Best Jo Vraca Podcasts (2024)

1
What's your Plan B? How do we find our life purpose now? Natural Practitioner, Anne Barratt tells us. 45:25

2y ago45:25

45:25

When your Plan A doesn't go as planned, what's your Plan B? What does our future hold without children? Can we Google the answer? What about Jeeves? We speak to Anne Barratt from Empowering Health about her story after IVF and a hysterectomy. Anne is a professional practitioner who employs kinesiology, EFT, counselling, hypnotherapy and a host of d…

1
World Childless Week the Annual Event for us, by Stephanie Phillips! 21:43

2y ago21:43

21:43

In our first mini episode we talk to World Childless Week founder Stephanie Phillips. World Childless Week 2020 is a virtual event held online through this website and on social media channels from September 14-20. To find out more about World Childless Week: www.worldchildlessweek.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldChildlessWeek Join the…

1
What's this childless grief about? Childless counsellor, Sarah Roberts, tells us. 53:04

2y ago53:04

53:04

Today I welcome Sarah Roberts to the podcast. We talk about grief and second chances! Sarah is not only a counsellor for childless women, she’s one of us! With over 25 years experience in counselling, teaching and community work, Sarah brings her lived experience to The Empty Cradle where she focuses on involuntary childlessness and motherhood loss…

1
When did we know we were never going to be mums? Dr Bronwyn Harman tells us. 50:05

2y ago50:05

50:05

When did you know you weren’t going to have children. Did you decide or were you a fence sitter? Or maybe you didn't decide, but there was a point when you just knew. My special guests are Dr Bronwyn Harman who is currently finalising her phD about childfree women. We also speak to friend of the podcast, Lovisa, who talks about her journey as a chi…

1
Coping with Christmas when You're Childless - Plus some tips for parents! 35:43

2y ago35:43

35:43

Christmas can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Today, I'm also bringing you a series of tips to get you through the big days over the holidays. These tips will help all of us without kids to navigate the Christmas landscape when there might be a tonne of happy families with kids. Of course, you might love it! I find it exhausting so …

1
What happens when all your friends have kids and you don't? 38:16

2y ago38:16

38:16

What happens to friendships when you don't have kids but they do? In this episode I share my experience of all the friendships that have been lost to motherhood over the years. If you are a mum and you’re listening we’d love to hear your thoughts on your friendships with childless women and if they fell to the wayside or how you maintained them. In…

1
Aging without children - What's the Plan? 40:08

2y ago40:08

40:08

Aging without children isn't always a choice, and this week we speak with 67-year-old Heather who surprises us with a story she hasn't shared with anyone. It’s a big story and we are honoured to have her share it. Heather hopes her story helps other women share. Stats: We investigate advocacy for the aging childless and childfree population in Aust…

1
1 in 9 Women have endometriosis - So Why Don't We Have a Cure Yet? I ask Naturopath, Michelle Williams 42:01

2y ago42:01

42:01

Recently, Lena Dunham wrote a follow up article for Harpers Magazine about the two years since her hysterectomy after an endometriosis diagnosis. I discuss the importance of talking about endo and normalising the conversation. I learn that period pain may be common, but it's not normal. I also speak to Naturopath and Women's Health Specialist, Mich…

1
Millennials - Why is Opting In or Out of Having Babies More Complex than Ever? A Millennial tells us 41:38

2y ago41:38

41:38

Within the next couple of decades, the number of households without children is set to outnumber the number with children, through the idea of the "traditional family" on it head. In today's episode, I speak to Sharon Green, writer, editor and co-founded of She Defined, an Australian publication that tackles the challenges that face today's woman. …

1
Periods. What are they good for, when you don't have kids? We let it all out! 44:59

2y ago44:59

44:59

What is the point of having a period when you can't or don't intend to have children? In this episode, we go deep and get super personal all about period and speak to members of the community to find out what periods mean to them. From 67-year-old guest Heather who teaches us all about “rag suspender belts” to 34-year-old Skye, who had to have a hy…

1
Our roots - what is our childless story? Maree is adopted and Childless. 47:06

2y ago47:06

47:06

How did our family influence our childlessness? This week's special guest, Maree, is one of four adopted siblings. We chat about her family, her mother's trauma over her own infertility, and how that influenced Maree's choices around family, relationships and children. Statistics: What are the stats relating to the backgrounds of childless women, a…

1
What happens after we've lost hope? Gateway Women's Jody Day tells us! 51:16

2y ago51:16

51:16

Known as the Patron Saint of the childless community, Jody Day is a force to be reckoned with. With one book under her belt, a massive, global community of childless women in Gateway Women, a TED Talk, and a nature that is both energising and soothing, Jody is entering, as she calls it, her elderhood. In this episode, I talk to Jody about her exper…

1
The birth of the (un)Ripe Community. Why do we need to talk about childlessness anyway? 36:52

2y ago36:52

36:52

This week's episode is all about the birth of UnRipe. Who is Unripe, who is Jo? What is the (un)Ripe mission and our focus on Women in Australia and New Zealand who do not have children? Statistics: An intro to childless and childfree stats for women n Australia and New Zealand. Shit that comes up on my feed: A weekly round-up of stories that we've…

1
Coping with family events when you don't have kids 56:00

2y ago56:00

56:00

By Jo Vraca

1
Are we just hysterical? Say What!? 22:28

2y ago22:28

22:28

I'm back from semi-retirement to bring you one of my favourite episodes of the other podcast I produce! When was the last time you celebrated a milestone? So many of us childless women simply don't. On the other hand, when you’re a parent, there are so many milestones that everyone celebrates – new baby, first step, first word, first day at school,…

1
Troll - What do Ogres, George Michael & Chrissy Teigen Have in Common? 20:04

2+ y ago20:04

20:04

If you think a Troll is an ogre from northern European mythology, a beast under the bridge, you'd be missing half the story. It's about so much more. It's also about big boulders that litter the Scandinavian countryside, Chrissy Teigen, eBay, Reddit and those cute little plastic toys we collected in the 80s that will make someone rich one day. Main…

1
Propaganda - War, Pandemics, Soap & Cigarettes, oh and the Pope 23:37

2+ y ago23:37

23:37

War, pandemics, politics, soap, cigarettes – it’s all propaganda. Whether it’s coming from the left or the right, your party or the opposition, coke or pepsi, propaganda rules our lives. The father of public relations, Edward Bernays, tells us as early as 1928 that we are governed and molded, our tastes formed, by nameless people. He also tells us …

1
Hoax - Real Mermaids, Magicians and Balloon Boy does Metal 24:14

2+ y ago24:14

24:14

To investigate the word "Hoax", we need to talk about magicians and the Catholic liturgy. This episode is about a fake word, in a way. A made up word. But what is true, is that people have been hoaxing the public for centuries. Whether is the story of a woman who gave birth to rabbits, the Fiji Mermaid, or Balloon Boy, why are people so gullible or…

1
Niiiice - Drug Smugglers, Purity Balls and the Complicated History of Nice 18:43

2+ y ago18:43

18:43

How did such a nice word that we use to mean sweet and polite, also come to be an insult for some? Well, today's word, nice, started out as a pretty mean word, actually. Depending on your circle of influence, you might want someone to call you nice, because it’s a compliment. Like, you know those 16 year old girls who attend Purity Balls with their…

1
ASMR - Head Orgasms, Triggers & Bob Ross 22:55

2+ y ago22:55

22:55

Many years ago, I found a series of videos on YouTube of people making miniature food. Actual food like a burger, the size of a coin, sushi no bigger than a pebble. To make this food, faceless people use working miniature kitchens and utensils to prepare and cook the meals. It’s food for Barbie and Ken. And this food is edible. Many years ago, I fo…

1
Hysteria - Wandering Wombs, Toxic Semen & Exorcisms 20:11

2+ y ago20:11

20:11

When you think of hysteria, what comes to mind? Melancholia, anxiety, frigidity. It’s a problem that can be solved, says Doctor Dalrymple from the Netflix feel good movie, Hysteria. Until 1952, female hysteria was a valid diagnosis for women exhibiting the following symptoms: insomnia, anxiety, shortness of breath, sexual desire, frigidity or lack …

1
Resolutions - Barbarians, Two-Faced Gods, Serial Killers & Roast Swans 17:54

2+ y ago17:54

17:54

Resolutions Each and every year I buy a diary and I make a resolution to use it ALL YEAR. This is my year. I say that every year. And each and every year, I will stop using it, I will even stop thinking about it, before February is though. Because, let’s face it, resolutions are the worst way to start the year. They only lead to disappointment and …

1
Christmas Elves & Pooping Birds - Where do Christmas Traditions Come From? 18:49

2+ y ago18:49

18:49

It’s almost Christmas so there’s no better time of the year to have a look at the words we use once a year with abandon. From Eggnog to Kris Kringle, Santa's Elves to Decking the Halls with Holly, where did these words, and their traditions come from? Let’s swig on a flagon of eggnog and bring in the yuletide cheer with the inaugural Say What Chris…

1
What do Peeping Tom & The Rosary Have in Common? 19:26

2+ y ago19:26

19:26

From Taxi Driver to Psycho, Ted Bundy to the kid down the road, the Peeping Tom is both a real life predatory character and box office gold. But who was the first Peeping Tom? And who did Tom peep on? In this episode we travel through time, movies, some very real and disturbing crimes and a very beautiful and pious naked woman. Join me on Instagram…

1
Why is the Left Sinister and What does the Devil Have to Do with it? 19:21

2+ y ago19:21

19:21

Do you know where the word “left” comes from? Well, in Latin, it’s Sinister, in all of its evil definitions. So let’s break it down. How did sinister come to mean left and why is the left sinister? Why does my mum think that left handers are evil? What does ancient bird divination, and the toilet habits of some cultures have to do with it? And what…

1
Stockholm Syndrome - Abba, Patty Hearst and Anna Freud 18:03

2+ y ago18:03

18:03

Just in case you’re wondering, I have a real weak spot for curiosities and curious people – you know, people who behave irrationally, rule breakers and general riff raff. I’m quite fond of these people. Well… When I say “fond”, I don’t mean the – take me to your leader type of fondness but, rather, I just want to understand what makes people behave…

1
Catfishing: A Long History of a Very New Word 16:50

2+ y ago16:50

16:50

We’ve heard the word, Catfishing, and doesn’t it feel like it’s been part of the zeitgeist forever? But Catfishing, as it’s used in popular culture, is a relatively new term, from 2010, actually. And it was coined by a documentarian. In this episode, I look at the history of the word catfishing, and actually take a look at its very long, but hidden…

1
Tomboy - Is it Time to Retire This Word? No way! 16:30

2+ y ago16:30

16:30

What is up with the word Tomboy? Is it even politically correct to say it anymore? Without turning this into a gender studies episode, we’re going to learn where the word comes from, how it came to mean what it did, if it even does mean the same thing today, and the various translations because, yes, tomboys are everywhere and every country has its…

1
Gaslight: Manipulation, Asylums & Old Hollywood 18:06

2+ y ago18:06

18:06

Since the 2016 election that gave Donald Trump a platform, not to mention the presidency, the word has been everywhere. But what does it mean? Where does gaslight come from? We hear a lot about ghosting. You know, it’s when someone ends a relationship suddenly without warning and just disappears, with no contact. Nothing. But what about gaslighting…

1
Quarantine - The Plague, Lepers, Pandemics and Goats 16:15

3y ago16:15

16:15

When you think of quarantine, what comes to mind? Leper colonies of the past? Two weeks to flatten the curve? A hundred years ago, when leprosy was considered a public health risk, people were quarantined off for life. There was no cure for leprosy back then, and while only a few hundred people were ever recorded to have leprosy in the United State…

1
Say What? Vanilla - Cake, Princesses and Bondage 12:15

3y ago12:15

12:15

I have a little surprise. Today I'm bringing you the first full episode of my new show, "Say What The Podcast", for word nerds and history geeks. Enjoy! Come and hang out on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/saywhatthepodcast You can follow for free on your favourite listening app HERE Please share and leave us a review on your favourite podcast …

1
Happy Anniversary! Say What? 6:33

3y ago6:33

6:33

It's unRipe's 1st Birthday! And I have a little surprise. Today I'm bringing you a taste of my new show, "Say What The Podcast", for word nerds and history geeks. Enjoy! Come and hang out on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/saywhatthepodcast You can follow for free on your favourite listening app HERE Please share and leave us a review on your f…

1
Vanilla - Cake, Princesses and Bondage 11:21

3y ago11:21

11:21

It's the most hashtagged flavour of icecream, the second most expensive spices in the word, and it's much maligned. How did vanilla go from being a rare orchid that, to this day, is hand-pollinated, to meaning boring? And what does it have to do with bondage? We'll find out in this episode. Join me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/saywhatthep…

1
Say What?! The Podcast Trailer 4:04

3y ago4:04

4:04

Hi word nerds and history geeks, you’re tuned into Say What. I’m Jo Vraca and each episode, I’m going to rub shoulders with the glitterati of language where we’ll learn that some of the more colourful, and even, dare I say it, humdrum words that we use every day have remarkable origins. From true crime to music and pop culture, religion to social m…

1
Jeff and I Answer Your Questions - What's Our Childless Life Look Like? 29:04

3y ago29:04

29:04

In Part 2, Jeff (my husband) and I answer your questions about how we live our lives as a childless couple. Like, what brings us joy? How have we managed not to get divorced? Do we actually work together every day? What happened to our friends when they had kids? And, what does the future look like? Join the Conversation: Facebook Page: https://www…

1
Are Childless Women Selfish (Hint: No) - I ask Sarah Roberts 36:46

3y ago36:46

36:46

I got really curious about some of the things that we childless women are told, like how we’re selfish, we don’t know what true love is unless we’ve had a baby, and so on. Some people in the childless community refer to these as “bingos”. What are bingos? Well think of it this way – if you’ve played bingo, you’ll know that you get a card, and when …

1
When infertility hits home - My Story of childlessness, IVF + My Husband Speaks! 32:54

3y ago32:54

32:54

In Part 1 of 2, I tell you my story and how came to be (happily) childless after infertility. Plus, my husband, Jeff, who is also the sound engineer for the show, talks about his life in the States, and how he sees our childless life. I learn a few new things about him, after almost 28 years and I tell about the moment he broke my heart at the end …

1
Can a little bit of Kink Fix Our Post Infertility Love Life? 30:20

3y ago30:20

30:20

In the childless and childfree community, we talk about building a community with adults, where we’re not always surrounded by babies, kids, pregnant women and people talking about their kids. And it’s not just the childfree who are looking for a reprieve. Even us childless folk talk about adult only spaces – like planes, restaurants, resorts, you …

1
Childless by Marriage - When your partner doesn't want any kids and you do - with Sue Lick 32:21

3y ago32:21

32:21

When I first heard about childless stepmums, I thought to myself, how lucky! You may not have had your own, but here you are, an instant family. But then I started hearing from women who have this exact experience and, honestly, it seems so fraught and complex. Not only are you dealing with, potentially, angry exes, but kids who don’t really want a…

1
Post Traumatic Growth & Toxic Positivity with Tanya Hubbard 26:13

3y ago26:13

26:13

Tanya Hubbard and her husband live in Vancouver Canada and, like Australia, they have a robust public healthcare system with long waiting periods for elective, non-emergency surgery – and it certainly doesn’t over IVF. Tanya explains that, like so many of us, she didn’t start trying to get pregnant until her mid to late 30s, and by that time, she l…

1
Childless AND an Only Child - So Who's going to find us when we die? I ask Alisha Saavedra 44:14

3y ago44:14

44:14

I've mentioned it before - I'm an only child. So I reached out to see how many of us childless are also onlies and today's guest, Alisha Saavedra put up her hand. Alisha lives in Southern California with her husband. She is originally from Mexico, and her husband is from Bolivia, where big families play a big role. With unexplained infertility and …

1
Childless after her husband's failed vasectomy reversal with Laura Curtis 33:09

3y ago33:09

33:09

Laura Curtis uses her voice to tell stories through song and sound. She met her husband when she was 22 and he was 36. He’d had a vasectomy in a previous relationship, so when Laura expressed her desire to become a mum, he had a reversal. Easy peasy. After all, Laura was not infertile and, in fact, she had a healthy reproductive system. But things …

1
How to be Childless and Confident with Cheerleader Jody O'Brien 38:29

3y ago38:29

38:29

I am my own worst enemy and a terrible cheerleader. That’s why I want you to meet Jody O’Brien. Jody is calls herself the "Chief Cheerleader" and she is cheering us all on. After being diagnosed with early menopause in her late 30s, and the only way she would carry a baby would be with a donor egg, Jody and her husband moved to China for a few year…

1
What’s my Life Purpose if I don’t have kids? Hold my beer while I find out, says Brigid May 38:15

3+ y ago38:15

38:15

“What’s my purpose in life if I don’t have kids? Hold my beer while I find out.” That's a quote by Brigid May of The Fruitless Figtree. Brigid is everything you want from a bestie - she's angry, vocal, honest, a little bit dark, wants to light things on fire (in her head only!), and she's a little pissed at Brooklyn 99. Brigid is also a Montessori …

1
Why don't we talk about male infertility? Let's find out with Michael Hughes 33:33

3+ y ago33:33

33:33

“I was given a sample jar and a key; the technician then tells me that I’m in the room behind me. “There is only one key so you can feel secure that once locked no-one else will enter”, she said. “There is scotch in the cupboard and magazines in the draw, wash your hands before you start and do not get any other liquid in the sample jar”. In a daze…

1
Living the Unexpectedly Childfree Life After Infertility with Kati Seppi 31:20

3+ y ago31:20

31:20

Kati Seppi is the supercharged founder of Chasing Creation. In today's episode we tackle the big topics - Designing a childfree life, strengthening relationships after infertility. Katy grew up Mormon in Utah, and lives in Utah today with her husband, and she calls herself “unexpectedly childfree after infertility". We speak about her journey to in…

1
What happens when four women talk about childlessness and keep it real? Have a listen. 36:08

3+ y ago36:08

36:08

Four Childless Women Walk Into a Bar... Actually, we're at my house, which can sometimes look like a bar. And all four of us are childless. Ranging from 34 to 51, we're all at different stages of our childless journeys. and we all come from very different backgrounds culturally. Obviously you know my Italian culture, Mariecris is 38, Phillipino, sh…

1
unRipe Community Trailer. Who's unRipe? Are we actually unRipe when we're childless? 10:07

4y ago10:07

10:07

Welcome to (un)Ripe. We're a juicy community of Australian-based women who are either childfree by choice or childless by circumstance. In this episode you'll meet Jo and her guest host. We'll tell you a little about ourselves and the (un)Ripe project. unRipe is a vibrant, supportive community created for and by childless and childfree women who ar…

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