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In the first episode of our Stony Brook Doula Partnership series, we sit down with experienced doula Ebonie Tudor to answer the question every expectant parent should ask: What exactly does a doula do?

Ebonie shares how doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We talk about:

💛 How doulas help keep both birthing parents and partners calm and confident

💛 What it’s like to have a doula join you in your home before birth

💛 The difference between midwives and doulas

💛 How doulas stay by your side for your entire labo

💛 The ways doulas open up communication with your medical team

💛 How continuous support can help you have a more positive birth experience

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or adding to your family, this conversation will help you understand the unique role doulas play—and why Stony Brook is making this support available to more families than ever before.

Find a doula: Stony Brook Doula Partnership

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A meditation on how to cultivate community, why we should, and how to do it. Both showing up for others but also recognizing that we can be wonderful, capable parents and also need support for ourselves. Kaitlin shares her experience evolving into a parent who both shows up for others but also lets herself be supported by other women.

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What does it really look like to go back to work after maternity leave?

In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, Kaitlin and parental leave expert Jackie Cook dive into the messy, emotional, and very real transition from the “motherhood fog” back into the professional world.

They talk about:
 💛 Why returning to work is a process, not a single event
💛 The rollercoaster of emotions—excitement, grief, exhaustion, or all of the above
💛 The importance of childcare planning and workplace flexibility
💛 Why small accommodations at work make a big difference in retention
💛 Practical tips like easing in with a Thursday return, choosing clothes that fit your new body and pumping needs, and creating a framework for communication with your boss and team

Jackie also shares how she works with companies through Popins to make maternity leave and return-to-work smoother for both employees and employers.

Whether you’re preparing to return to work, in the middle of it, or supporting someone through it, this episode is filled with validation, insight, and strategies to make the transition a little easier.

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In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, Kaitlin talks with parental leave expert Jackie Cook about how to design a maternity leave that actually lets you rest, recover, and bond with your baby—without setting yourself up for chaos when you return to work.

They discuss:
 💛 Why working on leave can leave you coming back with an “empty cup”
 💛 How to define your comfort level with work during leave
💛 Simple steps to prepare your role and responsibilities before baby arrives
💛 Why it’s essential to decide who can contact you during leave—and when
💛 How to plan a smooth ramp back into work (even in roles like teaching and nursing)

Whether you plan to go completely off-grid or check in occasionally, this episode will help you set boundaries, lower your stress, and return to work feeling recharged—not depleted.

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Get in touch with Jackie

In this episode of the BeHerVillage podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes sits down with Jackie Cook, founder of Popins—a company that helps parents and employers prepare for and protect maternity leave. Together, they dig into one big question: How did we end up in a world where new parents are answering emails while caring for a newborn?

Jackie explains why so many parents—especially mothers—feel the pull to work during maternity leave. From the familiarity and comfort of work to the disorienting nature of early parenthood, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate take on why stepping fully into leave is so difficult—and why it’s so necessary.

Whether you’re preparing for leave, returning to work, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers powerful insights and a refreshing dose of realism about what working parents are really up against.

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Get in touch with Akiko

Too many parents hear “enjoy your vacation!” as they head into maternity leave—but let’s be clear: maternity leave is not a break. In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with parental leave expert Akiko Thayer for Part 2 of their eye-opening conversation about how to navigate the confusing and often dismissive world of workplace leave policies.

They talk about:

• What language to use when requesting leave (hint: don’t say “maternity leave”)
• How to protect yourself legally once you announce your pregnancy
• What to do if HR pushes back
• Why your employer isn’t necessarily looking out for you—and how to make sure you’re covered anyway

This is the episode you must listen to before talking to HR. Whether you're pregnant, postpartum, or planning ahead, this conversation will leave you empowered, informed, and ready to take control of your leave.

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When HR shorted her maternity leave by 8 weeks, she took matters into her own hands—and uncovered a broken system. Now, as the founder of Maternity Leave 411, Akiko helps parents get the paid leave they deserve. In this episode, we talk about why you can’t blindly trust HR, how to extend your leave, and why building your village might mean hiring a leave consultant. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about your time off, this is your easy button.

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Show Notes

If you're a business owner and expecting a baby, this episode is your permission slip to rest.

Host Kaitlin McGreyes sits down with Hannah Vasquez, founder of Your Favorite VA, to talk about how entrepreneurs can actually take a maternity leave—without their business falling apart. From scheduling content in advance to automating systems and delegating tasks, Hannah breaks down how to prepare your business to coast while you recover and bond with your baby.

They explore:

• How to “nest” your business just like you’d nest your home
• The difference between working on your business vs. in your business
• Why we often underestimate how demanding postpartum life really is
• How to focus your energy on revenue- and impact-generating activities

This conversation is practical, validating, and deeply necessary for any entrepreneur who’s navigating pregnancy and parenthood.

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Show Notes

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For many new moms, the arrival of a baby sparks a profound—and often painful—question: Can I truly have it all? The drive to succeed professionally meets the deep desire to be present for your child, creating a tension that feels impossible to resolve.

In this episode of the BeHerVillage Podcast, we sit down with Hannah Vasquez, founder of Your Favorite VA, who knows firsthand how ambitious moms can navigate this collision without sacrificing their careers or their families. Together, we explore how the right support system is the real game-changer—the antidote to the “either/or” choice so many moms feel pressured to make.

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There’s a loneliness epidemic quietly crushing new parents. And no amount of swaddles, bassinets, or baby monitors can fix it. In this episode, we sit down with Jaclyn Buckingham, owner of The New Mom School Edmond, to talk about why today’s moms feel so isolated… and what we can actually do about it.

Jaclyn shares how she’s creating real, in-person community for moms through her innovative new business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling, this episode will remind you that you're absolutely not—and that finding your people might just be the most important postpartum tool of all.

New Mom School Edmond

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