The Motherhood Reimagined Podcast

A Podcast Exploring And Celebrating All Paths To Motherhood

Thanks so much for signing up to be interviewed by Sarah Kowalski and Motherhood Reimagined. Many women have a vision of how they will become a mother from a very young age. We receive messages throughout our entire lives about what motherhood is supposed to look like. Yet, many women find out that life rarely goes according to plan—especially when it comes to becoming and being a mother. We are required to put down many of our hopes and dreams and face many disappointments.

This podcast aims to celebrate the many ways and unexpected twists turn of the path to motherhood in hopes of making it easier for those who come after us. We’re so glad you are willing to share your story to help others.

Podcast Guest Questions

Please be prepared to discuss your path to motherhood. We will use the questions to guide our conversation, but feel free to add anything that you feel is relevant or has been missed here.

1. As a child, what did you expect for your life? e.g. I always told people I'd have 11 kids.

2. Briefly describe your path to motherhood?

3. How did this path differ from what you pictured throughout your life?

4. What did you need to let go of to embrace your unique path to
motherhood?

5. How did you manage to let go of your original ideas/plans? Strategies, resources, ideas that shifted?

6. If you used a sperm or egg donor, or used a donated embryo, how did you approach that process? How did you pick your bank and your donor? What advice would you give others about using a donor (egg or sperm)?

7. If you adopted, how did you choose what agency, clinic, process to use? What advice would you give others about the adoption process?

8. How are you dealing with the conversation about your child's origins (adoption, sperm donation, egg donation etc) with your child? What are your plans for how to deal with this as your child grows up? How about with others--family, friends, schools, etc.

9. Do you have any regrets about how you became a mother?

10. What's the most surprising thing about your path? What surprised you about how things turned out?

11. Do you think your path to motherhood has in any way changed or altered the relationship you have with your child? For example, if you lack a genetic connection or used a donor, adopted etc, has the lack of genetic connection ever been an issue in how you feel about your child or motherhood?

12. In hindsight, would you do anything differently if you know what you know now.

13. Have you dated while you were pregnant or since your child was born? What can you tell us about this? What advice would you give to others about dating as a single mom?

14. How have you gotten the support you need? Do you have family close by and if not how else have you built a support network? What would you tell others about how to ask and get support?

15. What advice would you give someone if they were struggling to become a mother or looking at a completely different path to motherhood than they had always assumed or dreamed?

16. In what ways has being a mother been different than you expected? How has it in itself been a reimagining as well?

17. What do you love most about being a mother?

18. What do you like least about being a mother?

19. Any other advice for others?

20. Anything else you’d like to add?

Please note, depending on your situation, I will add questions. For example, if you used a known donor, or were in a relationship while deciding to become a single mom, or donated your unused embryos to someone else. I want to hear it all and with your permission we will cover anything unique to your situation.

Technology and General Info

All interviews are recorded (not live) with AUDIO ONLY and take place via Zoom for approximately 45 minutes, but please allow 60 minutes in case we go over. NOTE: We can turn on our video cameras if you prefer so we can see each other while talking but the video will not be used.

Our interview will take place on Zoom. If you have not used Zoom before you will need to download some software. Please do that now so there are no surprises the day of our meeting. You can go here to download that software: https://zoom.us/download .

You should have received a Zoom meeting link when you registered. If you did not, please contact me now so I can send you a link.

As a backup, please send a connection request to sarahlkowalski from your Skype account at least one day prior to our interview as a back up if we run into problems on Zoom.

If you are participating via your computer (preferred), you need to be connected to the Internet, preferably wired/Ethernet. If you are using Zoom or Skype on your cell phone, you need to be in a location with excellent cell service.

If you are participating via your computer, you need a headset (preferred) or headphones (at a minimum, to prevent echoing).

Please remember to silence your phone and turn off your desktop and device notifications.

Overall, make sure you're in a quiet location that doesn't echo when you speak for the duration of the interview.

Please Sign The Release

Release Disclaimer

Your Name (required)

Your Lastname (required)

Your Email (required)

I hereby grant to Sarah Kowalski, Motherhood Reimagined Company and Motherhood Reimagined Podcast and their employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, successors, and assigns the right and permission to record, use, publish, stream live, offer for sale, or otherwise distribute any audio or video interview with me. Such right and permission includes, but is not limited to, my name, recorded voice or video, photograph or likeness, biographical information, handouts or any material based upon or derived therefrom, including written form in future books, blog posts or newsletters.
I understand that Sarah Kowalski, Motherhood Reimagined Company and Motherhood Reimagined Podcast at its sole discretion, produce presentations or publications based in whole or in part upon audio interview (or any portions thereof) and/or a video or audio recordings or photographs of said interview, and that such media or transcripts may appear in print, online, books, or in any manner of/or media, including but not limited to promoting the podcast or streaming audio program.
I understand that my name, likeness and photograph may be used in connection with the Program, and in advertising and promotional material for the Program, but not as an endorsement of any product or service. I will clearly notify Sarah Kowalski in writing if I prefer to use a pseudonym.
I have no right of approval, no claim for compensation, and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based upon invasion of privacy, defamation, or right of publicity) arising out of or in connection with, any use, alteration, or use in any composite form hereunder. I hereby warrant and represent that I have the right to enter into this agreement and to grant the rights granted to Motherhood Reimagined Podcast herein.
I agree that during the course of the interview I have not violated the rights of any third parties, including but not limited to copyrights, rights of privacy, trade secrets, and non-disclosure agreements, and that in the event of any breach of any of these warranties, that I will defend and hold Sarah Kowalski, Motherhood Reimagined Company and Motherhood Reimagined Podcast harmless and without indemnity against any such claims. This release shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

By checking this box you agree to all the above-mentioned points