Advertise on podcast: Becoming Parents - Birth Stories and Birthwork Wisdom

- I’m currently parenting an almost 20-month-old daughter, with another daughter on the way, due in late December.  - Becoming a parent has been one of the biggest transitions of my life and has taught me a lot about flexibility, time management, patience, and letting go of the idea that everything has to fit perfectly into a schedule. - There’s definitely less free time, but there’s also a whole new kind of fun. Watching my daughter experience things for the first time has allowed me to re-experience parts of life through her eyes and appreciate things I might otherwise take for granted. - My wife and I are also learning how to balance parenting, our relationship, work, and everything else life throws at us. With another baby coming, we’re once again preparing for a major shift and figuring out what works as our family continues to evolve. - Parenthood has also given me a much stronger sense of responsibility. There are now people who depend on me in ways that make me think differently about how I spend my time, the example I set, and the kind of father and partner I want to be. I’m the founder of Premier Performance, where I combine my background in clinical therapy with performance coaching to help people optimize their lives both personally and professionally. I work with individuals, organizations, and groups through therapy, performance coaching, workshops, and keynote speaking to increase sustainability, manage burnout and to increase effectiveness. My work focuses heavily on mental performance, emotional regulation, resilience, and helping people perform at a high level without sacrificing their well-being. FIND HIM HERE: www.PremierPerformanceReno.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premier_performance_reno/ TikTok: @Premier_Performance_Reno Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentmahler/

Raised my nephew for much of my teens (my sister, 10 years older, lived at home).  I was a surrogate parent before I was even an adult myself. That early taste of "parenthood" left me terrified to have my own kids until I met my husband and knew it would be different. I came off birth control to start trying, and irregular periods confirmed what I'd long suspected: PCOS. I worked with my OB and a fertility team for both pregnancies in awe of how precisely they manage the endocrine system. That struggle inspired additional learning: became Obesity Medicine certified to understand the hormone-weight connection. Realized women hit the same wall at menopause so pursued Menopause Society certification too. Founded Achieve Health NV in Reno so patients get real time and a real ear because they are hard and impact people profoundly. Both my boys were very content where they were. My first arrived at 41 weeks after two failed induction attempts and a c-section, my second was a planned c-section because my cervix was more secure than Fort Knox. Now they're two wonderfully glam little guys who love nothing more than belting out a song. I am the co-Founder of Achieve Health NV which is a membership based clinic in Reno, NV offering primary care and weight management services. FIND HER HERE: www.achievehealthnv.com; www.facebook.com/achievehealthnv.; www.instagram.com/achievehealthnv

LOCAL EDITION EPISODE!  -Having babies in my early 20's, leaving my career to be a SAHM -Being a mom and wanting a career (overcoming mom guilt) -Autoimmune conditions and motherhood (diagnosed following the birth of my 1st daughter) -The importance of advocacy in the L&D room -Baby led weaning and my kids nutrition -Struggles with nursing and the pushing through -Two different kids, with different parental needs and navigating that -Raising kids that are contrary to societal norms (Nutrition, Sports, Sleep and Screens) I am the owner and health education practitioner at Connected Health. Also- a Nutrition Therapist in training. I work with clients to help manage their health, navigate/manage/understand their chronic illness, and educate parents on the importance of childhood nutrition. Focused on foundational health to improve quality of life. FIND HER HERE:www.connectedhealthnv.com https://www.instagram.com/connectedhealthnv/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584133765088

After 17 years of misdiagnosed infertility and repeated early miscarriages, I became a mom against the odds. That deep desire to have a family is what pulled me into this work. My first birth nearly killed me. My daughter was stuck, I told them the position I needed and was ignored, and three hours later it became an emergency. Forceps, a fourth-degree tear, a hemorrhage. I almost died on that table. Then I had to fight to breastfeed my own baby, after being told my infertility was the reason they couldn't help. It wasn't. I've since parented my children through real medical conditions, including sickle cell, and learned firsthand how often families are sent home without answers. Today I'm mom to two loud, joyful kids tearing up my house. My son just wants to play Uno. My daughter is a princess who spins on the floor constantly. Everything I survived became the reason I refuse to let anyone who walks through my door go through what I did. I'm the founder of Birthwise, a Charlotte-based maternal and women's health practice, and the creator of The Lifespan Birth Method™, an integrated approach that treats birth as a lifespan event, not a 48-hour clinical one. I support families through fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, train new practitioners, and work with insurers and policymakers on better maternal care. My two-year partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas saved an average of $2,000 per birth and is now expanding statewide across North Carolina. We make the physiological logical. FIND HER HERE: Website: https://www.birthwisedoulas.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthwisedoulas_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirthWiseDoulas LinkedIn (Toni): https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-curtis LinkedIn (company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/birthwisedoulas YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@birthwisedoulas X/Twitter: https://x.com/BirthWiseDoulas [email protected]

LOCAL EDITION EPISODE!  Leah and I have four children. I was in graduate school when we met, and then I worked on the road as a PSYCH NP in Prisons, when we had our first three kids. After every pregnancy, Leah had postpartum depression, but after our third child, it was severe and coupled with the onset of COVID. It was a long journey out of that time, and after the most recent child, Leah has used the PBM P4 protocol to stave off PPD.  I own Peak Body & Mind in Reno, Nevada Leah has a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, but has chosen to stay home since we had our first child 10 years ago. She even gave up her master's program to raise the kids.   FIND HIM HERE:  www.peakbodymind.com https://www.instagram.com/peakbodyandmind_ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588819450080

You don’t truly grasp a challenge until you face it yourself. As a physician, I understood the gaps in postpartum care—but as a new mom, I lived them courtesy of my four sons.  Collectively, I have endured postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, uterine infection, 3-4 degree tears, c-section, natural delivery, pre-eclampsia, VBACs, breastfeeding struggles--and the American healthcare system failed me.   I am physician, more specifically a pediatrician, neonatologist, and lactation specialist.  With all my privilege on paper, my own healthcare system failed me...so what about other mothers.  Seven years ago, I started on the journey to change our medical postpartum care system. I realized that better care doesn’t just help individual mothers; it can lower our nation’s alarming maternal mortality rate and prevent postpartum depression. In the U.S., two-thirds of maternal deaths happen after birth, yet moms wait weeks for a checkup while newborns get immediate care.  I launched and run NayaCare and Naya AI FIND HER HERE: www.naya-app.ai https://www.instagram.com/nayacare/ https://www.facebook.com/nayacarecolorado https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonal-patel-md-12982a141/ https://www.youtube.com/@nayacare6918 Tiktok: @sonalpatel4tridoc https://www.tiktok.com/@4thtrimd?_r=1&_t=ZT-95RAdboDIzd TEDX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ZjKebeaKY NonProfit: https://c4tc.co/ BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Her-Black-Bag-Old-Fashioned-ebook/dp/B09LLFSHTD/ref=sr_1_2?crid=BJWRPJSGRQ93&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._WwXfsJNuJn0BU7YIg1A1For_O33Ens_4zY5kt8zzK9-SQ9zmU2lK0QbO-dTJ4tDvnB_z4joB8LIE9DV38L7Xq_LXnlUU-tGUWGSqZFXQzo.UinbVGF6U2Akq4mjmMTT1w4oK9Cw3YDG2Vn711Ifprc&dib_tag=se&keywords=sonal+patel&qid=1785955544&s=books&sprefix=sonal+patel%2Cstripbooks%2C203&sr=1-2

We built what we are calling the Digital Village SDK which helps corporate web and app designers, parents and educators stay compliant with GRC laws, and create a safer on and offline experience for kids. FIND HER HERE:X and LinkedIn : LisaManns6 AuthentiKid everywhere else https:://www.authentikid.com OUR FIRST EPISODE 6/14/2024:https://youtu.be/aUufP8urOgk

Dr Clay and his wife experienced their own infertility journey, an experience that tested them deeply but ultimately brought them closer together. That outcome sparked a defining question: Why do some couples grow closer after infertility or pregnancy loss, while others grow apart? Pursuing this question, Dr. Clay studied more than 1,000 couples navigating infertility and reproductive loss. His findings identified four consistent factors—the Four Pillars of Connection—that predict resilience in relationships facing reproductive trauma. His research has informed clinical practice, been published in leading journals, and is now used by therapists and couples worldwide. To serve local clients, he founded Shiloh Counseling in Ballwin, Missouri, specializing in reproductive grief and relationship counseling. Dr. Clay Brigance, PhD, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, researcher, and nationally recognized specialist in couple therapy for infertility and reproductive grief. He is the founder and clinical director of Shiloh Counseling, a group practice specializing in relationship therapy for couples navigating infertility, miscarriage, and perinatal loss. He is also the host of the podcast “Love and Infertility”. For over a decade, Dr. Brigance has worked almost exclusively with couples facing reproductive trauma. His clinical and research work has included more than 1,000 individuals and couples experiencing infertility and miscarriage, informing his integrative approach to treatment. He has published in some of the top journals for couples work, including Marriage and Family Therapy, Couple and Relationship Therapy, and The Family Journal, among others. His model draws from interpersonal mindfulness and evidence-based couple therapy approaches, including the Gottman Method and emotion-focused principles, to help couples reduce conflict, process grief, and rebuild emotional connection. Dr. Brigance is also a researcher examining the role of interpersonal mindfulness, stress biomarkers, and relational resilience in couples navigating infertility. His work seeks to better understand how couples can maintain closeness under chronic stress and how therapeutic interventions can foster long-term relational growth following reproductive loss. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Brigance trains therapists nationally and speaks on the relational impact of infertility and reproductive grief. His work is deeply informed not only by research and clinical experience, but also by his own journey through infertility. As someone who has personally navigated the uncertainty, loss, and strain that reproductive grief can bring to a marriage, he brings a grounded empathy to his work that resonates with both clinicians and couples. Dr. Brigance lives in the St. Louis area with his family. His work is devoted to helping couples move from silent suffering toward connection, clarity, and resilient love in the face of disrupted dreams of parenthood. FIND HIM HERE: WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA:  Website: https://www.drclaybrigance.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_claybrigance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shiloh-Counseling-LLC/100090955350701/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-brigance-phd-lpc-99a4381a4/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.ClayBrigance/featured  Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/326IpwHCa0diGyJIz4QgZj?si=51d3e3c2e386477a&nd=1&dlsi=1651f7262f41401b

Former corporate executive turned fertility coach after my own path into motherhood awakened something deeper in meMother of three children, navigating parenting as a single mom after a high conflict divorce Experienced the emotional and identity shift of becoming a parent while building a business and redefining my life Parenting has been one of my greatest teachers in surrender, patience, and self awareness Balancing ambition, motherhood, and healing from relationship trauma Supporting my children through transitions, co parenting dynamics, and emotional resilience Deeply passionate about breaking the silence around fertility struggles and motherhood challenges Have now helped welcome 700 plus babies through my work, supporting women before pregnancy and into motherhood Believe there is no perfect way to become or be a parent, only a more supported and empowered way I am the founder of The Fertility Solution, a global fertility coaching program. I am a fertility coach with over 15 years of experience and have helped welcome over 700 babies. I specialize in helping women optimize their fertility naturally, whether they are trying to conceive, preparing for IVF, or navigating unexplained infertility. My work focuses on a holistic, research backed approach that integrates physical health, nervous system regulation, emotional wellbeing, and personalized strategy so women can get pregnant and have healthy pregnancies. FIND HER HERE: Website: https://soniaribas.com Free masterclass: https://www.thefertilitysolution.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniaribascoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soniaribascoach

We went through 3 IUI's and 2 IVF's, over a 3 year journey trying to get pregnant, then finally - we had our baby girl.  During this time of trying to conceive we dealt with various health scares, I was let go from my job and had a family death... all within a few weeks. It was a low point in our relationship but we stuck together and pulled through.  I own a content agency and an apparel brand for Dads. We started it because being a dad is heavy. Human Dad wasn’t born in a group chat looking for laughs.It was born in the quiet moments — when responsibility hits harder than you expected, and there’s no manual, no applause, and no reset button... FIND HIM HERE:  humandad.com https://www.instagram.com/humandadbrand

Houlie Duque is the founder and CEO of HomeschoolToGo, a pioneering bilingual (English/Spanish), personalized K-12 education program serving families across the Americas. HomeschoolToGo is the leading organization for personalized education Across the Americas. After a 10 year career as an educator for prestigious institutions, Houlie realized the answer to developing a child for a promising future was not memorization and compliance, but rather unleashing the innate genius in each individual.  Houlie's mission, since starting HomeschoolToGo, has been to make high quality education accessible to parents that want to write a better story for their children. As we enter pivotal times of economic decentralization, and technological artificial intelligence advancements it is crucial that the next generation is being trained and developed to build a better world. Can you imagine a world where children grow to their full potential? With HomeschoolToGo, Houlie intends to revolutionize education by facilitating personalized curriculums and raising a generation of geniuses who had been stripped of their gifts for decades via the public school system. Houlie is the CEO and Founder of HomeschoolToGo the leading organization for Personalized Education across the Americas FIND HER HERE:https://www.homeschooltogo.org/ @houlieduque @homeschool.togo

Five months. That’s how long it took my entire life to fall apart. I became unexpectedly pregnant with twins—already a mom of two and married for twelve years. When I told my husband, he gave me an ultimatum: him… or the babies. I couldn’t have both. I chose the babies. I didn’t like him very much anyway. Within weeks, I was on hospitalized bedrest, managing two kids at home with a husband who had already checked out in every way. I was suddenly single in every way that mattered. A few fun facts: My oldest daughter was born after 36 hours of labor, minutes from a c-section. The midwife literally pulled her out. My water broke on the 9th hole -- I was playing golf! My son was born accidentally at home! Yup...I'm one of those women you read about! I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 11. Currently, (as a true entrepreneur) I'm building: * Sexual Health Disruptor: Boom Boom Butter -- the world's 1st sexual lube with health benefits (https://boomboombutter.com/) * Health Disruptor: Revolutionary at-home blood spot testing for balance, diabetes, heart disease and many more!  (www.magpuretesting.com) * Growth strategist and corporate trainer (on all things innovation, leadership, soft skills, strategy & entrepreneurship) (www.tamigaines.com) * Author, Preemie Parents, 26 Ways to Grow with Your Premature Baby (several additional books and courses to come in 2026) * Course creator FIND HER HERE: Tami's Website tamigaines.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tami.gaines.129 Instagram instagram.com/tamigaines LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tamigaines YouTube  www.youtube.com/@BuildResilienceHere

-Spent two years trying to conceive before welcoming her first child -Boy mom to a 3-year-old and 1-year-old -Launched her private speech therapy practice during maternity leave with her first son -Owner of Simply Speech Therapy and founder of Young Talker Academy, where she coaches parents on strategies to support their toddler's language development at home Jessie is a Speech Therapist, owner of a private practice in Orange County, CA, and parent coach for parents of toddlers who are late talkers FIND HER HERE: Website: https://www.simplyspeechtherapy.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiekensey.slp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089971887864

Everything changed when our son entered the world almost 3 years ago. We moved to a new state, launched a business, and my wife (who originally never wanted kids) decided to stay home. We now have 2 kids (our youngest, a daughter, just turned one).  I'm excited to share parts of my own experience becoming a parent and why those early years completely reshaped how I think about money, stress, and family life. My mission now is to help parents feel more grounded and confident in their financial world so they can be more present with the people who matter most. I work with families in their 30s and 40s who are juggling careers, childcare, saving, and the constant pressure to “get everything right.” I’ve seen how money stress quietly drains joy and energy from the home, and I believe clarity is one of the most powerful gifts we can give ourselves (and our kids). My work focuses on simplifying decisions, removing guilt and overwhelm, and helping parents align their money with the life they’re trying to build. If you’ve ever felt behind, unsure, or stretched thin, my goal is to show you that you’re not alone, you’re not failing, and there’s a clearer way forward. I run a solo financial planning firm focused on high-earning parents ($200k+ per year).  FIND HIM HERE: www.Hundredfp.com Blog: Can I afford to stay home with the kids: https://www.hundredfp.com/blog/can-i-afford-to-stay-home-with-the-kids

Gabriela Rosa, DrPH (Candidate, Harvard), is a Harvard-awarded fertility specialist, founder of The Rosa Institute, and author of Fertility Breakthrough: Overcoming Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage When Other Treatments Have Failed. She pioneered telehealth-based, integrative fertility care, making evidence-based solutions accessible worldwide. Gabriela also created and hosts The Fertility Challenge, a free online program that reaches tens of thousands globally each year. Her F.E.R.T.I.L.E. Method® has supported more than 204,000 people across 111 countries, with published research demonstrating a 78.8% live birth rate among patients in her signature program—even after years of infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and failed treatments. Gabriela Rosa is the founder and CEO of The Rosa Institute, the world’s first telehealth integrative medicine fertility clinic. She has scaled the institute into a multi–seven-figure global enterprise, leading a team of 30+ members across six continents and guiding over 204,000 people in 111+ countries through educational and clinical programs. FIND HER HERE: Website: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/Gabriela Rosa https://www.facebook.com/FertilitySpecialistGabrielaRosa https://www.instagram.com/dr.gabrielarosa/ https://x.com/gabrielarosa https://www.tiktok.com/@gabrielarosafertility?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc FREE BOOK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1q5RJSIx7M Fertility Challenge: https://fc.fertilitybreakthrough.com/fertility-challengeInfertility Diagnostic Tool: https://gabrielarosa.samcart.com/products/what-your-doctor-isnt-testing-but-should Fertility Breakthrough https://www.instagram.com/fertilitybreakthrough/ https://www.facebook.com/rosainstitutefertilitybreakthrough TalkSex Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talksex-with-gabriela-rosa/id1587037481 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielarosa_talksex/ Twitter: https://x.com/talksexpodcast?s=21&t=lwWaCKsiAmQM1pGIsdMIzg