The Whole Doula Podcast

Terri-J De Nobrega, known as Jay (she/her), is a dedicated Registered Midwife and Birth Worker/Doula based in London, UK. With over eight years of experience in both clinical and community settings, Jay brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to providing holistic care for families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. From the outset of her career in birth work, Jay has prioritised ensuring that women, people, and their families are respected, understood, and fully engaged in their birthing experience. She is committed to delivering support that is culturally sensitive, fully informed, and advocates for the individual choices and preferences of those she serves.  Jay skilfully navigates the sometimes polarising roles of midwife and doula in the UK, striving to bridge these gaps in a way that enhances the care provided. She is also dedicated to reflecting on and unlearning certain attitudes and practices from her midwifery career, aiming to embrace a more balanced approach to holistic care and the natural physiology of birth. In addition to her work in the UK, Jay is a multicultural Caribbean native with a keen ability to listen and adapt to the diverse needs of the families she supports. She aspires to expand her work internationally, bringing much-needed support and care to families in St. Lucia, where she was raised. You can connect with Jay via her website: www.jaydoula.co.uk or here on IG @jaydoula Find out how Mary can support you in turning your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout:  https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing  Connect with Mary on Instagram @marygiordano.com.au

Rowie (she/her) is a birth and postpartum doula living and mothering on Gadubanud Land. Rowie is a former primary school educator and myotherapist. She has two daughters (6 and almost 4).  She lives amongst the trees overlooking the beach with her partner Jake, her two girls and their dog, Pinto.  Rowie is a passionate advocate for women’s choices in birth and supports birth both in the hospital and at home. She recognizes the importance of feeling supported in birth and postpartum and works with clients to navigate these transformational times in their lives feeling empowered. You can connect with Rowie in the following ways:  Website: www.rowiecooke.com Socials: @rowiecooke_doula Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast⁠

Imren (she/her) is a qualified Postpartum Doula and mother of two who has first-hand experience of the beauty and complexity that is pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Imren is passionate about women receiving the necessary care they need during the first forty days after birth and beyond. Her own experiences of becoming and being a mother in today’s society have influenced Imren’s passion to provide support, hold space and create a community of care for new and seasoned mothers. With a background in youth work, teaching and community planning, Imren has learned how to walk alongside someone, to truly listen and hold compassion during times of vulnerability. Further practice in mindfulness and meditation have taught her to embody self-reflection and stillness. Alongside practical support and care, Imren loves to feed families with meals that are made with love, infused with culture and loaded with nourishment. You can connect with Imren here: @awakeningpostpartum Find out how Mary can support you in turning your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

London-based Nadia has been a birth doula since 2009. In that time she has supported every type of birth from elective cesarean to Free birth; trained with many different people and gained certification in many different modalities from biomechanics to Mindfulness for Mothers and Hypnosis to Benkung Belly Wrapping. A former journalist and magazine editor, she came to doula-ing after the birth of her first child; an unplanned, undiagnosed breech and emergency cesarean following 12 hours of labour. She went on to have 3 HBACS (the first 2 outside the system with independent midwives).  Nadia is also a senior yoga and meditation teacher of 20 years, a prenatal and postpartum and baby yoga specialist and embodied birth educator.  In 2021 Nadia launched her Yoga & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth Teacher Training and Birth professional course - now in its sixth run. She also runs training for Birth professionals and yoga teachers in Postnatal Yoga and Mindfulness in London, and the Maternity Chakra Pathway for Birth Professionals. She is also a Holistic Pelvic Health Practitioner and offers courses in Holistic Pelvic Health for women. More recently Nadia has embarked on a postgraduate counselling training in Psychosynthesis Counselling & Psychotherapy which is informing her perinatal work from a different angle and enriching her holistic view of childbirth and matrescence. Nadia lives in London with her partner and family. You can get in touch with Nadia in the following ways: Website & socials www.nadiaraafat.com Instagram: @nadiaraafatyogabirth Facebook: @nadiaraafatyogabirth Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Erika she/her is a Jacksonville, Florida native.  She has been a Registered Dietitian for over 15 years and decided that she was “doulaing” so much for friends and family, she should make it official. In 2021 Erika became a certified doula and founded her own nutrition focused doula business, called Purely Nourishing Doula. She offers virtual and in-person services from nutrition coaching, pregnancy & labor support. Shortly, she will be adding group nutrition coaching to her menu of services.  Erika also educates and empowers women through movement as a 4th Trimester Fitness Instructor®️. The class she leads, Birth Ball Basics™️ teaches women how to work with their bodies and baby in labor for a home, birth center, or hospital birth.  You can connect with Erika in the following ways: FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066761889650&mibextid=LQQJ4d IG: https://instagram.com/purelynourishingdoula?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ= Website: www.purelynourishingdoula.com Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Emily Morter (she/her) is an osteopath and doula based in Naarm, Melbourne (on Wurundjeri land). She provides gentle and compassionate care for everybody. Her holistic approach honours you as the expert on your body, with deep listening and co-creation of treatment plans that support your healing journey. Emily comes from a long lineage of midwives. She is a full spectrum doula, offering continuity of care throughout preconception, pregnancy, pregnancy loss or abortion, birth, stillbirth, postpartum and parenting. She works from her home studio and travels for home visits around metropolitan Melbourne. In our conversation today, we’ll talk about how she came to doula work as a continuation of her osteopathy practice. She felt the pull to attend the birth of her pregnant clients as well, rather than just seeing them before and after, as well as the calling to continue the work of the women in her family. She has had to do a lot of work to undo her “physician” tendencies, but the part she loves the most about the work and the part that’s the most challenging are the same. You can connect with Emily here: emilymorter.com.au Emilymorterosteopath.substack.com Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing  Connect with Mary on Instagram @marygiordano.com.au Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Based in Melbourne (on Wurundjeri land) , Maddison Sharman (she/her/they/them) has been in the Healing Arts for 13 yrs, running a developed solo practitioner business in which she currently offers bodywork, yoni massage, remedial and pregnancy massage, flower essences, sound healing, reiki, sacred sexual healing and more.  Maddison is a new doula, training at the time of recording with Rhea Dempsey, and on call to attend her first birth.  Maddison's journey to birthwork was almost by accident when one of her pregnant clients asked her to accompany her for her birth. Of course it wasn't really an accident though, as the signs to birth work had been there for a long time.  In this conversation we talk about the ways Maddison is creating space to enrich her practice by adding the role of Doula to her repertoire, and what she is doing to prepare for her first birth. We’ll touch on pricing, managing your schedule and commitments, and some of the basics of starting a doula business.  In order to do the work that we are called to do, we need to support ourselves first in order to be able to give fully when we’re needed. You can connect with Maddison in these ways:  www.templeandremedy.com.au Instagram @temple_and_remedy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeandremedy Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Before we get into our conversation episodes, I wanted to introduce myself and my story of how I got started in my work as a Full Spectrum Doula, Educator, Counsellor, Facilitator, Community Builder, and Business Mentor. When I was a teenager, I became very interested in cultural and linguistic diversity, particularly after living in Mexico as an exchange student. That amazing experience had a profound impact on the trajectory of my life. After university, I worked in the community development sector supporting the resettlement of migrant and refugee women and children.  I loved that work, but my own two birth experiences led to a fascination about the nature of companionship provided by midwives, and eventually led me into the world of birth in the role of an ‘accidental’ doula, which has in turn led to me providing support to other doulas in business.  Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Weronika (she/her) lives, works, and plays on the traditional territory of Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. Weronika is a birth and postpartum doula, an outdoor guide, and an immigrant from Poland. After years of being a part of the emergency services (first as a paramedic, then a wildfire firefighter), Weronika started dreaming of birth work in 2018 and became a doula a couple of years later. She believes that every person should have access to inclusive, full-spectrum reproductive health care and she strives to help her clients have the experiences they desire. Weronika loves witnessing people become parents and she feels grateful every time someone invites her to be a part of their journey. When not working as a doula, Weronika tries to go on as many outdoor adventures as she can, she reads passionately and collects plants for food and medicine. She is currently working towards becoming a certified herbalist and a pregnancy and infant loss advocate. One of Weronica’s long-term goals is to create a retreat where people at all stages of their reproductive health journey can connect to themselves and the natural world. You can connect with Weronika in the following ways: @fern_and_nettle_doula https://fernandnettledoula.ca  Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Tasara (they/them) is The Queer Doula, a full-spectrum doula for Queers and Allies, living in Wurundjeri Country. Tasara provides care, education, and advocacy for individuals and their families throughout their reproductive journey, including conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early birth experiences such as miscarriage and abortion. Tasara’s extensive experience, knowledge, skills, and intuition bring a grounded and calming presence to childbirth, postpartum, and the various services they offer. The Queer Doula is driven by a profound commitment to affirming and championing queer identities and the distinct paths the LGBTQIA+ community takes in creating their families. Additionally, welcoming allies to be cared for and supported by The Queer Doula brings communities together, offering opportunities for education, inclusivity, and connection. You can connect with Tasara in the following ways: https://www.thequeerdoula.com.au Instagram @thequeerdoula_ ... Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Based in Nova Scotia, Canada, Bianca Sprague (she/her) founder of Bebo Mia, has been a dedicated educator, author, activist, and doula since 2007. Passionate about accessible pre and postnatal care for marginalized communities, she advocates for mental wellness in families, drawing from her struggle with postpartum depression and family experiences. Bianca champions reproductive health and justice, focusing on breaking down barriers for female and queer entrepreneurs and restoring joy, equity, and safety in family care through her expertise and innovative approaches. Connect with Bianca in the following ways: https://bebomia.com/ Facebook @bebomiainc Instagram @bebomiainc Also, Bianca and her team have generously set up a discount code for my listeners, you can check it out here: https://bebomia.com/wholedoula/ ... Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Johara (she/her) is a Moroccan-German homebirth and sovereign birth companion who believes in birth as a rite of passage and that pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a transformative journeys.  Johara works with nature-based rituals, paying attention to intergenerational presence, more than humans and intuition. To prepare physically for your birth, in addition to explaining the physiology of birth and what is needed to ensure the unfolding of physiology, Johara uses bodywork, breathwork, visualization, and massage.  Johara had the privilege to accompany births in Nairobi, Kenya in 2012 and has since then accompanied home births and hospital ones in Berlin and Devon; She has supported several families in the 40-day post-natal period since 2019 and she also provides closing-the-bones ceremonies.  Johara gave birth to one of her daughters in Casablanca, Morocco (2002) and the other in Luxembourg (2006). Johara is part of the Radiant Mama group in Totnes and is the co-founder of the Transition Town Mother Roots project. She also currently researching the transformative potential of birth for a PhD at the University of Plymouth. You can get in touch with Johara in the following ways: Website: https://www.joharabellali.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.johara/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Johara-Bellali-Doula-100063905354857/?_rdr ..... Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Shoshana lives in London, UK, and has been working as a doula for 13 years, she likes to ‘debunk’ the myth that birth is romantic, easy, and painless. She says it is joyful, super empowering, and the only true ‘pain with gain’ that there is. In her client work, Shoshana likes to educate her clients antenatally for every eventuality, as she feels that knowledge is the key to having a positive birth. Shoshana has a little black book with lots of contacts in the birth world and can signpost her clients’ pre and post-birth to other experts in the field including yoga teachers, reflexologists, pregnancy acupuncturists, lactation and tongue-tie specialists and postpartum doulas. As an art Curator by training, Shoshana has also created a superb niche post-natal course that allows women a safe space to share their birth stories through contemporary art images. Using art from well-known international artists, the course is designed to give women a voice to discuss their shared stories, experiences, and sometimes traumas as a way of processing their birth experience. Shoshana recently presented this course at the annual Pregnant Then Screwed online conference in the UK, and it was a huge success. You can get in touch with Shoshana in the following ways: Website: https://ukdoula.com/ Facebook: PUSH by Shoshana  Instagram: @pushbyshoshana Shoshana’s unique 4-week course exploring essential milestones through contemporary art: https://ukdoula.com/course/ The other organization Shoshana referred to in our conversation: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/ ..... Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Aimee (she/her) is a mother to three amazing children, a birth advocate and volunteer, a doula, a calm birth educator, a lactation consultant (IBCLC), and co-founder of the Australian VBAC stories podcast. She lives on Darug and Gundungurra land in the upper Blue Mountains and supports families in her various roles throughout the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, and Nepean areas. Aimee has experienced multiple different pregnancy and birth experiences including early birth, premature birth, a cesarean section, and two home vaginal births after a caesarean, and this provides a unique lens through which she views matrescence and can support families through these experiences. Her philosophy is that women know how to grow, birth, and nurture their babies, and that they are always the most connected and invested in their baby's health and well-being.  Aimee is extremely passionate about supporting families through big transitions, building community, women's rights, and ensuring women are able to make their own informed and empowered decisions. She views pregnancy, birth, and parenting as rights of passage, enlightening them to the tools, connections, and resilience they always held within for the growth that motherhood demands of them. She loves partnering with women and their families to ensure they have the most incredible experiences possible throughout their motherhood journeys and her vision is that all families receive the continuity of support and care they deserve.  To learn more about Aimee and her offerings, please see below: Website - www.birthaims.com.au Instagram - www.instagram.com/birth_aims Facebook - www.facebook.com/BirthAims ... Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Mirjana Gnjatić is the first doula in Serbia. She attended Michel Odent’s Paramanadoula seminar in 2010. Back in 2012, she invited a DONA doula trainer to Belgrade and organized the first-ever doula training in Serbia, after which doula calling spread throughout the region. The following year the first informal Serbian doula association was founded which now has about a hundred doulas from all over Serbia. Mirjana is a massage therapist, prenatal yoga instructor, and mother and baby yoga teacher. During her first pregnancy in 2006. she recorded the first and only Yoga DVD for pregnant women in Serbia and the region. In addition to online education, Mirjana attended conferences and trainings in Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Germany, and London. Her knowledge and understanding of the physiology of childbirth, as well as its spiritual aspects led her to three unassisted homebirths. Her pregnancies and births were a space for an exploration of feminine wisdom, support, and the power of natural childbirth. She is proud mum of three sons. Mirjana is an advocate of natural childbirth and the idea that our entire previous life prepares us for childbirth and motherhood. She believes in the strength and ability of every woman to give birth to her baby in love. Mirjana is currently focused on perinatal massage and individual support. To date, more than a thousand pregnant women have passed through her classes and offerings. You can connect with Mirjana: On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirjana.gnjatic On Instagram: @mirjana_gnjatic Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Lisa Marie is a birth worker based in Fresno, California with a special passion for supporting folks who are marginalized and vulnerable, especially pregnant teens who are in foster care or who have been involved in the child protection system. Lisa Marie is Yaqui Indigenous and Mexican by descent and is the only indigenous birth worker who is native to her area. As a birth worker, her objective is to pay tribute to the wisdom of her ancestors by offering nurturing and holistic care to women and families throughout the childbearing journey. One of the central aspects of her work is in placental encapsulation, which she does respectfully in accordance with her native teachings and practices. Lisa Marie explains that “within indigenous cultures, the process of giving birth is viewed as a sacred ceremony, wherein the transition from the spiritual realm to the physical realm is celebrated and revered in honour of the new life entering the world”. Lisa is the only person in her family to achieve a BA and prior to her commencement in birthwork two years ago, she was working as a social worker where she was also supporting pregnant teens. Prior to her studies and work in social work, Lisa Maria also trained and worked in veterinary sciences.  To learn more about, and/or get in touch with Lisa Marie, please refer to the links below: Website: https://www.phenomenalwomban.com/ Instagram: @phenomenal_womban_birthworker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089950410989&mibextid=zOiqff Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast:⁠ https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

I am Mary Giordano (she/her), your host here on the Whole Doula Podcast. This is a little solo episode to mark the end of season one on the podcast before we dive into a whole bunch of new conversations in season two. For those who don’t know me, I am a  Full Spectrum Doula, Educator, Counsellor, Facilitator, Community Builder,  Business Mentor/Coach, and Online Course Creator. Here I share a little update on my business since the podcast launched six months ago, some feedback on the Savvy Doula, some manifestations for the rest of this year in business and life, and more. I hope you enjoy listening, and I’ll be back next fortnight with another guest conversation, so stay tuned! www.marygiordano.com.au Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Expressions of interest to talk to me on the podcast: https://www.marygiordano.com.au/the-whole-doula-podcast

Dusk (she/her) is in her third year as a birth doula, but she has worked as a space holder for a decade. Dusk lives in Boiwuring country in Altona Meadows. Her focus is on supporting survivors of sexual assault or trauma and as a survivor of childhood sexual assault herself, she is driven to support others navigating the unique challenges of pregnancy like she did. Dusk experienced a lot of silencing in her childhood and early 20s, and she was always drawn to listen to other people. This resulted in her creating a business called The Listening Squad, then later The Listening Mama.  When we spoke, Dusk was in the midst of a Masters of Spirituality, where she trained as a spiritual companion. She calls it her Masters in Listening! Dusk also supports pregnant people experiencing grief, informed by the loss of her mother in her first year postpartum. Dusk has recently created a space for survivors called Dear Dusk. Dear Dusk is a gentle place of companionship for survivors navigating motherhood / parenthood after trauma. It brings light to our unique experience of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and matrescence through an agony aunt style column. You are invited to read the column, reach out and recognise your story in each others. You can learn more here: ⁠https://www.deardusk.com/ To learn more about Dusk and her work, you can follow the links below: IG @thelisteningmama www.thelisteningmama.com Resources she mentioned for doulas:  When survivors give birth by Penny Simkin Katie Kurtz trauma work Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes

Siobhan (she/her) lives in Adelaide on Kaurna country. While Siobhan was practicing as a Vedic yoga and meditation teacher and studying Ayurveda and the Vedic tradition, she found prenatal and postnatal mothers attending her classes were naturally drawn to stay behind after class to share their pregnancy birthing journeys. These conversations resonated with Siobhan’s own devotion to the Divine Mother and inspired her to train to become an Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula. Siobhan currently services families in the Adelaide Hills on a farm where new mothers can receive traditional Ayurvedic bodywork, as well as in families homes where she provides traditional Ayurvedic nourishment and support for new mothers and their families. Siobhan has also had the honour of offering Ayurvedic postpartum care to her mother as a reclamation of her postpartum, which has been a beautifully connected experience for them both. To learn more about Siobhan and her work, you can follow the links below: https://www.matruprema.com.au Instagram: @matru.prema To learn more about Soma Shakti, the Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula training Siobhan did, click here: https://www.soma-shakti.com.au Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes

Sara (she/her) is a Certified Birth, Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula and a Certified Lactation Counselor with a professional background in biological sciences and education. She lives with her four children, her husband, and a menagerie of dogs and cats on a small farm in southeastern York County, Pennsylvania. Sara has been providing her services in her private practice, Mandala Motherhood, for three years. In addition to this, she also works under the umbrella of a nonprofit she founded last year, called Rooted Willow Community, which is a small organization offering free and low-cost support groups and connection, and educational-oriented resources to new families.  To learn more about Sara and her private practice, you can find her on Facebook @MandalaMotherhood To learn about Rooted Willow Community, click here: https://www.rootedwillowcommunity.org Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes

Sharon (she/her) lives and works in Hobart on Nipaluna Country. Sharon is a postpartum professional with a decades long background in nursing. Her nursing career and specialization in Paediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care, that has seen her care for many mothers and babies in the acute hospital setting, has prepared her well for her new career as a postpartum doula. Her own personal experience as a mother and grandmother, and her experience having an unwell baby herself have also given her immense amounts of wisdom and a unique capacity to understand, support, empower, nurture and hold space for women in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Sharon is also an infant massage instructor and baby & child first aid educator.  In our visit, we will talk about how Sharon’s experience in NICU connects to her new business as a postpartum support doula and the importance of nourishing mum and the whole family, not just caring for baby. You can learn more about and/or connect with Sharon here: Instagram and Facebook @nourishandnurturemotherandbaby Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Jennifer (she/her) joins me from Sint Sinck territory in Westchester County, New York. Jennifer is eight months into her postpartum doula business journey, is almost fully booked and is loving and thriving in her new career, which was inspired by the incredible experience, support and validation she felt from her own doula 21 years ago when her son was six weeks old. Jennifer’s professional background includes 25 years serving as an investigator and 8 years as the district office manager for a NYS Assemblywoman where she helped local residents resolve a host of issues that affected their daily lives. This role uniquely prepared Jennifer for doula work as she honed in on her ability to be a patient and empathetic listener.  Jennifer refers to her transition to doula work as Jennifer version 3.0, and she is proud to have had the courage to make a career shift in her 50s. Jennifer has developed her compassionate abilities as a mother to two children with various special needs for over twenty years. You can connect with Jennifer here: IG @jennifertawilwestchesterdoula https://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Tawil-Westchester-Doula/100083231657082/ www.leanonmewestchesterdoula.com  Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Kellie lives in Torquay on Wathaurong country and is a Doula, Movement Therapist, and Counsellor with a profound understanding of the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of birth. Kellie seamlessly weaves together her expertise to guide expectant parents and the people they love through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  As a teacher in Centred Body Movement, Kellie recognises the vital connection between the body and mind, harnessing authentic movement to largely facilitate the support she provides. Her background as a Counsellor compliments her ability to provide holistic support, addressing the emotional and mental facets of the transition to parenthood with empathy, understanding and grace. Furthermore, as a doula and sole parent to three children, Kellie has witnessed the beauty and challenges of birth and what it means to be on-call, firsthand. You can connect with Kellie here:  Website -   http://www.ourdoula.com.au Instagram - @ourdoula.com.au Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057592803325&mibextid=ZbWKwL Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Based in Silicon Valley, California, Neri (she/her) is a mother, veteran childbirth educator, birth doula and doula trainer, and the founder of Birth Coach Method. Neri is celebrating 20 years of leadership in the field of childbirth support after serendipitously finding her way from academia to the world of birth in her native Israel soon after the birth of her first baby. Throughout her career, she has been honoured to provide doula support and teach childbirth education classes to hundreds of expectant couples, as well as to direct and manage programs at two birth resource centres.  Neri’s work with parents has been enriched by continuing her education and becoming a transformational life coach, hypnotherapist, and NLP practitioner. She has integrated principles and strategies of all these modalities of care into birth support and shared it with worldwide birth support professionals in her book ‘The Art of Coaching for Childbirth’. Neri leads the international community of Transformational Birth Support Coaches who enroll in her membership program. You can connect with Neri here:  https://birthcoachmethod.com https://www.facebook.com/birthcoachmethod Instagram @birthcoachmethod Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ A Subito Media production

In this conversation, Julie Clarke, a doula for over 35 years, shares her experiences in supporting new parents and families and her love for her work. Julie has created the Birth Doula Academy of Australia and offers childbirth and parenting education courses. She shared the challenges she faces, especially the financial aspect of being a doula, and stresses the importance of financial planning for a sustainable doula business. She also shared an inspiring birth story of providing a second opinion that led to a successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Julie vividly paints her role in enabling successful births and maintaining parental connections even beyond the birth throughout the podcast. Julie (she/her) lives in Cronulla on Dharawal country and has been a birth and postpartum doula for over 35 years. Julie has created a doula training course, known as 'The Birth Doula Academy of Australia', which can be done both in person and online. She has also developed a childbirth and parenting education course for families to better prepare them for birth and beyond. Julie is an adoring mum to her two sons. You can connect with Julie and learn more about her offerings in the following ways: https://www.julieclarke.com.au/ https://www.birthdoulatrainingacademyaustralia.com.au/ IG: @julieclarkebirthdoulacoachaust and @doulaacademyaustralia Facebook: JulieClarkesydneyaustralia and doulaacademyofaustralia Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Today’s guest is Amanda Trieger, sacred birthkeeper and doula for all stages of life. We will visit about Amanda's background and her diverse offerings in women's health, well-being, and doula services. Amanda shares her experience in holistic health care as a sacred birth keeper, life-long student of the world, as well as her work in supporting positive menstruality culture.  Amanda (she/her) lives in the Hunter Valley on Wonnarua Country. Amanda is a sacred birthkeeper, and she is honoured to be present as life begins & a mother is born. She has worked with thousands of practitioners and women over the past 20 years nourishing holistic health and considers herself a lifelong student of the world. Amanda’s favourite place in the house is hiding in her clinic rooms making herbal creams & potions. She creates ripples of change supporting Positive Menstruality Culture with her co-founded business Weaving the Red Thread. Amanda works with practitioners and women towards holistic health in a beautiful home clinic in Largs, NSW and via Zoom.  You can connect with Amanda here:  https://www.naturopathicwomancraft.com.au IG @naturopathicwomancraft The links Amanda mentioned in our conversation are the following:  Practitioner trainings: https://www.naturopathicwomancraft.com.au/practitionerofferings Blog post Matrescence Doula - https://www.naturopathicwomancraft.com.au/s/stories/matrescence-doula-2 Naturopathic Womancraft Clinic - home page -  https://www.naturopathicwomancraft.com.au/ Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News TunesA Subito Media production

Alyssa (she/her) is a wife, mum of 3, friend, Christian and a fierce advocate. Alyssa lives in the Illawarra region on Dharawal country. She has a big passion for homebirth and continuity of midwifery care, while also being passionate in supporting hospital births. A doula for 8 years now, Alyssa has established a consistent business in the doula world, expanding her business to include baby-wearing education and volunteer work with not for profits and charities.  In our conversation today, we will discuss the doula training process and how to feel more confident about starting your own business as a doula. Alyssa went to an in-person doula training course and felt confident in the support side of becoming a doula. The trouble came when she was trying to build the business side. It’s important to consider how you’ll manage your on-call time. It’s not really sustainable to take as many clients as possible and keep yourself on call all the time. You need to plan in some time for yourself and your family so you’re not stuck staring at your phone all the time. You can find out more about Alyssa here: www.cherishbirth.com.au     www.illawarrabirthclasses.com.au IG @cherish_birth    IG @illawarrabirthclasses Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Debi Azubel (pronouns she/her) was born in Mexico and raised through Mexico, Argentina, Israel and Spain, before finding herself on Wurundjeri land where her children were born. She is a birth and postpartum doula, because she believes that continuity of care is crucial to a mother's well being. However, her biggest passion is the closing of the bones ceremony. Debi weaves into her work the various tools she has collected along the way as a permaculturist, gardener, primary school teacher, as well as her love for cooking, music, ritual and community. You can connect with Debi in these ways: www.sacred-window.com.au Instagram @debi.azubel In our conversation, Debi also makes reference to a few prominent figures in the world of birth. To learn more about them, you can click here: Fiona Hallinan, who does the internal pelvic release work: https://www.fionahallinan.com Innate Traditions, which is the online postpartum training Debi spoke of: https://www.innatetraditions.com Rhea Dempsey, who Debi trained with in person in Melbourne: https://www.birthingwisdom.com.au Naolí Vinaver, renowned Mexican midwife who Debi learned the Closing the Bones ceremony from, in person and online: https://www.naolivinaver.com Debi also spoke of an interesting concept called the circle of grief, which we both agreed could be applied just as effectively to the experience of a mother traversing the childbearing journey. You can read more about this concept here: https://speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/supporting-grief/ring-theory Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes A Subito Media production

Hello, and welcome to The Whole Doula Podcast. I am your host, Mary Giordano. I'm a doula, birth educator, counselor, business mentor, community builder, and of course, the host of this new podcast. The Whole Doula Podcast is a conversation space for doulas and birth workers to talk about the diverse paths that led them to birth work, as well as the diverse and unique skills, interests, and offerings that they bring to their birth keeping roles. The idea came to me upon reflecting on the various interests and skills I bring to my own work and how all the things I did before led me to this point, even if I didn't see the connection or path that I was on beforehand, or where it was leading me to. It's only through the passing of time that things make sense sometimes, and although I couldn't always see how things would come together, I've naturally woven all of my previous experiences into the role I have created for myself as a doula and business woman. So, I'm interested to dive into conversations with others who may be wondering how to bring the different aspects and experiences of their own lives into their roles as doulas in business. After all, there is more than one way to doula, and I'd love to help others see the connections between all of the different parts of themselves to see themselves as a whole doula. I hope that this podcast will be of interest to doulas and others interested in perhaps pursuing the work as a doula, and also for expecting families looking for a doula and interested in the diverse, ways that we doula in this world. I expect that it will provide a rich journey into the diversity of what it means to be a doula, birth keeper, birth worker, or otherwise. The first few episodes will be released on September 26th, followed by a new episode each fortnight. I hope you can join us and listen to these conversations, and I look forward to sharing with you soon. Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: ⁠https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing⁠  Connect with Mary on Instagram ⁠@marygiordano.com.au⁠ Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News TunesA Subito Media production