In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast , Karen welcomes first time mom Brenna Burkins to share her extraordinary 4-hour pain-free home birth story. What makes Brenna’s birth so remarkable? Not only was it her first baby, but she labored with joy, laughter, and zero pain after intentionally preparing—spiritually, mentally, and physically—for a supernatural birth experience. Brenna opens up about the moment she first believed pain-free birth was possible, after hearing a testimony that cha...
Jun 24, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Karen sits down with Lauren Leonard—ER nurse, mental health advocate, and former NFL cheerleader—who shares her miraculous and deeply personal journey from infertility and generational birth trauma to a pain-free, supernatural birth marked by worship, surrender, and divine intimacy. After four years of trying to conceive and a lifetime of hearing her mother’s traumatic birth story, Lauren never imagined she’d one day experience a birth that felt euphoric, empowering, and complet...
Jun 17, 2025•56 min
In this special Father's Day episode, I’m joined by her husband, Jonathan Welton. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like for dads to walk through pregnancy, labor, and birth—especially outside the hospital system. From initial hesitations about home birth to fully showing up with unwavering presence, Jonathan shares the fears, surprises, and transformations he experienced through our three unmedicated births. Whether your partner is nervous, unsure of his role, or simply wants t...
Jun 10, 2025•47 min
What if your birth experience could be more than just physical—what if it became a holy encounter with God? In this episode, Karen sits down with Emily Vondy—musician, speaker, content creator, and mama of (now) six—to share the unforgettable story of her fifth birth. From walking through the fear of a pregnancy after loss to experiencing a supernatural encounter with God during active labor in the car, Emily’s story is a beautiful testimony of faith, surrender, and divine joy. Emily vulnerably ...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 22 min
What if you were told your baby was breech—and you still gave birth at home, unmedicated, and without fear? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Tayler Magee shares how she dismantled years of fear around childbirth, trusted God's design for her body, and delivered her breech baby at home as a first-time mom. Timestamps: 00:00 – Her mindset shift: “Your body births even in a coma” 05:01 – From fear of birth to home breech birth 13:18 – How she dismantled fear & found faith in God’...
May 27, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 54
Licensed therapist and faith-based coach Stephanie Okori joins Pain Free Birth to share her two radically different but equally powerful birth stories—one a pain-free, unmedicated hospital birth that stunned the staff, and the second a spirit-led C-section that defied fear and overflowed with peace. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 05:20 – From Paralyzing Fear to Unshakable Faith 11:50 – Labor Begins: “God Spoke to Me in the Bathroom” 14:46 – Worship, Breath, and Rhythm: How She Labored Without Pain 18...
May 20, 2025•48 min•Ep. 53
In this episode, Karen sits down with Rachael Austin, RN, IBCLC—an internationally recognized midwife and head educator for the Thompson Method of Breastfeeding—to unravel some of the most misunderstood parts of the birth-to-breastfeeding journey. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or recovering from a rough start, this episode will open your eyes and give you confidence to trust your body—and your baby. Timestamps:03:29 – How Birth Interventions Affect Breastfeeding05:08 – Nipple Pain...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 52
What would I do differently if I gave birth in 2025? In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 powerful shifts I’d make—beyond the usual advice—to transform your birth experience and postpartum recovery. From protecting your mental health to trusting your body’s wisdom and creating a sacred postpartum bubble, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, do less, and reconnect with what truly matters during pregnancy and birth. Save over $200 this Mother's Day! From May 5-12th you can get $60 OFF ...
May 06, 2025•47 min•Ep. 51
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Stormie Fraser. Stormie shares her pain free home birth story and compares it to her first time giving birth in a hospital setting. We also discuss faith and grief as Stormie tragically lost three loved ones while she was pregnant. Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/ TIMESTAMP...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 50
Letting Go of Control: The Spiritual Shift of Pregnancy & Birth Are you an over-preparer who feels like pregnancy is spinning your world out of control? In this powerful solo episode, Karen gets deeply honest about the root of our need to control—and how fear, unresolved trauma, and striving for strength can actually sabotage our birth and motherhood journey. Learn why pregnancy riggers you on purpose, how hormonal and spiritual changes are designed to surface unhealed pain, and how surrende...
Apr 15, 2025•43 min•Ep. 48
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Yaya DaCosta, an actor, birth worker, and way shower. We discuss ecstatic birth, Yaya stories giving birth in public in New York City, and how the emotions of Moms during pregnancy can imprint on the psychology and physiology of their babies. Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 49
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Laurynn Howard, a Mom of 2, Doula and Midwife. We’re speaking about her pain free second birth story, her tips for Mom’s experiencing their first natural birth, and why Western Civilization’s mindset on pain and spirituality is non-resourceful for Moms. Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-b...
Apr 01, 2025•48 min•Ep. 47
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting one of my personal doula clients Rae Doescher to discuss her recent natural car birth We explored Rae’s transformative journey to natural birth, the experience of her labor in the car, and the power of self coaching and spiritual practice leading up to and throughout birth. Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://...
Mar 25, 2025•51 min•Ep. 42
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Cindy Park-Jun about her birth story of delivering two babies in South Korea. Cindy is a Korean American mom who lives in South Korea with her husband. And after navigating IVF pregnancy, she decided to birth in South Korea where they were living at the time in a completely different culture with a language she didn't fully know. She shares how God guided her to a natural birth in a country with one of the highest cesarean and ...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 45
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode I have a couple, Jessica and Shane Winnings, who are Pain Free Birth students joining us with their experience of two very different births - both natural home births, but one being pain free and another being a posterior birth. We compare and contrast the birth experiences and talk about the Pain Free Birth teachings as well as a strong sense of faith helped Jessica during both of her experiences. Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-cou...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 44
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode I have a solo episode for you where I address critics of the pain free birth and natural birth movements and share my mindset around birthing and doula work. I ultimately try to empower you to decide for yourself: Is a Pain Free Birth Possible? Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/ TIME...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min•Ep. 43
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/ —————— Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re sharing an incredible 3-hour car birth story with you from Kira Aho We dove into what it was like to give birth in a car, dealing with insurance claims in unique birthing scenarios like that, and spiritual empowerment lessons useful for...
Feb 25, 2025•34 min•Ep. 40
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/ Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting the creator of Mama Meals, Holly Stein! You can follow Holly on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/eat.mamameals We dove into holistic postpartum care with Holly, discussing Mama Meals, the power of nutrition, Holly's own amazing b...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 41
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting Madeleine Van Gorp. This is one of the most redeeming and beautiful pain free birth stories I have ever had the privilege of hearing, but it’s also filled with some very sensitive and painful experiences. ...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 39
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting one of my personal doula clients Sondra Almeter - I’ve been hounding her to come on the show for a YEAR and she finally did. I’m so excited to share her amazing birthing stories, including a breech vbac bi...
Jan 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 38
Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting two doulas, Jessica Grant and Kallie Caton, the founders of the “Birth Belongs to Women” movement. We discuss why birth does, indeed, belong to women, and how the medical system and current social/political movements are unfairly marginalizing women and doulas who believe birth belongs to women. We discu...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 37
In this episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Lizzie Kieffer as she shares her personal birth experiences and professional insights. From her hospital birth to her empowering home birth, Lizzie opens up about the lessons learned along the way. Tune in as we dive into why relying solely on kegels might not be the best approach for birth and postpartum recovery, how diaphragmatic breathing helps relax the pelvic floor, and explore practical tips for avoiding severe diastasis recti. Plus, learn how to ...
Oct 22, 2024•50 min
While Tara was blacking out from pain, losing hope, and believing she didn't have enough faith for a pain free pregnancy, she experienced a deeply spiritual experience that led her to creating the first of its kind, her own app, for Christian Hypnobirthing. Tune in to find out how drastically different Tara's births were with and without the power of hypnobirthing, how our thoughts and emotions can imprint on our babies brains, and how you can use hypnobirthing beyond labor! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: ...
Sep 10, 2024•54 min
Jessie thought she was prepared to have a smooth, natural, and pain free birth until... The hospital kept interrupting the labor room, asking for continuous monitoring, and made the birth experience something Jessie never wanted to relive again. When she got pregnant with her second child, Ava, she knew things would be different. She and her husband weren't 100% sold on having a home birth, but that's why we have peace that God's plan is greater. Tune in to hear all about Jessie's redemptive and...
Sep 03, 2024•58 min
Right after high school, Brandyn witnessed a dear friend having excruciating menstrual cycles. After being prayed over by a team member in ministry school, her friend no longer experienced pain during her cycles! This was when Brandyn's eyes were open to the possibility that we don't have to experience pain and birth can be amazing. This was a very special episode to chat about as Karen and Brandyn shared so many similarities between their births. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Praying to release pain What...
Aug 27, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
In this episode, Gina Conley shares how impactful movement could be supportive for a strong and pain free pregnancy as an industry-leading perinatal fitness provider. What if the answer to a pain free pregnancy and birth was simply understanding the difference in mobility throughout our pregnancies and how we can support our body by moving optimally. I'm sure you've heard of kegels... think of that as step one. Kegels should not be your only form of movement to prepare for birth. Find out what G...
Aug 20, 2024•52 min
In this episode, Emma shares her amazingly unexpected, yet so magical precipitous twin birth. Fascinated by birth by baby number two, Emma had done a lot of research and precipitous births had never stood out to her... that was until the twins came along. Her instincts were on fire. From the midwife being minutes away, husband nearly passing out, and babies coming quick enough she almost forgot to undress?! This birth story is one to remember. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Previous hospital births versus ...
Aug 13, 2024•44 min
In this episode, Whitney Baggett shares how about becoming a first-time mom, trusting your intuition, and the challenges of falling out of your mental zone in the hospital. As a new mom, Whitney questioned whether she was really in labor or if she was just having contractions. Tune in to hear the interesting story and timeline Whitney gave from the moment she experienced this "back cramping" to the minute she was wheeled into the hospital with shocking news! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: How Whitney's sin...
Aug 06, 2024•51 min
**Hey mamas, this episode was recorded with different equipment so please don’t mind the audio, we understand it can be frustrating, but we’ll be back to normal quality next week** This episode is quite different as Karen is actually the one being interviewed by the host of the Holy Confident Birth Podcast , Eve O'Brien. Check out the Holy Confident Birth Instagram here. We hope you enjoy this perspective shift as Karen shares her journey with her own pain free births, how she got into this indu...
Jul 30, 2024•58 min
We are so excited to welcome holistic health advocate and dentist, Dr. Michelle Jorgensen on the podcast today! Through her years of general and cosmetic dentistry, she never questioned anything ⎯ until Dr. Michelle was so sick she could hardly hold a dental instrument. Dr. Michelle experienced severe mercury poisoning that opened up an entirely different can of worms within the dental industry. Tune in to hear how Dr. Michelle found out about her toxicity, how it affected her fertility, what sh...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min
