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83. Helen Taylor on The Meaning and Legacy of a Childfree Life
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 — and the freedoms it has afforded her. Helen's abortion experience in early adulthood, and whether she ever thinks about the child she could have had. How life without children can lead to deeper adult relationships and friendships. The societal stigmas surrounding childlessness, and the difficulties and blessings of being childfree at age 77 The role that regret, meaning, and legacy play for Helen, as a woman without children. As mentioned in the show Find Helen online at www.helen-taylor.co.uk She's on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/helentaylor67.bsky.social Find Helen at the following upcoming events: helen-taylor.co.uk/events About Helen Helen Taylor has published books on women's writing, American southern culture, and women fiction readers. Her latest much-acclaimed work is Why Women Read Fiction: The Stories of Our Lives. Her best-known works focus on popular writing and culture: Scarlett's Women: Gone With the Wind and its Female Fans, The Daphne du Maurier Companion, and Circling Dixie: Contemporary Southern Culture through a Transatlantic Lens. Her new book is Childless by Choice: The Meaning and Legacy of a Child-free Life. She taught English and American literature at three universities – West of England, Warwick and Exeter, where she was Head of English and is now Emeritus Professor. She has published widely on the literature and culture of the American South, as well as British and American women's writing. For many years, she has been a Chair, Curator and participant in many literary festivals, including Bath, Cheltenham, Oxford, Fowey, Budleigh Salterton and Clifton, and she was the first Director of the Liverpool Literature Festival. She is currently writing a book on Daphne du Maurier for the series 'Writers and Their Works'. She lives in Bristol. __ Join an upcoming Kids or Childfree workshop here: kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources 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 Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree
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82. Dear Former Fence-Sitter #3 with Amanda E. White, LPC
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 if the pull I feel to have a child comes from within — or is just external pressure? As mentioned in the show: Listen to my original conversation with Amanda, where she shares her personal Kids or Childfree journey, here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ir3CeSSRRLLh2PbVwQn1h Find Amanda on Instagram: instagram.com/therapyforwomen Read Amanda's Fence Sitter Substack: amandaewhite.substack.com Listen to Amanda's Nuance Needed Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/73G84FVO6k5lIAaRWhzlUi?si=39f1a6ffbd444408 Learning about Amanda's therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center: www.therapyforwomencenter.com About Amanda: Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen. She writes a substack called Fence Sitter. She is the author of the book "Not Drinking Tonight" and its corresponding workbook. She is the founder of the group therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center, based in Philadelphia serving clients across the country. She has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes, Washington Post, Shape, Women's Health Magazine, and more. To learn more visit amandaewhite.com __ Join an upcoming Kids or Childfree workshop here: kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources 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 Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree
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81. Laura Carroll on the Influence of Pronatalism on Your Kids or Childfree Choice
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, "25 over 10" and "The Baby Matrix". Explore the importance of questioning societal norms and the impact of personal experiences on life decisions. Unpack some of the deep-rooted beliefs that influence individuals' decisions to have children. Explore the notion that childfree individuals are responsible for societal issues resulting from population decline. As mentioned in the show Find Laura online at https://lauracarroll.com Read Laura's books: The Baby Matrix: lauracarroll.com/book-review/the-baby-matrix/ 25 Over 10: A Childfree Longitudinal Study: lauracarroll.com/book-review/25-over-10/ Families of Two: lauracarroll.com/book-review/ebook-families-of-two-interviews-with-happily-married-couples-without-children-by-choice/ Find Laura on social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lauracarroll88.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrollcommunicationsconsulting/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralcarroll88/ FB The Baby Matrix Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBabyMatrix/ FB Families of Two: Childfree & Beyond Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeandBeyond/ X: https://x.com/LauraCarroll88 Check out Dr. Jay Zigmont's new business, Childfree Trust: childfreetrust.com You can also find him in Episode 24 of the podcast About Laura Laura Carroll is an internationally recognized expert on the childfree choice and pronatalism. She has studied the childfree choice and those who make it for over 25 years, and pronatalism for 15 years. Laura has authored six books and contributed to textbooks. Since 2000, she has been featured on network television, been a guest on many podcasts and radio talk shows, as well as US and Canadian public radio. She and her work have appeared in many print and digital media publications, including Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, New York Magazine, Women's Health South Africa and UK. __ Join us for an upcoming Kids or Childfree workshop: kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources 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 Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree
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80. Lia Love Avellino, LCSW on Grieving Your Past Life in Motherhood
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 emotional weight of grief in decision-making, and how to navigate pre-emptive grief as you make your Kids or Childfree choice. How the body can provide insights into your Kids or Childfree choice. Why good enough, rather than "all in", can be enough. How envisioning different life paths can help clarify our desires. As mentioned in the showFind Lia online at www.lialoveavellino.com. Lia's Instagram is instagram.com/lialoveavellino Tune into Lia's podcast, Unprocessed: https://open.spotify.com/show/66NB1tuqwTWJo72ZDW8MaO About Lia Lia is a licensed feminist clinical social worker who specializes in caring for individuals looking to break out of molds that don't serve them, particularly women and mothers. In her roles as CEO of group support organization, Spoke Circles, Advisor to Head & Heart at THE WELL, and relationship and motherhood columnist for mindbodygreen, Lia supports people in connecting to the wisdom inside themselves, their histories and their communities, in order to find their way. She graduated with distinction from Columbia University and has received awards for innovative research and excellence in the provision of therapeutic care to underserved populations, while managing a national component of President Obama's initiative to reduce teen pregnancy across the nation. Her writing and commentary has been featured in GLAMOUR magazine, The American Journal of Sexuality Education, Best Life, ABC's The Tamron Hall Show, Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, CNBCs MakeIt, Motherly, Oprah Daily and more. Lia lives with her husband and 3 children in Brooklyn, NY. __ Get details on how we can work together 1-on-1 here: kidsorchildfree.com/coaching Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources 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 Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree
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79. Carrie Hauskens on a Childfree Life After Loss
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 knew she could no longer continue on the path to parenthood, and how she has navigated becoming childfree after infertility. How Carrie finds joy in everyday moments, and the importance of creating new traditions as a childfree person. The complexity of navigating identity and labels after loss. How Carrie's relationship with her husband deepened through shared grief, even though the way they experience their grief differs. The significance of supportive relationships through her journey— and why there were certain friendships she needed to let go of. About Carrie Carrie Hauskens is a freelance writer based in Northern California. Her expertise is writing about infertility and the many tangents that radiate from that experience. Her trademark is vulnerable and authentic writing. After eight years of trying to conceive, multiple miscarriages, working with surrogates, and delivering her stillborn daughter, Carrie embodies all things grief and infertility based. As mentioned in the show Find Carrie on Instagram at @bloomingwithcare Online at www.bloomingwithcare.com __ Join the next round of our Confidently Childfree Coaching Intensive: kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Get details on an upcoming Kids or Childfree Group Program: kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources 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 Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree
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About 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?

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