By Chance Avenue

In today's episode, we chat with Melissa Jones who along with her husband Erik, decided to embrace a child-free life after six years of struggling with infertility. Their journey included a traumatic medical experience where Erik faced a life-threatening situation due to an infertility-related surgery. Melissa continues to actively support the child-free community, including hosting a monthly walking club for childless women in Los Angeles. This conversation dives into the emotional phases they went through, including grappling with their identity and societal pressures. Melissa emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and finding joy in their new way of life. She shares personal practices such as journaling, recognizing cultural pressures, and enjoying the quiet simplicity of a child-free home.

Melissa and her husband, Erik, pivoted into a childfree life following six years of infertility. A few months into their newly childfree life, they struggled to find resources to help them transition into a life without children. That frustration inspired them to launch a podcast. For four years, they turned on the mics and discussed their thoughts and experiences and in turn, heard from listeners who bravely shared their own stories. Although the podcast is now retired, Melissa remains passionate about giving a voice to the experience of living unexpectantly childfree. She has been featured on IVFML, HuffPost, InfertileAF, The Fertility Warriors, The Intense Mind with Imi Lo, and Fertility Smarts. Melissa was honored to speak at two Childless Collective Summits and hosts a monthly walking club for childless women in Los Angeles, CA.

Connect with Melissa:

Instagram: @livechildfree

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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Today's conversation with Civilla is about her journey of trying to have a child as a single woman, specifically through adoption. This later led to her passion for providing a voice to the childless community, not by choice, through her podcast for about nine years now.

Civilla is an Author, Blogger, and founder of the Childless not by Choice podcast. She is passionate about writing and spoken word. Civilla truly feels in her element when encouraging others to be all they can be. She does not have much time to relax, but she feels fortunate to live in Florida where there are many beaches to choose from!

Connect with Civilla:

Instagram: @joyandrelevance

Facebook: Childless not by Choice with Civilla Morgan

Tik Tok: 2Podcastertoo

Pinterest: Civilla M Morgan, MSM

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa shares her journey of living child-free after infertility, revealing the challenges and emotional toll of miscarriages and failed fertility treatments. She discusses her powerful transition from self-blame to self-validation, the significance of sharing one’s story, and finding joy beyond motherhood. Drawing from her experience and background in mental health, Lisa founded Family Redefined to support women who are childless not by choice. The discussion emphasizes the importance of seeking support, embracing grief, and finding silver linings in life’s unexpected paths.

Lisa Hohenadel is a compassionate and dedicated coach with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. Drawing from her own lived experience with miscarriage and failed fertility treatments, she created Family Redefined to support women who are childless not by choice. She offers a unique blend of empathy and professional expertise, empowering women to find acceptance and joy in their lives through her transformative programs, Childless Not Less and Childless Empowerment. Her mission is to fill the gap in support for childless women, helping them to redefine fulfillment and build a meaningful life beyond motherhood.

Connect with Lisa:

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Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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Today's episode is our first couple's edition, my first episode with my husband Victor Guss...and he did not disappoint!

Stemming from something a family member said regarding our "by chance" choice, I had the intention of having a conversation with him on this podcast so we could illuminate the husband's or male partner's insight and perspective regarding our infertility journey, adoption, and now living this life after infertility. We've been married for 11 years and in this episode, he got real and shared so openly and I know you're going to love this!

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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In today's episode, I had a very profound conversation with Carrie, a freelance writer based in Northern California known for her vulnerable and authentic writing. We dive into Carrie's journey through infertility, the significant loss of her daughter Clementine, and the eventual embrace of a child-free life with her husband. They explore the emotional struggles, the power of community, and the profound ways grief connects people. Carrie also shares her ongoing projects, including working on a book about her journey. Through their shared experiences, the conversation offers hope and solidarity to others facing similar challenges.

Connect with Carrie:

Instagram: @bloomingwithcare

Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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In this episode, I'm talking about the importance of acknowledging and embracing all emotions, particularly for women living childfree not by choice. I reflect on my personal journey with infertility and adoption, because I've realized that sad stories do NOT define a sad life. We talk about the significance of processing emotions like sadness and joy, sharing insights from therapy and the movie Inside Out (trust me on this one!)

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Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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In this heartfelt episode, my guest Dana shares her journey of getting married later in life and the emotional and physical aspects of entering midlife and perimenopause. The conversation delves into the challenges of infertility, the grief of childlessness, and the importance of finding joy and community. Listen in while she talks about the value of self-care practices such as yoga, breathwork, and positive affirmations while navigating the social dynamics of being child-free. Listeners will gain insights into embracing life's transitions with authenticity and resilience.

About Dana:

Dana is originally from California. She moved to South Florida in her 30s, and after meeting and spending time with men who were not looking for commitment, She went within to learn that loving herself first was necessary to attract her life partner. In 2018, she met Adam, and they dated for a year. They were engaged in 2019 and married in January 2020.

They have continued to grow together and build a loving life. After working in corporate finance and hospitality for decades, she now works as an office coordinator for a local non-profit. She lives in a beautiful community in Delray, and once, she jumped out of an airplane for her birthday!

Instagram: @your_holistic_concierge

Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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In this episode, we chat with Elyse, a single woman navigating life without children or a partner. We discuss societal expectations, personal reflections, and the emotional journey of accepting one's path. Elise shares her experiences with therapy, coping mechanisms, and the importance of communication. She also emphasizes the significance of community and support systems while celebrating her fulfilling life filled with hobbies, career success, and plans to rescue animals. This conversation sheds light on the complexities and beauty of living a life different from societal norms, offering inspiration and validation to listeners.

Elyse is a licensed architect and project manager at a community-driven design firm in Houston, TX. In her free time, she loves all her hobbies. She is currently in the sewing era and making an 18th-century court gown out of her high school curtains.

She is 37 years old, has never been in a relationship longer than 1.5 years (not for lack of trying), and is a proud dog mom to two furry rescue gremlins. She is fiercely independent but dreams of finding someone to share the burdens/joys of life with someday, but I have had to pivot my expectations and plans (as life tends to trash those). For the past two years, she has been on a journey of self-discovery and can honestly say she is happier than ever, but she is still hopeful and curious about the future.

@barkandbeam - instagram

Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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In this episode, we have a conversation with Amy as we dive into the significant life decisions influenced by her medical condition, including her choice not to have children. She also shares the personal journey that led her to start her podcast, Diaries of a Heart Warrior, which highlights stories of those living with similar heart conditions. Amy discusses the emotional challenges and ultimate acceptance of her path, the joy of spoiling her nephews, and the profound satisfaction of living life on her own terms. Through her story, listeners gain a deeper understanding of resilience, self-care, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Amy Erhart is the host of Diaries of a Heart Warrior podcast, born with a congenital heart defect (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome- HLHS), and currently lives with her husband in Ohio.

Connect with Amy:

Amy's podcast: Diaries of a Heart Warrior

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Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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In today's episode, I'm sharing some of the major lessons I've learned over the past decade. Reflecting on my struggles with infertility, adoption, and personal growth, I offer three powerful insights: the importance of asking for help, the danger of losing oneself in single-minded pursuits, and the necessity of recognizing and exercising the power of choice. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion aimed at helping you navigate life's challenges with grace and strength!

Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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Want to share your story? Apply to be a guest!