The Kids or Childfree Podcast

In this solo episode of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, host Keltie Maguire explores the concept of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as it relates to the decision of having kids or remaining childfree. You'll hear her discuss: How FOMO can show up on both sides of The Kids or Childfree decision. The peace available when you focus on what you have, rather than what you lack. Personal insights and practica...

In this conversation, Keltie speaks with Liz Leedham-Pepin, who shares her powerful journey to motherhood through adoption. You'll hear Liz and Keltie discuss: Liz's lifelong dreams of motherhood, and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to conceive Why Liz decided that motherhood probably wasn't for her after all, and why she and her wife decided to adopt after a life-changing epiphany Insights...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire and Kate Brightwell explore the complexities of choosing a childfree life, including what it means to be a childfree woman in the workplace. You'll hear Keltie and Kate discuss: The pressures Kate faced to have children, despite having always known she didn't want any. How being childfree has impacted Kate's romantic partnerships and dating experiences. Kate's...

In this episode, Keltie chats with coach and The Single Greatest Choice podcast host, Katie Bryan, about her journey of choosing to have a child on her own. You'll hear them discuss: The complexities of deciding whether to wait for a partner or pursue solo parenthood. Katie's initial plans of being a stay-at-home mom and how her divorce at 28 changed everything. Katie's experiences of dating and s...

In this episode, Keltie speaks with writer and author, Jackie Shannon Hollis, about what happens when you fall in love with a man who doesn't want children, joyfully commit to a life together...and then begin longing for a child, shortly after your wedding day.  You'll hear them discuss: The importance of being intentional in our choices and not being locked into societal expectations. The role of...

In this episode, Keltie reflects on the insights and takeaways from the second season of The Kids or Childfree podcast.  -- 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....

In this conversation, Keltie interviews Nicole Louie: writer, translator, and author of the brand-new book, Others Like Me: The Lives of Women Without Children. You'll hear them discuss: Nicole's experience of not wanting to become a mother from a young age and the challenges she faced in navigating societal expectations. The importance of turning up the volume on one's own voice and inner knowled...

In this conversation, Keltie interviews her colleague and mentor, Merle Bombardieri — author of The Baby Decision, clinical social worker, and parent decision coach — about the decision to have or not have children. You'll hear them discuss: How couples can navigate disagreements on this topic and find a solution that works for both partners. Why there's no obligation to do anything special as a c...

In this conversation, Keltie speaks with author, actress, and model, Alice Grecyzn, about Alice's decision to be childfree, and the ups and downs she has faced along the way to making this choice. You'll hear them discuss: Alice's experience of an ultra-religious upbringing, losing her faith — and how both have influenced her childfree path The parallels between fundamentalist religion and the pre...

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire interviews Dr. Natasha Ghosh, a therapist and coach, about her journey into motherhood and the decision to have children. You'll hear them discuss: The mixed emotions and uncertainties that come with becoming a mother, as well as the external pressures and societal expectations surrounding parenthood.  The importance of listening to your own voice and making ch...

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...

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 navig...

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 ex...

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 r...

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...

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 no...

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...

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 un...

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...

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 content...

In this conversation, we hear from Jane van Dis, M.D., an OB-GYN who specializes in women's/maternal health and its intersection with reproductive justice — both in terms of Jane's personal experience of motherhood and how her professional insights and expertise can help inform your own choice.  You'll hear about: The idea of informed consent in understanding the potential effects of pregnancy and...

In this episode, Keltie reflects on the insights and takeaways from the first season of The Kids or Childfree podcast.  -- Get the details on our two group coaching programs that start the week of April 20th: kidsorchildfree.com/group-coaching 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 P...

Author Kate Kaufmann shares her journey of choosing to be childfree after trying to have children alongside much valuable wisdom gleaned over her 70-plus years of life without kids. You'll hear about: The challenges and grief associated with this decision and how her identity shifted over time. The importance of intergenerational relationships and the value of having childless elders in her life....

Join Keltie and her mom, Jan Maguire, for a heartfelt mother-daughter conversation about Jan's choice to become a mom, Keltie's decision not to, and Jan's reflections and wisdom about the Kids or Childfree decision. You'll hear about: The experiences and decisions that shaped Jan's path to becoming a mom. Jan's biggest challenges in motherhood — and her greatest joys. Motherhood as a creative expe...

In this episode, Keltie and sex educator, Erica Smith, discuss how conservative religious values influence and enforce broader societal ideas about gender, sexuality, and the importance of having children. We also talk about Erica's choice to be childfree and the joyful life she has built without kids.  You'll hear about: The concept of purity culture and its influence on gender and sexuality. Eri...