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Mallory Emerson and Sharon Muza from Creative & Confident join us today to talk about tech in online educational spaces and making the most of it to spice up your online offerings from childbirth classes to doula trainings, conference presentations to zoom meetings - don't get caught with dull CE again.

2020 has pushed all childbirth professionals to pivot so much of what we have done before to adapt to the circumstances that most of us weren't really expecting. This whole year I have marveled at Robin's ability to pivot to teaching online, and this episode is full of resources for you to do the same and laughs at the trial and error that we have all been challenged to do this year. Bonus: lots of reading recommendations for your cozy winter at home! 

Robin interviews Tia & Shannon two east coast doulas with a new podcast: Doula Sense. They both have an enormous amount of experience and expertise when it comes to childbirth education, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding, and don't shy away from the hard topics and laughs.

Nurses and doulas working together for culture change is a dream team, and we're breaking down what needs to change about hospital birth in this episode as well as career pivots, online teaching, and so much more in the birth world. 

Elizabeth M. Johnson talks to Dr. Hillary Melchiors about trauma informed care, empathy vs. kindness, and shifting her When Survivors Give Birth course online in this 38th episode of The Birth Geeks Podcast. 

Kelli Brien talks about the many aspects that drew her to birth work and how she's moved within the system to help make it a just an equitable place for all birthing people.

Dr. Amy Brown discusses working with families around choices for infant feeding, breastfeeding grief, and more! 

Ever dreamed of what you would say if someone asked you how to change things to improve maternity care? In this episode, we talk about being asked that exact question as doulas and scholars, and how we approach those answers. Hint: it doesn't just involve changing the pictures hanging on the walls. 

Darcy Sauers is the founder of The Postpartum Doula Academy and has been a DONA certified postpartum doula since 2010.  She talks to The Birth Geeks today to emphasize that we need to band together as birth workers – it’s about collaboration NOT competition. And Hillary and Darcy lament about how we spend a lot of time trying to explain what doulas do before we can ever get to the “hire me” phase!

Training nursing students to be doulas helps them no matter where they end up working according to Barbara Hotelling. She talks all about the Duke-la program she helped start, creative ways to test for anemia in resource constrained places around the world, and so much more. You'll love this conversation between her and Robin on this 33rd episode of our podcast.

We talk to Denise Bolds of Bold Doula in New York City. They talk about Denise’s journey to becoming a doula and being a Black doula and what that makes hospital staff think when she’s working with her clients. Denise explains how we’re always evolving and shares her outlook going forward. Enjoy our conversation with the amazing Denise Bolds.  

Meagen & Julie from The VBAC Link join us to talk about VBAC in a pandemic, special VBAC doula considerations, and how shifting landscapes make it even more important for processing traumatic past events so you can let go in the moment. 

Hillary & Robin chat from the comfort of their beds at home about their recent experiences working virtually: Hillary as a birth doula and Robin teaching new doulas and childbirth education. How is it easier? What makes it harder? What are we reading to help our mental health right now? Geeking out together from home definitely has its perks!

Intentional movement can help childbirth professionals build strength, release stress, and increase their professional longevity, and Erin Underwood is passionate about helping us do all those things! Self-care doesn't have to stop when you are working with clients either, and she gives some great tips and tricks for things to avoid and to pay attention to especially when working long hours. 

How are you holding up and holding space for yourself as a childbirth professional during this pandemic? Are you pivoting quickly or finding yourself struggling to meet all kinds of new demands? Join us as we talk about what's going on with our businesses and learning as well as our favorite pandemic impulse purchases that are helping us with self-care. Hint: It is NOT toilet paper! 

Shifting your doula services to offer virtual support requires some planning, and Nichole Joy is here to talk specifics! In this special bonus episode we discuss marketing, pricing, and more for your virtual doula services. 

Who knew orgasm was such a divisive word? Debra Pascali-Bonaro joins us for our 27th episode all about her work to bring pleasure back into the birthing and postpartum space. She discusses her newest book that is being released on April 9th too: The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby. This is a fantastic episode all about re-framing our thinking and approach to birth, and we just know you're gonna love listening.

As we talk about the needs of a new family and how dealing with social distancing and various hospital policies make this period harder for families, we also need to address how a postpartum doula can be effective at helping new families when they may not be with them physically. 

Connie Sultana has been a doula for over 900 families and was the Director of Certification for DONA International for many years. Here she shares her thoughts, tips, and tricks on making the act of a virtual doula work for families in your care both during the pandemic and beyond.

Join us as Sharon Muza talks about taking your childbirth classes online in the age of COVID-19, Robin and Hillary share their take on answering the "Did my water break?" question and share their handout for you to use with your clients. There's also links to updated information on maternity care in pandemics.