Regretful Parents: "Motherhood Has Been Hell For My Anxiety” | Reddit Stories

Select Regretful Parents episodes are being uploaded to the podcast feed — to watch the full series, visit Dinky Podcast on our YouTube!Welcome back to our Regretful Parents series, where hosts Erika and Kristen read and react to posts from parents who regret having kids. This episode dives into a Reddit confession titled “4 A.M. Thoughts” — a raw look at the exhaustion, resentment, and grief that some parents feel behind closed doors.Erika and Kristen unpack it all:🐶 The dog that remembers the “before times”☕ The cold coffee and endless morning chaos😩 The invisible labor of motherhood🧠 The mental load and emotional burnoutTimestamps:00:36 – The “4 A.M. Thoughts” Reddit post06:00 – The emotional toll of motherhood10:00 – When parenthood feels like a prison sentence15:00 – Quiet mornings, lost freedom, and what-ifs18:00 – Unpacking lore about Charles Dickens' wife story (yikes)22:00 – Final thoughts💬 Join the Discussion:Would you go back to bed at 4 a.m.? Or stay up to savor the time with your dog? 💡 About the Show:Regretful Parents is part of the Dinky Podcast, where Erika and Kristen explore child-free living, parental regret, and the culture around choosing (or not choosing) kids. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!🌐 Visit DinkyPod.com for more information + to learn about our trips#RegretfulParents #ChildFreeByChoice #ParenthoodRegret #DinkyPodcast #ChildFreeCommunity #Antinatalism #ParentBurnout #MomRegret #RealParenthood #DINKLife #ChildFreeLiving #ParenthoodUnfiltered #PodcastClips #RedditStoriesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.

6 Nov 24min

Today we’re joined by the hilarious Natasha Vaynblat, a New York–based comedian and writer embracing the childfree life. You’ve seen her work on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and her debut stand-up album We’re All Dads Here was named one of Paste’s Best Comedy Albums and featured in Vulture’s “5 Albums to Watch Right Now.” Natasha is also the creator and star of the award-winning digital Comedy Central series Your Worst Fears: Confirmed, which hilariously brings our most irrational anxieties to life. In this episode, Natasha opens up about her journey to embracing a childfree identity, how it’s shaped her comedy, and what it means to carve your own path. Catch Natasha Live: Natasha is currently performing her show “Childless Freak” at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC on November 8, 2025.Connect with Natasha on InstagramDon’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode — it helps people find the show!Merch is here!!! Get your merch NOW!New Dinky trip alert!! Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. 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.

4 Nov 55min

In the spirit of Halloween, Kristen and Erika decided to give you ALL the bonus Halloween content! Enjoy!!!If you don’t immediately recognize her name, you may know the famous nursery rhyme: Lizzie Borden took an axe, she gave her mother 40 whacks; when she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41. Besides her infamy in American crime history, she was also a woman who never had kids. In this episode, we’re going to review the case and the aftermath — and question: was she the killer? This is sure to be a fan-favorite among those who love our rambling. Want more bonus content? Sign up for the Patreon! Join now to support the show + gain access to weekly, ad-free episodes, chat with us & other childfree pals in the Dinky Discord, join our virtual book club, and more! Merch is here!!! Get your merch NOW!New Dinky trip alert!! Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. 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.

30 Okt 48min

In the spirit of Halloween, Kristen and Erika decided to give you ALL the bonus Halloween content! Enjoy!!!This past summer, Kristen visited Salem, MA — the city best known for one of the most devastating events of early American history: the Salem Witch Trials. Given some parallels and stereotypes between witches and childfree women (i.e., childless cat ladies), Kristen + Erika wanted to revisit this event in history and focus on some key details of the witches themselves.The Dinky Patreon is officially live! Join now to support the show + gain access to weekly, ad-free episodes, chat with us & other childfree pals in the Dinky Discord, join our virtual book club, and more! Wanna re-read the blog Kristen read about childfree witches? See it here. Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. 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.

30 Okt 54min

For nearly 175 years — from 1563 until its repeal in 1736 — this act stood as part of Scotland’s law. In that time, it is estimated that 3,000 to 5,000 people were accused of witchcraft. Of those, a staggering 84 percent were women. Torture, often in the form of sleep deprivation and relentless interrogation, was routine. Executions followed — frequently by strangulation or burning — and their bodies were often destroyed so they could not even be buried, denied the final dignity of rest.Our guests know this story better than anyone.Today, we’re joined by Claire Mitchell KC — a distinguished Scottish lawyer, specialising in criminal defence, constitutional and human rights law. She is co-founder of the Witches of Scotland campaign, which seeks posthumous pardons, a memorial, and an official apology for those persecuted under the Witchcraft Act.Zoe Venditozzi is a writer, teacher, and co-campaigner. Born and raised in Fife, she brings storytelling, archival curiosity, and moral urgency to this mission. Her literary debut Anywhere’s Better Than Here won the Guardian’s Not the Booker popular prize; now with Claire she’s co-author of How to Kill a Witch: A Guide for the Patriarchy.Their new book weaves together legal history, archival testimony, fictional vignettes, and sharp critique. It lifts the stories of those accused — women, and a few men — out of dusty court records and into the present. It asks: how did this system become possible, and how do we make amends? Merch is here!!! Get your merch NOW!SMALL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK: Thornback Acupuncture with Dr. Rachel Oristano.New Dinky trip alert!! Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. The Dinky Patreon is officially live! Join now to support the show + gain access to weekly, ad-free episodes, chat with us & other childfree pals in the Dinky Discord, join our virtual book club, and more! 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.

21 Okt 1h 9min

It’s October, which means it’s the start of Spooky Season. If you’ve been listening to Dinky for the past three years, you know we always do a Halloween episode – two of which have included our favorite, recurring guest star, Sapphire Sandalo. You might recognize her as a co-host on the Travel Channel TV shows ‘Ghost Town Terror’ or from her appearances on ‘Paranormal Caught on Camera.’ She also has her own award-winning podcast, Stories With Sapphire. Today, Sapphire rejoins the Dinky crew to chat about her new short film, as well as chat about witches. And this year we’re trying something new – we’re doing a whole month of spooky childfree tales across our Patreon bonus & regular episodes, including more stories spotlighting childfree witches and more spooky childfree/childless women. Learn more about Sapphire’s new short film, BREEDER, and support the film HERE.Soft re-launching MERCH! (Shh.) Get your merch HERE. New Dinky trip alert!! Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. The Dinky Patreon is officially live! Join now to support the show + gain access to weekly, ad-free episodes, chat with us & other childfree pals in the Dinky Discord, join our virtual book club, and more! 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.

7 Okt 1h 16min

In this episode, Erika and Kristen dive into the complexities of marriage, exploring whether it is truly hard or if it depends on circumstances. They share personal experiences, discuss societal expectations, and analyze YOUR feedback via Instagram Stories. Plus, we touch on the impact of children in marriage and the importance of communication and compatibility.Soft re-launching MERCH! (Shh.) Get your merch HERE. New Dinky trip alert!! Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. Only two more weeks to book your tickets and join us for our CHRISTMAS MARKETS trip. The Dinky Patreon is officially live! Join now to support the show + gain access to weekly, ad-free episodes, chat with us & other childfree pals in the Dinky Discord, join our virtual book club, and more! 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 for Regretful Parents content.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.

23 Sep 1h 15min

Today we are talking through one of our favorite topics: DEATH. Kristen and Erika talk about the importance of making a will, the ins and outs of what happens with your property after you die, and how to make a will today for free. (For legal purposes this is not legal advice. Consult a lawyer for verifiable information.)Timestamps:2:33 - Dink Yourself11:46 - Let’s talk about wills18:36 - Who gets your property if you don’t have a will?20:46 - What is probate & why is it bad?25:54 - When should you update your will?26:26 - Where do I get a will?36:31 - How to establish a free will40:48 - What’s in Kristen’s will? New Dinky trip alert!! Erika is taking a group of childfree travelers to VIETNAM — and it’s an artsy adventurer's dream itinerary! Buy your tickets while they last. The Dinky Patreon is officially live! Join now to support the show + gain access to weekly, ad-free episodes, chat with us & other childfree pals in the Dinky Discord, join our virtual book club, and more! 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.

9 Sep 1h