Home Podcasts The Single Greatest Choice: For Single Women Exploring Solo Motherhood by Choice (SMBC), Fertility, and Having a Baby on Thei
The Single Greatest Choice: For Single Women Exploring Solo Motherhood by Choice (SMBC), Fertility, and Having a Baby on Thei

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

Katie Bryan 113 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

This podcast supports single women exploring solo motherhood by choice (SMBC). Hosted by Katie Bryan, a single mother by choice turned coach, it features real stories and practical advice on fertility, IVF, adoption, sperm donors, and navigating pregnancy without a partner. The show aims to empower women considering parenthood on their own terms.

Episodes

S9E13. Research, Representation & the Realities of Donor Conception with Laura Runnels
S9E13. Research, Representation & the Realities of Donor Conception with Laura Runnels Aug 19, 2026 01:21:50 Laura Runnels knew from a young age that solo motherhood was a path she was willing to take. What she couldn’t have known was exactly how that path would unfold, from exploring known donation to ultimately using a sperm bank, conceiving at home, and later deciding whether to grow her family again.In this episode, Laura and I talk about her path to becoming a solo mom to two donor-conceived childre
S9E12. What a Donor-Conceived Person and Therapist Wants SMBCs to Know with Kat Boldt
S9E12. What a Donor-Conceived Person and Therapist Wants SMBCs to Know with Kat Boldt Aug 5, 2026 01:03:31 What does donor conception actually feel like from the child’s perspective as they grow into adulthood?I sit down with Kat Boldt, LPC, to discuss the lifelong journey of donor conception through the unique dual lens of a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and an adult donor-conceived person raised by a Single Mother by Choice.Kat shares her personal experience of growing up knowing her story
S9E11. You Don't Have to Be 100% Certain to Become a Solo Mom with Carrie Meckler
S9E11. You Don't Have to Be 100% Certain to Become a Solo Mom with Carrie Meckler Jul 22, 2026 01:04:43 What if "ready" doesn't feel the way you think it will?I sit down with licensed therapist and solo mom Carrie Meckler to explore one of the biggest myths women carry into the solo motherhood journey... that you have to be completely certain before you begin.Carrie shares her deeply personal journey from ending a relationship at 34 to beginning fertility treatment at 35, navigating multiple IUIs, I
S9E10. Shifting to Embryo Donation After IVF Burnout with Jeni
S9E10. Shifting to Embryo Donation After IVF Burnout with Jeni Jul 8, 2026 01:03:35 I sit down with Jeni to unpack a raw, deeply resonant, and incredibly insightful fertility journey. Jeni shares her evolution from viewing egg freezing as a simple piece of "mental insurance" at age 35 to navigating a grueling five-year path spanning five different fertility clinics. She describes the mental and physical toll of constant cycle adjustments, the burden of clinic communication woes,
S9E9. Loneliness, Growth, and the Magic of Becoming a Solo Mom with Beth Sadowsky
S9E9. Loneliness, Growth, and the Magic of Becoming a Solo Mom with Beth Sadowsky Jun 24, 2026 58:07 Beth always knew motherhood was important to her, but becoming a single mom by choice wasn't a decision she made overnight. In this conversation, Beth shares the three-year journey between first considering solo motherhood and ultimately becoming pregnant, including the doubts, pauses, therapy sessions, and mindset shifts that helped her move forward with confidence.We also talk about what life ac
S9E8. Embryo Donation as a Choice for Solo Moms with Jen and Maya of Empower with Moxi
S9E8. Embryo Donation as a Choice for Solo Moms with Jen and Maya of Empower with Moxi Jun 10, 2026 56:29 Embryo donation can be a beautiful and deeply layered way to build a family, but it’s also a topic surrounded by questions, emotion, and a lot of unknowns. In this episode, I’m joined by Maya Grobel, a licensed clinical social worker, recipient parent, and documentary filmmaker, along with Jen Vesbit, a nationally certified counselor and donor parent. Together with their partner Gina Davis, they c
S9E7. Mission: Motherhood - How Cheri Bergeron Created Her Own Happily Ever After
S9E7. Mission: Motherhood - How Cheri Bergeron Created Her Own Happily Ever After May 27, 2026 51:19 What does it really take to let go of the fairy tale you were raised with and create a life, and family, that’s truly your own? In this episode, I sit down with Cheri Bergeron, Austin author, single mom by choice, and passionate advocate for women navigating new paths to motherhood.Cheri's journey has included fertility challenges, marriage and divorce, donor conception loss, and ultimately, build
S9E6. Take Control of Your Conception Journey with Peer-to-Peer Sperm Donation, featuring Sofie Hafstrøm Kritsotaki, CEO of Y Factor
S9E6. Take Control of Your Conception Journey with Peer-to-Peer Sperm Donation, featuring Sofie Hafstrøm Kritsotaki, CEO of Y Factor May 13, 2026 54:54 Donor conception is changing faster than most fertility clinics or sperm banks can keep up. More and more women are looking for alternative paths to parenthood that put autonomy, transparency, and connection at the center. If you’ve ever wondered about the world of known, open, and peer-to-peer sperm donation, or wanted more control and clarity on selecting a donor, this episode is for you.Today,
S9E5. When Egg Freezing and Community Come Together with Aliza Virani of The Fertility Co-Living
S9E5. When Egg Freezing and Community Come Together with Aliza Virani of The Fertility Co-Living Apr 29, 2026 01:01:29 When I first connected with today's guest, Aliza, I felt such a spark of resonance. She has created exactly what she wished had existed on her own fertility journey. It’s an international, holistic, community-based egg freezing retreat designed to transform what can be an isolating, clinical, and overwhelming experience into something deeply supportive, connected, and even joyful.In this episode,
S9E4. Unexplained Infertility and Cultural Expectations as a SMBC with Choice Mom Coach, Reema Kiran
S9E4. Unexplained Infertility and Cultural Expectations as a SMBC with Choice Mom Coach, Reema Kiran Apr 15, 2026 56:19 Becoming a single mother by choice is complicated enough, but when you add layers of cultural expectations, family pressure, and the uncertainty of fertility, it can feel like there’s just no roadmap and no one who gets it. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Reema Kiran, executive coach, founder of Choice Mom Coach, and now published author of the book, Choice Mom. We go deep into her process of na
S9E3. Fertility Choices, Timelines, and Feeling Empowered About the Process with Dr. Natalie Crawford
S9E3. Fertility Choices, Timelines, and Feeling Empowered About the Process with Dr. Natalie Crawford Apr 1, 2026 50:29 There is so much noise out there about fertility, timelines, and the “right” way and time to become a mother. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate these decisions, especially as a single woman wondering what’s possible, what’s realistic, and what you really want. That’s why I was so excited to welcome back Dr. Natalie Crawford for this episode. Not only is she a leader in the
S9E2 Choosing Love Over Fear: Regine Smith’s Experience with Toddler Adoption as a Solo Mom
S9E2 Choosing Love Over Fear: Regine Smith’s Experience with Toddler Adoption as a Solo Mom Mar 18, 2026 58:59 Sometimes the path to motherhood asks us to step into the unknown with courage, intention, and trust, especially when the journey doesn’t look anything like we first imagined. In this episode, I’m joined by Regine Smith, solo mom by adoption, and founder of SMBC Resources. Regine shares her powerful story of building her family through adoption as a single woman, navigating years of research and u

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