The Kids or Childfree Podcast

In this episode, Keltie is speaking with former fencesitter and long-time podcast listener, Katie Appel, about her journey through the fears and realities of becoming a mom. Hear them discuss:

• Katie's personal deliberations about parenthood — and what finally solidified her decision to become a mother
• How Katie embraced pregnancy on her terms — and why she rejected the idea of assuming a "pregnant person's persona"
• Why Katie's biggest fear was that she'd lose her identity in motherhood, and how she has confronted and navigated this
• The role that flexibility and calm has played in the early days of raising her daughter
• Why her friendships and community have been an essential part of her journey through new motherhood

(1:18) Meet Katie and her Kids or Childfree decision; (9:35) Identity and motherhood; (14:53) Katie's path to pregnancy at 38; (33:10) Embracing parenthood despite anxiety; (41:27) Maintaining individual identity as a mom; (49:51) Advice for anxious moms

About Katie: Katie Appel has spent the past 15 years working to help organizations, communities, and teams create meaningful social change around the world. Her projects have taken her on travels to Latin America, Africa, and Asia, with a particular focus on education, youth development, and strengthening locally led organizations. Katie most recently spent nearly a decade living and working in Guatemala, where she led projects with various non-profits, managing diverse international teams. She is fluent in Spanish, and has always been drawn to work that brings together people with different perspectives and experiences to solve complex problems. A year ago, Katie returned to her hometown just outside Washington, D.C., where she now lives with her husband and their 10-month-old daughter. Her life now looks quite different from her years living overseas, and she is navigating the joys and challenges of having a family while continuing to pursue meaningful, globally-focused work. Katie holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in International Development Studies from George Washington University. Outside of work, she loves salsa dancing, cheering on the Washington Nationals baseball team, going on walks with friends, and finding time for travel adventures with her family of three. As mentioned in the episode: Find Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-appel Sign up for our brand-new program that starts on November 9th, Decision, Made MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

We're kicking off Season 9 of the podcast with a conversation with researcher and clinical psychologist, Dr. Imogene Smith, discussing her studies on men who choose to be childfree. Hear about:

• How many men are choosing not to have kids — and the commonalities between those who choose this path.
• Why even the men who say they definitely don't want kids, leave a little room for doubt.
• The lack of communication between the men Imogene interviewed and their partners, about these men's desires not to have children.
• The reasons childfree men choose not to have kids — and the societal stereotypes and pressures they face.

Plus, additional insights on the men who become fathers.

(2:12) Meet Imogene and her research about childfree by choice men; (10:31) Survey of childfree men; (21:09) Partnership & the childfree decision; (33:47) Pressure & push-back for not wanting children; (48:07) Masculinity and the Kids or Childfree decision; (51:13) Longevity and aging for childfree men; (59:16) Men who defer to their female partner for the decision to have kids

About Imogene: Dr. Imogene Smith is a Clinical Psychologist, lecturer, and researcher based in Australia. Her research has explored the experiences of men who choose to be childfree, the social pressures surrounding reproductive decisions, and men's experiences of becoming fathers. She currently works as both an academic and practicing psychologist in Australia. Her research has attracted national media attention, with appearances across ABC Radio, newspapers, blogs and television - SBS, and Channel 9 - discussing childfree identities, parenthood, and men's mental health. As mentioned in the episode: Find Dr. Imogene Smith on LinkedIn. The publications her work appears in can be found here. Sign up for our October 26th No Wrong Choice Workshop. MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this wrap-up episode of Season 8 of the podcast, Keltie is interviewed by her marketing assistant, Nicole. Tune in to hear them talk about Season 8 highlights, what else is happening with Kids or Childfree, and some fun and personal stuff about Keltie that you probably don't know!

(1:43) Introducing Nikki and her role in Kids or Childfree; (11:25) Reflecting on lessons learned from Season 8 guests; (34:58) Personal questions for Keltie; (36:40) Behind the scenes of the Kids or Childfree business; (45:58) Random questions

As mentioned in the episode: Hear Keltie's episode of Nicole's The Expat Cast Podcast where they talk about "home" here, and the episode about deciding whether to have kids while living aboard, here. Tune into Episode 106 with Tyece, here. Listen to Episode 111 with Caroline from @elsewherewithcare, here. Join the next round of the same Confidently Childfree Group Intensive that Caroline took part in. Find Episode 112 with Tess Pereira, here. Want to be one of our 50 decision conversations? Email Keltie at hello@keltiemaguire.com. Get details on private coaching: https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/coaching

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie is chatting with couples therapist, Elizabeth Earnshaw (a.k.a. @lizlistens on social media) all about how couples can discuss and navigate the choice to have — or not have — kids. Liz shares:

• How to start and have conversations with your partner about the Kids or Childfree choice.
• Why curiosity is often the best starting point when it comes to a conflict of desires between partners.
• How to handle fears and uncertainties about parenthood.
• How trust — and your partner's past and present behavior — fits into this decision.
• Her take on some of the most common myths regarding couples and the Kids or Childfree decision.

(1:17) Meet Liz and her Kids or Childfree decision; (5:06) Advice for talking about the kids topic in your relationship; (12:31) Liz's motherhood journey (20:00) The role of trust and fears; (38:48) True/false about common myths

About Liz: Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT is a marriage and family therapist and the author of I Want This To Work and Til Stress Do Us Part. She is the founder of A Better Life Therapy and The Intensive Couples Therapy Institute. Elizabeth frequently speaks about the impact of stress on couples and parents and has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, US Today, and many international publications. As mentioned in the episode: Find Liz online at https://www.elizabethearnshaw.com. She's @lizlistens on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Read her books, 'Til Stress Do Us Part and I Want This to Work Get your All-Access Pass or individual session tickets for our latest Confidently Childfree Support Series.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this conversation, Keltie is speaking with executive coach, career counsellor, and international speaker, Helen Krug von Nida about her brand-new book, Closing the Fulfillment Gap, as well as Helen's personal decision to remain childfree. You'll hear them discuss:

• Why so many women are feeling less lit up by their careers and lives than they'd like.
• How women can find greater fulfillment no matter which Kids or Childfree choice they make.
• Helen's MOVE framework for personal growth and fulfillment, which emphasizes motivation, opportunities, vision, and empowering community.
• The importance of "diversifying" one's fulfillment, and the risk we run if we look to motherhood to be the one fulfilling thing.
• Helen's own journey of choosing a childfree life, including the fulfillment she finds in her autonomy and the importance of grace in decision-making.

(0:34) Meet Helen & her work on fulfillment; (10:36) The gap between feeling stuck & feeling fulfilled; (17:02) Fulfillment & the Kids or Childfree decision; (29:26) MOVE framework & the Kids or Childfree decision; (40:22) Helen's choice to be childfree

About Helen: Dr. Helen Krug von Nidda is an executive coach, international speaker, and advisor who delivers keynotes and workshops on leadership development, career empowerment for women, and strengthening workplace culture. With over 20 years of global HR experience spanning the United Nations system and Fortune 500 companies. Her clients include Morgan Stanley, Dell, LinkedIn, Google, Oracle and Sony Music. Helen holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. She is a certified executive coach and licensed career counselor, and holds an MA in Human Resources Management and a BA from Smith College. She is currently an instructor at Stanford University and has taught at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland and INSEAD France. Her forthcoming book, Closing the Fulfillment Gap, published by Post Hill Press will be released 15 September 2026. As mentioned in the episode: Purchase Closing the Fulfillment Gap Helen's website is https://www.with-helen.com Find Helen on Instagram at @with.dr.helen and on LinkedIn Sign up for our September 16th Kids or Childfree Group Program start.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

"What if my partner and I want different things?" — that's the question we're tabling in this episode of the podcast. If you and your partner are at different ends of the Kids or Childfree decision spectrum, or one of you is clear, and the other is on the fence, this one is for you. Keltie is dishing out her topic advice including...

• Why being at odds about this choice doesn't have to mean a break-up.
•

The fact that your relationship can absolutely inform what you want and how you feel about this choice.

•

When being on a different page about this decision is actually a symptom or manifestation of bigger issues at play in your relationship.

•

Why decision that's only for the other person is likely to bring up future resentment.

•

The key red flags in relationships who are in disagreement about this decision.

(0:45) It's not an automatic break-up; (4:48) Identifying priorities; (10:26) Bigger issues come to light; (15:14) Compromise; (25:35) Separate your desire from the decision; (28:00) Red flags

As mentioned in the episode: Check out our On Demand class, A Difference of Opinion, for further support on the topic of being at odds with your partner about this choice. You can find the full On Demand line-up here. The following Kids or Childfree Podcast episodes feature guests or the topic of being at odds with your partner about this choice: Episode 112 Episode 99 Episode 85 Episode 75 Episode 45 Episode 32 Episode 30 Episode 29 Episode 8 Sign up for our September 16th Kids or Childfree Group Program start.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie hosts childfree content creator, Maddy Lettuce, for a conversation about why its critical we question parenthood as the default life choice, and Maddy's personal childfree journey. You'll hear them discuss:

• The importance of questioning societal norms, and why self-discovery is a key part of this process.
• How personal life experiences shape decisions, and some of the key experiences that informed Maddy's childfree choice.
• How relationship dynamics play into the decision to have or not have kids, and some of the misconceptions about men's desires.

(0:36) Meet Maddy & her Kids or Childfree story; (16:42) Parenthood as a default setting; (35:34) The impact from Maddy's upbringing; (48:04) Childfree dating & partnership; (1:07:27) Who has authority to discuss the Kids or Childfree decision

About Maddy:

Maddy Lettuce is a childfree content creator and writer based in New Hampshire. She creates content at @whozyourmaddy on TikTok, where her childfree content has accumulated 21 million views in the past year. She's currently working on a book called Opting Out: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Biggest Default Setting of Your Life, a prescriptive nonfiction book examining how parenthood became the default setting nobody questions, and what it would mean to actually treat it as a choice. Het content focuses on raising awareness that the decision to have children is exactly that, a decision, and giving people permission to examine it honestly before they make it.

As mentioned in the episode: Find Maddy on Substack, TikTok, and Instagram at @whozyourmaddy. Sign up for our September 16th Kids or Childfree Group Program start.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this conversation, Keltie speaks with travel creator, podcast host, and mom, Paula Barnes, about the intricacies of raising kids while living abroad. Hear them discuss:

• The importance of community, and the concept of found family among expats.
• What it was like for Paula first moving to a foreign country with young kids, and how she navigated the transition.
• The impact various cultural perspectives have had on her kids' education and lives.
• The challenges and rewards of sending her kids to boarding school in a different country — and how she has had to learn to let go.
• How to instill values in kids being brought up in a privileged environment.
• The evolution of Paula's relationship with her kids as they grow into adulthood, and the transition to becoming an empty nester.

(2:51) Meet Paula & her Kids or Childfree choice; (10:57) Comparing raising young children with and without support; (14:23) Moving abroad with 3 kids; (25:10) Sending her children to boarding school; (39:54) Instilling values in kids raised in a privileged environment; (45:52) Being an empty nester/having adult children

About Paula: Paula Barnes is a travel creator, podcast host, and expat who has spent nearly two decades living across Asia. After relocating from Australia to Taiwan in 2006 with her young family, she went on to live in multiple countries, embracing new cultures and building a global lifestyle. Now based between Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, she shares authentic travel insights, expat experiences, and insider tips through Truly Expat Travel. Passionate about empowering women—especially over 45—to explore the world with confidence, she creates a supportive community for meaningful, experience-led travel. As mentioned in the episode: Find Paula online at https://trulyexpattravel.com/ Listen to the Truly Expat Travel Podcast. Keltie can be heard on the Truly Expat Travel Podcast, sharing her insider's tips for Munich, here. Find Paula on social media at @trulyexpattravel.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Ali and Charlie Higgins, founders of DINK Social, share their journey as a childfree couple and the inspiration behind the app designed to connect DINK couples.

You'll hear about:

• How Ali and Charlie came to their childfree decision as a couple.
• The comments and pushback they get about their choice, especially online — and how this differs based on their gender.
• Their perspective on the concepts of legacy and impact.
• Why they were inspired to start creating community specifically for DINKS.
• Their best advice for cultivating connections with other childfree people.

(0:25) Meet Ali & Charlie and their childfree decision; (13:57) "Mothering" & "fathering" as childfree people; gender differences; (22:29) Benefits of not having kids for your relationship; (26:39) About DINK Social; (48:22) Advice for making childfree friends

About Ali & Charlie: Ali and Charlie met on Hinge in 2018 and were married in 2021. Since then, they've built a life centered around shared values, curiosity, and the freedom to choose their own path. Together, they've traveled to 24 countries, bonded over great food and drinks, and made movie date nights a regular tradition. Along the way, they've called Seattle and Charlotte home and are now based in Amsterdam — never ruling out wherever the next chapter might take them. They're proud DINKWADs to two dogs, Roscoe and Remy, who are truly their entire world. Alongside full-time corporate jobs, they are co-founders of DINK Social, the social app built specifically for childfree couples. Charlie focuses on business development and building the app itself, while Ali leads community development and social media, growing and connecting the childfree community around the globe.

As mentioned in the episode: Find DINK Social on Instagram and TikTok at @dinksocial Their website is https://dinksocial.com Join the next round of Confidently Childfree Group Intensive that starts on August 18th.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie speaks with mom-to-be Tess Pereira, about how she went from wanting to stay childfree — to deciding to have kids. You'll hear about:

•

Why Tess never planned on having kids — and her biggest fears about motherhood.

• What the conversations looked and sounded like between her and her husband, who wanted to become a father.
• Why it was important to Tess that she doubled down on the pragmatic parts of her decision — and why self-trust has been a huge part of the equation.
• How Tess's confidence tipped to 51% in favor of having kids — and how she feels about her choice today.
• The potential dangers of romanticizing motherhood — and the things that matter way more than your baby's nursery color.

(0:29) Meet Tess & her Kids or Childfree choice; (15:30) Shifting views on motherhood/parenthood; (34:15) Overcoming fears about having a kid; (45:14) Becoming pregnant at 35 (50:06) Pragmatism vs. romanticizing motherhood

About Tess: Tess identified strongly with the childfree perspective for most of her life and deeply questioned whether motherhood aligned with the life she wanted. Over time, she became open to the idea of becoming a parent and now finds herself pregnant. She brings a nuanced and honest perspective on the emotional complexity, fears, relationship dynamics, identity shifts, and personal growth that shaped her journey. Tess joins the podcast to share her experience navigating the kids versus childfree question from both sides, including what changed, what didn't, and what it feels like to move through such a major life transition without simple answers. When not preparing for the arrival of her baby, Tess works as a product manager and strives to be a better home cook.

As mentioned in the episode: Want to be one of my 50 Decision Conversations? DM me on Instagram at @kidsorchildfree or email me at hello@keltiemaguire.com. You can connect with Tess by email at tess711rp@gmail.com or on Instagram at @tess.pereira.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

We'll be back with new episodes on August 5th!

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie speaks with highschool counselor and content creator, Caroline, about her deeply personal journey deciding to remain childfree. You'll hear about:

• How Caroline went from dreaming of 3 kids, to thinking she'd have only one, to being fulfilled with none.
• What it's like to navigate infertility treatments when you're still on the fence.
• Navigating the societal pressures around this choice, including when all your friends are becoming moms.
• How Caroline broke the news to her family and friends that she and her husband had decided to stop trying.
• What helped solidify her decision, and why she's decided to start sharing publicly about her childfree choice.

(2:25) Meet Caroline & her Kids or Childfree decision (15:01) Trying for a kid, fertility struggles (25:40) Deciding to stay childfree (38:47) Navigating friendship groups (55:30) Embracing a childfree life (1:04:28) Childfree vs. Childless (1:16:06) Posting childfree content as an influencer

About Caroline:

Caroline is a high school counselor in the New York City public school system with 14 years of experience and a master's degree in counseling. As the creator behind @elsewherewithcare on Instagram, she shares content about life in New York City, travel, personal style, and her journey as a childfree woman. Through her personal experiences and professional insight, Caroline explores the complexities of choosing a childfree life and encourages others to live & find fulfillment on their own terms. By talking about the things many people are thinking but hesitant to say out loud, she helps normalize difficult conversations and fosters a sense of connection for those navigating similar experiences. Her content creates space for honest, nuanced reflection among childfree individuals and the parents and loved ones in their lives. As mentioned in the episode: Find Caroline on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elsewherewithcare/. Join our August Confidently Childfree Group Intensive that starts on August 4th.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this conversation, Keltie is joined by Caroline Lee, a death doula and somatic therapist who supports women and couples with the Kids or Childfree choice. You'll hear them discuss:

• Caroline's personal journey to motherhood, and the career pivot that took her from photographer, to death doula and therapist.
• How fear, grief, shame, and mortality influence decisions around parenthood.
• How to work through grief and shame when confronting the Kids or Childfree choice.
• The role of psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine in exploring the decision of whether to have kids.
• The significance of making conscious, intentional decisions about parenthood.

...and so much more.

(1:48) Meet Caroline & her Kids or Childfree decision; (10:27) The work of a death doula; (16:52) Coping with grief and shame in the Kids or Childfree decision; (30:57) Mortality + the Kids or Childfree decision; (45:51) Using psychedelics for decision-making

About Caroline: Caroline Lee is a death doula, somatic therapist, writer, and mother of 2. She is the creator of To Babe or Not to Babe, a six-week group for people deciding whether to become parents, remain childfree, or have another child. Her work explores death, desire, grief, the body, and the threshold moments where a life starts asking to be lived more truthfully. Her kids are Moses and Octavia, 2.5 years and 5 months old, and she had them at 37 and 39 years old. She and her partner live in the Bay of San Francisco. As mentioned in the episode: Find Caroline and her 6-week group program, To Babe or Not to Babe, online at https://www.tobabeornottobabe.com. Find her on social media at @howcarolinecarolines

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

Keltie is joined by guest, Tina Martinez, for a conversation about Tina's journey to embracing her childfree choice — and why a simple and peaceful life without kids is more than enough. The two of them chat about:

• How Tina and her husband ultimately landed on the childfree decision, after trying to have kids.
• The often-overlooked perks of a romantic partnership without children.
• How Tina navigates her fears about ageing and companionship.
• The importance of community and support networks for childfree women – and how Tina is building these for herself, and other childfree women.
• The biggest myths and stereotypes about childfree women.

(2:08) Meet Tina and her Kids or Childfree decision (16:40) Being a childfree couple (29:21) An (extra)ordinary life without kids (39:05) Myths about childfree women (47:24) Being childfree in your 50s About Tina Tina Martinez is a Food Producer at Good Housekeeping magazine with over 15 years of experience across recipe development, food styling, and culinary content production. Currently working in a test kitchen, she wears many hats—developing, writing, and testing recipes, styling food for photo shoots, and producing video content for social media. She began her career in restaurant kitchens before moving into teaching culinary classes, eventually transitioning into food styling for editorial, digital, and television platforms. Originally from New Jersey, Tina has spent the past 25 years living everywhere from Queens and Brooklyn to California and Washington, DC, before settling in Westchester with her husband. Outside the kitchen, she's passionate about fitness and staying active—you can find her running, weightlifting, hiking local trails, or exploring neighborhood breweries. As mentioned in the episode Find Tina on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the_saltgypsy/

Find her on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@the.salt.gypsy Her website is https://www.tinadegraff.com/

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

Keltie is joined by therapists and hosts of the ShrinkChicks Podcast, Emmalee Bierly and Jennifer Chaiken, to discuss friendships between moms and women without kids — including their own. Hear them explore:

• How Jennifer supported Emmalee through postpartum depression and fertility struggles — and why it was actually a good thing Jennifer isn't a mom as well.
• Your biggest friendship dilemmas with friends who are moms.
• Why open communication and honesty are the key to navigating different life choices.
• How to bridge the divide that can occur when one of you has kids and the other doesn't.

(2:13) Meet Emmalee and Jennifer, their friendship, & their Kids or Childfree choices (16:01) How Emmalee's motherhood journey impacted their friendship (32:14) Advice on feeling left out in friend groups comprised mostly of moms (39:12) Misconceptions about moms or childfree people

About The ShrinkChicks Emmalee Bierly & Jennifer Chaiken are both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, co-owners of the private therapy practice, The Therapy Group, and co-hosts of the ShrinkChicks Podcast! They believe in being down to earth, authentic, and transparent, which are values they bring both to their practice as well as their podcast! Their mission is to make therapy more relatable and accessible, working to break down that clinical wall. As mentioned in the episode Tune in to hear Keltie on the ShrinkChicks Podcast Find Emmalee and Jennifer on Instagram at:@shrinkchicks @thetherapygrp Their website is https://thetherapygroup.com Join our upcoming Grow or No Workshhop happening on June 24th.

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

Join Keltie as she speaks with pyschotherapist and researcher, Dr. Margo Lowy, about the concept of maternal ambivalence and the mixed emotions that accompany the experience of motherhood. They discuss:

• Why saying yes to motherhood means embracing the "both, and"
• What maternal ambivalence and being on the fence about kids have in common, and what we can learn from the former
• Why letting go and surrender are essential to the motherhood path
• The myth of the perfect decision (and perfect mother)

...and lots more.

(2:17) Meet Margo and her work on motherhood ambivalence; (11:40) Duality of the Kids or Childfree decision & Margo's motherhood experience; (23:17) Mothering as an experience of continually letting go; (43:07) The freedom of no "right" decision

About Dr. Lowy Dr. Margo Lowy is a psychotherapist and researcher whose work explores the emotional complexity of motherhood. She's the author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood and a contributor to Psychology Today. As mentioned in the episode Find Dr. Lowy online at https://drmargolowy.com/ Her Instagram is @drmargolowy She's on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/drmargolowy/ Read her book, Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood Read the Pyschology Today piece by Dr. Margo Lowy Watch the French film, A Happy Event Get our free Kids or Childfree Book Guide MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In our first guest conversation of Season 8, Tyece Wilkins-Amadi gives us a unique view into her inner landscape as a mom to toddler twins — plus how her experience intertwines with themes of identity, ambition, and creativity. Hear us discuss:

• How Tyece shifted from absolutely not wanting kids to becoming a mom to twins (1:16)
• The early days of caring for two newborns — and how she managed the juggle (16:30)
• The lessons she learned from making the wrong childcare decision (27:41)
• How Tyece makes space for her writing — and why motherhood and creativity go hand in hand (31:27)
• The unique challenges and joys of raising twins (49:10)

About Tyece Tyece Wilkins-Amadi is a mother of toddler twins, a wife to a Dodgers-loving Californian and a writer exploring motherhood, ambition, and the quiet negotiations of a creative life. Her work sits at the intersection of care and becoming, where questions of identity, meaning, and worth are continually rewritten. Drawing from her background in workplace culture and well-being, she writes essays that linger in the liminal spaces between striving and rest, clarity and confusion, and the life we planned versus the one we're living. Her writing is an ongoing attempt to name what often goes unsaid, and to imagine more spacious, human ways of living, working, and creating.

As mentioned in the episode Last call for our On Demand Fan sale! Get our full collection of On Demand classes for $269. Save your seat for an upcoming Kids or Childfree Workshop. Find Tyece on Substack, at Ampersand Motherhood: https://substack.com/@ampersandmotherhood Her Instagram handle is @tyunscripted Read the piece that inspired this podcast conversation: Tyece's tending "Toward a Truer Life" essay: https://ampersandmotherhood.substack.com/p/tending-toward-a-truer-life Read Cheryl Strayed's The Ghost Ship That Didn't Carry Us MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

We're kicking off a brand-new season of the podcast with some of the topic takeaways from our series of On Demand classes — plus, details on a big sale! We'll explore:

•

How the stories you're telling yourself about this decision are holding you back

•

How cultural and societal expectations around the Kids or Childfree choice shape our desires and decisions

•

How to navigate this decision when you and your partner are on a different page

• Why the key to considering life's hardships and this choice, is asking ourselves what makes life worth living
• The importance of exploring our personal relationship with regret when we're worried about regret

As mentioned in the episode: Check out this week's On Demand Fan sale! Get our full collection of On Demand classes for $269. Here's the reel with Shan Boodram, congratulating Vanessa & Xander on their childfree choice. The On Demand classes mentioned in the episode include: Find Calm in the Storm (4:04) Other People (6:40) A Difference of Opinion (9:54) An Uncertain Future (12:31) Exploring the Fear of Regret (14:22)

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

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 7 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 7 that address these topics. We'll explore:

• Why it's important to make sure you're trying to solve the right problem when making this choice. (4:50)
• That it's good to want to be prepared - but why you should stop striving for perfection. (15:03)
• The importance of cultivating self-trust. (19:54)
• How to be conscious about what you're consuming, and asking yourself what you're hoping to hear. (24:58)

As mentioned in the episode: Ep. 95 with Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP on Childfree Trust & Estate Planning Ep. 94 with Amrita Vijay on When Platonic Life Partners Have a Child Ep. 99 with Helena de Groot on Finding Peace Amid the Discomfort of Doubt Ep. 90 with Heather and Doug Boneparth on How to Money Together in Parenthood Ep. 98 with Jordy Snyder on Overcoming Your Fears to Become a Mom Ep. 100 - We Celebrate 100 Episodes Hearing From You Ep. 91. with Marcia Drut-Davis on Being Unapologetically Childfree Ep. 102: Katie Snooks on Her View from the Fence

__

MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources

CONNECT ONLINE

💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com/

📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree

👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com/

Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie speaks with therapist, Tonya Kelly, about what happens when you're childfree by choice...but your partner is a parent. Hear them discuss:

• How societal norms and family expectations clouded Tonya's Kids or Childfree choice.
• Tonya's journey to making her childfree decision, after years of being on the fence.
• How she navigated tough conversations with her mom about her decision not to have kids, especially as an only child. - The things that helped Tonya to cultivate greater confidence in her childfree choice.
• The challenges — and perks — of being married to someone who is a parent.
• How unusual and challenging it can be to be a step-mom who is childfree — and why it often feels like you don't fully fit in anywhere.

(0:48) Meet Tonya and her Kids or Childfree decision (12:27) Advice for fence-sitters about outside pressure (18:07) Marriage, divorce, considering egg freezing, and re-marrying someone with a 16-year-old (34:22) Being a childfree step-mother (47:28) Tips for finding confidence in being childfree (56:34) Tonya's experience in the Confidently Childfree Group Intensive

About Tonya: Tonya Kelly has a background in social work and is an owner of a private practice clinic in Ontario, Canada. She specializes in trauma treatment for first responders. She also works with individuals and couples to help them explore old patterns, heal from painful experiences and reconnect with their sense of self. She is deeply committed to her own healing journey and is passionate about cultivating a life that is rooted in inner peace, joy, and purpose. She spent over a decade on the fence about whether or not to have kids, shaped by her own childhood experiences, relationship changes and learning to trust her inner knowing. Mentioned in the episode: Find Tonya online at https://www.coretherapycentre.com And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/core.therapy.and.assessment/ Read Cheryl Strayed's The Ghost Ship That Didn't Carry Us. Hear these past The Kids or Childfree episodes that discuss egg freezing: Episode 53 with Sophia Seymour Episode 75 with Ruthie Ackerman Episode 72 with Dr. Amanda Adeleye __ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION

Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop

Join a GROUP PROGRAM

🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program

🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive

Access an ON DEMAND class

🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand

Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions

🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series

🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING

🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching

FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources