Birth Bruja Podcast

Guests: Ixel Chavez and Rebecca Orozco from the Roots of Labor Birth Collective.

This is part 2 of a 3 part series where we dive into the badass organization that is the bay area based, RLBC- aka Roots of Labor Birth Collective. These doulas of color provide full price, sliding scale, and volunteer doula services. In addition to serving private clients, they partner with Santa Rita Jail and Bay Area clinics to serve low-income and communities of color.

In this episode, we dive into their full-spectrum doula work within Santa Rita Jail.

Discussion Topics:

*A basic run through of what it is like to provide prenatal and birth support to non-free folk in Santa Rita Jail

*Some of the challenges expecting and birthing folk may face when being within the prison industrial complex

*RLBC's systems of support that cultivate sustainability in this SUPER INTENSE and challenging work

*The struggles of talking about this work without being able to TRULY TALK about this work (aka Security Culture).

*And more!

Please consider making a donation in support of this crucial work! Visit www.RootsOfLaborBC.com

Links and Resources:

Music: “This is Not Our Home,” performed by the Lady Lifers.

Roots of Labor Birth Collective: www.RootsofLaborBC.com

Ixel Chavez- I am of Guatemalan descent and have some knowledge on herbs, nutrition and traditional practices. I encourage self empowerment. I have experience with different comfort measures during labor. I am respectful, attentive, patient and adaptable

Rebecca Orozco- is a Spanish-speaking Chicana Doula, a Reproductive Justice and Family Advocate, and an aspiring activist. Before coming into Birth Work in 2015, she spent 8 years supporting families of diverse structures as an Early Childhood Educator. She has a background in Medical Anthropology, and sees Birth Work as Social Justice in action. As a Doula, she wants you to have all the information you seek and to feel empowered by your choices at every step - your body, your baby, your birth. She is ecstatic to be in community with so many inspiring, conscientious doulas.

Guests: Kai Shatteen and Melissa Reyes from the Roots of Labor Birth Collective.

This is part 1 of a 3 part series where we dive into the badass organization that is the bay area based, RLBC- aka Roots of Labor Birth Collective. These doulas of color provide full price, sliding scale, and volunteer doula services. In addition to serving private clients, they partner with Santa Rita Jail and Bay Area clinics to serve low-income and communities of color.

In this episode, we explore an an outline of RLBC's work with a special focus on their doula training- taught by people of color, FOR people of color, to SERVE people of color.

Additional Topics:

*The importance of folks being served by people who share aspects of their identity.

*Differences between trainings created and led by white folk vs trainings created and led by people of color

*Ways that national doula training organizations can exploit/let down marginalized communities

*How choosing a one-sized-fits-all approach to providing doula services through medicare can backfire for those who need it most

*And more!

Please consider making a donation in support of this crucial work! Visit www.RootsOfLaborBC.com

Links and Resources:

Music: "A Change is Gonna Come," sung by Aretha Franklin

Roots of Labor Birth Collective: www.RootsofLaborBC.com

Kai Shatteen- www.kindredsouldoula.com

Melissa Reyes- www.remediosbirthandhealing.com

We begin this episode with a call to action. Nia Wilson's death reminds us, once again, of the urgency that surrounds the need to dismantle oppressive systems in this society. Let our birthwork be an expression of our justice work. Let our birthwork be an embodiment of healing and collective liberation.

This episode, we listen to birthworker and co-found of the Roots of Labor Birth Collective, Elena Aurora. We dive even deeper into ways loss and grief can manifest in the birth experience, what we as birthworkers can do to be of support, and how we as birthworkers can best support ourselves through such work when we are struggling with our lives.

Join the conversation on instagram by following @birthbruja.

More Show Notes <3

Elena Aurora is a creative movement organizer. They craft stories, ceramics, and spreadsheets. Elena is the co-founder of Woke n Wasteless and Roots of Labor Birth Collective. They identify as a healer, queer & mixed–race Peruvian indigenous, Spanish colonizer, and decedent of german immigrants pre-civil war. They are based out of Oakland CA. Learn more about Elena at www.AuroraBirthJourney.com

Roots of Labor (Bay Area): www.rootsoflaborbc.com

Roots of Labor Birth Collective (RLBC) believes that everyone deserves a doula, regardless of one’s ability to pay. When you hire an RLBC doula, you are investing in the wellness of the greater Bay Area birthing community.

We partner with Santa Rita Jail and Bay Area clinics who serve low-income and communities of color. We offer compassionate physical, emotional, and informational support to those members of our community who are most vulnerable to systemic oppression. When you choose to hire an RLBC doula, your decision to work with us also provides quality doula care to all birthing people– including those who are incarcerated, immigrants, survivors, low-income, of color, trans*, queer, and/or disabled.

Opening Performance:

"Ink Pata" & "Say my Name" by Mumu Fresh

Closing poem by Kim Bjanes. Follow her on Instagram @lameramerakimguerra

We are still here. We are still growing.

We are marching. We are speaking up.

We are voting. We are graduating.

We are healing.

We are learning to take care of ourselves.

We are instigating change. We are fighting.

We are getting back up.

We are fearless.

We are resilient. We are the revolution.

We are liberating ourselves.

We are taking up space.

This is a testament to the resilience

that makes us who we are as a people.

No nos rajamos.

We believe in si se puede.

Yes we can,

and yes we will.

Last episode, we spoke with therapist Shawneshia Hoover and cultural producer Cat Petru of We Rise for a foundational conversation around Loss & Grief. We covered topics such as coping mechanisms, harm reduction, the power of community, the role of professional help, and more.

This episode, we listen to birthworker Maureen Buttner as she tells the tale of her mother giving birth to her and her twin, Sydney. Listeners, please take extra care around this episode as this story includes the death of a grandmother in addition to a 2nd trimester miscarriage. Following this heartfelt storytelling, we discuss the dual gates of life and death, the need and power of community, healing as a cyclical journey, and power of intuition- especially as a birthing person!

Stay tuned for our next episode with birthworker and co-found of the Roots of Labor Birth Collective, Elena Aurora. We dive even deeper into ways loss and grief can manifest in the birth experience, what we as birthworkers can do to be of support, and how we as birthworkers can best support ourselves through such work when we are struggling with our lives.

Join the conversation on instagram by following @birthbruja.

More Show Notes <3

Opening Blessing- there aren't enough characters here- go to our IG account @birthbruja to see the written version.

Meet Maureen:

Hello! I’m Maureen Buttner. I am a queer feminist witchy cisgendered white woman gifted with intuitive abilities and a deep, unending desire to be with nature. I believe strongly that it is every human being’s right to reclaim their own identity & their own authentic voice and to live freely according to each person’s own inner guidance. The modern western paradigm of white supremacist, imperialist, cis-hetero-patriarchy has conditioned us all to believe that the ways of this world are normal, even as we can all so clearly see how toxic & oppressive these structures are. Remembering yourself is an essential process, one that has been blatantly and deliberately inaccessible except for a privileged few. I seek to use all my professional work but particularly my intuitive tarot abilities as a tool to aid folks in the process of self reclamation and in repairing from the harm inflicted by the systems of this world. I work with Motherpeace tarot, which is a deck that seeks to reimagine the world without patriarchy and to allow the reader access to extensive healing. My current work spans the realms of full time professional child care, volunteer birth work, space creation/organization/maintenance, and therapeutic tarot readings. The bridge between these worlds is the strength in my ability to provide folks (women and femme identified folks in particular) with an accessible, safe, nurturing space to tune into & explore their own authentic voice & identity, during peak, transformative, or growing experiences and within everyday life. It’s a privilege and honor to be of service in the ways that I can, thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me. :)

For further inquiry into my work, please reach out to me at [email protected]. I am presently available for readings, sliding scale postpartum birth work, and home organization. Website & instagram forthcoming!

Episode 5 is part one of a series dedicated to exploring and holding space for loss & grief. As with all of our series, the first conversation aims to create a baseline understanding of the topic. We look at Loss & Grief in its entirety and dive into its impact outside of the birth room. We talk about coping mechanisms, intergenerational trauma, harm reduction, how to best provide support, and more.

In today’s episode, we are joined by two steller humans- community worker, artist, and marriage family therapist, Shawneshia Hoover as well as artist, dancer, cultural producer, and producer of the Birth Bruja Podcast, Cat Petru.

Follow Shawneisha @lapreebarber and Cat at @weriseproductions <3

Learn a bit more about out guests <3

<3 Shawneshia Hoover <3

Hello my name is Shawneshia and I have worked as a Marriage Family therapist intern for six years. My passion is youth and family support. I offer a person centered approach to the communities that I serve. Although I describe my approach as multidiscipline, my foundation is based in trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy. I currently support my community with skills to unpack the root of their thoughts as well as offer strength based reflections. This interventions aids in a collaborative approach that fosters insight into how root thoughts impacts behaviors. Most importantly I call into attention cultural influences, race, gender and sexuality. I honor that with each individual I serve in addition to the alliance I build with them, comes a plethora of intersectionality. I leave space to process these intersections and explore their impacts on treatment. I encourage agency on behalf of the community I serve and honor them as the leading expert in their healing.

My experiences include but are not limited to; mood disorders, complex trauma, LGBTTQQIAAP, Foster care, TAY youth, reintegration/family dynamics, grief and loss. I am particularly passionate about working with individuals with marginalized identities as well Youth with experiences of displacement.

I have been fortunate to have gained an enormous amount of knowledge through working for Dual diagnosis treatment center, Private/Public schools, and nonprofits. I have shared my expertise with several organizations in different capacities such as facilitator and offering a unique approach based on my identity. These organizations include: The California Institute of Integral Studies, Thunder Road treatment center, Bay area Youth centers, Pinole Valley High school, St Peter Martyr and sunny Hills Services.

It has been an honor to share my gifts and I hope to share them with you, Best Shawneshia Hoover AMFT

<3 Catherine/Cat Petru <3

Bio Coming Soon!

Last episode, we connected with birthworker Jenny Silva to explore more specifically what it looks like to weave ancestral medicine into our lives and birth work. We answered the questions- How can ancestral medicine support our wellness as birth workers? Why is it important to decolonize birth and stay connected to ancestral traditions? What could our birth offerings look like if we were to specifically include our traditions in our offerings?

In THIS episode, we speak with Heaven Celeste Thunder, a mother and medicine maker about her journey into ancestral medicine and motherhood.

Heaven’s current education in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Mexican medicine began alongside her involvement with Aztec dance and ceremony. She entered a formal Master’s program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and an informal regathering and remembering of ancient Mexican medicine. Both of these forms of nature-based medicine look at the entire health of the individual instead of looking at the symptoms or diseases.

The vision of Heaven’s private clinical practice will tie East Asian and Meso-american medicine together to support health and well-being on all levels: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. She plans to emphasize her pursuit of studying Womxn’s Health and Pediatrics with a strong foundation in the emotional-spiritual. You can find her chasing her Master’s at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, on hikes with her boo and their baby, in Aztec dance ceremonies/demonstrations/rallies, and in Native American healing ceremonies.

Connect with Heaven on instagram @amomati medicinals or via email at [email protected].

Follow me, Eri, on instagram @birthbruja to continue the conversation of ancestral medicine in birthwork.

Last episode, we connected with healer, community worker, and Curandera Batul True Heart for an introductory conversation into Ancestral Medicine. We answered the questions- What does ancestral medicine mean? Why is it powerful? How can we begin or deepen the journey of exploring the healing modalities of our ancestors?

In this episode, we speak with birthworker Jenny Silva to explore more specifically what it looks like to weave ancestral medicine into our lives and birth work.

Jenny Silva is the youngest out of 8 children, whose parents migrated from Mexico. Born in the Los Angeles area, Jenny found a connection with her indigenous roots as a youth. After many years of studying the red road, it wasn’t till 2010 where she found her calling as a Spiritual Birth worker/ Doula of color.

Jenny is a mother to 4 warrior sons, a step mother, and a Tia to many. This is her inspiration to continue her ancestral ways of healing. Using Plant medicine, ancestral nutrition, rebozo techniques and abuelita wisdom. Jenny reminds women & families of their own inner strength, through mind, body, and spirit. She supports them in bringing forth their own unique birthing ceremony and postpartum journey. Connect with Jenny on instagram @doulajennysilva or email her [email protected].

How can ancestral medicine support our wellness as birth workers? Why is it important to decolonize birth and stay connected to ancestral traditions? What could our birth offerings look like if we were to specifically include our traditions in our offerings? Jenny and I answer these questions and more. Stay Tuned <3.

Check out Episode 4: Ancestral Medicine Series, pt 3 where we connect with medicine maker, healer, and mother Heaven Celeste Thunder to discuss the practice of ancestral medicine and motherhood.

Follow me, Eri, on Instagram @birthbruja to learn more about ancestral medicine, its possibilities, and the ways it can be woven into birthwork <3.

Studying and practicing one’s ancestral medicine can be a potent place for healing and wellness. Especially in relation to my practice of birth work, I have found these lessons to be invaluable as they enable me to cultivate wellness in mind, body, heart, and spirit.

In this episode, we dive into the subject of ancestral medicine with healer, community worker, and Curandera, Batul True Heart.

Batul has dedicated her life to keeping the traditional healing practices of her ancestors alive in order to heal herself, her community, and the earth from the devastating effects of colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy. Walking the path of Curanderismo, Batul cultivates her connection to her ancestors, the plants, and the elements by respectfully bringing her ancestral medicine to the world while empowering others to do the same. Connect with Batul on instagram @batultrueheart or email at maaso [email protected].

What does ancestral medicine mean? Why is it powerful? How can we begin or deepen the journey of exploring the healing modalities of our ancestors? Batul and I answer these questions and more. Stay Tuned <3.

Check out Episode 3: Ancestral Medicine Series, Part 2 where we connect with birthworker Jenny Silva to explore more specifically what it looks like to weave ancestral medicine into our lives and birth work.

Follow me, Eri, on Instagram @birthbruja to learn more about ancestral medicine, its possibilities, and the ways it can be woven into birthwork <3.

Episode 1 of The Birth Bruja Podcast

Featuring: May Elawar

Host Eri Guajardo Johnson jumps into the meaning and vision behind The Birth Bruja Podcast. We talk about birth as a powerful place for healing and transformation, the need for intersectional and liberational approaches to birth work, the reason behind using the term "Bruja", and more. Scholar May Elawar joins us to talk about reclamation work, connecting with our mother line, valuing alternative ways of knowing within medical spaces, and beyond.

Mentioned Resources:

California Institute of Integral Studies- Women's Spirituality Program

https://www.ciis.edu/academics/graduate-programs/womens-spirituality

"Witches" by Fleassy Malay: https://www.facebook.com/upliftconnect/videos/1213620145441631/

Music: "Green & Gold" by Lianne La Havas

For questions or comments <3

Eri Guajardo Johnson at [email protected]

May Elawar at [email protected]