Of all the podcasts I listen to, this is my favorite. I started listening for the birth aspect as I began my journey in birth work. But there is so much truth here in all the aspects of life that this podcast touches upon. I always look forward to what each episode will bring.

Love this podcast so much. I can always trust it for all things birthwork and motherhood.

I’ve been listening for years and Maryn’s such an inspiration to me spiritually. I love how she lives & shares her truth. She also brings complexity, wisdom and insight to the divine feminine experience of women in birth and life! Powerful. If it resonates, you will know!

Maryn brings her unique voice to the birth space and to life in general, and I’ve loved sharing in some of that divinely inspired wisdom for the last ten years. From 2014, when I first came across her, I resonated and felt so strongly as if we were viewing things from a similar perspective. For me, that is a rare and valuable thing, and I’m grateful for her sharing her personal journey and experience. I’ve gone a year or more without listening on many occasions throughout the last decade, but every time I check back in, it is just confirmed more to me what I’ve felt since the beginning. Maryn is a special soul and I think her sharing is important listening, particularly for those who are planning on having children and are seeking something different than what is perpetuated by the western medical model of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum. ❤️

If you listen you are supporting someone who is anti lgbtq. There are so many other podcasts like this one (but better) that you could support, don’t give this one your time or clicks.

This podcast (& episode) has been really enlightening. I think these Wise Woman Ways (inspired by Susan Weed’s 6 steps of healing) are so applicable to healing for/from anything and should really be taken into account. I think my favorite takeaway about both this episode and the podcast is the “energetics” and intention around it that’s truly teaching one to be their own healer instead of seeking it outside.

The host is a midwife who silences the voices of people of the global majority (BIPOC) & does not want to take responsibility for her continued appropriation and exploitation of sacred practices by traditional healers. I recommend taking your birth education from someone else who isn’t stuck in a coloniser mindset & has more respect for the history and ancestors of cultural practices. There are many other respectful podcasts out there that can help you on your birth/birthworker journey.

Love this podcast have leaned so much! I love her guidance on how to choose those you want to share your energy with it’s been so helpful to me in my work space that’s not even birth work just life work. It’s brought me so much peace in my decisions.

Tried to listen to the episode from 6/20/23, it was hard to stay engaged with the flat conversation at first…and then your guest lost me when she mocked the Puerto Rican accent of her OB thats “not from the United States”. Puerto Ricans are from the United States, just as much of a citizen as she is. Maybe try not to mock accents and get nationalities correct next time. What a bummer!

I set up Taking Back Birth to auto download and I know when I see a new episode out, it’s going to be a good day! Hearing Maryn’s take on things always makes me feel calmer, comforted, understood, and leaves me with a new perspective to consider. It can be easy to get overwhelmed and fearful with all the obstacles and choices we face in birth and in birth work in our culture, but this podcast brings me back to center and reminds me why I’ve chosen the path I have. Every woman deserves to have a wise woman like Maryn to look up to and learn from.

I remember having an argument with Maryn more than a decade and a half ago about Maryn’s support for the “the Big Push” movement that prioritized routinely medicalized midwifery practices. It’s nice to see she’s grown up a bit and understands how slippery bodily autonomy really is. I do find it sad that she doesn’t seem to use her critical thinking abilities to assess vaccination effectiveness and etc. with regards to a literal pandemic. I skipped a live training she held because she proudly boasted they would not use masks. I am being treated for an autoimmune disease with very strong medications. I used masks to keep myself safer for years before 2020, and I could not bring myself to understand what her opposition to masking was about. I’d love it if they were more inclusive because not all pregnant people identify as women or “mamas” but as far as birth-stuff goes, Indie Birth has some of the best positions regarding the mechanics of childbirth.

This podcast is a PURE GEM among the MANY options to listen to on natural/physiological birth. I am still a maiden and birth became my OBSESSION after a potent medicine ceremony in which I was (suddenly and wholly unexpectedly) shown that I am meant to be a mother in this lifetime. Thus, my approach to learning about pregnancy and birth has always been from a spiritual standpoint. I LOVE how Maryn always places her experiences and those of the women she witnesses within the realm of the spiritual and within the realm of healing. Beautiful podcast from a wise, calm, grounded woman!

I thought I was savvy to homebirth before I came across this podcast two years ago. And, Indie Birth — the work of podcast host Maryn and her colleague Margo — have fundamentally shifted my views of birth, especially in regards to sovereignty and responsibility. P.S. Make sure you check out their podcast archive on the Indie Birth site, as not all podcast episodes are available on iTunes!

Maryn is such an inspiration and is changing the world. Thank you for sharing your light with us.

I have listened to almost every episode to date. If you want to learn more about autonomy in pregnancy, birth, midwifery and beyond, then thus podcast is for you!

Thank you, Maryn, for sharing your voice with us. I’ve learned a ton!!

Such a great podcast that has been so helpful to me in this pregnancy!

If you are someone who enjoys listening to people ramble to a horrible grainy microphone for an hour+, by all means this podcast is for you. If not, please trust my judgement and save yourself some time! This podcast is horrible. I don’t want to listen to Maryn complain about not getting a free house, or her “birthing experience” as a privileged upper class white woman.

Finding new ways to look at things, especially birth related things, is something I challenge myself with constantly. Maryn always offers up a deeper dive than most people are willing to go, but those of us who want to go there really appreciate it. I appreciate how she searches for truth and speaks the truth candidly and with gentleness. Her recent episode about abortion has been a favorite of mine.

Maryn’s way of communicating tricky topics is so fabulous! As an aspiring mama, it’s been near impossible to find information about physiological birth and this podcast (along with other awesome Indie Birth offerings) has been an absolute blessing. I’m feeling confident and excited, as opposed to guarded and afraid, knowing more about the magic that is birth!

I love hearing Maryn, she's so full of wisdom and authenticity I feel everything she says through her words. Thank you for your perspective, you're a breathe of fresh air.

I always appreciate Maryn’s clear minded words. She refuses to attach herself to any dogma, and instead provides balanced and powerful perspective on the issues facing women and birth workers.

I get so excited every time I see a new episode posted. I love that Maryn is so knowledgeable & at the same time very spiritually connected. I especially enjoy when Maryn & Margo record together. I can’t wait to hear more and watch as the sanctuary project unfolds.

This podcast started my love for birth! It’s relevant to every woman; maiden, pregnant, or postpartum. Grounded in science, logic, and truth, Maryn does an amazing job of helping you ask the hard questions and challenge your fears and beliefs. She covers every question I come up with from nutrition, to labor, to midwives and doulas, to prenatal care, tests, interventions, soul work, mothering, etc. I can’t recommend it enough. It is by far the most extensive and useful free resource available to women and birth workers. Maryn and Margo are so wise and have so much practical and needed advise. There’s more content, that is so rich in quality, than any one person could ever fully utilize. Their work is outstanding and world changing without a doubt! I have looked to many other resources to see if there’s anything comparable out there and couldn’t find anything that came close. Thank you Maryn and Margo for this soul freeing, life changing work that you put out here with love for all of us!

To Maryn and Margo I offer my deepest gratitude. They hold the space for us to truly remember the innate wisdom we hold within as women and as mothers. I just wish I found these gems sooner!!! I just birthed my fourth a year ago and found out about Indiebirth in the last weeks of my pregnancy. However, because of the Indiebirth community, I felt more support in my postpartum challenges than ever before. Looking forward to going through my next pregnancy with these sisters sometime soon!!

When I see a new podcast from Taking Back Birth, I’m so eager to listen! Maryn does a wonderful job of sharing all her thoughts and knowledge on her podcast. ❤️ I always learn something new!

Maryn speaks about the birth in a way that is sorely lacking in our world. She brings equipoise, compassion and curiosity to her craft, and I think every man and woman compelled by the mystique of birth has something to gain from this podcast ❤️🥰

Maryn, I’m overjoyed to have your voice (of reason and sanity) in my head. I really enjoy listening to your musings on all things birth, life, death, and the sacred. I really appreciate your candidness and the way in which you are so honest and real. Thank you for this!

The podcast began with a great bang, then the truth and confusion began to slowly dribble out. I do not recommend this podcast for any women trying to find positive, encouraging, and female empowering audio while pregnant.

Maryn and Margo are probably my idols of the birth world. As someone new to the field of birth work, I wasn’t resonating with the bounds of information I was finding and I definitely didn’t resonate with what I’ve experienced and seen regarding the birth world. I knew there was more and I’m so thankful I came across Indie Birth, it was the missing link and everything came together for me after coming across it! So thankful for everything they’re doing in the birth work community and I can’t wait to be a bigger part of it!

So much knowledge and wisdom shared here. No matter how humble these women may be, they offer so much light. Thank you🙏

Sooo good. Every episode is fascinating & soul-opening! Refreshing and grounding… just the voice on woman-and-motherhood-centered-spirituality (and practicality!) I’ve been searching for. Indie Birth is such a fertile & thorough resource, not just for birth workers, or mothers, or even just women…. But really for all humans interested in deepening their human experience. Radical, definitely. Thank you :)

Maryn has a lot going on and she cannot truly be at peace. Unfortunately her vibes are becoming unbearable. With all due respect, regarding Covid-19 precautions: You say that people are living in fear because they wear a mask and willing to sign up for a poison shot aka vaccine. But I think you are the one living in fear after all. I can also argue that I am not afraid of the vaccine because bodies are resilient. I can also argue that I am not afraid of my own health because my body has fought and can fight COVID but I do care for the health of those at greater risk of suffering greater complications and even death. That is having real compassion and practicing it, my friend. Maybe there are other areas of your life and in your past, where your fear has manifested. I am so certainly glad that you have found a new home for your family. I truly wish you the best Maryn and just really hope that you can sort out your fears.

I love so many of these podcasts episodes but “test or not to test” is really speaking to me in my current moment in time. After a miscarriage, I feel called to be in a state of surrender and trust. The two week wait will end in the next couple of days but it has been a challenging time for me. I woke up with swollen feet the day after I ovulated in the cycle immediately following the loss and I feel a sense of knowing I’m pregnant. I have wanted to test for the past week but I feel as though baby is asking for me to allow more uncertainty and do less planning or trying to predict. The podcast episode helped normalize those urges and feelings that were coming up while waiting. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your truth in this journey!

If you are ever remotely curious about birth this is the place to be.

The creator of this content is not a true supporter of woman . She’s anti free birth and anti woman . Disgusting . Wolf In sheep’s clothing !!

Love love love this podcast. The variety of topics that are covered is amazing and I love how much thought is put into each podcast. It really makes you think and learn about your own journey (regardless of where you are) in a very constructive and positive way.

I'm amazed by the vast library of information available from this podcast. So grateful that I have access to it! What a gift 🙏🏼 and looooving the motherhood series 🙌🏼✨❤️

Personal liberty at the expense of the health of others is reckless, selfish, and short sighted. I started listening to get some different perspectives on pregnancy and had to turn it off after 10 minutes of anti-mask soapboxing. If putting others at risk of COVID is the stated opinion, I have no interest in any pregnancy advice from this person. Listener beware.

This podcast is the best for those seeking to learn about, and take responsibility for, their pregnancy and birth, or, rather, life and all that comes with it. It is an empowering, inspiring, clear, smart, genuine, unbiased, evidence-based and beautiful resource. This podcast also made me feel that I belong - belong to lots and lots of other wise women who chose to trust themselves.

I am so grateful for Maryn’s willingness to share her wisdom with the world via this podcast. My life has certainly been changed for the better as a direct result of listening to the info shared in this sacred virtual space.

Maryn and the inspiring guests she hosts are simply overflowing with scientifically backed information, spiritual insights, and experiences they share - all in the name of exposing the realities of birth in today’s world, and letting the listener figure out what to do with what they hear. This podcast is for people who are willing to challenge themselves and take an honest look at the world around them, it is NOT for people who are okay with unquestioningly accepting whatever “truth” someone else hands them. It is life changing, inspiring, jaw-dropping, and even funny. Truly the best of its kind.

i find the topics this podcaster has chosen to discuss regarding free birth/home births to be appropriate and educational. i entrust that the LISTENERS are willing audience members because of genuine interest in the topics discussed, members of the obstetric/midwifery/doula/birth support community, preparing or curious about “other” birthing options, and/or perhaps currently hoping for a free birth/home birth for their own experience. with that said, the podcaster has willingly taken on a role of being an educator/supporter/confidante and ultimately an ADVOCATE for such an experience. a position in which should be upheld to an elite standard - one in which i disagree that she shall carry. i have found her “knowledge” to be nothing short of her own experiences and one her stance to be awfully judgmental and potentially dangerous. a “FAVORITE” [insert eye roll here] statement that she had made in the past , when discussing cervical exams in labor : i can’t quote exactly, but along the lines of “no one should have someone’s hand in their body every hour...” THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN IN ANY INSTANCE OF CHILDBIRTH ( not in a hospital or birth center, etc) . cervical exams are done ON OCCASION, with proper verbal consent (when provider/caregiver is PROVIDING the best care), for a multitude of reasons including BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PER CLIENT REQUEST, for assessment or concern of cord prolapse (or other concerns with placenta/cord), to ensure providers are giving the utmost care to laboring mother AND THE HUMAN BEING SHE IS BIRTHING that deserves THE UTMOST CARE as well, and for labor progress ( NOT TO RUSH THE PROCESS BUT TO, ONCE AGAIN, PROVIDE THE BEST CARE TO THE PARTIES INVOLVED ). of course there are more reasons than just those listed . again, great topic to discuss in a podcast forum , BUT HAVE SOME DECENCY AS A HUMAN BEING AND DON’T MAKE SCENARIOS UP IN ORDER TO MAKE WHAT YOUR PASSIONATE ABOUT SOUND AS THOUGH IT IS THE ONLY RIGHT WAY OF DOING THINGS. the danger that can come from a vulnerable subscriber hanging on to every word in which you say could be catastrophic. you’re brave ( or , in my opinion, irresponsible) for saying some of the things you do.

Used to love this podcast however, I am deeply saddened and hurt by Maryn pointing fingers at Freebirth communities and calling them dogmatic, bullying them, and essentially getting the whole point of freebirth communities wrong. I find her to be feeling quite triggered by freebirth movements and it’s clear that she is afraid to be called into council with other women when called out on her assumptions.

First off! I absolutely love this podcast and have listened to most episodes! I also hope to attend your school in the future! In regards to the free birth episode, have you listened to “The freebirth Society” podcast? I ask because Emily often mentions how most of the women would have preferred to have a traditional wise woman present, but that wasn’t an option, so they freebirthed. I think her podcast really captures the true essence of free birth :)

While podcasts weren’t the cool thing 7 years ago when I was pregnant with my first, I would have been in amazing shape had I been able to hear so many of these words. So blessed to have found indie birth and this podcast during my current pregnancy. Excited to birth in power armed with this information!

Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful podcasts with the world! I’ve learned so much from every single one I’ve listened to (which is almost all of them!). Your advocacy for women to trust their own intuition is something that I needed to hear and I feel is a strong theme throughout all the various episodes.

This is my favorite podcast and I listened to Mantras for Birth during my unassisted birth. Thank you for everything you do.

Thank you for your wisdom, Maryn. Grateful for this wonderful podcast.

Loving this Podcast and all of the helpful & Positive episodes! Highly recommend!