Choosing Chaos: Solo Motherhood by Choice

Laura Nave
  • 4.8 (13)
  • Parenting

Choosing Chaos: Solo Motherhood by Choice — the podcast for women who are done waiting for “the one” and ready to become a parent on their own damn terms. We’re talking fertility, pregnancy, the emotional chaos, and the village it takes to raise a kid.Sometimes you cry in the bathtub. Sometimes you're crying because your toddler bit you. And sometimes, you cry because you chose all of this.Unfiltered conversations about solo motherhood—because doing it alone doesn't mean doing it quietly.

  1. 4d ago

    Nothing Between Us with Asha

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Choosing Chaos, Laura sits down with Asha Sen, a single mother by choice and author of Nothing Between Us, to talk about building a family through donor conception and gestational surrogacy. They explore the realities of becoming a mom, navigating unexpected challenges, and discovering that even when motherhood is something you've worked so hard for, the experience can still be complicated, messy, and full of surprises. 📚 Read Asha's memoir, Nothing Between Us: https://a.co/d/0cg97HBm Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  2. Oct 5

    The Gift of Adoption: Jennifer's Story

    Send us Fan Mail Jennifer Johnston brings a truly unique perspective to Choosing Chaos — she was adopted at birth, and years later, she became an adoptive mom herself. In this episode, Jennifer shares her experience building her family through adoption and the incredible perspective that comes from experiencing adoption from both sides. She talks openly and positively about the gift of adoption, the emotional highs and lows that can come with the process, and why understanding adoption laws, your rights, and the realities of each state’s process is so important for anyone considering this path to parenthood. We also talk about what motherhood looks like now that her daughter is school-aged — navigating the emotions, independence, friendships, and changing needs that come with watching your little one grow into her own person. And underneath it all is Jennifer's experience living with chronic illness. She shares what it means to be a present, engaged mom while managing fibromyalgia, the days when her body doesn't cooperate, and the reality of being the only parent when you're the one who needs care, too. This is a conversation about adoption, motherhood, resilience without the cliché, and the beautiful complexity of building a family in a way that may not look traditional — but can be every bit as full, loving, and meant to be. Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  3. Sep 28

    Connie: Booked, Busy & Loving Six

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the stage of motherhood you thought you’d love… turns out not to be your favorite? In this episode, Laura sits down with Connie Rutherford, single mom by choice to six-year-old twin girls, for a candid and often hilarious conversation about the realities of raising kids on your own—and why Connie is absolutely loving this stage of motherhood. Connie is a self-proclaimed calendar person, and keeping life moving with twins means organization is practically a survival skill. We talk about the chaos behind the carefully planned schedule, the parts of motherhood that have been harder than expected, and why the infant stage simply wasn’t her thing. Now that her girls are six, Connie is finding her groove and genuinely enjoying the conversations, personalities, and independence that come with this age. Connie is also the author of Searching for Tadpoles: The Journey to Motherhood of a Single Mother by Choice. 📖 Amazon | BookBaby 📱 Instagram | TikTok Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  4. Sep 21

    Noam & The Hopeful Bunny

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Choosing Chaos, Laura sits down with Noam Friedlander, a writer, author, genealogist, and solo mom, for an honest conversation about the realities of motherhood in the toddler years. Noam shares what life looks like balancing motherhood, work, creativity, and the mental load of doing it all without another parent automatically sharing the responsibility. They talk about identity, building a village, accepting help, the parts of pre-motherhood life that can be missed, and what Noam has learned about letting go of perfection and focusing on what matters. Laura and Noam also talk about her work as an author, including her children's book The Hopeful Bunny, a heartwarming story about a bunny who dreams of becoming a single mother and building a family of her own. Learn more about The Hopeful Bunny and purchase the book: The Hopeful Bunny — International Press Group Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  5. Sep 14

    What We Learn Along the Way: Alicia’s Story

    Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode, Alicia shares her journey through motherhood by choice, navigating the toddler and preschool years, career pressures, and the unexpected possibility of growing her family. We talk about letting go of perfection, adapting to the seasons of motherhood, and finding your own version of what a complete family can look like. Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  6. Sep 7

    Growing Together: Anka’s Story

    Send us Fan Mail What does solo motherhood look like years after becoming a mom? Anka shares an honest look at raising a school-aged child, navigating the evolving challenges of solo motherhood, balancing work and family, finding community, and the lessons she's learned along the way. She also shares advice for women considering this path and those already living it. Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  7. Aug 31

    Just Keep Moving: Sandra’s Story — Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail In Part Two of Sandra’s story, we continue to explore the realities of raising a child as a Single Mom by Choice, navigating the pressures of life and motherhood, caring for aging parents, managing burnout, and finding the strength to just keep moving forward. Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

  8. Aug 24

    Just Keep Moving: Sandra’s Story — Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail Sandra shares what it looks like to navigate 11 years of Single Motherhood by Choice—from raising a donor-conceived daughter and navigating questions around family and identity, to balancing work, finances, aging parents, burnout, and building what comes next. Through it all, Sandra shares the reality of feeling overwhelmed while continuing to “just keep moving,” offering an honest and relatable look at resilience, growth, and finding grace in the chaos. Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected StoriesHow a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

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4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Choosing Chaos: Solo Motherhood by Choice — the podcast for women who are done waiting for “the one” and ready to become a parent on their own damn terms. We’re talking fertility, pregnancy, the emotional chaos, and the village it takes to raise a kid.Sometimes you cry in the bathtub. Sometimes you're crying because your toddler bit you. And sometimes, you cry because you chose all of this.Unfiltered conversations about solo motherhood—because doing it alone doesn't mean doing it quietly.

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