The Birth in Focus Podcast

031 // Birth In Focus: Birth Center Beginnings + Planning a Home Birth w/ Olivia Dobson

In this episode of Birth in Focus, I sit down with Olivia Dobson as she opens up about her first two birth experiences at a birth center and the unique journeys that shaped each one. Olivia also shares how those experiences are guiding her preparation for a planned home birth with her third baby. From navigating past births to embracing the excitement and unknowns of home birthing, Olivia’s story is honest, inspiring, and full of insights for anyone considering their own birth options. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that celebrates informed choices, birth variety, and the power of preparation!
Connect w/ Olivia - https://www.instagram.com/the_y2k_estie/ 
BundleBorn Midwifery - Frisco Tx - https://www.bundleborn.com/ 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

030 // Creating a Breastfeeding Plan with Amber Thomas

Did you know that you could seek Lactation Support BEFORE you even have your baby??
I’m so excited about today’s episode because we’re diving into a topic that so many new and expecting moms have questions about—getting a solid breastfeeding plan in place before baby arrives. And to help us navigate this, I’m sitting down with an absolute gem in the birth world—Amber Thomas of Mother Eve’s!
Amber is an IBCLC with over 10 years of experience, and she’s helped hundreds of women on their breastfeeding journey. But beyond that, she’s been in the trenches as a childbirth educator, doula, and L&D nurse. She’s worked with families through WIC, hospitals across DFW, and now, she brings her passion directly into the homes of new moms—where they can truly learn and thrive in a comfortable, supportive space.
In this episode, we’re talking about why it’s so important to meet with a lactation consultant before your baby arrives, how it can set you up for success, and what new moms can do to feel prepared and confident from day one.
 
Connect with Amber - www.motherevescss.com / www.instagram.com/motherevescss 
 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

029 // Everyday Birth Magazine with Cheyenne Varner

Cheyenne Varner is a nationally recognized certified birth worker, health equity advocate, and illustrator. She is the founder of The Educated Birth and Everyday Birth Magazine, platforms dedicated to advancing reproductive health equity through inclusive educational tools and amplifying underrepresented stories.
**The Educated Birth Toolkit Binder! This incredible physical binder is packed with over 155 pages of anatomy, education, inclusive visuals, tools and exercises to support you in supporting clients along their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum journeys. It’s beautifully organized, easy to customize, built to last and looks amazing too.
Use code INFOCUS at theeducatedbirth.store for 10% off.
Seriously, it’s a game-changer—go check it out!
 
Follow The Educated Birth & The Everyday Birth Magazine on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theeducatedbirth/
https://www.instagram.com/everydaybirth/ 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

028 // Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - Remembrance Portraits with Tracey Clifton

In Honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, in this episode I talked with Tracey Clifton who is a long time Photographer + Volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - Remembrance Portraits.
NILMDTS offers the gift of healing, hope and honor to parents experiencing the death of a baby through the overwhelming power of remembrance portraits. Professional-level photographers volunteer their time to conduct an intimate portrait session, capturing the only moments parents spend with their babies. Parents are gifted with delicately retouched black and white digital portraits free of charge.
To learn more about Volunteering with NILMDTS - Click Here
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

027 // Count The Kicks with Kimberly Isburg

In honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, we share this episode in. hopes of sharing this life saving App, Count The Kicks.
Kimberly Isburg is the Communications Manager for Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program. Kimberly used Count the Kicks to get to know her babies’ normal movement patterns during both of her pregnancies and is proud to be the mom of two boys. She is a passionate advocate for maternal health causes and is honored to work for an organization that is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and saving the lives of moms and babies.Visit www.CountTheKicks.org to learn more.
Count The Kicks Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/countthekicksus/
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

026 // Birth Photographer Of The Year Awards with Lacey Barratt

For the last 12 years Lacey has not only created a stir with her controversial images promoting women’s rights, but she has also cemented herself as one of the world's most talented and outspoken birth photographers. Lacey has been known to be unapologetically raw. She encapsulates the depths of the human soul in a single still image. Lacey has even been known to post herself nude up next to Kim Kardashian…why not? Ballsy and emotionally attached, Lacey strives to have women empowered through her imagery.
Birth Photographer Of The Year - ENTER HERE  https://birthphotographeroftheyear.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/birthphotographeroftheyear/ 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

025 // Breastfeeding Basics + Building Confidence

Ft. Jessica Koiner IBCLC - Owner of The Milk Box
As a mother of two, Jessica has personally struggled with breastfeeding and a myriad of other lactation issues. She was shocked at how challenging and complex breastfeeding could be after she had her first in 2017. These challenges inspired Jessica to undergo the years of training and education required in order to sit for the boards and become an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a background in nutrition/dietetics, a bachelors in biology from TCU, and an interest in all things wellness. Caring for others and helping them reach their wellness goals is her lifelong passion and brings her such joy!
 
Jessica desires to equip you with knowledge, empower you with actionable steps, and arm you with support so that families can enjoy this exciting time. Talking about breastfeedng is not a soap box…it’s the Milk Box!
 
Follow Jessica - https://www.instagram.com/the_milk_box/
Work with Jessica - https://themilkbox.org/
 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

024 // 5 Tips To Prep For Birth Like A Boss

Darby Swan is a faith-based birth doula in Central Kentucky and the owner of Boundless Grace Birth Services. As a birth doula, childbirth educator, and maternal health advocate, Darby loves serving expectant families by providing faith-FULL support and evidence-based information. She is also a wife and mama of two, whose own birth experiences in 2020 inspired her to dive into the birth world headfirst and never look back. Darby hosts her own birth and motherhood podcast called "Birth By Design," and she is soon releasing a postpartum guide called "The Fourth Trimester: Navigating the Postpartum Period with Confidence."
 
Links:
Website: https://boundlessgracebirth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boundlessgracebirth/
Birth By Design Podcast: https://boundlessgracebirth.com/podcast
 
FREE RESOURCE : Using Your B.R.A.I.N: A Doula's Guide to Informed Decision Making :https://boundlessgracebirth.com/free-guide 
 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

023 // Call It A Comeback

The idiom "make a comeback" refers to the act of successfully returning or recovering from a setback, disappointment, or decline. It indicates the ability to regain former prominence, success, or relevance after a period of adversity or difficulty.
 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 

022 // Birth In Haiti with Sara Hunter

Sara Hunter is a FL based birth photographer, wife, and mom. Sara has taken 3 separate trips to visit and support the MamaBaby birth center in Haiti since 2020. She has taken thousands of photos to share with the families of Haiti. These photos are such a gift to the people and to the MamaBaby mission.
MamaBaby “Haiti” International is a non-profit that runs three birth centers, health clinics, and a midwifery school in Haiti. They aim to lower the maternal and neonatal mortality rate one mother and baby at a time.
 
Birth In Focus Community Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/909240249740116/ 
Birth in Focus Website - www.samanthatollison.com/birthinfocus 
Birth in Focus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/birthinfocuspodcast/ 
Samantha Tollison Birth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthatollisonbirth/ 
Sara Hunter on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/saraannphoto/
MamaBaby Haiti on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mamababyhaiti/