The Kids or Childfree Podcast

Keltie Maguire

Should I have kids? If you're on the fence about whether or not to have kids, this is your podcast. Each week, host and Clarity Coach, Keltie Maguire, will interview a wide-ranging host of different voices — from best-selling authors to outdoor adventurers to health experts — about their personal Kids or Childfree decision and the topics that run alongside this choice. From new and long-time moms to the currently ambivalent to those who are childfree by choice, you'll get to hear the answers to all the questions you can't seem to get straight answers on. What's it really like being a parent? What happens to childfree people when they get old? Do people who don't have kids regret it? Can you ever really be ready to have a child? And perhaps most importantly: How can I make my own Kids or Childfree decision?

  1. 107. Dr. Margo Lowy on Maternal Ambivalence and the Emotional Complexity of Motherhood

    11h ago

    107. Dr. Margo Lowy on Maternal Ambivalence and the Emotional Complexity of Motherhood

    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. 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 drmargolowy.com Her Instagram is @drmargolowy She's on Facebook at 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

    59 min
  2. 106. Tyece Wilkins-Amadi on Cultivating Creativity in Motherhood

    Jun 3

    106. Tyece Wilkins-Amadi on Cultivating Creativity in Motherhood

    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: substack.com/@ampersandmotherhood Her Instagram handle is @tyunscripted Read the piece that inspired this podcast conversation: Tyece's tending "Toward a Truer Life" essay: 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

    1h 2m
  3. 105. Keltie Maguire on Coaching Insights On Demand

    May 30

    105. Keltie Maguire on Coaching Insights On Demand

    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

    20 min
  4. 104. Keltie Maguire on Key Coaching Takeaways During Season 7

    Apr 29

    104. Keltie Maguire on Key Coaching Takeaways During Season 7

    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

    33 min
  5. 103. Tonya Kelly on the Complexities of Being a Childfree Stepmom

    Apr 22

    103. Tonya Kelly on the Complexities of Being a Childfree Stepmom

    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 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

    1h 8m
  6. 102. Katie Snooks on Her View from the Fence

    Apr 15

    102. Katie Snooks on Her View from the Fence

    In this heartfelt conversation, content creator Katie Snooks shares her journey of navigating the the decision of whether or not to have kids, from the perspective of someone still on the fence.  Hear her and Keltie discuss: Katie's decision to share her decision journey publicly, and why it's been equal parts helpful and harmful. The most difficult parts of being on the fence — and the fears keeping Katie stuck. Why Katie's "action plan" didn't work the way she and her husband thought it would. Ways to prevent other's opinions and external pressures from getting in the way. ...and so much more (0:45) Meet Katie & her Kids or Childfree indecision (17:50) Coaching Katie through grief & acceptance about not wanting kids (21:11) Making the decision with her husband (30:54) Sharing online about being a fence-sitter (40:00) Navigating fear and regret in this decision About Katie: Katie Snooks is a London-based content creator and writer known for her honest, relatable conversations around dating, relationships, and the complexities of modern life. On her social media she shares London date night recommendations in a series called #dateswithkate and has also documented her struggle with acne on YouTube. Mentioned in the episode: Find Katie on YouTube: www.youtube.com/snooksy And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katesnooks/ Pre-order Katie's new book, The Ghost of Exes Past, using the links below: https://amzlink.to/az00HvAPqTIFO https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Exes-Past-paranormal-romance-ebook/dp/B0G5FGQ6BJ __ 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

    1h 4m
  7. 101. Alfonso Costas on The Transition to Fatherhood

    Apr 8

    101. Alfonso Costas on The Transition to Fatherhood

    In this conversation, Keltie is joined by 32-year-old Alfonso Costas — a new dad from Spain, living in Munich with his German wife and their 14-month-old son. Hear Alfonso share: How he knew he wanted to be a dad — and the doubts he encountered along the way. Why he views fatherhood as an "invitation" — rather than a choice made due to pressure. The perspectives on parenthood that allow him to weather its challenges and difficulties. The important conversations he and his wife had to have before trying to conceive — and how they've balanced the responsibilities of raising their son.  How he and his wife have navigated their different cultural backgrounds and decisions like where to live. Why he thinks its important for men to take paternity leave. The joy he's finding in parenthood so far. About Alfonso: Alfonso was born and raised in Spain. He moved to the USA to study at age 18, and then to Munich to work as a mechanical engineer at age 24. He's married to German wife with a Vietnamese background and they have a 14-month old son together. Mentioned in the episode: Find Alfonso on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/costasalfonso/ Join the Spring session of our Kids or Childfree Group Program: https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program __ 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

    1 hr
  8. 100. We Celebrate 100 Episodes Hearing From You

    Apr 1

    100. We Celebrate 100 Episodes Hearing From You

    We're celebrating our 100th episode of the podcast by turning the mic over to you, to hear your journeys, the insights that helped you most, and the episodes that left a lasting impression.  (0:07) Celebrating 100 episodes of The Kids or Childfree Podcast; (7:18) Monica, 34, from Illinois, USA; (12:21) Jara, 36, from Spain; (16:54) Kristin, 42, from Georgia, USA; (18:20) Kristen from Ontario, Canada; (24:32) Taylor, 33, from New York, USA; (29:39) Emma, 38, from Colorado, USA; (36:39) Paige, 36, from California, USA; (41:14) Kate, 36, from Ohio, USA Mentioned in the episode: These are the resources and podcast episodes shared by our guest listeners: Kristin: The Baby Decision by Merle Bombardieri Episode 29 with Merle Bombardieri Kristen: Episode 62 and Episode 86 and with Anne Wennhold Episode 29 with Merle Bombardieri Episode 79 with Carrie Hauskens Episode 28 with Alice Greczyn Episode 30 with Nicole Louie Episode 26 with Katy Seppi Taylor: Check out the DINK Social app Episode 8 with Maria Coffey  Episode 10 with Ruby Warrington Episode 62 and Episode 86 and with Anne Wennhold Episode 83 with Helen Taylor Episode 16 with Jane van Dis, MD Episode 21 with Julie McFadden (a.k.a. Hospice Nurse Julie) Episode 24 and Episode 95 with Dr. Jay Zigmont Episode 42 with Astrid Hurault de Ligny Emma: Private coaching with Keltie Confidently Childfree Support Series Episode 83 with Helen Taylor Episode 91 with Marcia Drut-Davis Episode 8 with Maria Coffey  Episode 23 with Amanda E. White  Episode 24 and Episode 95 with Dr. Jay Zigmont Paige: Kids or Childfree Group Program  Kate: Kids or Childfree Group 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

    49 min
4.9
out of 5
81 Ratings

About

Should I have kids? If you're on the fence about whether or not to have kids, this is your podcast. Each week, host and Clarity Coach, Keltie Maguire, will interview a wide-ranging host of different voices — from best-selling authors to outdoor adventurers to health experts — about their personal Kids or Childfree decision and the topics that run alongside this choice. From new and long-time moms to the currently ambivalent to those who are childfree by choice, you'll get to hear the answers to all the questions you can't seem to get straight answers on. What's it really like being a parent? What happens to childfree people when they get old? Do people who don't have kids regret it? Can you ever really be ready to have a child? And perhaps most importantly: How can I make my own Kids or Childfree decision?

You Might Also Like