Seeking Different

Hera and Estela McLeod

Single Mother by Choice (former co-host of The Mocha SMC Podcast) Hera McLeod teams up with her precocious nine year old daughter Estela for the podcast "Seeking Different". The Mom and Kid duo explore what it looks like to navigate the world as a non-traditional family. They discuss hot topics such as donor sibling relationships, family travel, school choice, race relations, and navigating the playground.

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Kids & FamilyKids & Family

Episodes

Season 3: Episode 1: Revolutionizing Donor Identity Disclosure with Dylan Morgan from Cascade Cryobank
Sep 23 2024
Season 3: Episode 1: Revolutionizing Donor Identity Disclosure with Dylan Morgan from Cascade Cryobank
Ever wondered what it's like to transition from a sperm donor to the Chief Operations Officer of a leading cryobank? Join us in an eye-opening episode of Seeking Different as Dylan Morgan, COO of Cascade Cryobank, takes us through his personal and professional journey. We'll explore Cascade Cryobank's groundbreaking Early Identity Disclosure Program, which offers recipient families immediate access to donor identities upon reporting a live birth. Dylan shares the program's origins, the essential role of psychological assessments for donors, and their collaboration with mental health expert Melanie Michelson. This episode uncovers how this innovative approach aims to meet the mental health needs of donor-conceived individuals and their families, ensuring transparency and support.In another segment, we tackle the emotional and ethical complexities of being a sperm donor, including the lifelong implications and potential connections with donor-conceived children. Dylan recounts his own experiences and highlights the importance of open ID in fostering familial bonds. Stela's curiosity about her donor adds a heartfelt layer to our discussion, emphasizing the significance of heritage and identity. To lighten the mood, we dive into our shared passion for spicy foods, swapping amusing anecdotes about the hottest things we've ever tasted and even sharing some tips on making hot honey. This candid conversation promises to both educate and entertain, offering a rare glimpse into the world of sperm donation.
Season 2, Episode 11: Navigating the Thrills and Spills of Tween Crushes and School Yard Gossip
Sep 23 2024
Season 2, Episode 11: Navigating the Thrills and Spills of Tween Crushes and School Yard Gossip
Remember the flutters of first crushes and the buzz of schoolyard whispers? Together with my daughter Estela, we take a heartfelt plunge into the world of tween crushes and the ensuing gossip that can feel like navigating a minefield. We swap stories, with Estela offering a peek into the pulse of today's tween experiences, rife with the excitement and anxiety of burgeoning attractions, as well as the sometimes harsh reality of gossip. Through laughter and a bit of cringing, we dissect how to manage the tender confessions of young hearts, proposing personal journals as a safe haven for those secrets not quite ready for the light of day.Ah, the rollercoaster of tweenage drama, where yesterday's crush could become today's mortification—believe me, I've been there. Recalling my own tales of awkward crushes, like the time I found myself bewildered by the Brazilian classmate I once admired from afar, I share how these experiences, complete with the perils of puberty and cruel jokes, shaped my understanding of the often strange dance of youthful attraction. We encourage embracing individual preferences without the sting of judgment and invite our listeners to join the conversation—because whether you're a parent navigating these waters with your child or simply reminiscing about your own squirm-worthy escapades, we're all in this together. Catch our candid discussions on Instagram at Seeking Different, and share your own journey through the laughs and the lessons of growing up.
Season 2, Episode 10: Defying Silence: A Mother's Memoir and the Fight for Children's Justice
Sep 23 2024
Season 2, Episode 10: Defying Silence: A Mother's Memoir and the Fight for Children's Justice
Hera and Estela bring you a new episode - that explains why they've taken a bit of a hiatus. They've both been writing books! And Hera has just released her memoir, ten years in the making, that's both deeply personal and universally touching. "Defying Silence," her memoir, unveils the heart-wrenching journey of losing her son and the struggle against a justice system that let them down. Hera and Estela grapple with the profound impact of stories like this and how they foster connections, albeit with a mindfulness to shield the innocence of our younger listeners. Through the revelation of Hera's book, they contemplate the challenges of presenting mature themes while still engaging in meaningful conversations with those not yet ready to hear them, such as Estela herself.Switching lanes to advocacy, the episode intensifies as we discuss the indispensability of adult intervention in safeguarding children's rights and well-being. Recounting her own battles within the family court system, Hera emphasizes the urgency for reforms that truly put children first. They dissect the implications of not only hearing but believing the voices of the young in legal quandaries, and the profound necessity for systemic overhaul. The dialogue is a call to action, urging listeners to recognize the stories of struggle that too many face and to join the fight for a future where the next generation's battles are not as daunting as their own.
Season 2, Episode 6: Embracing Diversity - A Conversation on Unique Family Structures
Sep 23 2024
Season 2, Episode 6: Embracing Diversity - A Conversation on Unique Family Structures
This week we recap on the first week of school and discuss how kid social interactions have changed post pandemic (particularly for kids who were school aged during the height of it). Have you ever considered how remote learning impacted children's social skills? Picture this, a young student, fresh from a year of remote learning, navigating the trials and tribulations of the playground. We travel through this terrain on Seeking Different, delving into the intricacies of making friends in these "post pandemic" times. We examine the pressure kids feel to form friendships quickly upon their return to school and how playtime, a critical component of relationship-building, has changed due to the restrictions imposed by this pandemic.Now, let's shake it up and zoom in on family structures. Ever thought about the awkwardness a single parent might face in the PTA meetings or the innocent curiosity that comes from a child being raised in a diverse family structure? We face these queries head-on with candid conversations about single-parenting and diverse family structures that break the traditional mold. We share firsthand experiences, like the gaffe of a school principal assuming a random man as a mom's "better half" and a classmate's unique experience of having two moms. We stress the importance of acknowledging and accepting these myriad family structures and discuss how to best navigate conversations about family diversity with children. Join us for this powerful exploration of modern family life.