Personal updates, business growth, and nonprofit work.

• Ravae and Denise are back after a 3-month break, catching up with listeners.
• They discuss their busy schedules, podcast hiatus, and future plans.
• Denise Bolds shares updates on her personal and professional life, including travel and business growth.
• Ravae Sinclair expands agency, launches online training programs, and supports nonprofit while taking breaks and enjoying personal time.
• Post-pandemic changes in the birthing space, including increased inductions and doula burnout. 7:33
• Denise Bolds highlights post-pandemic changes in the birthing space, including increased inductions, doula burnout, and hospital closures.
• Ravae Sinclair seeks Denise's insights on the energy and vibe in the birth world since the pandemic, with a focus on shifting dynamics and professionals leaving their roles.
• Birth workers' experiences with social media and reproductive rights. 10:28
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss the importance of Facebook groups for doulas, providing emotional and financial support.
• Doulas need community building and connection, which Facebook groups can offer, despite being isolated in their work.
• Ravae Sinclair observes growth in realization of the impact of reproductive rights loss on birth workers, with some feeling the pinch and others seeking business building skills.
• Ravae Sinclair sees some people pulling back from social media due to life's challenges, while others continue to vocalize their opinions and priorities.
• The state of the birth world, including burnout, lack of leadership, and traumatic birth experiences. 15:10
• Ravae and Denise discuss the importance of continued learning and mentorship in the birthing industry.
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss the challenges of being a doula, including burnout and the need for responsible and experienced professionals.
• Many doulas are experiencing burnout, with some leaving the profession entirely, while others are struggling to keep up with the demands of their work.
• Birth professionals describe chaotic and traumatic situations in the wild west of childbirth.
• Optimism and solutions for improving the state of birth in the US, with a focus on nurses' roles and accountability. 21.49
• Ravae Sinclair emphasizes the importance of nurses in the birth process and calls for accountability.
• Sinclair and others aim to develop into educators and leaders in the field, offering advanced courses and solutions.
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss the state of birth work, innovation, and optimism post-pandemic.
• They reflect on their experiences during the pandemic, including working in hazmat suits and neglecting personal well-being.
• Pivoting and innovation in doula work, with a focus on childbirth education and virtual training. 26:45
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss innovative doula training programs, including NICU doula training and medical terminology for birth workers.
• Doulas can help families navigate traumatic gaps during childbirth and postpartum, including those in NICUs, with specific skills and support.
• Ravae Sinclair is focusing on supporting birth businesses and parents with convenient, accessible education.
• She is developing self-paced childbirth education modules and innovating her contracts for doulas and agencies.
• Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discuss their return to sharing tips and ideas after taking a break.

Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair share their experiences and insights on personal growth, wellness, and inclusivity in the birth work community. They emphasize the importance of self-love, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care for effective leadership and service. They also discuss the challenges of navigating identity and leadership as black women in the field, and the need for inclusivity and transparency in serving diverse communities.

• Denise and Ravae discuss their struggles with weight loss and fitness, sharing their experiences and tips.
• Ravae Sinclair reflects on her weight gain and stress during her time as intercultural director at Dona.
• Denise Bolds shares her own experience with weight gain and stress, and how it relates to her current project.
• Ravae Sinclair shares her personal journey as an intercultural director and board member, highlighting the challenges and toll of pushing for inclusivity and change within institutions.
• Sinclair reflects on the weight gain and stress she experienced during her time as a volunteer board member, and how she had to find ways to prioritize her own well-being after leaving the board.

• Denise Bolds shares her wellness journey and how it supports her birth work, despite external obligations.
• Ravae Sinclair encourages Denise to embrace her identity and inclusivity in her dissertation, leading to project success.
• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss parenting an adult child, with Denise adjusting her approach to let go and prioritize self-care.
• They agree that it's important to let adult children make their own mistakes and learn from them, while still providing support and guidance.

• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss burnout and recovery as birth workers, with Ravae sharing her struggles with leading inclusive work while prioritizing self-care.
• Ravae and Denise explore the changing needs of birth workers during the pandemic, with a focus on balancing work and self-care in this new phase.
• Ravae Sinclair reflects on her identity as a seasoned birth worker and black woman, prioritizing her own needs and authenticity in her work.
• Sinclair shares examples of other birth workers who have found success by staying true to themselves and their communities, inspiring her to do the same.

• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss their personal growth and transformation in their 60s, with a focus on serving others.
• They share their experiences of unloading baggage, breaking bad habits, and being transparent with themselves for personal growth.
• Ravae Sinclair shares her experience of transforming in her 40s, including gaining weight and setting boundaries.
• Denise Bolds discusses how turning 50 brings new challenges, such as figuring out how to use the fire of life.

• Denise Bolds and Ravae Sinclair discuss self-care and its impact on their doula practices, with Denise sharing her experience of letting go of clients who are not a good fit.
• They emphasize the importance of accountability in growing a business, with Denise mentioning the need to evolve and adapt to changes.
• Denise Bolds shares her journey of transforming her health through diet and exercise, with the help of her doctor and online resources.
• Ravae Sinclair supports Denise's efforts and encourages others to make similar changes, emphasizing the importance of partnering with caring professionals.

• 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,...