S8E7 Finding a Known Donor and Choosing Solo Motherhood with Viveka Mandhyan

What if the desire to become a parent is strong, but the partner hasn't shown up?In this episode, I’m talking with Viveka, a school psychologist who has spent her career supporting kids and families—and who’s now navigating her own path to solo motherhood.Viveka started out as a preschool special education teacher, is certified as a yoga instructor and nature therapy guide, and brings a deeply grounded, global perspective to everything she does. She’s biracial, trilingual, a former Indian classical dancer, and one of those people who’s just naturally good with children. When Viveka found herself single in her late thirties and experiencing dating burnout, she decided it was time to freeze her eggs. But once she took a step into this world, she realized that she could be that woman who decides to pursue solo motherhood.Now over a year into her process of becoming a single mother by choice, Viveka shares what it’s looked like to shift her priorities, explore known donor conception through Seed Scout, and start the process of trying to conceive—without waiting for a partner.This conversation is about so much more than logistics. It’s about identity, intuition, culture, and what happens when you finally give yourself permission to want what you want.In this episode about choosing solo parenthood, we talk about:The early stages of becoming a solo mom by choice;Experiencing dating burnout;Choosing solo motherhood when you find yourself single in your 30s or 40s;Cultural considerations and family conversations;Using Seed Scout to find a known sperm donor;Navigating fertility clinics, timing, and IUI with a known donor;Balancing career, future dreams, and the realities of single parenting;And more.Connect with Viveka on instagram: Solo Mama To Be (@soloparentonpurpose)👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.💌Become part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up >>here<< at the bottom of the page.Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It takes a village”, but what does that actually look like when you’re choosing to become a mom on your own?Today’s guest is the perfect example of why becoming a single mother by choice doesn’t mean you have to raise your child alone. You’ll hear exactly what it can look like to build a deeply supportive village, both before and after becoming a solo mom.In this episode, I’m joined by Sige, a psychotherapist and solo mother by choice who brings a wealth of wisdom from both her personal and professional life. Sige shares how a low AMH diagnosis and a breakup led her to pursue solo motherhood through IUI, and how she beat the odds by conceiving on her first try. But it’s her unique approach to communal living and her commitment to building intentional support systems that truly make her story stand out. Together, we talk about what it takes to raise a child without a partner, not by doing it all alone, but by choosing interdependence, community, and creativity. In this episode on building a strong support system before and during solo motherhood, we discuss:How a low ovarian reserve shifted Sige’s timeline and led her to IUI;The emotional pivot from partnership to solo parenting;What it’s like to conceive on your first IUI attempt, despite low fertility markers;The practical and emotional benefits of communal living;Navigating dating and boundaries as a solo mom;How to create a village of support when raising a child alone;Introducing donor conception and donor siblings to your child;Reclaiming creativity and rediscovering yourself after early motherhood;And so much more.Connect with Sige WeismanYou can learn more about Sige’s therapy work on her website.Connect with her artwork on Instagram, @sigeweisman.art or at www.sigeweisman.com.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: How to Conceive Naturally: And Have a Healthy Pregnancy after 30👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.🏘️Join our community, The SGC VillageReach out to Katie over at [email protected]

What happens when you only get one viable embryo and it’s your only shot at becoming a mom? For Kellyn, her single embryo became the greatest gift of her life.Today’s guest is Kellyn Nagel, a fellow single mother by choice and dedicated attorney who represents children in foster care. Kellyn shares her emotional and financial journey through fertility as a single woman: from egg freezing after a low AMH diagnosis to IVF with frozen eggs, and ultimately to the birth of her daughter, Kellyn’s story is one of trust, resilience, and quiet courage.We talk about the heartbreak and hope of navigating IVF as a single woman, how Kellyn leaned into her gut instincts at every step, and the profound ways motherhood has shifted both her career and her understanding of the family court system. We also touch on the power of donor sibling connections, postpartum realities, and what it means to keep the door open for a second child as a single mom by choice, even when the path is anything but straightforward.In this episode on IVF as a single woman, we discuss:How Kellyn’s journey began with egg freezing and a low AMH diagnosis;Her decision to move from two failed IUIs to IVF using her frozen eggs;The emotional weight of having just one viable embryo, and the joy when it worked;What it’s like to give birth and navigate postpartum as a solo mom;The challenges of working in child welfare while becoming a parent herself;How she connected with donor siblings and built early relationships for her daughter;Her reflections on sleep deprivation, daycare, and going back to work as a new SMBC;And more.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: This Might Be Too Personal: And Other Intimate Stories - Alyssa ShelaskyListen to Season 6, Episode 8: “Accidental” SMBC Through Foster to Open Adoption With Elizabeth Friedland 👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]

Solo parenting one child is a big job. Add a second baby to the mix, and do it all without a co-parent, and everything shifts.In this episode, I’m joined by Randi Maves, a solo mom by choice to two boys, four years apart. Randi wouldn’t trade this life for anything, but she’s honest about how intense it can be juggling two different stages of parenting on her own.From navigating daycare drop-offs and picky eaters to handling preschooler meltdowns while sleep-training a newborn, Randi gets honest about what the daily juggle really looks like. She talks about the tools and support systems that are saving her sanity right now, including her decision to hire an au pair, and the emotional process of adjusting to life as a solo mom of two.We’re also diving into Randi’s fertility journey with IVF at 40+, including the heartbreak of getting no viable embryos, the decision to transfer her one mosaic embryo, and the deep trust it took to move forward.If you’re thinking about having a second child as an SMBC, already in the thick of solo motherhood, or just wondering what this path can look like, Randi’s story is a beautiful mix of honesty, resilience, and real-life logistics.In this episode on solo parenting two kids after 40, we talk about:How her mom’s diagnosis sparked her decision to become a momWhat it was like to move across the country with a baby in towWhat shifted her perspective on having a second child soloThe highs and lows of IVF as a single woman in her 40sWhat it’s really like to solo parent two kids in different phases of lifeHer approach to building a support team, including daycare and live-in helpThe emotional weight of parenting without a partner, and why acknowledgment mattersHer mindset around letting “future Randi” handle “future problems”Resources mentioned in this episode:HBO Documentary First Comes Love (2013)Facebook group ‘My Perfect Mosaic Embryo’🏝️ Interested in the Aug 27-31 Family Trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico? Join one of these info sessions to get all the details!👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]

The desire to share life with a partner doesn’t just disappear when we choose to start our families on our own. And it doesn’t have to. Today’s new episode is a beautiful reminder that both things can be true: you can want motherhood and partnership, and you don’t have to give up one to have the other.At 35, Erin Russell was faced with the hard realization that her family line would end with her if she didn’t pursue parenthood soon, so she started seriously considering solo motherhood. But right as she was preparing to begin fertility treatments, life threw her a curveball — she met someone.Erin was clear about what she wanted and gave the relationship space to grow. But when it became obvious they weren’t aligned on having kids, she made the powerful decision to walk away. She ordered donor sperm the very next day.Becoming a mom didn’t erase Erin's hope of sharing life with a partner. Just two months after her son was born, she started dating again — not out of pressure or urgency, but as a way to reconnect with herself, enjoy adult time, and stay open to love.Now that her son is two and she’s happily in a relationship that feels like the right fit, Erin reflects on what it’s been like to still want partnership as a solo mom by choice, and how she's navigating love, parenting, and a changing sense of identity all at once.In this episode, we talk about:How Erin knew it was time to pursue solo motherhoodThe challenges of navigating IUI, IVF, and insurance hurdlesWhy "just surviving" the newborn stage isn’t enough, and how building a support system made all the differenceThe guilt and reality of sending your baby to daycare as a solo momDating as a solo mom: why Erin started early, how she set her own pace, and what she looked for in a partnerHow she’s weaving her new relationship into her solo mom lifeAnd why the grief of doing it alone doesn’t just disappear once your baby arrivesWhether you're considering solo motherhood, already parenting, or wondering if dating might fit into your life someday, Erin’s story is full of honesty, hope, and real-world encouragement for wherever you are on the path.Want to connect with Erin Russell?Follow Erin on InstagramCheck out Erin's writingRead Erin's article on SMBCs (featuring me as an interviewee!)🏝️ Interested in the Aug 27-31 Family Trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico? Join one of these info sessions to get all the details!👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. Reach out to Katie...

Expanding your family as a single mother by choice isn’t always easy — but many solo moms desire more than one child, and today’s conversation is a beautiful example of how it can unfold.Lauren — a returning guest and seasoned SMBC — shares her journey from welcoming her first daughter to expanding her family with twins, all in just a few years. Along the way, she navigated fertility treatments, postpartum health challenges, and the daily demands of solo parenting... while never losing sight of her dream to grow her family despite her fertility challenges.As you might know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about whether to have a second child as a solo mom — so it was such a gift to sit down with Lauren and talk through all the emotional, logistical, and real-life factors that come into play when making a decision like this.Whether you're actively considering another child or just curious about what life looks like with multiple little ones as a solo mom, Lauren’s story is a powerful reminder that you can create the family you dream of.Inside the episode, we talk about:How Lauren managed a twin pregnancy while caring for a young babyThe emotional and practical shifts that come with expanding your family soloBuilding a village: how childcare, therapy, and trusted support made it possibleHandling outside reactions to being a solo mom of multiple childrenTalking to young kids about being donor-conceived and having donor siblingsFinding moments of joy and recharging amid the chaosWhat factors to consider when thinking about adding to your family as a solo momAnd more!Listen to Lauren & Jess on Season 1, Episode 16 of The SGC PodcastConnect with Lauren on Instagram👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice resource you’ve been craving for every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]

I recently wrapped up one of the most unpredictable SMBC retreats I’ve ever hosted, and I’m still unpacking all the lessons it had to teach me. This solo episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when things go completely off-script, and how self-compassion, surrender, and unexpected moments of connection carried me through.This isn’t your typical retreat recap. It’s a story about what happens when you let go of the plan and lean into trust, even when things go sideways. As someone who talks a lot about self-compassion and mindset, this experience gave me a real-time opportunity to practice what I preach.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to attend a retreat with SGC—or you’ve found yourself navigating curveballs on your SMBC journey—this one’s for you.I’m sharing:The story of a retreat that went wildly off course (and what happened next)How curveballs became invitations for growth, trust, and connectionThe power of self-compassion when things don’t go as plannedThe surprising kindness of strangersWhat this experience taught me as a solo mom, solopreneur, and human beingAnd the quiet magic that happens when we stop trying to control it all.👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the solo mom support network you’ve been looking for through every stage of your SMBC journey. You can find 1:1 coaching for single moms by choice at all stages, Community Groups for Thinkers/Tryers and Pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, retreats for women considering or pursuing solo motherhood and SMBC family trips. Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]

You always imagined becoming a mom someday, but what if someday doesn’t look the way you expected? Maybe you're considering solo motherhood, wondering if having a baby on your own is really possible. Maybe you know you want to be a mom, but the clock is ticking, you’re single and aren’t sure what to do next. Perhaps you’re already on the path: researching sperm donors, weighing IVF or adoption, or navigating pregnancy without a partner. Wherever you are in your journey, The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you.Hosted by Katie Bryan, a single mother by choice turned SMBC coach and community facilitator, this podcast is a space for women exploring what it means to choose parenthood on their own terms. You’ll hear real stories from solo moms who’ve been where you are: women who have faced the fears, made the choices, and built beautiful, fulfilling lives as single mothers by choice. You can expect conversations around:> Fertility for single women in their 30s and 40s;> Considering solo motherhood & becoming a single mother by choice (SMBC)> IVF, adoption, sperm donors, and egg freezing for single women> Having a baby on your own> Choosing to parent alone> Dating and relationships as SMBCs> Building community as a solo mom by choice> And much more.If you're single in your 30s or 40s and wondering, Can I do this?, you’re not alone. The path to becoming a single mother by choice isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. This is your place to find confidence, connection, and community as you explore whether solo motherhood might be your single greatest choice.Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode, and visit www.singlegreatestchoice.com to learn more about our membership, coaching, community groups, and retreats.

For most of my life, I believed that finding the right partner was the key to starting a family. I spent nearly 20 years searching for the perfect relationship, thinking that marriage had to come first before motherhood. But at 39, I was single and I still deeply wanted to become a mom. That’s when I decided I was done waiting. I would have a baby on my own.In this special cross-over episode, I’m the one being interviewed! Originally recorded for the Refamulating Podcast with Julia Winston, this conversation dives into my journey of reimagining family, letting go of societal expectations, and embracing solo motherhood by choice. I open up about the pivotal moments that led me to this path, my experiences with egg freezing, fertility treatments, and choosing a sperm donor, and how becoming a mother has transformed my life in ways I never expected.In this episode on why I chose to have a baby on my own, I share:How I went from searching for a partner to deciding to have a baby on my own;The fears, doubts, and societal pressures I had to overcome to embrace solo motherhood;Why I initially felt ashamed of my choice and how I learned to own it with pride;My journey through egg freezing, fertility treatments, and choosing a sperm donor;The impact of my religious upbringing, marriage, and divorce on my perspective of family;How I built a strong support system and community as a single mom;Why I now believe solo moms aren’t settling but actually raising the bar;The unexpected freedom and joy I’ve found in this choice.If you’re considering solo motherhood, struggling with the idea of letting go of a traditional family model, or simply curious about what it’s like to have a baby on your own, this episode is for you.Refamulating on Instagramhttps://www.refamulating.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 [email protected]

When Eboni K. Williams froze her eggs, she had zero intention of using them, but she did it anyway, just in case. Years later, at 38, her perspective on motherhood shifted, and she was grateful she had taken steps to preserve her fertility. That decision gave her the freedom to pursue solo motherhood on her own timeline, using IVF to welcome the child she once wasn’t sure she wanted.In this episode, Eboni, a legal expert, journalist, and media personality, shares her egg freezing journey and how it set her up to make empowered choices about her future. She opens up about the reality of IVF as a single woman, the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare (especially as a Black woman), and why she doesn’t romanticize solo motherhood, even though it’s everything she wanted. Plus, she shares how choosing solo motherhood has actually expanded her dating options instead of limiting them.In this episode, we discuss:Why Eboni froze her eggs without any intention of using them, and why she’s now so glad she did;The realization at 38 that made her decide she wanted to be a mom;How she chose a sperm donor and why that decision was so critical;Why she went straight to IVF as a single woman due to age-related statistics;The importance of having a doula and ensuring mothers’ needs are prioritized in childbirth;The medical crisis around Black maternal health and the need for self-advocacy;Why she doesn’t over-romanticize solo motherhood, even though it’s been the right path for her;How choosing to parent alone has actually given her more dating options, not fewer.Whether you're considering solo motherhood, navigating an egg freezing journey, or wondering what life as a single mother by choice really looks like, Eboni’s story is an eye-opening look at the power of taking control of your future.Connect with Eboni K. Williams: Website | Instagram | Podcast | People Magazine👩‍👧‍👦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 [email protected]