For International Men’s Day 2024, we are drawing from the panel discussion at the Storyhouse Childless to explore what it means to navigate society and self-perception as men without children—whether by choice or circumstance. Featuring insights from Michael, Andy Harrod, Mark Briggs van Leeuwen, and Sam Ryley, this candid conversation highlights the challenges, the societal silence, and the journey to self-acceptance faced by childless men across generations.

The 57th episode of the Full Stop podcast is recorded to raise awareness of childless men on International Men's Day, 19th November 2023. The recording features a panel of childless men discussing their experiences and perspectives. The speakers, from various backgrounds and professions, share their personal journeys with childlessness, discussing feelings of exclusion and inclusion and the impact of societal narratives around men who are not fathers, and the importance of finding support.

We open our hearts, and the Full Stop podcast, to two extraordinary guests, Nina Thair and Danielle Hines, who have lived and learned through personal journeys marked by hidden childlessness. Through a deeply moving conversation, they touch upon the deep emotional aspects of not being a parent and how the support of friendship and community has empowered them through their journeys.

Discover the emotional journey of a childless man, as Robert opens up about the complex feelings and experiences he went through, realising the unlikely chance of having children. Tune in as he narrates how he found The Childless Men's Community, and how it inspired him to write a play about childlessness for men, which evolved into a book. Learn about the creative process behind his book, ‘I Always Wanted To Be A Dad’ and what next including his play ‘Empty’, hear about his collaboration with Berenice, who designed the book, and his mixed feelings towards sharing his personal story publicly.

In Episode 41, meet Rob Hutchings, a seasoned endurance athlete and author of Downriver Nomad. In his autobiography, Rob tells tales of his nomadic adventures in triathlon, marathon swimming and sports, navigating hairpin bends, whirlpools and white-water rapids and the pain of childlessness.

We invited a few guys from the Childless Men's Community to discuss this topic, we were lucky enough to share views from three continents and cultures. Of course it was a rhetorical question - we all need community - but what we found the reasons why men need to feel included is enriching

Our guest this month is Chrissy Pantlin. She’s based in Australia. After illness, Chrissy qualified in counseling and set up her practice in the pandemic. Chrissy talks about what she’s learning from the men who come to her practice and shares a wealth of advice that we know will be useful to all genders.

In this episode, we were joined by our good friend Andy Harrod who is the voice behind Invisible Childlessness. He’s one of many new, powerful contributors to our community as he explores coming to terms with involuntary childlessness through writing and academic study. He’s also part of the Clan of Brothers.

From the start, this episode poses questions about events that lead us to this space called involuntarily childlessness and we do mention infertility treatment.