Episodes

  • Cup of Tea :: Travel, Sheepskin, and Tending What Matters

    Cup of Tea :: Travel, Sheepskin, and Tending What Matters
    Feb 4 2026
    With travel on the calendar and meaningful work unfolding, we talk about what it looks like to tend the hearth when life is moving fast—and how the systems, relationships, and small comforts we build really do matter.Brooke is heading to Arkansas for an upcoming skills workshop, while also preparing for an interview with a reporter from WORLD Magazine. We reflect on what it means to steward both private life and public conversations with intention.From there, the conversation moves into home rhythms and support systems—how tools like shared calendars and simple home management structures can make a tangible difference, especially during seasons of solo parenting. We explore how these same dynamics show up in birth spaces too: trust, preparation, delegation, and knowing when to ask for help.We also touch on miscarriage recovery and the quiet power of community—how love can be held and felt even across long distances, and why being witnessed matters so deeply in loss.There’s practical comfort here too: wool sheepskins on the bed, hot water bottles for rest and recovery, and the grounding presence of natural materials in the home.Mentioned in this episode:When the Day Comes: An Inspirational Colonial and Gilded Age-Era Time-Travel Historical Romance (Timeless)Natural Sheepskin Hot Water Bottle with Rubber InnerNatural sheepskin products + bespoke wool rugsThe publication Brooke is being interviewed for - https://wng.org/magazineOur private community → RSVP for the Hearthmother Journey Open House on February 16Connect:Email us to say hi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our private community (off Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rooted in Eden PMA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Lauren:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midwifery consults: Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Brooke:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)Intro and Outra Music Credit -Betty Dear By ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is licensed under a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Commons License⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Holding the Moment :: Birth Photography as Witness with Brooke Collier

    Holding the Moment :: Birth Photography as Witness with Brooke Collier
    Jan 28 2026
    Birth is one of the most intimate, vulnerable, and powerful experiences a family will ever walk through. To invite someone into that space—especially someone holding a camera—requires trust, presence, and a deep understanding of birth itself.In this episode, we’re talking about birth photography: what it really means to witness birth from behind a lens, how this work is different from any other kind of photography, and why presence matters more than the perfect shot.We explore what draws people to birth photography in the first place, what you learn about labor and birth when you’re quietly observing it unfold, and why birth photography adds something profound for families long after the day itself has passed.We also get practical—talking equipment, settings, lighting, and the realities of photographing births in unpredictable, low-light environments. For photographers who already know their way around a camera, we share lessons learned over years of being in real birth rooms, not styled sessions.We talk about what qualifications birth photographers need that other professional photographers don’t—why understanding birth, consent, and emotional safety is just as important as technical skill.We spend time on what it actually looks like to be in the birth room: how to be present without hovering, how to observe without making a birthing woman feel observed, and how to move in a way that supports the energy of the space rather than disrupting it.We also tackle the ethics of birth photography—who owns birth photos, how sharing should be handled, and how to have clear, respectful conversations with families about consent, boundaries, and image use.This episode is for photographers, birth workers, and anyone who feels drawn to the quiet, sacred work of witnessing birth well.Shownotes:Birth Becomes You photography courses - ⁠Comprehensive Birth Photography and Business Courses — Birth Becomes You⁠Basic needs of a woman in labor book (⁠The Basic Needs of a Woman in Labour⁠ ) and podcast (⁠The Basic Needs of a Woman in Labour⁠ Connect:Email us to say hi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our private community (off Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rooted in Eden PMA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Lauren:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midwifery consults: Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Brooke:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)Intro and Outra Music Credit -Betty Dear By ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is licensed under a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Commons License⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Beyond Disappointment:: Birth Trauma

    Beyond Disappointment:: Birth Trauma
    Jan 21 2026
    Birth is good.And birth is not tame.Birth is holy and wild. It is powerful, unpredictable, and not something we can fully control or make “safe” in the way modern culture often promises. When we forget that, we can be left confused or unprepared for how deeply a birth experience might impact us—even when everything looks fine from the outside.In this episode, we’re talking about the difference between disappointment and trauma in birth. Disappointment often comes from unmet hopes or expectations. Trauma goes deeper. Trauma is a deeply distressing experience—or series of experiences—that overwhelms the nervous system and leaves a lasting imprint on the body, the mind, and our sense of safety.And trauma is not defined by what happened on a chart.It’s defined by how the experience was received in the body.We talk about why it’s so important to process hard or intense birth experiences, and why this work should be done with someone who understands both birth and trauma. Not someone who rushes to silver linings or spiritual bypassing—but someone who knows how to sit with the body’s story and help it integrate what happened.We share supportive tools that can help the nervous system come back into regulation, including:Bilateral stimulation (EMDR, binaural tracks, walking, brainspotting, butterfly hug/tapping)Shaking and gentle movement to release stored stressEFT / tappingSimple supports like nourishment, warm baths, flower essences, rest, and deep gentleness with yourselfWe also touch on surprisingly practical tools like playing Tetris in the early aftermath of a hard experience, which has been shown to support memory integration.This conversation includes pieces of our own stories:Lauren’s interrupted third stageBrooke’s manual placenta removalBoth moments where necessary intervention still left an imprint that required care, time, and compassion to heal.We also talk about prevention—how having the right team, realistic expectations, and emotional support can cushion the wildness of birth. Birth does not need to be controlled to be held well. But it does need to be witnessed, respected, and supported.This episode is an invitation to approach birth honestly:to honor it as good, holy, and life-giving—and to acknowledge that its wildness sometimes leaves tender places that deserve gentleness, care, and wise support.Connect:Email us to say hi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our private community (off Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rooted in Eden PMA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Lauren:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midwifery consults: Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Brooke:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)Intro and Outra Music Credit -Betty Dear By ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is licensed under a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Commons License⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Be The Crazy Ones:: A Conversation About Vasectomy Reversal w/ Cody and Carlee Fletcher

    Be The Crazy Ones:: A Conversation About Vasectomy Reversal w/ Cody and Carlee Fletcher
    Jan 14 2026

    In a world where birth is often defined by medical intervention and fear-based decision-making, Cody and Carly Fletcher’s story offers a powerful return to trust—trust in God, in the body, and in the natural design of birth.

    In this episode, Brooke Collier sits down with Cody and Carly as they share their journey from hospital births to home birth, and the unexpected path that led them there—including a vasectomy, a canceled appointment, and ultimately, a vasectomy reversal prompted by a clear conviction from the Lord.

    The couple experienced eye-opening moments around informed consent, intervention, and trust in the birth process. Their preparation culminated in a transformative ten-hour home birth, marked by peace, confidence, and joy unlike anything they had experienced before.

    Carly also opens up about surrendering control in family planning, trusting Cody’s leadership, and walking through the faith-filled decision to reverse the vasectomy—an act of obedience that bore fruit not only in their family, but in their marriage and walk with God.

    This episode is an honest, hope-filled conversation for anyone wrestling with surrender, fear, obedience, or the belief that it might be “too late” for God to move.

    resources & links mentioned:

    • Vasectomy Reversal Doctor
      Thomas S. Sommers Jr., MD
      Midwest Vasectomy Reversals – St. Louis
      💲 $3,500 Reversal
      https://www.midwestvasectomyreversals.com

    • Contact Cody & Carlee Fletcher
      📧 CCfletcher09@gmail.com
      📧 Carleefletcher@gmail.com

    Connect -

    • Email us to say hi: ⁠⁠⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

    • Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form⁠⁠⁠

    • Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠⁠⁠

    • Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our private community (off Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠Rooted in Eden PMA⁠⁠⁠

    • Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us inside ⁠⁠⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠⁠⁠

    From Lauren:

    • ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

    • Midwifery consults: Email ⁠⁠⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

    From Brooke:

    • ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

    • ⁠⁠⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠⁠⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)

    • ⁠⁠⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠⁠⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox

    • ⁠⁠⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠⁠⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)


    Intro and Outra Music Credit -Betty Dear By ⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠ is licensed under a ⁠⁠⁠Creative Commons License⁠⁠⁠.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Cup of Tea:: Christmas, Conviction, and What We’re Building Next

    Cup of Tea:: Christmas, Conviction, and What We’re Building Next
    Jan 7 2026
    In this episode, we’re settling into the slower, more reflective rhythm of the Christmas season and pushing back on the cultural pressure to rush ahead into “new year” mode before it’s time.We talk through the Christmas traditions and observances in our own families and churches, and why honoring the full liturgical season matters—especially in a world that’s always eager to move on too quickly. Along the way, we unpack why January is not actually the new year, and how reclaiming sacred time shapes the way we live, worship, and build.We also address recent developments within MAHA, including a response to Abigail Iovine and why it’s important to stay informed and engaged. If you’ve been wondering how to take action or understand what’s happening behind the scenes, this conversation provides context and next steps.Finally, we share an update on what’s coming next for us, including the launch of a brand new website—with more features and resources being added slowly and intentionally over the coming months.Nate Bargatze Nativity ComedyA Nate Bargatze Nativity Scene | Nate Bargatze’s Nashville ChristmasAbigail Iovine’s Position Statement & Organizational Endorsement Form👉 Take action hereNew Website Launch🌿 hearthmotherministries.com(More sections and features will be added gradually over the coming months)Connect:Email us to say hi: hello@hearthmotherministries.comPut in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the formApply to tell your birth story on the podcast: Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest ApplicationHang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our private community (off Facebook): Rooted in Eden PMABecome a holy, wild birthkeeper with us inside Hearthmother JourneyFrom Lauren:InstagramMidwifery consults: Email rootedinedenpma@gmail.comFrom Brooke:InstagramTrust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inboxEmbrace Birth Journey - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)Sister Birth: The Podcast - short, beautifully scripted episode to encourage your along the wayIntro and Outra Music Credit -Betty Dear By Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • REPLAY: Mystery Can't Be Measured

    REPLAY: Mystery Can't Be Measured
    Jan 1 2026

    We have double feature Holiday Bonus for you!

    We’re pressing pause for the month of December to rest, reset, and spend intentional time with our families — but don’t go anywhere. We’ll be back in January with a full lineup of brand-new episodes, deep-dive conversations, and the same honest, faith-filled encouragement you’re used to. Until then check out this oldie but goodie!

    Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s coming in the new year!

    Connect:

    • Email us to say hi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our FREE, private community (off Facebook): Hearthmother Ministries Community

    • Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us this fall inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠⁠⁠⁠

    From Lauren:

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Midwifery consults: Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    From Brooke:

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠⁠⁠⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠⁠⁠⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • REPLAY: Sharon Overcoming Doubt

    REPLAY: Sharon Overcoming Doubt
    Dec 31 2025

    We have a special double feature Holiday Replay for you today! A birth story first from mom's perspective and then later today you can hear the lessons Lauren gleaned as the midwife at the birth.


    We’re pressing pause for the month of December to rest, reset, and spend intentional time with our families — but don’t go anywhere. We’ll be back in January with a full lineup of brand-new episodes, deep-dive conversations, and the same honest, faith-filled encouragement you’re used to. Until then check out this oldie but goodie!

    Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s coming in the new year!

    Connect:

    • Email us to say hi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our FREE, private community (off Facebook): Hearthmother Ministries Community

    • Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us this fall inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠⁠⁠⁠

    From Lauren:

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • Midwifery consults: Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    From Brooke:

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠⁠⁠⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠⁠⁠⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • REPLAY: A Good Birth Attendant Is...

    REPLAY: A Good Birth Attendant Is...
    Dec 23 2025

    Here's another oldie that's a goodie we're offering up as a replay with a freshly recorded introduction. In this episode, we dive into what makes a good birth attendant (doula, birthkeeper, midwife)? As a mother, how do I recognize one? Or, as an aspiring birthworker, how do I become one? Where can I learn to do this holy work? These questions and variations of, are things we hear often and have lead to some great conversations.


    These conversations sparked a project that we first revealed in this episode in the summer of 2023! Tune in to hear our thoughts, hearts and what we're offering to the birth world for women of faith who want to uphold God's design for birth.


    Mentioned in this episode:

    • Hearthmother Journey: Raising the Next Generation of Holy Wild Birthkeepers
    • Get on the first-to-know list for the Spring 2026 cohort (enrollment opens in February)
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins