Journey To Midwifery - podcast cover

Journey To Midwifery

Host of Journey to Midwifery Podcast podcasters.spotify.com
This podcast is about the journey it takes to become a midwife. Listen each week as midwives tell the story of their very own Journey to Midwifery. Contact me at JourneyToMidwiferyPodcast@gmail.com ~~Instagram and Facebook at Journey to Midwifery Podcast or @JourneytoMidwiferyPodcast
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Episodes

Geneva Montano, CPM Colorado

Geneva shares her journey to midwifery that was inspired by her own childbirth experience. She shares her stories of juggling motherhood, getting her midwifery education and LIFE! She has a book and a course linked below... www.genevamontano.com @genevamontanomidwife IG https://a.co/d/fb1mOoY

Mar 26, 20251 hr 4 min

Dr. Lonnie Morris, ND, CNM

Dr. Lonnie Morris, ND, CNM, is a midwifery trailblazer who has dedicated her career to advocating for women, advancing maternal health, and empowering families. She attended 7,000 births across her 45 year career. Join us as we dive into her inspiring path, the lessons she’s learned, and the wisdom she has to share with midwives everywhere. Connect with Lonnie instagram: @lmcnm Recommended in the show: Nobody Told Me That by Ginger Breedlove

Mar 19, 202548 min

Deborah Abner, CPM, LM - Utah, Aravah Midwifery

Deborah is a midwife, mother of 6, and grandmother who describes herself as "a birth junkie from birth!" Her journey to midwifery started as a young child who was magnestized to helping mothers and babies, then was refined across decades of supporting friends and family through their own pregnancies, births, and postpartum events. She is passionate about home birth, informed consent, and having authentic relationships with her clients and families that extend to friendships well after the babies...

Dec 09, 202454 min

Annetra Taylor, CNM Pittsburgh, PA

Annetra shares her journey to midwifery and choice to settle at the The Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health in Pittsburgh, PA. She shared a great resource for midwife students of color to find a mentor. Here's the link for that. https://blackmidwivesalliance.org/

Sep 14, 202447 min

Nalah Morrow, CNM, California

Nalah Morrow, CNM is a new grad that traversed Minnesota, Arizona, and Nevada to get her midwifery training completed at Bethel University in Minnesota (all while commuting from her home in California). Nalah was set to become a veterinarian, but after a brief trip to labor and delivery to assist a friend in labor, felt the calling to become a nurse-midwife. Nalah speaks frankly about her training, her fellowship at GWU and her next steps post-fellowship: back to California to join a birth cente...

Aug 17, 20241 hr

Dr. Mickey Sperlich, CPM

Dr. Mickey Sperlich shares her journey as a CPM that recognized during home birth care that women were struggling with something that was unseen. She started asking questions as a CPM and her questions led to a concurrent career of research and trauma-informed care, and ultimately, a PhD to continue building out this area. Her work includes a book called Survivor Moms and a psychoeducational training program called Survivor Moms Companion. Contact Mickey at: University of Buffalo: https://social...

Jul 28, 20241 hr 4 min

Dr. Michelle Collins, CNM, New Orleans LA

Dr. Michelle Collins CNM has been a midwife for 22 years and is currently the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health at Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. In this episode, we talk about Michelle's journey and experiences as a CNM, as well as how she started a nurse-midwifery program at Loyola in 2023. If you are an aspiring midwife, and looking for a university, take a listen as Michelle offers in-depth information on Loyola's program. (Hint--it sounds fantastic!!) Here's the link for more...

Jul 17, 202458 min

Brandi Martin, CNM IBCLC

Brandi graduated in 2023 and took her boards in 2024 after having a baby and taking time off for her family. She shares her journey to midwifery as well as her struggles to land a job after taking a much-needed break between school and boards. The discussion Brandi and I have is, are child bearing women being punished in the job market because of taking time off for their family?? Listen to Brandi's story and find out! Links Brandi mentioned: The Ultimate Survivor Guide for New Midwives https://...

Jul 05, 20241 hr 6 min

Lisa Miller CNM, JD

Join Jamie Guertin from A Midwife Nation for our latest episode with Lisa Miller, CNM, JD - that’s right - Lisa went to law school shortly after graduating from midwifery school and says law school made her a better midwife! Tune in for all sorts of nuggets and wisdom about the many intersections between law and midwifery. Don’t miss this episode! Links from show: Sign up for Lisa's newsletter: ⁠https://prmes.com/newsletter-signup/⁠ Lisa's RNC-EFM prep course: ⁠Electronic Fetal Monitoring: Revie...

Jul 03, 20241 hr 36 min

Rose Watson-Ormond, CNM, North Carolina

Rose Watson-Ormond is a certified nurse-midwife based in Saxapahaw, North Carolina. She recently opened a home birth practice called Haw River Midwifery to serve her community. Her story is inspiring and she offers wisdom about being a doula, choosing a midwifery school, opening a home birth practice, balancing family and midwifery and the importance of focusing on sustainability with "eyes wide open!" Show notes: Home birth practice: Haw River Midwifery Book recommendation: Feed the Baby: An In...

May 15, 202458 min

Dana Mclaren, CPM Colorado

Dana has been a midwife for over 30 years and has many words of wisdom to offer while sharing her story. It's always so insightful to learn and hear the stories of "seasoned" midwives! Dana also wanted to share in the podcast that her friend and colleague from Windy Hill Midwifery, located in North Central Wisconsin, near Wasau is looking for experienced midwives, student midwives, and semi-retired midwives who are passionate about providing high-quality care and making a positive impact on our ...

May 04, 20241 hr 4 min

James Austin V, DNP, CNM, IBCLC, Arizona

Guest host Jamie Guertin from A Midwife Nation talks with James Austin, DNP, CNM, IBCLC. As a new grad CNM, Austin stumbled upon the gold mine of midwifery residencies at El Rio Health in Tucson, AZ. Listen to her valuable experiences to see if a midwife residency after graduation may be the right step for you.

Apr 16, 20241 hr 5 min

Carol Leonard, Midwife-Retired in Maine

Carol is another wonderful trailblazing midwife that has spent her career in the North Eastern part of the United States. She has not only done birth work, but blazed the trail for midwives to practice legally in her area. She has also participated in birth internationally and has written 2 books! She is enjoying retired life in the woods of Maine now, but all midwives today are thankful for women like Carol who have pathed the way for those of us practicing today. An American Midwife in Moscow ...

Mar 16, 202459 min

Hayley Chrzastowski, OTD, OTR/L

Haley is not our typical guest on Journey to Midwifery, but she an amazing and wonderful perspective on having OT's (occupational therapists) as part of the prenatal/postpartum practice model for midwives. Hayley currently works with midwives at Tree of Life Midwifery for some fantastic collaborative care for their clients. Check this episode out...guest hosted by Jamie from A Midwife Nation (thank you Jamie) and listen to this wonderful, passionate discussion about how to continue to support pr...

Feb 15, 20241 hr 5 min

Jamie Peleaz CNM, Tennessee

Jamie from A Midwife Nation is the guest podcast host again, interviewing Jamie Peleaz CNM who works at a birth center in TN (linked below) AND is faculty and the midwifery program at Loyola University (linked below). Jamie has lots of wisdom that she offered along the way and she has worked in quite a few places in the past 5 years. Jamie's sister Samantha Lawson was on in 2019-here is her podcast link as well https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/nF5jfGhiNGb Streams of Life Birth Center https:/...

Jan 31, 20241 hr 12 min

Megan Frank, Student Nurse Midwife, California

Megan Frank, who is a very recent graduate and a SOON to be Certified Nurse Midwife shares her very tumultuous journey as a midwife student. I encourage ANY one looking into midwifery to listen to this episode to understand the realities of what happens during the graduate program. Megan is happy to be done and excited to start working as a CNM, but it was a hard road for her to get there. Thank you to Megan for sharing her VERY real story

Jan 19, 20241 hr 9 min

Diane Thomas, Retired CNM

Jamie from A Midwife Nation is a guest host again with Diane Thomas, retired CNM. Diane is a prior collage of both Jamie and I and had LOTS of mentorship to offer when Jamie and I came through, she as a brand new midwife, and I was a student. Diane shares her journey and long-time career of about 30 years before retiring. Be prepared to CRY as Diane shares two of her most memorable birth stories!!

Nov 21, 202342 min

Kelli MacAdam, CNM, Virginia

Kelli shares her journey to midwifery and starting in a practice with no other midwives, the challenges, and growth of that practice and what it is today. She offers some great advice for midwives that may be the first in a practice with only doctors, for midwives starting in a busy practice and for student's.

Nov 06, 20231 hr 22 min

Cynthia Jaffe, Washington

Enjoy this fabulous interview, with Cynthia Jaffe, who is now retired after a long and rewarding career. This interview is done by guest host Jamie Guertin, founder of A Midwife Nation. Thanks to both for a another fantastic podcast episode.

Sep 30, 20231 hr 17 min

Silvia Esparza, CNM, Texas

Silvia Esparza, CNM runs a solo out of hospital birth practice in Texas. She shares her journey to midwifery from active duty Navy corpsman to full scope practicing midwife today!

Sep 17, 202345 min

Laura Denman, CNM Seattle WA

Laura Denman is a midwife in the Seattle Washington area, who shares her journey and insight over her 36+ years career in midwifery.

Jun 11, 20221 hr 10 minEp. 91

Rebecca Feldman, CNM,PMHNP, Brooklyn

Rebecca Feldman is the owner and practices at Brooklyn Parent Support, a practice specializing in pregnant and postpartum mental health. She shares her journey to and through midwifery and how every piece of that journey led to her being prepared for her practice she has today. https://brooklynparentsupport.com/

May 27, 20221 hr 8 minEp. 90

Judith S Mercer, PhD, FACNM, CNM

If you love research, this is the podcast for you! Judy has had a long, rewarding career with the last 20 years spent doing research, in particular with the benefits of delayed cord clamping. Judy is a brilliant woman with so much going on in her mind, she is fascinating! Here's a link that lists the many articles Judith has published: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judith-Mercer

May 20, 20221 hr 11 minEp. 89

Cynthia Barger, CPM Wichita Kansas

Cynthia shares her journey to midwifery that happened later in life at age 47, after she had raised and homeschooled her 8 children. I love Cynthia's story that says it's OK to wait! Midwifery will be here when you are your life are ready! She also shares how her midwifery colleagues and her share a birth co-op, super neat concept! http://www.wichitabirths.com/cynthia-barger-cpm1.html

May 02, 202259 minEp. 88

Nancy Koerber, CPM, North Carolina

Nancy is a CPM in North Carolina who has been practicing the art of midwifery since the 1970's. She has worked for families and advocated for midwifery for all those years. We talk in depth about business and owning a birth center and the legalities of midwifery in North Carolina.

Apr 25, 20221 hr 10 minEp. 88

Meg Henschel, Retired CNM in North Carolina

Meg, CNM who is currently spending her retired years in North Carolina discusses her long career of over 40+ years as a midwife. She has cared for such a diverse population in the United States. She has done everything from birth, to family planning, to abortion care. She has some beautiful insights looking back at her career that we have the pleasure of hearing from her story. Thank you Meg for sharing your experiences and thoughts with this community!

Apr 18, 20221 hr 36 minEp. 87

Elizabeth Munoz, CNM, Illinois

Elizabeth "Liz" Munoz, CNM on to the podcast today to share her journey to midwifery from being in theatre as an actress, to feeling a change inside of her after seeing "The Business of Being Born." Liz shares her journey through school, her career past, current and really awesome FUTURE endeavors (yay for new schools of midwifery opening up!!). Finally, we talk about the birth of her own children and how they played a role in her practice as a midwife.

Mar 30, 20221 hr 24 minEp. 86

Christine Strothers, CPM, North Carolina

Christine shares her journey to midwifery from RN to CPM, and now educator along with continuing her home-birth practice. Here are links to the websites she discussed: http://www.purebirthmidwifery.com/ https://www.carolinabirthjunkies.com/

Mar 18, 20221 hr 8 minEp. 85

Sarah Thompson, author of Functional Maternity

Sarah Thompson is the author of the book, Functional Maternity - Using Functional Medicine and Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes. ​​She brings over 20 years of experience working directly with medical doctors in the fields of Pain Management, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and advanced studies in both Acupuncture and Functional Medicine. In this podcast she shares some pieces of her VAST knowledge toward prenatal nutrition and functional medicine. Sarah's book is a must-read a...

Mar 11, 20221 hr 9 minEp. 84

Kelly & Tiffany, Beautiful One Midwifery, San Diego California

Kelly and Tiffany from Beautiful One Midwifery, based out of San Diego discuss their journey into midwifery and lots of talk about how they run their business sustainably and have an actual work/life balance as homebirth midwives FREE Roadmap to Sustainable Midwifery guide: https://beautifulonemidwifery.mykajabi.com/roadmap-to-sustainability Beautiful One Midwifery Website: https://www.beautifulonemidwiferysandiego.com/

Mar 04, 20221 hr 23 minEp. 83
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