The Kids or Childfree Podcast
Should I have kids? If you're on the fence about whether or not to have kids, this is your podcast. Each week, host and Clarity Coach, Keltie Maguire, will interview a wide-ranging host of different voices — from best-selling authors to outdoor adventurers to health experts — about their personal Kids or Childfree decision and the topics that run alongside this choice. From new and long-time moms to the currently ambivalent to those who are childfree by choice, you'll get to hear the answers to all the questions you can't seem to get straight answers on. What's it really like being a parent? What happens to childfree people when they get old? Do people who don't have kids regret it? Can you ever really be ready to have a child? And perhaps most importantly: How can I make my own Kids or Childfree decision?
Episodes
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 choosing the childfree path — a...
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...
- 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?
- If I don't like other people's kids, is it still possible I'd enjoy having my own?
- How do I know ...
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 individuals and her works, "2...
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 new identities.
- The emotion...
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, Clementine.
- The moment Carrie kne...
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 despite the intensity of thi...
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 important role aunties play...
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 5 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 5 that address these topics.
You'll hear her discuss:
- Why this choice is going to put your relationship under a microscope.
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 being only 55% confident in he...
In this solo episode of the Kids or Childfree Podcast, Keltie shares four key beliefs that she had to shift in order to embrace her childfree choice.
You'll hear her discuss:
- The myth of the lightbulb moment.
- Why she needed to debunk the idea of there being a right and wrong choice.
- Read more
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 maintaining self-identity while par...
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 preservation options — including egg...
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. (1:27)
- shawndeez's experience nav...
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 to donate her eggs and how s...
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 womanhood and motherhood (11:20) ...
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 traditional roles. (37:07)
- The ...
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. (11:57)
- The challenges of n...
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...
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 before, during and after pregnan...
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 the societal pressures that of...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
On Health Stuff, hosts Dr. Priyanka Wali and comedian Hari Kondabolu tackle all the health questions that keep you up at night with hilarity and humanity. Together they demystify the flashy trends, and keep you informed on the latest research. You can rely on Health Stuff to bring you real, uninhibited, and thoughtful health talk of the highest caliber, and a healthy dose of humor.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!