The LIFTS Podcast

• Carrie Krepps - Building Connection and Community for Montana Families

  Guest Bio: Carrie joined Florence Crittenton in 2010 as Grants Officer and quickly moved into the role of Development Director in 2011, a position she held for eight years before becoming Executive Director in 2019.Before Florence Crittenton, Carrie was Education Coordinator for the Montana Hospital Association and gained development and project management experience with the Helena Symphony and Montana State University Athletics.Over her 15 years at Florence Crittenton, Carrie has worked extensively in budget management, fund and contract development, and advocacy. As Executive Director, she leads the integrated leadership team and guides the organization’s mission alongside the Board of Directors and staff, with deep expertise in family-centric care.Carrie holds a Business Marketing degree with a minor in Small Business & Entrepreneurship from Montana State University–Bozeman. A Helena native, she enjoys raising her two daughters, Ella and Sarah, with her husband, Fred, and is passionate about connecting families with strong community support and sustainable programs.Episode Details:In this episode, host Emily Freeman talks with Carrie Krepps, Executive Director at Florence Crittenton Family Services, about the vital work the organization has done for 125 years to support families across Montana.Carrie shares insights into the programs that meet families where they are — from residential services for young mothers and recovery programs, to home visiting, childcare, and community-based support — emphasizing the importance of connection, trust, and long-term relationships.Highlights include:The organization’s 125-year history of serving vulnerable familiesResidential programs for young moms (ages 12–20) and long-term recovery programs for mothers and childrenCommunity-based services: home visiting, parenting classes, supervised visitation, and early childhood careThe critical role of human connection, time, and trust in supporting families through trauma, substance use recovery, and isolationRedefining community: small, meaningful connections can be as impactful as large programs or eventsWhat success looks like: integrating families into community life, supporting children’s development, and fostering resilienceThis episode highlights the power of community, patience, and long-term commitment in supporting Montana families through the challenges of early parenting and beyond.Resources:Florence Crittenton: https://www.florencecrittenton.org/Resources for Perinatal Substance Use:https://mthf.org/priority/the-meadowlark-initiative/https://hmhb-mt.org/look-closer/LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Substance%20Use%20Disorder%20Treatment%20ProvidersEnjoying 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 athttps://hmhb-lifts.org/

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• LIFTS Out Loud: Mindy Petranek - Just Showing Up

  Guest Bio: Mindy Petranek is a fourth-generation rancher in central Montana, where her family has lived and worked the land since 1914. Together with her husband and son, she embraces life “at the end of the road,” finding joy in the rhythm of rural living and the adventures that come with it. Passionate about connection and community, Mindy hopes to shed light on the beauty and challenges of ranch life while helping others find meaningful ways to connect with the land and each other.Episode Description: In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Mindy Petranek, who shares her story of finding connection, support, and community as a mom living on a cattle ranch in rural Montana.Mindy reflects on the challenges of isolation, balancing motherhood with ranch life, and the power of taking small steps to build a support network. Through her experience with the Bad Moms group, she discovered how showing up and creating space for connection can transform your well-being and sense of self.Highlights include:The challenges of finding adult friendships and support in rural lifeHow a simple compliment sparked a mom’s group connectionThe role of mom’s groups in providing understanding, compassion, and communityEncouragement for moms to take small, brave steps to create connections and prioritize self-careTakeaways:Small gestures and showing up consistently can create meaningful support networksMom’s groups can be started anywhere, with minimal resourcesSelf-care and personal time are worth prioritizing, even in busy seasons of lifeThis episode is a heartfelt reminder that connection matters, and sometimes all it takes is the courage to show up.Resources: Read Mindy's story in LIFTS Magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/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 athttps://hmhb-lifts.org/

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• Pamela Ponich - Peer Recovery Doulas in Montana

  Episode Description:In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Pam Ponich, Perinatal Program Manager for One Health, about an innovative program changing the face of perinatal support in Montana — the Peer Recovery Doula certification.Pam, a longtime psychotherapist and program developer, helped create this dual certification for Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialists and Full Spectrum Doulas. The program recognizes the powerful overlap between peer support and birth work — both rooted in trust, lived experience, and standing beside rather than above the person being served.Together, Emily and Pam discuss how this work helps fill critical workforce gaps in rural and frontier areas, reduces stigma, and offers a more compassionate, coordinated approach to supporting families — especially those navigating recovery, trauma, or behavioral health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.Topics in this episode include:What peer support specialists and recovery doulas doHow lived experience strengthens behavioral health and birth workAddressing trauma and stigma in perinatal careHow the Meadowlark Initiative and other statewide efforts are reshaping systems of carePathways for becoming a certified Peer Recovery Doula in MontanaHow Medicaid reimbursement and certification are evolving for doulasResources mentioned:LIFTS Online Resource Guide: hmhb-lifts.org The Meadowlark Initiative: https://mthf.org/priority/the-meadowlark-initiative/ One Health Recovery Doula Program Information: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/project-examples/1123Montana Free Press Recovery Doula Article: https://montanafreepress.org/2023/10/16/montana-recovery-doulas-bridge-gaps-for-pregnant-people-struggling-with-addiction/ Contact: For more information about upcoming Peer Recovery Doula trainings, email Pam Ponich at [email protected] 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 athttps://hmhb-lifts.org/

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• Maureen Ward + Tracie Kiesel - What Families Need to Know About Montana's New Car Seat Law

  Guest BiosMaureen Ward: Since 2019, Maureen has served as Injury Prevention Program Manager for Montana DPHHS, leading strategies to promote safety and well-being across the state. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education from Montana State University and brings 15 years of higher education administration experience, helping her develop and implement effective injury prevention initiatives.Tracie Keel: Tracie has 19+ years of experience in injury prevention and harm reduction across Montana, specializing in child passenger safety, impaired driving, and occupant protection. She coordinates CPS technician trainings, car seat distribution, and local DUI task forces, and serves as a lead instructor for the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program. She also contributes to Montana’s Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan team on unrestrained vehicle occupant safety.Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, Emily Freeman talks with Maureen Ward and Tracie Keel about Montana’s updated car seat and booster seat law, effective October 1.Montana Law Highlights:Under 2: Rear-facing car seat meeting federal standardsAges 2–4: Rear- or forward-facing car seat with internal harnessAges 4–8: Forward-facing car seat or booster seatAges 9+: Booster seat until height/weight limits are met, then vehicle seat beltTopics Covered:Why proper car seat use is essential for child safetyHow federal standards shaped Montana’s new lawResources for installing seats correctly and finding certified CPS techniciansTips for families facing financial or access barriersModeling seatbelt use for childrenCollaboration between lawmakers and safety experts to create a practical, life-saving lawResources mentioned in this episode:Montana Department of Transportation – Child Passenger Safety: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/people/cps-events.aspxSafe Kids Worldwide – Find a Technician: https://cert.safekids.org/Car Seat Education: https://carseateducation.org/ Ultimate Car Seat Guide: https://ucsg.safekids.org/Article on MT's new car seat law: https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/new-car-seat-law-raises-age-requirement-goes-into-effect-oct-1LIFTS Online Resource Guide Category Car Seat Installers: https://hmhb-lifts.org/services?service_type=Car%20Seat%20Installers 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 athttps://hmhb-lifts.org/

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• Stephanie Morton, HMHB - New Season, New Name!

  Welcome to Season 5 of our podcast (formerly Mother Love, now known as The LIFTS Podcast)! Today we'll chat with HMHB's Executive Director, Stephanie Morton, to discuss the upcoming podcast season, our updated name, and more. LIFTS podcast: https://hmhb-mt.org/podcast/LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/LIFTS magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/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 athttps://hmhb-lifts.org/

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