Research Starts With A Story
We're joined by two researchers, Dr Nicola Spurling and Professor Cristina Archetti, for a conversation that goes right to the heart of why the Full Stop exists. Nicola is a sociologist at Lancaster University who's turned her attention to childlessness. Cristina is a professor, psychotherapist, and the author of two books on involuntary childlessness, including her brand-new release, The Trauma of Infertility. Together they talk about what it really means to bring your story into your research, why childlessness isn't a single moment but a process that runs through an entire life
Meet Our Guests
Nicola Spurling
Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Lancaster University
"In my current work I explore how, over the past fifteen years, childless people have increasingly used autobiography and storytelling to share experiences, develop knowledge and make sense of childless lives collectively. I'm interested in what happens when social researchers take that knowledge seriously — not simply as material for research about childlessness, but as something that can raise new questions and reshape what researchers think it is important to study."
🔗 Nicola's Lancaster University profile
📄 Nicola's papers (both open access — free to read). A note for listeners: these are written for an academic audience, so the language is quite dense, especially in the opening sections. Nicola is happy to answer any questions if you'd like to dig in.
Intergenerational (Im)mobilities: Living on without Children in the Family Tree — Mobility Humanities, 2022
(Im)mobile Autobiography: the mobilisation of 'life without children' auto/biography and its significance — Mobilities, 2024
Cristina Archetti
Professor at the University of Oslo, Norway — researcher, infertility survivor, and psychotherapist specializing in trauma
"I am a researcher, an infertility survivor, and a psychotherapist specializing in trauma. I bring to the table my own lived experience of involuntary childlessness, a decade of research about the topic, and an understanding of how not becoming a parent can be a trauma, both in itself and connected to previous experiences in life. I am author of two books (both available open access, i.e. for free, by following the links). I am also a psychotherapist specializing in trauma. In fact, I became a psychotherapist precisely because I wanted to help others heal from the wounds of involuntary childlessness. I have been World Childless Week ambassador since 2018."
Books (free, open access)
The Trauma of Infertility: The Experience of Involuntary Childlessness (2026)
Childlessness in the Age of Communication: Deconstructing Silence (2020)
Articles
Infertility as Trauma: Understanding the Lived Experience of Involuntary Childlessness (2024)
When Public Relations Can Heal: An Embodied Theory of Silence for Public Communication (2022)
No Life Without Family: Film Representations of Involuntary Childlessness, Silence and Exclusion (2019)
Performance
"Embodied" — performed at the Norwegian Storytelling Festival, Sentralen, Oslo, 14–15 April 2018. Watch the video here (note for listeners: this is a Google Drive link — you may need to request access if it's restricted)
Find Cristina online
Psychotherapist website: cristinaarchetti.com
Psychotherapist page: Facebook
Personal Facebook: facebook.com/Cristina.Archetti1
Helpline details
UK: Contact the Samaritans on freephone 116 123, they're open 24 hours and are there to listen and Mind.
USA: Suicide Prevention
Canada: Canada Crisis
Australia: Beyond Blue
Pink Therapy (UK): Directory of LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists.
Access our Toolkit for resources
Many of our guests have channels online and blogs so you can follow what they do and read their words. Head to our podcast page, and click on the episode image to access the show notes and further reading.
Disclaimer
The Full Stop podcast and content posted by The Full Stop Community CIC is presented solely for general information, and educational purposes. The guests’ views may not represent those of the Full Stop Community CIC, online community members or the co-directors. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
