Single Mom Defined’s family is getting bigger! We’re excited to announce the addition of our new baby–a podcast! The Single Mom Defined podcast will share stories from a single parent’s perspective, in an authentic and culturally relevant way. Produced by and for single moms, the bi-monthly show will help control the narrative about Black single mothers and create supportive spaces for all single moms. Every other Wednesday, starting May 10th, guests will talk about everything from self-care and co-parenting to work and relationships. The podcast expands Single Mom Defined’s brand, which already includes an art exhibit, website, and in-person platform.
Single Mom Defined Podcast
The podcast will launch on YouTube and across major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, and Deezer. Listeners can continue the conversation on Single Mom Defined’s social media channels, where they’ll find exclusive clips and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes.
Episode One airs Wednesday, May 10
In the premiere episode, host Heather Hopson welcomes Dr. Rikell Ford and Fro Gang’s Kelli Shakur as they share their journeys into single motherhood. Society often treats single Black mothers as a monolith, forcing them into a narrow and harmful narrative. In reality, each woman’s path to parenting looks different. Some ended relationships, left abusive environments, adopted children, divorced, or became widowed or abandoned. Others raise happy, healthy children alongside their children’s fathers. The inaugural episode centers these varied experiences and explains why every story belongs in the broader conversation about raising America.
Episode Two airs Wednesday, May 24
In the second episode, Heather, Kelli, and Rikell return to discuss the pain many women face when they announce a pregnancy. While society celebrates motherhood with glamorous photo shoots, elaborate gender reveals, and lavish baby showers, single mothers often experience stress instead of joy. Families may respond with disappointment. Fathers may pressure women to terminate pregnancies. Financial realities may make celebrations feel impossible. This episode challenges society to stop shaming single mothers and start supporting them. Guests share difficult pregnancy experiences and offer practical ways to move beyond pain and embrace a hope-filled future.
Single Mom Defined History
The podcast expands the mission of Single Mom Defined to elevate authentic, accurate stories about single Black mothers. In 2018, Motor Mouth Multimedia founder and nationally award-winning writer Heather Hopson searched “Single Black Mom” online and encountered degrading results that labeled her damaged, selfish, and disposable. She questioned how these narratives shape identity, damage self-esteem, and influence public perception. Determined to change the story, she launched Single Mom Defined as a photo essay and video series.
Fifty mothers rewrote the definition of single parenting in their own words, while more than 100 children described their moms as joyous, kind, phenomenal, and affectionate. When the exhibit debuted, Single Mom Defined surveyed 500 attendees who admitted holding negative views of single mothers. After experiencing the exhibit, 93% reported a positive shift in perception. The project sparked meaningful dialogue, elevated mothers’ voices, and helped redefine how society sees single motherhood.
Become a Guest
You can help continue to rewrite our stories. Single Mom Defined is looking for guests for future shows. If you have an episode idea or would like to appear on the Single Mom Defined podcast, email us at hello@singlemomdefined.com. Got television or radio experience? We’re also looking for co-hosts! Send us an example of your on-air work to be considered for this paid hosting gig.
And be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where our podcast goes live first.
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