Episode #14: The Lifelong Journey of Midwifery Leadership: July 23rd/CME Conference Preview

Episode #14: The Lifelong Journey of Midwifery Leadership: July 23rd/CME Conference Preview

When was the last time you paused to think about the professional issues that impact your work-life balance, your income, or the barriers to midwifery-led care? Do you ever feel like your voice is less valued simply because you don't hold an official "leadership" title? In this special episode, Denise and Ginger tackle these questions head-on. They believe that EVERY midwife is a leader—from how you direct care management plans to the choices you make every single hour of the working day. Leadership doesn't require a bestowed title; it emerges when we express our internal thoughts meaningfully, lift others up, and demonstrate what is possible. It is a quality inherently rooted in your daily life and interactions. Tune in as Denise and Ginger review the incredible national speakers and vital topics lined up for the upcoming Grow Midwives CME Conference on July 23rd. What You Need to Know About this Year’s Conference: * 100% Virtual: This year, the 4th annual conference is pivoting to an all-virtual format to complement the national ACNM meeting being held in Kansas City this October. * No Attendance Caps: Registration for this virtual event is unlimited! * Flexible Viewing: Can't make it to every session? If you register but are unable to attend live, you will still get full access to view all the presentations afterward. * Earn Continuing Education Credits: KU/AHEC has granted 5.5 CME/CNE credits to awarded to everyone who attends the conference. Join us for this episode, register for the conference, and continue the lifelong journey of advancing the greater good for midwives and the families we serve! Registration $150 for licensed professionals and $75 for students.  https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/ku-ahec/professional-development/4th-annual-healthcare-at-the-crossroads.html [https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/ku-ahec/professional-development/4th-annual-healthcare-at-the-crossroads.html] Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: possibilist.midwives@growmidwives.com  Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/ [https://growmidwives.com/] Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/] Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives [http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives] Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends! (c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

Episode #13: The Power of Your Voice: Advocacy and Health Equity with Ellen Breslin

Does your voice really matter? If you’ve ever wondered whether navigating daily workplace challenges and sharing the realities can truly impact the broader system and the communities we live in, this episode is for you. Hosts Ginger and Denise are joined by state and federal advocacy guru, Ellen Breslin who holds a masters degree in public policy. Drawing from her vast expertise with the largest healthcare consulting firm in the nation, and centering her work in Massachusetts—tackling everything from state budget battles to fighting for justice, health equity, and reducing disparities—Ellen brings invaluable lessons on why and how midwives must use their voices. While not a direct expert in maternal child health, Ellen’s extensive career in breaking down regulatory restrictions and aggressively defending quality of life offers a masterclass in advocacy. Tune in to discover: * How the "quadruple aim" aligns perfectly with the goals of modern midwifery. * Practical strategies to grow and support the workforce while ensuring provider satisfaction. * Priceless "pearls" from Ellen's advocacy career that you can easily overlay onto your own practice. Articles Cited: Health Affairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/briefs/black-white-inequities-pregnancy-related-mortality [https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/briefs/black-white-inequities-pregnancy-related-mortality] Deloitte Perspective, May 2026, Building Coalitions. https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/industries/life-sciences-health-care/perspectives/advancing-place-based-change-in-communities.html [https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/industries/life-sciences-health-care/perspectives/advancing-place-based-change-in-communities.html] Note: Ellen is also a featured speaker at the July 23rd, 4th Annual Grow Midwives, "Care at the Crossroads" virtual conference. Don't miss this chance to preview her powerful insights! Register: https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/ku-ahec/professional-development/4th-annual-healthcare-at-the-crossroads.html [https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/ku-ahec/professional-development/4th-annual-healthcare-at-the-crossroads.html] Contact: Ellen Breslin, MPP (she/her/hers) Breslin Health Consulting, LLC ellen@breslinhealth.com Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: possibilist.midwives@growmidwives.com  Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/ [https://growmidwives.com/] Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/] Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives [http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives] Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends! (c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

Episode #12: Consumerism, Coding, and C-Sections: Navigating the Future of Maternity Care

Join hosts Ginger and Denise for a probing and extraordinarily fun hour with OB/GYN Dr. Neel Shah. Together they will take you on the rapidly shifting landscape of maternal healthcare, discussing everything from the rise of C-sections and the true cost of care to the vital role of midwives.  The discussion moves to the unknown healthcare industry's changing tides including forecasts about new OB coding, the rise of direct-to-consumer healthcare, and how consumerism is reshaping patient expectations. But this episode isn't just about the challenges— if you follow us, it's a forward-looking exploration of what is ‘possible’.  Neel highlights the innovative strategies and advancing technologies that are driving real improvement in the field. From AI-driven evidence-based research and better predictability for pre-eclampsia, to the integration of Ambient Listening and the transition from Up-to-Date to Open Evidence. We know you will be challenged to think about how these tools shape your delivery of healthcare.  Favorite Podcast Neel’isms, "Modern midwifery requires working against the grain," and “Midwives see color when everyone else sees black and white." If you are looking for a thoughtful, deeply insightful conversation that balances systems critique with genuine hope for the future of maternal care, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Vital Statistics Births provisional data for 2025. Report No. 43, April 2026.  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr043.pdf [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr043.pdf] Heartland Forward HHS Collaboration to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes. May 2026. https://heartlandforward.org/new-heartland-forward-hhs-collaboration-aims-to-improve-maternal-health-outcomes/ [https://heartlandforward.org/new-heartland-forward-hhs-collaboration-aims-to-improve-maternal-health-outcomes/] Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: possibilist.midwives@growmidwives.com  Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/ [https://growmidwives.com/] Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/] Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives [http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives] Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends! (c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

SPECIAL Episode #11: Embracing the Dance of Conflict with William Ury, PhD

When faced with challenging workplace situations, concerning contract negotiations, or conflict in power-over relationships, most resort to recoil—a response that only increases anxiety and frustration. In this truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, hosts Ginger and Denise sit down with world renown negotiator William Ury to discuss how to shift your mindset and embrace conflict as a powerful catalyst for change. Dr. Ury—a Harvard-trained social anthropologist, co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, and co-author of the groundbreaking bestseller Getting to Yes—has spent his life negotiating in high-stakes environments. Part memoir, part manual, part manifesto, his newest book Possible offers stories and sage advice from nearly 50 years of experience on the front lines of some of the world’s toughest conflicts. From the White House Crisis Center and corporate boardrooms to coal mines and active war zones, he has dedicated his career to finding "win-win" solutions.  Key Takeaways: * Redefine Conflict: Learn to stop running from conflict. Instead, "Befriend your fear... conflict is normal... play with it… dance with it... move towards the thing that you fear." * The Midwifery Metaphor: "Midwifery is a metaphor for what society needs to do.... it’s an action." Discover how to move toward collaborative, positive outcomes from difficult situations. * Shift Your Perspective: When dealing with opposition think about Ury’s recommendation: "Meet animosity with curiosity!" Get the book, Possible https://www.williamury.com/possible/ [https://www.williamury.com/possible/] Register for July 23rd Grow Midwives CME Conference with William Ury as the Keynote Speaker https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/ku-ahec/professional-development/4th-annual-healthcare-at-the-crossroads.html [https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/ku-ahec/professional-development/4th-annual-healthcare-at-the-crossroads.html] Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: possibilist.midwives@growmidwives.com  Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/ [https://growmidwives.com/] Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/] Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives [http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives] Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends! (c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

Episode 10: The Big Tent: Leadership, Relevance, and the Future of Midwifery with ACNMs new President, Dr. Peter Johnson

What is the value of a professional society in a changing world? In this episode, hosts Ginger and Denise sit down with Dr. Peter Johnson, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, the new President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). With over 40 years of experience as an educator, clinician, and global health leader, Dr. Johnson brings a "not on my watch" dedication to the future of the organization. What We Discuss: ·       The Power of Small Organizations: Why being a member of the ACNM matters and how individuals can make a tangible difference. ·       Relevance & Value: A deep dive into the value proposition of the ACNM today and how to remain relevant as a professional society. ·       The "Big Tent" Philosophy: Exploring how to maintain a unified profession despite differing perspectives and why membership numbers are shifting. ·       Future Initiatives: Dr. Johnson’s goals for his term, including workforce initiatives and the Task Force on Name Change. ·       AND a Provocative Question: We wrap up with a brief, fascinating look at the possibility of U.S. Midwives forming a union. Want to email Peter Johnson? president@acnm.org ACNM Membership Levels - WE NEED EVERYONE to re-think what is possible with joining and/or return to membership. https://midwife.org/membership/ [https://midwife.org/membership/] Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: possibilist.midwives@growmidwives.com  Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/ [https://growmidwives.com/] Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/] Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives [http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives] Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends! (c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026