The Birth Geeks Podcast Episodes and Show Notes

What sustainability really looks like for birth professionals. Physical health, business habits, boundaries, and refilling your cup before it runs dry.

Dr. Kathryn Konrad on doula and nurse relationships, what nursing textbooks miss about labor support, and how to plug doulas into the maternity workforce.

Episode Summary Birth doula work gets described as thrilling—the middle-of-the-night call, the quick scramble, the arrival at a birth. But what’s left out of that story is the reality of sleep deprivation, the impact of disrupted schedules, and the ongoing challenge of protecting your health while being on call. In this episode, Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors get honest about what it really feels like to be awakened at 2 AM and share what has helped, and what hasn’t, over their years of practice. We’ll hear about their personal sleep routines, the science behind chronic sleep loss, and practical tools that have been effective (from blackout blinds to bright light therapy boxes to bedtime routines and planned breaks). They don’t shy away from the tug-of-war between loving the work and needing rest or the strain on relationships with partners, kids, and friends. If you’ve ever wondered how

The scarcity mindset is costing doulas clients, referrals, and longevity. Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors get honest about how doulas treat each other, what mentorship actually looks like, and why abundance mindset has to be more than a talking point.

New doulas always ask the same question: how do I find my first 3 clients? Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors break down what actually works, from networking with other doulas and providers to pricing strategy, social media, and the imposter syndrome that keeps trained doulas from booking their first birth.

This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Episode Summary On this episode of TBG 2026, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln joins Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors for a conversation birth professionals rarely get to hear, one that cuts through opinion and sees the daily realities of supporting birthing people from every angle. Dr. Lincoln is not only an OB hospitalist and IBCLC, but someone who’s spent years pushing for evidence-based care and bridging the gaps between hospital, home, and birth center realities. Together, we talk about how hospitalist care is reshaping outcomes and options, the messy politics of maternity deserts, what really shifts birthworker-provider collaboration, and, yes, the burnout and frustrations that come with seeing the same problems decade after decade. We get into everything from transfer protocols and

Episode Summary Today we dug into the real challenges of supporting clients through inductions as doulas. We named why clear, early conversations about induction matter, not just for our clients but for our own well-being. Whether it’s adjusting to higher induction rates after the ARRIVE trial, navigating hospital policies, or simply figuring out when your presence will have the most impact, the answer is never one-size-fits-all. Our advice: define your terms, set up clear expectations, and communicate often. Sometimes your presence is emotional support. Sometimes it’s physical. Always, it’s collaborative and client-focused. Inductions are unpredictable, but your preparation doesn’t have to be. Listen to This Episode Episode Time Stamps 00:00 “Doulas Prioritize Client Support” 05:38 Support for Hospital Check-Ins 08:13 “Challenges in Labor Induction Timelines” 12:40 Doula Challenges Supporting Epidural Goals 14:37 “Induction Prep and Comfort Tips” 19:03 “Call When Extra Support Needed” 22:02 Clear Communication in Doula Support 23:49

Episode Summary Insurance coverage for doulas sounds like a win for everyone. More clients, broader access, sustainable practice. But the reality is messier than the headline, and Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors have both lived that reality from opposite sides of the billing process. Robin brings a background in health management system sciences, years of taking insurance as a doula, and experience running an oral surgery practice where insurance claims were part of every single day. Hillary brings the on-the-ground perspective of a doula agency owner who has navigated company benefits, watched payment timelines stretch, and done the math on whether Medicaid reimbursement rates actually pencil out. Together, they unpack what it genuinely means to accept insurance as a birth professional. This episode covers the credentialing process, the critical distinction between insurance and company benefits like the Walmart employee program, balance billing rights, and the hidden contractual

Episode Summary No-shows are one of those topics birth professionals talk about in private but rarely address out loud. In this episode, Robin and Hillary get into both types of no-shows that doulas actually deal with: the potential client who ghosts a consultation, and the client who goes into labor without ever picking up the phone. They share what they’ve done to reduce no-shows before they happen, how to respond when they do, and why extending grace doesn’t mean abandoning your systems. Listen to This Episode < Episode Time Stamps 00:00 Sustainable Doula Partnerships 06:29 Automated System for Consult Scheduling 08:08 “Time Management and Reminders” 11:31 Charging for Doula Consults 16:28 Doula Payment and Client Commitment 18:23 Grace in Communication Key Takeaways There are two kinds of no-shows worth naming. The consultation no-show where someone schedules a meeting and simply doesn’t appear, and the labor no-show where a signed, contracted

Episode Summary On this episode of TBG 2026, Dr. Hillary Melchiors sits down with clinical psychologist Kerry Makin-Byrd for an honest, experienced-grounded conversation about burnout, moral injury, and the emotional realities of long-term careers in birth and mental health work. Kerry Makin-Byrd shares her journey from Colorado to Wellington, New Zealand, reflecting on how changing environments—and even continents—reshaped her clinical practice, her understanding of trauma, and her own capacity to feel and recover. Together, they cut through common misconceptions about burnout, digging into why “resilience” is not a solo project and why systemic factors, not individual failings, drive much of the exhaustion experienced by birth workers and medical professionals. Real-life stories and concrete practices emerge, from negotiating boundaries in a field that rarely rewards them, to finding good enough care when perfection is always just out of reach. Throughout, both Dr. Hillary Melchiors and Kerry Makin-Byrd keep the focus practical