Creating a Calm Space: Podcast Episode #114

Amber Brandt poses in her kitchen with her chin resting in her palm

Today Amber Brant of The Coziness Consultant talks with Alyssa about how new moms can create a calm space in their homes in the midst of chaos.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome.  You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all […]

Preparing your dog for a new baby: podcast episode #113

Masked woman sits at a desk holding a pen and paper with a dog in her office sniffing someone's hand

Today Kristin talks to Jenn Gavin, owner of A Pleasant Dog in Grand Rapids, MI about when to prepare your dogs for the arrival of a new baby.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa:  Welcome.  You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts […]

Birthing in a Pandemic

Birth during a pandemic

We have seen so much strength and resilience from our clients and our subcontracted doulas within the last year. Being pregnant and birthing in a pandemic is no joke. Gold Coast has supported over 200 families during this time. We are so thankful for the trust they placed in us. Our birth doulas have worked […]

Bebcare Low EMF Baby Monitors: Podcast Episode #112

bebcare THERE BEYOND TOUCH logo and image

Baby monitors: Today Alyssa, a sleep consultant at Gold Coast Doulas, speaks with Lisa, a Building Biologist at Well Abode, and Brian, an engineer at Bebcare.  Bebcare has the lowest EMF baby monitors on the market.  The conversation gets a little technical but it’s really interesting, and you may learn a thing or two about […]

Meet Jaclyn!

Jaclyn Geroux family photo with husband and children

Meet Jaclyn Geroux, our newest postpartum doula! She filled out our questionnaire, so let’s get to know her! What did you do before you became a doula? I’ve spent the last 3.5 years as a stay at home mom. Prior to that, I was employed as an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, […]

Transformed by Postpartum Depression: Podcast Episode #110

Transformed by Postpartum Depression Podcast Episode Zoom Interview Screenshot

    Alyssa:  Hi.  Welcome to the Ask the Doulas Podcast.  My  name is Alyssa Veneklase.  I am co‑owner of Gold Coast Doulas, and today, I have Jessica Kupres, one of our postpartum doulas, with us, and we are both so excited to talk to Dr. Ladd.  She is the author of a book called […]

Bebcare – A safe monitor for your baby’s nursery

Bebcare: DSR Digital Safe Radio Ultra-low Radiation image and logo

A while ago I recorded three videos about electromagnetic emissions and creating a sleep sanctuary for your child. You can find all three on our YouTube channel. I spoke with Lisa Tiedt, a Building Biologist at Well Abode. She used science to physically demonstrate to us how baby monitors, sound machines, and wifi modems emit […]

Car Seat Safety with Secure Quest: Podcast Episode #109

Secure Quest Keeping Kids Safe Logo

  Kristin talks with Jennifer Hoekstra, one of the owners of Secure Quest, about car seat safety for our babies and toddlers.  You’ll be astonished at how many of us install our car seats incorrectly!  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.  Kristin:  Welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold […]

Transitioning to a Big Kid Bed: Podcast Episode #108

Sam's Treasure Chest Sticker on the front of a latched clear box

Alyssa talks to Chris Emmer, a past sleep and postpartum doula client, about transitioning her daughter to a “big kid bed.”  Alyssa gives tips on shortening the bedtime routine and getting the child involved and excited about sleep!  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa:  Hi.  Thanks for joining […]

Meet Ashley Harland!

Ashley Harland horizontal headshot for Gold Coast Doulas

Meet Ashley Harland, our newest postpartum doula! 1) What did you do before you became a doula? Before I became a doula I did many things! I’ve done photography (and still do), started an eco-friendly farm, homeschooled my children, did housekeeping, and mentored special needs adults to name a few! 2) What inspired you to […]

What I Didn’t Know About Pregnancy and Birth: Podcast Episode #107

Pregnant woman wearing black dress and mustard yellow jacket standing in front of a body of water, autumn tree, and holding her pregnant belly

  Today Kristin and Alyssa talk about some interesting, and funny, and gross things that happened to their bodies during pregnancy and birth that were a bit unexpected!  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.   Alyssa:  Hi and welcome to the Ask the Doulas podcast.  I am Alyssa Veneklase, […]

Sleep and Virtual School: Podcast Episode #106

Little girl sitting at a desk taking an online class

  Kristin and Alyssa talk about the struggle to get kids to sleep during virtual school at home.  Is it important to have a set bedtime?  Can kids stay up late?  We answer these questions and more!  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa:  Hello.  Welcome to the Ask […]

Audra’s Birth Story: Podcast Episode #105

Audra Geyer Doula horizontal headshot for Gold Coast Doulas with hand on hip

  Audra Geyer, Gold Coast’s newest birth doula, tells us her birth story and how birth support from her doula was a game changer.  She also took HypnoBirthing classes and went from being afraid of labor to looking forward to it!  Her experience with Gold Coast let her to become a doula herself! You can […]

Meet Audra!

Audra Geyer family photo with husband and infant daughter standing outside on stairs in front of a river and wooded area

We are excited to introduce you to Audra Geyer, our newest birth doula! She was a recent HypnoBirthing student and birth client of ours who loved the experience so much she decided to become a doula herself! What did you do before you became a doula? I currently work as a Speech Language Pathologist at […]

Meet Savannah!

Savannah Tallman family photo in front of stacked kayaks and holding paddles

Meet Savannah Tallman, our newest birth doula! What did you do before you became a doula? Before obtaining my doula education, I was a full time student at Hope College in Holland. There I was able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and Psychology. After graduation I moved to Grand Rapids […]

Acupuncture for Anxiety: Podcast Episode #105

Woman's shoulder with three acupuncture needles sticking in it

Kristin Revere, Co-Owner of Gold Coast Doulas talks with Vikki Nestico of Grand Wellness about acupuncture to help relieve stress, tension, and anxiety.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.   Kristin:  Welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas.  I’m Kristin, and I’m here today with Vikki from […]

What I Wish I Knew: Podcast Episode #104

Alyssa Veneklase and Kristin Revere sit in an office while podcasting together

Kristin and Alyssa, owners of Gold Coast Doulas, talk about the things they wish they had known before having a baby.  Listen to this fun episode packed with advice and lots of little gold nuggets of information for new parents!  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.  Kristin:  Welcome to […]

Gold Coast Doulas 5th Annual Diaper Drive

We Need Your Help! Gold Coast Doulas 5th Annual Diaper Drive: September 1 - October 1. Now, more than ever, families are in need of diapers. Donate at www.nestlings.org with Gold Coast Doulas and Nestlings Diaper Bank logos

Gold Coast Doulas LLC is holding our 5th annual Diaper Drive from September 1st to October 1st, 2020. Giving back is an important foundation of our business as a Certified B Corporation; clean diapers make a huge impact on the health of new families. Diaper need is something that goes almost completely unrecognized, but 1 […]

Acupuncture during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Podcast Episode #103

Dr. Carrie Dennie leans against a brick wall

Dr. Carrie Dennie, ND speaks with Alyssa about the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy and postpartum.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.   Alyssa:  Welcome to the Ask the Doulas Podcast.  You are listening to Alyssa Veneklase.  I am the co-owner of Gold Coast Doulas, and today, I am […]

Meet Jessi!

Jessi Heins selfie with daughter

Meet our newest Birth Doula, Jessi Heins! She filled out our questionnaire, so let’s get to know her! What did you do before you became a doula? Currently I work part time at a hotel in Douglas, Michigan. Prior to that I was a stay at home parent. I have also made lattes and worked […]

Top 5 Return To Learning Tips

Little girl sitting at a desk taking an online class

Fall is almost upon us…chunky sweatshirts and boots, falling leaves and school…let’s take a look at how best to prepare mentally and physically for what returning to learning means to you and your family. First of all, you are NOT alone in your feelings of anxiety or vulnerability and it is exhausting living in the land of uncertainty. There are, however, a […]

Saturday Series of Classes: Podcast Episode #102

Gold Coast Doulas Saturday Series: Comfort Measures for Labor, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Survival Classes. goldcoastdoulas.com/events

Kristin Revere, Kelly Emery, and Alyssa Veneklase talk about their Saturday Series of classes offered through Gold Coast Doulas.  Each goes in to detail about what their classes cover including Comfort Measures for Labor, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Survival.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.   Kristin:  Welcome to Ask […]

Creating a Safe Sleep Space: Routers

A wooden desk with a pad of paper, cell phone, two cups of coffee, and a wifi router

Alyssa Veneklase talks with Lisa Tiedt, Building Biologist and owner of Well Abode, about creating health sanctuaries in our homes.  You can watch this video on YouTube.   Alyssa:  Hi.  It’s Alyssa and Lisa here again.  This is Part 3 of our series on how to create a low EMF sleep space, and we’ve kind […]

Creating a Low EMF Sleep Space: Baby Monitors

Top 5 EMF Culprits Disrupting Your Baby's Sleep

Alyssa Veneklase talks with Lisa Tiedt, Building Biologist and owner of Well Abode, about creating health sanctuaries in our own homes.  You can watch this video on YouTube.   Alyssa:  Hi, again.  We are in our series of how to create a safe sleep space, and I am Alyssa, talking to Lisa Tiedt again.  She […]