n this heartfelt episode of The NFP Podcast, host Emily Appeldorn sits down with certified nurse midwife Brennan Straka for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about midwifery, vocation, and the sacred journey of motherhood. Brennan shares how she first felt called to the midwifery profession, what that journey has looked like over the years, and how becoming a mother herself has profoundly shaped the way she walks with women through pregnancy and birth.

Brennan opens up about what it means to return to midwifery with a renewed perspective, balancing her professional calling with her role as a mother and wife. This episode offers a beautiful blend of clinical wisdom, personal testimony, and the heart behind midwifery care that honors the dignity of both mother and child.

Whether you're curious about birth, discerning a vocation in women's health, or simply love hearing stories of faith and purpose, this episode will encourage and uplift you. Tune in for a rich dialogue about the intersection of natural family planning, holistic women’s care, and the powerful witness of women supporting women.

Resources:

Hope Mommies: https://hopemommies.org/

Mend Ministries: https://www.facebook.com/Mendnwa/

Book: Naming the Child: Hope-Filled Reflections on Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death by Jenny Schroedel

Eden Birth and Wellness: https://www.edenbirthandwellness.com/

BreastCare is the state program to provide free coverage of pap smears and mammograms - we help people enroll at Community Clinic: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/prevention-healthy-living/breastcare-program/

Community Clinic: https://www.communityclinicnwa.org/

American College of Nurse-Midwives - About Midwifery: https://midwife.org/about-midwifery/

American College of Nurse-Midwives - Find a midwife (kinda dumb because no one in our area is on here!): https://ams.midwife.org/web-directory/1?_gl=1*1k8b1gg*_ga*NzQ5MTE2MjkxLjE3NDg2NDA5MjQ.*_ga_7V4BFHR9VL*czE3NDg2NDA5MjMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDg2NDA5OTAkajU1JGwwJGgw*_ga_YTJD6NM3NH*czE3NDg2NDA5MjMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDg2NDA5OTAkajU1JGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTQzNTIxOTA4NS4xNzQ4NjQwOTI0

NARM - the registry organization for Professional Midwives (also not very good place to find a midwife!): https://narm.org/

Link to a beautiful explanation of the Nativity Icon. I'm sure you could use that thumbnail I have included below as well: https://www.orthodoxroad.com/nativity-icon-explained/