From Teen Mom to Birth Doula: Shannon Johns' Journey (Part 1)

Ep. 125 You’ve heard me hint at her. You’ve heard me talk about how she walks the halls like a birth superhero. And today—she's finally here. Shannon Johns, the heart and soul behind Calming Nature Doula Services, joins the Healthy Illness Podcast for a deep and raw conversation about what it really takes to care, to show up, and to reclaim our power—especially as Black women navigating motherhood, mental health, and healing. This is not your typical “how I became a doula” story. Shannon shares her truth—from becoming a mother at 14, to redefining strength, to stepping into her divine calling as a full-time doula changing lives across New York and beyond. Her voice? Unapologetic. Her journey? Unshakable. Her lessons? Universal. Contact Shannon [e-mail] 223 Grant St Buffalo, NY 14213 Calming Nature Doula Website https://www.calmingnaturedoula.com/ ⚠️ WARNING: You will want to take notes. And you’ll definitely want to be back next week for Part 2. 👑 Tap in, tune in, and tell a friend. 🎤 Hosted by Kelly Marie | Produced by JazzCast Pros 📩 Email your thoughts to [e-mail] 💜 Crisis Support: Call or text 988 anytime 00:00 - The Guest You've All Been Waiting For: Shannon Johns is HERE 01:12 - Welcome to the Healthy Illness Podcast 02:12 - Why I Admire Shannon So Much 03:04 - How Calming Nature Doula Services Was Born 07:04 - Becoming a Teen Mom at 14: A Life-Altering Start 09:51 - What We Were Taught About Birth is All Wrong 11:28 - Why They Didn't Want Me to Speak: Telling the Truth About Teen Motherhood 13:56 - Setting a Schedule, Owning the Responsibility 17:27 - A Doctor Who Believed in Me at 13 Years Old 20:02 - Youth Empowerment and Body Ownership 22:48 - The Power of “Knowing” in the Black Community 23:06 - Teaching People to Trust Themselves 24:59 - Why Birth Trauma Repeats Across Generations 25:53 - A Deep Admiration—and We’re Not Done Yet! 26:44 - Crisis Help is Available: Call or Text 988 27:10 - Come Back Next Week for Part 2 of Shannon’s Story! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices