Episode Notes

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk. You’ll recognize yourself in these true-life stories of adversity, challenge, fear, discovery, adventure, expression, and more from women who are walking their lives while their lives walk them and the lasting difference their journeys have made. I’m your host, Diane Wyzga.

Welcome back to Part 2 of the podcast interview with my guest Heidi Frei, creator of Single Soul Circle who joined us from Phoenix, Arizona. Ours seems to be a world made of couples. And yet, some of us – including your host – are quite single. While some women might look at their single state with disappointment, Heidi has created a life work out of being single. She calls herself “The voice for the joys and challenges of the single life.” Heidi created the Single Soul Circle to empower single women to live their lives without fear. Along the way she became a blogger, podcaster, committed planker, and more! I asked Heidi if she had expected the growth that Single Soul Circle enjoyed during the 2020 COVID months. Let’s hear what she has to say about spinning straw into gold.

Minutes 32:57

00:00 to 2:10     Intro

2:10 to 7:38        Single Soul Circle

Host: Single Soul Circle has actually come into its own in the ways you’re describing, by inviting single women into a space to breathe, thrive, commune, grieve, and celebrate together – silly and serious. Did you ever expect this?

• Heidi started by posting her stories about the single life on Facebook
• A means of creative expression
• The stories got deeper; Heidi’s ex-boyfriend got engaged
• People reached out: I went through same thing
• In this communal vulnerability there is connection
• Being single is challenging; you need friends who know how it is and how it can be
• Began to pick up speed but did not want this to be her story
• Podcast appealed to have guests with good stories and good advice
• Heidi began the community with a desire to connect women so they didn’t feel alone
• The circle was intentional; came from a mentoring program for high school students called Girl’s Circle which Heidi wanted to replicate

Host: Was this your way of being as a younger person? This notion of inclusion, circle and bringing others together?

• Heidi moved several times as a child and is sensitive to coming into new situation; wants to be the welcoming voice, come over here
• Because she was on the outside now has empathy for others
• The pink paper note moved her when she felt so scared; she wants to be that for other people
• Thank you, Tracy!

Host: Looking ahead we have no clue or understanding of what’s what; but looking back we begin to have understanding. Heidi brings empathy and compassion. We can hear how her experiences have grown Story Soul Circle and grown Heidi. Take an Atta Girl Lap!

7:38 to 14:45     From Blogger to Podcaster

Host: Heidi’s blog posts are tender, insightful and practical. Morphed into into podcasting. What are some of the delights and challenges you’ve had to face?

• Helping others tell their stories
• Learned so much from her guests
• Enjoys the comments and are moved by an episode
• Some guests have joined up with other guests
• Heidi’s life coach was guest who also grew his podcast, The New Masculinity (how masculinity looks today)
• Fun to help serve another segment and audience
• Heidi has a hard time thinking on her feet, thinking quickly as well as working full-time, finding the time to podcast while experiencing it as a good escape and fun
• Has continued to keep in touch with the podcasting fellowship group which is like family
• Heidi would not have launched without them
• Podcasting is not an easy thing to continue doing; not for sissies
• Podcasting fellowships are like families that we choose to belong to
• Single Soul Circle has an image of circles within circles. The enterprise is charming in its deliberateness
• Single Soul Circle led to another commitment: planking when Heidi couldn’t keep up with a guest on a hike
• It’s important to continually challenge yourself, to be inspired, to do your thing, that thing which makes makes you glow
• Ask yourself: what commitment can I make to myself?
• Decide to make a commitment TO YOURSELF; begin if it changes
• Heidi continues to learn from her guests
• The floor doesn’t know how old you are

14:45 to 19:30     AuntAcdotes

Host: we’ve been talking about COVID, pushing back on isolation, loneliness, connecting with one another. Heidi has established a new role, if you will, for single women without children. Would you tell us a little bit about that.

• Heidi had been looking for another aspect of her podcast that is shorter and outside typical interview
• Aware that many single women are aunts
• Children weren’t in the cards for her
• Heidi’s nieces and nephews are big part of her life – even over distances
• Fun to tell those stories, share ideas, connect
• Created AuntAcdotes: created a few interviews and having fun to share the stories about how we are connecting, learning, sharing; the message about a single life being cool shows a positive life path
• Aunts can spend time and not be disciplinarian so it’s fun and rewarding both
• Upcoming episodes are full of laughter, very relatable
• Message: single women are key to the world beyond connecting with children
• It’s not the same as being a mom but it’s a way to have children in one’s life

19:30 to 23:25     Pivot From Do-ing to Be-ing

Host: how is AuntAcdotes a part of your life pivot from just do-ing to more Be-ing? Tell us more about that shift.

• Heidi is thinking about her nieces and nephews being young and the importance of those young years
• It got Heidi to pause and value the time, the moments, the connections, the sharing, the photos and stories that take place over time and space
• This is sharing in a creative way
• Be-ing is slowing down, appreciating the love you have in your life even if it’s not a romantic partner
• The Love you can get from nieces and nephews is awesome!

Host: We are fortunate to know them from when; who knows those stories? We do! When we’re gone they will have those stories to help them. It completes the circle  

• Heidi has a 23 year old nephew who is moving away from home at the same age Heidi wen she moved away
• Exciting to see his adventurous spirit and how she felt

 23:25 to 27:50     Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone

Host: What 3 tips do you have for our listeners who are thinking about stepping outside their comfort zone, maybe re-inventing themselves?

• Dream: what is something that you’ve wanted to do and been scared to do; take even if a little step each day
• Getting friends and family for encouragement and support. Who is your network? Keep the allies and not the dream-crushers for this project
• Quit making lists for a little while. Just go about your day. Do what you feel like. Sleep in. Watch a movie. Go for a walk. Just move from 1 joy to the next instead of terrorizing yourself with a list. You will feel more fulfilled when you pay attention to self-care
• Heidi postponed her run and enjoyed some interactions with neighborhood-ers which served her better
• Take care of yourself first!

27:50 to 30:54     Legacy

Host: as you sit here today what lasting result would you like to make and for whom?

• Heidi would like to help people feel comfortable with their decisions in their life whether it’s single, married, children, entrepreneur
• Heidi wants to offer the support of community, listening ear, connect them to other helpers
• Enjoys seeing folks find success + connections + community Even if you are no longer in the world there will be the Life you helped create.
• That would be a pretty good way to be
• Host: If the future looks anything like the past or the present Heidi is well on her way to achieving her dream/legacy

Host: Any left unsaid?

• Heidi said what she wanted to share with listeners; excited  Q: left unsaid?
• Everything Heidi wanted to share with listeners is shared; is excited about Single Soul Circle and community

Host: Before I say thank you I want to mention that all social media links and connections to Heidi’s website will be posted in the Episode Notes. Make sure you drop by and check out the many resources, blog posts and podcast episodes available to you! Thank you very much, Heidi, for walking along with us and sharing your life story which, I expect, will be the very inspiration some of our single listeners could use to join you in the Single Soul Circle.

Here we are, at the end of the road but not the journey. Thank you for listening to Part 2 of this episode of Stories From Women Who Walk with your host Diane Wyzga and my guest Heidi Frei, creator of Single Soul Circle, podcaster, blogger and inspirational woman for the joys of living single. Please take a few moments to check out Heidi’s website and podcast  to learn more and perhaps join the Circle. All links to social media are in the Episode Notes.

You’re also invited to check out over 315 episodes of my podcast Stories From Women Who Walk found on Simplecast or your favorite podcast platform, including Android. This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories – stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! You will have wonderful company as we walk our lives together.

Production Team: Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Entering Erdenheim from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

Sound Editing: Dawin Carlisle & First Class Reels

All content and image © 2019 – Present: for credit and attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

 

About Heidi Frei

Heidi Frei is the founder of Single Soul Circle, which includes a blog, podcast and Facebook community. Single Soul Circle is the voice for the joys and challenges of the single life. Heidi has been single for 46 years and felt the single community was one that was ignored and sometimes looked upon with pity. She created Single Soul Circle to give women a place to empower each other and create community. The Facebook group has been holding a weekly happy hour every Friday night at 5 PM Mountain Time. If you would like to join this wonderful group of women, you can email Heid or join the Facebook group to be notified of events and take part in our gatherings/discussions.

How to Stay in Touch with Heidi Frei:

Website & Blog: www.singlesoulcircle.com

Podcast: http://single-soul-circle.simplecast.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/singlesoulcircle

Email: singlesoulcircle@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbVMF8xxlsD-pK2xg8kJEyw

About the Guest

Heidi Frei is the founder of Single Soul Circle, which includes a blog, podcast and Facebook community. Single Soul Circle is the voice for the joys and challenges of the single life. Heidi has been single for 46 years and felt the single community was one that was ignored and sometimes looked upon with pity. She created Single Soul Circle to give women a place to empower each other and create community. The Facebook group has been holding a weekly happy hour every Friday night at 5 PM Mountain Time. If you would like to join this wonderful group of women, you can email Heid or join the Facebook group to be notified of events and take part in our gatherings/discussions.

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