Stories from the World of Medicine

Season

8

Episode

2

|

Nov 6, 2025

Birth and Poetry with Sarah Auna

Birth doula Sarah Auna has attended nearly 500 births. Today, she shares the story of one particularly powerful birth—an experience that unfolded not only in the body, but in the mind and spirit of everyone present. Through vivid storytelling, Sarah reflects on the physiology and psychology of labor, the art of creating safety in moments of intensity, and the lessons birth has taught her about trust, presence, and self-knowledge.

0:00/1:34

Stories from the World of Medicine

Season

8

Episode

2

|

Nov 6, 2025

Birth and Poetry with Sarah Auna

Birth doula Sarah Auna has attended nearly 500 births. Today, she shares the story of one particularly powerful birth—an experience that unfolded not only in the body, but in the mind and spirit of everyone present. Through vivid storytelling, Sarah reflects on the physiology and psychology of labor, the art of creating safety in moments of intensity, and the lessons birth has taught her about trust, presence, and self-knowledge.

0:00/1:34

Stories from the World of Medicine

Season

8

Episode

2

|

11/6/25

Birth and Poetry with Sarah Auna

Birth doula Sarah Auna has attended nearly 500 births. Today, she shares the story of one particularly powerful birth—an experience that unfolded not only in the body, but in the mind and spirit of everyone present. Through vivid storytelling, Sarah reflects on the physiology and psychology of labor, the art of creating safety in moments of intensity, and the lessons birth has taught her about trust, presence, and self-knowledge.

0:00/1:34

About Our Guest

Sarah Auna (Storyteller)
Sarah Auna is a practical, curious and inspirational birth expert. A doula based out of Minnesota, she is ready to facilitate a positive birth and postpartum experience.

Rachel Kurtz (songwriter)

Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Rachel Kurtz is poised for a breakthrough with her 2018 album, Love, Rachel Kurtz. A remarkable vocalist and magnetic stage presence, Kurtz has released a new 13-song collection of original soul, Americana, and blues tracks backed by some of Minneapolis’ finest session musicians. Following an unconventional career path, Rachel Kurtz has found acclaim and a national audience of thousands due to her appearances at a series of community service events held in sports arenas across the country. Raising awareness for world hunger, hurricane relief, and multi-cultural reconciliation, Kurtz’s powerhouse voice and heartfelt performances have been electrifying crowds in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, New Orleans’ Superdome, Texas’ Alamo Dome, and hundreds of other concert venues from coast to coast. With her new Love, Rachel Kurtz, album follows in the footsteps of gospel-activist diva Mavis Staples, while contributing to the neo-soul revivalist movement spearheaded by like-minded artists Alabama Shakes, Adele, and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. This is the moment, and this is the music, that shall introduce the power of Rachel Kurtz’s voice and vision to a whole new audience.

About The Show

The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, conversations with healthcare-related authors, and art-makers. Our mission is to humanize healthcare and foster joy, wonder, and curiosity among clinicians and patients alike.

resources

Credits

About Our Guest

Sarah Auna (Storyteller)
Sarah Auna is a practical, curious and inspirational birth expert. A doula based out of Minnesota, she is ready to facilitate a positive birth and postpartum experience.

Rachel Kurtz (songwriter)

Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Rachel Kurtz is poised for a breakthrough with her 2018 album, Love, Rachel Kurtz. A remarkable vocalist and magnetic stage presence, Kurtz has released a new 13-song collection of original soul, Americana, and blues tracks backed by some of Minneapolis’ finest session musicians. Following an unconventional career path, Rachel Kurtz has found acclaim and a national audience of thousands due to her appearances at a series of community service events held in sports arenas across the country. Raising awareness for world hunger, hurricane relief, and multi-cultural reconciliation, Kurtz’s powerhouse voice and heartfelt performances have been electrifying crowds in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, New Orleans’ Superdome, Texas’ Alamo Dome, and hundreds of other concert venues from coast to coast. With her new Love, Rachel Kurtz, album follows in the footsteps of gospel-activist diva Mavis Staples, while contributing to the neo-soul revivalist movement spearheaded by like-minded artists Alabama Shakes, Adele, and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. This is the moment, and this is the music, that shall introduce the power of Rachel Kurtz’s voice and vision to a whole new audience.

About The Show

The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, conversations with healthcare-related authors, and art-makers. Our mission is to humanize healthcare and foster joy, wonder, and curiosity among clinicians and patients alike.

resources

Credits

About Our Guest

Sarah Auna (Storyteller)
Sarah Auna is a practical, curious and inspirational birth expert. A doula based out of Minnesota, she is ready to facilitate a positive birth and postpartum experience.

Rachel Kurtz (songwriter)

Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Rachel Kurtz is poised for a breakthrough with her 2018 album, Love, Rachel Kurtz. A remarkable vocalist and magnetic stage presence, Kurtz has released a new 13-song collection of original soul, Americana, and blues tracks backed by some of Minneapolis’ finest session musicians. Following an unconventional career path, Rachel Kurtz has found acclaim and a national audience of thousands due to her appearances at a series of community service events held in sports arenas across the country. Raising awareness for world hunger, hurricane relief, and multi-cultural reconciliation, Kurtz’s powerhouse voice and heartfelt performances have been electrifying crowds in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, New Orleans’ Superdome, Texas’ Alamo Dome, and hundreds of other concert venues from coast to coast. With her new Love, Rachel Kurtz, album follows in the footsteps of gospel-activist diva Mavis Staples, while contributing to the neo-soul revivalist movement spearheaded by like-minded artists Alabama Shakes, Adele, and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. This is the moment, and this is the music, that shall introduce the power of Rachel Kurtz’s voice and vision to a whole new audience.

About The Show

The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, conversations with healthcare-related authors, and art-makers. Our mission is to humanize healthcare and foster joy, wonder, and curiosity among clinicians and patients alike.

resources

Credits

The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association, and donations from people like you!

This episode is sponsored by The Physicians Foundation.

Transcript

Note: The Nocturnists is an audio-first experience with emotion and sound design that can be difficult to fully capture in text. Transcripts are provided to support accessibility and reference, but may contain minor inaccuracies. If quoting in print, please consult the audio when possible.

Note: The Nocturnists is an audio-first experience with emotion and sound design that can be difficult to fully capture in text. Transcripts are provided to support accessibility and reference, but may contain minor inaccuracies. If quoting in print, please consult the audio when possible.

Transcript

Note: The Nocturnists is an audio-first experience with emotion and sound design that can be difficult to fully capture in text. Transcripts are provided to support accessibility and reference, but may contain minor inaccuracies. If quoting in print, please consult the audio when possible.

0:00/1:34