Episodes

Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
S6: E10 Inconceivable - the Solo Parent Memoir
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
In the last episode of Series 6 of the Stork and I Podcast I chat to solo parent Alexandra.
Alexandra is a solo parent and an award winning Melbourne writer who has written for theatre, screen and print. Her memoir Inconceivable was recently published by Hachette.
In the episode we discuss:
- Her memoir Inconceivable
- Splitting up with a partner because they don't want children and you do
- 'Settling' for someone as an alternative to pursuing solo parenthood
- The challenges of dating when wanting children
- Considering using a known donor
- The importance of our solo parent network
- Moving location to be closer to parents
and MUCH more!
You can follow Alexandra at: https://www.instagram.com/alexandracollierwrites/
You can purchase Inconceivable here

Friday Oct 13, 2023
S6: E9 Solo parenting abroad with Jess
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Todays episode is with Solo parent Jess, who lives with her baby daughter in Thailand.
In the episode we cover:
- The considerations of solo parenthood when you live abroad
- Using a known donor
- Support network when you live away from family and how friends can really step up
- Childcare options when abroad
- Deciding whether to try for a 2nd baby
- Navigating being a solo parent and having a new relationship
and much more
You can follow Jess at @theglobe_thebaby_andme/

Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
S6: E8 Solo parenting with Talia
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Todays episode is with solo parent Talia.
In the episode we cover:
- Why things are not always easier with a partner
- Keeping a positive attitude
- Embracing non traditional living arrangements and making them work for us
- Pregnancy after loss
- Enabling our kids to engage with other donor conceived people and the importance of that for them
You can follow Talia on Instagram at @taliamck

Thursday Aug 10, 2023
S6: E7 All things Solo Parenting with @Claire_Needs_Coffee
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Todays episode is with Claire Holland AKA @Claire_needs_coffee. Claire is a solo mum to her 4 year old Theo and chats with me all about her decision to become a solo parent, the journey to get there and the realities of parenting with no partner.
In the episode we discuss:
- Choosing IUI vs IVF
- Having a more challenging fertility journey than expected
- Getting time to yourself in the evening
- Balancing career and parenthood
- Finding your tribe
and much much more!

Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
S6: E6 Deciding on the ethnicity of your sperm donor
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
In todays episode I chat to Alpa, solo mum to 5 year old Mia.
We discuss:
- Deciding to become a solo parent
- Managing pregnancy solo
- Moving to be closer to parents
- Choosing a sperm donor
- A challenging birth and post natal experience
- Changing careers
- The realities of parenting solo
and much much more.

Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
S6: E5 Solo Parenting Twins When One Has a Complex Heart Condition
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
In todays episode I chat to solo parent to twins, Julia Shields. Julia has 4 year old twins. Her son was born with a complex heart condition that shapes a lot of how they live their lives.
In this episode we discuss:
- Julias decision to become a solo parent
- The living arrangements Julia has put in place
- How blended family living can work
- Parenting during covid
- The impact of her son having a complex heart condition from new born to today
- How Julia manages through challenging times
and much more......
Huge thanks to Julia for sharing her story and massive respect for the strength she has. She is a true inspiration.
You can follow Julia on Instagram

Tuesday May 09, 2023
S6: E4 Making the decision to use double donation and to have 2 children solo
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
In todays episode I chat to solo parent Kirsten.
Kirsten is solo mum to 2 children by double donation.
In todays episode we discuss:
- Fertility tests an understanding your fertility
- Deciding to use donor eggs as well as donor sperm
- Making the decision to try for a sibling
- The experience of parenting two children solo
Thanks so much to Kirsten for taking the time to share her story with us.

Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
S6: E3 When the hardest part of the journey isn’t the decision to start
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
In episode 3 of series 6 of the Stork and I Podcast, I chat to Claire Davies about her roller coaster journey to solo parenthood so far.
We discuss:
- Deciding between IUI and IVF
- Getting treatment on the NHS
- Experiencing chemical pregnancy
- Dealing with miscarriage and recurrent loss
- Not realising how tough the journey can be after you've spent a long time considering whether it's the right path
- The importance of having amazing people around you
...and much more
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.

Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
S6: E2 Solo Parent and Doula, Amelie
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.

Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
S6:E1 No Need For Prince Charming
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
In the first episode of Series 6 I chat to Alisha Burns AKA @Noneedforprincecharming
Alisha is the host of the No Need For Prince Charming Podcast where she interviews Australian Solo Mums about their journey to parenthood.
For a change, she was the one being interviewed and I found out all about her own story, when she started thinking about solo parenthood, her journey to get there as well as her experiences as a parent.
We also discussed the children's book she has written. My Perfect Family. She very generously sent me a copy and I can honestly say it's one of the best books on family diversity that I've seen.
You can get 15% off using code STORK15
You can follow Alisha on Instagram at @noneedforprincecharming
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.