We’re thrilled to be joined by Karin Enfield De Vries from Pure Transformations for an honest exploration of boundaries, grief, and finding joy during times of celebration. Holidays like Christmas are often painted as joyful and magical, but for many, they bring up emotional complexities—especially for those navigating childlessness and changing family dynamics.

For International Men’s Day 2024, we are drawing from the panel discussion at the Storyhouse Childless to explore what it means to navigate society and self-perception as men without children—whether by choice or circumstance. Featuring insights from Michael, Andy Harrod, Mark Briggs van Leeuwen, and Sam Ryley, this candid conversation highlights the challenges, the societal silence, and the journey to self-acceptance faced by childless men across generations.

In this conversation, Dr Jay Zigmont discusses the unique financial planning needs of childless people. He emphasises the importance of understanding the different life scripts and financial goals that come with being childless, and we have a chat about the societal judgments and perceptions that often accompany being childless not by choice. We talk about the challenges of systemic change in financial services to better help us, the significance of legacy and the power in building supportive communities.

In this conversation, Michael shares personal experiences with his parents' dementia and the importance of having legal documents in place, such as power of attorney and enduring guardianship. Sarah shared her experiences with end of life training and we stress the need to continue the conversation and explore ways to create a movement around end-of-life planning for the childless community.

World Childless Week is an annual event that aims to give a voice to the childless community. It was started by Stephanie Joy Phillips who joins us on this episode who talks to us about lack of representation for childless individuals and how World Childless Week raises awareness. The event has grown over eight years, supported by Ambassadors who help organise and promote the week.

We are joined by Kirstie, who with Jane Davies, inspired the creation of Storyhouse Childless with the support of Nicola Haigh, Community Manager and ally at Storyhouse. New CEO Annabel Turpin shares her thoughts on this event and we find out what is happening at Storyhouse Childless this year with some spoilers, and ask how we can create our events.

We are joined by Ali Hall and Dr. Dawn Llewellyn to discuss the perceptions of childfree and childless individuals. We explore the challenges of visibility and the need for more nuanced language. The conversation addresses the divide between the childfree and childless communities, the importance of creating safe spaces, and the complexities of aging without children. The episode emphasises empathy, understanding, and debates unity as a means of advocating for non-parents.

In this special fifth-anniversary episode of the Full Stop podcast, our community members join us - Michael, Sarah and Berenice - to reflect on the journey and influence of the Full Stop podcast.

In this podcast episode, we talk to Dr. Joanne Lawrence-Bourne and Dr. Robin Hadley, about the complex topic of loneliness, especially as it relates to childlessness. They discuss the subjective nature of loneliness, its distinction from social isolation, and its fluidity. The conversation covers the societal pressures and gendered experiences of loneliness. Personal stories and the impact of societal expectations on individuals without children are shared. The episode also touches on the role of social media and draws attention to the importance of inclusive narratives and support systems to combat loneliness.

In this episode we catch up with Jessica Hepburn, who shares insights from her life as an author and adventure activist. Jessica discusses her upcoming book "Save Me from the Waves," the therapeutic role of nature and swimming in her life, and the influence of "Desert Island Discs" on her personal growth. She shoes her plans for a year of self-love and her writing on Substack. The conversation encompasses themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of finding joy and connection in our found family.

Sophie Hunter from S E Hunter Associates joins us for thoughtful discussion about the challenges that people without children face in professional settings, including workplace bullying and discrimination. We share personal experiences and emphasise the need for greater awareness, support, and genuine empathy from colleagues and managers. We share our advocacy for open communication, the creation of employee support networks, and encourage companies and business networks to foster an inclusive environment that values all employees regardless of family status.

In this episode of the Full Stop podcast, join us - Sarah, Michael and Berenice - as we reflect on our year and discuss the challenges and highlights we have experienced. We discuss the importance of setting boundaries in our personal and professional lives. The episode also features messages of self-care, thanks and support from the community to our listeners for the holiday season.

The 57th episode of the Full Stop podcast is recorded to raise awareness of childless men on International Men's Day, 19th November 2023. The recording features a panel of childless men discussing their experiences and perspectives. The speakers, from various backgrounds and professions, share their personal journeys with childlessness, discussing feelings of exclusion and inclusion and the impact of societal narratives around men who are not fathers, and the importance of finding support.

We open our hearts, and the Full Stop podcast, to two extraordinary guests, Nina Thair and Danielle Hines, who have lived and learned through personal journeys marked by hidden childlessness. Through a deeply moving conversation, they touch upon the deep emotional aspects of not being a parent and how the support of friendship and community has empowered them through their journeys.

Discover the emotional journey of a childless man, as Robert opens up about the complex feelings and experiences he went through, realising the unlikely chance of having children. Tune in as he narrates how he found The Childless Men's Community, and how it inspired him to write a play about childlessness for men, which evolved into a book. Learn about the creative process behind his book, ‘I Always Wanted To Be A Dad’ and what next including his play ‘Empty’, hear about his collaboration with Berenice, who designed the book, and his mixed feelings towards sharing his personal story publicly.

Meet Gail Miller who is a doctor working in healthcare in the USA. She’s made it her mission to challenge insensitivity and bias in the healthcare profession from training to daily practice to help those who are childless as patients and non parents who work in medicine to have a better, less triggering experience. This podcast epside does mention miscarriage, IVF, cancer and infertility..

Meet Janine Ford and Cecilia Rebild who talk to us about community and friendship. They both live in Copenhagen in Denmark and talk about the wonderful friendships that can be forged from shared childlessness experiences and the meaning of friendship as we come to terms with not being parents. They are creators of a support network in Denmark, a vision they shared and acted on during the height of the pandemic.

Meet Karin Enfield De Vries who many of you know a supportive moderator and counsellor. She is the founder of Pure Transformations, a grief and loss counsellor with a focus on childlessness, a wellbeing coach and a change management consultant. Karin volunteers as a guest speaker for various cancer trusts in the Netherlands to help raise awareness of the long term consequences of being childless after cancer.

What began as an idea on a post-it note after Michael and then Sarah mentioned to Berenice that she loved podcasts has far exceeded what we predicted, a reflection on our changes in June 2023 and what that means for you and us.

Patricia Faulks set up her blog, Lilley and Me, during Covid lockdowns to share the story of ageing alone with childlessness and the challenges that brings including learning how to use her computer and Zoom calls. Denise Jackson returns to the podcast to talk about bias around money saving having challenged UK money expert Martin Lewis to tackle solo households.

Patricia and Denise cover so much ground here that applies not just to childless people but to those who are creating online environments and apps as we discuss digital exclusion. They also discuss bias and exclusion around power of attorney, the cost of living crisis, human rights and make a call for more support and awareness.