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What if feeling complete with what you've created confirms it's the right time to step away? In this solo episode, Emily Paulsen announces that Curious Life of a Childfree Woman is going on a break. After 75 weeks straight without missing a beat, 67 guests, an in-person event, and consistently reaching 40,000 women, Emily shares why she's stepping away and what comes next. She reflects on the deep conditioning of sticking with something once you start it and keeping it exactly as it was, even when it no longer serves you. Emily explains how the podcast accomplished what she set out to do: create a space to explore curiosity exclusively from a childfree perspective, covering everything from fashion to finance, sustainability to the Salem Witch Trials, and unconventional choices like intentional singleness and tiny house living. Emily shares that she feels complete with this format and has been craving clarity on what the next chapter looks like for serving the childfree community. Research suggests that 45% of women aged 25 to 44 will be single and childfree by 2030, yet we're still underserved and underrepresented in media. This is not the end of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, just a pause to find the flavor and format that will be most valuable. All episodes remain available on podcast platforms, and the Instagram account stays active for connection. Key Takeaways: Sometimes consistency becomes routine without intention: It's easy to focus on consistency over listening to your instincts. Feeling complete confirms the right time to step away: Being in love with what you've produced means it's time for the next chapter. The childfree community is growing: 45% of women aged 25 to 44 will be single and childfree by 2030. Representation matters: We're still underserved and underrepresented in media and content. This is a pause, not an ending: All episodes remain available and the journey continues in a new format. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com and about her brand business: www.electriccollab.com  Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman

Spring is the season of leveling up, and this one is back as part of the Spring Break Best Of series because Emily re-listens to it every single time she needs a tactical boost on how to hold the abundance she is always working toward. Dr. Olivia Marie is a doctor of psychology with deep expertise in nervous system regulation, business energetics, and wealth expansion, and Emily has never heard anyone explain this stuff so clearly. This conversation will change the way you think about every goal you have ever set and not hit. Emily and Olivia get into why affirmations and morning routines are not enough if you never get to the root, what it actually looks like to rewire your nervous system rather than manage it forever, and how living in a regulated state is not about being calm and quiet but about becoming someone who can hold the results they actually want. If you have ever wondered why you keep self-sabotaging right when things start to get good, this one is for you. Key Takeaways Burnout is feedback, not failure—and it often points to patterns of chronic override. The “Starbucks Cup” analogy helps visualize how full most nervous systems already are before life adds more stress. Nervous system regulation creates capacity for presence, discernment, and deeper self-leadership. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re invitations for more aligned connection and energy flow. “Normal” is a moving target, shaped by conditioning—not truth. Tiny moments of self-abandonment add up, and recognizing them is the first step toward reclaiming power. You can hold duality—empowerment and fear, clarity and confusion, expansion and stillness can coexist. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Olivia Marie, a doctor with a degree in psychology and a deep expertise in nervous system regulation, business energetics, and wealth expansion. She has helped high-level entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders transform their experience of success—not through force or hustle, but by mastering deep nervous system recalibration. Her signature Rapid Rewire Technique helps women move past subconscious blocks, expand their capacity to receive, and scale their businesses in a way that feels effortless, aligned, and deeply fulfilling. Olivia built her own 7+ figure empire in under 2.5 years—not through burnout, but by regulating her nervous system to hold more. Now, she teaches others to do the same. Her work redefines wealth as more than just money—it’s aliveness, love, fulfillment, bliss, and joy. She believes that true success isn’t about pushing harder, but about expanding your ability to receive. Learn More about Olivia on her website:  https://www.keepupwithliv.com/Connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepupwithliv/  And listen to her Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/beyond-limits-with-olivia-marie/id1529358695

Spring has a way of making everything feel possible, and this week Emily is revisiting the episode that generated more DMs than any other in the show's history. Victoria Song is a private advisor to the world's top performers, and when she says top performers, she means it. Her clients include Cindy Crawford, the family of LeBron James, and some of the most influential leaders in tech, sports, entertainment, and business. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy and mysticism, and somehow she makes both feel completely inevitable. This conversation goes deep into what it actually means to bend reality in your favor, why so many high achievers are operating from a place of contraction without even realizing it, and how leaning into your natural zone of genius rather than white knuckling your way through your weaknesses is the real path to results that do not make logical sense. If you have been feeling the pull toward something bigger this season but cannot quite get your mindset to catch up, this one is for you. 👉 Victoria's most popular masterclass, The GOAT Method, is the exact framework she uses with her private clients. Get access here: https://victoria-song.mykajabi.com/a/2148120895/Qy2YH3az Key Takeaways: Intuition as untapped data: Our gut instincts process information beyond what the five senses can capture, learning to trust them gives us access to shortcuts our linear mind can’t see. Low-stakes practice builds trust: Strengthening intuition starts small, like following a nudge to call a friend or choosing a new path on a weekend, and compounds into bigger decisions over time. Contraction drains success: Beliefs rooted in scarcity, overwork, or fear create heaviness in the body and bend outcomes against us; expansion lightens energy and invites possibility. Focus on super strengths: Instead of doubling down on weaknesses, identify the gifts that feel natural, joyful, and energizing, those are the true levers of success. Joy as soul language: What lights us up isn’t frivolous, it’s a signpost of our purpose. Following it creates alignment between our deepest calling and daily actions. ___  Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.comConnect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman ___ The guest on this episode, Victoria Song, is a leadership advisor, venture capitalist turned performance coach, and bestselling author of Bending Reality. She works with top performers across tech, sports, entertainment, and business, helping them dissolve limiting beliefs, expand their vision, and achieve what once seemed impossible. Connect with Victoria: ⁠https://victoria-song.com⁠

April is Earth Month, which means sustainability is having its annual moment in the spotlight, and there is no better time to revisit this conversation with Ashlee Piper. Emily still references it constantly when she is trying to explain why stepping off the consumerism hamster wheel matters so much for our wellbeing, not just the planet, and that is exactly why it is back as part of our Spring Break Best Of series. Ashlee is a bestselling author, sustainability star, and media personality whose work has appeared everywhere from the Today Show and Good Morning America to Vogue, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. This conversation digs into the fascinating history of how we went from citizens to consumers, the psychology behind why shopping is so addictive and so unsatisfying at the same time, and the #NoNewThings Challenge Ashlee created to help people reclaim their time, money, and creativity. It is eye opening, empowering, and might just change the way you think about your next online order. Key Takeaways: Understanding Consumerism: Learn how post-war industrialization and marketing created a culture of overconsumption and environmental degradation. The Role of Marketing: Discover how modern marketing exploits psychology to influence purchasing decisions and create false needs. The #NoNewThings Challenge: Explore how this initiative helps individuals reclaim time, money, and creativity while reducing their environmental impact. Actionable Sustainability: Practical steps for curbing overconsumption, living sustainably, and contributing to climate solutions. Individual Power in Collective Change: Why our personal choices matter and how they can lead to systemic improvements. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert, TV personality, author and globally recognized speaker whose work has been featured on 310+ television segments, including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly & Mark, and CNN, and in VOGUE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Marie Claire, The Atlantic and Newsweek. Piper's 2018 book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (Running Press) has been hailed as a 'sustainability Bible' by celebrities and reviewers. She's consulted on sustainability practices with well-known companies such as Airbnb, LUSH, Nissan and Eileen Fisher, has been a cabinet-level advisor to two Massachusetts Governors and is a judge for the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards. Piper has spoken at the United Nations, SXSW and has a popular TED Talk. She is also the creator of the #NoNewThings Challenge, which received a 2022 Silver Stevie Award for Best Nonprofit Innovation. Piper has been a Professor of Sustainability Marketing at Loyola University Chicago, eco instructor for LinkedIn Learning and holds a BA from Brown University, an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford, UK and an MA in Holistic Health from IIN/Columbia University. She lives in Chicago with Skip, an 18-pound cat she found behind a dumpster, in a home that’s 98% secondhand. You can find her drinking Sugar-Free Red Bull and vodka and singing Seal’s ‘Kiss From A Rose’ at any not-so-fine karaoke establishment. Learn more about Ashlee on her website:  www.ashleepiper.com And connect with her on Instagram:  @ashleepiper

This is the most meaningful episode Emily has ever recorded, and it is back as part of the Spring Break Best Of series for a reason. Marcia Drut-Davis is 83 years young, a pioneer of the childfree movement, and a living, breathing example that a life well lived has nothing to do with whether or not you have children. When Marcia publicly shared that she was childfree by choice in the 1970s, she received death threats, family backlash, and lost a teaching job she loved. She kept talking anyway, and this conversation is proof of why. Marcia and Emily get into all of it, from Marcia's appearance on 60 Minutes on Mother's Day that sent shockwaves through her life, to how to navigate friendship when your circle starts having kids, to the question nobody wants to ask out loud: are you actually parent material? Warm, wise, hilarious, and completely unfiltered, Marcia brings the kind of perspective that only comes from eight decades of living life entirely on her own terms. Since recording this episode, she and Emily have become personal friends, and it shows. Key Takeaways: Speaking Up & Facing Backlash: How Marcia’s 60 Minutes appearance made her a controversial figure overnight. Redefining Legacy: The unexpected ways childfree people build deep, meaningful connections. Navigating Friendships: How to maintain strong relationships when your life path looks different. Aging Without Children: What people get wrong about childfree aging—and Marcia’s personal experience. Owning Your Choices: Why being true to yourself is always worth it, even when the world pushes back. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Marcia Drut-Davis Is an 82 Yr. Young Pioneer In The Childfree Movement. She's Been Featured In Two Documentaries And Has Authored Two Books. Her Joy Is Reaching Hearts With Support And Knowledge. Learn more about Marcia’s books on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marcia-Drut-Davis/author/B08429L4CL Connect with her on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfree_guru/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/confessionsofchildfreepeople  And watch the documentaries she has been featured in: https://myselfishlife.com/ by Therese Shechter https://www.tokidornottokid.com/  by Maxine Trump

Spring Break, meet spring cleaning. We are continuing our Best Of series and this one is perfectly timed for that annual moment of standing in your closet staring at your spring clothes thinking, who even bought this stuff? Transformational wardrobe stylist Chellie Carlson has answers. With over 20 years in the fashion industry and a standing-room-only panel at our February event, Chellie works with high-performing executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives to help them move beyond the cycle of overconsumption and into a wardrobe that actually reflects who they are. This conversation goes way deeper than clothes. From the psychology behind our shopping habits and the link between self-worth and personal style, to body image, fast fashion, and what it really means to dress for the woman you are becoming, Emily and Chellie unravel why so many of us have a closet full of clothes and still feel like we have nothing to wear. If a spring closet cleanout has been on your mind, this is your sign. Key Takeaways The Psychology of Style: Why we’re drawn to new clothes, how social media fuels overconsumption, and why more shopping doesn’t lead to better style. Closet Detoxing & Editing: The emotional baggage behind our wardrobes and why letting go of clothes that don’t serve us is a critical first step. Dressing for Your Future Self: How to align your wardrobe with the person you want to become—rather than who you used to be or who you think you "should" be. Tailoring & Fit: Why the right fit is more important than size and how a good tailor can completely transform the way clothes look on your body. The Energy of Clothing: How investing in fewer, higher-quality pieces can boost confidence and help you feel more magnetic in your daily life. *The article Emily referenced in the podcast can be found here: https://www.empower.com/the-currency/life/dressing-up-monthly-spend-apparel  — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Chellie Carlson, a transformational wardrobe stylist and the founder of The Method and The Style Society, where she helps high-performing entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives redefine their personal style with confidence and intention. With over 20 years in the fashion industry, Chellie’s expertise goes beyond trends—she believes that clothing is a powerful tool for self-expression and personal transformation. Her signature styling approach focuses on curating fewer, higher-quality pieces, creating a wardrobe that feels both authentic and magnetic. Through her deeply personalized process, she helps clients break free from the cycle of overconsumption, align their wardrobe with their future selves, and show up in the world with undeniable presence. From in-depth closet edits to luxury styling sessions, Chellie’s work is rooted in helping people feel seen, stylish, and empowered—every single day. Learn more about Chellie on her website: https://www.chelliecarlson.com/And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelliecarlson/

After 70 consecutive weeks of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, we are taking a Spring Break from new episodes to bring back some of our favorite conversations. First up is this gem with NYC-based certified etiquette expert and author Mariah Grumet Humbert. Spring is when our social calendars start filling back up, networking picks up, and we find ourselves back in rooms full of people we may or may not know how to talk to. This one could not be more timely. Mariah brings a modern, psychology-driven approach to etiquette, reframing it not as a rigid set of rules but as a practical toolkit for building confidence and deeper human connection. From navigating first impressions to gracefully exiting a conversation, handling rude social media comments, choosing the right host gift, and knowing when to finally put the phone down, this episode is full of real, usable wisdom for every kind of social situation. Key Takeaways:  The Power of a Strong First Impression: Why the first seven seconds matter, and how to make them count. Mastering Social Exits: How to leave conversations gracefully without awkwardness or guilt. Body Language & Presence: How nonverbal communication shapes the way we’re perceived. Declining Invitations Without Guilt: Why you don’t owe anyone an excuse for saying no. Grief & Difficult Conversations: How to acknowledge loss and show up for others in a meaningful way. Authenticity & Etiquette: Why true etiquette isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, awareness, and kindness. The New Yorker Article Emily & Mariah talked about in the episode can be read here. — Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are . She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.  Learn more about Emily on her website: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com   And connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouslifeofachildfreewoman/  — The guest on this episode is Mariah Grumet Humbert. As a certified etiquette trainer, Mariah is on a mission to bring an intentional sparkle back to a lost art. She believes etiquette is much more than just a set of rules, it is a powerful tool to help individuals build confidence, create stronger connections, and distinguish themselves. In her pursuit to redefine the meaning of etiquette, she helps her clients master the nuances of various social and professional situations with authenticity, consideration for others, and a strong level of emotional intelligence. Mariah founded Old Soul Etiquette in 2021 when she left her career in fashion to pursue her lifelong passion: empowering others to shine their light through her approachable and vibrant take on etiquette. Today, she works with individuals and organizations across the globe, offering private consulting, interactive workshops, webinars, and keynotes on topics such as social, dining, and business etiquette, first and lasting impressions, personal branding, the art of conversation and small talk, the power of your professional presence, and more. Mariah is based in New York City and is available to travel by request. Mariah is also the author of the modern wedding etiquette book, What Do I Do? and The Essential Wedding Planner. Her expertise has been sought after by The Today Show, NBC News, Fox News, Forbes, Southern Living, The New York Post, Travel & Leisure, Brides, Martha Stewart, and more.  Learn More about Mariah on her website:www.oldsouletiquette.com And connect with her on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/oldsouletiquette/

What if you stopped voluntarily sacrificing your present desires to accommodate hypothetical preferences of a stranger? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Rebekah Buege, a mentor for body neutrality, intentional singleness, and joyful feminism. Rebekah's Substack Nobody's Mother explores what it means to stop being the good girl who accepts the bare minimum. Emily and Rebekah discuss body neutrality as freeing up mental space instead of spending 17 years thinking about body image, intentional singleness as not waiting for a hypothetical partner before buying the house, and why women voluntarily tell themselves no. Rebekah shares why she painted her house pink and created her Barbie dream house unapologetically. They discuss why if you're a woman with high standards and a man wants to marry you, that's a compliment to himself, why marriage benefits men more than women according to data, joyful feminism as moving beyond anger, and why Rebekah chopped her long hair into a pixie cut as liberation. Key Takeaways: Body neutrality frees up mental space: American women spend 17 years of their life thinking about body image. Stop planning around hypothetical partners: Women voluntarily sacrifice their own present desires to accommodate hypothetical preferences of a stranger. Marriage benefits men more than women: Men are happiest and healthiest when married, while everything tanks for women. Joyful feminism celebrates options: Feminism is moving beyond anger into celebrating the rights we finally have. Get curious and playful: Question what you think you have to be to perform femininity. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Rebekah Buege is a Mentor for body neutrality, intentional singleness, joyful feminism, & self confidence. She is the creator of the Substack Nobody's Mother, where she explores intentional singleness, identity, and redefining womanhood beyond partnership and motherhood. Through her writing and social platforms, she challenges the 'good girl' narrative and encourages women to consciously choose the lives they want, at any age. Follow Rebekah on Instagram: @rebekahbuege Read Rebekah's Substack: rebekahbuege.substack.com

In this solo episode, Emily Paulsen reflects on her recent live event in Chicago centered around the theme of self-expression. She explores why living fully expressed isn’t indulgent, it’s essential, and how alignment, not perfection, is what creates real impact. From creativity and personal style to nervous system regulation and perfectionism, Emily connects the inner work of knowing yourself to the ripple effect it creates in leadership, relationships, and community. She also shares research showing that when women are self-aware and self-expressed, they build stronger, more resilient systems around them. This episode is an invitation to stop conforming, start questioning, and get curious about what fuller expression could look like in your own life. Key Takeaways: Self-expression is not selfish. Research shows that when women are self-aware and aligned, they prevent conflict, build community, foster emotional intelligence, and strengthen the environments around them. Being a “limitless creator” isn’t about hustle,  it’s about removing internal barriers and questioning the assumptions that quietly shape how you spend your time, energy, and money. What you wear, what you buy, and how you consume are reflections of your self-expression. Alignment in small, everyday choices creates more confidence and presence in bigger moments. Growth requires nervous system support. Expanding into new levels of visibility, wealth, or leadership can trigger fear, sustainable self-expression happens through steady, intentional expansion. Perfectionism is one of the biggest blocks to authentic expression. Holding back because something isn’t flawless limits both your own fulfillment and your impact on others. Conformity is often rewarded, but it rarely creates change. Self-expression challenges inherited narratives about what it means to be “good” and invites more honest participation in the world. Curiosity is the starting point. You don’t have to know your fullest expression yet,  you just have to be willing to explore it. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com and about her brand business: www.electriccollab.com  Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman

What if being childfree by choice and being a stepmom aren't mutually exclusive? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Kerry Cook, a woman who embraced the childfree path and is married to a man who has a child. Kerry shares her journey from never planning to be childfree to having an epiphany moment when she asked herself: what if the answer was just no? She opens up about the resentment she felt watching her stepson get free love from his dad, feeling like the backup dancer in family dynamics, and not recognizing herself in her wedding photos. Kerry also shares the plot twist of reaching out to her stepson's biological mom one-on-one, which became a genuine friendship that changed everything. They discuss jealousy as a compass, the importance of having safe people to crash out with, listening to your nervous system when living in internal conflict makes you sick, and why Kerry created a Childfree Collective that grew from 4-5 women to 19-20 strong. This episode is a reminder that you can be childfree by choice and love someone who already has kids. Key Takeaways: The epiphany moment: Kerry realized there was this constant moving target she never wanted to achieve. Feeling like the backup dancer: Stepmoms seek validation from people who are safe to them. The plot twist of friendship: Kerry's relationship with her stepson's biological mom became an authentic friendship. Listen to your nervous system: Living in internal conflict makes you sick. Community changes everything: Find your people who you can cut loose with. We're bringing the podcast into the real world with our first ever in-person event! An evening of curiosity and conversation hosted in downtown Chicago, February 19th, 2026. Picture an intimate dinner party stacked with speakers, all guests from some of your favorite episodes, and space to make new childfree friends. Seats are limited so you can read all the details and get your ticket by visiting curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com/2026-event. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Kerry Cook has journeyed through and leaned into embracing childfree life and defining what that freedom means. She’s done this while figuring out how to navigate the intricacies of “step mom” life and building a girl tribe of fellow childfree women through the launch of her “Women’s Childfree Collective”. Enjoy a vulnerable and unfiltered take on step-momming and the power of community! Connect with Kerry: [email protected]

What if the disconnect between who you are and what you're wearing is holding you back from being your best self? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Ellie Richards, a stylist and founder of Nuude Studio who approaches fashion through the lens of psychology. Annual spending on women's apparel is over $1 trillion globally, yet women aren't reporting feeling more stylish or confident than ever. Ellie helps women understand not just what to wear, but why we wear it, and the positive role style can play in self-expression. Emily and Ellie discuss the white coat study that shows how clothing influences thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They explore cognitive dissonance, the disconnect between who you are and what you're wearing, and how the pandemic accelerated style disconnection. Ellie introduces her minimalist wardrobe formula, a pyramid with four tiers: foundation pieces, capsule basics, personality basics, and dopamine pieces. They also discuss Ellie's sustainable fashion boutique experience, why people say they want to shop sustainably but default to cheap options, the paradox of choice and why too many options leave us dissatisfied, how social media makes us look more like everyone else, and why getting rid of clothes that don't fit properly is rule number one. This episode is a reminder that your clothing sends signals to your brain every single day, first impressions happen in a split second, and investment in personal style can be life-changing. Key Takeaways: Clothing influences how you think, feel, and behave: The white coat study showed that when people believed they were wearing a lab coat, they significantly outperformed those told it was a painter's coat. Your clothes send signals to your brain. Cognitive dissonance happens when your wardrobe doesn't match your identity: When pieces represent a past version of you, there's discomfort. If your identity changed but your wardrobe didn't, you're not showing up as your best self. The minimalist wardrobe formula creates mental clarity: Four tiers - 1-2 foundation pieces, 16 capsule basics, 12 personality basics, 6-8 dopamine pieces. Limiting choice makes you more satisfied with what you wear. Social media makes us look more like everyone else: When you're not making your own decisions, you're buying pieces that don't represent you. The disconnect starts when you consume other people's style. Get rid of clothes that don't fit properly: If something makes you feel bad, it taunts you every time you open your closet. Saving clothes for when you lose weight is toxic. We're bringing the podcast into the real world with our first ever in-person event! An evening of curiosity and conversation hosted in downtown Chicago, February 19th, 2026. Picture an intimate dinner party stacked with speakers, all guests from some of your favorite episodes, and space to make new childfree friends. Seats are limited so you can read all the details and get your ticket by visiting curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com/2026-event. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Ellie Richards is a stylist and founder of Nuude Studio who approaches fashion through the lens of psychology. She helps women understand not just what to wear, but why we wear it, and the positive role style can play in self-expression. Learn more about Ellie at: https://www.nuude-studio.com/ Follow Ellie on Instagram: @ellierichards.intel Watch Ellie's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Ellie.Richards

What if the cure isn't sobriety, but the aggressive pursuit of a great life? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Craig Perra, founder of The Mindful Habit System, to discuss dopamine addiction and men's mental health. Craig helps high-performing men build awareness around behaviors without shame, working at the intersection of mindfulness, self-trust, and habit change. His vulnerability makes this a judgment-free conversation about what's really going on with men. Craig opens up about his past as what he calls an abusive husband, lying and gaslighting his wife while maintaining a secret pornography habit for decades. He shares how his childhood trauma shaped these behaviors and how he's spent years doing the work to change. Emily and Craig discuss dopamine as the chemical of want (not happiness), why we're not wired for the constant hits available through social media and pornography, and shocking statistics about porn consumption. They explore how young boys are learning about sex from pornography, the normalization of sexual violence, and why this generation is having less sex than any generation in recorded history. Craig explains that men's oldest habit of turning to sex to alleviate discomfort collides with women's deepest wound around feeling chosen second. The conversation turns to what women can do as partners and the importance of men's communities. This episode is a reminder that dopamine is fuel not fulfillment, people who love themselves don't lie, and sustainability requires community. Key Takeaways: Dopamine is the chemical of want, not happiness: It creates drive and fuels pursuit. The anticipation is often stronger than the payoff. Protecting your dopamine means sitting in the discomfort of its absence. We weren't wired for constant dopamine hits: Social media, pornography, gambling, and other quick hits are hijacking this chemical. The exposure starts younger and younger, with devastating impacts on mental health. Men's oldest habit collides with women's deepest wound: The habit of turning to sex for relief and doing it in secret intersects with women internalizing it as not being enough. This collision impacts birth rates and divorce rates. Focus on integrity issues, not just sexual behavior: Partners get better results focusing on the lying and gaslighting rather than getting lost in shame around sex. Speak to how behaviors make you feel. Men need community and brotherhood: Most men say they have nobody to reach out to when they're down. Sustainability requires accountability, vulnerability, and support from other men. We're bringing the podcast into the real world with our first ever in-person event! An evening of curiosity and conversation hosted in downtown Chicago, February 19th, 2026. Picture an intimate dinner party stacked with speakers, all guests from some of your favorite episodes, and space to make new childfree friends. Seats are limited so you can read all the details and get your ticket by visiting curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com/2026-event. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Craig Perra is the founder of The Mindful Habit System, where he helps high-performing men build awareness around behaviors without shame or pressure. His work sits at the intersection of mindfulness, self-trust, and habit change for people tired of white-knuckling their way into a better life. Learn more about Craig at: www.themindfulhabitonline.com

Have you ever felt like something in your life no longer fits even though it's not necessarily bad? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Meghan Houle, founder and CEO of CONCÈ, a new hiring platform built on authenticity and purpose. After decades building a successful career in luxury retail recruitment, Meghan decided to start over to build something that felt more aligned, more alive, and more her. Together, they explore what happens when you trust the pull to pivot even when everything looks perfect on paper. Emily and Meghan discuss the courage it takes to separate your identity from your career, why getting into new rooms accelerates growth, and how to know when it's time to make a change. Meghan shares her philosophy of flow not force, why gratitude practices can shift your entire mindset, and what it's like to become a tech founder solving problems you've experienced firsthand. They also talk about releasing shame around resume gaps, why jealousy can be a powerful indicator of what you want, and how to give yourself permission to try something new. This episode is a reminder that you don't have to stay stuck just because you've invested time in something, and that sometimes the simplest shifts create the biggest transformations. Key Takeaways: Identity gets tied to career, but you can separate: Spending years in one role can make it feel like that's who you are. Making a proactive choice to pivot helps you mature and rediscover yourself. Get into rooms with people who've done what you want to do: Investing in yourself and getting into proximity with people ahead of you is game-changing, even when imposter syndrome shows up. Flow, not force: Chasing titles and forcing moves creates frenzy. Taking time for clarity and intentional action leads to better outcomes. Gratitude practice shifts everything: Starting each day with gratitude journaling, even just one thing, resets your mindset and helps you ask for more from a place of abundance. Jealousy is a powerful indicator: Instead of seeing it as negative, ask why you're envious of someone. It reveals what you want and where you might need to evolve. Want more from this conversation? Meghan and Emily continue their discussion on Substack, where Meghan shares her childfree journey, her powerful conversation with Gloria Steinem, and why she never felt maternal after spending her childhood as a caretaker. Join the Curious Life Club for free at curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.substack.com to access this bonus content. ----------------- We're bringing the podcast into the real world with our first ever in-person event! An evening of curiosity and conversation hosted in downtown Chicago, February 19th, 2026. Picture an intimate dinner party stacked with speakers, all guests from some of your favorite episodes, and space to make new childfree friends. Seats are limited so you can read all the details and get your ticket by visiting curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com/2026-event. Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Join the Curious Life Club on Substack @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Meghan Houle is the founder and CEO of CONCÈ, a hiring platform built on authenticity and purpose. With over two decades of experience in luxury retail recruitment, Meghan has staffed some of the most iconic brands on Fifth Avenue, Rodeo Drive, and beyond. She believes in flow not force, investing in yourself, and creating meaningful connections that transform lives and businesses. Connect with Meghan and learn more about CONCÈ at: www.meghanhoule.com Follow Meghan on Instagram: @allthingsmeghoule

What if making a thoughtful decision is actually more mature than following the prescribed path? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Natasha Vaynblat, a comedian and writer whose work has appeared on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and The New Yorker. Natasha's current live show, Childless Freak, uses humor to explore the reactions, assumptions, and pressure that show up when a woman decides not to have kids. Together, they discuss what it's like to put unconventional choices out in public and why representation of childfree women matters. Emily and Natasha talk about Natasha's journey from improv to standup comedy, why freezing her eggs felt like a wake-up call, and how she spent years reading every book on maternal ambivalence to educate herself on life outside the traditional framework. Natasha also shares how embracing her decision has opened her life to hosting dinner parties, building found family, and living more intentionally. This episode is a reminder that ambivalence doesn't mean you're broken, that you don't get to have it all, and that choosing a path means sacrificing some things so the things you are rewarded with feel even richer and more special. Key Takeaways: Ambivalence is normal and doesn't mean you're broken: Years of uncertainty about having kids doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It means you're thoughtfully considering both options. We lack representation of happy childfree women: The only examples in media are crazy cat ladies or wild partiers. We need more examples of well-adjusted, normal women living this path. Making a proactive choice creates maturity: Choosing to be childfree requires self-awareness, standing up to questions, and sustaining your decision. That's growth. You don't get to have it all: Choosing a path means closing doors on some things and opening others. The things you're rewarded with feel richer when you've made an intentional choice. Comedy reflects culture and creates space for nuance: More women are talking about motherhood and childfree life through comedy, creating space for the middle ground and complicated decisions. _____________________________________________________________ We're bringing the podcast into the real world with our first ever in-person event! An evening of curiosity and conversation hosted in downtown Chicago, February 19th, 2026. Picture an intimate dinner party stacked with speakers, all guests from some of your favorite episodes, and space to make new childfree friends. Seats are limited so you can read all the details and get your ticket by visiting curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com/2026-event. _____________________________________________________________ Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Join the Curious Life Club on Substack @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman The guest on this episode, Natasha Vaynblat is a NYC based writer/performer/director with frequent flyer miles seen on The Tonight Show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, and Comedy Central. Her current live show, Childless Freak, uses humor to explore what it's like to make choices that don't fit into other people's expectations, including her decision not to have kids. Connect with Natasha and learn more about Childless Freak at: www.natashavaynblat.com Follow Natasha on Instagram: @natashavaynblat See Natasha live on April 28th at Joe's Pub in NYC.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting health information while simultaneously unsure how to actually take care of your body? In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Dr. Denise Au, a fellow of the American College of Physicians who has spent over two decades focusing on women's health, wellness, prevention, and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Au believes good health is about understanding how your body works and caring for it in ways that are sustainable and empowering without fear or restriction. Emily and Dr. Au discuss the state of women's health and whether we're well-informed or overwhelmed by information from every direction. They explore how to build better relationships with healthcare providers, what's happening to our bodies during midlife and perimenopause, and the recent removal of the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Au also shares insights on preventative measures like full body MRI scans, why sleep is critical for everything from brain health to metabolism, and what the future of women's healthcare could look like. This episode is a reminder that good healthcare requires ongoing conversation, not just annual checkups, and that the simplest interventions like sleep might be the most powerful. Key Takeaways: We're both well-informed and overwhelmed: There's an overabundance of health information from friends, media, and the internet, making it hard to identify the best course of action for yourself. Healthcare needs ongoing conversation, not just annual exams: Easily accessible appointments, longer appointment times, telehealth, and patient portals create opportunities for shared decision making. Perimenopause symptoms originate in the brain: Hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood changes, depression, and anxiety are centered in the hypothalamus, not just reproductive organs. The black box warning on hormone replacement therapy was removed: The original study had major flaws. Women closer to menopause can benefit from hormone therapy for hot flashes, night sweats, and quality of life. Sleep is foundational to health: Sleep removes waste from the brain, consolidates memory, regulates metabolism, improves heart health, decreases risk of obesity and diabetes, and boosts immune function. -------------------------------------------------------------------- We're bringing the podcast into the real world with our first ever in-person event! An evening of curiosity and conversation hosted in downtown Chicago, February 19th, 2026. Picture an intimate dinner party stacked with speakers, all guests from some of your favorite episodes, and space to make new childfree friends. Seats are limited so you can read all the details and get your ticket by visiting curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com/2026-event. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily's power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Guest Dr. Denise K. Au, MD brings more than two decades of experience in internal medicine and medical education to her role at BIÂN Medical. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Au focuses on women’s health, wellness, prevention, and lifestyle medicine, blending evidence-based care with a holistic approach. Before joining BIÂN, she served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where she trained future physicians and earned numerous teaching awards. Learn more about Dr. Au at https://livebian.com/  and @bianmedical