Life Outside the Default

Childfree pioneer and author Marcia Drut-Davis joins me on Life Outside the Default to discuss choosing a childfree life, facing backlash for speaking out, aging without children, and why friends, not kids, can be your greatest support system. At 83, Marcia shares hard-earned wisdom on relationships, freedom, community, and living without regret. Topics include: Childfree by choice, aging without children, childfree relationships, the childfree movement, friendship and community, and Marcia’s advice for living life on your own terms.============================================= CONNECT WITH MARCIA:https://www.instagram.com/childfree_guru ============================================= CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://youtube.com/@LifeOutsideTheDefaultpodcast BE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8Zvk JOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_ =============================================TIMESTAMPS:(0:03) Why Marcia Drut-Davis Childfree Guru Chose a Childfree Life(1:00) Death Threats, Lost Pension & Backlash for Being Childfree(2:16) How Ellen Peck and The Baby Trap Inspired Her(7:11) Aging Without Children: What Marcia Learned(10:06) The Myth of the Perfect Parenting Moment(11:10) Do Children Prevent Loneliness in Old Age?(12:05) Aging Without Kids: Financial Planning & Friendship(13:30) Who Shows Up in a Crisis? Friends vs. Family(23:21) Childfree Travel: Cruises & Finding Your Community(31:11) Being Childfree Around the World: Cultural Attitudes(35:30) Tokophobia: Fear of Pregnancy and Childbirth(41:11) Advice for Her 40-Year-Old Self(43:49) When to Discuss Having Children in a Relationship(54:17) The Freedom and Possibilities of a Childfree Life(63:06) Who Will Take Care of You When You're Older?

What should you look for in a therapist if you’re childfree by choice?In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Dickens, an anxiety and trauma therapist who specializes in working with childfree individuals. We talk about why finding a childfree-friendly therapist can matter, how pronatalist assumptions can show up in therapy and healthcare, and what it means to work with someone who understands that parenthood isn’t the right path for everyone.Maggie shares her experience working with emotional neglect and emotionally immature parents, explains why anxiety isn’t something we simply need to “cure,” and offers practical advice for navigating family pressure, intrusive questions, and conversations that cross your boundaries.If you’re childfree by choice, considering therapy, or looking for a therapist who understands the unique pressures that can come with being childfree, this conversation is a warm and practical place to start.=============================================CONNECT WITH MAGGIE:https://www.instagram.com/maggiegetsrealhttps://www.youtube.com/@maggiegetsrealhttps://catharticcounseling.com/link-in-bio=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcastBE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================(00:00) Childfree Therapy and Maggie’s Work With Childfree Women(02:18) How Maggie Became a Childfree Therapist(06:20) Why Anxiety Isn’t Something You Need to “Cure”(10:37) How to Find the Right Therapist for You(13:00) Why a Childfree Therapist Can Be Helpful(14:26) Pronatalism, Therapist Bias, and Feeling Othered(18:25) The Pressure to Explain or Defend Being Childfree(21:39) How to Respond to Family Pressure About Having Kids(23:31) Boundary Scripts for Protecting Your Peace(28:55) Boundaries vs. Rules: What’s the Difference?(40:41) How Pronatalism Shapes Therapy and Family Expectations(44:38) What Anxious Childfree People Need to Hear(48:44) Maggie’s Journey to Choosing a Childfree Life(51:30) Sterilization, IUDs, and Medical Autonomy(53:25) How to Advocate for Yourself in Healthcare(57:46) Pronatalism in Medicine and Everyday Life

In this episode, author Leona Black explores her journey writing a novel about childfree women and what it means to live outside traditional expectations of motherhood. We discuss creativity, choice, and why more diverse stories about women’s lives deserve to be told.=============================================CONNECT WITH LEONA:https://www.instagram.com/leonawritesbooks=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcastBE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================(00:00) Meet Leona Black: Childfree Writer's Journey(02:56) Why Childfree Choices Matter: Exploring Life Beyond Motherhood(05:36) Writing a Novel About Childfree Women(08:18) Sharing Childfree Stories(10:53) Travel, Van Life & Creating a Life Outside the Default Path(13:33) Educational Psychology, Working With Children(15:25) Career, Parenting Expectations & Choosing a Different Path(20:56) Lessons of an Educational Psychologist(28:57) Choosing a Childfree Life: The Journey Behind the Decision(33:19) Building Community for Childfree Women & Finding Your People(37:39) Creating a Life Based on Personal Values, Freedom & Authenticity(40:25) What Childfree Living Looks Like: Reflections on Identity & Choice(46:17) Final Thoughts: Stories Beyond Motherhood

Wilmarie, aka Childfree Goddess, shares why she chose a child-free life from a very young age and the reactions, pressures, and challenges that came with it. From cultural expectations to dating struggles, we dive deep into what it means to live authentically in a world that often expects women to follow a traditional path.We also explore the mother wound, how childhood experiences can shape identity and relationships, and ways to begin healing through self-awareness, boundaries, and inner work. This conversation opens up powerful perspectives on womanhood, freedom, emotional healing, and creating a life that genuinely aligns with who you are, not who society tells you to be.=============================================CONNECT WITH WILMARIE:https://www.childfreegoddess.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@childfreegoddesshttps://www.instagram.com/life.without.kidsChildfree Goddess Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-2-meet-the-childfree-goddess/id1867689769?i=1000745735237Childfree Women's Circle:https://mailchi.mp/lifewithoutkids/childfree-womens-circle-sign-up=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcastBE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================(00:00) Why Wilmarie Chose a Childfree Life From a Young Age(02:54) Societal Pressure Around Women Having Children(05:41) Dating Challenges as a Childfree Woman(08:24) Self-Acceptance, Identity, and Living Authentically(10:55) Finding Love, Support, and Acceptance(13:30) Coaching and Supporting Childfree Women(16:10) Building Community, Connection, and Safe Spaces for Childfree Women(29:47) The Importance of Childfree Friendships and Community(31:14) What Is the Mother Wound?(37:43) Healing Parent Relationships and Breaking Generational Patterns(42:33) How 1:1 Coaching Helps Women Heal and Grow(47:55) Creating Sisterhood and Supportive Communities for Childfree Women(51:09) Empowering Women to Embrace Their Childfree Identity(57:16) Why Childfree Communities Matter More Than Ever

Mandy and I have a down-to-earth conversation about how she unexpectedly found herself in full-time RV living, which led to downsizing and creating a life built around adventure, freedom, and purpose.We talk about what RV life is really like, including how to travel full-time, work on the road, stay consistent with fitness, and shift your mindset to embrace a more flexible, unconventional lifestyle.If you’ve ever dreamed of living on the road, simplifying your life, or creating more freedom in your everyday routine, this episode will give you practical insight and inspiration to take the next step.Favorite episode quotes:"90% of visitors see only 10% of Yellowstone.""Failure is just feedback, not the end.""Don't wait to live the life you want."=============================================CONNECT WITH MANDY:https://www.instagram.com/lesbifit13https://www.youtube.com/@LesbiFITAdventureshttps://www.youtube.com/@LesbiFIT=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcastBE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================(00:00) Taking the Leap into Full-Time RV Living(02:20) RV Life Begins: From Ohio to Arizona(04:58) Minimalism & The Freedom of Living with Less(07:36) How to Plan Your Next Destination(10:21) How She Works While Traveling Full-Time(12:50) Community Reactions, & Support(15:25) Yellowstone RV Trip: Unforgettable Experiences(18:00) Coaching & Helping Women Build Better Lives(25:54) Growth, Feedback & Learning Through the RV Lifestyle(27:06) How RV Life Led to Coaching, Fitness & Personal Growth(27:55) Adapting Workouts While Traveling Full-Time in an RV(29:18) Traveling Fitness Tips: Staying Active on the Road(30:25) Outdoor Adventures & Finding Active Hobbies(31:23) Whitewater Kayaking & Living an Active Lifestyle(33:41) Living Life to the Fullest Through Travel & Freedom(34:23) The Joy of a Child-Free Lifestyle & Personal Freedom(36:53) Big Life Decisions & Choosing a Different Path(42:36) Documenting RV Life Adventures

Jeannie shares her inspiring journey from a tumultuous childhood to embracing her intuition and making bold life decisions. Discover how she overcame adversity, trusted her gut, and created a life aligned with her values, offering valuable lessons on resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth.Favorite episode quotes:"Trust your gut, even when it’s hard.""Fear is a sign you're about to grow.""Every choice is data for your growth."=============================================CONNECT WITH JEANNIE:https://www.instagram.com/jeannie_queenofwandshttps://www.facebook.com/queenofwandsenchantedgiftswww.jeannieseidel.com=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcastBE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================(00:00) Childhood Challenges and Early Life Story(07:59) Bullying, Self-Worth, and Choosing a New School(15:08) How She Broke Free from a Toxic Environment(22:58) Finding Inner Strength and Moving Forward in Life(26:20) Overcoming Fear, Perfectionism, and Self-Doubt(30:41) The Power of Choice, Growth, and Life Change(33:36) Personal Boundaries, Independence, and Life Decisions(38:32) The Invisible Labor Women Carry Every Day(43:53) Embracing Change, Healing, and Self-Reflection(48:33) Following Passion, Creativity, and Personal Freedom

Erin McDonald, functional nutrition coach, joins me for a real, down-to-earth conversation on fat loss, hormones, gut health, and what life looks like living in Mexico as an expat. We get into why “normal” health advice given to women often misses the mark, how functional testing can be a game changer, and why community and purpose matter more than you think.Favorite episode quotes:"Conventional (blood) tests often miss the root causes.""Empowering women with knowledge is essential.""Feeling good is a real option for women."=============================================CONNECT WITH ERIN:https://www.instagram.com/erin.nichole.mcdonald_/https://www.facebook.com/ErinNichole002TikTok.com/@coacherinmcdonaldhttps://spotify.link/AgXyJ0uGwXb=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcastBE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Functional Nutrition Coaching Explained(02:22) Living in Mexico as a Health Coach(05:27) Child-Free Lifestyle for Women(08:01) Dating & Relationships as a Child-Free Woman(10:56) Why Functional Nutrition Matters for Fat Loss & Hormone Health(13:35) Women’s Health Issues Today(16:35) Pets, Lifestyle, and Fulfillment Without Kids(18:33) Problems with Conventional Medicine(21:16) Stress and Women’s Health | Hormones, Cortisol & Burnout(23:35) Hormones & What Women Need to Know(26:02) How Stress Impacts Your Body(28:45) Medical Gaslighting in Women’s Health(31:37) Hormone Therapy Explained(36:10) Functional Medicine vs Conventional Medicine(42:58) Why Health Coaching Matters(47:05) Celebrating Wins, Growth & Health Milestones(47:28) Be a guest on the podcast

In this episode, professional pianist Ella shares her journey of embracing her Chinese heritage and pursuing a career in classical music. She talks about the realities of becoming a professional pianist, the challenges she's faced along the way, and what it takes to dedicate your life to music.Ella also opens up about growing up in a difficult family environment, navigating cultural expectations around having children and how she ultimately chose to live a childfree life.We explore themes of identity, resilience, cultural expectations, and the importance of building authentic friendships while creating a life that feels true to who you are.CONNECT WITH ELLA:https://www.youtube.com/@lifedigestedbyamusician2281https://www.instagram.com/ellaalle/https://www.youtube.com/@theOutofOfficePodcast============================================= CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcast?si=VSpbTmXMQfqNfkJ_BE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Chinese Identity & Cultural Heritage(3:13) Childhood Experiences & Family Dynamics(8:07) Healing, Resilience & Personal Growth(13:01) Becoming a Professional Pianist(18:22) Challenges in the Classical Music Industry(21:55) Choosing a Childfree Life(33:06) Cultural Expectations & Personal Decisions(38:30) Finding Community as a Childfree Person(54:28) The Childfree Movement & Community Support(57:24) Navigating Family & Cultural Pressure(1:01:43) The Importance of Authentic Friendships(1:03:12) Planning for the Future with Intention(1:10:41) Challenging Societal Norms & Expectations(1:15:00) Episode Closing Thoughts

In this episode, brand strategist Asia Dore shares how one blog post about being childfree by choice unexpectedly changed the trajectory of her career.Asia, a former photographer turned brand strategist, explains how sharing her personal story helped her pivot industries and build a business rooted in authentic branding and clear values.We talk about what branding actually means beyond logos and colors, common misconceptions about personal branding, and how authenticity helps entrepreneurs attract the right clients instead of just more clients.If you're thinking about rebranding yourself, pivoting careers, or building a brand that reflects who you really are, this conversation offers practical insights from someone who’s done it.=============================================CONNECT WITH ASIA :• https://www.instagram.com/asia.dore• https://asiadore.com=============================================CONNECT WITH ME:• https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefault• https://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.com• https://youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcast?si=VSpbTmXMQfqNfkJ_BE A GUEST:• https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:• https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_=============================================TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) How Asia Accidentally Started Her Business(8:09) From Photographer to Brand Strategist(9:34) Identity Shifts and Personal Choices in Business(13:26) What Branding Really Is, Beyond Logos and Colors(24:44) Niching vs Positioning in Branding Strategy(29:23) How to Rebrand Yourself During a Career Pivot(42:18) Authentic Branding and Attracting Ideal Clients(49:05) Being Childfree and Navigating Social Expectations(51:37) Personal Growth and Freedom in a Childfree Lifestyle

Astrologer Kate Hughes explains how astrology can guide self-discovery, personal growth, and major life decisions. She breaks down birth charts, common misconceptions, and shares her journey as childfree by choice, including sterilization and body autonomy.If you’re curious about astrology, birth charts, or designing a life aligned with your values, this episode is for you.==========================================CONNECT WITH KATE:https://www.instagram.com/@seeingstars_katehttps://www.katehughes.bizhttps://www.youtube.com/@planetaryprincesses==========================================CONNECT WITH ME:https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutsidethedefaulthttps://www.lifeoutsidethedefault.comhttps://youtube.com/@lifeoutsidethedefaultpodcast?si=VSpbTmXMQfqNfkJ_BE A GUEST:https://tr.ee/vYbsmV8ZvkJOIN THE CHILDFREE CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER:https://tr.ee/HPkAYoLtq_==========================================TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Astrology for Self-Discovery(03:00) Beyond Your Sun Sign(06:07) Navigate Life with Astrology(08:57) Rising, Sun & Moon Signs Explained(11:49) How to Read Your Birth Chart(15:08) Why Accurate Birth Info Matters(17:55) Mercury, Venus & Mars Explained(28:34) Astrology & Life Decisions(32:39) Choosing a Childfree Life(37:45) Handling Family Expectations(42:02) Medical Choices & Sterilization(48:45) Astrology for Personal Growth(53:03) Astrology Resources