Chatty Doulas

Welcome back to Chatty Doulas! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Katrina Carrera, a perinatal psychologist and founder of Lotus Perinatal. Inspired by her own mother's unacknowledged postpartum depression, Dr. Katrina filled the maternal mental health gaps in her clinical training to focus on "cycle breakers." We dive into what it really looks like to navigate the profound identity shifts of becoming a parent while intentionally healing generational trauma. In this episode, we chat about: Real-World Cycle Breaking: The intense, beautiful work of re-parenting yourself while practicing radical self-compassion. The Dual Nature of Identity Shifts: Embracing the unique postpartum experience where immense joy coexists with real grief for your past self. Patrescence (Fatherhood) Matters: Spotting the actual biological and hormonal shifts fathers experience as they transition into parenthood. How Partners Can Truly Hold Space: Shifting away from the pressure to fix problems and learning how to just sit together inside the emotional discomfort. Connect with Dr. Katrina: Website: Find virtual support, classes, and her curated list of books and podcasts at lotusperinatal.com. Reach Dr. Katrina directly at https://lotusperinatal.clientsecure.me Social Media: Connect with her directly on Instagram @Dr.KatrinaCarrera. Or on Facebook Resources Mentioned: Postpartum Support International (PSI) and the Gottman Institute’s Bringing Baby Home program.Don't forget to rate, review, and hit Subscribe so you never miss an episode with us!

Welcome back to Chatty Doulas! In this episode, we sit down with Haley McNabb, a seasoned birth doula, doula trainer, and mom of two. As birth workers, we are exposed to the ultimate highs of birth, but we are also front-row witnesses to secondary trauma and profound loss. Haley dives deep into what it truly means to hold these massive emotional waves without letting them swallow you whole. In this episode, we chat about: The Energetic Toll of Birth: Balancing the oxytocin-filled highs with the heavy somatic baggage of unreleased secondary trauma. Micro-Rituals for the 3:00 AM Reset: Simple, intentional ways to shed a birth experience and return your nervous system to homeostasis before walking through your own front door. Holding Space in Discomfort: How to anchor yourself in moments of crisis, eliminate empty reassurance, and "doula yourself" when the room turns sideways. Connect with Haley: Instagram: Follow her journey and training opportunities at @soulbabybirthing. Don't forget to rate, review, and hit Subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Welcome back to Chatty Doulas for Season Two! While Soly is away soaking up newborn snuggles, Emily and Kristin are kicking off the season with Alexi Neal—a holistic postpartum doula and trauma-informed somatic healer. In this episode, we dive into how birth fundamentally changes us and why learning to listen to our bodies is the ultimate nervous system care. Alexi breaks down how to move away from transactional relationships with our physical selves, navigate the survival biology behind intrusive thoughts, and reject the isolation of modern "bounce-back" culture. Quick Takeaways: Acceptance vs. Resistance: Why "radical acceptance" triggers the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state your body needs to heal. The Myth of Isolation: Why our mammalian brains actually crave a safe, chosen community rather than an isolated "honeymoon bubble." 60-Second Micro-Tools: Practical somatic exercises (like horse-lip breaths and targeted self-touch) you can do in under a minute while holding a baby. Connect with Alexi: Grab her free Somatic Reset Menu and Postpartum Planning Guide at soulfullsomatics.com, or find her on Facebook (Alexi Neal) for updates on her upcoming workshops for birth workers. Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode this season!

An honest look at postpartum mood disorders and the importance of compassion, awareness, and community in recovery.

In this episode, we talk about how your mindset can shape your birth experience. From the stories we carry to the thoughts we repeat, the way we think has a direct impact on how our bodies respond in labor. We share why mindset matters, how it can support you, and some simple tools to help you prepare mentally and emotionally for birth.

In this episode we break down early labor, what it feels like, how long it might last, and simple comfort and distraction techniques to help you through those first hours.

This episode is all about what doula training didn’t prepare us for and the surprises you only discover on the job. We share our own learning curves and offer insights that are just as useful for birthworkers as they are for parents.