Chasing Happy

A Chat With a Friend on All Things ‘Single Mother by Choice’

Today I’m sitting down with my friend Katie Seller — entrepreneur, badass jewelry designer, and single-mother-by-choice trailblazer. We get into everything: the decision to pursue motherhood solo, the expectations we internalize from society, the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatments, and the very real logistics of donor selection, IUI, IVF, and doing it all without a partner. Katie shares the moment she stopped giving a f*ck about timelines, how a breakdown on the Golden Gate Bridge became a turning point, and what it actually looks like to navigate pregnancy, birth, and parenting as a solo mom. We also talk about my own current TTC journey (yep… including last week’s surprise plot twist), the lack of education around fertility, and the power of choosing motherhood on your own terms. We wrap by circling into her business, her activism, her mutual aid project, and what support and community actually look like when you’re walking this path without a traditional partner structure. This one is vulnerable, empowering, and full of honest truth about what it takes to answer the desire to be a mom — no matter what that looks like. 🔗 Connect with Katie & Babe Co * Shop Babe Co: wearebabe.com  [https://wearebabe.com/] * Babe Co on Instagram: @wearebabeco [https://www.instagram.com/wearebabeco/] 🤝 Collective Aid OC (Katie’s Mutual Aid Project) * Instagram (info, locations, how to help): @collectiveaidoc [https://www.instagram.com/collectiveaidoc/] * > In the bio you’ll find: donation links (Venmo), Amazon wishlist, volunteer info, and how to host a fridge/pantry. 🧬 Fertility Resources Mentioned * California Cryobank [https://www.cryobank.com/] – Sperm bank with extensive donor profiles, genetic screening, and options for at-home insemination and clinical use. * Kindbody [https://kindbody.com/] – Modern fertility clinic network offering IUI, IVF, egg freezing, and full-spectrum conception care (including a Denver clinic + multiple locations nationwide). ✨ Key Takeaways * The moment Katie realized she was done waiting for the “right person” to become a mom — and how societal timelines can derail us. * Why single motherhood by choice is often not even presented as an option, and why visibility matters. * The emotional and logistical realities of IUI vs. IVF, donor selection, genetic testing, and the sheer lack of education around women’s reproductive health. * How isolating fertility treatment can be — and why community is vital, whether through donor sibling groups or supportive friends/family. * The mental load of doing everything solo: pregnancy, birth, healing, working, and raising a newborn without a partner to tap out to. * Differentiating a “donor” from a “dad,” and how Katie talks to her son about their family structure. * The unexpected benefits (and challenges) of parenting solo — including independence, intuition, and building your own rhythms. * Katie’s take on dating after 40 as a SMBC, and why she still deeply believes in love. * Her current work: protest jewelry, bold branding, and creating a mutual aid network feeding local communities in need. * What support truly looks like for women choosing this path — and why you don’t have to wait for a partner to become a mom. ----------------------------- Brought to you by Hot Mess Consulting, where killer brands and shopify websites are built. Check them out at www.hotmesshustle.com [https://www.hotmesshustle.com/]. Follow meeee (Angela) on Facebook (yes, I guess that means I'm old): https://www.facebook.com/afroschl  [https://www.facebook.com/afroschl ] OKK if you insist on Insta instead, no one is following me over there but it's the best I can do for you: https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/ [https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/]

Monthly Diary Updates (November)

In this month’s diaries episode, I’m closing out season one of Chasing Happy with a really honest, really tender life update. I share why I’ve decided that 25 episodes and six months feels like a natural pause point, what’s coming up with my move to California, and how I’m thinking about coming back even better in season two. I also finally spill the “nausea-level nervous” news I teased on Facebook: how I decided to try to get pregnant in a completely new way this cycle (yes, the old-fashioned way with a donor), what that actually looked like logistically and emotionally, and why it felt both terrifying and deeply aligned. I talk about being in the two-week wait, starting a binge eating support group, shifting my focus from weight loss to my actual relationship with food, and the bigger theme underneath it all—giving myself permission to change my mind, over and over, even when I thought I had everything perfectly planned out. Key Takeaways / Themes * Season one wrap: why I’m pressing pause after 25 episodes and six months, and how I’m thinking about season two. * The behind-the-scenes of trying to conceive as a single mom by choice, including using a donor and choosing “natural” conception this time. * The difference between frozen and fresh sperm, timing, and why that mattered in my decision-making process. * How my move to California and fertility clinic transfer influenced (and complicated) my timeline. * Why I joined a binge eating support group and shifted from focusing on weight loss to healing my relationship with food. * The bigger permission slip: you’re always allowed to change your mind, even after you’ve made a plan that felt “right” before. ----------------------------- Brought to you by Hot Mess Consulting, where killer brands and shopify websites are built. Check them out at www.hotmesshustle.com [https://www.hotmesshustle.com/]. Follow meeee (Angela) on Facebook (yes, I guess that means I'm old): https://www.facebook.com/afroschl  [https://www.facebook.com/afroschl ] OKK if you insist on Insta instead, no one is following me over there but it's the best I can do for you: https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/ [https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/]

All Things Financial (for Biz and Life): a Chat with an Accountant

In this episode, I’m chatting with my friend Christyne Gray, founder of She Profits Now. Christyne’s not your typical accountant — she helps business owners and creatives take control of their money in a way that actually supports their happiness and peace of mind. We talk about what financial wellness really looks like, how systems like Profit First and envelope-style banking can totally change your life (and your nervous system), and why it’s never too early to start setting up purpose-assigned accounts — whether you’re a business owner or not. We also dig into the mindset side of money: why we avoid looking at it, how to release the shame or anxiety around it, and how intentional financial structure can actually create more space, rest, and joy in your everyday life. ✨ Takeaways * The difference between bookkeeping, CFO strategy, and true financial empowerment * How allocation systems (like Profit First or Relay banking) reduce stress and decision fatigue * The 40/20/40 cash flow rule and how it supports sustainable business growth * Why understanding your numbers matters more than chasing more sales * How financial clarity directly impacts your peace, confidence, and happiness 📚 Resources Mentioned * She Profits Now [https://sheprofitsnow.com] * Christyne’s Financially Fabulous coaching program [https://financiallyfabulous.com/] * Follow her Insta: @christynegray [https://www.instagram.com/christynegray/] * Join the She Profits now Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/sheprofitsnow] * Relay Banking System (for envelope-style cash management) * The Profit First method by Mike Michalowicz ----------------------------- Brought to you by Hot Mess Consulting, where killer brands and shopify websites are built. Check them out at www.hotmesshustle.com [https://www.hotmesshustle.com/]. Follow meeee (Angela) on Facebook (yes, I guess that means I'm old): https://www.facebook.com/afroschl  [https://www.facebook.com/afroschl ] OKK if you insist on Insta instead, no one is following me over there but it's the best I can do for you: https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/ [https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/]

Meditation Alternatives

In this solo, I get honest about my relationship with meditation — from a 10-day silent retreat to the seasons where I “don’t have time” and feel like I’m doing it wrong. I give a quick origin story (it’s older and broader than you think), what meditation is actually for (attention training, presence, emotional regulation), and then the fun part: all the non-traditional ways to get the same benefits — movement, nature, creativity, breath, and everyday moments of awareness. If you’ve ever said “I can’t meditate,” this one’s for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Meditation isn’t emptying your mind; it’s training your attention. * The common thread across traditions: presence, clarity, and reduced suffering. * Focused attention, open awareness, and loving-kindness are simple, portable frameworks. * You can practice awareness in motion: walking, swimming, hiking, even chores. * Nature is a built-in regulator; slow down to notice what’s always been there. * The “win” is catching reactivity sooner and choosing your response. * Technique matters less than intention; consistency beats intensity. * If seated practice isn’t your thing, design a daily “presence rep” another way. REFLECTION PROMPTS * What activity reliably helps you lose track of time (flow)? * Where in your day could you insert a 2-minute “attention rep”? * When did you notice reactivity this week — and what did you choose next? ----------------------------- Brought to you by Hot Mess Consulting, where killer brands and shopify websites are built. Check them out at www.hotmesshustle.com [https://www.hotmesshustle.com/]. Follow meeee (Angela) on Facebook (yes, I guess that means I'm old): https://www.facebook.com/afroschl  [https://www.facebook.com/afroschl ] OKK if you insist on Insta instead, no one is following me over there but it's the best I can do for you: https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/ [https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/]

Dating These Days: a Chat with a Friend

This Halloween, I’m sitting down with my internet friend turned real-life kindred spirit, Candace Cravalho. We dive into the chaos and comedy of modern dating — including one story that still has me laughing (and cringing). Candace shares her journey from divorce to relocation, from starting over in business to finally finding a love that feels peaceful and real. We talk about what it means to stop chasing butterflies, start trusting yourself again, and build a life that’s full — with or without a partner. Takeaways: * You’re never truly starting over — you’re starting again with experience. * Don’t wait for a partner to start living your life. * Knowing yourself is the real secret to attracting aligned love. * True happiness often looks like calm, not fireworks. * Financial and emotional independence are the foundation of healthy relationships. Resources Mentioned: * White Raven Boutique [https://whiteravenboutique.com] * Bella Salon Austin [https://bellasalonaustin.com] * Follow Candace on Instagram: @candacecravalho [https://www.instagram.com/candacecravalho] ----------------------------- Brought to you by Hot Mess Consulting, where killer brands and shopify websites are built. Check them out at www.hotmesshustle.com [https://www.hotmesshustle.com/]. Follow meeee (Angela) on Facebook (yes, I guess that means I'm old): https://www.facebook.com/afroschl  [https://www.facebook.com/afroschl ] OKK if you insist on Insta instead, no one is following me over there but it's the best I can do for you: https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/ [https://www.instagram.com/angelafroschl/]