Doing This Differently

And 10 episodes later, we are at the Season 1 finale! Thank you all for listening and sharing the pod with others. It looks like the topic of non-traditional family structures is getting some deserved attention and traction. Podcasts like “Refamulating” and a mini-series on “This is Actually Happening” came out in April and June, respectively. Check them out! I find this really promising in terms...

How does one navigate the realization that she will not become a mother? That’s the question this episode explores with our guest, Andrea Lira, and Intuitive Therapist Meg Michaelson.  A theme shared across many of the previous episodes is one where guests find themselves on a life path that looks different from one they may have envisioned for themselves. For Andrea, her vision of being a mother,...

From an early age, most of us received a clear message about what an ideal future looks like: You find your life partner and you have children. While this vision has evolved a bit over time, many (all?) cultures continue to reinforce the idea that the highest form of fulfillment — particularly for women — comes from marriage and procreating. So, what happens if you didn’t meet that future partner,...

You can love being a part of children’s lives and opt not to have any of your own. More and more people are choosing not to have children, particularly younger generations, like Gen Z. The reasons can range from enjoying the freedom that comes with being child-free to avoiding the astronomical expense of raising kiddos to wanting a smaller carbon footprint.  In this episode, we’re talking to a het...

“There is no such thing as an unplanned pregnancy in a gay relationship.” That was J.D. Schramm’s memorable opener to his TEDxStanford talk, “ The Winding Path to Parenthood. ” This beautiful story is a testament to how love is the main ingredient of family. And it’s fitting that we’re celebrating this family as we enter LGBTQIA+ pride month. After three years of friendship, J.D. and his now husba...

Imagine being very clear on the idea that you and your spouse will remain child-free, and then…you parent a teenager! Mara Shorr and her husband, Russell, did just that. This path began when Mara had a conversation with a good friend about becoming a volunteer advocate for a child in foster care. Between not being a parent and not knowing much about the foster care system, Mara wasn’t sure this wa...

For anyone who has been to Burning Man, you know how magical those bike rides on the playa can be. Now imagine you just married your love, and you’re riding across the playa, talking to a close friend…who is hinting that he’d like to help you and your partner start a family. Dreamy. In this episode, we hear the beautiful love story of Lori and Shannon. And how they became their family of four with...

You read correctly! In this episode, we talk to two solo moms who are raising full siblings! One mom, Jackie, offered the other, Heidi, a healthy embryo. Not only are these families in regular touch — they vacation together, and with families who shared the same sperm donor. Take all that in. I’ve never known of a family like this. It’s incredible to hear how Jackie and Heidi got connected, about...

I remember when friends of mine and I would ask each other, “What if we’re not married by age X? Would you have kids anyway? (gulp) On your own?” Always, without exception, I’d pipe in, “Helllll noooooooooo! No way! Uh-uh!” Welp… Funny how things turn out. Now, 3 years in, people ask me, “When did you know for sure you were going to do this?” To which I answer, “I’ll let you know.” It’s true. The...

Why am I doing this podcast? Because I have so much time on my hands and endless energy. No. Many friends were surprised when I said I was doing a podcast. For one, I tend to be a private person. My kiddo isn’t on social media, for example. Not that there’s anything wrong with kiddos on social. It’s just not for us. And two, being a solo parent of a toddler does require a good deal of time and ene...