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. 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/

    16 min

  2. 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/

    29 min

  3. FEB 18

    Tehya Tiegen - Home Visiting and Hope

    Guest Bio:  Tehya Teigen is a 29-year-old proud mother of two and the wife of a Navy veteran. She is a recovering addict who believes in second chances, healing, and the power of self-love. Her journey serves as a reminder that recovery is possible and that every day is a new opportunity to rise stronger than before. Episode Details: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Tehya Tigan, a Helena mom of two, about how Montana’s home visiting programs supported her family through pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting. Tehya shares how home visiting offered her more than information—it offered connection, advocacy, and encouragement at a time when she needed it most. She opens up about her journey through recovery, motherhood, and rebuilding life after addiction and legal challenges, reminding us that every parent deserves support and a chance to thrive. Topics in this episode include: What home visiting is and how it works in MontanaHow home visitors support families with breastfeeding, car seat safety, and moreThe importance of advocacy and trust between home visitors and familiesOvercoming stigma around recovery and criminal recordsFinding hope and purpose through parentingResources mentioned: Learn more about home visiting in Montana: https://hmhb-mt.org/homevisiting/Explore local support programs and resources for families at LIFTS Online Resource Guide: http://hmhb-lifts.orgLearn more about the home visiting program at Lewis and Clark County Home Visiting that Tehya utilizes: https://www.lccountymt.gov/Government/Public-Health/Pregnancy-and-Parenting/Home-VisitingEnjoying 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/

    17 min

  4. FEB 4

    Maria Emmer-Aanes - It Takes a Village

    Guest Bio:  Maria Emmer-Aanes is the Executive Director of The Village Playspace and the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County, where she works alongside parents, partners, and neighbors to build strong, connected communities for kids and families in rural Montana. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: when families feel supported and connected, everyone does better.    Maria is the co-founder of the Beaverhead Brigade, a grassroots nonprofit created to restore after-school transportation for students, and the founder of the Good Food Network, a community-led effort focused on improving access to clean, nutritious food and food education across Beaverhead County. She also serves as a Rural Ambassador for the Montana Nonprofit Association, helping elevate rural voices and strengthen nonprofit leadership across the state.    A mom of two boys and married to a fly fishing guide, Maria brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work—balancing family life, community building, and a deep love for the place she calls home.    Episode Description: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Maria Emmer-Aanes, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County and the Village Play Space in Dillon. Maria shares how her coalition works to build resilience and strengthen families in one of Montana’s most rural regions — from innovative transportation solutions and intergenerational community programs to creative ways of addressing food insecurity and childcare gaps. Together, they explore what it means to raise kids, connect families, and grow community in a county where distances are vast but relationships run deep. Highlights include: How Early Childhood Coalitions collaborate statewide to share ideas and support familiesThe power of parent advisory councils and listening to families’ lived experiencesInnovative rural models like pay-what-you-can thrift stores, diaper banks, and local food networksBuilding intergenerational community through shared meals, gardening, and life-skills educationMaria’s message: “It really does take a village — and sometimes that village starts with just one conversation, one meal, or one connection.” Resources:  Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County: https://www.earlychildhood406.org/LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Family Support & Education: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Family%20Support%20and%20EducationEnjoying 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/

    26 min

  5. JAN 21

    LIFTS Out Loud: Julianne Denny - Birthwork as Medicine

    Guest Bio:  Julianne Denny (She/Her) Cree, Ojibway, Mi’kmaq Raised in ceremony, Julianne lives in Montana with her family. She is an Indigenous doula supporting families across rural communities, providing culturally grounded care and guidance through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Julianne's doula work: https://www.morningstarbirthworkz.com/ Episode Description:  In this episode, Emily Freeman sits down with Julianne Denny, an Indigenous doula serving families in rural Montana. Julianne shares her personal journey from experiencing a mental health crisis as a new mom to becoming a doula supporting Indigenous families across the state. She discusses the vital role doulas play in Montana—especially in rural areas—offering emotional support, practical help, and culturally informed care. Julianne highlights how birth work can be healing, not only for families but for doulas themselves, and shares her experiences navigating traditional practices, breastfeeding challenges, and healthcare systems. She also talks about the importance of workforce development, including the recent Montana doula bill and training opportunities for Indigenous birth workers. Resources:  Read Julianne's story in LIFTS Magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/HMHB's Native American Initiatives (NAI) - includes download link to Dr. Amy Stiffarm's cultural safety toolkit for hospitals and other medical providers: https://hmhb-mt.org/native-american-initiatives/ Information about doulas and indigenous birthworkers in MT: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/MT Doula Collaborative: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/Article about MT Senate Bill 319, creating a certification and licensure process for doulas: https://montanafreepress.org/2025/05/14/governor-signs-new-law-professionalizing-doula-care/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/

    21 min

  6. JAN 7

    Suzanne Bendick - The Stories That Connect Us

    Guest Bio:  Suzanne Bendick is the Co-Executive Director, co-founder, and former board member of Roots Family Collaborative, a highly respected and deeply impactful organization she has helped shape over the past nine years. A devoted mother of two, Suzanne is a visionary nonprofit leader known for her thoughtful approach, deep listening, and unwavering commitment to improving community health and wellbeing. Her professional background includes formal training as a Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Montessori Teacher, and she is currently expanding her expertise as a student of Somatic Experiencing. Grounded by a love of nature and a passion for meaningful connection, Suzanne brings both heart and skill to her work supporting families.  Episode Description:  In this inspiring episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Suzanne Bendick, Co-Executive Director of Roots Family Collaborative in Bozeman, about how one mom’s personal experience of isolation led to a movement supporting families across Montana. Suzanne shares the origin story of Roots, the creation of the powerful “Moms Like Me” storytelling project, and how storytelling can heal, connect, and transform communities. Through honest reflection, she highlights the importance of listening, collaboration, and grassroots action in building strong perinatal mental health support systems — especially in Montana’s rural and frontier communities. Highlights include: How Roots Family Collaborative was born from lived experienceThe origins and impact of the Moms Like Me storytelling projectWhy listening is a radical act of support for new parentsTips for communities wanting to start similar efforts in their own areasSuzanne’s message: “You don’t have to have a plan. Just start by coming together — ask questions, listen, and build from there.” Learn more:  ROOTS Family Collaborative: www.rootsfamilycollaborative.comMoms Like Me storytelling project: https://www.rootsfamilycollaborative.com/moms-like-meEnjoying 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/

    24 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    Dr. Jessica Liddell - Building Support for Maternal Mental Health

    Guest Bio:  Dr. Jessica Liddell is an Associate Professor at the University of Montana School of Social Work and Affiliate Faculty in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences. Her work focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, reproductive justice issues, birth justice and equity, community engagement, and making healthcare systems more equitable. Her current research focuses on the use of doulas to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Montana. Dr. Liddell graduated from the interdisciplinary City, Culture, and Community Ph.D. program at Tulane University. She also completed a Masters in Public Health, with a focus on program design and implementation, and a Masters in Social Work, with a focus on disaster mental health at Tulane University. Originally from Logan, Utah, Dr. Liddell completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Reed College, in Portland, Oregon. Her experiences as a doula and as a mother inform her research and drive her passion for this work.  Here is a link to her CV: Liddell_CV_2025_August Episode Details: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Dr. Jessica Liddell, Associate Professor in the University of Montana’s School of Social Work, about her research and advocacy around perinatal mental health. Dr. Liddell shares insights from her work in Montana and abroad — from New Zealand to Australia — exploring how culture, connection, and community all shape the postpartum experience. She discusses how doulas can be powerful allies in supporting mental health, especially in rural and tribal communities, and why genuine collaboration among providers is key to improving care across the state. The conversation also touches on what gives her hope for the future of maternal health in Montana, the growing awareness among students and professionals, and the importance of grounding ourselves in meaningful, community-based work. Topics in this episode include: The role of doulas in supporting perinatal mental healthSimilarities between rural Montana and rural communities abroadStigma and the “frontier mentality” around seeking helpBuilding the maternal health workforce in MontanaAddressing the overlap between perinatal mental health and substance useCommunity-driven and online supports for new parentsResources mentioned: Postpartum Support International – Montana Chapter: https://psichapters.com/mt/ Resources for Perinatal Mental Health: https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/perinatal-mental-health/Resources for Doulas: https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/doulas-and-birth-workers/Additional Information about Montana Doulas: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/LIFTS Online Resource Guide: 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/

    18 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    LIFTS Out Loud: Jake Maher + Callie Triller - Ryan's Journey Home

    Guest Bios:  Episode Details:  In this powerful episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman sits down with Callie Trier and Jake Maher to share Ryan’s Journey Home — a story of foster care, recovery, and the power of community. When Callie and her family welcomed baby Ryan into their home straight from the NICU, they knew he would need love, stability, and a strong village to help him thrive. What they didn’t expect was the friendship that would grow between their family and Ryan’s biological father, Jake — who was working hard to rebuild his life through treatment and recovery. Together, Callie and Jake share their perspectives on what it means to show up for a child — and for one another — within Montana’s foster care system. Their story is one of grace, second chances, and how systems can work when people lead with empathy, communication, and hope. Topics in this episode include: Navigating the foster care system in MontanaThe power of collaboration between foster and biological parentsHow programs like Medicaid, WIC, and Best Beginnings support children in foster careThe role of treatment, recovery, and community support in family reunificationWhy believing in the possibility of change mattersResources mentioned: LIFTS Online Resource Guide: hmhb-lifts.org Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – Foster Care: https://dphhs.mt.gov/CFSD/Fosterparent/indexRead their original story in LIFTS 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/

    19 min
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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
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The LIFTS Podcast
  • Show Website
    The LIFTS Podcast