Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond

MAHEC
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond. We invite you to tune in for a podcast focused on perinatal and community health. In an effort to raise awareness and start a conversation about perinatal health, our hosts have joined forces with doulas, midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, physicians and more from across North Carolina to share best practices, lived experiences, and lessons learned. Just Us explores real topics and dives into what has happened, what is happening, and what can happen next in the sexual and reproductive health and wellness space. Our goal is to learn and grow together in order to take care of ourselves and each other so that we can all live our healthiest lives. Thank you for being here. Let’s get started!This project was made possible thanks to the funding, guidance and support from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Public Health - Maternal Health Branch-Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $10,216,885 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. 

  1. 2d ago

    Season 5, Episode 3: Project CARA: Group Care in Incarceration

    Season 5, episode 3 of Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond features behavioral health therapists Caitlin Hettich and Jen Palin, as well as research associate and social worker Megan Williams. They discuss the importance of providing quality, non-punitive healthcare to women who are incarcerated, especially those who are pregnant or experiencing a substance use disorder.  Learn how they navigate the flaws of the criminal justice system, insurance difficulties, and other complicating factors to support patients on their path to recovery throughout incarceration.  Resources:  CASAWorks program: https://ncpoep.org/guidance-document/treatment-matters/nc-perinatal-and-maternal-substance-abuse-and-the-casaworks-for-families-residential-initiatives/  Never Use Alone - US National Overdose Prevention Line: https://neverusealone.com/ Sylvia Rivera Law Project: https://srlp.org/Fisher, Janina (2021). Transforming The Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists. PESI Publishing & Media. Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness: https://sunriseinasheville.org/Incarcerated Women’s Health, part of the UNC Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health: https://incarceratedwomenshealth.org/NC Department of Health and Human Services - Medicaid eligibility clarification letter: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/flyer-medicaid-recertification-englishspanish/openNorth Carolina Prisoner Legal Services: https://www.ncpls.org/Operation Gateway - Recovery and Reentry: https://www.operationgateway.org/UNC Horizons Justice Involved Specific Services: https://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/horizons/our-services/justice-involved-specific-services/Asheville Community Bail Fund: https://avlcommunitybail.carrd.co/NC Community Bail Fund of Durham: https://www.nccbailfund.org/donateWe would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)   Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  2. Aug 7

    Season 5, Episode 2: Treating Opioid Use Disorder: Adolescent Focus

    Season 5, episode 2 of the Just Us podcast places an emphasis on the treatment of substance use disorder in adolescents and young adults. Psychiatrist Leeallie Carter and family medicine physician Blake Fagan discuss the interactions between human biology, adverse childhood experiences, and substance use during this developmental period. The nuances of and barriers to adolescent SUD treatment are discussed in detail. Listen in to learn more! Resources:  Substance Use Disorder Treatment Resources for Youth, Young Adults, and Families: https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/substance-use-adolescence Resources to Address the Opioid Epidemic: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/substance-use-and-prevention/resources-to-address-the-opioid-epidemic/ Substance Use Disorder Treatment Resources for Youth, Young Adults, and Families: https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/youth-and-families  We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)   Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  3. Jul 31

    Season 5, Episode 1: Peer Support in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

    We are excited to kick off season 5 of the Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond podcast with two peer support extraordinaries, Cassie York and Cassie Burleson. This episode dives deeply into what it means to be a peer support specialist, discussing the unique role they fill in supporting people through recovery. Listen in to learn about how the Cassies’ lived experience has allowed them to be such incredible advocates for their patients, processes for becoming a peer support specialist, and more!  Resources:  North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program https://www.ncdhhs.gov/cpssapplicationprocess20240425/open North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program: https://pss.unc.edu/ Scannell C. (2021). Voices of Hope: Substance Use Peer Support in a System of Care. Substance abuse : research and treatment, 15, 11782218211050360. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218211050360 Center for Health Care Strategies (Jan 2026). Peer Recovery Support Services in Substance Use Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.chcs.org/resource/peer-recovery-support-services-in-substance-use-treatment/ Eddie, D., O’Connor, J.B., George, S.S. et al. Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Coaching for Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review. Curr Addict Rep 12, 40 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-025-00645-8We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)   Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  4. Jun 17 ·  Bonus

    Season 4, Episode 18: Trust and the Patient/Provider Relationship

    In the latest Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond podcast, we dive into a critical topic: trust in healthcare. Brandon Romstadt (WNC Health Network) and Dr. Bryan Hodge (MAHEC) talk about how patients and providers work together-especially during public health challenges like the recent measles concern in our region. It's a meaningful conversation about connection, communication, and community care.  We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  5. 12/22/2025

    Season 4, Episode 17: Connecting with Your Provider about Abnormal Periods and Heavy Bleeding

    Join Katlyn Moss and Dr. Suzanne Dixon for this special episode created with patients in mind!  Sometimes it’s hard for patients to open up and discuss their health care needs and questions with their OB/GYN when it comes to symptoms such as irregular periods, painful periods and heavy bleeding. They will highlight some of the most common conditions and treatments throughout the phases of life, from the teenage years through menopause.     We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  6. 12/09/2025

    Season 4: Episode 16: Maternal Sepsis

    In this episode, our host Dr. Suzanne Dixon, talks to Dr. Bhaskari Burra, a MAHEC OB/GYN Fellow, about Sepsis. Sepsis is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and in this episode our speakers will discuss how to recognize it, how to respond, the sources of infection and long-term effects.  They will also share some resources to help maintain best practices when working with patients with sepsis, and helping them to navigate their recovery. Resources SMFM Consult Series #47: Sepsis during pregnancy and the puerperium California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative Sepsis Toolkit We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  7. 11/25/2025

    Season 4, Episode 15: AWHONN Respectful Maternity Care

    Join some of the Perinatal Nurse Outreach Coordinators from around North Carolina for this lively discussion of AWHONN’s Respectful Maternity Care initiative.  You’ll learn what Respectful Maternity Care is, what it means for patients and clinicians, and how it helps to improve health outcomes. They will talk about how this program is implemented, and provide resources for you to learn more about bringing this to your practice. Resources AWHONN Respectful Maternity Care toolkit North Carolina Respectful Care hub We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

  8. 11/11/2025

    Season 4, Episode 14: Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis

    In this episode, Katlyn Moss talks to Shannon Dowler, a Family Medicine physician about the recent increase in syphilis cases and what can be done to treat and prevent it.  They will discuss why syphilis often goes undiagnosed and untreated, along with the barriers that health systems, clinicians, and public health professionals are currently facing in their work to control syphilis and other infectious diseases. They also talk about the special implications for pregnant patients and their babies.  Dr. Dowler provides plenty of information and action items on treating syphilis as well as how it can be prevented.   Resources  Dr. Shannon Dowler, MD Dr. Dowler’s You Tube Channel- Health Education Raps CDC STI Treatment Guidelines -including downloadable app NC DHHS Syphilis Resources for Providers We would love your feedback on our podcast!  Please take our listener survey to provide your comments. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Music credit: "Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Please provide feedback here: https://redcap.mahec.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTM8T3RPNK

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About

Welcome to Just Us: Before, Birth, and Beyond. We invite you to tune in for a podcast focused on perinatal and community health. In an effort to raise awareness and start a conversation about perinatal health, our hosts have joined forces with doulas, midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, physicians and more from across North Carolina to share best practices, lived experiences, and lessons learned. Just Us explores real topics and dives into what has happened, what is happening, and what can happen next in the sexual and reproductive health and wellness space. Our goal is to learn and grow together in order to take care of ourselves and each other so that we can all live our healthiest lives. Thank you for being here. Let’s get started!This project was made possible thanks to the funding, guidance and support from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Public Health - Maternal Health Branch-Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $10,216,885 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. 

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