Childless And Moving Onward

A moment comes when the realization hits that this is what it is, yet we don’t want to deal with that reality. We’re feeling all these feelings that are uncomfortable; the pain, the grief, the loneliness. We sit with it all and then, at some point, we wonder “what do I do with this?” and “how do I find meaning?” You can understand the grief AND want to move on while carrying it. This isn’t about squashing the grief - that’s not possible. It’s about moving onward on a new path, creating a fulfilling life and honoring that grief. This podcast delves into the often overlooked but deeply significant experience of living life as a woman who is childless not by choice. There are many ways to reach this point - being childless after infertility is only one road. Often circumstances other than unsuccessful fertility treatments bring us to the point of unwanted childlessness. Whatever your path has been though, your pain and all the other difficult emotions are valid. Now what do you do with it all? Your life doesn’t have to be defined by the pain of childlessness. You create your own narrative. Through candid discussions and personal stories, my podcast offers insights, support, and guidance for navigating this unique path in life and thriving.

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Episodes

2 days ago

If you’ve ever sat through a conversation and felt like you didn’t belong—this episode is for you.
Gail Miller, physician and life coach, shares what it’s like to navigate social spaces as a woman who is childless not by choice. From birthday parties to baby showers, Gail explores the hidden weight of small talk that centers motherhood—and the judgment that often follows when you choose to step away.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why child-centric conversations can feel isolating and exhausting
The value of seeking out spaces where you do feel seen
Practical ways to set boundaries while still honoring your need for connection
How to reclaim your place in social settings—on your own terms
This conversation is candid, relatable, and deeply validating. We talk about invisible grief, misunderstood choices, and the power of choosing yourself—even when others don’t understand.
If you’ve ever left a gathering wondering if you were the problem—hit play. This one’s for you.
Resources:
Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:
Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more:  https://pathonward.com/65-its-not-being-antisocial-its-not-wanting-to-be-where-i-cant-socialize/

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025

If you’ve ever carried a grief no one could see—this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Childless and Moving Onward Podcast, Gail Miller opens up about the invisible grief of involuntary childlessness—and why so few people talk about it. She shares her own reflections and offers space for anyone who’s ever felt silenced in their sorrow.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
* Why grief from childlessness often goes unrecognized—and unspoken
* How social expectations can pressure you to hide your pain
* How to create personal rituals to honor your loss
* What real support looks like—and why holding space matters more than fixing
This conversation is tender, validating, and deeply needed. We talk about grief with no outlet, the importance of acknowledgment, and how to find healing in your own way and time.
If you’ve ever felt like your pain didn’t count—or that no one knew how to hold it—hit play.
This one’s for you.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more:  https://pathonward.com/64-silencing-your-grief-lets-talk-about-being-childless-not-by-choice/

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025

If you’ve ever sat in silence, unsure how to connect in a world built for parents—this episode is for you.
You’ll hear the honest reflections of Gail Miller, a physician and life coach who knows what it’s like to navigate life as a woman who is childless not by choice in a world that often forgets to make space for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why social settings can feel especially isolating when you don’t have children
How friendships can shift—and what to do when you feel left behind
Ways to protect your self-worth in spaces that center motherhood
Practical strategies for finding connection and building a community that gets it
This conversation is real, compassionate, and deeply validating. We talk about exclusion, emotional resilience, and how to stay rooted in your worth—even when you feel unseen.
If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you didn’t belong—hit play. This one’s for you.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
 
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more:  https://pathonward.com/63-what-about-me-i-feel-excluded-it-feels-like-i-dont-matter/

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025

If you’ve ever felt reduced to your relationship with motherhood—this episode is for you.
You’ll hear the candid reflections of Gail Miller, a physician, life coach, and woman who knows what it’s like to be childless not by choice in a world that assumes every woman is a mom.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why being wished “Happy Mother’s Day” can be unexpectedly painful
How societal assumptions about motherhood erase and exclude childless women
Practical tools for protecting your emotional space and setting boundaries
The power of reclaiming your identity and worth—beyond maternal status
This conversation is honest, validating, and deeply empowering. We talk about unseen grief, the sting of being misunderstood, and the healing power of self-compassion and community.
If you’ve ever felt invisible on Mother’s Day—or questioned your value because of what others assume—hit play.
This one’s for you.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more: https://pathonward.com/62-assuming-every-woman-is-a-mom/

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025

If you’ve ever felt like holidays shine a spotlight on your grief—this episode is for you.
You’ll hear the honest, heartfelt reflections of Gail Miller, a physician, life coach, and woman who knows the pain of being childless not by choice. Today, she is discussing the often-overlooked challenges that come with Father’s Day.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why Father’s Day can be just as triggering for childless women as Mother’s Day
The hidden challenges of strained relationships, complicated grief, and feeling like an outsider
How to navigate these emotional triggers with self-compassion and boundaries
Practical ways to protect your heart and find moments of peace during the holidays
This conversation is real, vulnerable, and filled with hope. We talk about invisible grief, coping with social expectations, and creating your own path to healing—even when life doesn’t go as planned.
If you’ve ever felt unseen in your pain—or wondered how to get through Father’s Day with your dignity intact—hit play.
This one’s for you.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon!Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more: https://pathonward.com/61-the-unseen-pain-of-fathers-day-for-women-who-longed-to-be-a-mom/

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

If you’ve ever felt like the grief of childlessness was too heavy to carry alone—this episode is for you.
You’ll hear the heartfelt journey of Carrie Brauninger, a woman who knows what it’s like to grieve a life without children—and find a way to reclaim meaning and joy.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why building community is essential for healing after childlessness
How Carrie challenged misconceptions about what it means to be childless
The inspiration behind her Sonder Sisterhood
How creativity and support can transform pain into purpose
This conversation is raw, emotional, and deeply uplifting. We talk about grief, finding your people, and rewriting your story—even when life doesn’t go as planned.
If you’ve ever felt alone in your journey—or wondered if you could find joy again—hit play. This one’s for you.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
More from Carrie Brauninger:Website: www.sondersisterhood.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sondersisterhood Instagram: @sondersisterhood and @theotherpathcoNot Less: An Adult Coloring Book For The Childless Not By Choice Person: https://a.co/d/1riaVzX 
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more: https://pathonward.com/60-the-power-of-community-youre-not-alone-with-carrie-brauninger/ 

Tuesday May 27, 2025

If you’ve ever felt the sting of someone’s pity—this episode is for you.
In Episode 59, Dr. Gail Miller gets real about the kind of pity that too often finds its way to women who are childless not by choice. Drawing from her own story, she unpacks why pity—no matter how well-intentioned—can deepen feelings of grief, shame, and isolation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why true empathy empowers—while pity disconnects
How to protect your peace without explaining or apologizing for your life
Why pity often says more about someone else’s discomfort than your pain
The power of fierce self-compassion in setting boundaries and reclaiming worth
This conversation is thoughtful, validating, and full of empowering insights. We talk about emotional boundaries, reclaiming dignity, and building resilience in the face of misunderstanding.
If you’ve ever wished people would see you instead of feeling sorry for you—hit play.
You deserve to be met with respect, not pity.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more: ​​https://pathonward.com/59-tell-them-to-put-the-pity-away-and-try-support-instead/ 

Who Ties Your Laces?

Tuesday May 20, 2025

Tuesday May 20, 2025

If you’ve ever felt judged for a life you didn’t choose—this episode is for you.
In Episode 58, Dr. Gail Miller opens with a quote that hits home: “Don’t let anyone who hasn’t been in your shoes tell you how to tie your laces.” From there, she dives into a powerful conversation about empathy, boundaries, and self-trust for women who are childless not by choice.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How unsolicited advice often invalidates lived experience—and why it matters
The emotional toll of being judged by people who haven’t lived your reality
Why setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s an act of self-preservation
This episode is direct, validating, and full of practical wisdom. We talk about criticism, emotional resilience, and the courage it takes to reclaim your story.
If you’ve ever felt silenced or misunderstood—hit play. You don’t have to explain your life to anyone.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
 
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more: https://pathonward.com/58-who-ties-your-laces/ 

Why Do We Need Validation?

Tuesday May 13, 2025

Tuesday May 13, 2025

If you've ever felt invisible or judged for not having children—this episode is for you.
In this episode, Gail Miller explores how to rebuild your sense of identity and self-worth when life hasn’t followed the path you imagined. In this heartfelt conversation, Gail speaks directly to the unique challenges women face when navigating involuntary childlessness—especially in a world that still defines success by motherhood and traditional family roles.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to honor your grief while still moving forward
How to develop emotional independence and confidence without children
How you can cultivate a stronger sense of self-worth—without relying on external approval
This episode is empowering, honest, and full of practical support for healing from childlessness. Whether your path was shaped by circumstance, timing, or heartbreak, this space is for you.
If you’re ready to break free from societal judgment and start honoring your story, press play. Let’s move onward—together.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more: https://pathonward.com/57-why-do-we-need-validation/

Tuesday May 06, 2025

If you dread Mother’s Day and feel like the world forgets your grief—this episode is for you.
Dr. Gail Miller, physician, life coach, and speaker, holds space for the tender emotions that surface during this time of year for women who are childless not by choice. With honesty and warmth, Gail shares her own story and offers gentle guidance for navigating a holiday that can feel both invisible and overwhelming.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why Mother’s Day can feel like a spotlight on loss—and how to soften its impact
How feeling your feelings—rather than suppressing them—opens the door to healing
You’re not alone—how shared pain can foster connection and resilience
This conversation is compassionate, grounding, and filled with hope. Gail reminds us that it’s okay to step away, to grieve, and to honor your experience in a way that feels true to you.
If you’re seeking comfort and clarity around this difficult day, you’re not alone. Press play. Let’s move onward—together.
Subscribe now for real talk, compassion, and hope delivered every Tuesday.
Resources:Finding You: Beyond Motherhood Group Coaching Program coming soon! Join the waitlist: https://path-onward.kit.com/8d4b621a3b Free Support Group: https://pathonward.com/support-group/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenbeingchildlessisntbychoice/
Stay connected with us:Dr. Gail Miller: https://pathonward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childlesspathonward/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathonwardlifecoaching Full transcript and more:https://pathonward.com/56-finding-your-way-through-the-heartache-of-mothers-day/ 

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