New Legacy Radio

On today's episode, we are going to discuss access to sterilization for those who choose not to have children, and the obstacles and discrimination they face, around personal agency and choice. Our guest today is Dr. Elizabeth Hintz, who has done extensive research on this topic. We will examine the extreme differences in access to permanent contraception by those who can become pregnant and those seeking vasectomies, and discuss how the post Roe v Wade (Dobbs) ruling continues to impact access to sterilization, while a rise in vasectomies has been notable. Dr. Hintz's expertise in the field of communication brings a unique and much needed perspective to the ongoing social confrontations and communication challenges experienced by those who do not have children, and in particular, those who are childfree. Tune in for this educational, resource-filled episode!

Today’s guest is Stephanie Joy Phillips, the founder of World Childless Week. Stephanie is childless not by choice (CNBC) and will share with us her motivation for launching World Childless Week, and the work that she does year-round in the same space.

Today we will discuss the focus of this year’s World Childless Week, which both acknowledges and share the stories of those who are childless, and delves into a variety of topics, which directly affect our lives.

We will also touch on the need for greater communication and collaboration among the larger community of people without children, which at times must transcend labels and differences, which so intimately define our experiences and diverse journeys. How do we find and honor our differences, while finding our commonalities, for mutual advocacy and benefit?

Join is for a detailed conversation about the intentions and topics of World Childless Week, to be held from 12-18 September 2022. Learn who it is for, and how to attend and participate in in a week that acknowledges and celebrate those who are childless. You don’t want to miss this year’s event!

In our premiere episode, we will discuss the experience of being involuntarily childless in a pronatalist world, through personal experiences, and the need for change. Our guest for this episode is Hilary Fennell.

Hilary is an award-winning programme maker and journalist with extensive experience of working in television and radio as a series producer and director. In her ground-breaking radio documentary, Childless, Hilary Fennell explores the realities and dynamics of being involuntarily childless in a child-centered society.

Her voice as a childless not by choice woman, is interwoven with the stories of six other women. Each of the women speak to their diverse journeys in coming to terms with living a life without children.

Currently, it is estimated that one in five women in Ireland will not have a child, by the time they reach age 45. It is further estimated that only 10% of these women are childless by choice (child free). Childless, focuses on the other 90% of women, who represent an often less represented group.

This group is often silenced by the taboo nature of this topic, which remains today, despite the number of women living without children, not by choice. Further, these statistics do not include other genders. A majority of countries primarily track the parental status of women only.

Societies have become obsessed with motherhood and the idealization of human reproduction, supported by pronatalist rhetoric, which is reinforced through policy, in the workplace and socially.

Hilary navigates the social, physical and emotional impact of childlessness throughout her documentary, with skillful artistry and a full heart, amidst the shadows of grief, a call for social change, and the lightness of learning to live a full and meaningful life.

Please join us to learn more about her incredible radio documentary, and the issues that matter most to those who are living without children, involuntarily.

In the majority of countries, fertility statistics are most often measured by the reproductive experiences of women, exclusively. At least 1 in 5 women reach age 45, without having a child in the UK. This statistic is similarly reflected in several other countries, and is either higher or growing in others.

What might this number look like, if we were to track people of all gender expressions, who do not have children, whether by choice, chance or circumstance?

What do we really know about the experiences of childless men? We will delve into this topic with today’s guest, Dr. Robin Hadley, who is an international expert on male childlessness and aging. Dr. Hadley is childless not by choice, and brings the depth of his lived and professional insight to our conversation.

We will challenge assumptions about men’s experiences of not having children, and address the realities of aging and male fertility. We will also discuss what men need most in terms of acknowledgement and understanding of their childless journeys.

Our discussion will further reflect on what is needed for a more inclusive community movement to evolve, amidst the similarities and differences in male and female experiences of involuntary childlessness, social assumptions and policy inequities.

We often discuss the personal aspects of pronatalism, both in the community of people without children and on this show. We also look at how we are impacted in our everyday environments, such as the workplace. What comes to mind when you consider the global impact of pronatalism? In this episode, we will explore the greater dimensions of pronatalism, including social stigma, reproductive autonomy and responsibility, and ecological perspectives. We will also speak to population pressures and the importance of centering discourse around the impact of population. To guide us in this conversation, we are excited to have Nandita Bajaj, the Executive Director of Population Balance with us today! Nandita brings a depth of knowledge, wisdom and compassion as an educator and leading voice on the realities and impact of pronatalism. Please join us to learn more, and share any questions you may have with us, ahead of the show!

Today, we are honored to have Donna Ward as our guest. Donna is the author “She I Dare Not Name: A Spinster’s Meditations on Life”, her memoir, which was published in 2020.

From the use of the term “spinster” and its origins, to the lifelong contemplation of crises and the prioritization of lives, we will discuss a range of topics from her touching and impactful essays and life reflections.

We will address the support of single people in catastrophic events from climate change, fires and floods, war and invasions, to the COVID pandemic. We will explore the experiences of those who are living alone, single and without children, against the backdrop of proclaimed phrasing “Women and Children First.”

Our conversation will include the ways in which current economic and health policies affect single people, given the assumed basic economic unit is a household of two incomes and children. Donna will draw on her writing, lived experience, expertise and current events to highlight the often invisible and potentially dire impact on those who are single and without children, in status quo crisis and policy planning.

People without children, as a collective community, have yet to be recognized as a marginalized group, within the framework of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). How do we begin to imagine the experience of truly belonging in the environments we work, and beyond?

What does it mean when organizations focus on only specific aspects within the spectrum of DEIB frameworks? ‘Diversity’ and ‘Inclusion’ seem to be most often used in naming such initiatives, leaving ‘Equity’ and “Belonging’ out of the equation, which is both curious and perhaps telling of organizational culture, from the start. ‘Belonging’ appears to be most often excluded from this framework. And if not for belonging and equity, what is the true underpinning of the DEIB framework?

Today’s guest is an expert on belonging in the workplace, and is nationally recognized as a diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader. Rhodes Perry has written two incredible books on this topic, ‘Belonging at Work: Everyday Actions You Can Take to Cultivate an Inclusive Organization’ (2018), and ‘Imagine Belonging: Your Inclusive Leadership Guide to Building an Equitable Workplace’ (2022).

We will discuss what is key to creating a culture of belonging, and what this means for people without children. We will also examine the experience of social exclusion and the related individual and organizational impact of not choosing to create a culture of belonging, in the workplace.

July 26th

In recognition of International Childfree Day, we will air an encore of our conversation with award-winning childfree filmmaker, Therese Shechter. From July 29-August 1, you will be able to stream (globally) her incredible film, My So-Called Selfish Life! For tickets and more information visit: https://myselfishlife.com

International Childfree Day is celebrated annually on 1 August! This was originally established in 1973, by the Alliance for Optional Parenthood, and was called Non-Parents' Day. Laura Carroll re-established this day in 2013.

For more information: https://internationalchildfreeday.com

May 3rd

Do people keep telling you you'll change your mind about having kids? Have you been told that your choice not to have children is selfish?

Award-winning filmmaker Therese Shechter delves into the taboos surrounding childfree women and choice. From social and familial responses to those who choose to remain childfree, to the resistance of the medical community to provide legally and medically approved procedures for those who voluntarily choose sterilization, Therese addresses the gamut of childfree choices and experiences.

Today we will discuss her latest documentary, “My So-Called Selfish Life”, which is a is a paradigm-shifting journey through one of our society’s greatest social taboos: choosing not to become a mother. We also celebrate the upcoming, international release of her film, which will stream everywhere, starting May 6th, on Mother's Day weekend. The opportunity to stream the film be available from May 6-16, 2022

To purchase your tickets, go to https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/my-so-called-selfish-life You also have the option to purchase tickets as gifts!

Join us for this introspective, expert conversation and an audio preview of “My So-Called Selfish Life!” For additional information, visit https://trixiefilms.com today!

How does the overturning of Roe v. Wade demonstrate the control and devaluation of those who are and may be impacted by pregnancy? What is at risk beyond abortion rights and access in the United States, and what is the global impact of this decision, as precedent? Today, we are deeply honored to be in conversation with Karen Mulhauser. She is the first National Executive Director of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), now known as NARAL Pro-Choice America. From 1970-73, she trained family planning professionals in federally funded programs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. When she moved to Washington, DC in 1973, Karen was hired to open the DC office of NARAL and the following year, she was asked to be the Executive Director. In this position, she helped grow the membership 20-fold, started chapters throughout the country, and started the NARAL Foundation and political action committee. Her experiences, expertise and activism through these decades, including her recent (June and July 2022) testimony before the DC Council Committee on Government Operations and Facilities and the Committee on Housing and Executive Administration Joint Public Hearing on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Amendment Act of 2022, exemplifies her continued commitment to protecting the freedom to choose whether or not to continue a pregnancy. She has spoken poignantly to the United States never ratifying the United Nation's Women's Treaty, CEDAW, and advocacy for Washington, DC to be the next city to ratify the amendment, through the Cities for CEDAW campaign. Karen, as other women, who have fought and advocated for these rights and freedom since the foundation of NARAL, are courageously sharing their personal stories of survivorship. Please join us for this very special episode.

People without children remain an unrecognized diversity group in the workplace and beyond. How do we begin to imagine the experience of truly inclusive organizational cultures and acknowledgement in the environments we work? What does employment equity for people without children look like? Today we will speak with Dr. Erin Conner, Co-founder and Vice President of Inclusion Design Group, recognized as a leading DEI firm. We will have an in-depth conversation with Dr. Conner about the complexities of workplace dynamics, and how people without children are impacted. We will discuss what is key to creating a culture of inclusion, and how individuals and organizations can begin to take steps toward cultural and policy change today. Please join is for a valuable and vital conversation for people without children, human resource professionals and all who work for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace!