Ruth is a decider. At a young age, she decided that she wanted to be a parent. She also decided that she didn't want to be pregnant.

--

Follow Choosing on instagram: @choosingpod

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent, or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com or via @choosingpod on Instagram.

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Voice acting in this episode provided by Carolynn Oaks, Sullivan Ojala Helmbolt, and Jennifer McCord. Story editing by Jennifer McCord. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, with additional audio from freesound.org.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

There is nothing "pro-family" or "pro-child" or "pro-life" about about a country that doesn't provide affordable health care to its citizens.

Also, yes, I searched for all of these drugs on TrumpRX. They are either not offered, or the savings are minimal.

--

Follow Choosing on instagram: @choosingpod

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent? Or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com or via @choosingpod on Instagram.

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, with additional audio from freesound.org.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

What does parenting look like under the ICE occupation of Minneapolis? In this episode, 6 parents from around the Twin Cities share stories of how ICE is impacting their families and communities.

How to support families in the Twin Cities:

• Rent relief fund: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/767415/landing
• Support families impacted by ICE in the Whittier neighborhood (neighborhood where Alex Pretti was murdered): https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-support-for-wolfpack-families
• Support families impacted by ICE in Columbia Heights (city where Liam Conejo Ramos lives): https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-local-ch-families
• Supporting Inspire Change Clinic Rapid Response campaign, providing medical care and resources to families impacted by ICE: https://aexqbunr.donorsupport.co/page/donate
• More ways to get involved: @minnesota_chamberofmothers

--

Follow Choosing on instagram: @choosingpod

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent, or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com or via @choosingpod on Instagram.

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, with additional audio from freesound.org.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

What does it mean to consensually choose parenthood? A conversation with birth expert, doula, coach, and storyteller Sarah Auna. Plus, Julie schedules an egg freezing consultation and accidentally gets her IUD removed! Happy holidays and happy new year!

For more information about Sarah and her practice: https://www.sarahauna.com/

Groopman Spectrum: https://bit.ly/GroopmanSpectrum

Follow Choosing on instagram: @choosingpod

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent, or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com or via @choosingpod on Instagram.

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, with additional audio from freesound.org.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

In 2021, Suzanne found out she would never have a biological child. Also in 2021, Suzanne's son was born.

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent, or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com.

--

Buy Suzanne's book, Shadow Migration: Mapping a Life: https://suzanneohlmann.com/

Listen to Out Cold (my spooky audio drama series!) wherever you get your podcasts. Join us for the Out Cold season 3 premiere party at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis: https://thehookmpls.com/event/out-cold-season-3-premiere-podcast/

Apply to the Everwood Farmstead Artist Retreat: https://www.everwoodfarmsteadfoundation.org/the-artist-retreat

---

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, with additional audio from freesound.org and Audio Jungle. Special thanks to Chris Everett, Bill Underwood, and Em Haas of the Everwood Farmstead Retreat.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

Our choices around parenthood are often a reflection of how we were parented. To help make up her mind about having children, Julie speaks with her own mom.

Note: this episode features a depiction of a surgical abortion at 15:02 - 17:20.

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent, or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com.

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Special thanks to Rob McGinley Myers and Nancy Rosenbaum for editorial support on this episode. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, with additional audio from freesound.org. The sound of the wind was recorded at Everwood Farmstead in Glenwood City, WI.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

Sometimes we realize we want to be parents at the strangest of times.

Choosing is podcast about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Are you grappling with the decision to become a parent, or have you become a parent via a non-traditional way? I'd love to hear your story. Get in touch: juliecensullo@gmail.com.

Choosing is written, produced, and sound designed by Julie Censullo. Jennifer McCord and Kelsey Dilts McGregor provided editorial guidance. Additional voice acting by Kelsey Dilts McGregor. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions. Additional audio from freesound.org.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)

A show about the choices we make and the routes we take to become parents. Choosing premieres September 17, 2025. Hosted and produced by Julie Censullo.

Julie is in her mid-30s and she's single. But she's pretty sure she wants to have kids. As she considers freezing her eggs for her 34th birthday, she asks friends, family, doctors, birthing experts, parents, step-parents, single parents, adoptive parents, and parents-to-be about the choices we make around having children. If you are considering parenthood, especially via non-traditional methods, this is a show for you.

Have a story to share? You can also send me a voice message :)