Birthing Instincts

In this episode, Blyss and Stu address a recent Guardian article discussing free birth and the Free Birth Society. They welcome guests Joni Edelman and Ivy Joeva to explore the complexities of unassisted births, the importance of informed consent, and sovereignty in childbirth. The conversation highlights both the potential risks and benefits of free birth, as well as the influence of social media and the challenges within the medical system.

About Joni Edelman

Joni Edelman is a mother of six, grandmother, and traditional birth attendant who has walked beside more than 1,000 families through birth. Once an L&D and hospice nurse within the system, she stepped away in 2009 to honor a more sacred calling—guiding families with intuition, physiology, and sovereignty toward the births that feel safest and most aligned.

In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu introduce Paul Golden, a maternal and neonatal medical and legal specialist, midwife, and international advocate. Together they discuss the intricacies and challenges of midwifery practice around the world. Paul highlights his experiences working in various countries, combating legal threats to midwives, and advocating for birthing rights, while emphasizing the need for legal awareness, protective documentation, and proactive measures to support midwives and promote safer childbirth practices globally.

About Paul Golden

Paul Golden, is a maternal–neonatal medical and legal specialist whose career spans clinical care, worldwide childbirth, and advocacy. Paul is a midwife and international legal advocate, a skilled tongue-tie release practitioner, and a dedicated naturopath. He also brings expertise as a mediator, lecturer, and author, weaving together science, tradition, and legal insight to protect and elevate the practice of midwifery worldwide.

This week’s episode discusses the profound impacts of birth trauma on the nervous system and the transformative potential of pediatric chiropractic care. Blyss and Stu invite Tony Ebel, a wellness chiropractor, to explore the benefits of chiropractic interventions. They also discuss the importance of holistic, less interventionist approaches in childbirth and medical care, emphasizing simplicity, nervous system regulation, and overall well-being for healthier outcomes in children and families.

About Tony Ebel

Dr. Tony Ebel is the lead writer and educational guide for PX Docs. He is a Certified Pediatric + Wellness Chiropractor with 15 years of clinical experience.

In addition, Dr. Tony has been teaching and training other Pediatric + Family Chiropractors for the past 10+ years, primarily teaching the clinical protocols he created for pediatric neurodevelopmental challenges such as Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Epilepsy, Anxiety, and more.

This clinical program is now taught in collaboration with the Life University Postgraduate Department and has over 700 graduates. Dr. Tony’s passion is educating, empowering, and informing parents about the nervous system’s role in natural, drug-free healing for all pediatric conditions and cases.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss discuss healthcare challenges and solutions with Andy Schoonover, CEO of Crowdhealth. Schoonover shares his personal journey that led him to start Crowdhealth, an innovative alternative to traditional health insurance that leverages community crowdfunding to cover medical expenses. The conversation examines the inefficiencies and complexities of the current health insurance system, comparing Crowdhealth's approach to other options such as Christian Sharing ministries and Liberty Health Share. Schoonover emphasizes the importance of maintaining the patient-doctor relationship, explains the regulatory landscape, and shares touching stories of improved customer experiences.

About Andy Schoonover

CrowdHealth is a revolutionary alternative to traditional health insurance. Instead of paying premiums into a bloated system, members contribute directly to one another’s medical needs—saving money, fostering transparency, and creating a healthcare experience rooted in trust. Since its founding, CrowdHealth has helped members save millions on medical expenses while empowering them with tools to navigate care confidently and affordably.

At the helm is Andy Schoonover, CrowdHealth’s founder and CEO. A passionate advocate for medical freedom, Andy is dedicated to breaking down the inefficiencies of the insurance industry and building a member-first model that prioritizes people over profits. His mission is simple yet bold: to put control back in the hands of individuals and create a community where healthcare is funded by people, not corporations.

In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu enjoy another hodgepodge discussion where they dig into the intricacies of dealing with unexpected medical issues such as heavy postpartum bleeding linked to a fibroid, iron deficiency, and the unconventional use of Jay breathing during labor. The episode features strong themes of patient advocacy, the importance of seeking multiple opinions, and the personal journeys of managing one's health amidst a complex medical system.

Discussed in This Episode

 Postpartum Bleeding and Fibroid Concerns

Exploring Treatment Options for Fibroids

Fibroid Surgical Procedures and Risks

Alternative Treatments for Fibroids and Embolization

Hysterectomy vs. Myomectomy

Iron Infusion and Postpartum Recovery

Tongue and Lip Ties in Newborns

Mentioned in this Episode