Wombs of the World Podcast

The Science and Spirit of Birthwork with Vanessa Lachmann

Most birth stories are seen as a checklist of medical interventions, but Vanessa Lachmann reveals how integrating shamanic ceremony and ancestral wisdom transforms the birthing experience into a deeply sacred, embodied rite of passage. Moving beyond the medicalization of birth, she offers a revolutionary perspective on how ceremony, lineage, and presence can restore trust, vitality, and true power to mothers and birth workers alike. In this episode, Vanessa shares her journey to holistic birth work, illustrating how her lineage-based shamanic practices create the foundation for profound healing. She discusses how ancient rituals can be adapted respectfully to modern contexts, emphasizing the importance of lineage, cultural integrity, and embodied medicine. This conversation underscores the urgent need to bridge the gap between science and spirit in birth work, advocating for systemic change that values calm, presence, and support in hypermedicalized environments. By integrating shamanic practices into everyday care, birth workers can create more nourishing, respectful experiences that honor both tradition and modern evidence. Connect with Vanessa Lachmann on Instagram @VanessaLaughingman or @RisingMother, and explore her holistic offerings, trainings, and sacred ceremonies that are changing the narrative around birth and postpartum. This is essential listening for anyone committed to birth justice, cultural respect, and awakening the sacred at the heart of motherhood.

The Art of Sustainable Doula Work with Hannah Gray

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Hannah Gray, a Doula who transitioned from healthcare tech to full-time birth work. We explore her journey into the world of doulas, where she combines digital skills with traditional care to create a thriving practice. Hannah shares her experiences of building authentic relationships, valuing her work, and fostering community support. We discuss the balance between intuition and structure, and how to navigate the challenges of birth work without burnout. Join us as we delve into the art of sustainable doula practice, the power of lived experience over certification, and the importance of setting fair rates. This conversation is a heartfelt reflection on reclaiming traditional care and creating a fulfilling, financially stable career in birth work. If this episode resonates with you, follow and rate the show, leave a review, and share it with someone passionate about birth work. Follow us at WombsoftheWorld or Wombsoftheworld.com [http://Wombsoftheworld.com] Ready to be a birthworker? Join our Full Spectrum Doula Training at https://www.wombsoftheworld.com/doulatraining [https://www.wombsoftheworld.com/doulatraining]

Human Centered Births in the Hospital System with Dr. Nicole Rankins

We are so honored and excited to have Dr. Nicole Rankins on the Wombs of the World Podcast! With over two decades of experience as an OB-GYN, she explores how centering birthing people can reshape a system.; Dr. Rankins shares her journey from traditional medical practice to advocating for cultural shifts in birth care. She provides a grounded look into the realities of hospital births, highlighting the importance of consent, communication, and patience. This conversation illuminates the often-overlooked aspects of birth, such as the impact of environment and the role of caregivers in reducing unnecessary interventions. Together, we explore trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and the significance of respectful communication. Dr. Rankins emphasizes the importance of autonomy in birth and how simple, human-centered care can transform experiences, even within restrictive systems. This is a powerful and necessary conversation for anyone passionate about maternal health and systemic change. Join us to discover how small, meaningful adjustments can dramatically improve outcomes for mothers and babies alike. Follow: @wombsoftheworld @drnicolerankins Learn more: http://www.wombsoftheworld.com [http://www.wombsoftheworld.com]

Doula Care Within the Prison System | A Conversation with Edwina Koch

In this episode, Charlotte sits down with Edwina Koch, a prison doula with the Ostara Initiative, to explore what it means to support pregnancy, birth, and postpartum within the carceral system. Edwina shares her journey into this work and offers a deeply grounded look into the realities of birth while incarcerated. From weekly prenatal and postpartum support to navigating hospital births under custody, this conversation sheds light on an often invisible population of the birthing world. Together, we explore trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and the role of the doula as both advocate and witness. We speak about autonomy in birth, the importance of postpartum support, and the ways in which simple, human-centered care can transform an experience even within highly restrictive systems. This is a powerful and necessary conversation for anyone in birthwork and beyond. Follow: @wombsoftheworld @endprisonbirth Learn more: www.wombsoftheworld.com [http://www.wombsoftheworld.com]

Q&A with the Wombs of the World Founder, Charlotte Brielle

You asked, and we answered. In this Instagram Q&A episode, Charlotte, founder of Wombs of the World, joins Kyndrick Peachey to talk birthwork origin stories, global trips, ceremony, baby-doula enthusiasm, unexpected moments (yes, including baboons), and what it really means to be called into this work. This conversation is heartfelt, unfiltered, and full of stories from the road, the birth room, and the in-between. If you’re curious about how Wombs of the World began, why birth is a ceremony, or whether birthwork might be tugging at you too, this episode is for you. Note: This episode was recorded before the launch of the Wombs of the World Doula Training! If you’re feeling the spark and want more of this energy, education, and community, come join us and become a birthworker: wombsoftheworld.com/doulatraining [http://wombsoftheworld.com/doulatraining] And find us on all social platforms @wombsoftheworld