Living Childfree with Erik and Melissa

There’s a lot of talk in the media and social circles right now about going back to normal as the pandemic winds down. Melissa and Erik discuss their mixed emotions about that idea, particularly because there are some changes that they’d prefer to maintain. LINKS: LIVE CHILDFREE BLOG: https://livechildfree.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livechildfree/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/livechildfree Email: hello@livechildfree.com Mentioned in this episode: Chasing Creation https://www.chasingcreation.org/ Thanks for listening! Rate us on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Erik and Melissa reintroduce themselves and share their very personal and complicated story of how they became a childfree couple. LINKS: LIVE CHILDFREE BLOG: https://livechildfree.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livechildfree/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/livechildfree Email: hello@livechildfree.com Thanks for listening! Rate us on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode Erik and Melissa are excited to announce the launch of their new, reimagined website. Livechildfree.com is now a blog geared towards adults without children! New content is posted weekly. Before discussing the blog, they share information on an upcoming, free, online event that many of you will not want to miss. Registration is open now and the event starts March 18th! Listen in for more details. LINKS: FREE ticket to the March 2021 Childless Collective Summit: https://chasingcreation.org/ref/5/ LIVE CHILDFREE BLOG: https://livechildfree.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livechildfree/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/livechildfree Email: hello@livechildfree.com Thanks for listening! Rate us on Apple Podcasts!

Read the Article Here: https://harpers.org/archive/2020/12/false-labor-lena-dunham-fertility/ Erik and Melissa discuss a memoir piece recently written by Lena Dunham about her experience with infertility, which ultimately ended without a baby. They weigh in on the harsh criticism the article received, particularly from many in the infertility community. Instagram: @livechildfree Website: livechildfree.com Email: livechildfree@gmail.com If you appreciate this podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts!

Erik and Melissa are in day 30 of home quarantine. They discuss quarantine life as a childfree couple and the ways it differs from those quarantined with children. They also talk about what they've learned from this experience as well as their differing philosophies around Zoom etiquette. A debate ensues... Who do you side with? Follow @livechildree on Instagram! Website: livechildfree.com Email: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Erik and Melissa answer several questions submitted to them on Instagram @livechildfree. The questions were thought provoking and helped them reflect on the past three years since they stopped pursuing parenthood.  The list of questions include "What was the last straw re stopping trying to grow your family?" -- "What's your favorite thing to do together?" -- and "How do I stop caring what other people think?"  Thank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree  Email us at livechildfree@gmail.com Visit our Website at livechildfree.com  Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcast!

Melissa and Erik are back podcasting after a break. They open up about a personal loss and discuss some of the life lessons learned through their experience. Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree Email us at livechildfree@gmail.com Visit our website at livechildfree.com

As a follow-up to the last episode, Erik and Melissa share and discuss listener feedback about why many people are not comfortable being open/vocal about their childfree lifestyle. Links to articles, etc. mentioned in this episode: https://www.livescience.com/58094-child-free-parents-moral-outrage.html https://theroadlesstravelledlb.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-why-arent-there-more-of-us.html https://theroadlesstravelledlb.blogspot.com/2019/03/so-why-arent-there-more-of-us-part-2.html https://www.katekaufmann.com/ Visit livechildfree.com Email us at livechildfree@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Thank you for listening!

Why do so few people seem to embrace an identity as a non-parent? Erik and Melissa tackle this question and discuss a related thread on Twitter. They also express their thoughts and opinions on the recent college admissions scandals in the US. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Visit our website livechildfree.com Email us livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

Erik and Melissa discuss being interviewed on an episode of IVFML(A Huffington Post Podcast) They also answer listener emails and discuss why they have struggled over the years with holiday traditions. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

Formerly "How did We Get Here? with E&M". Erik and Melissa welcome new and old listeners to our updated podcast! No more anonymity! Woo hoo! [NOTE FOR SUBSCRIBERS: It may take some time for your podcast app to accurately display the new podcast name and logo. No action on your part is required.] Follow us on Instagram!! @Livechildfree Visit our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

With excitement, E&M announce the end of the name "How Did We Get Here?" They also discuss looking forward to the end of their anonymity(finally!)and provide a preview of what listeners should expect in the future! Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!!

How do you learn to be truly okay living an unconventional life? E & M respond to this question and discuss why they believe this is KEY to living happily childfree. Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thanks for listening!

It's been one year this month since the podcast's first episode! E&M share some of what they've learned about who falls under the childfree/childless umbrella. Plus, they discuss how they've reconnected with a few activities they used to enjoy before infertility. And as usual, there's some teasing and laughing along the way... Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

A recent emotional therapy session, a fun night out solo, and a Washington Post article about the rising childfree choice and declining birth rates in the U.S. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-child-free-life-why-so-many-american-women-are-deciding-not-to-have-kids/2018/05/31/89793784-64de-11e8-a768-ed043e33f1dc_story.html?utm_term=.8c7f08bd680c

E&M discuss things people are hesitant to do for fear of what others may think of them...and how this related to living your best childfree life. They also read some listener emails and share how they met over 14 years ago. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E&M discuss having a toddler houseguest and some minor changes they've made to make their life and home more in sync with the life they want. They also share and discuss a clip of film director, Ava DuVernay, talking about being childfree by choice. Some of the social media comments about the interview are cringeworthy! Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M discuss why they haven't recorded an episode in a while. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!!

(Sorry about the 4 second pause at 19:23!) It's been almost one year since E&M decided to be childfree! They discuss how they are feeling about it now and how they're doing. They also have a conversation regarding how infertility affected their marriage. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

A special thank you to you, the listeners, on New Year's Eve!! In this episode, you'll hear the stories and experiences of some of your fellow listeners as E&M read and discuss some emails. Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M have an interesting conversation about the current outpouring of public sexual harassment claims in the U.S. They also discuss their recent social media detox and some new things they've learned about themselves. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E&M keep it real as they discuss their experiences with IVF and debate the roles & responsibilities of fertility clinics and the fertility industry. Spoiler alert: they disagree! Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E&M provide updates from previous episodes. They also talk about a new goal they're excited about...as well as their good old, annoying friend called grief. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M start off by discussing an article titled "Women Aren't Nags, We're Just Fed Up." They then talk about an elephant in the room, play an abbreviated version of The Newlywed Game and answer some questions about their lives before marriage. Follow us on Instagram! @livechildfree Visit out website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Please rate us on iTunes and Apple Podcasts! Thank you!

E & M discuss feelings of frustration and impatience with their childfree journey. Also, E has a random rant/PSA about iPhone fanatics and he comes out as a 41-year old Millenial (sort of). Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree Visit our website livechildfree.com Email us livechildfree@gmail.com Rate us on Apple Podcasts! Thank you for listening!

E and M discuss why some "childfree after infertility" couples choose to use birth control -- a concept E wasn't familiar with previously. Follow us on Instagram @livechildfree Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Visit our website livechildfree.com Please RATE US ON APPLE PODCASTS!! Thank you for listening!

E & M discuss the importance of connection and how thankful they are that some of "the 80%" have slowly started to write in and share their stories! Hoping to decrease lonliness/isolation in this journey, they decide to read some of the emails that listeners have sent it. (Your emails!) Follow us on Instagram! @Livechildfree Visit our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Please RATE US ON iTUNES/ APPLE PODCAST!! Thank you for listening!

E&M are back from a weekend getaway and are in the mood to talk about traveling without kids! They discuss their weekend and provide 10 tips for childfree travel. -- Taking advantage of the benefits of being childfree! Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M discuss how and why friendships change when one friend becomes a parent. They also have a few side bar conversations -- including their thoughts on how IVF and infertility is portrayed in the new TV series "Friends From College." Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

Is it a good idea to make a formal announcement of your childfree decision? Do you feel pressure to live an amazing/ideal life because you're not having children? In this episode E & M discuss these two interesting questions. (And E goes on a rant/tangent about the hype surrounding the Jay-Z and Beyonce twins) Follow us on Instagram! @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you!

E&M discuss why its so damn hard to stop pursuing a dream - especially the dream of having children. Please excuse the microphone static issues in this episode. We apologize and are working to fix the issue. Follow us on Instagram! @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

On this bonus episode, E & M review "Vegas Baby", a new documentary about IVF and infertility -- now available on Netflix. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M discuss their differing feelings and opinions about adoption and 3rd party reproduction. They also look forward to discussing the upcoming Netflix documentary "Vegas Baby." Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M (finally)dive into their infertility story. It's full of life changing twists and turns. This is a dramatic, crazy story that no one could have anticipated! Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

E & M take a break from discussing their past and infertility to talk about where they are right now. They ask themselves questions to help begin the process of figuring out what they want their childfree life to look like. They also ask listeners to help them out! They would love advice and suggestions from those that have walked in their shoes! Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!

In this episode, E & M discuss the terms childfree and childless and share their life experiences regarding parenting prior to marriage and trying to conceive. Follow us on Instagram! @livechildfree Visit our website at livechildfree.com Email us at livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts! Thank you for listening!

E & M, a 40-something, interracial couple, introduce you to their new podcast. After years of heartbreaking infertility treatments they are choosing to stop pursuing parenthood and live childfree. Follow us on Instagram @Livechildfree Our website: livechildfree.com Email us: livechildfree@gmail.com Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts!! Thank you for listening!