Full Stop: for childless and their cheerleaders
@thefullstoppod.com
Listen to our podcast, a library of voices over 5+ years featuring childless voices. Join our online supportive space for all involuntary childless people.
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Hello, we haven't done an intro a while. Michael lives in Australia and speaks about childless men. Sarah is a counsellor and facilitator from Kent, and Berenice is a coach, creative & DEI facilitator. We're all childless and provide a learning and speaking space via podcast and online community.
How have assumptions about your identity or circumstances shaped the way people respond, or don’t respond, to your childlessness?
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
How have assumptions about your identity or circumstances shaped the way people respond, or don’t respond, to your childlessness?
“When I say I’m in a relationship with a man that people don’t have to think you’re a gay man in a gay relationship. I’m just married to Gregory.” — Michael Barnett
In episode 80, activist Michael Barnett talks about loneliness, and invisibility that queer childless people face.
In episode 80, activist Michael Barnett talks about loneliness, and invisibility that queer childless people face.
November 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“When I say I’m in a relationship with a man that people don’t have to think you’re a gay man in a gay relationship. I’m just married to Gregory.” — Michael Barnett
In episode 80, activist Michael Barnett talks about loneliness, and invisibility that queer childless people face.
In episode 80, activist Michael Barnett talks about loneliness, and invisibility that queer childless people face.
We share our appreciation of the male voices who support the Full Stop. It takes courage to be seen, but in doing so, they are changing the narrative and society expectations.
We are proud to know you and call you our friends. Thank you.
#InternationalMensDay
We are proud to know you and call you our friends. Thank you.
#InternationalMensDay
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM
We share our appreciation of the male voices who support the Full Stop. It takes courage to be seen, but in doing so, they are changing the narrative and society expectations.
We are proud to know you and call you our friends. Thank you.
#InternationalMensDay
We are proud to know you and call you our friends. Thank you.
#InternationalMensDay
In episode 80 of the Full Stop podcast we are joined by activist Michael Barnett to explore identity, queer visibility, childlessness not by choice, and what it means to advocate fiercely for others while holding private grief.
November 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In episode 80 of the Full Stop podcast we are joined by activist Michael Barnett to explore identity, queer visibility, childlessness not by choice, and what it means to advocate fiercely for others while holding private grief.
Meriel talks about being a translator in her counselling work as the language we use between us and our loved ones matters, and we may not know the right words. Have you felt that the language around childlessness is complex? What words or terms have worked for you?
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Meriel talks about being a translator in her counselling work as the language we use between us and our loved ones matters, and we may not know the right words. Have you felt that the language around childlessness is complex? What words or terms have worked for you?
Childlessness changes us as profoundly and permanently as being a parent changes people, and this aspect of childlessness is often overlooked. By us childless people, as we may not want to feel that intense impact, and by others who can dismiss the loss of parenthood based on life experiences.
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Childlessness changes us as profoundly and permanently as being a parent changes people, and this aspect of childlessness is often overlooked. By us childless people, as we may not want to feel that intense impact, and by others who can dismiss the loss of parenthood based on life experiences.
“Sometimes there’s no going over or under the situation — you just have to go through it, together.”
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
October 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM
“Sometimes there’s no going over or under the situation — you just have to go through it, together.”
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
Menopause Awareness Month shines a light on the experiences of women going through menopause. Often, the experiences of childless women are overlooked - we may find our grief comes to the surface, or it may come as a relief. It's complex and often a different experience. #MenopauseAwarenessMonth
October 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Menopause Awareness Month shines a light on the experiences of women going through menopause. Often, the experiences of childless women are overlooked - we may find our grief comes to the surface, or it may come as a relief. It's complex and often a different experience. #MenopauseAwarenessMonth
“Sometimes there’s no going over or under the situation — you just have to go through it, together.”
Meriel Whale, childless counsellor, shares advice on how to bring empathy to healing in partnerships.
Listen on your favourite channel or via our website.
Meriel Whale, childless counsellor, shares advice on how to bring empathy to healing in partnerships.
Listen on your favourite channel or via our website.
October 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“Sometimes there’s no going over or under the situation — you just have to go through it, together.”
Meriel Whale, childless counsellor, shares advice on how to bring empathy to healing in partnerships.
Listen on your favourite channel or via our website.
Meriel Whale, childless counsellor, shares advice on how to bring empathy to healing in partnerships.
Listen on your favourite channel or via our website.
Menopause Awareness Month shines a light on the experiences of women going through menopause. Often, the experiences of childless women are overlooked - we may find our grief comes to the surface, or it may come as a relief. It's complex and often a different experience. #MenopauseAwarenessMonth
October 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Menopause Awareness Month shines a light on the experiences of women going through menopause. Often, the experiences of childless women are overlooked - we may find our grief comes to the surface, or it may come as a relief. It's complex and often a different experience. #MenopauseAwarenessMonth
“No two people, even if they’ve had the same experience, will have the same experience.”
When you speak to one childless person, you speak to one childless person. So within partnerships, we have our own feelings and when they differ that may lead to feelings of instability.
When you speak to one childless person, you speak to one childless person. So within partnerships, we have our own feelings and when they differ that may lead to feelings of instability.
October 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM
“No two people, even if they’ve had the same experience, will have the same experience.”
When you speak to one childless person, you speak to one childless person. So within partnerships, we have our own feelings and when they differ that may lead to feelings of instability.
When you speak to one childless person, you speak to one childless person. So within partnerships, we have our own feelings and when they differ that may lead to feelings of instability.
Global Wave of Light is an annual observance. Across the world, at 7pm local time, we may choose to light candles to commemorate the lives of our children whom we did not meet or spent too little time with.
We'll be in our Community space to hold a welcome for those who need it.
#WaveOfLight
We'll be in our Community space to hold a welcome for those who need it.
#WaveOfLight
October 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Global Wave of Light is an annual observance. Across the world, at 7pm local time, we may choose to light candles to commemorate the lives of our children whom we did not meet or spent too little time with.
We'll be in our Community space to hold a welcome for those who need it.
#WaveOfLight
We'll be in our Community space to hold a welcome for those who need it.
#WaveOfLight
Our podcast rollback takes us to our episode on Pregnancy Loss to honour Baby Loss Awareness Week which runs from 9-15th October.
"We think we can have it all, until suddenly we realise we can't'
If that feels like you, we invite you to listen or read the transcript.
You are not alone.
#BLAW
"We think we can have it all, until suddenly we realise we can't'
If that feels like you, we invite you to listen or read the transcript.
You are not alone.
#BLAW
October 13, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Our podcast rollback takes us to our episode on Pregnancy Loss to honour Baby Loss Awareness Week which runs from 9-15th October.
"We think we can have it all, until suddenly we realise we can't'
If that feels like you, we invite you to listen or read the transcript.
You are not alone.
#BLAW
"We think we can have it all, until suddenly we realise we can't'
If that feels like you, we invite you to listen or read the transcript.
You are not alone.
#BLAW
“Sometimes there’s no going over or under the situation — you just have to go through it, together.”
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
October 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“Sometimes there’s no going over or under the situation — you just have to go through it, together.”
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
Meriel explains how she is a translator. There's a lot about language here - how we speak to ourselves, each other and how we can use new words. Tune in on our favourite podcast app.
#childless
“When we face childlessness, we’re not on the same timeline. We move through grief, healing, and understanding at different paces.”
Here's our latest episode, with counsellor Meriel Whale on the impact of childlessness on relationships. On your preferred podcast channel & our website
Here's our latest episode, with counsellor Meriel Whale on the impact of childlessness on relationships. On your preferred podcast channel & our website
October 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“When we face childlessness, we’re not on the same timeline. We move through grief, healing, and understanding at different paces.”
Here's our latest episode, with counsellor Meriel Whale on the impact of childlessness on relationships. On your preferred podcast channel & our website
Here's our latest episode, with counsellor Meriel Whale on the impact of childlessness on relationships. On your preferred podcast channel & our website
We are worthy of celebrating each other. Even without children, we are not in the background of life. Listen to the podcast on your favourite channel and our website.
Celebrate you and chat with others who are childless not by choice, in the Full Stop Community free month on us. Link in our bio
Celebrate you and chat with others who are childless not by choice, in the Full Stop Community free month on us. Link in our bio
October 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
We are worthy of celebrating each other. Even without children, we are not in the background of life. Listen to the podcast on your favourite channel and our website.
Celebrate you and chat with others who are childless not by choice, in the Full Stop Community free month on us. Link in our bio
Celebrate you and chat with others who are childless not by choice, in the Full Stop Community free month on us. Link in our bio
We loved the affirmation that @lana.manikowski shared with us - I am enough. Do you have words that help you? Berenice says she is 'more, not less for her experiences' for example. #Childless
September 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
We loved the affirmation that @lana.manikowski shared with us - I am enough. Do you have words that help you? Berenice says she is 'more, not less for her experiences' for example. #Childless
"I pull up a chair and sit next to her, I reach out to hold her hand. In that brief moment, the room fills with ghosts."
A new blog post from Michael on a life that could have been - link in the comments.
https://www.thefullstoppod.com/married-and-childless-blog/ghosts
A new blog post from Michael on a life that could have been - link in the comments.
https://www.thefullstoppod.com/married-and-childless-blog/ghosts
September 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
"I pull up a chair and sit next to her, I reach out to hold her hand. In that brief moment, the room fills with ghosts."
A new blog post from Michael on a life that could have been - link in the comments.
https://www.thefullstoppod.com/married-and-childless-blog/ghosts
A new blog post from Michael on a life that could have been - link in the comments.
https://www.thefullstoppod.com/married-and-childless-blog/ghosts
Have you felt othered as a result of your childlessness? What would you like those people who did that to know? We're also talking about this in our Full Stop Community - not shouldering the discomfort of others, responding with dignity and kindness to ourselves are themes on our minds.
September 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Have you felt othered as a result of your childlessness? What would you like those people who did that to know? We're also talking about this in our Full Stop Community - not shouldering the discomfort of others, responding with dignity and kindness to ourselves are themes on our minds.
Learning to love ourselves again when we're childless is a tough ask and it can be hard work to get to that space, but it can be a springboard to new ideas, thinking and restoration. We love this quote from Lana and honour the path she's walked to talk so freely about this in our podcast
September 20, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Learning to love ourselves again when we're childless is a tough ask and it can be hard work to get to that space, but it can be a springboard to new ideas, thinking and restoration. We love this quote from Lana and honour the path she's walked to talk so freely about this in our podcast
“I carried a lot of shame about my story for so long, but sharing it aloud showed me the power of connection.” — Lana Manikowski
We are enough and we have the power to decide what our “otherness” means.
#childlessness
We are enough and we have the power to decide what our “otherness” means.
#childlessness
September 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
“I carried a lot of shame about my story for so long, but sharing it aloud showed me the power of connection.” — Lana Manikowski
We are enough and we have the power to decide what our “otherness” means.
#childlessness
We are enough and we have the power to decide what our “otherness” means.
#childlessness
We loved spending time with Lana who is so generous with her advice and wisdom on Othering. Wherever you are landing with childlessness, you'll find comfort and inspiration. Head to our bio link to read more.
September 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
We loved spending time with Lana who is so generous with her advice and wisdom on Othering. Wherever you are landing with childlessness, you'll find comfort and inspiration. Head to our bio link to read more.
Sarah, co-founder of the Full Stop and a qualified counsellor creates a prompt to support wellbeing.
If you'd like to see how it works for you, then you can join us with a month free. Send a DM to us.
#ChildlessNotByChoice
If you'd like to see how it works for you, then you can join us with a month free. Send a DM to us.
#ChildlessNotByChoice
August 30, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Sarah, co-founder of the Full Stop and a qualified counsellor creates a prompt to support wellbeing.
If you'd like to see how it works for you, then you can join us with a month free. Send a DM to us.
#ChildlessNotByChoice
If you'd like to see how it works for you, then you can join us with a month free. Send a DM to us.
#ChildlessNotByChoice
Midlife and menopause is tough, we know. Add in childlessness and invisibleness, and we totally get the grief. We love Anne's vibrancy - she was stoked to be on the pod - her words! And the reminder that your body can be your greatest ally.
August 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Midlife and menopause is tough, we know. Add in childlessness and invisibleness, and we totally get the grief. We love Anne's vibrancy - she was stoked to be on the pod - her words! And the reminder that your body can be your greatest ally.
August 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM