What if the secret to financial freedom and a richer life wasn’t in earning more—but in living with less?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, financial planner and founder of The Tiny House Advisor, Laura Lynch, shares how the tiny living movement is rewriting the rules of homeownership, community, and enoughness. From leaving behind a 2,000-square-foot house to becoming mortgage-free, Laura’s journey is as much about values as it is about square footage.

She explains what draws people to tiny living, why it’s not just about finances, and how it can create space for creativity, sustainability, and deeper connection. Plus, Laura offers practical tips for anyone curious about downsizing or exploring alternative living—without losing what matters most.

Whether tiny living feels like a dream, a challenge, or something you’ve never considered, this episode invites you to rethink what “home” really means.

Key Takeaways

• Your biggest financial lever isn’t coffee—it’s housing: Downsizing can free up resources more than any budgeting tip or skipped latte ever could.

• Start with values, not square footage: A home should reflect what matters most to you—not what marketing or tradition says you need.

• Community thrives in smaller spaces: Alternative living often fosters stronger connection and resource sharing, countering isolation in conventional neighborhoods.

• Legalization is local and nuanced: Tiny homes aren’t one-size-fits-all; zoning and permitting vary widely, so research and persistence are key.

• Test before you leap: Stay in a tiny home or visit a community before making the transition to see how the lifestyle truly feels.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.

Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com

Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman

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The guest on this episode, Laura Lynch, is a Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of The Tiny House Advisor. Laura helps individuals and families navigate the financial and logistical realities of downsizing, alternative housing, and creating lives that feel expansive—no matter the square footage. She also hosts the Less House, More Moolah podcast, where she features stories and strategies for financial freedom through intentional living.

Learn more at: https://www.thetinyhouseadviser.com/Connect on Instagram: @lesshousemoremoolapodcast

What does it really mean to live the “right” life, and is that even possible?

In this solo episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily Paulsen unpacks the assumptions people make about the show, shares why she created it, and explores the deeper purpose behind normalizing childfree living. Along the way, she challenges the myth of the “perfect path” and reminds us that living with curiosity, not comparison, is what truly matters.

Emily also answers listener questions about her personal story, how she chooses topics, and what she hopes the future of the show looks like. From branding advice to dream guests, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the vision for a podcast that celebrates autonomy, individuality, and expansive possibilities for a life on your own terms.

Whether you’re navigating societal expectations or simply craving conversations that reflect your reality, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a renewed sense of freedom to live life your way.

Key Takeaways:

• Choice is the real freedom: There’s no single “right path,” only the power to choose and evolve as you go. 

• Representation matters: Visibility for childfree perspectives helps normalize an equally valid life path. 

• Curiosity keeps us open: Asking questions and exploring ideas prevents us from living on autopilot. 

• Audience-first creation wins: Any creative project should center on who it serves, not just the creator’s vision. 

• Engagement makes it better: Sharing your ideas and feedback shapes content that truly resonates.

Want to connect, share episode ideas, or apply to be a guest?

Visit⁠ www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com⁠ to join the conversation and explore what’s next.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.

Learn more about Emily on her website:⁠ www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com⁠And connect with her on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/⁠

What if low energy, brain fog, or mood swings had less to do with motivation—and more to do with your microbiome?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, registered dietitian and researcher Dr. Mindy Patterson breaks down what gut health really is, why it matters, and how it quietly affects everything from digestion and blood sugar to inflammation, hormones, and longevity.

She explains the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and resistant starch—plus why not all fiber is beneficial, and how some “gut health” products may be doing more harm than good. This is a grounded, science-backed conversation about what’s going on beneath the surface and how to work with your gut, not against it.

Whether gut health feels confusing or you’ve already tried every probiotic on the shelf, this episode offers clarity, real guidance, and a better way forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Gut health impacts far more than digestion. It’s connected to mood, energy, immunity, and inflammation across the entire body.

• Prebiotics and probiotics are not the same. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria; probiotics are the bacteria themselves—and both are essential.

• Resistant starch is a powerful prebiotic. It ferments slowly, making it more tolerable for sensitive guts while also supporting blood sugar regulation.

• Short-chain fibers found in many wellness drinks may trigger bloating or discomfort. The type of fiber matters more than the amount.

• Consistent, small changes to your diet can start reshaping your microbiome in just a few days—but lasting results come from long-term habits.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

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The guest on this episode, Dr. Mindy Patterson, is a registered dietitian, professor, researcher, and founder of Renutrin—a prebiotic fiber supplement designed to reduce inflammation, support blood sugar, and improve gut health without the typical digestive side effects. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Women’s Health, and more, and she has authored over 10 peer-reviewed publications.

Learn more at: www.renutrin.coConnect with her on LinkedIn: Dr. Mindy Patterson

What does it mean to live as a woman when you’ve chosen to step outside the script?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, host Emily Paulsen talks with transformational coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Rewrite the Mother Code, Dr. Gertrude Lyons about the quiet rules women inherit around sacrifice, care, and emotional labor and how those rules shape our choices, confidence, and sense of self.

Together, they explore the subtle ways women are taught to equate worth with overgiving, how to stand firm in your truth without becoming hardened, and why emotional expression is one of the most undervalued sources of strength. This conversation is about womanhood, self-trust, and redefining care on your own terms.

Key Takeaways

• We inherit expectations we didn’t choose. Many women were handed a definition of femininity built around sacrifice, selflessness, and constant caretaking. It’s okay to question that.

• Choosing yourself isn’t selfish. Prioritizing your own well-being and fulfillment isn’t indulgent, it’s vital. And when women care for themselves, everyone benefits.

• Unshakeable doesn’t mean defensive. You don’t need to justify your choices. Confidence grows from clarity, not explanation.

• You are allowed to be complex. You can be soft and strong. Kind and firm. Giving and self-honoring.

• Your emotions are not the problem. Emotional presence is not weakness—it’s wisdom. The more you feel, the more fully you live.
  

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

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The guest on this episode,  Dr. Gertrude Lyons has dedicated her professional life to exploring the transformative capacity of all people. Dr. Lyons received her Ed.D. in 2017, and has given workshops at Google, International Coaches Federation, Hey Mama, and more. She has been published or appeared in The Guardian, WSJ, Thrive Global, The Bump, Motherly, Business Insider, and MindBodyGreen, and on Fox NY & Chicago, Good Day LA, NewsNation, and WGN radio. She is the host of the podcast, “Rewrite the Mother Code,” and lives in Chicago, where she and her husband Rich raised their own family.

Learn more about Dr. Lyons on her website: www.drgertrudelyons.com 

Connect with her online: 

IG: instagram.com/drgertrudelyons  

LI: www.linkedin.com/in/gertrudelyons/ 

And order a copy of her book:  https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/book-rewrite-the-mother-code

Is AI here to take over, or help us take back our time, energy, and creativity?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily Paulsen sat down with AI strategist Jordache Johnson, founder of Never Tech Behind to talk about what this technology is really doing to our minds, our culture, and our day-to-day choices. They talked about everything from the actual history of AI to how it's shifting our expectations of convenience, productivity, and what it means to do “good work.”

This isn’t a fear-based take, it’s a grounded, human conversation about critical thinking, boundaries, and the personal responsibility we all have to use these tools with intention. 

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Key Takeaways:

• AI has been here longer than we think. The roots of artificial intelligence go back to 1949, but its current rise is reshaping society at an unprecedented pace.

• We’re in a cultural shift, not just a tech shift. As consumers, our expectations around speed, convenience, and personalization are changing everything.

• The biggest risk isn’t AI, it’s outsourcing our thinking. Jordache shares how he uses AI as a thought partner, not a decision-maker, and why critical thinking is more essential than ever.

• It’s not about resisting AI, it’s about being intentional. You don’t need to be a tech expert to use these tools wisely. Start with curiosity, clear boundaries, and self-awareness.

• Efficiency doesn’t mean less human. AI can give us back time, help us think more creatively, and support our values—if we’re willing to stay in the driver’s seat.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

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The guest on this episode,  Jordache Johnson, is an AI Strategist and AI-First Culture Architect who helps organizations thrive in our AI-driven world. Jordache is the Founder of Never Tech Behind, where he developed the ADAPT System, DICE Method™, and AHA Framework™—proven frameworks that help businesses implement AI sustainably while keeping the human element front and center. As an international keynote speaker, he's known for breaking down complex AI concepts into actionable strategies that entrepreneurs, business leaders and executives can actually use. 

Join Jordache’s newsletter: jordache.ai 

Learn more about his membership: nevertechbehind.com 

And connect with him online: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordachejohnson 

https://www.nevertechbehind.ai/ 

What makes someone magnetic in a meeting, not just competent, but commanding?

In this episode, Emily talks with communications expert and executive coach Janet Bartucci about gravitas: that subtle but powerful presence that gets people to lean in, listen, and take you seriously. Drawing on decades of experience in corporate leadership and brand strategy, Janet breaks down what gravitas really is, why women are often praised for being “good” but not genuinely heard, and how we can start showing up with grounded presence, without shouting, shrinking, or pretending.

This is a practical, personal conversation about what it looks like to stop second-guessing and start leading, in work and in life. 

Key Takeaways

• Gravitas isn’t about being the loudest. It’s about being the clearest. It’s the quiet conviction that makes people pay attention.

• Confidence gets you in the room, gravitas gets you heard. Delivery, tone, and presence often matter more than words alone.

• Recovery is part of power. Missteps happen. Gravitas shows up in how you handle them.

• Visual presence signals self-respect. Style, posture, and polish help you communicate authority before you speak.

• Good girl conditioning keeps us small. Approval-seeking dilutes your power. Gravitas begins with self-trust.

• This is a learnable skill. You don’t have to be born with it—you can develop it with intention, clarity, and practice.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

—

The guest on this episode, Janet Bartucci, is a leadership strategist who helps women stop performing and start leading. After decades inside high-powered boardrooms and executive roles, she saw the same story play out: brilliant women getting overlooked, not because they lacked skill, but because they were stuck in outdated scripts about how to show up.

Through her 5 Steps to a Self-Directed Life framework, Janet now teaches women how to reclaim their voice, lead with grounded authority, and build gravitas that’s not performative, but deeply embodied. Her work is about dropping the “good girl” act and becoming the kind of leader who doesn’t wait to be chosen.

Learn more at www.janetbartucci.com or connect with her on Instagram @janetbartucci.

What if your home isn’t just a reflection of your taste, but a mirror of your story, your ambition, and how you want to feel in the world?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily Paulsen speaks with Jamie Gasparovic, founder of Studio Gaspo, an interior design firm known for creating bold, identity-driven spaces that are anything but ordinary. Together, they explore how our environments can shape our energy, influence our confidence, and quietly reinforce who we believe we are becoming.

This conversation is less about trends and more about intention. Jamie explains why starting with your own identity, not Pinterest, is the key to designing a home that feels meaningful, and how everything from material choices to layout can affect your daily experience. Whether someone is working with a designer or figuring it out room by room, this episode offers a new lens on how space and self are deeply connected.

For anyone who wants their home to feel like a true extension of who they are—not just what’s in style—this episode invites a more personal, empowered approach to design.

Key Takeaways:

• Design can be a form of self-expression. Homes designed with identity in mind feel more personal, impactful, and aligned with the lives people want to live.

• Pinterest isn’t the starting point. Meaningful design begins with self-awareness, not aesthetics. Looking inward helps clarify what a space needs to support.

• Materials matter. From the tactile feel of fabrics to the natural presence of stone, the textures we live with every day affect how we feel.

• Placeholders are okay. It’s better to evolve a space over time than to rush into choices that don’t resonate. Thoughtfulness beats perfection.

• Function and feeling go hand-in-hand. Design isn’t just about beauty—it’s about ease, intention, and creating an environment that works for your real life.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

—

The guest on this episode, Jamie Gasparovic, is the founder of Studio Gaspo, the identity-driven interior design firm known for transforming luxury homes into powerful reflections of clients' values, ambition, and story. With a no-BS approach and a background in advertising and international business, Jamie blends fearless creativity with sharp strategy, designing spaces that don’t just look good, they mean something.

She’s currently building a psychographic design platform that translates who you are into how your home should feel. From high-end builds to visionary tech, Jamie is reshaping the future of design, one unapologetically personal space at a time.

Learn more about Studio Gaspo and connect with Jamie online: 

 https://studiogaspo.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/studiogaspo/ 

Be the first to know about Studio Gaspo’s new launch

https://gaspo.myflodesk.com/iti

What if winding down didn’t have to mean drinking wine or pushing through exhaustion? What if something gentler, something designed with women’s needs in mind, could actually help?

In this episode, Emily Paulsen talks with Lisa Hurwitz, President of Happi, a low-dose, cannabis-infused seltzer brand redefining how women relax, celebrate, and cope with daily stress. They explore what it means to challenge the default rituals we’ve inherited, especially around alcohol, sleep, and self-care, and why so many women are looking for new ways to feel good without guilt, grogginess, or stigma.

From Lisa’s journey off Ambien to the science behind cannabinoids, from entrepreneurship in a male-dominated industry to the emotional labor women carry every day—this conversation is a deep dive into wellness, reinvention, and rewriting the rules of what we reach for when life feels heavy.

Key Takeaways

• Our rituals shape us. From post-work decompression to weekend celebrations, what we reach for matters—and most of us are looking for something lighter, gentler, and more aligned with how we want to feel.

• Stress is stealing our sleep—and our joy. Lisa shares her own journey with insomnia, Ambien, and discovering the impact of low-dose cannabis as a natural alternative.

• Education is everything. Lisa breaks down what’s actually in Happi (like CBN, CBD, lion’s mane, and THC), how dosing works, and why formulation matters so much more than we’ve been told.

• Women are still underrepresented. From funding to product design, the cannabis industry has skewed male—and Happi is part of the push to change that.

• Stigma is real, but shifting. Lisa unpacks the cultural baggage around cannabis, how it’s evolving, and why education and transparency are essential.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

—

The guest on this episode, Lisa Hurwitz, is the President of Happi, a line of all-natural, cannabis-infused seltzers designed to offer a refreshing alternative to alcohol and pharmaceuticals. With a background that spans over two decades in CPG and wellness, Lisa brings both strategic vision and personal passion to her work. Before launching Happi, she served as Chief Marketing Officer at Grassroots Cannabis, playing a key role in its $830 million acquisition by Curaleaf. She also held senior leadership roles at global companies like Kimberly-Clark. Now splitting her time between Nicaragua and the U.S., Lisa is on a mission to help people rethink wellness, stress, and social rituals through approachable microdose cannabis products.

Learn more about Happi and Connect with Lisa Online:

Visit the Website www.happihourdrink.com  and use code CURIOUSLIFE25 for 25% off your first order. 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/happihourdrink

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hurwitz-3318571/

When you’re not planning on having children, you might not give much thought to pelvic health. But what if that space—whether physically present or not—holds more than just reproductive function? What if it carries your power, your patterns, your presence?

In this episode, Emily sat down with somatic therapist Suzi Zobrist, who first discovered the concept of womb wisdom after surviving ovarian cancer and undergoing a radical hysterectomy in her thirties. Suzi’s journey into healing, embodiment, and nervous system regulation opened a new understanding of what it means to live from the root. Together, they explore how tending to this often-overlooked part of ourselves can become a path to deeper aliveness, clarity, and sovereignty, especially for childfree women.

Key Takeaways

• Pelvic health isn’t just for mothers. It’s a powerful entry point into embodiment, intuition, and emotional healing—for all women.

• The pelvic bowl is a place of memory. This part of the body can hold stress, trauma, and tension until we learn how to gently release it.

• Symptoms are messengers. Discomfort or disconnection often signals deeper needs, not just problems to be fixed.

• Daily practices matter. From morning devotionals to breathwork, Suzi offers accessible tools for reconnecting to the body with care.

• There’s no one right rhythm. Part of living childfree is reclaiming a relationship with the body on your own terms—not anyone else’s timeline.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

—

Suzi Zobrist is a Spiritual Mentor, Ceremonial Bodyworker, and Womb Wisdom Keeper devoted to guiding women through the sacred thresholds of healing and remembrance. After losing her womb to ovarian cancer at age 30, Suzi was initiated into a path of deep reclamation—one that led her to the ancient arts of ritual, touch, and feminine embodiment.

Rooted in earth-honoring traditions and the mysteries of the Divine Feminine, Suzi supports women in returning to the sacred center of their bodies through ceremonial bodywork, pelvic care, and rites of passage. She hosts the Tending the Sacred podcast and offers retreats and mentorship from her Temple space on Orcas Island, WA.

Her work is a prayerful invitation to return to the wisdom of the womb, the rhythm of nature, and the wholeness of who we truly are.

Learn more about Suzi and connect with her online: 

Website: rootmedicinehealing.com

Instagram: @suzizobrist

Listen to her Podcast: Tending the Sacred – Listen on Spotify

and  Download her Free Ritual Guide: Daily Devotion Ritual Guide

What if heritage wasn’t just what you inherited, but what you chose to carry forward?

In this expansive conversation, Emily Paulsen is joined by Laura Sura, founder of Heritage Within, to explore how legacy can be defined by presence, energy, and intention rather than tradition or biology. Together, they question the assumptions baked into words like “heritage” and “ancestor,” and open the door to more personal, inclusive, and empowered interpretations.

Rather than centering lineage in the traditional sense, this episode invites listeners to think about legacy as something everyone shapes—consciously or not. Emily and Laura reflect on how values, energy, and even ways of being can become part of what we pass on. They also challenge the pressure to “honor” what no longer feels aligned, and offer a compassionate, curious lens on how to decide what’s truly worth keeping.

For anyone who has ever wondered what it means to leave a mark, to honor the past without being bound by it, or to become the kind of ancestor they wish they’d had—this episode offers both clarity and possibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Heritage as an Intentional Inheritance: How to stop defaulting to what you were handed and begin curating what you’ll carry forward.

• Redefining Ancestry: Why ancestors don’t have to be blood-related—and how chosen influences shape our lives just as powerfully.

• Presence as a Legacy Practice: How the energy we bring into a room becomes part of what we leave behind.

• Letting Go of Obligation: The freedom that comes from releasing traditions or narratives that no longer resonate.

• Legacy Without Lineage: A powerful reminder that legacy isn’t reserved for parents—it’s created by how we live, connect, and show up every day.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. 

Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com  

And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/ 

—

Laura Rike is the founder of Heritage Within, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals redefine legacy and identity beyond biological roots. An adoptee and lifelong advocate for purpose-driven living, Laura believes that true heritage is built through the lives we touch and the values we embody. Through Heritage Within, she creates a supportive space for personal growth, authenticity, and empowerment. Laura’s work inspires others to honor their stories, break free from societal expectations, and leave a legacy of love, courage, and impact.

Learn more about Heritage Within on their website: www.heritagewithin.org