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 Fulll 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 they loved podcasts has far exceeded what we predicted.

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. 

We cover the difficulties of Mother’s Day and daily life with our guests Ken and Lisa. We talk about society’s perception of being a step parent both within the childless community and outside it. We ask about the problems of language and how that affects the sense of place in a family.

We’d like to introduce you to Anastasia MacDonald who many of you may already know from her constant and reassuring presence online. We gather to talk about how the menopause affects us as the childless not by choice community. Is it a relief? A time of mourning and what’s it like on the other side?

We’d like to introduce you to our guests who are rather marvellous company, as you’ll find out in our 47th episode. Mike Sparks restores vintage electrics (yes, we also through he has a great name!) and teaches water skiing, how this two areas of his life come about? Caroline Stafford sells gorgeous biscuits and she talks about how she came to create a baking business. Also joining us is Vicky House who founded Clem’s Garden which we’ve long loved, and she explains her vision andher boundaries.

In this episode we were joined by your words. We were delighted to receive messages from our community which we’ve shared with you. And it was a chance for the three of us to reveal our themes for 2023, ask if you’d like be a guest and a little on how we’ve grown over 2022.

More people are childless due to being single than any other reason but it’s not spoken about. Are we in danger of creating bingos in our childless community and how can we support each other? These were all questions we put to our guests Elaine and Penny. Listen for their answers.

In episode 44, we were joined by Charlie Bishop, Palo Barker and Steph Penny. Often the wider world can assume that the only reasons we do not have children are failed IVF, failed adoption or didn't try. This narrative excludes many for whom getting pregnant can be life threatening. Charlie, Palo and Steph all spoke about how invisible illnesses can compound and complete the unseen grief of not having children.

When we met up with Jessica Hepburn for episode 43, two things came to mind. The first is how we met her, which was had a time of new starts for all of us and the importance of 43 which Jessica explains to us, and oddly how this is indeed, episode 43!