The Doula Johanna Podcast: Keeping Death Close. Living More Fully.

Are you a mother in midlife dreaming of more clarity and abundance – but struggling to even clear your kitchen counter? This episode is for you. In today’s episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, I share why decluttering is the first powerful step toward creating more abundance – not just in your home, but in your whole life. Especially if you’re not naturally tidy (like me!), you’ll love this gentl...

Have you ever looked at your career after becoming a mom and thought… “This just isn’t it anymore”? You're not alone. In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, we dive deep into what happens when motherhood transforms your identity—and how to realign your career to reflect who you are now. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s or 50s, this is your invitation to step into a more fulfilling ch...

Your child is in crisis — overwhelmed, heartbroken, maybe even acting out — and suddenly you're flooded too. How are you supposed to be the calm, grounded one when your whole body is reacting to their pain? In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, we explore what it truly means to be there for our children when they’re struggling — not by solving the problem or taking their pain away, but...

This episode didn’t come out the way I hoped — emotionally raw, technically flawed, and deeply personal. I recorded it on a very hard morning. The kind of morning where you’re maxed out, running on empty, and wondering how to hold a marriage together when you can barely hold yourself together. My mic wasn’t even properly connected — and in trying to fix the background noise and echo, I ended up so...

Is manifestation real—or just a comforting illusion? In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, we dive deep into the heated debate around the law of attraction, karma, and whether our thoughts can truly shape our reality. I share insights from a recent conversation with friends—some believers, some skeptics—and unpack what science actually says about manifestation. We’ll explore powerful psych...

Do you feel emotional, heavy, or unexpectedly sad around your child’s birthday? You’re not alone — and you’re not broken. In this episode, I talk about the complex, tender feelings many mothers experience around their children’s birthdays: joy and gratitude, yes — but also grief, nostalgia, exhaustion, and even sadness. This emotional wave is rarely talked about — especially when it’s not our birt...

Second Chances, Sex and Starting Over! What really changes when you have a baby in your 40s? Is it harder? Easier? And what happens to your sense of self — and your sex life — when you're suddenly back in the newborn trenches after years of independence? In this beautifully chaotic episode, I talk to my best friend Johanna — a former ballet dancer, wild-at-heart world traveler, and now a mothe...

What if the things that light you up aren’t distractions from your real life — but the map to something deeper? If you’ve ever felt like your dreams have to wait until life gets less full, this conversation is for you. We’ll talk about permission, timing, and why doing a lot for something meaningful is never the same as doing a little for something that drains you. In this heartfelt episode, I’m t...

I’m not an AI expert. I’m a mother — living, loving, and parenting in a time where the future feels more uncertain than ever. In this episode, I’m sharing some personal reflections about what it means to raise children in a world where artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way we live, work, and connect. I talk about my hopes, my fears, and the quiet moments that remind me of what reall...

In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked power of contentment — and why it may be a more sustainable, grounding goal than the constant pursuit of happiness. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, the Wheel of Life self-reflection tool, and lessons from Master Shi Heng Yi, Johanna shares a personal story of a chaotic, beautiful day that reminded her...

Are you thinking about having another baby—but feel unsure, overwhelmed, or torn between heart and logistics? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share the personal journey my husband and I went through when we found ourselves asking that big question again: Are we ready for another child? From finances and living space to marriage dynamics and mental health, we sat with it all. I talk about the...

Feeling overwhelmed and constantly behind on your to-do list? You're not alone. In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, I share how the book Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverley helped me shift my approach to productivity, energy, and joy — especially as a busy mother, doula, and multi-passionate woman. You’ll hear: 💡 Why protecting your energy is more important than just mana...

Have you ever found yourself at a dinner, surrounded by nice people, making polite small talk... and feeling completely alone? In this deeply personal episode, I talk about what happens when we stop settling for “okay” in our relationships — in friendships, in marriage, and in everyday connections. I open up about the emotional shifts I experienced after becoming a mother, and how I began craving...

Do your mornings feel rushed, chaotic, or just... exhausting? In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, I’m sharing the 7 simple things that completely changed how my mornings feel—not just for me, but for my entire family. As a mom of three, part-time academic, and birth doula, I know how impossible it can seem to “put yourself first” in the morning. But over the years, I’ve built a gentle an...

Have you ever felt like your relationship with your parents is unresolved? Do old wounds, lingering resentment, or unmet expectations still weigh on you? In this episode, I share my personal journey of making peace—not through forced forgiveness or dramatic reconciliation, but through acceptance, gratitude, and inner work. Whether your parents are still part of your life or not, finding peace is a...

I have three daughters. I’m not raising boys—but I care about them. Because the well-being of men matters—for us, for our daughters, for the world we’re building. We need strong, kind, emotionally intelligent men just as much as we need strong, empowered women. In this episode, I explore what positive masculinity looks like, why so many boys struggle in today’s world, and how we can create space f...

After a decade of motherhood, I’ve tried (and failed at) so many different parenting strategies. In this episode, I’m sharing the tools that have truly made a difference—the ones I swear by. From setting boundaries with confidence to repairing when I mess up, these are the lessons that have helped me become a more present, connected, and (mostly) sane parent. Whether you’re deep in the trenches of...

Have you ever felt like your purpose is shifting? Like the things that once defined you no longer feel like enough? Maybe you’ve spent years focused on motherhood, a career, or a life path that made sense at the time—but now, something inside you is asking: Is this it? In this episode, I’m diving into why it’s completely normal to crave more, to evolve beyond old identities, and to let your purpos...

What happens when your faith feels unshakable, but the church you once called home no longer aligns with your values? In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with my dear friend Leigh Watson—birth doula, photographer, and a woman of profound faith—to talk about her journey of leaving a church that no longer felt like home. Leigh shares how she navigated the heartbreak of walking away, how she do...

If your time was running out, what would be your biggest regret? A few weeks ago, I sat in my first hospice volunteer training, and this question stopped me in my tracks. Our instructor introduced us to The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, a book by Bronnie Ware, and each regret hit home in a different way. Am I living true to myself? Am I letting happiness in, or am I too focused on worry and fear?...

Perimenopause isn’t just about hot flashes—it’s a major hormonal shift that can start ten years before menopause. Yet, most of us aren’t prepared for it. In this episode, we break down the science of perimenopause, common symptoms (like brain fog, anxiety, weight gain, and sleep issues), and what you can do to feel your best during this transition. I’ll share my personal wake-up call, the lifestyl...

"How early should we talk to kids about sex? Earlier than you think! In this episode, I share my experience teaching 6th graders about puberty, sex, and relationships—and the surprising questions they asked about pornography, prostitution, and consent. I’ll also explain why ‘The Talk’ isn’t enough and how we, as parents, can create an open, shame-free environment from the start. 💡 Key Takeawa...

Have you ever felt like you’re giving everything to your family but neglecting yourself? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing how finding my women’s circle five years ago transformed my confidence, joy, and sense of belonging. Women’s circles are more than just gatherings—they’re spaces of deep connection, emotional support, and empowerment. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ Why women...

Struggling to reconnect with your partner after having kids? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, I share three powerful strategies that helped me and my husband rekindle intimacy after years of exhaustion, stress, and feeling "touched out." The three "first aid" practices we tried were: 1️⃣ Naked Time – Rediscover closeness with vulnerability and no pres...

This episode is deeply personal. I’ve used alcohol as a crutch many times—whether to unwind after a long day or to feel more comfortable in social situations. I also lost my favorite uncle to addiction, a man I loved deeply and who taught me hard truths about how alcohol can take over our lives. That loss, and my own journey of reflection, led me to explore what life feels like without alcohol—and...