What if I told you that 9 out of 10 babies in America are missing key gut microbes right from the start? As a labor nurse who's delivered thousands of little ones and now a proud Gigi, this chat totally rocked my world and got me thinking about my own grandbabies' health.

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I'm thrilled to welcome Stephanie Culler, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences. Stephanie's a powerhouse scientist with a PhD in chemical engineering from Caltech, tons of patents in synthetic biology, and a passion for using the gut microbiome to fight disease. Inspired by losing her grandmothers to cancer and her own journey as a first-time mom during COVID, she pivoted from cancer research to baby gut health. She's led the largest U.S. study on infant microbiomes and created groundbreaking products to restore what modern life has stripped away from the gut.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

1. Why modern babies are missing crucial bifidobacteria - and how it links to allergies, eczema, asthma, and even long-term risks like cancer.
2. The shocking impact of antibiotics, C-sections, and formula on gut health, and why it's a multi-generational issue.
3. Stephanie's "aha" moment that shifted her from cancer treatments to preventing issues at the source with Persephone's first-of-its-kind synbiotic.
4. Signs your baby's gut needs help: fussiness, colic, constipation, diaper rash, poor sleep - and how this product can turn things around fast.
5. Tips for new moms: Start from day one, even if breastfeeding (mix a smidge into colostrum or on your nipple!), and why it's great for C-section babies too.
6. Bonus: How this could be a game-changer for adults and pregnant mamas, too.

More from Dr. Stephanie Culler:

Persephone's Daily Synergistic Synbiotic: https://persephone.bio/products/bloom

Visit www.persephone.bio

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @persephone.bio

Connect with Dr. Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-culler

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Meet Dr. Stephanie Culler
2. 01:44 Stephanie’s Story: From Cancer Research to Babies
3. 05:27 The My Baby Biome Study: The Shocking 9-in-10 Finding
4. 09:26 Signs of an Off Microbiome + Benefits Seen
5. 11:16 Why Start From Day One

Join me, as I talk with one of my VBAC Lab Students and Calm Mama Society Members, Cassie.

She's going to be sharing her birth story and how the techniques we've been working on in class, have helped her to move through her birth trauma from her first birth and prepare for an empowered VBAC.

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Cassie gives us all the details, shares the highs and lows of her birth experience, and how ultimately she was able to bring her baby into the world in a way that she was proud of.

This episode is packed with so much information and is really empowering for all the mamas out there who want to have an empowered birth.

So grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a chat with Cassie.

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Meet Cassie: A VBAC Lab Student
2. 02:16 Cassie's First Birth Experience
3. 03:28 Discovering the VBAC Lab
4. 07:11 Facing Challenges with the Provider
5. 17:53 Preparing for Labor at Home
6. 21:34 Arriving at the Hospital
7. 24:47 Labor Begins: Early Contractions and Support
8. 30:30 Challenges and Swelling
9. 33:19 Decision for a C-Section
10. 35:48 Meeting the Baby
11. 37:52 Reflecting on the Birth Experience
12. 40:45 Advice for Expecting Mothers

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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Trish sits down with one of her favorite doulas - Sarah Osborne, doula, doula mentor, mama of three, and the real-deal with 17 years and over 900 births attended. Sarah went from a thriving solo practice to building a doula collective in the Pacific Northwest, and she’s spilling all the tea on what actually matters when you’re hiring support for your birth.

You’re going to hear why the “Google checklist” of doula questions is kinda useless, how to spot the vibe you really want (yes, you should feel like you could be friends with her - and not care if she sees you naked and pooping), and why Sarah says you can’t say “never” in birth. She shares her own three very different birth stories, one of her favorite births she’s attended, and the powerful reminder that interventions have their place - and sometimes they’re exactly what you need. This conversation is packed with wisdom, zero judgment, and the kind of real talk that leaves you feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed.

Whether you’re a pregnant mama trying to build your birth team or a birth worker who wants to do this work with integrity, hit play. You’re going to walk away smarter, calmer, and even more fired up about birth.

More from Sarah Osborne, CD(DONA):

Checkout https://theexpertdoula.com/skills-lab

Connect with Sarah on Instagram: @the.expert.doula + @thebirthcollectivepnw

Visit TheExpertDoula.com

Visit TheBirthCollectivePNW.com

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Welcome Sarah
2. 00:36 Sarah's Doula Journey
3. 02:09 Sarah's Birth Stories
4. 05:16 Choosing the Right Doula
5. 12:31 Memorable Birth Experiences
6. 15:06 The Role of Positioning in Pregnancy
7. 17:26 The Importance of Medical Interventions
8. 23:11 Respecting Personal Choices in Birth
9. 27:04 Doula Mentorship and Community

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

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For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Today, Trish is sharing the powerful birth story of her daughter where she went from being told she would have a ‘dead baby’ at 37 weeks pregnant if she didn’t induce, to having a beautiful unmedicated delivery. This birth story shows how her daughter navigated the difference between convenience-based and necessary interventions. Trish breaks down the distinction between these interventions, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making and self-advocacy. She recounts how her daughter navigated medical advice and ultimately delivered her baby safely amidst true medical necessity at 39 weeks. This story underscores the value of patient education, boundaries, and empowerment in birth. You'll also hear an inspirational birth story from one of Trish's students, who delivered just a week after her daughter, showcasing the impact of her comprehensive birth education and how it helped her navigate a fast, unexpected home birth!

More from this episode:

Listen to the ‘My Daughter’s OB Said She’ll Have a Dead Baby (I’m a Labor Nurse Ya’ll)’ episode!

Watch this FREE Birth Class: 3 Secrets to a Smoother, Faster Birth

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 My Daughter’s Birth
2. 01:08 The Importance of Informed Decision Making
3. 02:40 The 37-Week Appointment
4. 04:42 The 39-Week Emergency Induction
5. 07:16 Advocating for Yourself During Labor
6. 11:58 The Birth Experience
7. 14:11 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
8. 17:22 Student Birth Story

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Trish welcomes a fellow labor and delivery nurse and childbirth educator, Lo Mansfield, also known as The Labor Mama. They discuss the intriguing question of why so many L&D nurses, midwives, and birth pros personally opt for unmedicated births, sharing behind-the-scenes insights from their years on the floor. Trish and Lo open up about their own journeys - Trish recounting her first unmedicated birth at 17 out of sheer needle fear (and loving how she felt like a boss + queen afterward), while Lo explains her mix of clinical experience, like minimizing interventions for better outcomes, and practical perks, such as immediate mobility if baby needs the NICU.

They swap hilarious and heartfelt stories of fast labors, OP babies, and the power of a supportive partner, emphasizing how education and trust in your body can make all the difference. Trish and Lo keep it real, reminding mamas that unmedicated birth isn't for everyone - epidurals and interventions can lead to beautiful births too - but empowerment comes from listening to your inner voice and advocating for yourself.

More from The Labor Mama

Visit thelabormama.com

Listen to the Lo & Behold Podcast

Follow @thelabormama on Instagram

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 01:44 Lo's Journey into OB Nursing
2. 04:52 Unmedicated Birth Choices
3. 05:28 Lo's Birth Stories
4. 09:23 Trish's Birth Stories
5. 17:42 Navigating Hospital Births, Interventions, & Autonomy
6. 29:12 The Value of Immediate Post-Birth Mobility
7. 31:41 Choosing the Right Birth Setting
8. 34:59 Trusting Your Intuition in Birth Choices

Join the Sold Out Offer Challenge at trishwarecoaching.com/soo happening this February 2nd-6th!

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Trish shares a deeply personal and shocking account of a recent doctor's appointment for her 37-week pregnant daughter. Despite being a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse, she found herself shaken by the fear-inducing tactics used by the doctor to push for an induction at 39 weeks, with a beautifully healthy baby and mama. Trish discusses the importance of making informed medical decisions based on knowledge rather than fear, explaining how to navigate these critical conversations with healthcare providers. She emphasizes the power of asking questions, seeking second opinions, and trusting one's maternal instincts.

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 A Shocking Doctor's Visit
2. 00:47 SThe Appointment
3. 02:13 The Doctor's Alarming Recommendation
4. 03:20 The Emotional Impact and Professional Insight
5. 04:45 Questioning Medical Advice
6. 10:21 Empowering Decisions and Final Thoughts

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

In this heartfelt finale of the Postpartum Unpacked series on The Birth Experience Podcast, Trish reassures new mamas that perfection isn't required to be a great mom. Drawing from her experience raising seven children, she emphasizes that confidence comes from trusting your growth, learning from mistakes, and evolving through reflection and new wisdom. Trish shares how postpartum transforms your identity, inviting you to embrace change without shame or fear, and reminds listeners that they're uniquely chosen and equipped for their baby - any gaps in knowledge are simply opportunities to seek support and keep growing. This isn’t the “end of who you were” but rather the beginning of who you’re becoming!

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Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Trish highlights the vital role of community in navigating motherhood, whether through groups like the Calm Mama Society or local connections. She encourages mamas to build their village and move forward at their own pace. If you loved this series and the podcast, please leave a comment or review sharing your biggest struggles to inspire future episodes. Head over to our back catalog of episodes and tune into new ones every Friday! We appreciate and love you all!

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 01:07 The Journey Through Postpartum
2. 01:36 Confidence in Motherhood
3. 03:57 The Importance of Community
4. 05:13 Final Thoughts

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Trish welcomes Dr. Courtney Johnson, a pelvic floor physical therapist specializing in women's health for female athletes and active moms. Together, they challenge the outdated advice of relying solely on Kegels, explaining why tight pelvic floors aren't necessarily strong and can contribute to issues like leakage, prolapse, and pain, while debunking the normalization of postpartum symptoms as "just part of being a mom." Dr. Courtney advocates for a holistic approach to recovery, emphasizing the role of factors such as stress, sleep, sunshine, breathing techniques, pressure management, lifestyle habits, and even loose clothing in supporting pelvic floor health and the broader core system. Don't miss this empowering conversation aimed at helping mamas reclaim their body and mind after childbirth.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

More from Dr. Courtney Johnson:

Tune into her podcast: The Female Blueprint

Follow her on Instagram: @thefemaleathletedoc

Subscribe to her YouTube Channel: Dr. Courtney Johnson

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 01:55 The Misconceptions of Pelvic Floor Health
2. 03:06 Beyond Kegels: A Holistic Approach to Healing
3. 05:12 The Importance of Proper Diagnosis and Treatment
4. 06:41 Why Kegels Aren't Always the Answer
5. 08:18 The Bigger Picture: Integrating Pelvic Floor Health with Overall Well-being
6. 10:18 The Need for Updated Knowledge and Referrals
7. 13:38 Effective Pelvic Floor Exercises
8. 16:59 Understanding Pressure Management
9. 20:45 Healing Past Trauma
10. 24:17 Empowering Women's Health

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