Midwifery Wisdom Podcast

This week on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, we welcome the founder of Flower Girl, a radical period underwear brand born from one woman’s frustration with toxic menstrual products—and her deep desire to care for the bleeding body differently. As a former e-commerce strategist turned slow fashion entrepreneur, she brings both science and soul to this powerful conversation about conscious menstruation, cycle care, and body literacy. Together, we explore: 🔗 Learn more: flowergirl.co 📲 Follow on Instagram: @flowergirl.co_ 💬 Share with a postpartum doula or cycle educator or anyone in your life who needs to hear this!

In this week’s episode, Augustine connects with fellow midwife and world traveler, Allison, for a deep and expansive conversation about what it really means to live at the edge of reality—whether supporting births or crossing oceans. From an unexpected career shift out of accounting to midwifery school in New Zealand, and from practicing in Canada to captaining a sailboat across the Pacific, Alison shares how curiosity, courage, and midwifery magic have shaped her wild and winding path. This conversation is part of a larger theme we’ve been exploring this month in our ongoing webinar series Midwifery on the Move where we explore what it really means to live a mobile midwifery lifestyle. We’ve been talking about the beauty, the complexity, the ethics, and the practical steps to working around the world. ✨ If this episode sparks something in you, know that it’s not too late to join the webinar and explore what traveling midwife life might look for you. Sign up today on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com

Longtime midwife turned somatic trauma healing coach, Christie Davis talks about what it really takes to stay whole in the world of birth work. After over 20 years of attending births and running a private midwifery practice, Christie now supports midwives and birth professionals through the emotional aftermath of traumatic births, burnout, and the heavy expectations of the profession. Together, we unpack the somatic foundations of trauma, how nervous systems get "stuck," and what real healing can look like. We also talk boundaries (the kind that keep you and your clients safe), deconstruct the martyrdom baked into midwifery culture, and explore how to build more sustainable careers in birth work—without abandoning your heart. Whether you're a seasoned provider or a student midwife just entering the field, this is an honest, compassionate conversation you need to hear. 🔗 Show Notes: Learn more about Christie Davis and her somatic healing work for birth professionals at https://www.perinataltraumacenter.com/about Check out our Boundaries for Birthworkers course on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com

In this special episode, we’re stepping beyond borders — and beyond our usual programming — to bring you a snippet from our Midwifery on the Move webinar series. Host Augustine Colebrook is joined by two extraordinary traveling midwives: Katrina, a licensed midwife and educator who began her international work in India, and Jata, a neurodivergent advocate and researcher who has practiced in Tanzania, the UK, Australia, and more. This series explores what it really means to bring midwifery across cultures: If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your midwifery work on the road — or you’re just curious about what’s possible — this conversation will inspire, challenge, and expand your view. Want more? This episode is just a taste of our four-part Midwifery on the Move (8 CEU) webinar. Sign up now to get the full recordings, handouts, and join us live on August 6 and 11, 2025 for the final sessions. Links: 🎧 Learn more & register for the webinar → https://midwiferyonthemovewebinar.eventbrite.com 📌 Follow us on Instagram → www.instagram.com/midwiferywisdom

Host Shiphrah sits down with Kavita Sahai, founder of Vibes Tribe, to explore her journey from burnout and brain fog to vibrant health and grounded purpose. She shares how a simple shift in mindset—prioritizing wellness over hustle—led her from finance to natural wellness. We talk about the power of small daily practices, why midlife is such a profound (and often overlooked) period of transition for women, and how stacking five-minute habits can change everything. From meal planning to hormone shifts, from fiber to essential oils—this is a candid, practical, and empowering conversation for anyone seeking a more vibrant life. Whether you're in your 30s, 50s, or simply feeling the need for change, this episode reminds us: your well-being is a worthy goal—and you're not alone in the journey. Feeling burnt out from birthwork? You need to take our Boundaries for Birthworkers class online! Access the community at vibestribe.co

In this episode, newly graduated midwife Adilah Yelton joins host Shiphrah Israel to reflect on her journey from student to practicing midwife. She shares openly about the complexities of shifting from student to colleague, navigating preceptor relationships, and the deep need for self-care, community, and nervous system regulation along the way. Adilah also recounts the unexpected discovery of a brain tumor just as she was preparing for her NARM exam—and how rest, community support, and cultural postpartum traditions helped her recover and slowly return to practice. Based in Houston, Texas, Adilah provides culturally rooted postpartum care through Malay Postpartum Spa and Wellness, alongside her midwifery work with Tulip Midwifery. 🎧 Looking for a preceptor? Download our free Ultimate Preceptor Match Checklist at www.midwiferywisdom.com to help you find the right fit on your midwifery journey.

In this week’s episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine Colebrook sits down with Indie McDowell—a classically trained anthropologist and clinically trained midwife with a truly global journey. Indie began her career working with UNICEF’s Maternal and Neonatal Health Team in Kyrgyzstan before returning to the UK to complete her midwifery training. From there, her path led her to clinical work in Cambodia and Malawi, ultimately drawing her to Ethiopia. After a year and a half leading neonatal services and emergency obstetric care at a busy referral hospital in rural southwest Ethiopia alongside her colleague Atsede Kidane, the two chose to build something different: their own clinic, rooted in compassion and centered on women’s needs. Stories from their work in Ethiopia is beautifully captured in the book With Two Souls, co-written by Indie McDowell and Atsede Kidane. We also dive into what it means to truly commit to place, community, and long-term impact in global birth work. Are you a midwife called to work beyond borders? Join us for our upcoming Traveling Midwife Webinar —a 4-part, 8-hour CEU event designed for aspiring and experienced birthworkers who are exploring midwifery on the move. Led by Augustine Colebrook, and guest traveling midwives, this immersive series will cover legalities, logistics, and cultural considerations of traveling birth work—both international and domestic. 🗓️ Part 1: July 3rd & 9th | 7–9PM EST 🗓️ Part 2: August 6th & 11th | 7–9PM EST ✅ 8 MEAC-approved CEUs Register now on https://tinyurl.com/travelingmidwife

Hosts Shiphrah and Susanna sit down with Sophia Ortiz, an independent midwife based in Corfu, Greece, to explore what it truly means to walk the path of midwifery. With over a decade of experience and more than 100 births attended, Sophia brings a deep reverence for birth as both a physiological marvel and a spiritual rite of passage. She shares how her journey—from drama school to midwifery school in the UK, to her current work supporting families in Corfu—helped her realize what she had always known deep down: she is and has always been a midwife. Learn more about Sophia on her website: https://www.birthingwisdomcorfu.com/

In this powerful episode, hosts Shiprah and Susanna sit down with Adelaide Adubouffour—renowned Perineal Specialist Midwife and founder of Peri Health London—to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of postpartum care: perineal trauma. Drawing from her work at West Middlesex University Hospital and nearly a decade of teaching and clinical leadership, Adelaide shares why perineal health matters, how we can improve outcomes for birthing people, and what inspired her to create a globally recognized training program for midwives and doctors. If you care about pelvic floor integrity, respectful repair, and empowering providers to do better, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Learn more about Adelaide's work here: https://perihealthlondon.com/

We’re still on a break from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast but will be back with new episodes in just a few weeks! In the meantime, enjoy these clips from the Q&A section of our latest Teachable e-course, Preventing and Treating Hemorrhage. This in-depth course is perfect for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge and stay up to date on the latest hemorrhage management protocols in the community birth setting. Resources: Preventing and Treating Hemorrhage E-Course Boundaries for Birthworkers E-Course

This week, we’re bringing back one of our top episodes featuring the one and only Flor Cruz, aka Badass Mother Birther! 🌟 Flor is a: Latina Birth Worker, Birth Influencer, Award-Winning Doula and a Birth Educator with a wildly popular social media account @badassmotherbirther She’s on a mission to normalize birth and celebrate women’s bodies—no matter how or where they choose to give birth. You won’t want to miss this powerful conversation! 🎧

Today’s episode is a rerun—a timeless favorite from our archives. Three experienced midwives join Augustine Colebrook for an insightful discussion on charting fetal heart tones. ✨ Topics Covered: Like we said—an oldie, but a goodie! 🔹 Special Update: The wonderful Ilka Fanni, featured in this episode, has since come a long way in her midwifery journey. She will be a mentor at our upcoming Pathway to Midwifery – New Student Retreat at Yokayo Ranch, March 17-18, 2025! 🎟 Reserve your spot now at www.midwiferywisdom.com. Resources: Fetal Heart Tones Course Defensive Charting Course

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including fetal and maternal loss. Welcome back to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! While we take a short break between seasons, enjoy this rerun of one of our most popular episodes. We’ll be back with brand-new episodes in just a couple of weeks! In this episode, Augustine Colebrook sits down with Roxanne Anderson, a seasoned Texas midwife, for a powerful conversation about faith, birth, and the challenges of midwifery. Roxanne shares personal stories from her early years, reflecting on her journey as a Christian midwife within the Born in Zion movement. Together, she and Augustine explore the intersections of faith, fear, societal influence, and the role of religion in birth. Tune in for an insightful and thought-provoking discussion!

What It Means to Be a Birth Rebel – Season 5 Finale! 🎉 This episode with Dr. Melanie Jackson marks the end of Season 5! As a midwife, researcher, and host of The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast, Melanie dives deep into what it truly means to be a "birth rebel." She shares insights from her PhD research on birth outside the system, her experience as a private midwife, and her work mentoring midwives, and expecting parents in Australia and beyond through her impressive online reach! Join us for this powerful conversation on informed choice, the challenges of midwifery beyond traditional models, and what it takes to create meaningful change in birth care. We’re taking a short break, but we’ll be back soon with an exciting global adventure in Season 6! We’ll travel the world, meeting midwives from different countries to learn about their wins, challenges, and the incredible ways they are making a difference. Until then, take care and make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter at www.midwiferywisdom.com to stay up to date! 💜✨

We're thrilled to welcome Meaghan Beames, a passionate advocate for infant wellness and the founder of Beames CST Training Centre. As a Registered Massage Therapist and dedicated Infant Craniosacral Therapist, Meaghan has made it her mission to help babies and families heal. Through her hands-on work and training programs, she’s empowering practitioners to support infants with gentle, effective techniques. In this episode, we explore the incredible world of Craniosacral Therapy—how it can ease birth trauma, support feeding challenges, and promote overall infant well-being using just 5 grams of pressure or simply by witnessing fascia. It’s a fascinating approach, and the science is only just beginning to catch up. Whether you're a birth professional, a parent, or simply curious about CST, this conversation is filled with insights and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss. Resources from this episode: Meghan Beames' Website - www.beamescst.com The Most Underrated Referral for Your Clients

In this episode, Augustine and Lucy share their journeys after 100 days and 1 year on the Carnivore diet, discussing what led them to make the switch and the remarkable changes they've experienced in their health. Lucy, a UK nurse and Carnivore lifestyle advocate, shares how her work in healthcare exposed her to the consequences of poor nutrition and why she believes a species-appropriate diet is key to a strong, functional body. She and Augustine dive into the addictive nature of ultra-processed foods, the benefits of eliminating them entirely, and how fatty red meat provides the essential nutrients for optimal health. Whether you're exploring the Carnivore lifestyle or looking to rethink your approach to nutrition, this conversation offers real-world insights into breaking free from food industry myths and eating for true wellness. (Not medical advice, just personal experience.) Resources: That Carnivore Nurse on Instagram: @thatcarnivorenurse Dr. Eric Berg: Dr. Berg on the Carnivore Diet​ Dr. Paul Saladino: CarnivoreMD Website Dr. Shawn Baker: Revero Health (formerly MeatRx) Professor Bart Kay: Bart Kay YouTube Channel

Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. and Augustine Colebrook sit down to discuss how midwives and other female entrepreneurs can thrive by staying in their zone of genius and outsourcing essential tasks like bookkeeping, taxes, and financial planning. Danielle shares her journey from corporate CFO to empowering women entrepreneurs to take control of their finances, build sustainable wealth, and focus on what they do best. You’ll learn: Don’t miss this conversation packed with financial wisdom, actionable advice, and encouragement to step into your entrepreneurial power as a birthworker! Resources: The ABC's of the BBC How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner - www.kickstartaccountinginc.com Start a Midwifery Business Right

We’re so grateful to welcome Aaisha Alvi, author of the powerful new book A Mom Like That, to the podcast. In this episode, Aaisha shares her harrowing journey through postpartum psychosis with unflinching honesty. While early motherhood is often depicted as a time of joy and connection, Aaisha’s experience was marked by delusions, terrifying thoughts, and a health system that repeatedly failed to provide the support she desperately needed. When her second pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 14 weeks, Aaisha’s psychosis returned—this time, accompanied by unimaginable and intrusive voices urging her to harm her daughter and others. Feeling evil and unworthy of life, Aaisha sought help repeatedly, only to be turned away at every turn. Driven by her mission to ensure no woman endures the prolonged suffering she faced, Aaisha is raising awareness about this life-threatening condition through her book, social media presence, and volunteering with Postpartum Support International. Her work is helping families access the resources they need to prevent tragic outcomes. Her story is a powerful call to action, shedding light on a condition that remains widely misunderstood and stigmatized, particularly for women of color. It challenges us to foster better awareness, compassion, and support for those navigating postpartum psychosis in silence. In this conversation, Aaisha also shares invaluable insights for perinatal providers, helping them recognize the symptoms of postpartum psychosis and offer critical support to women in their care. This is an essential episode—listen and learn. Trigger Warning: In this episode, we discuss postpartum psychosis, including intrusive suicidal and homicidal thoughts. These are difficult topics, and some listeners may find this conversation distressing. Please listen with care, and if you feel this content may be overwhelming for you, consider skipping this episode or ensuring you have support available as you listen. Links: A Mom Like That@aaishaalviwritesaaishaalvi.comPostpartum Support International

Augustine Colebrook and Maryn Green of IndieBirth sit down and delve into the profound shifts in midwifery as it has evolved into a modern profession. Maryn reflects on how this transition has reshaped the role of the midwife, distancing it from the deeply integrated archetype it once was—a cornerstone of community life, present for both birth and death, and supported by the very people they served. Today, midwives often feel like isolated islands, disconnected from the grounded community support that once gave their work deep significance. In this conversation, they explore what has been lost, what can be reclaimed, and how midwifery can return to a model rooted in autonomy, interconnectedness, and ancient wisdom. Links: https://indiebirth.org/ https://indiebirthmidwiferyschool.org/

In this episode, we dive into the crucial role midwives play in supporting pregnant individuals with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Dr. Kate Levick, a leading researcher in POTS, shares her personal journey with the condition and offers expert insights into how midwives can be frontline providers for people navigating pregnancy with POTS. We discuss the unique challenges of managing symptoms during pregnancy, from dizziness and fatigue to managing blood flow, and the ways in which midwives can create safe, supportive environments for those affected. With practical advice on monitoring and empowering patients, this episode is a must-listen for midwives, healthcare professionals, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of POTS and its management during pregnancy. Tune in to learn more about how midwifery care can be transformative for individuals with POTS on their pregnancy journey. Show Resources: Our previous episode on POTS: POTS and Pregnancy Kate Levick's Research POTS and Pregnancy: A Review of Literature and Recommendations for Evaluation and Treatment Email Kate at kate.levick@newcastle.edu.au