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.
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
Episodes



Monday Sep 01, 2025
Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause as a Single Mother.
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
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, from mood swings to exhaustion, and the importance of self-compassion, open communication with children, and breaking the stigma around seeking support. The episode also shares practical strategies such as building routines, prioritizing nutrition, exercise, and sleep, and leaning on community networks for relief and encouragement.
Above all, it reframes menopause not as an ending but as a powerful new stage of life—one that reveals resilience, wisdom, and strength. Single mothers are reminded that their struggles don’t diminish them but instead showcase their ability to rise and thrive in the face of life’s heaviest seasons.



Thursday Aug 28, 2025
The Audacity to Want More as a Single Parent
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
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 confidence. Find trusted resources, build your support network, and thrive because every parent deserves a village. Join the movement today. Visit momflex.org to install the app and take the first step toward a stronger, more supported you.



Friday Aug 22, 2025
You See the Parent, Not the Person.
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
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 childhood domestic violence, a coma, and later an abusive marriage, ultimately choosing to reclaim life through divorce. These experiences shaped how she shows up as a parent — sometimes as a hero, sometimes overwhelmed — and highlight how unspoken histories influence behavior. Listeners are invited to practice curiosity and compassion toward parents and to recognize that behind every parent is a whole person with a story of survival and strength.



Monday Aug 18, 2025
You Can't Co-Parent with an Unhealed Ego
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
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.



Saturday Aug 02, 2025
You're Not Bad with Money. Your are Underpaid and Overwhelmed.
Saturday Aug 02, 2025
Saturday Aug 02, 2025
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 landscape, and LaFortune's own experiences as a single parent struggling to make ends meet. Gain insights into transforming financial shame into strategy and growth, emphasizing the importance of creating realistic, judgement-free budgets.
LaFortune encourages self-compassion and forgiveness for past financial mistakes, offering practical tips for gradual financial empowerment without pressure. This episode is a rallying cry for single parents to rewrite their financial stories and take back their power, proving that thriving is indeed possible.



Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Single Parenting Through Back-to-School Challenges
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
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 connections and essential resources to lighten your load. Explore the importance of self-care, asking for help, and setting realistic expectations to foster a supportive environment for both you and your children.
Hear powerful narratives from single parents like Sarah, Jimmy, and Marcus, sharing their experiences and aha moments that have helped them manage the chaos and embrace their strength. This episode is a reminder that you are not alone, and with the right tools and support, you can thrive.



Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Parenting Through the Ages: From Toddlers to Teens
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
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's tantrum or navigating a teenager's quest for identity, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and practical tips. Remember, parenting isn't just about fostering your children's growth but embracing your own journey of becoming. Tune in, as we break down the challenges and celebrate the triumphs of parenting at every age.



Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Before the Womb Did Our Children Choose Us?
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
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 even in difficult family dynamics or unexpected pregnancies, the connection between parent and child is intentional and sacred. The episode dives into cultural traditions, pre-birth memories, and even the biological “race to the egg” as potential evidence of this soul selection.
With stories of healing, synchronicity, and purpose, this episode encourages parents to shift from guilt or confusion to curiosity and compassion—recognizing that they were chosen not because they are perfect, but because they are exactly who their child needed on this journey.









