Listeners, strap in for a thriller of an episode. We’re talking to New York Times bestselling author and childfree superstar Andrea Bartz. Andrea Bartz is a journalist and author of her hit novels like The Spare Room, The Lost Night, The Herd, and Reese’s Book Club pick We Were Never Here. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Vogue, and many other outlets, and she's held editorial positions at Glamour, Psychology Today, and Self, among other publications. Tune in to...

In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of codependency. You might be asking yourself, what does codependency have to do with being childfree? Well, with some estimates suggesting that over 90-percent of the American population demonstrates some form of codependent behavior — childfree folks are no exception. So today, we’ll be talking to codependency coach Jo Westood on overcoming people pleasing tendencies in your childfree life, setting boundaries, and most importantly: how to deal...

Today, we’re going to be talking about the commodification of pregnancy. Specifically, we’re taking a deep dive into the complicated world of surrogacy: the process in which a person carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual. We’ll be learning about the different types of surrogacy, how surrogates are compensated (that is, if payment is even allowed in your state!) — and discuss if surrogacy overall is even ethical. It’s a heady one, but a good one. To learn more about...

Is it just me, or do we all dream about shirking societal norms and living with our childfree besties in a shared, intentional community — something like the Golden Girls? In today’s episode, Erika and Kristen dive deep into why intentional communities might just be the answer to childfree living we’ve been looking for. We’ll be talking about the broad strokes of the topic: from types of intentional communities that exist, to the logistics around shared property, and more. To learn more...

Our first episode on regretful parents was such a hit, we wanted to dive even deeper. In this episode, we’re joined by Orna Donath, a sociologist who probably knows more about parental regret than anyone on the planet. She is the author of the book, ‘Regretting Motherhood’ — which covers her study of 23 women on their experiences with regret over their role as mothers. You can buy Orna’s book HERE to read it yourself. To find the article on orgs to support in Israel and Palestine, visit...

To celebrate the launch of Season 4 and Halloween in one fell swoop, we’re joined by paranormal historian and expert Sapphire Sandalo. You might recognize her as a co-host on the Travel Channel TV shows like ‘Ghost Town Terror’ or ‘Paranormal Caught On Camera.’ She also has her own award-winning spooky podcast, 'Stories With Sapphire.' Additionally, October is Filipino American History Month, and as a Filipino-American, Sapphire shares her thoughts on the cultural pressures of being childfree...

The season three finale has arrived! To celebrate, we’re interviewing Dominique Baker, an award-winning skin and hair expert in her 40s who has been featured in WhoWhatWear, Style Canada, The Guardian and more. Plus, we catch up with Nick, one of the listeners we recently set up on a date via Instagram’s new app Threads, and it’s a WILD story.  To shop Erika’s skincare routine:  The Wayfair makeup organizer Olay Total Effects Revitalizing Foaming Face WashDr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom...

Listeners, today is all about YOU. This may be our third season, but it’s also our first season doing a mailbag episode! You all sent in a ton of great questions on Instagram — from how to deal with your childfree status in professional settings, to our best dating advice, to coping with in-laws, and so much more! Become a monthly subscriber to help this show stay ad-free. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Instagram and TikTok at @dinkypod.  If you have a question or...

I know what you’re thinking: what does artificial intelligence have to do with a DINK lifestyle? Surprisingly, more than you think! In this episode, we explore a common philosophical question in antinatalist circles: Should artificial intelligence be given the ability to experience pain and suffering? Plus, we chat about recent statements from Mo Gawdat, a former Google X exec, on why he’s urging people to hold off on having kids as a result of the rise of artificial intelligence.  You can...

Believe it or not, this episode marks Dinky’s one year anniversary! To celebrate, we’ll be talking to one of the biggest (and favorite) childfree influencers on TikTok. You may know her on the internet as z00mie, but she’s known as Abigail Porter IRL. Tune in to hear us chat with her about the origins of her mega-viral “free birth control” series on TikTok, the craziest things she’s learned about being childfree online, the “girl with the list”, and so much more. Be sure to follow z00mie,...

In this episode, Kristen and Erika are joined by Dr. Jay Zigmont, the founder of Childfree Wealth, a financial planning service that supports your life without kids. We’ll be talking about the basics of financial planning as people without kids as well as some out-of-the-box approaches to retiring that are exclusively designed for childfree lifestyles. While millennials may be in a sad state when it comes to financial planning and retirement, this episode is designed to help you feel inspired...

In this episode, we’re joined by journalist and thought-leader Ruby Warrington who recently published her fourth book, Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise Of An Unsung Sisterhood. You’ve probably seen this book all over social media, but for those who are unfamiliar, Ruby’s latest book was intended to be a radical reframing of everything it means NOT to be a mom. Instead of continuing to paint women without kids as sad, self-obsessed, or somehow dysfunctional, what if we saw them as...

Antinatalism. Parents and trolls love to talk shit about this controversial philosophy on the internet, but few truly understand it. Today we will be discussing the misconceptions that piss us off, debunking common myths, and setting the record straight on everything from if antinatalists hate kids to the belief that antinatalists are “pro-death.”  In this episode, we also Dink Ourselves by reading YOUR comments on Instagram — and unpack a truly batshit series of comments from parents in...

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...