It Takes a Village Podcast

Nobody hands you a report card when you become a parent, but somehow it can still feel like you're constantly being evaluated. In this episode of It Takes a Village , we're talking about the emotional weight of parenting, the parts that don't always make it into the milestone posts or parenting books. From wondering why parenting feels so much harder than you expected to navigating grief, sleep de...

Season 2, Episode 2 of It Takes a Village takes a different path. Instead of structuring this season strictly by age and milestones, we’re shifting toward conversations centered around shared experiences, emotions, and the realities of parenting that don’t always fit neatly into timelines. Because the truth is: milestones can be helpful, but they can also create pressure, comparison, and fear. In...

Welcome to Season 2 of It Takes a Village! Meltdowns & Milestones: Welcome to the Toddler Years. In Episode 1, Mind the Gap (3 Months–1 Year): Small Humans, Massive Milestones , we catch up on what happened during our break, reflect on the Season 1 interviews that changed us the most, and dive headfirst into one of the hardest transitions of early parenthood: the pressure to “have it together”...

This special live episode of It Takes A Village Podcast was recorded at the Gunnison Arts Center, a place that holds deep history for two of our hosts, Megan and Brieanna, who once worked within its walls and helped shape its creative community. Returning to the GAC not just as organizers, but as storytellers, felt like coming home with a new purpose. The room was full in the best way: parents, ki...

Join It Takes A Village Podcast for a special community-centered day at the Gunnison Arts Center on January 16th. The afternoon begins with a live podcast recording at 4 pm, featuring honest conversation, shared stories, and a little audience interaction, because this Village believes in learning and growing together. We’re thrilled to welcome special guest Lana Athey from Gunnison Tough, bringing...

For our final episode of It Takes a Village season one, we’re taking a deep breath, looking back on everything we’ve shared, and laughing our way through what it really takes to keep the magic alive, especially during the holidays. From the sugar rush of Halloween to the cozy chaos of Christmas, we unpack the highs, the heaviness, and the heart of motherhood during a time when moms seem to hold th...

In this episode of It Takes a Village , we sit down with Jessica Eckhardt , a researcher whose work explores the intersections of maternal health, rural healthcare systems, and shifting cultural trends around parenting and birth. Jessica shares how she first became interested in women’s health and paints a candid picture of the changing landscape of maternal and infant care in rural communities ....

Episode 9 – Building a Village with Project Hope In this episode of It Takes a Village , we sit down with Katie Thomas, Advocacy Director of Project Hope of Gunnison Valley. Together, we talk honestly about the realities of abuse and stalking, and the critical resources available right here in our valley for those affected. Katie shares the signs of abuse to look out for, how friends and loved one...

In this episode, we sit down with local lactation consultant Kelsey Weaver to talk about the real journey of keeping a baby fed, whether that's through breastfeeding, pumping, formula, or some combo of all three. Kelsey shares her expertise and lived experience, reminding us that there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to feeding your baby. We explore the pressure new parents feel, the myths th...

In our very first interview episode, we sit down with Louise Perry, motherhood therapist and owner of The Grove in Gunnison, Colorado, for a powerful and validating conversation. Together, we explore what it really means to name what mothers are going through so we can properly meet their needs. Louise shares insight into how other cultures support parents, and what we can learn from them as we re...

Let’s get real about feeding our babies. In this raw and honest episode, Megan, Liberty, and Brieanna open up about the pressures moms face around breastfeeding, formula feeding, pumping, and everything in between. We talk about the emotional and physical toll of feeding a newborn, how to shut out the noise of “doing it right,” and ways partners can actually be helpful (hint: it’s more than washin...

In this raw and honest episode, Liberty, Megan, and Brieanna open up about the often-overlooked reality of life after birth. From the jarring moment you bring the baby home to the isolation, monotony, and emotional rollercoaster that follows, your hosts share their personal experiences with postpartum depression, the impact (or absence) of paternal leave, and what they wish they had known about ma...

In this deeply personal episode, we dive into the full spectrum of labor stories, because no two births look the same. From slow-building inductions and marathon pre-labor to the classic Hollywood-style water breaking and everything in between, we talk about what it really felt like to bring our babies into the world. We share stories of C-sections, epidurals, pitocin, and the curveballs that chan...

From the moment that second line appears to the final stretch of the third trimester, pregnancy is a wild, emotional, and sometimes downright chaotic ride. In this episode, we share our personal journeys—the joys, the heartbreaks, and everything in between. We talk about miscarriage, the rollercoaster of wanting (or not wanting) to be pregnant, unexpected complications, hospital stays, hormone-fue...

From the moment that second line appears to the final stretch of the third trimester, pregnancy is a wild, emotional, and sometimes downright chaotic ride. In this episode, we share our personal "pee on a stick" stories, and what went down when we found out we were, in fact, pregnant. Whether you’ve been there, are there now, or just love a good pregnancy story, this episode is for you. Resources...

Welcome to It Takes a Village ! In this first episode, we introduce your hosts and share the story behind this podcast. We’ll dive into our mission—creating a space where women in the Gunnison Valley can connect, share their experiences, and support one another through the ups and downs of motherhood, business ownership, and community life. Plus, we’ll break down our episode structure, what you ca...