For many women, a childfree life isn’t a choice. According to the CDC, nearly 20% of women are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. The inability to have a child affects 6.7 million women in the U.S. — about 11% of the reproductive-age population. That’s why today, we’re talking about those who are childless — rather than childfree — from the struggle to get pregnant to how to overcome the grief process.  In this episode, we’re joined by content creator Tiffany J. Marie to hear...

Did you know that Reddit’s Regretful Parents subreddit has over 72k members? Today’s episode covers the topic of regretful parenting — a doozy of a subject! While it may be taboo, there are more and more parents coming clean about their lived experiences, whether it’s through social research or social media forums like Reddit. In this episode, we talk about the primary reasons parents regret, the sociology behind it all — and more.  Read Newsweek's piece titled, 'I Regret Having Children':...

If you’ve downloaded the Co-Star app or asked a Tinder date what time they were born, today’s episode is for you. In this episode, we’ll be talking about the intersection of astrology and family planning (or, rather, planning to not have a family) with our special guest, astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo. With more than twenty-five years of experience as a consulting Astrologer & psychic medium, Jessica Lanyadoo believes no topic is off limits or unworthy of kindness. Lanyadoo has lectured...

On this Season 2 finale, we’re joined by TikTok star Rachel Diamond, known by her handle @rachelandrue. She is an actor, writer, and fellow podcaster who is vocally childfree and sterilized. With more than 118,000 followers to date, she joins us to chat through everything from her sterilization journey to life as a childfree content creator. You can access the Childfree Doctors thread HERE.  For more information on the Sterilization Preparations Binder resource, visit THIS link.  Dr....

If we paid our guests by the hour, this would be our most expensive episode ever. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Danielle (an OBGYN in New York) and Dr. Alli (a urologist in California) to talk about abortion, sterilization, vasectomy, birth control, women’s reproductive rights and so much more! Trust us when we say, we asked ALL the dumb questions so you don’t have to. Click HERE to buy a copy of ‘Ejaculate Responsibly’ by Gabrielle Stanley Blair. Listen to Dr. Alli’s second...

It’s time to talk about STEPPARENTS! Pop culture references like ‘Cinderella’s evil stepmother and the  ‘Parent Trap’s Meredith Blake have given us a negative perception of the role. Stepparents – and stepmothers in particular — have been painted as cruel, home-wrecking villains. But realistically, if you’re not interested in having biological kids of your own, perhaps being a stepparent is the best of both worlds: you get the joys of raising a child, without ever having to suffer through...

The decision to be childfree might leave you with one big question: how do I meet childfree friends? You’re not alone; it’s one of the most commonly searched childfree topics on Google. In this episode, we’re talking about our own journeys and struggles to form childfree community – plus offering advice on how to take the first step in finding like-minded friends. Tap HERE to watch the TikTok about Kim Kardashian’s dogs.  To support this show, visit us on Anchor.  Wanna connect with us on...

According to ‘The Atlantic’, millennials recently overtook boomers as the largest pet-owning cohort of Americans; by some estimates, more than half of them have a dog. The pet-ownership rate is even higher among those with a college education and a stable income—the same people who are most likely to delay marriage and parenthood beyond the timelines set by previous generations. So should you just stop at pet ownership or continue down the path of human parenthood? In this episode, we will...

Nothing defines the holidays more than brutal conversations with family. Going home for the holidays leaves you especially vulnerable to parents asking when you’re gonna settle down and pop out a couple grandchildren. On this special episode, we’re joined by Gabrielle Moss, author of How To Tell Your Parents You Don’t Want Kids on Bustle.com, as well as Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of '80s and '90s Teen Fiction, and GLOP: Nontoxic, Expensive Ideas That Will Make You Look...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be over — but the residual effects of capitalism will stick with you for a lifetime! It’s the most anticipated time of year, so it’s only appropriate that we release one of our most anticipated episodes, and the topic that’s America’s #1 friend: capitalism. What do capitalism and choosing to be childfree have in common? Actually, a lot! Tune in to hear us unpack the topic and dig deep on why billionaires are really counting on procreation. For the full...

The holidays are right around the corner and that means one thing: people are about to say some really awful sh!t to you about your decision to remain childfree. If you’re bubbling with anxiety about how to respond when people ask “who will take care of you when you’re old?” or tell you “you’re selfish” — we’ve got you covered. It’s high tide to prep your reactions so you’re in peak position to clap back at Aunt Kathy. To learn more about the $25k necklace Tristan Thompson gave to his...

It’s #SpookySzn, and what’s more creepy than children? In this special Halloween episode, we’re talking about children who see dead people, kids who believe they’re reincarnated, and the stressed out parents who birthed them. Kristen and Erika also introduce a brand new segment: The Celebrity Playground! Tune in to hear it all — but warning: you might wanna leave the lights on and your IUD in. If you want to learn more about the psychology of why kids see ghosts, read this article from...

Welcome back to Season 2 of Dinky! In this season premiere, Kristen and Erika catch up on what happened during the break — from weddings, to health scares, and beyond. We introduce some new changes and cover what’ll be new in this season, including more celeb content, and a deeper dive on antinatalism and being childfree. Plus, we’re joined by Matt Simpson, the creator of the Parenting Simulator from Season 1. Listen in to hear him reveal the real reason he created the game, his takes on how...

In this season's finale, we’ve been saving the best for last!!! Kristen & Erika love reality television, celebrity news, and gossip — so we finally combined our favorite topics of all time to discuss the intersection of the childfree lifestyle and celebrities. This episode is all about childfree icons and the pressures of having children as seen in pop culture. To enjoy a nice sit down dinner, visit your local Red Lobster. To play along with the Parenting Simulator, download the app...

This bonus is special conversation that was cut from our episode on the declining birth rate on the factors behind Japan's shrinking population, and the genius way Japanese women have handled the inequality in parenting relationships.  To learn more about Japan's shrinking population, read this article from the New York Times.  To enjoy a nice sit down dinner, visit your local Red Lobster: https://www.redlobster.com/ To play along with the Parenting Simulator, download the app here:...

Whether you’ve seen it mentioned by Elon Musk on Twitter or in a panic article by the New York Times, you’ve probably heard buzz lately about concerns about the declining birth rate. In this episode, we discuss the global trend, how different countries are tackling the issue, how it will affect millennials in particular, and chat through how worried we really should be. Try out our TikTok filter & find out what sit down dinner you are: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfS22r1/ To learn more...

If you’re in your 20s or 30s, there’s a good chance you’ve lost friends as people you knew started to have kids. In today’s episode, Kristen and Erika chat about how to cope when you’re the last childfree person in your friend group, and the best and worst advice the internet has to offer on maintaining friendships with friends after they become parents. Have a question? Email us at [email protected]. Read “Hi, From Your Childless Friend” by A Cup Of Jo. More stats on being childfree:...

What defines a family? To some, family is about blood relations. For others, family is something you develop with people you love and trust. If you’ve ruled out having biological children, what other options are there to form alternative family arrangements? In this episode, we discuss adoption, foster care, and other “unconventional” family structures. Have a question? Email us at [email protected]. To learn more about adoption and the trauma adopted children experience, buy a copy of...

Imagine a red button that, when pressed, would instantly end human life and suffering. Would you press it? Kristen and Erika debate this concept in a special bonus episode from the cutting room floor of our Antinatalism episode. Enjoy!  Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Instagram and TikTok at @dinkypod. If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected]. If you’re a fan of the show, please remember to subscribe — bonus points for the extra special fans...

Grab some oat milk, because this episode is spicy! This week, Kristen and Erika ask a tough question: is procreation morally wrong? In other words, they discuss the philosophical topic of antinatalism: a controversial perspective that argues that “humans should abstain from procreation because it is morally wrong.” We chat through the theory’s major concepts, as well as everyone’s favorite topics: veganism, depression, and human suffering! (Look, it might sound like you’ll need to double up...

Fencesitters, unite!! If you’re questioning whether having kids is right for you, this episode has got you covered. We’re covering the top tools — from workbooks to influencers and beyond — to explore in order to make a decision and get off the fence. To read the article by parenting clarity therapist Ann Davidson (not Pete Davidson’s mom…), visit Vox.com. For more on the declining millennial birth rate. Snag a copy of ‘The Baby Decision’  Snag a copy of ‘Motherhood: Is It For Me?’ To...

This week, we’re talking about everyone’s favorite topic: MONEY. We share our hot takes on baby showers, unpack how much it really costs to raise a child, and compare the financial tolls of having a child biologically vs adopting or fostering. To buy a Peloton for yourself, visit onepeloton.com and use code BX7RW2 to get $100 off your purchase. To read more about the pay disparity between men and women after giving birth, read these articles:...

Parents often say that the happiest day of their lives is the day their children were born… But is that true? Do kids *actually* make you happier — or lead to more meaningful lives? This week, Erika and Kristen consult the stats to see what the research reveals about the impact parenting has on your happiness. (Spoiler: it’s not great.) To enjoy a nice sit down dinner, visit your local Red Lobster: https://www.redlobster.com/ To reference the study about Texas mothers:...

This special bonus episode is only for the truly deranged souls who want to listen to the BONUS EXTENDED full quiz on if you're ready to become a parent.  TAKE THE QUIZ: https://www.thequiz.com/are-you-ready-to-be-a-parent/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dinky-podcast/support

In this episode, Kristen and Erika weigh the pros and cons of parenting based on their personal opinions and what they’ve found on the Internet. Does the miracle of life outweigh a lack of sleep? Is it ethical to bring life into the world to gain a built-in friend? To enjoy a nice sit down dinner, visit your local Red Lobster: https://www.redlobster.com/ To shop the hair dryer mentioned by Kristen in Dink Yourself: https://www.bioionic.com/10x-ultralight-speed-dryer-new-black To follow along...