Seeking Different

Hera and Estela McLeod

4.5 (31)
PARENTING

Single Mother by Choice (former co-host of The Mocha SMC Podcast) Hera McLeod teams up with her precocious nine year old daughter Estela for the podcast "Seeking Different". The Mom and Kid duo explore what it looks like to navigate the world as a non-traditional family. They discuss hot topics such as donor sibling relationships, family travel, school choice, race relations, and navigating the playground.

AUG 27

Season 3, Episode 1: Revolutionizing Donor Identity Disclosure with Dylan Morgan from Cascade Cryobank

Ever wondered what it's like to transition from a sperm donor to the Chief Operations Officer of a leading cryobank? Join us in an eye-opening episode of Seeking Different as Dylan Morgan, COO of Cascade Cryobank, takes us through his personal and professional journey. We'll explore Cascade Cryobank's groundbreaking Early Identity Disclosure Program, which offers recipient families immediate access to donor identities upon reporting a live birth. Dylan shares the program's origins, the essent...

29 min
JAN 29

Season 2, Episode 11: Navigating the Thrills and Spills of Tween Crushes and Gossip

Remember the flutters of first crushes and the buzz of schoolyard whispers? Together with my daughter Estela, we take a heartfelt plunge into the world of tween crushes and the ensuing gossip that can feel like navigating a minefield. We swap stories, with Estela offering a peek into the pulse of today's tween experiences, rife with the excitement and anxiety of burgeoning attractions, as well as the sometimes harsh reality of gossip. Through laughter and a bit of cringing, we dissect how to ...

23 min
JAN 16

Season 2, Episode 10: Defying Silence: A Mother's Memoir and the Fight for Children's Justice

Hera and Estela bring you a new episode - that explains why they've taken a bit of a hiatus. They've both been writing books! And Hera has just released her memoir, ten years in the making, that's both deeply personal and universally touching. "Defying Silence," her memoir, unveils the heart-wrenching journey of losing her son and the struggle against a justice system that let them down. Hera and Estela grapple with the profound impact of stories like this and how they foster connections, alb...

19 min
10/23/2023

Season 2, Episode 9: Part II of Donor Dylan's Story - The Sperm Donor with 97 Biological Children

This is Part II of Donor Dylan's story.Picture this – you just found out you have 97 biological children. Baffled? So was our guest, Donor Dylan, when he discovered this shocking revelation due to sperm donation. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Dylan unravels his rollercoaster journey of having so many biological children. We dig into his initial reactions, the impact on his family, and how he's been dealing with the emotional maze of these complex relationships. Unraveling the darker side,...

23 min
10/16/2023

Season 2, Episode 8: The Man with 97 Biological Children (Part I) – Donor Dylan's Tale of Sperm Donation and Discovery

Ever wonder what it's like to walk into a sperm bank, answer some peculiar questions, donate, and then years later discover you have 97 biological children? That's exactly what happened to Donor Dylan, our guest in this riveting discussion. Dylan lets us into his journey of discovery, the shock of learning that he has a multitude of biological children, and the string of lies from the sperm bank that have shaped his life in unimaginable ways. We promise you a front row seat into the complex a...

22 min
09/18/2023

Seeking Different: Season 2, Episode 7: Confronting Discrimination: A Tale of Hair, Friendship, and a Beyonce Concert

What happens when the feeling of belonging is put to the test? You're about to hear the tale of a Beyonce concert, a couple of extra guests, and an unexpected lesson in friendship and values. We laugh, we cringe, and we learn as we recount that night when we had to sit on the floor, shunned by a friend. Through this personal story, we want to make you reflect on fairness, true friendship and the values that define not just our friendships but who we are as people.Ever felt ‘othered’ because o...

24 min
09/11/2023

Seeking Different: Season 2, Episode 6: Embracing Diversity - A Conversation on Unique Family Structures

This week we recap on the first week of school and discuss how kid social interactions have changed post pandemic (particularly for kids who were school aged during the height of it). Have you ever considered how remote learning impacted children's social skills? Picture this, a young student, fresh from a year of remote learning, navigating the trials and tribulations of the playground. We travel through this terrain on Seeking Different, delving into the intricacies of making friends in the...

28 min
09/04/2023

Seeking Different: Season 2, Episode 5: Conquering Back-to-School Anxiety and Planning Epic Play Dates

Remember the buzz of preparing for a new school year? Those summer play dates that were the perfect blend of fun and preparation for the upcoming educational journey? We, Hera and Estela, take you back to those times, sharing personal anecdotes as we navigate the world of play dates - the joy, the inclusion, and the potential challenges. We even touch on the exciting yet nerve-wracking process of transitioning from a carefree summer to a structured school year.Our conversation dives into the ...

28 min

See All (26)

4.5

out of 5

31 Ratings

Very necessary

07/01/2021

Aoasosa

I am a single queer Latina TTC with a known black donor to be a SMC and this podcast is gold. Aisha and Hera bravely share personal experiences making anyone going through this journey feel a little less alone. THANK YOU!
If you’re interviewing someone, let them speak

10/16/2022

as121719

I listened to the episode with Rosanna Hertz, and I enjoyed the episode, but I was disappointed by how often the hosts interrupted each other and Hertz. Multiple times they also asked Hertz a question but then continued talking, not letting Hertz answer the question.
Let your guests talk

02/27/2022

Skittlesj21

Listened to episode 8 and thought the guest was very insightful and felt like the hosts barely let her talk. Not sure if it was the editing but hosts need to let the their guests speak.
Fantastic podcast

03/21/2021

hol0cene

Fantastic and thoughtful podcast worth adding into your weekly rotation. You don’t need to be a parent to learn a lot from this podcast, and it’s been eye opening to hear experiences from Aisha and Hera. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re curious about what it means to be a mocha single mother by choice.

Single Mother by Choice (former co-host of The Mocha SMC Podcast) Hera McLeod teams up with her precocious nine year old daughter Estela for the podcast "Seeking Different". The Mom and Kid duo explore what it looks like to navigate the world as a non-traditional family. They discuss hot topics such as donor sibling relationships, family travel, school choice, race relations, and navigating the playground.

Creator

Hera and Estela McLeod
Years Active

2021 - 2024
Episodes

26
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Seeking Different

Kids & Family

Kids & Family

Updated Weekly
Mental Health

Mental Health

Updated Weekly
Personal Journals

Personal Journals

Updated Bimonthly
Places & Travel

Places & Travel

Updated Weekly
Parenting

Parenting

Updated Weekly
Parenting

Parenting

Updated Weekly
Parenting

Parenting

Updated Semiweekly

Seeking Different

Season 3, Episode 1: Revolutionizing Donor Identity Disclosure with Dylan Morgan from Cascade Cryobank

Season 2, Episode 11: Navigating the Thrills and Spills of Tween Crushes and Gossip

Season 2, Episode 10: Defying Silence: A Mother's Memoir and the Fight for Children's Justice

Season 2, Episode 9: Part II of Donor Dylan's Story - The Sperm Donor with 97 Biological Children

Season 2, Episode 8: The Man with 97 Biological Children (Part I) – Donor Dylan's Tale of Sperm Donation and Discovery