In this episode, Kate & Amanda discuss their recent reunion after 3 years apart! And documentation. Applying for a visa. Writing, journaling, does it matter? Do you document? What will you leave behind some day? Learn more about doula trainings with Kate Stroud Check out Amanda Topping Yoga ..read more

Hello friends and listeners! Here's a quick update about what's going on with our friend Kate and her health. If you're able to donate a little something toward her healthcare costs, you can do so here: Fundraiser by Marianne Doyle : Getting Kate to beyond Colon Cancer (gofundme.com) We hope to be back in your earholes real soon! Learn more about doula trainings with Kate Stroud Check out Amanda Topping Yoga ..read more

In this episode, Kate and Amanda discuss their own evolving relationships with their physical bodies over the decades. Starting in the late 70s and moving forward through childhood, puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, health and illness the two friends share how they've handled trying to keep their heads up and their confidence intact despite the ridiculous judgments and expectations from popular culture.  Learn more about doula trainings with Kate Stroud Check out Amanda Topping Yoga ..read more

When it comes to being good listeners, we could all use a bit of work and mindfulness. In this episode, Kate & Amanda discuss the difficulties and importance of being a good listener, in particular when one is given heavy or hard information.  How do we want to be heard? How can we better show up for one another? Where are our boundaries? What is actually helpful? What if we screw up?  Join us as we tease out our thoughts and experiences, and please, share what helps you be a better listener! Learn more about doula trainings with Kate Stroud Check out Amanda Topping Yoga ..read more

In this episode of Graging Acefully, Kate & Amanda answer questions from listeners about their thoughts & experiences from their collective 40 years of birth work as birth doulas, postpartum doulas and midwifery. Resources: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale The Body Keeps Score & Bessel van der Kolk, MD EMDR Learn more about doula trainings with Kate Stroud Check out Amanda Topping Yoga ..read more

In this episode we discuss the highs & lows of transitioning into perimenopause and menopause: body changes, mood changes, physical health, mental health, sexuality and identity. Two things: *We acknowledge & respect that not everyone with a uterus or who go through menopause identify as women. Since this conversation is mostly about our personal journeys, are language is personal as well. *None of this conversation is meant to be medical advice. If you have questions, please seek a menopause-knowledgeable and supportive medical professional.    For more resources on this to ..read more

On this episode of Graging Acefully Kate & Amanda discuss how anxiety and post-social anxiety has shown up over the years and how they tackle it these days. This conversation also includes tangents about kickballs, insecurity, what to wear as a birth worker in the early aughts, imposter syndrome and chickens.  Despite having the best internet available on both our ends, there are a few audio crackly bits that couldn't be edited out. Please be kind and remember this conversation is happening 3,000 miles apart!  You can email us at gragingacefully@gmail.com and you can find us on ..read more

Welcome! This is our pilot episode where we introduce ourselves and explain (with many tangents) what Graging Acefully means to us and what we hope to expand on in the future.  *Note: the first 1-2 minutes has some audio issues that clear up and stay clear for the rest of the episode. Learn more about doula trainings with Kate Stroud Check out Amanda Topping Yoga ..read more