Shows
Faith and FeminismThe Crisis We Can't Ignore: Black Maternal Health in AmericaBlack mothers carry the sacred work of bringing life into the world, yet they face disproportionate danger in pregnancy and childbirth. In this episode with Cessilye Smith of Abide Women's Health Services, we confront the Black maternal health crisis through a theological lens, naming how racism and medical neglect violate the dignity of those made in God's image. We explore what scripture, justice, and faith demand of us—and how communities can take faithful action to ensure Black mothers and babies can flourish.
2025-11-2553 min
Girl, Get Your Groove BackAbide in Her: How One Woman is Healing Communities and HerselfIn this enlightening conversation, Coach Jamila and Cessilye R. Smith explore the themes of personal empowerment, the importance of setting boundaries, and the journey of self-discovery. Cessilye shares her experiences with people-pleasing, motherhood, and the challenges of navigating anxiety while leading a nonprofit organization, Abide Women's Health Services. They discuss the significance of deconstructing toxic beliefs, particularly within the context of faith, and the importance of prioritizing wellness. The conversation culminates in reflections on personal growth, the impact of community, and the power of supporting one another in the journey of life.Takeaways:Boundaries are essential for...
2025-09-0252 min
This World Is OursS3 Ep. 11 - Black Women, Doulas, and Safer Birthing ExperiencesBirthing disparities exist in the US and UK, with charities like FIVEXMORE addressing these issues in the UK.
In this month’s episode, we sit down with Cessilye R. Smith, Founder and CEO of Abide Women’s Health Services based in Texas, to discuss her inspiring work creating safer birthing environments for Black women. From the crucial role of doulas to tackling systemic inequities in maternal care, Cessilye shares her journey of advocacy and empowerment.
In this episode, we dive into the importance of self-care and rest, especially for those committed to community focused work, and b...
2024-11-2947 min
Black History for White PeopleBlack Midwives: Celebrating Legacy and Advancing Maternal Care with Cessilye SmithIn light of Black Maternal Health Week, this episode revisits key issues in black maternal health with Cessilye Smith, exploring the historical and ongoing role of black midwives through her personal story and discussing the work of entities like Abide Women's Services to better black mothers and infants' health outcomes.Cessilye R. Smith, an inspiring maternal justice advocate, joins this episode with rich stories and insightful reflections on her work. She is the driving force behind Abide Women's Services, an organization dedicated to reducing disparities in black infant and maternal health outcomes. As a liberator, justice seeker...
2024-04-101h 10
THE TAPESTRYLISTENING FOR THE VOICE OF GOD - SHELLY SHEPHERD - TILDE GUAJARDO - CESSILYE SMITHTilde Guajardo is an entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, global mentor, author, investor, and a proud Army Veteran. Tilde is powerful woman full of faith, hope and love, no longer shackled by anger, fear or shame. She didn’t know it for a long time, but all of her experiences were helping her cultivate a teachable strategy to inspire anyone to become enthusiastic about change, to find their Divine identity, purpose, and power. She’s been doing it for over 20 years in various capacities. Today, she helps women, conscious businesses and organizations rethink how to integrate Spirituality into their everyday lives or c...
2022-12-2626 minFaith and FeminismEpisode 199: Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant HealthCessilye Smith the founder and CEO of Abide Women's Health Services talks to us about racial disparities in Maternal and Infant health-- and her mission to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care by offering healthcare and complimentary services that are easily accessible, holistic, evidence-based and free from judgment.
2022-08-301h 11
THE TAPESTRYAbide in the Rest, the Resistance, and the Restoration--CESSILYE SMITHCessilye Smith is a trailblazer. Opening a clinic that focuses on Black maternal healthcare is a necessity that she has dedicated her life to addressing. As the founder of Abide Women, she shares why this work is critical, the need for more Black midwives, and the importance for leaders to do life differently.
Cessilye prides herself on living in the gray and working through the messiness that life has to offer. Over the years she has witnessed the devastating impact systemic failures in healthcare, housing & economics have had on the human condition. Having the ability to see the ov...
2021-05-1626 min
Am I Qualified to Do This?Am I Qualified to Do This?Meet this week’s guest, Cessilye Smith, founder and Executive Director of Abide Women’s Health Service in Southern Dallas. Cessilye prides herself on living in the gray and working through the messiness that life has to offer. Over the years she has witnessed the devastating impact of systemic failures in healthcare, housing & economics have had on the human condition. Having the ability to see the overlap in these structures has given her the drive to pursue justice in a way that brings unlikely people together. Cessilye's passion for Black women and for her community.
2021-05-0200 min
Am I Qualified to Do This?Am I Qualified to Change How Black Women Give BirthMeet this week’s guest, Cessilye Smith, founder and Executive Director of Abide Women’s Health Service in Southern Dallas. Cessilye prides herself on living in the gray and working through the messiness that life has to offer. Over the years she has witnessed the devastating impact of systemic failures in healthcare, housing & economics have had on the human condition. Having the ability to see the overlap in these structures has given her the drive to pursue justice in a way that brings unlikely people together. Cessilye's passion for Black women and for her community.
2021-05-0256 minBlack History for White PeopleAbide Women's Health ServicesWe meet up with Cessilye Smith, Founder and Executive Director of Abide, at her Dallas location to discuss the work she's doing to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care by offering healthcare and complimentary services that are easily accessible, holistic, evidence based and free from judgment.Follow Cessilye on Instagram or Twitter.Support her on Patreon.Check out Abide's website and support the organization financially.For bonus content, full interviews, and the ability to vote for future topics, $5/month supports...
2021-04-2157 min
Diamonds for Our ChildrenEp 14 - Living in the Gray with Cessilye Smith of Abide Women's Health ServicesThis week, we add our voices to raise awareness for Black Maternal Health Week and to honor Black motherhood. DOC is joined in conversation by Cessilye R. Smith, founder and executive director of Abide Women’s Health Services in Dallas, TX. Inspired by Smith’s commitment to “living in the gray,” we discuss what it means to be countercultural and how we must all resist systemic injustice and oppression by rejecting false categories and affirming the deep human dignity of every person. This is a powerful, vulnerable conversation with someone I deeply admire. Don’t miss it!
2021-04-121h 03
Tea Time with Trish005: Brow Maven, Constance Mack LathamThis week I'm revisiting my Tea Time with Brow Maven Constance Mack Latham. We sat down in August of 2020, during a time of turmoil in Chicago and America, for a conversation that covered race, faith, motherhood and business. I couldn't cut this episode up because I want you to hear the whole thing! Thank you to my friend Constance for joining me and for reminding us that the devil is a liar but we serve a mighty God who is always in control!
Follow Constance's journey via her Instagram @thebrowmaven and @mavenesthetics
The book we...
2021-03-1558 min
Help Her Be Brave PodcastHelp Her Be Brave with Amy Ford - Cessilye Smith, AbideWe love Cessilye Smith and her passion for life, social change, and liberation! Her experience as a Doula changed the trajectory of her work in the pro-life movement. She has now started Abide, a women's health service to improve birth outcomes, offer healthcare, and easy access to the needs of women in her community, free of judgment. You'll be inspired by learning more about inequality, racism, and how you can be a catalyst for change!
2020-10-2531 min
Truth's TableYou Okay, Sis?: Black Midwives & Mamas Matter with Cessilye R. SmithTrigger Warning: Due to sensitive and upsetting information shared in this episode.
In this episode, You Okay, Sis?: Black Midwives & Mamas Matter with Cessilye R. Smith, Christina and Ekemini are joined by Cessilye R. Smith. Cessilye is a racial and maternal justice activist committed to tearing down walls of oppression and division to build bridges that lead to solution-based practices. Her journey began with her struggle with infertility and lack of awareness of her own body and then the eventual healthy, safe and beautiful births of her own children.
Over the years she has witnessed time and time again the...
2019-04-1353 min
Birth Stories in Color22 | Abide - Cessilye R. SmithAbide was born from a simple idea, a birth center in the hood. South Dallas has the highest infant mortality, maternal mortality, low birth weight, and preterm birth statistics. While they are centered in the South Dallas community, Abide serves women from all over Dallas with doula support, midwifery care, childbirth education, and material resources. Their focus being women and families of color.What sets Abide apart from other facilities in their area is their focus of care centered in culture humility and addressing systematic racism. All those who volunteer, work or have any contact with families...
2019-03-1237 min
LifeChat Radio#39: Pro-Everything w. Cessilye R. Smith#39: Pro-Everything w. Cessilye R. Smith by Feleceia Benton + Esther Calloway
2017-08-1700 min