The Kids or Childfree Podcast

In this episode, Keltie is joined by past guest, Anne Wennhold — a 91-year-old who is childfree by choice — for a special "Ask Anne" Q&A. Keltie and Anne discuss... Why the 70s and 80s were the best years of Anne's life. Why Anne often finds it difficult relating to other people her age. How we can handle the difficulties and challenges that inevitably will arise in our lives. Anne's secret to mai...

In this episode, Keltie is joined by friend, Lisa Patterson, who shares how her and her partner are navigating parenting roles in a way that goes against traditional norms. Hear Keltie and Lisa discuss... How Lisa made the decision to become a parent, despite it not having been a part of her life's "success criteria" How she and her partner have communicated about and negotiated their respective p...

In this solo episode, Keltie shares recent musings, insights, and reflections about her choice to stay childfree. She's sharing... How her and Chris's aging parents' needs are intersecting with their decision not to have kids. The changing seasons of friendships, and how things ebb and flow with and without kids in the picture. How she personally feels about legacy and the concept of "ancestral fl...

In this latest podcast episode, Keltie Maguire speaks with Helen Taylor — feminist, retired university professor, and writer — about her choice to live a childfree life and her new memoir, Childless by Choice: The Meaning and Legacy of a Childfree Life.  Keltie and Helen discuss: Helen's personal journey of childfree living, including the influences that shaped her decision.  The challenges of cho...

We're back for another episode of our Dear Former Fence-Sitter series with mom, therapist, and former fence-sitter, Amanda E. White! (3:02) Meet Amanda (8:01) Question 1: I feel like having a child will mean a more fulfilled life, but I can't seem to focus on anything but the downsides of parenthood. What should I do? (23:10) Question 2: If I don't like other people's kids, is it still possible I'...

In this conversation, we hear from writer and researcher, Laura Carroll, about how societal and cultural narratives — including pronatalist beliefs — influence and shape our Kids or Childfree desires and the choices we ultimately make. Keltie and Laura... Delve into the complexities of choosing a childfree life, and the idea of "shifting sureness". Discuss Laura's extensive research on childfree i...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire and therapist Lia Avellino explore the intricate relationship between motherhood, identity, and grief.  You'll hear them discuss: The evolving nature of desire, the cultural narratives surrounding parenthood, and the importance of self-discovery in navigating these experiences.  The coexistence of joy and grief in motherhood, and the need to honor both old and...

In this conversation, writer and creative, Carrie Hauskens, shares her deeply personal journey of infertility, loss, and the decision she made — after 8 years of trying to have children — to embrace a childfree life.  Keltie and her discuss: Carrie's unwavering desire to become a mom — and the beliefs she held about life with kids. The heartbreaking loss and stillbirth of Carrie's daughter, Clemen...

In this episode of the podcast, Keltie speaks with Katie Palazzo, a stay-at-home mom to two (soon-to-be three) kids, about her journey from adventure-seeker to stay-at-home mom.  They discuss: Why Katie and her husband chose for Katie to stay at home with their kids.  The aspects of the "trad wife" movement that rile Katie up the most Why being a stay-at-home isn't for everyone  How she manages de...

In this conversation, The Auntie Bulletin creator, Lisa Sibbett, discusses her journey to becoming an auntie and the profound role that aunties play in the lives of children and families. Keltie and Lisa discuss: Lisa's decision to remain childfree and how her experiences have shaped her understanding of community, caregiving, and the importance of alloparents. The healing power of auntiehood, the...

Keltie Maguire, clarity coach and host of the Kids or Childfree Podcast, discusses some of the key themes and insights that have come up in her private and group coaching sessions during Season 5 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 5 that address these topics. (2:38) Takeaway 1: the Kids or Childfree choice puts your relationship under a microscope (8:39) Takeaway 2:...

In this conversation, writer and author of The Mother Code, Ruthie Ackerman, shares her personal journey from being childfree to becoming a mother, exploring the complexities of motherhood, societal expectations, and the emotional struggles that accompany the decision to have children. You'll hear Ruthie and Keltie discuss: How Ruthie decided to pursue motherhood in spite of her ambivalence, and b...

In this solo episode of the Kids or Childfree Podcast, clarity coach Keltie Maguire shares four key beliefs that she had to shift in order to embrace her childfree choice. (1:18) Belief 1: I will "just know" in a lightbulb moment. (3:37) Belief 2: There's a right choice and a wrong choice. (8:34) Belief 3: There is one path to a happy life. (12:24) Belief 4: I am a victim of my decisions. Life is...

In this conversation, Keltie is speaking with mom, essayist, and author, Elissa Strauss, about her book 'When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others'. Hear her and Keltie discuss: Elissa's personal experience with motherhood, including the parts she was most afraid of. The complexities of caregiving, particularly in the context of motherhood.  How to navigate the challenge of maintain...

In this conversation, fertility expert, Dr. Amanda Adeleye, MD, is sharing the fertility knowledge you need to feel empowered in your Kids or Childfree decision. This includes... Common fertility myths and misconceptions  The role of age in fertility, including when your fertility starts to decline  How likely it really is to become pregnant in your mid-30's, at 40, and beyond Fertility preservati...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire speaks with shawdeez, Ph. D. (he/they), a queer and trans parent, about their journey to parenthood and the transformative experiences that awaited them on the other side of having a child.  shawndeez shares... The impact of societal gender norms, both on shawndeez's feelings about parenthood and in how these norms can influence anyone making this decision. (1:...

In this episode, Keltie speaks with yogi, movement coach, model, and retreat facilitator, Charlotte Holmes, about her journey as a childfree individual and the role self-discovery plays in the Kids or Childfree choice.  You'll hear about: Charlotte's early decision to remain childfree, and why she's never wavered, despite being confronted with challenging aspects of her choice. Why she decided to...

In the conversation, Keltie is joined by writer and author, Heidi Reimer, to discuss the complexities and ambivalence of motherhood, and Heidi's unique journey to becoming a mom. You'll hear them discuss: Heidi's novel, The Mother Act, and how it allowed her to explore her darkest fantasies about abandoning motherhood (2:30) How Heidi's conservative Christian upbringing influenced her views on wom...

This week's episode is with podcaster, coach, and author, Lucy Meggeson, on how to thrive as a single woman without kids.  You'll hear Keltie and Lucy discuss... Lucy's journey to embracing her identity as a single, childfree woman. (12:49) Societal perceptions of being single and childless, and why these are so often wrong. (19:21) The need for intentional living and finding fulfillment beyond tr...

In this conversation, Keltie speaks with Stacey Hicks — a writer and Deputy Editor at Australian media outlet, Mamamia — about being a mom to one.  The two of them discuss... The complexities surrounding the decision to have kids and in particular, the choice to have only one child. (6:49) How being one and done elicits a similar response from other people as being or considering being childfree....

We're back for another episode of our Dear Former Fence-Sitter series with mom, therapist, and former fence-sitter, Amanda E. White, where we're answering questions that include... How do I reconcile the different parts of myself that both want and don't want kids? How can I finally decide?  Is it selfish to create a child for my own satisfaction? I'm scared that I'll only be happy on the childfre...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire speaks with journalist, mom, and runner, Jennifer Heimlich, about her journey into motherhood. Hear them discuss: Jennifer's initial ambivalence about motherhood, her experience of miscarriage, and the challenging early days of parenthood The unexpected joy Jennifer has found in motherhood, despite its difficulties. The role running has played in her life befor...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire speaks with Professor of Pyschology, Dr. Jennifer Watling Neal about her research on childfree adults. They explore... The growing demographic of individuals who choose not to have children, including the unique needs of this population, and the societal perceptions surrounding childfree lifestyles. Stereotypes and myths surrounding childfree individuals, and t...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire speaks with Kristina Chilian — teacher, coach, and mom to two 20-somethings —  about her journey into and experience of motherhood. You'll hear about... Kristina's initial reluctance to have kids, and how her perspectives evolved over time (4:06) Kristina's transition from being a stay-at-home mom to discovering a new career in teaching (21:44) Her experience p...

We're kicking off Season 5 of the podcast, with a conversation with Anne Wennhold — a 90-year-old childfree by choice woman who supports elders interested in continuing to grow as human and spiritual beings. Hear Keltie and Anne discuss: How Anne's upbringing and early life experiences culminated in her choice not to have kids. How Anne contends with being an "outsider" among parents and grandpare...