Start to Finish Motherhood with Aisha

Aisha J
  • 4.9 (25)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Start to Finish Motherhood is a podcast for Black Single Mothers by Choice and women pursuing intentional / choice motherhood. It's a podcast for those thinking or already Single Mothers by Choice, just looking for practical advice for navigating life's relationships. When you decide to have children on your own, it doesn't mean that you're completely alone. Aisha is partnering with you every step of your journey. Hosted by Aisha (also host of the Black Single Mothers by Choice podcast).

  1. S5E8: Trying for a Second Child as a Single Mother by Choice

    1D AGO

    S5E8: Trying for a Second Child as a Single Mother by Choice

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. Deciding whether to expand your family as a Single Mother by Choice brings new questions, emotions, and layers of reflection. In this mash-up episode, Aisha revisits the internal and practical considerations of trying for a second child—now informed by experience and perspective. This episode is for Single Mothers by Choice considering another pregnancy, feeling uncertain, or navigating pressure—internal or external—around family size. In this episode, Aisha: Reflects on emotional readiness and capacity Discusses logistics, finances, and energy considerations Names the tension between desire and realism Explores how timing and support systems matter Reinforces that thoughtful consideration is a strength This episode offers reassurance that pausing, questioning, or choosing differently than expected is part of intentional motherhood. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - How to Finish Motherhood With Two Children(00:07:29) - Donor Egg Story(00:10:17) - How I Learned To Have A Second Child in My 40s(00:20:17) - How to Start to Finish Motherhood with Aisha

    22 min
  2. S5E7: The Importance of Estate Planning for Single Mothers by Choice

    FEB 25

    S5E7: The Importance of Estate Planning for Single Mothers by Choice

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. Estate planning is an act of love—and for Single Mothers by Choice, it’s also an act of protection. In this mash-up episode, Aisha revisits why planning ahead matters, even when it feels uncomfortable or overwhelming. This episode is for Single Mothers by Choice who want to ensure their children are protected, supported, and cared for—no matter what the future holds. In this episode, Aisha: Explains why estate planning is essential for SMC families Discusses guardianship, wills, and naming decision-makers Reflects on emotional resistance and common fears Emphasizes planning as empowerment, not pessimism Encourages taking small, manageable steps toward security This episode reframes estate planning as a grounding, intentional part of responsible motherhood—not something to delay or fear. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/ Chapters (00:00:04) - Start to Finish Motherhood: How to Manage Your Money(00:04:46) - Estate Planning for Moms...(00:10:41) - Single Mother's End-of-Life Plans

    14 min
  3. S5E6: Parenting in a Pandemic, Navigating Uncertainty with Care

    FEB 18

    S5E6: Parenting in a Pandemic, Navigating Uncertainty with Care

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. Parenting during a global crisis changed everything. In this mash-up episode, Aisha reflects on what it meant to raise children through the uncertainty, fear, and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic while navigating single motherhood with intention and care. This episode is for Single Mothers by Choice, Black mothers, and parents who are still processing how the pandemic reshaped their families, priorities, and sense of safety. In this episode, Aisha: Reflects on parenting decisions made during uncertainty Discusses emotional labor, burnout, and decision fatigue Explores how isolation impacted both parents and children Names the importance of grace, flexibility, and mental health Emphasizes community care and trusting your instincts as a parent This mash-up honors the reality that survival required adaptability—and that there is no single “right” way to have parented through unprecedented times. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - Starting to Finish Motherhood(00:02:10) - Punishment for leaving my job during the pandemic(00:08:33) - COVID Pandemic: The Mother's Experience(00:14:43) - Virtual Learning: What Are the Kids Learning?(00:21:41) - Single Mother by Choice

    22 min
  4. S5E5: Black Bodies, Black Babies, and Medical Advocacy

    FEB 11

    S5E5: Black Bodies, Black Babies, and Medical Advocacy

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. Medical systems don’t always protect Black women—and that reality becomes especially clear during fertility care, pregnancy, and parenting. In this powerful mash-up episode, Aisha revisits conversations about medical advocacy, bodily autonomy, and navigating healthcare as a Black mother. This episode is for Black women, Single Mothers by Choice, and anyone learning how to advocate for themselves and their children within medical systems. In this episode, Aisha: Names the realities of racial bias in healthcare Discusses the importance of informed consent and documentation Shares strategies for advocating for yourself in medical settings Reflects on trust, intuition, and preparation Emphasizes community knowledge as a form of protection This mash-up centers truth, preparation, and empowerment—reminding listeners that advocacy is not optional, it’s essential. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - Start to Finish Motherhood: Black Parents(00:04:21) - Being an SMC(00:11:58) - What Could Possibly Go Wrong With My Egg Donor?(00:18:17) - Single Mother by Choice

    19 min
  5. S5E4: Dating as a Black Single Mother by Choice

    FEB 4

    S5E4: Dating as a Black Single Mother by Choice

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. What does dating look like when you’re parenting with intention, protecting your peace, and honoring your identity as a Black Single Mother by Choice? In this mash-up episode, Aisha revisits candid conversations about love, boundaries, and self-worth—now informed by growth and hindsight. This episode is for Black Single Mothers by Choice who are dating, considering dating, or redefining what partnership and fulfillment mean to them. In this episode, Aisha: Explores the realities of dating as a Black SMC Discusses boundaries, safety, and emotional readiness Reflects on confidence, self-image, and honest communication Shares lessons about pacing, expectations, and discernment Reinforces the importance of self-care and community support This episode affirms that dating doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s timeline—and that your worth is not up for negotiation. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - Start to Finish Motherhood: Dating Now(00:05:28) - What I Was Looking For In A Donor(00:13:28) - On The Importance of Being An SMC(00:15:28) - Are You Single Mother Dating?(00:17:35) - Starting to Finish Motherhood With Aisha

    18 min
  6. S5E3: Sperm Donor Choice: Making an Informed, Intentional Decision

    JAN 28

    S5E3: Sperm Donor Choice: Making an Informed, Intentional Decision

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. Choosing a sperm donor is one of the most personal and layered decisions in the Single Mother by Choice journey. In this mash-up episode, Aisha revisits the early questions, fears, and considerations that come with donor selection—now grounded in lived experience and reflection. This episode is for Single Mothers by Choice, Black women navigating donor conception, and anyone seeking clarity, agency, and reassurance in the decision-making process. In this episode, Aisha: Breaks down the different types of sperm donors and donor arrangements Discusses how values, identity, and long-term thinking shape donor choice Reflects on emotional, cultural, and practical considerations Addresses common anxieties and decision fatigue Emphasizes that informed choice—not perfection—is the goal This mash-up offers space to slow down, ask better questions, and trust yourself as you build your family with intention. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - Single Mothers: What They Need to Know(00:03:46) - Donor Choosing(00:04:51) - Donor Sperm Search: From 554 to 1(00:06:27) - Using A Donor For My Baby(00:08:11) - Why are the numbers of black donors so low(00:09:35) - Starting to Finish Motherhood With Aisha

    10 min
  7. S5E2: Getting Down to Basics: IUI vs. IVF

    JAN 21

    S5E2: Getting Down to Basics: IUI vs. IVF

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. When you’re starting or expanding your family as a Single Mother by Choice, understanding your fertility options matters. In this mash-up episode, Aisha revisits the basics of IUI and IVF—what they are, how they differ, and why context is everything. This episode is for Single Mothers by Choice, Black women navigating fertility decisions, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by medical language and options. In this episode, Aisha: Explains the core differences between IUI and IVF in plain language Discusses factors that influence fertility decision-making Reflects on cost, access, timing, and emotional readiness Names the importance of advocacy and informed consent Emphasizes that there is no “right” path—only the right one for you This mash-up blends early fertility education with lived reflection, helping listeners approach decisions with clarity, self-trust, and agency. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - Start to Finish Motherhood(00:01:44) - Pregnancy Rates by Procedures and Race(00:05:56) - How To Cope With a SMC(00:06:57) - IUI vs In-Vitro Fertilization ((00:08:36) - What are the costs associated with IVF cycle(00:10:03) - UI vs IVF: How to get pregnant with your own eggs(00:11:54) - How To Finish IVF 3 Times

    17 min
  8. S5E1: What Is a Single Mother by Choice?

    JAN 14

    S5E1: What Is a Single Mother by Choice?

    This Mash-Up episode revisits a foundational conversation from Black Single Mothers by Choice, updated with reflection and insight from parenting school-age children. What does it actually mean to be a Single Mother by Choice—and why does clarity matter so much at the beginning of the journey? In this foundational mash-up episode, Aisha revisits one of the most common and important questions she’s been asked over the years. This episode is for women exploring solo motherhood, Black women considering becoming Single Mothers by Choice, and anyone seeking language, grounding, and validation around intentional family building. In this episode, Aisha: Defines what “Single Mother by Choice” truly means Breaks down common misconceptions and stereotypes Explains the difference between circumstance and intention Shares why naming your path matters emotionally and practically Reflects on how identity, choice, and community shape the journey This mash-up brings early insights into conversation with lived experience, offering reassurance that intentional motherhood can be thoughtful, empowered, and deeply rooted in care. Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starttofinishmotherhood YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarttoFinishMotherhood Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starttofinishmotherhood/   Chapters (00:00:04) - Single Mothers by Choice: How to Parent Your Childs(00:04:42) - SNC on the SMC Path(00:06:40) - The Journey to Having a Second Daughter(00:08:04) - The Social Perception of Single Motherhood(00:09:28) - What is a Single Mother by Choice?(00:10:53) - What do you think is the biggest difference between a single mother by(00:13:07) - What Makes an SMC Different From Others?(00:15:32) - Do You Hate Men?(00:16:30) - Starting to Finish Motherhood With Aisha

    17 min
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4.9
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Start to Finish Motherhood is a podcast for Black Single Mothers by Choice and women pursuing intentional / choice motherhood. It's a podcast for those thinking or already Single Mothers by Choice, just looking for practical advice for navigating life's relationships. When you decide to have children on your own, it doesn't mean that you're completely alone. Aisha is partnering with you every step of your journey. Hosted by Aisha (also host of the Black Single Mothers by Choice podcast).

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