The Birth Talks

Mai Ngo

The Birth Talks is an intersectional feminist podcast on pregnancy, birth and parenting. The idea was conceived by host Mai Ngo, an Ottawa based doula and birth advocate. If you like feminism, intersectionality and reproductive justice then this podcast is for you.

  1. 07/31/2021

    S7E5: BLACK MIDWIVES MATTER

    According to the Association of Ontario Midwives and Ryerson’s Midwifery Education Program: of the nearly 1000 midwives that are currently registered in Ontario less than 30 self-identify as Black. The lack of diversity in the field of midwifery is a concern for midwifery care across Canada. In this final episode of the Black Births Matter series, Trish chats with Black midwives Althea Jones and Vincia Herbert about what it means to be a Black midwife. Althea Jones is a registered midwife in Toronto and founder of Womb and Wellness, an organization aimed at addressing the gaps in maternity care. She is also the founder of Ancestral Hands, an initiative to create a midwife-led maternity program that is focused on the Black community. Vincia Herbert is also a registered midwife in Toronto, and is involved in many initiatives that promote community building, anti-discrimination, equity and inclusion.

    33 min

  2. 07/31/2021

    S7E4: The Disruptors

    Trish chats with Tumaini Lyaruu, Cheyenne Scarlett and Cassandra Thompson about their work as activists in education, advocacy and activism for Black communities.  Cassandra is a birth centre aid at the Toronto Birth Centre, as well as a doula. She is also a founding member of the Ocama Collective, a community-directed group of birth workers of colour living and working in Toronto.  Tumaini is a midwifery student at Ryerson University and has worked alongside her peers to create the Learn More Ontario Midwifery initiative, a project that presents public information about midwifery care in Ontario.  Cheyenne is a childbirth educator and has conducted research in the Greater Toronto Area about Black women’s experiences throughout their pregnancy. Through her research, Cheyenne has recognized the strong need for childbirth education for parents and anti-racism training for providers. She is also a co-founder of The Baby Planner, a consulting and education based business that is guided by person-centred and trauma-informed care.

    32 min

  3. 07/31/2021

    S7E3: CANADIAN MIDWIVES OF COLOUR

    In today’s episode, Trish looks at Canadian Midwives of Colour, a project led by Dr Karline Wilson, Dr Karen Flynn and Dr Cyrus Sundar Singh. The revelation of these stories highlights a part of Canadian history is not known. We discuss the representations of midwives of colour, the importance of their existence in the historical context, and how this knowledge empowers racialized midwives and midwifery students. The process of mining for facts and truth, unveils amazing stories of resilience and advocacy in Canada's earliest racialized immigrant and refugee communities. The project is consequently an act of social justice or healing for the racialized midwifery community.

    30 min

  4. 07/31/2021

    S7E2: Stories from the Ground Part II

    This is a continuation of the birth stories from episode one. We will complete our segment by hearing from Shanel Smith, a young mom and content creator, and Kawsar Yassin, a solo parent and midwifery student.

    21 min

  5. 07/31/2021

    S7E1: STORIES FROM THE GROUND PART I

    The Birth Talks Podcast launches a new series Black Births Matter with host Trish Langley Frempong. In this episode, we hear directly from five Black parents who navigated their pregnancies and care in the hospital, in the birth center and at home. We hear from Black women and gender diverse folk including Simone Carpio, an inclusive and accessibility activist, Ingrid Palmer, an intersectional storyteller and Patice Romeo, executive director of Birth Mark. These stories will deepen your understanding in the world of pregnancy, birth and parenting for diverse Black communities.

    25 min

  6. 09/27/2020

    S6E5: Feminist Birth Talks! The New Decade Part 5

    "Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come." Rumi It is with a full heart that Mai thanks all those who listened to the podcast, all those who shared their stories, and all those who supported her in this creative project. May we never forget to strive for the freedom of all.

    38 min

  7. 05/19/2020

    S6E4: Feminist Birth Talks! The New Decade Part 4

    In this episode co-host Leyla and Mai stir in their favourite flavour of gender equality: intersectionality. They hear from gender equality advocate Amy Grant and Indigenous midwife and assistant professor Karen Lawford.

    22 min

  8. 05/19/2020

    Feminist Birth Talks! The New Decade Part 3

    We continue to ask gender activists and advocates in Canada "Where does Canada need to go in 2020?" Mai meets up with 83 year old Rosemary Ganley at Women Deliver 2019 for a late night rum and coke to talk feminism. Rosemary is a Canadian educator, journalist, activist and lifelong feminist. She shares her intergenerational wisdom on the future of gender equality in Canada. We also check in with Greg LaForce, ex-military turned advocate against gender-based violence. He sheds light on what role men can play in advancing gender equality.

    21 min
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About

The Birth Talks is an intersectional feminist podcast on pregnancy, birth and parenting. The idea was conceived by host Mai Ngo, an Ottawa based doula and birth advocate. If you like feminism, intersectionality and reproductive justice then this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Mai Ngo
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2021
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Creative Commons Attribution
  • Show Website
    The Birth Talks