• Childbirth education and lack of recognition from evidence-based birth organization. 0:02
• Ravae and Denise discuss their podcast updates, current events in the birth space, and advocacy for safe and comfortable spaces.
• Denise Bolds and 5 other women, including 2 black women, have been working on a Longitudinal Study to improve birth outcomes for black and brown families.
• Despite their efforts, they have received little recognition or support from Evidence Based Birth, including being asked to present at their conference.
• Black History Month and DEI efforts in the birth work community. 4:16
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss the erosion of Black History Month and Juneteenth celebrations in corporate America, with a focus on the lack of commitment from white leadership organizations.
• The two doulas highlight the importance of 365 blackness and the need for white organizations to be mindful of their actions and commit to supporting black vendors and promoting black history throughout the year.
• Ravae Sinclair discusses the lack of attention and action around Black History Month, despite previous claims of support from allies.
• Denise Bolds joins the conversation, sharing her own experiences with pain and the need for acknowledgement and addressing of systemic issues.
• Leadership and communication in a maternal health organization. 9:04
• Denise and Ravae discuss Rebecca's sudden dismissal of their work without explanation, despite previous support and collaboration.
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss the importance of proper communication and leadership in the Black birth worker community, with a focus on building relationships and acknowledging the work of older, more experienced individuals.
• Denise Bolds expresses frustration with younger doulas who don't understand the history of the work and don't want to acknowledge the contributions of older, more experienced individuals.
• Ravae Sinclair shares her frustration with the abrupt and disrespectful manner in which she was removed from a leadership role in a community organization.
• The speaker and others agree that it's important for leaders to do better in treating volunteers with respect and care, especially when transitioning them out of their roles.
• Building relationships and maintaining influence in the workplace. 16:46
• Denise Bolds reflects on her experience with EPB and acknowledges the need to move on, feeling undervalued and unappreciated despite her contributions.
• Ravae Sinclair shares similar experiences of being transitioned out of spaces and recognizes the importance of containing those experiences for future growth.
• Ravae Sinclair emphasizes the importance of being mindful of who you build relationships with in your business and personal life.
• She shares her experience of intentionally limiting her interactions with certain people who have not been supportive or respectful, and reassessing those relationships yearly.
• Letting go of toxic relationships and trusting God's plan. 21:27
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss outgrowing people and relationships, with Denise sharing her experience of resigning from several organizations and Ravae offering tips for those in similar situations.
• Ravae Sinclair reflects on a situation where someone suddenly ghosted them after years of close connection, highlighting the need to recognize and respect people's boundaries.
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss the importance of recognizing signs of closure in personal relationships and moving on when necessary.
• They share their experiences with betrayal and how it can take time to catch up and move forward.
• Ravae Sinclair shares her experience of building relationships in business,...

• Doula referrals in a Facebook group. 0:00
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss common issues on social media related to birth work and leadership.
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss a post in a Facebook group for doulas of color where a request for referrals for a "high profile or celebrity burning person" was made in the middle of the day on February 6.
• The original poster asked a doula to tag a colleague in central New Jersey, but the doula tagged an agency owner instead, leading to confusion and negative commentary in the thread.
• Professionalism and authenticity in the birth worker community. 3:26
• Ravae Sinclair and Emily were discussing a client in a public thread when Emily tagged blindsided, a doula, in the comment.
• Blindsided replied to the comment, stating that it's not an issue of respect but authenticity, and her doula work is professional and discreet.
• Ravae Sinclair emphasizes authenticity in doula work and referrals.
• Ravae Sinclair shares her reaction to a negative exchange between two leaders in the birth worker community on social media, finding it sad and throwing her off during a positive moment.
• Denise comments on the impact of such interactions on the people watching, highlighting the importance of professionalism and leadership in the community.
• Using social media responsibly and avoiding negativity. 9:43
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss the negative consequences of using social media to direct passive aggression towards someone, rather than having a private conversation.
• Ravae Sinclair expresses frustration with a public conversation between two colleagues, feeling it was unnecessary and unpleasant.
• Sinclair suggests that difficult conversations should be handled in private or with a small supportive group, rather than in a public space.
• Social media etiquette and backstabbing. 14:22
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss the negative impact of social media on black maternal health disparities, including the potential for passive aggression and hostility when tagging someone in a post.
• The speakers emphasize the importance of being mindful of the potential consequences of tagging someone in a social media post, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like race and reproductive health.
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss the concept of "karma" and how it relates to a person who has been mistreated, with Ravae expressing her belief that the person will ultimately ruin their own opportunities through their actions.
• Ravae shares her observations of the person's behavior, including their tendency to backstab and lack of loyalty, and how it has affected their relationships and opportunities.
• Ravae Sinclair expresses frustration with a recent incident in which someone was publicly criticized and believes it's a symptom of a larger problem in the birth worker space of not holding each other accountable for our actions.
• Denise Bolds agrees that there is a lack of accountability in the space and notes that it's important to call people in and hold them responsible for their behavior, but also recognizes that it's not always easy to know how to do this in a constructive way.
• Trust and accountability in the doula community. 23:11
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss the importance of accountability in the birth work industry, with a focus on trustworthiness and reliability.
• They share examples of unethical behavior, such as a doula who took money for childbirth education but didn't provide the class, and a midwife who stole money from black birth workers.
• Denise Bolds discusses a Black doula who falsely claimed to have helped New York State doulas get their Medicaid certification, and how this has caused...

· Katt Williams' comedy special and 2024's revealing themes. 0:00

o Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss Katt Williams' comedy special, which they find refreshing and relevant to current events.

o They emphasize the importance of owning up to one's actions and being held accountable for hurting or stealing from others.

· Monique's career and race in the entertainment industry. 3:00

o Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss Mo’Nique's experience as a Black woman in the entertainment industry, with Denise expressing support for her truth-telling and Ravae acknowledging the challenges of parenting and forgiveness for Black women.

o Denise and Ravae analyze Mo’Nique's situation, highlighting the double standards faced by Black women in the industry and the lack of forgiveness for their choices.

o Mo’Nique discusses the challenges of being a Black woman in the entertainment industry, including the pressure to be perfect and the lack of collaboration between Black women in the same profession.

o Mo’Nique shares her personal experience of being mistreated by Oprah Winfrey, highlighting the need for Black women to work together and not see each other as competition.

· Black maternal health disparities and corruption in the medical industry. 7:27

o Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss how gossip and misinformation can spread quickly in their community, leading to schisms and conflicts.

o Both women prioritize truth and evidence in their interactions, seeking to collaborate and serve families in a more effective and compassionate manner.

o Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss the financial gain from Black maternal health disparities, with Bolds noting that eradicating the issue would result in a billion-dollar loss for various industries.

o Bolds also mentions that there are towns built around prisons in upstate New York, highlighting the economic benefits of incarceration.

o Denise Bolds shares a story of a client who was induced by a doctor despite wanting a spontaneous vaginal birth, highlighting the need for doulas to advocate for their clients' choices.

o Bolds offers a certified training program for doulas to learn how to negotiate and advocate in instances of inductions, emphasizing the importance of empowering Black women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

· Bait and switch tactics in obstetrics. 14:52

o Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss a doctor's unethical behavior towards a client, including bait-and-switch tactics and prioritizing financial gain over patient care.

o Denise Bolds, a doula, helps the client navigate the situation by reminding her of her birth preferences and encouraging her to trust her body, ultimately leading to a successful and empowering birth experience.

o Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss a client's experience with a Black OB who tried to bait and switch her, highlighting the importance of awareness and precautions when choosing a provider.

o The doulas emphasize the value of having a supportive team during childbirth, particularly in navigating unexpected scenarios and ensuring a positive experience.

o Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss how the pandemic has changed the birth arena, with some positive and negative impacts.

o They highlight the power dynamics between hospitals and birth workers, with hospitals controlling and regulating birth, while birth workers are seen as a...