Claiming Zero

This week on Claiming Zero, I’m reading and reacting to two very honest Reddit threads — one from the Reddit community r/regretfulparents and the other from r/childfree.

In the first post, parents were asked: “Are you envious of your childfree by choice friends?" And they did not hold back. 

Commenters talked about:

• Watching childfree friends travel freely
• Having disposable income
• Being able to focus on their relationships more
• ...

What if choosing not to have children didn’t limit your love—but actually saved it?

In this personal episode of Claiming Zero, I share the real, unfiltered story of my 20- year journey with my partner, Devin. From meeting at 13 years old, to being friends with benefits in our twenties, to officially choosing each other years later—our relationship has not been linear, easy, or perfect.

We’ve experienced breakups, reconnections, hard ...

In today's episode of Claiming Zero, I sit down with a dear friend, author, speaker, ministry leader, and founder of a nonprofit serving foster youth, to talk honestly about faith, waiting, and purpose. She once believed she’d be a mom by now. She was married. She hoped. She waited. And then life took an unexpected turn.

Now in her thirties, single, and deeply rooted in her faith, she shares what it looks like to live a full, m...

This week on Claiming Zero, we explore the extraordinary life of Queen Elizabeth I—one of history’s most powerful monarchs and one of its most iconic childfree leaders. Born into danger, crowned in turmoil, and reigning for 45 years, Elizabeth’s story is one of intellect, strategy, and self-determination.

We’ll unpack:
👑 Her upbringing in a fractured royal family, the shock of losing her mother at a young age, and her remarkabl...

In this episode of Claiming Zero we are headed back to the r/AITAH channel for a post that sparked intense reactions about parenting, divorce, and child-free relationships.

An ex-wife, 2 kiddos, a childfree woman and a man stuck in the middle. When his family jumps in with assumptions, accusations, and a whole lot of feelings he turns to reddit for clarity. 

Why is it so wrong for him to want a new relationship with a woman who doesn...

In the age of turning to technology over talking with others I was curious what the 10 most Googled questions about childfree living are. So today, I'm giving my most honest responses to the questions people are curious about but don’t always feel comfortable asking out loud.

What are the benefits of a child-free lifestyle?
Does being child-free affect relationships, marriage, and partner compatibility?
How do child-fre...

In this episode I am making history on the podcast by sitting down with a mom for the first time in the show's existence!

Victoria is a proud mother in the thick of early parenthood and today she joins me to me to talk openly about the assumptions, misunderstandings, and quiet struggles that exist on both sides. This isn’t a debate. It’s not “us vs. them.” It’s a real conversation about coexistence.

Join us as we talk about what...

Harriet Tubman is often remembered as a hero — but rarely discussed as a woman who lived child-free by circumstance.

In this episode, we explore Harriet Tubman’s life beyond the history books: her childhood in slavery, the traumatic injury that shaped her faith and resilience, her escape to freedom, and her fearless return south to lead dozens to freedom. We also dive into her marriages, her private life, her service during the Civi...

Just in time for the holidays today I am reading a post from the r/childfree community that perfectly captures a childfree holiday nightmare. What starts as a Thanksgiving dinner quickly turns into that all-too-familiar interrogation we all dread having when this poster's aunt starts questioning her choice to no have kids. 

In this episode I break down why holiday gatherings are often a breeding ground for intrusive comments, f...

It's the debut of Season 6 of Claiming Zero and these time around I am starting it off with a big update! This season Vanessa will be hosting solo. New chapter, same honesty. Starting with why your childfree-by-choice decision owes no-one any explanations. 

If you've ever heard "You'll change your mind" or "You must hate children" or "You'll never know true love" and are not quite su...

Today we chat with author, illustrator, and content creator Emma Duval! You may know her content on instagram @millennialemma or heard of her online community "Childfree History Museum" already but Emma is not only a voice for the childfree people of her own generation. On this episode she shares with us her passion for storytelling and the lessons she has learned from the legacies of the women who have come before us. 

Ch...

In today's episode Vanessa takes us down the Pink Pony Road to learn about the life and legacy of childfree queer pop sensation Chappell Roan! From her humble beginnings in Willard Missouri to snagging a Grammy for Best New Artist her story is nothing but extraordinary and one that Devin is very aware of already! Can Vanessa do the story justice to a super fan like Devin? Give it a listen and tell us who you want to hear about...

Today's Reddit post comes from the subreddit r/whatshouldido and it's a doozy. He's 19, his girlfriend is 21. They just found out they are expecting. She is excited but he is terrified. What should he do and how should he tell her? Devin breaks it down from a young male perspective and Vanessa is sifting through the harsh truth comments. What would your advice to him be? Tell us your thoughts and don't forget to...

She's an admissions counselor by day, PhD student by night and childfree by choice 24/7. Today we are talking to the other half of the Rios family from season 5 episode 4, Clarissa! She walks us through growing up in Texas to settling down in Vegas and all the fun hobbies she has collected along the way. 

If you would like to be a guest on the show email or direct message us on Instagram or Facebook. 

Support the show

Email: clai...

"We all have our big reasons for not wanting kids. Having time to sleep, being able to save extra money, fear of pregnancy, not wanting to bring a child into the current state of the world. But what is a secondary reason that makes being childfree a great choice?" That is the reddit question we are diving into today. 

For Vanessa it's all the PTA meetings and brownie bake sales and for Devin it's the dirty diaper...

Us: "Hey Chat! We don't have kids so we have all this extra time, what should we do with it??" Chat: "Let's make a podcast episode about it!"

Today we are using AI for the good of all childfree people. How many people are childfree on dating apps? Are people without kids truly happier and better off financially? There are the hot topic questions we are digging into today. You don't want to miss it!

...

She's an artist and podcast host spending all her extra money and time at the Eras Tour and he's a man working in finance making sure they have the money to support her Eras Tour dream! In this episode Kate and Reed share their story of young love turned into a real life happily ever after and why they BOTH chose to go through sterilization. 

Check out Kate's podcast @planetaryprincesses and her art @katehughes.art an...