1637661405
Hot+Brave

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Rating
★★★★★
5
from
8 reviews
This podcast has
92 episodes
Explicit
Yes
Date created
2022/08/02
Latest episode
2026/09/29
Average duration
36 min.
Release period
24 days

Description

Hosted by birth worker and activist Bianca Sprague from bebo mia Inc (https://bebomia.com/), Hot + Brave is like a hilarious conversation with your feisty friend who doesn’t give a f*ck. Brave stories, business support,  hot topics and #truthbombs that will either balm your soul or light fire to your rage.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Hot+Brave podcast


S7E12: How Do You Raise Your Doula Rates Without Losing Clients?
2026/09/29
Send us Fan Mail How do you know when it's time to raise your doula rates, and how do you do it without panicking that nobody will book you again? In the Season 7 finale of Hot + Brave, Bianca talks about one of the hardest parts of running a doula business: charging enough to make the work sustainable. We get into how to know when you've outgrown your current rate, deciding how much to increase it, what happens with existing and returning clients, how to communicate your new price without over-explaining, and the reality that raising your rates might mean some people don't book you. Because being fully booked, exhausted and barely making money isn't a successful doula business. This is heart work AND it is a business. You'll also get a simple exercise to help you decide whether your current rate still makes sense: If I were setting my rate TODAY, knowing what I know now, would I choose this number? If the answer is no, it might be time for an increase. Resources Want help figuring out your pricing and doula business? Bianca offers 1:1 business consulting to help you crunch the numbers and build a business that actually works for you. And that's a wrap on Season 7 of Hot + Brave! We'll be back in a couple of months with Season 8. Until then, go back and catch up on any episodes or seasons you've missed. Thanks for listening, friends. ❤️ LINKS + RESOURCES 👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. Maternal Support Practitioner Certification: Join the September MSP cohort Birth Truth Tool: Not sure whether what you're hearing is evidence, routine practice or coercion? The Birth Truth Tool gives you research and language you can use in the moment. Get the $39 Birth Truth Tool Free Doula Resource Directory: Find or recommend baby stores, prenatal yoga, perinatal therapists, chiropractors, lactation support, pelvic floor physios, photographers and other resources for doulas and families. Explore the Doula Resource Directory Trauma Processing Group: For birthworkers who need a place to process difficult births with people who understand this work. https://bebomia.com/birth-worker-mental-health/ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚   Scholarships: APPLY HERE (opens in September for March session) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E11: How Do Doulas Deal With Difficult Providers?
2026/09/22
Send us Fan Mail What do you do when a provider is dismissive, talks over your client, pressures them into a decision, or clearly does NOT want a doula in the room? In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca talks about one of the trickiest parts of doula work: dealing with difficult providers while keeping your client, not the conflict, at the centre of the room. We talk about what advocacy actually looks like, questions you can ask when something doesn't feel right, dealing with "hospital policy," what to do when a provider challenges you, supporting clients through coercion or harmful care, and knowing when to speak up and when to step back. Because your job isn't to win a fight with the provider. Your job is to help make sure the person giving birth doesn't disappear inside the room. LINKS + RESOURCES Maternal Support Practitioner Certification: Join the September MSP cohort Birth Truth Tool: Not sure whether what you're hearing is evidence, routine practice or coercion? The Birth Truth Tool gives you research and language you can use in the moment. Get the $39 Birth Truth Tool Free Doula Resource Directory: Find or recommend baby stores, prenatal yoga, perinatal therapists, chiropractors, lactation support, pelvic floor physios, photographers and other resources for doulas and families. Explore the Doula Resource Directory Trauma Processing Group: For birthworkers who need a place to process difficult births with people who understand this work. https://bebomia.com/birth-worker-mental-health/ 👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (opens in September for March session) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E10: What happens if 2 clients go into labor at the same time?
2026/09/15
Send us Fan Mail What happens when TWO of your doula clients go into labour at the same time? It happens. Birth is unpredictable, and even clients with due dates weeks apart can end up labouring on the same day. In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca talks about how to handle overlapping births without panicking, why every doula needs a solid backup system, and how to make sure your clients feel supported no matter who walks into the birth room. We cover choosing and paying your backup, deciding which birth you attend, introducing your backup to clients, what belongs in your contract, shared-care models, and why the 3 a.m. "ARE YOU AVAILABLE?!" scramble is NOT a backup plan. The big takeaway: having a backup isn't planning to fail, it's community care! Our full-spectrum Maternal Support Practitioner Certification runs every March and September and teaches both the care AND business sides of building a sustainable doula practice. Already certified? Check out our Certification Transfer Program, or grab our Doula Contract Bundle for done-for-you contracts that include backup care. We have the prenatal calculator here: bebomia.com/calc Ready to become a doula? Our next full-spectrum Maternal Support Practitioner training starts September 17th. If you want a self-study option, you can also save $200 on our Birth Doula Certification with the code FIRST200, bringing the training to just $479. And if you're trying to figure out whether doula work fits into your actual life, you can book a free career strategy call with Bianca.   👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (opens in September for March session) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E9 - what is it like being on call as a doula?
2026/09/08
Send us Fan Mail What does being on call as a birth doula actually mean? Do you have to stay home for five weeks waiting for your phone to ring? What happens if you have kids, pets, a wedding to attend, therapy, a massage booked, or just... a life? Being on call can feel like one of the most intimidating parts of becoming a birth doula, but once you have good systems in place, it really does become a normal part of your life. In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca shares what she learned from almost 20 years of living the on-call doula life, including the basic rules she followed, how to arrange childcare and pet care, using backups, shared-care models, and what to do when you have an important event during your client's on-call window. We're also talking about something doulas don't hear enough: you are allowed to keep living your life while you're on call. Being committed to your clients doesn't mean missing every wedding, recital, concert, anniversary or important moment for the rest of your doula career. That's why we have backup doulas and why communicating expectations with clients from the beginning matters. In this episode: • The basic rules of being on call as a birth doula • How close you need to stay to your clients • Staying sober and prioritizing sleep while on call • Using Emergency Bypass so you don't miss a client's call • What to do when you need your phone off for therapy, appointments or important events • Creating childcare AND backup childcare plans • Planning pet care for unpredictable births • How a shared-care doula model can make on-call life more accessible • Why every birth doula needs a backup • Taking planned time off during an on-call window • How and when to tell clients your backup will be primary • What to put in your doula contract about backup care • Whether you should swap back into a birth after your backup arrives • Why you need to PAY YOUR BACKUP • How to have a life outside of doula work without letting your clients down Bianca also shares a script you can use when reminding a client that your backup doula will be primary during a planned period of time, plus tips for making that transition feel easy and expected for everyone. And if you're listening to all of this thinking, absolutely not, I never want a 2 a.m. call telling me to put my pants on and drive to a hospital, that's okay too. Birth support isn't the only way to be a doula. Fertility support, postpartum work and childbirth education can all allow you to do meaningful care work without being on call. Ready to become a doula? Our next full-spectrum Maternal Support Practitioner training starts September 17th. If you want a self-study option, you can also save $200 on our Birth Doula Certification with the code FIRST200, bringing the training to just $479. And if you're trying to figure out whether doula work fits into your actual life, you can book a free career strategy call with Bianca.   👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (opens in September for March session) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E8 - Can You Be a Doula If You’ve Had a Traumatic Birth?
2026/09/01
Send us Fan Mail Can you become a doula if your own birth was traumatic? YES. In fact, birth trauma is one of the most common paths that brings people into doula work. Maybe you weren't listened to. Maybe you experienced coercion or had things done to your body without meaningful consent. Maybe you felt completely alone during one of the most vulnerable experiences of your life. And somewhere in processing what happened, you started thinking: I don't want anyone else to feel the way I felt. In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca talks about the path from birth trauma to becoming a doula, and why your lived experience can be an incredible asset in birthwork when it is paired with processing, support and good doula training. We're also talking about the harder part of this conversation: what happens when your own trauma gets activated while supporting someone else's birth. Your experience can make you empathetic, observant and fiercely committed to protecting autonomy. But your clients cannot be responsible for healing what happened to you. Their birth belongs to them, even when they make choices that are completely different from the ones you wish you had been able to make. In this episode: • Why so many people become doulas after experiencing birth trauma • What lived experience can bring to your doula work • The difference between trauma that informs your care and trauma that takes over the room • How to know if you are ready to support your first clients • Why wanting to “save” clients can become harmful • Supporting clients who make choices you wouldn't make yourself • Secondary trauma and the difficult things doulas witness • Why lived experience isn't a substitute for comprehensive doula training • Turning anger about what happened to you into skilled advocacy • Whether becoming a doula can actually be part of healing your own birth trauma Your traumatic birth does not disqualify you from becoming a doula. For many doulas, it becomes part of what makes them so deeply committed to this work. The goal isn't to erase your experience. It is to have the support, training and tools to make sure your story strengthens your care without becoming your client's responsibility. And yes, becoming the doula you needed can be incredibly healing. Just remember: doula work can be part of your healing. Your clients cannot BE your healing. 👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (opens in September for March session) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E7: No, Your First 5 Doula Clients Shouldn't Be Free
2026/08/25
Send us Fan Mail There is a persistent belief in the doula world that when you're new, you should support your first few clients for free to “get experience.” Nope. In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca talks about why new doulas deserve to be paid from their very first client, the real costs involved in attending a birth, and the difference between intentionally choosing to volunteer and being expected to provide skilled care work for free. We also get into why dramatically underpricing your doula services doesn't just affect your own business. It can drive down rates across your local doula community and make it harder for birthworkers to earn a sustainable living. You can be generous.  You can offer volunteer doula support.  You can build philanthropy into your business.  AND you can expect people who have the resources to pay for doula care to pay you. In this episode: • Why your first doula clients don't need to be free • The difference between volunteer doula work and unpaid labour • The hidden costs of attending a “free” birth • How new doulas can think about their starting rates • Why undercutting established doulas hurts the whole community • How to research doula rates in your local area • Why care work deserves to be paid • Building a sustainable and profitable doula business without abandoning your values Plus, stay tuned for the next episodes, where we'll get practical about how much to charge as a doula and how to calculate a package rate that actually supports you and your business. 👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (opens in September for March session) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E6: “How Many Births Have You Attended?” And Other Scary New Doula Questions
2026/08/18
Send us Fan Mail What do you say when a potential client asks how many births you've attended? What happens when their partner isn't convinced they need a doula? And why does talking about your doula fees suddenly make even confident doulas want to crawl under the table? In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca tackles three of the hardest doula consultation questions and gives you actual scripts you can use with prospective clients. We're talking about how to explain the role of a birth doula without making partners feel replaced, how newer doulas can confidently talk about their experience, and how to state your doula fees without immediately discounting, apologizing, or letting your own money stuff take over the conversation. You'll also learn why a consultation is about finding the right fit, not convincing every family to hire you, and how preparing for the questions you're most afraid of can completely change the way you sell your doula services. In this episode: • What to say when a partner asks, “Why do we need a doula?” • How doulas support partners instead of replacing them • How to answer “How many births have you attended?” when you're a new doula • Talking confidently about your doula training and experience • How to state your doula fees without apologizing • Why you shouldn't immediately offer a discount when someone pauses • Scarcity mindset and doula business • How to prepare for difficult doula consultation questions Also mentioned: Go back to Season 3, Episode 11 for Bianca's episode on killing your consultations. This week at bebo mia: The Childbirth Educator Certification is $339 this week before increasing to $879, and it includes the CBE curriculum you can use in your own business. MSP registration is also open, and you can use SUMMER10 to save 10%. 👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ CBE SALE HERE!!! Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (closes August 15th) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E5: Why Are Old Doulas So Mean to New Doulas? With Cheyenne Williamson
2026/08/11
Send us Fan Mail This conversation was supposed to start with an introduction. It did not. Before Bianca could even properly introduce Cheyenne Williamson, certified birth doula, writer, graphic designer, and creator of A Doula’s Guide to Labor Positions, Cheyenne came in hot about something happening inside the doula community, so Bianca hit record. They get into scarcity in doula work, competition between doulas, the lack of support for new birthworkers, and why experienced doulas should be helping newer doulas grow instead of gatekeeping the profession. Whether you're a brand new doula trying to find your place or you've been doing birthwork for years, this feisty conversation asks an important question: What kind of doula community are we actually building? 📕  BUY THE GUIDE HERE 👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (closes August 15th) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E4: Online vs In Person Doula Training: What Actually Prepares You for Real Clients?
2026/08/04
Send us Fan Mail Should you choose online doula training or in person doula training? It's one of the most common questions aspiring doulas ask, but it might be the wrong question. In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca Sprague explores what actually creates competent, confident doulas and why the quality of your doula certification depends far more on mentorship, community, practice, and reflection than whether you learn in a classroom or on Zoom. Bianca shares the story of how bebo mia became one of the first organizations to move doula training online, the backlash they received, and what they've learned after training doulas in more than 50 countries. If you're comparing birth doula training programs, wondering whether online learning is "good enough," or trying to choose the right full spectrum doula certification, this episode will help you know what questions to ask before you invest in your education. In this episode, we cover:  Online vs in person doula training  What makes a high quality doula certification program  Why mentorship and community matter more than the classroom  The science of how adults learn best  Why weekend doula trainings often leave new doulas underprepared  The benefits of online learning for aspiring birth doulas  How to choose the right doula training for your learning style and career goals👉 👉 👉  Book at call with Bianca here. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE SUMMER10 for 10% off Scholarships: APPLY HERE (closes August 15th) BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E3 - Thinking About Becoming a Doula? Here's What the Job Is Really Like
2026/07/28
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca Sprague pulls back the curtain on life as a  doula.  She shares what doulas really do beyond attending births, including client communication, prenatal appointments, being on call, building a sustainable doula business, and balancing doula work with family life and other careers. Whether you're exploring doula training, curious about birth doula certification, or wondering if a career as a doula is right for you, this episode offers an honest look at what the work really involves and how to build a fulfilling, sustainable practice. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE BIRTHBIRD for $300 off Scholarships: APPLY HERE NEW BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E2 - Thinking About Becoming a Doula? Start Here for Your Step By Step Guide to Choosing the Right Doula Training
2026/07/21
Send us Fan Mail Thinking about becoming a doula but feeling overwhelmed by all the different certification programs? You're not alone. In this episode of Hot + Brave, Bianca walks you through the process of becoming a doula, from deciding what type of doula work you're drawn to, to choosing a training program that aligns with your values and prepares you for the realities of supporting families. Before diving into today's topic, Bianca also shares a recent birth experience that reignited her frustration with the medical system, medical coercion, and why the doula profession deserves better than outdated weekend training models. If you've been comparing doula trainings, wondering what "full spectrum" actually means, or trying to figure out where to start, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why Bianca believes the weekend doula training model is failing both doulas and families  What "full spectrum doula" actually means  The differences between fertility, birth, postpartum, and loss doulas  Why understanding the entire reproductive journey makes you a stronger practitioner, even if you specialize  How to choose a doula training program that reflects your values  Why mentorship and ongoing education matter more than collecting certificates  The four practical steps to becoming a confident, ethical doula Whether you're simply curious about doula work or you're ready to enroll in training, this episode will help you move forward with confidence. Mentioned in this episode Stop Weekend Doula Trainings Open Letter https://bebomia.com/stopweekendtrainings FREE Guide: Thinking About Doula Training? Start Here https://bebomia.com/ultimateebook Thinking About Birth Doula Training? https://bebomia.com/birthdoula Explore the bebo mia Full Spectrum Doula Certification https://bebomia.com/doulatraining The Doula Truth Tool https://bebomia.com/truthtool Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S7E1 - How TV Made Birth Hurt More with Dr. Sam Vaive
2026/07/14
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Season 7! Host Bianca Sprague sits down with Dr. Sam Vaive, psychologist, sexual health educator, author, indigenous-informed full-spectrum doula, yoga teacher, sound therapist, and founder of Sound Birthing,  for a wide-ranging conversation blending neuroscience, psychology, and birth physiology. In this episode: The fear of childbirth (tokophobia) and just how common it really isHow cortisol shapes our perception of pain during labor... and why "more fear = more pain"The "screaming birth trope": how TV and movies (Knocked Up, Friends, and more) wire our brains to expect birth to be terrifyingScript theory and how media shapes our beliefs about our bodies, long before we're ever pregnantBianca's personal story: how she and her sister witnessed the same empowering home birth as kids, yet had completely different birth experiences as adultsWhy the environment of a hospital room (cold, bright lights, hunger, itchy sheets) spikes cortisol and stressThe surprising benefits of pooping during labor, and how it helps build your baby's microbiomeTwo practical breathing tools (pranayama) you can use to stay calm and in control during pregnancy and birthHow patriarchy, capitalism, and "intensive parenting" culture pile pressure onto birthing people and new parentsGuest links: Dr. Sam Vaive's book: Mind Body Birth: Your Guide to Fearless Childbirth — available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and soundbirthing.comWorkbooks: Birth Map and Birth Map EmbodimentOnline course and guided sound baths available at soundbirthing.comOne-on-one sessions available virtually worldwide (Michigan Medicaid accepted)Bebo Mia links: Scholarships now open:  DM "scholarship" on Instagram @bebomiaincEarly bird pricing for the Full-Spectrum Doula Training & Certification: use code birthbird to save $300Free Mindset Mini Course: www.bebomia.com/bibSupport the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S6E13 - My Biggest Doula Mistakes I’m Not Proud Of (And Why I’m Sharing It)
2025/11/25
Send us Fan Mail Content note: this episode includes grief, suicide loss, racism, obstetric violence, medical emergencies, family conflict and birth trauma. Please care for your heart while you listen. In this season finale of Hot and Brave, Bianca takes you behind the glossy Instagram version of birthwork and into the real stories that shaped her as a doula.  She shares ten client stories from her early years, including the time she walked into a termination expecting a joyful gender reveal, the birth she attended too soon after her dad’s death by suicide, navigating clients who repeatedly tested her boundaries, witnessing blatant medical racism and obstetric violence, missing the signs of active substance use in a vulnerable family, and the moment she realized her queerness and politics could never be separated from her work. This is a tender, unfiltered look at shame, regret, growth and the messy middle of learning on the job. Bianca talks about how inadequate weekend trainings left her under prepared for real life complexity, how those gaps fueled the creation of bebo mia, and why autonomy, anti oppression and boundaries are now at the center of everything she teaches.  If you have ever replayed a birth in your mind and wished you had done it differently, this episode is here so you feel less alone. It is also Black Friday week at bebomia. Head to bebomia.com/bf2025 for 40% off trainings and digital programs, free classes, games and prizes, and to join our full spectrum doula community. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ 👉 bebomia.com/get-more-clients-challenge Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE BIRTHBIRD for $350 off NEW BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/doulaclub 💥 Get your free access to the Doula Business School in our club membership! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S6E12 - The Three Things Every Doula Needs in Their First Year That Nobody Teaches
2025/11/18
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Bianca breaks down the three pillars every doula needs to build a sustainable, heart centered business: clarity, visibility, and community. She shares the stories we all live through in that first uncertain year, the places we get stuck, and the quiet shame that grows when nobody has ever taught us the basics of business or mission building. You will learn the difference between selling and solving, why weekend trainings leave out the most essential pieces of doula work, and how clarity becomes an act of compassion for the clients who need you. This is a grounding, honest, and deeply practical episode for every new doula or doula in a rebuild season. Early bird is open for the MSP full spectrum doula training and the code birthbird saves you 350 dollars. And the Get More Clients Challenge has begun, but there is still time to jump in and watch the Day 1 replay. This episode will hold you, challenge you, and remind you that you are more ready than you think. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ 👉 bebomia.com/get-more-clients-challenge Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE BIRTHBIRD for $350 off NEW BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/doulaclub 💥 Get your free access to the Doula Business School in our club membership! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.
S6E11 - Your Network Is Bigger Than You Think
2025/11/11
Send us Fan Mail Most doulas think they don’t have an audience... but you already have a network filled with potential clients who know, like, and trust you. In this week’s Hot + Brave, Bianca shares how to tap into your existing community to fill your roster with dream clients without feeling salesy or awkward. Learn how to reach out authentically, reframe visibility as care work, and finally stop apologizing for wanting to be seen. This episode is your pep talk, mindset reset, and a preview of what we’ll be doing together inside the Get More Clients Challenge, starting next week. Because your next client probably will not come from an ad or a hashtag, they will come from your cousin’s coworker who’s been waiting for your support. ⭐️  We have some links for you which you will LOVE! ⭐️ 👉 bebomia.com/get-more-clients-challenge Grab your doula training spot here (heyyy there's payment plans) 📚 USE CODE BIRTHBIRD for $350 off NEW BIRTH DOULA COURSE - www.bebomia.com/birthdoula use the code FIRST200 for $200 off! Community Building Tool ONLY $10 - www.bebomia.com/community-building FREE Ultimate Ebook all about becoming a doula - get it here! www.bebomia.com/doulaclub 💥 Get your free access to the Doula Business School in our club membership! www.bebomia.com/freewebinar Free doula workshop and discount code 👍🏽 bebomia.com/bizshop/   😎 Grow your business fast! www.bebomia.com/shop New Doula swag!! 7 Simple Steps to Double your Client Base 👈🏽 new course alert this week 💥 Use code SEVEN Support the show www.bebomia.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Podcast reviews

Read Hot+Brave podcast reviews


5 out of 5
8 reviews
★★★★★
PETRA! 2024/04/03
IN LOVE
I look so forward to every week’s new episode they can be so cool and informative or just fun sit down with the cappuccino tackling civil rights justi...
★★★★★
ccmama75 2022/11/29
The REAL DEAL!
This is the only podcast I could literally listen to over and over. I’ve learned to much about finding that divine feminist I have buried deep within ...
★★★★★
JenInMN93 2022/10/22
I could listen to these babes all day…
The bebo babes are some of my favorite humans. I could sit and listen to them all day. The energy that they give off is great. The way they talk to ea...
★★★★★
andrea from indiana 2022/09/14
Those front porch conversations…
Listening to the bebo mia podcast is like sitting on the front porch with your best friend, feeding off each other’s energy and passion to save the wo...
★★★★★
MichelleB141307 2022/09/09
Best Hype Babes
The bebo mia team might as well be your own personal hype team. The topics are raw and so personal to much of the population going through some crappy...
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