Ep 306: From Addiction and Homelessness to Hope and Homebirth with Gabrielle Manier

Ep 306: From Addiction and Homelessness to Hope and Homebirth with Gabrielle Manier

Author: Katelyn Fusco December 22, 2025 Duration: 59:14
What was life like for you before you became pregnant? Were you pretty much the same person then as you are now, or have you changed drastically?   Today we'll be speaking with Gabrielle, and precious mother who has truly been pulled from death to life. From addiction to heavy narcotics and homelessness to being pulled out and called into life through Jesus. This story is unbelievably powerful, and I'm so thrilled that Gabrielle's heart desires to share how she has been forever reborn.   Episode Roundup: God makes messy things beautiful. I've seen it time and time again in my own life and in the lives of others, and how clearly was this put on display in Gabrielle's story. Gabrielle shares how she overdosed and flatlined 3 times-- died- and yet now is a whole new, reborn creation who is pointing others to her Savior. What a beautiful testimony. And next, I think it's so incredible to see how the life experiences that she's had, of dysfunction, of such severe struggle-- she's used those to change the paradigm for her own family. Gabrielle and her husband are taking their children down an entirely new path-- one that's functional and full of love and grace. And lastly, I just want to share about the beauty in Gabrielle's decision making. Despite the fact that she's off of social media and thus not being bombarded with pretty homebirth images, she prayed for discernment and knew that what she wanted for her babies was different from the conventional path. I just find it so powerful that Gabrielle trusted and obeyed and had two beautiful girls in a way that empowered her and granted her confidence in motherhood. Links:   Redeem ™ |  https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90 “Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”   Restorative Roots  | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)   Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)  

Hosted by Katelyn Fusco, Happy Homebirth creates a genuine space for conversations that go far beyond the simple how-to of having a baby at home. This podcast centers on the real, unfiltered narratives of people who have experienced natural childbirth, primarily in their own homes. You’ll hear directly from mothers as they recount the intensity, joy, and transformative power of their journeys, alongside the perspectives of midwives and other care providers who support them. While the tone is often uplifting and engaging, these discussions don’t shy away from the raw and challenging moments, offering a fully rounded picture of what homebirth can entail. It’s about building a supportive community through shared stories, where education and encouragement are woven into every episode. Tuning in means connecting with a resource that honors the entire spectrum of motherhood, from pregnancy and birth to parenting and personal health, all while exploring the intersections of family life and personal well-being. For anyone curious, planning, or simply seeking honest dialogue about this profound life experience, this podcast serves as a valuable and comforting companion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Homebirth
Podcast Episodes
Encore: Homebirth and Chiropractic Wisdom With Dr. Courtney Kahla [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:18
Let’s say you’re a birth expert- you’ve been working with pregnant mothers for years, and you’re finally having the homebirth of your dreams. Is firm education enough, or will there possibly be unexpected tests in the em…
Encore: Simplifying Birth, Simplifying Childhood with Ginny Yurtich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Have you ever been disqualified from something? Maybe you were in a swim meet and your feet touched the bottom of the pool. Maybe your scholarship essay was too short and you were taken out of the running…. But have you…
Encore: Elizabeth’s Peaceful Surprise Twin Homebirth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:46
What surprised you most about your homebirth? Was it… the way you vocalized during your surges? Or maybe it was how incredibly accomplished you felt afterward? Or… was it the number of babies that you gave birth to? This…
Encore: Birth as a Rite of Passage with Dr. Rachel Reed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Today's guest: Dr Rachel Reed is a midwife, academic, author, and international speaker who focuses on childbirth physiology, midwifery practice, and women's rights (and rites). She has provided midwifery care for many w…
Encore: Homebirth is a Team Sport [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
Show Notes: Christine and Andrew started their pregnancy journey traditionally with OB care. However, as the pregnancy progressed, they began feeling more and more frustrated about the fact that appointments were fast an…
Encore: Emily Catches Her Own Baby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:29
Did you know that you could be so intimately aware of what's going on in your labor that you could be the one to reach down and catch your own baby? I sure didn't with my first daughter, and there's absolutely no way I w…
Encore: Real Food for Pregnancy (and Postpartum!) With Lily Nichols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:50
Pregnancy and postpartum. Many of us strive to maintain a healthy diet during these pivotal times, but what does a healthy diet look like? Should we stick to the guidelines? Enter Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE. Lily is an exper…
Encore: How Did We Get Here?! The History of U.S. Maternity Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:47
Have you ever been on a drive and say 15 minutes in you think to yourself, “Woah, how did I get here? You realize you’ve lost your way and you need to turn it around and go back to the start. In this week’s episode, we’l…
Encore: Leah and Her Midwife Handle a  Complication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:38
Show Notes: Leah is a registered nurse engaged to a UFC fighter, Brandon Davis. They have just grown their family with a new baby! She had a homebirth with her first baby. When asked how she decided to have a homebirth,…