Do It Fat Mini Series: Embodiment with Domini Anne
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: what embodiment truly means beyond the buzzword, and how Domini personally defines it. the feeling of having a spirit “too big” for the body and how inhibition, conditioning, and permission influence that experience. the role of agency, pacing, and self-permission in expanding into your full embodied self. learning to separate internal truth from external narratives and recognizing the voices that shape your self-perception. using visualization, meditation, and humorous reframing to distinguish “your stuff” from the world’s projections. ...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Body Confidence with Camellia Jade
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: Camellia Jade’s journey as a body confidence advocate and founder of Confidera and the Body Confidence Dance Party. what it means to be a “body confidence advocate” and how Camellia began helping women embrace their bodies. her personal path to body confidence, including confronting internalized negative self-talk. the creation of the series Your Body Is Not the Problem, Your Clothes Are and the power of social media to show real bodies. insights on body dysmorphia and shifting self-perception through mirror work and positive language. the...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: The Truth About GLP-1s with Dr. Bonnie Brock
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: Sara’s personal experience with GLP-1 medications, her journey with insulin resistance, and how medical validation reshaped her relationship with her body and health. Dr. Bonnie Brock’s integrative approach to medicine and her explanation of how GLP-1 medications and peptides work in the body. the myths, misinformation, and stigma surrounding GLP-1s — including how cultural narratives about weight, willpower, and “cheating” distort medical realities. the idea of “food noise” and how these medications can shift emotional and psychological...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Your Body is Not Your Brand with Shine Image Consulting
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: leaving corporate life to build Shine Image Consulting and empower others through authentic self-expression. the link between personal style, confidence, and identity beyond clothing or trends. how inner transformation supports showing up authentically and being seen. addressing body insecurities and shifting from self-criticism to self-acceptance. aligning personal image and professional brand for greater credibility and consistency. redefining what’s “flattering”—focusing on proportion, comfort, and confidence instead of thinness. ...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Health is Not a Size with Liz Brinkman
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: how Liz found her calling as a dietitian helping people heal their relationship with food and their bodies the shift from traditional, weight-focused nutrition to a weight-inclusive, non-diet approach why health isn’t defined by body size and how fat bias harms everyone the impact of diet culture and how it shapes our beliefs about food, worth, and health how to rebuild trust and freedom with food after years of rules or restriction recognizing signs of disordered eating and the difference between discipline and shame the influence of family,...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: The Book I Had to Write (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, Sara talks about: the upcoming launch of her book Do It Fat and its themes of body positivity and visibility. separating self-worth from appearance and rejecting body shame. her personal journey with weight, healing, and self-acceptance. how patriarchy and media have shaped harmful beauty standards. key chapters like “Save Your Sorrys” and “Health Is Not a Size.” upcoming book launch events and her message to take up space now — “Do it messy. Do it scared. Do it fat.” Resources + Links: Be part of the Do It Fat movement. Visit to learn...
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Owning a Bold POV (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, Sara talks about: common entrepreneur frustration owning a bold point of view (POV) what a bold POV is not identifying your bold POV benefits of a bold POV examples of bold POVs courage to be disliked practical steps to implement a bold POV bold POV as a brand foundation Resources + Links: Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website Connect with Sara on Instagram | For show notes, resources, and more, visit Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | Show Notes: In this solo episode of the Chicks...
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Holistic Psychiatry in Practice with Dr. Mona Amini
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, we chat about: Dr. Mona’s journey from traditional healthcare to building her own concierge psychiatry practice how a thyroid cancer diagnosis reshaped her perspective on life and leadership the burnout she experienced working in community psychiatry and corporate systems what concierge mental healthcare really means and how it empowers patients why direct access to a provider can make a life-changing difference the power of de-prescribing and integrating lifestyle-based approaches to wellness common myths and misconceptions about psychiatric medications ...
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Wellbeing in Modern Workspaces with Lindsay Barnett
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, we chat about: Lindsay’s own burnout and how it inspired her to rethink work and well-being how identity shifts like motherhood or entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming but also transformational the power of personal choice, boundaries, and energy management in navigating tough work cultures working with leaders to model balance, support teams, and build cultures where values are truly lived Resources + Links: Learn more about Lindsay’s work at Check out her book Working Hell to Working Well: Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn | Grow...
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Taking the TEDx Stage (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, Sara talks about: transitioning the podcast to include more solo episodes and personal stories balancing personal growth with business and entrepreneurship how business growth mirrors personal evolution encouraging women to embrace visibility, power, and purpose preparing for and delivering her first TEDx talk managing expectations vs. reality when outcomes disappoint reframing setbacks as steps, not failures lessons in courage, vulnerability, and self-compassion celebrating achievements even when imperfect holding space for both pride and disappointment ...
info_outlineIn this episode, we chat about:
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Melissa's journey into the career of midwifery
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Melissa's credentials as a licensed midwife and integrative and functional medicine practitioner
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advocacy for birth justice, maternal health equity, and sustainable healthcare reform
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the difference between a doula and a midwife
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the differences in responsibilities and medical capacities
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the importance of home birth and birth center care
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emotional and physical support during and after birth
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high maternal mortality rate in the United States
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financial challenges faced by midwives and birth centers
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legislative efforts to support midwifery and birth centers
Resources + Links:
Explore Casa Natal Birth & Wellness Center at casa-natal.com
Follow Casa Natal on social media
Instagram: @casanatalbirthcenter
Facebook: Casa Natal Birth Center
LinkedIn: Casa Natal Birth Center
Connect with Melissa
Instagram: @midwife_melissa_dean
LinkedIn: Melissa Dean
Grow your brand, income, and impact!
Learn more on our website ellyandnoracreative.com
Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative
For show notes, resources, and more, visit Chicks Who Give a Hoot
Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot
Show Notes:
In this episode of The Chicks Who Give a Hoot podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Melissa Dean, a licensed midwife and the founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center in Silicon Valley. With over two decades of experience, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering passion for birth justice, maternal health equity, and sustainable healthcare reform.
We talk about her inspiring journey from doula to midwife and what makes midwifery care so essential—especially in addressing maternal mortality and improving postpartum outcomes. Melissa breaks down the difference between doulas and midwives, sheds light on the critical role midwives play in supporting birthing people, and shares the behind-the-scenes challenges they face when it comes to insurance reimbursement and legislative barriers.
This conversation is such a powerful reminder of the transformational impact midwifery care can have—not just on individuals but on our entire healthcare system. I walked away deeply moved and incredibly hopeful, and I know you will too.
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:59 Meet Melissa Dean
02:53 Melissa's Journey into Midwifery
05:28 Understanding Doulas and Midwives
07:01 Transition from Doula to Midwife
09:52 The Importance of Postpartum Care
14:07 Maternal Mortality and Postpartum Risks
27:54 Advocacy for Midwifery and Insurance Challenges
38:50 Final Thoughts