Joshua Liston-Zawadi Doula, CHW

Joshua Liston-Zawadi is a proud Milwaukee native who prioritizes community, fatherhood, and mental health. Josh celebrates the process of family and community building by using his platform and work to model how to be an intentional figure in the lives of their children. Josh is also the man behind the social media brand Melanated Daddy and the signature non-birthing parenting course Dad Doula.

He is also the co-founder and executive director of the newly founded family and community engagement non-profit organization, Life reDefined. The mission of the Dad Doula program is to provide resources, and guidance for the non-birthing parent as they plan to support the birthing person during the pregnancy, labor, and delivery and thereafter. This is done by learning how to advocate and support with intentional presence. This service is extended to expecting parents, new again parents, and parents looking to re-enter their children’s lives. The mission of Life reDefined is to inspire family and community connection through intentional and collaborative experiences.

Josh Liston-Zawadi is an Army Veteran, husband, biological, and bonus dad to four children. He is a lover of Christ and believes in the power of community. He also identifies as a womanist and uses he/him pronouns. His passion for fatherhood is rooted in the belief that Iron Sharpens Iron. He can be reached online via his website at www.MelanatedDaddy.com or on social media ( Instagram, Twitter, Clubhouse) @melanateddaddy. Visit www.liferedefinedmke.org for more opportunities to support the work.

Session

Their Presence, How to Utilize Non Birthing Partners, for Best Possible Birth and Postpartum Outcomes

Dads, Partners, and other support people play a pivotal role in creating positive, safe, and productive birthing spaces, and doulas working collaboratively with the support people bring a powerful dynamic for the client. In this session, doula Joshua Zawadi, owner of the Melanated Daddy and the signature non-birthing parenting course Dad Doula, will share important insight into how doulas can best work together with non-birthing partners to create relationships and incorporate them into the space as accomplices in the work. The session will include tactics on how doulas can help birthing partners become better advocates on behalf of the birthing person and other tips that will enhance the doulas’ understanding of the power of the partner.

Doulas have a unique ability to build relationships and amplify the role of the partner, resulting in better birth and postpartum experiences and increased comfort and safety of the client as they experience one of life’s most significant journeys.