By Chance Avenue

By Chance Avenue

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By Chance Avenue episodes

  • 69. Redefining Vulnerability and Childlessness with Fabiana Formica

    In this insightful and heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss sits down with writer Fabiana Formica to discuss her new book, 'Childless, A Woman and a Girl in a Man's World.' Fabiana shares her journey of grappling with the desire for motherhood, the societal pressures she faced, and how her own personal experiences have shaped her perspective on life and power as a childless woman. The conversation delves into Fabiana’s multifaceted career, her personal growth, and the profound influence of her grandmother on her life. They explore the emotional complexity of her decisions, the therapeutic power of writing, and the importance of creating a full and meaningful life without children. This episode offers a candid look at redefining womanhood and finding empowerment and purpose outside traditional paths.

    Fabiana Formica considers herself an artist, first and foremost. She believes it is her duty to question things, and much of her passion and drive comes from a place of curiosity, insight, and intuition. She is guided by a deep desire to make the uncomfortable choice—the difficult choice—to preserve her soul, stay alive, and resist becoming what society expects her to be.

    Born in Rome to a Romanian-American mother and Italian father, Fabiana was raised between Italy and New York. She spent a decade as a news producer and TV editor for major outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters, covering global events. Alongside her journalism career, she pursued acting, performing mainly in theatre and appearing in short films and television. She is best known to cult horror fans for her role in Dellamorte Dellamore (Cemetery Man), which earned her a place in horror cinema history.

    Now based in Los Angeles, Fabiana studies literature and creative writing, with a strong interest in psychoanalysis and the female condition. Her debut memoir, Childless – A Woman and a Girl in a Man’s World, is a deeply personal exploration of motherhood, identity, and the challenges of living in a male-dominated world.

    • Guest's Background and New Book
    • Exploring Childlessness and Personal Journey
    • Emotional Struggles and Career Shifts
    • Freezing Eggs and Facing Challenges
    • Deciding Against Single Motherhood
    • Writing as a Healing Process
    • Fond Memories of Grandmother Melania
    • A Deep Connection in Final Days
    • The Unexpected Passing and Its Impact
    • Imaginary Daughter and Writing as Therapy
    • The Role of Motherhood Beyond Children
    • Balancing Giving and Receiving
    • he Purpose and Takeaway of the Book
    • Creating a Full Life Without Children
    • Final Thoughts and Where to Find the Book

    Connect with Fabiana:

    Instagram: @fabiana_formica

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiana-formica-a33695201/

    Childless: A Woman and a Girl in a Man's World

    https://www.amazon.com/Childless-Woman-Girl-Mans-World-ebook/dp/B0F2JBDH37

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    51 min
  • 68. 5 Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned on this Childless Journey

    In this heartfelt episode of By Chance Avenue, host Elizabeth shares five unforeseen lessons she has learned through her years on a childless journey. She opens up about losing connections with friends who became parents, the complicated grief that it brings, and the importance of setting boundaries while still offering compassion. Elizabeth also discusses the unexpected triggers that come with this path, the redefined joy she has found in her life, and the realization that her life isn't on pause but is an open canvas full of possibilities. She invites listeners to reflect on their own unexpected truths and encourages them to feel seen, understood, and less alone.

    • Losing Connections
    • Understanding Others' Silence
    • Unexpected Triggers
    • Redefining Joy
    • Embracing a Blank Canvas
    • Conclusion: You Are Not Alone

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    15 min
  • 67. Faith and Purpose Through Grief with Debbie Simmons

    In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss converses with Debbie Simmons, founder of the ministry Anchor Point, about her personal journey through infertility, the heartbreaking loss of her quadruplets, and finding purpose through faith. Debbie shares profound insights on moving from grief to thriving, the importance of asking 'how' instead of 'why', and the significance of building a meaningful legacy. This conversation explores the power of intentional living, finding safe spaces for support, and the role of faith in overcoming life's toughest challenges.

    What You'll Hear:

    • Introduction and Guest Welcome
    • Debbie's Background and Ministry
    • Personal Journey and Infertility Struggles
    • The Loss and Grief Process
    • Finding Purpose and Helping Others
    • Faith and Overcoming Challenges
    • Building a Faith Muscle
    • Encouragement for Women Struggling with Faith
    • Embracing Vulnerability and Seeking Support
    • Overcoming Shame and Guilt
    • Finding Value and Trusting in God's Plan
    • Sharing Stories and Building Safe Friendships
    • Practical Steps for Emotional Healing
    • Navigating Friendships and Finding Community
    • Volunteering and Finding Purpose
    • Legacy Coaching and Intentional Living
    • Conclusion and Resources

    Get your FREE copy now

    https://theheartoflegacy.com/


    Connect with Debbie:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedebbiesimmons/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedebbiesimmons/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedebbiesimmons/


    Debbie's Offer:

    https://thedebbiesimmons.com/best-strategy/


    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    43 min
  • 66. How to Honor Your Past

    Elizabeth shares a transformative reflection inspired by a Dalai Lama quote emphasizing the importance of living in the present. She delves into personal experiences of grief, unexpected life chapters, and the journey of becoming and unbecoming. Elizabeth invites listeners to honor their past, gently release what's holding them back, and find joy in the simplicity of today. This episode serves as a reminder that healing and growth happen in the present moment, encouraging listeners to breathe, rest, and embrace life fully.

    • Welcome and Introduction
    • Reflection on a Dalai Lama Quote
    • Honoring the Past Without Getting Stuck
    • Embracing the Present Moment
    • Personal Journey and Becoming
    • Living Fully and Moving Forward
    • Final Thoughts and Inspiration

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    10 min
  • 65. How Caroline Found Healing and Home in Hawaii After Letting Go of Motherhood

    In this powerful and deeply moving episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss sits down with lawyer and Hawaii resident Caroline Elliot to talk about letting go of the dream of motherhood, rebuilding life after grief, and choosing to live with intention. Caroline shares the emotional journey behind her decision to close the chapter on having children, leave her North Carolina home, and boldly move to Honolulu with her husband and their two dogs. This is a conversation about courage, healing, mental health, and the freedom of choosing a new path—even when it’s incredibly hard.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • What it’s like to grieve the dream of motherhood
    • How Caroline and her husband made the decision to stop fertility treatments
    • The emotional impact of living in a home built for children when children don’t come
    • Why Caroline says moving to Hawaii was a form of reclaiming her life
    • How therapy and conscious choice helped her heal and reconnect with her partner
    • The importance of designing a life that reflects who you are now, not who you thought you’d be

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    34 min
  • 64. You Are Enough...

    Elizabeth opens up about her lifelong struggle with self-worth and the deep belief that she’s not enough, a belief rooted in childhood and compounded by years of infertility. Through reflection and a simple meditation that repeats the words “you are enough,” she shares how she’s beginning to rewrite that story with compassion and tenderness. This episode is an invitation to anyone carrying silent grief, shame, or self-doubt to pause, breathe, and begin offering themselves the love they truly deserve.

    What You’ll Hear:

    • The surprising power of a meditation that repeats “you are enough”
    • How childhood patterns and infertility shaped Elizabeth’s self-worth
    • The quiet ways we judge and disconnect from our bodies
    • A compassionate reframing of how we speak to ourselves
    • A reminder that healing begins with grace, not criticism
    • Encouragement to practice being, not just doing, and to believe you are worthy just as you are

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    9 min
  • 63. How Tapping Is Helping Me Heal on My Childless Journey

    In this episode, Elizabeth shares how tapping meditation (EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique) has helped her reconnect with herself and regulate her nervous system during difficult seasons of life, including infertility and burnout. She walks you through a gentle, guided tapping session specifically created for women who are childless not by choice, offering space to acknowledge grief, soften into healing, and begin rewriting your story with love and self-compassion.

    What You’ll Hear:

    • What tapping meditation (EFT) is and how it works
    • Elizabeth’s personal journey with EFT and why it’s become a daily practice
    • A guided tapping meditation for women who are childless not by choice
    • How this practice supports emotional regulation and healing
    • Gentle reminders that your story matters and you are not alone

    Resources mentioned in this video:

    https://www.thetappingsolution.com/

    Scroll down this page, and you will find the video on how to ta

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    18 min
  • 62. How to Do Summer Differently When You Don't Have Kids

    In this episode, Elizabeth invites you into a gentler rhythm of summer, one that’s not defined by packed calendars, family vacations, or Instagram-worthy plans. Instead, she explores what it means to reclaim summer as a childless woman and lean into a slower, more intentional pace.

    From backyard mornings to feel-good K-dramas (need to know a good one? Send Elizabeth a DM and she'll give you recs!), Elizabeth shares what her version of summer joy looks like, and why giving yourself permission to rest isn’t laziness...it’s radical self-love. Whether you’re craving ease, healing, or simply a season that feels good for your soul, this episode reminds you that your summer gets to look like yours. No guilt, no pressure Just presence.

    What you’ll hear:

    • Why summer can look different (and freeing!) for those without kids
    • How to embrace ease instead of productivity
    • Ways to reclaim childlike joy through simple pleasures
    • The healing power of doing “nothing” and choosing slow living
    • Why K-dramas are Elizabeth’s new favorite mental escape (with recs!)
    • Encouragement to release the “shoulds” and follow what feels good


    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    17 min
  • 61. How My Husband Feels About Father’s Day Without Kids

    In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with her husband, Victor, for a raw and vulnerable conversation on Father’s Day. This is a day that carries quiet complexity for those navigating life without children and inside this episode, what starts as a casual check-in turns into a heartfelt exchange about grief, identity, societal pressure, and the silent ways men often carry loss.

    Victor opens up about how Father’s Day really feels for him, what it’s like to grieve without clear rituals or community, and the emotional weight of letting go of a dream he never thought he’d have to release. Together, they reflect on shared grief, gender differences in emotional processing, and how this journey continues to evolve over time.


    Whether you’re walking this path with a partner or solo, this episode offers insight, connection, and comfort in knowing that you are not alone—and that grief, while it may never fully disappear, can soften with time.


    In this episode, you'll hear:

    • A vulnerable, unscripted conversation about the emotional impact of Father’s Day
    • How men process childlessness differently than women—and why it’s often invisible
    • Why it’s important to acknowledge “silent grief”
    • Reflections on guilt, identity, and healing as a couple
    • The power of honest conversations in relationships


    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    27 min
  • 60. When Life Feels Messy and Real Talk About Hard Times

    In this heartfelt solo episode of By Chance, Elizabeth opens up about the tender reality of being in an emotional in-between space. She had a different topic planned—but instead, she chose to show up exactly as she is. No sugarcoating. No pretending. Just real talk about the loneliness, the inner questioning, and the quiet doubts that surface in the messy middle of life. If you’ve been feeling a little off lately or wondering if you’re doing enough, this episode is here to remind you: you are not alone.

    You’ll hear:

    • Why life doesn’t always feel like sunshine and joy, even after beautiful experiences
    • What it means to let things be messy instead of trying to fix them
    • How emotional fog and creative burnout show up (and how to name it)
    • The reality of working from home, running a business, and feeling isolated
    • What small rituals can ground you during tough seasons
    • Why rest, prayer, and gentle self-compassion matter more than ever
    • A loving reminder that this, too, shall pass

    Connect with Elizabeth:

    IG: @bychanceavenue

    Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

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

    8 min

About By Chance Avenue

From the publisher's feed

Hi friend! If you are a woman who does not have kids by chance, not by choice, this message is for you. If you had an inner desire to be a mother but never came to reality, this show is for you. If you got married at a later stage in your life, or if you are single and you never had the chance to even try, this is for you.