The LIFTS Podcast

LIFTS Out Loud: Celeste Miller - Nursing Under the Big Sky

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0600

Guest Bio:

Episode Description

In this heartfelt episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Celeste Miller, a ranch mom from rural Montana, about her journey through breastfeeding challenges, rural isolation, and finding confidence in motherhood.

Celeste shares how her first baby’s health complications made nursing difficult, how she found support the second time around, and what it’s like raising kids while working on a cattle ranch. Together, Emily and Celeste discuss the realities of rural parenting — long drives for care, limited lactation support, and the pressure to “tough it out” — alongside the growing openness among moms to talk about postpartum mental health.

Highlights include:

Navigating breastfeeding challenges and formula feeding without local support
Balancing ranch life and parenting in a rural setting
The importance of community, vulnerability, and practical support for moms
Why resources like lactation consultants and postpartum support matter in small towns

Celeste’s message:
“You can be tough and still have a hard time — it’s not one or the other.”

Learn more:

LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Lactation Supports: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Lactation%20Support
Read the article from the magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Sarah Buchanan + Stephanie Fitch - Human Stories Behind Montana’s Maternal Health Gaps

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Episode Description:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman speaks with Stephanie Fitch (Billings Clinic) and Sarah Buchanan (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services) about Siloed — a Montana-made documentary exploring the realities of maternal healthcare access in rural communities.

Produced by Montanans, for Montanans, Siloed weaves together powerful stories from across the state to reveal both the challenges and the deep resilience found in Montana families and providers. The film sheds light on maternal healthcare deserts, the emotional and logistical barriers families face, and the creative solutions, from telehealth to local support networks, helping bridge those gaps.

Highlights include:

Why storytelling and lived experience matter as much as data in driving public health change
How rural Montana communities are navigating obstetric care closures
The importance of psychological safety and trust in healthcare
The role of telehealth, doulas, and community health workers in expanding access
The story behind the making of Siloed — from student filmmakers to statewide screenings
Simple, human ways anyone can support new parents in their own community

Watch the film:
🎬 Siloed Documentary (DPHHS MOMS Program) - https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/moms/SiloedDocumentaryEducation

Learn more or get involved:

Montana MOMS Program: https://mtmoms.org/
Montana Maternal Health Alliance: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/moms/LeadershipCouncil
Find perinatal resources in every Montana county and reservation using the LIFTS Online Resource Guide: hmhb-lifts.org

Join the conversation:
Host a community screening, share the documentary with a friend, or simply check in on a new parent in your life. Small acts of care help break down isolation and build connection.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Tehya Tiegen - Home Visiting and Hope

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Tehya Teigen is a 29-year-old proud mother of two and the wife of a Navy veteran. She is a recovering addict who believes in second chances, healing, and the power of self-love. Her journey serves as a reminder that recovery is possible and that every day is a new opportunity to rise stronger than before.

Episode Details:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Tehya Tigan, a Helena mom of two, about how Montana’s home visiting programs supported her family through pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting.

Tehya shares how home visiting offered her more than information—it offered connection, advocacy, and encouragement at a time when she needed it most. She opens up about her journey through recovery, motherhood, and rebuilding life after addiction and legal challenges, reminding us that every parent deserves support and a chance to thrive.

Topics in this episode include:

What home visiting is and how it works in Montana
How home visitors support families with breastfeeding, car seat safety, and more
The importance of advocacy and trust between home visitors and families
Overcoming stigma around recovery and criminal records
Finding hope and purpose through parenting

Resources mentioned:

Learn more about home visiting in Montana: https://hmhb-mt.org/homevisiting/
Explore local support programs and resources for families at LIFTS Online Resource Guide: http://hmhb-lifts.org
Learn more about the home visiting program at Lewis and Clark County Home Visiting that Tehya utilizes: https://www.lccountymt.gov/Government/Public-Health/Pregnancy-and-Parenting/Home-Visiting

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Maria Emmer-Aanes - It Takes a Village

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Maria Emmer-Aanes is the Executive Director of The Village Playspace and the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County, where she works alongside parents, partners, and neighbors to build strong, connected communities for kids and families in rural Montana. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: when families feel supported and connected, everyone does better.

Maria is the co-founder of the Beaverhead Brigade, a grassroots nonprofit created to restore after-school transportation for students, and the founder of the Good Food Network, a community-led effort focused on improving access to clean, nutritious food and food education across Beaverhead County. She also serves as a Rural Ambassador for the Montana Nonprofit Association, helping elevate rural voices and strengthen nonprofit leadership across the state.

A mom of two boys and married to a fly fishing guide, Maria brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work—balancing family life, community building, and a deep love for the place she calls home.

Episode Description:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Maria Emmer-Aanes, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County and the Village Play Space in Dillon.

Maria shares how her coalition works to build resilience and strengthen families in one of Montana’s most rural regions — from innovative transportation solutions and intergenerational community programs to creative ways of addressing food insecurity and childcare gaps. Together, they explore what it means to raise kids, connect families, and grow community in a county where distances are vast but relationships run deep.

Highlights include:

How Early Childhood Coalitions collaborate statewide to share ideas and support families
The power of parent advisory councils and listening to families’ lived experiences
Innovative rural models like pay-what-you-can thrift stores, diaper banks, and local food networks
Building intergenerational community through shared meals, gardening, and life-skills education

Maria’s message:
“It really does take a village — and sometimes that village starts with just one conversation, one meal, or one connection.”

Resources:

Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County: https://www.earlychildhood406.org/
LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Family Support & Education: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Family%20Support%20and%20Education

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

LIFTS Out Loud: Julianne Denny - Birthwork as Medicine

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Julianne Denny (She/Her)
Cree, Ojibway, Mi’kmaq
Raised in ceremony, Julianne lives in Montana with her family. She is an Indigenous doula supporting families across rural communities, providing culturally grounded care and guidance through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Julianne's doula work: https://www.morningstarbirthworkz.com/

Episode Description:

In this episode, Emily Freeman sits down with Julianne Denny, an Indigenous doula serving families in rural Montana. Julianne shares her personal journey from experiencing a mental health crisis as a new mom to becoming a doula supporting Indigenous families across the state. She discusses the vital role doulas play in Montana—especially in rural areas—offering emotional support, practical help, and culturally informed care.

Julianne highlights how birth work can be healing, not only for families but for doulas themselves, and shares her experiences navigating traditional practices, breastfeeding challenges, and healthcare systems. She also talks about the importance of workforce development, including the recent Montana doula bill and training opportunities for Indigenous birth workers.

Resources:

Read Julianne's story in LIFTS Magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/
HMHB's Native American Initiatives (NAI) - includes download link to Dr. Amy Stiffarm's cultural safety toolkit for hospitals and other medical providers: https://hmhb-mt.org/native-american-initiatives/
Information about doulas and indigenous birthworkers in MT: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/
MT Doula Collaborative: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/
Article about MT Senate Bill 319, creating a certification and licensure process for doulas: https://montanafreepress.org/2025/05/14/governor-signs-new-law-professionalizing-doula-care/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Suzanne Bendick - The Stories That Connect Us

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Suzanne Bendick is the Co-Executive Director, co-founder, and former board member of Roots Family Collaborative, a highly respected and deeply impactful organization she has helped shape over the past nine years. A devoted mother of two, Suzanne is a visionary nonprofit leader known for her thoughtful approach, deep listening, and unwavering commitment to improving community health and wellbeing.

Her professional background includes formal training as a Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Montessori Teacher, and she is currently expanding her expertise as a student of Somatic Experiencing. Grounded by a love of nature and a passion for meaningful connection, Suzanne brings both heart and skill to her work supporting families.

Episode Description:

In this inspiring episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Suzanne Bendick, Co-Executive Director of Roots Family Collaborative in Bozeman, about how one mom’s personal experience of isolation led to a movement supporting families across Montana.

Suzanne shares the origin story of Roots, the creation of the powerful “Moms Like Me” storytelling project, and how storytelling can heal, connect, and transform communities. Through honest reflection, she highlights the importance of listening, collaboration, and grassroots action in building strong perinatal mental health support systems — especially in Montana’s rural and frontier communities.

Highlights include:

How Roots Family Collaborative was born from lived experience
The origins and impact of the Moms Like Me storytelling project
Why listening is a radical act of support for new parents
Tips for communities wanting to start similar efforts in their own areas

Suzanne’s message:
“You don’t have to have a plan. Just start by coming together — ask questions, listen, and build from there.”

Learn more:

ROOTS Family Collaborative: www.rootsfamilycollaborative.com
Moms Like Me storytelling project: https://www.rootsfamilycollaborative.com/moms-like-me

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Dr. Jessica Liddell - Building Support for Maternal Mental Health

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jessica Liddell is an Associate Professor at the University of Montana School of Social Work and Affiliate Faculty in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences. Her work focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, reproductive justice issues, birth justice and equity, community engagement, and making healthcare systems more equitable. Her current research focuses on the use of doulas to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Montana. Dr. Liddell graduated from the interdisciplinary City, Culture, and Community Ph.D. program at Tulane University. She also completed a Masters in Public Health, with a focus on program design and implementation, and a Masters in Social Work, with a focus on disaster mental health at Tulane University. Originally from Logan, Utah, Dr. Liddell completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Reed College, in Portland, Oregon. Her experiences as a doula and as a mother inform her research and drive her passion for this work. Here is a link to her CV: Liddell_CV_2025_August

Episode Details:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Dr. Jessica Liddell, Associate Professor in the University of Montana’s School of Social Work, about her research and advocacy around perinatal mental health.

Dr. Liddell shares insights from her work in Montana and abroad — from New Zealand to Australia — exploring how culture, connection, and community all shape the postpartum experience. She discusses how doulas can be powerful allies in supporting mental health, especially in rural and tribal communities, and why genuine collaboration among providers is key to improving care across the state.

The conversation also touches on what gives her hope for the future of maternal health in Montana, the growing awareness among students and professionals, and the importance of grounding ourselves in meaningful, community-based work.

Topics in this episode include:

The role of doulas in supporting perinatal mental health
Similarities between rural Montana and rural communities abroad
Stigma and the “frontier mentality” around seeking help
Building the maternal health workforce in Montana
Addressing the overlap between perinatal mental health and substance use
Community-driven and online supports for new parents

Resources mentioned:

Postpartum Support International – Montana Chapter: https://psichapters.com/mt/
Resources for Perinatal Mental Health: https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/perinatal-mental-health/
Resources for Doulas: https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/doulas-and-birth-workers/
Additional Information about Montana Doulas: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/
LIFTS Online Resource Guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

LIFTS Out Loud: Jake Maher + Callie Triller - Ryan's Journey Home

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bios:

Episode Details:

In this powerful episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman sits down with Callie Trier and Jake Maher to share Ryan’s Journey Home — a story of foster care, recovery, and the power of community.

When Callie and her family welcomed baby Ryan into their home straight from the NICU, they knew he would need love, stability, and a strong village to help him thrive. What they didn’t expect was the friendship that would grow between their family and Ryan’s biological father, Jake — who was working hard to rebuild his life through treatment and recovery.

Together, Callie and Jake share their perspectives on what it means to show up for a child — and for one another — within Montana’s foster care system. Their story is one of grace, second chances, and how systems can work when people lead with empathy, communication, and hope.

Topics in this episode include:

Navigating the foster care system in Montana
The power of collaboration between foster and biological parents
How programs like Medicaid, WIC, and Best Beginnings support children in foster care
The role of treatment, recovery, and community support in family reunification
Why believing in the possibility of change matters

Resources mentioned:

LIFTS Online Resource Guide: hmhb-lifts.org
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – Foster Care: https://dphhs.mt.gov/CFSD/Fosterparent/index
Read their original story in LIFTS Magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Carrie Krepps - Building Connection and Community for Montana Families

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Carrie joined Florence Crittenton in 2010 as Grants Officer and quickly moved into the role of Development Director in 2011, a position she held for eight years before becoming Executive Director in 2019.

Before Florence Crittenton, Carrie was Education Coordinator for the Montana Hospital Association and gained development and project management experience with the Helena Symphony and Montana State University Athletics.

Over her 15 years at Florence Crittenton, Carrie has worked extensively in budget management, fund and contract development, and advocacy. As Executive Director, she leads the integrated leadership team and guides the organization’s mission alongside the Board of Directors and staff, with deep expertise in family-centric care.

Carrie holds a Business Marketing degree with a minor in Small Business & Entrepreneurship from Montana State University–Bozeman. A Helena native, she enjoys raising her two daughters, Ella and Sarah, with her husband, Fred, and is passionate about connecting families with strong community support and sustainable programs.

Episode Details:

In this episode, host Emily Freeman talks with Carrie Krepps, Executive Director at Florence Crittenton Family Services, about the vital work the organization has done for 125 years to support families across Montana.

Carrie shares insights into the programs that meet families where they are — from residential services for young mothers and recovery programs, to home visiting, childcare, and community-based support — emphasizing the importance of connection, trust, and long-term relationships.

Highlights include:

The organization’s 125-year history of serving vulnerable families
Residential programs for young moms (ages 12–20) and long-term recovery programs for mothers and children
Community-based services: home visiting, parenting classes, supervised visitation, and early childhood care
The critical role of human connection, time, and trust in supporting families through trauma, substance use recovery, and isolation
Redefining community: small, meaningful connections can be as impactful as large programs or events
What success looks like: integrating families into community life, supporting children’s development, and fostering resilience

This episode highlights the power of community, patience, and long-term commitment in supporting Montana families through the challenges of early parenting and beyond.

Resources:

Florence Crittenton: https://www.florencecrittenton.org/
Resources for Perinatal Substance Use:
- https://mthf.org/priority/the-meadowlark-initiative/
- https://hmhb-mt.org/look-closer/
LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Substance%20Use%20Disorder%20Treatment%20Providers

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

LIFTS Out Loud: Mindy Petranek - Just Showing Up

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Guest Bio:

Mindy Petranek is a fourth-generation rancher in central Montana, where her family has lived and worked the land since 1914. Together with her husband and son, she embraces life “at the end of the road,” finding joy in the rhythm of rural living and the adventures that come with it. Passionate about connection and community, Mindy hopes to shed light on the beauty and challenges of ranch life while helping others find meaningful ways to connect with the land and each other.

Episode Description:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Mindy Petranek, who shares her story of finding connection, support, and community as a mom living on a cattle ranch in rural Montana.

Mindy reflects on the challenges of isolation, balancing motherhood with ranch life, and the power of taking small steps to build a support network. Through her experience with the Bad Moms group, she discovered how showing up and creating space for connection can transform your well-being and sense of self.

Highlights include:

The challenges of finding adult friendships and support in rural life
How a simple compliment sparked a mom’s group connection
The role of mom’s groups in providing understanding, compassion, and community
Encouragement for moms to take small, brave steps to create connections and prioritize self-care

Takeaways:

Small gestures and showing up consistently can create meaningful support networks
Mom’s groups can be started anywhere, with minimal resources
Self-care and personal time are worth prioritizing, even in busy seasons of life

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that connection matters, and sometimes all it takes is the courage to show up.

Resources:

Read Mindy's story in LIFTS Magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Pamela Ponich - Peer Recovery Doulas in Montana

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Episode Description:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Pam Ponich, Perinatal Program Manager for One Health, about an innovative program changing the face of perinatal support in Montana — the Peer Recovery Doula certification.

Pam, a longtime psychotherapist and program developer, helped create this dual certification for Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialists and Full Spectrum Doulas. The program recognizes the powerful overlap between peer support and birth work — both rooted in trust, lived experience, and standing beside rather than above the person being served.

Together, Emily and Pam discuss how this work helps fill critical workforce gaps in rural and frontier areas, reduces stigma, and offers a more compassionate, coordinated approach to supporting families — especially those navigating recovery, trauma, or behavioral health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.

Topics in this episode include:

What peer support specialists and recovery doulas do
How lived experience strengthens behavioral health and birth work
Addressing trauma and stigma in perinatal care
How the Meadowlark Initiative and other statewide efforts are reshaping systems of care
Pathways for becoming a certified Peer Recovery Doula in Montana
How Medicaid reimbursement and certification are evolving for doulas

Resources mentioned:

LIFTS Online Resource Guide: hmhb-lifts.org
The Meadowlark Initiative: https://mthf.org/priority/the-meadowlark-initiative/
One Health Recovery Doula Program Information: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/project-examples/1123
Montana Free Press Recovery Doula Article: https://montanafreepress.org/2023/10/16/montana-recovery-doulas-bridge-gaps-for-pregnant-people-struggling-with-addiction/

Contact:
For more information about upcoming Peer Recovery Doula trainings, email Pam Ponich at Pam.Ponich@onechc.org.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Maureen Ward + Tracie Kiesel - What Families Need to Know About Montana's New Car Seat Law

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Guest Bios

Maureen Ward: Since 2019, Maureen has served as Injury Prevention Program Manager for Montana DPHHS, leading strategies to promote safety and well-being across the state. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education from Montana State University and brings 15 years of higher education administration experience, helping her develop and implement effective injury prevention initiatives.

Tracie Keel: Tracie has 19+ years of experience in injury prevention and harm reduction across Montana, specializing in child passenger safety, impaired driving, and occupant protection. She coordinates CPS technician trainings, car seat distribution, and local DUI task forces, and serves as a lead instructor for the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program. She also contributes to Montana’s Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan team on unrestrained vehicle occupant safety.

Episode Description

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, Emily Freeman talks with Maureen Ward and Tracie Keel about Montana’s updated car seat and booster seat law, effective October 1.

Montana Law Highlights:

Under 2: Rear-facing car seat meeting federal standards
Ages 2–4: Rear- or forward-facing car seat with internal harness
Ages 4–8: Forward-facing car seat or booster seat
Ages 9+: Booster seat until height/weight limits are met, then vehicle seat belt

Topics Covered:

Why proper car seat use is essential for child safety
How federal standards shaped Montana’s new law
Resources for installing seats correctly and finding certified CPS technicians
Tips for families facing financial or access barriers
Modeling seatbelt use for children
Collaboration between lawmakers and safety experts to create a practical, life-saving law

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Montana Department of Transportation – Child Passenger Safety: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/people/cps-events.aspx
Safe Kids Worldwide – Find a Technician: https://cert.safekids.org/
Car Seat Education: https://carseateducation.org/
Ultimate Car Seat Guide: https://ucsg.safekids.org/
Article on MT's new car seat law: https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/new-car-seat-law-raises-age-requirement-goes-into-effect-oct-1
LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Car Seat Installers: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Car%20Seat%20Installers

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Stephanie Morton, HMHB - New Season, New Name!

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Welcome to Season 5 of our podcast (formerly Mother Love, now known as The LIFTS Podcast)! Today we'll chat with HMHB's Executive Director, Stephanie Morton, to discuss the upcoming podcast season, our updated name, and more.

LIFTS podcast: https://hmhb-mt.org/podcast/

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/

LIFTS magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Mary Collins - Big Work at the Local Level

Thu, 15 May 2025 04:00:00 -0600

In our final episode of this season's "Session Voices" series, we talk (again) with Mary Collins, of UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development. Mary talks about the many steps left to codify and implement new policies, now that the session has ended, and the ways in which communities can work together to implement these changes. We discuss the power of local coalitions, particularly Early Childhood Coalitions (ECC's) -- what they are, why they exist, and how you can get involved in one in your own community (or help create one).

Guest Bio:

Mary Collins has worked in a variety of social service settings where she provided counseling, advocacy, and supportive services to children, adolescents, and adults. She worked for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in a variety of leadership positions focused on improving Montana’s behavioral health system. In her role at the Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development, Mary works to support Montana's early childhood system. Her efforts are targeted at bolstering the capacity of Montana's Early Childhood Coalitions to support community-driven systems change.

mary.collins@mso.umt.edu

Organizations/resources mentioned in this episode:

The Montana Early Childhood Coalition: https://hmhb-mt.org/mtecc/

UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development: https://www.umt.edu/ccfwd/

Zero to Five Montana: https://zerotofive.org/

To contact your federal representatives: https://mt.gov/govt/congressional_delegation

"Session Voices" was hosted and produced by Emily Freeman, with music by Caroline Keys.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Jackie Mohler - Post-Session Engagement

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0600

In this episode we chat with Jackie Mohler, Executive Director of Family Outreach. Jackie discusses her legislative work on behalf of Montanans living with disabilities, and the ways in which engagement can -- and should -- continue after the session ends.

Guest Bio:

Jackie Mohler is Executive Director for Family Outreach Inc., a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. She has earned a Master of Education degree from MSU Billings, specializing in Special Education with Advanced Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis. Jackie is a mother of two children diagnosed with learning disabilities who have greatly benefitted from developmental support services and these issues are very close to her heart. She brings over 25 years of experience working in the human services field in both direct support and management roles. As president of the Montana Association for Behavior Analysis in 2017, Jackie worked with colleagues and lawmakers to develop legislation creating a framework for behavior analyst licensure in the state of Montana. Jackie is a Licensed Behavior Analyst and serves as Vice Chair for the Montana Board of Psychologists. In 2020, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities selected her as an Emerging Leader, recognizing her commitment to civil rights and social justice. She continues to provide professional guidance to lawmakers concerning developmental disability services, interventions, and treatments.

Organizations/resources mentioned in this episode:

Family Outreach: https://familyoutreach.org/

Behavioral Health System for Future Generations: https://dphhs.mt.gov/FutureGenerations/Index

Behavior Analyst Licensure Information (MT Department of Labor and Industry): https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/psychologists/license-information/behavior-analyst

Montana Association of Community Disability Services: https://mtacds.com/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Dillon Sarb - Storytelling as Community Organizing

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0600

In this episode of Session Voices, we speak with Dillon Sarb, a community organizer with Catalyst Montana. Dillon will help us to better understand the role played by community organizers in the political ecosystem, and share a little bit about a creative and impactful storytelling project centered around Medicaid expansion.

Catalyst Montana: https://www.catalystmt.org/

Montana Medicaid Storybook: https://www.catalystmt.org/community/montana-medicaid-storybook

Guest Bio:

Dillon Sarb, originally from Billings, Montana, now resides in Missoula. He earned a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Montana, where he also studied German. Dillon’s passion for politics, particularly in how it intersects with helping people, led him to start working in the field in 2022 as a field coordinator for state legislative races. This experience gave him insight into the diverse ways people, both urban and rural, engage with politics.

In 2023, Dillon transitioned to tracking state legislation, further deepening his understanding of how politics shapes policy. He has since worked on various political campaigns, including a local mayoral race and as a field director for labor unions in Montana. Each role has expanded his understanding of how communities across the state approach politics.

Currently, Dillon works at Catalyst Montana, where he organizes around healthcare and economic justice issues. His diverse experiences in connecting with people from all walks of life enable him to effectively communicate and mobilize individuals for common causes, such as Medicaid Expansion.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Karen Filipovich - Empowering Families Through Advocacy

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0600

This week’s guest is Karen Filipovich, Executive Director of Montana Head Start. We’ll learn how Head Start has engaged with the legislature this session, and discuss the transformative power of storytelling to strengthen families and build community.

Montana Head Start Association: https://www.mtheadstart.org/

Head Start: https://headstart.gov/

Best Beginnings: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/childcare/BestBeginningsScholarships

Zero to Five Montana: https://zerotofive.org/

Mother Love is hosted by Emily Freeman, with music by Caroline Keys. Got a great idea for a person or project to be featured on the podcast? Email us at stories@hmhb-mt.org.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Jenny Eck - Finding Common Ground

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Today, we’re joined by former Montana State Legislator Jenny Eck. Jenny served three terms in the House of Representatives, including two terms in leadership roles. We’ll discuss her path to the legislature, and the importance of finding common ground with one another, in order to effectively move the political process forward.

Guest Bio: Jenny is the Communication and Development Director at the Indian Law Resource Center where she promotes the organization’s mission of supporting the rights of Indigenous peoples across the Americas. She is passionate about authentically helping those impacted by secondary trauma to find resilience and healing through awareness and connection, and works providing leadership trainings in this area. She became interested in this work after serving three years as Executive Director of the Friendship Center of Helena, a nonprofit organization providing shelter and crisis services to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

From 2013-2018, Jenny served three terms as an elected legislator in the Montana House of Representatives, including a two-year term as House Minority Leader. During her tenure, eleven of her bills were passed into law, reflecting her focus areas of safer communities, mental health, consumer protection, justice system reforms, and gender equity. She was one of the lead negotiators in the 2017 Legislative Special Session and chaired the subcommittee which overhauled the Legislature’s anti-harassment policies and procedures. Jenny got her start in politics working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008 and went on to run Hillary Clinton’s Montana campaign in 2016.

In 2015, Jenny was chosen as a Rodel Fellow with the Aspen Institute and in 2020 she was one of fifty people worldwide to receive the Rotary Peace Fellowship. Jenny recently graduated with honors from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, having earned a masters degree in International Peace and Conflict Studies. During this program she had the opportunity to travel to one of the most remote areas of Nepal where she interviewed women about climate adaptive agriculture, social discrimination, and personal protection.

Jenny lives in Helena, MT. She loves spending time with her two adult children, Sage and Owen, and hiking the hills near her home.

___________

Mother Love is hosted by Emily Freeman, with music by Caroline Keys. Got a great idea for a person or project to be featured on the podcast? Email us stories@hmhb-mt.org.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

A Mining City Story: Megan Bristol - Nurse Midwife

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Guest: Megan Bristol, MSN, CNM (Intermountain Health St. James Hospital)

In tandem with Jenna Clark (Ep. 04), Megan provides birthing families a midwife option in a hospital setting. We’ll talk about her work in Butte, and the Maternal Health Connection program, which offers telehealth and hybrid care to women in Granite and Powell counties.

https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/megan-m-bristol/2197974

https://news.intermountainhealth.org/because-every-woman-deserves-specialized-care/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Amy Stiffarm - Birth of a Bill, SB 319

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0700

In conversation with Amy Stiffarm, PhD, MPH, we learn about the creation of Senate Bill 319, supporting and promoting doula care in Montana.

Learn more about the value of doula care, and SB 319, here:

https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/doulas-and-birth-workers/

https://hmhb-mt.org/2025-doula-legislative-information/

Interested in supporting SB 319? Details and resources for providing testimony or written comment:

Hearing date/time: Monday, February 24, 2025, 3:00 PM

Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee, Room 317C
Montana State Capitol, Helena MT

Need help with your testimony or written comment? Contact any of the following for more information or support:

Dani Vazquez - daniellevazquez11@gmail.com
Amy Stiffarm amy@hmhb-mt.org
Stephanie Morton - stephanie@hmhb-mt.org

Testifying virtually? Sign up at least two hours before the hearing: http://participate.legmt.gov

Submit written comments: https://participate.legmt.gov

Leave a message for a legislator or committee: Call 406-444-4800

Watch the hearing live: https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00309/Harmony/en

Organizations/resources mentioned in this episode:

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies - Montana: hmhb-mt.org

Cultural Safety Toolkit and Indigenous Birth Preference Guides: https://hmhb-mt.org/native-american-initiatives/

Montana Obstetric and Maternal Support (MOMS): https://mtmoms.org/
Yarrow: https://www.yarrowcommunity.org/

Montana Doula Collaborative: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

A Mining City Story: Jenna Clark - Nurse Midwife

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Guest: Jenna Clark, MSN, CNM, WHMP (Intermountain Health St. James Hospital)

Working in partnership with Megan Bristol (Ep. 05), Jenna offers midwifery care at St. James Hospital. Learn what makes midwifery different from an OB approach, and how Jenna made her professional transition.

https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/jenevieve-l-clark/2197973

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Grace Decker - How (and Why) to Engage

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode of "Session Voices" we chat with Grace Decker, coordinator of Montana Advocates for Children (MAC). We'll talk about how to engage with the legislative process, the unusual but necessary guidelines around clothing and decorum, and the value of building relationships with lawmakers year-round.

Links and Show Notes:

Montana Advocates for Children

MT Legislature Livestream

Public Participation Link (requires account set-up)

Guide to making public comment (from Zero to Five Montana).

gdecker@montanabudget.org

Host: Emily Freeman, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator
Music by Caroline Keys

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

A Mining City Story: Amy Lowney - Craniosacral & Massage Therapist, Postpartum Doula

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Guest: Amy Lowney, MSN-RN, LMT, CST (Prima Natural Wellness)

Amy pivoted from her work as a hospital labor and delivery nurse, and now offers complementary wellness services to moms and babies in Butte. We’ll talk about her own professional journey, as well as the emerging landscape of holistic providers in the mining city.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Session Voices: Mary Collins - Legislature 101

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Session Voices, our special miniseries exploring the 2025 Montana legislative session. In this episode, Emily talks with Mary Collins, Project Director at the University of Montana’s Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development. Mary walks us through some of the basics of how the legislature works, and the unexpected joys of watching the MT Legislative Session Livestream.

Host: Emily Freeman, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator
Music by Caroline Keys

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

A Mining City Story: Jessica Walsh - Lactation Specialist

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Guest: Jessica Walsh, IBCLC, BSN, RNC (Intermountain Health St. James Hospital)

In her role as Lactation Specialist, Jessica provides an invaluable resource for families, guiding them through their infant-feeding journey and supporting them as they navigate the choices and challenges of providing nutrition in a way that meets the needs of both mom and baby.

https://news.intermountainhealth.org/st-james-healthcare-offers-guidance-to-mothers-struggling-to-breastfeed-their-babies/

https://infantrisk.com/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

A Mining City Story: Dorothy Troutman - Doula & Birth Educator

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Guest: Dorothy Troutman, BSN, RNC, C-EFM, CLC, SBD, SpBCPE, CCE, CEIM, Certified Body Ready Pro, and Body Ready Birth Educator - Doula (Sacred Birth Doula Services); Labor and Delivery Nurse (Intermountain Health St. James Hospital)

Join Emily and Cass in conversation with Dorothy, who works with families at all stages of pregnancy and birth, and has been instrumental in increasing options for birthing families in the Butte area.

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/intermountain-health-st-james-hospital

https://www.sacredbirthdoula.net/

https://www.spinningbabies.com/

https://bodyreadymethod.com/

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Mother Love Season Four Trailer: A Tale of Two Pregnancies

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0600

This last spring we said a fond farewell to our incredible host Clair Larson and have been working since then to continue sharing the stories of moms, birthing people and their families to help people know they are not alone in their struggles and to inspire asking for help when they need it.

Coming this winter, HMHB will be releasing a multi-episode series to relaunch our Mother Love Podcast. The series tells the story of Cass Weber, a mom of two in Butte, America and examines the differences between her experience of two pregnancies. As a cohost, alongside Emily Freeman, Cass interviews providers who cared for her and her family, focusing on how their professional practice changes made a difference to her and her family. We hope you find and follow the MotherLove podcast in your feeds to listen to the teaser and to get those episodes as soon as they come out.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Thank You for the Stories, Claire's Final Episode as Host of the Mother Love Podcast

Thu, 02 May 2024 06:00:00 -0600

Join us as we share a bittersweet episode as we wrap up this season of Mother Love and say farewell to our dear friend and host, Claire. Claire shares with us her experience of crafting and hosting the Mother Love podcast over the past three seasons. As we bid adieu to Claire, let's fill the digital airwaves with gratitude for her dedication, warmth, and the moments of inspiration she has shared with us. Join in as we celebrate her journey and send her off with love and well wishes for the adventures ahead.

Claire.sage.lavender@gmail.com

For statewide resources please visit the Linking Infants and Families to Supports at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
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When Extra Preparation and an Abundance of Resources Still Leave Room for Challenges - Cass Weber

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0600

When preparation only takes you part of the way, support and a good care team can make all the difference.

Cass Weber, a mom of 2, and an active member of the Butte community, describes how support and a good care team can make all the difference when things do not go as expected. Her resilient and positive attitude is refreshing and she has very useful advice for parents.

After she had a caesarean section birth with her first child, Cass made sure to prepare for it all the second time around. Even though her second birth ended with a c-section as well, she says she did it on her terms, including having a favorite song playing in the OR when her daughter was born.

Cass talks pregnancy and birth during covid as well as making the decision to be a stay at home mom after serving in various roles in early childhood development and care in Butte.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Domestic Abuse Survivor and Life Coach Lisa Croke on Moving from Surviving to Thriving

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode Lisa shares her survival story and teaches us about the subtle and overt forms of domestic abuse and interpersonal violence. There are multiple ways this can manifest (lovebombing, gaslighting, sexual violence, physical violence, emotional abuse, reproductive control, financial control, stalking) and many victims have difficulty recognizing that may be experiencing abuse due to the secret and pervasive nature of the issue. Lisa's story helps us to better understand some of the cycles and patterns that may exist behind closed doors even in, sometimes especially in the lives of those we may consider to be "perfect couples". What she shares is so important to understand.

And, she leaves us with so much hope. The strength and courage that survivors like Lisa embody is awe-inspiring, to say the least. Lisa describes what it's taken to find some semblance of peace, soothe her mind, body and spirit, and repair her relationships with her children. Hearing her speak with tenderness and tenacity is an honor and helps us to understand that sometimes, the issues we don't think we can bear to look at are the ones that need our attention the most. This is that.

Show Notes:

Lisa's Coaching Business, Helvick Coaching

Follow on Instagram

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
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Domestic & Interpersonal Violence: Help Is a Phone Call Away with The Friendship Center's Jaime Gabrielli & Gina Boesdorfer

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0600

This episode on domestic and interpersonal violence is so rich and helpful. We are joined by Jaime Gabrielli and Gina Boesdorfer, two incredible women who are passionate about bringing hope to those experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. They take turns eloquently explaining the many different forms of abuse, debunking myths that often surround the this taboo topic. As the host of this episode, I (Claire) will just come right out and say that I learned so much and walked away feeling humbled by my long-held assumptions and how little I knew about this issue. I will be more able to discern red flags in my relationships as well as those of the people I love. The amount of respect that Jaime and Gina feel towards those they have the chance to work with is remarkable. Few people want to look at this issue, especially when pregnancy and small children are involved but staying silent is not the answer. The Friendship Center exists to help us understand the complexity of these relationships and they give us the language and tools needed to transform crisis and trauma to hope and resilience beyond belief. This is part 1 of a 2 part series; next week we get to hear from Lisa Croke, who credits The Friendship Center with saving her life and now helps others move from surviving to thriving.

Show Notes:

The Friendship Center's 24/7 confidential help line: 406-442-6800 (you do not need to identify yourself or be in crisis to call)

The Friendship Center Website

Blog post by Jaime: Stalking: Homicide in Slow Motion

Email Jaime directly: jaime.g@thefriendshipcenter.org

Email Gina directly: gina.b@thefriendshipcenter.org

Lundy Bancroft (author and advocate recommended by Jaime)

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC)

14 ways to support a domestic violence survivor

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Hamburger Nipples & Victory Snuggles with Sarah Crowley IBCLC

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode, we hear from Sarah Crowley, IBCLC and owner of Wee Bumble, a home visiting lactation consulting business in Helena, MT. Not only is Sarah an absolute expert in breastfeeding, she is also one of the most kind and compassionate humans we've ever met. We talk about her crash course introduction to breastfeeding after the birth of her first son, Amos and how the pain and suffering she experienced during that time motivated her to pursue a career in breastfeeding support. Since that time, Sarah has become a certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and has, for the past 16 years, been helping women and families with babies, navigate their own journeys. We cover a lot in this conversation: healing from birth trauma, "hamburger nipples", pumping recommendations, medication concerns during pregnancy and breastfeeding, baby friendly hospital initiatives, the beauty of holding space for new moms, questions around "pumping and dumping", and caring for moms who are struggling with addiction, including tobacco and nicotine use. Sarah shares so many resources she takes the cake for longest list of show notes to date! Plus, her voice is like honey and her presence feels like a warm hug from a trusted friend.

Wee Bumble Lactation Consulting Website
Wee Bumble Lactation Consulting Instagram
The Lactation Network (help with breastfeeding support insurance coverage)
Prepared Parenting Classes (free) St. Peter's Health
Find birth and parenting classes in your local MT community
St. Peter's Healthcare Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
Melissa Zimmerman, Family Nurse Practictioner - St. Peter's Health
MT La Leche League List of Groups
Partners in Pediatrics (Helena)
Find pediatric clinics/care in your local MT community
Dr. Hale's Book: Medications and Mothers Milk
Lactmed (list of medications for safety concerns while breastfeeding)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

The Truth About Postpartum Psychosis with Rachael Watters

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Rachael Watters, postpartum psychosis survivor and mother of four joins us to talk about her frightening and healing journey through severe mental illness as a new mom. Many factors contributed to Rachael's experience and as her children have grown and she has continued to heal and recover, she has become a passionate advocate and educator for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders which are often largely misunderstood. As you'll hear in this conversation, Rachael has found a great senses of purpose in everything she and her family have gone through together. It's a part of their story and now that story is changing hearts and minds and has probably even saved lives. Her message is clear- no matter how terrible things may get, you're never alone and with help you can get better.

Show Notes:

Rachael Watters Ted Talk

Playing Monopoly with God (Melissa Bangs, Storyteller and Advocate)

St. Peter's Health Adult Behavioral Unit

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Longitudinal Continuity of Care and Building Trust Over Time with Family Physician Dr. Sam Greenberg

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode we get to hear from Dr. Sam Greenberg, a Family Physician practicing in Kalispell, Montana. Dr. Greenberg (or Sam for short) specializes in Obstetrics, Maternal Child Health, Reproductive Health, and Adolescent Medicine. As you'll hear in this episode, Sam is passionate about providing patient-centered care and strongly believes in developing trust and mutual respect over time with her patients. When it comes to caring for those in the perinatal period, having a strong and open relationship between patient and provider is essential, especially when it comes to asking for help during such a vulnerable and personal time. Having experienced intense peripartum and postpartum anxiety herself, Sam brings her lived experience into the room every time, whether she's delivering "babes", screening a mom for a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder, or just holding space for parents to express their concerns and struggles. She loves the mountains, fresh air, and sunshine and brings an authentic and kind professionalism to the conversation. This is what great care looks like.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Apert Syndrome & Raising "Neurospicy" Kids with Ashley Watson

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Ashley Watson shares her family's journey to wholeness. When Ashley's son, Jase, was unexpectedly born with a rare craniofacial condition called called Apert Syndrome, she was stunned and so were the doctors. From that moment on, they spent 6 weeks in the NICU, were life-flighted from Missoula to Seattle where Jase would undergo his first of almost 20 surgeries while there. Since then, Jase and his older sister, Scarlett have both been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Jase just celebrated his 6th birthday and although this family has had to endure some serious pain, they've also learned what it means to lean on each other and appreciate one another. Ashley, along with her husband Nate have seven children between the two of them and have learned to embrace all that comes with loving what she calls their "giant, chaotic, loving family."

Resources recommended by Ashley:
MT DPHHS Children's Special Health Services
MT DPHHS Early Intervention
Family Outreach
Embracing Us Facebook page
Mended Little Hearts
Angel Flight

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Let Us Come To You- Nurse Family Partnership's RN Case Manager Marisa Johnson on the Power of Home Visiting Programs

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Public Health Department RN Case Manager Marisa Johnson joins us to talk about what she's learned in working with families as a home visiting nurse. We get to hear about her own journey as a single mom and some of the obstacles she had to learn to overcome when it came to accepting help in order to heal, grow and build a beautiful life for her and her two daughters. Marisa is a joy to listen to- she cares deeply about the families she works with and believes in them wholeheartedly. When a home visiting nurse is honored and excited to show up at your door with lived experience, empathy, evidence-based resources, and a sense of humor, just go ahead and let her in. She's on your team.

Show Notes:

Nurse Family Partnership (MT) (website)
Learn more about NFP by watching this short video.
Montana's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children WIC
Montana Asthma Home Visiting Program
Montana Fetal Infant Child & Maternal Mortality Review (FICMMR)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

"Every Drop Counts" The Nuanced World of Breastfeeding with Camie Jae Goldhammer, MSW, LISCW, IBCLC

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Amy Stiffarm joins Claire for another conversation with Camie Goldhammer, who also happens to be one of our most celebrated #sheros at HMHB. This time, we focus on the topic of feeding choices and how important it is for families to be able to make informed decisions when it comes to feeding their babies. Which means they need adequate information and it shouldn't be all on them to find it.

Camie shares what it was like for her to learn to navigate the world of breastfeeding as an Indigenous woman with almost no knowledge on how things were supposed to go. When even a Google search left her with no where to turn, she did what she does best; created an organization that would grow to care for moms and families just like her. We also have the chance to talk about legislative action in Washington state around paid family leave and other maternal health advocacy efforts. Camie is an amazing teacher and her strength-based perspective is so refreshing.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Raising the Bar in Caring for Families: Camie Jae Goldhammer, MSW, LISCW, IBCLC & Founder of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this lively discussion Camie happily teaches about so many things she's come to know in caring for families over the past 20 years. Her most powerful tricks of the trade are not complicated- building trust and connection, being fully present in every interaction, empowering families and birthgivers to trust themselves and honor their needs and desires, and offering traditional practices to heal, grow and nourish everyone. We also cover the unique needs of the Indigenous community that Hummingbird serves, the positive outcomes of having doulas present during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and how Camie's journey to motherhood shaped her and changed the trajectory of her life's work. Camie's knowledge is vast and her laugh wins the day, truly.

Show notes:
Learn more about Hummingbird Family Services

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Erika's Story: Preeclampsia, Breastfeeding Challenges and Italian Subs

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we get to meet Erika Menning, part-time, hair stylist, full-time mom and natural comedian. This conversation covers so many things, from unexpected body image comments during pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety to preeclampsia and the significance of post-birth giving rewards, like Italian subs. We talk about mom guilt, how to regroup and repair after you've unraveled for the thousandth time, and just how important it is to be genuine with those around you. Erika is just a naturally hilarious and delightful person which makes this one a real treat.

Show Notes:

Hydrogel packs recommended by Erika for sore nipples:)

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Perinatal Mental Health Expert Diana Barnes on Justice, Advocacy & Healing

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0700

After struggling with severe Postpartum Depression following the birth of her daughter, Diana sought medical treatment but because this was in the early 90's, no one really knew what to do. Three long years later, she was given an accurate diagnosis, began the road to recovery, and has dedicated her career to helping women navigate similar terrain. She's been in the field of Women's Reproductive Mental Health for almost 30 years. Diana has had many roles- she is the former President of Postpartum Support International, has a private practice assessing, diagnosing and treating women around the childbearing years and, for 20 years has served as an internationally esteemed forensic expert witness in the criminal justice system. She's a triple threat when it comes to perinatal mental health: an expert in the field, an empathetic PMAD survivor who believes in the power of story, and a fierce advocate for justice and stigma reduction when it comes to perinatal mental illness . Oh, and she's a new grandma to twins! Hearing her talk about the healing, redemption and joy that's come along with grandma-hood is a treat.

*Note: we do discuss some of Diana's cases in detail and some of the stories are difficult to hear. When untreated, PMAD's can have devastating consequences but talking about these things can help reduce stigma and raise awareness which is so important.

Show Notes:

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Research Articles regarding Postpartum Psychosis Addition to DSM.

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Ashley's Story: How Acceptance Allows for Presence

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we meet Ashley Fish, a first grade teacher, wife, and mother of two. Ashley's road to motherhood took some unexpected turns as her first, Barrett, came early and, after just a few days at home, the family was transported to Missoula to the pediatric ICU to monitor and address respitory challenges. He recovered well but Ashley was left with intense anxiety. During her second pregnancy, Ashley's learned, at her 20 week ultrasound of concerns regarding abnormal brain development in her daughter, Ainsley. Eventually, Ainsley was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD). Ashley shares what it's been like for her to surrender control, accept help from those around her in order to keep her and her family well - self-care matters here- and embrace and cherish every moment they have together.

Show Notes:

These are the resources that have been helpful to the Fish family and Ashley highly recommends reaching out to them if you have a little one who needs special care.

The Jadyn Fred Foundation

Montana Hope Project

Angel Flight

Children's Flight of Hope

Ronald McDonald House

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

John's Story: Giving Back and Balancing Love & Discipline with John Morrison

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0700

John Morrison, an attorney, former Montana State Auditor/Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, and long-time friend of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, joined us to speak about a donation he facilitated and helped award to HMHB this past summer. The generous contribution resulted from a settlement in a legal case John filed and won on behalf of more than 2,600 Montana businesses. Morrison proposed, and District Court Judge Leslie Halligan approved, a $50,000 donation to HMHB because our mission to improve the health and well-being of mothers, children and families aligned with the core of what this case was all about.

We also get a chance to talk about John's life as a dad, what he and his wife, Cathy, learned along the way, and how incredibly proud he is of his two daughters.

Stories hold their own power and John has plenty of examples of how listening and learning about the life of one person can better the lives of many.

Show notes:

To watch the incredible video of John Butler, two time cancer survivor, pull a firetruck across the fairgrounds in Sydney Montana as John describes in this episode, click here.

To learn more about how the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance regulates the insurance industry in Montana and advocates for Montana consumers in disputes with their insurance company click here.

Check out the Ralli App! https://letsralli.com/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Compassionate Psychiatry with Dana Hillyer, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This episode captures a conversation between Dana Hillyer, PMHCNS and Claire, who, this time, plays podcast host and patient/case study. Dana approaches her work with exceptional warmth and kindness and is committed to continued growth and self-reflection. When it comes to helping with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), she is a pro. Dana is a shining example of a mental health professional who is willing to meet her patients where they and walk alongside them and, as Claire shares, this quality of care changes lives. If you could use a little boost of faith when it comes to the state of (maternal) mental healthcare, listen and enjoy.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

NAI Series: Sweetgrass in the Psych Unit with Chelsea Bellon

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this final episode of our Native American Initiative Series, we welcome to the show, Chelsea Bellon, a mom of three and the Health Equity Community Engagement Specialist at the Western Montana Area Education Center. Chelsea offers her wisdom and insight to help identify and raise awareness of the racism that exists in education and academia as well as health inequities in rural populations.

Chelsea speaks about a few simple cultural considerations that made a huge difference for her and contributed to her healing while she was under medical supervision during a time of crisis.

Chelsea and Claire talk about what it's like to receive and accept their Bipolar II diagnoses and how, as moms, they've learned to cope in times of intense dysregulation. Mental health conditions, especially when exasperated in the perinatal period, can indeed be life threatening and sometimes look, feel, and sound differently than we might think. If you or someone you know suffers from a mental illness and no one knows what to say or do, this episode offers very helpful guidance and some practical steps to get them the help they need. Hope and healing are possible and these stories prove that. #maternalmentalhealth #indigenouswomen #WeAreListening #motherlovepodcast

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE CALL OR TEXT 988 IMMEDIATELY.

*The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.*

Please click here for a list of show notes and resources provided by Chelsea and Claire.

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

NAI Series: Cultural Inheritance and Toddler Mayhem w/Indigenous Artist Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Joining us for our 4th episode in our Native American Initiatives Series is the talented Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo. Since mom life is an all day everyday attempt to balance all. the. things., we cover a lot of ground in this convo: sleep struggles, tantrum trials (and how much grace and self-compassion they require), and how art and creative works have shaped Rachel. She talks about her artwork (which is amazing) and how her ledger art helps her honor her artistic heritage. Rachel is warm-hearted and, while she is so humble, her spirit sings.

To learn more about Rachel and to view her art:
Follow Rachel on IG: @ray2teeth
Follow Rachel on FB: @Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo
Check out Omerta Arts

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

NAI Series: "Life's Blessings": A Cultural Engagement Day for Nurses with Margaret Anne Adams & Mary Ellen Lafromboise + Bonus Episode Intro: Decolonizing Thanksgiving with Amy & Claire!

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Before jumping into our time with our amazing guests, we wanted to share a conversation between Amy and Claire about Thanksgiving: what we learned in school, what we have needed to unlearn since then, and how we share hard truths with our families on a day that boasts feasting, abundance and gratitude. It's complicated but important and Amy is so good at embracing both with humor and grace.

Then, we have the privilege of hearing from Margaret Anne Adams and Mary Ellen Lafromboise. These two women will tell us about Life’s Blessing Day, a day of cultural immersion and community-based learning for visiting nurses who help serve Indigenous moms, babies and their families during the perinatal period. The Life's Blessings event was held in Browning, MT on the Blackfeet Reservation and its aim was to build relationships, share strengths and really allow participating nurses to learn from Indigenous people to experience the richness of cultural practices firsthand. Some things just can't be understood from a distance and the Life's Blessing day showed that when people gather face to face and heart to heart, they don't just learn, they are transformed.

SHOW NOTES/RESOURCES

From Thanksgiving Intro:

Books:

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Living Resistance by Kaitlin Curtice

Online resources:

Thanksgiving Address

Potawatomi Website (the true dark history of Thanksgiving)

Dakota 38 Documentary

Follow Kaitlin Curtice on IG:

@kaitlincurtice

From Life's Blessings Interview:

Montana Maternal Health by the Numbers
Sun Tours transportation
Blackfeet Nation History
Yarrow Collaborative

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

NAI Series: The Current State of Indigenous Maternal Health with Dr. Janelle Palacios (Amy guest-hosts!)

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Claire shares the mic with Dr. Amy Stiffarm, HMHB's Native American Initiative's Program Manager, as they interview Dr. Janelle Palacios. The wealth of knowledge and experience that Dr. Palacios brings to her work is indescribable. She is a Nurse Midwife, a highly regarded researcher, an advocate for Indigenous maternal child health and a mom herself. Honestly, the list goes on and you'll see what we mean when you listen to her speak. Storytelling is at the heart of every move she makes and she is a master at empowering those with lived experience to share their stories to challenge assumptions, break down stereotypes and inspire change.

*SHOW NOTES*

Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report

https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/inline-files/bsi_investigative_report_may_2022_508.pdf

Making Amends: Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of American Indian and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/advisory-committees/infant-mortality/birth-outcomes-AI-AN-mothers-infants.pdf

https://www.encoded4story.com/

https://www.squarerootstories.com/meet-our-team

https://hmhb-mt.org/native-american-initiatives/

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Native American Initiative Series with Dr. Amy Stiffarm

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Amy and Claire have the chance to sit down and talk about the upcoming series featuring some of the most powerful leaders in indigenous maternal health. Each episode speaks for itself but we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of uplifting and highlighting some of the incredible work that is being done to improve health outcomes for native people both on the national level as well as in our own state and communities. We're thrilled and honored to be able to share these conversations with you. Amy will be our guest host over the next few weeks and this is a great opportunity to get to know her better.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

At the Water Cooler: #momtalk with HMHB's Ashley Martin

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0600

I don't know how many times Ashley and I have walked into the office and opened with the typical "How are you?" only to dive into deep, honest mom to mom conversation that usually leads to laughter, tears and ultimately a deep sigh of relief. This episode is that and I have a lot of faith that the things we talk about and touch on might deliver the same strong dose of validation and encouragement to our listeners. Finding people who understand what we're going through is so important; we hope to become some of those people for you here at Mother Love. Thank you for all you do behind the scenes- we see you.

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Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Annie's Story: Helping our Children Navigate Food Allergies

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Annie Tague and I talk about what it is like to discover and adapt when your kiddo is diagnosed with a food allergy. Her daughter, Sally, has lived with Celiac Disease all of her life and over the past 10 years, Annie has learned a lot about the adjustments and advocacy that is required to keep her family happy and healthy. What does eating out look like? Birthday parties and other social celebrations? Travel? It's not easy but the Tague family handles it with grace, humor, and love. Plus, Annie is as funny as she is real and brings her experience as the owner of Mountainside Montessori to the conversation; a perspective that always seeks to bring light and truth to any topic.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Miranda's Story: Supporting Youth in Foster Care by Giving Them a Voice

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Miranda was placed in the Montana's foster care system at the age of 8 and she is a survivor, through and through. In this episode she shares her story which is, as you might guess, pretty emotional. Now that she has an 8-year-old daughter of her own, life looks very different, and she explains that she's had to face most of her parenting challenges by just thinking of what happened to her as a kid and then doing the opposite. We talk about what it's taken for her to build a life of peace and security for her and her family, about the importance of learning to accept help, and about the pieces of parenting that are often left out of the conversation due to stigma and shame but MUST be discussed. Today, Miranda is a fierce advocate for youth in Montana's care system and works hard every day to ensure that they get to participate in decisions regarding their care. Miranda is giving kids the chance to speak because she knows the pain of being kept silent. This one is POWERFUL.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
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Christina's Story: Infertility, IVF, & Raising Twins

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Welcome to the first episode of Mother Love Season 3! This time, we meet Christina Hostetler, whose journey to motherhood was not an easy one, to say the least. She shares how struggling with infertility was emotionally difficult and, at times, super lonely and how she made it through. Then, when she was just about out of hope, TWINS! We get to talk about her incredible birth story and what those first few months of raising two babies was like for her. 3 years in, she's grateful and has super helpful insight on what's made all the difference during this intense time.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Motherhood is Big Enough: A Little Book With a Big Message - with author Kyriaki Birkeland

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this final episode of season 2, Claire has the chance to connect with Kyriaki Birkeland whose work on behalf of moms is almost too long to list. Kyriaki is a podcaster, blogger, mom, actress and, author. She her passion for helping other moms stems from the many trials she faced and overcame as a new mom. Her book, "Motherhood is Big Enough" is designed and illustrated for babies and young children but the words help moms to recognize that they are doing the hardest and most important job in the world and that is more than enough.

show notes:

visit Kyriaki's website: https://www.thedenmother.net/
order the book here: https://www.thedenmother.net/products
Listen to Kyriaki's podcast, The Denmother Podcast, on any mainstream listening platform.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

It Takes a Village: Postpartum Resource Group with Brooke Campbell

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Single motherhood. Leaving an abusive relationship. Starting over. C-section recovery. Facing fears. Finding hope. And, postpartum mood disorders. All of these led Brooke Campbell to what she now calls her "passion project". As Vice President of the Postpartum Resource Group (PPRG) in Kalispell, Brooke describes the incredible work being done to support new moms in the Flathead Valley and how community members are showing up to make sure moms don't feel like they have to do all of this alone.

Show Notes:

For information about services mentioned in this episode visit:
https://www.postpartumresourcegroup.org/

Certified Nurse Midwife Jana Sund's Clinic: Kalispell Midwives & Women's Clinic
https://www.kalispellmidwives.clinic/

Power: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse (book)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
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Unplanned C-Sections: How One Mom Processed Loss & Reclaimed Power with Anna Baker

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Anna Baker is a powerhouse of a person. It's just her nature. So, when the birth of her first went from a home birth plan to a hospital setting to the OR and resulted in a c-section she felt distraught, disconnected, and utterly disempowered. Anna was, of course, relieved to have a healthy baby but having to spend the first precious hour of motherhood completely isolated in a recovery room was traumatic, to say the least. This is the story of how she emerged from that experience, surrounded herself with supportive women and went on to have two successful Vaginal Births After Cesarean (VBACs) at home. Each of Anna's birth stories have impacted her in important ways and have motivated her teach, connect with and empower women in all sorts of ways. If you're a mom (or know a mom) who's had to toss her birth plan out the window and navigate the intense and complicated emotions that go along with that, this one's for you.

Show Notes:

Red Ants Pants Foundation
(organization through which Anna teaches workshops for women)

Redtail Woodworks (Anna's Website)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Surviving the NICU One Long Day at a Time with Kyla Maki (Part 2)

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In part two this story, Kyla and I talk about life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (her experience) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit PICU (my experience). Kyla says that that time felt like "forever and the same day, over and over" and I can't think of a better way to say it. Her baby boy, Conner, is now 6 months old and greets each new day with the a gummy smile and shining eyes. Life isn't all rainbows and butterflies, but Kyla and her family know what true gratitude feels like, deep down in their bones.

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Statewide Support Groups

Search " early intervention services" on
LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Search "counselors" on LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Hand to Hold - NICU Babies, Parent Support (website)

Hand to Hold (podcast)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
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Our Best Laid Plans with Kyla Maki (Part 1)

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Kyla opens up about her experiences with pre-term birth, secondary infertility, and the anticipatory grief that happens when starting a family goes drastically different than expected. If you or someone you love walked a similar path and they seem overwhelmed and alone, this episode will feel like medicine. Or, if you're not sure what to say or how to empathize families that may face different challenges than your own, Kyla's journey will help guide you. She and her family are all survivors and their strength and grace helps to shed light and offer hope.

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Statewide Support Groups

Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Group (Billings)

Taking Charge of Your Fertility (book) by Toni Weschler

Hand to Hold - NICU Babies, Parent Support (website)

Hand to Hold (podcast)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Let's Be Real Here: Honesty on Social Media, Healing Old Wounds & Priscilla's "Hot Mess Collection" with Priscilla Ellis.

Thu, 18 May 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Priscilla Ellis joins us to talk about a few of the things she's learned during her mothering journey. We talk about mental health challenges and how therapy and medication have helped and the ways in which social media can sometimes hurt and sometimes help, especially when it comes to sharing our parenting triumphs and struggles. We also nerd out about ways we've attempted to address our own wounds and past traumas and how our toughest parenting moments can trigger and reveal what most needs to be healed. Priscilla has learned over the years to prioritize self-care, embrace her needs as an introvert, and continue to deepen her understanding of what matters to her most: connection and growth. Plus, she's hilarious and extremely easy to relate to which is always a bonus.

Show notes:

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Faith-Based Therapy with HMHB's Dawn Gunderson

Thu, 11 May 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this special episode, Dawn Gunderson opens up about her life-long struggle with anxiety. Her symptoms intensified after the birth of her first daughter and, as her 6 wonderful children grew, her mental health challenges did too. Just recently, Dawn sought out the help she knew she needed and deserved by flying across the country to spend time immersed in a faith-based therapeutic retreat. Her family and community were incredibly supportive and her courage has inspired others to speak up about their mental health battles and the shame or sense of failure that often accompanies them. Dawn encourages those who are struggling to tap into their faith and accept help from their families, their church communities and their trusted providers. It's never too late to get help, repair is real, and grace exists.

Show notes:

WIC Website: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/

Sanctuary Clinics Website: https://sanctuaryclinics.com

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Behind the Scenes with ML Pod Producer (and Incredible Mama), Brooke Boone Miller

Thu, 04 May 2023 06:00:00 -0600

There's a reason we chose Brooke to be our Mother Love producer. We knew she would get it. We knew she would listen back to each episode carefully and considerately. We knew she was skilled and enthusiastic about the work. But what I didn't know until I sat down with her to plan and record an episode with her, is that she has been through some really rough times as a mom, especially in the first years of her kiddos' lives. In this episode, Brooke and I begin with current (and hilarious) banter about what parenting looks like for us today- think toothpaste crusted sinks and back to back tummy bugs that wreak havoc on our lives, before moving into more serious territory. In the second half of the episode Brooke reflects on her difficult pregnancy, birthing experience, work discrimination, health and relationship challenges, breastfeeding battles and mood disregulation. Mostly, we talk about how asking for help saved our lives and what that looked like (and continues to look like) for each of us.

Show notes:

Postpartum Support International Helpline:
Call 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)
#1 En Español or #2 English

Text in English: 800-944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or text MT to 741-741

Montana Warm Line:
Call 877-688-3377

LIFTS Online Resource Guide:
Search "Mental Health Providers" in your area

Help for those helping moms:
PRISM for Moms Psychiatric Consultation Line
Call: 1-833-837-7476 or submit an e-consult form

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Reconsidering Nourishment with Paige Reddan (Eating Disorder Center of Montana)

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0600

On this week's episode of Mother Love, meet Paige Reddan, a Registered Dietitian, Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and co-founder of the Eating Disorder Center of MT. Paige shares with us what it was like for her to heal and recover from her own severe and long-lasting eating disorder during a time when quality treatment did not yet exist. Decades later, she works hard to help patients discover ways to live free from preoccupation with food, and work with the guilt, shame, confusion and fear that can accompany the basic need to eat and we have the chance to talk about some powerful tools that can help, new moms and others with young children reconnect and honor their needs in order to heal and nourish their minds, bodies, spirits and relationships.

Show notes:

Eating Disorder Center of Montana:
https://edcmt.com/

Follow on social:
Instagram:
@eatingdisordercentermt

Facebook: @eatingdisordercenterofmontana

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

What Community-Based Support REALLY Looks Like with Chelsea Solberg, Ty LaFountain, and Pam Ponich

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Want to know what true community-based support looks like? Give this episode a listen and meet three incredible people who spend their days going to bat for families in so many ways at the individual, local and state levels. Chelsea Solberg, RN, CLC, perinatal education leader and mom of three (I could go on) joins Ty LaFountain, Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist (who's also training to become a Certified Recovery Doula), and Pam Ponich, LCPC and Clinical Supervisor of Montana's Peer Support Specialist Program. As you can imagine from their title's alone, these three are changing the ways we support moms and families, especially those facing mental illness and substance use disorders. Their stories and insights will bolster your faith in humanity and give you hope for Montana's future generations. Raise your hand if you could use a little of that right about now? 🙋‍♀️

Meadowlark Initiative

MOMS (Montana Obstetrics & Maternal Support)

One Health

One Health Lewistown

New Baby & Me app (powered by YoMingo)

Montana Healthcare Foundation

Heather Bear Cloud: Care Coordinator/Peer Support Specialist Relationship

Reach out to Pam at pam.ponich@onechc.org if you're interested in learning more or would like to donate to help fund the work of Peer Support Specialists in Montana!

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

How Do We Support Moms in Prison? with Warden Hansen & Kendra Miller

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0600

As you can imagine, being pregnant, giving birth, and mothering/parenting while incarcerated can be extremely challenging. For many women, it is the one of the most shared experiences with their fellow inmates and a huge motivator when it comes to recovery and rehabilitation. Several programs have been developed to equip these women with the tools they need re-claim their lives and heal their families. In this episode, we talk with the Warden of the Montana Women's Prison (MWP), Jennie Hansen. She is joined by Kendra Miller, the Director of Parenting at MWP. You won't believe how much heart goes into their work and how far things have come in recent years to support incarcerated parents in Montana.

Show notes/resources:

The Family Tree Nurturing Center

Babies Beyond Bars

Donate today!

More about Warden Hansen's Mission: (article)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Our Stories Count (Literally) with Parent & Researcher Tess Carlson

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Tess Carlson joins us to share her story of becoming a parent. We talk about PMADS, working in the service industry, drastically shifting identity pieces and the ever-unfolding healing journey that is parenting. When it comes to her work and research, Tess harnesses her hard-won wisdom while interviewing moms and birth givers in communities throughout Montana. The hope is that collecting these stories (specifically around screening practices) and sharing findings will help raise awareness of perinatal mental health issues and help build better systems of support to truly serve families in Montana.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

We Are More Than Our Mistakes with Carrie Thiel LCPC (Claire's Own Mom!)

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this special episode Claire's mom, Carrie, sits down to have an honest conversation about learning from the past, cultivating self-compassion for our former selves, and explains her experience of parenting through some really tough times. We talk about Claire's eating disorder and mental health struggles as a teen, intergenerational post partum depression and what support looks like in the face of crisis. Carrie is a counselor and mental health advocate (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree), and one heck of a grandma. Carrie also shares tips and tidbits that have helped her understand how to show up as a supportive (but not overbearing) grandparent in today's crazy world

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

What's a Dad Supposed to Do? with Patrick Duganz

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Patrick Duganz shares his own personal experiences of his rough and abrupt entry into fatherhood. He is walking proof that Perinatal Mood Disorders can affect dads too and that, when they do, they're often compounded by layers of misinformation and feelings of helplessness. As Patrick's son grew, so did he and Patrick discovered his passion for helping other dads find their way too. Now, Patrick is the Father Engagement Specialist for Gallatin County Public Health and his story is enlightening and vital to understanding a less talked about topic when it comes to supporting new moms and dads.

Gallatin County Public Health- Dads Matter

Gallatin County Public Health- Home Visiting

The Good Men Project article by Patrick Duganz: "100 Words on Love After Divorce"

Lori Newman - Bozeman Health

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

All Hands on Deck- Creating Community Support with Suzanne Bendick

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode Suzanne Bendick of Roots Family Collaborative in Bozeman, joins us to discuss, among other things, her work as the Executive Director of an organization that has revolutionized family support in Gallatin County. Suzanne has gathered and harvested the wisdom of many women and family experts and is dedicated to helping mothers and families heal and get the support they deserve during one of the most crucial times in their lives. Suzanne was originally motivated to dive into her work after navigating her own overwhelmingly challenging initiation to motherhood. Along the way, she's formally trained as a Postpartum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor. She is a Volunteer Coordinator with Postpartum Support International, hold a B.A. in Anthropology and is currently working on her education and training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. All that to say, she showed up for this interview with her whole heart that will inspire you in countless ways.

Roots Family Collaborative

Roots Resource Guide

Moms Like Me 2023

Birth Arts International

Montana Healthcare Foundation

Playing Monopoly with God - Melissa Bangs

Molly Caro May- Writer - Storyteller - Somatic Writing Workshops

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Reclaiming Resiliency with Amy Stiffarm

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we welcome our newest Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies team member Amy Stiffarm, cPhD, MPH. As HMHB's Program Manager for Native American Initiatives, Amy brings a unique perspective and shares her knowledge specific to Indigenous Maternal Health. But that's not all. Amy also speaks honestly about her personal experience in having survived and grown from her journey through postpartum depression and anxiety. This conversation holds so much hope and celebrates the resiliency achieved through hardship.

Camie Jae Goldhammer: Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services

Abigail Echo-Hawk, "Decolonizing Data: Restoring Culture, Building Beauty"

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Healing Through Story with Mom, Therapist, Writer and Cult Survivor Stephanie Hackman

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Stephanie Hackman, LCPC, joins us to share her experiences and how they've made her the mom she is today. She is both present and attuned, not only to the needs of her family and those she works with, but also to her own needs. Stephanie's stories describe what it was like for her to suffer in silence during the time she and her family belonged to an oppressive religious organization/cult. She recounts the loss of her son, Johnathan, her journey back to her true self, and the unfolding of a beautifully uncommon love story. Stephanie shares her words in hopes that other voiceless and nameless mothers might have a chance to heal from the telling of their own stories.

Show Notes:

Robert J. Lifton - Cult expert and researcher mentioned by Stephanie

Modern Love Clip- Ann Hathaway (portrayal of life with bi-polar disorder)

Mary Oliver: poet, author

Jamie Anesi, LCPC, transpersonal and somatic therapist

Joan Didion: author- books mentioned: The Year of Magical Thinking, Blue Nights

Matt Haig: author and mental health advocate - books mentioned: Reasons to Stay Alive, The Comfort Book

Stephanie's writing (still waiting on link for this one)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, Kinder with Greg Daly

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Greg Daly takes the mic to share the wisdom he's acquired over his many years as the Home Visiting Coordinator for Lewis and Clark Public Health. Greg is a trusted and well-known advocate who supports and educates families in the community. In typical Greg fashion, we cover a wide range of topics like Circle of Security, attachment theory, addiction and substance use disorders and how trauma has multi-generational impacts. Greg holds more hope than ever that parents can heal their own wounds and, in doing so, their children have the chance to thrive.

Healthy Montana Families:

https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/homevisiting/

Attachment and Bonding Support:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Attachment+and+Bonding

Health Outcomes of Positive Experience (HOPE) Report (The Montana Institute):

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51c386a4e4b0c275d0a5bbf2/t/591b191ecd0f68438d8b913d/1494948133553/Balancing+ACEs+with+HOPE+WEB+v.5.pdf

Adverse Childhood Expieriences (ACEs) information and quiz:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean

Montana Nurse Family Partnership:

https://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/locations/montana/

Gabor Mate:

https://drgabormate.com

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

You are Not Alone with Megan Lane

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Megan had dreamed of being a mother her whole life. Her pregnancy was wonderful and she "loved every minute." But, following the birth of her daughter, things did not go as planned. She faced physical trauma, undiagnosed postpartum depression, and total disillusionment. Years later, she was unable to conceive, and she and her family decided to adopt. Which was both really hard and really healing. This conversation blew me away, really and truly.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Ways We Cope with Vanessa Nasset

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Vanessa and Claire get real about stress, substance use, and parenting in an ever accelerating world. The imbalances many of us experience as mothers can lead to some to unhealthy (and unhelpful) ways of coping and Vanessa came to understand that as her dependence on alcohol became both very serious and very destructive. It takes a lot of courage to be honest about our hardest struggles both with ourselves and those we love. Vanessa shares insights, tips and stories that will inspire you to heal, grow and rediscover your true self.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Turning Poison into Medicine with Savanah Webb

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Savanah grew up in Los Angeles where her family modeled the "fast life". Secrecy, addiction, money and power were constants in her upbringing. When she came to Montana, she brought it all with her. But, becoming a mom changed everything and healing became her full-time job. Now, she works with other women struggling with addiction and substance use disorder as a Peer Support Specialist at the YWCA.

https://www.ywcahelena.org/

Meadowlark Initiative: https://mthcf.org/meadowlark/

Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Substance+Use+Disorder+Treatment

Peer Support Specialists:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Peer+Support+Specialists

Medications for Opioid Use Disorders:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Medications+for+Opioid+Use+Disorders+%28MOUD%29

Meadowlark Initiative: https://mthcf.org/meadowlark/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

What to Expect When You're NOT Expecting with Kate Sexton

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0700

When Kate Sexton agreed to foster little Will, she thought the arrangement would be temporary. But soon, it became clear that this Will's biological mom was battling severe addiction and was unable to provide for him and offer him safety. So, just like that, Kate began her journey to motherhood. Immediately, she had to learn everything from clipping tiny toenails and bottle feeding to helping Will heal from trauma, neglect and very early exposure to substances. Kate will be the first to tell you that mothering Will helped her to heal her own wounds and expanded her capacity in ways she never thought possible. Their story is beautiful and inspiring, and Kate truly demonstrates what it means to commit to a life of care and compassion.

For statewide resources please visit the Linking Infants and Families to Supports at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/hmhb-lifts.org/

Episode specific searches on LIFTS:

"Circle of Security" to learn more about classes offered in communities across the state.

"Foster" or "Adoption" to access different services and supports for fostering and adoptive families.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Just. Keep. Going. with Carson Rose

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Carson Rose is a mom of two and works to support mothers on their breast feeding journey. She also provides support to moms experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety and loss by offering resources within the local community. After her own experiences of intense isolation, chronic illness, loss and depression, she hopes to help other moms know they are not alone in their struggles. In a letter written to her younger self, Carson urges herself to just keep going. She holds onto hope for moms who might be feeling lost and alone.

LIFTS Online Resource Guide:

https://hmhb-lifts.org

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

It's Never Too Late with Wesley Stops Jr.

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Wesley Royce Stops, Jr. joins us to share his journey from wreckage to resilience. In 2018, Wesley was charged with 3 felonies and lost custody of his children on the spot. He was full of unaddressed pain and attempting to numb his feelings through substance abuse and food. The challenges and obstacles he faced were more than most people can handle.
In this episode, Wesley shares how his life has been transformed in ways he never could have imagined. He is a proud full-time single father, a Care Coordinator and Peer Support Specialist for the Meadowlark Sacred Families Program near the Apsaalooke Crow Indian Reservation (the tribe to which he belongs) in Hardin, Montana. Plus, he's also a Daddy Doula in training.
Wesley attributes his success to his strong faith and traditional and cultural beliefs. As the podcast host, I'll just say that I gleaned so much wisdom and inspiration from this conversation I couldn't stop thinking about it for days afterwards.

https://www.onechc.org/hardin

THE H.O.P.E. DROP-IN CENTER

Health Opportunity Prevention Education

809 N. Custer, Hardin, MT 59034

406.629.3024

https://hmhb-lifts.org

Episode specific services on the LIFTS online resource guide:

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Substance+Use+Disorder+Treatment

Peer Support Specialists:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Peer+Support+Specialists

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Resourcing, Regulation and Repair for Parents and Caregivers with Bodyworker and Somatic Experiencing Therapist, Prairie Wolfe

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Prairie Wolfe is passionate about healing, and, in this episode, it shows. Anytime an experienced therapist can speak about their own personal challenges in mothering and caregiving and offer tips, tools, and wisdom to help other parents overcome their struggles, we're all in. During our conversation, Prairie helps listeners understand their nervous systems, the under-resourced circumstances of modern-day parenting, and common caregiving woes that leave us feeling defeated and ashamed. How do we address and repair these wounds in order to show up more presently as parents and humans in general? Find out as Prairie weaves it all together to help us gather our scattered pieces and live with a sense of wholeness.

Books:

The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate

Website:
https://www.somaticconnections.org/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SomaticConnections

Instagram:
@prairie.somaticconnections

LIFTS Online Resource Guide:

https://hmhb-lifts.org

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Kind and Clear Boundaries: Sustainable Parenting with Flora McCormick

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Even though Flora McCormick spent years studying child developmental and psychology and ultimately became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, her early years of parenting were very challenging. She remembers feeling frustrated and disoriented, and this business of mothering felt, well, unsustainable. So, she set out to find new tools, ones that fostered connection and encouraged healthy boundaries. Soon, balance and joy began to emerge. Today, she is the Lead Mentor and Owner of Sustainable Parenting and she's joined us to share her personal story and offer simple and effective tools that actually work! Tune in to learn about how firmness supports kindness and begin to shift from resentful exhaustion to predictable peace.

Website: sustainableparenting.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableParenting

Instagram: @sustainable_parent_coach

Free sustainable parenting workshop: https://sustainableparenting.com/calm-confident-rsvp-2/

LIFTS Online Resource Guide:

https://hmhb-lifts.org

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

The Crisis Nursery with Susie Zeak

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Susie Zeak, the Director of Toby's House, a crisis nursery located in Great Falls, Montana, joins us for an important discussion on the importance of free, open-late, non-judgemental childcare. The services and relationships that happen at Toby's House are crucial and, at time, lifesaving. Susie also opens up about her own mothering journey and how surviving the incredible challenges of being a teen mom in the 80's has turned her into a humble, empathy-driven super-hero. Her story is tremendously hopeful, and she insists on "keeping it real", which is always refreshing. Meet Susie and hear about the incredible work being done to support families when they're struggling.

https://tobyshousemt.org

Facebook or Instagram: @tobyshousemt

Subscribe to Toby's House's newsletter:

https://tobyshousemt.org/subscribe/

LIFTS Online Resource Guide:

https://hmhb-lifts.org

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Mothering through Addiction with Darci Wiebe

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Darci Wiebe, the Health Resources Division Administrator and former Bureau Chief of the Medical Marijuana Program for the state of Montana, sits down with us to share her story. Darci takes her work very seriously because of what she and her family have been through. Her youngest child, Mcki, began experimenting with substances at a very young age and became addicted to meth as a teen. She was also an athlete, artist, actress and star student who came from a loving and supportive middle-class family. During our conversation, Darcy shares what it was like for her to fight for her daughter's recovery, heal alongside her family, and welcome her grandson, Finn into the world. Her story is powerful, and we are so grateful for the compassion, empathy and determination she brings to those who are lacking resources and are in need of support.

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Substance+Use+Disorder+Treatment

Peer Support Specialists:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Peer+Support+Specialists

Medications for Opioid Use Disorders:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Medications+for+Opioid+Use+Disorders+%28MOUD%29

Medicaid Enrollment Assistance:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Medicaid+Enrollment+Assistance

Meadowlark Initiative: https://mthcf.org/meadowlark/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Grief and Complexity in Co-parenting with Brie MacLaurin

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Co-parenting is hard. Sure, there are moments of deep appreciation for some of the things we often hear about: breaks on the days the kids are at their other home, the chance to reflect and recover during the in-between times. But, ultimately, none of those moments happen without an undercurrent of grief and an intense longing that doesn't go away. And when it comes to that, no one really talks about it. So, in this episode, Brie and Claire do.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

EMPATHS: The Value of Lived Experience

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0700

In this Episode, Joe Salyer joins us to share his story of addiction, substance abuse, recovery and how all of those experiences led him to where he is today. Joe works as the social services care manager for the Montana Obstetrics & Maternal Support (MOMS) program, which aims to elevate maternal health in Montana. Which is all just a fancy way of saying that Joe sits with new or expecting mothers who are struggling with substance use disorders and says to them, “I’ve been there. I know how you feel. You don’t have to lose what I lost. Let’s get you some help.” He does this with compassion, humility and the strong belief that, given the right resources, every human can feel empowered and inspired to attain joy and fulfill their glorious purpose in life.

https://www.mtmoms.org/empaths/

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Substance+Use+Disorder+Treatment

Peer Support Specialists:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Peer+Support+Specialists

Medications for Opioid Use Disorders:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Medications+for+Opioid+Use+Disorders+%28MOUD%29

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Layers of Pain with Micah Fiske

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we meet Micah Fiske who is, among so many things, a survivor. Micah has so much to share including her lived experience living with Type 1 Diabetes, high-risk pregnancy, infertility, birth trauma and infant loss. As I mention in the episode, I could go on for days about this woman’s strength and spirit but I know that she would give back every ounce of that strength if it meant her son, Owen, was here with her today.

Show notes:
LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org
Specific services relevant to this episode
(found on LIFTS.org):

Montana support groups listed by city and county:

https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Support+Groups

Infant and child loss support groups:

Missoula:
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Missoula
contact Elizabeth Urshel (406) 412-1512

Helena:
https://hmhb-lifts.org/services/support-groups/helena-infertility-pregnancy-and-child-loss-support-t0kfay

Bozeman:
https://hmhb-lifts.org/services/support-groups/pregnancy-and-infant-loss-support-circle-gi8wkq

Billings:
https://hmhb-lifts.org/services/support-groups/infertility-and-pregnancy-loss-support-group

Kalispell/Flathead Valley:
https://hmhb-lifts.org/services/support-groups/tamarack-grief-resource-center-1

*Micah's other resource recommendations*

It's Okay That You're Not Okay
https://refugeingrief.com/book/

Accounts to follow on Instagram:

@pregnancyandinfantlosssupport
https://www.instagram.com/pregnancyandinfantlosssupport/?hl=en

@laurenandloss
https://www.instagram.com/laurenandloss/

@woodnailsandcotton
https://www.instagram.com/woodnailsandcotton/

Meadowlark Initiative: https://mthcf.org/meadowlark/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Full Circle with Haley Peters

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0600

Haley Peters is here for the first episode of season 2 and we're so glad she is. In this episode, she shares with us what it's been like to enter into motherhood while juggling a budding nursing career, unresolved trauma, the grief and loneliness of a suddenly disrupted partnership with her husband due to work schedules, injury and chronic pain, and how this all led to the manifestation of intense postpartum mood disorders. If that sounds like a lot, it's because it is. But it all adds up to something beautiful and rare: a Family Nurse Practitioner who wakes every day eager to treat those who find themselves facing similar hardships. Haley is an actively healing wounded healer full of hope and purpose.

Resources:
https://hmhb-lifts.org
Linking Infants & Families To Supports
HMHB-MT's Online Resource Guide

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Let the Light In with Claire Larson

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0600

In this rare episode, the tables are turned as our host, Claire, shares her own personal journey through a recent mental health crisis in order to shed light on some difficult topics. We talk about what falling apart, intervention, and recovery looked like for her. We don't want to spoil it all here but have a listen to find out what these changes look like for the podcast going forward. At Mother Love, we believe that hope and healing arise when we share our stories. So, we're not going to stop anytime soon and we hope you don't either.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Keeping it All Together with Kendyall Cheff

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Raise your hand if, as a mom, you've tried really, really, really hard to "keep it all together". There are so many reasons we do this, particularly in what is referred to as the 4th trimester when we're juggling so much but want to appear that we've got it all under control. In this episode, Kendyall generously shares her experience of Post-partum Anxiety and how scary things got when, after giving birth to her third baby, Abel, keeping things under control really began to feel very out of control. We're so grateful for her courage.

Kendyall Cheff lives in gorgeous Polson, Montana with her Husband, Toby, and their 3 children- Elly (7), Olive (4), and Abel (20 months). Kendyall is a registered nurse on the Labor, Delivery, Post-partum Recovery floor at a critical access hospital. She and her husband own and operate their outfitting business, Cheff Legacy Outfitters.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Things Change Over Time with Jessica Peterson

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0600

Jessica (Jesse) Peterson, joined us to share her wisdom on many subjects including pregnancy, birth, co-parenting, blending of families, supportive and healthy partnership, and how her passion for perma-culture has transformed the way she views the world. Among the many, many roles Jesse has played in her life, she is now the owner of Wild Willow Wellness where she offers beautifully crafted, hyper-local apothecary products as well as healing and heavenly massage experiences in Helena, Montana. We're grateful for Jesse's kind and powerful presence, her willingness to have honest conversations, and her commitment to walk in her values every day. Hope you enjoy this conversation and that Jesse's strong confidence boosts yours.

Show notes:

Wild Willow Wellness (Jesse’s apothecary and massage offerings): https://www.wildwillowwellness.com/
The Bradley Method: http://bradleybirth.com/
More about Jesse: https://www.permaculturewomen.com/jessicapeterson/

Book Recommendations:

Videos that Claire mentions (if you need a good laugh)

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Everyone's Best Friend with Krysti Walker and Sabrina Navarro

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Mother Love, Krysti Walker and Sabrina Navarro share their experience of starting a family via in vitro fertilization with the help of their dear friends Sarah and Tyler Gregson. In episode 14, we got to hear from Sarah and Tyler about what this experience was like for them. Now, we have the chance to talk with the moms little Elliot and how their unique but very natural experience of conception, pregnancy and birth has been a huge gift in their lives and the lives of their family members. Their son Elliot, now four, brings so much light and love along with him. He’s quick to tell everyone he loves them. To Elliot, saying “I love you” is just as common and natural as saying “hello” or “goodbye”. As Krysti describes him she says, laughing, “Elliot thinks everyone is his best friend.” He lives with his heart wide open thanks to all those who’ve steeped him in love from the very beginning.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

An Avalanche of Love with Tyler and Sarah Gregson

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0700

When Tyler and Sarah Gregson were invited to help their friend’s Sabrina and Kristi start their family, they knew almost instantly that their answer was a strong yes. They had both known Kristi for years and were thrilled to photograph the magical day that she proposed to the love of her life, Sabrina. Naturally, they also captured their wedding day and left feeling especially connected to both Kristi and Sabrina’s families. Before long, Tyler and Sarah were ecstatic to learn that Sabrina had become pregnant right away via in vitro fertilization with Tyler’s sperm donation - which they hand-delivered in a brown paper bag on a freezing winter day. Trust me, you'll want to hear this piece of the story. Over the next several months, the four of them celebrated the life that would become Elliot, now 5. Tyler describes the unique structure and abundance of love surrounding Elliot "an avalanche of love”. This is the story of how that one single snowflake gathered speed, grew in size, and is barreling down the mountain in a deafening roar.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Breaking the Silence with Carly Bergquist

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0700

After decades of dreaming about becoming a mom and what felt like an equally long time trying to conceive, Carly and her husband Bryan were elated to discover that their dream had finally become a reality when she became pregnant. Weeks later, at their first ultrasound, time stood still as the tech struggled to find a heartbeat. The shock and grief of this trauma consumed them as their heavy loss sunk in. Carly was astounded to find that this very common experience existed mostly in silence. Why aren’t people talking about this? Why are women and families left to suffer these devastating losses in isolation when they could be comforting and supporting one another? She decided to start a conversation by courageously posting their experience on her Facebook page and was amazed at how many people responded with gratitude and encouragement after voicing her pain which, in turn, gave others the permission to voice theirs. We are grateful Carly was game to share here on Mother Love and hope her story breaks even more of the silence surrounding infant loss and miscarriage.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Emily & Claire Get Real About Pandemic Parenting

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0700

We felt it was high time to have a heart to heart about what it is like to be a parent during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Global Pandemic. Spoiler alert: it’s not easy. No matter what stage of development your child is currently in, they’re feeling the energy and impact of a world turned upside down. As caregivers, we’re constantly trying to access compassion and empathy while, at the same time, we’re all pushed to our capacity. Please join us as we discuss coping strategies and the lessons we’ve learned (but haven’t yet mastered) during this trying time. It’s okay to not be okay.

Stuff we talked about:

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Building Connection through Vulnerability with Jenny Buscher

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jenny reflects on the intense ripple effects she and her family have endured since the birth of their daughter, Jovie in mid-March, just days before Montana’s Governor issued the statewide Shelter-In-Place order. Jenny has had to call upon her experience as the Chief Culture Officer at Shodair Children’s Hospital, as well as the skills she learned while earning her Dare to Lead certification alongside Brene Brown, to cope during this intense time. Jenny beautifully and honestly articulates the ways in which she and her husband have chosen to embrace the current reality of raising an infant and toddler during COVID-19. We talk about the dark days and hopeful moments, the widespread fear and disconnection, and the unexpected rewards that are emerging during this time of great change.

Stuff we talked about:

Shodair Children’s Hospital
Jenny and James Buscher’s new LLC, Overstory
Brene Brown- Dare to Lead. Shop local by ordering or pick up a copy at http://www.mtbookco.com/
Become a dare to lead facilitator (certification)

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

From Darkness to Light with Lacey Starcevich (Salminen)

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0600

*UPDATE* Since recording this incredible interview in 2020, Lacey and Jim have married and welcomed their second beautiful son, Parker. They've also purchased their first home and are both working hard and enjoying life today. Lacey works in patient access at the Cancer Center at St. James Healthcare and Jim is a union carpenter for Kissock Construction. These may all sound like somewhat normal, run of the mill adulting milestones but for reasons you'll hear in this episode, Lacey and her family are extra grateful to be where they are today.

In this episode, Lacey openly shares her journey from active addiction to stable recovery. While still actively using, she discovered she was pregnant and made the extremely difficult decision to seek support in order to keep her son and get clean. Having lost her own mother to alcoholism and, ultimately, suicide at the age of 14, Lacey was faced with breaking the cycle of addiction that had claimed those closest to her. Her father still struggles with addiction today. Lacey speaks with humility, courage and unmistakable love as she describes how her son brought she and her partner (now fiance!), James, back from the darkness they’d become so accustomed to. You won’t want to miss this one.

Stuff we talked about:

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Unfolding Resilience with Sylvia Rocío Málaga

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Sylvia speaks about the stories and circumstances that brought about the conception of her daughter, now eight years old. Sylvia openly shares her struggles in overcoming domestic abuse and alcohol addiction. These were long, challenging paths to walk but she continues to put one foot in front of the other in order to show up for her daughter and provide a safe and healthy life for them. Her strength is authentic, her honesty is so needed. Resilience is an unfolding, a constant act of courage. It does not require perfection.

Stuff we talked about:

Smart Recovery (mentioned by Sylvia)
STARLUST Design Shop (Sylvia’s Esty Shop)
Montana Center for Somatic Therapy (FB Page

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Digging Deep with Natasha Starceski

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Natasha (Tasha) shares her experience of becoming a mother which, in her case, includes difficulty becoming pregnant, the endurance of an extremely high-risk pregnancy while serving in the National Guard, surviving antepartum depression that turned to postpartum depression w/suicidal ideology as well as a difficult and traumatic birth. She encourages other moms to seek help early on and openly shares how crucial the support she received was to her own healing process. She is a living, breathing example of strength, endurance, and love. And, yes, she's one heck of a warrior in every single sense of the word. Time to pour yourself a cup of tea and open your heart to the Mother Love.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Fostering Hope with April Lemieux (Part 2)

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0600

This conversation was so rich and divided, we had to slice it in two. In Part 2 of this episode, April Lemieux continues her story. Her's is a heartwrenching tale of soul sacrifice in the name of survival. She's a powerhouse of strength and wisdom and, when it comes to mothers, she's known many versions and reflects on the early pieces of a story that brought her to be the fiercely loving mother she is today.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Fostering Hope with April Lemieux (Part 1)

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0600

This conversation was so rich and divided, we had to slice it in two. In Part 1 of this episode, April Lemieux describes her experiences growing up in the foster care system in Montana. Hers is a heartwrenching tale of soul sacrifice in the name of survival. She's a powerhouse of strength and wisdom and, when it comes to mothers, she's known many versions and reflects on the early pieces of a story that brought her to be the fiercely loving mother she is today.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Unexpected with Stephanie Charlton

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0600

Stephanie shares the story of her unexpected pregnancy at the age of 18. Now 20, she speaks about the difficult decisions she has faced, her commitment to her daughter, Tyla, and how she has learned to persevere despite great obstacles. This conversation takes a beautiful turn when Stephanie describes her work as a Mental Health Tech at Shodair Children's Hospital and explains how that work has been instrumental in developing healthy coping skills and emotional processing tools that have helped her tremendously in navigating life as a single mom.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Facing Uncertainty with Tia Wilkins

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Tia discusses her lifelong search for true belonging. She shares what it feels like to be on the receiving end of racism (both overt and subtle) and describes the incredible people who've shaped her life. Somehow, while juggling infant and toddler care, practicing leadership as an elementary school principal at the height of a worldwide pandemic, and witnessing the Black Lives Matter movement as a person of color, Tia manages to exude love and hope through being present. On top of all of that, the Wilkins' newest family member, Oryn, has recently been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. If you've ever wondered what resilience sounds like, grab a beverage and have a listen.

https://kellyvandykephotography.com/2020/06/09/a-miracle-in-a-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR2DrciTAWZ-X5Lamj78Wziw4oZZtQ-w4P7qYM-QMo3Nrjv_mmt9JWcxNgQ

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Enduring Loss with Emily Tosoni

Fri, 15 May 2020 05:00:00 -0600

Emily Tosoni shares her story of becoming a mother to her son, Cohen. This is an honest, raw, brave account of how infant loss changes everything. It is heart-wrenching and bold, with glimmering nuggets of hope and wisdom throughout. Emily's experience serves to connect others who've lost children, to teach people what (and what not) to say to survivors, and inspires all of us to live from the heart, even when it hurts to do so.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Doula Care with Doula Sheri Walker

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Claire and Sheri discuss the importance and value of quality support before, during, and after birth. We examine the twists and turns that brought Sheri to this line of work, why she is passionate about it and how supporting families through her small business, Aurora Birth Song, feels like her true calling.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Connect with Sheri

Website

Visit the Great Helena Area Early Childhood Coalition at www.helenaecc.org.

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Fake it 'til you...with Trista Vonada

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Trista and I talk about her experience of pregnancy and early motherhood. We laugh, cry, and share what was hard and how we came through. Trista speaks about her related work and her passion to advocate for parents, families, and caregivers. We talk about the importance of awareness when it comes to mental health, especially for new mothers.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Connect with Trista

Website

Need Help Now? Visit www.postpartum.net for resources to help you on your postpartum journey.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

The LIFTS Podcast

LIFTS Out Loud: Celeste Miller - Nursing Under the Big Sky

Sarah Buchanan + Stephanie Fitch - Human Stories Behind Montana’s Maternal Health Gaps

Tehya Tiegen - Home Visiting and Hope

Maria Emmer-Aanes - It Takes a Village

LIFTS Out Loud: Julianne Denny - Birthwork as Medicine

Suzanne Bendick - The Stories That Connect Us

Dr. Jessica Liddell - Building Support for Maternal Mental Health

LIFTS Out Loud: Jake Maher + Callie Triller - Ryan's Journey Home

Carrie Krepps - Building Connection and Community for Montana Families

LIFTS Out Loud: Mindy Petranek - Just Showing Up

Pamela Ponich - Peer Recovery Doulas in Montana

Maureen Ward + Tracie Kiesel - What Families Need to Know About Montana's New Car Seat Law

Stephanie Morton, HMHB - New Season, New Name!

Session Voices: Mary Collins - Big Work at the Local Level

Session Voices: Jackie Mohler - Post-Session Engagement

Session Voices: Dillon Sarb - Storytelling as Community Organizing

Session Voices: Karen Filipovich - Empowering Families Through Advocacy

Session Voices: Jenny Eck - Finding Common Ground

A Mining City Story: Megan Bristol - Nurse Midwife

Session Voices: Amy Stiffarm - Birth of a Bill, SB 319

A Mining City Story: Jenna Clark - Nurse Midwife

Session Voices: Grace Decker - How (and Why) to Engage

A Mining City Story: Amy Lowney - Craniosacral & Massage Therapist, Postpartum Doula

Session Voices: Mary Collins - Legislature 101

A Mining City Story: Jessica Walsh - Lactation Specialist

A Mining City Story: Dorothy Troutman - Doula & Birth Educator

Mother Love Season Four Trailer: A Tale of Two Pregnancies

Thank You for the Stories, Claire's Final Episode as Host of the Mother Love Podcast

When Extra Preparation and an Abundance of Resources Still Leave Room for Challenges - Cass Weber

Domestic Abuse Survivor and Life Coach Lisa Croke on Moving from Surviving to Thriving

Domestic & Interpersonal Violence: Help Is a Phone Call Away with The Friendship Center's Jaime Gabrielli & Gina Boesdorfer

Hamburger Nipples & Victory Snuggles with Sarah Crowley IBCLC

The Truth About Postpartum Psychosis with Rachael Watters

Longitudinal Continuity of Care and Building Trust Over Time with Family Physician Dr. Sam Greenberg

Apert Syndrome & Raising "Neurospicy" Kids with Ashley Watson

Let Us Come To You- Nurse Family Partnership's RN Case Manager Marisa Johnson on the Power of Home Visiting Programs

"Every Drop Counts" The Nuanced World of Breastfeeding with Camie Jae Goldhammer, MSW, LISCW, IBCLC

Raising the Bar in Caring for Families: Camie Jae Goldhammer, MSW, LISCW, IBCLC & Founder of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services

Erika's Story: Preeclampsia, Breastfeeding Challenges and Italian Subs

Perinatal Mental Health Expert Diana Barnes on Justice, Advocacy & Healing

Ashley's Story: How Acceptance Allows for Presence

John's Story: Giving Back and Balancing Love & Discipline with John Morrison

Compassionate Psychiatry with Dana Hillyer, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

NAI Series: Sweetgrass in the Psych Unit with Chelsea Bellon

NAI Series: Cultural Inheritance and Toddler Mayhem w/Indigenous Artist Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo

NAI Series: "Life's Blessings": A Cultural Engagement Day for Nurses with Margaret Anne Adams & Mary Ellen Lafromboise + *Bonus* Episode Intro: Decolonizing Thanksgiving with Amy & Claire!

NAI Series: The Current State of Indigenous Maternal Health with Dr. Janelle Palacios (Amy guest-hosts!)

Native American Initiative Series with Dr. Amy Stiffarm

At the Water Cooler: #momtalk with HMHB's Ashley Martin

Annie's Story: Helping our Children Navigate Food Allergies

Miranda's Story: Supporting Youth in Foster Care by Giving Them a Voice

Christina's Story: Infertility, IVF, & Raising Twins

Motherhood is Big Enough: A Little Book With a Big Message - with author Kyriaki Birkeland

It Takes a Village: Postpartum Resource Group with Brooke Campbell

Unplanned C-Sections: How One Mom Processed Loss & Reclaimed Power with Anna Baker

Surviving the NICU One Long Day at a Time with Kyla Maki (Part 2)

Our Best Laid Plans with Kyla Maki (Part 1)

Let's Be Real Here: Honesty on Social Media, Healing Old Wounds & Priscilla's "Hot Mess Collection" with Priscilla Ellis.

Faith-Based Therapy with HMHB's Dawn Gunderson

Behind the Scenes with ML Pod Producer (and Incredible Mama), Brooke Boone Miller

Reconsidering Nourishment with Paige Reddan (Eating Disorder Center of Montana)

What Community-Based Support REALLY Looks Like with Chelsea Solberg, Ty LaFountain, and Pam Ponich

How Do We Support Moms in Prison? with Warden Hansen & Kendra Miller

Our Stories Count (Literally) with Parent & Researcher Tess Carlson

We Are More Than Our Mistakes with Carrie Thiel LCPC (Claire's Own Mom!)

What's a Dad Supposed to Do? with Patrick Duganz

All Hands on Deck- Creating Community Support with Suzanne Bendick

Reclaiming Resiliency with Amy Stiffarm

Abigail Echo-Hawk, "Decolonizing Data: Restoring Culture, Building Beauty"

Healing Through Story with Mom, Therapist, Writer and Cult Survivor Stephanie Hackman

Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, Kinder with Greg Daly

You are Not Alone with Megan Lane

Ways We Cope with Vanessa Nasset

Turning Poison into Medicine with Savanah Webb

What to Expect When You're NOT Expecting with Kate Sexton

Just. Keep. Going. with Carson Rose

It's Never Too Late with Wesley Stops Jr.

Resourcing, Regulation and Repair for Parents and Caregivers with Bodyworker and Somatic Experiencing Therapist, Prairie Wolfe

Kind and Clear Boundaries: Sustainable Parenting with Flora McCormick

NAI Series: "Life's Blessings": A Cultural Engagement Day for Nurses with Margaret Anne Adams & Mary Ellen Lafromboise + Bonus Episode Intro: Decolonizing Thanksgiving with Amy & Claire!