The Birth in Focus Podcast

In this conversation, Samantha Tollison and Mallory Tutton discuss the challenges and experiences of postpartum life, particularly focusing on breastfeeding and tandem nursing. Mallory shares her journey of breastfeeding for over nine years and the logistics of nursing multiple children! Mallory has been nursing for 9 consecutive years, including through 3 pregnancies! She shared so much valuable...

In this episode, Carly Cole shares her breastfeeding journey, discussing her initial expectations, the challenges she faced, including tongue tie and latching issues, and the importance of finding the right support through lactation consultants. She reflects on her experiences with weaning, breastfeeding during pregnancy, and so much more. Carly emphasizes the rewards of breastfeeding despite the...

In this conversation, Tracy shares her unique journey of motherhood and breastfeeding across different cultures, including South Africa, the UK, and the US. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of breastfeeding her three children, the importance of education and support, and the impact of moving countries on her breastfeeding experience. Tracy emphasizes the need for community and resources f...

In this episode, Alexandria Fairbairn shares her personal journey through breastfeeding, discussing the challenges she faced, the importance of prenatal lactation support, and her thoughts on tandem nursing while pregnant. She emphasizes the emotional connection breastfeeding provides and offers valuable advice for new mothers navigating their own breastfeeding journeys.   Takeaways Alexandria is...

In this conversation, Jessica Shirley, mama of five, discusses her journey through motherhood, focusing on her experiences with birth, breastfeeding, and homesteading. Jessica shares her birth stories, the challenges she faced with breastfeeding, and the support she received from her family. We explore the emotional aspects of breastfeeding, the tools and accessories that helped her, and the impor...

In this heartfelt conversation, Jacqui shares her journey through marriage, family planning, and the challenges of infertility. We talked about literally everything from military life, to IVF, and how she went from having a birth center birth with her first, to having a c-section with her second baby.  Here are just a few of the takeaways from this episode!! -Jacqui approached family planning with...

In this Episode, Samantha and Miranda discuss Miranda's journey through motherhood and her experiences with childbirth. Miranda shares her journey through three unique births, emphasizing her decision to have a home birth for her third child. She discusses the importance of choosing a supportive birth team, the planning involved in a rural home birth, and the empowering experience of giving birth...

In this episode of Birth in Focus, I’m joined by Midwife, Sabrina Elliott, for a powerful conversation about the contrast between urban and rural birth experiences in Texas. Sabrina brings a rare perspective—having served families in both city centers like Fort Worth and rural communities such as Abilene and San Angelo. With deep roots in home birth midwifery, she shares how access, culture, and c...

In this episode of Birth in Focus, I’m joined by the incredible Maggie Morrison—doula, educator, and advocate for empowered, physiological birth. With over eight years of experience walking alongside families, Maggie brings a wealth of insight and heart to this conversation. We chat about her journey into birth work, the evolution of her role as a doula, and her thoughts on potentially becoming a...

Let's talk about how our GUT + BRAIN are connected to the BREASTFEEDING journy! In this episode, I sit down with Mikaylan Cushing, a holistic lactation and gut health expert, to talk all things breastfeeding, baby bellies, and the gut-brain connection. We dive into how gut health plays a crucial role in lactation, infant wellness, and postpartum healing—and how simple, supportive shifts can make a...

In this episode of Birth in Focus, I sit down with Olivia Dobson as she opens up about her first two birth experiences at a birth center and the unique journeys that shaped each one. Olivia also shares how those experiences are guiding her preparation for a planned home birth with her third baby. From navigating past births to embracing the excitement and unknowns of home birthing, Olivia’s story...

Did you know that you could seek Lactation Support BEFORE you even have your baby?? I’m so excited about today’s episode because we’re diving into a topic that so many new and expecting moms have questions about—getting a solid breastfeeding plan in place before baby arrives. And to help us navigate this, I’m sitting down with an absolute gem in the birth world—Amber Thomas of Mother Eve’s! Amber...

Cheyenne Varner is a nationally recognized certified birth worker, health equity advocate, and illustrator. She is the founder of The Educated Birth and Everyday Birth Magazine, platforms dedicated to advancing reproductive health equity through inclusive educational tools and amplifying underrepresented stories. **The Educated Birth Toolkit Binder! This incredible physical binder is packed with o...

In Honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, in this episode I talked with Tracey Clifton who is a long time Photographer + Volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - Remembrance Portraits. NILMDTS offers the gift of healing, hope and honor to parents experiencing the death of a baby through the overwhelming power of remembrance portraits. Professional-level photographers volunteer the...

In honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, we share this episode in. hopes of sharing this life saving App, Count The Kicks. Kimberly Isburg is the Communications Manager for Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program. Kimberly used Count the Kicks to get to know her babies’ normal movement patterns dur...

For the last 12 years Lacey has not only created a stir with her controversial images promoting women’s rights, but she has also cemented herself as one of the world's most talented and outspoken birth photographers. Lacey has been known to be unapologetically raw. She encapsulates the depths of the human soul in a single still image. Lacey has even been known to post herself nude up next to Kim K...

Ft. Jessica Koiner IBCLC - Owner of The Milk Box As a mother of two, Jessica has personally struggled with breastfeeding and a myriad of other lactation issues. She was shocked at how challenging and complex breastfeeding could be after she had her first in 2017. These challenges inspired Jessica to undergo the years of training and education required in order to sit for the boards and become an I...

Darby Swan is a faith-based birth doula in Central Kentucky and the owner of Boundless Grace Birth Services. As a birth doula, childbirth educator, and maternal health advocate, Darby loves serving expectant families by providing faith-FULL support and evidence-based information. She is also a wife and mama of two, whose own birth experiences in 2020 inspired her to dive into the birth world headf...

The idiom "make a comeback" refers to the act of successfully returning or recovering from a setback, disappointment, or decline. It indicates the ability to regain former prominence, success, or relevance after a period of adversity or difficulty.   Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/   Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus  ...

Sara Hunter is a FL based birth photographer, wife, and mom. Sara has taken 3 separate trips to visit and support the MamaBaby birth center in Haiti since 2020. She has taken thousands of photos to share with the families of Haiti. These photos are such a gift to the people and to the MamaBaby mission. MamaBaby “Haiti” International is a non-profit that runs three birth centers, health clinics, an...

THE BIRTH IN FOCUS SERIES In this podcast series you'll hear the stories of brave women who chose to have the most sacred and intimate moments of childbirth professionally documented and their hearts behind their choice! You'll hear about the relationships they have developed with their photographers, any struggles they had along the way, and how they feel about their birth photos now!    MY HOPE...

THE BIRTH IN FOCUS SERIES. In this podcast series you'll hear the stories of brave women who chose to have the most sacred and intimate moments of childbirth professionally documented and their hearts behind their choice! You'll hear about the relationships they have developed with their photographers, any struggles they had along the way, and how they feel about their birth photos now! MY HOPE FO...

THE BIRTH IN FOCUS SERIES. In this podcast series you'll hear the stories of brave women who chose to have the most sacred and intimate moments of childbirth professionally documented and their hearts behind their choice! You'll hear about the relationships they have developed with their photographers, any struggles they had along the way, and how they feel about their birth photos now! MY HOPE FO...

Are you struggling to reach the clients you want? Not sure what you may be missing?  The key is making sure that people know that you exist!! In this episode I share with you the ultimate, yet simplest key to gaining more clients!    Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/   Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus   Birth in Focus In...

Michelle Mayefske is a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, fat activist and author. She has made it her mission to change the way people approach fat pregnancy and birth. Through her teaching and social media networks, she seeks to empower and educate plus size expecting parents-and their birth partners-so they may seek the positive birth they want and deserve. Her ongoing trainings f...