In this solo episode, I chat about the six steps I take each year to create my best year yet. And you know what? It only gets better and better!
Take a listen and plan out your 2020.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Thank you to this week's sponsor, Invisalign.
Listen to episode 115 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Ashlene Marshall - HERE.
Listen to Episode 131 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Hayley (Part 1) - HERE.
Listen to Episode 132 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Hayley (Part 2) - HERE.
Listen to Episode 133 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Hayley (Part 3) - HERE.
Listen to Episode 152 - Amy's single mum story, and the relationship with her husband that was a lie.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode of the Single Mother Survival Guide Podcast, I talk about how to get through your first Christmas as a single mum and tips on how to get through the day if you don't have the kids.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Krystal was with her partner for seven years. They were inseparable. Krystal thought they were going to get married, have lots of children, and be together forever.
When her daughter was just three months old, and her son was a toddler she discovered her partner's secret - he was living a double life. And that is when her whole world was turned upside down.
This episode is a continuation from last week. In last week's episode, Krystal shared her story with us. In this week's episode, the story continues. We chat about the aftermath:
Krystal talks about how she now sees what happened as a blessing. She also shares her advice for new single mums, as well as the best things about being a single mum. Krystal is a true inspiration, and it's so nice seeing her story end in such a positive way.
This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Part 1 can be listened to HERE.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Krystal met the man who would become the father of her children straight after she finished university. For seven years they were inseparable. They travelled together, they had a great relationship, they were in love. Krystal thought they were going to get married, have lots of children, and be together forever.
When Krystal was 25 she fell pregnant with her son. After he was born there was a shift in her relationship with her partner, something wasn't right. But she chose to give him the benefit of the doubt. Two years later she fell pregnant again, with her daughter.
When her daughter was just three months old, and her son was a toddler she discovered her partner's secret - he was living a double life. And that is when her whole world was turned upside down.
In this episode, Krystal shares her story. She talks about how she discovered her partner's infidelity, and how afterwards he openly continued his affair whilst she sat at home breastfeeding their baby and looking after their toddler. Krystal also shares how looking back, deep down, she knew of his affairs, but she didn’t want to admit it to herself, and how dealing with the heartbreak and being a mum at the same time was the hardest thing she has ever experienced.
Krystal also talks about why setting boundaries with her ex was essential, how she worked three part-time jobs to support her children, accepting that her partner wouldn't change and letting go of that hope, riding the co-parenting roller coaster, and how therapy saved her life.
When Krystal discovered the affair, the thought of being a single mum terrified her. She had also become a woman who no longer recognised herself. But over time, she reconnected with the goal-driven go-getter, fun-loving, and independent woman that she used to be.
Krystal is a true inspiration.
This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 will be released next week.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:
Book in for an intensive mentoring session HERE.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
When her daughter was six, Evie Farrell left her corporate job, packed up her house, and embarked upon a two and half year backpacking adventure travelling around the globe. Evie is a single mum, inspiring people all over the world to travel with their kids. She runs the travel blog and Instagram account Mumpack Travel and is the author of the book Backyard to Backpack.
In this episode, Evie chats about:
Evie also shares her favourite thing about being a single mum and her advice for any single mum keen to travel with kids.
You will absolutely LOVE this episode and the inspiration that Evie provides.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
My (anonymous) guest from last week is back this week to talk about raising teenage girls solo, plus she fills us in on her new relationship.
This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. You can listen to Part 1 here.
Last week she told us about her single mum story - she was with her husband for 18 years when one ordinary day, seven years ago, she got home from work early and discovered that all his clothes were gone. He didn't respond to any attempts she made to communicate with him. He had vanished into thin air.
Almost a week later she was walking through the shopping centre when she ran into him. He completely gaslighted her and called her crazy. My guest describes her experience like her husband being alive one day and dead the next (only he wasn't dead).
In last week's episode we discussed all of that plus my guest also shared:
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
My (anonymous) guest on the show this week was with her husband for 18 years. One ordinary day, seven years ago, she got home from work early and discovered that all his clothes were gone. He didn't respond to any attempts she made to communicate with him. He had vanished into thin air.
Almost a week later she was walking through the shopping centre when she ran into him. He completely gaslighted her and called her crazy. My guest describes her experience like her husband being alive one day and dead the next (only he wasn't dead).
In this episode, my guest shares her story. She also shares:
This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 will be released next week.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:
Book in for an intensive mentoring session HERE.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Wilhelmina (Willo) Ford is a single mum and founder of ShareAbode, an Australian wide platform that connects single parents with one another for the purpose of co-living.
Willo had a two-year-old and a three-month-old when she decided to leave her toxic relationship. She decided to relocate interstate and discovered that finding a rental as a recently unemployed (having just sold her business) new single mum impossible. And that was how the idea for ShareAbode was born.
Willo is on the show this week to chat all about her single mum journey and about ShareAbode.
In this episode, Willo shares:
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
My (anonymous) guest on the show today met her ex-partner at the gym. There were alarm bells from the start - for instance, my guest's ex did not want her to spend time with anyone else and he made her delete all her male contacts on social media. Not long afterwards he forced her to delete all her social media platforms altogether.
After three months they moved in with his mother and her partner (they were also in an unconventional relationship), and her ex soon started exhibiting very angry behaviour. They were forced to move out as her ex's mother didn’t want her son's angry behaviour in her home. Within four weeks my guest's ex was physically hurting her.
In this episode, my guest shares her story. She discusses the birth of her son, and how the relationship escalated and the domestic violence built up over time. She talks about how he used knives to taunt her, how he strangled her until she became unconscious, and how in the end he landed in jail (though not for long enough!).
My guest this week has been through a lot over the last few years, but her strength and resilience is truly remarkable. She's a very inspiring woman.
Please note this episode may act as a trigger.
This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Part 1 was released last week - episode 166.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
My (anonymous) guest on the show today met her ex-partner at the gym. There were alarm bells from the start - for instance, my guest's ex did not want her to spend time with anyone else and he made her delete all her male contacts on social media. Not long afterwards he forced her to delete all her social media platforms altogether.
After three months they moved in with his mother and her partner (they were also in an unconventional relationship), and her ex soon started exhibiting very angry behaviour. They were forced to move out as her ex's mother didn’t want her son's angry behaviour in her home. Within four weeks my guest's ex was physically hurting her.
In this episode, my guest shares her story. She discusses the birth of her son, and how the relationship escalated and the domestic violence built up over time. She talks about how he used knives to taunt her, how he strangled her until she became unconscious, and how in the end he landed in jail (though not for long enough!).
My guest this week has been through a lot over the last few years, but her strength and resilience is truly remarkable. She's a very inspiring woman.
Please note this episode may act as a trigger.
This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 will be released next week.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:
Links mentioned in the episode:
Read more, and sign up to the online program for single mothers - Don't Just Survive, THRIVE! - here.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
My guest on the show is Erica Rundle, a single mum and also a women's health counsellor in private practice.
In this episode, Erica and I chat about
Erica helps women through all sorts of challenges including anxiety and depression, separation and divorce, domestic violence and a huge range of other life hurdles. Her mission is to make women feel heard, supported and empowered in all that they face.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer a common question: Julia, how did you get to be so resilient? I share some strategies with you in the hope that they help build up your resilience too.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Thank you to this week's sponsor, Invisalign.
Blog post - My Invisalign treatment begins.
Read more, and sign up to the online program for single mothers - Don't Just Survive, THRIVE! - here.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
On Elizabeth’s first date with the father of her son, he whisked her away interstate on a plane for the weekend. Over time their relationship deepened and life was good. Very good. Elizabeth was progressing in her career as her journalist, they had bought their dream house, and they got engaged. She then unexpectedly fell pregnant, which although was a shock, was fine because (she thought) she had met the man of her dreams.
Elizabeth knew in her gut that something was wrong in the relationship, but pushed problems under the carpet and justified the problems with the good things in their relationship. That is until the night she discovered her fiancé's infidelity. Her son was 8 months old at the time.
Elizabeth describes that moment in her life as a bookmark. She recalls collapsing and howling with grief, completely overcome with what was happening and unable to know how to get up off the floor. There was the Elizabeth before that moment, and the Elizabeth after that moment. Never the same again.
In this episode, Elizabeth shares her story.
Elizabeth also discusses:
Elizabeth is an amazing woman, and she describes how ultimately she is grateful for this experience because it taught her the importance of resilience and independence. A must listen!
Links mentioned in the episode:
Read more, and sign up to the online program for single mothers - Don't Just Survive, THRIVE! - here.
Check out Elizabeth's blog - Bambi and Baby - HERE.
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram here.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:
Links mentioned in the episode:
Read more, and sign up to the online program for single mothers - Don't Just Survive, THRIVE! - here.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In 2016 Anna (not her real name) met the man who would be her future husband. It was amazing from the very start. Within a few months, she knew he was the man that she wanted to get married to, have children with, and spend the rest of her life with. She thought she had met the man of her dreams. Soon after, Anna unexpectedly fell pregnant.
They got married and everything was great until about six months into the pregnancy when things started to change. For example, her husband wouldn't allow her to watch TV and he suddenly started reading the bible (when he had never been that religious beforehand).
At 35 weeks pregnant, Anna found out about her husband's mental illness after a passing question from her mother in law. She asked Anna if her son had been taking his medication. When Anna returned home, she questioned him about the medication and he told her if she didn’t stop asking he would stab her pregnant stomach. Anna then found the medication and did some research. She discovered her husband had schizophrenia.
Anna refers to the day her son was born as the day she lost her husband. He didn’t hold their son, didn’t bathe him, and didn’t connect with him at all.
In the months that followed Anna and her husband broke up several times. She left him for good when their son was 7 months old.
In this episode, Anna shares her story.
We also discuss...
Anna has been through a lot over the last three years, but what is most remarkable is her positive attitude. A must listen!
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:
Links mentioned in the episode:
Thank you to this week's sponsor, Invisalign.
Blog post - My Invisalign treatment begins.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I celebrate the third birthday of the Single Mother Survival Guide podcast. I also chat about some general life updates including my latest speed dating experience.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Jennifer met the man who would become her husband when they were both kids in primary school. They had a long friendship growing up and when they finished school they ended up in a relationship together that lasted 20 years. They had two children.
One day, just before his 40th birthday, Jen's husband suddenly disappeared. The kids were 2 and 5 at the time he went missing. He was gone for several months and then eventually resurfaced and came out to Jen as being gay. This is Jen's story.
In this episode, along with Jen sharing her story, we chat about how her husband coming out as gay took away her permission to grieve, the shame she felt and the view to outsiders that her relationship with him had been a sham, and the advice she would give to anyone in this situation.
Jen also shares what happened next, finding her second husband, how that marriage ended, and becoming a single mum for the second time around.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I chat about my recent speed dating experience, and what you need to know about speed dating...
I cover:
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Canna Campbell is a financial planner, YouTube personality on SugarMamma.TV and author of The $1000 Project and, soon to be released, Mindful Money.
In this episode, Canna chats with me about:
On her YouTube channel, Canna shares bite-sized tips on how to get out of debt, save money, achieve financial goals and build long-term passive income and makes money and finance more approachable, and even fun!
Canna is passionate about educating, inspiring and empowering every individual to create financial harmony, freedom and independence in their lives, and in this week's episode, we chat all about this for single mums.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:
Links mentioned in the episode:
Helpful blog posts
Sign up to the next FREE 30 Day Get Your Sparkle Back Challenge HERE.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
In this episode, Amy shares Part 2 of her story...
After a brief stint "birdnesting", Amy and her husband sold their houses and started living separately. Slowly slowly Amy started getting her life back together. She had a relatively good co-parenting relationship with her ex, and she had started dating. Then, her husband said he wanted to work things out. After deciding she couldn't live with the what-ifs, Amy decided to give it another go with her husband. Not long after that, he had moved in.
A few months later, out of the blue, Amy received a message from her husband's past mistress/girlfriend on Instagram who told her to pass on to her husband to stop harassing her and to ask him about all the women. Such a blow. What she then discovered ended the relationship she had with him, and the trust in him, for good.
In this episode, Amy so openly and vulnerably shares what happened. She talks about the shame she felt about her husband having affairs and not knowing, questioning her whole relationship with him and the lie, trust issues, coming to the realisation that the affairs were not her fault, and meeting her new partner.
You will need to get the tissues out for this one.
Listen to Part 1 (episode 152) HERE.
Sign up to the next FREE 30 Day Get Your Sparkle Back Challenge HERE.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.
Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.