Curious Life of a Childfree Woman

Emily Paulsen
  • 4.8 (37)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Join Emily Paulsen for curious conversations on culture, wellness, self-expression, and ideas to make the world better, all explored from a childfree perspective.

  1. Apr 23

    Podcast Pause Announcement: Behind the Curtain on Stepping Back to go Further in the Future! | Emily Paulsen

    What if feeling complete with what you've created confirms it's the right time to step away? In this solo episode, Emily Paulsen announces that Curious Life of a Childfree Woman is going on a break. After 75 weeks straight without missing a beat, 67 guests, an in-person event, and consistently reaching 40,000 women, Emily shares why she's stepping away and what comes next. She reflects on the deep conditioning of sticking with something once you start it and keeping it exactly as it was, even when it no longer serves you. Emily explains how the podcast accomplished what she set out to do: create a space to explore curiosity exclusively from a childfree perspective, covering everything from fashion to finance, sustainability to the Salem Witch Trials, and unconventional choices like intentional singleness and tiny house living. Emily shares that she feels complete with this format and has been craving clarity on what the next chapter looks like for serving the childfree community. Research suggests that 45% of women aged 25 to 44 will be single and childfree by 2030, yet we're still underserved and underrepresented in media. This is not the end of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, just a pause to find the flavor and format that will be most valuable. All episodes remain available on podcast platforms, and the Instagram account stays active for connection. Key Takeaways: Sometimes consistency becomes routine without intention: It's easy to focus on consistency over listening to your instincts. Feeling complete confirms the right time to step away: Being in love with what you've produced means it's time for the next chapter. The childfree community is growing: 45% of women aged 25 to 44 will be single and childfree by 2030. Representation matters: We're still underserved and underrepresented in media and content. This is a pause, not an ending: All episodes remain available and the journey continues in a new format. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com and about her brand business: www.electriccollab.com  Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman

  2. Apr 16

    Harnessing Our Nervous System to Manage Everything We Say We Want | Spring Break Best Of | Emily Paulsen & Olivia Marie

    Spring is the season of leveling up, and this one is back as part of the Spring Break Best Of series because Emily re-listens to it every single time she needs a tactical boost on how to hold the abundance she is always working toward. Dr. Olivia Marie is a doctor of psychology with deep expertise in nervous system regulation, business energetics, and wealth expansion, and Emily has never heard anyone explain this stuff so clearly. This conversation will change the way you think about every goal you have ever set and not hit. Emily and Olivia get into why affirmations and morning routines are not enough if you never get to the root, what it actually looks like to rewire your nervous system rather than manage it forever, and how living in a regulated state is not about being calm and quiet but about becoming someone who can hold the results they actually want. If you have ever wondered why you keep self-sabotaging right when things start to get good, this one is for you. Key Takeaways Burnout is feedback, not failure—and it often points to patterns of chronic override. The “Starbucks Cup” analogy helps visualize how full most nervous systems already are before life adds more stress. Nervous system regulation creates capacity for presence, discernment, and deeper self-leadership. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re invitations for more aligned connection and energy flow. “Normal” is a moving target, shaped by conditioning—not truth. Tiny moments of self-abandonment add up, and recognizing them is the first step toward reclaiming power. You can hold duality—empowerment and fear, clarity and confusion, expansion and stillness can coexist. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Olivia Marie, a doctor with a degree in psychology and a deep expertise in nervous system regulation, business energetics, and wealth expansion. She has helped high-level entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders transform their experience of success—not through force or hustle, but by mastering deep nervous system recalibration. Her signature Rapid Rewire Technique helps women move past subconscious blocks, expand their capacity to receive, and scale their businesses in a way that feels effortless, aligned, and deeply fulfilling. Olivia built her own 7+ figure empire in under 2.5 years—not through burnout, but by regulating her nervous system to hold more. Now, she teaches others to do the same. Her work redefines wealth as more than just money—it’s aliveness, love, fulfillment, bliss, and joy. She believes that true success isn’t about pushing harder, but about expanding your ability to receive. Learn More about Olivia on her website:  https://www.keepupwithliv.com/Connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepupwithliv/  And listen to her Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/beyond-limits-with-olivia-marie/id1529358695

  3. Apr 9

    A Celebrity Mentor Teaching Us to Bend Reality in Our Favor? | Emily Paulsen & Victoria Song

    Spring has a way of making everything feel possible, and this week Emily is revisiting the episode that generated more DMs than any other in the show's history. Victoria Song is a private advisor to the world's top performers, and when she says top performers, she means it. Her clients include Cindy Crawford, the family of LeBron James, and some of the most influential leaders in tech, sports, entertainment, and business. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy and mysticism, and somehow she makes both feel completely inevitable. This conversation goes deep into what it actually means to bend reality in your favor, why so many high achievers are operating from a place of contraction without even realizing it, and how leaning into your natural zone of genius rather than white knuckling your way through your weaknesses is the real path to results that do not make logical sense. If you have been feeling the pull toward something bigger this season but cannot quite get your mindset to catch up, this one is for you. 👉 Victoria's most popular masterclass, The GOAT Method, is the exact framework she uses with her private clients. Get access here: https://victoria-song.mykajabi.com/a/2148120895/Qy2YH3az Key Takeaways: Intuition as untapped data: Our gut instincts process information beyond what the five senses can capture, learning to trust them gives us access to shortcuts our linear mind can’t see. Low-stakes practice builds trust: Strengthening intuition starts small, like following a nudge to call a friend or choosing a new path on a weekend, and compounds into bigger decisions over time. Contraction drains success: Beliefs rooted in scarcity, overwork, or fear create heaviness in the body and bend outcomes against us; expansion lightens energy and invites possibility. Focus on super strengths: Instead of doubling down on weaknesses, identify the gifts that feel natural, joyful, and energizing, those are the true levers of success. Joy as soul language: What lights us up isn’t frivolous, it’s a signpost of our purpose. Following it creates alignment between our deepest calling and daily actions. ___  Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.comConnect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman ___ The guest on this episode, Victoria Song, is a leadership advisor, venture capitalist turned performance coach, and bestselling author of Bending Reality. She works with top performers across tech, sports, entertainment, and business, helping them dissolve limiting beliefs, expand their vision, and achieve what once seemed impossible. Connect with Victoria: ⁠https://victoria-song.com⁠

  4. Apr 2

    Making Sustainable Living Cool Again | Spring Break Best Of | Emily Paulsen & Ashlee Piper

    April is Earth Month, which means sustainability is having its annual moment in the spotlight, and there is no better time to revisit this conversation with Ashlee Piper. Emily still references it constantly when she is trying to explain why stepping off the consumerism hamster wheel matters so much for our wellbeing, not just the planet, and that is exactly why it is back as part of our Spring Break Best Of series. Ashlee is a bestselling author, sustainability star, and media personality whose work has appeared everywhere from the Today Show and Good Morning America to Vogue, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. This conversation digs into the fascinating history of how we went from citizens to consumers, the psychology behind why shopping is so addictive and so unsatisfying at the same time, and the #NoNewThings Challenge Ashlee created to help people reclaim their time, money, and creativity. It is eye opening, empowering, and might just change the way you think about your next online order. Key Takeaways: Understanding Consumerism: Learn how post-war industrialization and marketing created a culture of overconsumption and environmental degradation. The Role of Marketing: Discover how modern marketing exploits psychology to influence purchasing decisions and create false needs. The #NoNewThings Challenge: Explore how this initiative helps individuals reclaim time, money, and creativity while reducing their environmental impact. Actionable Sustainability: Practical steps for curbing overconsumption, living sustainably, and contributing to climate solutions. Individual Power in Collective Change: Why our personal choices matter and how they can lead to systemic improvements. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert, TV personality, author and globally recognized speaker whose work has been featured on 310+ television segments, including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly & Mark, and CNN, and in VOGUE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Marie Claire, The Atlantic and Newsweek. Piper's 2018 book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (Running Press) has been hailed as a 'sustainability Bible' by celebrities and reviewers. She's consulted on sustainability practices with well-known companies such as Airbnb, LUSH, Nissan and Eileen Fisher, has been a cabinet-level advisor to two Massachusetts Governors and is a judge for the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards. Piper has spoken at the United Nations, SXSW and has a popular TED Talk. She is also the creator of the #NoNewThings Challenge, which received a 2022 Silver Stevie Award for Best Nonprofit Innovation. Piper has been a Professor of Sustainability Marketing at Loyola University Chicago, eco instructor for LinkedIn Learning and holds a BA from Brown University, an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford, UK and an MA in Holistic Health from IIN/Columbia University. She lives in Chicago with Skip, an 18-pound cat she found behind a dumpster, in a home that’s 98% secondhand. You can find her drinking Sugar-Free Red Bull and vodka and singing Seal’s ‘Kiss From A Rose’ at any not-so-fine karaoke establishment. Learn more about Ashlee on her website:  www.ashleepiper.com And connect with her on Instagram:  @ashleepiper

  5. Mar 26

    Proving that a Life Well Lived Doesn’t Rely on Kids | Spring Break Best Of | Emily Paulsen & Marcia Drut-Davis

    This is the most meaningful episode Emily has ever recorded, and it is back as part of the Spring Break Best Of series for a reason. Marcia Drut-Davis is 83 years young, a pioneer of the childfree movement, and a living, breathing example that a life well lived has nothing to do with whether or not you have children. When Marcia publicly shared that she was childfree by choice in the 1970s, she received death threats, family backlash, and lost a teaching job she loved. She kept talking anyway, and this conversation is proof of why. Marcia and Emily get into all of it, from Marcia's appearance on 60 Minutes on Mother's Day that sent shockwaves through her life, to how to navigate friendship when your circle starts having kids, to the question nobody wants to ask out loud: are you actually parent material? Warm, wise, hilarious, and completely unfiltered, Marcia brings the kind of perspective that only comes from eight decades of living life entirely on her own terms. Since recording this episode, she and Emily have become personal friends, and it shows. Key Takeaways: Speaking Up & Facing Backlash: How Marcia’s 60 Minutes appearance made her a controversial figure overnight. Redefining Legacy: The unexpected ways childfree people build deep, meaningful connections. Navigating Friendships: How to maintain strong relationships when your life path looks different. Aging Without Children: What people get wrong about childfree aging—and Marcia’s personal experience. Owning Your Choices: Why being true to yourself is always worth it, even when the world pushes back. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Marcia Drut-Davis Is an 82 Yr. Young Pioneer In The Childfree Movement. She's Been Featured In Two Documentaries And Has Authored Two Books. Her Joy Is Reaching Hearts With Support And Knowledge. Learn more about Marcia’s books on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marcia-Drut-Davis/author/B08429L4CL Connect with her on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfree_guru/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/confessionsofchildfreepeople  And watch the documentaries she has been featured in: https://myselfishlife.com/ by Therese Shechter https://www.tokidornottokid.com/  by Maxine Trump

  6. Mar 19

    Reclaiming Our Personal Style That Accidentally Slipped Away | Spring Break Best Of | Emily Paulsen & Chellie Carlson

    Spring Break, meet spring cleaning. We are continuing our Best Of series and this one is perfectly timed for that annual moment of standing in your closet staring at your spring clothes thinking, who even bought this stuff? Transformational wardrobe stylist Chellie Carlson has answers. With over 20 years in the fashion industry and a standing-room-only panel at our February event, Chellie works with high-performing executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives to help them move beyond the cycle of overconsumption and into a wardrobe that actually reflects who they are. This conversation goes way deeper than clothes. From the psychology behind our shopping habits and the link between self-worth and personal style, to body image, fast fashion, and what it really means to dress for the woman you are becoming, Emily and Chellie unravel why so many of us have a closet full of clothes and still feel like we have nothing to wear. If a spring closet cleanout has been on your mind, this is your sign. Key Takeaways The Psychology of Style: Why we’re drawn to new clothes, how social media fuels overconsumption, and why more shopping doesn’t lead to better style. Closet Detoxing & Editing: The emotional baggage behind our wardrobes and why letting go of clothes that don’t serve us is a critical first step. Dressing for Your Future Self: How to align your wardrobe with the person you want to become—rather than who you used to be or who you think you "should" be. Tailoring & Fit: Why the right fit is more important than size and how a good tailor can completely transform the way clothes look on your body. The Energy of Clothing: How investing in fewer, higher-quality pieces can boost confidence and help you feel more magnetic in your daily life. *The article Emily referenced in the podcast can be found here: https://www.empower.com/the-currency/life/dressing-up-monthly-spend-apparel  — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Chellie Carlson, a transformational wardrobe stylist and the founder of The Method and The Style Society, where she helps high-performing entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives redefine their personal style with confidence and intention. With over 20 years in the fashion industry, Chellie’s expertise goes beyond trends—she believes that clothing is a powerful tool for self-expression and personal transformation. Her signature styling approach focuses on curating fewer, higher-quality pieces, creating a wardrobe that feels both authentic and magnetic. Through her deeply personalized process, she helps clients break free from the cycle of overconsumption, align their wardrobe with their future selves, and show up in the world with undeniable presence. From in-depth closet edits to luxury styling sessions, Chellie’s work is rooted in helping people feel seen, stylish, and empowered—every single day. Learn more about Chellie on her website: https://www.chelliecarlson.com/And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelliecarlson/

  7. Mar 12

    Step Up Your Small Talk & Social Life with Modern Etiquette | Spring Break Best Of | Emily Paulsen & Mariah Grumet Humbert

    After 70 consecutive weeks of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, we are taking a Spring Break from new episodes to bring back some of our favorite conversations. First up is this gem with NYC-based certified etiquette expert and author Mariah Grumet Humbert. Spring is when our social calendars start filling back up, networking picks up, and we find ourselves back in rooms full of people we may or may not know how to talk to. This one could not be more timely. Mariah brings a modern, psychology-driven approach to etiquette, reframing it not as a rigid set of rules but as a practical toolkit for building confidence and deeper human connection. From navigating first impressions to gracefully exiting a conversation, handling rude social media comments, choosing the right host gift, and knowing when to finally put the phone down, this episode is full of real, usable wisdom for every kind of social situation. Key Takeaways:  The Power of a Strong First Impression: Why the first seven seconds matter, and how to make them count. Mastering Social Exits: How to leave conversations gracefully without awkwardness or guilt. Body Language & Presence: How nonverbal communication shapes the way we’re perceived. Declining Invitations Without Guilt: Why you don’t owe anyone an excuse for saying no. Grief & Difficult Conversations: How to acknowledge loss and show up for others in a meaningful way. Authenticity & Etiquette: Why true etiquette isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, awareness, and kindness. The New Yorker Article Emily & Mariah talked about in the episode can be read here. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Mariah Grumet Humbert. As a certified etiquette trainer, Mariah is on a mission to bring an intentional sparkle back to a lost art. She believes etiquette is much more than just a set of rules, it is a powerful tool to help individuals build confidence, create stronger connections, and distinguish themselves. In her pursuit to redefine the meaning of etiquette, she helps her clients master the nuances of various social and professional situations with authenticity, consideration for others, and a strong level of emotional intelligence. Mariah founded Old Soul Etiquette in 2021 when she left her career in fashion to pursue her lifelong passion: empowering others to shine their light through her approachable and vibrant take on etiquette. Today, she works with individuals and organizations across the globe, offering private consulting, interactive workshops, webinars, and keynotes on topics such as social, dining, and business etiquette, first and lasting impressions, personal branding, the art of conversation and small talk, the power of your professional presence, and more. Mariah is based in New York City and is available to travel by request. Mariah is also the author of the modern wedding etiquette book, What Do I Do? and The Essential Wedding Planner. Her expertise has been sought after by The Today Show, NBC News, Fox News, Forbes, Southern Living, The New York Post, Travel & Leisure, Brides, Martha Stewart, and more.  Learn More about Mariah on her website:www.oldsouletiquette.com And connect with her on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/oldsouletiquette/

  8. Mar 5

    Intentional Singleness: What If You Stopped Planning Your Life Around a Hypothetical Partner? | Emily Paulsen & Rebekah Buege

    What if you stopped voluntarily sacrificing your present desires to accommodate hypothetical preferences of a stranger? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Rebekah Buege, a mentor for body neutrality, intentional singleness, and joyful feminism. Rebekah's Substack Nobody's Mother explores what it means to stop being the good girl who accepts the bare minimum. Emily and Rebekah discuss body neutrality as freeing up mental space instead of spending 17 years thinking about body image, intentional singleness as not waiting for a hypothetical partner before buying the house, and why women voluntarily tell themselves no. Rebekah shares why she painted her house pink and created her Barbie dream house unapologetically. They discuss why if you're a woman with high standards and a man wants to marry you, that's a compliment to himself, why marriage benefits men more than women according to data, joyful feminism as moving beyond anger, and why Rebekah chopped her long hair into a pixie cut as liberation. Key Takeaways: Body neutrality frees up mental space: American women spend 17 years of their life thinking about body image. Stop planning around hypothetical partners: Women voluntarily sacrifice their own present desires to accommodate hypothetical preferences of a stranger. Marriage benefits men more than women: Men are happiest and healthiest when married, while everything tanks for women. Joyful feminism celebrates options: Feminism is moving beyond anger into celebrating the rights we finally have. Get curious and playful: Question what you think you have to be to perform femininity. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Rebekah Buege is a Mentor for body neutrality, intentional singleness, joyful feminism, & self confidence. She is the creator of the Substack Nobody's Mother, where she explores intentional singleness, identity, and redefining womanhood beyond partnership and motherhood. Through her writing and social platforms, she challenges the 'good girl' narrative and encourages women to consciously choose the lives they want, at any age. Follow Rebekah on Instagram: @rebekahbuege Read Rebekah's Substack: rebekahbuege.substack.com

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Join Emily Paulsen for curious conversations on culture, wellness, self-expression, and ideas to make the world better, all explored from a childfree perspective.

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