#452: The Importance of Gathering - We Are The Microbiome

2026-02-11

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In this episode, Blyss and Stu are joined by Nathan Riley and Carol Gautschi to discuss the profound importance of in-person gatherings within the birth work community. The conversation covers the unique value of face-to-face interactions, the differences between organic and inorganic communication, and the challenges and rewards of organizing birth-related events. They reflect on the impact of being physically present with others, the human connection in birth work, and ways to support and sustain these vital gatherings for a more connected...

About Carol:

Carol Gautschi CPM LM has actively attended homebirths since 1978 and has worked as a Classical Holistic Midwife on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula since 1979. She has been married since 1974 to Paul (backtoedenfilm.com), and has 7 children and eight grandchildren.

For her first 25 years Carol served as an unlicensed midwife. This opportunity gave her lots of observational skills, creative ingenuity and a immense responsible trust in the power of physiological birth. Her teaching style is unique because, in addition to teaching the clinical nuts and bolts of her subjects, she emphasizes the unseen (or intuitive) realm of birth. She fosters the importance of the midwife relationship not just with the mama but the baby.

Carol has been teaching the art of Classical Midwifery since the early 1990s, both in the US and across many countries. In September, she hosted her first international Classical Midwifery conference on the island of Crete in Greece. Many describe her passion as inspiring, rooted in her belief that when women are responsibly awakened to their creative selves, birth unfolds with the grace and power it was designed to carry, laying a miraculous foundation within her and the family. Witnessing this beauty over the years has become a passion. Carol believes that God is the primordial Midwife and she serves under that mantle with honor and humility.

Instagram: @_midwyf_

Website: classicalmidwifery.com & gentlebirths.net

About Nathan:

Dr. Nathan Riley is a board-certified OB/GYN and hospice & palliative care physician, and the co-creator of the Born Free Method. Through his private practice, Beloved Holistics, he supports midwives in 23 states, offering truly collaborative, physiologic, and relationship-centered care.

Nathan is a trusted voice in the birth world, frequently invited onto leading podcasts and to speak at conferences about autonomy in maternity care, the art of true informed consent, and the importance of honoring the physiology of birth. Nathan is the vision behind the Born Free Twins–Breech gatherings, which have expanded into a midwife-led team directed by Sara Rosser. What began as a training for birthworkers on the nuances of physiologic vaginal breech and twin births has grown into something much more.....a place for ceremony, community, healing, and collective strength.

Beyond his clinical work, Nathan is a devoted stay-at-home father of two and proudly married to his high-school sweetheart, Stephanie. His personal and professional lives are woven together by a commitment to presence, compassion, and helping families and providers return to a more intuitive, holistic model of care.

Instagram: @Nathanrileyobgyn

Website: Bornfreemethod.com

References:

Born Free Twins-Breech Gathering bornfreemethod.com/conference

birthinginstincts.com/workwithstu

patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast

bridgemidwives.com/communitycircles

Discussed in This Episode

The Value of In-Person Connections

The Power of Human Connection in Professional Settings

The Impact of Social Media on Personal Interactions

Balancing Traditional Wisdom with Modern Technology

Challenges and Rewards of Organizing Events

Creating Inclusive and Economical Conferences

The Sacredness of Birth and Professional Passion

Supporting Each Other in the Birth Community

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care

This show is supported by

Wholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.
WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

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