Curious Life of a Childfree Woman

What do we really mean when we talk about “sex appeal”? And what if it has very little to do with how you look—and everything to do with how you feel about yourself?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily Paulsen sits down with Lauren White, a business sexologist and certified sexological bodyworker who helps women access deeper levels of pleasure, confidence, and magnetism in every part of life. Together, they explore how erotic energy influences how you lead, connect, and move through the world—not just how you show up in the bedroom.

You’ll hear Lauren break down what it really means to be magnetic, why repelling the wrong people is essential to attracting the right ones, and how power and pleasure are deeply connected. This conversation challenges tired narratives about sexuality and instead invites you to embrace the parts of yourself that make you feel most alive.

If you’ve ever felt unsure of your presence, stuck in self-doubt, or curious about how to feel more turned on by your life, this episode offers a grounded and liberating perspective.

Key Takeaways:

• Magnetism starts from within. True sex appeal isn’t about external validation—it’s about turning ourselves on first.

• The willingness to repel is essential. Being magnetic requires a bold willingness to be seen clearly, even if it means turning some people off.

• Sexual energy is life energy. When we’re disconnected from our erotic selves, it impacts our ability to be present, powerful, and fulfilled in all areas of life.

• Fulfillment flows through the web of our lives. Every thread—professional, personal, sensual—is connected and reinforcing.

• Turn-on is a compass. If something doesn’t light you up, ask yourself: Why am I tolerating this? 

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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, Lauren White, is The Business Sexologist - an award winning sexologist, certified sexological bodyworker and business mentor for women who want to lock in their most powerful and potent frequency to get the next-level love, the money and pleasure. She is the host of White Hot Business Podcast, an international speaker and the author of Permission: Personal liberation for switched on women. 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram:www.instagram.com/laurenwhiteau

And book a session her website: 

www.laurenwhite.com.au/session 

What does it mean to plan for your future when the standard life script doesn’t apply? In this episode, Emily sits down with Bri Conn, Certified Financial Planner at Childfree Wealth, to talk about how financial planning looks different when you’re not planning for kids, college funds, or passing down an inheritance.

They explored how traditional advice often misses the mark for people living intentionally outside the norm—and how childfree individuals can redefine wealth, purpose, and legacy in ways that actually align with their values. Bri shared why life planning is just as important as financial planning, what it means to embrace a “Die With Zero” approach, and how to make money decisions that support the life you want to live right now—not decades from now.

This conversation is both practical and expansive, covering everything from end-of-life planning to joyful spending to what a fulfilling, flexible career might look like when you’re designing life on your own terms.

Key Takeaways:

• Childfree wealth isn’t just about money—it’s about living with intention.

• Traditional financial advice assumes a life with children. Bri breaks down why that framework doesn’t serve everyone.

• Life planning comes first: figuring out what you actually want your life to look like is the foundation for any financial plan.

• Financial independence doesn’t have to mean early retirement—it can mean flexible work, seasonal schedules, or working for joy.

• Legacy can be redefined. Whether it’s gifting to a charity while you’re alive, supporting a niece or nephew, or sponsoring a park bench in your favorite neighborhood, impact doesn’t require offspring.
  

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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, Bri Conn, is the Chief Experience Officer of Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping people simplify their finances so they can live an amazing Childfree life. She is also a Childfree Wealth Specialist® and the co-host of the Childfree Wealth podcast. In her free time, Bri loves hiking, running, and generally anything that involves being outside. Childfree Wealth® has been featured on Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, and many other publications. In her free time, Bri loves hiking, running, and generally anything that involves being outside. Her core values are community, education, social participation, & sustainability. 

Connect with Bri and Learn More about Childfree Wealth: Podcast https://childfreewealth.buzzsprout.com/  

Website https://childfreewealth.com/ 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5cl-dxgWlLk6HwDKwfs0jA 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfree-wealth 

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

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/childfreewealth/ — 

The Childfree Guide to Life & Money by Dr. Jay Zigmont: https://a.co/d/4Mu2pWf

What happens when your world is turned upside down and you choose reinvention instead of retreat?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily speaks with Laura Ericson—a writer, travel entrepreneur, and proud member of the childfree community—whose divorce became the unlikely spark for a total life transformation. After leaving behind a 14-year career in higher education, Laura followed her curiosity across the globe and built a thriving travel company that leads immersive, ethical group trips to destinations often misunderstood by the Western gaze.

From solo travel to soul-stirring adventures, Laura opens up about the unexpected ways that discomfort, cultural immersion, and stepping outside your routine can catalyze personal growth. Together, she and Emily explore the connection between being childfree and having the freedom—mentally, emotionally, and logistically—to say yes to life’s biggest adventures.

Key Takeaways

• Why travel can be a catalyst for reinvention: Laura shares how leaving her marriage and her career opened the door to a completely different life—and business.

• The truth about transformational travel: It's not about luxury or escape. It's about discomfort, immersion, and seeing yourself with new eyes.

• Being childfree and travel freedom: Laura reflects on how not having kids gave her the capacity to build a global business rooted in purpose.

• Ethical travel matters: From tipping generously to steering clear of elephant rides, Laura reveals how small choices can create a massive ripple effect.

• How to give back while exploring the world: Learn how Laura’s trips incorporate real community impact—and why it’s not about charity, but humanity.

• What happens when we strip away the roles we play?: Travel offers a rare chance to reconnect with the parts of ourselves we forget in everyday 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/ 

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The guest on this episode, Laura Ericson, traded her 14-year career in higher education in 2021 to start a group travel company after a divorce that became her unexpected catalyst for rediscovery. She's not just a traveler – she's a cultural bridge-builder who ventures beyond tourist hotspots to shine light on misunderstood destinations like Kenya, India, and Cuba. Since taking the leap into entrepreneurship, Laura has guided over 220 solo travelers through transformative journeys across eight countries. Her childfree lifestyle allows her to fully dedicate herself to creating authentic adventures that many only dream about. As a writer, content creator, and impact-focused travel curator, she designs experiences that don't just cross borders – they break down barriers. Her mission is to help others discover the world's most fascinating places through a lens of authenticity and intention, while creating positive ripples in every community she touches. 

Connect with Laura online: www.lauraericson.com

www.instagram.com/lolawhiskey

www.facebook.com/groups/lolalovestravel

What does beauty mean to you—and how has your relationship with it evolved over the years?

In this vibrant episode, Emily chats with Jess Elbaum, celebrity hair and makeup artist and national artist for Sisley Paris, about the power of beauty as self-expression and the freedom that comes with embracing your own personal style. From her Indiana roots to the sets of Modern Family and Entourage, Jess shares her inspiring career journey and how the beauty industry has transformed through the years.

They also explore the pressure (and pleasure) of looking camera-ready, the evolution of routines in your 30s and 40s, and how living a childfree life can open up time, space, and confidence for radical self-care.

Key Takeaways

• Beauty as Expression, Not Perfection: Jess shares how makeup and hair can help us feel like the boldest, most alive version of ourselves.

• The Evolution of Routine: From cheerleading lipstick to late-blooming exercise routines, Jess reflects on how our self-care shifts with age and awareness.

• The Rise of DIY Beauty: How social media and tutorials have democratized beauty knowledge—and why the industry will never be the same.

• Childfree Freedom: Jess opens up about choosing not to have children and how that decision has shaped her career, her marriage, and her sense of fulfillment.

• Celebrity Wisdom: What Jess has learned from working with stars like Sofía Vergara—and why even the most famous faces lean on their glam squads for emotional support.

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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, Jess Elbaum, has been a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist for 20 plus years in Los Angeles & New York. She was the Key Hairstylist for over 8 years on Modern Family. Some other credits include, The Conners, & Magnum PI, Griselda, & Entourage. She has appeared in Allure, Marie Claire, & Elle magazine. Jess is now located in New York City & is the National Celebrity Artist for Sisley Paris. 

Connect with Jess on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/jesselbaum 

We’ve all been there—standing in a fitting room, wondering why nothing seems to fit quite right. But what if the problem isn’t your body—it’s the system that designed the clothes in the first place?

In this powerful conversation, Emily sits down with engineer-turned-entrepreneur Susan Spencer, the creator of Seamly.io, an open-source fashion software project reshaping how clothing is designed and made. They dig into why the traditional fashion industry gets sizing so wrong, the surprising role colonization played in shaping today’s sizing systems, and what it would take to make clothing truly inclusive and body-honoring.

Susan shares how her experience as a patternmaker in an all-male tech space gave her the courage to question fashion’s status quo—and how Seamly is giving power back to both creators and wearers.

Key Takeaways

• Modern sizing is based on outdated military data: Susan explains how today’s clothing sizes are built on a narrow dataset originally created for soldiers—and why that leaves most bodies out of the equation.

• The fashion industry manufactures blame: Instead of fixing flawed sizing systems or wasteful production, fashion brands push the narrative that consumers need to buy more or “fit in.”

• Open-source tools are changing who gets to create: With Seamly, Susan is making it possible for anyone to design, alter, and share patterns—breaking down barriers to entry in fashion design.

• Sewing is a form of liberation: Susan shares how making clothes from scratch can shift the way people relate to their bodies, their time, and their creativity.

• Sustainability requires system-level change: From overproduction to trend cycles, the real sustainability issues start long before a garment hits the rack—and Susan believes solutions must begin with design and manufacturing.

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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 is Sue Spencer. She is the founder and CEO of Seamly, an open-source fashion design software company that is revolutionizing how clothing is made. With a background as a NASA systems analyst, Sue applied her problem-solving skills to an industry in desperate need of innovation—fashion.

She discovered that much of the waste, poor fit, and inefficiency in fashion stems from outdated pattern-making systems and a production model that prioritizes speed over sustainability. Seamly offers a solution: a digital, customizable design system that enables designers to create patterns tailored to real bodies, reducing fabric waste and improving fit.

Through Seamly, Sue is proving that better design tools can create a more ethical, sustainable, and functional fashion industry.

https://seamly.io  

https://linkedin.com/in/susan-l-spencer 

Learn more about Seamly and Connect with Sue online:

In this thought-provoking episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily welcomes nervous system expert and embodiment coach Olivia Marie for a transformative conversation about capacity, self-trust, and nervous system regulation. Olivia unpacks the difference between true expansion and chronic override, and how so many high-achieving women are living at full capacity—yet still trying to do more.

Together, they explore what it means to live a self-led life, why “normal” is just a reflection of what we’ve been exposed to, and how reclaiming your nervous system is a revolutionary act. Whether you’re constantly overwhelmed, feeling disconnected from your own needs, or simply curious about how to create more spaciousness in your life, this episode offers both insight and invitation.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout is feedback, not failure—and it often points to patterns of chronic override.

• The “Starbucks Cup” analogy helps visualize how full most nervous systems already are before life adds more stress.

• Nervous system regulation creates capacity for presence, discernment, and deeper self-leadership.

• Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re invitations for more aligned connection and energy flow.

• “Normal” is a moving target, shaped by conditioning—not truth.

• Tiny moments of self-abandonment add up, and recognizing them is the first step toward reclaiming power.

• You can hold duality—empowerment and fear, clarity and confusion, expansion and stillness can coexist.

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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 is Olivia Marie, a doctor with a degree in psychology and a deep expertise in nervous system regulation, business energetics, and wealth expansion. She has helped high-level entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders transform their experience of success—not through force or hustle, but by mastering deep nervous system recalibration.

Her signature Rapid Rewire Technique helps women move past subconscious blocks, expand their capacity to receive, and scale their businesses in a way that feels effortless, aligned, and deeply fulfilling. Olivia built her own 7+ figure empire in under 2.5 years—not through burnout, but by regulating her nervous system to hold more. Now, she teaches others to do the same.

Her work redefines wealth as more than just money—it’s aliveness, love, fulfillment, bliss, and joy. She believes that true success isn’t about pushing harder, but about expanding your ability to receive.

Learn More about Olivia on her website: 

https://www.keepupwithliv.com/Connect with her on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/keepupwithliv/ 

And listen to her Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/beyond-limits-with-olivia-marie/id1529358695 

We talk a lot about physical and mental health—but what about social health?

In this episode, Emily sits down with Florence Wlodarski, co-founder of Parallel Social Club, to explore why social wellbeing is a crucial (yet often overlooked) part of our lives. Florence shares how adult friendships impact everything from our happiness to our longevity, and why creating deep, meaningful connections is both possible and necessary—especially for those living a childfree life.

They dive into the loneliness epidemic, the science behind friendship and health, and how we can all cultivate intentional relationships that enrich our lives. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, looking for new friendships or hoping to deepen existing ones, this conversation is an invitation to rethink how we connect—with others and ourselves.

Florence also shares the story behind Parallel Social Club: a growing community for adults living a kid-free lifestyle who want more than small talk and surface-level connections. From Find Your Five dinners to curated events around LA, she’s helping people gather with purpose and discover their own version of a fulfilling social life.

Key Takeaways:

• What Social Health Really Means: It’s not about how many friends you have—it’s about the quality of your connections and how supported you feel.

• The Loneliness Epidemic Is Real: From the U.S. Surgeon General to Harvard’s longevity study, the science is clear—deep relationships are vital to your wellbeing.

• Why Adult Friendships Feel So Hard: Without built-in “social containers” like school or parenting groups, many adults feel disconnected—and childfree adults often feel this even more.

• Intentional Friendships Take Effort: Social health, like physical or mental health, requires consistent investment. It’s not passive—it’s something we can practice.

• Find Your Five: The people you spend the most time with shape your energy, mindset, and joy. Florence shares how to cultivate deeper connections—with structure, curiosity, and care.

The article Emily referenced in this episode can be found here:  https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2023/12/18/how-social-connection-supports-longevity/

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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 is Florence Wlodarski, the Co-Founder of PARALLEL, a social club based in Los Angeles, building community for those living the kid-free lifestyle, focusing on spurring meaningful connections, lifelong friendships and personal growth over shared experiences. Florence has a Masters Degree in Social Work and has an extensive professional background in bringing people and organizations together through community engagement and government relations strategies and has worked to build partnerships between Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofits and government agencies for more than 20 years. Today, Florence is here to talk about the vision behind PARALLEL and the importance of social health, especially for those who are childfree. 

Learn more about Florence and Parallel Social Club on their website:

website -- parallelsocialclub.com 

And connect with her on socials: 

Instagram -- instagram.com/parallelsocialclub

Facebook   - facebook.com/parallelsocialclub

We constantly hear about what we should be eating—what’s “clean,” what’s “bad,” and which diet trend is the latest cure-all. But what if healthy eating wasn’t about rules, restriction, or guilt? What if it was about joy, sustainability, and truly nourishing ourselves?

In this episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, Emily Paulsen sits down with Laura Pensiero, a chef, nutritionist, and culinary consultant, to explore how we can take back the narrative around food. Laura shares insights on how to make healthy eating feel good—without falling into diet culture traps. From understanding gut health and inflammation to building a positive, long-term relationship with food, this conversation is all about empowering choices, not restrictions.

Key Takeaways:

• Rethinking Nutrition: Why healthy eating isn’t about elimination, but about adding more of what nourishes us.

• The Mediterranean Diet & Longevity: What makes it one of the most sustainable and researched eating patterns for long-term health.

• The Role of Inflammation: How food impacts chronic inflammation, metabolism, and energy levels—and what to eat for balance.

• Gut Health & Well-Being: Why your microbiome matters and how to support it naturally through food.

• Breaking Free from Diet Culture: How to shift from restriction-based eating to a mindset of abundance and joy.

• Small, Actionable Shifts: Simple ways to make cooking and eating well easier and more enjoyable in daily 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/ 

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The guest on this episode is Laura Pensiero, a seasoned food consultant, dietitian, chef/restaurateur, and founding chef/nutritionist/partner of Just Salad. For over 23 years, she has owned and operated Gigi Trattoria, a successful Mediterranean restaurant in New York’s Hudson Valley, where she blends her careers in food and wellness with a hands-on approach. Her expertise spans recipe development, nutrition, writing, nutritional analysis, content creation, menu ideation/testing, and brand building. As an accomplished author, Laura penned Hudson Valley Mediterranean: The Gigi Good Food Cookbook and co-authored The Strang Cancer Prevention Center Cookbook. She has contributed to over 20 cookbooks and ghostwritten for renowned chefs. Additionally, Laura writes the Laura’s Corner Table column for Sanctuary Magazine. Oraph Magazine recognized her as one of the “Most Giving & Gifted Food Professionals.” With a wealth of knowledge and passion for food and wellness, Laura brings a unique perspective to every project, delivering high-quality, informative, and engaging content that resonates with audiences. She emphasizes practicality, helping people eat well, enjoy food, and curate a balanced, well-lived life. 

Learn more about Laura on her websites: 

https://laurapensiero.com/ 

https://www.gigihudsonvalley.com/

What happens when we push back against the life paths society expects us to follow? In this episode, Emily sits down with Marcia Drut-Davis, a trailblazing voice in the childfree movement, to explore what it really means to live life on your own terms.

Marcia made national headlines in the 1970s when she publicly declared she didn’t want children—on 60 Minutes, no less. The fallout was swift and brutal. She lost her job as a beloved teacher, received death threats, and was labeled selfish for simply choosing a different path. And yet, decades later, at 82 years old, she has no regrets.

This conversation dives deep into what it means to challenge traditional expectations, whether that’s choosing a childfree life, redefining family and friendship, or creating a legacy that doesn’t involve parenthood.

Whether you’re living childfree, questioning what’s right for you, or making another unconventional choice, Marcia’s wisdom and humor offer a powerful reminder: the best life is the one that feels true to you.

Key Takeaways:

• Speaking Up & Facing Backlash: How Marcia’s 60 Minutes appearance made her a controversial figure overnight.

• Redefining Legacy: The unexpected ways childfree people build deep, meaningful connections.

• Navigating Friendships: How to maintain strong relationships when your life path looks different.

• Aging Without Children: What people get wrong about childfree aging—and Marcia’s personal experience.

• Owning Your Choices: Why being true to yourself is always worth it, even when the world pushes back.

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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 is Marcia Drut-Davis Is an 82 Yr. Young Pioneer In The Childfree Movement. She's Been Featured In Two Documentaries And Has Authored Two Books. Her Joy Is Reaching Hearts With Support And Knowledge.

Learn more about Marcia’s books on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marcia-Drut-Davis/author/B08429L4CL

Connect with her on Socials:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/confessionsofchildfreepeople 

And watch the documentaries she has been featured in:

https://myselfishlife.com/ by Therese Shechter

https://www.tokidornottokid.com/  by Maxine Trump

What does etiquette look like in today’s world? In this episode, Emily sits down with etiquette expert Mariah Grumet Humbert to explore how we can navigate social situations with ease, build confidence in our interactions, and embrace etiquette as a tool for connection—not just rules to follow.

Mariah brings a modern and psychology-driven approach to etiquette, helping people develop social awareness and communication skills that feel both natural and empowering. From knowing how to gracefully exit a conversation to handling difficult social interactions online and offline, this episode is packed with practical wisdom.

Whether you’re curious about body language, first impressions, or the subtle ways we can show up more intentionally in our relationships, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways

•  The Power of a Strong First Impression: Why the first seven seconds matter—and how to make them count.

• Mastering Social Exits: How to leave conversations gracefully without awkwardness or guilt.

• Body Language & Presence: How nonverbal communication shapes the way we’re perceived.

• Social Media Etiquette: When to engage, when to ignore, and how to protect your energy online.

• Declining Invitations Without Guilt: Why you don’t owe anyone an excuse for saying no.

• Authenticity & Etiquette: Why true etiquette isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, awareness, and kindness.

The New Yorker Article Emily & Mariah talked about in the episode can be read here:  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/10/14/etiquette-makes-kate-mckinnon-sad 

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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 is Mariah Grumet Humbert. As a certified etiquette trainer, Mariah is on a mission to bring an intentional sparkle back to a lost art. She believes etiquette is much more than just a set of rules– it is a powerful tool to help individuals build confidence, create stronger connections, and distinguish themselves. In her pursuit to redefine the meaning of etiquette, she helps her clients master the nuances of various social and professional situations with authenticity, consideration for others, and a strong level of emotional intelligence.

Mariah founded Old Soul Etiquette in 2021 when she left her career in fashion to pursue her lifelong passion: empowering others to shine their light through her approachable and vibrant take on etiquette. Today, she works with individuals and organizations across the globe, offering private consulting, interactive workshops, webinars, and keynotes on topics such as social, dining, and business etiquette, first and lasting impressions, personal branding, the art of conversation and small talk, the power of your professional presence, and more. Her clientele spans a diverse range of industries, including high jewelry, finance, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, and beyond.

Mariah is based in New York City and is available to travel by request. Mariah is also the author of the modern wedding etiquette book, What Do I Do? and The Essential Wedding Planner (coming late 2025). Her expertise has been sought after by The Today Show, NBC News, Fox News, Forbes, Southern Living, The New York Post, Travel & Leisure, Brides, Martha Stewart, and more. 

Learn More about Mariah on her Website: www.oldsouletiquette.com

And connect with her on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/oldsouletiquette/