conferences, teaching programs and special events
Our presentations inspire Non-defensive Communication and new understandings

The “arts” can, in unforgettable ways, allow us to experience stepping into the shoes
of others while having a personally intimate and shared journey at the same time.

CAN YOU HEAR ME BABY? - Stories and Songs about Birth

“Can You Hear Me Baby?” dramatizes the beauty, challenges, personal courage, losses, miracles, and profundity of birth. Resourced from interviews with moms, dads, doctors, nurses, doulas, midwives and more, the stories reveal personal, challenging, surprising, deeply touching and often outrageous situations that can arise during birth.

An educational resource appropriate for a wide range of audiences from underprivileged and low-income pregnant women and their partners, to middle and upper class parents, caregivers, professionals, doctors and educators, these stories inspire introspection and conversation.

A Talk Back with the writers can provide a valuable way to deepen the experience.

Research reveals that 30-40-% of people experience birth as a trauma, leaving them feeling disempowered and wounded. We repeatedly hear from our audiences that witnessing the authentic stories of others is inspiring, empowering, and healing.
www.canyouhearmebaby.com

UNEXPECTED! A STORY OF SEX, LOVE AND OMG BIRTH - A New Musical!

“Unexpected! A Story of Sex, Love and OMG Birth” is a two-act musical play that’s hilarious like “Waitress” and thought provoking like “Evan Hanson”. It’s soaring music leads us through the story of a new marriage, an unexpected baby, unlikely amazing girlfriends, synchronicity, and current challenges faced by Gen X, Y, and Z. “Unexpected!” is about hope, generational healing, friendship and love. Watch the sizzle reel and learn more!
Unexpectedthemusical.com

IMPLICIT BIAS PROGRAM (in development for the University of Buffalo Medical and Nursing Schools)

Created by Lisa Rafel in collaboration with the Pre and Perinatal Network of Buffalo, NY             

The Implicit Bias Program is a theatrical teaching resource based on true stories. Adapted from interviews from parents, birthing professionals, hospital administrators and more, this project is currently in development for the University of Buffalo Medical and Nursing School in collaboration with the Pre and Perinatal Network of Buffalo, New York. Our goal is to improve hospital practices and patient care. This work supports the relationship between professionals and parents during pregnancy and birth to be more compassionate, empowering and less traumatic.

BACKGROUND:

The Implicit Bias Program created by Lisa Rafel and the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network received a grant from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York (HFWNY). The grant was given to develop teaching scenarios about implicit bias in healthcare, specifically maternal health, to raise awareness and educate medical students, OB/GYN residents, attending faculty, nurses, social workers, and other members of the care team.

True stories are the source material. The dramatizations highlight the current inadequate and incomplete hospital environment and procedures regarding birthing and bonding that are negatively impacting specifically brown and black mothers and babies. Experiencing heart touching true stories educates and raises empathy and awareness without lecturing and presenting information through dogma.

The script will be performed by professional actors. Videos of the presentation will be used for educational purposes in the Buffalo Medical and Nursing schools. They will also be used to educate and empower minority and underserved populations to teach them to advocate for themselves to ensure they receive the best care available. The videos will also be made available for future use with professional and minority populations.