Loading...

PODCAST

The LIFTS Podcast

The LIFTS Podcast (formerly Mother Love) is a Montana-based podcast centering lived experience and amplifying diverse voices from across the state. Through conversations with caregivers, providers, and advocates, we explore bold ideas and creative solutions for supporting the littlest Montanans and their families. If you have feedback, or an idea for a guest or topic, email us at stories@hmhb-mt.org.

kids & family mental health

All Episodes

43:10

Growing Our Storytellers: Starting Early with...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/10/08

What does early literacy actually look like before a child can read? In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman continues the Growing Storytellers series with pediatric speech-language pathologist Christy Cheviron, founder of Alpine Start Speech Therapy in Missoula. Christy helps unpack what is happening in young children's brains during those incredible first years of life and explains why early literacy is about so much more than teaching a child to read. Before children can...

en-us

47:28

Growing Our Storytellers: Strengthening Roots with...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/10/01

What can we grow here? And perhaps more importantly—what can we learn from the place where we live? In the second episode of our early literacy series "Growing Our Storytellers," we explore Grow Where You Are, a community early literacy project in Dillon, Montana, with Katrina Kennett, a professor of education at the University of Montana Western. The idea behind Grow Where You Are grew out of a collection of projects, conversations and community efforts focused on understanding ...

en-us

52:39

Growing Our Storytellers: Building Belonging with...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/09/24

What happens when a child who found safety, consistency and belonging in Head Start grows up to become a powerful advocate for the next generation? In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman speaks with Hilary Gourneau, an enrolled Dakota member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, former Fort Peck Tribal Head Start executive director and founder of Pté Collective, about how early literacy begins with creating spaces where children and families feel safe, seen and su...

en-us

30:32

What Does It Take To Make Ends Meet? - With Rylee...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/09/17

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman joins Rylee Andrews, a Maternal Support Professional with the Butte 4 C’s, to talk about the realities facing families across Southwest Montana. Rylee shares what she is seeing in homes right now as the cost of groceries, gas, housing, childcare, and healthcare continues to put pressure on family budgets. She talks about the difficult choices parents are making, from delaying medical appointments to sacrificing their own n...

en-us

46:11

Motherhood, Grief & IVF in Rural Montana with Kelly...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/09/10

What does motherhood look like when you're carrying grief, navigating IVF, and raising a child in rural Montana? In this episode, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator Gwyneth Hyndman talks with fellow Philipsburg mom and farmer Kelly Pipe Campbell about motherhood, grief, IVF, and how support can look in a rural community. Kelly shares the seven-year journey with her husband, Derek, that led to the birth of their daughter, Beverly, including fertility treatments, a miscarriage, and a first exp...

en-us

17:49

Looking Ahead to Season Six - Finding Where Policy...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/09/07

Episode Description Welcome to Season 6 of the LIFTS Podcast - In this season-opening episode, new host Gwyneth Hyndman, HMHB’s Storytelling Coordinator, sits down with Stephanie Morton, Executive Director of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, the Montana Coalition, to reflect on where the organization has been and where it is headed. Gwyneth and Stephanie talk about the evolution of the podcast, including the transition from Mother Love to LIFTS, and why creating a space that includes moms, dad...

en-us

15:52

LIFTS Out Loud: Celeste Miller - Nursing Under the...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/03/18

Guest Bio: Episode Description In this heartfelt episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Celeste Miller, a ranch mom from rural Montana, about her journey through breastfeeding challenges, rural isolation, and finding confidence in motherhood. Celeste shares how her first baby’s health complications made nursing difficult, how she found support the second time around, and what it’s like raising kids while working on a cattle ranch. Together, Emily and Celeste d...

en-us

29:23

Sarah Buchanan + Stephanie Fitch - Human Stories...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Episode Description: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman speaks with Stephanie Fitch (Billings Clinic) and Sarah Buchanan (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services) about Siloed — a Montana-made documentary exploring the realities of maternal healthcare access in rural communities. Produced by Montanans, for Montanans, Siloed weaves together powerful stories from across the state to reveal both the challenges and the deep resilience found in Montana families...

en-us

16:53

Tehya Tiegen - Home Visiting and Hope

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/02/18

Guest Bio: Tehya Teigen is a 29-year-old proud mother of two and the wife of a Navy veteran. She is a recovering addict who believes in second chances, healing, and the power of self-love. Her journey serves as a reminder that recovery is possible and that every day is a new opportunity to rise stronger than before. Episode Details: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Tehya Tigan, a Helena mom of two, about how Montana’s home visiting programs supported h...

en-us

26:04

Maria Emmer-Aanes - It Takes a Village

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Guest Bio: Maria Emmer-Aanes is the Executive Director of The Village Playspace and the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County, where she works alongside parents, partners, and neighbors to build strong, connected communities for kids and families in rural Montana. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: when families feel supported and connected, everyone does better. Maria is the co-founder of the Beaverhead Brigade, a grassroots nonprofit created to restore after-...

en-us

21:05

LIFTS Out Loud: Julianne Denny - Birthwork as Medicine

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/01/21

Guest Bio: Julianne Denny (She/Her) Cree, Ojibway, Mi’kmaq Raised in ceremony, Julianne lives in Montana with her family. She is an Indigenous doula supporting families across rural communities, providing culturally grounded care and guidance through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Julianne's doula work: https://www.morningstarbirthworkz.com/ Episode Description: In this episode, Emily Freeman sits down with Julianne Denny, an Indigenous doula serving families in rural Montana...

en-us

24:29

Suzanne Bendick - The Stories That Connect Us

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2026/01/07

Guest Bio: Suzanne Bendick is the Co-Executive Director, co-founder, and former board member of Roots Family Collaborative, a highly respected and deeply impactful organization she has helped shape over the past nine years. A devoted mother of two, Suzanne is a visionary nonprofit leader known for her thoughtful approach, deep listening, and unwavering commitment to improving community health and wellbeing. Her professional background includes formal training as a Postpartum Doula, Cert...

en-us

18:05

Dr. Jessica Liddell - Building Support for Maternal...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Guest Bio: Dr. Jessica Liddell is an Associate Professor at the University of Montana School of Social Work and Affiliate Faculty in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences. Her work focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, reproductive justice issues, birth justice and equity, community engagement, and making healthcare systems more equitable. Her current research focuses on the use of doulas to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Montana. Dr. Liddell graduated from t...

en-us

19:06

LIFTS Out Loud: Jake Maher + Callie Triller - Ryan's...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/12/17

Guest Bios: Episode Details: In this powerful episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman sits down with Callie Trier and Jake Maher to share Ryan’s Journey Home — a story of foster care, recovery, and the power of community. When Callie and her family welcomed baby Ryan into their home straight from the NICU, they knew he would need love, stability, and a strong village to help him thrive. What they didn’t expect was the friendship that would grow between their family and Ry...

en-us

30:47

Carrie Krepps - Building Connection and Community for...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Guest Bio: Carrie joined Florence Crittenton in 2010 as Grants Officer and quickly moved into the role of Development Director in 2011, a position she held for eight years before becoming Executive Director in 2019. Before Florence Crittenton, Carrie was Education Coordinator for the Montana Hospital Association and gained development and project management experience with the Helena Symphony and Montana State University Athletics. Over her 15 years at Florence Crittenton, Carrie has wo...

en-us

12:10

LIFTS Out Loud: Mindy Petranek - Just Showing Up

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/11/19

Guest Bio: Mindy Petranek is a fourth-generation rancher in central Montana, where her family has lived and worked the land since 1914. Together with her husband and son, she embraces life “at the end of the road,” finding joy in the rhythm of rural living and the adventures that come with it. Passionate about connection and community, Mindy hopes to shed light on the beauty and challenges of ranch life while helping others find meaningful ways to connect with the land and each other. E...

en-us

21:28

Pamela Ponich - Peer Recovery Doulas in Montana

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/11/05

Episode Description: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Pam Ponich, Perinatal Program Manager for One Health, about an innovative program changing the face of perinatal support in Montana — the Peer Recovery Doula certification. Pam, a longtime psychotherapist and program developer, helped create this dual certification for Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialists and Full Spectrum Doulas. The program recognizes the powerful overlap between peer su...

en-us

27:08

Maureen Ward + Tracie Kiesel - What Families Need to...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/10/22

Guest Bios Maureen Ward: Since 2019, Maureen has served as Injury Prevention Program Manager for Montana DPHHS, leading strategies to promote safety and well-being across the state. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education from Montana State University and brings 15 years of higher education administration experience, helping her develop and implement effective injury prevention initiatives. Tracie Keel: Tracie has 19+ years of experience in injury prevention and harm reduction across Montana,...

en-us

6:18

The LIFTS Podcast: Stephanie Morton - New Season, New...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/10/03

Welcome to Season 5 of our podcast (formerly Mother Love, now known as The LIFTS Podcast)! Today we'll chat with HMHB's Executive Director, Stephanie Morton, to discuss the upcoming podcast season, our updated name, and more. LIFTS podcast: https://hmhb-mt.org/podcast/ LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/ LIFTS magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/ Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Website Facebook Instagram For statewide resources to support Montana fa...

en-us

32:30

Session Voices: Mary Collins - Big Work at the Local...

The LIFTS Podcast ·

2025/05/15

In our final episode of this season's "Session Voices" series, we talk (again) with Mary Collins, of UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development. Mary talks about the many steps left to codify and implement new policies, now that the session has ended, and the ways in which communities can work together to implement these changes. We discuss the power of local coalitions, particularly Early Childhood Coalitions (ECC's) -- what they are, why they exist, and how you can get inv...

en-us

111 results

Similar Podcasts

Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids

Atomic Audio

Storytime for Kids

Storytime for Kids

Doxology Go

Matt Doan

Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Laura Birek, Shanna Micko

Plugged In Entertainment Reviews

Focus on the Family