Episode 34 - Redefining Womanhood: Childless, Not Less with Lana Manikowski
By Jessica Garrison
Lana Manikowski is a guest we have had on the podcast previously in season 6, and she has since been a good friend to our network. We’ve featured her on our Substack live with guest authors where we discussed her book, So Now What? Create a Life You Love Without the Children You Always Dreamed Of. Lana is a passionate connector and collaborator as she changes the world for women everywhere. Last time, she spoke to us about her infertility journey and now she is here to discuss how she has progressed further by accepting her layers.
There is an event I want to spotlight that Lana puts together in Chicago called the “Other’s Day Brunch.” Other’s Day is for women who feel like the odd one out on Mother’s Day. Whether it be because of fertility issues, the loss of a child, or because someone simply chooses to remain childless, Mother’s Day can be a difficult day for women. Lana expressed that the event reaches people she would never expect, such as a woman whose daughter decided to not have her in her life anymore. This woman now has a place for Mother’s Day to connect with other people and share stories that have nothing to do with their titles of mother or grandmother or daughter. They can come and just be themselves authentically, without expectations or uncomfortable conversations.
I love that Lana hosts this and even though it only began a few years ago, Other’s Day Brunch has already become a nationwide event, with women traveling from all over the country to attend. I remember when we had Lana on our Substack live and she was telling us how much interest there was in this event. It just goes to show how many women are in need of this, and that doesn’t even include all of the women who haven’t heard of this event or women who don’t have the means to attend. Even if you think your experience is something no one else could possibly understand, there are people out there you can connect with. It makes so much sense that Lana describes herself as a connector, because she is constantly putting women in contact with the resources they need. Not having the resources she needed after deciding to end a seven year fertility treatment journey was a huge motivator for Lana. It’s not an easy decision to make, and you’ve just put your body through an awful lot, let alone the emotional turmoil that you also experience. Lana says she wasn’t even referred to a therapist during this difficult time, but now she has great resources to share with women. Not only that, but she has become the resource for women. She is living her life unapologetically as well as encouraging other women to live unapologetically.
There are so many gems in this episode from Lana, and if you want to hear more, check out our other platforms featuring her conversations. It’s not easy to share these vulnerable moments with an audience, and I commend Lana on her poise and grace as she educates people on a childless/child-free lifestyle.
Ways to Engage: At the end of each day, write down a win for yourself. Whether it was completing a difficult project, walking to the coffee shop instead of driving, or even just making it through a trying day in one piece. Recognize and celebrate the progress you are making every single day—and do the same for others as well.