Host: Melissa Harley, B.A., AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE

Guest: Keena Armstrong, M.S., Counselor, Doula, LMHC

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the CCDS Doula Collaboration Podcast, host Melissa Harley sits down with Keena Armstrong, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor, parent-educator, birth doula, and postpartum doula, to explore her full-circle story—from growing up in the foster care system to becoming a compassionate, community-based provider serving families within it.

Keena shares how her lived experiences shaped her life’s mission to support others through birth, mental health challenges, and family transitions. With authenticity and clarity, she reflects on her own struggles with postpartum anxiety, her journey to licensure, and her vision for wraparound support for birth and foster parents alike.

This episode is a moving testament to the impact of healing-centered care and the importance of bringing lived experience into professional service. It will leave birth workers and mental health providers alike inspired, informed, and reminded of the deep value in showing up with heart.

• How Keena’s childhood in foster care informs her work today
• The role of doulas and therapists in postpartum mental health
• How Keena balances advocacy, parenting, and community care
• Her vision for a Fourth Trimester Recovery Space and what comes next

💬 “I want people to normalize and understand that some things that come with becoming and being a parent are normal. Being touched out and overstimulated—that’s normal.” — Keena Armstrong

💬 “You're being a doula to those foster parents, right? How neat is that?” — Melissa Harley

💬 “It felt amazing… My goal and my vision board said I’d be licensed by the end of the year. And it happened.” — Keena Armstrong

💬 “Support isn’t linear—it’s circular. And I move through those roles and hats seamlessly.” — Keena Armstrong

📌 Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMHC) – Offered through PSI, MIMH, and other training organizations- https://postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
📌 Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-US) – Screening tool for postpartum mental health - https://epds-us.vcu.edu
📌 Healthy Start Programs- community support, some with doula programs
📌 Postpartum Support International (PSI) – www.postpartum.net

About the guest: Keena Armstrong is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida and a trained birth doula since August 2019. Currently pursuing her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMHC), Keena brings a deep passion for social work, child welfare, and advocacy into every aspect of her work. As a proud mother and devoted partner, she is driven by a commitment to nurture, uplift, and empower those in need. Keena’s mission is to help change the world by promoting mental wellness, supporting families, and being a strong voice for the vulnerable.

🎙About the host: Melissa has been a dedicated birth professional for over two decades as a birth doula and childbirth educator. A DONA-approved trainer since 2010, she has trained over 1,300 doulas worldwide, blending evidence-based practices with insights from her extensive leadership experience. She served on the DONA Board of Directors for seven years, (DONA International President - 2020), contributing to strategic planning, education, and advocacy initiatives. Currently, she coordinates DONA’s conferences and webinars, fostering ongoing professional growth in the perinatal community. Based in Florida, Melissa remains an active doula trainer, childbirth educator, & lactation counselor.

To connect with Melissa, visit ⁠www.capitalcitydoulaservices.com⁠📩

Have a topic suggestion or want to be a guest? Contact Melissa at: www.capitalcitydoulaservices.com

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Mothers, Daughters, and Birth: Sarah Yastrab on Orthodox Jewish Birth

Host: Melissa Harley, B.A., AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE

Guest: Sarah Yastrab, Birth Doula

In this insightful episode of the CCDS Doula Collaboration Podcast, host Melissa Harley welcomes birth professional Sarah Yastrab for a conversation rooted in faith, family, and the depth of doula work. Sarah shares the meaningful experience of supporting her daughter through labor and birth—an intergenerational moment filled with emotion, purpose, and presence.

Drawing from her lived experience within the Orthodox Jewish community, Sarah invites listeners into a thoughtful discussion about how doulas can respectfully support families navigating sacred and long-standing cultural practices. Together, she and Melissa reflect on the importance of cultural humility, emotional awareness, and creating safe spaces for all families.

This episode includes content that may be sensitive for some listeners, including the impact of antisemitism and discussions of Orthodox Jewish birth traditions. At CCDS, we are committed to honoring diverse perspectives, holding space for growth, and embracing the complexity that comes with truly client-centered care.

About the Guest:

Sarah Yastrab is a birth doula based in Woodmere, New York. Her journey into birth work began when her daughter asked Sarah to support her through a successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). This personal connection inspired Sarah to pursue formal doula training with Melissa.

A mother of four children, Sarah brings decades of personal experience with pregnancy and motherhood to her practice. Having spent many years immersed in maternal support within her community, she combines professional training with lived experience to guide families through their birthing journeys. Sarah currently serves expectant parents throughout Long Island, offering compassionate and informed support during one of life's most transformative experiences.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How personal identity and professional experience intersect in birth work
✔️ Why it’s vital to honor religious and cultural traditions in doula support
✔️ The importance of learning directly from communities we wish to support

Quotes from the Episode:

💬 "My family is a family of Holocaust survivors. We're only 80 years since the Holocaust and there's no greater expression of joy. There's no greater expression of hope. There's no greater expression of faith and trust in a better future than having a baby." – Sarah Yastrab

💬 "You're a soul and they're a soul and you're just two souls in a room and just connect on that level. Everything else can exist outside, but when you're together, you're there for a reason."– Sarah Yastrab

💬 "It does go back to what you said in the beginning, which was respect, and I do believe that there is the right doula for the right clients." – Melissa Harley

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
📌 Orthodox Jewish Culture Resources – Encouraging understanding and solidarity
📌 Intergenerational Birth Experiences – Reflections on supporting family through labor

About the Host:

Melissa Harley, B.A., AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE is an experienced doula trainer, childbirth educator, lactation counselor, and maternal health advocate. A doula since 2003, she has trained over 1,000 doulas and mentored countless professionals across the perinatal field. Melissa served as the President of DONA International in 2020 and is the founder of Capital City Doula Services and host of the CCDS Doula Collaboration Podcast, which amplifies the voices and stories of doulas, educators, and birth professionals around the globe.

🎙 Host: Melissa Harley, B.A., AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE

📩 Want to be a guest or share your feedback? Reach out at https://capitalcitydoulaservices.com.

🎧 Subscribe to the CCDS Doula Collaboration Podcast wherever you listen, and don’t forget to leave a review to help others find the show!

My First Doula Baby is Having a Baby: Abigayle Braudaway on Becoming a Mother

Host: Melissa Harley, B.A., AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE
Guest: Abigayle Braudaway

In this heartwarming episode of the CCDS Doula Collaboration Podcast, host Melissa Harley welcomes a very special guest—her niece, Abigayle Braudaway—who also happens to be the first baby Melissa ever supported as a doula! Now, 23 years later, Abbey is expecting a baby of her own, bringing the journey full circle in a deeply meaningful way.

Melissa and Abbey discuss what it’s like to grow up surrounded by birth work, how Abbey’s perspective on pregnancy and birth has been shaped by her upbringing, and the emotions surrounding her transition into motherhood. Abbey also shares her thoughts on birth planning, fears about infertility, and the affirmations she’s using to embrace this journey with confidence.

Join us for a conversation filled with love, nostalgia, and the excitement of a new generation coming into the world.

In this episode:

✔ How growing up with doulas in the family shaped Abbey’s perspective on birth
✔ Abbey’s journey to conception and her thoughts on overcoming infertility fears
✔ Her vision for birth, including natural birth preferences and provider choices

💬 “I was worried about infertility before we even started trying. I was already seeing doctors, doing tests, and preparing for the worst. And then, on my birthday of all days, I took a test, and it was positive. It felt like a sign from God.” – Abigayle Braudaway

💬 “Doulas are always teaching about birth confidence, and I just keep telling myself: My body was designed for this.” – Abigayle Braudaway

💬 “Pregnancy is 40-plus weeks for a reason—it’s not just about growing the baby, it’s about growing into the role of being a parent.” – Melissa Harley

Resources Discussed:

📌 Affirmations for Pregnancy & Birth – The power of positive thinking and self-affirmation in preparing for labor
📌 The Breast Crawl – How newborns instinctively find the breast when placed skin-to-skin after birth
📌 Finding a Birth Provider Who Supports Your Vision – Questions to ask OBs and midwives to ensure a good fit
📌 Home Birth & Midwifery Care – The importance of risk assessment and transfer plans for out-of-hospital birth

About the guest: Abigayle "Abbey" Braudaway is a dedicated medical assistant specializing in dermatology who currently resides in North Alabama with her husband, Uriah. The newlyweds are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first child in September 2025.

Deeply family-oriented, Abbey treasures relationships with her loved ones above all else. She finds joy in creating meaningful memories and quality experiences with family members.

When not serving patients in dermatology, Abbey focuses on nurturing the connections that matter most to her and embracing each moment of her journey into parenthood. Abbey was also the FIRST doula baby for podcast host and doula, Melissa Harley, known as “Aunt Melissa” to Abbey.

🎙About the host: Melissa has been a dedicated birth professional for over two decades as a birth doula and childbirth educator. A DONA-approved trainer since 2010, she has trained over 1,200 doulas worldwide, blending evidence-based practices with insights from her extensive leadership experience. She served on the DONA Board of Directors for seven years, (DONA International President - 2020), contributing to strategic planning, education, and advocacy initiatives. Currently, she coordinates DONA’s conferences and webinars, fostering ongoing professional growth in the perinatal community. Based in Florida, Melissa remains an active doula trainer, childbirth educator, & lactation counselor. To connect with Melissa, visit www.capitalcitydoulaservices.com

📩 Have a topic suggestion or want to be a guest? Contact Melissa at: ⁠CCDS Podcast Guest Inquiry Form⁠

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!