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 s...
Jul 09, 2025•19 min•Season 6Ep. 130
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 cultura...
Jul 02, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 129
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 ne...
Jun 25, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 128
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 alway...
Jun 18, 2025•13 min•Season 6Ep. 127
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 re...
Jun 11, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 126
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 Birthworker...
Mar 12, 2025•7 min
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! 🎧...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 7 min
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: How often should you chart? How do you determine if a baseline has changed? Most importantly, what data is essential for defensible documentation in case of a bad outcome? Like we said— an oldie, but a goodie! 🔹 Special Update: The wonderful Ilka Fanni , featured in this episode, has since come a lon...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 3 min
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 perso...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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 t...
Feb 12, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 125
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 b...
Feb 05, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 124
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-processe...
Jan 29, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 123
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: Why understanding your financials is cruci...
Jan 22, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 122
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 w...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Season 5Ep. 121
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 suppor...
Jan 08, 2025•53 min•Season 5Ep. 120
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 w...
Dec 13, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 119
In this episode, we’re joined by Laura Federico, midwife, and Morgan Miller, clinical sex therapist, to explore the powerful connections between mental health and midwifery. Together, we discuss how understanding the intersection of emotional well-being, hormonal cycles, and reproductive health can transform the care midwives and birthworkers provide to their clients—and themselves. We also dive into their new book, The Cycle Book , a game-changing resource that offers midwives and birthworkers ...
Dec 04, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 118
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Geneva Montano, a Colorado native, mother of four, and seasoned birth worker since 2003. Geneva is a Registered and Professional Midwife, Certified Doula, Registered Yoga Teacher, CPR instructor, body and energy worker, teacher, mentor, author, artist, and activist. Her lifelong passion for spirituality, art, and self-exploration shines through in her work, as she supports families and learns from each unique birth experience. In this episode, Geneva di...
Nov 27, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 117
In this compelling talk two iconic figures in midwifery, Elizabeth Davis and Whitney Pinger, come together to share their insights on woman-centered birth and transformative midwifery care. Whitney Pinger, known for her groundbreaking “Pearls of Midwifery” approach, has dedicated her career to reducing cesarean rates and promoting natural births through evidence-based practices. With a deep commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care, Whitney has empowered countless healthcare providers a...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 116
In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the enduring partnership of Desiree LeFave and Petra Prostrednik, the co-founders of Bella Vie Gentle Birth Center, as they reflect on 17 years of working together to create and nurture their dream of a peaceful, natural birth center. Through candid conversation, Desiree and Petra share the secrets to making their midwifery partnership not only last but thrive. From navigating the challenges of building a birth center to maintaining a deep, trusting profes...
Nov 06, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 115
Exploring Placenta Remedies with Dr. Sophia Johnson In this episode, Dr. Sophia Johnson joins Augustine Colebrook to dive deep into her groundbreaking research on placenta remedies and her new book, Placenta Power . Dr. Johnson shares insights into the benefits, composition, and clinical potential of placenta in postpartum care. Resources Mentioned: Placenta Power Book: Stadelmann Verlag - Placenta Power Dr. Johnson’s Instagram: @placenta.universe Book Instagram: @plazentapower Placenta Artwork:...
Oct 31, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 114
Show Notes: Email Suzannebirthing@gmail.com Join us at this years online conference midwiferywisdom.com
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 113
Welcome back to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! In this episode, Augustine sits down with rising social media star, Dr. K, to dive into her inspiring journey and the impact of her family’s legacy on her career. Dr. K shares how she got started on social media and the pivotal role her grandfather’s career in naturopathy played in shaping her path. Together, they explore the barriers within obstetrics that hinder midwifery from gaining the exposure it deserves and discuss the importance of informed ...
Aug 21, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 112
Welcome back to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! This week we are joined by two wonderful guest hosts, student midwives Shiphrah Sarai Israel and Susanna Israel. They share their passion for helping aspiring and new student midwives navigate the "rollercoaster" that is the pathway to midwifery. In this episode they share their paths into midwifery, how difficult the pathways are, a little about each different pathway, tips for aspiring midwives, and so much more. Both students and seasoned midwives...
Aug 14, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 111
Welcome back to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! This week, Augustine is joined by two incredible guests: Chemin Perez, a dedicated midwife from Washington State, and Julie Miller, an expert in Applied Clinical Nutrition. Together, they explore the fascinating topic of the MTHFR gene. In this episode, they unravel what MTHFR is and delve into the epigenetics behind it. They discuss its various manifestations, such as long-term anemia, depression, anxiety, and thyroid issues, and its significant imp...
Aug 07, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 110
*A special thanks to this week's sponsor, Lodwar Bookkeeping!* Welcome to another episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! This week, Augustine is joined by her long-time friend, Professor, practicing midwife, preceptor, mother, and midwifery wisdom mentor, Mary Harris. Augustine and Mary engage in a refreshing and authentic conversation about the sacred and safe nature of community births. They discuss how midwives can embrace modern technology while honoring ancient practices, share insights o...
Jul 31, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 109
*A special thanks to this week's sponsor, Lodwar Bookkeeping!* Welcome to another episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! This week, we are delighted to have CNM Ebony Simpson with us. Together, Augustine and Ebony engage in a beautiful and insightful conversation about the essential role of midwifery care. Ebony opens up about her journey to becoming a midwife and her experiences working as a hospital CNM. She offers personal recommendations for new CNMs, shares how she cares for herself in a ...
Jul 24, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 108
*A special thanks to this week's sponsor, Lodwar Bookkeeping!* Welcome back to another episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! This week, Augustine is joined by the insightful Dr. Darrell Martin, a recently retired OB with a refreshing perspective on obstetrics. Darrell shares his journey from residency to retirement, highlighting the critical need for collaboration between CNMs and OBs in the hospital setting. He also discusses his personal efforts to champion this shift in hospital birth prac...
Jul 17, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 107
*A special thanks to this week's sponsor, Lodwar Bookkeeping!* Welcome back to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! This week, host Augustine Colebrook is joined by midwife Sophia Henderson and chiropractor Dr. Jen Santos. Dr. Jen, who has dedicated her career to caring for newborns, brings a wealth of wisdom to our conversation. Together, they delve deeply into the benefits of chiropractic care for newborns, the logistics involved, and what an "adjustment" looks like for the littlest patients. Sophia ...
Jul 10, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 106
*A special thanks to this week's sponsor, Lodwar Bookkeeping!* Welcome back to another episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast! In this enlightening episode, Augustine sits down with Dr. Anna Villasuso and Sheily Nishman, two trailblazing entrepreneurs and cofounders of the up-and-coming company Birdie and Co. Discover their inspiring journey from meeting as young moms to identifying a significant gap in postpartum care and transforming that insight into action. Anna and Sheily share their exper...
Jul 03, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 105
