This #possibilistmidwives episode explores a free-standing birth center, Maison de Naissance, founded in Haiti 22 years ago by Dr. Betsy Wickstrom, MFM, Dr. Stan Schaffer, Neonatologist, and Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, who served as its first medical director. From its inception, the center was guided by Dr. Paul Farmer’s belief that healthcare is a fundamental human right and should be community-driven, with a focus on serving the poorest of the poor. The conversation then shifts to the importance of collaborative care between midwives and physicians in the U.S. In order to expand the workforce to the highest skill level, increase access, and provide needed patient-centered care, improving mutual respect for each profession’s scope of practice must be realized. Dr. Wickstrom, Denise and Ginger lay the foundation of what is possible.

 Midwife Isata Dumbuya Sierre Leone/ TIME magazine awarded Women of the Year https://time.com/collections/women-of-the-year/7377892/isata-dumbuya/

Donate to Maison de Naissance thru  https://globalbirthinghomefoundation.org/

Documentary featuring Dr. Paul Farmer and Partners in Health, ‘Bending the Arc’ https://www.pih.org/bending-the-arc

Good Birth Network affirming safe and respectful care in global settings https://goodbirth.net/

Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: [email protected] 

Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/

Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/

Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives

Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration

GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote

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(c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

What does it really take to restart a clinical career after years away? Join Ginger and Denise as they talk with Emily Portis, a practicing midwife who faced significant hurdles when re-entering the field after a three-year break. Emily opens up about the "pivots" she made and how she used the strength of her network to land the right role. It’s an honest look at the grit needed to overcome modern healthcare obstacles—from tech advancements to shifting clinical standards, adapting work schedules, and a testament to the power of staying connected during a career gap.

Article on ob/gyn workforce: Geographic variation in supply, demand, and adequacy of the obstetrics and gynecology physician workforce: forecasts and shortage risks in the United States. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2026 Feb 14;313(1):95. doi: 10.1007/s00404-026-08322-5. PMID: 41691088; PMCID: PMC12906581. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41691088/

Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: [email protected] 

Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/

Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/

Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives

Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration

GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote

Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends!

(c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

Ginger and Denise welcome their first midwife guest to The Possibilist Midwives podcast, Jualeah Early, CNM. With more than 17 years of full-scope midwifery practice, Jualeah has served in diverse settings—from private practice and a free-standing birth center to her current role as a CNM laborist with OBHG in Florida. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about the challenges and stereotypes Black midwives often encounter throughout their education and professional journeys. Tune in and leave inspired to pause, reflect, and embrace a deeper commitment to listening to patient's.

OBHG 2025 Annual Maternal Health Impact Report referenced  https://obhg.com/new-report-what-maternal-health-impact-really-looks-like-beyond-the-metrics/

Application for the two, 2026 Grow Midwives BIPOC $1000 Student Scholarships. Random drawing Feb 28th. https://form.jotform.com/241544340632146

Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: [email protected] 

Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/

Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/

Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives

Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration

GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote

Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends!

(c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

In this episode, Ginger and Denise welcome Arden Schwenker, CFO of Grow Midwives LLC and leader of Grow Midwives Billing & Recovery Solutions, for a deep dive into the financial realities shaping midwifery practice today.

Arden breaks down common coding challenges, why understanding your Accounts Charged matters more than you think, and how wRVUs can become powerful leverage when negotiating your worth. The conversation also explores Incident-to billing and tackles the financial questions midwives ask most—often answered with Arden’s favorite (and very real) response: #itdepends.

This episode kicks off a foundational series on following the money—because financial fluency isn’t optional if you want sustainability, autonomy, and growth in midwifery practice.

✨ Insightful. Practical. Essential listening for midwives ready to understand—and claim—their value.

Resources:

Arden Schwenker bio https://growmidwives.com/about/arden-schwenker/

Federal Registrar Open Comment for Maternity Care Shortage Area.Matthew Patterson, Senior Advisor, Division of Policy and Shortage Designation, Bureau of Health Workforce, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, phone number: (301) 594-5110, Mail Stop 15SWH03, Rockville, Maryland 20857, or [email protected].

AAPR wRVU calculator

https://www.aapc.com/tools/rvu-calculator.aspx?srsltid=AfmBOopchL9FDBHX1n1dX2FFKIAQtfdBtxnrPbsDKBK4nF6Ivrl6AREc

Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: [email protected] 

Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/

Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/

Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives

Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration

GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote

Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends!

(c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

In their second podcast Ginger and Denise unpack the value of self-reflection and why this is important across a career. They discuss a tool designed by Grow Midwives to identify wants from needs and explain how clarifying personal, professional and financial issues can provide leverage in negotiation. In addition, Ginger offers suggestions on how to use this tool alongside additional survey methods to spark your practice or Affiliate to action.   

Link to Wants and Needs Tool https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D9ttwNoPJpUOHBBMB0aeMYgxEKCCSUT3/view?usp=sharing

Organizational Assessment using SWOT and PESTLE analysis  https://www.scribd.com/doc/119040692/Swot

Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: [email protected] 

Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/

Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/

Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives

Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration

GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote

Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends!

(c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026

In their first episode Ginger & Denise share how they met 36 years ago, their journey into the midwifery profession, explore "Breaking News", and dive into the 'why' behind starting a podcast dedicated to midwives. 

"Breaking News" segment of recently filed petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Heather Swanson, DNP, CNM that seeks change of statutes banning CNMs attending home birth, represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/article_ba9787ac-e41d-4a51-9e69-fd6592b13e17.html

William Ury, author seven books with newest release in October 2024, Possible, How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict, and co-author of the international bestseller, Getting To Yes, Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Purchase Possible on Audible and hear Ury narrate his 40-year career!  https://www.williamury.com/

Save The Date Grow Midwives 4th annual "Midwifery at the Crossroads" conference, Virtual-only, Thursday, July 23rd. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: William Ury [5 CME pending] Registration opens in May and unlimited due to virtual format.

Join us! Whether you're a veteran midwife or just beginning your journey, you'll walk away feeling energized, empowered, and ready to engage - not just react. You've found your people!

Co-hosts: Dr.'s Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN & Denise Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Email The Possibilist Midwives, with questions: [email protected] 

Product of Grow Midwives, LLC https://growmidwives.com/

Follow on FaceBook for daily posts https://www.facebook.com/growmidwivesofficial/

Grow Midwives YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@growmidwives

Producer: Isaac Booth; Music by Moby Collaboration

GM Annual Conference: Virtual Only, July 23rd - William Ury, Keynote

Thanks for listening, following & sharing with your friends!

(c) Grow Midwives, LLC January 2026