Episodes

  • EP9. 1st Time Mama & RBK Freebirths: Savannahs 3x Nuchal Cord Experience!

    EP9. 1st Time Mama & RBK Freebirths: Savannahs 3x Nuchal Cord Experience!
    Feb 16 2025
    In this week's episode of Hear Me Roar, first-time mother and radical birth keeper, Savannah Johnson, from Corbett, Oregon, shares her transformative journey into radical birth keeping and her experience with a sovereign pregnancy and birth. Savannah discusses her childhood influences, her skepticism towards traditional medical systems, and the profound changes in her perspective after diving into the world of free birth. We get a detailed recount of her pregnancy, labor, and the birth of her son, Milo, highlighting the significance of having supportive and understanding community. Savannah also talks about her future plans to continue serving women as a birth keeper, focusing on prenatal and postpartum support, and offers insights into how this experience has empowered and changed her. 00:00 Introduction to Savannah's Journey 01:28 Savannah's Medical Background and Skepticism 04:17 Transition to Holistic Health and Birth Keeping 06:04 Savannah's Radical Birth Keeping Training 08:49 Personal Experiences with Birth Control 17:51 Choosing Free Birth Over Sovereign Birth 24:52 Navigating a Wild Pregnancy 47:48 Thanksgiving Frustrations and Rest 52:55 Signs of Labor Begin 54:24 Early Labor at Home 57:19 Intense Waves and Focus 01:11:54 Transition and Water Breaking 01:16:58 Pushing and Birth 01:23:46 Feeling the Stretch: The Baby's Position 01:26:01 The Head Emerges: A Sweet Moment 01:28:10 The Cord Around the Neck: No Fear, Just Instinct 01:29:18 First Moments: Recording and Realizing 01:30:32 Post-Birth Reflections: Powerful and Beautiful 01:32:01 Immediate Postpartum: Care and Support 01:38:44 Settling In: The First Night and Beyond 01:42:48 The Power of Postpartum Support 01:45:50 Transforming as a Birth Worker 01:48:31 Offering Support: Prenatal and Postpartum Services 01:59:14 Contact Information and Final Thoughts CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: Questions to ask your Birth Attendant
    CONNECT WITH SAVANNAH.
    • Instagram: @savannahvjohnson
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    1 hr and 54 mins
  • EP8. Exploring Wild Pregnancy: A Journey of Intuition and Independence

    EP8. Exploring Wild Pregnancy: A Journey of Intuition and Independence
    Feb 9 2025
    In this episode of 'Hear Me Roar,' the hosts dive into the topic of wild pregnancy, an approach to childbirth that operates entirely outside the medical system. Sarah, who has experienced a wild pregnancy, shares her insights and experiences. Key points discussed include the definition of wild pregnancy, the unconventional methods of prenatal care, and the personal decisions and challenges faced during this journey. Questions on legality, birth certificates, and dealing with external opinions are also addressed. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the importance of intuition, self-care, and informed decision-making in navigating a pregnancy that is both natural and autonomous. 00:00 Introduction to Wild Pregnancy 00:45 Defining Wild Pregnancy 01:54 Sarah's Prenatal Care Journey 06:05 Deciding on a Wild Pregnancy 17:38 Legal and Social Considerations 21:26 Dealing with Opinions and Community 28:37 Birth Certificates and Documentation 32:46 Challenges and Rewards of Wild Pregnancy 41:41 Final Thoughts and Conclusion CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: Questions to ask your Birth Attendant
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    45 mins
  • EP7. From Military to Free Birth: Lilly's Transformative Journey

    EP7. From Military to Free Birth: Lilly's Transformative Journey
    Feb 2 2025
    In this episode, Lilly, a veteran and military spouse, shares her transformative birthing experiences. After two traditional hospital births, Lilly transitioned to a free birth, guided by a holistic and non-toxic lifestyle. She describes the emotional detachment and trauma she felt during her hospital deliveries, exacerbated by painful procedures and lack of autonomy. Her free birth at home was a primal experience, characterized by a deep connection and immediate bond with her baby. The story highlights the importance of bodily autonomy and trusting one's own instincts in childbirth. 00:00 Introduction to Lily and Her Birth Stories 00:25 Lily's First Hospital Birth Experience 02:11 The Foley Balloon and Induction Challenges 07:03 Breaking Water and Epidural Complications 14:33 Postpartum Reflections and Second Pregnancy 19:40 Second Hospital Birth and Induction 33:16 Transition to Free Birth 39:24 Preparing for Free Birth 45:49 Overcoming Overthinking During Pregnancy 47:13 Embracing the Unknown 48:54 The Start of Labor 51:13 The Birth Story 53:25 Post-Birth Reflections 59:27 Immediate Postpartum Experience 01:13:34 Breastfeeding Journey 01:21:52 Reflections on Motherhood 01:26:36 Future Plans and Closing Thoughts CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: Questions to ask your Birth Attendant
    CONNECT WITH LILLY.
    • Instagram: @lilly.keenan_
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • EP6. Christina's 4 Powerful Birth Stories, ending with her Free Birth!

    EP6. Christina's 4 Powerful Birth Stories, ending with her Free Birth!
    Jan 26 2025
    In this week's episode of 'Hear Me Roar,' we're joined by Christina Xenides. Christina shares an in-depth and emotional recount of her journey through four different birth experiences, starting from traditional hospital births to her final empowering free birth. She discusses the impact of each birth on her mental and emotional well-being and how her perception and understanding of childbirth transformed over time. With powerful anecdotes and insights, this episode highlights the profound differences between medically managed births and more natural, intuitive birthing experiences. Listeners are invited to explore the importance of community support, intuition, and the sacredness of birth through Christina's candid storytelling. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:45 Christina's Journey to Free Birth 02:58 First Birth Experience in New York 10:19 Second Birth and Hospital Challenges 27:39 Postpartum Reflections and Emotional Impact 31:05 Third Birth and Home Birth Experience 43:52 Postpartum Reflections and Breastfeeding Journey 44:27 Pregnancy with the Fourth Child 45:51 Midwife Issues and Gestational Diabetes 54:37 Decision to Free Birth 58:26 The Birth Experience 01:13:00 Post-Birth Reflections and Breastfeeding 01:21:12 Final Thoughts and Gratitude CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: Questions to ask your Birth Attendant
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • EP5. Prayers For Gloria LeMay

    EP5. Prayers For Gloria LeMay
    Jan 19 2025
    Navigating Birth Choices: The Gloria LeMay Case and the Role of Traditional Birth Keepers In this episode, Brit and Sarah address the urgent topic of Gloria LeMay, a traditional birth attendant who was recently arrested and charged with manslaughter. They discuss the implications of her arrest on the free birth and sovereign birth communities. The conversation delves into the complexities of birth outside the medical system, the different roles of birth attendants, and the personal responsibilities and choices involved in physiological births. Sarah shares her decision to focus on advocacy and coaching rather than attending births in this season. They also emphasize the importance of aligning with the right birth attendant and the need for clear communication and understanding of roles in birth settings. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Update 00:30 Overview of Gloria LeMay's Situation 01:52 Challenges in Birth Keeping 06:31 Personal Reflections on Birth Attendance 15:53 Different Types of Birth Attendants 25:26 Upcoming Meeting Announcement 25:44 Personal Journey to Free Birth 27:16 Risks and Realities of Different Birth Choices 32:27 Legal and Social Challenges of Free Birth 36:38 Empowerment and Making Informed Choices 41:20 Trusting Your Intuition in Birth Decisions 46:50 Concluding Thoughts and Resources CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: Questions to ask your Birth Attendant
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    47 mins
  • EP4. Sarah's Free Birth

    EP4. Sarah's Free Birth
    Jan 12 2025
    In this week's episode, Sarah shares the powerful and detailed story of Avery's free birth after an emotionally turbulent and chaotic journey between her first birth and this birth. Reflecting on her decision to choose a completely unassisted birth, she describes in vivid detail the labor process, the preparation, and the profound life changes that followed Avery's birth. With heartfelt anecdotes and raw, unfiltered emotions, Sarah also touches on the significant contrast between Avery's birth and her previous birth experience with Luka, emphasizing the powerful and transformative nature of natural physiological childbirth. This episode captures the essence of an incredibly personal and triumphant birth story, intending to inspire and inform other mothers intrigued by free birthing. CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: Questions to ask your Birth Attendant
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • EP3. Sarah's Home Birth Transfer

    EP3. Sarah's Home Birth Transfer
    Jan 5 2025
    EP3. Sarah's Home Birth Transfer In this episode, we discuss Sarah's journey into birth work, triggered by her traumatic first birth experience. Sarah shares her story, starting with a planned home birth turned hospital transfer, which led to feelings of failure and self-blame. She recounts the unexpected challenges, like a surprise visit from an acquaintance during labor, the invasive and disempowering actions of her midwife, and the subsequent hospital birth that left her feeling defeated. Postpartum, Sarah struggled with physical recovery and bonding with her baby. This experience drove her to explore and eventually embrace free birth for her second child, which reignited her passion for birth work. Now, she supports women through coaching and empowers them to pursue free birth, advocating for a shift away from the over-medicalization of childbirth. CONNECT WITH SARAH.
    • Website: mysacredbirthrite.com
    • Instagram: @sarahhawley__
    • Resources: https://www.mysacredbirthrite.com/resources
    • Work Together: Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session: Book Session
    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY.
    • Website
    • Instagram: @walking_with_women
    • Ebook: coming soon!
    SUPPORT THE PODCAST.
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a Review!
    DISCLAIMER. The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • EP2. Brittany's Home Birth

    EP2. Brittany's Home Birth
    Dec 30 2024

    In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of HEAR ME ROAR, Sarah Hawley is joined by her new co-host, Brittany Costello, who shares her powerful and deeply personal story of a medicalized home birth that left her feeling disempowered and disconnected.

    Brittany reflects on the expectations she had for a peaceful home birth, the interventions she experienced, and the ultimate realization of how each action during her birth profoundly impacted her body and spirit. This pivotal experience not only led Brittany to the world of free birth but also ignited her journey to becoming a Radical Birth Keeper, where she now supports women in reclaiming the sacredness of birth.

    Together, Sarah and Brittany dive into the often-overlooked trauma that regularly occurs in home birth settings and how interventions disrupt the sacredness of birth. They also challenge the societal narrative that pressures women to suppress feelings of disappointment in their medical birth experiences.

    In This Episode, We Discuss:

    • Brittany’s journey through her first medicalized home birth and the deep disappointment she felt.
    • How this experience led her to the world of free birth and her path to becoming a Radical Birth Keeper.
    • The ways medical interventions, even in a home setting, disrupt the birthing process.
    • The societal pressure to minimize women’s feelings of disappointment in birth.
    • The courage it takes to confront and heal from birth trauma.
    • Reclaiming the sacredness of birth and trusting the wisdom of our bodies.

    Connect with Sarah:

    • Website & Resources
    • Birth Trauma Integration Session
    • Wild & Free Coaching Container
    • Instagram

    Connect with Brittany:

    • Instagram
    • Website

    Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to take full responsibility for their own bodies and decisions and to consult with qualified professionals as needed.
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    1 hr and 24 mins