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 in...
49. Dr. Hayley Evers-King on Saying Yes to Parenthood in the Face of Uncertainty
In this conversation, Keltie chats with Dr. Hayley Evers-King, a marine scientist and mom of one, about her journey from indecision about parenthood — to ultimately embracing the experience. Hayley and Keltie discuss: Hayley's initial reluctance to have children, and the various factors that influenced her decision-making process. The conversations she had with her husband about their future, and how these ultimately led to a "yes" decision. How Hayley navigated concerns about how her career would fit with motherhood, and the conversations that helped her explore these anxieties. The emotional and mental health aspects of IVF and the transition to motherhood. What having a child has changed – and what it hasn't – and why Hayey's fulfillment in life comes from various sources, and not just parenthood. The flexibility of life after having children, and the significance of having a supportive partner. As mentioned on the show Connect with Hayley on Instagram at instagram.com/hayleyeversking/ About Hayley Hayley is a marine scientist, who uses satellites to observe our oceans from space. She currently works at an international organisation that operates weather and environmental satellites, supporting users around the world to work with this data for the benefit of people and planet. She is currently based in Germany, having lived and worked in the UK and South Africa, as well as with colleagues all over the world. She is a keen science communicator, educator, traveller, collector of wine, and an aspiring chef. After a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, she is raising a 3 year old son with her husband with whom she has shared an almost identical career path for the last 15 years. __ Check out our brand-new Kids or Childfree Support Series: kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 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
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48. Monica Cardenas, PhD on Maternal Ambivalence and Apathy
In this conversation, Keltie speaks with writer Monica Cardenas, who shares her journey of being childfree by choice, and her research about maternal ambivalence and apathy. Hear them discuss... The cultural and societal pressures surrounding motherhood. The representation of childfree women — and those who are ambivalent or apathetic about motherhood — in literature and media. Monica's Substack 'Bad Mothers,' which challenges societal judgments about motherhood and emphasizes the importance of recognizing women's choices without stigma. Literary examples that challenge traditional narratives around a woman's role as mother, and that highlight the importance of normalizing diverse experiences. The personal implications of these societal norms, including the judgments faced by women who choose not to have children and the impact of family dynamics on these decisions. The natural ambivalence many feel towards parenthood and the importance of a supportive community that respects individual choices. Perspectives on the freedom that comes with being childfree and advice for those uncertain about having kids. As mentioned in the show Find Monica online at www.monicacardenas.com Subscribe to Monica's Substack, Bad Mothers, at a special discounted rate, exclusive to Kids or Childfree Podcast listeners: https://monicacardenas.substack.com/kocf Find Monica on Instagram at instagram.com/monica_is_reading. About Monica Monica Cardenas holds an MA and PhD in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her research on motherhood in the 20th-century novel and the evolution of reproductive rights in the U.S. is central to her novel-in-progress The Mother Law, which was longlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize and runner-up in the Borough Press open submission competition. Her work has been published in The Audacity, Literary Hub, Litro, Catatonic Daughters and Sad Girls Club Lit. She is chair of the Democrats Abroad UK Women’s Caucus, and author of the Bad Mothers newsletter. Originally from Washington, D.C., she now resides in the Chiltern Hills just outside London. __ Join our upcoming Kids or Childfree Group Program: kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 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
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47. Brooke Froelich Murray on Outdoor Adventure with Kids
The Kids or Childfree Podcast is back with a brand-new season, and we're kicking it off with a conversation with Brooke Froelich Murray — mom, outdoor adventurer, and founder of the outdoor community, WildKind. Hear Keltie and Brooke discuss: Brooke's initial reluctance to have kids, including how her Mormon upbringing influenced her feelings about motherhood What shifted for Brooke that led her to change her feelings about kids, and how she navigated divorce and solo motherhood with a newborn The importance of self-care and prioritizing one's own needs as a mom – plus how to balance this with parenting responsibilities Personal identity outside of motherhood, and how Brooke navigated her decision to have kids as someone who felt she'd so recently discovered her passions in life Cultivating a supportive and like-minded community when raising children How critical clear communication with your partner is when raising kids – and what this looks like in practice What outdoor adventures with children look like, and the ways they're both more challenging — and fulfilling — than those without kids. Insights from Brooke's project, WildKind, which aims to connect moms through outdoor activities As mentioned in the show: Find out more about Brooke at brookefroelich.com Find Brooke on Instagram at instagram.com/brooke.froelich/ Interested in checking out an upcoming WildKind adventure in Colorado? Get the details at wildkindinc.com About Brooke: Brooke raises her three little adventure buddies in CO. Whether she's wrangling them on skis, chasing them on mountain bikes, changing diapers on top of a mountain (true story), or lazily wading through a creek looking for tadpoles alongside them, Brooke believes she shows up as the best version of herself for her kids when she's outside. With the goal of building community and supporting other mothers, Brooke co-founded WildKind: a community for mothers looking to level up their outdoor adventure. Brooke wholeheartedly believes that adventure is better when shared, and loves to invite others to join along. __ Join our upcoming Kids or Childfree Group Program: kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 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
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46. Keltie Maguire on Key Coaching Takeaways During Season 3
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 3 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 3 that address these topics. You'll hear her discuss: The concept of alloparenting — a way for individuals who don't want the commitment of parenthood to engage with and support children. The importance of making peace with past experiences and emotions when considering your Kids or Childfree choice. How and why navigating difficult emotions is an important part of the Kids or Childfree decision process. How your romantic partnership's relationship dynamics may be showing up in the Kids or Childfree decision process — and why working through these dynamics is critical to being able to make a confident choice. As mentioned in the show: This is the article about alloparenting that my Kids or Childfree Group Program client shared with our Slack group: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp81ynn7r4mo __ Join our Confidently Childfree Coaching Intensive that kicks off January 9th: kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive 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
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45. Jennifer Flint on The Kids or Childfree Decision as a Spiritual Journey
In this episode, Keltie Maguire interviews Jennifer Flint, a women's empowerment coach and author of 'Wild Egg'. You'll hear about: Jennifer's journey of choosing a childfree life, her reflections on motherhood, and the existential questions that arise from such a decision. Insights into the writing of her book, Wild Egg, and why she chose to write it as a fiction book, rather than a memoir. The empowerment that comes from making deliberate choices, the challenges of defining those choices, and the journey of self-discovery that often accompanies such decisions. Jennifer's struggle to connect her mind and body and her defining moment of clarity regarding motherhood. The importance of self-trust and compassion in navigating the Kids or Childfree choice. The transformative journey of choosing a child-free life and the grief associated with that decision. Jennifer's journey of self-discovery and empowerment in midlife, and how this connects to her childfree choice. As mentioned in the show: Find a list of where Jennifer's book, Wild Egg, can be purchased here. Find Jennifer on Instagram at instagram.com/wildegg21. About Jennifer: Jennifer is a Women’s Empowerment Coach, leadership development specialist, author of childfree novel Wild Egg, and spiritually-curious seeker. She currently lives in the North East of England with a house mate whom she met whilst volunteering at a Buddhist retreat in Scotland in 2019. __ Join our Confidently Childfree Coaching Intensive that kicks off January 9th: kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive 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
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?
New Zealand