EBB 364 - How to Prevent and Heal Birthworker Burnout with Doctoral Student Ihotu Ali and Grace Flannery, Certified Professional Midwife

Licensed community midwife Grace Flannery and doctoral student Ihotu Ali, founder of the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing, join Dr. Rebecca Dekker for a moving conversation about burnout, boundaries, and building sustainable birth work. Together, they explore the root causes of burnout in maternity care, from systemic extraction to internalized pressure, and how the path to healing lies in slowing down, reconnecting with purpose, and redefining productivity. Ihotu and Grace share the origin of their collaboration through the Sweetwater Alliance, the transformative “One Main Thing” meditation, and their four-part framework for reclaiming balance: Seasons, Smallify, Support, and Spirit. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to anyone holding space for others while feeling the weight of burnout.

 

(04:27) Grace and Ihotu’s Birth Work Journey

(07:54) The Roots of Burnout in Maternity Care

(13:19) Presence, Boundaries, and the Burnout Cycle

(18:33) Symptoms and Signs of Burnout

(27:06) The “Four S’s” Framework for Sustainable Practice

(30:08) Accountability, Rest, and Seasonal Rhythms

(38:21) The “One Main Thing” Meditation Practice

(44:28) Reconnecting with Purpose and Capacity

(58:51) Final Reflections on Slowing Down and Healing

 

To sign up for the EBB Summer Series, visit ebbirth.com/summer!

 

Resources

Learn more about the Oshun Center: oshuncenter.com

Follow Ihotu on Instagram: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}