Our Story

This is the story of Macha, a goddess, a fairy woman, a woman of the Sidhe, who took a human lover for a year. This story sets the stage for the greatest epic in Irish mythology, the Táin Bó Cúailnge. This story is often remembered for its curse, but really, it's the story of a birth.

"The Birth of a Heroine" was written and performed by Marisa Goudy. Sources: The Metrical Dindsheanchas, which means "the lore of places" in Middle Irish and includes texts from the 11th to 14th centuries.

Our Guest

Barb Buckner Suárez is a Health Educator specializing in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. She’s taught thousands of couples for over 20 years about the benefits of embracing the vulnerability that comes with becoming a parent. Barb’s a Lamaze-certified Childbirth Educator, a Fellow in the Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators, a Certified Becoming Us Facilitator, and Mentor for Becoming Us Facilitators. She’s also a professed “brain nerd” and holds a Masters Level Certificate in Interpersonal Neurobiology. 

Barb just launched her new podcast Birth Happens. It's yet another way she is supporting expecting and new families in the most important work they will ever do: raising the next generation.

Our Conversation

• The way birth can feel “superhuman” and how it is even more remarkable than seeing a woman outrun the king’s fastest horses
• The symbolic power of cows and horses, particularly in the Celtic tradition and in relationship to birth
• The weaving of human, superhuman, and, as philosopher, writer, activist Bayo Akomolafe calls it, the more-than-human world 
• The brain science of “mommy brain” and how emotional and physical welfare takes up so much of the brain after birth
• The quest for inclusive language, particularly when discussing mythology and when discussing birth.  Barb talks about how she has changed the ways she uses “motherhood,” “fatherhood” and “pregnant person.”  
• Why certain stories are remembered for the “wrong reasons” but can be transformed through feminist and other perspectives (As Gloria Steinem said, “ The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off!”
• Book recommendation: Gail Carriger: The Heroine's Journey: For Writers, Readers, and Fans of Pop Culture (she makes great points about how heroines and heroes are determined by their actions and situations, not by their gender)

Connect With Our Guest

Learn more about Barb's classes and coaching sessions which can prepare you and your couple relationship for the normal challenges and changes of becoming a family. Visit her website and check out her blog at https://bbsuarez.com/

Find Barb on Facebook and Instagram

Our Music

Music on the show is by the wonderful Beth Sweeney and Billy Hardy, a Celtic Fiddle and multi-instrumental Duo based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The traditional Irish reel we play at the start of the show is called The College Groves.  Find out about their music and shows at: billyandbeth.com

Connect With Your Own Stories and with Marisa’s Work

Join Marisa’s online writing community, the Sovereign Writers’ Knot

Explore Marisa's work and get a copy of The Sovereignty Knot : www.marisagoudy.com

Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook, and join our vibrant listeners' community.