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The Warmth of Being: Introducing Max

This week Sarah introduces us to Max, who has brought so much joy and comfort to her life over the last few months. Using a quote from Dog Medicine by Julie Barton, Sarah brings insight into the healing power of animals, particularly dogs, who can offer such unconditional loving support and shares her own experience with Max, who came into her life a few months ago and nourishes her as a person and mother.Throughout the episode, Justine and Sarah explore the profound impact that pets, particularly dogs, have on emotional well-being and the importance of unconditional acceptance in relationships. They discuss how animals provide a safe space for expressing emotions, the challenges of navigating uncomfortable feelings, and the role of pets in parenting. Justine and Sarah discuss the challenges humans seem to face in offering the same kind of nonjudgmental acceptance and warmth that pets such as dogs can provide. We talk about how pregnant, birthing and postpartum individuals often feel that the people from whom they are seeking support and care, such as family members, partners, doulas, midwives, Obs, lactation consultants and other perinatal professionals, are often uncomfortable with uncomfortable conversations. It is understandable that, in our discomfort, we try to fix the problem rather than listen, but this means that parents and parents-to-be do not feel understood by us. Justine and Sarah talk about what we can learn from animals like dogs for whom it is so intuitive to meet people where they are and how we can show up for our clients who are navigating challenges in the journey to motherhood and parenting as a witness who walks into darkness alongside them. We end by exploring the power of 'just being', both of us grasping for words that take us beyond being the idea of 'being myself' to a more grounded concept of what it might mean to 'be with another.' The conversation emphasizes the need for self-care, the significance of being present with others, and the art of just being without the pressure to perform. Ultimately, they highlight the magic that can happen when individuals connect authentically with themselves and others, fostering a sense of community and support.

Keywords: unconditional acceptance, nonjudgmental support, perinatal providers, Dog Medicine, being, pets, emotional safety, unconditional love, parenting, self-care, vulnerability, presence, connection, mental health, animal therapy

Takeaways

  • Having a pet can provide emotional grounding and safety.
  • Unconditional acceptance is rare in human relationships.
  • Navigating uncomfortable emotions is a challenge for many.
  • Pets can play a crucial role in parenting and emotional support.
  • Nature can enhance self-care practices.
  • Being present with clients is essential for effective support.
  • Creating safe spaces for vulnerability is vital in therapeutic settings.
  • The art of just being can lead to deeper connections.
  • Animals can teach us about authentic presence and connection.
  • Finding authenticity in connection is key to emotional healing.

Sound Bites

  • "I needed a companion who had no judgment."
  • "That unconditional acceptance is so very freeing."
  • "Animals just know how to journey along with us."

Chapters

00:00 The Healing Power of Pets

02:52 Unconditional Acceptance and Emotional Safety

05:51 Navigating Uncomfortable Emotions

08:50 The Role of Animals in Parenting

12:09 Nature and Self-Care

15:05 The Importance of Being Present

18:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability

20:54 The Art of Just Being

26:52 Finding Authenticity in Connection

 

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals