“Grey’s Anatomy” star Kelly McCreary takes Katie Lowes and listeners inside her pregnancy, labor, and recovery experience after welcoming daughter Indigo Wren weeks early. From suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum to her bag of waters breaking at 23 ½ weeks to Indi’s extended stay in the NICU – almost nothing went according to Kelly’s birth plan. The first-time mama stresses the importance of normalizing and lifting the shame and guilt that can come with these frightening experiences.

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Sarah Drew joins Katie to reflect on the pregnancies of her two children, and both the sorrow and joy experienced during some of life’s greatest moments. 

The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum opens up about what it was really like being back on set just two weeks after giving birth, and the Dr. April Kepner storyline that triggered her own severe mom guilt. 

Sarah also shares how her 10-year-old and 7-year-old have wrestled with God and purpose, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the open talks she and her husband Peter have with them to help them navigate.

Plus, are you looking for some tips on how to help your children to get along? Sarah has a couple of pointers for you: listen for details!

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40-year old virgin and childbirth educator Lynette Weaver shares with Katie her experience of having an embryo adoption.

 The former birth doula outlines the step-by-step process of the implantation. She also discusses why she chose this route instead of IVF, the pregnancy and postpartum struggles along the way, and how she is explaining to her son how he was born.

Plus, how is the labor experience for a virgin different from the experience of a sexually-active woman? Tune in to find out!

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Erica Chidi, Co-founder and CEO of LOOM, shares how she is using her digital platform to help people get out of the glib and into the details of women’s sexual and reproductive health.

In a patriarchal society steeped in shadow language around women’s bodies and experiences, Erica understands that words and specificity matters. In this episode, the author and former doula discusses everything from postpartum versus postpartum mood disorder to the need for biological empathy. Erica also digs into the type of curriculum LOOM offers to educate people on what to really expect before moving into the birthing experience and beyond.

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Peaceful parenting expert and TikTok influencer Destini Ann talks with Katie about raising children with strategic, calm and positive techniques.

Destini outlines what peaceful and intentional parenting is, and how therapy and self help guided her toward using the kind but firm approach. She also outlines tips and personal examples of how families can communicate with their own children when it comes to enforcing boundaries, power struggles, and getting kids to cooperate.

Plus, did you know that even as a peaceful parent, there are also areas where Destini is still developing in raising her two kiddos? Tune in to hear hilarious and relatable examples, and how Destini continues to push forward.

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins
Producer & Editor: Casby Bias
Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

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Katie chats with “This Is Us” actress Caitlin Thompson to hear about her pandemic pregnancy.

Caitlin describes how her pregnancy during the early days of the pandemic helped the development of her character on the popular NBC show. She also outlined how motherhood shifted her thoughts on her own self-identity. The two finally discussed postpartum, and how it’s looked at differently in different parts of the world compared to the United States. 

Plus, did you know that Katie appears on “This Is Us”? Tune in to find out when her episodes air!

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

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Kelsey Porter, wife of “Friday Night Lights” actor Scott Porter, discusses with Katie her personal experience of having Huntington's disease, and how she was able to birth and raise children without passing down the condition.

The mother of two outlined the details of how she and her husband met, and how they made it through the PGD-IVF process. Kelsey also described the differences between her and her husband’s parenting styles.

Plus, Kelsey goes into graphic detail about her rather awkward experience dealing with a Foley balloon while being in labor! Tune in for more.

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Katie speaks with Fatima Goss Graves, president of the National Women’s Law Center, about the current and future state of mothers in the workforce, paid leave, and policy.

Fatima describes why she got into law and policy, and what a national paid leave program could do for families in the U.S. She also details other laws that we as citizens should be supporting.

Plus, did you know that your state might actually provide additional financial support and resources for maternity leave? Fatima gives insight on what organizations to reach out for more information!

National Women’s Law Center: http://nwlc.org 

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