Helen Russell
Helen Russell
Season 2 #5 Jody Day
Season 2 #5 Jody Day
Season 2 #5 Jody Day
Wednesday 19th May 2021
Helen Russell talks to Jody Day about navigating childlessness, societal pressures, and finding hope in this episode of 'How to Be Sad'.
57 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Compassionate
Thought-provoking
Engaging
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Author:
Helen Russell
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Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Healing Relationships
Comedic Journeys
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Get the buttons here!Jody Day: Navigating Childlessness and Rediscovering Joy
If you imagine, you take that which is unconscious into the modern world, and I think that, plus under patriarchy, childless women are actually a little bit of a disruptors in the system, because, if you can imagine, there's now, one in five of us are not bringing up children. So in a way their thinking is a lot more evolved and they're at peace because they actually got the life they wanted.
Imagine facing the heartbreak of wanting children but not being able to have them. In this episode of 'How to Be Sad', Helen Russell sits down with Jody Day, the founder of Gateway Women, a global support network for childless women. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Gateway Women has been a beacon of hope for many.
Jody, a psychotherapist and author, opens up about her own journey through childlessness, revealing the depths of her pain and the path she took to find healing. Jody discusses the misconceptions surrounding IVF and how it's not always the magical solution people believe it to be. She also delves into the emotional toll of fertility treatments, likening it to PTSD.
One of the most poignant parts of their conversation is the distinction between being 'childless' and 'child-free', terms that are often mistakenly used interchangeably. Jody shares her thoughts on the unhelpful cultural narratives around not having children and the painful comments people often make, offering practical advice on how to respond. The episode also touches on 'pronatalism', a societal bias that favors those with children, and how it can marginalize childless women.
Jody speaks candidly about disenfranchised grief, a type of grief that isn't openly acknowledged or supported by society, and how to begin healing from it. She emphasizes the importance of finding a new purpose and creating a fulfilling 'Plan B'. Helen and Jody's conversation is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, offering a blend of personal anecdotes and broader insights.
Whether you're personally affected by childlessness or know someone who is, this episode provides valuable perspectives on navigating such a deeply personal journey.