Midwife, parent, nurse, educator, and proud Palestinian Ash joins Jaimie for a powerful, expansive conversation that connects queer birth work, liberation, bodily autonomy, and the politics of modern healthcare. From becoming a parent before coming into their trans identity, to the crisis inside U.S. obstetrics, to creating community-centered birth education for queer & trans families, Ash brings depth, clarity, and truth. The episode also touches on Ash’s ties to Palestine, why so many people are re-examining the narrative they were taught, and how to learn, help, and show up with intention.🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways<ul><li>Birth is not inherently dangerous — but our systems are flawed.</li><li>Rising U.S. maternal mortality rates are tied to financial incentives, outdated policies, and cultural fear.</li><li>Where you feel safest is where you birth best.</li><li>Stress pathways interrupt labor; safety & comfort matter more than location.</li><li>Queer & trans people need trauma-informed preparation.</li><li>Education &#43; community before labor creates resilience when navigating misgendering or assumptions in hospitals.</li><li>Intentional parenting is a queer superpower.</li><li>Living outside the norms forces us to question, rebuild, and parent with intention.</li><li>Liberation is interconnected.</li><li>Ash links birth work to Palestinian liberation, colonial separation, and reclaiming humanity.</li><li>Learning about Palestine doesn’t have to be overwhelming.</li><li>Start with Palestinian voices. Complexity is often used to keep people disengaged.</li></ul>🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈<ul><li>Ash (they/them) is a Trans Palestinian educator, speaker & midwife whose work centers birth justice and community care. They teach accessible, queer- and trans-inclusive childbirth classes through Embodied Birth Class and speak widely about physiologic birth, medical racism, and creating safer, more liberated birth experiences for all families.</li></ul>🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!• <a href="https://www.cryobank.com/search/" rel="nofollow">California Cryobank</a> If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at <a href="https://cryobank.com/" rel="nofollow">cryobank.com</a> for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!•<a href="https://beparentsurrogacy.com/" rel="nofollow">Be Parent Surrogacy</a> Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈<a href="https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/" rel="nofollow"> Book with GWK&#39;s Spring Break Cruise Vacation!</a> Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA&#43; families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ <a href="https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/" rel="nofollow">https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/</a>🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned<ul><li>Ash’s Website: <a href="http://www.embodiedbirthclass.com" rel="nofollow">www.embodiedbirthclass.com</a> • Join their mailing list for upcoming classes and events.</li><li>Ash’s Instagram • @embodied.birth • @queertabletops</li><li>The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine — Rashid Khalidi</li><li>Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History — Nur Masalha</li><li>Works by historian Ilan Pappé</li></ul>🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email <a href="mailto:thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.co</a>🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/thequeerfamilypodcast" rel="nofollow">Patreon</a> for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 <a href="https://app.redcircle.com/shows/d2c61ac1-cfc5-477f-a545-f1ad21f88eec/exclusive-content" rel="nofollow">redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content</a>🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/" rel="nofollow">IG</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-8v7M6BUBw2I" rel="nofollow">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/queerfampod.bsky.social" rel="nofollow">Bluesky</a>, & <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a>: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a>🏳️‍🌈 Order the <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/if-these-ovaries-could-talk-the-things-we-ve-learned-about-making-an-lgbtq-family-jaimie-kelton/14848704?ean=9780999294390&next=t" rel="nofollow">If These Ovaries Could Talk book </a>🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch <a href="https://queerfampodmerchstore.dashery.com/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

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