By Chance Avenue
A podcast for women who do not have children by circumstance rather than by choice. Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares conversations with women about their experiences, offering stories of resilience and tools for healing. The show aims to build a community for those who felt the desire to be mothers but whose lives took different paths, including those who married later, remained single, or suffered pregnancy loss. Each episode emphasizes connection and the shared nature of struggles and joys.
Episodes
130. It Was the Sadness | The Weight I Carried Through Infertility
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss recounts a therapy session they almost canceled because life felt good, only to uncover deeper emotions tied to weight and infertility. After losing weight this year as part of reclaiming their body post-IVF, they realized their fear of gaining weight back wasn’t about the scale but about returning to sadness, disappointment, loneliness, and years of discomfort that bega
129. The Friends Who Had Kids, The Friend Who Didn't, Part 3 | Friendship After Infertility
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss talks with friends Doreen, John, and Jada about her growth from feeling like a victim to advocating for women through her podcast, sharing support she once lacked while navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, adoption ending, divorce, depression, and mental health challenges. They describe how she and Victor have moved forward, embraced a child-free life, strengthened th
128. The Friends Who Had Kids, The Friend Who Didn't, Part 2 | Infertility
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss talks with longtime friends John and Jada about how miscarriage, IVF, and years of infertility created an unspoken disconnect as her friends assumed she was “fine” and would reach out if needed, partly because their friendship wasn’t phone-call heavy and because she had Victor for support. Elizabeth explains she felt lonely, in a “season of waiting,” hesitant to burden o
127. The Friends Who Had Kids, The Friend Who Didn't, Part 1 | Infertility & Old Friends
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reunites with longtime friends John, his wife Jada, and childhood friend Doreen to discuss how friendships can shift when some friends have kids and others don’t, and to reflect on Elizabeth’s years of infertility, miscarriage, IUI/IVF treatments, and an adoption process that included a failed adoption. They recall a fallout after John and Jada’s 2013 marriage and reconn
126. Why Hobbies Matter More When You Don't Have Kids | My Mahjong Obsession
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares her new obsession with American mahjong, describing how she discovered its colorful, beautifully designed tiles online, took a private lesson to learn the game, and quickly began collecting sets. She contrasts it with the traditional mahjong she knew growing up in Filipino/Asian households, which she associated with gambling, and explains that mahjong is having a
125. Fangirling Over BTS in My Midlife | No Shame, Zero Regrets
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares how buying BTS concert tickets and becoming an “Army” fangirl unexpectedly brought her lightness after over a decade of heavy seasons, including infertility treatments, failed adoptions, and a hard year for her family. After initially scrolling past a BTS Netflix concert, she clicked a replay and docuseries, got hooked, and binge-watched years of content while bon
124. A Peek Into the Path Not Taken | Checking In With the Husband, 3 Years Later
Checking In Three Years After Choosing a Childfree Life: Elizabeth and Victor ReflectHost Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss welcomes Victor back after months away to check in three years after they decided to stop pursuing children following a nearly 10-year infertility and adoption journey. They reflect on a recent Joshua Tree anniversary staycation that felt “full circle,” since they originally went there t
123. Reclaiming My Body After Infertility | This Was More Than Weight Loss
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares how dancing freely with a friend made her realize she hadn’t felt comfortable in her body in years, leading her to discuss reclaiming her body after her infertility journey. After moving to California, she became pregnant and miscarried, then spent about seven years doing IUI and IVF, experiencing significant body changes, weight gain, and deep resentment—especial
122. Is It Just a Cat? | A Pet by My Side Through Infertility & Beyond
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares that her cat, Tula, turns 14 in August and will have an end-of-month ultrasound to check her kidneys, which brings her anxiety despite normal blood work a few months ago; Tula is also on thyroid medication and a prescription diet. Elizabeth explains how Tula has been her constant companion since before she and Victor married, staying by her side through years of I
121. Do I Even Have the Right to Slow Down When I Have No Kids?
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares how a strained back forced her to cancel a road trip with visiting friends after several hectic weeks of travel, hosting, late nights, weekend swimming and snorkeling, and worsening neck and lower-back pain despite regular chiropractor visits. Lying in pain, she notices an old belief resurfacing: that she isn’t “allowed” to slow down because she doesn’t have kids
120. It Used to Be My Silver Lining | Now It's Just Life
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares how, when traveling, hosting gatherings, or hearing about college tuition, she now feels genuine relief and freedom about not having children—feelings that sometimes bring guilt because she and Victor wanted kids for a long time and went through infertility treatments. She reflects that freedom used to be a “silver lining” she leaned on during intense grief, but h
119. The Many Roles We Get to Enjoy | Aunt, Godmother or Chosen Family
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on taking on an unofficial maternal role through her large family, with about 11 nieces and nephews and 10 godchildren, beginning when her first niece was born as she turned seven. As the youngest until age 16, she became hands-on early—learning caregiving tasks and later building close, sibling-like bonds with her oldest nieces and nephews—eventually becoming t
118. Keepsakes After Infertility | Letting Go Isn't All or Nothing
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares a long-held tradition with Victor during their season of trying and waiting for a baby: collecting small, meaningful travel souvenirs intended for a future nursery, including a stuffed St. Bernard from Switzerland, a giraffe door stopper from Kenya, a stork from a French market, and a dolphin wind chime from the Maldives. She explains she still keeps these items b
117. Grief From an Image of What Could Have Been | He's 5 Now
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares how an “On This Day” phone memory resurfaced photos and videos from five years ago of the six-month-old baby she and Victor were supposed to adopt, noting it may be triggering. Seeing the baby’s face sparked tenderness and curiosity about how he is now, but a photo of Victor laughing while holding him hit hardest, highlighting what Victor lost and her desire to ha
116. The Value of Friendships When You Don't Have Children
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on a week that contrasted her prior discussion of the “messy middle,” sharing how her heart felt unexpectedly full through layered moments of connection. A lifelong best friend visited and they spent time eating, beachgoing, laughing, and enjoying K-pop and K-dramas; another close friend came for a soul-filling night of conversation. She hosted a brunch where th
115. The Messy Middle Can Feel Lonely | But You're Not Alone In It
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on living in a “messy middle” where her life feels both joyful and heavy: she’s making new friends, enjoying a new hobby, and feeling excited about projects, while also processing difficult new news about her dad’s health after last year’s serious health scare and caregiving season. She shares how being the only one in her large Filipino family without children
114. It Was Enough | A Full Circle Moment in the Desert
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares the fuller context behind an Instagram video about returning to Joshua Tree for her 13th wedding anniversary with Victor, contrasting it with a trip nearly three years earlier when they went to the desert to decide whether to renew their adoption home study and continue a decade-long infertility journey. On that earlier trip, amid emotional weight and a storm, the
113. The Hard Call with Sarah Clifford | A Woman's Choice to Stop and Live Fully
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss speaks with Sarah, co-founder of The Otherhood Collective, about Sarah’s path toward living without children and how the project began with longtime friend and co-founder Lisa Levy. Sarah is the co-founder of The Otherhood Collective, a community and storytelling platform that gives voice to those navigating life outside traditional expectations of motherhood, family, an
112. Okay Hear Me Out | Why Stepping Outside the CNBC Bubble Might Actually Help You Heal
Host Elizabeth Tiglaso-Guss reflects on how, during grief and loss around not having children, people need empathetic community that “gets it,” and affirms the value of childless-not-by-choice spaces like the one they are building. They also warn that the same supportive bubble can become too small and limit growth if it becomes someone’s whole world, and they gently encourage listeners to “breath
111. She Built a World for Us | World Childless Week with Stephanie Joy Phillips
In this interview, Steph (Stephanie Phillips), founder of World Childless Week, shares her path to childlessness: after leaving an abusive relationship, she and her future husband tried to conceive in her late 30s, received devastating news from a doctor at age 39, and declined NHS-funded IVF due to timing, low odds, and her inability to lose weight while grieving. She describes navigating shock,
110. Random Gut Punches | When Everyday Life Reminds You of What You Don't Have
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on a week of being sick at home and noticing unexpected reminders of what she and her husband, Victor, don’t have. She shares three moments that landed differently: a Facebook post claiming you don’t know love until you have children, a coworker telling Victor he “highly recommend[s]” having kids, and an Apple TV show, Shrinking, featuring a simplified adoption
109. From Suffering Alone to a Space for Storytelling | Lisa Levey of The Otherhood Collective
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss speaks with a New York-based filmmaker about her multi-year journey through unexplained infertility, multiple IVF rounds beginning at age 38 in 2019, and the trauma of continuing treatment as the city shut down during the pandemic, including a failed transfer and chemical pregnancy. Lisa is the Co-Founder of The Otherhood Collective, a storytelling platform and community
108. The Fear No One Talks About | Aging Without Children
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss opens an honest conversation about the unspoken worry many childfree women carry: what aging will look like without children and whether life will still feel full, enough, or lonely. Reflecting on her parents’ aging and a medical scare that led her and her husband, Victor, to care for them for months in California, she describes realizing that, as a Filipino raised in a
107. When Comparison Trap Feels Different | Life Without Children
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on the “comparison trap” in the context of living without children, sharing how it shows up in layered, sometimes contradictory ways. She describes beach days with her partner Victor where being surrounded by young families brings an unexpected sense of relief at not managing the exhaustion of toddlers, especially at 51 after trying IVF and adoption in her 40s.
106. The Sisterhood We're Yearning For | Finding Your People
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares a surprise insight from a recent therapy session: beneath current relationship tension, she’s grieving the loss of sisterhood and a deep craving for kinship with women who truly know her. She reflects on longing for belonging since college and explains how infertility and loss can quietly isolate women as social circles shift around kids, causing friendships to dr
105. Purpose Wasn't Lost | It Was Always There
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on how years of trying to become a mother consumed her identity and buried the question “What do I want?” After repeated heartbreak, she realized her personal growth wasn’t just preparation for motherhood—it was building her, and it led her back to what had always been true: she loves serving and helping people, which inspired her podcast and By Chance Avenue. S
104. When Family Gets Hard | And There's Just Two of You
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares a personal reflection on how complicated family dynamics—drama, miscommunication, hurt, and dismissal—can feel especially heavy when you don’t have the family you dreamed of, adding a second layer of grief. She notes that while she and Victor are doing well, a family of two can feel painfully quiet when outside relationships get messy, and she acknowledges listene
103. What Nobody Tells You About Menopause After Infertility
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares her experience entering perimenopause/menopause after years of infertility treatments and how it surfaced as fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and feeling “off,” initially mistaken for depression. After trusting her instincts and seeing a hormone specialist, she learned her labs suggested menopause, which triggered a new, unexpected layer of grief by making the en
102. The Trip That Reminded Us What This Life Is For w/ Victor
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss and her husband Victor recount their Baja, Mexico trip to a bay where gray whale mothers and calves approach boats to be petted, a rare experience they booked two years in advance after discovering it through The Bucket List Family. They describe the long, all-day overland journey from San Diego, the remote cabin accommodations, early-morning boat outings among hundreds
101. What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on what she wishes she could tell her past self at the start of her grief-filled journey: that her body did not fail her, and that both she and her body were doing the best they could. She shares how the absence of a guide or community deepened her suffering, and encourages listeners to find support so they don’t have to navigate loss alone. Elizabeth explores h
100. What Life Beyond Infertility Actually Looks Like
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss marks the 100th episode of By Chance Avenue by thanking listeners and inviting them to share what they want more of in the next chapter of the show. Building on episode 97’s foundation of processing emotions, she explains that moving forward after infertility isn’t a dramatic transformation, but a gradual shift—like realizing on an ordinary day that the “cloud” of grief
99. Permission to Be Happy | Finding Joy After Infertility
Host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss explores what it means to give yourself permission to feel real, unapologetic joy without guilt, especially after loss. She shares her personal journey through miscarriage, years of failed fertility treatments, and the grief and anger that surfaced during the adoption process, including the emotional weight of having to “prove” worthiness in an adoptive family profile. A
98. Who Are You Beyond Motherhood? | Rediscovering Your Identity
In this hearftelt episode host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss explores the identity crisis that can come with living without children not by choice, asking: who are you if not the woman who was supposed to become a mother? She shares her own journey through unsuccessful fertility treatments, opening to adoption, and grieving both the child she wouldn’t have and the experience of pregnancy she longed for. F
97. This Episode Is For Those Who Are Ready to Move Forward
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss returns to the basics of what it really means to “process your emotions,” especially in the context of infertility grief and being childless not by choice. She shares her personal history of growing up in the Philippines suppressing emotions, being teased for sensitivity, and later experiencing a breakdown in her early twenties that led to a di
96. Reimagining Life Without Children
In the second episode of this heartfelt series, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss explores the journey of moving forward without children. Elizabeth discusses the emotional process of letting go of old dreams, creating space for new ones, and finding hope and excitement amidst uncertainty. She shares personal anecdotes, including the symbols of her past dreams and how she reimagines her future with new g
95. Navigating the Unknown in Life Without Children
In the first part of this two-part series, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss addresses the challenges and fears of deciding to move forward without children. She shares her personal journey from the initial terror of the unknown to finding a way to live intentionally. Elizabeth offers insights on how to navigate uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with loved ones and taking lif
94. How to Forgive Yourself for Not Having Children
In this deeply personal episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares her journey of self-forgiveness, especially related to her struggles with infertility. Inspired by a passage from 'The Comfort Book' by Matt Hague, Elizabeth discusses the subconscious blame she placed on herself and the profound impact of letting go of these feelings. Through therapy, meditation, and various mindfulness practices,
93. How I Rebuilt My Life After Infertility with These 5 Essential Tools
In this heartfelt episode host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares five essential tools that supported her emotional and mental well-being after deciding to stop pursuing parenthood. She emphasizes the importance of creating a personal toolbox of practices and rituals, including meditation, journaling, travel, therapy, and community. Elizabeth shares her journey of coping with deep emotions and finding n
92. How This Childless Life Has Evolved for Us with Victor
In this deeply personal episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss is joined by her husband Victor to mark two years since they decided to stop trying to have children through adoption. They share their emotional journey, reflecting on the challenges, the grief, and the healing process. They discuss how their lives have changed, the support they found in each other, and the newfound freedom they've embra
91. Why Therapy Isn’t About What’s Wrong With You
In this episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss discusses her personal experiences with therapy and mental health, inspired by an interview with comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah. Elizabeth reflects on the stigma surrounding therapy, how it has evolved, and the misconceptions that still exist, particularly in certain cultures and families. She shares her own journey, starting therapy due to a de
90. Choosing My Word for the Year and Starting with Intention
As we enter a new year, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on the practice of setting intentions rather than rigid resolutions. She recounts her journey with the words 'evolving' and 'surrender' over the past year amidst personal challenges, such as her father's critical illness, and how these experiences have led her to her new word for the year: 'expand.' Elizabeth expounds on the importance of
89. Why this Childless Journey requires Courage every day
In this episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss delves into the theme of everyday courage for women living without children, not by choice. She reflects on the strength required to navigate a world centered on parenthood and the conscious effort it takes to rebuild life and identity. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and embodying this courage, especially during reflective periods l
88. Love & Partnership in the Season of Survival
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares her personal journey of navigating love and partnership during a challenging season of survival. She discusses the impact of unexpected life events on her health, family, and marriage, emphasizing the importance of being intentional in relationships. Elizabeth explores how love often grows during the most exhausting times and reflects on
87. Your Official Permission To Rant and Let Go
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares a candid and gentle rant, releasing emotional burdens that no longer serve her. She discusses the assumptions people make about her time, her relationship with her husband, and her decision not to have children. Elizabeth addresses the unfair expectations placed on her emotional availability and the guilt associated with self-care. Throu
86. What I Didn’t Want to Admit About Being Childless Around Family
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares her personal journey of living a life without children, not by choice, and the emotional complexities it brings. She discusses the joy of having her parents close and the bittersweet feelings that arise when her mother talks about the joy of grandchildren. Elizabeth delves into the grief tapping on her shoulder, the old ache of an unfulf
85. When the Calendar Brings Up Feelings
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss discusses the complex emotions that surface during various occasions throughout the year, especially for those navigating life without children. Elizabeth opens up about her personal journey through feelings of isolation, joy, grief, and longing, while emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and authentic celebration. She encourages liste
84. What Support Looks Like in Survival Mode
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares a personal reflection on the importance of simplicity and gentle self-care during challenging times. She discusses her current season of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, and emphasizes the necessity of support, both from others and oneself. Elizabeth offers practical examples of how small acts of kindness and self-compassion c
83. Why the Words and Labels We Choose Matter on This Childless Journey
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss discusses the influence of labels and language on our self-perception and identity. Inspired by a podcast episode with Mel Robbins, Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of choosing empowering words to describe personal experiences, particularly for women without children. She explores how subtle shifts in language can change our emotional and ph
82. The Things I Wish People Knew About This Childless Journey
In this episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss explores the nuanced experiences of women navigating life without children. By sharing personal reflections and common societal challenges, she covers topics such as feelings of invisibility in social settings, the assumption that children provide security in old age, and the deep grief that can accompany childlessness. Elizabeth also addresses the power
81. Faith in the Wilderness and Trusting God in the Childless Journey
In this episode, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss reflects on the different 'wilderness seasons' in life—times of uncertainty, quiet, or slow progress. Drawing from a meaningful conversation with a pastor, the discussion emphasizes that waiting periods are not wasted but are times of spiritual and personal growth. The host shares insights on how these seasons shape our character, faith, and resilience. Liste
80. The One Piece of Advice I’d Give to Anyone Navigating a Childless or Childfree Life
In this heartfelt episode of By Chance Avenue, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss advice about navigating life without children. Drawing from personal experience, the host emphasizes the profound impact of finding someone to walk alongside you, whether it be a therapist, life coach, mentor, or a trusted friend. The episode encourages listeners to seek support that resonates with them, explaining how crucial it
79. Caregiving as a Woman with no Children
In this heartfelt episode of By Chance Avenue, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss shares her emotional journey into a season of caregiving for her parents after her father's recent medical emergency. She reflects on her role in caregiving as a childless woman, the unexpected joys and challenges it brings, and the importance of showing up for loved ones. The episode emphasizes that a life without children is no
78. Faith and Childlessness Fireside Chat Highlights
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss shares her personal journey of faith, struggle, and perseverance. Joined by guests Lisa and Dana, the conversation delves into the importance of expressing frustration, finding strength in faith, and the significance of mental health awareness. They explore the idea that love and faith are interconnected, and emphasize the necessity of processi
77. 5 Lessons From Therapy That Still Help Me Through Childlessness
In this heartfelt episode, Elizabeth Tiglao Guss reflects on the changing seasons and how they relate to the different phases of life, particularly focusing on the struggles many women face with infertility and childlessness. She shares personal experiences, including recent hardships and cancellations, and revisits five therapeutic takeaways that have helped her navigate tough times. These insigh
76. Healing Trauma and Finding Calm on the Childless Journey with Brenda Winkle
In this insightful episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss sits down with trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and somatic coach Brenda Winkle to explore the importance of nervous system regulation in the healing journey. Brenda Winkle is an Intuitive leadership coach, and somatic guide helping visionary professionals, founders, and entrepreneurs reclaim their energy, trust their inner knowing, and
75. Family Update and Why It's So Hard to ask for Help on the Childless Journey
In this deeply personal episode, Elizabeth Tiglao Guss shares her family's recent ordeal during a trip to Mexico that turned into a challenging period, including her father's critical illness and hospitalization. Elizabeth opens up about the emotional and physical toll it took on her and how this experience has taught her the importance of asking for and receiving help. She explores the struggles
74. Fireside Chat on Navigating Life Pivots After Childlessness
In this insightful episode, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss discuss the challenges and emotional impact of life changes such as moving, career shifts, and the fear associated with them. Lana shares her experience of selling her dream house due to the pain of unfulfilled family plans and discovering the freedom that came with change. Gail talks about finding a balance between practicing medicine part-time an
73. Infertility and Purpose in the Preschool Classroom with Heather Griffin
In this emotionally resonant episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss engages in a heartfelt conversation with Heather Griffin, a longtime preschool teacher from Charleston, South Carolina. Heather opens up about her 17-year marriage and the emotional complexities of working with children while struggling with infertility. She shares her unique perspective on childlessness, describing the challenges of
72. Prioritizing Health in Midlife on the Childless Journey
In this episode of By Chance Avenue, host Elizabeth shares her personal journey of turning 50 and how it ignited a commitment to prioritize her wellness. She discusses embracing biohacking techniques like red light therapy, cold plunges, and infrared saunas to manage her health challenges during perimenopause. Elizabeth reflects on the unique opportunity of having time and freedom in a childless m
71. How to Reconnect with Your Body After Infertility and Loss with Landy Peek
In this enlightening and deeply resonant episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss welcomes Landy Peak, a somatic experiencing trauma therapist and women's health occupational therapist from Colorado. She helps high-functioning women stop shape-shifting, start listening to their bodies, and finally live from deep regulation and unapologetic truth. Her work isn’t about fixing—it’s about freeing the versi
70. Why Triggers Might Always Be Part of the Childless Journey
Understanding and Managing Emotional TriggersIn this heartfelt episode, Elizabeth Degas explores the nature of emotional triggers and their persistence despite significant inner work and healing. Elizabeth shares her personal experiences with subtle triggers, particularly those rooted in family conversations about children and life milestones she won't experience. She highlights the importance of
69. Redefining Vulnerability and Childlessness with Fabiana Formica
In this insightful and heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss sits down with writer Fabiana Formica to discuss her new book, 'Childless, A Woman and a Girl in a Man's World.' Fabiana shares her journey of grappling with the desire for motherhood, the societal pressures she faced, and how her own personal experiences have shaped her perspective on life and power as a childless woman. The con
68. 5 Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned on this Childless Journey
In this heartfelt episode of By Chance Avenue, host Elizabeth shares five unforeseen lessons she has learned through her years on a childless journey. She opens up about losing connections with friends who became parents, the complicated grief that it brings, and the importance of setting boundaries while still offering compassion. Elizabeth also discusses the unexpected triggers that come with th
67. Faith and Purpose Through Grief with Debbie Simmons
In this heartfelt episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss converses with Debbie Simmons, founder of the ministry Anchor Point, about her personal journey through infertility, the heartbreaking loss of her quadruplets, and finding purpose through faith. Debbie shares profound insights on moving from grief to thriving, the importance of asking 'how' instead of 'why', and the significance of building a m
66. How to Honor Your Past
Elizabeth shares a transformative reflection inspired by a Dalai Lama quote emphasizing the importance of living in the present. She delves into personal experiences of grief, unexpected life chapters, and the journey of becoming and unbecoming. Elizabeth invites listeners to honor their past, gently release what's holding them back, and find joy in the simplicity of today. This episode serves as
65. How Caroline Found Healing and Home in Hawaii After Letting Go of Motherhood
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, host Elizabeth Tiglao Guss sits down with lawyer and Hawaii resident Caroline Elliot to talk about letting go of the dream of motherhood, rebuilding life after grief, and choosing to live with intention. Caroline shares the emotional journey behind her decision to close the chapter on having children, leave her North Carolina home, and boldly move to Hon
64. You Are Enough...
Elizabeth opens up about her lifelong struggle with self-worth and the deep belief that she’s not enough, a belief rooted in childhood and compounded by years of infertility. Through reflection and a simple meditation that repeats the words “you are enough,” she shares how she’s beginning to rewrite that story with compassion and tenderness. This episode is an invitation to anyone carrying silent
63. How Tapping Is Helping Me Heal on My Childless Journey
In this episode, Elizabeth shares how tapping meditation (EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique) has helped her reconnect with herself and regulate her nervous system during difficult seasons of life, including infertility and burnout. She walks you through a gentle, guided tapping session specifically created for women who are childless not by choice, offering space to acknowledge grief, soften into
62. How to Do Summer Differently When You Don't Have Kids
In this episode, Elizabeth invites you into a gentler rhythm of summer, one that’s not defined by packed calendars, family vacations, or Instagram-worthy plans. Instead, she explores what it means to reclaim summer as a childless woman and lean into a slower, more intentional pace.From backyard mornings to feel-good K-dramas (need to know a good one? Send Elizabeth a DM and she'll give you recs!),
61. How My Husband Feels About Father’s Day Without Kids
In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with her husband, Victor, for a raw and vulnerable conversation on Father’s Day. This is a day that carries quiet complexity for those navigating life without children and inside this episode, what starts as a casual check-in turns into a heartfelt exchange about grief, identity, societal pressure, and the silent ways men often carry loss.Victor opens up about
60. When Life Feels Messy and Real Talk About Hard Times
In this heartfelt solo episode of By Chance, Elizabeth opens up about the tender reality of being in an emotional in-between space. She had a different topic planned—but instead, she chose to show up exactly as she is. No sugarcoating. No pretending. Just real talk about the loneliness, the inner questioning, and the quiet doubts that surface in the messy middle of life. If you’ve been feeling a l
59. Fears About Being Childless I’ve Never Said Out Loud
In today's episode, Elizabeth shares a powerful reflection that surfaced during a recent tapping meditation. As she continues to embrace the transitions of midlife and the complexities of a child-free path, she opens up about the subtle yet profound fears many may carry—ones that often go unspoken. From the fear of being alone to wondering about legacy, invisibility, and connection, Elizabeth give
58. Traveling to Croatia as a Childless Couple With My Husband Victor
Elizabeth's husband Victor joins her behind the mic in this episode to share highlights from their recent cruise through the beautiful Croatia! From the stunning Adriatic coastline to meaningful conversations with new friends, this episode is a heartfelt reflection and reminder of what it means to explore the world as a childless couple, the immense and healing joy of intentional travel, and the u
57. Embracing the In-Between- From Waiting to Moving Forward in Your Childless Journey
In this episode, Elizabeth shares how she is navigating life after the hard parts—the grief, the waiting, the heaviness. She opens up about the subtle, messy, and deeply personal process of moving forward, not through radical reinvention, but by embracing curiosity, rest, joy, and simplicity. Elizabeth offers a gentle, encouraging reminder that healing doesn't have to be linear, and the next chapt
56. Fireside Chat on Navigating Mother’s Day as Childless Women (Part 2 of 2)
In part two of this powerful virtual fireside chat, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss welcomes back a heartfelt conversation with an inspiring panel of women navigating the complexities of May—especially around Mother’s Day. With honesty and grace, they explore the many emotions that come with infertility, loss, and living a childless life. Together, they share rituals, creative practices, and wisdom about ho
55. Fireside Chat on Navigating Mother’s Day as Childless Women (Part 1 of 2)
In this special live fireside chat, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss hosts a raw, heartfelt conversation with three remarkable women—Kathleen Guthrie Woods, Carrie, and Sam—as they explore life without children and the unique grief, healing, and freedom that accompany this journey. Set intentionally around Mother's Day and Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode offers deep validation, honest storytellin
54. What It’s Really Like Living Childless After Infertility
In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss continues the conversation around National Infertility Awareness Week by sharing her own untold story. She speaks directly to those whose journeys didn’t end with a miracle baby, shedding light on the physical, emotional, and mental toll of infertility treatments and the often invisible aftermath. Elizabeth offers powerful remind
53. How Chronic Stress Can Impact Fertility and Womanhood With Jenny Tsa
In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, host Elizabeth Tiglao-Guss sits down with her longtime friend Jenny Tsa for a deeply personal dialogue on infertility, identity, and cultural expectations. Jenny opens up for the first time about her journey through career-driven stress, shifting family plans, and how she came to peace with a life without children. Together, they explore how honoring yo
52. Granting Yourself Permission Through Life As a Childless Woman
In this episode, Elizabeth shares a message from the heart—recorded on a day she didn’t feel like showing up, but did anyway. It’s a powerful reminder that you don’t have to be perfectly inspired or put together to be worthy of showing up for yourself.Whether you’re moving through grief, menopause, fatigue, or emotional healing, this episode gives you permission—to rest, to feel, to slow down, to
51. The Unexpected Healing Power of Fertility Awareness for Childless Women With Caitlin Estes
In this deeply moving episode, Elizabeth sits down with fertility care practitioner and founder of Woven Natural Fertility Care, Caitlin Estes With a master of divinity and years of experience supporting women, Caitlin shares her heartfelt approach to understanding and honoring a woman’s cycle—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.This conversation touches on infertility, grief, hormonal imbala
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