Welcome to a very special show! This episode is monumental because this week marks the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of this Unclassified Woman podcast.

It is also International Childfree Day on 1st August. This commenced in the USA in the 70's, to support and educate those who were consciously choosing not to have biological children.

I’m honoured to share with you conversations with many self-empowered women around the world, blazing their own trails and embodying what it means to be a woman living her own truth. This has been a deeply reflective year for me as I have learnt so much from each of these women and been reminded of how there are so many variables in each woman's life. Sweeping generalisations are harmful and limiting to all women - so let's unite in supporting all women, whatever their life choices and circumstances. We have more in common than our differences and we all want to be loved and accepted for who we are.

Today’s special show features an impactful woman and internationally celebrated yoga teacher, Seane Corn. I had the pleasure of hearing Seane speak in Sydney last year, and have wanted to have her on the podcast ever since. I was thrilled when she agreed and so today I share Seane's wisdom with you. 

Seane is known for her impassioned activism, unique self-expression, and inspirational teaching style. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, through which she brings awareness to global humanitarian issues. Since 2007, she has been training leaders in activism through her co-founded organisation, Off the Mat, Into the World. Seane has travelled across the world, teaching yoga and educating people about critical social issues. Her Global Seva Challenge has raised over $4 million since 2007. 

Let’s jump right into conversation with this inspiring woman who truly is making a positive difference across the globe.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• It was Seane’s personal decision to NOT have a child.
• As a girl, she never especially liked playing with babies or playing house.
• “I was comfortable with my decision, even though others weren’t.”
• How her decision brought a sense of relief.
• Her family understood that her career interests were her priority.
• Seane knew that her “mothering” instincts would be employed in different way.
• She encountered that age-old judgment: “You’ll never really know what love is unless you have a child.”
• How society measures and frames love in the context of marriage and motherhood.
• Seane’s frustration and irritation with society’s stereotypes and myths.
• “It’s better to NOT be a mother than to be a miserable mother!”
• Your position on motherhood depends on how you feel within yourself.
• Don’t let other people trigger you!
• Some people have NO sense of identity outside of parenthood.
• Seane knows that she can reach MANY children and make a LARGER impact with the life she has chosen.
• “I had to go and play in that field in order to know that I DON’T want this!”
• Attempting to get pregnant (one time) and not succeeding was her “line in the sand.”
• Seane’s total life and energy would be devoted to serving that soul if she had a child.
• Women have options and can be fulfilled in other ways.
• “Not having a child doesn’t make me ‘better than’ or ‘less than’.”
• The power of creativity comes in so many ways besides motherhood.
• How a non-biological parent has great value in the life of a stepchild. 
• Seane's partner had custody of his children, so she is in a parenting role. 
• Seane facilitates environments that shift energy through yoga.
• How Seane holds space for people in their emotional struggles.
• How Seane bridges the gap between yoga, social justice, and activation in social environments.
• The Nurturing Instinct
• How Seane can serve others more fully because she doesn’t have children.
• Why Seane is active in combating sex trafficking and exploitation of children
• Dialogue can create conversation and awareness.
• Why Seane doesn’t like the “childless” and “child-free” terminology.
• “Check in with yourself and DO the inner work. Meet others who walk the same path. There are many GOOD reasons NOT to have children.”

Resources:

www.seanecorn.com (Check out Seane’s website for DVD’s, programs, and other resources. Look for her book, coming out in Fall, 2017.)

Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed then please share with another woman who would find beneficial. For more episodes check out michellemariemcgrath.com

Welcome! My guest today is Sasha Cagen, an author, coach, and lifestyle experimenter.

Sasha Cagen helps single and divorcing women in life transition to figure out who they are, what they want, and to go get it. She also helps women reconnect to their sensuality and pleasure to help them get in touch with their unique desires for life. She does this work by combining her life coaching with a 7-day transformative tango holiday in Buenos Aires, using tango as a tool to help women reconnect to themselves and grow their confidence. Tango is Sasha's passion and the dance brought her to Buenos Aires.

Let’s chat with Sasha!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why not having a child was a combination of choice and circumstance
• Sasha, now 43, never found the right partner to embark upon parenthood in her 30’s.
• How she decided to pursue happiness on a travel adventure
• “Having a child simply wasn’t something I HAD to do in this lifetime.”
• The difficulty as a woman figuring out what you REALLY want
• Sasha never experienced pressure from her family to have a child; she became her own biggest critic.
• Why it’s easy to go into “comparison” mode when around friends
• Sasha’s near-death experience that opened her eyes about the value of life
• How her Tango Adventures became self-exploration for her and for other spectacular women
• “Relationships are not for the faint of heart.”
• Is there an expiration date for a relationship?
• The importance of feeling comfortable with your sensuality
• Experiencing moments of grief
• Sasha’s honesty about the reality of life with a child and how HARD it really would be
• Why she is aware of her needs and limitations
• Her creativity is expressed in her passions: writing, coaching, and tango
• Why you MUST be true to your own creativity and your own path
• The power and energy of simply being feminine.

I enjoyed this conversation so much and I hope you did too. What did you enjoy the most about this episode?  If you enjoyed please share with a friend who would enjoy ;-) To connect with Sasha, find out more at sashencagen.com

Welcome! Today’s Unclassified Woman is Kristen Barnes from Melbourne, Australia. Kristen is in private practice as a registered psychologist and certified life coach. She has 25 years’ experience in counselling, therapeutic coaching, and using her supervisory skills to help coaches and therapists value themselves and carve out a passionate life.

Kristen believes that you are most passionate and powerful when you simply dare to be yourself! Join us!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Circumstances have combined to prevent traditional motherhood for Kristen.
• How she pursued motherhood via IVF and adopted embryos  over a 20 year period.
• Unexplained fertility prevailed, even though she tried everything humanly possible to have a biological child.
• How Kristen fostered homeless adolescents in a mothering role.
• “It was meant to be.”
• Her experience with an ongoing grieving process.
• Cultural expectations and stigmas that she has observed.
• “I felt like children were viewed as currency.”
• How Kristen dealt with inappropriate comments and questions.
• Why you need clear boundaries around how you discuss the topic with others.
• “Small talk” vs. “Big talk”
• How the terminology used about childless/childfree women implies a minority.
• How we define the “value” of our lives.
• How mothering skills are incorporated into many roles that women play.
• The sacrifices and “settling” that can lead to losing yourself.
• Selfishness vs. self-care.
• Kristen has seen a dramatic increase in women in their late 30’s whose window of opportunity for motherhood is closing.
• The assumptions that society makes about women and what they want
• Many support groups and communities have formed to support women without children and are doing marvellous work!
• Find out more about Kristen: www.kristenbarnes.com
  
  Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed then please share with another woman who would find beneficial. For more episodes check out michellemariemcgrath.com