Whole Mother Show – Whole Mother

Jackie Griggs, CNM, is a Certified Nurse Midwife who has been practicing in the Houston/Beaumont area for the past 35 years. She is a mom of 5 grown sons, 3 born at home with the help of midwives. Three grandchildren, ages 2,6, and 9, who are the light of her life. She has helped mainly with home and birth center births, but has worked in the hospital some as well. She is the owner of a birth center in Beaumont, Birth Center of Beaumont and also helps with home births in the Houston area. She has been on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Birth Centers, and still is a very big advocate for midwifery care at a birth center or home, for the women of this country. She is also focused on training new midwifery students and helping to increase the number of birth centers in Texas and the United States. Kailee Viator is a 35 year old artist, working mainly as a tattooer. Her husband Trevor is a personal trainer and Brazilian jiu jitsu instructor. They have been together for ten years and finally decided to try for a child one year ago, after a long time of claiming that they did not want children. Their son Forrest was born on March 27th. They are planning on him being an only child and are looking forward to raising him in their home in the woods. Kara Chandler is a mom of five energetic kids, four boys and one girl. She is originally from Utah, where she studied music at BYU. She has been married 18 years to her handsome chemical engineer husband and they have lived in Texas for about 13 years. Her oldest three sons are ages 16, 14, and 10, followed by a spunky six year daughter, and her most recent baby, Kaleb (a.k.a. “chunky little love”), was born on Valentine’s Day and is about three months old. She loves her children more deeply than she ever thought possible, even though she was a bit hesitant about becoming a mother. She enjoys learning about natural health, walking with her baby, playing horn with the Bay Area Philharmonic, watching her kids devour homemade sourdough bread and perform their various sport and musical events, playing piano for her church, and doing pilates on the porch. She plans to keep homeschooling, ease back into running with her husband and kids, and camp as much as possible with her family this summer.   Jackie Griggs, CNM, Kailee Viator & Kara Chandler   https://wholemothershow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260525-Whole-Mother-Show-Jackie-Griggs.mp3

Suzanne Juel provides a holistic, family—centered approach to lactation, infant feeding and parenting support. Her journey began in 2003 with the foundation of Merry-Go-Round in Kingwood, a haven for moms seeking both community and lactation guidance. By 2014, she was instrumental in establishing a breastfeeding-friendly environment at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Shortly after, she teamed up with Dr. James Liu, known for his expertise in addressing oral restrictions. Together, we ensured comprehensive care for families grappling with challenges like lip and tongue ties. However, her passion didn’t stop there. Recognizing the need for more tailored support, Bayou City Breastfeeding was born in 2016. We passionately believe in empowering parents, firmly holding that they are the true experts on their children. In today’s often confusing landscape of parenting advice, we bridge the gap. Beyond mere lactation advice, we’re here to build lasting relationships, offering insights on everything from infant feeding to mental health, viewing each family holistically to ensure everyone’s needs are addressed. Professionally, she stared out as a Certified Lactation Counselor and achieved the gold standard International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant certification in 2014. She values continuing education and has pursued additional training in numerous areas related to breastfeeding and infant feeding. Presently, she is honored to serve as President of HALCEA, nurturing growth in the lactation community. On a personal note, she is privileged to celebrate 24+ years of marriage and the joy of parenting. Outside of work, she relishes running, reading, and painting. She’s here to stand by you, ensuring you feel valued and heard on this incredible journey. Kathy Lenert, RN, IBCLC, has dedicated over 30 years to supporting mothers and babies through every stage of the perinatal journey. Her passion for maternal-child health began with her own personal birth and breastfeeding experiences, which inspired a lifelong commitment to helping families feel confident and supported. Throughout her career, Kathy has worked in a wide range of settings, including as a mother/baby nurse, NICU nurse, lactation consultant, staff trainer, and patient educator. She has provided care in both hospital and private practice environments, bringing a well-rounded, evidence-based, and compassionate approach to her work. Kathy is known for her ability to combine clinical expertise with practical, real-life guidance, empowering families to meet their feeding goals and navigate early parenthood with confidence. Jennifer Robert is a passionate Maternal-Child Health advocate with over two decades as a Registered Nurse and Community Health Educator. Her journey began in New Orleans where she graduated from LSU Health Sciences Center’s School of Nursing. Her love for Maternal-Child Health truly blossomed after witnessing a Midwife-assisted delivery while in nursing school. From an RN at The Birthing Place at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, to volunteering post-Hurricane Katrina, and moving to Houston pregnant with her twins, her passion for supporting moms intensified during her tenure at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.She soon realized teaching was her calling. As a Certified Childbirth Educator, teaching an array of topics from Infant CPR to Marvelous Multiples, she specializes in empowering parents. And her own NICU journey with my preterm twins fueled her commitment to lactation support. In 2014, she became a Certified Lactation Counselor, and soon after, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Contributing to The Woman’s Hospital of Texas becoming the first Baby-Friendly Hospital in Houston is a badge of honor for her. Her heart is with the fierce moms and their tiny NICU warriors. With her professional and personal expertise, she was pleased to bring her passion to her community by leading the opening of Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital’s Lactation and Perinatal Education Departments. Come 2022, she joined the fantastic Bayou City Breastfeeding crew! Now, from their Webster and West NASA Offices to your cozy homes, she is here for you. Outside of work, she cherishes time in Pearland with her husband and four children, engage in her church’s Women’s Ministry, and daydream about sandy beaches.Ready to embark on this journey together? Let’s make your breastfeeding experience memorable! Remember, together, we’ve got this!   Suzanne Juel, CLC, IBCLC, Kathy Lenert, RN, IBCLC, & Jennifer Roberts   https://wholemothershow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260518-Whole-Mother-Show-Bayou-City-Breastfeeding.mp3

Lindy Myers, MS, CCC-SLP, pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) and Clinical Lead at Coral Care, discusses the first few weeks of newborn life and how SLPs, occupational, and physical therapists can help families as they adjust to their new normal, including bringing home babies who have spend time in NICU.   Lindy Myers, MS, CCC-SLP   https://wholemothershow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260510-Whole-Mother-Show-Coral-Care-with-Debbie-Hull.mp3

Natanya Champney is a dedicated midwife with over 17 years of experience, transitioning from a thriving practice in rural New Hampshire to her current role as the Staff Midwife and Clinical Director at The Addice Birth Center in North Houston, Texas. Throughout her career, Natanya has passionately provided compassionate care and support to families, helping them navigate the profound journey of childbirth. Before moving to Texas, she founded and operated As It Was Midwifery in Littleton, NH, where she served over 300 families, gaining invaluable insights into the unique challenges and rewards of rural midwifery. Although Houston is vastly different from the life she led in Northern NH, Natanya and her two sons are thriving here in Texas. She is amazed at how seemless the transition has been. Natanya is also an emerging author, currently writing a book about her journey into and through midwifery. This work seeks to illuminate her experiences, challenges, and reflections as she adapted from a rural practice to a bustling urban environment, offering inspiration and insights for fellow midwives and those interested in maternal health.   Natanya Champney   https://wholemothershow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260504-Whole-Mother-Show-Natanya-Champney-Addice-Birth-Center.mp3

Natalie Guzman, Chieko Babb, and Anna Demetra Badoian tell us about the premier screening of a film you don’t want to miss – Pacific Mother – plus the work they are doing. I will also be speaking with Christine Diaz, a member of the BIRTH Fair Leadership Team, who will share information about this year’s BIRTH Fair. BIRTH (Bringing Information and Resources to Houston) is sponsoring the Houston premiere of the award-winning film Pacific Mother. The film will make its Houston debut on April 22, 2026, at Cafe Brasil, located at 2604 Dunlavy Street, from 7 to 10 PM. Natalie Guzman is a Salvadoran birth doula, student midwife, and ceremonialist, devoted to reclaiming birth as a sacred rite of passage. She is the co-founder of Aliento of Nacimiento – A school of traditional birth arts. It was the ecstatic homebirth of her son that opened the portal into birthwork for her. It was an initiation that forever changed her life and awakened a calling she couldn’t ignore. She also serves on Birth Fair’s Leadership Team and is a vital link between Birth Fair and spanish speaking families in Houston, Texas. Chieko Babb is a Japanese-Puerto Rican licensed midwife and co-founder of Aliento de Nacimiento. Chieko believes her midwifery training instilled in her the importance of taking on leadership in communities for the health of future generations. Her practice of holistic midwifery care is rooted in both evidence-based practices and respect for traditions. She brings all the tools of the trade she has gathered throughout her journey as a birth doula, herbalist, reproductive health ally, and home birth midwife into her practice. Anna Demetra Badoian is the heart behind Of the Earth Holistic Care and Of the Earth Botanicals. These are spaces where she gets to share her passions as an experienced bodyworker, plant lover and birth worker dedicated to the wellbeing of womxn, wombs and the childbirth continuum. Her background includes over a decade of work in the Rolf Method of Structural Integration, Scar Work®, Arvigo Abdominal Therapy, Yoga/Functional Movement and Energy Healing. She is a gifted teacher and healer in our community. Together, they are dedicated to spreading awareness of ancestral ways of birth, weaving workshops, ceremonies, and gatherings that honor tradition, culture, and the wisdom of the body. Christine Diaz is a long-time supporter and volunteer with BIRTH. Her first BIRTH Fair was in 2005, when she volunteered in the maternity fashion show, and she has been involved ever since. This year, she is serving as the Sponsor/Vendor Coordinator. After experiencing the empowerment of having her three children at home with a midwife, she became dedicated to helping others learn about their birth options and supporting the right of every birthing person to shape their own experience. Outside of her work with BIRTH, Christine has been active in community media, co-hosting KPFT’s Voices at Work for several years. She currently works full-time, enjoys fitness, and is a fan of Abbott Elementary. She is grateful to her partner, Gordon, for supporting her ongoing commitment to BIRTH Fair and its mission.   Natalie Guzman, Chieko Babb, Anna Demetra Badoian, & Christine Diaz   https://wholemothershow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/kpft_260420_200000wholemother_trimmed.mp3