Birth Stories in Color Podcast
Two Black birthworkers creating a multiracial community to share and learn from birth stories of all types.
Project Description
Laurel Gourrier and Danielle Jackson, are the hosts and founders of Birth Stories in Color (BSiC). Birth Stories in Color (BSiC) is a podcast for Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino and Multiracial individuals to share their birthing experiences - a space that celebrates, mourns with, and supports them and their transformation through birth. Birth Stories in Color (BSiC) also emphasizes the role of storytelling as a way to equip future parents. Listening to real birth stories is one way to discover the expected and unexpected parts of the journey.
BSiC grew from a shared experience at a Doulas of Color Training. We quickly realized that women of Color felt liberated to speak their truth and we wanted a space to honor the art of storytelling and the voices of families of color. We are Black women, Black mothers, and Black birthworkers. Our ability to hold space for our storytellers comes from our direct experiences - understanding the layers of those experiences and how they may show up for our guests.
Our Impact
Birth storytelling has the power to contribute to birthing families' physical and mental healing process. Utilizing oral history in this way supports the birthing person in healing and serves as public accountability to providers who cared for them. It is important because birthing people of color, especially Black people have historically experienced bias, racism, and discrimination in medical settings. These transgressions have led to overwhelmingly high statistics in infant and maternal mortality in the USA.
Podcast Statistics & Listener Demographics
- 80,000 + all time downloads
- 900 + weekly downloads
- 1,300 monthly visits
- Listener Demographics: expecting parents, new parents, birthworkers (OBs, Midwives, Doulas, Nurses, etc.)
What's Next
Over the past 5 years, BSiC has been predominately self-funded, with occasional sponsorship support. As we examine the future of BSiC we know that to help strengthen it, we must reach out for additional support. Funds raised from this campaign will support the cost of recording, producing, promoting, and transcribing BSiC.
The funds we raise will also help expand our reach as we begin to channel the work of the podcast to-person opportunities to educate and inform families as they enter parenthood.
Press and Media Coverage
The Creators
We are reproductive justice and family advocates. Our work provides information and tools to help families feel empowered by their birthing experiences and hold space as an ally to birth inclusivity. The core values of uplifting autonomy are the root of our practice. We are committed to helping families acknowledge themselves as sources and gathering a village to provide additional resources. To learn more about us and our storytellers, head to the BSiC website!
Our deepest gratitude to you for honoring this platform and the community stories!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Who is BSiC?
Laurel Gourrier and Danielle Jackson, are the hosts and founders of Birth Stories in Color (BSiC). Birth Stories in Color (BSiC) is a podcast for Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino and Multiracial individuals to share their birthing experiences - a space that celebrates, mourns with, and supports them and their transformation through birth. Birth Stories in Color (BSiC) also emphasizes the role of storytelling as a way to equip future parents. Listening to real birth stories is one way to discover the expected and unexpected parts of the journey.
How long have we been around?
Since 2017!
Who are some of the brands you have collaborated with?
- March of Dimes
- Doula Trainings International (DTI)
- ROOTT
How can I access the podcast?
You can listen on any of your favorite podcast platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Sticher, Amazon Music, etc.) or directly on the BSiC website.
What are people saying about BSiC?
"Ain’t nothing like a podcast that is for YOU. The hosts are so gracious and affirming with each episode guest."
"I love this show so much! I’ve been binging birth stories during my pregnancy and as a black woman I wanted to hear stories from the experience of black birthers and other birthers of color. Love the interview style and the diversity of stories that are shared. Thank you much for creating this space."
"This has been one of my favorite podcast since I first stated that I wanted to be a doula. To have my birth story be featured on there is absolutely honoring, liberating, and step towards elevation in myself as both a mother and a woman."
"Your content has been a special space to retreat into during pregnancy, to prepare for birth and beyond."
"This podcast is so important. The difference in care, safety and so much more needs to be exposed. Thank you for creating this show."
"This podcast creates such an important space for people of color (and those who support POC in birth) to process, celebrate, and explore what it's like to give birth and what it means to be a parent. So nuturing, so honest, so important. Great work, ladies!"
"I applaud the work that Laurel and Danielle are doing because we, women of color, must tell our own stories about birthing. There is so much vulnerability in our stories but also liberation for the women who are walking beside us and who will come after us. I get so excited by the website updates with the beautiful morsels of truth that Laurel and Danielle capture for our listening pleasure!"
Do you have a newsletter?
Yes! Head to our website to subscribe and join the BSiC community!
Just Because I Care
- Thank You Postcard
- BSiC Pin
- BSiC Newsletter Shout Out
*Please include your shipping address at checkout so we can mail your postcard and pin!
Receive a shout out on our social media platforms and we will add you to our new Instagram gratitude highlight reaching over 7K community followers.
Postpartum is a forever journey! Meet with Laurel and Danielle (virtually) to begin the steps of mapping out your postpartum support plan and establish a baby feeding relationship that fosters bonding, nourishment and meets your goals.
*This item can be gifted to someone else*
This is our oral history gift. A story that should be honored by being heard, shared, and remembered.
This offering includes;
-
Recording space to share your story (we always tell our storytellers, however you feel led to share your story - crying, laughing, cursing, yelling, etc. this is the space to center in those emotions)
-
Edited audio of your birth story
-
Transcription of your birth story (digital and custom created hard copy)
Stories shared in this manner are for the storyteller’s personal use, they will not be shared via the BSiC podcast
Connect your brand/organization with our community. On the BSiC show, we will deliver a 60 second pre-roll and end-roll advert to promote your brand. The ad will play for 3 episodes (~3 weeks of promotion). Show your love for the BSiC community and elevate your brand at the same time.
- Thank You Postcard
- BSiC Pin
- BSiC Newsletter Shout Out
- BSiC Shout Out Reward
- The Birth Story Love Letter Reward
- Postpartum Planning & Lactation Consult Reward
*Please include your shipping address at checkout so we can mail your postcard and pin!
- Facebook Post (brand/organization tagged in image and caption)
- Instagram Post (brand/organization tagged in image and caption)
- Show notes mention (w/link)
*Please include your shipping address at checkout so we can mail your postcard and pin!
Rewards
Just Because I Care
- Thank You Postcard
- BSiC Pin
- BSiC Newsletter Shout Out
*Please include your shipping address at checkout so we can mail your postcard and pin!
Receive a shout out on our social media platforms and we will add you to our new Instagram gratitude highlight reaching over 7K community followers.
Postpartum is a forever journey! Meet with Laurel and Danielle (virtually) to begin the steps of mapping out your postpartum support plan and establish a baby feeding relationship that fosters bonding, nourishment and meets your goals.
*This item can be gifted to someone else*
This is our oral history gift. A story that should be honored by being heard, shared, and remembered.
This offering includes;
-
Recording space to share your story (we always tell our storytellers, however you feel led to share your story - crying, laughing, cursing, yelling, etc. this is the space to center in those emotions)
-
Edited audio of your birth story
-
Transcription of your birth story (digital and custom created hard copy)
Stories shared in this manner are for the storyteller’s personal use, they will not be shared via the BSiC podcast
Connect your brand/organization with our community. On the BSiC show, we will deliver a 60 second pre-roll and end-roll advert to promote your brand. The ad will play for 3 episodes (~3 weeks of promotion). Show your love for the BSiC community and elevate your brand at the same time.
- Thank You Postcard
- BSiC Pin
- BSiC Newsletter Shout Out
- BSiC Shout Out Reward
- The Birth Story Love Letter Reward
- Postpartum Planning & Lactation Consult Reward
*Please include your shipping address at checkout so we can mail your postcard and pin!
- Facebook Post (brand/organization tagged in image and caption)
- Instagram Post (brand/organization tagged in image and caption)
- Show notes mention (w/link)
*Please include your shipping address at checkout so we can mail your postcard and pin!