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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122. Alice Greczyn on How Her Childfree Choice Continues to Evolve
Season 9 · Episode 122
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 • Duration 01:06:16
Past guest Alice Greczyn shares how her decision to be childfree has evolved over the past two years since she appeared on the podcast in Episode 28.
Her and Keltie discuss:
The sudden health crisis Alice faced, and how it has impacted her ability to conceive or carry a child.
How Alice processes grief today — including how she said goodbye to her uterus before the endometrial ablation surgery she had.
The freedom of aging, especially out of the phase of life where women's reproductive status is so heavily centered.
Why Alice is exploring a safe-for-work coaching and support service for the men she meets through her work in the adult entertainment space.
(2:20) Meet Alice and her Kids or Childfree choice; her health crisis; (24:41) Choice versus circumstance; (34:27) Grief around reproductive health; (39:16) Turning 40; (53:52) Preparing for early retirement
About Alice:
Alice Greczyn is an author, actress, and model. Known for her acting roles in film and TV, Alice is now more recognized for her work as a religious trauma recovery advocate, appearing on prominent podcasts and presenting at conferences on the topics of purity culture, neurotheology, and finding meaning in life as an atheist. Alice founded DaretoDoubt.org in 2019 connecting those fleeing spiritual abuse with resources helping survivors heal from the unintended damage of faith-based beliefs. A controversial figure for her outspokenness against religious and political fundamentalism, Alice finds her deepest sense of purpose helping others free themselves from the shackles of fear and shame. She lives in LA with her cat and fiancé and loves hiking, learning, and eating anything with melted cheese.
As mentioned in the show:
Find Alice's first appearance on The Kids or Childfree Podcast in Episode 28.
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121. Katie Appel on the Fear of Losing Your Identity in Motherhood
Season 121 · Episode 9
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 • Duration 59:08
In this episode, Keltie is speaking with former fencesitter and long-time podcast listener, Katie Appel, about her journey through the fears and realities of becoming a mom.
Hear them discuss:
Katie's personal deliberations about parenthood — and what finally solidified her decision to become a mother
How Katie embraced pregnancy on her terms — and why she rejected the idea of assuming a "pregnant person's persona"
Why Katie's biggest fear was that she'd lose her identity in motherhood, and how she has confronted and navigated this
The role that flexibility and calm has played in the early days of raising her daughter
Why her friendships and community have been an essential part of her journey through new motherhood
(1:18) Meet Katie and her Kids or Childfree decision; (9:35) Identity and motherhood; (14:53) Katie's path to pregnancy at 38; (33:10) Embracing parenthood despite anxiety; (41:27) Maintaining individual identity as a mom; (49:51) Advice for anxious moms
About Katie:
Katie Appel has spent the past 15 years working to help organizations, communities, and teams create meaningful social change around the world. Her projects have taken her on travels to Latin America, Africa, and Asia, with a particular focus on education, youth development, and strengthening locally led organizations. Katie most recently spent nearly a decade living and working in Guatemala, where she led projects with various non-profits, managing diverse international teams. She is fluent in Spanish, and has always been drawn to work that brings together people with different perspectives and experiences to solve complex problems. A year ago, Katie returned to her hometown just outside Washington, D.C., where she now lives with her husband and their 10-month-old daughter. Her life now looks quite different from her years living overseas, and she is navigating the joys and challenges of having a family while continuing to pursue meaningful, globally-focused work. Katie holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in International Development Studies from George Washington University. Outside of work, she loves salsa dancing, cheering on the Washington Nationals baseball team, going on walks with friends, and finding time for travel adventures with her family of three. Find Katie on LinkedIn: Sign up for our brand-new program that starts on November 9th,
120. Dr. Imogene Smith on The Experiences of Childfree Men
Season 9 · Episode 120
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • Duration 01:20:11
We're kicking off Season 9 of the podcast with a conversation with researcher and clinical psychologist, Dr. Imogene Smith, discussing her studies on men who choose to be childfree.
Hear about:
How many men are choosing not to have kids — and the commonalities between those who choose this path.
Why even the men who say they definitely don't want kids, leave a little room for doubt.
The lack of communication between the men Imogene interviewed and their partners, about these men's desires not to have children.
The reasons childfree men choose not to have kids — and the societal stereotypes and pressures they face.
Plus, additional insights on the men who become fathers.
(2:12) Meet Imogene and her research about childfree by choice men; (10:31) Survey of childfree men; (21:09) Partnership & the childfree decision; (33:47) Pressure & push-back for not wanting children; (48:07) Masculinity and the Kids or Childfree decision; (51:13) Longevity and aging for childfree men; (59:16) Men who defer to their female partner for the decision to have kids
About Imogene:
Dr. Imogene Smith is a Clinical Psychologist, lecturer, and researcher based in Australia. Her research has explored the experiences of men who choose to be childfree, the social pressures surrounding reproductive decisions, and men's experiences of becoming fathers. She currently works as both an academic and practicing psychologist in Australia. Her research has attracted national media attention, with appearances across ABC Radio, newspapers, blogs and television - SBS, and Channel 9 - discussing childfree identities, parenthood, and men's mental health.
The publications her work appears in can be found . Sign up for our October 26th .
119. The Mic is Turned: Keltie in the Hot Seat for Season 8 & More
Season 8 · Episode 119
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • Duration 57:51
In this wrap-up episode of Season 8 of the podcast, Keltie is interviewed by her marketing assistant, Nicole. Tune in to hear them talk about Season 8 highlights, what else is happening with Kids or Childfree, and some fun and personal stuff about Keltie that you probably don't know!
(1:43) Introducing Nikki and her role in Kids or Childfree; (11:25) Reflecting on lessons learned from Season 8 guests; (34:58) Personal questions for Keltie; (36:40) Behind the scenes of the Kids or Childfree business; (45:58) Random questions
As mentioned in the episode:
Hear Keltie's episode of Nicole's The Expat Cast Podcast where they talk about "home" here, and the episode about deciding whether to have kids while living aboard, here.
Want to be one of our 50 decision conversations? Email Keltie at hello@keltiemaguire.com. Get details on private coaching:
118. Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT on Navigating the Kids or Childfree Choice as a Couple
Season 8
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • Duration 46:46
In this episode, Keltie is chatting with couples therapist, Elizabeth Earnshaw (a.k.a. @lizlistens on social media) all about how couples can discuss and navigate the choice to have — or not have — kids.
Liz shares:
How to start and have conversations with your partner about the Kids or Childfree choice.
Why curiosity is often the best starting point when it comes to a conflict of desires between partners.
How to handle fears and uncertainties about parenthood.
How trust — and your partner's past and present behavior — fits into this decision.
Her take on some of the most common myths regarding couples and the Kids or Childfree decision.
(1:17) Meet Liz and her Kids or Childfree decision; (5:06) Advice for talking about the kids topic in your relationship; (12:31) Liz's motherhood journey (20:00) The role of trust and fears; (38:48) True/false about common myths
About Liz:
Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT is a marriage and family therapist and the author of I Want This To Work and Til Stress Do Us Part. She is the founder of A Better Life Therapy and The Intensive Couples Therapy Institute. Elizabeth frequently speaks about the impact of stress on couples and parents and has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, US Today, and many international publications.
She's @lizlistens on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Read her books, and Get your All-Access Pass or individual session tickets for our latest .
117. Helen Krug von Nidda on Closing the Fulfillment Gap
Season 8 · Episode 117
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 • Duration 54:17
In this conversation, Keltie is speaking with executive coach, career counsellor, and international speaker, Helen Krug von Nida about her brand-new book, Closing the Fulfillment Gap, as well as Helen's personal decision to remain childfree.
You'll hear them discuss:
Why so many women are feeling less lit up by their careers and lives than they'd like.
How women can find greater fulfillment no matter which Kids or Childfree choice they make.
Helen's MOVE framework for personal growth and fulfillment, which emphasizes motivation, opportunities, vision, and empowering community.
The importance of "diversifying" one's fulfillment, and the risk we run if we look to motherhood to be the one fulfilling thing.
Helen's own journey of choosing a childfree life, including the fulfillment she finds in her autonomy and the importance of grace in decision-making.
(0:34) Meet Helen & her work on fulfillment; (10:36) The gap between feeling stuck & feeling fulfilled; (17:02) Fulfillment & the Kids or Childfree decision; (29:26) MOVE framework & the Kids or Childfree decision; (40:22) Helen's choice to be childfree
About Helen:
Dr. Helen Krug von Nidda is an executive coach, international speaker, and advisor who delivers keynotes and workshops on leadership development, career empowerment for women, and strengthening workplace culture. With over 20 years of global HR experience spanning the United Nations system and Fortune 500 companies. Her clients include Morgan Stanley, Dell, LinkedIn, Google, Oracle and Sony Music. Helen holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. She is a certified executive coach and licensed career counselor, and holds an MA in Human Resources Management and a BA from Smith College. She is currently an instructor at Stanford University and has taught at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland and INSEAD France. Her forthcoming book, Closing the Fulfillment Gap, published by Post Hill Press will be released 15 September 2026. Purchase Helen's website is Find Helen on Instagram at and on Sign up for our September 16th start.
116. Keltie Maguire on Advice for Couples at Odds About the Kids or Childfree Choice
Season 8 · Episode 116
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 • Duration 37:24
"What if my partner and I want different things?" — that's the question we're tabling in this episode of the podcast. If you and your partner are at different ends of the Kids or Childfree decision spectrum, or one of you is clear, and the other is on the fence, this one is for you.
Keltie is dishing out her topic advice including...
Why being at odds about this choice doesn't have to mean a break-up.
The fact that your relationship can absolutely inform what you want and how you feel about this choice.
When being on a different page about this decision is actually a symptom or manifestation of bigger issues at play in your relationship.
Why decision that's only for the other person is likely to bring up future resentment.
The key red flags in relationships who are in disagreement about this decision.
(0:45) It's not an automatic break-up; (4:48) Identifying priorities; (10:26) Bigger issues come to light; (15:14) Compromise; (25:35) Separate your desire from the decision; (28:00) Red flags
As mentioned in the episode:
Check out our On Demand class, A Difference of Opinion, for further support on the topic of being at odds with your partner about this choice.
115. Maddy Lettuce on Opting Out of Life's Biggest Default Setting
Season 8 · Episode 115
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 01:12:36
In this episode, Keltie hosts childfree content creator, Maddy Lettuce, for a conversation about why its critical we question parenthood as the default life choice, and Maddy's personal childfree journey.
You'll hear them discuss:
The importance of questioning societal norms, and why self-discovery is a key part of this process.
How personal life experiences shape decisions, and some of the key experiences that informed Maddy's childfree choice.
How relationship dynamics play into the decision to have or not have kids, and some of the misconceptions about men's desires.
(0:36) Meet Maddy & her Kids or Childfree story; (16:42) Parenthood as a default setting; (35:34) The impact from Maddy's upbringing; (48:04) Childfree dating & partnership; (1:07:27) Who has authority to discuss the Kids or Childfree decision
About Maddy:
Maddy Lettuce is a childfree content creator and writer based in New Hampshire. She creates content at @whozyourmaddy on TikTok, where her childfree content has accumulated 21 million views in the past year. She's currently working on a book called Opting Out: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Biggest Default Setting of Your Life, a prescriptive nonfiction book examining how parenthood became the default setting nobody questions, and what it would mean to actually treat it as a choice. Het content focuses on raising awareness that the decision to have children is exactly that, a decision, and giving people permission to examine it honestly before they make it.
In this conversation, Keltie speaks with travel creator, podcast host, and mom, Paula Barnes, about the intricacies of raising kids while living abroad.
Hear them discuss:
The importance of community, and the concept of found family among expats.
What it was like for Paula first moving to a foreign country with young kids, and how she navigated the transition.
The impact various cultural perspectives have had on her kids' education and lives.
The challenges and rewards of sending her kids to boarding school in a different country — and how she has had to learn to let go.
How to instill values in kids being brought up in a privileged environment.
The evolution of Paula's relationship with her kids as they grow into adulthood, and the transition to becoming an empty nester.
(2:51) Meet Paula & her Kids or Childfree choice; (10:57) Comparing raising young children with and without support; (14:23) Moving abroad with 3 kids; (25:10) Sending her children to boarding school; (39:54) Instilling values in kids raised in a privileged environment; (45:52) Being an empty nester/having adult children
About Paula:
Paula Barnes is a travel creator, podcast host, and expat who has spent nearly two decades living across Asia. After relocating from Australia to Taiwan in 2006 with her young family, she went on to live in multiple countries, embracing new cultures and building a global lifestyle. Now based between Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, she shares authentic travel insights, expat experiences, and insider tips through Truly Expat Travel. Passionate about empowering women—especially over 45—to explore the world with confidence, she creates a supportive community for meaningful, experience-led travel.
As mentioned in the episode:
Find Paula online at trulyexpattravel.com Listen to the . Keltie can be heard on the Truly Expat Travel Podcast, sharing her insider's tips for Munich, . Find Paula on social media at .
113. Ali & Charlie Higgins of DINK Social on Connecting Childfree Couples
Season 8 · Episode 113
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 01:02:08
In this episode, Ali and Charlie Higgins, founders of DINK Social, share their journey as a childfree couple and the inspiration behind the app designed to connect DINK couples.
You'll hear about:
How Ali and Charlie came to their childfree decision as a couple.
The comments and pushback they get about their choice, especially online — and how this differs based on their gender.
Their perspective on the concepts of legacy and impact.
Why they were inspired to start creating community specifically for DINKS.
Their best advice for cultivating connections with other childfree people.
(0:25) Meet Ali & Charlie and their childfree decision; (13:57) "Mothering" & "fathering" as childfree people; gender differences; (22:29) Benefits of not having kids for your relationship; (26:39) About DINK Social; (48:22) Advice for making childfree friends
About Ali & Charlie:
Ali and Charlie met on Hinge in 2018 and were married in 2021. Since then, they've built a life centered around shared values, curiosity, and the freedom to choose their own path. Together, they've traveled to 24 countries, bonded over great food and drinks, and made movie date nights a regular tradition. Along the way, they've called Seattle and Charlotte home and are now based in Amsterdam — never ruling out wherever the next chapter might take them. They're proud DINKWADs to two dogs, Roscoe and Remy, who are truly their entire world. Alongside full-time corporate jobs, they are co-founders of DINK Social, the social app built specifically for childfree couples. Charlie focuses on business development and building the app itself, while Ali leads community development and social media, growing and connecting the childfree community around the globe.
As mentioned in the episode:
Find DINK Social on Instagram and TikTok at @dinksocial Their website is Join the next round of that starts on August 18th.
Details about The Kids or Childfree Podcast, a podcast by Keltie Maguire
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