Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast

Niamh Cassidy, IBCLC
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast, in conjunction with Your Birth Biz, is a podcast for birth and postpartum professionals who want to grow sustainable, ethical businesses without burning out or losing themselves along the way. Hosted by Niamh Cassidy, childbirth educator, IBCLC lactation consultant, and business coach to birth workers, this podcast sits at the intersection of business, birth work, values, and real life. Niamh started her own perinatal business as a side hustle while working full-time in social care, and knows first-hand how challenging it can be to fill classes, attract clients, and stay confident when everyone else seems to be “doing better”. She’s been through the comparison spiral, the over-consumption of business advice, and the frustration of learning from business spaces that don’t understand the ethics, boundaries, and responsibilities of perinatal work. Through years of learning, testing, adapting (and unlearning), Niamh has built a fully booked lactation practice and successful education and coaching business — without resorting to fear-based marketing, unethical tactics, or stepping away from client work she loves. This podcast is a mix of: Solo episodes on business, mindset, visibility, boundaries, and sustainabilityGuest conversations with birth workers and women in businessPanel discussions exploring nuanced topics at the crossover of business and birth workExpect honest conversations, thoughtful critique of “one-size-fits-all” business advice, and practical insights you can actually apply to your own practice. If you’re a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator, or perinatal professional who wants to grow a business that feels aligned, ethical, and genuinely supportive — you’re in the right place.

  1. Getting Started in Birth Work: What We Wish We’d Known

    1D AGO

    Getting Started in Birth Work: What We Wish We’d Known

    What does it really take to get started in birth work — and stay there? In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Crawford, life and business coach, parent educator, mentor and doula trainer, with over 15 years’ experience supporting families and shaping skilled, grounded birth workers across Ireland. Between us, we’ve: trained and mentored hundreds of birth workerssupported thousands of familiesbuilt and scaled sustainable birth-work businessesand seen far too many brilliant practitioners leave this work unnecessarily due to burnout, lack of support, or unrealistic expectations.In this honest, grounded and at times possibly controversial conversation, we’re coming together as two of Ireland and Europe’s leading voices in birth work and birth-business to share what we both wish we’d known when we were starting out, and what we now know makes the biggest difference. In this episode, we talk about: Why birth work may be a calling, but it still needs to be a viable careerThe foundations every birth worker needs before worrying about visibility or marketingMindset shifts that help you move from passion to sustainabilityValues, boundaries and energy management in emotionally demanding workWhy “there’s not enough work” is a myth, and what actually matters insteadThe dangers of black-and-white thinking and fear-based narratives in birth workCollaboration vs conflict within maternity systemsHow to protect yourself from burnout and stay in this work long-termThe role of support, community and professional guidance when you’re starting outThis episode is for you if: You’re considering training as a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or other birth workerYou’re newly qualified and wondering “Why is this harder than I thought?”You love the work but feel unsure about how to make it sustainableYou want a values-led, ethical approach to birth work and businessYou’re tired of absolutist advice and want nuance, realism and encouragementJen and I both believe that there is plenty of work for everyone and that birth work is really just a fledgling industry with so much more growth potential. We are both hurt by seeing good birth workers quit and this conversation is about changing that, starting from the very beginning. About Jen Crawford Jen is a life and business coach, parent educator, mentor and doula trainer with over 15 years’ experience. She has trained and mentored hundreds of doulas, supported thousands of families, and co-founded Ireland’s first national doula agency. In 2026, she continues to lead group doula trainings and coach birth workers across Ireland and internationally. You can connect with Jen here: Website: jen-crawford.com Doula training: @jencrawforddoulawisdom Coaching: @jencrawfordcoaching Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    40 min

  2. FEB 11

    Why I Rebranded (and How to Name or Rename Your Business)

    Naming your business can feel like one of the biggest, most loaded decisions you’ll ever make, especially when you work in the birth and postpartum space, where identity, values, and care are so closely tied to what we do. In this episode, I’m sharing the full story behind my recent rebrand to Your Birth Biz, why I moved away from The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective, and what the process taught me about fear, confidence, and allowing your business to evolve as you do. I also take you back to the very beginning, to when I was naming my antenatal education business, My Baby Beginnings, and how I deliberately chose a name that could grow with me over time. From there, I explore the common tension between choosing a strong “brand” name versus a more SEO-friendly, descriptive business name...and why there isn’t one right answer. This episode is part personal story, part practical guidance, and part permission slip. Whether you’re naming your business for the first time or wondering if the name you chose no longer fits, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we cover: Why I originally chose the name Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs CollectiveHow fear and a desire to “include everyone” can influence business namingThe difference between a brand name and an SEO-friendly name (and the pros and cons of each)Practical tips for naming your business when you’re starting outWhy your business name is not a lifetime sentenceHow to recognise when it might be time to rebrandWhat Your Birth Biz stands for now, and who it’s forThis episode is for you if: You’re stuck trying to name your birth or postpartum businessYou’re worried about choosing the “wrong” nameYou feel disconnected from your current brand or business nameYou want to build a business that’s ethical, sustainable, and aligned with your valuesAt its core, this episode is about permission — permission to grow, to change, and to choose what supports you now, not just what felt safe at the beginning. ✨ Explore the new website at yourbirthbiz.com ✨ Join the conversation in the Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective discussion group Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    18 min

  3. FEB 4

    Ep 72. From Teacher to Birth Worker: A Story of Courage, Change & Choice

    In this episode, Niamh is joined by Aoife Lennon, perinatal educator, IBCLC, former Home Economics teacher and founder of Bumps & Bainne. Aoife describes herself as a “full-time challenger of the polite nonsense that surrounds birth and breastfeeding” — and this conversation very much lives up to that energy. Aoife shares her journey from nearly 20 years in secondary teaching to building a values-led birth work business, shaped by her own birth experiences, motherhood, and a powerful shift in priorities. We talk honestly about fear, identity, financial risk, mindset work, and what it really takes to step away from a “safe” career and back yourself. This episode goes deep into themes that so many birth workers grapple with but don’t always say out loud:  – feeling called to this work but unsure how to make it sustainable  – the emotional weight of leaving a pensionable job  – the importance of community (or “the village”) in both motherhood and business – why not everyone needs to like you ... and why that’s actually a good thing – leaning into your authentic voice online, even when it feels uncomfortable Aoife also speaks candidly about building her business slowly and steadily, charging her worth, and the role that mindset and peer support have played in helping her stay the course. This is a conversation about courage, feminism, motherhood, and redefining success on your own terms without the hustle-bro nonsense. If you’re a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or birth worker who’s ever thought “there has to be another way”, this episode will land right in your chest. Connect with Aoife: Instagram: @bumps_and_bainneWebsite: www.bumpsandbainne.ieIf this episode resonated with you, send us a DM and let us know what landed. These conversations matter — and you’re not meant to do any of this alone. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    30 min
  4. Ep 71: Visibility Without Self-Abandonment: Showing Up Without Losing Yourself

    JAN 28

    Ep 71: Visibility Without Self-Abandonment: Showing Up Without Losing Yourself

    In this episode of The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast, I’m joined by Parnuuna Thornwood, guide and teacher behind Feel Good Rebel, for a calm, grounding conversation about visibility that doesn’t ask you to override yourself to grow your business. What I loved most about this conversation was Parnuuna's tone  - calm, warm, and deeply respectful of the fact that visibility can feel genuinely hard, especially for birth and postpartum professionals. There’s no pushing, no “just get over it”, and no one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, we explore visibility as something that can be built incrementally, at a pace that feels safe and sustainable. We talk about how many people say “social media just isn’t for me”, and how often that belief is tied not to capability, but to fear, past experiences, or a lack of safety -  both online and in real life. Parnuuna brings a nervous-system-aware lens to visibility, reminding us that if your body feels unsafe, forcing yourself to show up more will only create resistance or burnout. A big part of the conversation centres on why blindly following someone else’s strategy doesn’t work for so many people. While structure and guidance can be helpful, growth rarely comes from copying, instead , it comes from being supported to develop your own way of showing up. This is where coaching becomes so valuable: not to remove fear entirely, but to stop fear from keeping you invisible and stuck. We also name something that often goes unspoken, the reality that there are genuinely unsafe things in the world, and it makes sense that visibility can trigger fear. At the same time, we explore how much energy gets lost worrying about what friends, family, or the imaginary person in the corner might think...the people who were never meant to be your clients in the first place! Instead, this episode invites you to gently shift your focus:  away from posting for posting’s sake,  away from external pressure,  and towards relationship-building, connection, and service. In this episode, we explore: Why visibility feels easier for doulas, lactation consultants, antenatal educators and women in general when it’s calm, gentle and incrementalHow a lack of safety — not laziness or confidence — often sits under resistanceThe nervous system’s role in showing up onlineWhy following someone else’s strategy can disconnect you from yourselfThe difference between fear that needs compassion and fear that needs boundariesLetting go of worries about friends, family, or imagined judgementWhy visibility works best when it’s about relationships, not performanceIt’s a reminder that visibility doesn’t have to be loud, constant or performative — it can be human, relational, and rooted in safety. 🎧 Listen now and explore what visibility could look like when it’s built on trust rather than pressure. Parnuuna has kindly shared a free calming 3 day reset, to boost your sense of confidence, time and energy, you can sign up here: https://feelgoodrebel.kit.com/0d761c0f86 Connect with Parnuuna Website: feelgoodrebelacademy.com Instagram: @ Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    29 min
  5. Ep 70: When Business Doesn’t Feel Right: A Wake-Up Call for Birth Workers

    JAN 21

    Ep 70: When Business Doesn’t Feel Right: A Wake-Up Call for Birth Workers

    Have you ever been offered something in your business that looked brilliant on paper — but felt wrong in your gut? A collaboration, a speaking gig, a brand opportunity, a new direction for your work — and instead of excitement, you felt unsettled, conflicted or quietly uncomfortable. If you’re a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or birth worker, this experience is far more common than you might realise. In this episode, I’m talking about mission, principles and values in your birth work business — what they actually are (not the fluffy corporate version) and why they quietly shape every decision you make, whether you realise it or not. This is not about branding or writing something pretty for your website.  It’s about clarity, alignment and confidence in how you run your business. Episode Timestamps: Mission, Principles & Values in Your Birth Work Business 01:10 – “It looks good on paper but feels wrong” Why so many birth workers struggle with business decisions despite being highly skilled 02:40 – Why strategy alone isn’t enough in a birth work business The missing foundations beneath marketing, pricing and Instagram tactics 04:10 – What mission, principles and values really are (not the fluffy version) Why this is about clarity and alignment, not branding 06:00 – What happens when your business feels misaligned How saying yes to the wrong things slowly disconnects you from your calling 07:30 – Using your mission and values as a decision filter in business How to decide what to say yes and no to as a birth worker 11:10 – My own mission statement as a birth worker How evidence-based care, human rights and social justice shape my work 13:30 – Why your mission is more than a website statement How it guides your services, marketing and long-term direction 15:10 – What values are (and what they are not) Why values are not personality traits or buzzwords 18:40 – Fear vs misalignment in business decisions How to tell the difference between nerves and true value conflict 20:30 – What happens when you ignore your values Cognitive dissonance, regret and ethical drift in business 22:40 – What a values-driven organisation looks like in real life Lessons from working in a homeless charity with lived organisational values 25:10 – Stewardship and quality as working business values How real values guide everyday decisions, not just big ones 27:30 – How this shaped how I run my own business today Applying organisational values to a solo birth work business 29:00 – Saying no to misaligned opportunities (even good ones) Why I declined a major speaking opportunity on ethical grounds 34:00 – How values guide content and visibility decisions Why I sometimes don’t post things that don’t align, even if they’d perform well 36:20 – Why mission and values make business simpler, not harder Reducing decision fatigue and overwhelm in self-employed birth work 38:00 – Using your mission and values when you feel unsure How written clarity helps you decide whether something is fear or misalignment 40:00 – Invitation to reflect on your own mission and values Why ever Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    18 min

  6. JAN 14

    Ep 69: Visualisation for Birthworkers: From Birth Prep to Business Growth

    As birthworkers, visualisation is something we trust deeply. We use it every day with clients to prepare for birth, reduce fear, build confidence, and support emotional and physical readiness. But when it comes to our own businesses, many of us stop using this powerful tool altogether. In this episode, I explore how visualisation can support you as a birth worker not just in birth preparation, but in business growth, confidence, decision-making and sustainability. We look at why so many of us under-utilise visualisation in business, how it’s used in sports psychology, and how belief often needs to come before evidence. The episode finishes with a guided future visualisation designed specifically for birthworkers, helping you connect with your future self and the business you’re building. In this episode, we explore: Why visualisation already works in birth work How birthworkers use visualisation to support confidence, reduce fear and build trust in the bodyWhy “the mind rehearses and the body follows” is something we already believe inThe parallels between birth preparation and business growthWhy birthworkers often abandon visualisation in business The pull towards logic, strategy and constant actionWaiting for proof before believing in ourselvesConfidence being tied to bookings, income or external validationVisualisation is a core, evidence-based tool in sports psychology – not something considered “woo” or vague. We discuss: Mental rehearsal and neural pathwaysWhy athletes visualise the process, not just the winHow the brain responds to imagined experience as if it were realWhy this matters for birthworkers in business Visualising staying grounded when things don’t go to planPreparing your nervous system for visibility, pricing, launches and quieter periodsMoving from hoping things will work out to trusting that they willVisualisation as identity work, not wishful thinking Guided visualisation for birthworkers The final part of this episode is a guided future visualisation created specifically for birthworkers building their businesses. You’ll be invited to: Gently move one year into the futureConnect with the version of you whose business feels aligned, sustainable and abundantNotice what matters most to you – values, impact, ease and fulfilmentThis is a practice you can return to again and again: before launching a new serviceduring periods of uncertaintywhen confidence dipsor whenever you need clarity and groundingJust like birth preparation, repetition matters. Key takeaways Visualisation is not about pretending or bypassing realityIt’s about training your nervous system and decision-making for where you’re goingBirthworkers already know how powerful this tool is – this episode invites you to use it for yourselfIf you enjoyed this episode, I’d love to hear what came up for you during the visualisation. You can always pop into my DMs on Instagram and share what you’re dreaming into being 💛 Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    22 min

  7. JAN 7

    Ep 68: What 2025 Taught Me About Connection, Business & Being Human

    As we step into a new year, there’s often pressure to move straight into goal-setting, planning and “big energy” — without taking time to pause and reflect on what the year actually held. In this solo episode, I’m sharing an honest reflection on my 2025: the moments that nourished me, one major low point that changed the pace of everything, the lessons I didn’t expect to learn, and the intentions I’m carrying forward into 2026. This isn’t a strategy episode or a highlight reel. It’s a conversation about connection, ethical business, nervous system regulation, and what happens when we do too much doing and not enough being — something I know many birth and postpartum professionals will resonate with. If you’re feeling tired, reflective, or unsure how you want to move into the new year, this episode offers space to slow down and take stock. In This Episode, I Talk About: Why reflection matters more than rushing into goalsWhat genuinely nourished me in 2025 — travel, creativity, community and strengthLaunching the Your Birth Biz membership and building meaningful visibilityNavigating a major personal crisis when my husband was seriously injuredWhat happens when business growth doesn’t match effortHustle, nervous system dysregulation, and feeling disconnected from your workMy honest reflections on over-relying on AI instead of my own thinkingWhy output doesn’t equal service — and visibility doesn’t equal connectionReconnecting with my body, mind and intuitionMy 2026 intention: connection is keyCreating content as service, not obligationWhy the podcast is becoming my primary way of supporting birth workersWant to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    29 min
  8. Ep. 67 The Birth of a Business: How to turn a Personal Need into a Product

    12/10/2025

    Ep. 67 The Birth of a Business: How to turn a Personal Need into a Product

    In this episode of The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Brónagh Davidson, founder of My Pregnancy Journals — a beautiful Irish brand born from one mam’s real-life experience, frustration and deep desire to create something meaningful for her own children. Brónagh shares openly about the surprising path that led her here:  – her background in psychology, coaching, fitness and even cybersecurity  – the fertility scare that changed everything  – the shift from service-based work to launching her very first product  – building a business between nap times  – and how a simple personal need became a product hundreds of parents now treasure We dive into the realities of creating a physical product — the costs, the risks, the samples, the trial and error — and the mindset that kept her going when most people would have backed away. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could sell a product alongside your services, or you’re curious about how “ordinary moments” can spark extraordinary businesses, this is a gorgeous episode to soak up. In this episode, we cover: The moment a fertility appointment shifted the direction of Brónagh’s life and future businessHow journaling during pregnancy helped her connect deeply with her babies before they were even bornThe behind-the-scenes of creating a physical product from scratch (what no one tells you!)Navigating fear, finances and the early investment that product-based businesses requireWhy community and collaboration matter more than ever when launching something newThe mindset shifts that supported her through uncertainty, change and early motherhoodPractical advice for birthworkers or service providers who are thinking about developing a productThe power of trusting your own story — and letting that guide your business decisionsWho this episode is for Birthworkers, mums in business, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how real-life experiences can spark beautiful, sustainable businesses. If you’ve ever felt the pull toward creating something that’s missing in the world, this conversation will light a gentle fire under you. Connect with Brónagh Website: mypregnancyjournals.com Instagram: @mypregnancyjournals Listen Now Tune in for an honest, heart-led conversation about motherhood, mindset and making something meaningful and leave feeling inspired to follow that little nudge of your own. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

    34 min
See All (73)

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast, in conjunction with Your Birth Biz, is a podcast for birth and postpartum professionals who want to grow sustainable, ethical businesses without burning out or losing themselves along the way. Hosted by Niamh Cassidy, childbirth educator, IBCLC lactation consultant, and business coach to birth workers, this podcast sits at the intersection of business, birth work, values, and real life. Niamh started her own perinatal business as a side hustle while working full-time in social care, and knows first-hand how challenging it can be to fill classes, attract clients, and stay confident when everyone else seems to be “doing better”. She’s been through the comparison spiral, the over-consumption of business advice, and the frustration of learning from business spaces that don’t understand the ethics, boundaries, and responsibilities of perinatal work. Through years of learning, testing, adapting (and unlearning), Niamh has built a fully booked lactation practice and successful education and coaching business — without resorting to fear-based marketing, unethical tactics, or stepping away from client work she loves. This podcast is a mix of: Solo episodes on business, mindset, visibility, boundaries, and sustainabilityGuest conversations with birth workers and women in businessPanel discussions exploring nuanced topics at the crossover of business and birth workExpect honest conversations, thoughtful critique of “one-size-fits-all” business advice, and practical insights you can actually apply to your own practice. If you’re a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator, or perinatal professional who wants to grow a business that feels aligned, ethical, and genuinely supportive — you’re in the right place.

Information