'You can't understand the way in which Christianity constructs women unless you think about the ways in which it constructs motherhood and childlessness.'

In this episode, I’m talking to Dawn Llewellyn, Associate Professor of Religion and Gender at the University of Chester.Dawn is a self-described feminist and childless by choice. She was born into a Roman Catholic family but she no longer identifies as Christian.

Dawn has written widely on various aspects of women’s faith lives in Christianity and feminist forms of spirituality, but for over 12 years has researched motherhood and childlessnessin Christian contexts.

How are women without children treated by the Church? How do they navigate religious communities where motherhood is often seen as the ideal, and what happens when their lives don't fit that expectation? This episode explore faith, feminism and the experiences of women whose stories are too often overlooked.

Welcome to No Kidding. Whether by choice, chance, or circumstance, living child-free or childless comes with its own unique journey. Every month, we share a deeply personal story from a new guest, exploring the path they took and the challenges they faced along the way. New episodes drop monthly.

Insta: @catherinechambers165

Email: catherinechambers165@gmail.com

When it comes to life without children - there isn't one story.

Welcome to No Kidding. Whether by choice, chance, or circumstance, living child-free or childless comes with its own unique journey. Every month, we share a deeply personal story from a new guest, exploring the path they took and the challenges they faced along the way. New episodes drop monthly.

Insta: @catherinechambers165

Presenter and Producer: Catherine Chambers

Mixed by: Stan Was

Music: Andriig

Note: This episode contains open discussions about infertility.

When it comes to life without children - there isn't one story.

My first guest is Natalia Shvarts, a franchise solicitor, authorand campaigner, born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome known as MRKH, a rare condition that meant she was born without a uterus. She made the difficult to decision to pull out of a womb transplant trial and talks openly about how she has come to understand herself, her life and her legacy beyond motherhood.

Welcome to No Kidding. Whether by choice, chance, or circumstance, living child-free or childless comes with its own unique journey. Every month, we share a deeply personal story from a new guest, exploring the path they took and the challenges they faced along the way. New episodes drop monthly.

Insta: @catherinechambers165

Presenter and Producer: Catherine Chambers

Mixed by: Stan Was

Music: Andriig