We're Not Kidding

Ky joins me again on the podcast to share the details of a summer reading challenge underway in WNK Club. We hope you'll join us in this fun summer reading contest. To do so, head to wnk-club.com to become a member if you aren't already. Then head to the Book Club section and you'll find the details there. To find your summer romance novel, here's the quiz Ky gives Anna in this episode: Find Your Summer Read Books mentioned in this episode: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (Anna's accidental intro to romance books) Love and Other Words by Christine Lauren Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Ky Gerbush is a writer, a lowkey tree and flower farmer, a WNK-member, and the co-facilitator of a course we created together in the WNK community called Creating A Meaningful Childfree Life. Ky has added so much to both my life and WNK community. I'm forever grateful to her and honored to call her a friend. In this episode, she shares how her childfree identity unfolded and the terrible moment that awakened it. She also shares her less-than-straightforward sterilization process and we talk about the value of community and the course we have created. This is a phenomenal episode and I am so excited to share it with you, dear listener. Connect with Ky: IG: @donuttrashpanda Website: https://kailiawrites.com/ Join WNK: wnk-club.com

In this episode, I sit down with the lovely Jess Ridder to talk all things childfree. We talk about losing our fathers at a young age and how this shaped our view of aging. Jess shares her excitement for what aging as a childfree person means and what opportunities might exist for communal living. I loved every second of this conversation and I think you will too! About Jess: Jess Ridder is a professional voice-over artist and has also worked as a journalist. She is the founder of a womxn’s interview project called “What She Says.” I was honored to be featured on this fantastic blog in which interviewees from around the world are asked the same six questions showcasing the different facets of female voices and stories. The project is currently in blog form though may take shape as a podcast soon! There have been a few video talks already in the past. Connect with Jess: What She Says Blog Instagram @_whatshesays and @jess.ridder

Brenda Brodie is an all-around fabulous human who I am grateful to consider a friend. In this episode, Brenda shares her experience advocating for her choice to be sterilized and her relatively easy experience getting approved for a bilateral salpingectomy. Brenda was incredibly helpful in my own personal journey of seeking sterilization and helping me with my pre-surgery angst. I'm incredibly grateful to her and it was an honor to have her as a guest on We're Not Kidding. Connect with Brenda on Instagram: @foodie_and_the_feline Grab your spot in the Childfree Life Vision Program: ⁠⁠https://annaolson.com/childfree-life-vision/

It was an honor and a blast to interview Daina Bond for this episode of the podcast. At 52, Daina has no regrets when it comes to not having kids. She is a proud dog mom who understands the value of being selfish with her time. Having met Daina through a mutual friend in the small town that we live in, reminds me that we really aren't alone in this life path. Grab your spot in the Childfree Life Vision Program: ⁠https://annaolson.com/childfree-life-vision/

In today's episode, Veronica Weston shares her childfree experience and how she cultivated a community after moving from Canada to Mexico. Veronica is a personal development coach. She and her husband moved to Mexico in 2021. They have two sweet adopted pups named Lily and Layla. When she's not coaching, Veronica enjoys going to the beach, trying a new restaurant, or exploring all the ruins, cenotes Mexico has to offer. Connect with Veronica: https://veronicaweston.ca/ Grab your spot in the Childfree Life Vision Program: https://annaolson.com/childfree-life-vision/

Diliana Gadjova is the creator of the Instagram account Childfree Blessings. Within the last two years, Diliana came to the realization that she didn't want to have kids. This inspired her to create an account and help others realize that parenthood is a choice. I've loved getting to know Diliana through WNK-Club and it's an honor to share her story with you all here on the podcast. Mentioned on this Episode Childfree by Choice by Dr. Amy Blackstone Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother by Peggy O'Donnell Heffington Olive by Emma Gannon The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas Sidney Morss childfree reels @sidney_morss Childfree Blessings @childfreeblessings Grab your spot in the Childfree Life Vision Program: https://annaolson.com/childfree-life-vision/

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Peggy O'Donnell Heffington to discuss her new book, Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother⁠. Peggy shares her insights from researching and writing this fantastic book. She also shares a bit about her own childfree story. I learned so much both from reading the book and having this conversation. Enjoy! About Peggy: Peggy O’Donnell Heffington is an Assistant Instructional Professor in the Department of History at the University of Chicago, where she teaches historical research and writing methods and a bit about gender and women’s history too. Her first book, Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother, was published by Seal Press on April 18, 2023 (the day before this recording airs). In her free time, she can usually be found trail running, baking gluten-free cake, or looking at clothes on the internet. She and her husband Bob have two adorable pugs, Ellie and Jake. Connect with Peggy: Find her on Twitter and Instagram, @peggyohdonnell. Website: poheffington.com

Nicole Louie is a writer, translator, and content curator based in Ireland. She has dedicated a great amount of time to finding and sharing the stories of amazing women without children through her social media accounts (@bynicolelouie). In our conversation, Nicole shares her personal journey of feeling isolated as a childfree woman which lead her to books, and in turn, she has written one of her own. Here are the resources she shared in our conversation, sorted by topic. Ambivalence Book: Beyond Motherhood by Jeanne Safer (1996). Childfree path Laura Carrol: Book: Families of Two: Interviews with Happily Married Couples Without Children by Choice (2000). Book: The Baby Matrix (2012). Marcia Drut Davis: Book. Confession of a Childfree Woman (2013). Childless not by choice path Jody Day, Founder of the Gateway community In-person workshops A list of childless therapists, counselors and coaches on their website https://gateway-women.com Being single Bella DePaulo Has written quite a few books about this topic Book: Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After Connect with Nicole: Instagram and Twitter with the handle @bynicolelouie

Antara Sarkar is the creator of Sunday Class, a free STEM school for underprivileged youth. Her passion for volunteering turned into a mission to help students stay in school through the creation of Sunday Class. For this work, she was named the iVolunteer Hero Winner in 2022. Antara is also the co-founder of The Pink Engine which makes 3d-printed Indian Railway scale models. Connect with Antara on YouTube and Instagram. You can follow The Pink Engine on IG as well. Read more about Antara and her husband Anurup.

Jewel Hohman is a life coach who specializes in helping people feel secure and confident, while also teaching them how to create deep, meaningful friendships. In this episode, she shares what she calls the connection formula, an intentional way to build fulfilling friendships. Did you know that research shows that roughly half of our friendships change and shift every seven years? Tune into this episode to learn more about that and so much more! Connect with Jewel: Website: jewelhohman.com Instagram: @jewel.hohman Mentioned in this episode: Shasta Nelson Looking to make more childfree friends? Join WNK-Club today!

In this episode, Jordan who runs the Instagram account, @violet_unexplained, shares her experience navigating IVF. After she and her husband decided to stop IVF treatments, they were faced wtih the question, "now what?" Tune into this episode to hear how they embraced being childfree after finding themselves childless. Follow Jordan on Instagram, @violet_unexplained, and her adorable dogs Lulu and Dexter, @dachshundduderanch. Want to join a childfree community? Check out wnk-club.com!

Lucy Meggeson is the creator of the incredible podcast, Spinsterhood Reimagined. Lucy is reclaiming and redefining the image of the spinster as something to be aspired to rather than pitied, feared, or avoided. She also coaches women and helps them lean into their solo lives and find freedom and fulfillment. Lucy is brilliant and this episode is not to be missed! Connect with Lucy: Email: lucy@lucymeggeson.com Website: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/ (Grab her free Top 10 Mindset Tips) Podcast: Spinsterhood Reimagined (Listen to my interview on her podcast) Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimagined Book a free 30-minute 'taster' session with Lucy Mentioned in this episode: Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod Want to join a childfree community? Check out wnk-club.com!

Margaret O’Connor has worked as a counselor and psychotherapist since 2011. She specializes in helping those who are unsure about parenthood make the right decision for them. Margaret has conducted two pieces of research regarding this topic. The first explored the role of personality factors and how they impact the decision to have kids. She also researched how women in Ireland make the decision whether or not to have children. In this episode, Margaret shares her insight and expertise in helping people navigate the decision of whether or not they want to have kids. You won't want to miss this episode! Connect with Margaret: Instagram: @arekidsforme Website: https://www.arekidsforme.ie/ Read her research: https://www.arekidsforme.ie/research-and-resources Want to join a childfree community? Check out wnk-club.com !

In this episode, I sit down with Jared Hansen the founder of the Facebook group, Best Childfree Life Possible, a community that is 9K strong. Jared co-created the Childfree Convention along with Cody Hetzel and LeNora Faye. He also created the Facebook group Childfree Runners and has organized an in-person childfree 5k walk taking place May 14th in Punt Gorda, FL at Laishley Park. Additional links mentioned in this episode: Jared's YouTube video from 2013 Laura Carroll Need a childfree t-shirt? Check out my collaboration with I Love Inspiration Avenue.

Dane Reid is a Brooklyn, NY-born voice actor and author based in Atlanta. His voiceover work spans two decades, and his previous book, Dana the Procrastinator, was published in 2008. In his latest book, Forget Having Kids, I’m Having Fun, Dane collects anecdotes from his life and experiences from close friends. His life as the child of immigrants, his work as an after-school teacher, his passion for travel, and the complex responsibilities of raising a child are all critically examined in a child-free context. In this episode, Dane and I discuss his experience writing the book and what he hopes readers will take away from it. Buy the book: childfreebook.com Connect with Dane: danereidmedia.com __________________________ Don't forget to share, rate, and review this podcast! It helps the podcast reach more listeners. (And thank you!!) Are you looking for a community of others who are childfree? Join WNK-Club a community for those opting out of parenthood.

Dr. Morgan Levy is a psychologist and therapist who helps executives and professionals maximize their personal and professional development. In this episode, she shares tips for embracing all of who we are not just one aspect of our identities as well as how to create more balance and less burnout in our lives. This is a value-packed episode you won't want to miss! Connect with Dr. Morgan Levy: https://www.drmorganlevy.com/ __________________________ Don't forget to share, rate, and review this podcast! It helps the podcast reach more listeners. (And thank you!!) Book your free clarity call today! Are you looking for a community of others who are childfree? Join WNK-Club a community for those opting out of parenthood.

In this episode, I sit down with Eli Weissman, a Senior Private Wealth Advisor. Eli shares what to look for in selecting a financial professional as well as the top five mistakes he sees people without children making when it comes to their finances. If you’re wanting to improve your finances in 2023, don’t miss this episode. Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Choosing A Financial Professional: https://www.sec.gov/brokers-and-investment-advisers-tips-chairman-jay-clayton Top Tips for Selecting a Financial Professional: https://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-bulletins/ib_selectpro.html#.Y7NzKxtRHPI.mailto Accredited Designations: https://www.finra.org/investors/professional-designations/accredited-designations 3 Things to Know About Financial Designations:https://www.finra.org/investors/insights/financial-designations Connect with Eli: Eli’s website: www.spire-weissman.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliweissman/ Also mentioned in this episode: Childfree Financial Planning with Dr. Jay Zigmont __________________________ Don't forget to share, rate, and review this podcast! It helps the podcast reach more listeners. Book your free clarity call today! Are you looking for a community of others who are childfree? Join WNK-Club a community for those opting out of parenthood.

I finally got to sit down with the one and only Childfree Millennial. Marcela shares what it was like to realize she didn't want kids and navigate both cultural and religious pressures in doing so. She opens up about how loved ones responded to her choice and how she started her incredibly popular Instagram and YouTube accounts. We had a lot of fun recording this episode! Connect with Marcela on Instagram and YouTube. Don't forget to share, rate, and review this podcast! It helps the podcast reach more listeners. Book your free clarity call today! Are you looking for a community of others who are childfree? Join WNK-Club a community for those opting out of parenthood.

In this special holiday episode, Lana Manikowski shares tips for navigating those dreaded questions over the holidays. Bio Lana Manikowski is a fertility survivor, dog mom, and life coach for women looking to create meaningful lives without motherhood. In this episode, she shares how she came to love her life without kids and how she helps clients do the same. Connect with Lana Instagram: @lana.manikowski Podcast: The So Now What Podcast Mastermind: Thrive After Infertility Connect with Anna (host) annaolson.com @coachannaolson wnk-club.com