In this intimate solo episode, Diane returns after a podcast hiatus to share what the end of 2025 asked her to release, and what she’s carrying forward into a new year. Rather than rushing into goals or reinvention, this conversation centers on collapse as initiation, illness as intelligence, and rebirth as a way of living rather than something to hustle toward. Using the symbolism of the Year of the Snake, feminine, cyclical, and rooted in shedding—Diane reflects on the old skins that could not come with her into this next season, including over-responsibility, self-abandonment, and business models that required her to override her body. You’ll also be guided through a short nervous-system pause, offering space to listen inward and name what you may be ready to release as well. This episode is for anyone standing at the edge of a new year feeling quieter than expected - more tender than driven - and wondering if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong.You may simply be shedding. In this episode, we explore: • Why collapse isn’t failure, but information • How illness can act as a sacred boundary • The feminine wisdom of the snake and the power of shedding • Over-responsibility and self-abandonment as survival patterns • Rebirth as slow, cellular, and embodied • Letting go of versions of success that cost too much • Trusting a quieter, truer way forward Listener reflection: If your body could shed one thing it’s been carrying, what would it be?

In this bonus replay of an intimate solo episode, Diane Ortega invites you into a powerful solstice reflection and shares the behind-the-scenes of her personal transformation. From the grief of letting go of a long-held vision to the light of spiritual rebirth, she offers a raw and radiant look at what it means to midwife yourself through change. She also opens up about her upcoming journey to Avalon—the sacred land of the Divine Feminine—and what she hopes to remember, release, and reclaim along the way. This is a story of light returning, purpose reawakening, and the beauty of trusting your sacred mess. In This Episode: The symbolism + power of the summer solstice Diane's personal “dark night” and the loss of Willow Rebloom What it means to midwife your own transformation The intention behind her Avalon pilgrimage A closing solstice reflection + journal prompt Mentioned in This Episode: Diane’s Avalon journey The Midwife Life community ✨ Journal Prompt:What is being illuminated in my life right now? What truth am I ready to see more clearly? What am I ready to release so I can rise?

In this special Q&A episode, I’m answering YOUR biggest questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum mental health, and how to build a strong support system—even if you’re not a mom! We’ll cover misconceptions about midwifery, how to prepare for birth, recognizing postpartum depression, and the power of sisterhood. If you have a question for a future episode, send it my way on Instagram (@@⁠the.midwife.life.co⁠) or via email (⁠Hello@themidwifelife.co⁠). ✨ Topics Covered:  ✔️ The biggest misconceptions about midwifery care ✔️ How to decide if a birth center is right for you ✔️ Preparing for an unmedicated birth ✔️ Recognizing the difference between baby blues & postpartum depression ✔️ How partners can offer better support during pregnancy & postpartum ✔️ How to cultivate strong female friendships & community 📖 Resources Mentioned:  Midwifery Care & Birth Outcomes – Sandall J, et al. The Lancet, 2016 Birth Centers & C-section Rates – Stapleton SR, et al. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 2013 Continuous Labor Support & Doulas – Bohren MA, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev., 2017 Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Screening – Wisner KL, et al. JAMA Psychiatry, 2013 The Science of Female Friendships – Taylor SE, et al. Psychological Review, 2000 📝 Additional Support & Links:  Postpartum Support International: ⁠www.postpartum.net⁠ (Call or text "HELP" to 800-944-4773) Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Screening Tool: ⁠https://perinatology.com/calculators/Edinburgh%20Depression%20Scale.htm⁠ Find a Birth Center Near You: ⁠www.birthcenters.org⁠ 💌 Want More? 👉 Submit Your Questions: DM me on Instagram @themidwifelife or email hello@themidwifelife.co 👉 Sign Up for My Upcoming Workshop: Midwifing Your Life—an immersive experience designed to help women live with more intention, balance, and empowerment. Sign up for details ⁠here⁠!  🎧 Share This Episode! If you loved this episode, please take a moment to leave a review—it helps other women find this podcast! And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who needs it. 💜 📢 Tag me on Instagram @themidwifelife when you’re listening! I love seeing your takeaways and connecting with you. Until next time, trust your body, trust your intuition, and keep midwifing your life! ✨

Today on The Midwife Life, we’re diving into a topic so many mothers wish someone had prepared them for: what really happens after birth—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My guest, Samantha Davis, CEO of NuHealth Placenta, is redefining what postpartum support looks and feels like. Through placenta encapsulation and holistic recovery education, Samantha helps mothers restore balance, energy, and peace of mind during one of the most tender, transformative seasons of their lives. This episode is a grounding reminder: Postpartum is not something you “push through.” It’s a coming home to yourself. Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, a seasoned mother, or someone who supports women, this conversation offers truth, permission, and powerful tools for honoring the fourth trimester. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE: Samantha’s origin story: How her own postpartum experiences sparked a mission to normalize honest conversations about recovery, identity shifts, and healing. The truth about early postpartum: Why slowing down, receiving support, and caring for yourself are essential—not optional. Placenta encapsulation 101: What it is, how it works, and why thousands of women choose this ancient practice for hormone balance, energy, and emotional wellbeing. Bridging holistic + modern motherhood: How to tune into your body, advocate for your needs, and navigate postpartum with more confidence and connection. Rediscovering yourself after birth: Why postpartum isn’t an ending, but the beginning of a profound personal transformation. ABOUT SAMANTHA DAVIS Samantha is the founder and CEO of NuHealth Placenta, a company dedicated to supporting mothers through placenta encapsulation and holistic postpartum education. Her mission is simple and powerful: Help mothers feel seen, supported, and proud of how they care for themselves. You can find her at: Website → NuHealthPlacenta.com Instagram → @nuhealth_placentaencapsulation Samantha is also offering The Midwife Life listeners an exclusive free upgraded package + umbilical cord keepsake. CONNECT WITH DIANE Website → TheMidwifeLife.co Instagram → @the.midwife.life.co If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, tag us on IG, or leave a review. It helps this movement reach more women who are ready to reclaim their power, their wellbeing, and their rebirth.

What if this isn’t burnout? What if it’s rebirth? This episode reframes exhaustion, confusion, and emotional unraveling not as failure, but as a necessary initiation into becoming. Diane unpacks: Why women feel dismantled during identity transitions How this phase mirrors postpartum, wintering, and cocooning The difference between burnout and sacred shedding What happens when we stop resisting the pause How rebirth creates clarity, depth, and inner authority This episode is for you if: You feel disconnected from who you used to be You’re craving slowness but feel guilty You sense a quiet becoming within You know something is shifting but can’t name it yet Reflection Questions: What is being released in this season? What part of me is asking for rest? What would it feel like to trust this pause? Stay close for the next episode as we explore the wisdom of stillness and the power of honoring the in-between. ✨ Continue your Rebirth inside The Rebirth Journey A sacred 12-week experience for women ready to honor their becoming and rise with intention. Learn more → Your Rebirth Begins Here ✨ Join the Rebirth Circle Midwifing the Moment- a soulful email space for women in transition, reflection, and rebirth. Receive sacred reflections, audio notes, and first invitations into The Rebirth Journey. Join here → Stay Updated

In this episode, Diane sits down with women’s health and fitness coach, community leader, and Willow mama, Meg Pasquel. Together, they explore the identity shift of motherhood, the real postpartum experience, listening to your body, and redefining strength in a season that changes everything. Meg is the founder of Positively Fit Community, host of The FitlittleMeg Experience, and a longtime advocate for women’s wellness. She’s built a seven-figure coaching brand while navigating her own motherhood journey — and in this conversation, she shares openly about what that evolution has looked like behind the scenes. This episode is grounding, honest, and full of reminders every mother needs. In This Episode, We Cover: Meg’s Willow birth story and the moment that stayed with her What the early postpartum weeks actually felt like The mix of beauty and challenge in becoming a mother Reconnecting with your body after birth The myths of “bouncing back” and postpartum fitness culture How motherhood reshaped her identity and leadership Building a business while navigating a new season The softer, deeper version of strength Meg discovered What she wants every woman to know about this transition About Meg Pasquel: Meg is a women’s health and fitness coach, founder of Positively Fit Community, and host of The FitlittleMeg Experience podcast. She’s helped thousands of women transform their health, reconnect with their bodies, and build confidence — all while sharing her own real, honest journey through postpartum and motherhood. Meg lives in Arizona with her family and is a proud Willow mama. Connect with Meg: Instagram: @positivelyfitcommunity Podcast: The FitlittleMeg Experience Additional Resources: The Rebirth Journey — 12-week coaching experience: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/rebirthjourney Get your FREE Fourth Trimester Care Plan: https://willowbirthcenteraz.com/ Join The Rebirth Journey If this conversation stirred something inside you — if you’re in a season of unraveling, remembering, or rising — you’re invited into The Rebirth Journey, Diane’s 12-week coaching experience for women ready to reconnect with themselves on every level. Learn more → If You Loved This Episode… Please rate, review, and share the show. Your support helps us reach more women who deserve conversations like this.

What if “being a good mother” has less to do with self-sacrifice…and everything to do with self-actualization? In this powerful episode of The Midwife Life, Diane sits down with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, master coach, speaker, and author of Rewrite the Mother Code: How to Mother Yourself and Others in a Healthy Way, to explore what it really means to rewrite the stories we’ve been handed about motherhood, womanhood, and worth. Together, they unpack the “mother code” most of us inherited—the one rooted in perfectionism, martyrdom, and putting everyone else first—and begin to imagine something different: a version of mothering that honors intuition, choice, and self-mothering as the foundation for how we care for others. Whether you’re pregnant, parenting, child-free by choice, or in a season of caring for aging parents, this conversation will help you see mothering as a lifelong relationship with yourself, your community, and your dreams. In this episode, we explore: What “the Mother Code” really is: How culture, family, and history shape our ideas of what a “good mother” should be—and why those codes need rewriting. From self-sacrifice to self-actualization: The deeply ingrained belief that everyone else should come first, and how tending to yourself actually supports your children, your relationships, and your work. Mothering beyond children: How you “mother” your business, your creativity, your friendships, your community—and why women without children are absolutely part of the mothering landscape. Perfectionism in motherhood: Where the pressure to be a “perfect parent” came from, how social media amplifies it, and why chasing the right way to mother is a no-win game. Rewriting generational patterns: Gertrude’s honest story about her own mother wound, fertility journey, and how doing deep inner work changed the way she conceived, birthed, and parented. Choice, intuition, and birth: Why informed choice in pregnancy and birth matters so much, what happens when women aren’t listened to, and how trusting your intuition can change your birth experience. The PACT for self-mothering: Gertrude’s powerful framework for softening your inner critic and mothering yourself. A simple place to start rewriting your own mother code: One reflective exercise you can do today to begin untangling what you inherited from what you truly desire. Website: drgertrude.com Podcast: Rewrite the Mother Code Instagram: @drgertrudelyons TEDx Talk: “Rewrite the Mother Code” on the TEDx YouTube channel Connect with Dr. Gertrude Lyons: Book: Rewrite the Mother Code: How to Mother Yourself and Others in a Healthy Way – available wherever books are sold (https://amzn.to/4pfpb0E) Website: ⁠https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@drgertrudelyons⁠⁠ TEDx Talk: “Rewrite the Mother Code” on the TEDx YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/NZ9ZF8JKIDY⁠https://youtu.be/NZ9ZF8JKIDY⁠) If this episode stirred something in you—if you’re feeling the nudge to rewrite your own stories around motherhood, womanhood, or worth—I’d love to walk with you. 🕊️ Explore The Rebirth Journey, my 12-week coaching experience to help you rest, repair, and rise into your next season. Thank you for listening to The Midwife Life. If this conversation on redefining motherhood and self-mothering resonated, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and a short review. Your words help other women find the support and language they didn’t know they needed. 💛

It’s been one year since The Midwife Life began —and what started as a podcast has become a movement. In this special anniversary episode, host Diane Ortega, DNP, CNM shares the story behind her own burnout, the lessons that shaped this year of growth, and the next evolution of The Midwife Life: The Rebirth Journey — a 12-week coaching experience for women ready to rest, repair, and rise into their next season. Burnout isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of something sacred. You’ll Hear: The truth about burnout as a sacred contraction before your next chapter How The Midwife Life evolved into a movement of women in rebirth What’s next: The Rebirth Journey — a 12-week coaching experience How to know if you’re in your own season of rebirth Key Quote: “Rebirth isn’t about starting over — it’s about starting truer. Burnout was never the end. It was the doorway to something sacred.” Join the Rebirth Journey: themidwifelife.co/rebirthjourney 12 weeks of guided transformation with Diane Limited spaces opening soon

In this special Listener Q&A episode, Diane answers your most vulnerable and powerful questions—on postpartum healing, identity loss and rediscovery, pelvic floor care, and the sacred mess of transformation. From what’s really normal 6 months postpartum to how to know when it’s time to let go of something that no longer fits, this episode is a soft but strong reminder: You’re not broken. You’re becoming. And you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, we explore: What’s actually normal 6 months after birth How to rebuild your identity after motherhood Why your pelvic floor deserves more than a 6-week checkup The real meaning of “midwifing your life” How to know when it’s time to release something you once loved The most powerful rebirth moment in Diane’s life Ready to Go Deeper? Join Diane for a free live workshop: Midwife Your Life: Cultivating Community & Embracing Transformation 🗓 November 8th | 10am (AZ) 🎟 Free to attend 💛 For women in any season of transition—postpartum, midlife, reinvention ✨ Breathwork, journaling, reflection, and a 3-step clarity map for your next chapter 👉 Sign up here → themidwifelife/workshop And for those ready to go even deeper… Diane will be sharing a special invitation to work with her more closely after the workshop. Stay tuned. 📖 Related: Read the full blog post 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter for bonus prompts + behind the scenes

In this heartfelt episode, Diane explores what true postpartum recovery looks like — beyond the six-week checkup. From honoring rest and nourishment to building community and seeking support, you’ll learn how to navigate this sacred season with compassion, confidence, and care. In this episode, we cover: Why the traditional six-week postpartum model isn’t enough How midwifery care nurtures the whole woman — body, mind, and spirit The cultural wisdom of postpartum rest and what modern mothers can learn Practical ways loved ones can support a new mom The importance of emotional and mental health after birth How community care and support groups can transform your recovery Local Listeners: Join our Willow Rooted Postpartum Circles — monthly gatherings at Willow Birth Centers designed to help mothers feel seen, supported, and grounded. Learn more: willowbirthcenteraz.com/wellness Follow us on Instagram: @willowbirthcenteraz Free Workshop — November 8: If you’re craving rest, renewal, and reconnection, join Diane for Midwifing Your Life: Cultivating Community & Embracing Transformation. It’s a free virtual experience where women in every season of life can slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what’s being born within them. Join the free Nov 8 workshop → themidwifelife.co/workshop Go Deeper — The Rebirth Journey Coaching Experience: For those ready to midwife their own transformation — body, mind, and spirit — Diane’s 12-week coaching program, The Rebirth Journey, offers personalized support, guided reflection, and soulful strategy for women navigating major life transitions. Apply or learn more: themidwifelife.co/rebirth Resources for Postpartum Support National & Online Resources: Postpartum Support International (PSI) — Find helplines, therapist directories, and online support groups. Postpartum Progress — A peer-led community raising awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The Motherhood Center — Online therapy, support groups, and educational resources for postpartum mental health. Seleni Institute — Evidence-based support for maternal mental health and women’s emotional well-being. The Momwell Podcast — Conversations about identity, boundaries, and self-care for modern moms. Arizona-Based Resources: Willow Midwife Center for Birth & Wellness AZ — Comprehensive postpartum care and midwifery services in Mesa and Gilbert. Willow Rooted Circles — Monthly community gatherings for mothers in the fourth trimester. Women’s Health Innovations of Arizona — Counseling and psychiatric services specializing in perinatal mental health. 4th Trimester Arizona AZ Coalition — Providing resources for All families to be embraced by their communities in their transition to parenthood. If this episode resonated with you… Please take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend who’s in her postpartum season. Your support helps us reach more women who need these conversations.

Take a deep breath with me. (exhale) This episode is an invitation to slow down, to stop rushing and listen for what’s rising within you. Because something new is being born… not just in the world, but inside you. Lately, so many women have been whispering the same truth: “I don’t even know who I am anymore.” But what if that disorientation isn’t the end of your story, what if it’s the beginning of your Rebirth? In this episode, Diane reflects on: The sacred in-between — the space between who you were and who you’re becoming Why so many women are feeling called into a collective Rebirth How to honor the transitions in your life instead of rushing through them Her own story of unraveling, remembering, and becoming An invitation to reconnect with yourself through the free workshop: Midwifing Your Life: Reconnecting With the Woman You’re Becoming Because you’re not broken — you’re becoming. And something new is waiting to be born. Join the free workshop on Saturday, November 8 · 10 AM (AZ time). Sign up here: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/3ab7ef713a Key Quote: “You’re not lost. You’re in a Rebirth.” – Diane Ortega

What if your nervous system could believe—deeply, fully—that it’s safe? In this episode, Diane explores the concept of nervous system safety, why it matters for women and mothers, and how we can begin to rebuild it. Through the story of a mother who transformed her second birth experience by shifting from fear to safety, Diane illustrates how safety in the body is not just emotional—it’s physiological. You’ll learn about Polyvagal Theory, practical nervous system regulation tools, and reflection prompts to help you reconnect with safety in your own life. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: A story of a mother who went from a traumatic first hospital birth to a healing second experience rooted in safety. The science of the nervous system: how the vagus nerve and Polyvagal Theory explain our states of safety, fight-or-flight, and shutdown. Why nervous system safety is essential for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond. Simple practices—breathwork, orienting, safe connection, and affirmations—that can help you return to calm. Reflection prompts to explore the last time you felt truly safe in your body. Workshop Invitation: Join Diane for her upcoming live experience: Midwifing Your Life: Reconnecting With the Woman You’re Becoming, a 90-minute workshop designed to help you rebuild safety in your nervous system, reconnect with yourself, and step into your next chapter with confidence. Reserve your spot here: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/3ab7ef713a

Is midlife burnout just the price of success? Not if Karen DiGenova has anything to say about it. In this episode of The Midwife Life, Karen joins Diane to talk about reframing midlife from a season of decline into a time of powerful transformation. A former global HR leader for brands like Deloitte, Nike, and Columbia Sportswear, Karen knows firsthand how professional women get stuck in go-mode—until their health forces a full stop. She shares her own journey through perimenopause, Hashimoto’s, and PCOS, and how it inspired her to leave corporate life and launch Ms. Midlife, a wellness company built to help women thrive instead of just survive. We dig into Karen’s signature framework, the Seven Branches of Midlife Wellness, and talk practical, bio-individual strategies for energy, sleep, movement, and hormone balance. Whether you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just ready to feel better in your body, this episode will leave you feeling clear and empowered. Karen DiGenova is the founder of Ms. Midlife, a wellness company that helps high-achieving women become the CEOs of their health. After 30+ years in HR leadership and her own lived experience with autoimmune and hormonal challenges, Karen created the Seven Branches of Midlife Wellness Framework—a personalized system designed to transform burnout into sustainable vitality. She offers 1:1 and group coaching, corporate workshops, and retreats, all grounded in evidence-based lifestyle strategies that work in real life. What we cover: Why midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a revolution The moment Karen ditched the prescriptions and chose true healing How her Seven Branches system helps women identify what’s actually out of balance The connection between sleep and everything (energy, food cravings, hormones, motivation…) Strategic protein + fiber intake (and what to expect when you skip them) What kind of movement matters most for longevity—and why it's not what you think The truth about hormone therapy and why only 7% of women use it Reclaiming your nervous system, setting boundaries, and moving beyond burnout Why community is just as important as supplements (and how Ms. Midlife programs build it) Prompts for reflection: Which of the seven branches feels weakest for you right now? How does your current routine support (or sabotage) your energy and clarity? What’s one micro-action you can take this week—like going to bed at the same time or doing 20 air squats at lunch? Are you making decisions for your future self—or just pushing through another day? Who’s in your community that supports your wellness? Links + resources: Connect with us: Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co Website: themidwifelife.co Take the Sacred Reset Quiz: Here Apply for the 12-week coaching program: I AM A MOTHER…NOW WHAT? Apply Here Connect with Karen: ⁠msmidlife.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@msmidlifeofficial⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠Karen DeGenova⁠ Karen’s Free Quiz: Seven Branches Quiz Want to work with Karen? ⁠Book your free discovery call →⁠ Resources: Othership App – guided breathwork (Karen’s favorite!) Andrew Huberman’s breath technique (inspiration for stress resets) Sauna research from the Finnish longevity study Karen’s upcoming retreats and group programs: Visit msmidlife.com Like this episode? Share it with a friend who’s navigating midlife—and hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next conversation. Midlife isn’t the beginning of the end—it’s the start of a whole new chapter. Let’s make it a powerful one.

In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, I sit down with Brielle Jenson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a midwife with over 20 years of experience, an IBCLC, and the author of the stunning new book Confessions of a Midwife. Brielle has worked in hospitals, home births, and birth centers, bringing a rare, unfiltered perspective on the challenges, triumphs, and deeply human moments of birthwork. Her work has been recognized in the field of midwifery, including a nomination for the ACNM Media Award in 2025, highlighting her dedication to sharing authentic stories and elevating maternal health conversations. In this episode, we dive into: The raw realities of being a midwife—beyond the perfect Instagram birth stories The emotional toll and healing power of birthwork Insights into perinatal mental health and supporting mothers through complex postpartum experiences Brielle’s journey to writing her book and why sharing these stories matters The balance of professional expertise and deep compassion in modern midwifery This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the human side of birth, whether you’re a parent, a birth professional, or simply fascinated by the art and science of midwifery. Key Takeaways / Reflection Prompts: What myths about birth and midwifery have you believed that might need reframing? How can compassion—for yourself or others—transform challenging experiences? In what ways can storytelling and shared experiences help heal communities of mothers and birth professionals? Next Step: Take the Sacred Reset Quiz Feeling inspired to reflect on your own energy, growth, and next steps? Try my Sacred Reset Quiz to discover: Which area of your life is ready for a reset Personalized insights to help you release what no longer serves you Clear guidance on the next steps for your transformation 🎯 Take the quiz here: What are you ready to reset? Resources & Links: Brielle Jenson’s Book: Confessions of a Midwife Good News: More Data on the Use of ADHD Medications During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications © - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns Exposed to SSRIs - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Study Supporting the Reproductive Safety of Gabapentin During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Allison Baker, MD on the Specialized Care of Pregnant and Postpartum Women with ADHD - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Essential Reads: Breastfeeding and ADHD Medications - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Fact Sheets - Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Exposures | MotherToBaby Twin Cities Midwifery | Planning your Best Postpartum Babymoon Good Moms, Scary Thoughts – Happiest Baby Changes in your relationships after having a baby | NCT Psyched Mommy Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts – MOMBOX The Modern Mom: Embracing Motherhood In 2024 | Motherhood Center Order | Sanity School® for Parents the essential guide to raising complex kids - Search Shopping Home - Dr. Shefali 🎧 Check out more episodes of The Midwife Life: Listen Here 🌿 Connect with Diane & The Midwife Life Community: Check it out!

What if you could move through your next life transition like a birth — held, supported, and deeply trusted? In this powerful episode, Diane invites you into the Midwifing Your Life framework — a model of transformation rooted in the wisdom of midwifery. Whether you're starting something new, navigating the messy middle, or releasing what no longer fits, this episode is for you. You’ll explore: Why birth is the ultimate metaphor for personal growth The difference between hustling and healing How to recognize what this season of your life is truly asking of you Journal prompts to help you reconnect with your own inner wisdom What it looks like to be midwifed through your becoming — not pushed, not fixed, but held This isn’t about productivity. This is about presence. This is about becoming — with grace, courage, and support. Journal Prompts from the Episode: Light a candle. Take a breath. Reflect on these: 1. What is this season of your life really asking of you? 2. What kind of support are you craving—but not currently receiving? 3. What would it feel like to be held, instead of holding it all? 4. Who are you becoming… if you stopped hustling and started healing? Listen to this if you're… In a season of transition, reinvention, or rebirth Craving clarity, connection, and softer support Tired of hustling and longing for something deeper Ready to explore a new way of being in your life Links Mentioned: Join the live workshop: Midwifing Your Life – Oct 4th, $0! Bring a Friend! https://themidwifelife.kit.com/3ab7ef713ahttps://themidwifelife.kit.com/3ab7ef713a Take the Sacred Reset Quiz: ⁠https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/688e71b12541f0610fceaf59 Apply for the 12-week coaching program: I AM A MOTHER…NOW WHAT? https://forms.gle/hfrbsNZPGsBvZWGCA Stay Connected: Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co Website: themidwifelife.co More episodes: https://themidwifelife.co/the-midwife-life-podcast/

September is a season of transition, and a perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. In this special birthday-themed episode, I guide you through a soulful end-of-summer reset, helping you release what no longer serves you, reflect on growth and lessons from the past year, and set clear intentions for the season ahead. You’ll experience: A release practice to let go of limiting beliefs, fears, or patterns Reflection prompts to celebrate your wins, breakthroughs, and growth A guided intention-setting exercise to invite new energy and possibilities A meditation to integrate release, reflection, and reset, leaving you grounded and aligned Whether it’s your birthday or not, this episode gives you the tools to do your own “birthday reset” and step into your next chapter with clarity, purpose, and soul-aligned energy. ✨ Plus: Stick around until the end to learn how you can deepen this work in my “Midwifing Your Life: Cultivating Community & Embracing Transformation” workshop. Journaling & Reflection Prompts from the Episode: 1. What’s one thing I want to release this year? 2. What’s one thing I want to invite in? 3. What do I celebrate about myself right now? 4. What lessons or breakthroughs from the past year can I carry forward? 5. Which habits or practices will support my intentions for the next season? 6. What small, meaningful step can I take today to align with my reset? Resources & Links: 🌿 Join the waitlist for the “Midwifing Your Life” workshop: https://forms.gle/Vxj3xbYJvLNVNYVf6 💌 Sign up for my newsletter: https://themidwifelife.co/

In this bonus replay of The Midwife Life, host Diane Ortega is joined by Alyssa Leon, founder and CEO of Cherry Blossom Doula Services. Together, they discuss Alyssa’s unexpected journey into the doula profession and the evolution of her solo practice into a thriving doula team. Alyssa opens up about the joys and challenges of supporting families through birth and postpartum care, and how her work has shaped both her career and her life. From establishing a successful practice to creating a sustainable work-life balance, Alyssa shares invaluable insights and experiences that will resonate with anyone passionate about birthwork and supporting women. Listeners will gain an in-depth look at how Alyssa has expanded her offerings, founded Root & Rice Collective, and how she’s now empowering other birth professionals through mentorship and community collaboration. This candid conversation highlights the importance of aligning integrity and sustainability within the doula community while emphasizing the need for self-care and balance. Key Takeaways: A Doula’s Origin Story: Discover how Alyssa’s love for birthwork began, from early childhood inspiration to becoming a childbirth educator and, ultimately, a sought-after doula. Creating a Sustainable Practice: Learn how Alyssa built and expanded Cherry Blossom Doula Services, navigating challenges in finding like-minded team members and creating a supportive, collaborative environment for doulas. Root & Rice Collective: Explore Alyssa’s philanthropic venture dedicated to accessible community support and education in Mesa, Arizona, emphasizing equity in birth and postpartum care. Work-Life Balance in Birthwork: Alyssa candidly shares how she manages the emotional, physical, and psychological demands of running a doula agency, with practical tips on maintaining boundaries, self-care, and resilience. Empowering Women Through Advocacy: Hear how Alyssa empowers families to make informed decisions and why advocating for oneself and others is crucial in the birth space. Did you enjoy this episode?  Subscribe to The Midwife Life for more empowering conversations about birth, postpartum care, and women’s health. Leave a review and share with friends who would benefit from these inspiring stories and expert insights. Your story matters—reach out and share it with us! Resources Mentioned: ⁠Cherry Blossom Doula Services⁠: ⁠https://cbdoulaservices.com⁠ ⁠Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima⁠: https://amzn.to/3YDUC91 ⁠What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter⁠: https://amzn.to/4fclDrg ⁠Be Her Village⁠ Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/

What happens when you’ve grown, healed, shifted, and expanded… but your outer life still looks the same? In this soul-stirring episode, Diane explores the tension between internal transformation and external reality. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in the gap—the sacred space between who you were and who you’re becoming—this conversation is for you. Through story, reflection, and ritual, you’ll discover how to honor the in-between, trust the unseen, and stabilize as your life catches up to your growth. What You’ll Learn 🌿 Why the “in-between” season is not failure but integration 🌙 Signs you’re in this tender transition space 🕯 Rituals + practices to honor your becoming without rushing it ✨ A guided reflection to help you root into who you are becoming Reflection Prompt Before September begins, light a candle and ask yourself: How do I want to feel about the woman I am becoming? Let that answer guide how you step into the new month. Share the Love If this episode spoke to something deep in you, share it with a friend who needs to hear: you are not behind, you are stabilizing.

In this bonus replay, Diane Ortega is joined by guest, Kari-Ann Hubbard, LAc, MSOM, a national board-certified acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in women's health, fertility, and perinatal care. Kari-Ann shares her extensive knowledge of Chinese medicine, explaining how this ancient practice takes a holistic approach to wellness by considering the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and environment. She also discusses her personal journey into this field and how it has helped her and her clients find balance and healing. Key Topics: Overview of acupuncture and Chinese medicine concepts Kari-Ann's personal experiences with anxiety and IBS as a child, and how that led her to discover the power of Chinese medicine Common issues Kari-Ann treats, including fertility, postpartum mental health, pain, and stress The role of herbs, food, and lifestyle practices in Chinese medicine for overall health and wellness Benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine, including their ability to support the body's natural healing processes Simple self-care practices people can do at home, such as acupressure and breathwork What to expect during an initial acupuncture consultation and treatment If this episode has inspired you to explore the world of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, be sure to share it with a friend. Resources & Connect with Kari-Ann: To find a provider:  ⁠https://www.nccaom.org⁠ (National Board certification)  ⁠https://aborm.org⁠  (Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive medicine)  ⁠https://www.Acufinder.com⁠  Music effects on Perinatal mental health and labor pains:  ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32763833/⁠ Yang, et al (2021) "Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials."  ⁠https://annals-general-psychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12991-021-00327-5⁠ ⁠https://lunaacupunctureaz.com/⁠ Connect with us: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/⁠ Website: ⁠themidwifelife.co⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/⁠ Pinterest: ⁠https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/⁠

Your message is already inside you; it’s not something you have to chase down or force into existence. In this episode of The Midwife Life, Diane Ortega, midwife, mama, and sacred space holder for your becoming, guides you through the process of midwifing your message, from the first quiet spark to the moment you’re ready to share it with the world. Through personal stories, practical tools, and a guided visualization, you’ll learn how to honor the timing of your message, protect it while it grows, and release it into the world without rushing or over-polishing it into something unrecognizable. If you’ve been feeling the nudge to speak up, tell your story, or share your work, but you’re not sure where to start, this episode will remind you: the real magic happens when you speak from your scars, not just your successes. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The three stages of message-birthing: Conception, Gestation, and Birth Why protecting your message while it’s tender is just as important as sharing it How to know when your message is ready for the world A 4-minute guided visualization to help you connect with and embody your message A practical “Message Protection Plan” to keep your ideas safe as they grow A soulful reflection practice to uncover the one thing you most want to say right now Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Take the Sacred Reset Quiz – Discover what season you’re in and how to honor it (https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/688e71b12541f0610fceaf59) Join the Waitlist for the Midwifing Your Life half-day workshop (https://themidwifelife.co/contact-us/) Explore 1:1 Coaching with I AM A MOTHER… NOW WHAT? (https://themidwifelife.co/contact-us/) 💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation: If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Tag me on Instagram @the.midwife.life.co and tell me: 💭 What’s the message you’ve been carrying that’s ready to be born? Listen now and start midwifing your message into the world—one truth-filled breath at a time.