The She Births® Podcast

Hello and welcome back to the She Births podcast.

Today’s expert interview is with Ema Taylor, a degree-qualified naturopath, clinical nutritionist and fertility awareness educator, co-founder of the supplement range, Mother Natal, and a mum of two with baby number three on the way. 

We talk about the real reasons so many couples are struggling to conceive right now, and why sperm quality is the most common issue Ema sees in her clinic. She explains how to read your fertile window from your own body, the blood tests your GP probably isn’t ordering.

If you’re planning on conceiving, or ready to go again, this conversation is for you. And if you’re using assisted conception or have experienced miscarriage or loss, it’s especially for you. There is so much we can do to support our body, mind and nervous system on this journey.

At the end Ema shares her two birth stories. Her daughter was born at 8.14am, the exact minute Ema herself was born. Her son arrived on the bathroom floor after a walk to the local cafe with her three-year-old holding her hand before the midwives arrived.

If you’re dreaming of conceiving, Ema’s program EXPAND guides you and your partner through her seven pillars of preconception care. You’ll find more info at emataylor.com

Here’s Ema

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If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave a comment or review - so we can continue to bring you more from She Births, We love hearing from you

You can learn more about Nadine and She Births® below:

Join our online course at: ⁠https://shebirths.com/online-birthing-classes/full-online-course/⁠

Buy a copy of Nadines new book - https://shebirths.com/she-births-book/

Get your free release the fear visualisation here: ⁠⁠https://shebirths.com/release-fear/⁠⁠

The spiral of fear and faith

Welcome to a new episode of the She Births podcast. Today I am with Innes and Hadley who share their birth story.

Innes Heywood @innes_lauren is the founder of sustainable swimwear label Innes Lauren. She lives in the Byron Bay hinterland with her partner Hadley and daughter Flo. 

Hadley @hadleyperkins is a local filmmaker whose narrative films explore our human relationship with technology and nature.

Flo was born at home after a couple of epic days of labour and an unusually magical prelabour across the Christmas holidays - which is very rare indeed. Most people experience a lot of pressure from hospital systems towards induction across this time due to lack of staff etc so it was refreshing to hear.

They share their experiences of the physical, psychological and emotional challenges. And Innes shares the threads that have played out across her lifetime - that we all so often have to face again and again. Birth can be the opportunity to face our fears and the shadows - as we transition from maiden to mother, man to prince.

I hope you enjoy.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a comment or review - we love hearing from you.

Join our online course at: https://shebirths.com/online-birthing-classes/full-online-course/

Get your free release the fear visualisation here: ⁠https://shebirths.com/release-fear/⁠

Hello dear listeners This podcast today is very close to my heart.

A few weeks ago we held the very first of the She Births book tour event, at Gertrude and Alice in Bondi. 

My family was there. So many beautiful she births families as well, some of you I've known for close to two decades now. Plus Colleagues and collaborators.

It was one of those nights where you look around and think — OMG this is it -  I have been working 4 solid years on this book and it's taken even longer than that to get here. 

It was incredibly special - I spent a lot of the day crying. Jessy and I had a cup of tea before and both felt like we were in an altered pre labour state - like waters were about to break. Then somehow we carried it and it was an amazing night. 

I shared the stage with one of my dearest friends — Jessica Chapnik Kahn.

Jessy is a writer, musician and performer who has spent more than twenty years working across theatre, television, film, music and literature. She's the co-author of A Repurposed Life with Ronni Kahn of OzHarvest, the author of the children's book Lenny and the Ants, and the poet behind MADRE — a collection born out of the birth of her son. She lives in Sydney with her husband, musician Nadav Kahn, and their children.

I was doula at both of Jessy's births - both very different experiences that we talk about in a separate podcast called “can birth be spiritual”..

Our conversation was focused on the book of course but also very personal - and we laugh a lot, well everyone does, so I hope you do too. 

We talk not about she births and the inner work to create something so magical

I share my mission and values, my future dreams and more.

So — settle in and enjoy.

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📖 She Births: Your practical guide to a beautiful birth - is out now - at all great book stores - https://shebirths.com/she-births-book/

Written by @nadine_shebirths 

Published by @murdochbooks 

🌿 Explore our online program, in-person masterclasses at shebirths.com

Subscribe for more conversations on birth, motherhood.

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and my gift to you is my book baby.

I feel incredibly vulnerable sharing this book and even more so the latest podcast I am sharing today, but I hope you hear something inspiring and relatable. Even if you have done She Births and had all your babies, this book will reveal aspects about your journey as a woman and birth you did not think about before.

I wanted to share a bit of the why, how and what about the book. My heart and my soul with you all. I've been completely guided to write this book over the last 3 years.  

After more than twenty years as a doula and almost eighteen years teaching She Births, I've watched what women need shift. Our OG program is extraordinary, but families need more now. 

We need to understand ourselves on a deeper level to make decisions that are truly right for our family. So I wrote She Births: Your Practical Guide to a Beautiful Birth

Why now?

Almost 50% of first-time mums in Australia are being induced. C-section rates are over 40%. Tokophobia (disgust and fear of pregnancy and birth) is rising. And yet information alone isn't making birth easier -it's making it harder.

What women actually need is a way to come back to themselves. To their HELL yes and their no. To understand the nuance in research, to embrace all people in the birthing room and without blame or anger towards the system, so we can make conscious decisions they won't regret.

What's in it?

Eleven chapters. 100,000 words. Over 300 research citations. Real birth stories. Science and soul. I really wanted the book to feel like we were sitting in the lounge together at a doula session.

It's for pregnant families and birth professionals. I hope it makes it into every hospital, birth centre, yoga class, physiotherapy room and household.

Come celebrate and join me with some very special people

The book launches on June 2nd through Murdoch Books. Events across Australia — Bondi, Annandale, Mid-North Coast, Byron, and my home at Main Arm.

If you believe families deserve better births, please share this book. It's available through Booktopia, Big W, Waterstones, and Amazon.

This is written from my heart. Thank you. 🌿

Nadine xx

💛

Have you ever had your birth preferences dismissed? Share below 👇

💛 The right education is the most powerful tool we have to prevent birth trauma. My new book She Births — out 2nd June — pre-order now 👉 link in bio.

Today on the She Births podcast, I’m joined by Jacqui Minell — She Births mum, Pilates, barre and yoga teacher, and mother to three boys: Will, Ed and Tom. 

This is not just one birth story. It’s three.

And woven through them is fertility, loss, resilience, and the powerful realisation that birth can feel both familiar and completely different — even in the same body.

If you’re preparing for birth again — or even reflecting on a previous experience — this episode is essential listening.

We talk about fertility challenges and conceiving naturally after assisted cycles. We explore what changes when you truly prepare the body and the mind — and why no two labours are ever the same.

There’s also a very honest, practical birth conversation covering:
✨Castor oil smoothies
✨Crazy curries
✨Curb walking
✨A posterior baby

✨A frank breech baby

We discuss how Jacqui used chiropractic neuro-emotional techniques to help clear beliefs from the body — processing gender disappointment and even supporting her baby to turn.

We dive into what Jacqui calls “training James” — how she intentionally prepared her partner differently for each birth, and how that shifted everything.

Beyond birth, we explore postpartum recovery, newborn feeding challenges, including tongue and lip ties, and the deeper relationship and identity shifts that come with matrescence.

We believe this is the reason why women need spaces to be witnessed. Why community matters and how Soul Mama Circles can support integration in that tender season. 

This is a conversation about preparing for all, but expecting the best, and about how birth becomes more powerful each time you meet it consciously.

Jacqui’s story is also a reminder that how you prepare your body matters.

We hope this episode inspires you to prepare deeply, trust your body, and surround yourself with the right support. If you loved this episode, please subscribe to the She Births podcast so you never miss a conversation that could support your birth journey. 

Thanks for listening

Nadine xx

PS...

If you’re looking for beautiful, aligned support during pregnancy and postpartum, here are some of our trusted recommendations we talk about in this podcast:

✨ Body Love Pilates – gentle, intelligent movement to support strength, connection and recovery. Use our She Births® community discount SHEBIRTHSLOVES to receive one month FREE.

✨ Birth Sling – designed to support movement, positioning and comfort in labour.
Use our She Births® community discount SHEBIRTHSLOVES for a $10 discount.

✨ Made for Mothers – thoughtfully designed postpartum essentials to nurture recovery and confidence. Use our She Births® community discount SHEBIRTHSLOVES for a 10% discount on Postpartum Packages.

✨ Obstetrician - Dr Bobby Teoh

✨ Chiropractic Neuro Emotional Technique – Pollie Wilkie, Bondi Junction

✨ You Tube - Jacqui's online birth prep class

Prepare for birth fearlessly with our in-person and online courses.

In this final episode of the She Births® Podcast for 2025, we close the year with a deeply meaningful and expansive conversation.

I sit down with She Births® dad, Aaron Tait—educator, humanitarian, former Navy serviceman, and author of the powerful new book Far Horizons. Together, we explore the rich tapestry of Aaron’s life and his remarkable journey through fatherhood, identity, birth, and masculine transformation.

At just 17, Aaron was deployed to Iraq—one of the youngest Australian men sent after September 11. Years later, he purchased a one-way ticket to Africa with his partner, Kaitlin, dedicating his life to humanitarian work. Through all of this, birth became one of his greatest initiations.

In this conversation, we dive into:
✨ His two epic birth experiences and how they reshaped his understanding of love, responsibility, and partnership
✨ Masculinity today — what’s working, what’s hurting men, and what desperately needs to evolve
✨ The three phases of masculine growth: Knight, Prince, King
✨ Why birth profoundly impacts men (even though we rarely talk about it)
✨ How men can move through rites of passage with integrity, courage, and heart

Aaron’s story is one of depth, service, humility and awakening.
And his book Far Horizons is a game-changer — I highly recommend gifting it to the men and boys in your life this Christmas. (Especially since only 10% of men read! Let’s help change that.)

A beautiful, important conversation to wrap up the year.
Tune in, share it with your community, and let’s continue building a culture where all parents are supported, seen, and transformed through birth.

Love Nadine xx

Takeaways

80% of readers of my book are women.

Birth is a rite of passage for both parents.

The presence of a doula can be invaluable during labor.

Ayahuasca can lead to profound personal transformation.

Men often struggle with proving their worth through actions.

The military experience can shape a man's identity.

Forgiveness can come from unexpected places.

Parenting requires continuous learning and adaptation.

Books can foster empathy and understanding in men.

Traveling can be a powerful way to reset one's life.

Titles

Exploring Fatherhood Through Birth

The Journey of Transformation

Sound bites

"I was blown away by Kaitlin during birth."

"I want people to see a far horizon and go for it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Book Overview

01:59 Birth Experiences and the Role of Doulas

11:34 Fatherhood as an Initiation

16:51 Transformation Through Ayahuasca

18:14 Exploring the Themes of 'Far Horizons'

21:18 Exploring Masculinity and Parenting Dynamics

29:31 The Journey of Healing and Forgiveness

36:36 Transformative Experiences in Africa

40:46 Inspiring Change and Future Aspirations

The Dance of Motherhood: Navigating Relationships with DaughtersSeason 11 Episode 2.

Welcome to a new episode of the She Births podcast. I am a huge fan of Dr Shefali, as you might be too. However, if you are new to parenting, you may not have read her amazing books yet.

Dr Shefali is a New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned clinical psychologist. She has appeared on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, with Oprah calling her book, The Conscious Parent, one of the most important parenting books of our time. 

Her approach is grounded in psychology but deeply informed by Eastern mindfulness. She writes and speaks about breaking generational cycles and inherited trauma, building emotional resilience in children and much more.

She will be in Australia in March 2026 for a live speaking tour in Melbourne and Sydney - speaking on conscious parenting, emotional trauma, self-awareness and mental health in the modern age. Details are in the show notes. Come and say hi to me too at her talk in Sydney. Go to drshefali.com or @doctorshefali on Instagram.

I especially love how Shefali explains that conscious parenting is always happening - whether you are a parent or not. I love her invitation to see parenting as a mirror - and an opportunity to awaken. She makes conscious parenting so simple and grounded, but also enlightening.

In our conversation, we answer questions from our She Births families - discussing the significance of the mother-daughter dynamic. How teenage children push our boundaries as part of their individuation. And she describes the Parenting Map and different archetypes we fall into. 

We delve into practical strategies for building self-worth in our children, managing anxiety in a chaotic world, and daily practices that can help us slow down and connect.

Ultimately, we highlight the spiritual awakening that comes through parenting, encouraging us to embrace imperfections and cultivate compassion for ourselves and our children.

Thank you for being here and for tuning in to She Births®. I hope this latest episode nourishes and empowers you in some way. If it does, please consider subscribing or leaving a heartfelt review — your support helps more families find their way to a beautiful birth.

Nadine xx

Links

Dr Shefali website https://www.drshefali.com/

She Births website https://shebirths.com/

Welcome to a brand new episode of the She Births® Podcast.

I felt that this story would make a great Father’s Day episode. It is a story that involves many threads, including trauma and healing - but also a wonderful Dad, Chris. Chris shares beautiful and heartfelt words about birth from a man’s perspective - helping us to change the standard narrative of the incompetent dad in the room!

The amazing mumma, Tess, by way of background, suffered a spinal cord injury in 2018 and spent months in and out of the hospital. She knew that she could go into spinal shock or experience AD, similar to a stroke, due to the stress of experiencing labour. It was always a potential for her to have a general anaesthetic and C-section. 

I will let Tess tell the rest of the story about how she created a path of empowerment for herself.

Tess Brouwer is also a bestselling co-author with world champion surfer, Layne Beachley, of Awake Academy; Know Yourself to Grow Yourself to live a happier, more purposeful life.

I am loving it as an audiobook - it blends science-backed strategies and soul-deep wisdom to help people navigate some of our most defining chapters, such as birth and parenthood. So check it out!

Within this conversation, Tess speaks to the importance of building trust with your OB, the power of rewriting your story - even mid-birth - and how masculine partners can lead through presence.

This is a conversation about surrender, preparation, and stepping into your inner strength. 

I hope you enjoy the inspiration.
xxx Nadine

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of practical support and preparation in creating a positive birth experience

• How doulas provide emotional and physical guidance through labour

• Why trusting your body can be one of the most empowering decisions you make

• The role of communication between partners during labour and postpartum

• How building a supportive community helps new parents thrive

• Mental health, yoga, and emotional readiness as vital components of birth preparation

• Understanding medical interventions as a way to feel more in control

• The deepening of intimacy and connection between partners during shared experiences

• Embracing both masculine and feminine energies during birth

• Postpartum care and bonding are an essential part of the journey

  
  

  Highlight chapters

  05:07 Tess's Journey: Overcoming Trauma and Injury

  10:22 The Impact of Spinal Cord Injury on Life

  16:45 Rebuilding Through Yoga and Community

  26:53 Navigating Relationships and Parenthood

  47:45 The Birth Plan: From C-Section to Natural Birth

  56:16 Navigating the Birth Plan Amidst Uncertainty01:25:37 The Importance of Support and Communication in Birth

  
  

  Links

  @awake_academy

  @tessbrouwer

  @shebirths

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Welcome to a brand new episode of the She Births® Podcast.
 
In this episode, Jessica and I discuss the journey of childbirth, focusing on her personal experiences with her 3 births.
We explore the emotional and physical challenges of labour, the importance of education and support systems, and the impact of the environment on the birthing process. 
Jessica shares her fears, lessons learned from each birth, highlighting the unique challenges faced during her third pregnancy amidst a cyclone - and after an almost 4 hour second stage!We emphasise the healing power of discussing birth stories and the sense of achievement that comes with bringing new life into the world. 
Jess shares the challenges of juggling motherhood, alongside her new creation of leak-proof bras for breastfeeding mother's MILK.
She also highlights the importance of community support during postpartum recovery and encourages mothers to trust their intuition and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
We love helping second-time families get back in their birthing zone. Reach out for our ALUMNI discount codes for online courses and to learn more about short private sessions.
Look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Nadine xx

Links

https://shebirths.com/

https://www.instagram.com/itsmilklabel/

Today I share a conversation with a beautiful mum and midwife, Corina Fitch.

She is a midwife of birth and a midwife of matrescence, deeply passionate about both of those things. 

In fact, Corina was born into midwifery. She was born in the back of a bus, on The Farm in Tennessee. If you are new to the birth world or just pregnant - The Farm, was founded by Steven and Ina May Gaskin, 

It was set up as a commune that just kind of birthed itself. The midwives were self taught and ended up becoming the world's best midwives that we know of. And Ina May is the most famous. She has written many books still in print, the most popular is Spiritual Midwifery, and it's beautiful, such a wonderful collection of stories and such an extraordinary amount of knowledge, not just for midwives, but for pregnant mums and doulas too. 

So I hope you enjoy our conversation today. We talk a lot about what The Farm and how it was, how it is now. Their amazing statistics - a c-section rate of 1.4%. We also talk about the importance of matrescence and making that word and mother’s struggles more visible.

LINKS

https://thefarmmidwives.org/

https://motherflytribe.myshopify.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOOBNKYUbXohttps://thefarmcommunity.com/stephen-ina-may-interview-midwifery/