The Be Her Village Podcast
Be Her Village, Inc.
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We are changing the way women are celebrated! On this podcast we meet all the
different types of service providers available on Be Her Village's unique gift
registry. And we meet real moms and partners who share their stories of needing
support during birth and their transition to parenthood.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jul 31, 2022
Nobody Knows Your Body Or Your Baby Better Than You- With Kristin Revere of Gold Coast Doulas
Kaitlin McGreyes, Founder of BeHerVillage talks with Kristin Revere, Co-Owner of Gold Coast Doulas. She's a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Certified Newborn Care specialist, Co-Host of the Ask A Doula Podcast, and Co-Founder of The Becoming a Mother Course.
Inspired by her own experience in trying to find resources as a newly pregnant mom, Kristin has worked to make the information around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum readily available to anyone who is looking for it.
They cover the importance of creating support systems BEFORE giving birth, and what ongoing support looks like in the postpartum period, for new parents and for babies.
You can find Kristin and her team here:
Gold Coast Doulas
Ask A Doula Podcast
The Becoming a Mother Course
(use the code Becoming50 at checkout for a discount!)
Expectant parents, you can create your registry of support services for free at BeHerVillage.com
Providers, you can join us too at BeHerVillage.com/partners
Want to share your birth story? Click here!
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May 22, 2022
Who Has Your Best Interest In Mind During Birth and Postpartum? With Trish Evangelista of Babylon Crossfit
Content Warning: This episode depicts a traumatic birth experience, with mention of suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of BeHerVillage talks with Trish Evangelista of Babylon Crossfit. Trish is a Crossfit Affiliate owner, L2 Coach, Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, who is using her pregnancy and birth experience to educate and empower moms.
Trish talks about the importance of being educated before birth and how hiring and learning from the right coaches can make a huge difference while navigating pregnancy and postpartum.
She wants moms to know that there are resources for them (for birth and postpartum as well as fitness) no matter where they are on their journey.
To learn more about Trish, her gym, and her offerings head to BabylonCrossfit.com
If you’re getting ready for a baby, you can put support like this on your registry when you use BeHerVillage.com Trish is also a partner with BeHerVillage, so you can add Trish's services directly to your registry.
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May 15, 2022
Either You Want to Provide Access, Or You Don't: with Jennie Joseph
In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of BeHerVillage talks with Jennie Joseph: globally recognized midwife, Founder and President of Commonsense Childbirth, Inc. and Director of the National Perinatal Task Force, and not to mention one of Time Magazine's Women of the Year for 2022.
In this episode they talk about Jennie's journey through midwifery and how she's dedicated her life to making sure birthing folks are getting the safe and accessible care that they deserve.
For more on Jennie and her work visit:
PerinatalTaskForce.com
CommonSenseChildbirth.org
JennieJoseph.com
BeHerVillage.com is a gift registry where parents can register for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support-- instead of stuff. Create your free registry today.
If you support new mamas you can create a profile at BeHerVillage.com/partners so new parents can put YOU onto their registry
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Apr 24, 2022
How Not to Get Sick: Finding a Balance Between Western and Holistic Medicine with Dr. Joel Gator
In this episode, Kaitlin McGreyes, Founder of Be Her Village talks with Pediatrician Dr. Joel Warsh, aka Dr. Gator about how NOT to get sick (and the answer isn't to obsessively wash your hands). Dr. Gator talks about how lifestyle factors such as sleep and diet play a really important role in longterm health and wellness. As a pediatrician he blends his Western medical background with a naturopathic and holistic approach to help keep the kids (and families) in his practice healthy by valuing prevention of illness as much as the treatment of illness. Dr. Gator knows that as a pediatrician, he is one of the many components to a wellness team that has a positive effect on health and thriving.
You can find Dr. Gator on IG at instagram.com/drjoelgator
Work with him by heading to his website: IntegrativePediatrics.com
And sign up for his upcoming masterclass for keeping kids healthy: RaisingAmazingPlus.com
To set yourself up with a village for wellness for yourself and your new baby, create a registry at BeHerVillage.com and register for the services you want to keep yourself and your family thriving.
*This and all episodes of the Be Her Village Podcast serves to educate based on personal stories and experiential information from practitioners, and is not to be used as medical advice. Please see your medical professional for specific advice pertaining to your unique experience.
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Apr 17, 2022
What Breastfeeding ACTUALLY Looks and Feels Like: With Kate Miller of Mighty Milk
On this week’s episode of the Be Her Village podcast Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village is talking with Kate Miller, founder of Mighty Milk— a company offering online video based breastfeeding classes for new and expectant parents.
Breastfeeding can be hard, no matter how natural it may seem to be.
t’s not always as easy as: have a baby and then the baby latches— often there is struggle, trial and error. Most often, those who reach their breastfeeding goals are surrounded by support.
Kate and Kaitlin talk about the struggles of breastfeeding, why partner involvement is so important, how to help a new mom who is breastfeeding, and what Kate offers in her online courses.
If you’re getting ready for baby and you’re planning on breastfeeding, check out MightyMilk.co to get yourself and your partner as prepared as can be.
And if you want to put breastfeeding support or any other kind of support on your baby registry— create your registry for free at BeHerVillage.com
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Apr 3, 2022
People Over Policies: How Our Hospital System Needs to Change with Maggie Runyon of Your Birth Partners
We should be focused on the patient, where relationships are built and trust is formed between the person giving birth as well as the care providers. Maggie Runyon, Labor and Delivery nurse, birth advocate, and founder of Your Birth Partners (a nonprofit that aims to cultivate inclusive, collaborative birth care communities rooted in autonomy, respect, & equity) talks with Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village to answer the question: “If you could create change within the hospital system as is: how would you change it?”
They talk about the disparities in the maternal healthcare system, how much of the systems that are in place were created to establish and maintain socioeconomic and racial separation, and what birth workers can do now to help from right where they are.
Maggie wants to see the system work to be more trauma informed and collaborative, where the people giving birth are put first before hospital policies.
Learn more about Maggie and her mission at YourBirthPartners.org
If you’re ready to join Maggie in her mission, there’s a Facebook group for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ybpcommunity
Set yourself up for the most supported pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience when you register at BeHerVillage.com: where you can get the funds you need to pay for the support you deserve!
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Mar 27, 2022
Periods, Postpartum, and Getting the Support You Need
It can be really hard to slow down, in pregnancy and postpartum, because many of us tend to move through our lives rather quickly— but even more so it can be hard that we live in a society that pressures moms to get back to their pre-pregnancy bodies, clothes, or exercise routines. Dr. Nancy Boyd is a sports medicine and pelvic health physical therapist and owner of Ancoeur Wellness Ann Arbor, in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she works with people all along their perinatal journeys to ensure they are moving safely and effectively to help them feel empowered and supported.
Not only do Kaitlin and Nancy talk about pelvic health as it relates to postpartum, they also talk about periods— and why they’re such an important indicator for wellness in the pre and postpartum stages.
Let’s celebrate the fact that our bodies are growing humans! Not beat ourselves up for looking, feeling, and moving differently after giving birth.
If you’re in Michigan and want to put Nancy and her services on your registry, check out Nancy here: BeHerVillage.com/partners/ancoeurwellness
And to learn more about her practice: www.ancoeurwellness.com
And for those of you who are expecting a baby and want to create a registry full of support, head to BeHerVillage.com to get started.
If you’re a provider and you want to join us, go to: BeHerVillage.com/partners
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Mar 20, 2022
It's Not Sleep Training, It's Sleep Learning with Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green has nearly 40 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and families and currently serves families as a sleep consultant.
Elizabeth refers to herself as a sleep doula, because as there's tons of conflicting advice around sleep, she helps families figure out what their needs are and works with them from right where they are.
As Elizabeth says in the episode “It’s not sleep training, it’s sleep learning”.
Parents need to find a balance where the needs of their children are being met but also that the needs of the parents are being met— and sometimes that means mama hires a sleep consultant so she can get her baby and herself more sleep at night.
To learn more about Elizabeth and her services, head to EarlyParentingSleepSupport.com
This is what we’re doing with the Be Her Village gift registry: is helping moms and families realize their own needs, and then getting the funds to pay for the support to meet those needs. BeHerVillage.com
If you're a provider and you'd like to join us on our mission to help moms and families realize their own needs: head to BeHerVillage.com/partners to create a business profile.
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Mar 13, 2022
Kegels Aren't The Only Answer to Pelvic Floor Problems: With Flyte Therapy
In this episode, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Shravya Kovela, pelvic floor PT and business development manager for Flyte by Pelvital.
We’ve said it before and we’re going to keep saying it: you don’t have to go through your life peeing your pants every time you sneeze, sex doesn’t have to be painful, and you don’t have to live with discomfort. There is help available no matter if you’re newly pregnant, 4 months postpartum, a year, or 10 years postpartum.
The subject of pelvic health and urinary incontinence can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and since it hasn’t been talked about enough, some women just don’t know that there are tools for pelvic floor health.
If you didn’t get PT or didn’t know about PT after birth— it’s not your fault.
Unfortunately we don’t have the standard for pelvic floor that we do for other parts of the body and other procedures. If you have any other health event: there is a follow up procedure afterwards. The pelvic floor is this place where all of the major muscles in our body come together, so why are we ignoring it after pregnancy and giving birth?
Many women don’t have the access or the time to get the pelvic support they need, so Flyte is a tool for women to train their pelvic floor in just a few minutes a day.
Not only is this company developing tools and research, they’re also widely connected to Pelvic floor PT’s so they can ensure each person who needs this kind of support can find a provider that works with them. Flyte by Pelvital is making it comfortable and easy to get assessed and get the tools needed to begin the journey to a healthy and strong pelvic floor.
The Actual Product:
Flyte is an internal device using mechanotherapy— using light mechanical pulses or oscillations to put load on the pelvic floor. It tells you if you’re contracting and relaxing your muscles correctly. We didn’t have a way to load our pelvic floor muscles, until Flyte. You don’t need a prescription, and all it takes is 5 minutes a day to make lasting changes.
If you're a physical therapist or other professional, head to FlyteTherapy.com and hit the tab titled “For Healthcare Professionals” to learn about mechanotherapy and be a connected part of their community.
To learn more and to connect with Flyte:
FlyteTherapy.com for info, content, and all things pelvic health related
@flytetherapy on IG
Flyte's Podcast: https://pelvicflooratitscore.podbean.com
Flyte's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/FlytebyPelvital
If you're expecting a new baby head to BeHerVillage.com to create your gift registry to get the funds you need to pay for the support services you deserve.
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Mar 6, 2022
The Best Advice for Doulas: Collaboration Not Competition
Being a doula is heart led, it’s working with families, it’s caring for people, but not all doulas are equipped with the tools and experience to start a business. In this episode, Kaitlin McGreyes, Founder of Be Her Village interviews Darcy Sauers, better known as Doula Darcy.
Darcy is a postpartum doula and marketing expert who helps doulas start and maintain successful businesses.
Kaitlin and Darcy are both in the business of helping women get the support they deserve. Darcy wants doulas to charge their worth and market themselves effectively to be able to help more moms, and Kaitlin wants to make it easy for the moms to afford their support teams.
Their message for doulas and all birthworkers is to remember that collaboration is more effective than competition.
Darcy has tools for anyone who is looking to learn about marketing their doula business— from a free facebook group, to a paid 1:1 coaching package. You can learn more about her and all of her offerings here!
If you're a doula or another birth worker and you're ready to offer your clients a new way to pay for your services, join Be Her Village and start your free business profile right here.
And if you or someone you know is expecting a new baby, Be Her Village is the registry to get the funds you need to pay for the support you deserve.
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Feb 13, 2022
Everything Feels Better When We Sleep
In this episode Kaitlin, Founder of Be Her Village talks with Jayne Havens, a sleep consultant and founder of Snooze Fest. Her mission is to meet parents where they are and help them meet their goals around sleep, no matter what they are.
She’s not the bed-sharing police.
She’s not the nursing-to-sleep police.
She wants to help parents get sleep, help babies learn to sleep, and help establish routines that work for the whole family.
Sleep training is not “Cry It Out”— it’s teaching a baby or toddler to fall asleep independently.
If you’re okay with your situation around sleep— then that’s great! But if your sleep or mental health is lacking, it might be time to do something different, and Jayne is here to help!
Jayne encourages a slow, gentle, responsive process that will take a lot of patience and TLC. Her approach is client led and done with a lot of encouragement, resources, and support.
Jayne not only supports parents with sleep, but also owns a business…
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Feb 6, 2022
Boundaries and Babies: Staying True to Yourself While Stepping Into Motherhood
In this episode Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with mom-to-be Sam Bisagni about navigating the emotions, the family shifts, and why it’s so important to maintain boundaries. As Kaitlin says in the episode “the work of birth is done right now”
If you’re a mom to be, like Sam, and want to set yourself set up with support instead of stuff, you can create your registry for free at BeHerVillage.com
If you works with expectant parents and want to offer your clients a new way to pay: Head to BeHerVillage.com/partners to join us!
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Jan 30, 2022
You're The One In Control of Your Birth, Not Them
On this episode of The Be Her Village Podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Lizzie Bolliger AKA Fierce Lizzie — self proclaimed fierce birth advocate who wants moms to be educated before they head into birth.
After feeling frustrated and unsupported with providers after her first two births Lizzie became a doula and childbirth educator to help moms feel empowered and in control of their births.
Lizzie’s focus is on moms who want to have an unmedicated hospital birth. In this episode, Kaitlin and Lizzie talk about their birth experiences, the hospital system, and how moms can navigate it to take control of their experiences in pregnancy in birth.
Unmedicated Academy is Lizzie’s most popular course which has it all to get ready for an unmedicated hospital birth: lizziebolliger.com
AND she’s listed on Be Her Village so if you want to take Lizzie’s course or any of her other offerings, you can pay for them when you register at BeHerVillage.com!
Be H…
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Jan 16, 2022
Doulas Are Not Self-Indulgent
In this episode of the Be Her Village podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Mandy Major, founder of Major Care Doulas and MyFourth App— a virtual postpartum doula service where new parents have access to postpartum doula support anytime, anywhere.
They chat about how important it is for the new mom to be supported and cared for— for the wellbeing of the new mom as well as the new baby. Having a postpartum doula gives a new mom the help she needs without the weight of a relationship attached to it. And it also keeps her from googling every question she has.
Doulas aren’t self indulgent, they’re an important part of recovery for birthing people.
If you want a postpartum doula in your pocket, check out MyFourth App by Major Care Doulas. Find her on instagram @majorcaredoulas and @doulamandy
Read more from Mandy:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/what-post-childbirth-care-looks-like-around-the-world-and-why-the-u-s-is-missing-the-mark
https:…
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Jan 9, 2022
Babies, Birth, and Compound Interest: Paying For Your Support Without Breaking The Bank
In this episode of The Be Her Village Podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Emily Maretsky, an engineering teacher as well as a financial coach. She helps people feel empowered to take control of their finances .
In this episode they talk about how to get your financials in order to pay for all the costs that come with starting a family.
Emily breaks things down to be not intimidating and easy to digest so that even the newest newbie in the financial world can feel confident in getting started.
You can find Emily and all of her info here!
Be Her Village is a cash gift registry where soon-to-be parents can easily ask for and receive the funds they need for the support they DESERVE.
Parents, start your free registry at BeHerVillage.com
Providers— want a new way for your clients to pay for your services? Sign up at BeHerVillage.com/partners
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Dec 12, 2021
We Need Community and Connection with Michelle Goitia of JC Bump and Baby
Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Michelle Goitia of JC Bump and baby. Michelle leads prenatal and postpartum yoga classes and community groups for moms. She’s based in Jersey City but now offers her group classes virtually.
Before Michelle was even done with her class on prenatal yoga, she decided to quit her corporate job to join the world of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She entered first through yoga, and then by becoming a doula. She quickly learned that what she loved to do was help new moms get ready for birth and the postpartum experience.
They discuss the importance of creating connection for new moms in all stages as they transition from being pregnant, to birth, and then into motherhood.
One of the things Michelle focuses on in her groups is helping moms to tune back into their intuition, encouraging them to be vocal about what they want and what they feel.
We’re all doing the best that we can, and we can do a little better when we’re con…
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Nov 14, 2021
Listen to Your Gut- With Emily Masnoon of Emily Masnoon Yoga and Coaching
In this episode of the Be Her Village Podcast Kailtin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks to Emily Masnoon of Emily Masnoon Yoga and Coaching. Emily has a virtually based yoga and coaching practice where her focus is on pregnant and new moms. She encourages them to take the time to really embrace self care, for themselves and to be better parents to their children. Kaitlin and Emily talk about the beauty and the importance of strengthening one’s intuition so we’re better able to listen to our gut, rather than the inner critic or outside opinions. Emily is a provider on the Be Her Village partner page, and if you’re pregnant and want to use Emily’s services— you can add her to your Be Her Village registry.
We’re excited to help parents get the funds they need for the support they deserve. Thanks for being here with us!
Create your registry today to get the funds you need for the support you deserve: BeHerVillage.com
Want to offer your clients a new way to pay you?…
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Aug 29, 2021
Crunchy Parenting Is a Spectrum-- with Nicole Davies, The Crunchy Mama
In this episode Kaitlin, founder of Be Her Village talks with Nicole Davies, aka Crunchy Mama. They bond over their love of ice cold water and the idea that being a crunchy mama means something different for everyone-- and that most parents are doing the best they can with what they have. They acknowledge that parenting topics tend to be divisive and extreme where some parents who come looking for information leave feeling ashamed and more confused than ever. Nicole has created an incredible community for parents to feel welcome to learning and evolving throughout their parenting journeys. They discuss how necessary it is to have support (whatever that means for you) while entering parenthood, and that supported parents are able to do better for themselves and their children.
Are you a soon-to-be parent? (Or do you know one?) Looking for support as you transition into parenthood? Check out The Be Her Village Gift Registry where you can register for the support you need. Parent groups,…
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Aug 15, 2021
Our Focus Isn't On The Babies- With Dr. Shilpa Londhe and Dr. Jess Holzer of Maternal Spotlight
We all know mamas need support, but Maternal Spotlight is doing the research and providing the tools for maternal organizations. In this episode Kaitlin talks to Dr. Shilpa Londhe and Dr. Jess Holzer, they are the founders of Maternal Spotlight, a non profit organization that is dedicated to providing micro-grants to organizations in the maternal sphere. They are researchers who are bridging the gaps, acknowledging that the maternal experience is sometimes someone being in pain, someone who is far too stressed, someone who has experienced loss after loss-- that there are worthwhile points to research AND support in between "happy mama" and mortality.
Maternal Spotlight is currently campaigning for motherhood stories and for donations for the next micro-grants to be awarded. These motherhood stories can be anything from fertility, pregnancy, loss, adoption, birth, maternal experiences in the healthcare system, caring for elderly family members, etc. You can learn more and share by clic…
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Aug 8, 2021
Hi, Body, Remember Me? Reconnecting Post Birth with Carolina Stone of Street Parking
It can be hard to recognize what you see in the mirror for weeks, months, and maybe even years after having a baby. And even if you end up looking pretty similar to what you looked like pre-baby, sometimes it's hard to get back in touch with your body. In this episode Kaitlin, founder of Be Her Village talks with Carolina Stone of Street Parking, which is an online fitness community. Carolina specifically leads the Pregnant and Postpartum division of their membership and coaching program. Kaitlin and Carolina talk about Carolina's role within the Street Parking coaching community, and how it shifted after having her own baby and realizing that she needed support to be able to feel okay transitioning from athlete to new mom, and figuring out how to correctly, safely, and realistically move her body again. She helped develop programming within the Street Parking umbrella to help moms get their bodies and minds ready for birth, as well as offer space to help in the recovery.
For more on…
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Aug 1, 2021
Becoming a Mother and a Badass Through a Traumatic Birth- with Bethany Purificato
In this episode, Bethany Purificato joins us to talk about her birth and postpartum story that did not go as planned. She is strong and vulnerable as she walks Kaitlin through her traumatic experience in the hospital and the first weeks at home. Although this birth story gets quite explicit, we wanted Bethany to tell us with as much detail as she wanted about her birth experience because it is her truth. On The Be Her Village Podcast we want to share birth stories of every kind because no matter what kind of story a birthing parent has, there is going to be someone listening that feels inspired, heard, validated, or educated.
We are grateful for Bethany's story and that not only does she share the hard parts, but she also is able to share what she's gained from her birth story, as well as share with us what she's doing to help heal from her experience.
If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic birth, there are a number of maternal mental health providers listed on our…
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Jul 25, 2021
What The Hell Is Hypnobirthing and Why? with Elizabeth Ireland
In this episode Kaitlin, founder of Be Her Village talks with Elizabeth Ireland-- a Hypnobirthing instructor in Detroit. Elizabeth Demystifies hypnosis-- jokingly saying “We didn’t do ourselves any favors by calling it that”. She lets everyone know that the Hypnobirthing method isn’t this swinging-pocket-watch-mind-control thing designed for people who want to have unmedicated homebirths. Hypnobirthing is getting into a state of mind where the birthing person and their body is connected to their intuition and their voice. Like most of the things we talk about on the Be Her Village Podcast, Hypnobirthing is for the entire spectrum of birthing folks, from the homebirth parent to the planned C-Section.
They talk about consent in pregnancy and birth, and they remind us that the power lies within the hands, hearts, and desires of the birthing person. Enjoy this once-again-passionate conversation with two women who are excited about making changes in the birth world!
If you’re lo…
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Jul 18, 2021
Just Because It's Common Doesn't Mean It's Normal-- With Dr. Helene Darmanin of Mama Bear PT
Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village and Dr. Helene Darmanin, PT, DPT, CSCS get into ALL of the common but NOT NORMAL things: from urinary incontinence, pain during sex, and the issues within our maternal healthcare system.
We also drop a little hint about some upcoming excitement happening in October, so be sure to listen!
This is the type of conversation that happens when you put two self-proclaimed fierce feminists together.
Helene is a Licensed Physical Therapist, specializing in pelvic health, orthopedic, and obstetric physical therapy. She’s the Founder and President of Mama Bear PT-- a completely virtual practice, supporting families and birthing people from pregnancy through postpartum.
You can find her at her website here, AND you can put any of Dr. Helene’s services on your custom registry by clicking here!
***Shout out to Zayacare-- which is another platform dedicated to connecting families with providers and getting providers the pay they deserve. We’re…
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Jul 11, 2021
So You're Telling Me I'm a Doula? with Janalyn Pomeroy
In this interview, Kaitlin-- founder of Be Her Village talks to Janalyn Pomeroy, a birth and postpartum doula. Janalyn’s story is really cool in that she started supporting pregnant and birthing moms while working in an adoption agency. She was actually doing doula work before she knew there was a name for it. We hear how she came to be a doula (officially)-working with families in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum (all while being a mom of three).
In this episode they talk about what doulas do, how they support families during birth and postpartum. They dispel some myths around doulas-- that they’re not just for “the crunchy granola moms” but that they support a range of parents-- from homebirths to scheduled c-sections. And they talk about how important ongoing support is for new parents after baby is born; that it feels new and a little hard to navigate whether it's the first or fifth baby. Everybody deserves support!
Janalyn is one of our support providers on Be Her Vill…
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Jul 4, 2021
Partners + Parents: Being The Onlooker In Pregnancy and Birth with Brian Costello
In this episode of the Be Her Village Podcast, Kaitlin talks to 2x Homebirth Dad Brian Costello on what it's like to be on the other side of pregnancy and birth. Brian gives us a unique and honest insight into what it was like for him to have to stand back and be the observer rather than the active do-er, how he prepared himself for watching his wife birth their two babies at home, and how having a doula enhanced his experience as a partner in birth. This episode is a great one for dads and partners who are heading into birth!
Brian Costello is a proud dad of two, Founder of O23 Holistic Systems, and self proclaimed natural birth enthusiast. If any dad-to-be is curious about homebirth, Brian is happy to talk to them, you can find him here!
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Jun 27, 2021
Connecting Families to Their Bellies From the Comfort of Home with Andrea Costanzo of W.O.M.B.
In this week's episode of the Be Her Village Podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Andrea Costanzo, owner of Wonders Of My Belly (W.O.M.B.) an at home sonography experience. Andrea has been part of gender reveal parties, part of intimate moments with extended family and relatives, as well as being an integral part in keeping families connected to their sonogram experience during Covid. In this episode they talk about what the home sonography experience is like, that gender disappointment is a real and normal thing, and how WOMB is changing the way people connect to their bellies.
You can find Andrea and her services on the Be Her Village gift registry.
Let us know what you think of this episode!
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Jun 20, 2021
Partners + Parents: 'The Fatherhood Playbook: Wisdom From A Father of Five' with Link Moser
In this Father's Day episode, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks to Link Moser, Owner of Windhill Design and proud dad of five! They talk about how even after having multiple children, you still don't know quite what to expect or how your world will shift when you bring home a new baby. Link acknowledges that there can be some emotional challenges as for dads while they navigating bonding with baby, caring for other children, as well as maintaining a healthy partnership with their partner. Link offers much wisdom to parents, and specifically dads. Some of his pieces of advice are:
* Acknowledge that parenthood and new-babyhood bring an array of feelings-- and that's normal!
* Make an investment in your partnership
* Maintain an outlet to talk about parenthood
Like this episode? Share it with a dad who could use Link's words of wisdom.
Do us a favor and rate + review this podcast!
And as always, if there's someone in your life who is expecting a baby, give t…
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Jun 13, 2021
Birth Trauma: What it is, how to prevent it, and what to do if you have it
Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village talks with Marisa Hughes, LCSW, Maternal Mental Health Specialist, and Trauma Specialist to learn more about birth trauma. Birth trauma doesn't necessarily mean scary and morbid (although in some cases it can), but birth trauma can be, simply, that your birth didn't go the way you planned.
Marisa emphasizes the importance of maintaining flexibility in your birth plan as you head into birth, focusing on controlling the things you can, even when there are many things you can't.
We look at the questions:
"How do I know if I've experienced birth trauma?"
"What do I do if I have birth trauma?"
This conversation is rich with information to help new mamas prepare for birth as well as helping heal the mamas who might have had a traumatic birth.
Marisa Hughes is one of many Maternal Mental Health Specialists listed on the Be Her Village Gift registry.
Know a mama who might benefit from hearing this episode? Send it her way!
Have a pregnant fri…
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Jan 13, 2021
The Myth Of The Strong Black Woman
Join Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village, as she talks to Sowania Germain, maternal mental health specialist, about her experience giving birth as a Black woman, and how her traumatic experience called her to work with mothers. Sowania talks about EMDR therapy and how she uses it to help women heal from birth trauma. And we have an enlightening conversation about the myth of "strong Black women" and how this idea can be harmful to Black women as they navigate the medical system. This is one episode you don't want to miss!
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Dec 6, 2020
Sex and the Suburbs: What Sex Is (And What It's Not)
Join Heather and Kaitlin as they explore what it actually means to have sex. Is sex only successful if one or more people involved have an orgasm? What is the difference between sexual and non-sexual touch and why are both important in a healthy relationship? How can we expand our understanding of sex to have a more fulfilling sexual experience? We talk about all of it and ask you to explore the origins of what sex means to you in our latest episode.
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Dec 2, 2020
An Exploration Of Grace In Motherhood (AKA Be Nice To Yourself, This Is Really Hard!)
In this episode of the Be Her Village Podcast we sit down with Michelle Friedman, Maternal Mental Health Professional, who talks to us about having grace with ourselves. How to deal with unsolicited advice from well-meaning loved ones, how to figure out the difference between baby blues and a postpartum mood disorder, and what therapy actually feels like. Find Michelle and her services on BeHerVillage.com and add her to your gift registry today!
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Nov 29, 2020
Sex and the Suburbs: Sex Is Not A Chore (And What To Do If It Feels Like One)
This week Heather and Kaitlin explore sex and self care through the pandemic. Women and mothers have more on their plate than ever before trying to juggle home, kids, work, relationships, all while social distancing! Having sex can so often feel like one more thing we need to do in order to take care of someone else's needs. How can we flip the script and make having sex part of our own self care? Listen in for tips on how to enjoy sex and even look forward to it.
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Nov 26, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Are We Going To Take A COVID Vaccine?
Join Kaitlin, Laura, and Evelyn as we talk about life as working mothers in the middle of a pandemic. This week we talk about how getting ready for another lockdown feels a bit like getting ready for birth the second time around. We also discuss how we feel about the vaccine. Is it safe? Who should get the vaccine first? Will it be mandated? And are we ready to take it ourselves? Listen to our unscripted, honest conversation about mothering in a pandemic.
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Nov 22, 2020
Sex and the Suburbs: You Want Me To Put What Where?! Relearning Our Bodies After Baby
Join Kaitlin McGreyes and Heather Simonson as they talk about having sex after baby. What do you do when you have a vaginal tear? And why is vaginal tear the worst phrase in the English language? Listen for real tips on how to have better sex after baby. Plus a fun at-home activity for our listeners!
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Nov 15, 2020
Sex and the Suburbs: Lovin' in Lockdown (And how to choose who you share air with)
Pandemic life is not easy, and all of us have different ways of coping. Some of us are having way more sex, some of us are too stressed to even think about sex, and many of us are skin hungry. We talk about navigating sex during the pandemic for couples and singles. Tune in and share with a friend! With a bonus homework assignment to do alone or with a partner!
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Nov 11, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: A Second Chance At Lockdown
Join Kaitlin McGreyes as she talks with Laura Otton and Evelyn Page about mentally and emotionally preparing for another possible lockdown, how to handle mom guilt and the feeling of dreading time at home with our kids, and the fallout of the election. We have an honest and raw conversation about racism, raising our daughters, and the emotional reaction of watching Kamala Harris become the Vice-President Elect. Tune in and let us know what you think!
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Nov 6, 2020
Sex and the Suburbs: How Having a Baby Impacts Our Sex Lives
Join Kaitlin McGreyes, Founder of Be Her Village, and Heather Simonson, Sex Therapist and Owner of Sea Change Holistic Wellness Center, as they talk about all the things no one talks about. This new series will release a new episode each week exploring all things sex, parenthood, and everything in between. Birth, motherhood, parenthood, and sexuality are inextricably linked. Let's talk about it!
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Oct 29, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Tips For Navigating The Holidays
Join Kaitlin McGreyes, Laura Otton, and Evelyn Page as they talk about what the holidays will look like this year and how to navigate family relationships. Plus a discussion about the political climate in our country and tips for coping with the election angst. Listen to our honest conversation about how three working mothers are navigating the pandemic and raising small children.
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Oct 19, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Winter is Coming
Be Her Village Founder Kaitlin McGreyes is joined by Laura Otten and Evelyn Page, both LCSW and Maternal Mental Health Providers to discuss the pandemic, parenthood, and what it looks like to be heading into winter. Listen to our conversation for a dose of validation that we're all struggling a little bit and we're in this together.
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Jul 13, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Mom Rage, Feeding our Kids, and the Reopening
When the pandemic and quarantine hit life with small children was extremely stressful and disorienting. As mothers of small children ourselves we saw the need for an outlet and a place for new moms and expectant parents who were also juggling the unique stressors of the pandemic. I reached out to Laura Otton of Therapy for Motherhood and Evelyn Page of Evelyn Page, LCSW (both maternal mental health listed on Be Her Village) and Socially Distant Tea Time was born.
Each week we explore the current mood, how we are caring for ourselves as well as our children, and how we are handling tough topics like masks, visiting grandparents, and decisions about camp, daycare, and school.
Our episodes now focus on the reopening. These conversations are organic and authentic, never pre-planned. We talk from our perspective as working mothers, quarantined with small children, who work with mothers. Join us!
Episodes available on our YouTube channel and podcast! Subscribe to both and never miss an ep…
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Jul 13, 2020
Hypnobirthing: Meet Jess Duffy, Hypnobirthing and prenatal yoga instructor, and learn all about how to have a connected birth
Meet Jess Duffy. Shes a hypnobirthing and prenatal yoga instructor in metro-Detroit with a lot of tattoos and a super cool haircut. She shares with us how she became a hypnobirthing instructor, the impact prenatal yoga had on her life, and we talk about a bunch of other things too.... like Black Lives Matter, how much we love therapy, and how parenting is inherently political. This honest, funny, and really organic conversation is worth the listen. Check out Jess on BeHerVillage.com/partners/inspiredyogaplus or her website: www.inspiredyogaplus.com.
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Jun 25, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Masks, Panic Costco Trips, and Other Pandemic Musings
This week's episode is a look back at the beginning of the pandemic and how far we have come. We talk about how masks are the WORST to wear but a necessary part of our life right now. And how our maternal instincts kicked in to care for our children when the world was a scary place. Join us for an honest, organic conversation about life during a pandemic.
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Jun 18, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Being an Imperfect Mother
This episode has a little bit of everything. Vulnerability, growing as a person while trying to parent, why your birth matters, Black Lives Matter, the unfair burden on working mothers, and trying to change motherhood together. We are honest, raw, funny, and real. There's no script, we don't talk about the topic beforehand. This is a completely organic half hour with three working mothers navigating quarantine.
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Jun 11, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Navigating the Reopening
In this episode of Socially Distant Tea Time Kaitlin, Laura and Evelyn talk about the difficulties of navigating the post-COVID reopening. As stores, businesses, and activities reopen and friends and families begin to gather there are lots of new difficult conversations to have and relationships to navigate. How do you set boundaries for yourself? What do we want to keep from the quarantine? How do we say no? A must-listen for anyone finding their way through this unprecedented time.
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Jun 3, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: An Honest Conversation About Anti-Racism
Kaitlin, Laura, and Evelyn have an honest, off-the-cuff discussion about whiteness, police, riots, mothering, and what we can and can't do about it. We are all learning, having difficult conversations, and doing it very imperfectly. Listen in to hear our discussion about topics that are difficult but necessary to talk about.
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May 27, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Reopening and the Impact on Mothers
In this episode Kaitlin, Laura, and Evelyn talk about the implications for reopening on mothers. The unknown future largely impacts mothers as they envision a post-pandemic world. How we handle this matters on large and small scales. Tune in for a really interesting discussion about the return to the "new normal" that is post-COVID-19 life.
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May 20, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: How To Be a Good Mom. (Hint: It's easier than you think!)
We get into the nitty gritty on this episode with Laura Otton and Evelyn Page, both LCSW and maternal mental health specialists. How do we know if we're doing this right? What if we don't like being a mom? How can new moms tell when they are slipping into dysfunctional thinking? What happens when we lose our temper and yell at our kids (or worse)? This ongoing series with two maternal mental health specialists and one overwhelmed mom is an honest look at parenting young kids in quarantine.
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May 13, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: That Time My Friend Almost Nursed My Baby + Infant Feeding Choices
In this episode of Socially Distant Tea time we get into it. Breast isn't best? Blasphemy! Or is it? Breast milk is great for babies. But being a breastfeeding parent is NOT easy. And sometimes the best thing for baby is to have well-supported, stable, calm parents. Formula, bottles, donor milk, wet-nursing, and pumping. We talk about it all in this episode!
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May 4, 2020
Sex After Baby? The good, the bad, and the orgasmic.
In this can't-miss episode sex therapist Heather Simonson sits down with us to talk about what sex looks like after baby. How to manage the demands of motherhood while still connecting physically with yourself and/or a partner.
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Apr 29, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Personal Growth Through Quarantine
The good things that are coming out of quarantine, how we are forced to face our fears, and parallels between becoming a mother and the coronavirus. Tune in for validation, solidarity, and an inside look on how three mothers are coping with the pandemic. Join Laura Otton, Evelyn Page, and Kaitlin McGreyes as they discuss their experiences.
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Apr 27, 2020
Pt. 2: Had a baby? Feeling off? Everything you need to know about maternal mental health.
In this episode Laura Otton, LCSW and Be Her Village founder, Kaitlin McGreyes, discuss the implications of COVID-19 on maternal mental health.
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Apr 27, 2020
Pt. 1: Had a baby? Feeling off? Everything you need to know about maternal mental health.
In this episode Laura Otton, LCSW shares tips for new moms. What happens when we have sad or angry feelings after birth? What if we feel like we're failing? Or if we just don't think we like being a mom? There are lots of emotional ups and down when you give birth. Listen to find out when and how to reach out for help after having a baby.
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Apr 23, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Working from Home with Kids
Maternal Mental Health specialists Evelyn Page and Laura Otten sit down with Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village, to talk about week 6 of quarantine and how we can continue to cope with the ever evolving challenges of life in the time of COVID-19.
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Apr 8, 2020
Socially Distant Tea Time: Maternal Health in the Age of Quarantine
Introducing our new Socially Distant Tea Time Series. Every Wednesday we sit down with maternal mental health specialists Laura Otten and Evelyn Page to talk about parenting in the time of COVID-19.
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Mar 18, 2020
Mom Friends: Why You Need Them and How to Make Them.
Sitting down with Ashley Meccariello, Gaia Midwife and best friend of Be Her Village founder, Kaitlin McGreyes. We laugh a whole lot and remember how we met and the challenges we faced on our way to becoming friends.
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Mar 13, 2020
Mindful Mothering with Dr. Amanda Salazar
We sit down with Amanda Salazar to talk about mindfulness, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
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Mar 4, 2020
There's how many in there? What to do when you find out it's multiples!
Sitting down with Lauren Oak, a postpartum doula and twin expert from Twiniversity. She shares with us what her experience was when she found out she was pregnant with twins and how she helps families cope when life hands you twins!
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Feb 28, 2020
Pelvic Floor: What is it? What does it do? How do we take care of it?
Sitting down with Rachel Parrotta, DPT, a pelvic floor physical therapist, dispelling myths about the pelvic floor. We cover how to push your baby out, how to safely exercise, and what to do when sex hurts.
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Feb 21, 2020
Let's talk birth: Midwives, Doulas, and Home Birth Safety
We sit down with Colleen Heinze of Gaia midwives to talk midwives, doulas, home birth, home birth transfers, and more!
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