EPISODE 14: Birth, Teamwork, and Trusting the Process — with Lauren & Drew In this episode, I sat down with Lauren and Drew, a couple whose story really shows what it means to grow, adapt, and keep your power through the unpredictability of birth and life. Lauren’s a labor and delivery nurse, and Drew’s a farmer who’s seen plenty of animal births, but human birth had a few surprises of its own. We talked about: How Lauren’s confidence as a nurse shifted after her first birth experience What it takes to prepare as a couple, mentally, physically, and emotionally Drew’s perspective as a partner learning to stay grounded and supportive The fast, unplanned home birth that tested everything they’d learned How faith, teamwork, and flexibility helped them find peace in the chaos Their story is a reminder that birth (and life) doesn’t always follow the plan, and that true resilience comes from education, communication, and learning to let go of control when things get real.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 13: Anyssa Zancanella: When Birth Goes Wrong — A Mother’s Fight for Accountability   In this episode, I sat down with Anyssa Zancanella, whose birth story exposes what can happen when hospitals stop listening and systems fail families. Her induction took a devastating turn, mishandled IVs, poor monitoring, and an absent doctor led to an emergency C-section and lifelong challenges for her daughter, Azaylee. We covered: The chain of preventable mistakes that changed everything How untrained staff and missing communication made things worse The reality of pursuing justice when hospitals avoid responsibility What advocacy, faith, and family strength look like in the hardest seasons This story is heavy, but it’s also full of courage and clarity. Anyssa’s resilience is a call to action: trust your gut, ask hard questions, and never let anyone silence your voice.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 12: Growing Up with a Congenital Heart Defect — with Christopher In this episode, I sat down with my oldest son, Christopher, to share his story of growing up with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect that meant open-heart surgery at just two months old. We wanted to give hope and perspective to parents navigating a diagnosis, and to anyone walking a path they didn’t expect. We talked about: Early hospital stays, surgeries, and the little details that stick with kids What it was like for me as a very young mom learning to advocate in the NICU The role faith and prayer played in our journey Christopher’s teen and adult years, learning limits, managing fatigue, and still playing soccer The realities of anxiety, depression, and finding purpose through hard seasons Through it all, Christopher’s story is about resilience, not letting a diagnosis define you, but finding your own version of “normal” and realizing your story might be the hope someone else needs.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 11: Miscarriage, Resilience, and Finding Community — with Kurin In this episode, I sat down with Kurin, mom of three, influencer, content creator, and fellow doula, to talk about her journey through multiple miscarriages and what it looks like to turn pain into purpose. We talked about: The loneliness of her first miscarriage and how silence made it harder Losing breastfeeding with her son and navigating complex emotions Feeling abandoned by her midwife and choosing a DNC as a turning point The impact of grief on friendships, marriage, and motherhood during COVID Honoring her losses through rituals, keepsakes, and rainbow babies How she now supports other women through miscarriage with real tools and resources Kurin’s story is honest, tender, and a reminder that support after loss matters more than the “perfect words.” Sometimes, just showing up is everything. If you’re walking through loss or supporting someone who is, this conversation is for you.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 10: Healing After Adoption — with Tyler Baltierra In this episode, I sat down with Tyler Baltierra, who you might remember as MTV’s original Teen Mom birth dad, to talk about what it’s really like to heal after placing a child for adoption. Tyler opened up about the pain, guilt, and the long road of making sense of it all, especially while doing it in the public eye. We talked about: The raw realities of being a birth father as a teenager How fear and lack of resources pushed him and Catelynn toward adoption The emotional manipulation that can happen in adoption systems Grief, regret, and learning to sit with pain without minimizing it Why adoption is more complicated than the stories we usually hear Tyler’s honesty is a reminder that adoption isn’t just about babies, it’s about birth parents, adoptive families, and the work we still need to do to make sure families are supported first. If you take one thing away from this episode, let it be this: your healing is yours, and giving yourself permission to be honest about it is one of the bravest things you can do.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 9: Real Talk with Mama Nurse Tina — Birth, Humor, and Honest Education In this episode, I sat down with Mama Nurse Tina—a labor and delivery nurse, educator, and mama of four—to talk about what it’s really like behind the scenes in birth work. Tina brings her wisdom, heart, and humor to the table, and we laughed plenty while also getting real about the challenges and rewards of this work. We talked about: Why she moved from emergency nursing to labor and delivery Supporting families after loss and the moments that stick forever Birth deserts, education gaps, and why online teaching matters Nurses, doulas, midwives, and OBs, why collaboration is everything The balance of being real online while staying sensitive to people’s stories Tina shared how she wants people to feel informed, not judged, and why childbirth education can be the key to asking better questions and making empowered choices. Together, we dreamed about what true teamwork in birth care could look like. If you want honesty, a few laughs, and practical wisdom you can carry with you, this episode is for you.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 8: Leaving Abuse, Rebuilding Life — with Detra In this episode, I sat down with my friend Detra to talk about her journey out of an abusive marriage after decades as a pastor’s wife in a conservative church culture. We got real about the pressures faith communities can put on women to stay silent, small, and “obedient,” even when it’s breaking them. Detra shared how she finally found the courage to leave, literally jumping out of a car one night, and the road that followed, including time in a homeless shelter in New York. She opened up about the unexpected places she’s found support, joy, and new life, and how she’s learned to spot the old patterns that try to creep back in. We talked about: How faith and church culture can pressure women to stay in unsafe marriages Why leaving doesn’t mean you’re free from old patterns Rebuilding life after losing reputation and community Trusting your intuition and owning your story This conversation is for anyone who’s ever been told they’re crazy for trusting their gut. You’re not. Your voice matters, your worth isn’t up for debate, and you can keep your power in the process.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 7: Fighting for Birth Options in Alabama — with Kimberly Taylor In this episode, I sat down with my friend Kimberly Taylor—certified nurse midwife, certified professional midwife, licensed midwife, and mama of four, to talk about what it’s really like to fight for respectful, safe birth options in Alabama. Kim shared: How it felt to go from a supportive midwifery culture in Washington to swimming upstream in Alabama The pushback, licensing challenges, and outright attempts to shut her down How one supportive OB helped open doors in a hostile system The realities of hospital vs. home birth and why informed consent matters Why she refuses to water down care, even when it would be easier This is an honest look at the uphill work of building bridges, protecting choice, and staying grounded when the system feels stacked against you.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 6: Birth, Belief, and Breaking Old Patterns — with Care Messer In this episode, I sat down with my friend and fellow birth worker, Care Messer, to talk about the deep stuff, where our beliefs come from, how early trauma shapes us, and why self-awareness matters in healing. We opened up about: Our personal birth stories and how they laid patterns we didn’t even realize My journey as an adoptee and what early separation left me holding How parenting sometimes means writing apology letters and breaking old habits The pressure families feel around induction, and what education can shift Care and I both believe that you don’t have to stay stuck in the stories you were handed. You can choose to dig in, reflect, and rewrite how you show up, for your kids, your community, and yourself. This episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t about pretending you’re fine. It’s about sitting with the real stuff, asking better questions, and doing the slow, brave work of healing.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 5: Midwifery, Boundaries, and Speaking Up with Miri In this episode, I sat down with Miri, a midwife with deep wisdom and lived experience to back it up. We talked about what it really takes to find your voice, in the birth room, in birth work, and in life. Miri shared how her roots in the UK’s midwifery model shaped her early perspective, and what it felt like to land in the U.S. and enter a system that didn’t always value intuition, advocacy, or relationship-centered care. We talked about: The power dynamics doulas face in medical settings Why “just the doula” is never the whole truth Getting therapy, doing the inner work, and building self-respect Midwifery illusions, hospital realities, and asking the right questions What it means to advocate for others without burning yourself out This one is for the doulas, the midwives, the birth workers who feel like outsiders—and for the parents learning to speak up and stand tall. You’re not alone.   Follow Miri on Instagram: miri_the_birth_nerd   Resources for you: Lilac City Doula Training Spokane River Midwives   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com  

EPISODE 4: When the OB Becomes the Patient — Dr. Janelle De Jesus on Autonomy, Fear, and Trust In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Janelle De Jesus, a practicing OB who opened up about what changed for her when she became the patient. We talked about: How pregnancy shifted her whole view of maternity care Why she switched OBs mid-pregnancy to protect her own autonomy The quiet pressures providers feel inside the system How fear of litigation impacts how OBs practice Why doulas matter, and where collaboration sometimes breaks down Janelle shared what it was like to realize that even as a doctor, she didn’t always feel heard. That’s when her perspective changed—from checking boxes to slowing down, listening better, and building care that prioritizes the person, not just the protocol. This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered why OB care feels rushed, why some providers resist questions, or what real collaborative care could look like. It’s not always easy to hold space for both sides, but this episode gets real about why it matters.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoulaFacebook - tracidoulaWebsite - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 3: Loss, Intuition, and Advocacy — Cora’s Story In this episode, I sat down with Cora, a courageous mother who opened up about losing her son at 37 weeks pregnant. Her story is heartbreaking, but also deeply important, and I’m grateful she chose to share it with us. We talked about: The silence around third trimester loss Why “kick counts” matter and how education is lacking Losing trust in the system, and how to reclaim your voice What true advocacy and support look like after trauma Cora shared how her loss shaped her next birth experience and how she rebuilt trust by learning to ask questions, listen to her intuition, and find care that truly respected her. This episode isn’t just about loss, it’s about resilience, healing, and using hard experiences to help others feel less alone. If you take one thing away from this: always trust your gut, always ask questions, and always get checked out. Connect with Cora on TikTok: @weylynsmama Resources mentioned:Gestational DiabetesInducing for GDEvidence on Due DatesInducing for Due DateCount the Kicks   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4Instagram - tracidoulaFacebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com

EPISODE 2: When Birth Plans Break and Power is Rebuilt, India & Dallas’ Story In this episode, I sat down with India and Dallas, two incredible parents who’ve walked through the fire when it comes to birth, loss, and resilience. Their story includes multiple miscarriages, a traumatic hospital birth, and eventually, a powerful home birth where everything shifted. We talked about: Losing your voice in the hospital system Making hard pivots when plans fall apart How midwifery isn’t always enough without the right support What real birth advocacy looks like, for moms and partners Why their home birth became a turning point in reclaiming autonomy They opened up about the fear, the grief, the faith, and what it means to find safety in the birth space after trauma. Through every hard chapter, they kept digging for answers—and didn’t stop until they found the care they deserved.   If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend.   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com  

EPISODE 1: What It Really Means to Keep Your Power Hey y’all, I’m so glad you’re here. In this very first episode, I’m sitting down to share what Keeping Your Power® really means to me, and why I felt called to start this podcast. After 26 years in birth work, parenting four kids, becoming a Mimi, and walking through some of the hardest seasons of my life, divorce, estrangement, caring for aging parents, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about being strong all the time. It’s about knowing who you are, choosing your values, and showing up even when it’s messy. In this episode, I’m getting real about: What I lost (and found) in my own story How self-awareness changed everything Why power has nothing to do with control What it looks like to build your voice from the inside out If you’ve ever felt like you were just surviving, or trying to fake strength while falling apart, I see you. This space is for you. Let’s walk this road together. If something in this episode hit home, share it with a friend. And if you're ready to go deeper, book a session with me at tracidoula.com   Connect with me!TikTok - @tracidoula4 Instagram - tracidoula Facebook - tracidoula Website - https://tracidoula.com