logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
31m 45s

Giving birth to a wiser self, by Elizabe...

Waitwhat
About this episode

One icy morning on a Vermont farm, Elizabeth Lesser is witness to a miraculous thing: the birth of a bleary, bleating baby lamb. Years later, as a midwife, she is still filled with this sense of awe and wonder at every birth. It’s through that process of coaching new life into the world, she learns how to sit through the difficult – even the painful – moments in her own: a divorce, a new career, even death. She begins to understand that we must all stay open to the wild pulse of life to give birth to our wiser selves.

Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com

Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Oct 7
Navigating life in my own skin, by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
In precisely chosen words, the writer, artist and Zen priest Zenju Earthlyn Manuel tells a story from her girlhood, a road trip from LA to Louisiana in 1957. While five-year-old Zenju sits in the back seat dreaming of cowboys, her parents navigate an altogether different landscap ... Show More
29m 59s
Oct 1
Through friendship, a better version of myself, by Reid Hoffman
How do you find joy in your life? For entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author Reid Hoffman, it’s through the act of genuine, honest, and intimate conversations with friends. Once a self-described misfit, in college, Reid finds his place. He connects with people who share not ... Show More
30 m
Sep 24
Calming the mind and body for sleep, by Rohan Gunatillake
Having trouble quieting your mind at night? Join Rohan for this soothing, nighttime meditation designed to ease your body and mind into a restful sleep. Drawing on the close connection between mindfulness and relaxation, Rohan takes you step by step through the process of turning ... Show More
12m 10s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
Sacred birth - from trauma to freedom with Caroline Blanco
In this episode, we hear from Caroline Blanco - Mother, Vedic Meditation teacher, creative consultant & mentor. She lives and works on Bundjalung country nurturing individuals and teams to create, birth and live with deeper connection, purpose & freedom. After a deep healing jour ... Show More
1h 39m
Sep 2024
Elizabeth Gilbert: Living An Imperfectly Perfect Life
Are you seeking inspiration to live more authentically and courageously? This week, Sarah Grynberg is joined by one of the world’s most beloved authors, Elizabeth Gilbert. Known for her bestselling books Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic, Elizabeth has become a beacon of wisdom on lo ... Show More
57m 11s
Aug 2024
womb wisdom: a meditation for trusting your body during or before childbirth
In this deeply nurturing guided meditation, I invite you on a transformative journey that transcends the mere biological aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. This is a sacred visualization designed to help you tap into the ancient, intuitive knowledge your body holds, empowering ... Show More
37m 38s
Oct 2021
Jerry Sittser: Life After Loss
How do you move forward after an incalculable loss? Jerry Sittser lost his wife, young daughter, and his mom in one horrific accident. But even as his world stopped, the world kept spinning. He had to learn how to parent his three surviving children in the wake of such grief. Now ... Show More
36m 56s
Feb 2025
Embracing the Mystical Journey of Menopause with Rebecca Campbell
Rebecca Campbell, a prolific writer, mystic, artist, and author dives into the often-overlooked spiritual and emotional transitions that accompany the shift from reproductive to post-reproductive years. This episode explores the discomfort of shedding old identities, creating spa ... Show More
1h 5m
May 2025
Ep. 349: Preparing for Birth as a Rite of Passage with Britta Bushnell, PhD
In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe delves into the transformative journey of birth and parenthood with guest Dr. Britta Bushnell—an expert in childbirth education, mythology, and parenting. The episode explores the impactful themes from Dr. Britta's book, 'Transfor ... Show More
1h 30m
Dec 2024
Fertility is a State of Being: Metabolic Wellness Through a Woman's Lifespan - Niecia Nelson
Fertility is not just the ability to conceive, but is an indicator of overall health and the capacity to nurture life; it is how we extend genetic strength across time and space into generations we will never know. Pregnancy and menopause are transformative states that reveal und ... Show More
2h 6m
Oct 2024
Embracing the End: The Role of End-of-Life Doulas | S4E5
Host Frantzces Lys explores the profound impact of end-of-life doulas with two deeply personal stories involving the death of a family member.First, David Duffin, a high school teacher, reflects on his experience working with a doula during his sister’s final days and how this su ... Show More
27m 28s
Aug 27
1227: What a Tumor Taught Her About Speaking Up, Showing Up & Deep Self Trust with Lily Walla
“She’s so strong.” That’s what people say when a woman holds it all together on the outside but what happens when she’s quietly suffering inside? In this episode, Heather sits down with entrepreneur and mother Lily Walla, the founder + CEO of Auggie, for a conversation about the ... Show More
37m 50s
Aug 2024
S3 E103: Rachel Platten’s Crazy Inspirational Recovery from Back Pain, Panic, Anxiety, and More
This interview is one for the history books. Not only is Rachel's story CRAZY inspirational, the magic that accompanies our knowing one another and the synergy of how it unfolded is uncommon and moving. I can't wait to share this one with you! Note: we had some unforeseen technic ... Show More
1h 7m