December 8, 2025
Tea with Jodi S2-E4 - Conversation: CEO of Gold Coast Doulas Agency
<h1>2025-TWJ-S2-E4 - Conversation with CEO of Gold Coast Doulas Agency</h1> <h2>Outline</h2> <h3>Kristin Revere's Background and Introduction</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves introduces Kristin Revere, CEO of Gold Coast Doulas, highlighting her education, credentials, and achievements.</li> <li>Kristin's background includes a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Central Michigan University and a Master of Management and Marketing from Aquinas College.</li> <li>She is the host of the "Ask the Doula" podcast and has been featured in various publications.</li> <li>Kristin was recognized as one of the 50 most influential women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal in 2016 and 2022.</li> </ul> <h3>Introduction to the Book "Supported"</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves expresses excitement about Kristin's book, "Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby," co-written with Alyssa Vanna Claus.</li> <li>The book was launched on Mother's Day and focuses on understanding options and resources for pregnancy, birth, and postnatal recovery.</li> <li>It is divided into two sections: pregnancy and birth preparation by Kristin, and newborn care, feeding, and postnatal support by Alyssa.</li> <li>The book includes compiled resources, stories from past clients, and doula tips.</li> </ul> <h3>Motivation Behind Writing the Book</h3> <ul> <li>Kristin explains that the book was written based on the needs they wished they had during their own pregnancies.</li> <li>There is a lack of judgment-free, comprehensive resources that support all types of feeding, birthing, and parenting methods.</li> <li>The book aims to fill the gap by providing accessible information in various formats, including e-book, paperback, hardcover, and soon, audiobook.</li> <li>Jodi Graves shares her excitement about the audiobook format, which suits her busy schedule.</li> </ul> <h3>Challenges and Missing Pieces in Maternal Health</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves and Kristin discuss the lack of awareness and understanding of support options during pregnancy and postpartum.</li> <li>They highlight the importance of various support providers like pelvic floor physical therapists, lactation consultants, and different types of doulas.</li> <li>There is a need for better education on the roles of doulas versus midwives and other healthcare professionals.</li> <li>Kristin emphasizes the importance of non-biased, non-judgmental support for families' unique needs and choices.</li> </ul> <h3>Impact of Social Media and Family Influence</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves and Kristin discuss the pressure and stress caused by social media, Pinterest, and Instagram, which present idealized parenting scenarios.</li> <li>They highlight the importance of setting expectations during pregnancy and communicating needs to family and friends.</li> <li>The unique goals and visions of each family should be respected, and families should focus on their individual needs and goals.</li> <li>Jodi Graves shares her experience of helping families navigate conflicting advice and opinions from family members.</li> </ul> <h3>Remote Working and Parenting Challenges</h3> <ul> <li>Kristin discusses the challenges of remote working and parenting, especially during the pandemic.</li> <li>Doulas help fill the gaps by providing support for both working parents and those at home, ensuring peak performance and meeting the needs of the family.</li> <li>The hybrid work schedule adds complexity, but doulas can help manage these challenges.</li> <li>Jodi Graves and Kristin agree on the importance of flexible support for families in different situations.</li> </ul> <h3>Progress and Issues in Maternal Health</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves and Kristin discuss the progress in maternal health, including increased coverage for doulas and the benefits of continuous support during labor.</li> <li>They highlight the need for better prenatal care, accessibility, and reducing high cesarean rates.</li> <li>The importance of informed consent and addressing discrimination related to race in maternal health is emphasized.</li> <li>Kristin shares her observations on the higher induction rates and the cascade of interventions, leading to higher cesarean rates.</li> </ul> <h3>Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and Hospital Policies</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves and Kristin discuss the progress in VBAC options and the support from some hospitals.</li> <li>They highlight the importance of having VBAC-friendly hospitals and the positive impact on families.</li> <li>Jodi Graves shares her concern about unnecessary cesareans and the need for better hospital policies.</li> <li>Kristin emphasizes the importance of having informed consent and addressing the root causes of high cesarean rates.</li> </ul> <h3>Final Thoughts and Resources</h3> <ul> <li>Jodi Graves expresses her excitement about Kristin's book and the additional resources it provides for families.</li> <li>Kristin provides information on how to find her book, "Supported," in various formats and where to find her agency, Gold Coast Doulas.</li> <li>She also mentions her podcast, "Ask the Doulas," which provides expert advice on birth and early parenting.</li> <li>Jodi Graves thanks Kristin for her contributions and looks forward to future collaborations.</li> </ul> <p>Link: <a href="https://michiganfamilydoulas.com/">Michigan Family Doulas</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jodi Graves interviews Kristin Revere, CEO of Gold Coast Doulas, about her new book "Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby," co-authored with Alyssa Vanna Claus. The book, launched on Mother's Day, covers pregnancy, birth, and postnatal recovery, offering unbiased support and resources. It is divided into two sections: pregnancy and birth prep by Kristin, and postnatal care by Alyssa. The book includes client stories, doula tips, and resources for finding experts. Kristin emphasizes the importance of non-judgmental support and the need for better prenatal care and informed consent. The book will be available in various formats, including audiobook by mid-June.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Transcripts: <a title= "2025-TWJ-S002-E004 - Conversation with CEO of Gold Coast Doulas Agency" href= "https://otter.ai/u/4Q3pBMlO-gQSu3SFe-zy-2CvbSA?view=summary">Conversation w/ CEO of Gold Coast Doulas Agency</a></p> <p> </p>