Ep 43 - Araya Montero

State of Water

We’re excited to share this wonderful conversation with Araya Montero of Two Hearted Midwifery. (2:40) Araya shares stories about growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan and (8:47) how her deep love and connection with that body of water informs her presence navigating the intensity and uncertainty of birth (10:43) as she supports those in labor to trust themselves, their bodies, and their babies to journey through the waves of that experience. (12:40) Araya reflects on her discernment process that led her into the healing work of midwifery (14:40) and how she chose her practice name, Two Hearted Midwifery. (18:23) Araya speaks to the fluid, watery, and flowing nature of the birthing process and (23:28) what it was like to change roles and be in the position of the one giving birth rather than being a guide for others. (26:15) Araya reflects on the poignant similarities that are present between her birth work and her wife’s hospice work and (28:38) and shares how she prepares to stay connected to the sacredness of her role, present to whatever moment may come. Learn more about Two Hearted Midwifery: https://traversecitybirthcenter.com/ As always, keep your eyes open for highlight video clips from the episode on our Clean Water Campaign for MI social media and if you haven’t already, please subscribe & leave a review for the podcast and share with your friends! New episodes of State of Water will be dropping every other Wednesday throughout the year. /// EPISODE 43 / Araya Montero interviewed by Seth Bernard / Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good / Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens / Graphic by Chris Good, Photos courtesy of Araya Montero / Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus / Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus