Global Midwife, Local Impact with Indie McDowell

In this week’s episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine Colebrook sits down with Indie McDowell—a classically trained anthropologist and clinically trained midwife with a truly global journey.

Indie began her career working with UNICEF’s Maternal and Neonatal Health Team in Kyrgyzstan before returning to the UK to complete her midwifery training. From there, her path led her to clinical work in Cambodia and Malawi, ultimately drawing her to Ethiopia.

After a year and a half leading neonatal services and emergency obstetric care at a busy referral hospital in rural southwest Ethiopia alongside her colleague Atsede Kidane, the two chose to build something different: their own clinic, rooted in compassion and centered on women’s needs.

Stories from their work in Ethiopia is beautifully captured in the book With Two Souls, co-written by Indie McDowell and Atsede Kidane.

We also dive into what it means to truly commit to place, community, and long-term impact in global birth work.

Are you a midwife called to work beyond borders?

 Join us for our upcoming Traveling Midwife Webinar —a 4-part, 8-hour CEU event designed for aspiring and experienced birthworkers who are exploring midwifery on the move.

Led by Augustine Colebrook, and guest traveling midwives, this immersive series will cover legalities, logistics, and cultural considerations of traveling birth work—both international and domestic.

🗓️ Part 1: July 3rd & 9th | 7–9PM EST
🗓️ Part 2: August 6th & 11th | 7–9PM EST

✅ 8 MEAC-approved CEUs

Register now on https://tinyurl.com/travelingmidwife