6. Rae Chatterton on sterilization, witchcraft, and meaningful rituals

Happy Halloween everyone! My guest today is Rachel (Rae) Chatterton, a naturalistic Pagan and anti-natalist hailing from a small town in northern Michigan where she and her husband are the only childfree couple that they know of. Rae delves into her decision to opt for permanent birth control, the sterilization process, and the challenges she faced in a misogynistic healthcare system that often resists such choices.

Together we dissect societal assumptions - from being childfree in a rural community to the intriguing parallels between witches and childfree women. We dive deeper into the misconceptions surrounding those who choose to be childfree and those who identify as witches, and how these stereotypes continue to pervade societal thinking and media portrayals. The conversation extends to Rae's belief in naturalistic Paganism, examining how it intertwines with her identity and how she navigates intrusive questions about her personal and religious choices.

Lastly, we pull back the curtain on the concept of anti-natalism, discussing its implications for humanity, from extreme to moderate perspectives.

Warning: please skip the timestamp 5:30 - 5:47 if you're triggered by delivery complications.

Follow Rae on Instagram at @childfree.raeofsunshine

This article provides a helpful overview of the controversial Essure sterilization procedure, which was discontinued in 2018 due to "a decline in use as women chose other options".

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