Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month Nichelle Clark, BS, IBCLC, IFC, HSC will take us through her journey supporting a family with triplets born at 32 weeks.

Nichelle Clark is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Infant Feeding Counselor (IFC), Holistic Sleep Coach (HSC), wife, and mom of two residing in Chesapeake, Virginia. She is the owner of a lactation private practice, SonShine & Rainbows Lactation & Sleep, which was inspired by her son and honors her fertility journey with him. Born and raised in Upper Marlboro, MD, Nichelle isUnited States Navy Veteran and hold a bachelors degree in Political Science. When she’s not spending time with family, she admins multiple online support groups for People of Color, providing breastfeeding support and lactation education to her community. As a prior exclusive pumping mom herself, Nichelle is a champion for breastfeeding parents to write their own rules and breastfeed their way.

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: **https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership**
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! **https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate**
• Submit your listener questions here: **https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5**

Today we are the ones being interviewed.  Julia, a rockstar student in UCSD's Pathway to Lactation program, slid into our DMs to share her journey and fangirl over the podcast (and reminded us that, yes, people actually listen to this thing).

The conversation begins with an exploration of a typical workday, punctuated by our varied responsibilities as lactation consultants. We also share what we love about our jobs like baby snuggles and supporting new mothers.

But let’s keep it real—our job isn’t all adorable yawns and milk-drunk smiles. We dive into the less Instagram-worthy parts of the gig too: mountains of charting (so. much. charting.), navigating the red tape of the healthcare system, and occasionally wanting to scream into a pillow. 

This episode is part pep talk, part therapy session, and all heart. Julia’s thoughtful questions lit a fire under us, and we walked away feeling like, “Heck yes—we were made for this.” Babies, parents, and yes, even that never-ending charting, bring us back day after day. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We spend a lot of time with these families. We see them for a lot of visits and I really want us to be valued in healthcare as specialists”

In this episode, we will cover:

• The joys of working with babies (6:03)
• Challenges we face as lactation consultations (8:15)
• What we would do differently when we first started (11:31)
• Our hopes for the future of our practice (15:28)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month we talk about keeping our businesses going while working through burnout with small business coach Michelle Ward.

Michelle Ward (she/her) is a business coachsultant (yup, she made up that term and is sticking with it) and CEO of Hello Business. Since 2008, she’s guided her clients to discover, launch, and grow their dream businesses. You may have seen or heard her in New York Magazine, NY Post, The Huffington Post, Etsy, Newsweek, Freelancers Union, USA Today, the Forbes Top 100 Websites for your Career list, Joyful Marketing, Real Talk Radio, Profit. Power. Pursuit., The Tiffany Han Show or hundreds of other media outlets. She’s also the teacher of Create Your Dream Career and Ditch Your Day Job, which were watched by tens of thousands of people on CreativeLive. When she’s not coaching, teaching or speaking, she can be found performing in musicals, drawing with her kiddo, or sitcom-binging with her husband.

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

In this episode, we take on the high-stakes world of office supply management, because nothing says “thriving professional” like frantically searching for a missing flange insert.

We discuss how to stockpile just enough essential supplies without drowning in a sea of unnecessary purchases. Plus where we store them in our small office spaces.

But it’s not just about space; it's also about the emotional rollercoaster of supply management. Annie confesses to the soothing yet regrettable power of retail therapy, which once resulted in an office overflowing with pumps but nowhere to put them. We acknowledge that while we may not have our dream workspace, we’re making do with what we do have and continuously refining our system.

 ”Good enough is really good enough.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• The issues with managing inventory (2:02)
• Storage solutions and limitations (9:27)
• Navigating space challenges (16:43)
• Creative solutions for supplies (21:47)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

In this episode, we dive into how our surroundings can make or break a parent’s already fragile sanity. Turns out, everything from the way we breathe (yes, even that) to where we sit down in someone’s living room can impact whether a parent feels supported.

From home visits to clinic spaces, we discuss how décor, lighting, and the strategic absence of clutter can prevent sensory overload (for both babies and adults). We also explore the delicate dance of being an "uninvited guest" in a family’s home—because nothing says welcome like showing up at someone’s most sleep-deprived, stress-ridden moment. 

So, tune in for some insights, some laughs, and a gentle reminder that sometimes, the best way to help new parents is simply by showing up, being present, and maybe dimming the lights just a little.

“ This is a safe space for you not to feel like you have to be a perfect human being.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• Being aware of the space we occupy and the energy we bring (3:06)
• How to transform clinical spaces (9:43)
• Enhancing the client experience (19:24)
• The importance of atmosphere (26:43)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

Today we are diving into the crazy world of scheduling. From juggling multiple locations to dealing with holiday madness, we are sharing our secrets and survival tactics. 

Leah explains her scheduling system, which involves multiple providers and locations, and the crucial role that her administrative assistant, Amanda, plays in orchestrating the chaos (and why she should get a raise). 

Annie explains how she navigates the nuances of handling interns and a recently expanded office schedule by implementing a more automated system to minimize the back-and-forth with her clients.

There isn’t a one-size-fits all solution to scheduling but we hope hearing how we handle scheduling will help you with recreating your own.

“When it feels crazy stressful and I'm like, we're never going to figure this out. I always just tell myself it always works out.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• Managing complicated schedules (2:19)
• The importance of having clear communication with your team (6:08)
• Creating waitlists to help with meeting client needs (12:05)
• Handling cancellations (25:17)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

It’s the New year and with that comes making resolutions but this year we are not excited about it.

The idea of setting goals has become daunting. Plus we usually don’t keep them anyway. It’s time to take a more intentional approach and remember that good enough is good enough.

Listen in as we set a goal to not put so much pressure on ourselves and just realize that we are doing the best we can (just like everyone else).

 ”We don't want to bog ourselves down so much that we forget to enjoy what we're actually doing.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• Setting intentions for the New Year (5:01)
• Battling perfectionism in goal setting (13:02)
• Navigating expectations (17:51)
• Accepting that good enough is ok in 2025 (20:28)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
•  Check out this newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/linksiwouldgchatyou/p/the-paradox-of-staying-online?r=l9zhf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

Bring some tissues to this episode because we are talking about not only us getting older but also our kids.

We candidly share our experiences of growing older while still relating to a client base primarily entrenched in the childbearing years. We reflect on how our experiences differ profoundly from those of our clients and how that fosters a need for empathy, understanding, and adaptation in our approach.

We also dive into the nostalgia of reflecting on previous parenting stages and discuss the sentimental emotions that arise as our children transition into adulthood. Our goal is for you to embrace the joys and challenges of parenting at every stage.

“Even though we're getting older, there are still so many amazing pieces of being a lactation consultant, and it helps us stay connected to our little ones when they were little. It really is the weirdest job, like find me a job that's weirder.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• The joy of working with babies and how it reminds us of when our children were little (6:43)
• Learning from your experiences to help your clients (10:08)
• The importance of empathy (16:42)
• Balancing nostalgia and reality (19:22)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

We’re back! Did you miss us?

We are reconnecting after a summer break where Leah was recovering from major back surgery, a significant event that shifted not just her physical circumstances but profoundly affected her approach to both life and business. 

Also, Annie reveals her previous mindset regarding health issues and the unrealistic standards she sets for herself, which led to detrimental consequences. The painful truth is that, too often, we delay seeking medical attention until our conditions require urgent action.

“It’s so hard taking care of ourselves.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• Reflections on recovery (2:24)
• Speaking up for yourself in healthcare situations (5:40)
• Taking time off as a business owner (12:29)
• What’s coming up for Lactation Business Coaching (16:07)

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month, we talked with Allison Alexander, LPN IBCLC about  the contentious debate surrounding tongue tie.  We explore the recent uproar ignited by a clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which has set the lactation community abuzz. Concerned about the implications of these headlines on patient care, Allison and her partner decided to respond proactively. They crafted a letter addressed to local pediatricians, aiming to clarify their stance on the role of lactation consultants in the holistic care of breastfeeding families. The letter encapsulates their commitment to collaboration and outlines their approach to managing oral restrictions.

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.