Our Village Circle

Meet Deborah Binun, a psychotherapist, birth educator, and author, who conducted the first piece of detailed research worldwide on primary to phobia, the pathological fear of childbirth. She's also the author of my favorite childbirth resource ever, the Missing Peace in Childbirth, which focuses on sharing the three principles. A profound psychological paradigm enabling clients to see their birth and indeed their whole life from an entirely new perspective. With this perspective comes freedom of mind and new lightheartedness toward life, A deep sense of security and serenity in the face of whatever birth may bring. In today's discussion, we dive into the nature of thought and being human, and how that manifests in pregnancy and childbirth. It was a beautiful discussion, and I'm thrilled for you all to hear it! Today's episode is sponsored by our Signature Webinar: Preparing for a Smooth Postpartum. Our next class is June 20 @ 7:30pm Enter code PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off your registration fee! RESOURCES: Deborah's Website Deborah will be starting up another Book Club for "The Missing Peace in Childbirth" this upcoming September. She also has an 8 week course starting October called"Birth 4 U" combining Hypnobirthing and The Three Principles. All information can be found on the website, linked above. ***** LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Jamie Mossay, who has been serving the San Diego community as a bodyworker and massage therapist for 20 years, specializing in pregnant families.  She's the creator of the DANCES approach to prenatal bodywork and Birthing From Within's Touch From Within course, and co-author and illustrator of the book The Breech Release:  Opening Pathways for Midwifery and Prenatal Bodywork. Her approach to birth support and her own spiritual path transformed utterly when she discovered Birthing From Within® in 2013, and started mentoring childbirth classes soon after the introductory training. She has since had advanced training as a Birth Story Listener®, and this is what we will be discussing today - the power and impact of our birth stories, and deep listening as a mode of healing. This conversation was so impactful for me that immediately after we finished, I signed up to train as a Birth Story Listener myself - this was 6 months ago, and I just finished my training, and WOW.  When I tell you this process is transformational, I am in no way exaggerating.  I cannot wait for you to hear this discussion. Today's episode is sponsored by our Signature Webinar: Preparing for a Smooth Postpartum. Our next class is June 20 @ 7:30pm. Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off your class registration! RESOURCES: Birthing from Within Article: How to Mine an Uninvited Birth Story for Gold, by Nikki Shaheed Book: The Breech Release, by Jamie Mossay CONNECT WITH JAMIE https://www.jamiemossay.com/ Instagram @jamiemossay

Today, it's just me! I'm here with a special surprise for you, an exclusive preview of my Signature Webinar: Preparing for a Smooth Postpartum. Today's episode comes directly to you from my last live webinar - we'll break down what is going on emotionally in the postpartum time, and the adjustments we should take into consideration. We also discuss Baby Blues, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and how to detect them in ourselves and others. Our next LIVE webinar is June 20 @ 7:30pm - click HERE to RSVP! ***** LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Roni Zelivinski, an Israeli born Russian Jewish lover of all things local, seasonal, sparkly, and holy.  She is a Certified Nurse Midwife with a background in Out of Hospital Birth.  She has worked with families, children, and women for over a decade as a doula, yoga teacher, infant massage instructor and nurse.  She is committed to helping women reclaim their hormonal, physical, spiritual and sexual wellness through root cause healing and integrative medicine.  She believes that every individual has the power to heal themselves and sees her work as a midwife as merely an illumination to that freedom path.   She is currently accepting clients for consults on nutrition, lactation, preconception, sexual wellness, and any other support you feel you might benefit from by working with Roni.  She is grateful to her teachers and the healers who inspire her work - Aviva Romm, Lily Nichols, Michel Odent, Esther Perel, Brenda Lane, Miriam, and Whitney Pinger. In today's episode, we talk about ALL THE THINGS, with a primary focus on reclaiming our self knowledge from what they taught us in school.   Today's episode is sponsored by Ava Fertility. RESOURCES: The Fifth Vital Sign Taking Charge of your Fertility The Blood Book CONNECT WITH RONI: Instagram @kaphagoddess LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Amanda Palmeiro, a singer and mother in the DC area.  After years of infertility, she now has a beautiful 11 month old daughter, Lucy, who took a while to get here, but was well worth the wait! Today, we'll hear the story of her and her partner's fertility journey.  A brief content warning, we will be discussing fertility struggles, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and IVF.  If you sense that these topics may be triggering for you, please do what you need to do to exercise self-compassion, even if it means you skip this one and we see you next time.  This episode is sponsored by Our Village Circle's Signature Webinar, Preparing for a Smooth Postpartum. Our next webinar is on April 25 @ 7:30pm. RSVP now! This episode is also sponsored by Gentle Birth's Mindful Breastfeeding Course. Get 20% off using promo code VILLAGECIRCLE at checkout. RESOURCES: Interview with Jennifer Aniston about her fertility struggles LEARN MORE ABOUT AMANDA: Instagram @amandapalmeiro Amanda's Website LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Find us on Instagram @ourvillagecircleOur website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Caroline O'Neill, who became a massage therapist in 2007 and through her Prenatal Massage training,  fell in love with prenatal care.  Having experienced many pregnancies myself, I understand the benefits massage can bring.   After her own fertility heartbreak,  Fertility Massage became near and dear to her heart, and she strives  to help women achieve the dream of becoming a mother.  She will meet you where you are and support you through your process.  In addition to fertility massage, she also offers prenatal and postnatal massage to support the childbearing body, and is a certified Hypnobirthing Instructor. Caroline is the founder of The Body, Birth and Baby Center in Leesburg Virginia, a brick and mortar collective of providers, here to support you through preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and into parenthood. In today's interview, we discuss the benefits of massage and body work in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum phases (it's SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU THINK), the education we receive about our bodies growing up, the mind-body connection in birth, and of course, she shares with us all about her Body Birth and Baby Center, and all it has to offer. This episode is sponsored by Our Village Circle's Signature Webinar, Preparing for a Smooth Postpartum. Our next webinar is on April 25 @ 7:30pm. RSVP now! This episode is also sponsored by Gentle Birth's Mindful Breastfeeding Course. Get 20% off using promo code VILLAGECIRCLE at checkout. LEARN MORE ABOUT CAROLINE: www.bodybirthandbaby.com Instagram: @bodybirthandbabyloudoun LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Find us on Instagram @ourvillagecircleOur website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Allison Coleman, a Toddler-Mom from Baltimore Maryland and Owner of Joey For Roo - a baby apparel brand dedicated to supporting and encouraging newly postpartum parents. The creation of Joey For Roo stemmed from Allison's own experience with Postpartum Depression and OCD. In this interview, she shares her story, launching us into a discussion about Perinatal Mental Health and the state of Maternal Healthcare in the United States of America. Links: www.joeyforroo.com (Instagram and Facebook: @joeyforroo) Information on Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) During and After Pregnancy Like what you're hearing? Like, Subscribe, Share! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @OurVillageCircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Dr. Erica Statman, owner and chief physician of Maimonides Chiropractic. Since 1998, she has always embraced family care and particularly enjoys caring for children and pregnant women. She specializes in pediatrics, pre-natal chiropractic care, post-partum chiropractic care, newborn evaluation and management. Her chiropractic techniques include Thompson, Diversified, Activator, Upper Cervical Specific, Sacro-Occipital Technique, Craniosacral Therapy, Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET), and Total Body Modification (TBM). She is a licensed instructor in Total Body Modification (TBM) and is currently in training to become a licensed Acupuncturist through Acupractice Seminars offered by the University of Bridgeport, CT. She is also active as a lecturer to birth care professionals on the subject of the benefits of chiropractic care for pregnant women. In today's interview, we discuss Chiropractic Care, at first in general - what is it, what are the benefits, WHO can it benefit… and we begin to debunk some general misunderstandings that have developed about this healing modality. We then move on to discuss chiropractic care in the context of her specialty : Pregnant Women and Children, and what constitutes a good care provider in any discipline. I've been a patient of Dr. Erica's for about 2 and a half years now, and I was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to ask her questions about her work that I have been dying to ask since I met her! I hope you enjoy this discussion, I know I did. Today's episode is sponsored by _________ RESOURCES: The Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics PubMed JMPT International College of Applied Kinesiology Carol Phillips Dr. Karen Gardner

Meet Lauren Bacon Smith (She/her) is 36 years old and a Northern Virginia Native currently living in Springfield, VA with her Aussie husband Lindsay, son Cameron and dog Sheila. She works full time as the Chief People Officer at a tech start up that focuses on hiring people with disabilities. Lauren is a self proclaimed birth nerd and is extremely passionate about birthing people being educated and empowered to advocate for themselves to have a positive birth experience. Today, she is joined by her Doula, Casey Runck (she/her), who began attending births in 2016 and is honored to have supported over 250 families. She was drawn to doula work because she knows there are just as many ways to be a good parent as there are to have a great birth. This belief inspires her to support families during such a special and momentous time. She lives in the Virginia suburbs with her partner, their two dogs, a cat, and many houseplants. When she's not attending births, she enjoys home projects, cooking, and entertaining for friends. In today's birth story, part 2 of a 2-episode series, Lauren and Casey continue to share her labor and birth story. When we left off, Lauren had begun having contractions at home, and they were increasing in intensity quite quickly. Lindsey, Lauren's partner, had called Casey to come and join them at their home. Today's episode is sponsored by Ava Fertility. ***** RESOURCES PROOV At Home Fertility Tests SpermCheck At Home Fertility Test for Men Instagram: @tipsfromadoula @yourbadassnaturalbirth @drnicolerankins @builttobirth @notsafeformomgroup @mamastefit @carolinepackarddpt @doclizziedpt @thelaurenohayon @ourfitfamilylife Podcasts: My Essential Birth The Birth Hour Built to Birth Evidenced Based Birth All About Pregnancy & Birth with Dr. Nicole Rankins Birthful Our Village Circle! Lauren's Birth Team: Doula: Casey Runk https://www.caseyrunckbirthdoula.com/ Provider: GW Hospital Midwifery https://gwdocs.com/specialties/midwifery-services Chiropractor: Dr. Sardis https://www.chirogroup.net/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Lauren Bacon Smith (She/her) is 36 years old and a Northern Virginia Native currently living in Springfield, VA with her Aussie husband Lindsay, son Cameron and dog Sheila. She works full time as the Chief People Officer at a tech start up that focuses on hiring people with disabilities. Lauren is a self proclaimed birth nerd and is extremely passionate about birthing people being educated and empowered to advocate for themselves to have a positive birth experience. Today, she is joined by her Doula, Casey Runck (she/her), who began attending births in 2016 and is honored to have supported over 250 families. She was drawn to doula work because she knows there are just as many ways to be a good parent as there are to have a great birth. This belief inspires her to support families during such a special and momentous time. She lives in the Virginia suburbs with her partner, their two dogs, a cat, and many houseplants. When she's not attending births, she enjoys home projects, cooking, and entertaining for friends. In today's birth story, part 1 of a 2-episode series, Lauren shares her and her partner's fertility journey - from trying spontaneously, to getting ready for IVF and finally, becoming pregnant. We talk through her pregnancy, which began under the care of hospital-based Midwives - discovering that this care team didn't align with her birth goals, finding Casey and hiring her as her doula, and navigating a third-trimester provider switch to another midwifery group in the area. We launch a little bit into her labor journey, but we'll save most of that for part two. Today's episode is sponsored by Our Village Circle's Signature Webinar, Preparing for Postpartum. Click HERE to learn more and register. RESOURCES PROOV At Home Fertility Tests SpermCheck At Home Fertility Test for Men Instagram: @tipsfromadoula @yourbadassnaturalbirth @drnicolerankins @builttobirth @notsafeformomgroup @mamastefit @carolinepackarddpt @doclizziedpt @thelaurenohayon @ourfitfamilylife Podcasts: My Essential Birth The Birth Hour Built to Birth Evidenced Based Birth All About Pregnancy & Birth with Dr. Nicole Rankins Birthful Our Village Circle! Lauren's Birth Team: Doula: Casey Runk https://www.caseyrunckbirthdoula.com/ Provider: GW Hospital Midwifery https://gwdocs.com/specialties/midwifery-services Chiropractor: Dr. Sardis https://www.chirogroup.net/

Tracy Donegan is a hospital trained midwife, lactation educator and birth doula, who enjoys working closely with parents to help them have the safest, healthiest positive experience possible no matter what kind of birth they're planning. She has two boys and resides in Round Rock, TX, but she hails originally from Ireland, where she started the nation's first professional doula service. She is the Founder of GentleBirth, the pregnancy brain training App and program for birth, that will build your confidence and reduce your fear as the big day approaches.  I used this app and its accompanying contraction timer with my second pregnancy, and it was a godsend. She's also the creator of the FertileMind app, the world's first app to support you emotionally on your path to parenthood. She's also the author of Mindful Breastfeeding: A Mind-Body Approach to Less Pain, Less Overwhelm and More Milk, and the accompanying Mindful Breastfeeding Program, to simplify the breastfeeding process and bring it back to its purest form.  Enter VILLAGECIRCLE at checkout for 20% off the Mindful Breastfeeding Program. This episode is brought to you by Our Village Circle's signature webinar, Preparing for a Smooth Postpartum.  Join us on February 21 @ 7:30pm! ***** RESOURCES: Gentle Birth App Fertile Mind App Tracy's Book : Mindful Breastfeeding: A Mind-Body Approach to Less Pain, Less Overwhelm and More Milk CONNECT WITH TRACY: Instagram: @gentlebirthofficial Visit Tracy's Website LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Subscribe and review our podcast, and share with anyone you feel may benefit. We are on Instagram:  @ourvillagecircle Visit our website: www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Tracy Donegan, a hospital trained midwife, lactation educator and birth doula, who enjoys working closely with parents to help them have the safest, healthiest positive experience possible no matter what kind of birth they're planning. She has two boys and resides in Round Rock, TX, but she hails originally from Ireland, where she started the nation's first professional doula service. She is the Founder of GentleBirth, the pregnancy brain training App and program for birth, that will build your confidence and reduce your fear as the big day approaches. I used this app and its accompanying contraction timer with my second pregnancy, and it was a godsend. She's also the creator of the FertileMind app, the world's first app to support you emotionally on your path to parenthood. She's also the author of Mindful Breastfeeding: A Mind-Body Approach to Less Pain, Less Overwhelm and More Milk, and the accompanying Mindful Breastfeeding Program, to simplify the breastfeeding process and bring it back to its purest form. In today's discussion, part 1 of our 2 part series, we launch into Tracy's journey to birth work, mindfulness in pregnancy and birth as Trauma Prevention, and resilience training for all stages of life. Today's episode is sponsored by the Ava Bracelet. Shop Ava Fertility HERE. RESOURCES: Gentle Birth App Fertile Mind App Tracy's Book : Mindful Breastfeeding: A Mind-Body Approach to Less Pain, Less Overwhelm and More Milk CONNECT WITH TRACY: Instagram: @gentlebirthofficial Visit Tracy's Website LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Subscribe and review our podcast, and share with anyone you feel may benefit. We are on Instagram: @ourvillagecircle Visit our website: www.ourvillagecircle.com

We made it! Welcome to the final episode of Season 2 of the Our Village Circle Podcast. If you joined us last time, you heard the story of my second pregnancy and early labor, leading up to our arrival at the freestanding birth center we chose to receive our care from. Today, we continue with the birth story of my youngest son Allen (who will be turning one very soon), and our postpartum experience under the care of Midwives. Today's episode is sponsored by Willow Pump and Kindred Bravely. ******** RESOURCES: Jaely's First Birth Story Episodes: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Books: The Missing Peace in Childbirth, by Deborah Binun The First Forty Days, by Heng Ou Other Resources: Premier Birth Center - Chantilly, VA Serola Belt for SI Pain in Pregnancy Positive Birth Company Hypnobirthing Pack Gentle Birth App Easy Contraction Timer Motherboard for Birth Planning LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

It's finally here! Coming up on my youngest son's first birthday, I'm so excited to finally share with you all the story of my second pregnancy and birth. As most of you know, I was pregnant with him as I recorded the first season of the podcast, and had him shortly after the final episode aired. Now, a year later, you get to hear about my second experience, which was worlds different in many ways. If you'd like some context for this story, you can go back to Season 1 and listen to Episodes 9 through 11 to hear the story of my first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Today I'll begin by talking you through my pregnancy, and the experience of going through my entire pregnancy under the care of midwives, my battle with Symphisis Pubis Dysfunction, some scary blood pressure moments at the end of my pregnancy, and my experience with prodromal labor, setting the stage for our next episode, where I'll share the story of his birth and my postpartum. Today's episode is sponsored by Ergobaby - CLICK HERE to take a brief survey to shop for the right baby carrier for you. RESOURCES: Jaely's First Birth Story Episodes: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Books: The Missing Peace in Childbirth, by Deborah Binun The First Forty Days, by Heng Ou Other Resources: Premier Birth Center - Chantilly, VA Serola Belt for SI Pain in Pregnancy Positive Birth Company Hypnobirthing Pack Gentle Birth App Easy Contraction Timer Motherboard for Birth Planning LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

In today's episode, we continue our discussion with Jennifer Silliman, mother and co-producer of the award winning documentary film, Dark Side of the Full Moon, which continues to change and save lives. She also hosts a podcast based off the same concept and continuing the conversation about maternal mental heath that's certainly far from over, giving those who want to share their story a platform to do so, so others know they're not alone. In this second half of our 2-part collaboration between our podcasts, Jenn and I continue our discussion about the state of Maternal Health Care in the United States as it relates to mental health, and we'll hear about the process of making the Dark Side of the Full Moon Documentary. We'll also share some important resources for folks who may be struggling with a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder, and how friends and family can help new parents. Today's episode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely - SHOP HERE for 20% off your first purchase (certain exclusions apply, discount applied at checkout) RESOURCES: Postpartum Support International Warm Line: 800.944.4773 Crisis Text Line CONTACT JENNIFER: Stream The Dark Side Of The Full Moon Documentary Instagram: @ppdfilm LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Jennifer Silliman, mother and co-producer of the award winning documentary film, Dark Side of the Full Moon, which continues to change and save lives. She also hosts a podcast based off the same concept and continuing the conversation about maternal mental heath that's certainly far from over, giving those who want to share their story a platform to do so, so others know they're not alone. On today's episode, Part 1 of a 2-part collaboration between our two podcasts, Jenn and I discuss the state of Maternal Health Care in the United States as it relates to mental health, and I launch into my journey through my first postpartum - parts I have not shared in previous podcast episodes. Today's episode is sponsored by Willow Pump and Kindred Bravely. Shop Willow Pump HERE. Get 20% off your first purchase from Kindred Bravely HERE. RESOURCES: Postpartum Support International Warm Line: 800.944.4773 Crisis Text Line CONTACT JENNIFER: Stream The Dark Side Of The Full Moon Documentary Instagram: @ppdfilm LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Emily Geller, an Opera Singer based in Westchester NY and Mom of two. You may recognize her story from Inside Edition, the Today Show, People Magazine, and a whole host of birth podcasts this past summer, when the news became viral of her daughter's birth in their car on the highway after a 2.5 hour precipitous yet calm and empowering labor. Today, she sits down and chats with us about how the birth of her first baby - a planned cesarean due to lack of access to a provider comfortable with vaginal breech - drove her to pursue and prepare for her VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). She talks us through her birth story, and what the aftermath of the experience was like for her with it becoming so public. Today's episode is sponsored by Willow Pump and Kindred Bravely. Shop Willow Pump HERE. Get 20% off your first purchase from Kindred Bravely HERE. RESOURCES: Breech Without Borders Coalition for Breech Birth International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) Connecticut Childbirth and Women's Center Spinning Babies Three Sisters of Balance Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth Lily Nichols: Real Food for Pregnancy Gentle Birth App Your Whole Baby CONTACT EMILY: Instagram:@ emilygeller Website: https://www.emilygeller.com/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Loghan Bazan Wright, a classical singer, cycling instructor, and Mom from Pittsburgh, PA. In today's episode, part 2 of a 2-part series, Loghan shares with us her experience of seeking help for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, and her climb back up from rock bottom. She reflects on what was most helpful for her, and together, we discuss cultural and societal expectations about postpartum, motherhood, and mental health. Today's episode is sponsored by Ergobaby - Click HERE to take a short quiz and shop for the right carrier for you! Resources: Crisis Text Line Megan with Empowering Moms (@empowering_mom) • Instagram photos and videos Contact Loghan: Instagram: @loghz http://www.loghanbazan.com/ ***** LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Loghan Wright, a classical singer, cycling instructor, and Mom from Pittsburgh, PA. In today's episode, part 1 of a 2-part series, Loghan shares with us her experience of going through her first pregnancy and birth during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares with us her expectations, how her plans had to change as COVID ripped through the world, and the challenges she faced as a new parent in quarantine. Today's epsiode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely - shop HERE for 20% off your first purchase (discount applied at checkout, certain exclusions apply) Resources: Crisis Text Line Megan with Empowering Moms (@empowering_mom) Contact Loghan: Instagram: @loghz http://www.loghanbazan.com/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle. Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Roni Zelivinski, Certified Nurse Midwife and co-owner of Sage Midwifery PLLC, a practice dedicated to holistic and integrative home birth and health care for folks with uteruses and vaginas. In this conversation, Roni shares her background and journey towards becoming a Midwife, how her experiences as a yoga instructor influence her practice, her philosophy and values about integrative well-person care, and how her and her business partner, Samantha Sewell, practice Midwifery. This episode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely - Shop Here for 20% off your first purchase (applied at checkout, certain exclusions apply) Resources: The Fifth Vital Sign, by Alyssa Vitti Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler Hormone Intelligence, by Avviva Romm Contact Roni: Instagram: @mystic.midwife Sage Midwifery Instagram: @sage_midwifery LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle. Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Laurel and Kipyn Martin, proud mothers to Gabby (17 months). In this episode, they share their fertility journey with IUI using a sperm donor, Laurel's battle with Hyperemesis Gravidarum throughout her pregnancy, her birth experience, and the lived experience of pregnancy and postpartum during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As with most of my interviews, their daughter was taking her nap during the interview, and shortly into our chat, woke up (as toddlers do) - so we'll be mostly hearing from Laurel in today's episode. In addition to her story, she'll share the resources that were most helpful for her as she suffered through HG, and her advice for those seeking help. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic depictions of life with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which includes descriptions of vomiting episodes. There is also mention of suicidal ideation, disordered eating, termination of pregnancy, and pregnancy loss. Please practice self-compassion and listen/fast forward at your own discretion. Today's episode is sponsored by the Willow Pump. RESOURCES: www.helpher.org Instagram: @hgmoms CONTACT KIPYN AND LAUREL: www.KipynMartin.com Instagram: @kipynmartin LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle. Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Lynden Gehling, Mom of six (including a set of spontaneous triplets) and journey coordinator for Surrogate Steps, an agency for gestational surrogates and intended parents to be matched up and create families. On this episode, Lynden shares her own journey of becoming a gestational surrogate for an international family. She will talk about what the process looked like, how she experienced pregnancy/birth/postpartum, and available resources for anyone who is considering becoming a surrogate, or using a surrogate to grow their family. This episode is sponsored by LOVEVERY. RESOURCES: Facebook Group: Surrogates and Intended Parents Surrogate Steps Preemie Milk Bank: Prolacta BioScience CONTACT LYNDEN: Instagram Account: @ipeeonsticks LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

In today's conversation with Laura Emanuel, Part 2 of our two-part series, Laura talks us through all the features of her landmark app for new parents, Mothership Rising. The Mothership Rising app, available on iTunes and Google Play, provides support and encouragement to mamas by having their friends and family create a nurturing circle and sign up for days to check in on them via text. Like a meal train of emotional support, their community can create a support circle and the app will handle the signing up process. The app sends a text to the mama and the “daily support” friend with a prompt to start the conversation so that the mama can get encouragement and the kind of support she needs from her network. Mothership Rising is a safe space to support mamas in all the ways a child comes into a mother's life: adoption, birth, bonus moms, foster care, step-parent, and surrogacy. Today's Episode is sponsored by Willow Pump RESOURCES: Download the Mothership Rising App Postpartum Support International Warm Line: 800.944.4773 Cherished Mom Gyrotonics Book: The Body Keeps The Score, by Bessel van der Kolk CONTACT LAURA: Download the Mothership Rising App Instagram: @mothershiprising * * * * * LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle . Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Laura Emanuel, founder and CEO of Mothership Rising - an app, available on iTunes and Google Play, that provides support and encouragement to mamas by having their friends and family create a nurturing circle and sign up for days to check in on them via text. Like a meal train of emotional support, their community can create a support circle and the app will handle the signing up process. The app sends a text to the mama and the “daily support” friend with a prompt to start the conversation so that the mama can get encouragement and the kind of support she needs from her network. Mothership Rising is a safe space to support mamas in all the ways a child comes into a mother's life: adoption, birth, bonus moms, foster care, step-parent, and surrogacy. In this conversation, Part 1 of a 2-part series, we discuss our postpartum journeys, the expectations we had going into parenthood, intrusive thoughts, physical recovery from childbirth, the mind/body connection, and the importance of community in the childbearing years. Laura shares with us what was most helpful for her, and how her journey led to the creation of her landmark application for new parents. RESOURCES: Download the Mothership Rising App Postpartum Support International PSI Warm Line: 800.944.4773 Gyrotonics Book: The Body Keeps The Score, by Bessel van der Kolk CONTACT LAURA: Instagram: @mothershiprising Download the Mothership Rising App TODAY'S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KINDRED BRAVELY. Get 20% off your first purchase by shopping with the following link: www.kindredbravely.com/ourvillagecircle LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Today's episode marks the final part of our 3-episode Birth Story series with host Jaely Turner. In today's story, Jaely shares her experience in the first 48 hours in the Postpartum Wing after the birth of her son, managing Newborn Hypoglycemia amid many disruptions from hospital staff which interfered with feeding, bonding, and much-needed rest. She also talks briefly about the impact this experience had on her early parenthood journey, and how it led to her doula and advocacy work for new parents, and the eventual creation of the Our Village Circle Podcast. Contact Jaely: Instagram: @jaelylouise and @ourvillagecircle Facebook: www.facebook.com/ourvillagecircle www.ourvillagecircle.com

In today's episode, Part 2 of our three-part series, you'll hear from our host Jaely Turner, who shares her birth experience with her first son. After being induced for Gestational Hypertension at 37 weeks and expecting a long, highly interventive process, her water broke immediately sending her into active labor which moved very quickly and was able to advocate for a low-intervention birth. Contact Jaely: Instagram: @jaelylouise and @ourvillagecircle Facebook: www.facebook.com/ourvillagecircle www.ourvillagecircle.com

In today's episode, Part 1 of a three-part series, you'll hear from our host Jaely Turner, who shares her pregnancy journey with her first son. She talks about the care she received over the course of her pregnancy and how it prompted her to make a late-pregnancy switch to a Midwife practice at 33 weeks, right before she developed Gestational Hypertension which unexpectedly led to an early term induction of labor. Contact Jaely: Instagram: @jaelylouise and @ourvillagecircle Facebook: www.facebook.com/ourvillagecircle www.ourvillagecircle.com * * * * * Like What You Hear? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Susan ‘Susie' Lewis Kavinski, a mom of two, and Command Advocate for Parenthood and Pregnancy (CAPP) for the United States Navy Band in Washington, DC, where she currently works as a musician. Today, Susie takes us through how the simple act of writing a paper for her Chief Indoctrination led to the construction of a lactation room within her command, and grew into subsequent years of Advocacy within the Navy for new parents. We also discuss the culture surrounding infant feeding, the culture surrounding new parenthood, the changes we've seen, and the changes we hope to see in the future. Links: MamaVa - Design Solutions for Breastfeeding Moms On The Go www.MamaVa.com Contact Susie: Instagram: @SusieSoprano Facebook: www.facebook.com/susiesoprano www.susiesoprano.com ***** Like What You Hear? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Episode 7 - Dawn Frederick Meet Dawn Frederick, a Mom, Teacher, and Musician in Virginia, who came on to share her journey through the Adoption process after battling fertility challenges. We discuss the different routes to adopting a child, the unique experiences of being an adoptive parent, and the innocent but hurtful questions and assumptions many have regarding family planning, fertility, and adoption. Links: Resource List: How to Get Started With the Adoption Process https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jGRPpUWmLvqtHbCfmdPlW4-XKwPrl0cLlAVS0upFQx8/edit?usp=sharing Families for Private Adoption (FFPA) https://www.ffpa.org/ Parent Profiles http://parentprofiles.org/ Bethany Adoption Agency https://bethany.org/help-a-child/adoption Contact Dawn: Email: dawnfred@hotmail.com ***** Like what you hear? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle and our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Alexis Carter, a Mom of three, Postpartum Doula, and Owner of Mothers4Mothers - based in Northern Virginia, and dedicated to assisting new families with their adjustment to a new baby. In this episode, we discuss the importance of Postpartum Support, processing your birth story, the function of doulas, screening for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), what new parents REALLY need, and how one can be supportive of a new family in the middle of a Pandemic. Links: www.mothers4mothers.com (instagram: doula.it) https://www.mealtrain.com/ www.postpartumva.org https://www.llli.org/ Instagram Accounts @doula.it @takingcarababies ***** Like what you hear? Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit. We're on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle and our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

In this continuation of last week's discussion, Sarah takes us through the initial months of her early parenthood experience, navigating Postpartum Anxiety with three newborns, and finding her own voice as a parent, as well as finding her ‘village' for raising multiples. Links: Instagram: @sarah_has_triplets Like what you're hearing? Like, Subscribe, Share! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @OurVillageCircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Sarah Issaelkhoury, a teacher, musician, and mom of triplets from Northern Virginia. In this first of two episodes, Sarah takes us through her own journey with unexplained infertility, going through fertility treatments and a subsequent IUI, and her experience carrying and birthing Triplets. Links: Instagram: @sarah_has_triplets Like what you're hearing? Like, Subscribe, Share! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @OurVillageCircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Heather White Swartz, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and Owner of Loudoun Homebirth & Healthcare in Virginia. In this episode, Heather shares her own journey from starting out as a Registered Nurse (RN), training as a midwife, working as a CNM in a hospital-based practice, and her transition to homebirth midwifery. We discuss many of the questions and concerns many people may have regarding out-of-hospital birth, the state of maternal health care in the United States, how the birth world has changed with the emergence of COVID-19, the benefits of birthing at home for a low-risk pregnancy, and how friends and family members can support a newly postpartum parent during a pandemic. Links: https://www.loudounhomebirth.com/ (Instagram: @loudounhomebirth) Find a Nurse-Midwife - American College of Nurse Midwifes (ACNM) Like what you're hearing? Like, Subscribe, Share! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @OurVillageCircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

In this continuation of last week's discussion, Allison Coleman shares her story of how she created Joey For Roo - a baby apparel brand dedicated to supporting and encouraging newly postpartum parents. In this second of two episodes, she talks about Joey for Roo's mission, her vision for the future of the company, and how she is committed to anti-racism and supporting Black owned businesses. She also shares the resources that have been most helpful to her throughout her journeys with postpartum and starting a small business. Links: www.joeyforroo.com (Instagram and Facebook: @joeyforroo) Book: Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts, by Karen Kleiman Rachel Rodgers Town Hall: Reimagining Small Business The Anti-Racist Small Business Pledge The Postpartum Stress Center Mother Honestly The Motherhood Center Like what you're hearing? Like, Subscribe, Share! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @OurVillageCircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Allison Coleman, a Toddler-Mom from Baltimore Maryland and Owner of Joey For Roo - a baby apparel brand dedicated to supporting and encouraging newly postpartum parents. The creation of Joey For Roo stemmed from Allison's own experience with Postpartum Depression and OCD. In this first of two episodes, she shares her story, launching us into a discussion about Perinatal Mental Health and the state of Maternal Healthcare in the United States of America. Links: www.joeyforroo.com (Instagram and Facebook: @joeyforroo) Information on Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) During and After Pregnancy Like what you're hearing? Like, Subscribe, Share! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @OurVillageCircle Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

​Welcome to Our Village Circle, a podcast centered around authentic sharing, honest storytelling, and elevating the voices of parents and professionals alike to demystify the realities of new parenthood. We understand, on a visceral level, that with the joy of your new human also comes every other emotion under the sun. We want you to feel seen, heard and known in this life-altering stage. We wholeheartedly believe that everyone's story has something powerful to offer others as they navigate their own journey. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @ourvillagecircle Visit our Website: www.ourvillagecircle.com Tune back in for the launch of our first episode on Thursday, January 21st.