Healing After Birth - A Podcast For Mothers

In today's episode I interviewed Jennifer Lang. A mama of two and a mindfulness coach. Although it had been a while since I have recorded a podcast episode, I felt eager to share this one with all of you. Jennifer reached out to share her Regulated Mama course with me. I was immediately drawn to Jennifer's down to earth, approachable, and relatable content. I've been wanting for moms to have access to a program that helps them learn foundational skills for emotional regulation to support mental health. Hence why I was drawn to The Regulated Mama. I decided to record my interview with Jennifer so that you, the listener, can get a good sense of the quality of instruction and presence that Jennifer brings. We talk about her journey to becoming a mama and how she 'lost access to her tools' as a former dedicated yogi who had a solid meditation practice. She lost this practice after the birth of her children. We spoke about birth trauma and her journey of recovery. As well, Jennifer guided me through a practice to identify your 'baseline breath'. This practice is something you can do and in 5 min, I felt regulated and calm. Full transparency: I decided to partner with Jennifer Lang to help her promote her course. You can purchase her program at 50% using the link below. Her course is affordable (less than a therapy session), digestible, and offers bite-sized exercises that any mom can do throughout the day (with baby and child in arms). The Regulated Mama is a mindfulness and self-regulation program tailored specifically for mothers, designed to empower them with practical tools to support mental and emotional well-being. With a background in trauma support, mental health, chronic pain management, brain injury rehabilitation, yoga, and meditation, I developed this course to offer mothers accessible, trauma-informed practices that can be easily integrated into busy routines to help manage anxiety, lift mood, and cultivate a sense of calm and presence.   Here’s what the course provides:   Self-regulation and grounding tools to support calm during challenging moments, Mindfulness practices to help manage anxiety and elevate mood, Simple techniques to create moments of presence amidst the demands of motherhood. The Regulated Mama > CLICK HERE to start the course To book an intake call with one our therapists > CLICK HERE About Jennifer Lang: A mom of two, living in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Her journey into motherhood followed a life-changing experience with trauma during an advanced meditation retreat. Healing through somatic experiencing therapy, she dove deeply into understanding the nervous system and the unique ways trauma impacts us. This journey also led her to work with first responders experiencing PTSD, and eventually, into combining these essential tools into The Regulated Mama, a course that supports mothers in finding the practices that best fit their unique nervous systems in a light, compassionate way.  

In this episode Jennifer walks you through a Loving Kindness meditation from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) that was adapted from the Buddhist Loving Kindness meditation. You are encouraged to drop into a calm quiet space to let this guided process increase qualities of compassion and friendliness towards others, self, and those you have difficulty with. Jennifer closes with a small challenge: To practice this meditation everyday for a week and pay attention to the quality of your relationships afterwards.  To download a copy of the mediation you can go visit: www.actmindfully.com.au Extra bonus: Read to your children as a relaxation tool. Visit us: www.therapyformoms.ca Birth workers: www.nsidoulatraining.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

In this episode of Fearless Friday Jennifer shares with you why ASK Therapy removed their presence from social media. Jennifer highlights 4 points that informed this decision, and how it was also about mental health. Choosing an unconventional path to build a business and market, without social media, is a fearless decision to make during a time when social media is touted as the dominant way to market and grow your business in today's technocracy. If you like what you are hearing on this podcast please give it a 5 star rating, leave a review, share it with some of your friends, and visit our website at www.therapyformoms.ca or www.nsidoulatraining.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

In today's Mindful Monday episode, Jennifer guides you through a mini teaching about the foundational R's that help you 'do life well'. She prepares you to connect with your breath by introducing you to an orienting exercise to build emotional safety and she closes with a mindful exercise to tune into your breath as your friend. To book a session with the ASK Therapy team you can visit www.therapyformoms.ca  For birth workers please visit www.nsidoulatraining.com  To order Jennifer's books Healing After Birth and Midwifery For The Soul, you can visit Amazon in your residing country. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

In today's Mindful Monday episode Jennifer discusses what Dan Siegel calls 'flipping your lid' and the somatic experiencing acronym TIMES for emotional and mental regulation. You will be guided through a we exercise of TIMES. Even though you are invited to pay attention and notice each 'letter' as a separate embodied experience, the idea with this exercise is to practice changing 'channels'. So if you find yourself distracted and activated in one 'channel' of awareness you can learn how to dial into another area of focus, to shift attention.  If you are looking for therapeutic support you can book a complimentary intake call with our intake therapist at www.therapyformoms.ca and if you a doula or birth worker and want to learn how to embody these skills in your practice go to www.nsidoulatraining.com Finally, if you have a question or topic you would like for me to address on the podcast please send us an email at support@therapyformoms.ca --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

We kick off Fearless Friday with an info episode all about fear through a nervous system informed lens. Remember these are short sound bites.  In this 20 min episode I introduce you to your survival system and your thriving system. I walk you through an embodied understanding of fear as a messenger. I lay the foundation principle of separating the emotional response to a survival state and the story the mind attaches to the sensation of fear.  Links and references provided throughout this episode:  Dr. Doug Tataryn and the Bio-emotive Framework > You can listen to our podcast chat HERE (note we got cut off a lot, however, the content is rich) *note: I mentioned sadness as the third survival emotional however, Doug names anger and fear as the survival emotions. I explain why I link sadness to a survival emotion as it pertains to the dorsal vagal state of shut down and collapse.   To schedule an intake call with our intake therapist > www.therapyformoms.ca  To learn more about nervous system informed doula training > www.nsidoulatraining.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

In this guided meditation Jennifer guides you through an inner investigation into your three centres of knowing housed within your body - the gut brain, heart brain, and skull brain. Followed by an invitation to connect with above and below, so you feel deeply rooted. We close with a gentle invitation to hold a moment of gratitude in your heart centre.  To book a session with Jennifer and her team you can visit www.therapyformoms.ca  For birth workers please visit www.nsidoulatraining.com  To order Jennifer's books Healing After Birth and Midwifery For The Soul, you can visit Amazon in your residing country.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

Jennifer shares about what she has been up to the past 18 months and her exciting news to pivot the podcast to include weekly mindful Mondays episodes that are short and full of soul medicine.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therapyformoms/message

I am so excited to share this podcast with the world of listeners! Hermine is a gem and if you have not yet heard of her, you will become a huge fan after listening to this podcast. Hermine is an American lawyer who started the non-profit organization: Human Rights in Childbirth. She speaks all around the world and is known for her talks on informed consent and human rights in childbirth. She represents mothers, families, and childbirth professionals globally. She is fierce, full of heart, and wise.  Hermine and I will be co-facilitating a workshop for childbirth professionals May 16 and 17th, 2020, in Kelowna, BC, Canada.  Effective Advocacy for Respectful and Supportive Childbirth Experiences: A Workshop About Communication, Informed Consent, and Responsibility for the Childbirth Professional > CLICK HERE to register and learn more. Topics of Conversation What inspired you to become an advocate for human rights in childbirth? The prevalence of childbirth trauma Some of the main presenting problems, complaints, and issues you represent The role of the doula What are the childbirth rights?  The three needs Process of informed consent A need for better boundaries in the birth room Professional Bio: Hermine Hayes-Klein is an attorney and international advocate for women's rights in maternal healthcare.  From 2008 - 2012, Hermine taught international law at The Hague University in The Netherlands, where she was the director of a research center for reproductive rights.  Since 2012, Hermine has organized six multi-stakeholder international conferences on human rights in childbirth, in Europe, the US, South Africa, and India, spoken publicly around the world on human rights in maternal healthcare, consulted on legislation relating to birth and breastfeeding in multiple jurisdictions, and worked directly on many legal cases relating to midwifery, informed consent, shared decision-making, and modern maternity care. Hermine and her family live in Portland, Oregon, USA. Learn more > www.hayeskleinlaw.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

Please note: This podcast was recorded before the pandemic. However, I still believe it is a pertinent interview that needs to be shared.  What a thrilling conversation I had with Emily Kumler Kaplin!  Emily is passionate about women's health and how women are underrepresented within medical research.  In today's podcast Emily spoke about: What it was like growing up in a household with two feminists and how it shaped who she is today Her experience with birth and what she learned The similarities between the 'tech' industry and the birthing 'tech' industry The 'Why' behind her drive to create the EmpoweredHealth podcast and what she was noticing  Who women are constantly being dismissed over health issues and that she wants them to have good information about their bodies so that they can take their power back The shadow side of industrialized childbirth and how black women are more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth, and are being ignored by the system In closing, what her greatest take away so far has been in relation to her quest to change the conversation around women's health Emily's Bio Emily Kumler Kaplan is an award-winning investigative journalist. As an ABC news staffer, newspaper reporter, columnist, and magazine writer, she has gone inside the minds of murderers, world leaders, celebrities, business innovators, and everyone in between. Emily’s fascination with how our personal narratives play a major role in our experiences makes her a captivating writer and speaker. She currently hosts the Empowered Health podcast. She contributes to the The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Good Morning America, The New York Daily News, Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Daily Beast, and other media outlets. She also writes a health column for Boston Magazine. Emily’s current projects include: Empowered Health Podcast: www.EmpoweredHealthShow.com, established to share evidence-based scientific research on women’s bodies, health, experiences that will allow them to lead healthier, happier lives Column in Boston Magazine, Empowered Health with Emily Kumler Prime Fitness: three brick and mortar wellness centers for middle-aged women www.MyPrimeFitness.com Two business advice book deals with publisher, Harper Collins Leadership Freelancing for: The New York Times, Daily Beast, New York Daily News, Boston Globe, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Good Morning American, 20/20 and Primetime Emily's social profiles are: @EmpoweredHealthPod on Instagram @EmpoweredPod on Twitter and Emily's accounts are @NewsNotNoise - Instagram @EmilyKumler - Twitter --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

I am thrilled to have had the pleasure of interviewing Anne. She holds a wealth of information and wisdom. She is passionate about all things related to motherhood and parenthood. I wanted to gather some of Anne's stories to share with all of you.  Together we explored these topics of conversation:  What inspired Anne to serve families in the ways that she does What is unique about her childbirth preparation course - Love Your Birth How she helps mothers heal from childbirth trauma The power of Clarity Breathwork What she does to prevent burnout from setting in - hint the need for boundaries What she is noticing today, that is different from 20 years ago within the field of birth   Bio:  Anne Margolis, CNM, LM, MSN, BSN, RN Anne Margolis is a Licensed Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Femme! Teacher, Certified Clarity Breathwork Practitioner, Yoga Teacher and practitioner. She is a 3rd generation guide to mommas birthing babies in her family. Anne has helped thousands of families in her 20+ year midwifery practice and has personally ushered the births of over 1000 healthy babies into the world. She has also guided countless human beings to heal from emotional pain, inner stress and trauma, tap into their strength and power, live fully and vibrantly, and reclaim their radiance, joyfulness, calm and overall sense of well-being. Through her online childbirth course 'Love Your Birth', her online and in-person midwifery for pregnancy and postpartum support consultations, her birth professional mentoring, her holistic gynecology, Clairty Breathwork and Femme! experience offerings she infuses wisdom, compassion, inspiration, and joy into the entire process of women’s health care from teen aged years to menopause, as well as into facilitating incredible healing and wellness for both men and women of all ages. Anne is a two times number one national and international best selling author of 'Natural Birth Secrets: An Insiders Guide How To Give Birth Holistically, Healthfully and Safely, and Love the Experience', and also 'Trauma Release Formula: The Revolutionary Step by Step Program for Eliminating Effects of Childhood Abuse, Trauma, Emotional Pain and Crippling Inner Stress, to Living in Joy without Drugs or Therapy.' Anne’s work, insights and advice have been seen on TV shows and movies including 4 episodes of 'A Baby Story' on TLC Discovery Channel, and the award winning feature documentary, 'Orgasmic Birth' and 'The Human Longevity Project.' To learn more about Anne and her incredible work check out her website: https://homesweethomebirth.com/anne-margolis --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

**Sensitive Topic of Conversation** In this episode of the Healing After Birth podcast I spoke with Liz Winters about her lived experience with pregnancy loss.  Liz openly shares about: The challenges faced in the postpartum after losing her son at 39 weeks;  The isolation;  The anger;  Rebuilding trust in her body; Mindfulness in pregnancy after loss; How she is dealing with fear and anxiety during pregnancy after loss; Her honest reflections on the 'gift' of grief and how she doesn't align with that notion During this candid heartfelt conversation about postpartum, motherhood, grief, and health, Liz did not hold back. She was honest, reflective, and insightful.  Professional Bio: Liz Winters is a nutritional therapy practitioner, certified pre and postnatal coach, unapologetic foodie and mama. She is the owner of Liz Winters Wellness, an online platform dedicated to helping women move through all walks of motherhood with ease through meaningful fitness and nutrition programs, healthy living support, and hundreds of delicious recipes. After the unexpected loss of her son, Liz set out to change the way women walk through pregnancy and infant loss by creating the support programs: Well this F*cking Sucks: The Grieving Mama’s Guide to Postpartum Recovery After Loss From Speechless to Supportive: How to Support a Loved One After Pregnancy Loss. Links to programs below: ? What the F*ck Do I Do Now: Tips for Navigating Postpartum Recovery After Loss (free download): CLICK HERE ? This Shit is Hard: How to Support Someone After Pregnancy Loss (free download): CLICK HERE ? Well this F*cking Sucks: The Grieving Mama’s Guide to Postpartum Recovery After Loss (full program, $97): CLICK HERE  ? From Speechless to Supportive: How to Support a Loved One After Pregnancy Loss (full program, $37): CLICK HERE You can find Liz on Instagram (@lizwinterswellness), co-hosting the Beyond Birth Podcast, or at LizWintersWellness.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

**Sensitive Topic of Conversation** In this episode of the Healing After Birth podcast I spoke with Liz Winters about her lived experience with pregnancy loss.  Liz openly shares about: The challenges faced in the postpartum after losing her son at 39 weeks;  The isolation;  The anger;  Rebuilding trust in her body; Mindfulness in pregnancy after loss; How she is dealing with fear and anxiety during pregnancy after loss; Her honest reflections on the 'gift' of grief and how she doesn't align with that notion During this candid heartfelt conversation about postpartum, motherhood, grief, and health, Liz did not hold back. She was honest, reflective, and insightful.  Professional Bio: Liz Winters is a nutritional therapy practitioner, certified pre and postnatal coach, unapologetic foodie and mama. She is the owner of Liz Winters Wellness, an online platform dedicated to helping women move through all walks of motherhood with ease through meaningful fitness and nutrition programs, healthy living support, and hundreds of delicious recipes. After the unexpected loss of her son, Liz set out to change the way women walk through pregnancy and infant loss by creating the support programs: Well this F*cking Sucks: The Grieving Mama’s Guide to Postpartum Recovery After Loss From Speechless to Supportive: How to Support a Loved One After Pregnancy Loss. Links to programs below: ? What the F*ck Do I Do Now: Tips for Navigating Postpartum Recovery After Loss (free download): CLICK HERE ? This Shit is Hard: How to Support Someone After Pregnancy Loss (free download): CLICK HERE ? Well this F*cking Sucks: The Grieving Mama’s Guide to Postpartum Recovery After Loss (full program, $97): CLICK HERE  ? From Speechless to Supportive: How to Support a Loved One After Pregnancy Loss (full program, $37): CLICK HERE You can find Liz on Instagram (@lizwinterswellness), co-hosting the Beyond Birth Podcast, or at LizWintersWellness.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

In today's podcast I had the pleasure of engaging in a candid conversation around motherhood with Kate. We deconstructed some of the following topics of conversation: Breaking down the walls between moms Point of view on why the walls may have formed  How to stop of feeling isolated and inadequate as a mother Why mothers are feeling so isolated How to have real conversations with moms in the 'real' world, and why it is beneficial Social media and motherhood  Motherhood and embracing the new identity Kate's Bio: Kate is a mom of 3 beautiful, energetic, and loving kiddos, postpartum doula, President  of East End Birth Network, Inc. (a recognized 501c3), and co-host of the Mom Deconstructed Podcast.  After experiencing a trying postpartum period after her third child was born, she began her training to become a postpartum doula. Since then, she’s been providing support for new families as they transition into early parenthood.  She’s passionate about normalizing the postpartum period, creating community to support new families, and pulling back the curtain of what “real” motherhood looks like. Links: Mom Deconstructed www.momdeconstructed.com Insta: @momdeconstructed FB @momdeconstructed --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

In today's podcast I had the pleasure of engaging in a candid conversation around motherhood with Kate. We deconstructed some of the following topics of conversation: Breaking down the walls between moms Point of view on why the walls may have formed  How to stop of feeling isolated and inadequate as a mother Why mothers are feeling so isolated How to have real conversations with moms in the 'real' world, and why it is beneficial Social media and motherhood  Motherhood and embracing the new identity Kate's Bio: Kate is a mom of 3 beautiful, energetic, and loving kiddos, postpartum doula, President  of East End Birth Network, Inc. (a recognized 501c3), and co-host of the Mom Deconstructed Podcast.  After experiencing a trying postpartum period after her third child was born, she began her training to become a postpartum doula. Since then, she’s been providing support for new families as they transition into early parenthood.  She’s passionate about normalizing the postpartum period, creating community to support new families, and pulling back the curtain of what “real” motherhood looks like. Links: Mom Deconstructed www.momdeconstructed.com Insta: @momdeconstructed FB @momdeconstructed --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

This is the intro to the HAB podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

This is the intro to the HAB podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

In this episode we dive deep into the heart of the topic, as well, each others hearts. Gena is a mentor, friend, and elder.  She speaks about birth spirituality and healing, with years of experience.  Together we explored the following topics of conversation:  Motherhood in today's world Childbirth trauma Ceremony and spirituality for healing and birthing A story on secondary-traumatic-stress as a Doula Historical trauma and the need for healing And, everything in between... Gena McCarthy RN, MFT is a perinatal psychotherapist, a certified EMDR (PTSD treatment) provider and a developer and educator of the Birth Spirituality and Healing Network which includes: Coach and Facilitator Certification Programs for Ceremonies of Pregnancy, Healing Birth Trauma – Parent Renewal Workshops. She trained in Shamanic, Buddhist, Cherokee Peacekeeper and Perinatal Psychology cross-cultural ways of healing. She co-developed the Contra Costa County Integrative Health Program, founded and co-coordinated the Contra Costa PerinatalDepression to Wellness Network and co – organized the Birth Keeper Summit in 2015 and the multicultural partnership Bay Area Birth keepers in 2016. She lives with her beloved husband and has offices in the Bay Area. She loves to hike, dance, sing, garden, travel and visit with their son, who lives on the east coast. To follow Gena and learn more about her new offerings visit: www.birthspiritualityandhealing.com Gena McCarthy RN, MFT#32708

In this episode Gena and I dove deep into the heart of the topics discussed, as well, each others hearts. Gena is a mentor, friend, and elder.  She speaks about birth spirituality and healing, with years of experience.  Her presence and wisdom is palpable throughout this conversation. Together we explored the following topics of conversation:   Motherhood in today's world  Childbirth trauma  Ceremony and spirituality for healing and birthing  A Doula story on secondary-traumatic-stress Historical trauma and the need for healing  And, everything in between...  Gena McCarthy RN, MFT is a perinatal psychotherapist, a certified EMDR (PTSD treatment) provider and a developer and educator of the Birth Spirituality and Healing Network which includes: Coach and Facilitator Certification Programs for Ceremonies of Pregnancy, Healing Birth Trauma – Parent Renewal Workshops. She trained in Shamanic, Buddhist, Cherokee Peacekeeper and Perinatal Psychology cross-cultural ways of healing. She co-developed the Contra Costa County Integrative Health Program, founded and co-coordinated the Contra Costa PerinatalDepression to Wellness Network and co – organized the Birth Keeper Summit in 2015 and the multicultural partnership Bay Area Birth keepers in 2016. She lives with her beloved husband and has offices in the Bay Area. She loves to hike, dance, sing, garden, travel and visit with their son, who lives on the east coast.  To follow Gena and learn more about her new offerings visit: www.birthspiritualityandhealing.com  Gena McCarthy RN, MFT#32708 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message

In this episode Gena and I dove deep into the heart of the topics discussed, as well, each others hearts. Gena is a mentor, friend, and elder.  She speaks about birth spirituality and healing, with years of experience.  Her presence and wisdom is palpable throughout this conversation. Together we explored the following topics of conversation:   Motherhood in today's world  Childbirth trauma  Ceremony and spirituality for healing and birthing  A Doula story on secondary-traumatic-stress Historical trauma and the need for healing  And, everything in between...  Gena McCarthy RN, MFT is a perinatal psychotherapist, a certified EMDR (PTSD treatment) provider and a developer and educator of the Birth Spirituality and Healing Network which includes: Coach and Facilitator Certification Programs for Ceremonies of Pregnancy, Healing Birth Trauma – Parent Renewal Workshops. She trained in Shamanic, Buddhist, Cherokee Peacekeeper and Perinatal Psychology cross-cultural ways of healing. She co-developed the Contra Costa County Integrative Health Program, founded and co-coordinated the Contra Costa PerinatalDepression to Wellness Network and co – organized the Birth Keeper Summit in 2015 and the multicultural partnership Bay Area Birth keepers in 2016. She lives with her beloved husband and has offices in the Bay Area. She loves to hike, dance, sing, garden, travel and visit with their son, who lives on the east coast.  To follow Gena and learn more about her new offerings visit: www.birthspiritualityandhealing.com  Gena McCarthy RN, MFT#32708 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healingafterbirth/message