Parently

In the final episode of Season 6, Cassidy elaborates on how she is navigating life after the death of her husband. She describes the ups and downs of single parenting, and how she strives to keep Matt’s memory alive. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Cassidy Schweer shares a deeply personal story of losing her husband, Matt, at the age of 35 during the global pandemic. She reflects on Matt’s qualities as a father and the beautiful memories he helped make with her two young girls. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Ashley Gustner is a co-founder of the Minnesota Parents and Community Coalition for Childcare - a group committed to making early childhood education accessible, affordable, and high-quality in Minnesota. She explains how her passion for maternal and early childhood health led her through a winding career path including insurance marketing, travel through Asia, health and wellness, and obtaining a Master’s in Public Health. Ashley shares her family’s personal experiences with pregnancy complications due to placenta previa, non-birthing parent postpartum depression, and work-life balance.  MN Parents for Childcare: https://mnparentsforchildcare.com/  MN Parents for Childcare Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GBTzSxGWz/?mibextid=wwXIfr  Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Kate shares how she persevered through new life obstacles, including a breast cancer diagnosis and a divorce from her husband of 21 years. She talks about her ex coming out as queer and their rediscovered friendship as co-parents. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Kate reflects on her experience of international adoption and explains the complex realities of children in transracial families. As a Minnesota native and mother of six, she describes how her family is navigating the current climate in Minneapolis.  Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

College roommates reunite for their annual holiday “Roommas” tradition, sharing stories about their children, motherhood experiences, and reminiscing about the good old days. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

6 years after her original appearance on Parently, Chelsea Clark returns with a beer in hand and velour on the body to share how her life has evolved. She provides updates on the medical journey of her oldest daughter, Juniper, and the expansion of their family with the birth of her second daughter, Gemma. Chelsea reminisces on her experience being an only child, and how her mother’s recent passing has impacted her approach to motherhood. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Michael describes how he navigated mental health struggles and relationships following his daughter’s death. He talks about the joy he has found in life and how Maria will continue to play a role in his vision for the future.  Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

After becoming a father unexpectedly at the age of 20, Michael describes the devastating loss of his daughter and his journey through grief, therapy, and healing. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Kory McKay joins Parently to reflect on her journey from a mother of 3 by the age of 25 to a grandmother of 15 today. She explains how she navigated divorce, remarriage, and combining two families while trying to find her stride as a step mother.   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Rhonda discusses the role mental health played in her decision to have a child, and how a traumatic life event changed her perspective. She shares insights about meditation, her parenting philosophy, and her efforts to raise her son with strong self-awareness and inner trust. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Host Kelsey Higgins is joined by her husband, Andy, in an honest conversation about the rollercoaster ride of parenting. They discuss his journey from initially being content without children to embracing fatherhood with their two kids, and how their parenting approaches have evolved over time. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Growing up in a self-described broken family, Jamie Richardson reflects on her winding journey which led her to becoming a "bonus mom" as well as having a child in her 40s. She discusses the complexities of blended families and the unique co-parenting relationship she's built with her husband's ex-wife and spouse. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Return guest Maura Mena explains how she balances homeschooling her three daughters while running a real estate business with her husband. She highlights their family’s focus on defining partner roles and the importance of tailoring learning to each child's style. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Molly Steffan discusses her transition from healthcare leadership to becoming a special education para, explaining how burnout and her desire to spend more time with her four "neurospicy" children led to this career shift - despite the negative financial impact and personal identity struggles. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Guest Emily Finnerty shares her story of choosing not to have children, discussing her relationship with her husband, and how they gradually drifted away from the idea of parenthood. She also reflects on her current life with her cat Boots and her special relationship with her niece Zoë. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In this episode, Kelsey chats up longtime friend Rachel Steece while revisiting their childhood experiences and discussing how their upbringing plays a role in their parenting philosophies. Rachel shares her approach to work-life balance as a career-focused mother of two, and how becoming a parent impacted her perspective in the office and interactions with colleagues. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Amber Arens joins Parently to discuss her IVF journey that led to her son, Otto. She details the emotional and financial challenges, and shares what life is like as a single mother sharing custody of her three-year-old.Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Parently’s first episode of Season 6, Emily Bauer discusses her dramatic life transformation from working in bars as a new mother to becoming a business owner and founder of Embrace Our Souls. She reflects on her parenting style, navigating changes in her marriage, and her personal growth through meditation and self-discovery.Now through 12/31/25, listeners can use code Parently to receive 20% off orders at embraceoursouls.com.Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Parently’s Season 5 finale, seasoned parent coach Amy Armstrong provides tips on how to address conflict in your relationships and build the skills required for positive parenting. She also explains how fear is an invitation for growth.  thecenterforfamilyresolution.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com