The Doula Johanna Podcast: Keeping Death Close. Living More Fully.

The Doula Johanna Podcast: Keeping Death Close. Living More Fully.

By Johanna CanadySociety & CultureEducationSelf-ImprovementRelationships
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The Doula Johanna Podcast: Keeping Death Close. Living More Fully. episodes

  • Feeling Emotional on Your Child's Birthday
    Do you feel emotional, heavy, or unexpectedly sad around your child’s birthday?
    You’re not alone — and you’re not broken.
    In this episode, I talk about the complex, tender feelings many mothers experience around their children’s birthdays: joy and gratitude, yes — but also grief, nostalgia, exhaustion, and even sadness.
    This emotional wave is rarely talked about — especially when it’s not our birthday, but our child’s. And yet, so many mothers feel it deeply:
    The end of a baby chapter
    The challenge of letting go
    The invisible labor of making birthdays magical
    The longing to be seen, acknowledged, and held
    🎧 This episode is here to normalize those feelings and to give you permission to feel whatever is coming up. You’ll also hear about a beautiful little practice you can do before or on your child’s birthday — to honor yourself, your journey, and the love you pour into motherhood.
    💛 And starting June 18, 2025, you can also listen to a free guided meditation for mothers on their child’s birthday on Insight Timer. I created it just for you.
    Whether you’re preparing for your child’s birthday or still feeling tender after it — this is your space to exhale.
    —
    🧘‍♀️ Free Meditation on Insight Timer (from June 18):
    “Birthing Day Meditation”
    https://insighttimer.com/doulajohanna
    Follow for more reflections, meditations, and support for mothers:
    Instagram: @doulajohanna
    Website: doulajohanna.com
    Please share this episode with a mother who might need it today.
    9 min
  • The Honest Truth About Having a Baby in Your 40s
    Second Chances, Sex and Starting Over!
    What really changes when you have a baby in your 40s?
    Is it harder? Easier? And what happens to your sense of self — and your sex life — when you're suddenly back in the newborn trenches after years of independence?
    In this beautifully chaotic episode, I talk to my best friend Johanna — a former ballet dancer, wild-at-heart world traveler, and now a mother of two — about the radical shifts that come with motherhood later in life.
    We cover:
    ✨ How motherhood has shaped and stretched her identity
    ✨ What it’s like to start over with a baby 7 years after the first
    ✨ The surprising things that feel easier in her 40s — and what’s a whole lot harder
    ✨ How she keeps intimacy, sensuality, and desire alive in her marriage (don’t miss the end!)
    Between baby cries, sibling shouts, and a dozen kid interruptions, this episode is anything but polished — and that’s the point. We embraced the chaos, hit record anyway, and made it happen. Real life doesn’t wait for a quiet moment. Neither did we.
    Tune in if you’ve ever wondered:
    “Am I too old to do this again?”
    “Will I ever feel sexy again?”
    “Can I be a mom and myself?”
    Because yes, you can. And this conversation proves it.
    🌟 Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟
    I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between.
    🎧 Weekly episodes to help you:
    Reclaim your body, joy & purpose
    Navigate big transitions with courage and curiosity
    Embrace desire, rest, money, and meaning — unapologetically
    ✨ Topics: motherhood, sex, money, health, grief, career change & more.
    🧭 Need support right now?
    Book a 1:1 coaching session: https://www.doulajohanna.com/coaching
    We can explore anything from pregnancy, intimacy, and parenting to purpose, identity, and big life decisions. It’s all welcome.
    📬 Want more support, sneak peeks & soulful tools?
    Join my email list: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share
    📲 Stay connected:
    Instagram → https://instagram.com/doulajohanna
    Website → https://www.doulajohanna.com
    🛒 Resources & downloads:
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna
    🎙️ Listen on:
    Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT
    Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722
    #workingmoms #lifedoula #selfcareforwomen #momburnout #coachingformoms #momlifeafter40 #intimacyafterkids #motherhoodandmore
    34 min
  • Called to More — Without Doing It All
    What if the things that light you up aren’t distractions from your real life — but the map to something deeper?
    If you’ve ever felt like your dreams have to wait until life gets less full, this conversation is for you. We’ll talk about permission, timing, and why doing a lot for something meaningful is never the same as doing a little for something that drains you.
    In this heartfelt episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a very personal step I’ve taken: applying for hospice volunteer training. I’ll share what pulled me toward this path, what almost held me back, and what I learned from showing up anyway — nerves and all.
    I also touch on a beautiful perspective I heard about the energy of giving, and I’ll ask you a few questions to help you reconnect with your own purpose — even if you're folding laundry or feeling stretched thin.
    ✨ Stay with me until the end for a gentle reminder that your dreams aren’t selfish — they’re sacred. And if you have dream calling you and need a doula to hold your hand when you take the first step: reach out! I am available for 1:1 coaching and would be happy to work with you!
    14 min
  • Raising Humans in the Age of AI
    I’m not an AI expert. I’m a mother — living, loving, and parenting in a time where the future feels more uncertain than ever.
    In this episode, I’m sharing some personal reflections about what it means to raise children in a world where artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way we live, work, and connect. I talk about my hopes, my fears, and the quiet moments that remind me of what really matters.
    What skills will truly help our kids thrive in a future we can’t predict?
    How do we set ourchildren up for success and what does success even look like in a world changing this fast?
    How do we stay grounded — as parents, as humans — when we’re walking such unfamiliar terrain?
    I don’t have the answers. But I want to start the conversation.
    Are you nervous, too? Or hopeful? Or both?
    Let’s talk about it in the comment section!
    16 min
  • Beautiful Mamas: A Postpartum Mindset Shift
    Do you ever look in the mirror and miss the "old you"?
    Do you find it hard to love your body since having children?
    Do you feel pressure to “bounce back” to your pre-baby self?
    Then this episode is for you.
    Today we’re diving deep into body image after motherhood, the toxic pressure to “bounce back,” and what it really means to feel beautiful again—with stretch marks, soft bellies, tired eyes, and all.
    Let’s be clear: There is no going back. There is only moving forward—and you’re allowed to feel radiant, sexy, and worthy in your new body.
    I’ll share the mindset shift that helped me redefine beauty in my postpartum life, what I do (and don’t do) to feel good in my skin, and why reclaiming your self-worth isn’t vanity—it’s power.
    ✨ We’ll talk about what real self-care can look like.
    ✨ Why your beauty is not tied to your skincare routine or dress size.
    ✨ And how booking a photo session with someone who truly sees you—like Leigh Watson @doulaheartphotography—can transform your perspective.
    https://doulaheartphotography.com/
    You’ll also hear how to access a special listener-only offer Leigh created for you.
    Because we deserve to feel beautiful. Especially now.
    Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟
    I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between.
    🎧 Weekly episodes to help you:
    Reclaim your body, joy & purpose
    Navigate big transitions with courage and curiosity
    Embrace desire, rest, money, and meaning — unapologetically
    ✨ Topics: motherhood, sex, money, health, grief, career change & more.
    🧭 Need support right now?
    Book a 1:1 coaching session: https://www.doulajohanna.com/coaching
    We can explore anything from pregnancy, intimacy, and parenting to purpose, identity, and big life decisions. It’s all welcome.
    📬 Want more support, sneak peeks & soulful tools?
    Join my email list: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share
    📲 Stay connected:
    Instagram → https://instagram.com/doulajohanna
    Website → https://www.doulajohanna.com
    🛒 Resources & downloads:
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna
    🎙️ Listen on:
    Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT
    Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722
    #workingmoms #lifedoula #selfcareforwomen #momburnout #coachingformoms #momlifeafter40 #intimacyafterkids #motherhoodandmore
    12 min
  • The Power of Contentment: Embracing Everyday Life
    In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked power of contentment — and why it may be a more sustainable, grounding goal than the constant pursuit of happiness. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, the Wheel of Life self-reflection tool, and lessons from Master Shi Heng Yi, Johanna shares a personal story of a chaotic, beautiful day that reminded her what truly matters.
    We talk about small mindset shifts that can help you stay present, embrace the messiness of everyday life, and find joy in the ordinary. If you're a mother, creative, or caregiver who feels overwhelmed or stretched thin, this episode is your reminder that contentment is available right now, not someday in the future.
    13 min
  • How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Have Another Baby?
    Are you thinking about having another baby—but feel unsure, overwhelmed, or torn between heart and logistics?
    You’re not alone.
    In this episode, I share the personal journey my husband and I went through when we found ourselves asking that big question again: Are we ready for another child? From finances and living space to marriage dynamics and mental health, we sat with it all. I talk about the fears that came up, the very real practical concerns, and the small-but-powerful mindset shifts that helped us move forward.
    Whether you’re considering baby #2, #3—or wondering if your family might already be complete—this episode is for you. Not to give you answers, but to offer you company and clarity while you explore your own.
    And if you find yourself wanting someone to talk this through with, you're warmly invited to work with me. I offer one-on-one doula sessions where we can unpack your hopes, hesitations, and vision for your future—together.
    🧡 Learn more or book a session at https://doulajohanna.com/coaching/
    20 min
  • Energy, Joy & Getting Things Done
    Feeling overwhelmed and constantly behind on your to-do list? You're not alone.
    In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, I share how the book Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverley helped me shift my approach to productivity, energy, and joy — especially as a busy mother, doula, and multi-passionate woman.
    You’ll hear:
    💡 Why protecting your energy is more important than just managing your time
    🌟 How I plan “Golden Days” and “Golden Dates” to avoid burnout and make joy non-negotiable
    🧠 What the 4D Rule is and how it helps me stop doing things that don’t matter
    🧘🏽‍♀️ The difference between deep work and maintenance work — and how I protect my creative flow
    Whether you're balancing work, parenting, caregiving, or all of the above, this episode will help you rethink your weekly routine with more intention, structure, and softness.
    Books I mention in this episode:
    → *Working Hard, Hardly Working* by Grace Beverley: [https://amzn.to/3S2amQf]
    → *The Universe Has Your Back* by Gabby Bernstein: [https://amzn.to/4jrXgIn]
    ✨ Some links are affiliate links. This is a great way to support the podcast at no extra cost to you!
    19 min
  • Why I am no longer available for okay relationships
    Have you ever found yourself at a dinner, surrounded by nice people, making polite small talk... and feeling completely alone? In this deeply personal episode, I talk about what happens when we stop settling for “okay” in our relationships — in friendships, in marriage, and in everyday connections.
    I open up about the emotional shifts I experienced after becoming a mother, and how I began craving deeper, more meaningful bonds — the kind where we talk about dreams and fears, not just diaper brands and school snacks.
    From real conversations with friends to honest talks about sex, money, and burnout in long-term relationships, I share how raising the bar in my connections has brought more joy, intimacy, and truth into my life. And how you can do the same.
    If you’ve been feeling drained by surface-level relationships, or longing for something more real, this episode is for you.
    Listen now — and let’s talk about what it means to show up fully and demand more than “just fine.”
    11 min
  • Simpler Mornings With Kids: My 7 Essentials
    Do your mornings feel rushed, chaotic, or just... exhausting?
    In this episode of The Doula Johanna Podcast, I’m sharing the 7 simple things that completely changed how my mornings feel—not just for me, but for my entire family.
    As a mom of three, part-time academic, and birth doula, I know how impossible it can seem to “put yourself first” in the morning. But over the years, I’ve built a gentle and doable routine that actually works—even when I’ve been up half the night.
    We’ll talk about:
    Why lemon water, breathwork, and bare feet matter more than scrolling your phone
    How to reset your nervous system before the day really begins
    What I intentionally avoid in the morning (and why it makes a huge difference)
    Why being your own life doula in the morning can transform your family’s energy
    Even if you only have 10 minutes, this episode will inspire you to make them count.
    💛 Let me know your favorite morning habit in the comments!
    19 min

About The Doula Johanna Podcast: Keeping Death Close. Living More Fully.

From the publisher's feed

What if remembering that life ends could help you live with more joy, honesty, and purpose? Hosted by Dr. Johanna Canady—birth and aspiring end-of-life doula, mother of three, and soulful guide.…