SoloMoms! Talk

Widowed with 4 young boys, Debbie Baisden struggled to come to terms with being left alone to raise her sons while she was still a young woman.

In this deeply moving episode, I talked with Debbie, a remarried widow, and mother of now teenage boys. Debbie opens up about the unexpected loss of her first husband in 2012 and how it thrust her into the world of solo motherhood.

Debbie shares her journey through grief, guilt, and the challenges of raising four young boys alone. She talks about how she navigated the emotional minefield of widowhood while trying to be the best mom she could be to her sons.

From the guilt of smiling again to the complexities of finding love, Debbie's story is a testament to the resilience of solo moms.

But this episode is not just about loss; it's about finding strength in the most challenging times. Debbie discusses how her faith in God and her newfound passion for fitness helped her not only to survive but to thrive.

Her invaluable advice for solo moms, emphasizes the importance of a strong relationship with God and self-care. Debbie also wants to help you make fitness easy and convenient.

So whether you're a solo mom by circumstance or by choice, this episode offers a raw, honest look at the struggles and triumphs of motherhood. It's a reminder that even in our darkest hours, there is light, hope, and the possibility of a new beginning.

Takeaways:

• How Debbie handled mourning with her children (03:31)
• What kept Debbie from falling apart after the death of her husband (10:04)
• Why Debbie had feelings of guilt after becoming a widow (14:22)

Connect with Debbie:

• Debbie's Personal Blog: debbywilkinsbazden.com
• Fitness and Nutrition Businesses: fitwithdeb.com, mymomsanity.com
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest

Need to connect? Book a complimentary one-on-one with me here.

Check out more interviews on YouTube @solomomstalktv.

Episode Link

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Divorce is never easy, but it can be especially trying for solo moms who do not have a healthy money mindset. Yet, we can't afford to let our emotions overtake financial wisdom.

This episode will give moms facing divorce some tips on how to manage their finances.

Patti Handy is a solo mom who helps women sort through their finances. She's also a Certified Executive Coach, Certified Life Coach, holds a Real Estate Brokers license, and published author of four books.

**In this episode, we discuss the financial challenges that solo moms face after divorce and how to overcome them. We also cover topics such as:

• Taking an inventory of your finances (2:30)
• The "God wink" that caused Patti to start focusing on her finance(3:40)
• Advice if you're currently going through a divorce or negotiating finance with a co-parent (5:57)
• What is a money mindset (16:28)
• Getting help from a financial advisor (17:00)

Key Takeaways:

• Solo moms need to control their emotions and focus on their finances during and after divorce.
• The first step is to take an inventory of your assets and liabilities.
• Once you know where you stand financially, you can create a budget and start to pay down debt.
• It is also important to save for the future, even if it is just a small amount each month.
• If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to get help from a financial advisor.

Bio: After spending a combined 20 years as a Financial Advisor and Mortgage Advisor, and having countless conversations with women, I decided to pursue my dream of Financial Coaching for Women. I'm a teacher at heart and I love to educate and empower women with money smarts!

Connect with Patti on Facebook | Website | Instagram: @pattihandy

Patti is another awesome guest from PodMatch. Check out Patti's book: Money Rules 101: Master Your Money Before it Masters You - A Guide for Parents and Teens on Amazon.

Don't parent alone. Connect with solo moms just like you at one of our meetups.

Want to chat privately? Book a free one-on-one with me using this link.

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/financial-tips-for-divorced-solo-moms-w-patti-handy

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a promotion. Thanks.

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

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Zahra Mahoon was looking forward to the birth of her second child while taking care of her sick mom when she discovered her husband was having an affair.

Even after being called "delusional" by her husband for recognizing his infidelity, Zahra still tried to make her marriage work.

But despite her efforts, she was forced to face life as a solo mom living in a new country without a job.

Listen to discover how Zahra pulled herself up from her depth of despair and joblessness to becoming financially successful. And learn how being successful was her best revenge against an unfaithful husband.

Zahra's goal is to empower women to shift their mindsets and teach them what she has learned through her own journey.

Takeaways:

• Take responsibility
• Accept that you are where you are
• Ask yourself "What can I control"?
• Focus on what you control
• Invest in yourself

Connect with Zahra: Website | Social: @zmahoon | Books on Amazon

Watch more stories on YouTube@solomomstalktv

Don't parent alone. Connect with moms just like you in our solo mom community.

Need to talk? Book a free consultation with me. No obligation or commitment.

Zehra is another awesome guest from PodMatch

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/the-power-of-success-how-to-use-betrayal-to-fuel-your-dreams-w-zehra-mahoon

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Widowed mom, Kim Becker is a motivational and inspirational speaker and an award-winning author of two books about beauty, cancer, and the amazing scope of the human spirit.

In this interview, Kim talks about her work helping cancer survivors recognize how beautiful they are. She's a former hairdresser who wanted to help women see their beauty despite what they may have lost to cancer.

Connect with Kim - website: Hello Gorgeous | Instagram: @hollogorgeous_of_hope

Don't parent alone. Join Solo Moms MeetUp and connect with moms just like you. If you prefer one-on-one book a free chat with me here.

Visit our website for inspiring articles and free resources.

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links I may receive a commission. Thanks.

Michael Ringel is a certified divorce financial analyst. He helps women facing divorce become confident around money. He also helps them avoid getting taken advantage of during the divorce process.

Michael helps women align their purpose for money with how they invest. He can help you answer the question "Am I gonna be okay" financially?

If you're already going through divorce maybe this episode is for you. And then decide what money means to you (12:30)

• The best investment you could make (18:26)

Don't gamble with your money...

Connect with Michael: For information about his American Dream Experience course - Phone - +1 917-734-4748 or send an email for a list of free events to: [email protected] | website

Bio: Michael empowers families to experience purpose, freedom and abundance in their lives. He accomplishes this by inspiring and coaching families on the truths of investing and designs a plan to support their purpose. Michael provides financial analysis, investor coaching and behavioral coaching throughout and after the divorce process. Michael addresses the primary financial concern of all of his clients, “Am I going to be OK?” He proactively coaches his clients to build and maintain confidence around their money.

Find more solo moms resources at: Our website | Solo Moms MeetUp Group | Instagram/Twitter: @jrosemarie1

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/next-episode

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Krystal Jokowsky, a brand marketing manager and radical self-ownership teacher, discusses her journey and personal growth. As a person who loves bringing joy to others, Krystal emphasizes the importance of finding joy and awe in the present moment instead of feeling weighed down by stress and overwhelm.

She explains how it all happened through her ability to own her decision making take responsibility for her own actions.

Key Takeaways:

4:49 - You don't have to let your past define you; you can choose something different

7:06 - What lead to the journey of transformation

8:58 - Why do moms feel responsible for everyone and everything?

10:38 - How to help your daughters take better care of themselves

11:44 - What is self-care for you?

17:15 - Addressing burnout

26:10 - Protect yourself by creating boundaries in your relationships

Connect with Krystal: Instagram | YouTube | Website

Bio: Krystal Jakosky is a teacher and writer based in Colorado helping people "own their ***t" and take ownership of their own lives. Krystal teaches online and in-person classes, meets with clients in individual sessions, and hosts "Breathe In, Breathe Out: a Weekly Mindfulness and Meditation Podcast." Through personal stories and hard truths, Krystal gives her listeners and clients a healthy push in the right direction and motivates them to step into a more authentic, fulfilling life.

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/fill-your-own-cup-through-self-ownership-w-crystal-jokowsky

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

In this episode, I chat with Meredith DePaolo, creator of the Carrots and Cake app. Carrots & Cake is a parental control educational app that helps moms manage their children's screen time and ensure that their devices are being used in a secure and enjoyable way. 

So if you're a mom concerned about how much mindless time your kids spend on their screens, this episode is for you.

Meredith shares helpful tips on how to control your child's screen time while making sure that they use their devices in an appropriate way.

Key Takeaways:

07:00 - How Carrots & Cake works to empower your child

08:21 - Why this helps your kids use their learning app

10:10 - Helping moms regain control and lose the guild over how much time their kids spend in front of a screen

12:57 - Get them to do their homework first even if you're not home yet

13:10 - Why Carrots & Cake

14:20 - How to find out more about the Carrots & Cake App and other resources

Get a free copy of the app for 6 months using the code SMARTERSCREENS

About the App

• Carrots & Cake is a parental control educational program that helps parents to control their children's screen time and ensuring that their devices are used in a safe and productive way.
• The software works by allowing parents to choose which learning applications their children can use and how much time they can devote to each.
• Carrots and Cake additionally prevent ads and other distractions, allowing children to focus on their schoolwork.
• The app is interactive in nature, designed to encourage parents and children to work together to set boundaries and achieve goals.

Don't forget to grab your free copy of the app while it's still available. Use code: SmarterScrens

Connect with Meredith: Carrotsandcake.com

Bio: Meredith is a Mom of two girls. She's a Yale grad and Co-Founder of Carrots&Cake a parental control learning app that supports parents as they try to give their kids a healthy and balanced approach to the digital world. She's a TV producer and journalist and has worked for CBS News, CBS Sports, Bloomberg, and HBO Sports. As a screenwriter she's written projects for Imagine Entertainment, Seth Gordon, and Picturesque Films. She's a winner of the Meryl Streep Writers Lab award and was a member of Ron Howard's Imagine Impact program.

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/helping-moms-take-control-of-their-kids-digital-life-w-meredith-depoalo

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

In this interview with Michelle Abraham, the host of the Blissful Parenting Podcast, she talks about her journey as a mom, entrepreneur, and podcaster.

(NOTE: You can listen to the full interview on Tools of the Podcast Trade here.)

(06:29): Michelle's answer to how she manages to parent two children while 'parenting' three podcasts. She explains how she organized her podcasting business around her responsibilities as a mom.

 (12:00): Michelle's advice for a mom who wants to follow her dreams or discover her purpose

 (12:45): Sometimes we think that life is too messy to fulfill our dreams but listen to Michelle as she reveals what drastic measures her family took to fulfill their dream

Connect w/Michelle and grab her blissful parenting toolbox | LinkedIn: @michelleabraham

More about Michelle Abraham:

• Michelle started her podcasting business after having her children. She wanted to create a podcast that would help other parents learn how to be more mindful and intentional in their parenting.
• She believes that it is important for moms to have a support system. She recommends that moms find other moms who they can connect with and who can offer them advice and support.
• Michelle is passionate about helping other moms. She offers coaching and mentoring services to moms who are looking for help in their parenting journey.

Book reference: StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: @jrosemarie1 | Blog: Solo Mom on Purpose

Feeling lonely? Connect with other moms on our Solo Moms MeetUp. Remember you're not alone and you don't have to parent in silence.

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/you-can-still-follow-your-dreams-w-michellle-abraham

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Claire Martin is the founder and host of “Strong, Single and Human” Podcast. Claire started her podcast during lockdown because she didn't think social media presented the real life of a solo mom.

In this interview, we talk about how she became a solo mom later in life. Claire describes her challenges with co-parenting with her son's addicted father.

She also shares some important tips for any solo mom who might find herself co-parenting with someone who is addicted.

Claire encourages you to:

• set boundaries when dealing with an addicted co-parent
• educate yourself about addiction
• network with other parents and connect with available resources
• take time for yourself

One of the ways Claire copes with the challenges of raising a child solo is that she not only set personal goals but she also involves her son in her goal-setting efforts.

She also practices gratitude as a way to create peace within herself.

Listen to my interview on Claire's podcast Strong Single and Human.

Looking to build connection with other solo moms? Why not join our Solo Mom MeetUp Group?

Want to be a guest on SoloMoms! Talk? Book an interview using this link. Thanks.

https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/w-claire-martin

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

In this episode, we hear from Jasper Smith on financial planning and disrupting generational poverty in the Black community.

Jasper is a financial service professional who is passionate about helping people in his community not only become financially literate but also learn strategies to set up future generations for financial independence as well.

Jasper thinks that if we make financial planning cool that more people in our community would take it seriously. He believes that financial planning is essential for everyone, regardless of their background or income level. And is frustrated by the lack of financial education in many communities.

We discussed:

• Why Financial Planning is Important
• How proper financial planning can help people achieve their financial goals, such as saving for retirement, buying a home, or sending their children to college.
• Essential accounts to build a financial foundation for your children (26:58)
• Financial planning is especially important for people who are from low-income families.
• The importance of life insurance (15:30)
• Financial planning is one way to disrupt generational poverty.
• He argues that by teaching people about money and how to manage it, we can help them break the cycle of poverty.
• Ask anyone who gives your kids gifts to stop and give money to the child instead

Jasper shares his Parent Cheat Codes a tool that can help parents teach their children about money. It helps parents talk to children about money early, setting a good example, and teaching children about saving and investing.

Connect with Jasper: Instagram - @mr_buildwealth | LinkedIn | website

Bio: Jasper, also known as Mr. #BuildWealth (the hashtag is silent), has been involved in the financial services arena for nearly fifteen years. He is the chief visionary behind a financial education company called The #BuildWealth Movement™. He works tirelessly to disrupt generational poverty™ for everyone, so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

Jasper is another awesome guest from PodMatch

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.