In this episode, we explore part two of building your Single Mother by Choice village. While part one focused on involving family members, here, we delve into expanding your support network within the global Single Mother by Choice community. You'll learn that connecting with just three to four like-minded single mothers by choice, who share your interests and may have kids of similar ages, can be invaluable. Aisha stresses the importance of relying on this community, especially when family support might not materialize as expected. She highlights how fellow single mothers by choice offer support at every stage of your journey, validate your unique family, and even help your children. Plus, stay tuned for tips on finding and connecting with your community in this vibrant space—it's a priceless resource!

In this episode Aisha has a conversation with Dr. Kris Marsh and Rahmah Wims about choice, societal norms, and living as part of the "Love Jones Cohort." Dr. Marsh's book, "The Love Jones Cohort: Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class," explores the experiences of Black individuals who have chosen to remain single and live alone. The discussion delves into their experience, the backlash they've faced for their choices, societal messaging around Black women's life choices, and how these choices are perceived differently at various stages of life. The guests emphasize the importance of respecting diverse life paths and encourage asking questions about why people make the choices they do.

Purchase Dr. Marsh's book here: 

Find out More about Dr. Kris Marsh: www.drkrismarsh.com

The Embodied podcast that Dr. Marsh and Aisha appeared on discussing being Single by Choice

More on Rahmah's Journey: S1E9 - On Ending the SMC Journey and Moving on w/ Rahmah

In this insightful episode, Aisha discusses the crucial topic of building a "Single Mother by Choice" village, addressing questions many in this community often have. The episode delves into the complexities of selecting and nurturing a support network, focusing on building a community from family members (later episodes will focus on building community from co workers and from the larger SMC community). Aisha emphasizes the importance of honest self-assessment and thorough vetting of potential village members, highlighting key considerations such as values, communication, kindness, and consistency. Drawing from personal experiences, Aisha provides valuable guidance for single mothers by choice, urging them to be intentional about who they invite into their lives and their children's lives. This episode serves as a thoughtful and practical resource for those embarking on the journey of single motherhood by choice and hoping to build a village. 

Submit your frequently asked questions here so they can be answered on a future episode and via personal email from the host of Start to Finish Motherhood.

In this podcast episode, Aisha interviews Lynn, a single mother by choice who adopted two white children from foster care and later had a biological child through embryo adoption. Lynn shares her journey and experiences in adopting transracially and raising multiracial children. She discusses the challenges and joys of being a single mother by choice and navigating conversations about race and identity with her children. Lynn emphasizes the importance of providing a diverse and inclusive environment for her children and empowering them to set boundaries when it comes to sharing their adoption stories with others. She also recommends joining online support groups and communities for individuals interested in adoption and parenting transracially.

If you want to learn more about the life of Single Mother’s by Choice and the things, they navigate on a day-to-day basis check out this Day in the Life Playlist here.

If you have questions, you’d like to have addressed on the podcast submit it here.

In the season two opener, Aisha reflects on her journey from a reluctant podcaster to a passionate storyteller. She discusses the joy of podcasting, sharing stories, and connecting with listeners as a "friend in someone's head." The upcoming season promises a diverse range of episodes, including conversations with authors, discussions on adoption, and more. Aisha also shares personal experiences from her busy summer, raising her kids, and navigating the dating world. As she enters a new phase with her children growing up, she acknowledges the challenges of transitions but is leaning into each moment. The season will also feature a Frequently Asked Questions episode, so listeners are encouraged to send in their queries. Stay tuned for an exciting and insightful Season Two!

Submit your frequently asked questions here so they can be answered on a future episode and via personal email from the host of Start to Finish Motherhood.

Interested in learning more about summers as an SMC checkout this video on YouTube click here. 

Read about our summer here. 

Are you ready for the next phase of this incredible journey?  Season two of the Start to Finish Motherhood podcast is about to kick off, and trust us, you don't want to miss it! Get ready to dive into a world of joy, human connection, and invaluable information.

Start to Finish Motherhood is a podcast for anyone who's thinking of becoming a single mother by choice, anyone who's already parenting as a single mother by choice and just looking for advice on navigating it all, or a friend or family member who's looking to support someone else's single mother by choice journey.

This season, we've got it all - from health advocacy to navigating the complexities of dating in the age of social media, from financial literacy to exploring the empowering choice of single motherhood. We'll touch on love, loss, functional medicine, adoption, community-building as a single mother by choice, and so much more. If you're not already subscribed to the podcast here or on the YouTube channel (Start to Finish Motherhood - YouTube), now's the time to hit that notification button because you deserve this wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

In this season, we're taking you on a rollercoaster ride through some eye-opening discussions. Ever wondered about the art of sliding into someone's DMs? We break down what it means and the potential outcomes – from good trouble to bad trouble. We also explore the world of online dating, which extends beyond apps and into your personal social media profiles. Plus, we delve into the importance of life insurance and having a will, and we uncover the fascinating world of functional medicine, especially its relevance to addressing health disparities in the Black community. So get ready for insightful conversations that resonate with women considering motherhood and empower you with knowledge and stories that'll inspire your journey. Don't miss out – season two is just around the corner!

Join the mailing list today https://starttofinishmotherhood.ck.page

Visit the website for blogs and other resources https://starttofinishmotherhood.com/news-blog

Aisha and Clinton wrap up their conversation and discuss upcoming programing for NorthStar.org.

Clinton Johnson along with Aisha and others are founders of NorthStar of GIS an organization focused on increasing representation and inclusion in geostem fields.

In anticipation of Father's Day, Aisha Jenkins challenges the assumption that Single Mothers by Choice harbor resentment towards men. Her lens is shaped by her own positive experiences with her step father and close relationships with brothers and friends who actively participate in her children's lives.

Aisha's guest, Clinton Johnson, joins the conversation as one of those trusted male friends. They discuss their collaborative work and exchange insights on navigating single parenthood. Clinton shares his experiences from two decades ago, allowing for a comparison with Aisha's current journey. The discussion delves into the stereotypes surrounding single parenthood and how these perceptions impact various aspects of life, from education to the workplace.

Together, Aisha and Clinton challenge societal norms and shed light on the diverse experiences of single parents.

Clinton Johnson along with Aisha and others are founders of NorthStar of GIS an organization focused on increasing representation and inclusion in geostem fields.

The first season of Start to Finish Motherhood has been a truly incredible journey, filled with blessings and a deep trust in the path set before me. I've had the privilege of sharing meaningful, human stories from diverse perspectives, emphasizing the importance of connecting on a personal level. Through my own experiences and a desire to pay it forward, I've focused on normalizing black voices and stories, amplifying their narratives alongside those of others.

Within the Single Mother by Choice community, I've found my calling, empowering individuals to live their best lives. By presenting a comprehensive portrayal of the journey, I've aimed to capture the full range of experiences and emotions. I'm immensely grateful to all the guests who trusted me with their stories, and I'm excited to continue highlighting the essence of each interview that resonated with listeners.

These Episodes have videos that can be found here on my YouTube channel:

S1E2 - *Video* On Why Self-Care Should be a Priority (Part 1) with Tennielle Brew

S1E10 - *Video* How to Plan a Life-Changing Sabbatical Abroad (Single Mom by Choice Style)

S1E15 - *Video* On Financial Planning for Single Mothers by Choice w/ Wilson

S1E17 - *Video* On Navigating Donor Sibling Relationships w/ Edrenna and Rosanna Hertz

S1E18 - *Video* On Using a Known Donor - w/ Elaine

Audio only episodes:

S1E6 - (Part 2) On Shooting for the Stars as a Single Mother by Choice parenting with a Disability

S1E8 - On Making Mommy Friends w/ Vikki

S1E9 - On Ending the Single Mother by Choice (SMC) Journey and Moving on w/ Rahmah

S1E16 - On A Mother's Legacy w/ Dawn Wright

S1E12 - On Sisterhood Among SMCs w/ Shivonne and Kim

S1E14 - Parenting the Child in Front of You (rebroadcast)

S1E21 - (Part 1) On Challenging the Assumption that Single Mothers by Choice Hate Men w/ Clinton

You can find my guests:

@gisnorthstar (Clinton Johnson)

@blackexpatmom (Jas)

@brewwellnessCollective (Tanielle)

@moneyspeakeasy (Wilson)

[email protected] (Rosanna Hertz)

Honorable Mentions: 

@shopangeliquerene (My Stylist)

@vaycarious (Stephanie Perry)

@shida (Roshida)

My Facebook Community:

Melanated Single Mothers by Choice Community 

In this episode, Aisha dives into some questions frequently asked of Single Mothers by Choice (SMCs) along with some questions sent in by you!  She covers questions like the typical day of a Single Mother by Choice, the experience of an HSG (Hysterosalpingogram), surprises of solo parenting, advice for raising multiracial children, going from one child to two, and more. Keep those questions coming and stay tuned for answers in season 2.  Oh, and don't forget to check out the YouTube video of this episode!

Check out the video episode here!

Aisha mentioned her PopSugar artice during this episode, you can read it here.