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. Julianne shares her personal journey from experiencing a mental health crisis as a new mom to becoming a doula supporting Indigenous families across the state. She discusses the vital role doulas play in Montana—especially in rural areas—offering emotional support, practical help, and culturally informed care.

Julianne highlights how birth work can be healing, not only for families but for doulas themselves, and shares her experiences navigating traditional practices, breastfeeding challenges, and healthcare systems. She also talks about the importance of workforce development, including the recent Montana doula bill and training opportunities for Indigenous birth workers.

Resources:

• Read Julianne's story in LIFTS Magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/
• HMHB's Native American Initiatives (NAI) - includes download link to Dr. Amy Stiffarm's cultural safety toolkit for hospitals and other medical providers: https://hmhb-mt.org/native-american-initiatives/
• Information about doulas and indigenous birthworkers in MT: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/
• MT Doula Collaborative: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/
• Article about MT Senate Bill 319, creating a certification and licensure process for doulas: https://montanafreepress.org/2025/05/14/governor-signs-new-law-professionalizing-doula-care/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

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, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Montessori Teacher, and she is currently expanding her expertise as a student of Somatic Experiencing. Grounded by a love of nature and a passion for meaningful connection, Suzanne brings both heart and skill to her work supporting families.

Episode Description:

In this inspiring episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Suzanne Bendick, Co-Executive Director of Roots Family Collaborative in Bozeman, about how one mom’s personal experience of isolation led to a movement supporting families across Montana.

Suzanne shares the origin story of Roots, the creation of the powerful “Moms Like Me” storytelling project, and how storytelling can heal, connect, and transform communities. Through honest reflection, she highlights the importance of listening, collaboration, and grassroots action in building strong perinatal mental health support systems — especially in Montana’s rural and frontier communities.

Highlights include:

• How Roots Family Collaborative was born from lived experience
• The origins and impact of the Moms Like Me storytelling project
• Why listening is a radical act of support for new parents
• Tips for communities wanting to start similar efforts in their own areas

Suzanne’s message:
“You don’t have to have a plan. Just start by coming together — ask questions, listen, and build from there.”

Learn more:

• ROOTS Family Collaborative: www.rootsfamilycollaborative.com
• Moms Like Me storytelling project: https://www.rootsfamilycollaborative.com/moms-like-me

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

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 the interdisciplinary City, Culture, and Community Ph.D. program at Tulane University. She also completed a Masters in Public Health, with a focus on program design and implementation, and a Masters in Social Work, with a focus on disaster mental health at Tulane University. Originally from Logan, Utah, Dr. Liddell completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Reed College, in Portland, Oregon. Her experiences as a doula and as a mother inform her research and drive her passion for this work. Here is a link to her CV: Liddell_CV_2025_August

Episode Details:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Dr. Jessica Liddell, Associate Professor in the University of Montana’s School of Social Work, about her research and advocacy around perinatal mental health.

Dr. Liddell shares insights from her work in Montana and abroad — from New Zealand to Australia — exploring how culture, connection, and community all shape the postpartum experience. She discusses how doulas can be powerful allies in supporting mental health, especially in rural and tribal communities, and why genuine collaboration among providers is key to improving care across the state.

The conversation also touches on what gives her hope for the future of maternal health in Montana, the growing awareness among students and professionals, and the importance of grounding ourselves in meaningful, community-based work.

Topics in this episode include:

• The role of doulas in supporting perinatal mental health
• Similarities between rural Montana and rural communities abroad
• Stigma and the “frontier mentality” around seeking help
• Building the maternal health workforce in Montana
• Addressing the overlap between perinatal mental health and substance use
• Community-driven and online supports for new parents

Resources mentioned:

• Postpartum Support International – Montana Chapter: https://psichapters.com/mt/
• Resources for Perinatal Mental Health: https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/perinatal-mental-health/
• Resources for Doulas: https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/doulas-and-birth-workers/
• Additional Information about Montana Doulas: https://www.montanadoulacollaborative.org/
• LIFTS Online Resource Guide:

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/