Blood, Sweat and Breastmilk

We celebrate our one year podcast anniversary with the return of our very first guest, Dr. Maria Wright, after the birth of her first child.  Maria shares her experiences as a new mama --  from a C-section to donating breastmilk to returning to work while raising a now active toddler. 

This episode features Jessica Rena of Mamas In Color talking about her water birth experience at home, and how she'd do it all over again.

In this episode, I invited friend and fellow mom to 3 sons, Askia Taylor, to talk about the loss of Chadwick Boseman, best known for his role in "Black Panther", during an already turbulent time. The unexpected blow in the passing of an on & off screen hero and symbol of strength for many, comes at a time where hope and optimism hang in the balance. How we, as parents, can lift our children and keep a "superhero" outlook now and for the future. 

Enough is enough. In the aftermath of George Floyd's tragic death, our community is yet again devastated by another senseless loss.  Only now, the public-at-large is paying attention. We ask the question -- "Why now?" and discuss a long history of black mothers losing sons and daughters under racist circumstances and what it's really going to take to make change.  

This episode features Jennie Lopez Ibanez, expectant first-time mom navigating her final weeks of pregnancy during the Coronavirus outbreak. She discusses advocating for a healthy home life, social distancing, the heartbreak of limited interaction with family, heightened concerns and changes to her original birth plan in this last trimester.   

This episode features my daughter, Phaedra, as she discusses the recent shut down of her college due to the coronavirus pandemic. We talk about the effects of being uprooted, transitioning back home, living with parents and siblings, remote learning, mental health and how to cope during this turbulent time. Stay safe!  

This episode features Stevie Merino, doula, passionate educator and co-founder of the Long Beach Doula of Color Training & Birth Workers of Color Collective as she takes us through the process of placenta encapsulation and other prep methods for the afterbirth. Stevie discusses postpartum healing and traditional approaches such as tinctures, body work and vaginal steaming.

This episode features Keya Nkonoki of Moms at OM Pregnancy Studio in Los Angeles as she discusses working with underserved teens, savasana and the benefits of pre and post-natal yoga practices.

This episode features Cinnamon Buckley of Imani Doula Services as she shares her passion in her work as a doula.

This episode features Dr. Maria Wright, educator and soon-to-be new mama, as we discuss her pregnancy and journey into Motherhood.