Claim OwnershipThe BeHerVillage Podcast
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The BeHerVillage Podcast is where we talk about the real cost of having a baby and the support it takes to thrive.
We’re not just talking about baby gear. We’re talking about maternity leave. Emotional labor. Identity shifts. Professional ambition. And the systems that either support or fail mothers during one of life’s most transformational seasons.
Hosted by Kaitlin McGreyes, doula, mother, and founder of BeHerVillage, a gift registry for parents to get the funds they need for the support they deserve.
80 Episodes
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Send us a text A meditation on how to cultivate community, why we should, and how to do it. Both showing up for others but also recognizing that we can be wonderful, capable parents and also need support for ourselves. Kaitlin shares her experience evolving into a parent who both shows up for others but also lets herself be supported by other women. FREE Maternity Leave Guide Start your BeHerVillage Registry Follow us on Instagram
Send us a text What does it really look like to go back to work after maternity leave? In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, Kaitlin and parental leave expert Jackie Cook dive into the messy, emotional, and very real transition from the “motherhood fog” back into the professional world. They talk about: 💛 Why returning to work is a process, not a single event 💛 The rollercoaster of emotions—excitement, grief, exhaustion, or all of the above 💛 The importance of childcare plannin...
Send us a text In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, Kaitlin talks with parental leave expert Jackie Cook about how to design a maternity leave that actually lets you rest, recover, and bond with your baby—without setting yourself up for chaos when you return to work. They discuss: 💛 Why working on leave can leave you coming back with an “empty cup” 💛 How to define your comfort level with work during leave 💛 Simple steps to prepare your role and responsibilities before bab...
Send us a text FREE Maternity Leave Guide Start your BeHerVillage Registry Follow us on Instagram Get in touch with Jackie In this episode of the BeHerVillage podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes sits down with Jackie Cook, founder of Popins—a company that helps parents and employers prepare for and protect maternity leave. Together, they dig into one big question: How did we end up in a world where new parents are answering emails while caring for a newborn? Jackie explains why so many parents—especial...
Send us a text FREE Maternity Leave Guide Start your BeHerVillage Registry Follow us on Instagram Get in touch with Akiko Too many parents hear “enjoy your vacation!” as they head into maternity leave—but let’s be clear: maternity leave is not a break. In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with parental leave expert Akiko Thayer for Part 2 of their eye-opening conversation about how to navigate the confusing and often dismissive world of workplace leave policies. They talk about: What language t...
Send us a text FREE Maternity Leave Guide Start your BeHerVillage Registry Follow us on Instagram Get in touch with Akiko When HR shorted her maternity leave by 8 weeks, she took matters into her own hands—and uncovered a broken system. Now, as the founder of Maternity Leave 411, Akiko helps parents get the paid leave they deserve. In this episode, we talk about why you can’t blindly trust HR, how to extend your leave, and why building your village might mean hiring a leave consultant. If you...
Send us a text FREE Maternity Leave Guide Show Notes If you're a business owner and expecting a baby, this episode is your permission slip to rest. Host Kaitlin McGreyes sits down with Hannah Vasquez, founder of Your Favorite VA, to talk about how entrepreneurs can actually take a maternity leave—without their business falling apart. From scheduling content in advance to automating systems and delegating tasks, Hannah breaks down how to prepare your business to coast while you recover and bon...
Send us a text Show Notes Free Maternity Leave Guide For many new moms, the arrival of a baby sparks a profound—and often painful—question: Can I truly have it all? The drive to succeed professionally meets the deep desire to be present for your child, creating a tension that feels impossible to resolve. In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, we sit down with Hannah Vasquez, founder of Your Favorite VA, who knows firsthand how ambitious moms can navigate this collision without sacrifici...
Send us a text There’s a loneliness epidemic quietly crushing new parents. And no amount of swaddles, bassinets, or baby monitors can fix it. In this episode, we sit down with Jaclyn Buckingham, owner of The New Mom School Edmond, to talk about why today’s moms feel so isolated… and what we can actually do about it. Jaclyn shares how she’s creating real, in-person community for moms through her innovative new business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling, this episode will...
Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when a high-achieving tech exec trades deadlines and KPIs for diapers and cluster feeds? Meet Jaclyn Buckingham, founder of The New Mom School in Oklahoma—and our latest podcast guest. In this episode, Jaclyn opens up about leaving behind the fast-paced world of tech where she climbed the corporate ladder with confidence, only to discover that becoming a mom was the one challenge she couldn’t out-organize, out-strategize, or hustle her way through. She ...
Send us a text **Mama Meals is now Restorative Roots** Holly Stein is the founder of Mama Meals, a nationwide postpartum meal delivery service designed to nourish new moms with healing, nutrient-dense foods inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband and three children, where she enjoys cooking, baking, homeschooling her oldest, and spending time at the beach. In this conversation Holly shares with us the story of Mama Meals a...
Send us a text Lots of new parents attend baby expos across the country in order to get better prepared for their new baby. But are these baby expos actually giving parents the resources they need to thrive? I asked Jackie Cook and Natalie Fay this question-- and their answer is eye-opening. Jackie is as maternity leave specialist and Natalie is a sleep consultant working with parents of infants. Together they have founded the 9in9out Parent and Baby Expo, a different kind of event that...
Send us a text In this episode, Kaitlin interviews Natalie Toshkoff, a pelvic floor PT in Forest Hills, Queens. Natalie offers holistic pelvic floor care and wants to help more people get the care they need. Start your BeHerVillage Registry FREE resources on BeHerVillage Follow BeHerVillage on Instagram Contact Natalie
Send us a text In this episode, I share the story behind BeHerVillage’s creation. Hear how legislative experiences, doula work, and understanding health inequities led me to build a baby registry that funds expert care rather than material items. Tune in and discover how we’re making postpartum support accessible, one registry at a time. Start your BeHerVillage Registry today. Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to The BeHerVillage Podcast and never miss an episode. Download our FREE Bab...
Send us a text In this episode, BeHerVillage founder, Kaitlin McGreyes, recounts her early motherhood experiences. From Kaitlin: I’m rewinding to a moment etched into my memory: just three days postpartum, sitting in my nursery, tears streaming down my face. Despite having every baby product imaginable, I was struggling—clueless about breastfeeding, unsure how to simply shower, and terrified I wasn’t doing motherhood “right.” This personal story sets the stage for why I created BeHerVillage....
Send us a text In Part 2 of our interview with Francie Webb, IBCLC and doula, we dive into the critical role your pediatrician plays in your breastfeeding journey. Francie explains how your pediatrician’s approach can make or break your breastfeeding relationship and shares why it’s essential to recognize their scope of practice. Discover the red flags to watch out for, including why any breastfeeding advice from a pediatrician might be a sign to look elsewhere. Tune in to empower yourself wi...
Send us a text In this episode of The Be Her Village Podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes sits down with Francie Webb, doula, IBCLC, and owner of Go Milk Yourself, to discuss how expectant parents can prepare for breastfeeding. They cover: The importance of taking a breastfeeding class during pregnancyWhy connecting with a trusted lactation professional mattersHow to choose a pediatrician that aligns with your feeding goalsSetting yourself up for a positive birth experienceCreating boundaries and ...
Send us a text Tummy time-- let's talk about it! We hear about tummy time and how our babies need it everyday. But no one ever tells us why it's important and most babies HATE being put on their stomachs. We invited Dr. Mirav Newman, a pediatric physical therapist, to do a deep dive into all things tummy time. Why is it important? How can we make it less miserable for our babies? How long should we do it each day? In our conversation Mirav shares with us the dangers of keeping our babies in "...
Send us a text Many families find themselves in the position of wanting their baby to be fed breastmilk, but not being able to breastfeed. This might be known ahead of time due to adoption or surrogacy, or it might be unplanned after breastfeeding doesn't work out for you. There is often shame and internalized judgement surrounding the difficult decision to stop breastfeeding. And many parents think that formula is the only alternative to breastfeeding. Sharing breastmilk, formally through a ...
Send us a text How much does home birth cost? And how big does my house need to be? Am I allowed to give birth at home if I'm renting? What about if my in-laws live there too? And the big question partners have: is it messy?? We cover it all in this conversation with Michele Liot. Subscribe to The BeHerVillage Podcast and never miss an episode! Want help choosing a home birth midwife? Download our free Guide to Choosing a Home Birth Midwife Start your BeHerVillage registry and fun...
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