Is Child-Free for Me?

Latest Episodes:

Episode 9 - Jul Sep 25, 2017

Show notes

Talk about getting to the point! Ha! Our Skype guest, Jul, is a 38-year-old, Asian-Indian, never married woman who works in the IT industry and is based in Manhattan. She grew up in Southern India and immigrated to the United States 10 years ago. Jul is fiercely independent and very open and unapologetic about her life decisions. This is especially noteworthy because of the traditional culture from which she hails. The intersection of culture and expectations are themes that weave their way throughout her story.

Jul's frank way of stating her stance is refreshing. She seems to have not wavered at all in her choices and wishes others would see that she's good with her life, as is. Her hope is that she will not be plagued by questions related to marriage, children and who will care for her in old age.

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Is Child-Free For Me?" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent any professional advice dispensed by the hosts, Jill Brenner (social worker) and Saira John (psychologist). The podcast hosts happen to be licensed mental health therapists in the state of Texas; yet, they clearly state the nature of the podcast is for entertainment, advocacy, support and information-sharing purposes and not to be used in lieu of personal mental health services. Neither host is acting in a professional capacity in this podcast and deems their role as interviewer/host being informal and not falling within the purview of activities related to their respective professional licenses. All interviewees are aware their information, identifying demographics and content will be made public and have participated on their own free will and without coercion or external influences. All interviewees grant verbal consent to participate in this podcast. The hosts own all contents, rights and materials.

This podcast is available for public listening and may be shared among individuals. However, any attempt to copy or reference specific information in the podcast for use in professional endeavors, without the express approval and knowledge of the hosts, is forbidden. The hosts assume no liability for any unforeseen implications this podcast or the impact the contents might have on its listeners and interviewees.

Episode 8 - Angelica Aug 28, 2017

Show notes

Our guest, Angelica Beker, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Austin, Texas. She is 28-years-old and has been in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend. She is the daughter of European immigrants and shares a unique perspective on how culture, family, internal and external pressures all interplay in the decision to have children. Angelica is such an easy-going person who immediately puts everyone at ease. She shares her story in much the same fashion and is honest about her confusion and guilt about not feeling strongly pulled to have children. She admits to being in the thick of the decision-making process and how tiring and challenging it feels to be in this place in her life. Tune in to hear how Angelica is navigating her way through the maze of the baby decision.

To learn more about Angelica Beker and her private practice, please visit her website:

http://www.angelicalpc.com

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Episode 7 - Leslie Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

Listen to our exciting first Skype interview with Dr. Leslie Carr. She is a 38-year-old, partnered, psychotherapist who is based in San Francisco. She shares her views on having children, marriage and some interesting regional differences regarding her life choices. Even though Austin (where we are based) is considered liberal by Southern standards, it is enlightening to hear how people who hail from the west and east coasts receive different attention on this issue. Clearly, where we grow up and eventually plant our roots can have great impact on the level of acceptance and freedom there is to question the desire for children.

Dr. Carr is a fast-talking (well, by Southern standards), incredibly smart, thoughtful and well-spoken woman who posed some interesting questions to the hosts. Since we didn't know Dr. Carr before the interview, she was curious about our story and how we ended up producing this podcast. She seemed adept at interweaving parts of our story that complimented and even effectively contrasted her own experience. Dr. Carr's intelligence, wit and candor will have you hooked.

To learn more about Dr. Leslie Carr, please check out her website. http://lesliecarr.com

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Episode 6 - Lara Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

Listen to Dr. Lara Latimer as she shares her reproductive story with honesty and a matter-of-fact tone that is unapologetic and self-assured. Lara is a 35-year-old, never-married-currently-dating professional who has had significant early relationships that have influenced her thoughts on remaining child-free. Her unofficial mentors on remaining child-free helped normalize her own feelings about not wanting children. Her story continues to evolve as she passes through different relationships and is directed to revisit the topic on occasion. Lara enjoys a full life of scholarly research, fitness, outreach, healthy lifestyle advocacy and volunteer activities. She is a self-described personal wellness advocate, lecturer and consultant in Austin, TX.

If you'd like to reach Dr. Latimer, you may email her at lara@laralatimer.com. And, you can find more information about Lara on her website: www.laralatimer.com

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Episode 5 - Carrie Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

Carrie is a 44-year-old, married, self described author, athlete, coach, fitness ambassador and RV adventurer. She may be short in stature, standing at only 5'1", but she is mighty and routinely competes in impressive endurance sports races (she's an Ironman!). Carrie effectively weaves a tale of her happy upbringing in an Italian home in Columbus, Ohio. As the youngest of 5 children and the only girl, she acknowledges that she has always been a tomboy and was raised to be able to fend for herself. Carrie knew from an early age that she was not meant for motherhood but hadn't made that a formal decision. True clarity on this issue only came when she and her husband participated in premarital counseling through the Catholic church. Carrie is open about how she would experience waves of self-doubt and think something is wrong with her because she never had a maternal urge. Her candor around this topic is engrossing and she is a wonderful storyteller.

Carrie has a true passion for fitness, healthy living (required to say she's a vegan, ha!) and helping others. She has made children a part of her life through various activities and enjoys the time she spends with them. Hear how Carrie has crafted a rich life and how she continues to challenge herself and grow.

Check out Carrie's interests:

Facebook: @tritobefunny (Carrie Sapp Barrett)

Web: tritobefunny.com

Instagram: @tritobefunny

Twitter: @FOMOCoach

For Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy:

www.aasa-atx.com

Instagram: @aasaofficial

Facebook: @austinaquaticsandsportsacademy

Twitter: @swimtraintri_tx

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Episode 4 - Heidi Jun 25, 2017

Show notes

Heidi is a 44-year-old, married female with a passion for fitness and professionally supporting injured athletes. She was raised as an only child and realizes that her sensory preferences are for calm and knows she has sensitivities to certain noises (e.g., shrieking children). This self-awareness helped inform her decision not to have kids, along with a myriad of other deeper considerations. She candidly reveals how she initially fell into the trap of following the social script that expects one to get married and have kids. Only after her first marriage dissolved did she seem to really question her true desire for children. Heidi notes the various stages she has experienced with being repeatedly questioned on her decision and the emotional toll it took on her some years ago. However, with age and more self-acceptance, it seems Heidi is at a state of peace with her choice. Heidi's interview is thought-provoking and truly introspective and clear.

Heidi is a kind soul who has a very nurturing way about her. She emanates health, positivity and love. She is clearly passionate about her work, clients and volunteer activities with her dog.

Check out Heidi's business website:

http://injuredathletestoolbox.com

Heidi's volunteer work:

http://divinecanines.org

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Episode 3 - Val Jun 11, 2017

Show notes

Our interview with Valori is full of laughter and honesty. She is a good friend of ours whom we met six years ago in a local running group. Valori is 41-years old, married and the Director of Strategic Account Management at HomeAway. Valori has so many amazing qualities, some of which are her infectious laugh and wicked sense of humor. You cannot help but smile when you spend time with her; she's like a human antidepressant. Valori's story includes some difficult medical twists and turns. She was faced with making definitive fertility decisions based on these medical interventions and had to really question her true desire for kids. Since she met her husband a little later in life, this decision was negotiated together with love, understanding, and openness to exploring future options.

Valori is a spirited, fierce, smart, hilarious Texas spit-fire! She is adored by many and admired for her strength and bravery. Valori is such a loving, giving person who truly lives life to the fullest and perpetually inspires others and us. Her interview is entertaining, honest and thought-provoking.

Check out Valori's business website:

https://www.homeaway.com

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Episode 2 - Jen May 28, 2017

Show notes

Join us as we talk to our friend and colleague, Jen, a 44-year-old, single woman who works as a psychotherapist. Jen is a very intelligent, insightful and open person who was willing to go deep in her exploration for this episode. Jen addresses the messages she receives from others on her lifestyle and how people respond to her differently since she isn't partnered. She shares her challenging journey of deciding to be proactive about her fertility options and then the emotional, financial and spiritual toll that process took on her. Jen explains how she has come to a place of acceptance in her life while still processing and learning how to find her place in a world that is child and marriage focused. Her interview was well thought out and her willingness to be vulnerable in this way is admirable.

Jen is a well traveled, Renaissance woman with an entertaining story at the ready any time you speak with her. She is introspective and her honesty and realness are very endearing qualities that likely allow her to connect extremely well with her therapy clients. Jen's therapeutic style is one where she prefers to do deep work and maintain long-term relationships to cultivate lasting change and growth.

Check out Jen's business website:

http://www.jenmaund.com

Help more people find our podcast! Rate & Review us here!

Get the scoop before the episode comes out! Please visit our website and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Episode 1- Laurel May 14, 2017

Show notes

Join us as we talk to our friend, Laurel, a 37-year-old, divorced, now partnered, woman who is a stylist. Laurel's first career was as a social worker for Hospice care. Her level of comfort with death stems from a childhood tragedy. Hear how her early childhood experiences shaped her into the person she is today and have influenced her views on having children. Laurel's smart, charming, frank nature of storytelling is riveting and engrossing. She is honest about the back-and-forth internal argument that is often evident in making the decision to have kids. She weighs the impact children would have on her career, explores her need to have her own biological child and even the practical realities of what is required in a parenting role. Through this interview, we learned so many more amazing things about our already impressive friend and we think you'll enjoy listening to her, too.

Laurel is a stylist extraordinaire who is gifted at figuring out the emotional connection to one's style and how her clients want to present themselves to the world. As consumers of her services, we can attest to her expertise in this area.

Check out Laurel's business website:

http://laurelkinney.com

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Bonus Episode: The Backstory May 14, 2017

Show notes

Join good friends and colleagues, Jill Zeligson Brenner and Saira John, as they delve into the secret world of why people choose to not have children. The provocative question of "Is Child-Free For Me?" investigates the underpinnings, inner turmoil and confusion that can plague those who are not sure if having children is for them. However, the social stigma and judgment often received by these individuals lead many to remain mum on the topic. This podcast is created to fill a void that is lacking to support, affirm and advocate for those who are in the midst of deciding on this big issue or who have already made up their minds. Hear how Jill and Saira are passionate about this social issue for different reasons. It is hoped their exciting interviews with brave individuals willing to share their personal journeys will resonate with others. Additionally, the aim is to decrease feelings of isolation and perhaps a sense of being abnormal because there isn't a clear yearning to have children.

Check us out at www.ischildfreeforme.com or email us at hi@ischildfreeforme.com

Podcast Disclaimer:

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected