Coffee and Consent

Natasha Vargas-Cooper and Andrea Haskins, co-authors of the Radical Moms Union Substack , join us on the podcast to discuss the #backoffbobbie campaign they launched in August 2023 to draw attention to predatory formula marketing, coming largely from the formula company Bobbie . Bobbie employs manipulative and exploitative tactics to trash breastfeeding and create lifelong customers. We also get i...

In this long-awaited episode, we dive into some sensitive topics including transgender ideology (and so-called "inclusive language"), how transhumanism has invaded the birth world, and how "3rd party" reproduction harms women and children. This is really just the tip of the iceberg, and we will be picking apart some of the specifics in greater detail in the future. For now, we hope this episode pr...

Weeeelcome back, y’all! We are here, kicking off season 2 of Coffee and Consent!  No, Nicki has not had her baby yet, but in this season premier, Nicki shares about something many women can relate to: being unsupported in her choice to freebirth. Like we state at the top, we hope to make it clear that our message is not one of spite or bitterness. Lack of support is one of the primary reasons...

This week, we are very excited to bring you a special episode featuring Nicki's husband James! James tells us of his experience during Nicki's philosophical evolution (which, by association, resulted in his own). James also shares his fears and advice for men whose partners are pursuing a birth outside the system. James grew up knowing almost nothing about reproduction and birth and is now an enth...

This episode is one for the books. We touch on so many different topics that are all intertwined and interconnected in a culture that does not value babies as whole, thinking, feeling, sentient human beings. Some of the sides of this issue discussed in this episode include industrialized maternity care, ultrasound, contraception, abortion, surrogacy, IVF, circumcision, the formula industry, and sl...

Back on the podcast this week, Nicki welcomes Gina to the show! Gina is a navy veteran, a mom of 4, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. Gina shares her breastfeeding journey, including navigating a lack of support from an IBCLC in her early motherhood days, we discuss oral ties, and how birth impacts breastfeeding. We are so appreciative that Gina took the time out of her sc...

While Alicia and Nicki land on many different facets of this topic, they all revolve around this element that we are all familiar with, and that women in particular are socialized to default to. We are bringing to light the fact that many women, particularly during their pregnancies and in preparation for their births, put their own wants and needs on the back burner to accommodate the desires of...

We had the pleasure of chatting with Taylor Kulik, occupational therapist, and sleep & well-being specialist. Taylor shares her sleep training journey and how it ultimately unfolded, as well as how the societal expectations of infant sleep contribute to the harm of the family unit, breastfeeding, and attachment. In this episode, we dive into safe bedsharing, misconceptions about whether it is...

It was our pleasure to sit down with Olivia to bring you this episode full of information, insight, honesty, and inconvenient truths! Olivia is mother, medical freedom advocate, birth & postpartum doula, and is passionate about nutrition and holistic healing. Her perspective is so valuable in this era of censorship, and we really appreciate her taking the time to chat with us. We sincerely hop...

We are back this week with an episode surrounding the topic of provider - specifically obstetric - abuse. While it is extremely common, normalized, and accepted, abuse is the leading cause of birth trauma. In this episode, we briefly discuss the history of obstetrics, including its racist and misogynistic roots. While midwifery is believed to be the "answer" to the mainstream abusive models of car...

Welcome back to part 2 of this conversation that will never stop developing! The second half of our conversation with Rachel focuses primarily on Cesarean sections - the reasons, the risks, and the repercussions. Be sure to listen to part 1 in order to hear everything that came before this!  For a visual graphic on the cascade of interventions, see our Instagram highlight titled 'Show Notes'....

This week, our dear friend Rachel joins us on the pod to discuss interventions in birth and the role they play in the process. In this episode, we cover several interventions (including some that may surprise you), and future episodes will cover more. We are pleased to bring this information to you, to shed light on the disgraceful lack of informed consent in maternity care, and to hopefully play...

This week, we chat with Emily from Mama Wilder about a few important topics - showing your kids that they are powerful, modeling advocacy, and living with radical responsibility are just a few of the topics covered in this episode. Emily shares a bit about her life, as well as the difference between "shaming" and feeling ashamed. Thanks again, Emily, for devoting time to come on our platform! Inst...

Buckle up, y'all! In our first guest interview, Kyleigh joins us as we untangle some of what makes dealing with the system so dang difficult. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with your state, province, or region's individual protocols to make informed decisions about the care you receive. The most important thing to remember, though, is that bodily autonomy and medical freedom are basic hu...

Welcome to the series premier of Coffee and Consent! Alicia and Nicki connected on Instagram in the beginning of 2021, and decided to begin a podcast together in the month of April. In this episode, we introduce ourselves and share why we started this project. Our goal is to encourage people everywhere (but especially parents) to think critically about the choices they make for themselves and thei...