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.