PODCAST · health
ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast
by Melanie Russell
The ToRAISE Questions podcast offers thoughtful, unfiltered conversations for doulas and birth workers who want to deepen their knowledge, elevate their practice, and uphold the integrity of birth work. Each episode features insights from experienced professionals in the field, helping you grow with intention and purpose. Questions, feedback, show ideas, want to be a guest?! We want to hear from you! → Email: [email protected] → Instagram: instagram.com/tolabor → Facebook: facebook.com/toLabordoulas Interested in becoming a Doula? Visit our website for more: tolabor.com
Episodes
-
A Conversation with Melissa Yeager CNM, on Career Evolution: Doula ---> Midwife... Episode 130
In this episode of the ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast 🎙️, Melanie sits down with Melissa Yeager, a former ToLABOR Birth Doula and Labor + Delivery Nurse, and now a Certified Nurse Midwife in a brand new practice. Melissa’s career journey is such a great example of how birth work can evolve. We...
-
Interview with Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, OBGYN and Podcast Host of Birth With Power... Episode 129
In this episode, Melanie sits down with Richmond-based OB/GYN and host of the Birth With Power podcast, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins. Having known each other for the past 14 years, they dive into Nicole's personal journey into medicine, what inspired her to become an OB/GYN, and the experiences…
more -
Would you like to bring an A Brighter Birth Collective to your city?!... Episode 128
🫶 Episode 128 features a conversation with Melanie Russell and Natalie Karasiewicz, sharing the story and vision behind the A Brighter Birth Collective. Melanie founded the collective 18 years ago in Richmond, VA, creating a space rooted in support, education, and community for growing families....
-
Inside the System: A Doula’s Guide to Collaboration - Episode 127
In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Cole for a powerful conversation about one of the five essential components of our doula training: Collaboration 🤝 What does it really mean to collaborate as a doula within a maternity care system that’s often built on hierarchy? How do we support and...
-
Doula Work as a Stepping Stone: A Midwife’s Journey... Episode 126
For many birth workers, doula work is more than a role — it’s a doorway. In this episode, we explore how working as a doula can shape, inform, and prepare someone for the path to midwifery 🌱 Through personal reflection and lived experience, this conversation with Tori Mitchell CNM, dives into…
more -
When Your Client's Birth Plan Goes Awry: Ways to Navigate, Advocate and Process... Episode 125
💛 When Birth Plans Change: Navigating, Advocating & Processing Birth doesn’t always follow the plan- and when things shift, doulas are often holding so much more than labor support. In this episode of the ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast, Melanie Russell sits down with Birth Doula, Cece Peace to...
-
Back to Back and Overlapping Births: How to Navigate a "Birth Bender"... Episode 124
😅 What happens when you’re called to two births at the same time—or you’ve just walked out of one birth and another client needs you? It’s one of the most stressful and tender realities of doula life… and one we don’t talk about enough. In this episode, Melanie sits down with experienced Doula,...
-
Finding Your Path: A New Doula’s Journey from Retreat to Real Life with Rae Thweat... Episode 123
🕊️ Connection, creativity, and community — plus the best food ever. Rae’s story will leave you inspired to slow down, fill your cup, and do the work you love. Watch the full video version here: https://youtu.be/kC_J5nNxzDM In this uplifting episode, Melanie Russell sits down with brand new Doula...
-
A New Kind of Doula Training... Episode 122
🌿 Melanie Russell is back with big news: ToLABOR’s brand-new Combo Doula Training + Retreat has arrived! Watch the full video version here: https://youtu.be/kdZoxtDIT9Q This unique approach to doula education goes beyond classroom-style learning—it’s a thoughtfully designed experience that...
-
We're Back!!... Episode 121
🎙️ Melanie Russell is back in the studio — and it feels so good! Watch the full video version here: https://youtu.be/8l6T131Q4tI After an 8 year hiatus, the ToRAISE Questions Doula podcast returns with fresh energy and a whole lot of heart. In this episode, Melanie reintroduces the pod and...
-
When Your Client is Also Your Sister... Episode 120
Thérèse spends time talking to Valerie Drews who is a birth doula in the Chicago area (http://www.sacred-pregnancy.com/ ),about her experience being a doula for her sister's births. Is it hard to stay in the role as doula when you are also a family member? Her sister/client, Nichole Oakapal joins...
-
A Birth Story... Episode 119
Dana Jarmon shares her birth story with Thérèse. Dana a birth doula herself, discusses the impact of having a doula present at her birth and also how it may have informed her own doula practice. www.kindredspiritsdoula.com. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth...
-
Traumatic Birth: A Deeper Understanding... Episode 118
Thérèse has a conversation with Heather Self, a birth doula who had an extremely traumatic birth and the impact it has had on her practice as a doula. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+…
more -
A Summer Recap from Thérèse... Episode 117
It's been a long time since our last podcast and Thérèse takes a few moments to say hello again and talk about some of the lessons learned on her journey this past summer. The ToRAISE Questions Doula podcast offers thoughtful, unfiltered conversations for doulas and birth workers who want to…
more -
Supporting a Client Desiring a VBAC... Episode 116
Thérèse has a conversation with Emily Bruno, a Certified Birth Doula and one of the owners of My Birth in Richmond VA about how to best support a client who is planning to have a VBAC. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by...
-
The Life of A Doula... Episode 115
Thérèse has a conversation with Karry Wolf Anderson, a doula in the Chicago area. They discuss Karry's life as a mother, wife, doula and massage therapist and how she balances it all throughout these years of being active in birth work. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for...
-
Breastfeeding Part 2... Episode 114
Thérèse continues her conversation with Cary York, a lactation consultant about how we can support a person who is having latch issues as well as, the different postions that can be used while breastfeeding. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and...
-
Breastfeeding Part 1... Episode 113
Thérèse talks with Cary York, a lactation consultant about undisturbed breastfeeding, what it looks like and how it can be protected in that first hour and the days after birth The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne...
-
Reproductive Rights... Episode 112
Thérèse talks with Cheyenne Varner cheyennevarner.com about an article she recently wrote entitled, "8 Things to Know About Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice". The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it...
-
Doula Mentorship... Episode 111
Thérèse talks with Emily Landry, www.emilylandrydoula.com, from Tulsa Ok about a service she offers to new doulas, doula mentorship. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive,...
-
A Conversation with Jocelyn Alt About Hospital Doula Programs... Episode 110
Thérèse talks with Jocelyn Alt, a certified professional birth doula in Seattle how has helped to start a successful hospital doula program where the doulas get paid a living wage and and the clients and staff reap the benefits as well. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for...
-
Workshops, Life and Birth... Episode 109
Thérèse and Melanie spend time together talking about the toLabor doula workshops, how they help to emulate the spirit, the intention necessary in birth work and how they may help to transform our own personal lives. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth…
more -
Jen Kamel the Creator of the Organization, VBACFacts... Episode 108
Thérèse talks with Jen Kamel the creator and director of VBACFacts.com about the true risks of a VBAC, what does the evidence show, what are the practices in place, why are these practices in place and so much more. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth…
more -
A Conversation with the Organization Everyday Miracles... Episode 107
Thérèse talks with the Debby Prudhomme & Melissa Gutierrez Nelson from the non-profit organization Everyday Miracles. This Minneapolis MN based organization provide free birth doula services and classes to any pregnant woman on medicad. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for...
-
Case Study- How to Handle a Difficult Client Situation... Episode 106
Thérèse and Melanie have a conversation wth Kate, a doula from Pennsylvania who faced an unexpected and difficult situation with their clients in the midst of their labor The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner…
more -
A Conversation with the Creator of a Non-Profit Community Doula Project Part 2... Episode 105
Thérèse continue her dialogue with guest, Stephanie Spencer the Director of Urban Baby Beginning, a non-profit organization that provides doula and childbirth services to low-income women. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by...
-
A Conversation with the Creator of a Non-Profit Community Doula Project Part 1... Episode 104
Thérèse speaks with guest, Stephanie Spencer the Director of Urban Baby Beginngs, a non-profit organization that provides doula and childbirth services to low-income women. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne…
more -
A Conversation with a Newborn Intensive Care Nurse... Episode 103
Thérèse and Melanie speak with Sarah Howell a NICU nurse at a large city hopstal and gives insights on how a doula can help negoitate that time with and for their clients. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner,...
-
A Conversation with a Federally Funded Community Based Doula... Episode 102
Thérèse speaks with guest, Alice Wheeler who is a doula in a federally qualified community health center in Lancaster, PA The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated...
-
Case Study with Anne Continues Part 2... Episode 101
Thérèse continues her conversation with Anne about a labor and it's unexpected turn of events. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering…
more -
A Conversation with an Active Birth Doula Part 1... Episode 100
Thérèse talks with Anne about her life as a doula while balancing other jobs at the same time. Anne shares an experience she had in a labor and it's unexpected turn. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it...
-
From Birth Doula to Obstetrician Part 2... Episode 99
Thérèse continues her conversation with Dr Jodi Brown an obstetrician in Vermont who began her birth work as a birth doula. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive…
more -
From Birth Doula to Obstetrician Part 1... Episode 98
Thérèse has a conversation with Dr Jodi Brown an obstetrician in Vermont who began her birth work as a birth doula. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated...
-
REPLAY- ToRAISE Classic: Doula Self-Care
This week we bring you a repeat of Episode #10 Being a doula is rewarding but can be incredibly draining. Too many of us fail to take care of ourselves as we work so hard to take care of others. Thérèse and Sarah discuss setting appropriate boundaries and standards of self-care for doulas to...
-
A Conversation with a L&D Nurse... Episode 97 -
Thérèse has a conversation with Stacie Scott, a labor and delivery nurse in Richmond VA. Stacie speaks to what it is like to be a nurse, insghts about the system and how doulas and nurses can best work together The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and...
-
Birth Doula Contracts... Episode 96
Thérèse and Melanie discuss the importance of every doula having a contract beginnng with the first birth they attend and some important clauses that they want to make sure are included and communicated wth their clients. Contractions are for everyone's protection and a necessary aspect of...
-
A Gift of Loving Kindness: A Doula Meditation... Episode 95
On the eve of Thanksgiving, Thérèse offers listeners a moment of reflection through a loving-kindness meditation, we all need compassion. The ToRAISE Questions Doula podcast offers thoughtful, unfiltered conversations for doulas and birth workers who want to deepen their knowledge, elevate their...
-
A Conversation with a Herbalist & Nutritionist Part 2... Episode 94
Thérèse continues her conversation with Carol Wade from Earth Island Herbs. Carol is a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and a nutritional counselor with over 20 years of experience. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and...
-
Herbalism and Nutrition Part 1... Episode 93
Thérèse has a conversation with Carol Wade from Earth Island Herbs. Carol is a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and a nutritional counselor with over 20 years of experience. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators....
-
Listeners Questions and an Update... Episode 92
Thérèse and Melanie have an update from a listener's question and they answer a few more questions. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering...
-
The Fourth Trimester... Episode 91
Thérèse and Melanie speak with guest, Lisa Chin about the fourth trimester, why she is so passionate about it, what she learned through her own expeirences and what she has created to help others who have options and choices for their time after birth. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a…
more -
REPLAY- ToRAISE Classic: How Does a Doula Prepare Their Client for the Realities of Their Birth Setting and Their Care Provider
This week we bring you a repeat of Episode 52. Thérèse and Melanie discuss the important topic of how a doula negotiates the conversation with their client about their care provider's reputation both statistically and anecdotally as well as the facility that they plan to birth in. Is it your…
more -
Birth Shame and Birth Shaming... Episode 90
Thérèse and Melanie discuss the topic of birth shame. Many who give birth differently then what they have envisioned, feel a sense of shame after their expereince. What causes this feeling? What as a doula, can you do to support clients better to avoid this feeling if possible? What as a culture...
-
Listeners Questions: Foley Bulbs, When To Go + Post Cesarean Support... Episode 89
Thérèse and Melanie answer a listener's question about the use of the foley bulb as a method of induction. They also address when is the "right" time to enter a client's labor that has begun with an induction and how long do you stay after a cesarean birth. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a...
-
Low Milk Supply... Episode 88
Thérèse and Melanie talk with Elizabeth Theriault, a woman who envisioned a beautiful breastfeeding experience with her new baby that became an emotional and physical roller coaster ride due to low milk supply. Elizabeth talks openly about her journey to understanding that sometimes a woman is…
more -
Perinatal Loss... Episode 87
Thérèse and Melanie to talk with Karla Helbert, LPC about perinatal loss and how best to support clients who have a pregnancy year loss. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of…
more -
Case Study- Home Birth to Hospital Transfer... Episode 86
Thérèse and Melanie to talk with Sue Ellen about a home birth to hospital birth transfer she recently attended. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education...
-
Birth Story... Episode 85
Thérèse and Melanie to talk with Rachel who shares her birth story and her experience having a doula for support. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated…
more -
Placenta Encapsulation... Episode 84
Thérèse and Melanie to talk with Nicole Link-Troen a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist about the history of the ingestion of placentas, the whys, the hows and how to approach this topic with your clients. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers,...
-
How to Support the LGBTQ Client... Episode 83
Thérèse and Melanie to talk with Emma O'Brien, a toLabor trained doula and herbalist about how doulas can best serve and support the LGBTQ client. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The ToRAISE Questions podcast offers thoughtful, unfiltered conversations for doulas and birth workers who want to deepen their knowledge, elevate their practice, and uphold the integrity of birth work.
Each episode features insights from experienced professionals in the field, helping you grow with intention and purpose.
Questions, feedback, show ideas, want to be a guest?!
We want to hear from you!
→ Email: [email protected]
→ Instagram: instagram.com/tolabor
→ Facebook: facebook.com/toLabordoulas
Interested in becoming a Doula?
Visit our website for more: tolabor.com
HOSTED BY
Melanie Russell
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast have?
ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast currently has 109 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast about?
The ToRAISE Questions podcast offers thoughtful, unfiltered conversations for doulas and birth workers who want to deepen their knowledge, elevate their practice, and uphold the integrity of birth work. Each episode features insights from experienced professionals in the field, helping you grow...
How often does ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast release new episodes?
ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast publishes regularly with 109 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast?
You can listen to ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast?
ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast is created and hosted by Melanie Russell.
URL copied to clipboard!