Best How To Prepare For Labor And Delivery Podcasts (2025)

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267: Care variation reduction: A $100B opportunity 22:17

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1d ago22:17

22:17

Health systems know they need to pull out all the stops when it comes to improving operational efficiency, given their financial climate. That doesn’t necessarily mean they need entirely new strategies — but they do need to make the most of the tried-and-true tactics. Care variation reduction (CVR) has been part of the operational excellence playbo…

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Trusting God in the Unknowns of Childbirth 10:21

5d ago10:21

10:21

Send us a text Pregnancy and childbirth come with so many unknowns — and for many Christian moms, those unknowns stir up fear. What if labor doesn’t go as planned? What if the stories we’ve heard become our reality? In this episode of The Push Lab, Dr. Betsey shares faith-filled encouragement for navigating the uncertainties of birth. You’ll learn …

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266: Your EHR can do more for you. Here’s how. 30:45

8d ago30:45

30:45

Making the most of the electronic health record (EHR) is not just a win for the CIO—it’s a non-negotiable for sustaining your business, supporting your workforce and serving your patients effectively. The EHR is a mainstay of our digital healthcare infrastructure. It’s a massive ongoing investment with the potential for enormous operational and str…

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5 || Dear Paiden: The Birth Story of Paiden Lucia 12:50

13d ago12:50

12:50

In Season 2, I have recorded the audio to my book, Birth Story, a 42-week guide to your pregnancy. I hope you will listen to all 42 weeks of content. If you wish to purchase the hard copy of the book. You can find it at BirthStory.com XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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4|| Postcards From the Womb Week 1 of Pregnancy 2:19

13d ago2:19

2:19

In Season 2, I have recorded the audio to my book, Birth Story, a 42-week guide to your pregnancy. I hope you will listen to all 42 weeks of content. If you wish to purchase the hard copy of the book. You can find it at BirthStory.com XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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3 || How to get the most out of Season 2 13:45

13d ago13:45

13:45

In Season 2, I have recorded the audio to my book, Birth Story, a 42-week guide to your pregnancy. I hope you will listen to all 42 weeks of content. If you wish to purchase the hard copy of the book. You can find it at BirthStory.com XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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2 || A word from Heidi 12:58

13d ago12:58

12:58

In Season 2, I have recorded the audio to my book, Birth Story, a 42-week guide to your pregnancy. I hope you will listen to all 42 weeks of content. If you wish to purchase the hard copy of the book. You can find it at BirthStory.com XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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1 || Amy's Car Birth Intro 6:54

13d ago6:54

6:54

In Season 2, I have recorded the audio to my book, Birth Story, a 42-week guide to your pregnancy. I hope you will listen to all 42 weeks of content. If you wish to purchase the hard copy of the book. You can find it at BirthStory.com XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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265: A quick look at what's happening with vaccines 9:18

16d ago9:18

9:18

In this special episode of Radio Advisory, recorded on September 10th, 2025, host Rae Woods explains how recent federal actions led by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. are shaping vaccine policy and public health infrastructure. As she unpacks what’s happened so far, Rae outlines the implications for vaccine access, public trust, and hospital readiness. She a…

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264: Research funding is being slashed. What’s the real industry impact? 28:11

18d ago28:11

28:11

In the past several months, the Trump administration has frozen, cancelled, or rescinded millions—even billions—of dollars in federal funding for scientific and clinical research. This is funding that flows directly from bodies like the NIH to universities, academic medical centers, and others to facilitate basic science research, translational res…

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Training Your Body for Peace Before Birth 10:39

16d ago10:39

10:39

Send us a text Stress shows up in every pregnancy. Sometimes loud and obvious, sometimes quiet and constant. But what if those daily moments of stress are actually shaping the way you’ll respond in birth? In this episode of The Push Lab, Dr. Betsey unpacks why your nervous system plays a bigger role in labor than you think, and how learning to calm…

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[Encore] How hospitals and post-acute providers can rebuild their relationships (and why they need to) 29:47

22d ago29:47

29:47

This episode originally aired on April 15, 2025. In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Whether you'r…

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[Encore] Hospitals are at capacity. What can we actually do about it? 25:13

29d ago25:13

25:13

(This episode originally aired on February 25, 2025.) In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Whether …

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220 || Mamaste Fit's Gina Conley on her last 2 homebirths and her new book Training for Two 59:21

1M ago59:21

59:21

Heidi catches up with Gina Conley in 2025 to update their conversation from 2022. In 2022, Gina shares about her first 2 births and 2 miscarriages and how Mamaste Fit came to be. In this episode, Gina shares about her new book, Training for Two, and digs into her final two homebirths. If you haven't listened to the 2022 episode, I have replayed in …

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219 || Mamaste Fit's Gina Conley on her first two births and better birthing (2020) 1:21:21

1M ago1:21:21

1:21:21

This is a replay of episode XXX in 2022. The follow up episode 220 is up next and is Part 2 where I catch up with Gina in 2025 and hear two more homebirth stories and an update on the Mamaste Education and Fitness platform. Make sure to listen to both episodes! XOXO HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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[Encore] The $400M referral problem (and steps to fixing it) 25:01

1M ago25:01

25:01

(This episode originally aired on October 1, 2024.) In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Whether yo…

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263: What 130+ healthcare leaders are saying about Trump’s big, beautiful bill 38:24

1M ago38:24

38:24

Healthcare organizations have always faced operational, financial, and strategic pressures—but in 2025, those challenges are intensifying. A wave of current and anticipated policy changes is reshaping the industry, leaving leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain landscape. To better understand how executives are preparing for what…

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218 || Homebirth with Bec Conant of the OM Birth Approach 1:31:08

2M ago1:31:08

1:31:08

Bec thought she knew everything she needed to to have a smooth Home birth for her son- after all she’d been teaching prenatal yoga and birth classes for over 20 years at the time. But when her birth ended up in a hospital transfer and unplanned cesarean she started looking more deeply into what had happened, and where she might have missed somethin…

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262: The price of policy: How tariffs are reshaping purchasing 33:24

2M ago33:24

33:24

For health system leaders, managing the cost of purchased goods is no longer just a budgeting exercise—it’s a strategic necessity. As margins tighten and supply chain disruptions persist, health systems are rethinking everything from vendor relationships to value analysis. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods welcomes Advisory…

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261: Maven Clinic on how holistic women's health is the key to reducing cost and engaging employees 40:05

2M ago40:05

40:05

For health care purchasers, women’s health is no longer a niche offering—it’s a strategic imperative. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods welcomes Dr. Neel Shah, Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic—the world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health—to unpack the clinical, financial, and operational benefits of…

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260: What does progress in behavioral healthcare look like? Three leaders weigh in 48:48

2M ago48:48

48:48

To make progress on delivering behavioral healthcare at scale, we have to hold up examples of what progress looks like—and unpack how we achieve it. That was the goal of our live panel discussion at the Advisory Board Summit in Washington, D.C., moderated by Radio Advisory co-host Abby Burns. In today’s episode of Radio Advisory, hear Abby’s conver…

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259: Our expensive new normal: why traditional drug cost controls are obsolete 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Treatments like cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and GLP-1s are transforming care, but with double-digit growth in drug spend year over year, this transformation comes with an unsustainable price tag. And it’s putting pressure on every part of the healthcare ecosystem, from patients and providers to employers and health plans. The strategies that pur…

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258: The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’: What’s changing, who’s affected, and what to do now 6:12

3M ago6:12

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On July 4th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. In this “minisode,” host Rachel (Rae) Woods unpacks the sweeping implications of the most significant healthcare legislation since the Affordable Care Act. From enhanced subsidies expiring to major cuts to Medicaid and ACA marketplace coverage on the horizon…

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257: Paul Markovich on new builds, breakups, and bold healthcare bets 46:12

3M ago46:12

46:12

In this special live episode from the 2025 Advisory Board Summit, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sits down with a leader well-versed in bold transformation: Paul Markovich. After more than a decade as President and CEO of Blue Shield of California, Paul now leads Ascendiun—a new nonprofit parent company that includes Blue Shield of California, its clinica…

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256: How you can prepare for the financial impacts of Trump-era policies 31:07

3M ago31:07

31:07

Healthcare executives are closely watching legislative activity in Congress—anticipating shifts in government-funded insurance, new economic headwinds, and regulatory changes. And while change is certainly coming, what remains uncertain is how these forces will shape market dynamics and organizational finances. To help hospitals and health systems …

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How Your Day-to-Day Stress Response Affects You During Labor (And What to Do About It) 19:51

3M ago19:51

19:51

Send us a text Feeling anxious during pregnancy? In this episode, Dr. Betsey shares how stress affects your brain and decision-making—and why turning to Jesus in the moment matters. Learn the four stress responses, how to recognize your own patterns, and how daily surrender can prepare your heart and body for a peaceful birth. Grounded in scripture…

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255: Is healthcare really recession-proof? 39:50

3M ago39:50

39:50

When experts warn that the economy could be headed for a recession, people working across different corners of the economy get nervous. People working in healthcare, maybe less so. That’s because of a longstanding idea that healthcare is impervious to recession. Okay, maybe that’s overstating it. Healthcare is less susceptible than other industries…

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254: Stop searching for the “perfect” AI product and do this instead 29:31

4M ago29:31

29:31

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to generate excitement across healthcare, promising to reduce clinician burnout, fuel innovation, and ease financial pressures. But despite the hype, AI is far from a “plug-and-play” solution—and simply investing in AI won’t guarantee success. This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods is joined by Advisory Board AI e…

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217 || FLOORED with The Vagina Whisperer 59:35

4M ago59:35

59:35

This is a replay of episode 210 to celebrate and promote the launch day of FLOORED, by Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer. Out today! You can buy your copy HERE. XOXO- HeidiBy Heidi Snyderburn

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253: A new way to measure patient access 29:05

4M ago29:05

29:05

Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a policy update on the bill containing Medicaid cuts that is making its way through Congress, and the recent MAHA Commission Report. If you were to ask any healthcare leader what the top challenges in our industry are, it’s a fair bet that “improving patient access to care” would be on the list. There have b…

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252: Contain, extract, recover: Inside the Ardent Health cyberattack 41:08

4M ago41:08

41:08

In this special live episode from the 2025 Advisory Board Summit, Ardent Health Services President & CEO Marty Bonick and Chief Digital and Transformation Officer Anika Gardenhire recount the harrowing story of a ransomware attack that brought their 30-hospital system to a standstill on Thanksgiving Day 2023. Cyberattacks on healthcare systems are …

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216 || Unmedicated Induction with Julia Winn with a side of BV, Listeria, and Appendicitis 1:04:57

4M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

In this podcast episode, Julia Winn shares her unmedicated Pitocin birth story, detailing her journey from induction to delivery. Her induction plan for a cervical ripening process without an epidural, her unexpected exposure to listeria, and the decisions she faced as labor progressed. From the intense contractions brought on by Pitocin to the inc…

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251: Former HHS leaders weigh in on navigating Trump 2.0 (and answer your questions) 40:25

4M ago40:25

40:25

5/22 Update: The House early Thursday narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a budget bill that includes a number of healthcare provisions that could have a significant impact on Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. It has been over 100 days since President Donald Trump began his second term. During that time, Radio Advisory ha…

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250: VBC success is possible. Here's how Advocate Health does it. 34:16

5M ago34:16

34:16

Believe it or not, 60% of healthcare payments in the US are tied to value. But it’s still surprisingly hard to find examples of health systems that have been doing VBC at scale, successfully, over time. So that’s what Advisory Board researchers set out to do. And across 66 conversations with 44 systems, we found four systems with approaches worth e…

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[Encore] The changing tide of Medicare Advantage 21:46

5M ago21:46

21:46

(This episode originally aired on October 22, 2024.) For years, the best word to describe Medicare Advantage (MA) was “untouchable.” Hugely popular among seniors, profitable for health plans—the hybrid public-private payment model grew to the point that it now covers more seniors than traditional Medicare. But in the past few years, the tide has st…

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215 || How to become a non-toxic pregnancy product mega researcher with Sasha Mama Wellness 33:19

5M ago33:19

33:19

Sasha Niz Konrad is the founder and CEO of Sashamama Wellness, a brand dedicated to non-toxic, holistic wellness solutions for pregnant and postpartum women. With a background as a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor and a deep passion and interest in holistic maternal and hormone health. Sasha has combined her expertise and personal journey to…

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249: What is 340B, and why is it in the hot seat 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

The federal drug purchasing program known as 340B was created in 1992 to help select provider organizations stretch scarce resources to care for patients. More than three decades later, health systems of all shapes and sizes have come to rely on 340B for their financial sustainability. But the program has come under criticism. And in recent years, …

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248: Drugs, surgeries, and shortages: the state of obesity care in 2025 35:19

5M ago35:19

35:19

In 2025, 6% of US adults are taking a GLP-1. But the popularity of weight-loss drugs isn’t the only thing changing the obesity care landscape. On Radio Advisory, we’ve talked about what comprehensive obesity care looks like, the reality of weight bias, and the strain high-cost drugs like GLP-1s are having on employers and plans. But we haven’t done…

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247: How hospitals and post-acute providers can rebuild their relationships (and why they need to) 28:49

5M ago28:49

28:49

Let’s face it: Hospitals and post-acute providers can find themselves at odds. Post-acute is an area of the industry that is often misunderstood and sometimes villainized. But when post-acute care struggles, it directly impacts hospital operations. The industry needs a solution. It starts with understanding that the post-acute space is not a monoli…

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When the World Says “No More Kids” – But God Says “Trust Me 17:55

6M ago17:55

17:55

Send us a text What does Forrest Frank, Chappell Roan and a rude stare at Warby Parker have in common? They all made me reflect on how our culture views children—and how wildly different that is from how God sees them. In this episode, I’m unpacking the quiet grief of feeling like kids are “too much” for public spaces and the holy reminder that eve…

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246: Plans have trust and cost problems. Here's how to manage both. 35:55

6M ago35:55

35:55

Every stakeholder in healthcare is getting squeezed by mounting financial pressures, and health plans are no exception. Higher utilization and rising treatment costs are hitting plans hard. At the same time, plans are facing heightened public scrutiny. It may seem like the wrong time for plans to focus on cost management, but the combination of mar…

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214 || Birth Order and the role it plays in our lives and parenting with Dr. Robert Hurst 52:06

6M ago52:06

52:06

How does Birth Order impact you and your parenting? Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst was born in Hammond Indiana and has been practicing orthodontics in Covington Louisiana for over 35 years. During this time he has used his office and patients as his living laboratory to study his patient’s personality traits and birth orders. Out of this has come a unique a…

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245: Headcount might not explain your labor challenges. What will? 32:31

6M ago32:31

32:31

It feels like only yesterday that workforce challenges were the biggest problem facing the healthcare industry. While COVID-19-related staffing shortages may have declined, an inefficient workforce can still threaten health system operations and finances. Often, systems turn to staffing ratios or benchmarks to determine whether they need more cuts …

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213 || Doula Diaries: A week of Home Birth, Birth Center, and Hospital Births with MyDoulaHeidi 1:00:06

6M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Drumroll....I am proud of myself for pumping out the ever popular Doula Diaries! I had a crazy week of births around the full Blood Moon of March 14, 2025. I went to a homebirth, a birth center birth, and 2 hospital births in the same week. Let's see how they all played out. This week was reminding me that birth is unpredictable. It can be long, it…

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The Truth About Pushing Techniques (And The Most Frustrating Part of My Job). 21:03

6M ago21:03

21:03

Send us a text In this episode of the Push Lab Podcast, Dr. Betsey discusses the critical aspects of childbirth education, focusing on the importance of pushing techniques and the misconceptions surrounding them. She emphasizes the need for mothers to advocate for themselves during labor, particularly regarding the choice between Valsalva and open …

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244: What’s happened in Washington (so far) and what policy changes we’re bracing for 47:05

6M ago47:05

47:05

In the first two months of the Trump administration, the political and regulatory environment have shifted considerably. Since the inauguration, we’ve fielded dozens of questions about the slew of executive orders, cuts to research funding, HHS layoffs, tariffs, and an unstable economic outlook. All of that is coupled with the potential for major p…

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212 || World Down Syndrome Day with Abby Rose Green of the HERSELF Podcast 1:41:14

6M ago1:41:14

1:41:14

Today is World Downsyndrome Day! Celebrating all of our homies with an extra chromy. Thank you for being here and sharing this podcast episode with someone that you know that is parenting and/or pregnant and Down's Syndrome is part of their story. Heidi sits down with Abby Rose Green of the HERself Podcast to chat about fertility, an unexpected ana…

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243: What’s now and what’s next in value-based care 34:06

6M ago34:06

34:06

There is a lot happening in federal policy that may affect healthcare payment transformation and care delivery. But we’ve said it before: healthcare leaders can’t afford to focus on fighting near-term fires at the expense of driving long-term success and sustainability. Amidst the uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to push forward conversat…

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211 || 8 Minute Birth Meditation Affirmations for labor preparation 8:55

7M ago8:55

8:55

Thank you Michelle Smith for recording these beautiful birth affirmations to help get through birth and to practice before birth! If you have 8 minutes, come back to this episode every day! XOXO Heidi You can find Michelle's Birth Ease Method for Hypnobirthing at https://www.birtheaseservices.com/By Heidi Snyderburn

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242: How you should rethink your life sciences-health system partnerships 25:21

7M ago25:21

25:21

Partnerships between health systems and life sciences play a critical role in giving patients access to the best data, therapies, and technologies available in the market. However, these partnerships can be less fulfilling if both sides don’t align on purpose and expectations. This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites Advisory Board expert Fanta C…