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My guest on the podcast today is the wonderful Helen Taylor.

Helen is 77 years old, a retired academic, and the author of Childless By Choice: The Meaning & Legacy Of A Childfree Life. It was absolutely fascinating to talk to a woman who went against the grain at a time when motherhood was not only expected, but really was seen as totally central to the lives of women.

From a very young age, Helen decided not to have children, and in her new book she shares her reasons for choosing to remain childfree as well as the very complex feelings that have accompanied her choice. In our conversation, Helen tells me all about how her own mother’s attitude towards motherhood impacted her choice to not have kids; we also talk about the issue of regret, we talk about how women without kids are still often seen as outliers, we talk about how families can come in all shapes and sizes, and Helen also shares her thoughts about the later stages of a child-free life.

02:15 Guest Introduction: Helen Taylor

04:51 Helen's Early Life and Decision

07:26 Impact of Societal Expectations

11:39 Contraception and Abortion

19:05 Challenging Family Pressures

27:51 Redefining Family and Friendships

30:45 The Legacy of a ChildFree Life

31:08 Exploring Fulfillment Without Children

35:13 Regret and the ChildFree Choice

37:33 Grandparenting and Childcare Challenges

39:33 Writing 'Childless by Choice'

40:56 Reactions to the Book

52:28 Alternative Families and Friendships

54:16 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

57:54 Wrapping Up and How to Connect

Buy Helen's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Childless-Choice-Meaning-Legacy-Childfree/dp/1917523300

Check out Helen's website: https://www.helen-taylor.co.uk/

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And thank you so much for listening!

October 19, 2025

Letters from an American

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