The Birth Geeks' Podcast

Everyone who comes through doula training asks the same question: how do I actually find my first clients? In this episode, Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors cut through the anxiety around getting started and offer practical, grounded strategies for new birth and postpartum doulas who are ready to build a practice. The conversation covers everything from the psychology of feeling "ready" to the concrete mechanics of networking, social media, pricing, and contracts, and it does so in a way that will resonate with trainers and agency owners who field this question constantly.   Robin and Hillary draw on their own very different origin stories, including Robin starting before the internet existed and Hillary stumbling into the work with a fresh PhD and a serious case of imposter syndrome, to make the point that there is no single right path to those first three births. What matters is telling people what you do, showing up consistently, building relationships with providers and other doulas, and not letting the pursuit of perfect paperwork or one more training become an excuse to delay. The episode closes with a clear-eyed discussion of pricing, shadowing, and the mindset shift from believing clients will find you to understanding that it is your job to be findable.

In this episode of The Birth Geeks, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, OB-GYN hospitalist, IBCLC, and author, joins Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors to talk about the hospitalist model and what it means for doulas and clients, how to show up during a home birth transfer, obstetric violence and why the term matters, misinformation on social media, informed consent as a human rights issue, and what a well-prepared patient looks like from the perspective of someone meeting people for the first time in active labor. Dr. Lincoln also discusses her new book, written for birthing people and designed to challenge providers. She's a delight, and in the good fight against misinformation for expecting and new families every day.  Come listen in on two doulas and an OB as we break down some myths, talk history, and get excited about the future of collaboration for birth teams.  Find her at drjenniferlincoln.com.

We're tackling a tough subject for birth doulas in this week's episode: induction arrival. When do you join your clients and how do you communicate with them before and during an induction? Speaking from our experience as birth doulas, we're talking about approaches we've seen work and some that haven't too. As birth doulas, at some point you will absolutely have a client be induced, and planning ahead can make a world of difference in everyone's experience, including the doula's. 

Insurance coverage for doulas sounds like a win for everyone. More clients, broader access, sustainable practice. But the reality is messier than the headline, and Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors have both lived that reality from opposite sides of the billing process. Robin brings a background in health management system sciences, years of taking insurance as a doula, and experience running an oral surgery practice where insurance claims were part of every single day. Hillary brings the on-the-ground perspective of a doula agency owner who has navigated company benefits, watched payment timelines stretch, and done the math on whether Medicaid reimbursement rates actually pencil out. Together, they unpack what it genuinely means to accept insurance as a birth professional. This episode covers the credentialing process, the critical distinction between insurance and company benefits like the Walmart employee program, balance billing rights, and the hidden contractual traps that can turn a missed call into a fraud risk if you are not paying attention. FSA and HSA accounts get real attention here as a lower-barrier starting point for most doulas, along with Robin's "open season" approach to client education each fall. The conversation is practical and honest, including a frank look at why insurance-based doula work may make sense as one piece of a mixed caseload rather than the foundation of a sustainable practice.  

No-shows are one of those topics birth professionals talk about in private but rarely address out loud. In this episode, Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors get into both types of no-shows that doulas actually deal with: the potential client who ghosts a consultation, and the client who goes into labor without ever picking up the phone. They share what they've done to reduce no-shows before they happen, how to respond when they do, and why extending grace doesn't mean abandoning your systems.

Dr. Hillary Melchiors sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd for a grounded, experience-led conversation about burnout, moral injury, and the emotional weight of long-term birth and mental health work. Dr. Makin-Byrd reflects on moving from Colorado to New Zealand and how that shift reshaped her clinical practice and her own recovery. Taking apart the myth that burnout is a personal failing, they make the case that systemic factors, not individual shortcomings, drive the exhaustion so many birth workers carry. Covering boundary-setting in a field that rarely rewards it, they directly and practically confront the value of professional support for providers, and what "good enough" care actually looks like when perfection stays just out of reach. This one episode won't define burnout for you, but speaks honestly about what to do when you're in it, why it is not your fault, and what might actually help.                        

Lisa Vee, aka Loudmouth Lisa, is a doula business strategist and coach who brings her whole heart to this work with the flare of the dancer and salesperson background that she brings to the table. In this episode we talk about attracting clients, pricing your services, shifting priorities, and more. Enjoy! 

Maggie Runyon became a nurse to help and found out quickly that saving the entire healthcare system and everyone in it was a fast ticket to burnout. In this interview we discuss her book I Thought I Was Here to Help, along with strategies for advocacy, community, & support for all of us that work as perinatal professionals. 

Rural medicine, Indian Health Service, MD advocacy, and so much more

The messy magic of being a doula! In this episode of The Birth Geeks, we sit down with Dr. Andrea Ford, anthropologist, doula, and author of Near Birth, to explore the strange, powerful, and often contradictory world of modern birthwork. What even is a doula today? A sister or a professional?
A rebel or a regulated service?
A support system or a scapegoat? We unpack it ALL:
The tension between respect and reimbursement
 Why doulas are praised for outcomes they can't control  What happens when community care meets institutional demands
 And how birthwork quietly challenges American values about bodies, power, and autonomy If you've ever wrestled with your role in the birth space or wondered how being "near birth" is as political as it is personal, this conversation will hit home. Listen now. 

How do you go from spreadsheets to spinning babies, and end up on national perinatal boards? In this episode, Hillary sits down with LaToshia Rouse, a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and speaker who brings her whole self (and sometimes her whole family!) to the work of changing maternal care from the inside out. We talk about: Parenting triplets and how NICU life shaped LaToshia's why How doulas can support clients without overextending themselves What it really takes to build connections with hospital systems Why flexibility, strong boundaries, and knowing your season are everything You'll laugh, nod along, and walk away feeling like you've just made a new doula bestie.

Today on The Birth Geeks, we spoke with Dr. Sarah Rubin about her research on motherhood and postpartum depression in South Africa. She shared eye-opening insights on how culture and social support shape the experiences of new mothers, especially in under-resourced communities. We dove into the challenges of measuring mental health across cultures and why context matters in global maternal health. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about birth, wellness, and understanding the bigger picture.

Today on The Birth Geeks, we dove into the inspiring journey of Shanay Rocker, a fashion-industry pro turned Berlin-based doula. From her adventures moving from Australia to New York and finally Berlin, Shanay shared how motherhood transformed her life and led her to birth work. We explored what it's really like to give birth and be a doula in Germany, the power of supportive communities, and building resilience as a parent and entrepreneur. Sinead's story is proof that growth, adaptability, and following your passion can open doors you never imagined—wherever you are in the world.

On this episode of The Birth Geeks, we sit down with Katie Shannon, a certified nurse midwife and entrepreneurial powerhouse. Katie takes us through her inspiring journey from grad school to running her own successful home birth practice in the DC metro area. She shares lessons on building a business, finding balance, overcoming burnout, and the importance of partnering with the right people. Katie gives us a behind-the-scenes look at serving diverse clients and navigating licensing challenges, proving that with passion and dedication, you can create a thriving, meaningful business that truly supports families. Don't miss these insights on resilience, growth, and redefining care.

Welcome to another episode of The Birth Geeks! In today's conversation, host Dr. Hillary Melchiors sits down with Jen Chandlee, an experienced postpartum doula trainer, educator, and advocate. Not only was Jen Hillary's own postpartum doula trainer, but she brings a wealth of knowledge from decades spent supporting families in diverse regions of the U.S., including Wilmington and Asheville, North Carolina. Together, they dive into how postpartum doula support has evolved, the increasing demand for it, and the important differences between birth and postpartum doula care. Jen shares heartfelt stories from her trainings—like the different moving traditions of welcoming new birthing people—and discusses the importance of cultural ritual in the postpartum period versus what many parents in the U.S. experience today (hello, grocery store runs instead of crowns and songs). The episode explores how virtual doula training breaks down barriers and brings global perspectives together, how the "crunchy parent" stereotype and consumer culture collide in parenting, and why overnight postpartum work—and its perception—may deserve a second look. Jen and Hillary also talk about the effects of perimenopause on doulas, the need for boundaries and self-care, plus the financial and policy challenges facing today's doula workforce. With warmth and honesty, Jen and Hillary unpack the reality of postpartum care, the critical need for recognition and support for new parents, and what it really means to be a lifeguard for families in the early weeks. Whether you're a doula, a parent, or just passionate about birth work, this episode is full of wisdom, humor, and some well-deserved tiara talk. Grab your tea, put on your imaginary crown, and enjoy this inspiring conversation!

In 2018, Amanda Chandler became the first licenced black Certified Professional Midwife in the state of Indiana, and in 2020 the first in Kentucky. Amanda is a trailblazer, nature lover, and birth geek extraordinaire. In this episode we talk about how closing rural hospitals' OB units impacts her work as a community midwife, her path to midwifery, career trajectory, challenging state policies, and so much more. I could think of no better way to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week than celebrating with the brilliant Amanda Chandler CPM. 

When Spela completed her PhD in Biomedicine, she did not expect doula work to be her destiny. After years in this field and studying multiple specialized pathways, she knows in her heart that doulas make a difference not only for our clients, but also within communities. Through our conversation you will not only hear Spela's passion for birth work, but also some amazing stories about working as a doula in the country of Slovenia! Spela's leadership in her country, within the European Doula Network, and in the broader doula community worldwide is remarkable, and she's incredibly fun to chat with too. This conversation will leave you inspired! 

What does doula work look like in Istanbul? In this episode, we talk to doula and translator Ayşegül Boz Baltacı about her work both in Turkey and in the European Doula Network. Ayşegül is a connector and an incredible advocate for families and doulas around the world. Shortly after we talked for this interview, a Turkish law banned all non-medical support for birthing parents, essentially closing public hospital doors to birth doulas entirely. Ayşegül Boz Baltacı is an outstanding leader in her community and for doulas everywhere, and her perspective really broadened my understanding of doulas as cultural brokers in multiple spaces. We hope you enjoy our conversation about her journey and goals as a doula. 

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Birth Geeks"! Today, Dr. Hillary Melchiors sits down with Ania Freitas, a passionate doula originally from Madeira, Portugal, now based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Join us as Ania shares her journey from helping her sister in Northern Ireland, discovering her calling as a doula, and navigating different cultural landscapes. We'll dive into Ania's unique experiences in the doula field, her role with Doula UK, and her contributions to the European Doula Network (EDN). She discusses the welcoming yet complex landscape of doula work in Northern Ireland, the historic and cultural attitudes towards postnatal care, and her multilingual proficiency that enriches her practice. Discover the fascinating cultural nuances, the importance of postnatal support, and even some light-hearted moments, like Ania's fondness for Portuguese breakfasts. Whether you're a birth professional, an expectant parent, or just curious about the world of doulas, this episode offers a blend of professional insights and personal stories you won't want to miss. Tune in now!

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Birth Geeks! Today, hosts Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors are joined by the insightful Darcy Sauers, a seasoned doula and business expert, for a deep dive into the intricacies of running a successful birth-related business. In this episode, we'll explore strategic blogging to attract local clients, the critical role of consistent thank-you campaigns, and the importance of tracking referral sources to make evidence-based business decisions. Darcy and our hosts will share valuable tips on managing data efficiently without feeling overwhelmed and discuss the vital aspect of treating doula work as a business to avoid burnout. We'll also delve into the power of search engine optimization (SEO) for local searches and maintaining control over your digital assets, given the limitations and risks of relying solely on social media platforms. Plus, we'll touch on creative content strategies, social media analytics, and Darcy's passion for making marketing analytics accessible and less intimidating. To wrap it up, we venture into the lighter side with fun "Would You Rather?" questions and share a touch of personal connection and excitement about future conferences. This episode is packed with insights to help you harness analytics, connect more meaningfully with your audience, and sustain a long-term, thriving practice. So tune in and get ready to geek out on all things birth and business!