Dinky

Afleveringen

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  Brianna Madia On Loving Something You Know Will Die 11.08.2026 1u 26min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. JOIN US FOR Christmas Markets 2026!!! OR Colombia 2027!!!! Our guest today, Brianna Madia, is a 3x bestseller having lived in and traveled the deserts of the American West in an old Ford van. She made a name for herself on social media discussing topics like identity, nature, and subverting expectations. She lives in Utah, Oregon and wherever the road takes her, so long as her four dogs are along for the ride. She is the author of Nowhere for Very Long and Never Leave the Dogs Behind, and her new book Homesick Nomad is out now. PLUS: Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod.Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Inside Our Childfree Group Trips: France + Vietnam Recap 28.07.2026 1u 25min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment.  Today we are recapping two recent Dinky trips: Vietnam in April and France in June. If you’re new to our trips, we partner with the company TrovaTrip who organizes the itinerary and manages all the logistics for us so we just get to show up and enjoy our vacation. If you’re interested in taking more trips with Dinky, Kristen and I are hosting folks for our second Christmas Markets trip in December, and next year I’ll taking folks to Colombia + France for part two (stay tuned for those trips to launch!) Also, we get into a weird deep dive of our personal psychs, and share a ton of travel recs. Erika’s Ha Long Bay Cruise: https://lyracruises.com/lyra-grandeur/Erika’s favorite Crocs: https://go.shopmy.us/p-57929246 Kristen’s neck AC: https://www.amazon.ie/gp/aw/d/B0CW97DZZD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1Portable fan: https://www.amazon.ie/gp/aw/d/B0GCWCV21P?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Kristen's new cute, comfy shoes:https://go.shopmy.us/p-77070821 Upcoming trips:Colombia goes on sale July 30. France 2027 details coming soon. PLUS: Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  The Childfree Author Writing The Rom-Coms No One Else Will: Meet Jaclyn Westlake 14.07.2026 1u 28min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. We’re talking with author Jaclyn Westlake! Jaclyn is a former recruiter and career advice columnist who now writes novels about funny, flawed women doing their best to find their authentic way in the world. She is the author of Dear Dotty — a finalist for the Women's Fiction Writers Association Star Award — and Lucky Break, whose main character navigates grief, therapy, and the unexpected freedom of a life that didn't go according to plan. Jaclyn lives in California with her husband Brian and their chihuahua mix, Mr. Pickles. TRIPS:Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents, Part 4 (Facebook Edition) 01.07.2026 1u 12min

  Today we are doing another dedicated Regretful Parents episode. This is our fourth full episode we’ve done on regretful parents and, if you didn’t notice by now, we also have a recurring series we try to do weekly available wherever you find podcasts and a whole lot more on our YouTube channel. In today’s episode, I have compiled a ton of recent posts on Facebook’s I Regret Having Children, which as of recording has 105k members. Trigger warning that there is some talk of parricide (or the murder of one’s own family member) in today’s episode. Either way, you are in for a ride.TRIPS: Christmas Markets 2026!!!GET MORE FROM DINKY: Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod.Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  How To Decide If You Want Kids (With Clarity Coach Keltie Maguire) 16.06.2026 1u 33min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. Today, we’re talking to the mind behind the Instagram account Kids or Childfree. Keltie Maguire is a Clarity Coach, and offers coaching, workshops, and a podcast dedicated to helping women navigate one of life's biggest and most underserved decisions: whether or not to become a parent. Now based in Germany, Keltie came to this work through her own uncertainty. In our conversation we’ll talk about what helped her feel good in her own choice, what to expect from her workshops, plus: we’ll ask her what the deal is with men. TRIPS: Christmas Markets 2026!!!GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod.Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Gamer Cozy K On Why You Need More Hobbies 02.06.2026 1u 26min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. Our guest today is Kennedy, who goes by Cozy K or just @cozy.games on social media, has more than 1.5 million followers across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Cozy K is your gaming and lifestyle bestie dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming space for all who appreciate games, hobbies and an overall cozy aesthetic –  a true pioneer of the “cozy gamer” identity. From heartfelt game recommendations and game release play-throughs to cozy room tours and DIY projects, Kennedy’s content is a love letter to slowing down and finding joy in simple pleasures. TRIPS: Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY: Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Childfree Adventure YouTuber Eva Zu Beck Bought Horses To Quit Scrolling Instagram 19.05.2026 1u 24min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. Today we are joined by Eva Zu Beck: an adventure YouTuber, host and director of the show Superskilled on NatGeo, and a self-proclaimed feral woman. We ask her about her experiences leaving corporate life to travel the world, her experiences with her dog Vilk, and what it’s like to be a woman in this industry. TRIPS:Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY: Treat yourself to new merch! Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod.Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Can You Change Your Mind About Having Kids? Helena de Groot On Waffling, Divorce, And Moving On 05.05.2026 1u 40min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. Today, we’re talking with Helena de Groot — creator, sound designer, storyteller, and the audio producer behind several beloved podcasts. Originally from Belgium, she's the producer of the Poetry Foundation's flagship interview show Poetry Off the Shelf, and the co-creator of the cult-classic Paris Review Podcast. Her newest project, Creation Myth, is an eight-part audio memoir for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) — a deeply personal account of her experience wrestling with the decision to have children, or not. The series follows Helena from her certainty in her early years, through a marriage, an abortion, and a divorce, and beyond. TRIPS: Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY: Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  [FREE BONUS] Forced C-Sections, Fetal Personhood Laws, & The Women Fighting Back 28.04.2026 1u 13min

  UPDATE: Hi folks, we're releasing this Patreon exclusive to all our listeners because the main story in this episode is now going to court + we want to share the story more widely. If you want to support her trial: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-fight-for-justice-after-a-courtordered-csectionErika and Kristen dig into a deeply disturbing ProPublica investigation of two Black women in Florida who were subjected to emergency court hearings during active labor when they refused unwanted C-sections. The hosts break down the cases in detail, including the murky statistics on uterine rupture risk, the medical racism baked into how Black women are treated during childbirth, and how Florida's fetal personhood laws have created a legal landscape where state prisoners have more rights over their medical decisions than pregnant women.They also revisit the ongoing story of Adriana Smith, the Georgia woman declared brain dead at 9 weeks pregnant whose family has been navigating the aftermath of forced life support ever since.Key topics coveredThe ProPublica investigation into Cherise Doyley and Brianna BennettWhat fetal personhood laws are and why they matter right nowThe 1999 Laura Pemberton case — an early Florida forced C-section precedentMedical racism and the maternal mortality disparity for Black womenThe difference between doulas and midwivesWhy mentally competent patients can refuse most medical treatmentAdriana Smith's story and her family's GoFundMeWomen being excluded from health studies until the 1990sTRIPS:Lavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With Erika (Tickets close on May 2!) Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch! Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Rachel Cargle On Being Childfree & Curating A Life You Don't Need A Vacation From 20.04.2026 1u 16min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Today, we’re being BLESSED by the one and only Rachel Cargle. When we started this podcast, Rachel was one of our number one dream guests. Rachel is a founder, an organizer, an author, an activist. Her work focuses mostly on intersectionality and womanhood. She is the creator of the iconic community for childfree women Rich Auntie Supreme. She’s the author of A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir & Manifesto on Reimagining which is a very lovely book that I’d recommend to anyone who is working through a new phase of their life. TRIPS:Lavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With Erika (time is running out!!!) Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents: "I Let Him Have Full Custody" | Reddit Stories 09.04.2026 14min

  Subscribe so you never miss an episodeIn this episode of our Regretful Parents series, Kristen and Erika react to a viral Reddit post from a mom who was *thrilled* when her ex-husband filed for full custody of their 3-year-old son — and immediately booked a flight.We get into the messy reality of co-parenting, why dads get a pass for bad parenting while moms never do, the way society fails boys by refusing to discipline them, and why this woman packing her bags (and her cat) might actually be… the right call?💬 Topics we cover:• Regretful parents Reddit reactions• Co-parenting gone wrong — and when to just let go• The "let them" philosophy and when it actually applies• Why boys are socialized differently — and why that's a problem• Childfree life wins: peace, quiet, and traveling solo• The green card plot twist no one saw coming• Australia: the ultimate escape plan?Take a trip with us! South of France in June: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/france/france-with-erika-abdelatif-jun-2026 Christmas Markets trip in December: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/germany-and-austria/germany-with-erika-abdelatif-dec-09-2026?earlybird=true Support the pod and get even more content: patreon.com/dinkypod #RegretfulParents #ChildfreeLife #DinkyPodcast #Childfree #ParentingFails #CoParenting #RedditReactions #ChildfreeByChoice #MomLife #PodcastForWomenBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Louis Theroux's "Into The Manosphere" Explained: The Creepy Dudes Radicalizing Young Boys 07.04.2026 2u 4min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Erika and Kristen are joined by returning guest Neill Wolf to break down Louis Theroux's Netflix documentary Into the Manosphere — and the terrifying, infuriating, hilarious world it reveals. From 13-year-olds swarming influencers in the streets of New York to a pregnant girlfriend who may not know she's not legally married, this one is one for the books. We chat about: HSTikkyTokky (Harrison) — a 23-year-old who introduces women as his "dishwasher," streams seven hours a day, and has a very weird dynamic with his mom. The hand symbols, his shaved head era, and his complete moral vacuum are all thoroughly dissected.Justin — the 40-year-old "polished" manosphere figure with a pregnant common-law wife, a steel magnate past, and a philosophy he calls "one-sided monogamy." The most unsettling figure precisely because he seems reasonable — until he says women don't know what they want and men should tell them.Myron Gaines (Fresh & Fit) — whose entire apartment is a podcast studio, whose girlfriend Angie cleans his room before Netflix arrives, and who couldn't answer Louie's question: "What if you just... only wanted to be with her?"The Fresh & Fit Delusion Calculator, the Matrix conspiracy spiral, the Bonnie Blue cameo, the Baron Trump name-drop, and the penis extension expert… we discuss it all!!!!! The group also wrestles with bigger questions: What does the male loneliness epidemic actually look like? Why are these ideologies skewing younger and younger into Gen Alpha? Is it all just a big grift, a belief system, or both? And what on earth do you do about it?Plus: Neill brought a list of things women invented. TRIPS:Lavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With Erika (time is running out!!!) Christmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch! Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents: "I Don't Enjoy Eating Anymore" | Reddit Stories 05.04.2026 22min

  In this episode of the Regretful Parents series, Erika and Kristen react to a viral Reddit post from the Regretful Parents subreddit written by a mom who loved cooking — until she had a child. From cold meals and high-pitched screaming at the dinner table to losing her passion for the kitchen entirely, this mom's story hits different for anyone who lives for food.We break down the emotional toll of meal time battles with picky toddlers, why the mental load of feeding a child falls disproportionately on moms, and what it really means when parents say motherhood is their "favorite job." Plus, the dinosaur documentary comes up again (naturally), Desperate Housewives makes a surprise appearance, and the girls share their completely unqualified parenting advice — chicken nuggets, blended vegetables, and Flintstones vitamins included.In this episode:A mom who loved cooking loses all joy in the kitchen after having a toddlerThe reality of meal time with picky eaters and what actually worksWhy so many parents lie when asked if they love being a momThe mental load imbalance at the dinner table (and everywhere else)Erika's ongoing dinosaur documentary arc and what it says about modern lifeTake a trip with us! South of France in June: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/france/france-with-erika-abdelatif-jun-2026 Christmas Markets trip in December: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/germany-and-austria/germany-with-erika-abdelatif-dec-09-2026?earlybird=true Support the pod and get even more content: patreon.com/dinkypod Keywords: regretful parents reddit, parenting regret stories, picky eater toddler, mom burnout, stay at home mom mental load, parenting honest conversations, childfree podcast, reddit reactions, parenting stress, cooking for kids, toddler meal time struggles, child free by choice Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents: "I'm German. She's Japanese." | Reddit Stories 26.03.2026 15min

  This week on the Regretful Parents series, Erika and Kristen react to a Reddit post from a 34-year-old German father who says he never wanted kids, claims his Japanese wife lied about being on birth control, and now regrets both his marriage and his baby — while living in a completely different country from them.The post is equal parts heartbreaking and baffling.In this episode:A German man describes his marriage to a Japanese woman and the culture clash that followedWhy "you have to read the air" is the most iconic line of the episodeThe baby was born in Japan — while he was in GermanyWhat you need to know about international custody laws when one parent is JapaneseWhy living together before marriage matters (especially across cultures)Our hottest take: get a vasectomy, babeWhether you're here for the relationship drama, the cultural commentary, or just two women yelling "you're not even in the same country!" — this one's for you.Take a trip with us! South of France in June: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/france/france-with-erika-abdelatif-jun-2026 Christmas Markets trip in December: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/germany-and-austria/germany-with-erika-abdelatif-dec-09-2026?earlybird=true Support the pod and get even more content: patreon.com/dinkypod Tags / Keywords:regretful parents, baby regret reddit, parenting regret, reddit relationship advice, german japanese couple, international custody laws, baby trapped reddit, marriage regret, childfree reddit, reddit react podcast, parenting podcast, divorce advice, cross-cultural marriage, Japan custody laws, reddit stories reactedChapters:0:00 Intro0:27 Reading the post — "I just need a channel to let out despair"1:21 The birth control lie2:09 "I regret many things" (very German)2:52 "You have to read the air" — Germany vs. Japan culture clash5:29 Wait… she gave birth in JAPAN?6:45 International marriage: are they even legally married?10:15 Reddit comments react11:36 Japan's strict custody laws explained13:21 Our verdict: snip snip, bitch14:19 Outro + how to find usBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  The Most Hated Dad On The Internet: Inside The DaddyOFive Scandal 24.03.2026 1u 9min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! This week, Erika takes Kristen down a rabbit hole she wishes she could un-visit — the disturbing story of Mike and Heather Martin, the couple behind the infamous DaddyOFive YouTube channel. What started as a "family prank" account quickly became one of the most notorious examples of child exploitation on the internet.We cover:How the DaddyO5 channel grew to 750,000 subscribers and an estimated $200K–$350K annually — and what was really happening behind the cameraThe "invisible ink" prank video that broke the internet The role of biological mom Rose Hall and the custody battle that followedWhat actually happened in court (spoiler: not enough)Where the family is now SOURCES: BBC, NYMag, Wikipedia, People TRIPS:TIME IS RUNNING OUT: Lavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With ErikaChristmas Markets 2026!!! GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch! Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents: "I Don't Wish This On Any Woman" | Reddit Stories 20.03.2026 27min

  Erika is joined by friend of the pod and special guest Ashton to react to a Reddit post from a woman who is absolutely DONE being pregnant — stretch marks in places she didn't know could stretch, a partner telling her "your body will be better than ever," and a mom who just keeps saying "focus on the baby." YIKES. We get into why pregnancy horror stories are kept so quiet, the evolutionary reason human childbirth is uniquely dangerous, why women's pain gets minimized the second there's a baby involved, and the man on Instagram who came home for 1-2 hours a day and considered himself a parenting expert.Also: Ashton makes a great case for Dinky trips. Speaking of which, seats are still available for these two Dinky trips:South of France in June: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/france/france-with-erika-abdelatif-jun-2026 Christmas Markets trip in December: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/germany-and-austria/germany-with-erika-abdelatif-dec-09-2026?earlybird=true Support the pod and get even more content: patreon.com/dinkypod In this episode:Reacting to "I WANT THIS PERSON OUT" — a viral r/regretfulparents postWhat actually happens to your body during pregnancy that no one tells youThe evolutionary reason human childbirth is so much harder than other mammalsWhy lying on your back during labor might not actually be best for women800 women die in childbirth every day — and some men still minimize itMorning sickness so bad her doctor waited SIX MONTHS to mention there was medicationVagina pain, butthole cramps, and getting screamed at from a car while 8 months pregnantThe man who spent 1-2 hours/day with his baby and got on the internet to explain uteruses to womenWhy Ashton thinks Dinky trips might be one of the best decisions of her lifeChapters: 0:00 – Welcome & introducing guest Ashton 0:42 – Ashton's honest Dinky trip review (unprompted, unsponsored) 3:34 – The post: "I WANT THIS PERSON OUT" 4:33 – Can you actually be pregnant for 365 days? 6:19 – Stretch marks in places she never expected 7:08 – The mental whiplash of your body changing that fast 9:01 – "You might not even get a healthy baby. You just get a baby." 10:15 – Her partner & mom completely dismiss her feelings 12:34 – Why society keeps pregnancy realities hidden 14:31 – Ashton on being childfree since childhood 18:41 – Why human childbirth is uniquely dangerous (evolution explainer) 20:23 – Were women never supposed to give birth on their backs? 21:54 – Comment section: 800 deaths a day & the Instagram man 24:39 – Vomiting for 6 months before anyone offered medication 25:14 – Not every woman is built for this — and that should be okay 26:42 – Final thoughts & trip linksBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  ‘Love Is Blind’s Emma Betsinger Sets The Record Straight 17.03.2026 1u 15min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Dinky listeners have been flooding our inboxes lately pressuring us to watch Season 10 of Love Is Blind — because it featured not one, but TWO storylines about women choosing non-traditional paths when it comes to kids. One of those women was Emma Betsinger, who is our guest today!  Emma is a 28-year old who was adopted from China at age three, and raised in a white family in Ohio. Emma endured 10 surgeries before the age of 7 to remove high-risk birthmarks and expressed concerns about having biological kids as a result. She got engaged to Mike Gibney on the show, but their relationship ended at the altar. Today, we’ll be talking to Emma about her experience sharing her story on the show and where she stands on kids now.TRIPS:Christmas Markets 2026!!! Lavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With ErikaGET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents: "Birth Destroyed My Vagina & No One Will Fix It" | Reddit Stories 15.03.2026 17min

  Erika and Kristen react to one of the most harrowing posts from the r/regretfulparents subreddit — a woman's decade-long battle with serious birth injury damage after a midwife failed to suture a second-degree tear, leaving her with permanent physical damage, no sensation during sex, and a medical system that keeps turning her away.This one is NOT for the faint of heart. (You've been warned. 💀)We get into it all: the midwife vs. hospital birth debate, how the medical system routinely dismisses women's pain, why this would be treated as an emergency if it happened to a man, and the absolutely devastating moment where this woman has to choose between fixing her body and buying her kid braces.☕ Support the pod: patreon.com/DinkyPod (Help Kristen pay her 450-euro electricity bill in her Georgian-era icebox apartment. She deserves it.)In this episode:Reacting to a viral r/regretfulparents post about long-term birth injuryThe midwife vs. hospital birth debate — what does the data actually say?Prolapse, perineal tears, and why the medical system calls it "cosmetic"Why women's pain and sexual dysfunction are chronically under-treated"Braces or my vagina" — the impossible choices mothers are forced to makeChildfree commentary on why childbirth risks are still under-discussedChapters:0:00 – Welcome & intro to the post 0:42 – The midwife who didn't suture the tear 1:34 – Midwife vs. hospital births: Erika's hot take 3:24 – The tear that went unrepaired for years 5:08 – "It was gaping open" 6:38 – The surgeon who refused to fix it 8:25 – A decade of rejections from the medical system 10:32 – Braces vs. surgery: the impossible choice 12:26 – Top comments + our final thoughts 15:12 – Wrap up & how to support DinkyDon't get pregnant. 💅Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Regretful Parents: Am I Overreacting To My Husband Interrupting My Solo Shower? | Reddit Stories 12.03.2026 15min

  This week, Erika and Kristen take a brief detour from the usual Regretful Parents subreddit and dive into a viral post from the “Am I Overreacting?” corner of Reddit. The situation? A mom who hasn’t had a solo shower in four days after caring for two sick kids alone while her husband enjoyed a bachelor party weekend. She finally gets a moment to herself… only to have it interrupted.When her husband returns home, things quickly spiral from mildly inconsiderate to fully infuriating. Instead of watching their one-year-old for five minutes while she showers, he places the baby in a playpen and leaves the house to run an errand. The result is a text exchange so ridiculous that Erika and Kristen perform a dramatic reenactment — and have plenty to say about communication, mental load, and weaponized cluelessness in parenting partnerships.Is the original poster overreacting… or is this guy just the worst?What We Talk AboutThe realities of parenting while your partner is awayWhy moms so often feel like they need to “ask permission” for basic self-careWhether the OP should have been more direct—or if the husband should have used common senseA dramatic reading of the couple’s painfully awkward text exchangeThe absolute audacity of leaving a baby alone during a showerThe difference between a partner and an extra child you have to manageThe fantasy revenge scenarios we’d personally consider in this situationReddit’s best comments roasting this guyMORE FROM USWebsite: https://www.dinkypod.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/dinkypod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
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  Author Nicole Louie On The Women Who Inspired Her Childfree Life 10.03.2026 1u 2min

  Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Today we are chatting with Nicole Louie, a writer and translator originally from Brazil and now based in Ireland. She is the author of Others Like Me: The Lives of Women Without Children. Others Like Me chronicles her own journey towards embracing a life without children while weaving in stories from women around the world she found in her search for community and guidance. Nicole’s essays have appeared in Oh Reader Magazine, The Walrus, The Guardian, and Literary Hub. More info about the giveaway can be found on our Instagram!Book SynopsisOthers Like Me: The Lives of Women Without Children by Nicole Louie (published by House of Anansi in North America)In a world that expects all women to become mothers, what happens to those who circumvent motherhood?Now and throughout history, women without children have been misunderstood and even vilified for not conforming to the prescriptive path of daughter, wife, mother, whether by choice, circumstance, or ambivalence. But with an increasing number of people choosing to forego children, Nicole Louie knew she was not alone. As she recounts her own journey toward embracing a life without children, Louie weaves in stories from the women around the world she found in her search for community and guidance, from their pasts to their presents to their hopes for the future.TRIPS:Christmas Markets 2026!!! Lavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With ErikaGET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch! Wanna get your finances in order?Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.