THE PERSONAL STORY BEHIND PARALLEL

Keltie Maguire interviews PARALLEL Co-Founder Florence Wlodarski as a guest of the Kids or Childfree Podcast — discussing going from ambivalence to IVF to embracing life without kids — plus, the inspiration behind PARALLEL Social Club.

At PARALLEL Social Club, what brings us together is pretty simple — we’re all doing life without kids in the mix. Some of us chose this path, some didn’t, and for others, it’s just where life is at right now. Whatever the reason, we’ve created a space that’s welcoming, judgment-free, and full of connection. It’s about building community through shared experiences — the kind you might not even know you were craving. Curious how it all started? Here’s the story behind PARALLEL.

Keltie and Florence discuss: 

• The societal expectations regarding motherhood and the pressures Florence faced to become a mom.

• Florence's decision to pursue IVF and the emotional complexities involved in that process.

• The experience of trying for a child, while still being on the fence about having one.

• Florence's reflections on identity and career that arose from her experiences.

• How Florence ultimately found peace and freedom in the decision not to have kids.

• The importance of community and connection, and how Florence and her husband co-founded Parallel Social Club to build an intentional community with others in similar situations, living similar lifestyles.