Episodes

  • Episode 178--Ectopic Pregnancy

    Episode 178--Ectopic Pregnancy
    Oct 5 2025
    Intro: Hello, and welcome to episode 178 of the Childless Not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, and fulfilled lives. And whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? Ectopic Pregnancies I have not forgotten that this podcast is about childlessness. Indeed, being childless not by choice. And we all know there are many reasons for childlessness, including medical issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, miscarriage, PCOS, and so many other physical and physiological issues. Trauma, both physical and emotional, can be a cause. Being born without a uterus, which I have discussed on this podcast before. I will put a link to that interview in the show notes for this episode. And then just the unknown, also known as idiopathic infertility. I want to talk about ectopic pregnancy because I have never discussed it. But let's step back a little. Let's talk about the uterus. And I realize I am speaking to the choir here. I think most of you know what a uterus is and what it does. So let me say this in one or two sentences: The uterus is where a baby grows once the sperm fertilizes the egg. So if the egg, sperm, and fertilization end up anywhere outside of the uterus, the pregnancy will not thrive. In fact, the pregnancy will not go to term. And most times that ending up outside the uterus means the components I just mentioned: the sperm and egg, end up in the fallopian tubes. It's like driving down a highway, the fallopian tubes. You are supposed to end up at a destination, the uterus, but you get stuck on the highway instead. And sometimes getting stuck on the highway can cause irreparable damage. Meaning the possibility of no future natural pregnancies. Although we have two fallopian tubes, so if one is affected by an ectopic pregnancy, if the other one is healthy, a viable pregnancy is possible. The risk of an ectopic pregnancy is 1-2%. It sounds like a small percentage, but a percentage is a percentage, isn't it? It's small until it happens to you. And human physiology is not something that can be contested. In other words, there is no way to have a baby successfully grow outside of the womb, the uterus. And again, I know I don't need to say this, but I am not referring to other types of creating pregnancy, like the gift of a successful IVF. I am talking about how a pregnancy starts biologically, and the only way it can continue. So, ectopic pregnancies. 'An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube.'--AI. Ectopic pregnancies are often caused by damaged fallopian tubes, which prevent a fertilized egg from reaching the uterus, leading it to implant and grow elsewhere. Risk factors for tubal damage and subsequent ectopic pregnancies include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, Previous abdominal pelvic surgery Smoking. Other risk factors include conception while using an intrauterine device (IUD) After a tubal ligation (sterilization), Ongoing fertility treatments. Age: Being older than age 35 can also be a risk factor. I want to stop here and note that an ectopic pregnancy can be very dangerous. It is suggested that if you believe or have been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, you should see your physician immediately. Symptoms: Vaginal bleeding or spotting Abdominal pain, often one-sided Shoulder pain Nausea and vomiting Dizziness or fainting Now, the good news in all of this is that the chances of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy are good, ranging from 65 to 85%, especially as time goes on. Meaning if you get pregnant again in 18 months, a successful pregnancy is 65% likely. In two years, it is 85% likely. I will say again, if we have arrived at the fact that we will not be having children. Maybe we have already had the hysterectomy. Maybe we have stopped IVF. We have just come to terms and decided to move on with our lives as childless not by choice people. That's what this podcast was created to address. But I also believe it is important to know more than our own journey. And that if we ever want to discuss more than our own journey, we are in the know. We can intelligently discuss as much or as little as we would like. Knowledge allows us to have the ball in our court. Maybe you have a family member or friend who is or has suffered from an ectopic pregnancy. Maybe you have, and then the pregnancy never happened for you. Either way, this is a slice of knowledge. And I hope it was helpful. As I close out this episode, I want to remind you that we are approaching our final episodes. It is a bittersweet feeling, as I have said before. But I know I am doing the right thing. I am feeling a shift and I need to go along ...
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    17 mins
  • Episode 177--August and Rest

    Episode 177--August and Rest
    Aug 24 2025

    Intro:

    Hello, and welcome to episode 177 of the Childless Not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice lives.

    Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in!

    What is today's show about?

    August and Rest

    • Discuss World Childless Week Webinar with Yvonne John and me.--WCW will be 9/15-9/21/25

    • Sheridan Voysey's Friendship Lab.

    • My birthday getaway to the beach–the sunset I captured on still and on video.







    Special thank you to:

    Sunsets and new beginnings

    St. Pete Beach, Florida (August 2025)





    My contact information:

    Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com
    Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan
    Instagram: @joyandrelevance
    Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM
    LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM




    Thank you for listening to this episode of the Childless Not by Choice podcast!

    Until next time! Bye!
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    26 mins
  • Episode 176--10 YEAR PODCASTIVERSARY!!! THE END!

    Episode 176--10 YEAR PODCASTIVERSARY!!! THE END!
    Jul 20 2025
    Intro: Hello, and welcome to episode 176 of the Childless Not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice lives. Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? Celebrating 10 Years of Podcasting!!! Body of episode: White paper—"A whitepaper is a persuasive, authoritative, in-depth report on a specific topic that presents a problem and provides a solution. Marketers create whitepapers to educate their audience about a particular issue or explain and promote a particular methodology. (May 11, 2023.) I wrote and read a white paper 10 years ago to explain the beginning of my platform. I explained why I started the podcast This will be the final year for the podcast. December 2025 will be the official final episode. I did ask my podcast producer to remain open to any future episodes after December, and he agreed. I started this podcast with the idea that I wanted to speak with all childless not by choice women around the world. Reaching all ethnicities, all races, all religions, because childless not by choice transcends all of those man-made attributes. For several years from the time I started the podcast, I had impostor syndrome. Imagine I am podcasting about a subject matter that affected me personally, and I still had imposter syndrome. It started to dissipate as I got fantastic guests and attended podcast conventions over the years. Have I reached everyone? The number of people globally that I set out to reach? Is that considered a comparison? Imposter syndrome became a comparison. Will I ever know if I reached everyone I was supposed to reach? I don't know. The people in the know in podcasting say it's not about the downloads. It's about the message. Am I clear? Is my sound good? Is my content good? Do I have repeat listeners? I know for a fact that I am solidly average in my downloads, so there's that. I have been thinking of putting down the podcast for well over a year. I told myself I could continue. But deep down, I know it is time. I know there are other podcasts in the space now. The voices may be different, but I believe that will be OK. I know there is a next, and I will not know what that next is until I put down this podcast. I will keep the podcast live for at least the next year, through December 2026. At that point, I will decide on next steps. So to be clear, I will have episodes for the rest of 2025. They will not be afterthought episodes. They will be well thought out and well researched, just like all of my previous episodes. I don't know if I will turn the podcast into a book. I hear some podcasters do that. It's too soon to say. I will say that I am at peace about my decision. Articles/links of interest: https://childlessnotbychoice.net/childless-not-choice-first-broadcast-via-radio-show/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/my-one-year-podcast-anniversary-my-podcastiversary-2/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/triggers-how-to-recognize-them-face-them-and-deal-with-them/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-141-downriver-nomad-my-conversation-with-rob-hutchings/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-160-praying-through-infertility-my-conversation-with-sheridan-voysey/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-90-my-interview-with-jody-day-founder-of-gateway-women/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-165-our-nine-year-podcastiversary/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-147-race-gender-in-equality-and-childlessness-my-conversation-with-yvonne-john/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-161-ivf-and-the-alabama-ruling/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/let-me-catch-you-up/ Special thank you to: My listeners! My Facebook group admins My financial supporters My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM Thank you for listening to this episode of the Childless Not by Choice podcast! Until next time! Bye!
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    24 mins
  • Episode 175--Father's Day and Men's Health

    Episode 175--Father's Day and Men's Health
    Jun 17 2025
    Hello, and welcome to episode 175 of the Childless Not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless women and men not by choice worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, and fulfilled lives, childless by choice. Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? Father's Day and Men's Health Thank you, Patreon contributors: I would like to thank my Patreon contributors, who support the platform every month. Your contributions help me pay my podcast producer, my podcast host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, and other expenses. Thank you very much! If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you! If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at booksbycivillamorgan@gmail.com. Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice Questions or comments? Contact me at: Email: Info@civillamorgan.com Or Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen, and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail. Body of episode: FATHER'S DAY MEN'S HEALTH So, well before President Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis, I had planned on discussing men's health for this year's Father's Day episode. In particular, I wanted to discuss causes of male childlessness, such as Azoospermia. I've decided to put links in the show notes in regards to Azoospermia. Please check out the links for further information. The basic definition of Azoospermia per The Cleveland Clinic website is: 'Azoospermia means there's no sperm in your ejaculate. Its causes include a blockage along the reproductive tract, hormonal problems, ejaculation problems or issues with testicular structure or function. Many causes are treatable. For other causes, it may be possible to retrieve live sperm to be used in assisted reproductive techniques like IVF.' As I think back through my episodes, I don't believe I've ever discussed men's health, or medical reasons men may be childless. We've discussed fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, miscarriage, running out of time, aka the biological clock, MRKH, etc. But I've never gone into much detail regarding issues surrounding the causes of childlessness in men. I have had the great opportunity to interview several men about their experiences with childlessness, including how they have dealt with it. I will put links in the show notes on interviews I have conducted over the years with these wonderful men. Be sure to take a listen! I also believe male childlessness is not as openly discussed as female childlessness because men and their spouses may find the issue embarrassing, shocking to their ego in a different way than a woman may feel about her childlessness, or maybe in much the same way. In either case, there can be emotional and mental pain. Some of the things that can cause infertility in men include: AI Overview Male infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including problems with sperm production or quality, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, infections, and environmental factors. Additionally, lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain drug use can also contribute to infertility. Here's a more detailed look at some of the key causes: 1. Sperm Problems: Low sperm count (oligospermia): A low number of sperm in the ejaculate. Absent sperm (azoospermia): No sperm in the ejaculate. Poor sperm motility: Sperm are unable to swim properly. Abnormal sperm morphology: Sperm are abnormally shaped, making it difficult for them to fertilize an egg. 2. Hormonal Imbalances: Reduced testosterone: Low levels of testosterone can affect sperm production. Hyperprolactinemia: Elevated levels of prolactin can interfere with sperm production. Hormonal disorders affecting the pituitary gland or hypothalamus: These glands regulate hormone production. 3. Genetic Disorders: Klinefelter syndrome: A genetic condition affecting males. Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that can cause blocked reproductive ducts. Myotonic dystrophy: A genetic disorder that can affect sperm production. 4. Infections and Inflammation: Epididymitis: Inflammation of the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. Orchitis: Inflammation of the testicles. STIs: Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause inflammation and damage to the reproductive organs. 5. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Smoking: Smoking can reduce sperm count and quality. Alcohol consumption: ...
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    16 mins
  • Episode 174--Mother's Day and Shame

    Episode 174--Mother's Day and Shame
    May 10 2025
    Hello, and welcome to episode 174 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives. Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? Mother's Day Thank you, Patreon contributors: I want to thank my Patreon contributors, who contribute monthly to the platform. Your contributions help pay the salaries of my podcast producer and host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests and other expenses. Thank you very much! If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you! If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at booksbycivillamorgan@gmail.com. Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice Questions or comments? Contact me at: Email: Info@civillamorgan.com Or Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen, and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail. Thank you to the Paypal contributor from the UK. Um, from a month ago. Sorry it took so long to give a shout out. Your contribution means a lot! Body of episode: Isaiah 54:1 1"Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the Lord. I am well aware that this scripture is an analogy and not literal. I know the literal meaning, which you can search via Google or a Bible commentary if you want to know. I use the Matthew Henry Commentary for my research. I don't want to get into the weeds here, so I am giving you homework. I love this verse because it brings joy and hope to those of us who never had children, and not shame and derision. Although we did not have children, we can still contribute to society by the decisions we make to be a part of society; as teachers, as aunts, as mentors; in whatever roles we choose to be a part of a child's life. To be a part of society. Importantly: in addition to whatever you choose to do with your life. You can be an astronaut and mentor. You can be a CEO and be a wonderful aunt. Choose, decide, not to go inward and separate yourself from society because of the grief of childlessness. How we live our lives is always a choice. A decision. I know we are all in different places on our childless not by choice journey, but I am confident that as we continue on our journey, we will get to the point where we can embrace our whole selves. You are the only you. I am the only me. You will get to the point where you can embrace the missing part in your heart and yet enjoy every aspect of your life. If it could happen for me, trust me, it can happen for you. I've said in previous episodes that no one could have told me I would never have children. It was just out of the question! But we never know what life has in store for us. How we deal with it is what is important. Very important. I also want to say that Mother's Day is a day created by someone to recognize mothers. Mother's are doing the hard work to raise children to be positive contributors to a civil society. We need that now more than ever. So I am grateful to all the great mothers out there doing the hard work! We all know that what we don't learn at home, the world will teach us. And the world is a harsh teacher. We all know that! I am grateful to my mom, may she continue to rest in peace. She left this world the week before Mother's Day, no less. I miss her every day because I know she had my best interests at heart. Even as an adult, she would ask me questions that made me think. I remember once she asked me about a certain friendship where I always seemed to be giving, but not getting anything back. It was not a deep friendship, but it was enough of a friendship where there could have been some reciprocation. That question made me step back and take a look at my friendships. It reminded me to value myself even as I valued others. That one question really helped me in the years to come, to make sure I was valued in my friendships and relationships. One little question. So, be sure to value yourself. Value your life. Value what you do for a living. Value your place in this world. Value that little place in your heart that may feel an emptiness. And for those of you who teach or mentor, who have mothered whole communities, whole families…you are helping to make a positive contribution to the world by helping children become a positive contribution to ...
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    19 mins
  • Episode 173--My Conversation with Mind Body Revival Coach Aisha Balesaria

    Episode 173--My Conversation with Mind Body Revival Coach Aisha Balesaria
    Apr 25 2025
    Hello, and welcome to episode 173 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice lives. Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? My conversation with Mind Body Revival Coach Aisha Balesaria Thank you, Patreon contributors: I want to thank my Patreon contributors, who contribute monthly to the platform. Your contributions help pay the salaries of my podcast producer and host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, and other expenses. Thank you very much! If you are not a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you! If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at booksbycivillamorgan@gmail.com. Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice Questions or comments? Contact me at: Email: Info@civillamorgan.com Or Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen, and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail. Intro (for guest episodes): I started coaching because I wanted to support others to achieve what they really want, but they weren't sure how to do it! Around 6 years ago a coach at work really helped me gain clarity about my future when I was uncertain about how it would look. The uncertainty occurred when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage four endometriosis, it was a huge shock that affected my career and personal life. So, why mindbodyrevival_coach, I'm often asked? I integrate the mind-body connection in my work. The way the body responds to how we think, feel, and act can impact our entire well-being. During my practice, I can also use journaling and breath work to support my clients move through their thoughts when they're feeling stuck. I work from an intersectional perspective because, like my own situation, I understand the nuances of each individual's circumstances. Body of episode: Tell us about your passion for Coaching and what Revival means to you. So, in the world of childless not by choice, those of us who wanted but could not have children are on a similar journey caused typically by different illnesses. For me it was fibroids and time. On your website you say for you it was Endometriosis and Adenomyosis? Can you tell us your story, as much as you would like to share? You are transitioning or should I say evolving from CNBC to life after infertility…tell us more. I love the cheat sheet questions to ask your doctor at doctor visits. I always say we should have a list of questions and never fear getting a second opinion. In our pre-chat you explained a little about Eid. I suppose Eid al Fitr. I also see there is an Eid al-Adha, commemorating the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. That story I know, but tell us more about Eid al Fitr. You mentioned that you grew up in a multicultural home. Tell us how that may speak to your intersectional perspective. If it does. Talk to us about your book, the 1 in 8. And tell us about any upcoming projects you may have coming up. As we close, is there anything that you would like to make sure we cover? Research links: https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/giving/islamic-giving/ramadan/eid-al-fitr/ Aisha's Contact Information: https://mindbodyrevivalcoach.com/ Instagram: @mindbodyrevival_coach Special thank you to: Aisha Balesaria My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice
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    40 mins
  • Episode 172--WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED AND I WAS INTERVIEWED!

    Episode 172--WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED AND I WAS INTERVIEWED!
    Mar 31 2025
    Hello, and welcome to episode 172 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice lives. Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? I was interviewed! AND, this is Women's History Month! Let's talk about both. Thank you Patreon contributors: I want to thank my Patreon contributors, who contribute monthly to the platform. Your contributions help pay the salaries of my podcast producer and host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests and other expenses. Thank you very much! If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you! If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at booksbycivillamorgan@gmail.com. Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice Questions or comments? Contact me at: Email: Info@civillamorgan.com Or Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen, and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail. Body of episode: I was interviewed for the second time on Engel Jones' podcast 12 12-Minute Convos. I love what Engel is doing in the podcast space, conversing with all types of people, speaking on all subjects! Take a listen by clicking the link below! https://twelveminuteconvos.com/civilla-morgan-a-decade-of-stories-a-conversation-on-podcast-evolution-grief-and-finding-new-purpose-ep-3242/ Also, March is Women's History Month. I have placed several links to previous episodes of the wonderful women I have had the opportunity to interview. Feel free to listen or re-listen! Do you know a woman or women who have made life better for you or their community? Be sure to show your appreciation. Buy them flowers, lunch, dinner, or their favorite snack. People love to be recognized. Special thank you to: Engel Jones of the 12-Minute Convos Podcast Articles/Links of Interest: https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-155-my-conversation-with-stephanie-joy-phillips-founder-of-world-childless-week/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-134-the-dame-who-made-a-difference/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-147-race-gender-in-equality-and-childlessness-my-conversation-with-yvonne-john/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/my-conversation-with-mrs-pennsylvania/ https://childlessnotbychoice.net/episode-126-she-i-dare-not-name-a-spinsters-meditation-on-life-my-conversation-with-author-donna-ward/ My contact information: Website: www.childlessnotbychoice.net and www.civillamorgan.com Facebook: booksbycivillamorgan Instagram: @joyandrelevance Pinterest: Civilla M. Morgan, MSM LinkedIn: Civilla Morgan, MSM https://www.teepublic.com/stores/childless-not-by-choice If you want to become a one-time or ongoing sponsor, or if you want to advertise your business or an upcoming event, contact me at info@civillamorgan.com for details.
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    18 mins
  • Episode 171--Love or Indifference

    Episode 171--Love or Indifference
    Feb 26 2025
    Hello, and welcome to episode 171 of the Childless not by Choice Podcast. My name is Civilla Morgan. My mission is to recognize and speak to childless not by choice women and men worldwide, reminding us that we can live joyful, relevant, fulfilled, childless not by choice, lives. Whether you have children or not, thank you for tuning in! What is today's show about? Love Thank you Patreon contributors: I want to thank my Patreon contributors, the people who contribute monthly to the platform. Your contributions help pay the salaries of my podcast producer and host, Zoom, where I interview most of my guests, and other expenses. Thank you very much! If you are not yet a Patron, visit patreon.com/childlessnotbychoice to set up your monthly contribution. No matter your giving level, I have a gift for you! If you prefer to give via PayPal, you can find me there at booksbycivillamorgan@gmail.com. Your contributions to the platform are greatly appreciated! Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/Childlessnotbychoice Questions or comments? Contact me at: Email: Info@civillamorgan.com Or Visit the website at www.childlessnotbychoice.net, look to the left on the home screen, and click on the link below the telephone to leave me an up to 90-second voicemail. Body of episode: When I was thinking about the content for this episode, I considered discussing the different types of love. Love of parents. Love of a child. Falling in love. You know, love. But then I wondered, what is the opposite of love? My immediate response would be hate. You would think so. But I like writer Elie Weisel's opinion on the opposite of love: indifference. He also said "The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference" and "The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference". Indifference. What do you think about when you hear the word indifference? I believe indifference is the easy way out. Indifference takes less brain power, less critical thinking, less effort. And I believe indifference can be dangerous. We are living in a world where indifference seems to reign. And I believe it is reigning due to fear. Many people are afraid of the way our world is going. There is a lot of hate and division taking place globally. Most people opt to lay low, get to work, run errands, and then run back home. And I get it. There are a lot of stressed-out people out in those streets. And most people do not handle stress well. They become angry, blame, and take out their frustrations on the nearest object, and dare I say, person? Life has not been easy since the dawn of time. We were promised that with more technology we would have more time to relax. But even though we have washing machines and microwaves, we are still so busy we barely have time to sleep. Stress, anger, lack of sleep, and the list goes on. They all add up to a scary situation. A scary society. Regardless, despite, what is going on in the world, I want to remind you that you matter. Your feelings matter. Your life matters. Your livelihood matters. Your existence matters. No matter where in the world you are listening to me from, you matter. I know I say this all the time, but every human on this planet was made in the image of God. I get that this podcast is heard globally, by people of different faiths, or not. And different belief systems. But if you have been listening to me for any length of time, you know I am a Believer. And that means I believe in God. I believe Jesus was not just a prophet, a nice guy. I believe in The Holy Trinity. And with that belief system, I believe what the Bible says. And I try every day, to live by what it says. I don't wear a cross around my neck because it's fashionable. I believe what it stands for. And I try to live my life by what it stands for. I am not perfect, but the Bible calls us to perfection, it never says we will be perfect. We just need to spend out lives working toward it. Toward being better humans to each other. Better neighbors. I know some of my listeners are Hindu, Moslem, Jewish, agnostic, Christian, Catholic, atheist. And that's what I want. I want all of you to listen and hear healing words for your broken heart. Hearts broken like mine, because we did not get to have the children we wanted. From day one, 10 years ago, I said I wanted everyone to listen, and get help from this podcast, no matter your personal beliefs or where in the world you live. And it happened! Thank you for tuning in month after month. Thank you for feedback. Thank you for ratings and reviews over on Apple. Thank you for all of it! It has not always been an easy ride, but it was what I set out to do. I did not realize how hard it would be sometimes. I remember when I lost my first podcast producer. He taught me just about everything I know about the art of podcasting. But it ...
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    18 mins