Berenice, Michael, and Sarah discuss what happens after failed IVF. With raw honesty and compassion, we explore the emotional aftermath of a process that’s gruelling, often isolating, and what happens when it doesn't lead to parenthood.

We welcome the inspiring Professor Gayle Letherby, a pioneering sociologist whose deeply personal and academic work has transformed how we think about childlessness, grief, identity, and storytelling. Gayle reflects on her journey, beginning with a miscarriage that altered her life trajectory and became the foundation of a groundbreaking academic career. Her research into involuntary childlessness, pregnancy loss, and the status of parenthood spans decades, and she’s still going strong.

World Childless Week is an annual event that aims to give a voice to the childless community. It was started by Stephanie Joy Phillips who joins us on this episode who talks to us about lack of representation for childless individuals and how World Childless Week raises awareness. The event has grown over eight years, supported by Ambassadors who help organise and promote the week.

We are joined by Kirstie, who with Jane Davies, inspired the creation of Storyhouse Childless with the support of Nicola Haigh, Community Manager and ally at Storyhouse. New CEO Annabel Turpin shares her thoughts on this event and we find out what is happening at Storyhouse Childless this year with some spoilers, and ask how we can create our events.

We are joined by Ali Hall and Dr. Dawn Llewellyn to discuss the perceptions of childfree and childless individuals. We explore the challenges of visibility and the need for more nuanced language. The conversation addresses the divide between the childfree and childless communities, the importance of creating safe spaces, and the complexities of aging without children. The episode emphasises empathy, understanding, and debates unity as a means of advocating for non-parents.

In this special fifth-anniversary episode of the Full Stop podcast, our community members join us - Michael, Sarah and Berenice - to reflect on the journey and influence of the Full Stop podcast.