Phyllis

What does it take to pursue motherhood when the path isn’t always easy—and the people you hoped would support you don’t necessarily understand your decision?In this episode of Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K., I sit down with Maree, a 33-year-old Single Mom By Choice from Boston, who shares her journey to becoming a mother to her daughter.Maree’s journey began with a search for community. Specifically, she wanted to find other Black women who had chosen to become mothers on their own. After discovering my content on social media, she found a community that helped her see what was possible and gave her the encouragement to begin her own journey.We discuss how she accessed fertility benefits through a part-time job at Tractor Supply, navigated PCOS and IVF, selected a sperm donor, and worked with CCRM. She also shares her embryo results: 25 eggs retrieved and seven PGT-normal embryos.But getting pregnant was only one part of her journey. Maree opens up about difficult family reactions, including her father’s decision to cut off contact after referring to her daughter as a “science experiment.” She also shares her experience with severe preeclampsia, an emergency C-section at just 29 weeks, and the challenges of recovering from surgery while her newborn daughter spent an extended period in the NICU.We also get into the realities of donor conception, sperm bank costs and buybacks, searching for donor siblings, dating as a solo mom, and how she plans to talk with her daughter about her donor-conceived origins.This is an honest conversation about representation, resilience, family, and choosing motherhood on your own terms.In This Episode, We Discuss: • Finding the Single Mom By Choice community and the importance of representation for Black women. • How social media helped Maree discover solo motherhood. • Accessing Progyny fertility benefits through a part-time job at Tractor Supply. • Navigating PCOS, IVF, and choosing CCRM as her fertility clinic. • Sperm donor selection and the realities of sperm bank costs and buybacks. • Her IVF results: 25 eggs retrieved and seven PGT-normal embryos. • Navigating family rejection and her father’s reaction to her decision. • Severe preeclampsia and an emergency C-section at 29 weeks. • Recovering from a C-section while her newborn daughter spent weeks in the NICU. • Searching for donor siblings and navigating donor conception. • Dating as a Single Mom By Choice. • Talking to her daughter about being donor conceived. • What she wishes she had known before beginning her journey. • Answering the question: “Who’s the daddy?”About Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K.Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K. is the podcast where we discuss all things Single Mom By Choice. Through honest conversations and personal stories, we explore solo motherhood, IVF, sperm donors, donor conception, and the many ways women are choosing to build their families.Our goal is to share stories that create representation, foster community, and remind women that they aren’t alone in their journey.Stay ConnectedFollow the Podcast:Instagram: @WhosTheDaddyPodListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast streaming platform.Follow Alexandra K.:Instagram: @LifeWithAlexandraKConnect with Maree:Instagram: @_itsjustmareeThank you for listening! If Maree’s story resonated with you, share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.And remember, keep discovering and choosing the life that’s best for you!

In this episode of Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K., I sit down with Annmaree, a solo mother by choice living in London, to discuss her journey to motherhood through IVF and donor conception.Although Annmaree always knew she wanted to be a mother, life took unexpected turns. After years of nurturing other people’s children as a nanny, she realized it was time to focus on building a family of her own. As she approached 40, the reality of her fertility timeline became more pressing, and she began exploring her options for becoming a mother on her own.Then COVID hit. Rather than putting her plans on hold indefinitely, Annmaree decided to take action. She shares how she navigated fertility treatment, selected a sperm donor, and made important decisions about embryo testing—all while managing the emotional, financial, and practical realities of building a family on her own.But the journey didn’t end with a positive pregnancy test. Annmaree opens up about pregnancy uncertainty, miscarriage, and the fear of navigating difficult moments without another parent by her side. We also discuss donor siblings, talking to children about donor conception, and raising her son with honesty and confidence.In this episode, we discuss:• What inspired Annmaree to become a Single Mom By Choice after years of wanting to be a parent• How turning 40 influenced her decision to pursue motherhood• Navigating IVF and fertility treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic• The difference between freezing eggs and creating embryos, and why fertility testing matters• Choosing a sperm donor, including donor profiles, adult photos, and the additional costs of accessing donor information• Embryo testing and the decision to identify genetic abnormalities before transfer• Pregnancy anxiety and the reality of not always feeling the emotions you expect• Navigating miscarriage and the unique fears that can come with experiencing difficult moments as a solo parent• Finding donor sibling families and the possibility of future connections• Talking to children about sperm donation and explaining donor conception in age-appropriate ways• The realities of solo parenting, including finances, support systems, travel, and maintaining your own identityAnnmaree’s story explores both the decisions involved in building a family and the realities of living that decision. Her experience is a reminder that choosing solo motherhood doesn’t mean having every answer in advance. It means navigating uncertainty, making informed decisions, and continuing to build the life you envision.About Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K.Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K. is the podcast where we discuss all things Single Mom By Choice. Through honest conversations and personal stories, we explore solo motherhood, IVF, sperm donors, donor conception, and the many ways women are choosing to build their families.Our goal is to share stories that create representation, foster community, and remind women that they aren’t alone in their journey.Stay Connected 🤍🎙️ Follow the podcast:Instagram: WhosTheDaddyPodFollow Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K. on your favorite podcast streaming platform so you never miss an episode!👋🏾 Connect with Alexandra K.:Instagram: @LifeWithAlexandraK✨ Follow Annmaree:Instagram: @DonutsAndDetoursThank you for listening! If Annmaree’s story resonated with you, share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.And remember, keep discovering and choosing the life that’s best for you!

In this episode of Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K., I sit down with Phyllis, a nurse, veteran, and Single Mom By Choice (SMBC), to discuss her journey to solo motherhood and the decision to build a family on her own terms.While stationed in Japan, Phyllis began rethinking the traditional path to motherhood. Inspired by the book Single Mothers by Choice, she discovered that she didn’t have to wait for a partner to pursue the future she wanted.But choosing to become a single mother by choice came with challenges. Phyllis shares her experiences navigating medical professionals who struggled to understand her decision, managing mixed reactions from family members, and selecting a sperm donor. She also discusses how she talks to her daughter about donor conception and teaches her that families come in all forms.In this episode, we discuss:• What inspired Phyllis to become a Single Mom By Choice• How Single Mothers by Choice helped her discover an alternative path to motherhood• Navigating fertility care when medical professionals don’t understand your decision• Choosing a sperm donor and involving family and friends in the process• Handling family resistance while standing firm in your decision• Talking to children about donor conception and different family structures• Building a family without waiting for a romantic partnerWhether you’re considering becoming a Single Mom By Choice, exploring sperm donor options, or simply curious about the different ways families are built, Phyllis’s story is a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to follow a traditional timeline.About Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K.Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K. is the podcast where we discuss all things Single Mom By Choice. Through honest conversations and personal stories, we explore solo motherhood, IVF, sperm donors, donor conception, and the many ways women are choosing to build their families.Our goal is to share stories that create representation, foster community, and remind women that they aren’t alone in their journey.Stay Connected 🤍🎙️ Follow the podcast:Instagram: @WhosTheDaddyPodSubscribe or follow Who’s the Daddy? w/ Alexandra K. on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!👋🏾 Connect with Alexandra K.:Instagram: @LifeWithAlexandraK✨ Follow Phyllis:Instagram: @Mommy.MarronThank you for listening! Share this episode with a woman who might need to hear Phyllis’s story.And remember, keep discovering and choosing the life that’s best for you!

What happens when you realize you don’t need a man or a marriage to become a mother?For actor and producer Onyi Okoli, that realization was an epiphany. One that made her soul rejoice.In this episode of Who’s the Daddy w/ Alexandra K., Onyi joins me for a candid conversation about her journey to becoming a Single Mom By Choice (SMBC) and what it means to build a family on your own terms.Onyi shares what first opened her eyes to the possibility of solo motherhood, how she navigated egg freezing and IVF, and the surprisingly funny and deeply personal process of choosing a donor.We also explore identity, representation, dating, and family planning, including how Onyi approached donor selection and why physical attraction was one of her priorities.This conversation is about giving yourself permission to imagine a different future — and realizing you don’t have to put your dreams on hold while waiting for someone else.And if you’re considering becoming a Single Mom By Choice yourself, Onyi leaves us with practical encouragement: trust your timing, do your research, and plan for the life you want.Whether you’re already a Single Mom By Choice, considering solo motherhood, somewhere in the middle of your journey, or simply curious about the possibilities, this episode is a reminder that there is more than one way to build a family.🎙️ Listen to Episode 2: Onyi Okoli’s Journey to Solo Motherhood🗳️ Help Baby Kairolu Become Baby of the Year!Onyi’s daughter, Baby Kairolu, is competing for Baby of the Year, and your vote could help her get closer to the title!The winner could receive $25,000 and a feature in Variety.Show Kairolu some love and cast your vote here:👉 https://babyoftheyear.org/vote/verify/2026/ka-r-lu-3d2bEvery vote counts! 🤍Connect with OnyiInstagram: @OnyiOkoliConnect with AlexandraInstagram: @LifeWithAlexandraKPodcast Instagram: @WhosTheDaddyPodWho’s the Daddy w/ Alexandra K.The podcast where we discuss all things Single Mom By Choice.And as always, keep discovering and choosing the life that’s best for you. 🤍

Usually, I’m the one asking the questions.But this time, I’m the guest.In the first episode of Season 2, I’m finally sitting down to tell my own story — how I came to the decision to become a Single Mom By Choice, what led me to IVF and donor conception, and what it actually took to build the family I always knew I wanted.I’m taking you back to the beginning: the moment I realized I didn’t want to wait for a partner to become a mother, the options I considered along the way, and the conversations that helped me understand what I did — and didn’t — want.This episode is about more than my fertility journey.It’s about making a decision for yourself, trusting that decision, and realizing that your family doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.Whether you’re already a Single Mom By Choice, considering solo motherhood, somewhere in the middle of your journey, or simply curious about what this path can look like — I hope hearing my story reminds you that there is more than one way to build a family.🎙️ Listen to Episode 1 of Season 2: My StoryAnd as always, keep discovering and choosing the life that’s best for you. 🤍Connect with Alexandra:Instagram: @LifeWithAlexandraKPodcast Instagram: @WhosTheDaddyPodWho’s the Daddy w/ Alexandra K.The podcast where we discuss all things Single Mom By Choice.

Season 2 of Who’s the Daddy w/ Alexandra K. is here. 🎙️This season, we’re going deeper into the stories behind the women who chose solo motherhood — the decisions, the doubts, the unexpected paths, and the lives they’re building on the other side of that choice.You’ll hear from Single Moms By Choice (SMBCs) with different experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and reasons for choosing to build their families on their own terms.And this season, I’m stepping out from behind the microphone, too.For the first time, I’m the guest. I’ll be sharing more of my own story — from deciding to become a mom on my own, to IVF and donor conception, to becoming a mother of two.New episodes drop every Tuesday.If you’re thinking about becoming a Single Mom By Choice, already on the journey, or simply curious about the many ways a family can be built, I hope you’ll join me.🎧 Subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode.And as always, keep discovering and choosing the life that’s best for you. 🤍Who’s the Daddy w/ Alexandra K.The podcast where we discuss all things Single Mom By Choice.Follow the show on IG: @whosthedaddypodLet’s Connect!Follow Alexandra: @lifewithalexandrakRate, review, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!New episodes every Tuesday. Thanks for being part of this community.#SingleMomByChoice #SMBC #SoloMotherhood #IVF #DonorConception #SingleMotherhood #FamilyBuilding #FertilityJourney #Motherhood #WhosTheDaddy

Dee & Lisa | Sister Moms & Telling the Truth Season 1 FinaleIn this powerful Season 1 finale of Who’s the Daddy w/ Alexandra K, I’m joined by two of my sister moms — Demetria @cannaqueeriousnp and Lisa @fernwehlisa — the mothers of my children’s donor sibling.Together, we share what it’s like raising children who are connected not by circumstance, but by donor conception. We explore how we found each other, how we’ve nurtured sibling bonds between our kids, and how we show up for one another as a modern-day chosen family.We also discuss the importance of truth-telling in donor conception:Keeping the details of your child’s conception a secret isn’t protecting them—it’s lying to them.This episode is a heartfelt close to a season filled with honesty, vulnerability, and deep connection—and it’s a love letter to all the SMBCs building families with courage and intention.Solicited Advice:This week’s listener has connected with other families who used the same donor—but she’s unsure of when and how to tell her child that they have donor siblings. We explore how to approach this conversation with transparency, sensitivity, and age-appropriate honesty.Guest Info:Demetria: @cannaqueeriousnpLisa: @fernwehlisaLet’s Connect:Submit your story or a question for Season 2: [email protected] the show on IG: @whosthedaddypodWatch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & moreThank you for being a part of this community!!

This week, I’m joined by Sarah (@zorabet_), a Jewish single mom by choice who approached her journey to motherhood with deep intentionality—from personal growth to spiritual alignment.In this episode, Sarah shares how her Jewish identity influenced her process of choosing a sperm donor and how other major life decisions, including a significant weight loss journey, prepared her emotionally and physically for motherhood. Now a proud mom to one daughter, Sarah reflects on the choices that led her here and the mindset shifts that helped her navigate the ups and downs of this path.Her story is a powerful reminder that becoming a solo mother by choice is not just about biology—it’s about vision, self-work, and trusting your unique process.Solicited Advice:This week’s listener is emotionally drained after multiple failed attempts to become a SMBC. She’s wondering whether she should continue pursuing her dream or take it as a sign to stop. We explore how to process disappointment, reconnect with your “why,” and make empowered decisions—even in the face of uncertainty.Guest Info:Sarah Z.Follow her on Instagram: @zorabet_Resources Mentioned:Submit your question for “Solicited Advice”: [email protected] the show on IG: @whosthedaddypodWatch full episodes on YouTubeLet’s Connect!Follow Alexandra: @lifewithalexandrakRate, review, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!New episodes every Tuesday. Thanks for being part of this community.

Nancy M. | Life with a Known Donor & Blocking Out NegativityThis week, I’m joined by Nancy (@_surfboartsashaa), who opens up about her journey to solo motherhood using a known donor. In a space where anonymous or anonymous ID-release donation is often the default, Nancy chose to walk a different path—one that has brought unique benefits for her and for her child’s future.She shares why she made this decision, the dynamics of building a family with intention and clarity, and the unexpected ways this choice has empowered her as a mother. Her perspective adds an important voice to the growing diversity of SMBC experiences.Solicited Advice:This week’s listener is a pregnant SMBC facing ongoing negativity and judgment from her family. She’s wondering whether she should cut ties for her peace or hold out hope that they’ll come around once the baby arrives. We talk about setting boundaries, protecting your joy, and navigating family tension without losing yourself.Guest Info:Nancy M. Single mom by choice: Follow her on Instagram: @_surfboartsashaaResources Mentioned: • Submit your question for “Solicited Advice”: [email protected] • Follow the show on IG: @whosthedaddypod • Watch full episodes on YouTubeLet’s Connect!Follow Alexandra: @lifewithalexandrakRate, review, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!New episodes every Tuesday. Thanks for being here and sharing this space.

Maryssa M. | Navigating with POI & Financing ConceptionThis week, I’m joined by Maryssa, whose journey to solo motherhood began long before she ever started fertility treatments. Diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) as a child, Maryssa always knew her path to becoming a mom would look different.In this episode, she shares what it was like to use both an egg donor and a sperm donor to create her embryos—a process that’s often overlooked in mainstream fertility conversations. Maryssa opens up about the emotional weight of those decisions, how she found peace with her path, and what helped her stay grounded through it all.We also talk about the financial side of fertility and how she made it all work—along with the holistic practices that supported her journey physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Solicited Advice:This week’s listener is weighing the financial and emotional investment of fertility treatments. She wants to know how to prepare—mentally and financially—when pursuing solo motherhood feels both empowering and overwhelming. We offer practical tips and mindset shifts to help her move forward with confidence.Resources Mentioned: • Submit your question for “Solicited Advice”: [email protected] • Follow the show on IG: @whosthedaddypod • Watch full episodes on YouTubeLet’s Connect!Follow Alexandra: @lifewithalexandrakRate, review, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!New episodes every Tuesday. Thank you for being part of this community.