In this episode, The Childless Collective online community host, Katy Seppi, shares her journey of infertility and becoming childfree not by choice.  You'll hear her and Keltie discuss: 

• Katy's personal experience with infertility, IVF, and endometriosis — and the challenges of accessing proper medical care.
• How and when Katy decided to stop fertility treatments and pursue a hysterectomy. 
• How the lack of support and understanding from the healthcare system can exacerbate the emotional and physical challenges faced by individuals struggling with infertility and reproductive health issues.
• The difficult decisions that come with choosing to stop trying for a child.

• The harmful messaging around never giving up on having a child and the complexities of fertility treatments, surrogacy, and adoption.
• The nuances and complexities of the terms 'childless' and 'childfree' and the societal pressures associated with these choices ...in what is a heartfelt, raw, and important conversation. 

As mentioned in the show: Check out Katy's community for childless women and non-binary people, The Childless Collective, here: childlesscollective.com Find Katy on TikTok here: tiktok.com/@childlesscollective And on Instagram here: instagram.com/childlesscollective About Katy: Here's what Katy shares about her story: "My four-year infertility journey ended with a hysterectomy in 2017. At the time, I didn’t have a single person I could talk to who was also involuntarily childless. I decided to use my background in community organizing to create gathering places for childless people to connect, access support, and talk about the common themes that weave through our experiences. I host the Childless Collective online community, which is a year-round hub of connection and support for childless women and nonbinary people. I've also hosted the Childless Collective Summit for the past four years, bringing together 100 speakers and over 8,000 attendees together. I have a Master’s of Social Work degree from UGA, with an emphasis in community empowerment and program development. My current home is Savannah, Georgia, where I spend my free time on my bike, exploring swamps, reading, hanging out with my favorite people, finding the best tiki drinks, and anything else that strikes my fancy." —  Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

Travel journalists and long-time couple, Scott and Collette Stohler, share their journey of deciding to have a child and how it's impacted their adventurous lifestyle.  You'll hear them and Keltie discuss:

• Why having a child doesn't have to mean giving up travel, adventure, and freedom
• Challenges of the postpartum period and the transformation it brought to their identities
• Their experiences navigating the challenges and joys of parenting, travel, and their relationship as a couple
• The importance of communication, openness, and flexibility in maintaining a strong partnership and family dynamic
• The joys and challenges of traveling with a child

...and many other topics, for a conversation that's sure to inspire, no matter which Kids or Childfree choice you ultimately make. As mentioned in the show: Find Collette and Scott online at roamaroo.com And on social media at: Facebook: facebook.com/roamaroo TikTok: tiktok.com/@roamaroo_travel YouTube: youtube.com/c/Roamaroo Instagram: instagram.com/roamaroo About Collette & Scott:

Here's what this adventurous family has to say: "We are Collette, Scott, and baby Scotland, family travel journalists dedicated to inspiring & empowering families to travel. As a traveling family, we believe that there is no age limit on adventure and no limit to what families can accomplish together. We have 18 special years as a family and we hope you’ll join us as we dream big, explore more, and discover life.

In 2015, we decided to quit our jobs as corporate desk jockeys and redefine the American Dream. Since then, we have been traveling the world full-time, exploring off the beaten path locations and inspiring others through our active vagabond lifestyle.  We rented our house, quit our jobs, and threw caution to the wind all with an end goal of viewing the world and all its wonders. In 2022, we decided to grow our traveling family when we welcome our baby girl, Scotland, and our dog, Lucy, to the crew!"

___ Get the details on the summer session of my group coaching program, Confidently Childfree, here.  Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

In this episode, Dr. Jay Zigmont, a childfree wealth expert, shares his experiences as a childfree man, alongside the challenges and opportunities for childfree people when it comes to their financial and life planning.  Hear Dr. Jay and Keltie discuss:

• The lack of representation and understanding for childfree individuals and the judgment they often face.
• The importance of questioning societal expectations and making decisions based on personal desires and values.
• The need for financial planning tailored to the unique needs and goals of childfree individuals.
• That although being childfree does not automatically make someone wealthy, it does provide more flexibility and freedom in life choices.
• The importance of creating a life plan and financial plan that align with personal goals and values.

...and so many more important topics related to finances, freedom, and the lives of childfree people.  As mentioned in the show:

Find Dr. Jay on Instagram: instagram.com/childfreewealth/ On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/childfree-wealth/ Find out more about Dr. Jay and Childfree Wealth at childfreewealth.com. Pre-order Dr. Jay's upcoming book, The Childfree Guide to Life and Money: https://www.amazon.com/Childfree-Guide-LIfe-Money-Management-ebook/dp/B0CVNPWDTW About Dr. Jay: Jay Zigmont, PhD, MBA, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping Childfree and Permanently Childless people. Childfree Wealth is the first life and financial planning firm dedicated to serving Childfree people. Dr. Jay is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Childfree Wealth Specialist, and author of the book “Portraits of Childfree Wealth” and the upcoming book “The Childfree Guide to Life and Money.” Dr Jay is the co-host of the Childfree Wealth podcast. His Ph.D. is in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut. He has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, and many other publications. In 2023, he was named a “Rising Star” by Financial Planning. —— Get the details on the summer session of my group coaching program, Kids or Childfree, here.  Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

Therapist, mother, and founder of the popular @therapyforwomen Instagram account, Amanda E. White, shares her personal experience of being on the fence about having kids — and how she arrived her her decision to become a mom.  Hear her and Keltie discuss:

• The complexity of the Kids or Childfree decision, and factors such as societal pressures, personal fears, relationship dynamics, and emotional readiness.
• Fear of regret, and how this plays into the choice to have kids or remain childfree.
• Exploring ambivalence and making informed, conscious choices.
• How social media and other online content can impact decision-making and contribute to further confusion.

...and so many more important aspects of this decision.  As mentioned in the show:

Find Amanda on Instagram: instagram.com/therapyforwomen Read Amanda's Fence Sitter Substack: amandaewhite.substack.com Learning about Amanda's therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center: www.therapyforwomencenter.com About Amanda: Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen. She writes a substack called Fence Sitter. She is the author of the book “Not Drinking Tonight” and its corresponding workbook. She is the founder of the group therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center, based in Philadelphia serving clients across the country. She has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes, Washington Post, Shape, Women’s Health Magazine, and more.  To learn more visit amandaewhite.com —— Get the details on the summer session of my group coaching program, Confidently Childfree, here.  Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

In this conversation, Shweta, a childfree woman of Southern Asian background, shares what she calls "the best decision I ever made" — namely, her choice to be childfree. You'll hear her and Keltie discuss:

• How Shweta's upbringing and the gender roles she observed in her extended family influenced her decision.
• The positive response she has received from her family and friends, although her choice goes against the cultural norms.
• Why self-awareness and setting boundaries are important when dealing with societal expectations.
• The concept of antinatalism, and why this is a philosophy that Shweta subscribes to.
•  Shweta's experiences traveling as a childfree woman ...and many more aspects of Shweta's unwavering choice to be childfree.

As mentioned in the show:

Find Shweta online on... Instagram: @childfreesrbuddysmum TikTok: @shwetaramkumar About Shweta:  All of Shweta's social media bios contain the following words: Educator, Adventurer, Foodie, Singer, Dog-Mom, Minimalist, Unconventional, Childfree by Choice, Antinatalist and Egalitarian. She's a multitalented, multipassionate creative woman who has lived and travelled all over the world, worked in a variety of industries and is currently an up and coming entrepreneur with a business that marries up her passions, skillset, knowledge and experience. She's a Southern Asian woman of colour and a pioneer of dismantling the oppressive norms of the conservative, sexist, and patriarchal culture and society she grew up in. As an unmarried childfree millennial woman, her life journey sets a strong example of breaking free from the shackles of disempowering cultural conformity and stand out as a proud black sheep in more ways than one. She's an avid advocate of the childfree lifestyle where she has made valuable contributions through podcast and video interviews, speaking on conventions and conferences and blog posts. She is currently based in Melbourne Australia.

——— Get the details on the upcoming session of the Kids or Childfree group coaching program here: kidsorchildfree.com/group-coaching Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire asks hospice nurse Julie McFadden the questions on your mind when it comes to your Kids or Childfree decision and all things death and dying.   You'll hear them discuss:

• Julie's personal journey as a nurse and her decision to specialize in hospice care
• How at age 41, Julie is able to have such an attitude of openness about still possibly having children...or not
• Julie's brand-new book, 'Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully,' and the worldwide impact of understanding the dying process
• How to prepare for end-of-life care, no matter which Kids or Childfree choice you make — and the misconception that having children guarantees care in old age
• Why whether or not you have kids doesn't actually matter in end-of-life
• Inspiring stories of those who died never having had children
• The beauty of witnessing both birth and death ...in what is a powerful, funny, and moving conversation! 

As mentioned in the show:

Find Julie online at www.hospicenursejulie.com. YouTube: youtube.com/@hospicenursejulie Instagram: instagram.com/hospicenursejulie/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@hospicenursejulie Get Julie's brand-new book, Nothing to Fear: https://a.co/d/5c19mY4 About Julie:  Julie McFadden, BSN, RN has been a nurse for 15 years. Julie is an experienced ICU, and now Hospice/Palliative Nurse. Julie has been featured in Newsweek, USA today, The Atlantic, and several other articles worldwide. Julie has been passionate about normalizing death through education to the masses using social media and now her new book coming out in June- Nothing To Fear. Her TikTok has 1.4M followers, and you can find her on all social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube) at Hospice Nurse Julie. You can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. ——— Get the details on my one-on-one coaching offers here.  Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

In this episode, Keltie is joined by her husband, Chris, for a candid discussion about their decision to be childfree, and namely, how choosing childfree has been for Chris as a man. The two of them discuss:

• Chris's personal journey from ambivalence to confidently childfree
• The role of personal and relationship development in their decision-making process, and how they navigated their decision as a couple
• The challenges and potential resentment that can arise if one partner wants children more than the other
• Topics such as societal pressures, financial considerations, and the desire to maintain their current lifestyle
• How societal pressure and expectations around having children are different for men than women, plus Chris's personal experience with nosy questions and naysayers 
• Chris's feelings about getting a vasectomy and why he's chosen not to have one
• The love they share for their childfree life together, and how they find and create deeper meaning and fulfillment

As mentioned in the show: Find Christian on: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christianhaefele/ Instagram: instagram.com/chris_ongram/ Episode 10 with Ruby Warrington on Women Without Kids Episodes 5 and 6 where Keltie shares her personal journey to being childfree  About Christian: Christian Haefele is a mountain enthusiast, dog lover, and avid traveler who lives in Munich Germany, with his wife, Keltie, and dog, Shira. His hobbies include ultra-trail running, hiking, and stand-up paddle-boarding. When he's not adventuring, Chris loves enjoying a craft beer or two and cooking up delicious vegan dishes. Chris has previously lived in Vancouver, Canada, and he works in tech sales providing digital solutions to Germany's largest retailers.  ___ Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

Julie Lythcott-Haims — New York Times bestselling author, TED speaker, former Stanford dean, and lawyer — is here to share her wisdom with us on living an authentic life, the impact of helicopter parenting (and how we can break free of this trap, should we choose to become parents), and her experiences as a mom of two adult children. Hear her and Keltie discuss:

• The importance of defining one's unique path in life — and how we can break free of the pressures that surround us.
• Julie's personal path to motherhood — including its challenges and rewards.
• What Julie is seeing and hearing from young people about the decision to have kids or not.
• The danger of today's culture of intensive parenting — and how we can choose to do things differently.
• Why couples should and can prioritize their own well-being, and take time for themselves to maintain a healthy relationship. 
• The challenges of maintaining friendships when one person becomes a parent — and the different values and priorities that can arise.
• The profound learning experience of having children. ...and so much more!

As mentioned in the show:

Find Julie online at julielythcotthaims.com. X: x.com/jlythcotthaims Instagram: instagram.com/jlythcotthaims Facebook: facebook.com/jlythcotthaims/ Julie's books: Real American: A Memoir How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success Your Turn: How to Be an Adult About Julie: Julie Lythcott-Haims believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her work encompasses writing, speaking, public service, and activism. She is a New York Times bestselling author of books on human development, a TED speaker, a former Stanford dean, and a lawyer, and she holds degrees from Stanford University (BA), Harvard Law (JD), and California College of the Arts (MFA). She serves on numerous nonprofit boards whose work focuses on equity, education, youth, wellness, and the arts. Julie lives in Palo Alto, California with her partner of over thirty years, their itinerant young adults, and her mother. She is a member of the Palo Alto City Council. __ Get the details on my Clarity Booster coaching offer here.  Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

In this conversation, we hear from Katherine Ripley, a licensed clinical social worker and somatic therapist, about how difficult childhood experiences can influence and shape the decision of whether or not to have children.  Keltie and Katherine discuss:

• The role of anxiety as a defense against emotion and how it can prevent us from connecting with our bodies and core emotions.
• The importance of curiosity, compassion, and listening to the different parts of ourselves when making decisions. 
• How childhood trauma can shape our desires and fears around parenthood. 
• The concept of parentification and how it can influence the decision to have kids or not.
• Emotional regulation and taking ownership of our emotions when considering parenthood.

...and many other topics related to difficult childhood experiences and the Kids or Childfree decision.

As mentioned in the show: Find Katherine on: Instagram: instagram.com/therapy.with.katherine/ Tiktok: tiktok.com/@therapywithkatherine Get the details on Katherine's upcoming "The Practice of Presence" course, here: katherineripleytherapist.com/online-course About Katherine:

Katherine Ripley is a licensed clinical social worker, offering both individual therapy and group coaching programs. She works with adult survivors of child abuse and childhood emotional neglect. She uses primarily somatic methods to support people in processing their emotions through their bodies. Her work is also based in attachment theory. __ Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

Join us for a conversation with Dutch writer, illustrator, and artist, Marloes de Vries. We discuss her book 'Kinderen krijg is optioneel' (Having Children is Optional) and Marloes' decision to be childfree. You'll hear about:

• The pressures Marloes' felt from society and how she took time to reflect and be alone to solidify her decision.
• The importance of being true to yourself and finding contentment in your own company.
• The process of writing and illustrating her book and the need for more accessible and humorous resources on the topic of being childfree. 
• Why women need to make conscious decisions about motherhood and to consider the impact it will have on their lives.
• The freedom and opportunities that come with being childfree, such as pursuing a career as an artist, as Marloes has done.
• A discussion about regretting your Kids or Childfree choice — including the messages she receives from parents

...and so much more.  As mentioned in the show: Find out more about Marloes and her work at marloesdevries.com/en. Get Marloes' book, Kinderen krijgen is optioneel at kinderenkrijgenisoptioneel.nl Find Marloes on Instagram: instagram.com/marloesdevee/ About Marloes: Here's Marloes in her own words... "Artist and author, and a freelancer for over 25 years. Based in the Netherlands, in love with the UK. Been with my partner for almost 9 years (who's also childfree). In 2016 I wrote an article about not wanting to have children for a Belgian magazine, which went viral online. I got asked to write a book on it but wanted to wait a few years until I understood how I felt exactly, and I wanted to do a lot of research on this topic. I had already been reading up on the topic for quite a few years by then, but dove in deeper since then. I questioned over 250 people (mostly women) about being childfree, and did in-depth interviews with 12 women for my book. I've read pretty much every article I could find online on this topic, and researched sexism and feminism related to child bearing. Since my book was published in November 2023 (Kinderen krijgen is optioneel / Having children is optional) I've done many interviews, and am contacted regularly by the Dutch media as a consultant on the childfree topic. My main viewpoint is that everyone should be free to make the decision of becoming a parent, but I strongly believe everyone should mindfully think about it before making a decision. I also believe you should consider the life of your unborn child before getting pregnant, because this is a choice that goes beyond 'do I want kids?'. It isn't about you, it's about the human you're putting on this earth." ___ Get my FREE Kids or Childfree Response Guide: www.kidsorchildfree.com/responseguide And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you’re hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree