The Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC) is proud to share that Season 1 of our first original podcast, Bear Hug Conversations, has officially wrapped!
Hosted by VNPC’s Communications Manager Terrance Dixon, Bear Hug Conversations was created to uplift the voices of those with lived experience and open up the dialogue about maternal and infant health in Virginia. In partnership with the CDC’s Hear Her campaign, the series carried a powerful message: when women are supported in speaking up about their health, listening to what they have to say can save lives.
Throughout the season, listeners heard from a wide range of perspectives. A licensed therapist explored the critical role of mental health support for mothers navigating the pregnancy and postpartum journey. An emergency medicine physician dove into the urgent warning signs that providers and families should know. A nurse and founder of a maternal health hub and doula care organization shared insights into the importance of advocacy during labor and delivery. Lastly, mothers and community members spoke candidly about their own experiences with pregnancy, delivery and postpartum—the highs and the lows, and the moments when they felt truly heard and supported. They discussed how they used the CDC’s Hear Her conversation guides to help them speak up for their health in the clinical setting, and to have more effective conversations with their providers.
In each episode, listeners explored different facets of the broader movement to improve maternal and infant health: centering the voices of mothers, open communication and active listening, evidence-based practice, mental health support, and community connections. All in all, these conversations brought to light the heart of the Hear Her campaign— listening to women when they feel that something is wrong, andwrong and acting when concerns are raised.
Now that Season 1 is complete, all 6 episodes are available to stream on any podcast platform. Transcriptions are also available in both English and Spanish.
What’s Next?
Season 1 may have concluded, but the conversation is just beginning! We are currently gathering ideas and guest speakers for future seasons and lookslook forward to continuing this platform where stories and expertise come together to inspire change for the better.
💡 Stream Season 1 today, share it with your community, and join the conversation.