The Kids or Childfree Podcast Keltie Maguire

Therapist, mother, and founder of the popular @therapyforwomen Instagram account, Amanda E. White, shares her personal experience of being on the fence about having kids — and how she arrived her her decision to become a mom. 

Hear her and Keltie discuss:
The complexity of the Kids or Childfree decision, and factors such as societal pressures, personal fears, relationship dynamics, and emotional readiness.

Fear of regret, and how this plays into the choice to have kids or remain childfree.
Exploring ambivalence and making informed, conscious choices.
How social media and other online content can impact decision-making and contribute to further confusion.

...and so many more important aspects of this decision. 


As mentioned in the show:

Find Amanda on Instagram: instagram.com/therapyforwomen

Read Amanda's Fence Sitter Substack: amandaewhite.substack.com

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

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Get the details on the summer session of my group coaching program, Confidently Childfree, here. 

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

In this conversation, Shweta, a childfree woman of Southern Asian background, shares what she calls "the best decision I ever made" — namely, her choice to be childfree.

You'll hear her and Keltie discuss:
How Shweta's upbringing and the gender roles she observed in her extended family influenced her decision.

The positive response she has received from her family and friends, although her choice goes against the cultural norms.

Why self-awareness and setting boundaries are important when dealing with societal expectations.

The concept of antinatalism, and why this is a philosophy that Shweta subscribes to.

 Shweta's experiences traveling as a childfree woman

...and many more aspects of Shweta's unwavering choice to be childfree.
As mentioned in the show:

Find Shweta online on...
Instagram: @childfreesrbuddysmum
TikTok: @shwetaramkumar

About Shweta: 

All of Shweta's social media bios contain the following words: Educator, Adventurer, Foodie, Singer, Dog-Mom, Minimalist, Unconventional, Childfree by Choice, Antinatalist and Egalitarian. She's a multitalented, multipassionate creative woman who has lived and travelled all over the world, worked in a variety of industries and is currently an up and coming entrepreneur with a business that marries up her passions, skillset, knowledge and experience. She's a Southern Asian woman of colour and a pioneer of dismantling the oppressive norms of the conservative, sexist, and patriarchal culture and society she grew up in. As an unmarried childfree millennial woman, her life journey sets a strong example of breaking free from the shackles of disempowering cultural conformity and stand out as a proud black sheep in more ways than one. She's an avid advocate of the childfree lifestyle where she has made valuable contributions through podcast and video interviews, speaking on conventions and conferences and blog posts. She is currently based in Melbourne Australia.

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Get the details on the upcoming session of the Kids or Childfree group coaching program here: kidsorchildfree.com/group-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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire asks hospice nurse Julie McFadden the questions on your mind when it comes to your Kids or Childfree decision and all things death and dying.  

You'll hear them discuss:
Julie's personal journey as a nurse and her decision to specialize in hospice care How at age 41, Julie is able to have such an attitude of openness about still possibly having children...or not Julie's brand-new book, 'Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully,' and the worldwide impact of understanding the dying process How to prepare for end-of-life care, no matter which Kids or Childfree choice you make — and the misconception that having children guarantees care in old age Why whether or not you have kids doesn't actually matter in end-of-life Inspiring stories of those who died never having had children The beauty of witnessing both birth and death

...in what is a powerful, funny, and moving conversation! 
As mentioned in the show:

Find Julie online at www.hospicenursejulie.com.

YouTube: youtube.com/@hospicenursejulie
Instagram: instagram.com/hospicenursejulie/
TikTok: tiktok.com/@hospicenursejulie

Get Julie's brand-new book, Nothing to Fear: https://a.co/d/5c19mY4

About Julie: 

Julie McFadden, BSN, RN has been a nurse for 15 years. Julie is an experienced ICU, and now Hospice/Palliative Nurse. Julie has been featured in Newsweek, USA today, The Atlantic, and several other articles worldwide. Julie has been passionate about normalizing death through education to the masses using social media and now her new book coming out in June- Nothing To Fear. Her TikTok has 1.4M followers, and you can find her on all social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube) at Hospice Nurse Julie. You can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Get the details on my one-on-one coaching offers here. 

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

In this episode, Keltie is joined by her husband, Chris, for a candid discussion about their decision to be childfree, and namely, how choosing childfree has been for Chris as a man.

The two of them discuss:

Chris's personal journey from ambivalence to confidently childfree

The role of personal and relationship development in their decision-making process, and how they navigated their decision as a couple

The challenges and potential resentment that can arise if one partner wants children more than the other

Topics such as societal pressures, financial considerations, and the desire to maintain their current lifestyle

How societal pressure and expectations around having children are different for men than women, plus Chris's personal experience with nosy questions and naysayers 

Chris's feelings about getting a vasectomy and why he's chosen not to have one

The love they share for their childfree life together, and how they find and create deeper meaning and fulfillment

As mentioned in the show:

Find Christian on:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christianhaefele/
Instagram: instagram.com/chris_ongram/

Episode 10 with Ruby Warrington on Women Without Kids

Episodes 5 and 6 where Keltie shares her personal journey to being childfree 


About Christian:

Christian Haefele is a mountain enthusiast, dog lover, and avid traveler who lives in Munich Germany, with his wife, Keltie, and dog, Shira. His hobbies include ultra-trail running, hiking, and stand-up paddle-boarding. When he's not adventuring, Chris loves enjoying a craft beer or two and cooking up delicious vegan dishes. Chris has previously lived in Vancouver, Canada, and he works in tech sales providing digital solutions to Germany's largest retailers. 

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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

Julie Lythcott-Haims — New York Times bestselling author, TED speaker, former Stanford dean, and lawyer — is here to share her wisdom with us on living an authentic life, the impact of helicopter parenting (and how we can break free of this trap, should we choose to become parents), and her experiences as a mom of two adult children.

Hear her and Keltie discuss:
The importance of defining one's unique path in life — and how we can break free of the pressures that surround us.

Julie's personal path to motherhood — including its challenges and rewards.

What Julie is seeing and hearing from young people about the decision to have kids or not.

The danger of today's culture of intensive parenting — and how we can choose to do things differently. Why couples should and can prioritize their own well-being, and take time for themselves to maintain a healthy relationship. 
The challenges of maintaining friendships when one person becomes a parent — and the different values and priorities that can arise.

The profound learning experience of having children.

...and so much more!
As mentioned in the show:

Find Julie online at julielythcotthaims.com.

X: x.com/jlythcotthaims
Instagram: instagram.com/jlythcotthaims
Facebook: facebook.com/jlythcotthaims/

Julie's books:

Real American: A Memoir

How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success

Your Turn: How to Be an Adult

About Julie:

Julie Lythcott-Haims believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her work encompasses writing, speaking, public service, and activism. She is a New York Times bestselling author of books on human development, a TED speaker, a former Stanford dean, and a lawyer, and she holds degrees from Stanford University (BA), Harvard Law (JD), and California College of the Arts (MFA). She serves on numerous nonprofit boards whose work focuses on equity, education, youth, wellness, and the arts. Julie lives in Palo Alto, California with her partner of over thirty years, their itinerant young adults, and her mother. She is a member of the Palo Alto City Council.

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Get the details on my Clarity Booster coaching offer here. 

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

In this conversation, we hear from Katherine Ripley, a licensed clinical social worker and somatic therapist, about how difficult childhood experiences can influence and shape the decision of whether or not to have children. 

Keltie and Katherine discuss:
The role of anxiety as a defense against emotion and how it can prevent us from connecting with our bodies and core emotions. The importance of curiosity, compassion, and listening to the different parts of ourselves when making decisions.  How childhood trauma can shape our desires and fears around parenthood.  The concept of parentification and how it can influence the decision to have kids or not. Emotional regulation and taking ownership of our emotions when considering parenthood. ...and many other topics related to difficult childhood experiences and the Kids or Childfree decision.

As mentioned in the show:

Find Katherine on:
Instagram: instagram.com/therapy.with.katherine/
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@therapywithkatherine

Get the details on Katherine's upcoming "The Practice of Presence" course, here:
katherineripleytherapist.com/online-course

About Katherine:
Katherine Ripley is a licensed clinical social worker, offering both individual therapy and group coaching programs. She works with adult survivors of child abuse and childhood emotional neglect. She uses primarily somatic methods to support people in processing their emotions through their bodies. Her work is also based in attachment theory.
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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