The Kids or Childfree Podcast

In this episode, Keltie speaks with highschool counselor and content creator, Caroline, about her deeply personal journey deciding to remain childfree. You'll hear about: How Caroline went from dreaming of 3 kids, to thinking she'd have only one, to being fulfilled with none.  What it's like to navigate infertility treatments when you're still on the fence.  Navigating the societal pressures aroun...

In this conversation, Keltie is joined by Caroline Lee, a death doula and somatic therapist who supports women and couples with the Kids or Childfree choice. You'll hear them discuss: Caroline's personal journey to motherhood, and the career pivot that took her from photographer, to death doula and therapist.  How fear, grief, shame, and mortality influence decisions around parenthood. How to work...

Keltie is joined by guest, Tina Martinez, for a conversation about Tina's journey to embracing her childfree choice — and why a simple and peaceful life without kids is more than enough. The two of them chat about: How Tina and her husband ultimately landed on the childfree decision, after trying to have kids. The often-overlooked perks of a romantic partnership without children.  How Tina navigat...

Keltie is joined by therapists and hosts of the ShrinkChicks Podcast, Emmalee Bierly and Jennifer Chaiken, to discuss friendships between moms and women without kids — including their own. Hear them explore: How Jennifer supported Emmalee through postpartum depression and fertility struggles — and why it was actually a good thing Jennifer isn't a mom as well. Your biggest friendship dilemmas with...

Join Keltie as she speaks with pyschotherapist and researcher, Dr. Margo Lowy, about the concept of maternal ambivalence and the mixed emotions that accompany the experience of motherhood. They discuss: Why saying yes to motherhood means embracing the "both, and" What maternal ambivalence and being on the fence about kids have in common, and what we can learn from the former Why letting go and sur...

In our first guest conversation of Season 8, Tyece Wilkins-Amadi gives us a unique view into her inner landscape as a mom to toddler twins — plus how her experience intertwines with themes of identity, ambition, and creativity.    Hear us discuss: How Tyece shifted from absolutely not wanting kids to becoming a mom to twins (1:16) The early days of caring for two newborns — and how she managed the...

We're kicking off a brand-new season of the podcast with some of the topic takeaways from our series of On Demand classes — plus, details on a big sale!  We'll explore: How the stories you're telling yourself about this decision are holding you back How cultural and societal expectations around the Kids or Childfree choice shape our desires and decisions How to navigate this decision when you and...

In this episode, Keltie Maguire discusses some of the key themes and insights that have come up in her private and group coaching sessions during Season 7 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 7 that address these topics.  We'll explore: Why it's important to make sure you're trying to solve the right problem when making this choice. (4:50) That it's good to want to be...

In this episode, Keltie speaks with therapist, Tonya Kelly, about what happens when you're childfree by choice...but your partner is a parent.  Hear them discuss: How societal norms and family expectations clouded Tonya's Kids or Childfree choice. Tonya's journey to making her childfree decision, after years of being on the fence.  How she navigated tough conversations with her mom about her decis...

In this heartfelt conversation, content creator Katie Snooks shares her journey of navigating the the decision of whether or not to have kids, from the perspective of someone still on the fence.  Hear her and Keltie discuss: Katie's decision to share her decision journey publicly, and why it's been equal parts helpful and harmful. The most difficult parts of being on the fence — and the fears keep...

In this conversation, Keltie is joined by 32-year-old Alfonso Costas — a new dad from Spain, living in Munich with his German wife and their 14-month-old son. Hear Alfonso share: How he knew he wanted to be a dad — and the doubts he encountered along the way. Why he views fatherhood as an "invitation" — rather than a choice made due to pressure. The perspectives on parenthood that allow him to wea...

We're celebrating our 100th episode of the podcast by turning the mic over to you, to hear your journeys, the insights that helped you most, and the episodes that left a lasting impression.  (0:07) Celebrating 100 episodes of The Kids or Childfree Podcast; (7:18) Monica, 34, from Illinois, USA; (12:21) Jara, 36, from Spain; (16:54) Kristin, 42, from Georgia, USA; (18:20) Kristen from Ontario, Cana...

In this conversation, producer, sound designer, and creator of CBC Personally's Creation Myth podcast, Helena De Groot, shares her deeply personal journey of deciding to remain childfree. Hear Keltie & Helena discuss: The complex emotions and societal expectations surrounding the decision to have kids or remain childfree. Why the possibility of personal growth was one of the biggest factors pullin...

In this episode, Keltie speaks with mom-to-one and former fence-sitter, Jordy Snyder, about her personal journey through indecision to her choice to become a mom. Hear them discuss: The key fears that kept Jordy stuck, and how she overcame them Why learning to trust herself and her inner resilience was such an important part of her journey How small steps toward motherhood allowed Jordy to develop...

This week we're hosting our first-ever "guest podcast" episode featuring our recent conversation on Monica Cardenas' The Bad Mothers Podcast. Join Monica and I for a discussion about being a childfree dog mom. How does having a dog — and especially a puppy — help us frame our ideas about motherhood?  As mentioned in the show: Get a ticket to join our upcoming "Pet Reflections" Kids or Childfree Su...

[re-release] We're re-releasing this episode from August 2024 in promotion of an upcoming event! On March 26, 2026, join me and special guest Nicole Louie for the Childfree Book Club! We'll discuss her book, Others Like Me as part of the Confidently Childfree Support Series. Details & signup ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series   In this conversation (which first aire...

In this episode, Dr. Jay Zigmont returns to the podcast to discuss the unique future planning needs of childfree individuals.  He and Keltie chat about: The importance of having proper medical and financial directives and the necessity of a support team. The paperwork and planning documents every childfree person should have in place. Why relying on a family member to help you manage future estate...

In this episode of the podcast, Keltie speaks with creative director, producer, musician, and writer, Amrita Vijay, about her decision to have a child with her platonic life partner, Andrew. You'll hear about: Why Amrita never wanted kids — and what made her change her mind How Amrita and her gay best friend, Andrew, decided to become co-parents How her and Andrew's unique relationship allows them...

In this solo episode Keltie is tackling a frequent question she gets from fence-sitters: "I know what I want today — but wow do I know whether future me will regret my choice?" This episode gets into.. Why it's important to consider who we're making this decision for — our present or future self How to instill confidence that although you might change, there is a lot that will remain the same Why...

Keltie is joined by freelance writer and author of the book, Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward, Gemma Hartley. Their discussion explores... What terms like emotional labor, mental load, and invisible labor actually mean. The interplay of these things within partnerships, and in particular, the decision to have kids. Why having children exacerbates existing imbalances in relations...

Keltie is speaking with childfree trailblazer, Marcia Drut-Davis, about the ups and downs of her life without children. They discuss...  Marcia's public "coming out" of her childfree choice on the national TV show "60 Minutes" in 1974 — and the backlash that came with it.  The stigma surrounding the childfree choice and the emotional toll it can take on those who choose it. Marcia's friendships wi...

We're kicking off Season 7 of the podcast with financial experts and co-authors of the book "Money Together," Heather and Douglas Boneparth. This conversation explores: - The often-overlooked financial considerations that come with the decision to have children. - Douglas and Heather's own financial hurdles when they first considered parenthood, including over $300,000 in student loan debt. - Why...

In this episode, Keltie Maguire discusses some of the key themes and insights that have come up in her private and group coaching sessions during Season 6 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 6 that address these topics.    MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  👉 (1:57) Start with the clarity you DO have ▸ Lisa Sibbett on a "Childful" Life as an Auntie  https://youtu.be/3jx_vDnN...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire is joined by We Are Childfree founder, Zoë Noble, for a conversation that's a celebration of the childfree choice. Hear them discuss: The inspiration behind We Are Childfree and why Zoë personally chose the childfree path How friendships — and especially those with parents — can evolve over time How to cultivate childfree community  The myths surrounding aging...

In this conversation, Keltie sits down with transracial adoptee, author, and advocate, Melissa Guida-Richards, for a conversation about adoption, and the considerations prospective adoptive parents need to make.  They discuss: Melissa's personal experience as an adoptee, and why it's critical that we listen to and learn from adoptees. The key question prospective adoptive parents need to ask thems...