Best How To Prepare For Labor And Delivery Podcasts (2025)

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259: Our expensive new normal: why traditional drug cost controls are obsolete 32:19

2d ago32:19

32:19

Treatments like cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and GLP-1s are transforming care, but with double-digit growth in drug spend year over year, this transformation comes with an unsustainable price tag. And it’s putting pressure on every part of the healthcare ecosystem, from patients and providers to employers and health plans. The strategies that pur…

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90. You’ve Got Choices: Taking Ownership of Your C-Section & Recovery with Jen & Bethany from The C-Section Experience Podcast 58:09

8d ago58:09

58:09

Krystle is hosting solo this week with Jen Wagner, board-certified obstetric anesthesiologist, and Bethany Scott, birth doula, and co-hosts of The C-Section Experience Podcast! Jen and Bethany provide education and support for c-section mamas with the goal of improving c-section experiences for all women. With Jen having had 1 c-section and 1 VBAC …

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258: The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’: What’s changing, who’s affected, and what to do now 6:12

9d ago6:12

6:12

On July 4th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. In this “minisode,” host Rachel (Rae) Woods unpacks the sweeping implications of the most significant healthcare legislation since the Affordable Care Act. From enhanced subsidies expiring to major cuts to Medicaid and ACA marketplace coverage on the horizon…

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257: Paul Markovich on new builds, breakups, and bold healthcare bets 46:12

16d ago46:12

46:12

In this special live episode from the 2025 Advisory Board Summit, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sits down with a leader well-versed in bold transformation: Paul Markovich. After more than a decade as President and CEO of Blue Shield of California, Paul now leads Ascendiun—a new nonprofit parent company that includes Blue Shield of California, its clinica…

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89. Mentally Preparing for Labor and Delivery 30:59

22d ago30:59

30:59

Birth can be a beautiful experience, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without fear and concerns. After hearing from our community, it’s evident that some women feel ready to go! While others feel excited to meet their baby but anxious about the labor and delivery process. We want you to know that ALL of those feelings are valid and so normal! Today’s…

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256: How you can prepare for the financial impacts of Trump-era policies 31:07

23d ago31:07

31:07

Healthcare executives are closely watching legislative activity in Congress—anticipating shifts in government-funded insurance, new economic headwinds, and regulatory changes. And while change is certainly coming, what remains uncertain is how these forces will shape market dynamics and organizational finances. To help hospitals and health systems …

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7. How Your Day-to-Day Stress Response Affects You During Labor (And What to Do About It) 19:51

27d ago19:51

19:51

Send us a text Feeling anxious during pregnancy? In this episode, Dr. Betsey shares how stress affects your brain and decision-making—and why turning to Jesus in the moment matters. Learn the four stress responses, how to recognize your own patterns, and how daily surrender can prepare your heart and body for a peaceful birth. Grounded in scripture…

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255: Is healthcare really recession-proof? 39:50

30d ago39:50

39:50

When experts warn that the economy could be headed for a recession, people working across different corners of the economy get nervous. People working in healthcare, maybe less so. That’s because of a longstanding idea that healthcare is impervious to recession. Okay, maybe that’s overstating it. Healthcare is less susceptible than other industries…

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88. Why Yoga is an Important Addition to the Prenatal and Postpartum Season with Taylor Kaulius 27:01

1M ago27:01

27:01

Our guest on today’s episode is mom of two, founder of Taylor Lee Yoga, and yoga trainer in the Expecting and Empowered app, Taylor Kaulius! So many mamas requested prenatal and postnatal yoga be included in our workout app, so we brought Taylor onto the team! We have loved her perspective on why including yoga during pregnancy and postpartum as no…

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254: Stop searching for the “perfect” AI product and do this instead 29:31

1M ago29:31

29:31

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to generate excitement across healthcare, promising to reduce clinician burnout, fuel innovation, and ease financial pressures. But despite the hype, AI is far from a “plug-and-play” solution—and simply investing in AI won’t guarantee success. This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods is joined by Advisory Board AI e…

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217 || FLOORED with The Vagina Whisperer 59:35

1M ago59:35

59:35

This is a replay of episode 210 to celebrate and promote the launch day of FLOORED, by Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer. Out today! You can buy your copy HERE. XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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253: A new way to measure patient access 29:05

1M ago29:05

29:05

Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a policy update on the bill containing Medicaid cuts that is making its way through Congress, and the recent MAHA Commission Report. If you were to ask any healthcare leader what the top challenges in our industry are, it’s a fair bet that “improving patient access to care” would be on the list. There have b…

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87. Fixing Your Urgency Incontinence (And the Free Resource That You'll Need to Help!) 22:44

2M ago22:44

22:44

Urinary urgency and incontinence are topics that often don’t get enough attention in women’s health—which is exactly why we're diving into them in today’s episode. Join hosts Amy and Krystle as they share top tips for better bladder health! It’s common to be practicing unhealthy bladder habits without even knowing it, so we will cover what healthy …

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252: Contain, extract, recover: Inside the Ardent Health cyberattack 41:08

2M ago41:08

41:08

In this special live episode from the 2025 Advisory Board Summit, Ardent Health Services President & CEO Marty Bonick and Chief Digital and Transformation Officer Anika Gardenhire recount the harrowing story of a ransomware attack that brought their 30-hospital system to a standstill on Thanksgiving Day 2023. Cyberattacks on healthcare systems are …

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216 || Unmedicated Induction with Julia Winn with a side of BV, Listeria, and Appendicitis 1:04:57

2M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

In this podcast episode, Julia Winn shares her unmedicated Pitocin birth story, detailing her journey from induction to delivery. Her induction plan for a cervical ripening process without an epidural, her unexpected exposure to listeria, and the decisions she faced as labor progressed. From the intense contractions brought on by Pitocin to the inc…

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251: Former HHS leaders weigh in on navigating Trump 2.0 (and answer your questions) 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

5/22 Update: The House early Thursday narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a budget bill that includes a number of healthcare provisions that could have a significant impact on Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. It has been over 100 days since President Donald Trump began his second term. During that time, Radio Advisory ha…

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86. Morgan Cutlip on Sharing the Mental Load of Parenting Better 40:29

2M ago40:29

40:29

Today on the podcast, we are honored to have relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip on to talk all about sharing the mental load as mothers and some tangible tips on how to do so. Transitioning from committed partners or a married couple to parents of young children can come with seemingly never ending to-do lists and a lot of emotions. Sharing the …

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250: VBC success is possible. Here's how Advocate Health does it. 34:16

2M ago34:16

34:16

Believe it or not, 60% of healthcare payments in the US are tied to value. But it’s still surprisingly hard to find examples of health systems that have been doing VBC at scale, successfully, over time. So that’s what Advisory Board researchers set out to do. And across 66 conversations with 44 systems, we found four systems with approaches worth e…

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[Encore] The changing tide of Medicare Advantage 21:46

2M ago21:46

21:46

(This episode originally aired on October 22, 2024.) For years, the best word to describe Medicare Advantage (MA) was “untouchable.” Hugely popular among seniors, profitable for health plans—the hybrid public-private payment model grew to the point that it now covers more seniors than traditional Medicare. But in the past few years, the tide has st…

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215 || How to become a non-toxic pregnancy product mega researcher with Sasha Mama Wellness 33:19

3M ago33:19

33:19

Sasha Niz Konrad is the founder and CEO of Sashamama Wellness, a brand dedicated to non-toxic, holistic wellness solutions for pregnant and postpartum women. With a background as a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor and a deep passion and interest in holistic maternal and hormone health. Sasha has combined her expertise and personal journey to…

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85. C-Section Awareness Month Special: Everything You Need to Know the First Two Weeks After a C-section 33:16

3M ago33:16

33:16

One-third of babies in the United States are delivered via c-section. In honor of C-Section Awareness Month, we thought it would be a great opportunity to revisit one of our earliest episodes about everything you need to know during the first two weeks after a c-section. Here at Expecting and Empowered we celebrate all births whether they are vagin…

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249: What is 340B, and why is it in the hot seat 32:15

3M ago32:15

32:15

The federal drug purchasing program known as 340B was created in 1992 to help select provider organizations stretch scarce resources to care for patients. More than three decades later, health systems of all shapes and sizes have come to rely on 340B for their financial sustainability. But the program has come under criticism. And in recent years, …

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248: Drugs, surgeries, and shortages: the state of obesity care in 2025 35:19

3M ago35:19

35:19

In 2025, 6% of US adults are taking a GLP-1. But the popularity of weight-loss drugs isn’t the only thing changing the obesity care landscape. On Radio Advisory, we’ve talked about what comprehensive obesity care looks like, the reality of weight bias, and the strain high-cost drugs like GLP-1s are having on employers and plans. But we haven’t done…

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84. Postpartum Issues They Don't Tell You About with Stacia Scott 49:20

3M ago49:20

49:20

Transitioning from pregnancy to postpartum can sometimes leave new moms feeling confused, tired, and depleted. Here at Expecting and Empowered, we feel passionately that every mama should get the care, education, and support they deserve and love sharing the microphone with other women who feel the same. That's where Stacia Scott and her company Po…

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247: How hospitals and post-acute providers can rebuild their relationships (and why they need to) 28:49

3M ago28:49

28:49

Let’s face it: Hospitals and post-acute providers can find themselves at odds. Post-acute is an area of the industry that is often misunderstood and sometimes villainized. But when post-acute care struggles, it directly impacts hospital operations. The industry needs a solution. It starts with understanding that the post-acute space is not a monoli…

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When the World Says “No More Kids” – But God Says “Trust Me 17:55

3M ago17:55

17:55

Send us a text What does Forrest Frank, Chappell Roan and a rude stare at Warby Parker have in common? They all made me reflect on how our culture views children—and how wildly different that is from how God sees them. In this episode, I’m unpacking the quiet grief of feeling like kids are “too much” for public spaces and the holy reminder that eve…

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246: Plans have trust and cost problems. Here's how to manage both. 35:55

3M ago35:55

35:55

Every stakeholder in healthcare is getting squeezed by mounting financial pressures, and health plans are no exception. Higher utilization and rising treatment costs are hitting plans hard. At the same time, plans are facing heightened public scrutiny. It may seem like the wrong time for plans to focus on cost management, but the combination of mar…

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214 || Birth Order and the role it plays in our lives and parenting with Dr. Robert Hurst 52:06

3M ago52:06

52:06

How does Birth Order impact you and your parenting? Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst was born in Hammond Indiana and has been practicing orthodontics in Covington Louisiana for over 35 years. During this time he has used his office and patients as his living laboratory to study his patient’s personality traits and birth orders. Out of this has come a unique a…

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83. How to Find the Motivation to Make Exercise Stick 22:45

4M ago22:45

22:45

Finding the motivation to workout while being a mom can be hard. Our to-do lists are long and our schedules are busy! Amy is solo for today’s episode to share why we feel pure motivation isn’t going to get you to workout. Instead, changing your mindset, prioritizing yourself, and creating the habit of exercising by knowing your “why” are the three …

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245: Headcount might not explain your labor challenges. What will? 32:31

4M ago32:31

32:31

It feels like only yesterday that workforce challenges were the biggest problem facing the healthcare industry. While COVID-19-related staffing shortages may have declined, an inefficient workforce can still threaten health system operations and finances. Often, systems turn to staffing ratios or benchmarks to determine whether they need more cuts …

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213 || Doula Diaries: A week of Home Birth, Birth Center, and Hospital Births with MyDoulaHeidi 1:00:06

4M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Drumroll....I am proud of myself for pumping out the ever popular Doula Diaries! I had a crazy week of births around the full Blood Moon of March 14, 2025. I went to a homebirth, a birth center birth, and 2 hospital births in the same week. Let's see how they all played out. This week was reminding me that birth is unpredictable. It can be long, it…

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The Truth About Pushing Techniques (And The Most Frustrating Part of My Job). 21:03

4M ago21:03

21:03

Send us a text In this episode of the Push Lab Podcast, Dr. Betsey discusses the critical aspects of childbirth education, focusing on the importance of pushing techniques and the misconceptions surrounding them. She emphasizes the need for mothers to advocate for themselves during labor, particularly regarding the choice between Valsalva and open …

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244: What’s happened in Washington (so far) and what policy changes we’re bracing for 47:05

4M ago47:05

47:05

In the first two months of the Trump administration, the political and regulatory environment have shifted considerably. Since the inauguration, we’ve fielded dozens of questions about the slew of executive orders, cuts to research funding, HHS layoffs, tariffs, and an unstable economic outlook. All of that is coupled with the potential for major p…

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212 || World Down Syndrome Day with Abby Rose Green of the HERSELF Podcast 1:41:14

4M ago1:41:14

1:41:14

Today is World Downsyndrome Day! Celebrating all of our homies with an extra chromy. Thank you for being here and sharing this podcast episode with someone that you know that is parenting and/or pregnant and Down's Syndrome is part of their story. Heidi sits down with Abby Rose Green of the HERself Podcast to chat about fertility, an unexpected ana…

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82. How is Your Pelvic Floor Doing Postpartum? Pssst...We're Including a Free Resource that Helps You Check! 26:10

4M ago26:10

26:10

Over our last few episodes, we’ve gone over our #1 most downloaded resource about c-section scar mobilization AND our second most downloaded resource ever on labor positions! Today we are bringing you a BRAND NEW resource we think all of you need to see all about the pelvic floor! The pelvic floor is the “basket” keeping all of our internal organs …

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243: What’s now and what’s next in value-based care 34:06

4M ago34:06

34:06

There is a lot happening in federal policy that may affect healthcare payment transformation and care delivery. But we’ve said it before: healthcare leaders can’t afford to focus on fighting near-term fires at the expense of driving long-term success and sustainability. Amidst the uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to push forward conversat…

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211 || 8 Minute Birth Meditation Affirmations for labor preparation 8:55

4M ago8:55

8:55

Thank you Michelle Smith for recording these beautiful birth affirmations to help get through birth and to practice before birth! If you have 8 minutes, come back to this episode every day! XOXO Heidi You can find Michelle's Birth Ease Method for Hypnobirthing at https://www.birtheaseservices.com/By Heidi Snyderburn

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242: How you should rethink your life sciences-health system partnerships 25:21

4M ago25:21

25:21

Partnerships between health systems and life sciences play a critical role in giving patients access to the best data, therapies, and technologies available in the market. However, these partnerships can be less fulfilling if both sides don’t align on purpose and expectations. This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites Advisory Board expert Fanta C…

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210 || The Vagina Whisperer Dr. Sara Rearden and her book FLOORED 58:33

4M ago58:33

58:33

What is pelvic floor therapy? Dr. Sara Reardon had two unmedicated vaginal births with no perineal tearing. So, how? Sara has her online pelvic floor fitness platform The V-Hive (everyone can try free for 7 days) and her book available for pre-order now and releasing June 10, 2025 Floored: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Sta…

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81. All Things Sleep: Mom Edition with Sleep Dr. Shelby 35:22

4M ago35:22

35:22

As moms of young babies and children, we focus so much on their sleep. Baby sleep is so important for growth and development. But why isn’t the sleep of the mother more talked about? Today on the podcast, Dr. Shelby Harris, a Board Certified Sleep Psychologist and mother, is here to help us dissect sleep as a mom. There are so many different influe…

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The One Expert Every Pregnant Mom Needs Before Childbirth 12:24

4M ago12:24

12:24

Send us a text Preparing for childbirth isn’t just about birth plans and breathing techniques—it’s about getting your body ready for the big day! In this episode of The Push Lab Podcast, Dr. Betsey, pelvic floor physical therapist and birth expert, breaks down how pelvic floor therapy can help you prevent tearing, reduce pain, and feel more confide…

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209 || Heidi's Birth Statistics 2024 Doula Clients 1:32:27

4M ago1:32:27

1:32:27

Heidi talks through her birth statistics from 2024 with her fall interns Katie, Cat, and Mariza. Take a dive into cesarean section rates, how long labors lasted, and more fun data in this annual episode! We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course Reso…

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241: When disaster strikes: Evacuating Unicoi hospital 33:37

4M ago33:37

33:37

On September 27, 2024, Ballad Health was forced to evacuate Unicoi Hospital in rural Tennessee due to a freak flash flood caused by Hurricane Helene. After two failed rescue attempts, an aerial operation managed to successfully airlift all 70 people who were trapped on the rooftop of the small community hospital. In an era where extreme climate eve…

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208 || Survivor 46 Winner Kenzie Petty and Her Birth Story 1:50:46

5M ago1:50:46

1:50:46

Are you ready to hear the amazing birth story of Kenzie Petty with her partner Jackson by her side? Let's do this! And since Kenzie is a baddy and won survivor and crushed a primal unmedicated birth...she has a bunch of ways to connect and save you money on all of her favorite things. Make sure to follow her if you aren't already! Here is what you …

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77. Practical Tips for Letting Go of Worry While Pregnant 18:17

5M ago18:17

18:17

Text Your Birth Bestie Are you looking for ways to let go of worry and enjoy your pregnancy with confidence and peace of mind? In this episode, we will cover: The practical strategies for managing anxiety and embracing a calm, trusting mindset during pregnancy. Why personalized midwifery care supports emotional well-being alongside physical health.…

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240: Hospitals are at capacity. What can we actually do about it? 24:13

5M ago24:13

24:13

We’ve said it before on Radio Advisory: hospital volumes are back. But leaders know this isn’t necessarily a sigh of relief. With a lot of hospitals at—or even over—capacity, hospital leaders need to find ways to improve patient throughput and reduce length of stay. And trust me, they’ve been trying. The question is, why is it so hard to address ca…

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80. Running with Prolapse: How to do it Safely 34:03

5M ago34:03

34:03

As avid lifelong runners, we, Amy and Krystle, know that when you’re a runner, you want to keep running through all phases of life! And sometimes, pelvic organ prolapse can feel like it’s keeping you from doing the thing you love. One of our most popular blog posts was about running with prolapse. So, today we thought we’d expand on that post and b…

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239: UNC Health: The care variation reduction story you need to hear 42:53

5M ago42:53

42:53

The cost and quality of care can vary dramatically—even within the same health system. This has real ramifications for patients and clinicians, not to mention system outcomes. But reducing unwarranted variation in clinical care is much easier said than done. In 2019, UNC Health launched a care redesign office to take on the job. They identified 24 …

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Baby P's Birth Story: A Redemptive Home Birth Journey 31:09

5M ago31:09

31:09

Send us a text What if your next birth could heal the trauma of your last? After a difficult first experience, I was determined to write a different story—one filled with trust, faith, and true support. From waiting 41 weeks and 5 days for labor to the powerful moment I met my sweet Baby P, this homebirth was everything I prayed for. It was raw, re…

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76. The True Cost of Birth: Why Investing in Personalized Midwifery Care Is Worth It 15:21

5M ago15:21

15:21

Text Your Birth Bestie Curious about how investing in personalized midwifery care can not only transform your birth experience but also be worth every dollar in a system where having a baby comes with a hefty price tag? Today, we’re breaking down the financial side of birth and why the right support is priceless. In this episode, we will cover: The…

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How To Prepare For Labor And Delivery Podcasts

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