The Single Greatest Choice: For Single Women Exploring Solo Motherhood by Choice (SMBC), Fertility, and Having a Baby on Thei – Details, episodes & analysis

Valerie Bauman, is an investigative reporter for Newsweek, solo mother by choice, and author of one of my favorite memoirs in the solo moms space, Inconceivable:Super Sperm Donors, Off-the-Grid Insemination, and Unconventional Family Planning. I devoured Valerie’s book during a 30-hour airport layover, and by the time I finished, I felt like I had spent the day with her, getting to know her as a friend.

We dive deep into Valerie’s journey, from her experience considering sperm banks or a close friend to ultimately finding a known donor on Facebook. She openly discusses the emotional challenges of navigating this path, including a heartbreaking miscarriage, before welcoming her now 3.5-month-old baby boy. Valerie's story is a testament to the resilience and strength of women who, as she puts it, "intentionally build what they want."

Our conversation also touches on important topics such as the bioethics of the sperm donation industry, the anxiety that often accompanies pregnancy, and making empowered choices as a mother. If you’ve ever felt torn between the life you want and societal expectations, this episode will resonate deeply.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Valerie’s decision to become a mom during the pandemic and what sparked her journey;
• Navigating the sperm donor process and finding a donor on Facebook;
• The shift from considering traditional sperm banks to seeking a known donor;
• Her miscarriage and the emotional toll of almost accepting life without motherhood;
• Anxiety during pregnancy and the struggle of waiting for the other shoe to drop;
• The power of creating the life you want as a woman—regardless of societal norms;
• Bioethics in the sperm donation industry and the need for better regulation;
• And more!

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, group coaching and workshops, and retreats and SMBC family trips.

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

In this episode on the mating gap and egg freezing, we discuss:

• The challenges created by the shortage of eligible, educated men.
• How the education gap between men and women affects dating dynamics.
• How societal expectations and outdated gender norms are contributing to this issue.
• Why considering partners from diverse educational backgrounds can be beneficial.
• The psychological benefits of egg freezing for single women.
• How women are making empowered choices about their reproductive futures.

Marcia's insights reveal the unique struggles women face today and offer a fresh perspective on how assisted reproductive technologies are changing the landscape of motherhood. Tune in to hear more about her study, the concept of the "mating gap," and why so many women are rethinking what it means to have it all.

For full show notes, visit www.singlegreatestchoice.com/podcast-feed/s7-ep1-marcia-inhorn-motherhood-on-ice

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

For years, Meredith and her gay best friend had a running joke that if they were both still single without kids by a certain point, they’d have a child together. Recently, Meredith decided it was time to take that joke seriously. In our conversation, she’ll explain more about her decision, the arrangements she’s making with her known donor, and how she’s prepping for her future life as a single mom. 

We discuss more about…..

• ICI/IUI vs IVF
• Prioritizing community as a single mom
• Finding a doctor that’s right for you
• Practical considerations when working with a known donor
• Living with her supportive mom

Check out The Backup Plan Podcast!
Website | Instagram | TikTok | Youtube
Mentioned Resources
Cosmo article with Lala Kent

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

Carla shares her experience from exploring surrogacy options to the complex matching process and the major impact of spiritual faith on her decision-making. She also reflects on the important trust and connection required in the surrogate relationship, and the joys and challenges of pregnancy through the lens of surrogacy. Join us as Carla's story inspires and illuminates the possibilities of motherhood that go beyond conventional norms, embracing the transformative power of love as a single mom by choice.

We discuss more about…..

• Carla’s infertility journey and Adenomyosis diagnosis.
• Navigating the gestational surrogacy process.
• The physical, mental, and spiritual toll of being fully present for the surrogate mother.
• The intersection of faith and fertility.

Mentioned Resources

https://www.familymatchconsulting.com/

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

Connect with Keina!
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Podcast

Mentioned Resources

Money Files - 96 | From Finances to Motherhood: Let’s Talk Money Coaching

Check out the SGC Directory!
Email Katie for the password: katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

Join us in El Cuyo, Mexico March 10-15, 2024!

www.singlegreatestchoice.com/el-cuyo-2024

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

In this episode, we discuss more about…..

• Advocating for regulations and safety within the sperm donation industry.
• The dangers of excessively large sibling groups.
• Practical advice for prospective parents seeking donors.
• How to support donor-conceived children.
• Legislative initiatives such as the HR451 fertility fraud legislation.

Connect with Laura!
Follow her on social media! Instagram | Website | TikTok | Podcast 
Watch Laura’s TikTok video rating sperm banks 

Check out the SGC Directory!
Email Katie for the password: katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

More info about coaching and community groups at www.singlegreatestchoice.com/coaching

Join us in El Cuyo, Mexico March 10-15, 2024!

www.singlegreatestchoice.com/el-cuyo-2024

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

In this episode, we discuss more about…..

• Lack of regulation in the sperm donation industry.
• Dylan's personal journey, navigating the emotional complexities of moving from being an unknown to known donor.
• Ethical considerations and best practices for parents and donors.
• The shifts in attitudes among donor-conceived children as social norms and parenting practices are changing.
• The complexities of navigating roles and relationships with each of Dylan’s recipient families individually.
• Dylan's advocacy work and writing project focused on bringing more awareness to what needs to change with donor conception.

Connect with Dylan!
Follow him on social media! Website | Instagram | TikTok

Check out these organizations in the donor conception space! 
U.S. Donor Conceived Council: www.usdcc.org
Donor Conceived Community: donorconceivedcommunity.org

Mentioned Resources
We Are Donor Conceived 2020 Survey Report

More info about coaching and retreats www.singlegreatestchoice.com/

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

We discuss more about…..

• Rose's transition from corporate law to fertility law.
• Sperm banks vs known donors: legal insights.
• Finding a reproductive attorney and questions to ask.
• Legal complexities of egg and embryo donations.
• Challenges in the world of fertility law.

Connect with Rose!
Follow her on social media! Instagram | Website

More info about coaching and community groups at www.singlegreatestchoice.com/coaching

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com

In our conversation, Julie takes us through the hurdles of healing from past traumas, addressing fertility challenges, and how she first became a mom. She is extremely passionate about parents teaching their children how to become a part of their lives and encourages moms to take that vacation, kids in tow! She provides incredible tips on traveling with kids as a single parent that you will not want to miss. Trust me, she’s the expert, so get ready to take some notes!

We discuss more about…..

• Fitting our children into our lives, not the other way around.
• Adoption and healing from past trauma.
• Fertility challenges and the decision to be a single mom.
• The legal aspects of her parenting arrangement.
• Julie’s best travel tips as a single parent.

Connect with Julie!

Follow her on social media! Instagram | Website |Podcast – Launching Nov 2023 – Sign up to receive updates

Mentioned Resources - Check out these resorts with baby clubs & childcare options!  All can be booked with Julie’s agency – www.influencedtravelagency.com

• Franklyn D. Resort
• Melia and Paradisus Hotels
• Palladium Hotel Group
• Coconut Bay - St Lucia
• Club Med

More info about coaching and community groups at www.singlegreatestchoice.com/coaching

Join us in Sedona December 29 - January 2! www.singlegreatestchoice.com/retreats-sedona-2024

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage of your SMBC journey through  1:1 coaching, community groups, the SGC Village membership community, and retreats and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at katie@singlegreatestchoice.com