//podcastplus.net/feed/the-stork-and-i~d3f36e10 A podcast for single women considering solo motherhood using donor conception Wed, 13 May 2026 05:13:39 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/745z7msbsgtitvx6/Caterina_Wiggle_-_13_06_2024_12388ewb2.mp3 In this episode I speak to children's entertainer and Red Wiggle, Caterina Meta about her journey to become a solo parent of twins.  *trigger warning we do discuss miscarriage in this episode For over three decades, The Wiggles, the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group have educated, entertained, and enriched the lives of millions of pre-schoolers (and their parents) all over the globe. Today, generations of fans that grew up watching The Wiggles are sharing their love of them with their own children. Having sold over 30 million albums and DVDs and 8 million books globally, as well as accumulating over 2 billion music streams and 3 billion views on YouTube, The Wiggles continue to dominate the preschool entertainment scene. Their live shows annually sell out to audiences on three separate continents, and their videos are seen in over 190 countries around the world. The Wiggles recently launched a new educational series on YouTube called Wiggle and Learn.  This pioneering series ... Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:59:17 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/745z7msbsgtitvx6/Caterina_Wiggle_-_13_06_2024_12388ewb2.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7nzv3v/Holly_Solo_Mum_-_25_03_2024_1310bfoy5.mp3 In this episode I speak to solo parent Holly.    We cover:  - Choosing a sperm donor - Finding donor siblings - Deciding whether to try for a sibling - The experience of being a solo parent and sharing some of the trickiest parts - Experiencing post natal anxiety - Our desire for constant cleaning to feel more in control - The mental load of a solo parent - Feeling lonely in the early days of solo parenting - Asking for help and the sort of help that can be useful - The benefits of finding your people   and much more....   You can follow Holly here    Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!   About Mel Johnson Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going thro... Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:51:39 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7nzv3v/Holly_Solo_Mum_-_25_03_2024_1310bfoy5.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9g26bx/Single_Mammy_-_08_02_2024_1608a9lm5.mp3 In todays episode I speak to solo parent Sarah   In the episode we cover: - The difference between using the term single parent or solo parent - Making the decision to become a solo parent - Having IUI or IVF - Having a really tough time postpartum and getting through it - The benefits of parenting solo - The unrealistic expectations we think we'd have of a partner!  - Advice for those considering solo parenthood and much more.....   You can follow Sarah here    Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!   About Mel Johnson Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.    I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood ... Fri, 09 Feb 2024 05:11:00 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9g26bx/Single_Mammy_-_08_02_2024_1608a9lm5.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/vj6i44/Jayneel_-_29_01_2024_13518kqyw.mp3 In todays episode we meet with Jayneel Patel about her journey to solo parenthood.   In the episode we discussed: Coming from an Indian family and the impact that has on the decision to become a solo parent Going through an arranged marriage and the learnings from that Considering adoption Having the support of the important people in our lives Being embraced by the extended family Choosing a sperm donor and considerations around ethnicity Getting things done as a solo parent Juggling career and parenthood And much more!   If you want to follow Jayneel you can find her at @jp1409   Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!   About Mel Johnson Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to supp... Tue, 30 Jan 2024 06:24:08 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/vj6i44/Jayneel_-_29_01_2024_13518kqyw.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5ri7mz/Alexandra_Collier_-_08_11_2023_1252ayabc.mp3 In the last episode of Series 6 of the Stork and I Podcast I chat to solo parent Alexandra.  Alexandra is a solo parent and an award winning Melbourne writer who has written for theatre, screen and print. Her memoir  Inconceivable  was recently published by Hachette. In the episode we discuss:  - Her memoir Inconceivable - Splitting up with a partner because they don't want children and you do - 'Settling' for someone as an alternative to pursuing solo parenthood - The challenges of dating when wanting children - Considering using a known donor - The importance of our solo parent network - Moving location to be closer to parents and MUCH more!   You can follow Alexandra at: https://www.instagram.com/alexandracollierwrites/ You can purchase Inconceivable here Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:19:34 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5ri7mz/Alexandra_Collier_-_08_11_2023_1252ayabc.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/k54h4a/S5_Emily_-_01_03_2022_22509nmcg.mp3 In todays episode I speak to Emily.  Emily was conceived using a sperm donor and raised by a solo parent. Because it was pretty common to be a solo parent family where Emily grew up, she didn't ask many questions about her father until her mum showed her a documentary about donor conception when she was in her teens, and she realised that she was conceived with a donor.  We explore the impact of not having those in depth conversations at an earlier age.    In todays episode we cover:  - Finding out you're donor conceived through watching a documentary - The impact of not having conversations about donor conception from an early age - The experience of meeting your donor - How it feels to connect with donor siblings  - Advice for others  and much more.....   Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a... Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:30:00 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/k54h4a/S5_Emily_-_01_03_2022_22509nmcg.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ggs8q2/DCC_Melissa_-_22_02_2022_224883kw6.mp3 In todays episode I speak to Melissa from the United States Donor Conceived Council.  Melissa was conceived using anonymous egg donation and her parents told her and her brother when she was 21. Melissa is part of the US Donor Conceived Council, which is a nonprofit organization run by and for Donor Conceived People. They connect with other DCP, recipient parents, donors, industry professionals, and the general public to increase awareness of issues that impact DCP and promote change that advances their health, welfare, and human rights."   In this episode we cover:  - The important topics that the United States Door Conceived Council are fighting for - The feeling of burden that can be felt by DCP trying to find family members - Some of the challenges with worldwide donor limits - The differences in experiences of a RP and a DCP - How societys view of what makes a family, might impact our thoughts about the term 'parent' - The importance of not making the subject of donor conception ... Wed, 23 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ggs8q2/DCC_Melissa_-_22_02_2022_224883kw6.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dhekvm/Nikita_-_14_02_2022_11297abco.mp3 In todays episode I chat to 24 year old Nikita. Nikita was donor conceived through sperm donation and raised by a solo mum in Birmingham.  Being donor conceived inspired her to work in fertility which has allowed her to better understand the process from the parent perspective. She believe's it is important to hear the views of both parents and donor conceived people for future generations to have a more positive experience.She started looking for her donor and siblings aged 16 and feels very lucky to have a supportive family.    In todays episode we cover:  - Talking to your childs friends parents about donor conception - The benefits to our children of knowing other donor conceived children - How it feels to find out your donors non identifying information at 16 - Finding half siblings and 3rd cousins! - The benefits of RPs doing the work when it comes to finding donor siblings to give the options for DCP and not leaving all the investigations to our children - Changing feelings about ... Wed, 16 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dhekvm/Nikita_-_14_02_2022_11297abco.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5yu9j2/Jana_Rupnow_-_08_02_2022_17077o0ni.mp3 In todays episode I chat to licensed professional counselor and international consultant specializing in fertility and family building, Jana Rupnow.  Jana M. Rupnow, MA, LPC, is best-selling author of the book, Three Makes Baby-How to Parent Your Donor-Conceived Child. She introduced the field to the “five common fears” that parents face as they contemplate having a non-biological child. Thousands of readers around the world have trusted the wisdom and guidance because she knows firsthand what it’s like to be in a non-biological family, as an adoptee and adoptive mom.   Jana also faced infertility and has helped thousands of people face the challenges of infertility as well as those preparing to grow their family in non-traditional ways. Working as an independent, she has fostered relationships with endocrinologists across the United States. Jana’s work, including the Three Makes Baby podcast, encourages communication between donor conceived parents and donor conceived adults, to raise awar... Wed, 09 Feb 2022 05:30:00 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5yu9j2/Jana_Rupnow_-_08_02_2022_17077o0ni.mp3 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9ffa9p/Kiara.mp3 In episode one of series 5 of The Stork and I Podcast I chat to Kiara. Kiara is a 24 year-old donor conceived person who was raised by her solo mom, Nicki. She lives in Chicago and is writing a book about being donor conceived and her story of navigating life and finding her donor related family. She is trying to redefine society's notion of a "traditional family". You can check her out on instagram @kiararaeschuh and get a free preview of her book at kiararaeschuh.com .   In todays episode we cover:  - The impact the way you are told you are door conceived can have on you - The importance of language around donor conception - Finding donor siblings  - How it feels to connect with your donor - Whether genetics makes a family - Advice for solo parents and much more.......    Connect with Kiara Instagram: https:https://www.instagram.com/kiararaeschuh/ Website: kiararaeschuh.co /   Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share th... Wed, 02 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9ffa9p/Kiara.mp3