Childfree Life by Design

Childfree Insights
  • 4.9 (45)
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Childfree Life by Design is a podcast for people who are Childfree or permanently childless and thinking seriously about money, legacy, and what comes next. It tackles financial planning, estate planning, and life decisions for adults building a future without children and without a default script to follow. Hosted by experts in financial and life planning, the show cuts through outdated assumptions about family, retirement, and aging. Conversations focus on utilizing wealth, solo aging, long-term care, relationships, and how to plan with clarity when you don’t have kids. This isn’t about justifying your choices or debating labels. It’s about practical guidance for planning life without children making smart financial decisions, defining legacy on your own terms, and building support systems that actually work. If you’re Childfree, childless, or planning without kids and want thoughtful, trusted education, this is where those conversations happen. Disclosure: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your professional advisors before implementing any ideas discussed. For full disclosures, visit Childfreewealth.com.

  1. The Importance of Care Plans | Maddy Roche & Bri Conn, CFP®

    1D AGO

    The Importance of Care Plans | Maddy Roche & Bri Conn, CFP®

    In this episode, Maddy Roche and Bri Conn, CFP®, explain why legal documents alone aren’t enough. Estate plans grant authority. Care plans provide direction. They spell out the details that make real-world care possible: where to find your mailbox key, your alarm code, how to feed your pets, what medical history your doctors should know, and what living with dignity truly means to you. They also discuss documenting cultural or religious preferences and why these plans should be treated as living documents, updated as your life, relationships, and values evolve. Key Takeaways: Estate plans give the who, care plans give the how. Legal documents grant someone the power to make decisions. Care plans outline what those decisions should actually look like, from daily routines to end-of-life wishes.Document the everyday details others wouldn't know. Alarm codes, mailbox locations, pet feeding routines, storage facilities, and where to find important items are all critical for someone stepping into your life.Define what life with dignity means to you. Cultural preferences, religious practices, LGBTQ+ identity, and personal boundaries should be clearly stated so your wishes are honored, not someone else's assumptions.Build a team to support you as you age. Financial planners, doctors, and aging care managers all play a role in ensuring your care plan can actually be executed when you need it.Treat your care plan as a living document. Update it as your life changes. New pet, new home, new diagnosis, new preferences. The goal is to keep it current so it reflects who you are now.Episode Hosts: Maddy Roche - Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust® and responsible for all sales & marketing initiatives. Bri Conn, CFP® - Customer Experience Manager at Childfree Trust®. Bri coaches clients through estate planning and care plan development, helping them document their wishes and build support teams. About Childfree Insights Childfree Insights is a trusted resource for life planning without children. It explores financial planning, estate planning, relationships, and long-term decisions for adults building a future without kids. Home of Childfree Wealth® and Childfree Trust®. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    28 min
  2. Building Childfree Trust® - Partnership with Welon Trust | Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®, John Steiner, CFA®, & Robert Allan, CFP®, CFA®, CPA

    FEB 19

    Building Childfree Trust® - Partnership with Welon Trust | Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®, John Steiner, CFA®, & Robert Allan, CFP®, CFA®, CPA

    Who makes decisions for you when you can't? For Childfree people, the answer has never been straightforward. Dr. Jay Zigmont sits down with Robert Allan and John Steiner from Welon Trust to reveal how they spent two and a half years building something that didn't exist: a trust company designed specifically for the Childfree community. This episode pulls back the curtain on creating Childfree Trust®. From a 752-page application to navigating banking regulators who'd never seen this model, John and Robert share why every other trust company said no, the social bias they faced raising capital, and how they're building a system that has to outlive everyone involved. If you've ever wondered what it takes to create something entirely new in a 200-year-old industry, this conversation delivers the unfiltered truth. Key Takeaways: Traditional trust companies refused to serve Childfree clients: Every company demanded $10,000-$20,000 annual minimums and wouldn't touch medical power of attorney. They just don't want to do it.Banking oversight protects like the FDIC: If Welon fails, regulators step in seamlessly—the document doesn't die, the company may. To clients it looks like nothing happened.Building to outlive the founders: This company has to bury Dr. Jay, John, and Robert. They're creating documented processes that ensure continuity for decades.Social bias against Childfree investing: One investor loved Childfree Trust® but couldn't invest because "they can't go to church and say they invested in a Childfree company." Robert: "There's a market that needs to be served."Episode Host: Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. Board member and investor in Welon Trust. Jay spent two and a half years partnering with John and Robert to create the first trust company designed specifically for the Childfree community. Meet the Guests: John Steiner, CFA® - a Founding Member and Managing Director of Welon Trust. He brings more than 35 years of investment management expertise to the firm working with both individuals and institutions.  Robert Allan, CFP®, CFA®, CPA - a Founding Member and Managing Director of Welon Trust. With over a decade of financial, operational, and accounting experience, he brings a unique perspective that allows him to provide value to his client’s beyond managing their portfolio. Learn more about Welon Trust:  https://welon.com About Childfree Insights Childfree Insights delivers education for financial and estate planning without children. It supports people with no kids in making informed decisions about retirement, legacy planning, beneficiaries, and long-term care. Home of Childfree Wealth® and Childfree Trust®. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    45 min
  3. Protecting Your Pets: Emergency Planning & Long-Term Care | Bri Conn, CFP® & Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

    FEB 12

    Protecting Your Pets: Emergency Planning & Long-Term Care | Bri Conn, CFP® & Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

    What happens to your pets if you're suddenly unable to care for them? For Childfree people with animal companions, this isn't just about planning for after you're gone. It's about having a solid plan for emergencies, temporary disability, and ensuring your pets get the care they need when you can't provide it. Bri Conn, CFP® and Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® tackle pet protection planning, from 155-pound English Mastiffs with special dietary needs to orange cats with attitude problems. They break down the difference between temporary care (you're in the hospital for three days) and permanent arrangements (you pass away), the legal reality that pets are considered property, how pet trusts work differently than wills, and Childfree Trust®'s 24/7 emergency response system that activates care plans the moment someone is hospitalized. Key Takeaways: Temporary vs permanent care requires different plans: Emergency disability needs immediate pet care with existing sitters or facilities. Permanent arrangements require identifying long-term guardians willing to take animals with special needs.Pet trusts protect animals beyond wills: Pet trusts ensure trustees oversee that guardians actually spend funds on your pet's benefit.Care documents enable emergency response: Document feeding schedules, medical conditions, allergies, medications, veterinarian contacts, and house access information so caregivers know exactly what your pet needs.The 3 C's framework: Caretaker, Communication, Critical information: Who takes responsibility, how they're reached in emergencies, and everything they need to know about food, medicine, behavior, and routines.Mentioned in this episode: Protecting pets emergency checklist - Download it hereStart your estate planning here - www.ChildfreeTrust.comEpisode Hosts: Bri Conn, CFP® -  Customer Experience Manager at Childfree Trust®. Bri has multiple backup caretakers lined up for her dog and maintains a detailed "doggy resume" with all care information readily accessible Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. Jay's 155-pound English Mastiff has extensive special needs and a precise 5:00 PM dinner schedule, making detailed care planning essential. About Childfree Insights Childfree Insights is the trusted education hub for people who are Childfree or permanently childless. It provides guidance on finances, estate planning, relationships, and life decisions for adults without children. Home of Childfree Wealth and Childfree Trust, supporting long-term planning for people living without kids. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    27 min
  4. Childfree Trust®: Who Makes Decisions When You Can't? | Maddy Roche & Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

    FEB 5

    Childfree Trust®: Who Makes Decisions When You Can't? | Maddy Roche & Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

    Who will make decisions for you when you can't? For Childfree people, that question has never had a good answer until now. In this episode, Maddy Roche and Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® introduce Childfree Trust®, the first nationwide professional fiduciary solution designed specifically for Childfree individuals. After three and a half years of research and development, Childfree Trust® solves a problem that's plagued the Childfree community: who will act as your medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, executor, and trustee when you don't have the traditional next of kin most estate planning assumes you have? Jay and Maddy break down the four crucial estate planning roles every person needs to fill, what really happens if you don't have these documents in place, and why relying solely on friends and family can put everyone in a difficult position.  Key Takeaways: Estate planning is about decisions while you're alive: The four critical roles,  medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, executor, and trustee, ensure someone can make decisions on your behalf during emergencies, cognitive decline, or after death. Childfree Trust® is the first nationwide professional fiduciary solution: Acting in all 50 states & DC, Childfree Trust® can serve as your medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, executor, or trustee. Professional fiduciaries protect everyone involved: Even if you have someone willing to serve in estate planning roles, appointing Childfree Trust® as a backup gives your loved ones an out if circumstances become too challenging. Guarantees ensure lifelong protection: If you've been a client for 24 consecutive months and go on Medicaid, Childfree Trust® will continue making decisions on your behalf without billing you. Your decisions are protected even if you run out of assets.Episode Hosts: Maddy Roche - Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust® and responsible for all sales & marketing initiatives. Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. After spending three and a half years researching estate planning solutions for Childfree people, Jay created Childfree Trust® to solve a problem no one else would address. About Childfree Insights: Childfree Insights is the trusted education hub for people who are Childfree or permanently Childless. It provides guidance on finances, estate planning, relationships, and life decisions for adults without children. Home of Childfree Wealth® and Childfree Trust®, supporting long-term planning for people living without kids. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    30 min
  5. Special Episode 20: CES 2026 | Behind the Scenes of the World's Biggest Tech Show

    JAN 30

    Special Episode 20: CES 2026 | Behind the Scenes of the World's Biggest Tech Show

    The Childfree Life By Design team just got back from CES in Las Vegas, and they're sharing everything: the coolest tech, the weirdest products, and what it's really like to run a booth at the world's biggest consumer electronics show. From hip airbags and remote dementia diagnosis tools to robot dogs and AI-powered picture frames that clone voices, this episode covers it all. The team also reflects on community connections, including a special dinner with Childfree community members, and what they learned about the growing interest in Childfree resources from around the world. Key Takeaways: Age tech is having a moment. Hip airbags, remote dementia diagnosis, subtitle glasses for hearing impairment, and exoskeletons for everyday use signal a shift toward technology that supports aging well.The Childfree mission resonates globally. International attendees and even parents expressed genuine interest in Childfree resources, confirming the team is on the right track.Community connection matters. The team dinner with Childfree community members was a highlight, reinforcing the value of gathering with people who just get it.Focus on the people who get it. Rather than convincing skeptics, spend energy on the millions who already understand and want to engage.Resources Mentioned:  Tech Crunch Article: https://techcrunch.com/snippet/3081558/childfree-trust-was-one-of-the-sleeper-surprises-at-ces-unveiled/  Episode Hosts: Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. Author of "The Childfree Guide to Life and Money." Bri Conn, CFP® - Customer Experience Manager at Childfree Trust® and co-host. Bri joined the Childfree space after connecting with Dr. Jay while studying to become a CFP® professional. Scott Barnes, CFP®, TPCP®, CLTC - Associate Advisor at Childfree Wealth®. Scott is the go-to expert for long-term care strategies and tax planning questions. Maddy Roche - Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust® and responsible for all sales & marketing initiatives. Alli Gage - Chief of Staff at Childfree Insights. Alli is the behind-the-scenes coordinator who ensures all organizations operate in an orderly fashion across the board. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    29 min
  6. Legacy Without Lineage: Leadership Lessons from NASCAR | Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® & Drew Blickensderfer

    JAN 29

    Legacy Without Lineage: Leadership Lessons from NASCAR | Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® & Drew Blickensderfer

    What do you want the second line of your obituary to say? For most people, it reads "father of three" or "survived by spouse and children." For Childfree people, that line looks different. This episode tackles the identity crisis that comes when your career defines you and you're facing a major transition without the traditional markers of legacy. Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® sits down with Drew Blickensderfer, two-time Daytona 500-winning crew chief and current Competition Director at Front Row Motor Sports, to discuss his transition from crew chief to leadership after nearly 20 years at NASCAR's highest level.  This conversation reveals how Childfree people can create legacy through leadership, not lineage. Key Takeaways: The obituary question reframes identity: What do you want the second line of your obituary to say? Legacy through leadership, not lineage: Childfree people build impact through mentoring, developing talent, and doing the morally right thing for others' careers. Being Childfree enabled career longevity: Crew chiefs rarely last 19 years. No children meant Drew could travel 36-38 weeks per year, miss no little league games, and pursue his dream longer than peers with family obligations.Platinum rule over golden rule: Treating people how you want to be treated fails with different generations and learning styles.Small wins sustain teams through adversity: When winning seems impossible (35 losers every NASCAR race), celebrate incremental progress. Episode Host: Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. Jay embedded with Drew's NASCAR team for a year to research leadership and legacy for Childfree individuals, creating what he calls his "secret project" exploring how people build impact without traditional lineage. Meet the Guest: Drew Blickensderfer - Competition Director at Front Row Motor Sports. Two-time Daytona 500-winning crew chief with 19 years in NASCAR. Drew transitioned from crew chief (NASCAR's "head coach") to competition director, managing multiple teams instead of one. Being Childfree allowed him to travel constantly and stay in his role longer than most, while now entering an encore career with better work-life balance. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    39 min
  7. Building Your Bench | Maddy Roche & Bri Conn, CFP®

    JAN 22

    Building Your Bench | Maddy Roche & Bri Conn, CFP®

    Who's on your bench? When you're building a Childfree life on your own terms, the professionals and teammates you surround yourself with make all the difference in how well you age. In this episode, Maddy Roche and Bri Conn, CFP®, walk through the essential people you need in your corner, from certified financial planners who understand Childfree planning to aging care managers who can help you navigate long-term care. They tackle why estate planning is more complex when you don't have a next generation to handle decisions, how Childfree Trust® provides a professional fiduciary solution, and why outsourcing the right things frees you to focus on what matters most. Key Takeaways: CFP® professionals are fiduciaries legally obligated to act in your best interest, and finding one who understands how being Childfree fundamentally changes your financial picture ensures you get advice that actually fits your goals.Medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, executor, and trustee are essential positions that take time to fill, especially when you don't have a next generation to rely on.Childfree Trust® provides a professional fiduciary solution. Acting in all 50 states as any of the four key estate planning roles, Childfree Trust® can serve as your primary choice or backup option, giving your existing representatives the gift of being able to transfer responsibility if needed.Whether it's tax preparation, home maintenance, or health management, identifying what you can delegate to professionals frees you to spend time with people and activities you actually care about.Primary care doctors, aging care managers, personal trainers, and community leaders all play a role in preventing issues before they arise and ensuring you have advocates when you need them.Episode Hosts: Maddy Roche - Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust® and responsible for all sales & marketing initiatives. Bri Conn, CFP® - Customer Experience Manager at Childfree Trust® and co-host. Bri understands firsthand that the CFP® curriculum doesn't address Childfree planning. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    33 min
  8. Reimagining Wealth with Carl Richards, CFP® & Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

    JAN 15

    Reimagining Wealth with Carl Richards, CFP® & Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

    What if the way you think about wealth is keeping you from building it? In this episode, Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® and  Carl Richards, CFP® creator of the Sketch Guy column in the New York Times, sit down to explore how simple drawings unlock profound truths about money and life. Carl shares the stories behind his most powerful sketches, including the Venn diagram asking "What can I control?" and "What matters?" and why their overlap is where real financial planning happens.  Key Takeaways: Focus on the overlap of what matters and what you control.Real financial planning aligns money with life.The only goal that matters is yours.Childfree planning requires different tools and thinking.Episode Host: Dr. Jay Zigmont, PhD, MBA, CFP® is the Founder of Childfree Wealth, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping people simplify their finances so they can live an amazing Childfree life. Dr. Jay is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Childfree Wealth Specialist, and author of the book “The Childfree Guide to Life and Money.” His Ph.D. is in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut. Meet the Guest: Carl Richards, CFP®, wrote The Sketch Guy column in The New York Times for a decade, using cardstock and a Sharpie to make money feel less complicated. He's the author of bestsellers The Behavior Gap and The One-Page Financial Plan, and his latest book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches, released in October 2025. Carl hosts the daily podcast Behavior Gap Radio and founded The Society of Advice, a community for financial planners dedicated to the craft of advice.  Learn more on his website: behaviorgap.com. Connect with Carl Online: LinkedIn   X   Instagram.  Pre-order Carl’s book on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.  To place a bulk order of Carl’s book, visit this link and use the code YourMoney5 at checkout to save an additional 5%. Connect with Us: Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com. Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

    28 min
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4.9
out of 5
45 Ratings

About

Childfree Life by Design is a podcast for people who are Childfree or permanently childless and thinking seriously about money, legacy, and what comes next. It tackles financial planning, estate planning, and life decisions for adults building a future without children and without a default script to follow. Hosted by experts in financial and life planning, the show cuts through outdated assumptions about family, retirement, and aging. Conversations focus on utilizing wealth, solo aging, long-term care, relationships, and how to plan with clarity when you don’t have kids. This isn’t about justifying your choices or debating labels. It’s about practical guidance for planning life without children making smart financial decisions, defining legacy on your own terms, and building support systems that actually work. If you’re Childfree, childless, or planning without kids and want thoughtful, trusted education, this is where those conversations happen. Disclosure: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your professional advisors before implementing any ideas discussed. For full disclosures, visit Childfreewealth.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Childfree Insights
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Childfree Life by Design
  • Show Website
    Childfree Life by Design

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