By Chance Avenue

In today's episode, I reflect on rediscovering myself after navigating the grief of unfulfilled dreams. I share the small yet impactful habits that helped me rebuild my sense of purpose, joy, and connection, while reminding us all that starting small is okay and healing is a journey. This episode is an invitation to embrace the little shifts that anchor us to our own strength and resilience. What...

In this episode, I dive into an important topic: perimenopause and menopause. I share my personal journey of navigating this challenging chapter of my life, from grappling with unexpected symptoms to finding proactive solutions for my health. This episode is a reminder that menopause is a universal experience, and we owe it to ourselves to listen to our bodies, advocate for our well-being, and con...

In this heartfelt and enlightening episode, Jaime Singh shares her unique and deeply personal infertility journey, marked by physical trauma, emotional resilience, and the ongoing process of grief and healing. Jaime opens up about discovering her uterine abnormality, the surgeries she endured, and the life-threatening complications that ultimately led to the decision that carrying a pregnancy was...

In today's first episode of the year, I sit down with my husband Victor as he opens up about his experiences over the holidays, sharing moments of unexpected grief, memories that hit him deeply, and the emotional processing that comes with letting go of fatherhood. We explore the unique ways men experience and express grief, the challenges of being vulnerable in a partnership, and how we’re workin...

In today's episode, I share my personal end-of-year tradition: choosing a guiding word for the new year. Unlike traditional New Year’s resolutions, this practice helps me set an intention that helps guide my growth and mindset throughout the year. I recount my experiences with this tradition, from my past words to my current word for 2025! (You'll have to hit play to find out what my 2025 word is!...

In this heartfelt holiday episode, I share my personal journey through this holiday season, which feels quieter and more intentional than ever before. The holidays often bring a mix of joy, stress, and reflection, and this year, I’m embracing the stillness. I talk about shifting my intentions for the season, finding joy in simplicity, and giving myself permission to slow down. If you’re feeling ov...

In this heartfelt and deeply moving conversation, grief and transformational coach Tara Accardo joins us to discuss the complexities of grief, especially during the holiday season. Tara shares her personal journey of loss and how she turned her pain into purpose through her community, Losses Become Gains . Together, we explore the less-discussed aspects of grief—how it shows up in unexpected ways,...

In this heartfelt episode, I reflect on the complexities of the holiday season, especially for those of us who are childless, not by choice. While the season can be magical, it often carries an ache for what we imagined this time would look like. I share personal insights, emotions, and strategies for navigating the holidays when they don’t align with our expectations. From redefining traditions t...

Today's episode is a deeply personal and emotional episode as I celebrate my 50th birthday! Turning 50 is more to me than just a milestone; it’s a reflection of the journey that brought me here—a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery. From battling mental illness in my 20s to navigating grief and growth in my 30s and 40s, I share the lessons I’ve learned along the way. This...

In this episode, Amber courageously shares her profound journey of living with fibroids, the challenges of navigating a healthcare system that often dismisses women's pain, and the ultimate acceptance of a life without children. Her story is a testament to resilience and self-advocacy, showcasing her ability to channel her experiences into meaningful work, creativity, and connection. Amber’s compa...

The upcoming holiday season can be particularly challenging for women who are childless, whether by choice or circumstance. Kathleen and I engage in a heartfelt conversation about navigating this emotionally charged time of year, focusing on how to find meaning, connection, and peace amidst the festivities. We explore the importance of self-care, creating new traditions, and acknowledging the grie...

In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Katy, a leading advocate in the Childless Not by Choice community and the founder of the Childless Collective. Katy openly shares her personal journey through infertility and the challenging decisions that led her to embrace a childless life. She discusses the impact of chronic health issues, the role of societal expectations, and how her path...

Meggy Kate's powerful story sheds light on the complexities of being childless not by choice, as she navigates her deep desire for motherhood alongside the challenges posed by PCOS, PMDD, and bipolar disorder. Despite initially hesitating to share her experiences, she bravely adds her voice to the conversation, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and connection. As a passionate pro-choice...

In today's episode, I sit down with Ashley, who shares her deeply personal and moving journey through infertility. From her early dreams of motherhood to the challenges of endometriosis and PCOS, Ashley's story is one of financial, emotional, and physical investment in IVF, using donor eggs, and the heartbreaking outcome of having nothing to show for it. Ashley's openness about her struggles, incl...

Today's episode is about the profound connection between mental health and the journey of childlessness, exploring how these experiences can intertwine and impact our well-being. I share my personal story, highlighting the emotional weight that accompanies the waiting and trying to conceive, and the feelings of isolation that often arise. I share the importance of acknowledging our feelings withou...

Navigating life as childless, not by choice can be a profound journey filled with introspection and discovery, and Kathleen Guthrie Woods shares her powerful testament in this conversation. We talk about her exploration of single motherhood, Kathleen embarked on what she called her 'internship,' where she uncovered the hard truths about motherhood and the societal expectations surrounding it. Thro...

In this episode, our guest Gail Miller shares her profound journey of navigating the heartache of being childless by circumstance, not by choice, while dedicating her professional life to helping women with high-risk pregnancies as a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician. Despite her lifelong dream of motherhood, Gail faced the painful reality of not finding the right partner in time, leading her to a...

Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Meg, a woman who has faced the challenges of infertility with resilience and hope. Meg shares her story of navigating six miscarriages and multiple rounds of IVF, shedding light on the emotional rollercoaster of loss and hope. Her candid discussion about the importance of therapy and community support highlights the strength she draws from these res...

In today's episode, I'm discussing the journey of rediscovering ourselves when life hasn’t turned out as planned, specifically focusing on embracing life as a woman who is childless by chance, not by choice. I reflect on my own experiences, the grief, healing, and unexpected joy I've found, and share insights that apply to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. I encourage listeners to retur...

In this insightful and heartfelt episode, licensed psychotherapist and mental health coach Nanette shares her journey of coming to terms with a childless future. She delves into the evolving nature of grief, the importance of self-compassion, and the powerful tools that helped her along the way. Through her acronym 'SEARCH,' Nanette offers a comprehensive framework for dealing with grief and build...

This episode featured another insightful conversation with Brandi, where we discussed various labels and terms currently used in our community-whether it's child-free, childless, or others. It's been about 10-11 years since she and her husband decided to stop trying for children, and she shared valuable insights into what their journey has been like. Brandi has also been a blogger since 2017 and s...

In today's episode, I am sharing with you the recent wave of grief that came over me, finding myself in that dark hole again, and the simple steps I took to get out of it. If you have ever felt this way, tune in to feel less alone in your childless by chance journey. Connect with Elizabeth: IG: @bychanceavenue Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance Want to share your story? Appl...

In today's episode, we chat with Melissa Jones who along with her husband Erik, decided to embrace a child-free life after six years of struggling with infertility. Their journey included a traumatic medical experience where Erik faced a life-threatening situation due to an infertility-related surgery. Melissa continues to actively support the child-free community, including hosting a monthly walk...

Today's conversation with Civilla is about her journey of trying to have a child as a single woman, specifically through adoption. This later led to her passion for providing a voice to the childless community, not by choice, through her podcast for about nine years now. Civilla is an Author, Blogger, and founder of the Childless not by Choice podcast. She is passionate about writing and spoken wo...

In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa shares her journey of living child-free after infertility, revealing the challenges and emotional toll of miscarriages and failed fertility treatments. She discusses her powerful transition from self-blame to self-validation, the significance of sharing one’s story, and finding joy beyond motherhood. Drawing from her experience and background in mental health,...