Solo Parent
The Solo Parent podcast is hosted by author and founder Robert Beeson to help single parents raise healthy kids, and grow themselves through conversations with other parents who have walked, or are still walking the 'Solo Parent’ path. Plus experts on the things that Solo Parents face the most. The mission of Solo Parent is to provide the resources, community, and support that enables a single-parent to discover whole-heart wellness so that their family can thrive.
info_outline
The Truth We Don't Want to Face
11/17/2025
The Truth We Don't Want to Face
This week we’re discussing The Truth We Don’t Want to Face. When betrayal, ongoing conflict, or a child’s escalating behavior keeps reopening old wounds, it’s easy to reduce people to their worst moments. That mindset feels protective, yet it shrinks our capacity for peace, models bitterness to our kids, and keeps us tethered to pain. Marissa Lee, author and single parent, joins Robert and Elizabeth to unpack how learning to separate a person’s worth from their actions helps us heal, set clearer boundaries, and stay grounded in dignity—ours and theirs. Today, we cover three main points: Contempt dehumanizes. What contempt looks like, how it spreads in our homes and culture, and why it leaves relationships stuck. Compassion expands our capacity. How extending dignity to others softens the shame within us and frees our energy for what matters. Practical ways to see worth. Simple, repeatable steps to move from judgment to curiosity, from reactivity to agency, including naming our feelings, resetting expectations, and choosing actions that align with our values. Seeing someone’s humanity isn’t excusing harm—it’s refusing to let contempt define you. Curiosity builds bridges; ask “why” before deciding “who” someone is. Your children feel how you speak about the other parent, and honoring their other parent protects your child’s sense of self. Boundaries require agency—state what you will do and follow through. Resources Mentioned In This Episode – Research from Dr. John Gottman on how contempt is one of the strongest predictors of relationship breakdown. Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff – A book exploring how self-compassion can heal shame and foster emotional resilience. – A guide to setting healthy limits that protect your peace and relationships. – A parenting resource offering practical tools for setting structure, building connection, and guiding kids through emotional growth. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/39022300
info_outline
You're Worth A Life Reimagined
11/10/2025
You're Worth A Life Reimagined
This week we’re discussing the idea that You’re Worth a Life Reimagined Divorce can make it feel like your story is over…like joy, purpose, and belonging are things of the past. The shame and stigma can convince you that you’re somehow disqualified from hope. But what if your worth didn’t end with that loss? What if you’re still fully capable of building something new, beautiful, and whole? Today, we cover three main points: How to reimagine a life you still deserve How to create belonging for your kids in a new season How the church can better support solo parents and those healing from divorce Lysa TerKeurst, President and Chief Visionary Officer, Proverbs 31 Ministries, shares her story of heartbreak and resilience, describing the end of her 29-year marriage as the “death of the future” she thought she’d have. Through small, faithful steps, she learned to rebuild her life piece by piece. She reminds us that God’s heart is not against those who’ve endured divorce but for their protection and restoration. Lysa also challenges churches to move beyond fear and become safe places for single parents, places where people can heal, belong, and find hope again. And for parents navigating the aftermath, she offers this reminder: different doesn’t mean bad. Creating new traditions and inside jokes can restore stability and joy for your children, even when life looks unfamiliar. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: • by Lysa TerKeurst with Dr. Joel Muddamalle and Jim Cress: A compassionate, biblically grounded guide that helps readers navigate the pain, shame, and loneliness of divorce while discovering hope, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose in God. • : A global, faith-based organization that equips women to know the truth of God’s Word and live it out with confidence in everyday life. Stay Connected + Get Support: We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38939445
info_outline
Knowing Your Worth Even When You're Broken
11/03/2025
Knowing Your Worth Even When You're Broken
This week we’re discussing Knowing Your Worth Even When You’re Broken Many single parents carry old stories that say you will never measure up. Those messages show up as shame from past failures, comparison to intact families, and a drive to perform or please. Left unchallenged, they shape how you parent, relate, and see yourself. In this episode, Amber Fuller, a counselor with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT), joins Robert and Elizabeth to unpack the distorted “cracked mirrors” we often look into, and how to start seeing ourselves through the truth of our worth. Today, we cover three main points: Cracked mirrors that distort worth Shifting perspective to a truer source Stepping into everyday worth Your worth is not a prize you earn. It is a reality you return to. When old stories shout, treat them as cracked mirrors, not final verdicts. Choose one simple practice today that moves you toward truth, like writing down a moment you showed up with honesty or tenderness. Share it with a safe person. Small, repeated choices will reshape your reflection over time, and the life you are building from worth will feel more grounded, more connected, and more you. Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38853390
info_outline
What to do When Self-Care Seems Impossible
10/27/2025
What to do When Self-Care Seems Impossible
This week we’re discussing What to Do When Self-Care Seems Impossible Solo parents often feel squeezed by nonstop responsibilities, financial strain, cultural pressure to be endlessly strong, and isolation that makes help hard to ask for. “Self care” can even feel like a trigger when planning it adds guilt on top of exhaustion. These pain points matter because chasing idealized me time can keep us stuck. Reframing care as something we sometimes practice with our kids helps restore connection and models healthy boundaries in real life. Today, we cover three main points: Why me time is not always realistic for solo parents How “us care” builds connection and rest at the same time Practical ways to create shared rhythms of care with your kids If “me time” feels out of reach, do not wait for perfect conditions. Choose one small shared rhythm this week, make it simple, and repeat it. Presence is the point. When care becomes something you practice together, home can feel safer for your kids and more restorative for you. Stay Connected + Get Support: We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38721210
info_outline
When Self-Preservation Keeps You Stuck
10/20/2025
When Self-Preservation Keeps You Stuck
This week we’re discussing When Self-Preservation Keeps You Stuck Many single parents build needed walls after loss or overwhelm. Those walls help you breathe again, yet they can start to box you in. This episode addresses three pain points that keep you stuck: survival patterns that outlive their purpose, mistaking safety for thriving, and the courage it takes to reengage with people and opportunities. This matters because healing asks for compassion toward what protected you and small, steady risks that help you grow. Today, we cover three main points: How to know when self preservation has outlived its purpose Why feeling safe is not the same as living fully How to honor the past and choose the future When you can honor the ways you once kept yourself safe without letting them define what comes next, healing begins. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort, it happens when you stretch toward something new while remembering you can always return to your safe place when you need it. Stay Connected + Get Support: We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38594120
info_outline
Three Things Robbing You of Self-Care
10/13/2025
Three Things Robbing You of Self-Care
This week we’re discussing the Three Things Robbing You of Self-Care Many single parents are told to “take care of yourself,” yet what looks like rest can quietly drain us. Performance disguised as self care, doing everything alone, and endless comparison often leave us more depleted, ashamed, or isolated. Add in escapism, toxic positivity, or rumination, and we miss what our hearts actually need. These patterns matter because they stall healing, strain relationships, and keep us stuck in survival when what we really want is peace, presence, and energy for what matters most. Today, we cover three main points: Three survival mechanisms disguised as self care The hidden costs of false self care How to tell healthy from harmful Self care does not have to be fancy to be faithful. Pay attention to what leaves you more present, more connected, and more at ease, and keep choosing that. Stay Connected + Get Support: We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38502070
info_outline
Why Self-Care Can Trigger Single Parents
10/06/2025
Why Self-Care Can Trigger Single Parents
This week we're discussing Why Self-Care Can Trigger Single Parents For many single parents, the idea of self-care doesn’t feel like a gift. It can feel selfish, unrealistic, or even triggering when you’re already carrying the full weight of responsibility. This conversation explores the complicated relationship single parents often have with self-care, why it sometimes feels like a weapon, why the myths around it can be harmful, and how to redefine it in a way that actually builds resilience. Today, we cover three main points: When self-care gets weaponized The myths of self-care Redefining self-care for real life When you’ve been told to just “take more time for yourself,” it can feel dismissive. But when self-care is redefined as everyday disciplines and intentional choices that align with your real needs, it becomes a tool for healing and strength, not shame or guilt. Stay Connected + Get Support: We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38439610
info_outline
How to Create Adventure at Home
09/29/2025
How to Create Adventure at Home
This week we’re discussing How to Create Adventure at Home Life as a single parent can feel like pure survival. The weight of responsibilities, constant demands, and unexpected setbacks can strip away joy and leave us feeling stuck. Our guest, Helen Smallbone, co-founder of MUMLife, author, and mother of seven, shares how reframing hardship into adventure can cultivate presence, gratitude, and resilience for the whole family. Today, we cover three main points: How survival mode robs us of presence and joy. Why reframing hard circumstances into adventure builds resilience for us and our kids. The role of gratitude and perspective in unlocking creativity and hope. When we live in survival mode, our ability to notice joy or wonder gets clouded. Helen describes treating an empty, furniture-less house like a family “camping trip,” which turned scarcity into connection and play. She reminds us that kids do not need perfection. They need perspective. When we choose gratitude and invite them into the process, they often help us see God’s provision in ways we would miss. Resilience grows not by dodging pain but by facing it together, choosing a hopeful lens, and taking the next right step. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: : A ministry co-founded by Helen to create safe spaces where mothers encourage and uplift one another through authentic connection, biblical teaching, and shared experience. : A feature film inspired by the Smallbone family’s journey of loss, faith, and resilience, showing how God provided for them in unexpected ways. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38374840
info_outline
Solo Doesn’t Mean Stuck: Building Resilience
09/22/2025
Solo Doesn’t Mean Stuck: Building Resilience
This week we’re discussing the fact that Solo Doesn’t Mean Stuck: Building Resilience Solo parents carry a heavy load. The constant decisions, financial pressure, and emotional weight can leave you tired, second-guessing yourself, and stuck. It helps to name the traps that keep you from moving forward, like confusing resilience with powering through, camping out in feelings without taking the next step, or looping in imposter syndrome and analysis paralysis. This episode offers a clearer view of resilience and simple ways to practice it so you can keep showing up for yourself and your kids. Today, we cover three main points: What resilience is and what it is not What keeps us stuck How to train your brain for resilience You do not have to perfect this to make progress. Start small. Be kind to yourself, lean into community, and right-size today’s challenge. Let your kids see you breathe, name a feeling, and take one next step. Over time, those small steps build a new kind of strength. Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38268235
info_outline
5 Daily Practices to Move Out of Survival Mode
09/15/2025
5 Daily Practices to Move Out of Survival Mode
This week we’re discussing the 5 Daily Practices to Move Out of Survival Mode Life as a single parent often feels like a relentless cycle of responsibilities with no margin to catch your breath. The demands pile up, and it can seem impossible to find peace, let alone joy. That’s why today’s conversation with Will Acuff, co-founder of Corner to Corner and author of No Elevator to Everest, is so important. Will shares from his own story of despair, healing, and renewal—reminding us that even in the hardest seasons, there are small steps we can take toward wholeness. Today, we cover three main points: How to face despair and grief without pretending everything is fine. The role of daily practices in helping us stay grounded and present. Practical ways to reframe sacrifice so it becomes life-giving instead of depleting. These pain points matter because surviving alone can leave us feeling powerless and stuck. But by naming what’s hard, embracing rhythms of care, and reframing sacrifice, we rediscover hope. As Will reminds us, healing often starts with small, intentional steps—breathing, journaling, or simply noticing what sparks joy. When we allow ourselves to lament, practice radical responsibility for our own well-being, and cultivate rhythms that connect us with ourselves and with God, we begin to see that life is not just something to endure. It can be rebuilt, reshaped, and infused with joy again. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: by Will Acuff: A resource offering spiritual practices and perspectives that integrate emotional health, self-awareness, and a deeper connection with God’s heart. : Nashville nonprofit (co-founded by Will Acuff) helping entrepreneurs launch from historically low-income communities We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38182185
info_outline
How to Not Take Everything Personally
09/08/2025
How to Not Take Everything Personally
This week we’re discussing How to Not Take Everything Personally. As single parents, life can feel like one long invitation to take things personally. A sideways comment from a coworker, a critical word from your ex, or even silence from a friend can spiral into self-doubt. Without a partner to help ground us, it’s easy to internalize everything and slip into a victim mindset. This matters because if we don’t learn how to stop carrying other people’s words and actions as proof of our inadequacy, we stay stuck, weighed down by shame and resentment. Today, we cover three main points: What’s really happening when you take things personally How victim mindsets keep us trapped Practical steps to take before assuming it’s about you Robert Beeson, Elizabeth Cole, and Marissa Lee share how taking things personally often starts with assigning intention we can’t actually know. They describe how our deepest insecurities, like competence, worth, or belonging, color the way we interpret others. Together they unpack the three common victim mindsets: believing bad things always happen to you, blaming others, and feeling powerless to change your situation. Finally, they offer tangible ways to break free: noticing the difference between fault and responsibility, considering the source before internalizing a comment, and remembering that conflict or feedback doesn’t define your identity. These shifts allow you to step out of reactivity and into healthier connection with yourself and others. Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38097050
info_outline
One Thing That Gets in the Way of Resilience
09/01/2025
One Thing That Gets in the Way of Resilience
This week we’re discussing the One Thing That Gets in the Way of Resilience As single parents, survival mode can feel like our default setting. The constant responsibility, the weight of trauma, and the sheer demand of daily life often leave us operating in a state of heightened stress. But survival mode doesn’t just impact us, it impacts our kids, our decisions, and even our ability to feel joy. Today, we cover three main points: What survival mode really is and how it affects our bodies How to recognize the signs that you’re in survival mode Steps to move beyond survival and into resilience Survival mode happens when our nervous system is dysregulated. It’s not just “feeling stressed”—it’s our body locked into fight, flight, or freeze, whether the threat is real or simply triggered by past pain. This is why you may feel on edge, numb, or disconnected even when nothing obvious is happening. The signs show up differently for each of us. Some notice brain fog, an inability to make decisions, or a constant sense of panic. Others shut down, feel unmotivated, or want to escape. Recognizing these signals matters because naming them helps remove the shame, we begin to see them as normal responses to abnormal situations. The good news: resilience is possible. With self-awareness, grace, and support, we can rewire how we respond. Simple practices, like reminding ourselves, “I’m safe right now”, taking breaks without guilt, or reaching out to a safe person, help move us from merely surviving to actually adapting and growing stronger. And when we remember we don’t have to carry it all alone, we give ourselves permission to heal. Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/38002785
info_outline
What Real Courage Looks Like
08/25/2025
What Real Courage Looks Like
This week we’re discussing what Real Courage Looks Like When you’ve been through divorce, betrayal, or repeated heartbreak, the thought of starting over again can feel impossible. It takes more than sheer willpower to stand back up, it takes tenacity, deep-rooted hope, and the kind of community that can carry you when you’re too weary to carry yourself. Toni Collier, founder of Broken Crayons Still Color and author of Don’t Try This Alone, joins us to share her journey through two divorces, raising two children as a single mom, and finding the courage to step into deep, confessional relationships instead of hiding in shame. Her story offers both a raw look at pain and a roadmap toward healing. Today, we cover three main points: Tenacity is built, not inherited. Hiding keeps us from healing. Safe community starts with becoming a safe person. Through raw honesty and practical wisdom, Toni reminds us that we aren’t designed to do life alone, no matter our personality, history, or fear of being hurt again. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: : Toni Collier’s global women’s organization helping women process brokenness and find healing and hope. by Toni Collier: A book on building deep community when you want to hide from your pain. : Hosted by Toni Collier. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37905900
info_outline
Courage To Be Angry
08/18/2025
Courage To Be Angry
This week we’re discussing how to have the Courage to be Angry Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions, especially for single parents trying to keep everything together. Many of us were taught to fear it, repress it, or feel shame when it shows up. But what if anger isn’t destructive at all? What if it’s actually the part of us that wants to live, connect, and keep showing up for the things that matter? To help us navigate this emotional terrain, we’re joined by Dr. Chip Dodd, author, counselor, and founder of The Voice of the Heart Center. With decades of experience helping people move from emotional disconnection to deeper purpose, Chip unpacks how anger, when understood and expressed in healthy ways, can become a powerful force for healing and hope. Today, we cover three main points: Anger is not the problem, rage is. Suppressed anger leads to shame, anxiety, and isolation. Reclaiming anger can reignite our purpose and bring us back to each other. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: by Dr. Chip Dodd: A foundational resource for understanding and expressing core emotions, including anger, in a healthy and life-giving way. co-hosted by Dr. Chip Dodd: Explores emotional and spiritual health through the lens of vulnerability and connection. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37820690
info_outline
Finding Courage to Take Risks as a Solo Parent
08/11/2025
Finding Courage to Take Risks as a Solo Parent
This week we’re discussing how to Find Courage to Take Risks as a Solo Parent As solo parents, we’re faced with choices every day that feel weightier than they used to because we’re often the only one carrying the consequences. Whether it’s stepping into a new relationship, starting a new job, or just sitting still long enough to feel discomfort, risk doesn’t come easy anymore. This episode explores how to take intentional, healthy risks when the stakes feel high, and why doing so matters more than we think. Today, we cover three main points: The types of risk solo parents face The weight of being the only parent Where to start when everything feels risky Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37683695
info_outline
Courage to Accept a Different Reality
08/04/2025
Courage to Accept a Different Reality
This week we’re discussing how to have the Courage to Accept a Different Reality For solo parents, change is more than a season, it’s a total life shift. And while we often focus on the big transitions, it’s the small, everyday reminders that hit hardest: taking out the trash, folding the laundry alone, navigating milestones without a partner. The grief of a life that no longer exists can sneak up in the mundane and the meaningful. That’s why today’s episode is focused on one of the most essential and difficult truths we face as solo parents, accepting that life is different now and learning to live in that truth without losing hope. Today, we cover three main points: Acceptance is a process, not a one-time event. Our kids will experience milestones differently, and we must have the courage to notice. Embracing the new normal is key to healing but it doesn’t mean we have to like it. This conversation is a tender reminder that none of us are meant to navigate this road alone. From solo parent groups to sacred stillness in your own bathtub, the healing comes when we stop pretending we’re okay and let ourselves be exactly where we are. Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37608500
info_outline
How to Thrive in High-Pressure Situations
07/28/2025
How to Thrive in High-Pressure Situations
This week we’re discussing How to Thrive in High-Pressure Situations When emotions are high, whether with a co-parent, a child mid-meltdown, or a demanding coworker, how we communicate can either escalate the tension or bring clarity and peace. For solo parents, those pressure points are daily. To help us unpack how to stay grounded and respond with wisdom, we’re joined by Dr. Anthony Scroggins. He’s not only a performance psychologist who’s worked with the US Army and NASA astronauts, but also a dad of four young kids. That mix of clinical expertise and real-life parenting experience makes his insight incredibly practical for the day-to-day challenges we face. Today, we cover three main points: How to communicate effectively with a difficult co-parent How to stay calm when emotions run high, with kids and with yourself How to build resilience in the workplace and at home Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teens, navigating silence from a co-parent, or carrying the weight of decision-making alone, this episode reminds us: we don’t have to be perfect. We just have to keep showing up, and with the right tools, we can show up as the version of ourselves we actually want to be. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Delta Summit: Learn more about Dr. Anthony Scroggins’ work in performance psychology, resilience, and decision-making under pressure: We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37526605
info_outline
Navigating a World Where People Judge You
07/21/2025
Navigating a World Where People Judge You
This week we’re discussing how to Navigate a World Where People Judge You. We live in a world that’s quick to judge and even quicker to make single parents feel like they don’t measure up. But not all judgment is external. Often, the harshest voices come from inside. If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately assumed you were unwelcome, or replayed a small moment for weeks afterward, you’re not alone. This week’s episode dives into the judgment we receive, imagine, and place on ourselves, and why it matters to recognize the difference. Today, we cover three main points: Navigating judgment from others Recognizing and reframing distorted thinking Identifying internal judgment and letting go of shame Throughout the episode, the conversation invites listeners to: Set boundaries around judgment and ground themselves in what’s true Stop chasing approval and start acknowledging the strength they already carry Reclaim their voice from the narratives handed to them by others Stay Connected + Get Support We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37456890
info_outline
The One Relationship That Could Be Key to Your Healing
07/14/2025
The One Relationship That Could Be Key to Your Healing
This week we’re discussing The One Relationship That Could Be Key to Your Healing. Too many of us were taught that trusting ourselves was dangerous. We were told our emotions couldn’t be trusted, our hearts were deceitful, and our instincts were too “fleshly” to follow. Especially for solo parents who have lived through trauma or spiritual manipulation, this message gets internalized early and reinforced often. We stop listening to our gut and outsource decisions to experts, church leaders, or even social media. But ignoring your inner voice only deepens confusion and disconnection. Therapist and podcast host Adam Young joins us this week to help unpack how we unlearn those harmful messages, rebuild trust in our bodies, and begin listening to the voice within. Today, we cover three main points: Why you’ve learned not to trust yourself, and how to gently unlearn it. How to tell the difference between your true inner voice and trauma-driven urges. Practices to rebuild trust in your body and story. Resources Mentioned In This Episode by Adam Young hosted by Adam Young: A podcast focused on trauma, healing, attachment, and story work. Specifically mentioned is a two-part series on our relationship with our bodies. : Find more about Adam’s work, resources, and podcast episodes. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37362475
info_outline
Essential Relationships That Single Parents Need
07/07/2025
Essential Relationships That Single Parents Need
This week we’re discussing what Essential Relationships That Single Parents Need. We all know that connection is critical, but for single parents, the path to finding safe, trustworthy, and life-giving relationships can feel anything but simple. Time is limited. Trust may feel broken. And the need for support runs deep. That’s why this week’s episode is focused on practical, real-life ways to identify, nurture, and invest in the kinds of relationships that sustain us. Whether you’re grieving the absence of a partner, rebuilding your community, or simply trying to figure out how to connect with others while barely keeping up with your to-do list, this conversation offers grounded guidance and hope. Today, we cover three main points: Different people meet different needs. Safe, trusting relationships don’t always come naturally. Reflection helps you build better connections. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37163870
info_outline
The Shift That Changes Everything
06/30/2025
The Shift That Changes Everything
Peace often feels like a destination just out of reach: If I could just fix my anxiety... if my circumstances changed... then I’d finally have peace. But that kind of striving keeps us spinning. In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Hardin, founder of Daily Audio Bible and longtime student of scripture, who offers a powerful reminder for solo parents: peace isn’t something you organize around you. It’s something formed within you—often through surrender, struggle, and stillness. Today, we cover three main points: Why external striving won’t bring true peace. What it means to live an integrated life. Why wilderness is necessary. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - Brian’s daily podcast that walks listeners through the Bible in a year. It’s also a global community and one of the most accessible daily spiritual rhythms available. Books by Brian Hardin: Passages: How Reading the Bible in a Year Will Change Everything for You Reframe: From the God We've Made... to God With Us We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37163910
info_outline
Healing What You Can't Erase
06/23/2025
Healing What You Can't Erase
This week we’re discussing what it really means to Heal What You Can’t Erase. For so many solo parents, pain feels like something to avoid, something that has to be buried, fixed, or outrun. But what if healing doesn’t begin by pushing past the ache, but by stepping directly into it? Whether it’s overthinking to stay in control, using willpower to force peace, or burying shame so deeply we forget it’s there, the pain we carry is not a sign of weakness. It’s often the doorway to wholeness. In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Christopher Cook, a podcast host, leadership coach, and author of Healing What You Can’t Erase, who guides us into a deeper understanding of why true transformation can only begin from the inside out. Today, we cover three main points: Why self-help and willpower can’t heal what was never meant to be carried alone. How overthinking, busyness, and even good habits can become armor that protects us from deeper wounds. Why grief is not the end of the story…it’s the beginning of peace. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: by Christopher Cook – Weekly podcast focused on mental, emotional, and spiritual health We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/37095575
info_outline
Healthy Cope or Hidden Vice? How to Know the Difference.
06/16/2025
Healthy Cope or Hidden Vice? How to Know the Difference.
This week we’re discussing what it really means to tell the difference between a healthy coping strategy and a hidden vice. When you're walking through the exhaustion, grief, or stress of solo parenting, it's easy to reach for anything that brings a moment of relief. But what happens when that "relief" starts taking more than it gives? Whether it's overworking, social scrolling, constant busyness, or even pouring into your kids or community, some behaviors that seem helpful can quietly become harmful. This week, we’re joined by Amber Fuller, a counselor with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT), to explore how to recognize the difference, and how to care for your needs in ways that lead to healing, not just distraction. Today, we cover three main points: What common vices solo parents turn to and why How to distinguish between a healthy coping strategy and a destructive vice Practical ways to meet your needs without avoiding your pain We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36955740
info_outline
You're Being Trained and You Don't Even Know It
06/09/2025
You're Being Trained and You Don't Even Know It
This week we’re discussing the idea that You’re Being Trained, And You Don’t Even Know It. In this conversation with Amber Fuller - a counselor with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) - we explore how our digital world is training us in ways we don’t even realize—and how reclaiming stillness might be one of the most healing things we can do. It’s easy to think we’re just scrolling, checking, or Googling, but what if the constant presence of technology is actually shaping how we relate to ourselves, to others, and even to God? For solo parents especially, those quiet, in-between moments can be some of the only opportunities we have to connect inwardly. But what happens when silence feels impossible? When we’re too distracted to be still? In this episode, we explore why stillness matters, what we’re losing in our addiction to connectivity, and how to take back our attention. Today, we cover three main points: Who or what is training us? The cost of constant connectivity Reclaiming the value of stillness and waiting We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36823680
info_outline
Stop Chasing Peace. Start With This.
06/02/2025
Stop Chasing Peace. Start With This.
This week we’re discussing what it really means to Stop Chasing Peace and Start with This. Our guest today is Laurie Lokey, a licensed professional counselor and co-founder of Resilient Love. Laurie specializes in trauma recovery and relationship health, and her compassionate, no-nonsense approach helps people move from self-protection to deep emotional connection. Her work blends clinical expertise with personal experience in a warm, accessible way. For so many solo parents, peace feels like something we have to earn…by fixing ourselves, performing, or knowing all the right answers. But often, the more we try to "get better," the more disconnected we feel from who we really are. What if peace isn't found in doing more, but in learning to just be? Today, we cover three main points: Why fixing ourselves doesn’t work How shame hijacks healing Finding peace in the present moment RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: : Free video teachings on relationships and emotional health : Group program focused on healing and self-reconnection We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions .
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36803450
info_outline
The Growth Secret No One Talks About
05/26/2025
The Growth Secret No One Talks About
This week we are discussing The Growth Secret No One Talks About. We often equate growth with activity and achievement, but in doing so, we overlook one of its most profound forms—the ability to sit with discomfort without immediately seeking a way out. How can we embrace stillness as a path to growth? Today, we cover three main points: How to redefine growth The power of stillness Stillness as a tool We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions . Additional Resources:
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36675245
info_outline
How To Feel Better In Minutes
05/19/2025
How To Feel Better In Minutes
This week we are discussing How To Feel Better In Minutes. When we’re hit with overwhelming feelings, sometimes we need an immediate solution. We don’t have time to unpack it with a therapist or we don’t have the energy to completely change our lifestyle, but we have a strong felt need. What are some easy and tangible ways to feel better within a matter of minutes? Today, we cover three main points: How to feel better where you are. How to boost yourself emotionally. Responding to physical needs. We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Submit your listener questions . Additional Resources:
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36615050
info_outline
One Choice Away from Change with Justin and Trisha Davis
05/12/2025
One Choice Away from Change with Justin and Trisha Davis
This week we are talking with Justin and Trisha Davis about ‘One Choice Away From Change.’ Sometimes, we are so stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns with others or ourselves, that we don’t even realize it. Or, we just don’t know how to break that cycle and build lasting change, so we’re left with hurt, disappointment, discouragement, and exhaustion. With so many responsibilities and pressure already on our shoulders, how do we as single parents identify and overcome these dysfunctional cycles that hold us back, one choice at a time? Justin and Trisha Davis are pastors, speakers, and the founders of . They coauthored Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn’t Good Enough, and Justin’s book Being Real > Being Perfect: How Transparency Leads to Transformation is a USA Today bestseller. Justin and Trisha have five kids and live in Indianapolis. For all the detailed show notes, tips and links click - ASK US ANYTHING! We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Go to and ask us anything…it can be related to a topic we cover on the podcast, something you are facing or just something you are curious about. We want you to be part of our podcast!
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36528315
info_outline
One Thing Standing in the Way of the Future You Want
05/05/2025
One Thing Standing in the Way of the Future You Want
This week we are discussing the One Thing That’s Standing in the Way of the Future You Want. Sometimes, pain numbs us to the point that we can’t see a future we’re motivated to move toward. We feel stuck, directionless, and not excited about what lies ahead. How do we move forward in positive expectation? Today, we cover three main points: How to define horizonlessness Normalizing horizonlessness Looking toward the future For all the detailed show notes, tips and links click - ASK US ANYTHING! We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Go to and ask us anything…it can be related to a topic we cover on the podcast, something you are facing or just something you are curious about. We want you to be part of our podcast!
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36432730
info_outline
What If I Need to Rock the Boat?
04/28/2025
What If I Need to Rock the Boat?
This week we are discussing ‘What If I Need to Rock the Boat?’ We all know what instability feels like, and many of us don’t want to rock the boat even more if we don’t have to. But, sometimes we get stuck in what feels comfortable and we recognize things aren’t as they should be; they’re not healthy and not moving us forward. How do we lean into rocking the boat in a sustainable, positive, and purposeful way? Today, we cover three main points: 1) Normalizing and demystifying instability. 2) Why instability can lead to stability. 3) How to purposefully disrupt your life. LINK TO SHOWNOTES For all the detailed show notes, tips and links click - ASK US ANYTHING! We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have. Go to and ask us anything…it can be related to a topic we cover on the podcast, something you are facing or just something you are curious about. We want you to be part of our podcast!
/episode/index/show/b6cc524b-1795-46d0-b04c-2ab50df61630/id/36333280