Shellie Poulter
Doula and Educator
The Podcast
Welcome to the Birth Untethered podcast. A wild & wise birth collective — a sanctuary for truth-tellers, change-makers, and fierce advocates of physiological birth. We’re Shellie Poulter and Kemi Johnson: birth keepers, doulas, educators, speakers, and rebels with decades of combined experience in pregnancy, birth and beyond. With backgrounds in osteopathy, naturopathy, biomechanics, midwifery, and advocacy.
Here, we expose the realities of modern maternity systems, challenge coercive practices, and bring both scientific and lived wisdom to the forefront. We exist to empower birth workers, families, and seekers of truth with informed choice—not fear.
Our Patreon is a safe space to laugh, cry, question, celebrate, and grow. To reconnect with birth as it truly is: untamed, intuitive, and powerful. You’ll find community, education, courage, and camaraderie. Together, we’re dismantling the status quo—one story, one skill, one soul at a time.
Come as you are. Learn what they don’t teach. This is the birth revolution—and you’re invited.
For extra juicy bits, resources, bonus content, monthly online Q&As and much more, join us on Patreon.
You can purchase merch to support the podcast here
Or send Kemi or I some coffee/wine/book money here
S1 E11 - Birth Untethered - The Red Thread - Understanding Childbirth as a Rite of Passage Through Time - Part 2
In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue the journey of following the red thread through time from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore the repeating themes around patriarchal dominance over women and the tools used to subjugate, minimise and demonise feminine power and ownership over our bodies. The cultural shift from matricentric societies where the life giving power of women was celebrated and family caring was communal to today's isolation of family units, segregation
of tasks to gender based roles. We explore changes in language, religion and attitudes over time and how they have all contributed to the shaping of society and maternity medicine as it is today. We explore some recent data around free birthing and how safe it actually looks compared to national averages and how the choice to freebirth in modern times is nothing like stepping back to medieval practice. We explore why women are choosing to birth without medical providers present and we speak about reclaiming the words, the wisdom and the rites around pregnancy and birth.
S1 E11 - Birth Untethered - The Red Thread - Understanding Childbirth as a Rite of Passage Through Time - Part 1
In this Episode Shellie and Kemi begin the journey of following the red thread through time, from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore what has always and still does make childbirth safe, what we can be grateful for from the advances in social healthcare and medication and changes in practice. We explore the figures of death rates around birth for mothers and babies, how they have never been 50/50 in history but for mothers have always been around or below 1%, even in prehistoric estimates! This is part one of two, don't worry we won't make you wait too long for the next episode!
.png)
S1E11 - Strength Isn't Silence: Simon Reflects on His Journey and Births as a Father
In this raw and compassionate conversation, we explore birth through the eyes of Simon. A father who's thoughts and reactions were shaped by two frightening, medicalised births, and how that trauma followed him into a third, deeply different experience. We talk about fear, responsibility, and the pressure partners feel to “hold it together,” even when their nervous system is bracing for disaster. Together, we reflect on how trauma affects decision-making in birth, how couples can process difficult moments
without blame, and what helps rebuild trust after fear has taken over. We also explore the contrast between emergency-led care and respectful midwifery presence, the role doulas can play in supporting partners, and what years of learning has taught Simon about physiological birth, women’s bodies, and trust. An honest, powerful episode for fathers, partners, and couples navigating birth and birth after trauma and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how birth shapes us.
S1 E10 - Birth Untethered - Embodying Birth - A Conversation With Maha Al Musa
In this episode Shellie and Kemi welcome Maha Al Musa. We delve into a deep discussion about the healing potential of embodying birth, the challenges of being an authentic heart led birthworker and Maha shares her birth stories, life journey and wisdom with us. Maha Al Musa is a mother of three beautiful children
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
S1E9 - Becca and Alex's Wild Pregnancy and Freebirth Story - First Baby
Alex and Becca share their thought processes through their sovereign/wild pregnancy and freebirth, ideas of things that were helpful for them both throughout. An honest deep dive into what stepping outside of the status quo felt like for both of them. This is an excellent episode for birth partners to listen to.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
S1 E8 - Birth Untethered - Anna's Freebirth Story - First Baby
We speak with Anna and Max about her decision to freebirth her first baby. Anna discusses the things that happened throughout her pregnancy that brought her to the realisation that she felt that birthing at home with her chosen support felt like the safest and most sensible option for her. Anna describes a number of things that happened during her pregnancy that made her reevaluate the value she had initially thought interactions with the NHS brought to her pregnancy. We discuss blood pressure, aspirin, fundal height measurment, growth restriction and small for gestational age, dopler studies, rythm and ritual in labour and the amazing power of physiological birth. We delve into what birthing untethered in an informed way really looks like
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
S1E5 - Umbilical cords - Keeping them Intact Saves lives - Christina's Story
S1E7 - From Earth To Ancestry - Amelia's Stories of Birth and Blood Mysteries
With Amelia, we explore finding your power of no. Taking what you need from the system whilst holding boundaries for what you don't want or need. We explore spirit, ceremony and ritual in integrating loss, life, death, birth and growth. We also touch on some of the unethical practices of the formula industry as well as the sacred nature of breastfeeding.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
To connect with Amelia, you can find her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughter.of.danu/ or https://www.instagram.com/womb.chalice/
S1 E6 - Birth Untethered - Placentas and Cords
In this episode, Shellie and Kemi dive into the anatomy of the umbilical cord and speak about blood flow through placentas and how this changes after babies are born. We speak about the transition to extra-uterine life and what you may want to do with your baby's placenta and cord.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: Resources and Links to Evidence for Episode (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: Resources and Links to Evidence for Episode and Parent Information PDF (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels: Resources and LInks to Evidence for Episode, Parent Information PDF, Birth Nerd Information PDF, monthly zoom invitation with Shellie/Kemi (£10/month)
S1E3 - Physiology Labour and Birth
S1E5 - Umbilical cords - Keeping them Intact Saves lives - Christina's Story
In this episode we discuss the transfusion of blood from the placenta to the baby, keeping an intact cord for optimal health and lifesaving support during transition to extra-uterine life. Christina shares her amazing story.
Come and join the birth revolution - you're all invited.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: PDF with links to the resources used and described in the episode (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: PDF links to the resources used and describe in the episode, PDF with information aimed at parents about cords, placentas, blood, etc (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels: PDF links to the resources used and describe in the episode, PDF with information aimed at parents and the birth nerd level pdf as well. Also an invitation to the monthly zoom gathering of Untethered Rebels with Kemi and Shellie. This month it will be Tuesday 21st October 10am GMT (£10/month)
S1 E4 - Birth Untethered - Physiology After Birth; Skin to Skin, Breastfeeding Placentas, Cords & Blood
In this episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss the physiology of the immediate time after birth, the benefits of skin to skin and breastfeeding, protecting the birthing dyad in these precious and vitally important moments. We talk about placentas, umbilical cords and blood in both mothers and babies. What causes haemorrhage, what can we do naturally to help prevent it, manage if it does happen. We explore medical lack of logic in determining what a haemorrhage is in and out of the birth space, how keeping cords intact saves babies lives and promotes their long term health.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: Resources and Links to Evidence for Episode (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: Resources and Links to Evidence for Episode and Parent Information PDF (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels: Resources and LInks to Evidence for Episode, Parent Information PDF, Birth Nerd Information PDF, monthly zoom invitation with Shellie/Kemi (£10/month)
S1E3 - Physiology Labour and Birth
In this episode we discuss the physiology of labour and birth, delving deeper into the oxytocin spiral. The safety that physiology provides and why and what some of the potential consequences are of disturbing that.
Come and join the birth revolution - you're all invited.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: PDF with links to the resources used and described in the episode including breast crawl video links (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: PDF links to the resources used and describe in the episode including breast crawl video links, PDF with information aimed at parents about the physiology of labour and birth (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels: PDF links to the resources used and describe in the episode including breast crawl video links, PDF with information aimed at parents about the physiology of labour and birth and the birth nerd level pdf as well. Also an invitation to the monthly zoom gathering of Untethered Rebels with Kemi and Shellie. This month it will be Tuesday 21st October 10am GMT (£10/month)
S1E2 - Continuation Physiology Lead up to Labour and Birth
In this episode we continue to discuss the physiology of the lead up to labour and birth. The safety that physiology provides and why and what some of the potential consequences are of disturbing that by choosing to end your pregnancy early with induction methods.
Come and join the birth revolution - you're all invited.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: PDF with links to the resources used and described in the episode (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: PDF links to the resources used and describe in the episode, PDF with information aimed at parents about the onset of the physiology of labour and birth and the amazing things that are happening with you and your baby to help make birth safe and promote life long bonding and health for you both. (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels: PDF links to the resources used and describe in the episode, PDF with information aimed at parents about the onset of the physiology of labour and birth and the amazing things that are happening with you and your baby to help make birth safe and promote life long bonding and health for you both and the birth nerd level pdf as well. Also an invitation to the monthly zoom gathering of Untethered Rebels with Kemi and Shellie. This month it will be Tuesday 21st October10am GMT (£10/month)
S1 E1 - Birth Physiology - Lead Up to Birth
We discuss the physiology of the birth giver and baby in the lead up to the start of labour and what the potential consequences of choosing to interupt that with induction and cesarean are. This will continue in episode 2 where we flow, much like birth from the initiation of labour into the potential beginning.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: Resources and Links to Evidence for Episode (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: Resources and Links to Evidence for Episode and Parent Information PDF (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels: Resources and LInks to Evidence for Episode, Parent Information PDF, Birth Nerd Information PDF, monthly zoom invitation with Shellie/Kemi (£10/month)
S1 Pilot
Birth Untethered - The Beginning
In this episode we introduce ourselves and talk about why we created the podcast. We also give our top tips for parents and birth workers.
Come and join the birth revolution - you're all invited.
For extra resources, video episodes, join us on patreon. You can also find us on regular podcast platforms and youtube.
On our Patreon Tiers for this Episode the Bonus Content is as Follows:
Simple Truths: What is Essential Birth Checklist (£2/month)
Collective Wisdom: What is Essential Birth Checklist and Hypnobirthing Relaxation Track (£4/month)
Untethered Rebels:What is Essential Birth Checklist, Hypnobirthing Relaxation Track, Editable Visual Birth Plan, monthly zoom invitation with Shellie/Kemi This month it will be Thursday 11th Sept 10am GMT (£10/month)