Hello, and welcome to episode 168 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

Looking back on 2024

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I want to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform every month, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

‘It’s what you didn’t get out of life that makes you anointed.’

--Bishop TD Jakes.

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice

Looking Back, Looking Forward Hello, and welcome to episode 167 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I want to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform every month, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

• Reminder the next two months I am on hiatus

•  I will have a fresh episode in December

• WCW highlights–World Childless Week, 16-22 Sept 2024

• Childless Cat (Plant) Ladies

• Review last three episodes–links posted below

Articles/links of interest:

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-78-11-childless-not-choice-women-changed-world-part-one/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-79-part-two-11-childless-not-by-choice-women-who-changed-the-world-2/

https://aseannow.com/topic/1337077-the-right%E2%80%99s-fixation-on-childless-women-a-tool-for-upholding-capitalist-norms/

Most recent episodes: 

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-166-my-conversation-with-jody-day/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-165-our-nine-year-podcastiversary/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-164-the-issues-of-race-and-the-medical-community/

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice

Hello, and welcome to episode 166 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

My Interview with Jody Day. Update time!

Intro:

JODY DAY is the English/Irish founder of Gateway Women, the global support & advocacy network for childless women, and is often described as the founder of the ‘childless movement’. An author, two-times TEDx speaker, thought leader and psychotherapist, she’s known for her best-selling Living the Life Unexpected: How to Find Hope, Meaning and a Fulfilling Future Without Children (PanMac 2016/2020) and increasingly for her popular Substack, ‘Gateway Elderwomen’ which explores the adventure of elderhood without motherhood. 

Jody’s been a World Childless Week Ambassador since its inception in 2017, and was chosen as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2013 & as a UK Digital Woman of the Year in 2021. She was also a founding and former board member at the UK Charity Ageing Without Children, and is a former Fellow in Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School. 

After a lifetime in London, she now lives by the sea in West Cork, rural Ireland, where she’s working on a novel (featuring a childless heroine of course!) and developing her Gateway Elderwomen project. She is managed by a small white terrier called Parsnip.

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

• Are you still a part of AWOC?

• Working on a novel

• Substack—Gateway Elder Women

• ‘Women without children are that village’.--Jody Day

• We still pay taxes.

Research links:

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/07/25/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children/

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2021/10/05/rising-share-of-u-s-adults-are-living-without-a-spouse-or-partner/

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/

Christine Erickson’s New Legacy Institute

Gateway Woman is now The Childless Collective 

Mutual aid projects

Articles/links of interest:

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-90-my-interview-with-jody-day-founder-of-gateway-women/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-143-the-things-men-talk-about-my-conversation-with-dr-robin-hadley/

https://gateway-women.com/living-the-life-unexpected-2nd-edition-world-blogtour-1-19th-march-2020/

Special thank you to:

Jody Day, Founder of Gateway Women

Jody Day’s Contact Info:

https://gateway-women.com/

website: www.gateway-women.com

substack: https://jodyday.substack.com/

instagram @gatewaywomen & @apprenticecrone

free download of intro & chapter 1 of Jody's book: bit.ly/free-ltlu

FYI:

Spotify now allows podcasters the ability to respond to listener comments.

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM

Hello, and welcome to episode 165 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

My Nine Year Podcastiversary!

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I want to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform every month, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you still need to become a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

• Thank you: And as I say every July, I can’t believe it! 

• Thank you for walking with me through the last few years as I dealt with real life.   

Articles/links of interest:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/vance-argued-higher-tax-rate-childless-americans-2021/story?id=112284318

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/maximizing-relationships-and-happiness-in-life/202407/with-love-to-my-childless-aunts

Special thank you to:

All of you!

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice If you want to become a one-time or ongoing sponsor, or if you want to advertise your business or an upcoming event, contact me at [email protected] for details. 

‘Spreading the great news that we can live a joyful, relevant, 

  and fulfilled life.’

Hello, and welcome to episode 164 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

Race and the medical community, how to fix it? 

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Questions from listeners:

Listener Name: question from Spotify listener

‘Could you provide an actual bio description. I already know the title, I don’t know what you’re gonna talk about precisely. It would be very helpful instead of the basic uninformed text.’

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Before we get started: Android users, Google podcasts is going away–slowly, like by Summertime based on what I am hearing. That should give you time to find another way to listen. 

Honestly, if you just go to your app store you can search for podcast player apps. If you are an Android user, you can use podcast addict or Pocket Cast podcast player apps. 

Of course, you can also listen on YouTube music. And keep in mind, I do have two YouTube accounts where you can listen to the podcast.   

If you listen to the podcast on Gaana, the largest music platform in India, they are transitioning podcasts to app-only listening. So if you are not finding the Childless not by Choice podcast anywhere else on their platform, search the Gaana app.  And thanks for listening India!    

Body of episode:

So, I want to tell you about an experience I had when I had my hysterectomy. Am I blaming race for what happened to me? That’s the thing about racism, it’s not always clear. I have always said ‘It’s a heart issue.’  

Race and the medical community–

• Narrative–dictionary term

• The narrative that black people take pain at a higher range. 

Talk about how there are differences that do not mean black people are inferior

• brown bandaids-

• pulse ox and skin color-

• Kidney disease–gfr, creatinine(?)

Talk about the young woman who invented the color change of bandages. when a wound is healing or is getting infected.

Talk about women of color losing babies at a higher rate-

Talk about the role of AI in the medical community-

What is bias? 

to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook:

his background biases him against foreigners.

systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others.

an inclination of temperament or outlook

especially: a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment: PREJUDICE

Even AI is biased. But it’s not AI’s fault. Who is creating AI code? 

I believe just as it takes a village, and community, to get most things done in our world, it will take a village to fix and correct the inequities of care in the medical and health community. We all need to look out for each other

List of things to do when going to the doctor:

• Make a list of the questions for the doctor.

• If you are afraid to self-advocate, bring a trusted friend or family member with you.

• Go to follow-up and lab appointments. Don’t blow them off.

• Review your lab results and ask questions. Make sure you understand what the results mean. 

• Try to eat right, and take medications you are prescribed as long as you and your doctor are on the same page when it comes to medications. 

• Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. 

• Make sure you and your doctor are on the same page.

• Do research, not to self-evaluate, but to understand what your doctor is telling you.

• Be aware, involved, and knowledgeable about your health.  

Research links:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4194634/

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01466

https://www.stkate.edu/academics/healthcare-degrees/racism-in-healthcare

https://www.band-aid.com/products/adhesive-bandages/ourtone-adhesive-bandages

Articles/links of interest:

https://mhacf.org/

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-03-rheumatic-diseases-childbearing-problems.html

https://yen.com.gh/people/family-relationships/256354-nigerian-lady-child-buys-pampers-feeding-bottle-tearfully-prays-god-a-baby-video/

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice

Hello, and welcome to episode 163 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

Father’s Day

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I want to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform every month, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you still need to become a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Articles/links of interest:

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-160-praying-through-infertility-my-conversation-with-sheridan-voysey/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-143-the-things-men-talk-about-my-conversation-with-dr-robin-hadley/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-130-about-fathers-day-and-childlessness/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-72-male-and-childless-not-by-choice-my-interview-with-dr-robin-hadley/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-141-downriver-nomad-my-conversation-with-rob-hutchings/

Special thank you to:

All of the wonderful men who have shared their childless not by choice journey with us, and the world. 

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice

Hello, and welcome to episode 162 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

Why Won't They Listen?

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

HELLO EVERYONE WELCOME TO EPISODE 162! THIS IS A SPECIAL LIVE RECORDING AND I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO HEAR IT.  AS SOON AS I HEARD IT WAS HAPPENING I BECAME EXCITED BECAUSE THE ISSUES SURROUNDING HEALTHCARE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ON MY MIND FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

I MEAN QUITE SOME TIME AS IN YEARS: SINCE MY HYSTERECTOMY. 

I WILL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES NEXT EPISODE, AS WELL AS THINGS WE CAN DO, NO MATTER OUR RACE OR GENDER, TO GIVE US A BETTER CHANCE AT PROPER CARE WHEN INTERACTING WITH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MRS. LASHONDA ROYAL, CHAPTER PRESIDENT, MS. ANNA DIEVEUIL-HORNBUCKLE, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND ALL THE LADIES OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.,  FOR ALLOWING ME TO ATTEND  THIS MEETING. 

BY THE WAY, IT WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE NOTE: SOME CONTENT IN THIS EPISODE IS GEARED TO WOMEN WHO HAVE CHILDREN. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT ANY AUDIENCE MEMBER NAMES MENTIONED HAVE BEEN REMOVED. THE NAMES OF THE PANEL MEMBERS HAVE NOT. 

LASTLY, NAMES OF MEDICATIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AUDIO AS WELL. THANKS AGAIN FOR TUNING IN.    

Articles/links of interest:

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/childless-employee-edi-unseen-minority/

Special thank you to:

Mrs. Lashonda Royal, Chapter President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Ms. Anna Dieveuil-Hornbuckle, Public Relations

Solid Rock Community Church

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM

Hello, and welcome to episode 161 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

IVF and the Alabama Ruling 

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

• On average, IVF has a success rate of 46.7% (depending on individual fertility conditions).--cryosinternational.com

• 1 million: Number of babies born in the United States between 1987 and 2015 through the use of IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies, according to a report released in 2017 by the by the U.S. Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). Assisted reproductive technologies include IVF or the use of an egg donor, sperm donor or adopted embryo.

• Today, 40 years after its heavily criticized clinical introduction, IVF is available as a successful treatment for infertility almost all over the world. Over 8 million IVF children have been born, and over 2.5 million cycles are being performed every year, resulting in over 500,000 deliveries annually.--Google

What is IVF?

What is IVF and how is it done?

During in vitro fertilization, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then a procedure is done to place one or more of the fertilized eggs, called embryos, in a uterus, which is where babies develop. One full cycle of IVF takes about 2 to 3 weeks. Sep 1, 2023

How much does it cost to have IVF?

While the average base cost of a single IVF cycle falls between $14,000 and $20,000, this is merely an approximation. The actual expenses may differ. Moreover, additional costs including medications, genetic testing, cryopreservation, and storage fees must be taken into account.

So just getting the pre-work done costs thousands, and the whole process is about timing. Timing. Ovulation, injections into the stomach at just the right time of the month.  All of the things that need to be done at just the right time, of the month. Oh, let’s not forget the should we call it, cultivation of the eggs. It’s a process. All of it.

And this process is done by doctors. People who studied for a very long time so that they could assist their patients. Politicians and judges went to school to study politics and law. Nowhere do the two professions meet unless a person gets both degrees. 

I checked to see if this judge in Alabama has an MD-JD, in other words, a medical and law degree. I did not find anything in my research that says he does. 

So what’s the back story anyway? 

Well, apparently a patient went wandering around an IVF clinic and somehow got back to where the embryos were kept in a cryogenic state, and dropped a few of them, destroying them. A few couples that also were clients of this clinic heard about this and filed suit. 

I mean, I have questions. How did this patient get back there? Why did she touch things that did not belong to her? Was she looking for her embryos? Was the clinic not working with her? Why was she back there?

But those questions aside, what I really want to know is how much research and homework was done by the judge to come to his ruling? 

Did he consider how ruling against IVF would affect people who were having trouble getting pregnant? Was research done on the process of  IVF? Why it is done? Even how it is done? I don’t know. 

Maybe he did and still decided to rule the way he did. Did he know that his ruling would affect men as well as women? 

When these lawmakers are, well, making these laws, how much research is done? Seriously. I don’t mean just legal research. I don’t mean sitting in a law library or having your law clerks sitting in a law library trying to come up with legal reasons to cause terror in people’s lives. How much research did they do to understand the relevance of the law to current life? Does relevance to current life, say vs. before IVF was invented, matter in research and ruling?

I am no lawyer, but shouldn't the law have to somehow keep up with the current times?  And no, keeping up with the current times does not mean fundamentally changing the law otherwise as much as the law sometimes doesn’t make sense now; imagine if it was fundamentally changed to keep up with the fact that we are in the 21st century and not the middle ages.  

Let me go deeper, do these lawmakers know or even care about infertility, the biological clock, gasp, male infertility?  Are these lawmakers just concerned about their interpretation of the law and making a name for themselves down through history, using God as a way to make it make sense? Let me stop here for a second: 

God is not the author of confusion. 

God has given us free will as human beings.

He has given us wisdom, common sense, and the ability to invent things like IVF.

He has created every human in His image. He loves women as well as He loves men. 

All of the division we see globally, the mistreatment and hatred of women is not godly. OK, that’s me hopping off my soap box. It’s been a while since I’ve used my soap box, so thanks for allowing me the latitude.  

Look, I realize the law is not based on empathy. And one can argue that point, but if the law were based on empathy some perpetrators would not be released on a technicality. Some people would not rot in prison for something they did not do. More work, and more research would be done in both cases.

People, men, and women; would not have to suffer through infertility, deal with IVF treatments, and then rely on a legal system that has no empathy, have done no research, have no real world answers, or understanding on the matter to which has to be ruled while not fundamentally changing the laws. I believe both can be done.    

The bottom line is this, the patriarchy is acting as it has for a millennium.  But the part that gets me is when God is brought in. Let me repeat what I said earlier: God doesn’t hate women, He created us. He created humans in His image, so that would be men AND  women. He doesn’t prefer men over women. He doesn’t have disdain for women. 

I don’t understand how the rampant mistreatment of women worldwide makes the world a better place. It doesn’t. Using God as a prop. Never a good idea. But it’s done all the time. 

What happened in Alabama, and what is happening around the country is not being done in kindness and empathy. It is being done to grab power, to be judgemental, and to cause duress. For what reason? Power. It’s all  about power. When ultimately, God has all the power.      

God’s process for how men and women should live does not include fast rulings done with no research, no empathy, no real legal theory,  that affect people in such a negative way. 

I know the Alabama Supreme court cobbled something together to help protect those who are going through the IVF process from the judge’s ruling. The governor of Alabama has signed off on the ruling, but my understanding that this new ruling still does not fully protect people going throught IVF, but at least it is a start. I guess we will stay tuned! 

Research links:

https://www.arcfertility.com/patient-resources/understanding-the-cost-of-ivf/#:~:text=While%20the%20average%20base%20cost,must%20be%20taken%20into%20account.

https://judicial.alabama.gov/CourtMemberBio/ViewBio?id=3#:~:text=Chief%20Justice%20Parker&text=Chief%20Justice%20Tom%20Parker%20was,elected%20Chief%20Justice%20in%202018.

https://www.cryosinternational.com/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/ivf-treatment-for-single-women/

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/fertility-blog/2018/march/ivf-by-the-numbers

Articles/links of interest:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/why-has-the-alabama-supreme-court-ruled-that-embryos-are-children

https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/childless-woman-flees-from-abusive-husband-NV_183405

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice Well, thank you for listening to this episode of Childless not by Choice! Until next time! Bye!

‘To recognize and speak to the broken hearts of childless not by choice women, and men, around the world.’

‘Spreading the great news that we can live a joyful, relevant, and fulfilled life’.

Survey:

https://bit.ly/2TSMuDV

Notes from the episode:  

“God is not the author of confusion…God has given us free will..wisdom, common sense, and the ability to invent things, like IVF.’

‘He loves women as well as men.’

‘We are all created in His image.’

‘All of the mistreatment of women globally is not God, and it’s not godly.’

‘..He does not have disdain for women. That’s a human thing.’

Hello, and welcome to episode 160 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

A Conversation with Sheridan Voysey

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Intro:

Sheridan Voysey is an author, speaker and broadcaster with a keen interest on makes life deeply worthwhile. Sheridan is a presenter of Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball Breakfast Show (heard by 9 million people daily) and has conducted over 2000 radio interviews in his 25-year broadcast career. He has been featured on BBC Breakfast, BBC News, Day of Discovery, 100 Huntley Street, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, the ABC, CBC’s Tapestry, and in publications like The Times, The Sunday Telegraph, and Christianity Today. He speaks at conferences and events around the world.

Mr. Sheridan Voysey, welcome to the show!

Body of episode:

• Our daily bread–That is where I first heard your voice. Can you tell them thank you! I’ve been reading and now listening to ODB since my early teens. I’m sure they hear that a lot. 

•  Infertility journey– Can you tell us a little about you and your wife’s infertility journey, whatever you are comfortable with telling us? 

• Praying Through Infertility–that’s how we met. How did you gather everyone, how did you choose? Was it 37 contributors total? Do you feel that your previous books led to Praying Through Infertility? At least most of the books? I say most because Open House is about writing if I’m correct? 

The author of eight books, including Reflect with Sheridan, The Making of Us: Who We Can Become When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned, Resurrection Year: Turning Broken Dreams into New Beginnings, and the award-winning Unseen Footprints. His writing has been featured in various publications…

• Can you speak to childless not by choice men for just a moment on how to best deal with or manage the pain women may not be able to understand? 

• As we close out, can you give us, the childless not by choice community,  a word of encouragement? And can you tell us your contact information?

Articles/links of interest:

https://punchng.com/a-thought-for-the-childless-woman-on-iwd-2024/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-143-the-things-men-talk-about-my-conversation-with-dr-robin-hadley/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-130-about-fathers-day-and-childlessness/

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-141-downriver-nomad-my-conversation-with-rob-hutchings/

Special thank you to:

Mr. Sheridan Voysey

Sheridan Voysey’s Contact information:

https://sheridanvoysey.com/

Current and future projects:

Couples Discussion Guide

Friendship Lab

Charity, non-profit

friendshiplab.org

Mr. Voysey’s Suggestions for managing childlessness:

Create a journal

Find someone you trust

Join a men’s group

Speak with a man and he doesn’t have to be childless not by choice, make sure he’s empathic

Make space for your emotions

Get counseling

Journal

Read Ephesians 5:1-2

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice

Hello, and welcome to episode 159 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about?

Headlines

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

 If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen, and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

So, it looks like, we meaning childless not by choice and child free people, are in the news again! It seems like we are always in the headlines, doesn’t it? And not usually for anything positive. There is always commentary, and suggestions, all un-asked for.  

Well, in the recent headlines, the word deplorable was used, and the term commercial contract...in the context of those who choose surrogacy to have the gift of a child. I always believed surrogacy to be a gift. Yes, the woman carrying the baby typically gets paid, but why shouldn’t she? And yes, many countries have rules and laws surrounding these agreements. It’s not typically an act or process that is done willy-nilly. Of course like anything else, there are people who opt for the wrong or illegal way of doing things, so why would surrogacy be any different? Well, because a human being is involved. I get it, but calling the act deplorable? That’s kinda intense.   

DEPLORABLE

COMMERCIAL CONTRACT

CHILDLESS ELDERLY

RETIREMENT 

 I get that there are people who like to cut corners and do things for the wrong reasons, but ‘commercial contract’ sounds so, well, non-human.  

And I really believe the word deplorable needs to be retired–or just used as little as possible. It is such a harsh word and I don’t think we realize that.

 I know we all make mistakes, misuse words and verbiage; we all mess up. But I think the bigger issue becomes when we do not realize how we are affecting people by our words. Our opinions, our words affect people. The term ‘words matter’ has been thrown around a bit in the last few years, to no avail. Some people just do not understand how their words do matter, or how their platform fits into the scheme of the world. 

I don’t believe most people mean to be mean. Some people on the other hand, I don’t believe they care how their words affect the listener or the reader, or the ones directly affected by their words. In other words, People may not realize what their words are doing, they have probably not done any research. 

Research such as, why do women use surrogates? Why are people childless? Could it be some of them just could not have kids? Before making comments about how the childless fit into the world. What contributions do we make? 

You know my story. I wanted children so badly I would have done just about anything to have one. But I also believe that people who did not want kids shouldn’t have to have them. I mean why are we trying to tell people what to do., How to live their lives. Whether or not to have children. Why is this happening? I realize that some commentary may come from the fact that the overall birth rate in the Western world is generally lower than the leadership machine of any given country might like, but where does it end when we start telling people what to do? Making people feel a certain way for not wanting children or not being able to have children. 

I had already recorded this episode when I felt like I needed to dig deeper to find out why these comments were made. I searched for context. I couldn’t find any. But I just can’t believe these comments just popped up. There had to be a reason. If I figure it out sometime in the future I will let you know. But for now, this is all I got. They just decided this was their opinion so they said so. But in this world of social media, now more than ever, we really have to think about what we say. No matter how small or how large our platform.

A few announcements please: 

• Patreon:

If you are a patron, please stop by the Patreon page for a personalized video message from me. And if you are a current contributor, there is also a message in your Patreon in-box.  Please stop by the Patreon page! 

• Apple now provides transcripts!

Apple will now be providing transcripts! I am excited about this because I know there are people who are not able to consume podcasts by listening.  There is a link in the show notes that gives the back story and instructions on how to obtain the transcripts.

https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5316-transcripts-on-apple-podcasts

Research links:

https://thedispatch.com/article/surrogacy-is-good-for-women-and-good-for-families/

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/09/1223771148/pope-francis-surrogacy-criticism#:~:text=%22I%20deem%20deplorable%20the%20practice,speech%20to%20diplomats%20on%20Monday.

https://medium.com/illumination/the-dangerous-words-of-elon-musk-incites-hatred-and-division-against-the-childfree-942e5b613406

https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/elon-musk-support-restricting-voting-rights-for-people-without-children-388215-2023-07-05

Articles/links of interest:

https://www.healthday.com/healthpro-news/bone-and-joint/men-with-inflammatory-joint-diseases-seem-to-have-more-children

https://www.news18.com/viral/california-couple-chooses-child-free-life-says-its-unaffordable-for-them-8784475.html

https://www.gistreel.com/woman-loses-twin-babies-to-church-after-15-years-of-waiting/

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice

QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:

 ‘It’s what we do with OUR story.’

If you would like to become a one time or ongoing sponsor, or if you would like to advertise your business or an upcoming event, contact me at [email protected] for details. 

Survey:

https://bit.ly/2TSMuDV

Hello, and welcome to episode 158 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men around the world, reminding you, us, that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives.  

Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!  

What is today’s show about? 

 How Old Is Too Old To Have A Baby?

Thank you Patreon contributors:

I would like to take a moment to thank the people who make a financial contribution to the platform on a monthly basis, my Patreon Contributors. 

Your contributions help pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, etc. So thank you very much!     

If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you!  

If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at [email protected]. 

Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice

Questions or comments? Contact me at:

Email: [email protected]

                                               Or

Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail.

Body of episode:

How old is too old to have a baby? Apparently it’s not age 70, because it just happened. A woman in Uganda has had not one, but two children. She just had twins! 

Now, I’m not one to judge especially when people are dealing with a situation that onlookers may not have all of the insight and details. 

I mean she lives in a part of the world where she was probably mistreated, shunned, talked about behind her back, for being childless. I mean check out this quote from the People article, link in the show notes:

‘The twins, who will go by Babiyre and Kato, have given Namukwaya and her husband a new status in their rural village. The mom will be known as Nalongo. which means mother of twins, while husband Walusimbi Badru will be known as Salongo, or father of twins.’   

She also said ‘ "There was a time I felt very sick because of the pregnancy. I spent nearly all my savings.’

 Those last six words: ‘I spent nearly all my savings’. How many times in our community, have we heard a childless not by choice woman say those words? 

As I read this story I was torn between to thoughts, two opinions. I wondered if I did enough to have a child on my own before my time ran out. It’s easy to look back and second guess, but it’s a different story when you are living the moment, so I’m not going to beat myself up.

 On the other hand, I wondered if she and her husband consider the childrens’ future? Does she have a care plan in place for them once she and her husband have passed? Does she have help with two newborns? Does she have help with them when they are two or three years old and getting into everything? How old will she be when they turn 18?  88, She will be 88!      

 How old is too old? 

 And if we ask how old is too old to have a child? How old is too old to adopt? Although at least here in the US, there are laws in place to make sure someone wanting to adopt has to have age correlation to the child’s. In other words, an adopter cannot be more than 20 years older than the child they want to adopt. According to research, that is more geared toward the adoption of an older child.

How old is too old to foster care a child? Have you ever considered fostering a child? If so, I would like to hear your experiences. Let me know! And actually, any thoughts you have on this episode content I would really love to hear. Especially on the main topic of this episode. How old is too old to have a child? Was this fair to the children, even if the mother has help? 

Am I being un-empathetic to this woman’s  plight of living in a part of the world where childlessness is frowned upon, and the woman is blamed even if the issue is on the husband’s part?

When do we become content in our childlessness? Is there such a thing, contentedness in our childlessness?   

There are links in the show notes to this and other stories I believe you may find interesting. 

 Also, be sure to visit the Resources tab. There’s a link that will take you to Sheridan Voysey’s site. Remember, I am a contributor to his new book ‘Praying Through Infertility.’         

Research links:

https://people.com/ugandan-woman-who-welcomed-twins-at-70-introduces-son-and-daughter-8423729

Articles/links of interest:

https://www.nbcnews.com/healthmain/curious-case-stone-baby-1c9926251

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/filipino/en/podcast-episode/being-a-mother-is-a-selfless-act-that-perhaps-is-not-for-me-a-story-of-a-child-free-filipina-in-sydney/2f71w36y6

https://childlessnotbychoice.net/collaborators/

Special thank you to:

My friend for telling me about this story.

My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Twitter: @civilla1 Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice If you would like to become a one time or ongoing sponsor, or if you would like to advertise your business or an upcoming event, contact me at [email protected] for details.