived experience she personally understands the struggles of the mums she works with. Her passion for empowering children to thrive led to the creation of her own podcast and coaching programme known as My Thriving Child.

In this episode, Hannah and I talked about: 

• Hannah's background and her single mum journey
• Attachment of children and its impact  
• Her experience working with mums who were separating
• Her drive to let her children thrive as they grow 
• Advice to single mums struggling to support their child during the co-parenting transition period

Links mentioned in the episode: 

You can connect with Hannah directly on her Website, LinkedIn and Instagram. The MyThrivingChild Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts.

Hannah's free transitioning between homes guide can be downloaded HERE.  

Get Hannah's 7-step guide to helping your child cope with your divorce HERE.

Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - HERE.

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week’s episode, I discuss finding joy in your everyday life. I often get messages from other single mums out there who tell me how lucky I am that I found my happiness and that I have support from my loved ones in my single mum journey.

What many people don’t understand is the importance of having the right mindset. Going through separation or divorce can really bog you down; it is a difficult time. But know that you have a choice. Your ex is not in control of what you do with your life now. Your ex is not determining your current state of mind. You are in a position to keep your chin up, find your sparkle and ride the waves as you work on improving your circumstances, or be engulfed with negative thoughts and energy. No matter what your situation. Be kind to yourself.

In this episode, along with talking about the importance of having the right mindset, I also discuss the importance of forgiving yourself and practising gratitude. Finally, I share a couple of strategies that will help you develop the positive mindset that will make a big difference in your single mum journey.

I hope that this episode gave you a new perspective and an understanding that what you focus on becomes your reality.  Whatever your circumstances, make a conscious daily decision to choose joy.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I talk about understanding our conflict triggers.

A trigger is something that gives us an immediate, intense reaction. They come from within us and are about how we react to a situation. Generally, they come from a real threat, or more commonly, a perceived threat; a FEAR (false evidence appearing real).

Conflict triggers are strong emotions that can cause rifts, resentments, and conflict when handled in an unhealthy manner. But when handled in a positive way, they can become an opportunity to grow, avoid potential conflicts and strengthen relationships.

It’s beneficial to know when we are being triggered, especially when we’re dealing with an ex, our kids, our work, and other areas of our lives.

Today I summarise nine different triggers and a variety of different personality types that might trigger you.

I hope that this episode helps you be more aware of your own feelings and encourages you to respond more instead of reacting, and lastly, to communicate clearly and be eager to find solutions to resolve disagreements.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I talk about the ten steps to take when embarking on the divorce or separation journey and becoming a single mum.

Navigating life as a single mum can be, at first, overwhelming. You might be feeling sad, scared, or even relieved. I know it can be scary tackling a new and uncertain future. But life can get even better and you can be fulfilled and thrive in life, even as a single mum! 

If you want to hear more, check out a past episode entitled, Top Tips to Look After Yourself As a New Mum (Episode 255).

I hope these tips will help you and give you courage as you embark on your single mum journey.

 Links mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to Episode 144 - How to find or start a local single mums group HERE.

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I talk about what steps to take when taking the high road when going through a divorce or separation.

In last week's episode, I talked about taking the high road after separation whilst dealing with heartbreak at the same time. In this episode, we go deeper into the topic of taking the high road.

This is really hard to do when emotions are high, especially as you go through the stages of grief.

Today I provide you with some action steps to help you take the high road so you can walk away with your integrity intact and head held high as you move forward.

I hope these tips help you regardless of whether you have been a single mum for years or if you're a brand new single mum. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I talk about taking the high road after separation whilst dealing with heartbreak and going through the grief cycle at the same time.

This tough phase is something I help my one-on-one clients with. I get it, emotions can become intense when communicating with your ex after separation.  

There are benefits to choosing your words carefully and respecting your ex (even if they don’t deserve it). Not only does this preserve your dignity, but all communication can be used against you when you go to court. 

Taking the high road is operating from a place of being at your best self and choosing to walk away from conflict; it’s focusing on what you have and what you want. It’s about looking at yourself and taking responsibility for your actions rather than playing the blame game. 

If you want to hear more about this topic, check out Episode 194 and Episode 293 where I talked about heartbreak.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week, I discuss holistic healing. Nowadays it is important to have a healthy approach to all aspects of our well-being - spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional. This is where we can make a change and a lasting improvement in our quality of life. 

A holistic approach to healing is something I offer to my clients. This is also something I share with my Thrive Tribe family. Today I will share what has worked for me and the people I work with - the 8 pillars of holistic healing. I hope they help you to live a balanced life too. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.    Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.   To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.   Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.   Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week's episode, I have Vikki Stark joining me. Vikki is an internationally known psychotherapist, speaker, author, divorce recovery expert, and the director of the Sedona Counselling Centre of Montreal. She’s particularly known for her groundbreaking book, Runaway Husbands, which has led her to mentor a worldwide community of women recovering from unexpected divorce.

She has written two other books (My Sister, My Self, and The Divorce Talk: How to Tell the Kids) and edited a fourth, Planet Heartbreak, which is a compilation of 62 stories written by women from the Runaway Husbands community.

She’s a blogger for Psychology Today and has often been a guest on radio and television, and a speaker at conferences worldwide. She is devoted to helping the women in her community and loves leading retreats, either online, in Montreal, or in Sedona, Arizona.

In this episode she talks about: 

• Her own story of sudden wife abandonment.
• How this experience pivoted her on a path in life of helping other women going through the same thing.
• The ten hallmarks of sudden wife syndrome.
• The link between sudden wife abandonment and covert narcissism.
• The transformational healing stages after going through something like this.
• How to learn to see this experience as an opportunity for growth and change.
• How to talk to your kids when this happens.
• And so much more! 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

To learn more about Vikki, visit her website here.    Join her Runaway Husbands Facebook Group here.   Visit her YouTube channel here.   Read the first chapter of her book, Runaway Husbands, for free, here.   Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.    Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.   To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.   Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.   Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I talk about high-conflict personalities in divorce. This is a huge topic. We all know divorce is rarely an easy situation as it is, it is highly emotional and costly. Add a high conflict personality in? And it is much more difficult!

In this episode, I discuss:

• The difference between a "normal" divorce and a high conflict divorce.
• What it is like dealing with a spouse who has a high-conflict personality.
• Signs for you to look out for if you suspect you are dealing with a high-conflict personality in your divorce.
• How I've helped coach and guide my clients that are going through this.
• The most common high-conflict personality types (borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder).
• Practical advice to people going through this highly emotional situation.
• And so much more! 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.      Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.   To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.   Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.   Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I answer a question I received and addressed in my recent Tuesday Struggle Strategy Session in the Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum.

Here, I am sharing my answer because I think it's a great question. It was a question that is quite hard to admit to, a mindset that holds us back and I'm pretty sure we can all relate to it. 

The question I addressed was: 

Hi Julia, I have been divorced for 5 years now and I'm happy that I'm no longer in the marriage anymore. But despite the emotional, physical, and emotional abuse I endured throughout the marriage, there is one thing that hits me hard all the time. And that is I supported him during our 10-year marriage and two kids to climb that corporate ladder, earning hundreds and thousands of dollars... and now is in a cushy job, a job that takes him to places like Singapore, and still climbing the ladder while I have the kids 90% of the time and for him, one night a week. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have the kids. I feel robbed. He left me with debt and having to start over from scratch. Why does this get me all the time? 

In this episode, I chat about:

• Changing your mindset.
• Unresolved resentments.
• Having an attitude of gratitude.

Listen to the episode to get some insights and tips especially if you are facing similar challenges in your journey. And if you are feeling the same about your current situation, I really hope that listening to this will help you.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.    Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I discuss divorce coaching - what it is, why you need a divorce coach if you are considering getting a divorce, and how it can help you.  As a certified divorce coach, I am very passionate about helping single mums overcome challenges, make the best out of a very difficult situation, and thrive. 

I share:

• My own experience with divorce as a child.
• The positive and negative impacts of divorce in my life as I grew up - emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
• How my parent's divorce helped give me more insight and empathy for children and other people going through a divorce.
• The difference between coaching and therapy.
• What I love about being a divorce coach.
• And much more! 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.    Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I have Mel Wilson and Isabelle Richards joining me. 

Mel Wilson has over 20 years of experience in broadcast, print and digital journalism, covering parenting, lifestyle, entertainment and news. She is an accomplished voice artist, co-host of The Juggling Act podcast and executive producer of true crime podcast My Father The Murderer, which has been nominated for multiple awards. Mel herself has been nominated for and won a number of career awards, including Podcast of the Year at the Ausmumpreneur Awards, Best Parenting Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards, and Journalist of the Year and Executive of the Year at the Women in Media Awards. She’s recently released her book, Parenting in Progress, a book of reassurance, advice and hilarious epic fails for parents and carers of toddlers to primary-school-aged kids, along with those from a diverse range of (celebrity) parents and carers, with a bit of guidance from experts thrown in.

Isabelle Richards stars on Gogglebox Australia alongside her mum, Kerry, and her grandma, Emmie. Together, they showcase the power of multi-generational women's relationships and voices, now in the show's nineteenth season. As a contributing writer for Body+Soul, Mamamia, and Kidspot, Isabelle is passionate about exploring the unspoken truths about motherhood, love, and relationships. She thrives on sparking conversations that challenge social norms and inspire others to do the same. She is also an investor in social impact projects, driven by collaborative and purpose-driven thinking that fosters connection and social change. 

Both Mel and Isabelle have lived experience of being single mums, and have now re-partnered. Isabelle also has a new baby with her husband, Alex.

In this episode, we talked about: 

• Mel’s book, Parenting in Progress, and why she wrote the book.
• Inspiring stories of single mums.
• Relationships and blended families.
• Remarrying and the role of men and step-fathers in the lives of children.
• Dating and navigating the challenges of step-parent relationships.
• Navigating the separation process and taking care of the children at the same time.
• Asking for help.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

To connect with Mel, check out her Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Check out her book, Parenting in Progress HERE. 

To connect with Isabelle, check out her Website, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Check out Episode 307 - Asking for Help

Previous episodes with Mel and Isabelle:

• Episode 82 - Editor of Kidspot Mel Wilson's Single Mum Story
• Episode 136 - Isabelle Silbery on becoming a single mum and the power of giving (Part 1)
• Episode 137 - Isabelle Silbery on becoming a single mum and the power of giving (Part 2)
• Episode 223 - Catching up with Isabelle Silbery
• Episode 306 - Out of the box, with Isabelle Silbery

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week, I talk about mindset when it comes to divorce. 

I am a certified divorce coach and a certified transition and recovery coach. I am passionate about working with single mums. 

In this episode, I share six of the biggest mindset mistakes people usually make when they get divorced.

As a coach, this is something I help people recognise so they can handle it better. Failure to recognise these mistakes can result in serious long-term consequences. It is very important to develop the right mindset before, during, and after divorce proceedings. 

It's my hope that gaining awareness will save you from losing unnecessary time, money, and effort. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week is not your typical episode. I'm super stoked to share a wonderful life update with you... 

I'm engaged!!! 

I've been seeing my boyfriend now for 18 months and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him! I'm so happy that my daughter was absolutely thrilled about the news too. 

I'm grateful for all the love and support I've received from everyone. 

In this episode I talk about: 

• How our relationship developed over time.
• The element of fear in entering into a relationship, especially if you have been through DV or some form of abuse. 
• Not settling for someone that isn't right for you.
• And so much more!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have a very special guest sharing her single mum journey and her experience with self-growth and the things that have helped her heal as a result of becoming a single mother.

She is one of my founding Thrive Tribe members and it's made me so very happy to have seen her grow over the last couple of years. She's been a single mum for five years and has three children.

In this episode she shares: 

• How her children were affected by the strained relationship she had with her ex.
• How her kids have grown over the years following the separation.
• How she met her ex and how the relationship developed.
• The domestic violence and control issues she suffered from in the relationship and losing her sense of identity in the process.
• How she helped her children process and navigate through the separation and what it means for them.
• How she dealt with the shame of being the only single mum in her family and circle of friends.
• How building her self-identity and independence strained the relationship with her ex.
• The co-parenting arrangement she has with her ex-partner.
• Being diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 
• The importance of finding the right therapist. 
• The things that helped her in her journey to healing.
• The importance of belonging to a community of like-minded people, like Thrive Tribe, who understand what you are going through.
• Insights gained from her healing journey.
• Her advice to new single mums who are starting their own healing journey.
• And so much more! 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I share some information about factors that play the biggest role in leading a couple to divorce. 

I discuss Dr John Gottman's research into The Four Horseman of The Apocalypse. This refers to the four negative communication patterns that, according to his research, often lead to the end of a relationship if the behaviour isn't changed. 

These are:

1. Criticism 
2. Defensiveness
3. Contempt 
4. Stonewalling

Dr John Gottman is the co-founder of The Gottman Institute with his wife, Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman. He is world-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction. He has conducted 40 years of research with thousands of couples. Dr Gottman was one of the Top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the past quarter-century by the Psychotherapy Networker. He authored and co-authored over 200 published academic articles and more than 40 books. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

You can connect with Dr John Gottman through his Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 

Click HERE to watch a short video about The Four Horseman of The Apocalypse.

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have an anonymous single mum sharing her story. She recounts her harrowing story of domestic abuse and how she got through it, in the hopes of giving other silent victims the courage to seek help. 

**Please note this episode and topic may act as a trigger for some people, and this episode is not suitable to listen to within earshot of children.**

In this episode, my guest talks about: 

• How she met her ex and the early signs she noticed the red flags.
• Dealing with "partner rape," a form of sexual abuse, and the shame and disassociation that comes with it.
• Losing her baby through miscarriage.
• Dealing with her ex's mother who was an enabler of his behaviour.
• Coping with physical abuse.
• The importance of knowing resources women can get help from.
• How her ex gaslighted her to try to erode her self-esteem.
• Dealing with her ex's narcissistic rage towards her.
• Overcoming her fear and leaving the abusive relationship.
• Getting the help of a family lawyer for dispute resolution and going on trial against her ex.
• Her advice for other women going through a similar situation. 
• The importance of having goals and rewarding yourself for the little accomplishments you achieve.
• Lessons she learned.

It is my guest's hope that listening to her story will inspire victims to find their purpose and to set goals. 

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Pregnancy Help Australia link
• Victim Services NSW 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have Frances Weston joining me.    Frances is an award-winning personal development specialist who has helped hundreds of women and children heal from the past, cope with distressing or challenging situations in the present and build themselves a brighter future. 

Frances uses a blend of transformational techniques and innovative processes to help her clients get the breakthroughs and results they seek. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and professional journals, and she is regularly interviewed by BBC Radio. 

Frances has a wealth of life experience which has given her a deep understanding of human nature and an ability to relate to her clients and put them at ease. Her clients come from all walks of life and include high-profile individuals in the public eye who particularly value the absolute discretion and completely confidential environment she is able to offer.

Over recent years she has developed a bespoke, highly specialised approach to her work that seamlessly integrates key elements of counselling and coaching into unique, highly effective packages of support.

She has also created Sunshine Barn, a beautiful sanctuary for her clients in rural Derbyshire, to optimise their experience and enable her to provide them with a truly holistic and creative service. 

In this episode, Frances talks about: 

• Her passion for developing online courses that parents and children can take together to support them in dealing with anxiety.
• Causes of anxiety in children and how they can pick up energies of people around them.
• The difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder.
• How various forms of anxiety can disrupt a child's life, such as separation anxiety and phobia.
• How we, as parents, can unknowingly pass on phobias and anxiety to our children.
• EFT as a tool to help children recover from trauma.
• The importance of teaching children about the possible signs of anxiety disorders.
• How emotional anxiety or trauma can manifest on the physical body.
• How parents can help identify symptoms of a disorder and apply strategies and techniques to treat the anxiety.
• And so much more! 

Links mentioned in the episode:    Visit Frances' blog to learn useful info on a wide range of issues to do with children's mental health.    Watch for free Frances' 3-part audio series for parents with anxious children.    Join the waitlist for Frances' course "From Fearful to Fearless."    You can connect with Frances through her Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.    Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have Dani Soares joining me. Dani is a TV personality best known for starring on the reality show, Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2 which premiered on March 3, 2021. She now lives in Sydney, Australia with her 8-month-old daughter Lilly.

In this episode Dani shares: 

• A little about her yachting career days.
• Juggling life between work and study plus having a beautiful 8-month-old baby at the same time.
• Her experience on Below Deck, and her relationships with the other cast members of the show.
• The struggle of wanting to keep her personal life private while being a TV personality.
• How she found out she was pregnant and how it was never a question of choosing to have the baby or not. It was only a question of how she will raise her baby.
• The reaction she felt when her baby's father requested a DNA test.
• How she handles criticisms while being in the public eye.
• Her superhuman ability to raise a baby as a single mum, study nursing at Uni, work as a beauty therapist, and deal with motherhood as a public personality.
• The biggest lesson she has learned since becoming a single mum. 
• Her favourite thing about becoming a single mum.

Dani is paving the way showing everyone that the single mum journey is not easy, but it's certainly doable, and going for your goals can still happen! 

Links mentioned in the episode:    Connect with Dani on Instagram.    Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week is a solo episode where I talk about setting yourself up for the year. January is a great time to look back over the past year and reflect on things; to think about all the awesome things you did last year and some of the things you wish you had done differently.  In this episode, I share some tips - 

1. Different practices for reflecting on the year that was.
2. My highlights for 2021.
3. Celebrating and appreciating even the cumulative little things in life.
4. The importance of journaling to document your successes and things you are proud of.
5. Thinking about things you need to let go of before moving forward to the new year - people to forgive, relationships to mend, etc.
6. The importance of setting new goals for 2022.
7. Daily habits to 'fill your cup'.

By doing this exercise, you can confidently face the new year with less baggage and you can take positive steps towards your goals. 

Links mentioned in the episode:    Click HERE to listen to the goal-setting podcast episode.   Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

My first podcast for 2022 is a solo episode. As I am recording this podcast, it is day 15 of my Covid journey and I'm still on the road to recovery.

In this episode, I will talk about the raw, vulnerable, and uncut story of my Covid experience.

I will highlight two important aspects around Covid:

1. The physical aspects, from my experience.

• How I started acquiring Covid symptoms and the shock I felt once I got the positive test result.
• Worrying about potential exposure to the virus of loved ones and people I came in contact with (hotel and hospital staff, driver, other passengers).
• The frequent trips to the hospital due to difficulty in breathing and fluctuating oxygen levels
  Physical symptoms I had (from body aches and chills to brain fog).

2. The psychological aspects, from my perspective.

• The effect on mental health due to isolation.
• The trauma, stress, and embarrassment that can be too much to handle.
• The fear of dying and leaving your loved ones behind.
• Disruption of future plans.
• The loneliness one can feel while in isolation as one can feel cut off from the rest of the world.
• The importance of having a loving and supporting group that prays for your recovery and overall well-being.

Getting Covid has given me a lot of time to reflect on what's important, and having an attitude of gratitude despite life's setbacks is very important. It will only get better from here.

Sending you lots of love.

Julia xx

Links mentioned in the episode:    Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.   Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.   To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.   Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.   Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have a single mum, Sarah Robb, sharing her story. 

**Please note this episode and topic may act as a trigger for some people, and this episode is not suitable to listen to within earshot of children.**

Sarah is a beautiful member of my Thrive Tribe community whom I've known for a number of years now. 

In this episode, Sarah talks about:

• how she met her ex,
• how they quickly entered into a very serious relationship,
• the gaslighting she experienced from her ex,
• the other red flags that showed up in the relationship,
• how she handled the discovery of her husband's infidelities and affair with another woman before and during their marriage,
• how she discovered that the other woman had a close relationship with her daughter and had known her since she had been born (without Sarah's knowledge),
• becoming a single mum twice,
• the importance of taking care of yourself first, how she focused on self-development to have a thriving life as a single mum,
• her favourite things about being a single mum, and
• so much more!

Listen to her journey of healing, growing, and thriving. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

For a limited time, the doors to Thrive Tribe are open, sign up right HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this week's episode, I have Elaine Glass joining me. Elaine Glass is a Personal Coach, author, and speaker and draws on over 15 years of transformative expertise. At one point in her life, she found herself at a personal crossroads. She was a new single mother and burnt out, fearful, and alone. After this difficult divorce, she navigated a decade of self-discovery through travels, alternative healing, and spiritual exploration.

Today, Elaine guides her clients and readers to go after their dreams for lasting joy and well-being. Her mission is to guide people in connecting with their soul’s calling to bring lasting love, joy, and vitality. Her coaching practice centers on being open to change, quieting the mind, and unlocking hidden gifts in a judgment-free space. She also welcomes people from around the world to her in-person retreats. And in her new book, Get Quiet, Elaine shares transformative insights from her journey and client experiences.

In this episode, we talked about: 

• How our environment directly affects us.
• Her marriage life and how it ended.
• Transitioning to become a single mum and how she managed the challenges that came with it.
• How she got into personal development.
• How to open the heart to love again that creates a space to thrive.
• Tips to finding your purpose.
• Being our best and expressing our authentic self.
• Importance and prioritising self-care.
• Being present for your children.
• Tips on how we can connect and find answers within.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

You can connect with Elaine through her Website, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out her book, Get Quiet HERE. You can also email Elaine here. 

Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum. 

Click HERE to get the free E-book: I'm a Single Mum... Now What?

Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program. 

Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE. 

Check out the following podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: 

• Episode 342 - Maggie's Story (Part 1)
  
• Episode 343 - Maggie's Story (Part 2)
  

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, my special guest from last week shares Part 2 of her story.

In the last episode (278 - Blindsided by my partner (Part 1)), my anonymous guest talked about how she had always thought she and her partner had a good life. They had been together for 7.5 years and they rarely argued. 

Life was good when they had their first baby, but things quickly changed when she saw changes in her partner's demeanour and when he began a strong friendship with a girl from his work. Until one day, she was blindsided by her partner's sudden decision to leave her while she was just pregnant with their second baby.

In Part 1, my guest talked about:

• the challenges of becoming a first-time mum and the shifting in identity from doing what she wanted when she wanted and adjusting to motherhood,
• how she never felt fully supported by her partner when it came to caring for the baby,
• not addressing the unspoken expectations about the shared responsibilities of being a parent,
• the signs and changes in the behaviour of her partner when she found out he was texting another woman,
• her decision to move back to her parents to get the support she needed,
• juggling career and pregnancy while taking care of her first child,
• co-parenting with her ex, and 
• moving into her own place and starting the next chapter.

In this episode, my guest shares Part 2 of her story. She talks about:

• the absolute grief and trauma she felt when her ex left her and the emotionally difficult pregnancy and birth she had,
• how she was in fight or flight mode the first months after separation,
• how she proactively sought help and put support in place around her during the early part of her pregnancy as she knew she was a candidate for PTSD,
• trauma recovery,
• intentionally seeking single mum friends who get it and understands her journey,
• how her visits to her psychologist triggered past trauma from her childhood which she never knew were there but
  how seeking therapy during these hard times helped release past and current trauma and helped process the rollercoaster of feelings one goes through in times of grief,
• her journey to self-discovery, and
• so much more!

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to Episode 278 - Blindsided by my partner (Part 1) HERE.

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show I have an anonymous single mum sharing her story. She's a single mum of 2 kids - a 3-year old and a 3-month old.

My guest had always thought she and her partner had a good life. They had been together for 7.5 years and they rarely argued. They spent much of their time travelling the world together.

She was studying for her Masters when they had an unplanned pregnancy, which caught her off guard as she was only a few weeks out from completing it and was about to pursue a new career.

Life was good when they had their first baby. They bought a house and had good times together exploring new places. But things quickly changed when she saw changes in her partner's demeanour and when he began a strong friendship with a girl from his work. Until one day, when she got completely blindsided and was told by him that he wanted to separate.

In this episode, my guest talks about:

• trusting the process when you have an unexpected pregnancy, as it has a habit of working things out in the end,
• the challenges of becoming a first-time mum,
• the challenges of shifting identity from doing what she wanted when she wanted and adjusting to motherhood,
• how she didn't feel fully supported by her partner when it came to caring for the baby,
• not addressing the unspoken expectations about the shared responsibilities of being a parent,
• the signs and changes in the behaviour of her partner when she found out he was texting another woman,
• how she was eventually blindsided by her partner's sudden decision to leave her while she was just pregnant with their second baby,
• her decision to move back to her parents to get the support she needed,
• juggling career and pregnancy while taking care of her first child,
• co-parenting with her ex,
• moving into her own place and starting the next chapter,
• and so much more!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of her story that drops next week.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week on the show, I have Gina Fontaine joining me.    Gina is an author, a personal trainer, and a women's wellness coach, and has built a career helping women use movement to achieve optimal health. She has dedicated the last 27 years to studying her craft as a fitness professional.   Gina earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from Indiana University in 1996. Since then, she has earned personal trainer certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In 1998, she became a certified yoga teacher. And, more recently, in 2018, she became a Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist.   Now, Gina has expanded her focus from physical health to include emotional and spiritual health as well; helping moms find a healthy, happy life balance through a realistic, sustainable approach to motherhood.   She lives with her three children in Denver, Colorado, where she continues to train and coach moms and give one-minute wellness solutions to thrive.

Her book, You Are a Supermom, was released in September 2021 and the book provides the basis for the Supermom Club, the online fitness community for time-strapped moms looking for an easy way to integrate wellness into their day.

In this episode, Gina shares:

• why and how her marriage came to an end,
• how she dealt with guilt and shame after the tumultuous years of her divorce,
• the challenge of family reorganization and dealing with changes of adversity in the family,
• what to do when your kids rebel against you and how to handle it with love and compassion instead of being reactive,
• getting through the pandemic with teens and tweens,
• adapting to blended family situations,
• how she began recording her thoughts, advice, and tips which gave birth to her book on mums who are feeling overwhelmed and helps them reclaim their superpower,
• the importance of having a self-care routine and focusing on overall wellness, and
• so much more!  

Links mentioned in the episode:    Find out more about Gina here.    Gina's book, "You Are A Supermom," is available on Amazon.   Unfortunately, Gina is unable to give a coupon as originally thought, but instead has an even better offer which is, $100 off her Movement Magic Design Intensive - her signature movement evaluation and personalized guidance to get your wellness transformation off to a great start. Get that offer here.   Join Gina's online fitness community for time-strapped moms - Supermom Club.   Take the "What Kind of Supermom Quiz Are You?" HERE. Be sure to take the quiz and find out how to leverage your superpowers as a mom.    Connect with Gina on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and join her Facebook group here.    To contact Gina, email: gina@ginafontaine.com   Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.