Ditching Diet Culture with Lizzie Merritt
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: why diet culture’s all-or-nothing mindset keeps people stuck the psychology behind weight loss and body confidence letting go of perfectionism, shame, and pass/fail thinking treating behavior change as an experiment, not a failure why you don’t need to change your body to start living fully Resources + Links: Visit Lizzie’s Website at Get Lizzie’s Book — LIGHT: The New Psychology of Weight Loss Connect with LizzieInstagram | LinkedIn | Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website Connect with...
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Why Personal Branding Is the Asset of 2026 (and Why Most People Are Doing It Wrong) (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, Sara talks about: why personal branding matters more heading into 2026 the rise of a “trust recession” AI’s impact on credibility and content credibility as the new scarce resource why sameness—not saturation—is the real problem why service providers should not brand like content creators the importance of focus and specialization why aesthetics don’t solve trust problems choosing positioning over popularity integrity as a long-term brand advantage the evolution of personal branding Resources + Links: Grow your brand, income, and...
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A 2026 Reset (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
A New Season of Chicks Who Give a Hoot: Why We’re Going Shorter, Sharper, and More Intentional In this episode, Sara talks about: relaunching the podcast with a clear reset and new direction the overwhelm of today’s crowded, AI-heavy content landscape why the show is shifting to concise, 10-minute episodes using a journalism mindset to lead with one strong idea focusing each episode on a single, practical takeaway centering conversations on business, branding, visibility, and impact aligning the new format with the nonprofit mission and respect for listeners’ time ...
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The Power of Stages for Women Entrepreneurs with Jenn Espinosa-Goswami
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: Jenn’s early experiences with bullying, body image, and learning to avoid visibility how losing 100 pounds led her to discover the power of story and eventually build Weightless Chronicles. the contrast between Sara’s lifelong comfort on stage and Jen’s slow journey toward confidence and presence how Toastmasters unexpectedly opened the door to speaking and helped Jen recognize her message creates impact why clarifying your core message and signature speech is essential before seeking any stage the importance of choosing a message you can...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Launch Party Live Recording with Beta Readers
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: 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,...
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