The Full Stop blog

Find updates, reflections, and guidance on topics related to involuntary childlessness and our episodes.

If you're exploring what it’s like to be childless not by choice, or are already engaged and looking for connection, this page is a supportive, welcoming resource. Start with the most recent entry and scroll back to find posts, or use the search below.

Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

Be part of our December episode

Our December podcast is always popular even in August. Here’s how you can take part in sharing a holiday message with our audience.

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

International Men’s Day

Men’s health and well-being are at the heart of Episode 57 of The Full Stop podcast “Why is nobody talking about childless men?” It will be released for International Men’s Day on 19th November 2023 on our website and all major listening channels across the world.

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

Just us, with a fancy number

We collaborate, never compete, and invest in supportive relationships which is the best way to help all who are childless.

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blog Berenice Howard-Smith blog Berenice Howard-Smith

Podcast Guest

We also talk on other podcasts; all three of us know the power of speaking with authenticity and how that can share our stories to a greater, diverse audience so that we can learn together.

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blog Berenice Howard-Smith blog Berenice Howard-Smith

Creative healing

Did you find that somewhere in this life, you lost your self-worth? If you did, then welcome to my story. It’s one we hear a lot in our community conversations; we share those sentiments and experiences ourselves as presenters.

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

Changes and growth

Last summer saw a change in our male childless community as we changed the name of The Clan Of Brothers to The Childless Men's Community (CMC). A long story short, we got feedback from some of our American community that what I thought was a great name leaning into my ancestral Scottish heritage turns out to be perceived in a totally different way in the US.

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blog Berenice Howard-Smith blog Berenice Howard-Smith

A story to tell

As I look back, I have had two great passions in my life. One of those is my fascination with people’s stories and the other is running; both of which came together in a glorious fusion in a podcast episode from July 2022 with Rob Hutchings. Adventure triathlete, wild swimmer, yoga teacher and now author of ‘Downriver Nomad’.

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blog Sarah Lawrence blog Sarah Lawrence

Reflecting on 2022

It speaks volumes about a year when you have to record your review of the year episode twice doesn’t it! It wasn’t that the first recording was awful, but we just realised how tired we are, because there has been a lot going on in the community and outside for each of us. 

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

Storyhouse Live Childless

We were on Twitter throughout and very quickly began to see the powerful unity that this amazing event was creating.

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blog Berenice Howard-Smith blog Berenice Howard-Smith

Do childless men need a community?

It is entering a party we didn’t want to attend but finding it’s got some great bits but some awful moments too but knowing everyone will gather with you for a rousing chorus of ‘My Way’ whenever you wish.

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blog Berenice Howard-Smith blog Berenice Howard-Smith

Levy an equality before a childless tax

I meant every single word. And if it comes to pass that this hyperbole becomes fact, you can be assured I’m marching with you into battle, and I suspect a few parents will be too.

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blog Berenice Howard-Smith blog Berenice Howard-Smith

Mother's Day on our terms

It’s not avoidance, we all know it’s there. But if we go to the shops or out (remember going out?) we can prepare ourselves for exposure. But if you’ve had yet another phone call or WhatApp with your sibling and his two kids who want you to celebrate and you’ve Had Enough, the invasion of your inbox can feel like a bit bloody much!

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

Website questionnaire

May I have your help? Just a few minutes of your time over a mince pie or a cup of tea, to talk about the website for the Full Stop?

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

A cuppa with Katy, founder of MIST

Get to know our guests and us, our alternative Q&A! We’re catching up with friends, past and present to ask them about the important stuff in life. Y’know… cake, tea and biscuits.

Here’s Katy Schnitzler from MIST who appears on Episode 32 of our podcast.

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Berenice Howard-Smith Berenice Howard-Smith

Creating allies: Parents in Business magazine

In October 2021, presenter Berenice was published in Parents in Business magazine as part of our drive to create alliances outside the podcast. The edited and designed pages are available to subscribers.

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