Beyond the Struggle: Rise and Thrive
Beyond the Struggle: Rise and Thrive is a podcast dedicated to empowering single parents by exploring the vital support systems they need to succeed. Each episode offers practical advice, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to help single parents build and maintain their own ”village” of support. From identifying community resources to connecting with fellow parents, this podcast provides the tools and encouragement needed to navigate the challenges of single parenting and thrive in every aspect of life.
Episodes
Host LaFortune dismantles the harmful myth that single motherhood causes troubled children and shows how blaming moms ignores systemic issues like poverty, trauma, absent fathers, mass incarceration, underfunded schools, and lack of mental-health resources.
The episode outlines what children really need—stability, emotional safety, mentorship, accountability from all adults, and community support—and honors the resilience of single...
In this episode of Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Thrive, host LaFortune interviews Tami Gaines about her years-long NICU journey with micro-preemie twins and the challenges single parents face. Tami shares practical strategies—from setting intentions and boundaries to the PEACE mindset—for surviving the NICU, reclaiming purpose, and building community. This conversation offers hope, tangible resources, and ...
Today's episode explores how to find your way back to yourself after life knocks you off course. Whether you've experienced heartbreak, burnout, loss, or slow seasons of disconnection, this episode offers gentle steps—slowing down, asking what feels true now, and taking micro actions—to realign, reclaim identity, and rebuild with resilience.
Grab a cup, breathe, and join us as we move from being lost to aligned—on...
Host LaFortune sits down with Melissa Schultz, MSBC.BA, to explore real strategies for single parents raising neurodiverse children. They cover what neurodiversity means, common misconceptions, and how to stay calm, connected, and confident through meltdowns, school advocacy, and daily overwhelm.
Listeners will learn simple, practical tools—reset techniques for parents, sensory and connection strategies, the "beads in a jar" ...
In this episode, we explore the frustration of unsolicited parenting advice from people who’ve never parented, how judgment wears parents down, and how compassion, boundaries, and community can make the journey gentler. You are not alone — keep showing up, keep rising, and keep thriving beyond the struggle. Visit www.momflex.org to join our village.
Resilience, Parenting Through Adversity, and Building a Strong Village of Support for Single Parents
Today’s guest is Olaolu Ogunyemi — U.S. Marine officer, award-winning author, leadership mentor, and founder of Parent-Child Connect. In this episode he shares personal stories and practical strategies for cultivating resilience, modeling emotional intelligence, building supportive villages, and guiding children through adversity. Tune in to learn how small daily habits, honest communication, and intentional community c...
In this episode we talk cancel culture and generational trauma: Breaking the cycles as single parents.
Welcome back to Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Drive with LaFortune. In this episode we unpack the history and stigma of single motherhood, examine how male-dominated institutions shaped public perception, and call for accountability, systemic change, and community support.
To single mothers: you are not less than — you are rising. To everyone else: listen, amplify, and help build a fairer narrative.
Single parenting can feel like a solo journey, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode we explore the difference between discipline and abuse, share real stories from exhausted single parents, and offer practical ways to set loving boundaries with confidence.
Learn how to stand firm with compassion, distinguish harm from healthy accountability, and find emotional support from others who understand the struggle.
In this episode, host LaFortune opens the curtain on the hidden sacrifices of parenting — the sleepless nights, missed meals, extra jobs, and quiet prayers done so children can feel safe and cared for. A heartfelt message for parents and their children about love, resilience, and understanding.
This episode explores the unique challenges single mothers face while raising children during perimenopause and menopause. It highlights how the hormonal, emotional, and physical changes of midlife often overlap with the demands of parenting, especially when children are also going through their own developmental stages.
Listeners learn about the emotional toll, ...
Host LaFortune urges single parents to reclaim their dreams—showing how gratitude and ambition can coexist and how daring to want more transforms both parent and child.
Parenting can feel like a solo journey, but it doesn't have to be. Introducing MomFlexApp, the ultimate village web app designed just for you. From financial support to community connections, MomFlexApp offers a lifeline, helping you navigate parenting with confiden...
Today's episode explores a truth many parents carry silently: our children often see only the parent, not the person behind that role. We live as providers, protectors, nurturers, and disciplinarians — but few glimpse the child we once were, the battles we survived, and the scars we carry. This episode peels back those layers to reveal the resilience born from hardship.
The host shares a powerful personal story of surviving c...
In this episode of Beyond the Struggle, host LaFortune explores how unhealed ego turns co-parenting into a power struggle that hurts children. Hear real examples and practical steps—therapy, neutral communication, co-parenting tools, clear boundaries, and compassion—to prioritize your child's wellbeing and break the cycle.
Join host LaFortune in this empowering episode of Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Drive, where she challenges the narrative around single parents being "bad with money." Discover how systemic underpayment and economic inequalities affect financial decisions and mental health, and learn why traditional advice often falls short for single parents.
Hear real stories like Maya's, a mother navigating an impossible financial la...
Join us in this inspiring episode of Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Thrive, where we delve into the unique challenges and triumphs of single parenting during the back-to-school season. Hosted by LaFortune, this episode offers real-life stories and practical advice to help single parents navigate the hectic and emotionally taxing return to school.
Discover how the MomFlex App can serve as your village, providing community connection...
Join us on Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Drive as we delve into the multifaceted journey of parenting. This episode explores the unique stages of raising children, from toddlers to teens, emphasizing emotional safety, connection, and personal growth. Listen to real-life stories from parents, uncover developmental insights, and discover how evolving alongside your children can strengthen bonds. Whether you're dealing with a toddler'...
In this soul-stirring episode, the host explores the spiritual concept that children choose their parents before birth. Drawing from both metaphysical beliefs and real-life stories, the episode challenges the traditional idea of randomness in conception and instead suggests that a deeper, soul-level agreement is at play.
Listeners are invited to consider that eve...
In this impactful episode of "Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Thrive," host LaFortune delves into the raw and honest realities of single parenting through pain. Listeners will hear powerful real-life stories of resilience and transformation from single parents who have faced significant hardships, such as loss, heartbreak, and starting over.
Through the poignant narratives of parents like Sarah, Jason, and Tasha, the episode explores...
Welcome to another empowering episode of Beyond the Struggle, Rise and Drive, where we delve into the raw and real stories of single parenting. In today's discussion, "Motherhood Without a Manual," we embrace the chaos and celebrate the resilience needed to navigate motherhood without an instruction guide.
Join us as we explore the judgment faced by mothers, especially those raising children alone. We highlight the strength require...
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