The Kids or Childfree Podcast

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 she thinks and feels about this choice. * The power in cultivating the most important relationship you'll ever have in life – the relationship with yourself. * The significance of finding meaning beyond traditional roles.  * Why motherhood can take many forms beyond traditional parenting. * Why finding meaning in life doesn't require having children.   As mentioned in the show: Find Charlotte online at www.insightout.yoga [https://www.insightout.yoga] On Instagram at: instagram.com/misscharholmes [https://www.instagram.com/misscharholmes/] instagram.com/insightout.yoga [https://www.instagram.com/insightout.yoga/] Join one of Charlotte's upcoming yoga retreats: www.insightout.yoga/retreat [https://www.insightout.yoga/retreat] About Charlotte: Here's how Charlotte describes herself: "I have spent 15 years in the wellness space as a movement coach, personal trainer, retreat facilitator, yoga and meditation teacher, fitness model and brand ambassador. My career started as a PT & group fitness instructor and my love of movement and mindfulness led me to Rishikesh, India to study yoga further. I have spent the last 10 years traveling back and forth to India for various trainings and immersions. Now, with over 2000 hours of yoga teacher training experience, I fuse together the rich and diverse practices of the deep Himalayas to bring you movement, mantra, meditation and more. The last few years have seen big life shifts after heartbreak and betrayal when my husband and best friend had an affair. I am now divorced and engaged to the love of my life, living half of the year in India; teaching at a prestigious yoga school in the foothills of the Himalayas and the other half touring Europe with my love sharing yoga, meditation, music and kirtan at retreats, festivals and immersions. Aside that we run an online yoga membership called Insight Out Yoga which provides a sacred sanctuary for all of your spiritual practices including yoga asana, meditation, mantra and breath work. This year i will embark on my 3rd round of egg donation - which as an IVF baby myself has been a beautiful, humbling and necessary journey for me to undertake. My ex husband and I knew on date 1 that neither of us wanted children - but this relationship has meant navigating through the decision not to have children in a new way." @misscharholmes @insightout.yoga www.insightout.yoga [https://www.insightout.yoga] www.insightout.yoga/retreat [https://www.insightout.yoga/retreat] __ Join an upcoming Kids or Childfree workshop here: kidsorchildfree.com/workshop [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/workshop] Check out our free resources here [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources], or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/responseguideAnd 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast/id1720765874], or a rating on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1H8Cjavw0ThIxFUyxlNnzA?si=X0tu4janTi-5OsMdoHPZbg]. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/]. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree]: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

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) * How Heidi went from never wanting kids to adopting a child and becoming pregnant at the same time (22:15) * Why motherhood - and especially early motherhood - felt like a trap, and how she feels today, now that her children are nearly grown (41:50) * The importance of discussing and sharing honestly about motherhood - rather than romanticizing it (57:40) As mentioned in the show: Heidi is online at www.heidireimer.com [https://www.heidireimer.com] Read Heidi's book, The Mother Act [https://www.heidireimer.com/the-mother-act] Find Heidi on Instagram at instagram.com/heidi.c.reimer [https://www.instagram.com/heidi.c.reimer/] Her substack is heidireimer.substack.com [https://heidireimer.substack.com/] About Heidi: Heidi Reimer is an essayist, novelist, writing coach, and the author of The Mother Act. Her writing interrogates the lives of women, usually those bent on breaking free of what they’re given to create what they yearn for. Heidi has published in Chatelaine, The New Quarterly, Literary Mama, and the anthologies The M Word: Conversations About Motherhood and Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers. She is from Northern Ontario, Canada, and currently writes in a small town on the St. Lawrence River. __ Book your Clarity Booster here: kidsorchildfree.com/claritybooster [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/claritybooster] Check out our free resources here [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources], or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/responseguideAnd 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast/id1720765874], or a rating on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1H8Cjavw0ThIxFUyxlNnzA?si=X0tu4janTi-5OsMdoHPZbg]. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/]. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree]: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

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 joys of being single and childfree and the importance of celebrating this life path. (48:19) * The importance of mindset in personal growth and the journey to embracing a single and childfree life. (1:03:31) As mentioned in the show: Lucy's website: www.lucymeggeson.com [https://www.lucymeggeson.com/] Find Lucy on Instagram at @thrivesolowithlucymeggeson [https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/] Listen to Thrive Solo with Lucy Meggeson on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4O1x6psNokqGw37bhDuSu7?trackId=2igfMeHdHxiboZT7FfsUTw] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/thrive-solo/id1606620264] Purchase Lucy's new book, Thrive Solo / Shiny Happy Singles, here: lucymeggeson [https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book].com/book [https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book] About Lucy: Lucy Meggeson worked in production at BBC Radio 2 for several years before becoming the host and producer of her own podcast, Thrive Solo (formerly Spinsterhood Reimagined) — a podcast that celebrates all things single, childfree, and personal growth. She's a regular on Jo Good's BBC Radio London show and has been a guest on various other radio and podcasts, including Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio 2 show, Peter McGraw's 'Solo: The Single Person's Guide to a Remarkable Life', and Shani Silver's 'A Single Serving Podcast'. Lucy has had many, many amazing guests on her podcast including Cindy Gallop, Jody Day, Bella DePaulo, Shani Silver, Heidi Clements, Matt Cooke, Nicola Slawson, Jo Good, Peter McGraw, Jill Stark, Polly Vernon, Kate Lister and Ruby Warrington. Lucy also runs her own membership for single women, Thrive Solo. Usually based in her flat in south-west London, she is currently living in Dorset, with her beloved cat, Johnny Depp. __ Join our an upcoming Kids or Childfree workshop: kidsorchildfree.com/workshop [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/workshop] Check out our free resources here [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources], or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/responseguide 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast/id1720765874], or a rating on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1H8Cjavw0ThIxFUyxlNnzA?si=X0tu4janTi-5OsMdoHPZbg]. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/]. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree]: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree

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 navigating external expectations while striving to make choices that align with personal values and family dynamics. (25:02) * The joys and challenges of raising an only child. (37:38) * How self-trust and self-knowledge play into the decision about whether to have no kids, one kid, or multiple children. (45:21) As mentioned in the show: Find Stacey on social media at @staceyahicks [https://www.instagram.com/staceyahicks/]. Check out Stacey's writing at Mamamia, including her piece about being the mom of an only child: mamamia.com.au/only-child-families/ [https://www.mamamia.com.au/only-child-families/] The only child researcher Stacey and I discuss in our conversation is Dr. Rosina McAlpine [https://www.drrosina.com/].  About Stacey: Stacey Hicks is the Deputy Editor for Australia's largest women's media company, Mamamia. After working in magazines for a decade, she made the switch to digital where she loves sharing women's stories across news, lifestyle and parenting. She is also a mum to a glorious four-year-old girl with her husband, who she met in her first media job working at the local newspaper. __ The next round of our Kids or Childfree Group Program kicks off June 18th! kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program] Check out our free resources here [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources], or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/responseguideAnd 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast/id1720765874], or a rating on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1H8Cjavw0ThIxFUyxlNnzA?si=X0tu4janTi-5OsMdoHPZbg]. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/]. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree]: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree]: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

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 that I'll only be happy on the childfree path if I can make all of my childfree dreams a reality. Am I living in fantasy — or is this me committing? * I decided I don't want kids so I got an I.U.D. Now I'm freaking out — what's causing all these doubts? * How do you maintain a feeling of closeness in my relationships, when one person has kids and the other is childfree?  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 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ir3CeSSRRLLh2PbVwQn1h] Find Amanda on Instagram: instagram.com/therapyforwomen [https://www.instagram.com/therapyforwomen/] Read Amanda's Fence Sitter Substack: amandaewhite.substack.com [https://amandaewhite.substack.com/] Listen to Amanda's Nuance Needed Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/73G84FVO6k5lIAaRWhzlUi?si=39f1a6ffbd444408 [https://open.spotify.com/show/73G84FVO6k5lIAaRWhzlUi?si=39f1a6ffbd444408] Learning about Amanda's therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center: www.therapyforwomencenter.com [https://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 __ The next round of our Kids or Childfree Group Program kicks off June 18th! kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program] Check out our free resources here [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources], or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/responseguide 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast/id1720765874], or a rating on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1H8Cjavw0ThIxFUyxlNnzA?si=X0tu4janTi-5OsMdoHPZbg]. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com [https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/]. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree]: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree]: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree