Solo Parent Podcast Joly Herman

Welcome to part one of a series on dating as a solo parent! It’s easy to look outside of ourselves to find someone to love.  Swiping right or updating our profile with good-looking selfies is an exercise in creating the future we think will make us happy.  But what happens when we take a look in the mirror and see what IS? Who are we?  What do we want?  What is best for our kids?  Tune in for some tips on phase one of  getting back into the dating pool as solo-by-choice, divorced, or widowed parents.
In this episode, I talk about…
[2:17] Identity as a solo parent
[4:22] Getting to know yourself before dating
[5:11] Taking yourself on dates
[5:52] Falling in love with your life
Getting to know who you are as an individual is one of the best parts of being a solo, divorced, or widowed person.  It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth it.
Website: https://soloparentmag.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/soloparentpodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/soloparentnation

Got stress? Feeling alone? We got you.  Tune in and get ready to sing with survivors, Joly Herman, Christopher Stibbs, and Munchie Herman in this bonus episode.
I don’t know how often you get out to sing karaoke anymore, but if you’re game, we’re game. I have Christopher Stibbs, a professional who works in a domestic violence shelter (and my guest from episode 17), and Munchie Herman, our in-house therapy dog and amazing vocalist, singing with me on this track.
If you do anything today, find a quiet spot and put in your earbuds - maybe not too loud - and sing along with us, karaoke style.  It feels good!
[0:54] Karaoke: I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor, 1978)
We’re rooting you on all the way, Solo Nation, everything you might be going through. You are a victor, not a victim. And remember-- we might be solo, but we are not alone.
Connect with Christopher:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherstibbs/
Resources:
https://newhousekc.org/
https://www.thehotline.org/

Sometimes, the relationship a parent is in becomes unbearable. But what qualifies as abuse? And how do you get your kids out of a dangerous situation? 
Today, we are going to talk about getting safe, staying safe, and recovering from an abusive situation with the help of our guest, Christopher Stibbs, Director of Philanthropic Engagement at Newhouse Domestic Violence Shelter in Kansas City, MO. Before he was in this fundraising role, Christopher was an advocate at Newhouse. He answered hotline calls and helped individuals and families out of crisis situations and into a safe place.
In this episode, we discuss…
[2:03] How Christopher started working in a domestic violence shelter
[4:35] What it looks like when someone arrives at a domestic violence shelter
[6:12] How children are cared for at the shelter
[8:29] A day in the life at a domestic violence shelter
[11:22] Recovering from the trauma of abuse
[12:51] Moving out of the shelter
[15:36] How abusive situations in childhood can impact adult relationships
[16:13] What qualifies as abuse
[19:35] Everyone is worthy of help
[20:32] Statistics on relational violence
[22:46] Helping our kids to avoid abusive relationships
[26:46] Domestic violence and the legal system
[28:21] The cycle of abuse
[29:56] Support for children who have experienced abuse
[32:08] A success story 
[35:12] Christopher’s book project
Families who need to heal can find help in their communities. The more you know about issues like domestic violence, the better prepared you will be to teach your children about staying safe.
Connect with Christopher:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherstibbs/
Resources:
https://newhousekc.org/
https://www.thehotline.org/

Today I’m going to talk about pets in solo-by-choice, divorced, widowed, and blended family homes.  These are pets in homes where stability is desperately needed, and where friendship and companionship are most welcome.  Today is all about the animals who make our homes feel like home.  Today I have, in studio with me, the little rock in our world who has been there through thick and thin - the one who gives us comfort when we’re sad - the one and only, Munchie Herman.
In this episode, we talk about…
[1:04] Joly’s search for a pet after becoming a single parent
[3:45] Why having a pet is important to the divorced, widowed, solo-by-choice, or blended family
Pets are therapeutic for the whole family - especially the non-traditional family!
Website: https://soloparentmag.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/soloparentpodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/soloparentnation

Are you looking for a solo mom icon?  Someone who flies to Puerto Rico to film the show she and her writing partner created?  Who is a go-to for studios who want hit TV shows? A podcast host? And who’s rocking this with her young daughter by her side? In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with legendary TV writer Sarah Fain.  Sarah chose to be a solo mom, and she’s all that. Today we’re chatting about how this role model thinks, and how her daughter has transformed her life.
In this episode, we talk about…
[5:26] Working as a solo parent in a field that requires travel
[6:59] The bond between a solo parent and a child
[9:16] Traveling with a child as a solo parent
[11:04] The decision to become a solo parent by choice
[14:54] Conversations with others about having a non-traditional family
[17:13] Sarah’s industry and its impact on solo parenthood
[19:09] Solo parent role models
[22:38] How Sarah’s experience as a solo parent has influenced her writing and her work
[30:37] Sarah’s tips and tricks that make solo parenting easier for her
Solo parents can achieve whatever they put their minds to.  Take inspiration from icons like Sarah Fain -- and go big!


CONNECT WITH SARAH:
https://www.instagram.com/sfain/
https://twitter.com/sarahmfain
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1175413/#producer
https://happierinhollywood.com/

Today I’m sharing more books and media to inspire and support non-traditional families.  As a day gig, I work as a book and TV reviewer for Common Sense Media: an online resource that helps families navigate their media lives.  I wanted to touch on some media that could be helpful in showing your kids that their journey, as a child living in a non-traditional family, is something that other kids experience as well.  You can check out some of my previous suggestions in Episode 7.
In this episode, we talk about…
[0:45] Road Trip with Max and His Mom by Linda Urban
Book
Full Review
[1:38] The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Book
Full Review
[2:44] Things You Can’t Say by Jenn Bishop
Book 
Full Review
[3:29] Just Add Magic
TV Series
Full Review


Website: https://soloparentmag.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/soloparentpodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/soloparentnation