The Single Greatest Choice is a podcast about singleness, fertility, motherhood, and choice. This is a show for women who are grappling with what to do when life doesn't follow the love-marriage-baby carriage trajectory. It's about exploring the options when things don't seem to be turning out as we'd always planned. Most of all, is a place for women give and receive support as they grapple with these big topics - because what we decide to do with these years could be the single greatest cho ...
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A podcast about the first time…you publish a book. One part reality show, one part writers’ master class. Novelists Katherine Collette (https://www.katherinecollette.com/) (The Helpline, The Competition) and Kate Mildenhall (https://katemildenhall.com/) (Skylarking, The Mother Fault, The Hummingbird Effect) discuss the feels and logistics of writing and publishing and speak to Australian and international writers about their books and creative process. Now in its sixth season, The First Time ...
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Single Mother by Chance and then by Choice, Designer Virginia Drader
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In this episode, Virginia shares: How a surprise pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage reignited her desire to have another child, this time as a single mom by choice; The reactions she received from family and friends when she chose to pursue motherhood on her own; Why she traveled from Canada to the USA for her fertility process and the factors th…
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S6 Ep274: Children's Laureate Sally Rippin talks kid lit with Katherine & Kate
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In this special episode, Kate and Katherine seek out advice from the best as they both prepare to launch brand new books for kids. They are delighted to be chatting with author, illustrator and current Australian Children's Laureate, Sally Rippin. How to launch a MG book and why it's different from launching an adult book, the art of illustration, …
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S7, Ep 2: Super Sperm Donors, Off-the-Grid Insemination, & Unconventional Family Planning with Valerie Bauman
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Valerie Bauman, is an investigative reporter for Newsweek, solo mother by choice, and author of one of my favorite memoirs in the solo moms space, Inconceivable:Super Sperm Donors, Off-the-Grid Insemination, and Unconventional Family Planning. I devoured Valerie’s book during a 30-hour airport layover, and by the time I finished, I felt like I had …
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S7, Ep 1: Why Educated Women Are Turning to Egg Freezing With Marcia Inhorn, Author of ‘Motherhood on Ice’
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In this episode on the mating gap and egg freezing, we discuss: The challenges created by the shortage of eligible, educated men. How the education gap between men and women affects dating dynamics. How societal expectations and outdated gender norms are contributing to this issue. Why considering partners from diverse educational backgrounds can b…
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S6, Ep 10: SMBC with a known donor, Ashley Coates
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My final guest of this season is Ashley Coates, a longtime Instagram friend and solo mom by choice living in Portland, Oregon. When Ashley decided to pursue solo motherhood, she decided to ask a close friend to be her known donor. What happened next feels almost too good to be true. Tune in as Ashley shares her experience of navigating conception, …
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274: First Time Live at SWF with Melanie Saward, James Colley & Charlotte Wood
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This special live recording of The First Time Podcast took place on May 23, 2024 at Carriageworks on Gadigal Land for the Sydney Writers Festival. Podcast co-host, Kate Mildenhall spoke to guests Melanie Saward, James Colley and Charlotte Wood about their books, their paths to publication and the writing life. Melanie Saward is a proud Bigambul and…
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S6, Ep 9: Solo Mum Society founder, author and podcast host, Alisha Burns
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We discuss more about….. The transition from corporate life to focusing on solo motherhood. The joys and challenges of parenting during a global pandemic. Her mother’s health crisis and its impact on her responsibilities. The process of writing her book featuring stories of 20 Australian SMBCs. Strategies for achieving a better work/life balance. P…
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S6, Ep 8: “Accidental” SMBC through foster to open adoption with Elizabeth Friedland
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We discuss more about….. Elizabeth’s journey to fostering and adoption. Balancing professional life with motherhood. The emotional and logistical challenges of fostering. dating and introducing our children to a future partner. Building and relying on a support system. Insights and advice for those considering fostering or adoption. Connect with El…
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S6, Ep 7: SMBC to two through adoption with Emily Driscoll
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We discuss more about….. Emily's initial adoption research and the steps involved in the process. The emotional journey and uncertainties of getting matched. The costs and logistical aspects of adopting in the U.S. Adjusting to motherhood and balancing work with childcare. The importance of support and strong friendships in solo motherhood. 👩👧👦Th…
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S6, Ep 6: Celine Charlotte, a quick journey from considering to parenting
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We discuss more about….. Celine's transition into embracing single motherhood. The challenges and emotional journey of egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Moving from the Netherlands to Sedona, and eventually to New York City. The vital role of community and support for SMBCs. Balancing business and motherhood, and the importance of surrounding ones…
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We discuss more about….. What the fertility process looks like in Colombia The raw emotions while undergoing IV Deciding whether or not to have a second child Support and expectations during pregnancy and postpartum More info about 1:1 coaching, group coaching and community groups with The Single Greatest Choice at www.singlegreatestchoice.com/ 👩👧…
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S6 Ep273: Interview: Nat Kringoudis (The Next Step)
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This episode of The Next Step is with Nat Kringoudis. It’s the episode where Katherine FINALLY gets to talk about both ice baths and fasting. Fasting can be problematic for some people so if you feel like food restriction discussions are triggering, maybe sit this one out. Nat Kringoudis is a health care practitioner, she’s also a two times best se…
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S6 Ep272: Interview: Comedian Laurie Kilmartin (The Next Step)
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Laurie Kilmartin is a stand-up comedian and an Emmy-nominated and award-winning comedy writer. She was a staff writer for all 11 years of CONAN and has performed standup on CONAN, Late Late Show w/James Corden, and Comedy Central. Laurie Kilmartin is also on Twitter. A lot of people are on Twitter or have been on Twitter, but she’s the kind of twee…
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S6, Ep 4: Danielle Winston, The Seed Scout
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When Danielle and Paige were ready to grow their family, they knew the route of a traditional sperm bank wasn't right for them. They went to great lengths to find a known donor by tapping into their own network and doing a TON of legwork. After walking that path themselves, they decided to create The Seed Scout to help other families who were looki…
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S6 Ep271: Interview: Cookbook author and entrepreneur Sarah Pound
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Sarah Pound is the creator of @wholesomebysarah. You’ve probably heard of her before, you may also have cooked her food. Sarah shares easy weeknight recipes on Insta where she a cult following of more than 700,000 people. You can also get Sarah’s meal kids in Woolworths around the country. Sarah recently released her first cookbook also called ‘Who…
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S6 Ep270: HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN BUSINESS (FROM SCRATCH) Interview: Luisa Zhou (The Next Step)
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Have you ever wanted to own your own business but not known where to begin? Like, literally all you know is that you WANT a business and nothing else? This interview with coach and entrepreneur Luisa Zhou is for you. Luisa Zhou is the founder of LuisaZhou.com, which teaches people how to go from employee to entrepreneur, and scale their businesses …
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S6, Ep 3: thoughts on a second child as a SMBC
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If you’ve been going back and forth about whether or not to have a second child as a SMBC, you’re not alone! I frequently get asked about this topic, and it’s one that’s on my mind a lot these days. From making decisions about egg and embryo freezing to deciding on spacing between children to weighing the pros and cons of being “one and done”...the…
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S6 Ep269: Interview: Author/writer Brigid Delaney (The Next Step)
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Brigid Delaney is currently a political speechwriter. She was a journalist for The Guardian, and wrote popular weekly column, 'Brigid Delaney's Diary',’ which we little a little about in this interview. She wrote that column for eight years. It is so good. Like unbelievably and consistently funny, it’s stood the test of time. Read the cheese story …
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S6 Ep268: Interview: (NBA, WNBA) basketball shooting coach BriAnna Garza
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It's surprising how much the discussion about thoughts and thinking in basketball can apply to creativity. This episode is with BriAnna Garza, a professional basketball shooting coach. She currently coaches players in the (American) NBA, WNBA (as well as the NCAA and youth players) on both shot development and thought development. BriAnna is also t…
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S6, Ep 2: Meredith Kate, host of The Backup Plan Podcast
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For years, Meredith and her gay best friend had a running joke that if they were both still single without kids by a certain point, they’d have a child together. Recently, Meredith decided it was time to take that joke seriously. In our conversation, she’ll explain more about her decision, the arrangements she’s making with her known donor, and how…
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S6 Ep267: Interview: Comedian Jack Druce (The Next Step)
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Jack Druce is a comedian. Katherine thinks he's the best comedian in Australia (he's also the most humble). If you have the chance to see his stand up, GO. He's not at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year unfortunately, but you can see his stand up special Rat Paradise on YouTube. It featured in New York Magazine. Katherine gets excited telling …
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S6 Ep266: ADVICE GIVING: Jessica Weisberg (The Next Step)
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This interview is with Jessica Weisberg. Jessica Weisberg is an award-winning writer and producer. Her writing has appeared in the New Yorker, New York Times, Harper’s, and Atavist, among other publications, and been nominated for a National Magazine Award. She ran the features unit at Vice News Tonight on HBO, for which she was nominated for an Em…
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S6, Ep 1: Carla Allen, SMBC through gestational surrogacy
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Carla shares her experience from exploring surrogacy options to the complex matching process and the major impact of spiritual faith on her decision-making. She also reflects on the important trust and connection required in the surrogate relationship, and the joys and challenges of pregnancy through the lens of surrogacy. Join us as Carla's story …
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S6 Ep265: Interview Mia Freedman (The Next Step)
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This interview is with Mia Freedman. Mia Freedman needs no introduction! But we'll introduce her anyway. Mia Freedman is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Mamamia Women’s Media Company in Australia.She very famously started Mamamia sitting at her kitchen table in the the aftermath of walking away from a big job in TV that was a TOTAL…
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S6 Ep264: MANIFESTATION with Jessica Gill (The Next Step)
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Welcome to the very first episode of The First Time podcast's spin off series, The Next Step. The Next Step is all about figuring out what to do next in life. This episode is on manifestation. It's a bit woo woo but probably it’s less woo woo that you might expect. Longer time listeners of The First Time podcast might remember Katherine mentioning …
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It's finally arrived! Many of you will know that The First Time is taking a break in its current format this year BUT! Katherine is hosting a spin off series called The Next Step. The Next Step is figuratively (but also literally in this case) what happens after The First Time. It’s about figuring out what to do next in life... It'll still feature …
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New episodes coming every other Wednesday, starting March 20! Get more info and sign up for Guest Expert Workshops, Community Groups, and the SGC Directory at www.singlegreatestchoice.com.👩👧👦The Single Greatest Choice is here to support you in every stage ofyour SMBC journey through 1:1 coaching, community groups, groupcoaching and workshops, and…
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S6 Ep262: Summer Series! (the last episode of) Brian Moylan
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Welcome to the last episode in Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the season 6 finale, you'll know that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back (solo) as of next week with The N…
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Welcome to our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the season 6 finale, you'll know that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back (solo) in March with something new. It'll feature…
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S6 Ep260: Summer Series! Alison Bell
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Welcome to our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the season 6 finale, you'll know that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back (solo) in March with something new. It'll feature…
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S6 Ep259: Summer Series! Cate Kennedy
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Welcome to our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the season 6 finale, you'll know that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back (solo) in March with something new. It'll feature…
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S6 Ep258: Summer Series! Amie Kaufman
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Welcome to our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the season 6 finale, you'll know that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back (solo) in March with something new. It'll feature…
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S6 Ep257: Summer Series! Tim Winton
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Welcome to our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the seas 6 finale, you'll now that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back flying solo in March with something new. It'll featu…
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We're kicking off our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the seas 6 finale, you'll now that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back flying solo in March with something new. It'l…
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We're kicking off our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the seas 6 finale, you'll now that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back flying solo in March with something new. It'l…
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S6 Ep254: Summer Series! Interview: Andy Griffiths
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We're kicking off our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the seas 6 finale, you'll now that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back flying solo in March with something new. It'l…
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We're kicking off our Summer Series -- a chance to catch up on some episodes you may have missed out on the first time around. If you listened to the seas 6 finale, you'll now that The First Time is taking a break in it's current format in 2024 BUT! Don't delete the feed just yet, Katherine will be back flying solo in March with something new. It'l…
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Connect with Keina! Website | Instagram | Facebook | Podcast Mentioned Resources Money Files - 96 | From Finances to Motherhood: Let’s Talk Money Coaching Check out the SGC Directory! Email Katie for the password: katie@singlegreatestchoice.com Join us in El Cuyo, Mexico March 10-15, 2024! www.singlegreatestchoice.com/el-cuyo-2024 👩👧👦The Single G…
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It's a big ep. We debrief, reflect, recommend and share some rather big news about the pod in 2024. We discuss: Things that have happened in writing and pod life for us since episode one of this season Fishing as a key theme of Katherine's year (and yes, the free fishing rods for Grade 4s is an actual thing) A delightful school visit for Katherine …
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S5, Ep 9: Laura High, donor conceived advocate
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In this episode, we discuss more about….. Advocating for regulations and safety within the sperm donation industry. The dangers of excessively large sibling groups. Practical advice for prospective parents seeking donors. How to support donor-conceived children. Legislative initiatives such as the HR451 fertility fraud legislation. Connect with Lau…
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S6 Ep251: Re-release: Masters Series Kevin Wilson
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We are coming up to the last episode/s of the season and will have news about the podcast for next year very soon but for now, we're re-releasing an episode from earlier in the year with (American writer) Kevin Wilson... Enjoy! Kevin Wilson has been on Katherine's interview wishlist oh about forever and FINALLY she got to speak to him. The discuss …
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S6 Ep250: Follow a First Timer #8: Listener Questions
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This season we are returning to our first-time roots! We hear all the time from listeners who’ve gone from thinking about writing a book to starting to write a book to having their own debut author experience. One of the things that these new authors say is that they’ve gone back and listened to the episodes that cover off the various milestones. S…
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S6 Ep249: Masters Series: Richard Flanagan
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This is a conversation Kate has been waiting years to have. She spoke to Richard Flanagan at the end of his most recent tour, in person at State Library Victoria. Richard Flanagan's novels have received numerous honours and are published in forty-two countries. He won the Booker Prize for The Narrow Road to the Deep North and the Commonwealth Prize…
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S5, Ep 8: a sperm donor's perspective with Dylan Stone-Miller
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In this episode, we discuss more about….. Lack of regulation in the sperm donation industry. Dylan's personal journey, navigating the emotional complexities of moving from being an unknown to known donor. Ethical considerations and best practices for parents and donors. The shifts in attitudes among donor-conceived children as social norms and pare…
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S6 Ep248: Kate, Katherine & Anna Downes on retreat plus Featured Book ROSEGHETTO by Kirsty Jagger
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Kate and Katherine are hidden away on a writing retreat in the mountains with Sydney writer Anna Downes. Anna Downes is an actor-turned-writer, born in the UK and now based in Australia. She is the author of two bestselling novels, The Safe Place and The Shadow House, with a third Red River Road to be published in 2024. Anna lives on the NSW Centra…
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Kate speaks to Melbourne author Lucy Treloar about her writing life. Lucy Treloar was born in Malaysia and educated in England, Sweden and Melbourne. Her novel Salt Creek (2015) won the Dobbie Literary Award among others, and was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the UK's Walter Scott Prize. Wolfe Island (2019), her second novel…
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S5, Ep 7: fertility law with reproductive attorney Rose Pondel
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We discuss more about….. Rose's transition from corporate law to fertility law. Sperm banks vs known donors: legal insights. Finding a reproductive attorney and questions to ask. Legal complexities of egg and embryo donations. Challenges in the world of fertility law. Connect with Rose! Follow her on social media! Instagram | Website More info abou…
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S6 Ep246: Kate + Katherine Catch Up + FEATURED BOOK The Ghost of Gracie Flynn by Joanna Morrison
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It's been a big week for the pod! Welcome to new listeners :) In this episode's Featured Book segment, Kate speaks with Joanna Morrison about her debut novel The Ghost of Gracie Flynn. This segment is brought to you by Fremantle Press. Joanna Morrison has a background in journalism and a PhD in Creative Writing. Her short fiction has appeared in Au…
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S6 Ep245: Live at Write Around the Murray with Kathryn Heyman, Irma Gold, T.R Napper & Kate Mildenhall
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This episode is a Live recording of the First Time Publishing panel at the Write Around the Murray Festival on September 17, 2023. Kate speaks with writers Kathryn Heyman, Irma Gold and Tim Napper about their first and subsequent publication experiences and what they have learned along the way. Kathryn Heyman is the author of six novels including S…
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S5, Ep 6: travel tips with travel network innovator and SMBC Julie Munsch
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In our conversation, Julie takes us through the hurdles of healing from past traumas, addressing fertility challenges, and how she first became a mom. She is extremely passionate about parents teaching their children how to become a part of their lives and encourages moms to take that vacation, kids in tow! She provides incredible tips on traveling…
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