In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Katie, a leading advocate in the Childless Not by Choice community and the founder of the Childless Collective. Katie openly shares her personal journey through infertility and the challenging decisions that led her to embrace a childless life. She discusses the impact of chronic health issues, the role of societal expectations, and how her path eventually led her to build a supportive community for others on a similar journey.

Katie’s story reveals the highs and lows of advocating for the childless community and creating a safe space for others. We explore the complexities of navigating grief, finding purpose after life-changing decisions, and the immense value of connection within this unique community. Katie’s passion shines through as she reflects on what it means to amplify diverse voices and support others in their journey.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How sharing personal stories can create a supportive environment and help others feel less alone
• Insights into building a community for those who feel isolated and the challenges of sustaining advocacy work
• Ways to cope with grief and find purpose by channeling experiences into meaningful work
• The importance of diverse voices in creating an inclusive and representative space
• How to redefine fulfillment and growth beyond traditional life paths

Connect with Kate Seppi

Website: https://childlesscollective.com

IG: @childlesscollective

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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Meggy Kate's powerful story sheds light on the complexities of being childless not by choice, as she navigates her deep desire for motherhood alongside the challenges posed by PCOS, PMDD, and bipolar disorder. Despite initially hesitating to share her experiences, she bravely adds her voice to the conversation, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and connection. As a passionate pro-choice activist and community organizer, Meggy Kate advocates for reproductive rights while grappling with her own emotions about not having children. Her journey is further complicated by a committed relationship with a partner who does not wish to have kids, adding layers to her unique narrative. Through her activism, hobbies, and heartfelt reflections, Meggy Kate inspires listeners to embrace their stories and find fulfillment in unexpected places.

Connect with Meggy:

Instagram: @meggykatehaswords

Twitter: @ivegotwords

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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In today's episode, I sit down with Ashley, who shares her deeply personal and moving journey through infertility. From her early dreams of motherhood to the challenges of endometriosis and PCOS, Ashley's story is one of financial, emotional, and physical investment in IVF, using donor eggs, and the heartbreaking outcome of having nothing to show for it. Ashley's openness about her struggles, including the emotional toll, the pressure from society, and navigating a complex marriage, provides a raw and honest look into the world of infertility. Despite her pain, Ashley's resilience shines through as she discusses finding strength, setting boundaries, and beginning to move forward. We also touch on lighter topics like her love for the 80s and her passion for traveling. Ashley's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, making this a must-listen episode for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of infertility.

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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Today's episode is about the profound connection between mental health and the journey of childlessness, exploring how these experiences can intertwine and impact our well-being. I share my personal story, highlighting the emotional weight that accompanies the waiting and trying to conceive, and the feelings of isolation that often arise. I share the importance of acknowledging our feelings without judgment, setting boundaries, and finding support systems to navigate this challenging path.

I also dive into practical tips for managing mental health struggles, such as focusing on what we can control and practicing self-compassion. As always, this conversation serves as a reminder that you are not alone, your feelings are valid, and your worth is not defined by your ability to have children.

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Navigating life as childless, not by choice can be a profound journey filled with introspection and discovery, and Kathleen Guthrie Woods shares her powerful testament in this conversation. We talk about her exploration of single motherhood, Kathleen embarked on what she called her 'internship,' where she uncovered the hard truths about motherhood and the societal expectations surrounding it. Through heartfelt reflections, she questions why motherhood is often seen as the only path for women and highlights the importance of embracing alternative lives filled with meaning and connection. Kathleen embodies light and hope, offering invaluable insights on how to find fulfillment outside traditional narratives. This episode is filled with comforting moments that will encourage you to explore their own paths and recognize that you are not alone in their experiences.

Kathleen Guthrie Woods is a San Francisco-based freelance writer and editor. She is the author of "The Mother of All Dilemmas: Dreams of Motherhood and the Internship That Changed Everything" -- one of Katie Couric Media's "37 Life-Changing Books You Wont't Be Able to Put Down."

Connect with Kathleen:

FB : @kathleen.g.woods

IG - @kathleenguthriewoods

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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In this episode, our guest Gail Miller shares her profound journey of navigating the heartache of being childless by circumstance, not by choice, while dedicating her professional life to helping women with high-risk pregnancies as a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician. Despite her lifelong dream of motherhood, Gail faced the painful reality of not finding the right partner in time, leading her to a path of emotional processing and self-discovery. Throughout this journey, she learned to recognize and address the grief she initially overlooked, ultimately transforming her experiences into a mission to empower other women in similar situations. As the founder of Path Onward Life Coaching, Gail guides women to rediscover their identities beyond motherhood and supports them in redefining their life visions. Her advocacy also extends to educating others about the emotional toll of unwanted childlessness and infertility, fostering a deeper understanding and compassion for those affected.

About Gail:

Gail Miller is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician, life coach and founder of Path Onward Life Coaching. She empowers women who are childless by circumstance, not by choice to feel worthy, live fulfilling lives, and manage triggers.

Her coaching guides women to rediscover who they were before they realized their dreams of motherhood wouldn’t come true. She supports clients in redefining their life visions.

Part of her mission is to educate those unfamiliar with the emotional toll that often comes with unwanted childlessness and infertility. She advocates for those directly affected and educates friends and loved ones about how to support them.

Takeaways:

• Gail's journey through infertility taught her the importance of recognizing and processing grief.
• Navigating her career as a physician while dealing with personal heartache was challenging yet inspiring.
• Empowering women who are childless by circumstance is at the core of Gail's mission.
• Gail advocates for understanding the emotional toll of unwanted childlessness and infertility.
• Finding joy and purpose beyond motherhood is a transformative journey for many women.
• Gail emphasizes that everyone's path through grief is unique and should be respected.

Connect with Gail:

Website: https://pathonward.com/

Instagram: @childlesspathonward

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Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Meg, a woman who has faced the challenges of infertility with resilience and hope. Meg shares her story of navigating six miscarriages and multiple rounds of IVF, shedding light on the emotional rollercoaster of loss and hope. Her candid discussion about the importance of therapy and community support highlights the strength she draws from these resources. Through her Instagram account, Meg has built a supportive network that has been life-changing, offering a safe space for others facing similar struggles. Her openness and determination to continue her journey, whether it leads to motherhood or a fulfilling life without children, offer a powerful message of courage and perseverance.

Meet Meg Faith:

In 2019, Meg and her husband embarked on their journey to conceive. After becoming pregnant for the first time in 2020, she tragically lost the pregnancy at 9 weeks. Though initially reassured that “miscarriages are common,” Meg endured two more miscarriages before further testing was conducted. Diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and a Mullerian abnormality, none of which fully explained the losses, IVF was recommended as her best chance to prevent further heartbreak, incorporating PGT testing and a controlled environment.

Now, in 2024, after multiple egg retrievals, embryo transfers, surgeries, and the heartache of six miscarriages, Meg remains childless but is preparing for another transfer this year with the help of reproductive immunology support.

Through this challenging journey, Meg founded For the Barrenness, a compassionate online community for individuals facing infertility, pregnancy loss, or other struggles on their path to parenthood. She hopes this platform will help others feel less alone, providing a safe space for connection and support.

Connect with Meg:

IG: @for_the_barreness

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IG: @bychanceavenue

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In today's episode, I'm discussing the journey of rediscovering ourselves when life hasn’t turned out as planned, specifically focusing on embracing life as a woman who is childless by chance, not by choice. I reflect on my own experiences, the grief, healing, and unexpected joy I've found, and share insights that apply to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. I encourage listeners to return to their true selves, asking who they were before certain dreams dominated their lives. I emphasize the importance of small, meaningful steps in finding a fulfilling, authentic life. Through personal anecdotes and practical tips, I hope this inspires you on your journey of self-rediscovery.

Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

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