17 episodes
The Kids or Childfree Podcast Keltie Maguire
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- Kids & Family
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5.0 • 17 Ratings
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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?
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16. Jane van Dis, M.D. on Having Kids in Today's World
In this conversation, we hear from Jane van Dis, M.D., an OB-GYN who specializes in women's/maternal health and its intersection with reproductive justice — both in terms of Jane's personal experience of motherhood and how her professional insights and expertise can help inform your own choice.
You'll hear about:
The idea of informed consent in understanding the potential effects of pregnancy and childbirth on a woman's body and overall well-being.
The impact of environmental toxins, such as plastics and chemicals, on women's health and the potential risks they pose to pregnancy. Climate change and its potential consequences on future generations when making decisions about having children.
The complexities of ethical decision-making in today's world. Global population growth and declining birth rates, alongside the possibility of mandated motherhood
...and many more fascinating areas of discussion.
As mentioned in the show:
Bumpin’ and Fertility Rules by Leslie Schrock (Medical Editor, Jane van Dis, M.D.)
Under The Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas
Generation Dread by Britt Wray
Eve by Cat Bohannon
About Jane:
Jane van Dis, MD is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Rochester and faculty in the Institute for Human Health and the Environment. She lectures nationally and internationally on the intersection of the climate crisis and women's/maternal health. She Co-Founded OBGYNs For Sustainability and TIMES UP Healthcare and Co-Admins OB Mom Group. Dr. van Dis is an Editor at the Journal of OB Hospitalist Medicine and is a single mom to twins.
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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 -
15. Keltie Maguire on Season One's Top Takeaways
In this episode, Keltie reflects on the insights and takeaways from the first season of The Kids or Childfree podcast.
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Get the details on our two group coaching programs that start the week of April 20th: kidsorchildfree.com/group-coaching
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 -
14. Kate Kaufmann on Being an Unabashed Childfree Elder
Author Kate Kaufmann shares her journey of choosing to be childfree after trying to have children alongside much valuable wisdom gleaned over her 70-plus years of life without kids.
You'll hear about:
The challenges and grief associated with this decision and how her identity shifted over time. The importance of intergenerational relationships and the value of having childless elders in her life. Practical aspects of aging without children, such as making end-of-life arrangements and having a support network in place. The capacity and stability that come with not having children and the richness of relationships that can be formed in different ways. Why individuals may not fit neatly into the categories of childless or childfree, and how one's feelings and experiences may change over time.
As mentioned on the show:
Find out more about Kate and her work at www.katekaufmann.com
You can read Kate's column over at Psychology Today here: www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/unapparent
Learn about and purchase Kate's book, Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No, here.
About Kate:
International, award-winning author of Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No, Kate Kaufmann advocates for better understanding of the childless/childfree demographic in person, on air, and in print. A popular speaker, media guest, and conversation-starter, Kate has an MFA in creative writing and professional background in human resources and consulting. Outlets where her work has been featured include NBC, CBC Radio, Psychology Today, and the Washington Post.
Kate’s mission is to open doors to frank, respectful conversations between the childless and childfree, as well as among parents, non-parents, and those whose futures are as yet unclear.
Kate’s book Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No has been published in North America, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Brazil, and Korea, with a Chinese edition forthcoming.
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Get the details on both of my upcoming group programs – Kids or Childfree, as well as Confidently Childfree — here: kidsorchildfree.com/group-coaching
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 -
13. Jan Maguire (a.k.a. Keltie's Mom) on Choosing What's Right For You
Join Keltie and her mom, Jan Maguire, for a heartfelt mother-daughter conversation about Jan's choice to become a mom, Keltie's decision not to, and Jan's reflections and wisdom about the Kids or Childfree decision.
You'll hear about:
The experiences and decisions that shaped Jan's path to becoming a mom.
Jan's biggest challenges in motherhood — and her greatest joys.
Motherhood as a creative experience, and the beauty in watching and nurturing your children to become the unique individuals they are.
How Jan feels about Keltie's choice to be childfree.
The importance of listening to your gut — and resisting external pressures and expectations. __
Get the details on the April session of our Kids or Childfree Group Coaching Program: www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program
Find out how I can help you with your Kids or Childfree decision at: www.kidsorchildfree.com.
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 -
12. Erica Smith on a Connected Life Without Kids
In this episode, Keltie and sex educator, Erica Smith, discuss how conservative religious values influence and enforce broader societal ideas about gender, sexuality, and the importance of having children. We also talk about Erica's choice to be childfree and the joyful life she has built without kids.
You'll hear about:
The concept of purity culture and its influence on gender and sexuality.
Erica's decision to be childfree, plus guidance for those considering parenthood.
Why Erica feels so content and grateful for not having had children, and where she finds joy and fulfillment in her life.
How to respond to comments about one's childfree choice.
The importance of trusting your gut and seeking support with this decision.
As mentioned in the show:
Find out more about Erica and her work at www.purityculturedropout.com.
Get Erica's Sexual Values Workbook here.
Find Erica on:
Instagram: instagram.com/ericasmith.sex.ed
Twitter: twitter.com/ericasmithsexed
About Erica:
Erica Smith is an award-winning sexuality educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has provided comprehensive sex education and advocacy to young women and LGBTQ+ youth in Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system, worked in abortion care, and supported HIV+ and transgender adolescents and their families. In 2019, she developed the Purity Culture Dropout™️ Program to help people learn all of the sex education that they missed growing up in purity culture- sex ed that is accurate, queer-inclusive, trauma-informed, compassionate, and comprehensive. She has since worked with hundreds of people to help them learn about healthy sexuality after high control religion.
Erica lives in Philadelphia with her partner and house full of rescue animals.
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Find out how I can help you with your Kids or Childfree decision at: www.kidsorchildfree.com.
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 -
11. Eleanor Mayrhofer on Becoming a Mom Later in Life
Listen in as expat and small business owner, Eleanor Mayrhofer shares her experience of becoming a first- and only-time mom at age 44 and the emotional journey of ambivalence, decision-making, and fertility treatments that preceded motherhood.
You'll hear her and Keltie discuss:
The importance of understanding the practicalities and challenges of pursuing parenthood.
Why fertility treatments are a roller coaster of hope and disappointment, and the importance of considering its emotional, financial, and logistical implications.
How our life decisions impact our choices and Kids or Childfree path.
How ambivalence and flip-flopping between choices can still exist, even once you decide to have a child.
Managing business and motherhood, as well as the challenges and benefits of raising a child in a foreign country.
The joy of finally having a child and advice for others considering fertility treatments.
Why the decision to become a parent is a deeply personal and emotional one and may not always have a rational explanation.
As mentioned in the show:
Find out more about Eleanor and her work at www.eleanormayrhofer.com.
Listen to Eleanor's The Germany Expat Business Show podcast here: https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/podcast
Find Eleanor on:
Instagram: instagram.com/eleanormayrhofer
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eleanormayrhofer/
About Eleanor:
Eleanor Mayrhofer was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She moved to Munich, Germany on a whim when she was 27 and ended up staying. She married in her late 30s and had her first and only child at 44 after a long fertility journey. Eleanor runs an agency of one providing online marketing, strategy, and websites to expat business owners in Germany.
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Find out how I can help you with your Kids or Childfree decision at: www.kidsorchildfree.com.
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
Customer Reviews
Finally a podcast that is neutral and helpful
Keltie’s podcast is fantastic. I have been on the fence for a while now (leaning more towards childree), but there has always been that doubt about making “the right choice”. This podcast is exactly what I needed and has helped me achieve more clarity. I particularly like the fact that she tells her own story, and features women who are both mothers and childfree by choice. There is no bashing of either side, which is something that has put me off of other social media, podcast content. Thank you so much Keltie, and keep up the good work!
Outstanding
Incredible show with information that is unparalleled in terms of challenging questions, humility and grace. Such important topics. Thank you for this podcast
Thoughtful and helpful
This podcast is so thoughtful and I love how it sheds light on both sides. As a women in my mid thirties, I’ve found it a helpful resource as I wrestle with my choice whether or not to have kids. Keltie thank you for your open approach and your excellent interview skills.