Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast

Hosted by Niamh Cassidy, IBCLC

Business Entrepreneurship Kids Family

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast , in conjunction with Your Birth Biz , is a podcast for birth and postpartum professionals who want to grow sustainable, ethical businesses without burning out or losing themselves along the way. Hosted by Niamh Cassidy , childbirth educator, IBCLC lactation consultant, and business coach to birth workers, this podcast sits at the intersection of business, birth work, values, and real life . Niamh started her own perinatal business as a side hustle while working full-time in social care, and knows first-hand how challenging it can be to fill classes, attract clients, and stay confident when everyone else seems to be “doing better”. She’s been through the comparison spiral, the over-consumption of business advice, and the frustration of learning from business spaces that don’t understand the ethics, boundaries, and responsibilities of perinatal work. Through years of learning, testing, adapting (and unlearning), Niamh has built a fully booked lactation practice and successful education and coaching business — without resorting to fear-based marketing, unethical tactics, or stepping away from client work she loves. This podcast is a mix of: Solo episodes on business, mindset, visibility, boundaries, and sustainability Guest conversations with birth workers and women in business Panel discussions exploring nuanced topics at the crossover of business and birth work Expect honest conversations, thoughtful critique of “one-size-fits-all” business advice, and practical insights you can actually apply to your own practice. If you’re a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator, or perinatal professional who wants to grow a business that feels aligned, ethical, and genuinely supportive — you’re in the right place.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 8914 min

Dealing With The Isloation Of Self-Employment As A Birth Worker

Self-employment isn't natural.That's the thread running through this week's episode — and once you see it, you can't unsee it.In this honest, story-led conversation, Niamh shares the part of her own story she doesn't usually tell on the podcast. The unplanned pregnancy in her early 30s. The friendship group that fell away. The antenatal class her now-husband signed her up for because he could see how lonely she was. The breastfeeding group that gave her her closest friends 13 years on. And the baby link group she set up when nobody else in the room would put their hand up.From there, the episode traces how the same lesson — sometimes you join a community, sometimes you create one, but you don't get to skip community altogether — shaped her entire business as an antenatal educator, lactation consultant and mentor for birth and postpartum professionals.Niamh talks honestly about:The community she had as a new birthworker — and the missing piece that nobody had figured out yetWhy she joined a generic, expensive women-in-business membership when she couldn't afford to (and what 30% of it taught her)How history shows us self-employment is a relatively new and structurally lonely way of workingWhy birthworkers are more isolated in their work than at any point in human history — even with all the communication tools we haveWhy so many people walk away from birthwork within a year of training (and what keeps the ones who stay)The role of "someone a little further along" — at the breastfeeding group, in business, in lifeThis is the most personal episode of the podcast so far. And the one that explains, more clearly than anything else has, why the work Niamh does the way she does it.Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

June 3, 2026Episode 8825 min

Why Marketing as a Birthworker Is Different

Marketing for doulas, lactation consultants and antenatal educators needs to different. Most marketing advice was written for people selling software, shoes, or supplements, not for the care that you provide. And if you've ever read a marketing tip and thought I literally cannot do that, this episode is for you.In this episode I'm breaking down five reasons why marketing in birthwork is genuinely different and why the tactics that work elsewhere can feel completely wrong in our industry. That friction you're feeling isn't a sign you're doing it wrong.In this episode:Why your professional ethics rule out tactics most marketers use without a second thoughtThe level of connection clients need before they'll ever consider booking youWhy your window to reach potential clients is shorter than almost any other industryThe buying competition you're up against before families have even heard of youThe cultural reason spending money on women's support feels hard for your clients and for youIf you've ever felt like you're playing the marketing game with one hand tied behind your back, this one will make a lot of sense.If this episode resonated, please leave a review wherever you listen — it helps other birthworkers find the podcast.Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

May 27, 2026Episode 8735 min

Ep 87: From PhD Chemist to Birth Alchemist: Tina-Marie Bruton on Finding Her Power

From PhD chemist to birth alchemist - Tina-Marie Bruton on burnout, late autism identification, identity and finding her power in being herself.What happens when everything you built your identity around stops fitting?In this episode Niamh Cassidy is joined by Tina-Marie Bruton, antenatal educator, birth and postpartum doula, pregnancy Relax Stretch & Breathe instructor and founder of The Birth Alchemist for one of the most honest and moving conversations this podcast has had.Tina-Marie is also one of Niamh's longest-standing clients. She was part of Niamh's very first coaching programme, went on to join The NEST group coaching programme, and continues to be supported inside the Your Birth Biz Besties membership. So this isn't just a guest episode it's a conversation between two people who have walked a significant part of this journey together.Tina-Marie spent 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry, earned a PhD in chemistry, and built what looked like a very successful career. Then burnout hit. Her blood pressure went through the roof. She was at risk of heart attack or stroke. And everything she thought she knew about herself (and who she was supposed to be) started to come undone.What emerged from that chrysalis was something she hadn't expected. A later-in-life autism and ADHD identification. A complete identity shift. And a birthwork business built entirely on her own terms.This is the story of how she got there.In this episode Niamh and Tina-Marie cover:— Tina-Marie's journey from PhD chemist and pharma trainer to antenatal educator, doula and pregnancy yoga instructor — Why burnout was the turning point — and what it physically cost her before she listened to it — The identity crisis that came with leaving a career she had worked so hard to build — What it felt like to have her entire belief system challenged during antenatal educator training — and why that was both terrifying and transformative — Her later-in-life autism and ADHD identification — and why she uses the language "later in life identified" rather than "late diagnosed" — How understanding her neurology gave her permission to do things her own way — and why that turned out to benefit everyone she works with — The word "should" — and how recognising it as someone else's expectations changed everything — The chrysalis metaphor — what it means to become mush before you reform into something new — The weaving metaphor — how the threads of her life were always pointing here, even when she couldn't see it — What she would tell anyone who is still dipping their toe into something and wondering whether to take the leap — Why she believes we can do anything when we are properly supportedIf you're at the beginning of your own journey and wondering what's possible this episode is a really good place to start. About Tina-Marie:Tina-Marie Bruton is an antenatal educator with Antenatal Ireland, birth and postpartum doula, birth reflections facilitator, and pregnancy Relax Stretch & Breathe instructor based in Cork. She is a later-in-life identified AuDHD mum to two neurodivergent kids and founder of The Birth Alchemist. Find her on Instagram @the_birth_alchemist and at antenatalireland.ie for upcoming workshops.Links mentioned:🌸 Tina-Marie on Instagram: @the_birth_alchemist 🌸 Antenatal Ireland workshops: antenatalireland.ie 🌸 Cuidiu — National Parent Support Charity: cuidiu.ieAre you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

May 20, 2026Episode 8629 min

Two Business Owners Get Honest: What Actually Makes a Business Work — with Louise O'Brien

What Actually Makes a Business Work — with Louise O'Brien Two business owners get honest about mentorship, investment, structure and building a business that actually works What does it actually take to build a business that works — and keeps working?In this episode Niamh Cassidy sits down with Louise O'Brien, women's wellness coach and business mentor at Badass Coaching, for a genuinely honest conversation between two business owners about what makes the difference. Not the polished version. The real one.Louise closed her physical gym, started from scratch with €5k in the bank, invested all of it in a business mentor and made it back within two months. Since then she has built a thriving online coaching business that she has runs entirely on her own terms, and grown almost exclusively through referrals. This episode covers the business decisions, mindset shifts, systems and support structures that actually move a business forward — and why most business owners stay stuck without them.In this episode Niamh and Louise cover:— Why Louise invested her last €5k in a business mentor — and what happened within two months — The difference between working in your business and working on your business — and why getting stuck in one kills growth — Why AI is a useful tool but will never replace the value of a mentor or community who truly gets your work — The GPS analogy for mentorship that will change how you think about getting support in your business — How Louise structured her business to work from Thailand for six weeks while signing eight new clients — without running a single ad — The role of accountability in keeping a self-employed business owner moving forward consistently — Why surrounding yourself with the right people is one of the most powerful business growth strategies available — What Louise would tell any service-based business owner who is just starting outWho this episode is for:This episode is for any self-employed birthworker, doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or service-based business owner who:— Is trying to build a business without any real support structure around them — Has wondered whether investing in a business mentor or coaching programme is actually worth it — Wants to build a business that gives them genuine freedom — not just a different kind of busy — Is struggling to find time to work on the business rather than just in it — Needs to hear an honest account from someone who has built something from nothingAbout Louise:Louise O'Brien is a women's wellness coach and business mentor at Badass Coaching. She works with women all over the world on health, fitness, mindset and business growth. Find her on Instagram @louise_badasscoaching Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

May 13, 2026Episode 8511 min

The Ripple Effect: Why Your Birthwork Business Could Change the World

This episode is a little different.Niamh gets personal.. sharing stories not just from her early career in youth justice and youth homelessness in Dublin, but her own pregnancy journey and the loss of her friends because of it. All of this so she can share what she's learned across decades of working with families in crisis and families who were simply left without enough support.And she connects all of it to one big idea: supporting families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period might be one of the most powerful things we can do to change the world.In this episode Niamh talks about:What her years working with young men in homelessness taught her about unsupported familiesWhy the modern village has scattered, and what that means for new parentsMaslow's hierarchy of needs and why so many new parents never get to flourishA real client story that shows exactly what's at stake when a birthworker shows upWhy so many birthworkers are invisible, and the real cost of that invisibilityWhy charging your worth isn't about money, it's about sustainability and impactWhy you are part of the solution to everything that's broken and why the world needs you to keep going This one is worth sharing with every birthworker you know.Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

April 29, 2026Episode 8424 min

Ep. 84: Stop Adding, Start Nailing: The Truth About Diversifying Your Offers as a Birth Worker

This episode came straight from you — after asking followers for topic ideas, diversifying income and offers kept coming up. And it's no surprise, because it's also one of the most common conversations happening in coaching calls right now.But here's the thing: this is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The stage your business is at matters enormously — and getting this wrong is one of the most common and costly mistakes birth workers make.In this episode Niamh covers:Why trying to do too much too soon is the number one mistake early-stage birth workers make — and how it leads to confused buyers, divided messaging, and burnout before you've even got startedThe "10 things on the website" trap — and why a confused buyer doesn't buyWhen diversifying your offers actually makes sense, and the three green light questions to ask yourself before adding anything new: Do I have the time and capacity? Am I genuinely passionate about this? Does it complement what I already do?How to think about expanding across the pregnancy to postnatal journey to increase the time you spend with existing clientsThe live-first method: why you should always run a workshop or course live before recording or producing anything — and how Niamh's own back-to-work and breastfeeding workshop is a real example of this in actionThe passive income myth — why there's no such thing as making money in your sleep without serious ongoing marketing or a significant ad budgetWhat actually sells for birth workers (and what doesn't)Why PDFs, eBooks and resources need to be genuinely high value in a world where so much is available for free — including from AIKey takeaways:If you're early stage: stop, focus, get really good at your one thing and get consistent clients firstIf you're established: run the capacity, passion and fit questions before adding anything newTest before you invest — run it live, sell the recording, then decide if a full production is worth itPassive income requires either consistent marketing effort or a solid ad budget — factor that in from the startToo many offerings = confused buyers = people leaving your website without bookingHave a question or topic you'd like covered? DM Niamh on Instagram.Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

April 22, 2026Episode 8331 min

Ep: 83: From Zero to Fully Booked: One Doula's Whirlwind Journey

Orla Nealis went from pandemic mum with no support to fully booked doula in less than two years from completing her training. Here's what actually got her there.What does it actually look like to build a birthwork business from scratch — with three children under six, no reliable childcare, and no business background?In this episode Niamh is joined by Orla Nealis, a birth and postpartum doula, birth reflections facilitator and antenatal educator in training. Orla's story starts where so many birthworkers' stories start — with a difficult personal experience that ignited her passion for supporting other families. What makes her story even more amazing is how quickly and intentionally she has built her business since then.Sixteen months ago Orla was grateful to book one or two clients a month. Today she's fully booked. This is an honest, warm and inspiring conversation about what that journey actually looked like (including the hard bits!).In this episode Niamh and Orla cover:— Orla's journey from becoming a mum during the pandemic to training as a breastfeeding counsellor, doula and antenatal educator — and why that experience drove everything — The moment she realised she needed to transition from volunteer to paid work — and how uncomfortable that felt — The money mindset blocks that show up when you start charging for work you've been doing for free — What she actually did that got her clients — and why she says mindset was the biggest game changer, not marketing — How she built her business while pregnant, then with a newborn, then with three children under six — Why she stopped following generic business advice from men and started learning from women who actually understood her reality — The systems she set up during quiet months that are paying off now she's fully booked — Her advice for birthworkers who are earlier in the journey and wondering when it's going to click — Why she had to "think big and be a bit delusional" — and how that drove her forward faster than anything elseWho this episode is for:This one is for you if you're a doula, IBCLC, antenatal educator or any other birthworker who:— Is earlier in your business journey and wondering if it's actually possible — Has been doing volunteer or low-paid work and is struggling to make the transition to charging properly — Feels like you're putting in loads of effort and not seeing results yet — Is trying to build a business around a young family and wondering how anyone actually does it — Needs to hear a real, honest story from someone who has recently been exactly where you areAbout Orla:Orla Nealis is a birth and postpartum doula, birth reflections facilitator and antenatal educator in training based in Ireland. You can find her at takesavillagedoula.ie or on Instagram @takesavillagedoula.Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

April 15, 2026Episode 8216 min

Ep. 82: The Identity Shift Every Birthworker Needs to Make (And Nobody Talks About)

Why so many brilliant birthworkers struggle to call themselves business owners — and why making that shift changes everything.If you've ever introduced yourself by saying "I do a bit of doula work" or "I run a few classes" — this episode is for you.In Ep 82 of the Pregnancy and Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective podcast, Niamh Cassidy explores one of the most important and most overlooked conversations in the birthwork business world: the identity shift from birthworker who charges to business owner who does meaningful work.This isn't about becoming a different person or losing the values that brought you into birthwork. It's about understanding why how you see yourself changes everything about how your business behaves — your pricing, your boundaries, your visibility, your income, and ultimately how long you stay in this profession.In this episode Niamh covers:— Why so many qualified, capable birthworkers feel uncomfortable calling themselves business owners — and where that discomfort actually comes from — The three things most of us have absorbed that make this identity hard to claim: our training, our money stories, and the word "entrepreneur" itself — The small moment in a mentoring session that shifted everything for Niamh — and what changed after it — Why being a good business owner is not in conflict with being a good birthworker — it's what allows you to keep being one — The four things Niamh consistently sees in birthworkers who have made this shift: how they talk about their work, how they price, how they protect their time, and how they invest in their growth — Why the statistic that the average working life of a doula is just two years is not inevitable — and what actually changes it — One small, practical thing to do this week that costs nothing and starts the shift immediatelyKey quote from this episode:"Your ability to earn well from this work is what keeps you available to the families who need you."This episode follows on from Ep 81 — Why Birthworkers Quit (And What Actually Keeps Them Going) — and is the second in a series Niamh is running on what actually makes a birthwork business work. If you haven't listened to Ep 81 yet, start there first.Who this episode is for:This episode will resonate if you are a doula, IBCLC, lactation consultant, antenatal educator, hypnobirthing instructor, postnatal doula or any other birth or postpartum professional who:— Finds it hard to talk about your business confidently — Undercharges or over-delivers because charging properly feels wrong — Treats your business time as the last priority — Struggles to invest in business support even though you'd happily invest in clinical training — Has ever wondered if running a business is really "for someone like you"Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

April 8, 2026Episode 8114 min

Ep 81: Why Birthworkers Quit (And What Actually Keeps Them Going)

The business side of birthwork is harder than it should be — and it's not your fault. Here's why, and what actually helps.Something I hear all the time from birthworkers is that the business side of things feels so much harder than it should. And I feel that — because I've lived it.In this episode I'm having an honest conversation about why so many passionate, qualified birthworkers end up quitting the profession — not because they stop caring, but because the business side grinds them down. Including the story that really lit a fire in me recently: a client told me she's the only one still practicing out of the 18 people she trained with. Every single one of the others quit because they couldn't get the business off the ground.That's not a talent problem. That's a support and direction problem. And it's one we can fix.In this episode I cover:— Why your training prepared you brilliantly for the work — but not for running a business — The four reasons generic business advice doesn't fit birthwork (ethics, emotional labour, on-call reality, community dynamic) — Why not wanting to follow pushy advice isn't weakness — it's integrity — The three things that actually move a birthwork business forward: clarity over volume, consistency over perfection, and the support that changes everything — Why doing more is rarely the answer — and what isThis is the first in a series of episodes I'm doing on this topic over the coming weeks, so if it resonates, make sure you're following or subscribed so you don't miss what's coming.Links mentioned:🌸 The Birth Biz Quiz — find out what stage your business is in and get your next best steps: yourbirthbiz.com/quiz📱 Come say hi on Instagram: @yourbirthbizAre you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In

April 1, 2026Episode 8040 min

Ep. 80 Building A Birth Work Business with Annie Frisbie (Throwback Episode)

This is a republished episode from November 2023 - and there’s a reason it’s back.It was the most popular guest episode I’ve ever shared on the podcast, and listening back, it’s easy to see why.In this conversation with Annie Frisbie (IBCLC, private practice owner and educator), we dive into what it really takes to build a sustainable birth work business, one that supports your clients and your life.Because here’s the reality…So many birth workers are incredible at the work itself but struggle to make the business work in a way that feels manageable, profitable, and aligned with family life.This episode is about changing that.We talk about moving out of the “helper” mindset, setting boundaries without guilt, and creating systems that actually give you your time back so your business doesn’t end up feeling like an exhausting, expensive hobby.If you want a business that allows you to show up fully for your clients without burning yourself out, this episode is essential listening.What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why coming from a volunteer or caregiving background can make business feel harder than it needs to be The mindset shift from “helping” to running a professional, sustainable service How to set clear boundaries (without feeling like you’re letting clients down) Why being constantly available can actually increase client anxiety, not reduce it The real cost of undercharging — especially when it comes to your time, family and energy How simple systems (booking links, templates, automations) can completely change your workload Why your business needs to pay you consistently, not just “what’s left over” The importance of building a business that supports your life — not one that takes over it 🔗 Links & Resources Annie Frisbie’s website: https://paperlesslactation.comAre you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-saleConnect with Me InstagramFacebookLinked In