Transformed by Birth

Big rites of passage invite big feelings. In this episode, I sit with psychotherapist Molly Nourmand, LMFT, to explore perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and the emotional landscape that so many parents quietly navigate. We talk about how to recognize when worry becomes disruption, why practical support matters, and how community loosens shame. You'll hear ways to build a real village, plan your...

What does it mean to reclaim birth as a sacred, embodied act? In this episode, somatic coach and Ecstatic Birth founder Sheila Kamara Hay shares how reconnecting with your body, and your pleasure, can shift birth from something to endure into something deeply transformative. Together, we explore the intersection of sexuality, spirituality, and birth, and why honoring your body as a sacred vessel m...

Big rites of passage invite big feelings. In this episode, I sit with Stacey Ramsower to map the terrain of postpartum rage and grief, offer grounded somatic practices, and show how clarity and community can turn survival into support. We reframe rage as a signal for connection, practice titration to build nervous-system capacity, and use expressive arts, movement, and voice to move emotion withou...

Why is "trust your intuition" offered so often and explained so rarely? In this solo episode, I tell the Slavic fairytale of Vasilisa the Beautiful and journey with listeners into the forest to meet Baba Yaga—the wild hag who tests, teaches, and returns us to our own inner knowing. We explore intuition not as a switch to flip, but as a practice to tend: feeding the tiny "doll in your pocket," sett...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dan Doty, fatherhood guide and founder of Fatherhood Unlocked, to explore the rite of passage dads experience as they cross the threshold into parenthood. We talk about the "skills gap" many men face, why today's dads are called to show up in ways their fathers often weren't, and how this transition reshapes identity, partnership, and legacy. Dan shares how fatherhoo...

Why is matrescence, the developmental transition to motherhood, so often invisible and unnamed? In this episode, I talk with Victoria Trinko and Julia Sarewitz, co-founders of Seed Mother, about the rite of passage of matrescence, why naming this shift matters, and how ritual, resilience, and community can support mothers through the challenges and growth of becoming a parent. Together, we shine a...

Why is it so hard to advocate for yourself in birth even when you know what you want? In this episode, I talk with HeHe, a doula and educator and host of The Birth Lounge, about how cultural conditioning shapes our ability to speak up, why advocacy is a skill we can practice, and ways to protect your birth space with curiosity, confidence, and support. LEARN MORE

Why does motherhood feel so hard when you're doing everything "right"? Beth Berry, author of Motherwhelmed: Challenging Norms, Untangling Truths, and Restoring Our Worth to the World, reveals the truth: it's not you, it's the system. In this candid conversation, Beth explains why modern mothers are drowning in a society with few real villages, her breakthrough realization about raising "five whole...

Why do most couples struggle after the baby arrives? Relationship coaches Alexandra Roxo and Eli Buren, parents themselves, share practical "micro-practices" for maintaining intimacy when you're exhausted and overwhelmed. Learn how to create a protective "cocoon" around your partnership, why scheduling connection isn't unromantic but essential, and the two skills Alexandra wishes she'd developed b...

What if returning to work after having a baby is actually a rite of passage that transforms you into an "advocacy ninja"? Employment lawyer Daphne Delvaux, founder of the nation's first law firm for mothers' rights at work, reveals why this transition can feel "violent," how to advocate for your needs without losing your job, and surprising truths about U.S. family leave laws that might shock you....

What does it take to stay grounded as a parent in the age of information overload? In this episode, postpartum doula Brandi Jordan shares how to reconnect with your internal compass, let go of the "shoulds," and create a family manifesto rooted in your unique values. Together, we explore identity shifts, community care, and why calm isn't just a feeling. It is a powerful force that can guide your...

What truly changes when we become mothers? In this episode, Jungian analyst and author Lisa Marciano, LCSW, joins me for a rich conversation about the deep transformation that unfolds in early parenthood. Together, we explore how motherhood reshapes identity, invites shadow work, and challenges us to grow in ways we never imagined. From the grief of lost possibilities to the grounding power of pre...

What happens when midwives and OBs truly work together? In this episode, midwife Sarah Howard and OB-GYN Dr. Bente Kaiser share how their partnership at Moxie Birth shows a new way forward. They talk about what real collaboration looks like, why so many providers have never witnessed undisturbed birth, and how families can reclaim agency by trusting the process. Tune in to hear how working togethe...

In this first episode, Britta Bushnell, PhD, author, mythologist, and childbirth educator, invites you into the heart of Transformed by Birth. After more than 25 years supporting families, Britta shares why she created this podcast and what makes it different from typical parenting or pregnancy shows. She explores the idea of pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood as profound rites of passage, weavi...

Transformed by Birth is a podcast that goes far beyond due dates and diaper bags. Hosted by Britta Bushnell, PhD, mythologist, award-winning childbirth educator, and author of Transformed by Birth, this show explores the profound rite of passage that is pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Each episode offers meaningful conversations and real stories that honor the deep transformation parents e...