n Part 2 of Callum’s incredible story, we pick up where we left off—right after Lara’s birth.

Callum takes us inside the early days of solo parenting: navigating newborn sleep deprivation, legal complexities, travel logistics, and adjusting to life as a dad… alone.

From co-working next to daycare to sleepless nights, Callum gets honest about the mental load, the unexpected joy, and why letting go of perfection is the key to peace. He also opens up about wanting a second child and the beautiful bond he shares with his surrogate and donor.

Whether you’re a solo parent yourself or simply curious about what fatherhood looks like when chosen with full intention—this episode will stay with you.

For the first time on No Need for Prince Charming, we welcome a solo dad by choice.

In this deeply thoughtful and emotional episode, Callum shares how, after a marriage breakdown and years of soul-searching, he made the bold and intentional decision to become a parent on his own. What followed was a complex, global surrogacy journey that spanned COVID, border closures, and countless spreadsheets.

Callum walks us through:

• Why adoption and foster care weren’t the right path for him

• How he chose the US for surrogacy—and why a continuing relationship with both his egg donor and surrogate was essential

• The risks, red flags, and research required to find the right clinic, agency, and team

• Why he selected a daughter—and the emotional impact of a failed transfer

• How he coordinated the birth from halfway around the world

• And how he’s making sure Lara knows exactly how loved, wanted, and intentional her creation was

This episode is part one of Callum’s story—stay tuned for part two, where we explore life now as a solo dad to a thriving three-year-old.

In this emotional and inspiring episode, we meet Jill—a long-time listener who became a solo mum by choice after an extraordinary journey. From believing solo motherhood wasn’t for her, to nine grueling IVF rounds, a family egg donor, and the gift of a known sperm donor, Jill’s story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unwavering determination.

She opens up about fertility challenges, dealing with failed transfers, finding peace with using donor eggs, and navigating pregnancy and newborn life after years of setbacks. Jill’s honesty about grief, hope, and community will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Lorena always knew she wanted to be a mum—but life had other plans. After navigating difficult relationships, putting her heart back together, and years of unsuccessful IVF, she finally became a solo mum at 46. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Lorena shares the highs and lows of 13 rounds of IVF, how she handled society’s judgment about being an “older mum,” and how motherhood transformed everything.

She also shares what it’s like to raise a donor-conceived child as a solo mum, how she navigates school and social questions, and how she turned her journey into a book, set for release in 2026. This episode is a reminder that no matter how long it takes or how winding the road may be, if motherhood is your dream—it’s worth fighting for.

How Theresa Navigated IVF, Embraced Her Faith, and Found Joy in Motherhood with Trixie

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Theresa shares her remarkable journey to motherhood through donor embryos after years of navigating fertility treatments, embracing her Christian faith, and overcoming challenges. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and love as she welcomed her daughter, Trixie, at age 51. From her decision to pursue motherhood alone to balancing faith with science, Theresa’s journey inspires women considering motherhood on their terms.

Christine’s Inspiring Path to Solo Motherhood and Embracing Life with Son Braydon in Her Late 40s
In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Christine shares her unique journey to solo motherhood, starting in her mid-40s after living a life full of travel and adventure. Deciding to become a mother on her own, she pursued fertility treatments abroad and welcomed her son, Braydon. Christine talks about the challenges of navigating IVF, selecting an anonymous donor, and the emotional journey of embracing motherhood later in life. Her story is one of resilience, intentionality, and building a family filled with love and support.

From Dating to Donor Conception: TJ’s Story of Embracing Solo Motherhood at 48

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Alisha talks with TJ, a solo mum who shares her inspiring journey to welcoming her daughter, Baby Star. At 46, TJ had a life-changing moment that led her to pursue motherhood on her own terms, navigating donor conception and IVF in the midst of a pandemic. She opens up about her initial hesitation, the unique challenges of using a donor egg, and the overwhelming joy of creating her family. TJ’s story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of embracing motherhood in unconventional ways.

From freezing eggs at 39 to overcoming loss, Elise shares her story of resilience and finding joy in motherhood with her daughter, Eve."

📝 Show Notes

In this heartfelt episode of No Need for Prince Charming, Elise shares her extraordinary journey to becoming a solo mum by choice to her daughter, Eve. From always knowing she wanted to be a mother, Elise takes us through the highs and lows of her path—freezing eggs at 39, facing unexpected loss, and ultimately finding joy through donor egg IVF with the generous help of her cousin.

Elise opens up about the emotional hurdles of miscarriages, navigating a challenging pregnancy, and how her resilience—and a little bit of pixie dust—brought her to the most beautiful gift of all: her daughter. Her story highlights the importance of staying open-minded, finding supportive specialists, and leaning on family when it matters most.

Key Takeaways:

• Freezing eggs at 39 and balancing hope with the reality of age and fertility.

• Navigating miscarriages and the emotional toll of unsuccessful IVF transfers.

• Choosing donor eggs from her cousin and managing the counseling process.

• Overcoming a complicated pregnancy and birth, including preeclampsia and placenta complications.

• How motherhood has exceeded her dreams with the joy of raising her daughter, Eve.