In this conversation, Nicole Harlot and Joshua Liston-Zawadi explore the importance of advocacy in birth support, the role of partners, and the mental load associated with parenting. They discuss the need for male involvement in birth work and the creation of resources for fathers. Joshua shares his personal journey into doula work and emphasizes the significance of building community for dads. The conversation culminates in a call for radical family love and support as a means to improve maternal health outcomes.

Joshua Liston- Zawadi is a proud Milwaukee native who prioritizes community, fatherhood and mental health. Josh celebrates the process of family and community building by using his platform and work to model how to be an intentional figure in the lives of their children.

Joshua Zawadi is also the man behind the social media brand Melanated Daddy and the signature non-birthing parenting course Dad Doula. He is also the co-founder and executive director of the newly founded family and community engagement non-profit organization, Life reDefined. The mission of the Dad Doula program is to provide resources, and guidance for the non-birthing parent as they plan to support the birthing person during the pregnancy, labor and delivery and thereafter. This is done by learning how to advocate, and support with intentional presence. This service is extended to expecting parents, new again parents and parents looking to re-enter their children's lives. The mission of Life reDefined is to inspire family and community connection through intentional and collaborative experiences.

Josh Zawadi is an Army Veteran, husband, biological and bonus dad to four children. He is a lover of Christ and believes in the power of community. He also identifies as a womanist and uses he/him pronouns. His passion for fatherhood is rooted in the belief that Iron Sharpens Iron.

With an impressive 26-year career as a doula and childbirth educator, Traci Doula has dedicated her life to guiding and supporting pregnant individuals through their birthing journeys. Known for her compassionate and hands-on approach, Traci has helped countless families experience empowering, informed births while navigating the physical, emotional, and advocacy aspects of pregnancy and postpartum care.Traci’s passion for education extends beyond one-on-one doula support—she’s found a powerful platform on TikTok, where her 167K followers benefit from her practical advice, insights, and encouragement. By breaking down complex birth-related topics and making them accessible and engaging, Traci is redefining how childbirth education is delivered in the digital age.In addition to her TikTok presence, Traci offers a transformative self-advocacy course called Keeping Your Power for Families. This course empowers parents with the tools and mindset they need to navigate their birth experiences with confidence, make informed decisions, and assert their needs in any healthcare setting. Traci’s course has become an invaluable resource for families seeking to take charge of their birth experience while staying grounded and empowered.Through her multifaceted work—whether supporting families, mentoring doulas, or educating the public—Traci Doula remains deeply committed to her mission of empowering individuals and families to advocate for themselves and approach birth with knowledge, confidence, and strength.

Social Links:

www.tracidoula.com

TikTok: Tracidoula4

Instagram: TraciDoula

Facebook: TraciDoula Maternal Instincts Doula

In this episode of Speaking of the Village, host Nicole Harlot speaks with Lital Bernstein, founder of Whole Nest, about her journey into holistic healing and the creation of her natural postpartum products. They discuss the importance of natural ingredients, the mind-body connection, and the role of energy and intention in healing. Lital shares her insights on parenting, spirituality, and the significance of community support for new mothers. The conversation emphasizes the need for women to embrace their experiences and the power of intention in their healing journeys.

WholeNest started as a solution provider to help every pregnant, and postpartum mom enjoy natural relief and be the best version of themselves to shower the utmost care on their little one. Truly, “you cannot give what you don’t have.”We curated a list of organic essentials with Earth’s best natural ingredients, that are hypoallergenic, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding-safe. Our postpartum care products were initially designed for self-use, but Lital, the Founder, couldn’t hold back but offer these wellness essentials to other moms.Our products, classes, and posts are designed with clear intention, and we combine knowledge, practicality, wisdom, and spirituality to give you the best.With a multitude of first-hand experiences in various body pains, we thought: Why not create all-around products for everybody that can solve more than just one pain point?Our nurture from within approach is the backbone of everything we do. Made with you and your family in mind, WholeNest was created to offer multi-functional products that take on the job of several different treatments.WholeNest is for you. WholeNest is for your family. WholeNest is for everyone💜

Social Links:

https://www.instagram.com/wholenest/https://wholenest.co/

In this episode, Dawn Thompson and Jenna Walenga discuss the shortcomings of modern birth preparation and the importance of empowering women through education and support. They explore the myths surrounding childbirth, the significance of understanding pain during labor, and the necessity of nervous system regulation. Jenna shares her personal experiences and insights on how to prepare for birth and postpartum, emphasizing the need for community support and nutrition. The conversation highlights the transformative nature of birth and the importance of feeling empowered in the process.

Jenna Walenga is an empowered birth coach, with over a decade working as a pre and postnatal yoga instructor, meditation teacher, and postpartum support circle leader guiding 100s of women through the profound transitions of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Passionate about fostering empowerment through the portal of birth, Jenna’s work centers on helping people develop the mental and spiritual tools needed for a calm and confident birth and postpartum experience.As the author of Get the Birth You Want and creator of the Radical Birth Code. Jenna distills wisdom from years of teaching into accessible tools for those seeking a low-intervention birth.Jenna’s work is rooted in the belief that birth is a powerful rite of passage, and with the right preparation—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—anyone can navigate it with presence and trust.

Social Links:

www.instagram.com/thebirthyouwant, www.theradicalbirthcode.com

In this conversation, Dawn Thompson and Laurel Wilson explore the critical role of the microbiome in perinatal health, the importance of breastfeeding for establishing a baby's immune system, and the challenges faced by mothers, especially those who undergo cesarean births. They discuss the cultural perspectives on breastfeeding, the alternatives available for feeding infants, and the need for support systems for new parents. The conversation emphasizes the uniqueness of each breastfeeding experience and the importance of community support in navigating these challenges.

Laurel Wilson is a TedX and international speaker, women’s health and perinatal specialist, integrative nutrition health coach, international board-certified lactation consultant, speaker consultant, educator, and author. Laurel has authored two books, The Attachment Pregnancy and The Greatest Pregnancy Ever. Her passion is blending today’s recent scientific findings with mind/body/spirit wisdom to highlight the magnitude and importance of the perinatal period. Laurel has been joyfully married to her husband for three decades and has two wonderful grown sons, whose difficult births led her on a path towards helping emerging families create positive experiences. She believes that the journey into parenthood is a life-changing rite of passage that should be deeply honored and celebrated.

Social Links:

https://www.facebook.com/MotherJourneyLaurelWilssonhttps://www.facebook.com/thrivewithlaurel/https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithlaurelwilsonhttps://www.instagram.com/mpotherjourneylaurelwilsonhttps://bsky.app/profile/thrivewithlaurel.bsky.socialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSyzIpq30QYwww.laurelawilson.comwww.motherjourney.com

In this episode, Dawn and Nicole discuss the critical topic of preeclampsia with expert Sarah Thompson. They explore the rising incidence of preeclampsia, its symptoms, causes, and the significant role nutrition plays in prevention and management. Sarah emphasizes the importance of individualized care and the need for supportive systems during pregnancy. The conversation also highlights dietary recommendations, particularly the Mediterranean diet, as a means to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and improve overall pregnancy outcomes.

Sarah Thompson is a licensed acupuncturist, certified functional medicine practitioner, and leading expert in functional maternity care. She is the author of Functional Maternity: Using Functional Medicine and Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes, the first book to integrate functional medicine into maternity care, as well as Beyond Results: A practitioner's guide to functional lab analysis in pregnancy. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Sarah specializes in using functional medicine and nutrition to optimize pregnancy health, manage complications such as nausea and vomiting, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, and improve birth outcomes by supporting maternal physiology. Sarah is also a researcher, educator, and speaker, teaching midwives, OBs, and other healthcare professionals how to incorporate functional medicine into prenatal and postpartum care. Her work is widely recognized in midwifery colleges, professional conferences, and continuing education courses for maternity providers.In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Sarah actively participates in research on the role of nutrition in preventing and managing pregnancy complications. She owns and operates Sacred Vessel Acupuncture and Functional Medicine in Fort Collins, Colorado, and runs Functional Maternity, an educational platform dedicated to advancing functional medicine in maternal health.

Social Links:

Instagram & Facebook: @functional.maternitywww.functionalmaternity.comClinic: www.sacredvesselacupuncture.com

In this episode, Dawn Thompson and Nicole Harlot engage with HeHe, a doula and founder of Tranquility by HeHe, discussing the importance of education in childbirth, the trends in induction and cesarean rates, and the role of partners in the birthing process. They emphasize the need for women to be active participants in their birth choices, the significance of trusting one's intuition, and the impact of hospital practices on maternal health outcomes. The conversation highlights the necessity of empowering both mothers and fathers in the journey of childbirth, advocating for informed decisions, and fostering a supportive environment for families.

HeHe is the Founder of Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, the creator of The Birth Lounge membership. With a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and over 10 years in the Family Life Education field, HeHe helps people prepare for childbirth with research-backed education and data-driven support to have a confident birth experience while feeling informed and in control of labor (without fear or coercion). She is passionate about helping patients understand their rights around consent and autonomy in birth. Her expertise expands to supporting new parents in preparing for postpartum, helping you master feeding your tiny human and understanding newborn sleep! HeHe hosts The Birth Lounge Podcast which features leading experts in pregnancy, women's health, and newborn development so parents can understand how to have an informed and confident birth!

Social Links:

www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehewww.instagram.com/the.birth.loungewww.tiktok.com/tranquilitybyheheThe Birth Lounge Podcast, https://open.spotify.com/show/7kSfCZ5rlpnRAWZMlQnSC6?si=ff68da7eb9c546f5

In this conversation, Nicole Harlot, Dawn Thompson, and Kim Jolasun discuss the significance of having a supportive village during motherhood. Kim shares her experiences and insights on how cultural differences shape the way communities support new parents. The discussion emphasizes the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and the evolving role of fathers in the parenting journey. The conversation also highlights the need for education among villagers to better support new mothers and the importance of cultivating relationships before the arrival of a baby.

Villie is a digital platform helping expecting and new parents keep their loved ones in the loop—without the chaos of group chats. Through personalized baby pages, we make it easy to share updates, collect support, and celebrate each moment. Our mission is to build modern tools that strengthen the village it takes to raise a child. Built by moms, for moms, Villie centers the parent experience while unlocking meaningful ways for families and friends to show up. 💜
@villiefamily