SoloMoms! Talk Podcast

About SoloMoms! Talk Podcast

Welcome to SoloMoms! Talk podcast where solo (divorced, single, married, widowed) moms share their stories and gain a whole new perspective on their own lives. Host, J. Rosemarie welcomes dynamic guests who share their personal stories as well as offer helpful tips and strategies to solo moms globally, so they can live more joy-filled lives. This show brings awareness to the unique experiences of moms raising their kids alone.  Because a solo mom is not always "single". She may be widowed like Shaniqua Garvin: https://bit.ly/3tJ5KSv; or divorced like Nicole Lonzano: https://bit.ly/3HVMzdg: or still married like Allison Banfield: https://bit.ly/3Co9InM. Solo moms make up a whole spectrum of families headed by a woman bearing sole responsibility for raising her children. ___________________________________________________________ The podcast is designed to curate not only the struggles but also the triumphs of solo moms around the world.  Expert interviews help to equip solo moms to become a better version of themselves, better parent/co-parent, and partner. _________________________________________________________ I want solo moms to know that they are not alone and they don't have to parent in silence. Mission of SoloMoms! Talk Podcast is to: 1) bring awareness to the struggles of solo moms; 2) shine a light on the positive impact they make on their families and communities; 3) reduce the number of solo moms globally, through education, connection, and self-education; and 4) to help them see themselves as God sees them. _________________________________________________________ Website: https://bit.ly/3IWWSiP This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy francisj.substack.com (https://francisj.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

J. Rosemarie Francis

Category

kids & family · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Aug 2019

Latest episode

24 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

267 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Oct 2026

   Beyond the Solo Mom Struggle: How to Build Character, Resilience, and Purpose in Your Sons w/Boad Swanson

   Overview As a mom who raised three boys solo, I often felt the weight of my responsibilities. While I gave my sons everything I could, I realized early on that I could never be the father they needed. Raising young men in today's environment requires clear direction, unwavering boundaries, and strong community support. In this episode, I chat with author and entrepreneur Boad Swanson to explore how single mothers can instill lasting character, leverage male role models, and empower their sons to flourish into honorable, purpose-driven men. At the heart of Boad’s message is Aristotle’s framework of 12 core virtues, including patience, friendliness, wisdom, generosity, justice, and wittiness. Aristotle shares that when individuals learn to balance these virtues, they unlock three distinct promised blessings: 1. Flourishing / Prosperity: The capacity to thrive in life's spiritual, physical, and practical pursuits. 2. Happiness: Deep inner peace, fulfillment, and joy. 3. Being Needed / Useful: The satisfaction that comes from serving one's community, family, and peers. Key Takeaways As solo mothers, your time is limited. During my own parenting journey, having direct access to targeted wisdom made all the difference when tackling specific challenges with my sons. These takeaways help you to jump right into the practical frameworks, personal stories, and transformational character-building tips that meet your family's current needs. [00:00] - Introduction & The "Who is Boad Swanson?" Question Boad shares his personal background, detailing his transition from a troubled youth to embracing a faith- and virtue-guided life at age 25. He explains his core motivation for writing Great Souled Men. [03:15] - Raising Sons vs. Raising Daughters Reflecting on raising two sons and two daughters, Boad highlights the unique psychological needs of boys. [05:30] - Aristotle's 12 Virtues & The Three Promised Blessings Boad details how Aristotle’s ethics fill a critical cultural void where fewer than half of Americans receive Christ-based training. [08:45] - The Polestar of Motherly Love An analysis of why a mother’s foundational love serves as the ultimate polestar for a young man. [11:20] - Practical Character Building & Role Models Boad breaks down his book’s practical 3-part chapter structure. [15:10] - The Power of Church & Male Mentors I share my personal story of connecting my 14-year-old son with a court attorney and church leader who remains a close friend 20 years later. [19:00] - Tapping into Male DNA Boad explains that honorable men possess a deep-seated DNA drive to be needed and helpful. [22:30] - Balancing Unconditional Love with High Standards Boad addresses how to correct young men and instill accountability without breaking their spirit. Now that you have explored the foundational topics of our discussion, use the resources and links below to connect directly with Boad's work and our community. Resources You know, you don’t have to carry the weight of raising your sons on your own. God has provided communities, wise counsel, and honorable mentors who are ready and willing to step into the gap alongside you. I encourage you to utilize these practical resources and take the necessary steps to build a supportive village for your family. Official Website: Visit Greatsouledmen.com (https://greatsouledmen.com/) to learn more about Boad Swanson’s book, Great Souled Men (https://link.amazon/B0c8RpsoR), inspired by Aristotle’s concept of magnanimity (translated from Greek as having a "great soul"). Social Media: Follow Boad Swanson for ongoing updates and inspiration on Instagram and Facebook (@greatsouledmen). Speaking & Mentorship Requests: Reach out directly via Boad's website (https://greatsouledmen.com/) to invite him to speak to youth groups, athletic teams, church organizations, or community programs. Join the Live Community: Join Empty Nest Solo Mom Live to connect with fellow single mothers sharing support, experiences, and encouragement through life transitions. Connect with J. Rosemarie: Reach out directly jen@jrosemarie.com (mailto:jen@jrosemarie.com) to share show feedback, suggest future episode topics, or join the growing Solomon's Talk solo mom network. Where in your network could you find an ideal mentor for your son today? Thank you for listening. https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/brad-swanson (https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/brad-swanson) This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free. (https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=jenniferfrancis1) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy (https://podcorn.com/privacy) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit francisj.substack.com (https://francisj.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Reclaiming Self-Worth, Setting Boundaries, and Dating Over 40 w/ NK Navarro

   Overview As an advocate for leaders of mother-led households, a divorced mom, and a podcast host, I know firsthand how easy it is to allow own emotional healing to take a back seat, while we work tirelessly care for our children and manage busy households. Sometimes, unaddressed relationship wounds and societal expectations can drive us into patterns of overachieving, self-sacrifice, and settling for dynamics that do not serve our long-term peace. Unpacking these unhealed wounds is not just an exercise in self-reflection; I view it as a vital, strategic necessity for any solo mom seeking to cultivate genuine self-worth, establish firm boundaries, and build a balanced, fulfilling life for herself and her family. In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with NK Navarro. She’s an entrepreneur, published author, and devoted mother of three who shares her journey of keeping steady while navigating the pressures of single parenthood. NK opens up about the societal pressures of finding herself single at 40 in a large, married family, contrasting her dating experiences with the extraordinarily high standard set by her late, God-fearing Southern father. Despite growing up in a loving, grounded household with a father who exemplified manhood, NK candidly reflects on how a masked ego and living in deep-seated survival mode led her to adopt a Captain Fix Her Man and Captain Builder Man complex. She explains how she repeatedly chose partners who lacked alignment with her upbringing so she could build, finance, and fix them rather than accepting them as they were. Our conversation traces her transition away from these exhausting, toxic relational patterns toward radical accountability, self-love, and strict boundary-setting. NK also shares how these personal reflections inspired her literary work through her publishing venture, K Maccas, including her rom-com on dating and ego, When the Bar is in Hell. In addition, her hit psychological thriller on confronting toxic long-term relationships, The Reading makes an interesting read. Beyond her adult fiction, NK discusses the deeply inspiring collection of 11 children’s stories and activity books she co-authors with her young son, who is courageously navigating Senior Lokan syndrome (https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/senior-loken-syndrome/). This moving conversation offers every solo mother a powerful mirror and a roadmap for recognizing her own intrinsic value. Below is a detailed breakdown of our discussion, highlighting key timestamps and transformational insights to guide your personal journey. Key Takeaways & Timestamps Key moments from this episode offer actionable value for solo mothers looking to evaluate their own relational habits. Rather than passively absorbing information, examining these targeted segments allows you to identify emotional triggers, evaluate long-standing relationships, and implement practical boundaries. These takeaways serve as transformational touchpoints designed to shift you from a default state of passive self-sacrifice to active, intentional self-care. [00:03 - 03:17] Societal Pressure, Family Dynamics, and the Father Standard NK introduces herself as a single mother of three taking on big challenges, sharing the societal discomfort of being single at 40 within a large family where most relatives are married. She details how her late father set an exceptionally high benchmark for manhood by praying over his family, providing support, and fixing problems. However, due to her hidden "Captain Fixer" complex, NK repeatedly dated and married men who were not in alignment with how she was raised, compromising her father's standard so she could "build" or "fix" partners who lived up to her standards. [03:18 - 07:25] Unmasking "Captain Fixer Man": Ego as a Shield for Unhealed Wounds NK admits that her entrepreneurial success fed a massive ego that masked her internal wounds. Driven by a survival mindset where peace felt unfamiliar, she defaulted to solving potential partners' problems, securing them jobs, funding their education, and trying to build them up, driven by an unacknowledged fear of not being enough as she was. [07:26 - 11:20] Overachieving, Survival Mode, and the Challenge of Receiving Love I expressed my amazement to NK during this segment because her "fixer" pattern occurred despite having an exceptional father, a dynamic typically associated with women carrying a "father wound." NK explains that her survival mindset made peace uncomfortable. When her Italian ex-husband poured into her and offered lavish support, she struggled to receive it because she only knew how to operate in dynamics where she was managing, fixing, or fighting. [12:12 - 15:18] High Standards, Relational Self-Reflection, and Ownership NK recounts lowering her standards in a past relationship where she bought the house, paid for her partner's schooling, and let him drive her car, all while treating him condescendingly like a child. When he eventually cheated with a younger woman who respected him, NK's post-breakup self-check led her to take internal accountability for her own disrespectful behavior rather than focusing solely on his betrayal. [15:19 - 18:38] Creative Outlets: Rom-Coms, Psychological Thrillers, and Family Resilience NK outlines her publishing company, K Maccas, featuring When the Bar is in Hell (a rom-com about dating at 40 and ego) and her psychological thriller The Reading (which reached #9 on Amazon's psych thriller list), exploring what happens when a woman finally challenges decades-old toxic friendships. She also shares her joy in co-authoring 11 books with her son, who battles Lokan syndrome (vision loss and kidney failure), blending narrative children's stories (like puddle hunting and meeting a sea lion in the Bahamas) with activity books designed to keep him engaged during long medical appointments. [18:39 - 23:22] Daily Gratitude, Shifting Perspectives, and Evaluating Toxic Friendships Grounded by her son's daily health journey, NK views every pain-free day as a demonstration of grace. She reveals how a pivotal encounter with a man named "Fire"—who directly called out her ego—prompted a complete life audit, leading her to step back from user-type friendships, family members who only called for financial assistance, and unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking. [23:23 - 25:43] The 80/20 Rule of Self-Love: 3 Golden Rules for Solo Mothers NK delivers three practical tips for solo mothers considering dating or personal growth: You are enough: Accept your worth baseline without needing external validation or performance. Protect your future self: If dating a person will harm the future version of you, walk away immediately. The 80/20 Rule: Get comfortable in your own skin and pour 80% of your love and energy into yourself and your soul, leaving 20% for the rest of the world. To help you put these transformational concepts into practice, make sure to access the resources and community links provided below. Featured Resources Growth does not happen by simply listening to a conversation; it occurs when we actively apply these practical lessons to our daily lives. I encourage you to take the next step by connecting with NK Navarro's literary works and getting involved in our supportive solo mother community. Connect with NK Navarro Explore Her Books: Discover NK's rom-com When the Bar is in Hell, her psychological thriller The Reading, and her inspirational children's and activity books co-authored with her son. Her books are available across all major retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Books-A-Million, and Amazon (https://link.amazon/B0f4hAMEi). Visit Her Official Website: Learn more about her writing and publishing projects at nknavarro.com (https://nknavarro.com/). Check Out Her Author Page: Be sure to view NK's full catalog directly on her Amazon Author Page (https://link.amazon/B00qhEQ45) link included in our episode show notes. Connect with J. Rosemarie Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to hit the subscribe button and leave an honest review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps me reach more solo moms who need this exact encouragement! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@solomomstalkpodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@solomomstalkpodcast) Share the Love: Please pass this episode along to another single mother who could use a reminder that she is enough and deserves firm, healthy boundaries. Join Our Community: Stay connected with me and become an active part of our growing solo mother community as we support one another through parenting, personal growth, and self-discovery. Drop me an email if you want to chat: jen@jrosemarie.com (mailto:jen@jrosemarie.com) Remember, solo mom, you’re not alone! https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/reclaiming-self-worth-setting-boundaries-and-dating-over-40-w-nk-navarro (https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/reclaiming-self-worth-setting-boundaries-and-dating-over-40-w-nk-navarro) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit francisj.substack.com (https://francisj.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   13 Oct 2026

   How to Align Purpose, Money, and Legacy w/Albert Butler

   Episode Overview Welcome to Solo Moms Talk. I’m J. Rosemarie, and in this episode, we are diving deep into what it truly means to move out of reactive survival mode and intentionally step into purpose-driven, generational success. As solo mothers, so many of us spend our days constantly reacting to immediate demands, leaving long-term financial security and legacy as distant afterthoughts. My conversation with strategic advisor Albert Butler serves as an essential roadmap for any mother balancing family, personal growth, and entrepreneurial ambition without sacrificing her well-being along the way. Albert Butler brings a profoundly holistic perspective to business and personal wealth. Holding an MBA, he is a nationally recognized CPA, author, father, youth coach, and community leader who created the Legacy Alignment System. Rather than treating finance merely as cold numbers on a spreadsheet, Albert approaches his practice as a "financial painkiller." When clients come to him in distress, he starts not with balance sheets, but with two fundamental questions: "Who are you and where are you going?" Throughout our sit-down, Albert shares how we can transform life's greatest trials, personal loss, and daily hustle into structured, multi-generational stability by aligning purpose, structure, money, and legacy. For the solo mother who feels isolated on an "island of one," Albert’s insights offer an actionable, transformative mental shift. He dismantles the myth that we must carry every burden alone, illustrating how emotional release, community support, and systemic financial literacy build true family resilience. When we master the mechanics of currency and prioritize foundational alignment, we unlock a superpower that elevates both our immediate households and our future generations. As we move into the core insights of our discussion, let us examine the specific frameworks, daily habits, and strategic principles Albert shares to help you build your legacy on purpose. Key Takeaways My goal in sharing these conversations is to give you practical, bite-sized tools that you can integrate directly into your busy life. When we break down big concepts like operational enterprise balance, processing emotional vulnerability, and understanding the true mechanics of currency, we discover practical steps to shift our daily routines from overwhelmed survival to empowered strategy. [00:00] - Introduction & The Human Behind the Numbers Albert introduces himself beyond his professional credentials, defining his core identity as a father, uncle, cousin, youth coach, and aspiring family patriarch. As a CPA licensed across multiple states, he operates as a "painkiller" for his clients, looking past surface calculations to ask the foundational human questions: "Who are you and where are you going?" [03:15] - The Power of the 'Plan, Act, Review' Framework Building momentum requires a simple yet disciplined daily rhythm. Albert outlines his actionable three-step routine: plan quickly every night before bed, review that plan upon waking in the morning, act intentionally throughout the day, and conduct a critical mirror review at night to evaluate achievements, methods, and areas for improvement. [06:45] - Escaping the 'Island of One' Addressing solo mothers directly, Albert delivers an honest message: "You cannot do it alone." While a mother may feel trapped on an island alone, the reality is that she is on an "island of one" with dependent children looking up at her. Carrying this complete dependence without support creates a severe mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual drain. Albert emphasizes the necessity of building a village and allowing emotional release: "Crying is a natural thing that we must do because that's our body releasing emotion", whether sad or happy. [10:30] - Deconstructing Money ("Money Is Not Real") Albert demystifies paper currency by pointing out that a dollar bill is merely a "note". A legal agreement to exchange goods and services. Because paper currency continually depreciates through inflation (making today's dollars worth far less than yesterday's), real value resides in tangible resources, goods, and services that sustain a family. As Albert teaches: "Do what you do for purpose. And when you do what you do for purpose, money will automatically come flooding to you." [14:10] - The Spark Behind the Book Albert shares the distinct origins of his book, Life, Truth, Love, Loss, Success, and Failure: Quotes and Advice from a Father to His Kids to Win in Life. The deeper realization of unwritten family histories struck him following the passing of his parents. Later, while traveling early in his career to Singapore, leaving behind his wife and newborn daughter, the daunting fear of leaving his young family without fatherly guidance prompted him to begin recording quotes, scriptures, and aphorisms. Crucially, the book focuses on winning in life rather than at life; winning "at" implies a static finish line, whereas winning "in" equips children for life's continuous ups, downs, lefts, rights, and loops. [18:25] - Accounting as the Heartbeat & The 5 Muscles of Enterprise Enterprise structure applies equally to corporate entities and personal households through the "5 Muscles of Enterprise": Leadership (the head/mind), Operations (the legs/production), Sales (the arms/reach), IT & Infrastructure (data/blood flow), and Accounting (the heart). Accounting maintains internal balance through universal cause and effect. To illustrate imbalance, Albert uses vivid metaphors: when the human body falls ill, or when the planet experiences earthquakes, typhoons, and hurricanes, it is nature seeking re-balance because its "accounting" is off. Furthermore, accounting acts as a "fortune teller"—revealing the past (financial reports/tax returns), the present (treasury/cash in bank), and the future (forecasting/budgeting). [23:00] - The Sequence of Scaling Growth must follow a strict, non-negotiable hierarchy to prevent burn-out and household failure: Scale yourself first, scale your family second, and scale your business third. Launching a business without prior personal and family alignment is dangerous because starting a business is like "birthing a new baby that needs every part of you to survive." If you rush into business without scaling yourself and your family first, you risk neglecting the very people you are building for. As Albert reminds us, when you lie on your deathbed at the end of life's journey, your business will not be standing at your bedside, your family will. [26:45] - Parting Wisdom & The Champion's Mantra To navigate "the in-between", those heavy 2:00 AM moments of self-doubt in front of the bathroom mirror, Albert shares a powerful reflection mantra: "I can because I will. I will because I can. I don't say can't because I can. I am a champion. I train like a champion. I practice like a champion. I work like a champion. Therefore, I will win like a champion." Albert explicitly highlights the true nature of this practice: "That is not motivation. That is perseverance." To turn these strategic insights into immediate practice, explore the exact tools, literature, and contact links provided below. Resources & Call to Action (CTA) Inspiration alone cannot transform a household; building true multi-generational wealth and emotional well-being requires structured execution and strong support systems. Take your next step toward building a lasting legacy by exploring the resources shared in this episode: Connect with Albert: Learn more about strategic advisory services and the Legacy Alignment System by visiting albertbutler.com (https://albertbutler.com/) or searching online for "Albert Butler CPA." Grab the Book: Find Albert’s guide for his children on Amazon: Life, Truth, Love, Loss, Success, and Failure: Quotes and Advice from a Father to His Kids to Win in Life. Connect with J. Rosemarie: Subscribe to Solo Moms Talk, leave a review, and join our community of intentional solo mothers supporting one another on the journey to personal and financial success. Mandatory Legal & Professional Disclosure: Please note that the content discussed in this episode is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The conversation does not constitute a formal CPA or professional financial engagement. A formal professional relationship is only established upon the execution of a signed written contract between parties. Thank you for spending your time with me today. Remember, while life happens in those challenging in-between moments, you possess the inner strength to navigate every trial. Keep pressing forward, build your village, scale yourself first, and choose your legacy on purpose. You’ve got this! And I'm here if you need to chat: jen@jrosemarie.com (mailto:jen@jrosemarie.com) https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/how-to-align-purpose-money-and-legacy-w-albert-butler (https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/how-to-align-purpose-money-and-legacy-w-albert-butler) This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free. (https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=jenniferfrancis1) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy (https://podcorn.com/privacy) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit francisj.substack.com (https://francisj.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

25

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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