BIRTH: The Middle Way Podcast

Emma Cardinal and Sam Love

Weaving together the wisdom found in hospital, home, and free birth with reverence. Raw. Unfiltered. In the medicine we carry as women and mothers. Just as birth, life, death, and womanhood can be messy and nuanced, so will our recordings. Join two mamas, Emma and Sam, as they discuss birth in all it's complexities, nuances, and mysteries. birththemiddleway.substack.com

  1. 026: The Way of the Matrona: A Conversation with Elder, Midwife, & Teacher, Whapio.

    May 14

    026: The Way of the Matrona: A Conversation with Elder, Midwife, & Teacher, Whapio.

    This conversation was a long time coming, and a true honour. I am beyond excited to introduce you all to one of the most important women along my path as a birth attendant thus far. Whapio is an Elder who has truly devoted herself to studying the depth of birth, and weaving the wisdom she has absorbed into a women lead model that I feel is truly world changing. It has been nothing short of life changing to sit at the feet of this woman. She has both expanded and reshaped my understanding of what is possible in the realm of women and family lead birth support. I really hope that you enjoy this opportunity to hear her speak into her experiences and ideas around birth and life as much as I did. In this episode of Birth: The Middle Way, Whapio shares many layers of both her wisdom and her experiences. We explore topics such as: finding trust in birth, home birth, the role of a midwife, the power found in listening to women’s stories, birth complications, intuition, altered states of consciousness, Ayahuasca, blame culture, the healing potential in birth, and so much more! Whapio has created many teaching portals and opportunities for women and birth workers, including a doula program, and her staple Matrona Midwifery Certification. She is a homeopath who weaves the wisdom of homeopathy into the essence of her teachings, alongside an extremely in-depth exploration of anatomy and physiology. She empowers her students to know and understand the body in a pursuit to trusting birth MORE, a truly refreshing approach from what is offered in so many other realms of birth education. I honestly couldn’t recommend studying with her more. You can explore her offerings here: The Matrona Check out her instagram here: Instagram And remember to share this episode with anyone who could use a little Elder wisdom and medicine to bless up there day! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    2h 26m
  2. 025: The Resurrection of Mother-lead Birth. A Storytelling Journey with Jess Shinneman.

    Apr 7

    025: The Resurrection of Mother-lead Birth. A Storytelling Journey with Jess Shinneman.

    In a world where birth is so frequently viewed through a clinical lens, as though it is a deeply unsafe event that needs constant monitoring and intervention, the personal experiences and wisdom of mothers, as well as birth attendants (who hold less rank than a doctor)… are all too often overlooked. If you believe in the innate wisdom carried in the experiences and stories of women, then this episode is for you! I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of my own mentors Jess Shinneman. Jess is a mother of four beautiful children, two of which were born in the hospital, two born at home, completely wild and undisturbed. Jess worked as a labor and delivery nurse for a decade, witnessing over 1000 births. She loved supporting mothers (especially when unmedicated) within the walls of the system, but towards the end of her career she couldn’t help but feel something was missing. She found herself at Whapio’s feet, studying to become a doula, and realized it wasn’t just a little that was missing, it was the whole experience. Jess ended up being fired for following the law of informed consent, serving families before the system she worked for. But, before she was fired she saw a family birth unassisted in the hospital, she watched as Whapio’s words came true… a dad stood up for his wife and caught his own baby! Jess shares, “when you see what birth can be, when you watch a couple fall more deeply in love than they even thought possible, seeing the wounds of the past heal before your eyes... you can’t unsee it”. It changed her, and her path forever… Jess is the director of programs, and a teacher at The Matrona (an educational birth program created by my elder mentor Whapio which I HIGHLY recommend), a birth photographer, and homesteader. With these vastly differing sets of experiences, Jess’s stories carry unique perspectives, ideas, and wisdom for us all to receive and contemplate. She is able to share perspective, not only on what is offered in the hospital, but what can be offered at home when families find themselves needing and different option, or extra support. It is Jess’s mission to help families as they navigate all the options of pregnancy and birth, and she carries a deep prayer that every family at least considers home birth as a safe option. In this discussion Jess invites us to deeply consider the importance of listening to mothers' intuition, the importance of self-advocacy, the emotional toll for those working in a broken system, the beauty and necessity of empowering families during childbirth, and the deep need for true informed consent in maternal care (a thread that seems to be an important theme in BTMW conversations). This episode is truly a beautiful story telling journey. The truth that has been uncovered in one woman’s heart as she has centered her life around birth, motherhood, and supporting women. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinewildwithjess?igsh=NzQyMTR2NjdoZ3V3&utm_source=qr Matrona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whapio_and_thematrona?igsh=aWVpd2xiNXd3cjd6&utm_source=qr There is still time to join Jess and Whapio in their year long devotion to birth in this years Matrona program. Matrona Website: https://www.thematrona.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    2h 48m
  3. 024: Birth Belongs to Families. A Raw Conversation with The Midwives of Foundational Concepts.

    Mar 19

    024: Birth Belongs to Families. A Raw Conversation with The Midwives of Foundational Concepts.

    Join Sami Love for another deep conversation on Bith: The Middle way, with a group of powerful women all walking the path of traditional midwifery! The midwives from Foundational concepts, Sarita Bennett, Rowan Bailey, and Alicia Juarez Meyer bless us all with a very raw and real discussion exploring many topics in the realms of birth, family, informed concept, family care, politics, and much more. Together we explore the complexities of midwifery education, the impact of institutionalized systems on women and families, and the necessity of transparency and TRUE informed consent in pregnancy care and birth spaces. We dip into the intersection of physiology and spirituality, and the importance of creating space to deeply nurture relationships with mothers and families within the scope of midwifery practice. As we have explored in many other conversations in this space, birth has many complexities and nuances, and this episode isn’t void of following that thread of exploration. From speaking into the importance of understanding birth physiology to different political themes currently alive in the world of birth work each of us share from the heart and the truth of our differing experiences on it all. We also focus on the continuum of womanhood and the role of elders in guiding the next generation of midwives, and the necessity of reclaiming traditional midwifery as a role, title, and wellspring of wisdom. Foundational Concepts is a collective created by these three women, who not only serve birthing women, but also educate the next generation of birth attendants. They share a new approach to midwifery that emphasizes experiential education and community support. Let me share a little about each of these wonderful women! Rowan Bailey Rowan shares.. I may or may not have been known to jokingly say my purpose is to make more outlaw midwives. In reality my mission is to be a mirror and a reminder that when we break out of captivity and become our most powerful selves we can make the movement move. Rowan describes her mission in birth by saying “I want us all to find our feet and our breath and be fully who we are meant to be: wild, raw, messy, and beautifully ungovernable”. Sarita Bennett Sarita is a retired midwife and osteopath who is naturalized to the Appalachian Mountains she lives in. She continues to serve midwifery through offering mentorship, experiential education, and restorative peer review. Alisha Juarez Meyer Alisha has been serving birthing families since 2014 in various capacities and locations, now in southern California she is serving families through a Faith-Based Family Fraternal Association and Fellowship Ministry. Links: Website: https://foundationalconcepts4mws.org/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093100200353 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundational.concepts4mws/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO4DwxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGd0M3QVR0TVduZFNWdWdKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHojNcj3y9nDCzRPowSuOfMfHnKzeWvoyMcyAPH0NPIwU7EvnyBmn60jSb9Di_aem_I0hs5x_q3I6FokFOQeXsEw The women of Foundational Concepts have also put a call our to our community here at Birth: The Middle Way to support a midwife who is currently undergoing unjust prosecution for her work as a traditional midwife. Please, if seeing traditional midwifery stay alive in this world is something that feels important to your heart, consider supporting Moira in raising her restitution funds https://foundationalconcepts4mws.org/pay-it-forward This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    2h 34m
  4. 023: From OBGYN to the Pursuit of New Possibilities in the realm of Birth with Nathan Riley.

    Feb 9

    023: From OBGYN to the Pursuit of New Possibilities in the realm of Birth with Nathan Riley.

    Nathan Riley has truly walked a unique path in the realm of birth. After 14 years spent devoted to the path of becoming an OBGYN, he lost his job for taking his mask off during the pandemic, while supporting a patient who was in the active process of dying. He chose humanity over rules and regulations in that moment… and in that moment, everything changed! One path closed, and another opened. Yet the theme of prioritizing humanity and pursuing new paths of possibility (outside of the boundaries of the systems “right” and “wrong”) was infused into his path forward. Nathan is a lot of fun to speak with, and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. It’s such a gift to cross paths with someone who has been educated in different ways, and has experienced so many different possibilities, not only in the realm of birth, but in life. Nathan and I explore many layers in this conversation, but I really enjoyed our ability to connect in the realm of psychedelics, and altered states of consciousness. We dive into the idea that psychedelics can be an incredible thread of preparation for birth (for some women), and share some of our own personal experiences and observations of this concept. Birth is an altered state, a psychedelic state, and we share the belief that allowing your psyche to learn how to navigate altered states before entering the birth portal, has immense benefit! We’d love to hear your thoughts on some of these topics, that are address less often in conversations around birth, yet hold a deep potent potential. I pray you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! If you are inspired by Nathan and want to connect more with him and his offerings you can check out: Check out Nathan’s most recent project, The Born Free Method, where he and his team are on a mission to place birth back in the hands of women, and families! The Born Free Method is an educational space of comprehensive programs for soon-to-be parents (and birth workers) who want to feel empowered, confident, and informed about their fertility, pregnancy and childbirth journeys. Born free method is the most comprehensive birth support program on the planet, which includes direct access to both a midwife and OBGYN who hold birth to be a sacred transformation rather than a medical procedure. click here Nathan is the host of his own podcast: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast: click here And you can connect on Instagram: click here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    2h 7m
  5. 022: Reflections & Announcement re: My Experience with The Guardian’s Investigation into FBS

    Jan 29

    022: Reflections & Announcement re: My Experience with The Guardian’s Investigation into FBS

    ANNOUNCEMENT: Hello Birth: The Middle Way community — I am taking a step back for the next little bit as I integrate my experience within the Guardian’s investigation into the Freebirth Society. My prayer from the beginning has been to find a middle ground between the polarizing beliefs in the birth world. It is not anyones place to judge how a woman chooses to birth — for with every choice, there is risk, and no guaranteed outcomes. However, when incorrect or incomplete information comes pouring out from groups claiming to teach others about birth — that is where problems lay. Birth: The Middle Way is a community conversation space — so please share your thoughts in the comments, hop on a recorded conversation, and share your story if you feel called to do so. BTMW does not claim to have answers or give anyone a singular truth — it is made up of all the women who choose to join in respectful dialogue. That is the beauty of this community, that is the prayer for this space. At this time I am choosing the medicine of silence in this space while I integrate my time post-Guardian FBS investigation. Sacred listening to my own story, to the Earth, and to the world around me. Thank you endlessly for being here. I love you. See you soon, Emma Cardinal Relavent links: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    46 min
  6. 021: The Art of Inner Listening, and The Sacred Role of the Father with Kiara Vega

    Jan 5

    021: The Art of Inner Listening, and The Sacred Role of the Father with Kiara Vega

    Join Sami and Kiara (two dear friends living and mothering side-by-side in the Sacred Valley of Peru) for this intimate conversation and exploration of all things pregnancy, birth, mothering, and partnership. This episode is a window into the hearts and minds of two mothers who are rooted in presence and devotion, while simultaneously holding the paradoxes, griefs, and mysteries of the motherhood continuum at the forefront of their awareness. Witness how sisterhood, and friendship can be a catalyst to dive deeper, feel deeper, touch deeper, and integrate deeper in the chapter of early motherhood. Kiara is a woman who stands for sovereignty and autonomy on the journey of parenthood. She has spent the last decade fine tuning her intuitive abilities as an oracle, while learning to decipher ever more clearly her innate “knowing” that emerges from a profound intimate relationship with the feeling body. This has resulted in a powerful tool to cease outsourcing one’s rightful authority, rather than placing it in the hands of others out of fear and disconnection. Kiara is a mother of two small boys, born just 18 months apart. Both were freebirthed in her home along side her partner and a wise birth keeper. In this episode she graces us with the gift of both birth stories; two profoundly transformative initiations that granted her the gift of new wisdom to carry as a mother, wife, and woman. She vulnerably speaks into the nuances of the journey as well… the beauty, grief, challenges, and joy that are all divine teachers on the path. Kiara is a woman who carries a deep inner connection to her body and soul, and ability to listen to the direction of her inner world has been a key element that has supported her in navigating mothering. Another important topic explored in this conversation is the sacred role of the father. Kiara speaks into some of the vulnerable and intimate conversations she had with her partner in the early days, and how she could feel in him his capacity to step FULLY into the role of the provider and protector of her and her babies. Together Sami and Kiara explore how the role of the father has been pushed to the side, and the harm that comes as a result of this cultural tragedy. On the flip side, they speak into how many couples are currently remembering the truth of the father’s divine and irreplaceable role in the childbearing continuum. We hope you enjoy! Connect with Kiara: Instagram: @kia.vega Poetry book: The Abyss of my Name This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    2h 18m
  7. 020: Joni's Journey: Leaving the Institution to Return to Tradition

    12/23/2025

    020: Joni's Journey: Leaving the Institution to Return to Tradition

    Buckle up, as you are in for a treat with this one! Joni Edelman is one of those women who just has a way of bringing all the fuzzy feelings to your heart and soul simply by being in her presence. She radiates a true devotion for the living prayer she carries in the world as a traditional midwife, one that is felt. It was truly a pleasure to sit with her in this conversation as she wove her own birth stories, with her perspectives and experiences as a birth worker (on and off) of 33 years. After attending a few births as a doula, family member, and friend, she became more intimate with birth through the births of her own children. Her first four children were born in the hospital, and her last two at home with a traditional midwife. Sadly her first daughter Jordan was born still, which was of course was an unimaginable loss and introduction to both birth and motherhood. But she pursued herself, her heart, and her healing and went on to have three more births in the hospital which she describes as being “uncomplicated”, before opening to her own path as a birth attendant. The next chapter of her journey, called her to become a nurse. She worked in the labor and delivery unit for five years, granting her the opportunity to witness the full spectrum of care in that setting. When she became pregnant with her fifth baby, it felt clear that home birth (supported by a traditional midwife) was the most aligned choice for her. After her stint as a nurse, she worked in hospice for two years, before finally having life provide the perfect nudge into the path she was always meant to walk as a traditional midwife. Joni’s unique personal journey as a woman/mother as well as a practitioner both in and out of the medical system provides her with a plethora of wisdom. She has come to understand the pros and cons of each setting. She is not “against” the system, but rather only orients in that direction when that care is truly what is needed. She truly walks a “Birth: The Middle Way” path in her path as a traditional midwife! Let us know your thoughts on this episode below! Connect with Joni: Website: https://www.13moonsbirthwork.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/13moonsbirth/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    2h 34m
  8. 019: A Secluded, Unplanned Mountain Freebirth & the Power of a Mother's Intuition with Freya Sarah Jane

    12/17/2025

    019: A Secluded, Unplanned Mountain Freebirth & the Power of a Mother's Intuition with Freya Sarah Jane

    We are excited to introduce you to this beautiful woman and mother in this episode of Birth: The Middle Way. Freya is a mother and multidisciplinary artist who walks the path of seasonal recognition, with a deep connection and reverse for the rhythms of the natural worlds, as her Celtic Ancestors did before her. She is deeply connected to the natural world and draw inspiration for her life from this devotional space.. She lives in California, hidden away in a secluded mountain home in the Sierra Nevada mountains that can only be reached by snowmobile in the winter… which just happens to be the time of year she ended up giving birth to her son, Alder James. Freya didn’t necessarily “plan” for a freebirth, but when the moment arose, and the portal opened, her intuition knew exactly what to choose. She had sought care in a lovely local birthing centre during her pregnancy, however the more she interacted in that space, the more she found confirmation that all of her intuitions about her pregnancy were on point. She felt healthy and as though baby was doing great, and that was continuously confirmed through the external support she was seeking. The day the birth portal opened, was shocking, as it was 3 weeks before her tentative “due date”. Her waters broke at home, but due to how much earlier than expected her baby chose to come, her birth support was in New York and not able to be present. She chose to turn inwards, to feel and make an intuitive decision in that moment around what felt right for her and her birth. Throughout her pregnancy she had spoken to her son, and told him “you choose where you want to be born”. After her waters had ruptured, and contractions were coming on, it felt crystal clear to her that she didn’t want to leave her home. This episode is a beautiful opportunity to witness a mothers inner listening, and intuitive process. Freya truly evokes inspiration as you listen to her describe her process of sorting through the external elements to orient towards her own truth. After sharing her birth story, Freya continues to inspire us with her intuitive processes as she shares her story of having navigated the very challenging experiences of witnessing her infant son suddenly beginning to have regular seizures and subsequently being diagnosed with epilepsy. It was Freya’s inner guidance that lead the way to her son being liberated from his seizures. We pray that is episodes reminds you of the power and wisdom that you carry within. We pray that it serves as a reminder that you don’t have to outsource everything in your life. We pray that it illuminates the truth that we are each divinely connected to the path we were meant to walk, and that ultimately… you know the way! Connect with Freya: Website: www.templeoffreya.art Instagram: www.instagram.com/temple.of.freya This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit birththemiddleway.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 20m
See All (27)

About

Weaving together the wisdom found in hospital, home, and free birth with reverence. Raw. Unfiltered. In the medicine we carry as women and mothers. Just as birth, life, death, and womanhood can be messy and nuanced, so will our recordings. Join two mamas, Emma and Sam, as they discuss birth in all it's complexities, nuances, and mysteries. birththemiddleway.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Emma Cardinal and Sam Love
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Emma Cardinal
  • Show Website
    BIRTH: The Middle Way Podcast

You Might Also Like