In an age of social media scrolls and AI-generated content, false health claims are spreading faster than ever—and midwives are often on the front lines, navigating mistrust, fear, and disinformation in their day-to-day practice. In this episode, Professor Timothy Caulfield breaks down the roots of the global “infodemic,” exploring how misinformation moves, why it sticks, and what we can do to counter it without shame or conflict. We discuss the emotional power of memes and headlines, the rise of AI-generated medical claims, and how healthcare providers—including midwives—can support clients by building trust and encouraging critical reflection. From pre-bunking to positive messaging, you’ll leave with practical tools and a fresh perspective on how to respond when clients say, “I saw this thing online…”

About Our Guest:

Timothy Caulfield is a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. He is a leading researcher and public communicator on health misinformation, with decades of experience in law, ethics, and public health. He is the author of several best-selling books, including The Cure for Everything and The Certainty Illusion, and a co-founder of the #ScienceUpFirst initiative. His work has been featured across international media, and he serves as an advisor to governments and public health agencies on evidence-based communication strategies.

References:

• Science Up First – Evidence-based content for countering misinformation
• The Certainty Illusion by Timothy Caulfield
• Understanding and Countering Health Misinformation (Caulfield et al.)
• WHO: Immunizing the public against misinformation
• What is Prebunking? (Google Jigsaw & University of Cambridge research)
• People being unable to tell the difference between AI and real
• Gordon Penny Cook at Cornell and David Rand at MIT chat bots
• Research on the power of talking about the body of evidence
• Outrage and grievance fuels the algorithms
• Research debunking the backfire effect

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Kinship, Consent, and Clinical Care: Decolonizing Health Systems

Midwifery isn’t neutral—care can be colonial. What does it mean to “decolonize health care”? In this impactful and thought-provoking episode, Laverne Gervais and Candace Neumann challenge conventional models of care and invite us to reimagine wellness through kinship, cultural safety, and HIV doula care. They share how Indigenous-led programs are transforming reproductive health with heart, humour, and healing—and what midwives and other health professionals can do to support that shift. Discover how to provide care rooted in kinship, not control.

Laverne Gervais

Laverne was born and lives in Treaty 1 Territory, in the city of Winnipeg. She is a member of Peguis First Nation. Laverne has been working in Indigenous sexual wellness for over 15 years and strives to increase Indigenous led culturally safer care programming, prevention and treatment for STBBIs. She has coordinated programs for women living with HIV, facilitated sexuality education workshops for a wide age range and currently manages the Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Mino Pimatisiwin Sexual Wellness Lodge.

Candace Neumann

Candace is a Métis full-spectrum doula, community worker, and facilitator based in Treaty 1 Territory. She is co-founder of Zaagi’idiwin: Indigenous Full-Spectrum Doula Training and researcher for the Indigenous HIV Doula program at Ka Ni Kanichihk. A sundancer and cedar bath practitioner, Candace integrates traditional knowledge with contemporary care to support Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people. She is currently completing her Master of Social Work in Indigenous Knowledges at the University of Manitoba.

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We welcome feedback at CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org

Strength in Practice is produced by the Canadian Association of Midwives, in collaboration with Bespoke Podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, Strength in Practice explores the experiences of nonbinary and trans clients and midwives navigating pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.

Host Monika Goodluck speaks with Liam Kali, a queer, nonbinary, transmasculine midwife and author of Queer Conception, who shares decades of experience in inclusive fertility care. Liam offers both practical advice and a critical look at the barriers within midwifery institutions that continue to exclude queer and trans voices.

The episode also features parents Jenna Jacobs and Eby Heller, who took the Quebec government to court to affirm their identities on their children’s birth certificates. They reflect on midwifery care, gender-affirming lactation, rural realities, and the essential role of community support.

The episode concludes with a poetic and deeply reflective personal essay by midwife Jenna Bly, exploring gender, embodiment, and the ethics of care. A must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of gender-inclusive midwifery.

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We welcome feedback at CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org

Strength in Practice is produced by the Canadian Association of Midwives, in collaboration with Bespoke Podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.