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Adaptive Humans™ is the podcast for real talk and intentional growth. Hosted by Jami de Lou, each episode blends meaningful stories with practical tools you can use in your next meeting, tough conversation, or high-pressure moment—and just as easily in everyday life. Together, we’ll explore how to work with emotions instead of against them, bridge differences with respect, and steady ourselves when stress runs high. With signature segments like Beyond the Bio, Brave Enough Moment, and Just Be Reset, this podcast invites you to practice adaptability in the moments that matter most.
Adaptive Humans Podcast: "Everyone Deserves an Advocate" with Leah Hairston
[00:08] Jami de Lou:
Welcome back to Adaptive Humans, the podcast for real talk and intentional growth. I'm your host, Jami de Lou. Around here, we return to three anchors each week: emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and nervous system regulation—because they help us stay human when life gets real.
Content Note:
Today’s episode includes honest discussion of birth experiences and maternal health inequities. If that’s a tender topic today, take care of yourself and come back when you're ready.
[00:42] Jami de Lou:
Today, we’re talking about birth and the kind of care that centers dignity. Even if you’re not a birthing person, this conversation matters. What we understand about maternal health shapes how we show up for friends, family, coworkers, and communities. In the U.S., Black mothers face disproportionately higher risks during pregnancy and postpartum. Awareness isn't about blame—it's about offering better support, asking better questions, and providing better care.
[01:20] Guest Introduction:
My guest today is Leah Hairston, founder of Sweet Bee Services and the Spectrum Doula Collective. If the word "doula" is new to you, think of it as a trained support person who walks with you before, during, and after birth—emotionally, physically, and as a guide through the medical system.
[01:42] About Leah:
Leah is a seasoned doula with a mission to end maternal mortality. She's the founder and CEO of Sweet Bee Services, a full-spectrum reproductive health agency based in Baltimore, Maryland. Her team offers trauma-informed, justice-focused, family-centered care. Leah is also an instructor for the National Black Doula Association and a graduate of Howard and Columbia Universities.
[02:42] Jami de Lou:
Leah, welcome to Adaptive Humans. I'm so glad you're here.
[02:46] Leah Hairston:
Thank you, Jami. It is an honor to be here.
[02:49] Jami de Lou:
We always begin with "Beyond the Bio" to meet the human behind the work. What early experiences shaped the way you show up as a doula, a leader, and a founder?
[03:28] Leah Hairston:
My earliest memories are of caregiving. I'm the oldest of four, and I always tell clients I started as a big sister with a Cabbage Patch doll named Sonia. I mimicked what my mom did while caring for my siblings. But I also started asking, "Who takes care of the mom?"
As I got older, women in my community began sharing stories about not feeling safe or supported during birth. That pushed me into this justice-focused work. I didn’t meet a Black doula until grad school, and that’s when I knew—this was what I was meant to do.
[05:11] Jami de Lou:
For full disclosure, I’ve known Leah since she was young. I was at her house the day her youngest sister was born. Even then, I saw how she tuned into her mother’s needs. It’s so powerful to hear how those early experiences planted the seeds for your work now.
[06:24] Jami de Lou:
I know your background is also in social work. How has that informed how you approach doula care?
[06:27] Leah Hairston:
Social work and doula work are deeply intertwined. Both are rooted in equity and justice. My training in social work helped me see how to support birthing people in a way that honors their full humanity—not just physically but emotionally and systemically. I bring that mindset to every client interaction.
[08:44] Jami de Lou:
There’s so much nuance to this work—especially in hospital systems that aren’t always built with equity in mind. My own experiences caregiving for my mom with MS showed me how essential it is to have an advocate in those rooms.
[12:18] Jami de Lou:
Let’s talk about how you're making doula care more accessible. What is Sweet Bee doing to support families who might not otherwise afford or access this kind of care?
[12:47] Leah Hairston:
At Sweet Bee Services, we built a model to ensure everyone has access. We became one of the first Black-woman-owned Medicaid-approved doula agencies in Maryland. We use a 3-to-1 model: for every three clients who pay out of pocket, we offset care costs for one Medicaid client through our equity fund. We also provide comprehensive childbirth education.
[17:39] Jami de Lou:
You're also thinking deeply about trust across identities. How do you build that cultural trust with clients from different backgrounds?
[18:09] Leah Hairston:
Emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and nervous system regulation are all essential. I read body language constantly, assess the room, and center humility. Clients come from so many cultures—immigrant families, multigenerational households, LGBTQ+ families—and I meet each with respect. Cultural humility is the foundation.
[25:27] Jami de Lou:
You said something I want to echo: everyone deserves to feel like the space was made for them. In a doula or leadership role, it's not enough to assume safety. You have to actively create it.
[26:35] Leah Hairston:
Exactly. We need to stop assuming people feel safe with us just because of our title. Vulnerable experiences like birth require people to truly feel held and seen.
[27:37] Jami de Lou:
That leads us into the "Brave Enough" moment. What was a time you had to make a leap before you had it all figured out?
[27:46] Leah Hairston:
Leaving my leadership job to be a full-time doula in 2021 was that moment. I knew I had to follow my calling. It was scary—but within a year, I served 27 clients, launched Sweet Bee, and knew I was where I was meant to be.
[35:03] Jami de Lou:
You're also growing the field by training and mentoring new doulas. Tell us about that work and your app.
[39:52] Leah Hairston:
I developed a 12-week training and mentorship program for doulas, and many of my students have become team members. I also built the Sweet Bee Health app to help clients track symptoms related to preeclampsia and postpartum depression, and empower early conversations with providers.
[44:08] Jami de Lou:
If you had a magic wand to shift policy in hospitals or workplaces, what would you change?
[44:12] Leah Hairston:
Every birthing person should have a doula—no red tape. And we need 12 months of paid leave to support biological recovery and mental health.
[46:26] Jami de Lou:
What are some ways you regulate and protect your nervous system?
[46:26] Leah Hairston:
I take August off every year and avoid clients during holidays. I journal, walk my dog, and build spacious mornings. I also teach my team the importance of "giving from the saucer, not the cup."
[50:39] Jami de Lou:
Let’s close with a lightning round. What’s one myth you’d retire?
[51:10] Leah Hairston:
Everything that is instinctual is not easy.
[51:42] Jami de Lou:
Best question a patient can ask a provider?
[51:42] Leah Hairston:
Are these all my options?
[51:51] Jami de Lou:
A mantra that keeps you grounded?
[51:51] Leah Hairston:
My path is beautiful and crooked and just as it should be.
[52:28] Jami de Lou:
Leah, thank you for the powerful work you’re doing to bring dignity and advocacy into birth spaces. We’ll link to Sweet Bee Services in the show notes.
[53:19] Closing:
If this episode brought up big feelings, take a breath and reach out to someone you trust. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 anytime for support. And if this conversation resonated, share it with someone who’s preparing to give birth or someone in your workplace who can shift policies.
Adaptive leadership starts with presence. Keep practicing connection.
Until next time, remember: I am brave. I am enough. I am brave enough—and so are you.
This is Adaptive Humans.
Real Talk. Intentional Growth.