The LIFTS Podcast

Mother Love
  • 4.7 (15)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Weekly

The LIFTS Podcast (formerly Mother Love) is a Montana-based podcast centering lived experience and amplifying diverse voices from across the state. Through conversations with caregivers, providers, and advocates, we explore bold ideas and creative solutions for supporting the littlest Montanans and their families. If you have feedback, or an idea for a guest or topic, email us at stories@hmhb-mt.org.

  1. 2d ago

    Growing Our Storytellers: Starting Early with Pediatric Speech Pathologist Christy Cheviron

    What does early literacy actually look like before a child can read? In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman continues the Growing Storytellers series with pediatric speech-language pathologist Christy Cheviron, founder of Alpine Start Speech Therapy in Missoula. Christy helps unpack what is happening in young children's brains during those incredible first years of life and explains why early literacy is about so much more than teaching a child to read. Before children can read words on a page, they are building language, vocabulary, attention, memory, narrative skills, sound awareness, and an understanding of how language works. The conversation is also a reassuring reminder for parents who may feel pressure around reading and school readiness: literacy can happen anywhere. It can happen while reading a cereal box, making a grocery list, following a recipe, singing a nursery rhyme, scribbling with crayons, pretending to write, or talking about the pictures in a favorite book. Christy and Gwyneth talk about making reading joyful rather than another item on the parenting to-do list. They discuss following a child's lead, letting little ones chew on and explore books, finding a reading routine that actually works for your family, and remembering that there is no single "right" way to read together. And, of course, there are plenty of books to add to your family's reading list. Christy shares some of her favorites, while Gwyneth brings in a few beloved childhood books of her own — including Little House in the Big Woods, Charlotte's Web, Misty of Chincoteague, and My Side of the Mountain. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: reading isn't just about preparing children for school. It's about helping them understand themselves, understand other people, explore new worlds, and build a lifelong relationship with stories. In This Episode How language development, vocabulary, storytelling, and reading are interconnectedWhy everyday activities can become literacy opportunitiesHow parents can make reading joyful instead of stressfulWhy following your child's lead can make shared reading more successfulLetting babies and toddlers explore books in their own way — even when that means chewing on them!How scribbling, pretend writing, play, and storytelling all contribute to literacyHow books can build empathy, social-emotional skills, curiosity, and a wider view of the worldThe magic of connecting stories to real-life experiencesBooks Mentioned & Recommended For babies and new parents On the Night You Were Born — Nancy Tillman For toddlers Moo, Baa, La La La! — Sandra Boynton For rhyming and phonological awareness A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee — Chris Van DusenOliver Jeffers — Stuck & Up and DownFor older children Misty of Chincoteague — Marguerite Henry  My Side of the Mountain — Jean Craighead George Christy's own listening The Calamity Club — Kathryn Stockett Connect with Christy  Alpine Start Speech Therapy Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.  Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/ Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.  Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/ Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  2. Oct 1

    Growing Our Storytellers: Strengthening Roots with Katrina Kennett and Marti Laknar

    What can we grow here? And perhaps more importantly—what can we learn from the place where we live?  In the second episode of our early literacy series "Growing Our Storytellers," we explore Grow Where You Are, a community early literacy project in Dillon, Montana, with Katrina Kennett, a professor of education at the University of Montana Western.   The idea behind Grow Where You Are grew out of a collection of projects, conversations and community efforts focused on understanding what can grow in southwest Montana—and helping people of all ages overcome the barriers that can make growing feel out of reach, while developing the imaginations of our earliest learners.  Katrina talks about the many pieces already happening in the community—from seed catalogs at the library and raised garden beds to efforts to grow food for the local food bank, as educators explore how all ages can participate.  Katrina is also joined by Marti Laknar of the Beaverhead Conservation District, who brings a different but complementary perspective. Her work with the Beaverhead Conservation District has brought her face-to-face with the growing issue of food insecurity and the loss of basic food-growing and preservation skills they are hoping to reinvigorate in their community.  She remembers a time when gardens were common in Dillon and throughout Montana, with vegetable gardens tucked into backyards and alleyways. Over time, convenience, larger grocery stores and changes in how communities access food contributed to a loss of those skills.  Together they speak on connecting people not only with information, but with one another—older generations with younger generations, experienced growers with beginners, and community organizations with people who want to get involved.  In This Episode  The story behind the Grow Where You Are project What it means to understand what grows in southwest Montana from the earliest age Building partnerships and connecting community resources The potential for fresh produce in local preschools and schools The importance of passing knowledge between generations How gardening can strengthen community connections Why growing food is about more than food—it's about resilience and relationships Links  https://www.umwestern.edu/directory/katrina-kennett/  Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  3. Sep 24

    Growing Our Storytellers: Building Belonging with Hilary Gourneau of Pté Collective

    What happens when a child who found safety, consistency and belonging in Head Start grows up to become a powerful advocate for the next generation? In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman speaks with Hilary Gourneau, an enrolled Dakota member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, former Fort Peck Tribal Head Start executive director and founder of Pté Collective, about how early literacy begins with creating spaces where children and families feel safe, seen and supported. Hilary shares what she learned during her time as a Head Start executive director—including the realities of serving children and families in rural Montana, the challenges of aging facilities, and the determination it took to advocate for new Head Start buildings in Poplar and Wolf Point. Hilary also shares the story of bringing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library books to families on the Fort Peck Reservation, even when traditional mailing systems didn't work for families who shared mailboxes or didn't have individual addresses. She also introduces Pté Collective, the consulting organization she created to bring a Native voice to early childhood and early learning, particularly in rural and Tribal communities. "Pté" is the Dakota word for female buffalo - a matriarchal symbol of strength, family, leadership. The conversation also turns to the future of Head Start and proposed changes that Hilary believes could have significant implications for mental health, children with special needs, and Tribal and local control.  Ultimately, Hilary's message is simple and powerful: every child deserves access to early learning, healthcare, food, clean water, a safe home and a safe, healthy learning environment—and every child deserves someone willing to advocate for them. Bio Hilary is the former executive director of Fort Peck Tribal Head Start and the founder and director of Pté Collective. In This Episode Hilary's own experience as a Head Start childGrowing up on the Fort Peck ReservationHer path to graduate school Bringing Indigenous culture into early learningDesigning spaces around children's physical, emotional, cultural and developmental needsWhy identity and belonging matterBooks mentioned Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess KalbPowwow Day Traci SorellLinks https://www.ptecollective.com/ To Comment on Proposed Head Start Changes: https://nhsa.org/nprm-resources/how-to-speak-up-for-head-start/submit-a-public-comment/ https://www.montanaimaginationlibrary.org/ Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  4. Sep 17

    What Does It Take To Make Ends Meet? - With Rylee Andrews of the Butte 4-C's

    In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman joins Rylee Andrews, a Maternal Support Professional with the Butte 4 C’s, to talk about the realities facing families across Southwest Montana.  Rylee shares what she is seeing in homes right now as the cost of groceries, gas, housing, childcare, and healthcare continues to put pressure on family budgets. She talks about the difficult choices parents are making, from delaying medical appointments to sacrificing their own needs so their children can have what they need.  The conversation also explores the emotional toll of that stress, including what Rylee is seeing through postpartum depression screenings and the importance of recognizing when a parent may need additional support. She speaks openly about her own experience as a mom of three and how that lived experience helps her connect with families in an authentic, judgment-free way.  Gwyneth and Rylee also talk about Meals for Moms, a program made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor that provides nourishing meals to families during those exhausting first weeks with a new baby. Since launching in January 2026, the program has delivered hundreds of meals to local families—and has also helped connect families with additional home-visiting support.  Guest Bio  Rylee Andrews is a Maternal Support Professional with the Butte 4 C’s, where she works alongside families during pregnancy and the first year of a baby’s life. With a background that includes 10 years working in childcare and her own experience as a mother of three young children, Rylee brings both professional training and lived experience to her work.  In This Episode  Supporting families before they reach a crisis: Rylee explains how the Butte 4 C’s works alongside families early, helping them build confidence, find resources, and create their own support networks. The realities of rising costs: A look at how higher costs for groceries, gas, housing, childcare, and healthcare are forcing Montana families to make difficult choices—and sometimes put their own needs last. Maternal mental health: Rylee shares what she is seeing through postpartum depression screenings and why financial stress, uncertainty, and isolation can have such a profound effect on parents and families. The importance of lived experience: As a mother of three herself, Rylee talks about how remembering her own challenging moments in early parenthood helps her connect with the families she serves. 406 Healthy Start: Learn how this home-visiting program supports families during pregnancy and baby's first year with education, encouragement, practical resources, and one-on-one support. Meals for Moms: Hear the story behind this community-supported program providing nourishing meals to families during those exhausting first weeks after bringing home a new baby—and how a simple meal can become a doorway to additional support. It takes a village: Gwyneth and Rylee talk about the importance of accepting help, building community connections, and reminding parents that they were never meant to do this alone. Looking toward the future: Rylee discusses the growing need for family services across Southwest Montana and the ongoing challenge of securing funding so organizations can continue to meet families where they are. Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  5. Sep 10

    Motherhood, Grief & IVF in Rural Montana with Kelly Pipe Campbell

    What does motherhood look like when you're carrying grief, navigating IVF, and raising a child in rural Montana?  In this episode, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator Gwyneth Hyndman talks with fellow Philipsburg mom and farmer Kelly Pipe Campbell about motherhood, grief, IVF, and how support can look in a rural community. Kelly shares the seven-year journey with her husband, Derek, that led to the birth of their daughter, Beverly, including fertility treatments, a miscarriage, and a first experience with IVF, compared to their journey with IVF in 2026.  She also talks openly about losing her mother before becoming a mom herself—and how that grief returned in unexpected ways after Beverly was born. The conversation explores the realities of raising a baby while living remotely, working on a farm, and navigating postpartum anxiety and depression. Kelly reflects on the expectations she had for motherhood, the challenges that come with balancing work and parenting, and how finding community in Philipsburg helped her begin to feel supported. Guest Bio: Kelly Pipe Campbell is a mother, wife and farmer based in Philipsburg, where she and her husband operate Moon River Ranch CSA. In This Episode Kelly's seven-year journey to becoming a motherBecoming a mother after losing her own momHow grief resurfaced during pregnancy and postpartumThe isolation of raising a newborn in rural MontanaPostpartum anxiety, counseling, and supporting a relationship after having a babyRunning a farm while caring for an infantThe pressure and guilt of trying to balance motherhood and workPursuing IVF for a second timeRaising a fearless, independent daughterShow Links:  Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler https://www.tcoyf.com/ Motherless Mothers: How Mother Loss Shapes the Parents We Become by Hope Edelman https://www.hopeedelman.com/booksMoon River Ranch CSA https://moonrivercsa.com/pages/about-moon-river-ranchLearn more: LIFTS Online Resource Guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, the Montana Coalition: https://hmhb-mt.org/Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  6. Sep 7

    Looking Ahead to Season Six - Finding Where Policy and Storytelling Intersect

    Episode Description Welcome to Season 6 of the LIFTS Podcast - In this season-opening episode, new host Gwyneth Hyndman, HMHB’s Storytelling Coordinator, sits down with Stephanie Morton, Executive Director of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, the Montana Coalition, to reflect on where the organization has been and where it is headed. Gwyneth and Stephanie talk about the evolution of the podcast, including the transition from Mother Love to LIFTS, and why creating a space that includes moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents, and the many other people helping raise Montana’s children matters. They also discuss HMHB’s growing commitment to policy and systems change, what lies ahead for Montana families, and the important role storytelling plays in helping people feel less alone. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful reminder: parenting was never meant to be something we figure out alone. Guest Bio: Stephanie Morton is the Executive Director of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, the Montana Coalition. She has been with HMHB for nearly a decade, previously serving as the organization’s program director before stepping into her current leadership role. Highlights include: The importance of including the many caregivers and communities who help raise Montana’s childrenHMHB’s growing investment in policy and systems change for familiesHow personal stories can help reduce stigma, connect families with resources, and inform better systems of careWhy parents and caregivers don’t have to simply “tough it out” or navigate the challenges of raising children aloneStephanie’s message: “You’re not supposed to just grit your teeth and muscle your way through this. It’s not supposed to be all sleep deprivation and toughen it out. There are points where you can find support.” Learn more: LIFTS Online Resource Guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, the Montana Coalition: https://hmhb-mt.org/Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! If you have a topic or story you’d like to hear on the LIFTS Podcast, or feedback about an episode, contact Gwyneth Hyndman at gwyneth@hmhb-mt.org. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Website: https://hmhb-mt.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hmhbmt/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmhbmt/For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0–3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/ Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  7. Mar 18

    LIFTS Out Loud: Celeste Miller - Nursing Under the Big Sky

    Guest Bio:  Episode Description  In this heartfelt episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Celeste Miller, a ranch mom from rural Montana, about her journey through breastfeeding challenges, rural isolation, and finding confidence in motherhood. Celeste shares how her first baby’s health complications made nursing difficult, how she found support the second time around, and what it’s like raising kids while working on a cattle ranch. Together, Emily and Celeste discuss the realities of rural parenting — long drives for care, limited lactation support, and the pressure to “tough it out” — alongside the growing openness among moms to talk about postpartum mental health. Highlights include: Navigating breastfeeding challenges and formula feeding without local supportBalancing ranch life and parenting in a rural settingThe importance of community, vulnerability, and practical support for momsWhy resources like lactation consultants and postpartum support matter in small townsCeleste’s message: “You can be tough and still have a hard time — it’s not one or the other.” Learn more: LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Lactation Supports: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Lactation%20SupportRead the article from the magazine:  https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

  8. Mar 4

    Sarah Buchanan + Stephanie Fitch - Human Stories Behind Montana’s Maternal Health Gaps

    Episode Description: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman speaks with Stephanie Fitch (Billings Clinic) and Sarah Buchanan (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services) about Siloed — a Montana-made documentary exploring the realities of maternal healthcare access in rural communities. Produced by Montanans, for Montanans, Siloed weaves together powerful stories from across the state to reveal both the challenges and the deep resilience found in Montana families and providers. The film sheds light on maternal healthcare deserts, the emotional and logistical barriers families face, and the creative solutions, from telehealth to local support networks, helping bridge those gaps. Highlights include: Why storytelling and lived experience matter as much as data in driving public health changeHow rural Montana communities are navigating obstetric care closuresThe importance of psychological safety and trust in healthcareThe role of telehealth, doulas, and community health workers in expanding accessThe story behind the making of Siloed — from student filmmakers to statewide screeningsSimple, human ways anyone can support new parents in their own communityWatch the film: 🎬 Siloed Documentary (DPHHS MOMS Program) - https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/moms/SiloedDocumentaryEducation Learn more or get involved: Montana MOMS Program: https://mtmoms.org/Montana Maternal Health Alliance: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/moms/LeadershipCouncil Find perinatal resources in every Montana county and reservation using the LIFTS Online Resource Guide: hmhb-lifts.org Join the conversation: Host a community screening, share the documentary with a friend, or simply check in on a new parent in your life. Small acts of care help break down isolation and build connection. Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey. Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies WebsiteFacebookInstagram For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at https://hmhb-lifts.org/

See All (108)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

The LIFTS Podcast (formerly Mother Love) is a Montana-based podcast centering lived experience and amplifying diverse voices from across the state. Through conversations with caregivers, providers, and advocates, we explore bold ideas and creative solutions for supporting the littlest Montanans and their families. If you have feedback, or an idea for a guest or topic, email us at stories@hmhb-mt.org.

Information

  • Creator
    Mother Love
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The LIFTS Podcast
  • Show Website
    The LIFTS Podcast

You Might Also Like