Born Free Method: The Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The Episode was made possible by Immune Intel AHCC® & WeNatal

In the 19th century, a young surgeon named J. Marion Sims headed to Montgomery, Alabama, seeking a route to fame and power. He saw an opportunity in a highly morbid condition known as vesicovaginal fistula, whereby a false passage between the bladder and vagina forms as a consequence of difficult childbirth, and began experimenting with techniques to find a cure. The issue was that nobody in their right mind was willing to volunteer for this type of surgery, so he coerced Black enslaved women. The first of his patients to have been presumably “cured” was Anarcha. If this is the first time that you have heard her name, you are likely not alone. This conversation gives a voice to the Mothers of Gynecology, an appropriate moniker for the women who suffered at the hands of surgeons like J. Marion Sims and whose sacrifices led to the advent of the profession of gynecology. 

Visit the show notes for more.

Connect with J.C. Hallman:

• Website
• Instagram

Reference from the show:

• Say Anarcha, by J.C. Hallman
• The Anarcha Archiv
• A short history of anaesthesia: from unspeakable agony to unlocking consciousness
• More information on vesicovaginal fistula
• Arguments of Sims’ apologizes
• Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present, by Harriet A. Washington
• Nathan Bozeman wiki page
• Speak! Move! Change! Mbongi event
• J. Marion Sims was a b*tch t-shirts

Connect with Nathan:

• Instagram | Youtube
• Midwife in need of collaboration?
• Want to consult with Nathan?

My Online Courses:

The Episode was made possible by Immune Intel AHCC® & WeNatal

Guests:

Sevonna Brown is a doula and national director of Restore Forward

Haize Hawke is a midwife in southern California and co-founder of The Victoria Project and The Bridge Midwives

This conversation is exactly what the birth community needs to hear. Birthwork is the ultimate expression of some of human life's scariest yet most rapturous moments. One becomes the other, and, as such, birthwork itself is an initiation to sitting with the rite of passage of childbirth. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss initiation rites, ancestral lineages, and steps toward resolving horizontal violence in birthwork. A part of this requires we seek a definition of “expertise” beyond labels and credentials alone. Remember: death is on the line in any true rite of passage. What is the role of discomfort as we sit with birth? For us? For the families whom we serve?

Sevonna and Haize will be MCing ("weavers of resonance") the upcoming Born Free Twins-Breech Conference in Louisville this August. Come meet them in person! Visit the website and register

Visit the show notes for more.

Connect with Sevonna:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X

Connect with Haize:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Reference from the show:

• Film: The Business of Birth Control
• Film: The Business of Being Born

Learn more about Sevonna and Haize’s work:

• The Bridge Midwives
• Rooted Birth
• Restore Forward
• The Victoria Project
• Afrika Ikalafe online training in African spirituality in childbirth

Connect with Nathan:

Our cultural conditioning tells us that women aren’t capable of giving birth independently and that we should apply every possible intervention to reduce the difficulties associated with childbirth. For Michel Odent, that’s a neutralization of the laws of natural selection.

Early in his career, Michel worked as the only doctor in a maternity unit with six midwives. He took a deep interest in their experiences and asked them questions that changed his thoughts on birth work. As a general surgeon, he credits a lot to his interdisciplinary perspective. He believes that’s what allows him to make connections that other overly-specialized people do not.

Michel is a legend in the maternity care space and has been a hero of mine for many years. This interview was such an honor, and I am very grateful to host this conversation for you on the podcast. You're going to love this one.

[00:10:42] An Alternative View of Practicing Medicine

[00:12:02] Rethinking the Process of Birth

[00:22:33] Cultural Misunderstanding of Physiology

[00:26:51] The Socialization of Childbirth

[00:36:21] Shifting to a New Paradigm

[00:45:43] Interdisciplinary Perspective

[00:49:11] Avoiding Death

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/100

(Transcript HERE)

Made possible by:

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Pumpkin Spice Gold Latte! "It's like autumn, and a marshmallow had a baby!"

Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to balance your adrenals and clear HPV from your body!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

Connect with Michel Odent

Michel Odent's Books

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message

The maternal mortality rate for black women in the US is almost three times that of white women. Around the country, black women seeking maternal care are disregarded at a time when they’re most vulnerable.

Today, I’m joined by Birth Doula and educator Keshia Lockett of Empowered Black Doula, who is on a mission to empower pregnant people. Through her work, Keshia is a much-needed facilitator between clients and their providers, and she offers emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant people, mainly in the black community

I’m inspired by the way Keshia shows up in the world and grateful to her for sharing her experiences with us. She shared so many insights; I know you’ll get a lot of value when you listen.

[00:12:16] Social Media Misinformation

[00:23:03] Empowered Black Doula

[00:29:52] The Balancing Effect of a Doula's Support

[00:42:04] Racism in Maternal Care

[00:51:47] Maternal Mortality Rates for Black Women

[01:03:48] Vaginal Steaming

[01:05:23] Supporting Women in Birth

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/99

Made possible by:

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Pumpkin Spice Gold Latte! "It's like autumn, and a marshmallow had a baby!"

BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only magnesium supplement you'll ever need!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

Connect with Keshia Lockett

Website | EmpoweredBlackDoula.com

TikTok @keshiathedoula

Instagram @EmpoweredBlackDoula

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

For almost nine years, Natasha Kingsbury battled with bulimia. For years before that, she fought anorexia. The whole time, nobody knew. Her story highlights the fact that no one look signals an eating disorder. It could be the ultra-thin model, the ripped athlete, the guy always showing off his abs or the sexy Playboy Club host.

Disordered eating and body dysmorphia are something I’m seeing come up more and more in my practice and among friends and family. It’s much more common than we think, and it shows up in unexpected ways.

I am so delighted that I have a person in my life who's willing to come on and talk about this issue which is often kept under wraps. Tash's story is so illuminating, and she shared so many insights not only for people who may be struggling with disordered eating but also for those who think it might be affecting someone they love.

[00:12:06] Background & Family Life

[00:14:29] Natasha’s Origin Story

[00:20:54] An Evolving Relationship with Self

[00:28:22] From Restriction to Purging

[00:35:24] Getting Off Track

[00:42:29] Blossoming Into Her Womanly Body

[00:48:50] The Healing Journey

[00:57:16] A Mind-Body-Spirit Approach

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/98

Made possible by:

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Pumpkin Spice Gold Latte! "It's like autumn, and a marshmallow had a baby!"

BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only magnesium supplement you'll ever need!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

Connect with Natasha Kingsbury

Instagram @livingwiththekingsburys

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

Ayurveda is about the nature of the universe and how that applies to human life and living. It originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and centers around prevention and the maintenance of health rather than the treatment of disease. Ayurveda helps practitioners create balance in their bodies to find optimal health and vitality based on their unique constitution.

I’m joined by Amaya Shiva, an Ayurvedic practitioner dedicating her life to helping others find their balance. We spoke about the core principles of Ayurveda, the characteristics of the three doshas and how they can help to inform your choices, and recommendations to learn more about Ayurveda.

[00:14:36] Vedic Astrology

[00:19:03] History of Ayurveda

[00:25:26] Insights Into Self

[00:33:30] Healing Power of Ayurveda

[00:53:33] Menstrual Cycle & Ayurveda

[01:07:54] The Whole Person Approach

[01:13:56] Enhancing Your Libido

[01:20:34] Ayurveda in the Present Day

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/97

Made possible by:

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Pumpkin Spice Gold Latte! "It's like autumn, and a marshmallow had a baby!"

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to balance your adrenals and clear HPV from your body!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only magnesium supplement you'll ever need!

Connect with Amaya Shiva

Website: SiddhaLabs.com - code BELOVED10 for 10% off Amaya's Ayurvedic supplements

Instagram @AmayaShiva

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

“If you’re going to make it in this world as a couple, hard conversations are important.”

Every single person I bring to this podcast is someone who I know will be open to having the heartfelt conversations that need to happen about how we care for ourselves and one another.

What makes today different is that I’ve let go of my role as interviewer, and I’m sitting side by side with my wife, Stephanie Riley, to talk about vasectomies and healing after pregnancy loss.

In this candid and necessary dialogue, we opened up about what was a difficult time for both of us and explored how our perceptions have shifted over time as we’ve integrated the experience.

This discussion wasn’t easy, and it’s a true reflection of the flexibility that you need to have a lasting, healthy partnership. You’re not entitled to have a joyful relationship that lasts a lifetime. It takes real work. You have to be willing to be humbled and to compromise and to learn to flow together.

I hope that this conversation provides insight into how much empathy is needed on both sides when it comes to talking about contraception and whether you want to grow your family further.

[00:14:34] The “Easy” Decision

[00:22:42] A Dark Pit of Despair

[00:32:58] A Rollercoaster of Emotions

[00:42:49] The Bumpy Path to Surgery

[01:00:12] The Procedure

[01:04:32] Our Reflections on the Journey

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/96

Made possible by:

Organifi - use our code BELOVED for 20% off their green and red juice for a natural boost to your energy and mood!

BIRTHFIT - use our code BELOVED to get one month FREE in the B! Community!

FullWell - use our code BELOVED10 for 10% off their high-quality prenatal vitamins!

Immune Intel AHCC - use our code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product!

Connect with Stephanie Riley:

Instagram @ohgeezow

Connect with me:

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

The opportunity to connect with your baby’s soul energy starts long before conception.

Today’s special guest, Emily Greene, is a Psychic Medium and Spirit Baby Medium who has a beautiful ability to put clear language to something that is otherwise abstract. With her connection to spirit, Emily has helped many women conceive by opening their awareness to their innate intuitive abilities and connecting them to the souls of their children, past, present, and future.

In our conversation, we explore the transformation that spirit babies are meant to bring in our lives, how you can start communicating with your spirit baby, and why conscious conception matters.

[00:10:21] Finding Your Voice

[00:12:34] Emily’s Reawakening

[00:20:04] Spirit Baby Work

[00:31:36] Working with Plant Medicine

[00:35:30] Embodiment of the Essence

[00:41:13] Full Sensory Perception

[00:48:00] Intuitive & Psychic Development

[00:55:14] Conscious Conception

[01:08:18] Calling In Your Spirit Baby

[01:22:23] Spiritual Blocks to Conception

[01:30:49] Learn More & Connect with Emily

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/95

Made possible by:

FullWell - use our code BELOVED10 for 10% off their high-quality prenatal vitamins!

Organifi - use our code BELOVED for 20% off their green and red juice for a natural boost to your energy and mood!

BiOptimizers - use our code BELOVED for 10% off supplements plus free gut health goodies!

BIRTHFIT - use our code BELOVED to get one month FREE in the B! Community!

Connect with Emily Greene:

Instagram @EmilyTheMedium

Website: EmilyTheMedium.com

Emily The Medium Podcast

Connect with me:

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

With strict and sometimes oppressive licensing and regulatory requirements, the average midwife has to prioritize maintaining their license over the experience of the birthing person.

Today I am so grateful to introduce you to Whapio Bartlett. Whapio has been an Independent Midwife for over 30 years, attending women and families in birth and educating women in the Arts of Midwifery and Healing. She also teaches Homeopathy and is affiliated with HANA (Hahnemann Academy of North America). She speaks and frequently writes about Quantum Midwifery and Returning Birth to the Family.

In our conversation, we explore what it means to be a wisdom keeper, her wise woman midwifery care model, and how you can become a birthkeeper who meets the educational standards while maintaining the integrity of what it means to be a person attending to birth. You’re going to love this episode.

[00:13:11] Conversation With The Creator

[00:19:11] Altered States

[00:32:32] Trust & Transparency

[00:47:30] Becoming a Birth Attendant

[00:52:33] What’s Behind the Title of Midwife

[01:06:27] The Light of New Birth

[01:21:50] The Wise Woman Midwifery Care Model

[01:30:22] Decriminalizing Heart-Centered Medical Care

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/94

Made possible by:

FullWell - use our code BELOVED10 for 10% off their high-quality prenatal vitamins!

Organifi - use our code BELOVED for 20% off their green and red juice for a natural boost to your energy and mood!

BiOptimizers - use our code BELOVED for 10% off supplements plus free gut health goodies!

BIRTHFIT - use our code BELOVED to get one month FREE in the B! Community!

Connect with Whapio Bartlett:

Website | TheMatrona.com

Instagram @whapio_and_thematrona

Connect with me:

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

The human experience is marked at intervals by significant rites of passage. These transitions are just as important as the moments of birth and death - they’re everything that happens in between.

Holistic health and fitness expert Amy Fournier is doing remarkable things in the holistic coaching space and through her podcast Awakening Aphrodite. Amy’s journey started like many of us, disconnected from our senses, pushing forward without really living life. After burning out and transforming her life, she now helps others harmonize their masculine and feminine energies and connect to their intuition, soul, and nature.

As she's starting to transform into the Wise Woman, I wanted to bring her onto the show to share some of her insights, and she delivers in the way that only she can. This deep conversation covered topics from fitness to religion, witchcraft, ageism, and more. I know you’ll love this conversation with Amy Fournier.

[00:09:33] Plant Medicine for Healing Your Subconscious

[00:14:53] Coaching and Mentorship from Paul Chek 

[00:20:13] Holism - Everything Is Connected

[00:26:26] Embrace and Nourish The Yin

[00:34:05] Awakening Aphrodite

[00:44:15] Life Transitions As A Woman

[00:51:23] The Divine Feminine

[01:04:18] Rites of Passage

[01:12:49] Appreciation of Our Wise Elders

[01:22:10] Embracing the Feminine

Visit the show notes for resources, links mentioned, and more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/93

Made possible by:

FullWell - use our code BELOVED10 for 10% off their high-quality prenatal vitamins!

Organifi - use our code BELOVED for 20% off their green and red juice for a natural boost to your energy and mood!

Immune Intel AHCC - use our code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product!

Connect with Amy Fournier:

Website AmyFournier.com

Awakening Aphrodite Podcast

Instagram @fitamytv

Connect with me:

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5