Melanie Sandoval was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 18 weeks pregnant. Instead of giving up, she launched a nonprofit. Today, this first-generation Mexican-American doula and single mother of three is fighting for South Texas families through Kindred Hearts and Doula Things with Mel. This episode discusses the maternal health crisis (Corpus Christi is down 20+ OBGYNs), men's mental health in Hispanic culture, postpartum mood disorders nobody talks about, trauma-informed birth care for assault survivors, immigration realities under current enforcement, teen pregnancy, birth options beyond hospitals, and why community is the only way forward. Melanie has witnessed 200+ births and shares raw truths about surviving postpartum psychosis, rebuilding after seizures, and creating the support systems South Texas families desperately need.
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Blog post Here
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Connect with Melanie:
@meltakesonlife
@doulathingswithmel
@kindredheartstx
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Disclaimer: The content of this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns. The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect those of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, its studio, sponsors, or affiliated entities.

• (00:00:00) - Melanie Sandoval on Maternal Health & Building a Community
• (00:09:14) - One Latina's Fight Against Cancer
• (00:13:13) - Mental health and the family
• (00:18:00) - Married Men Talk About Their Issues
• (00:21:29) - Kinder Hearts: A Mother's Network
• (00:26:50) - What's a doula and how they can help you?
• (00:32:27) - Anesthesiologist on Women's Mental Health
• (00:38:32) - Marissa on Trump's immigration plan
• (00:43:12) - The Voice of PPD
• (00:47:21) - How to help a mother with postpartum psychosis
• (00:52:05) - Talking About Having a Baby in the Hospital
• (00:52:33) - What's the Difference Between Midwives and Doulas?
• (00:57:01) - Choosing the right birth plan
• (01:01:20) - Pregnant Women on the Pain of Giving Birth
• (01:02:13) - Domestic doulas in Corpus
• (01:04:57) - Heb or HEB?
• (01:06:01) - The Search for a Doula
• (01:09:03) - Immortal Birth: Induction and other interventions
• (01:12:33) - The Corpus Christi Birth Center
• (01:15:05) - Hemorrhage at Home
• (01:18:02) - Women's Edition

In this powerful live-streamed episode from October 5, 2025, host Jesus Hilario H. sits down with Creon Martin (Daddy Cre), rapper, entrepreneur, and host of the Man Look Talk Show on the Ridin' High Podcast Network. Creon shares his journey from growing up in North Side Manor, navigating street life and a 7-year prison sentence, to building his clothing brand Wave God Supreme. He opens up about a life-altering accident that tested his mental health and how podcasting became a platform for real talk on community issues, fatherhood, and fentanyl’s impact. Tune in for wisdom, resilience, and a call to be a good human being.

Sponsored by Premier Hearing Solutions of South Texas Helping Corpus Christi hear life to the fullest — hearing tests, hearing aids, repairs & mobile service. (premierhrg.com)!

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DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

Join us on Corpus Christi Originals as we sit down with Monty Prescott & Shawna Davis of South Texas Haunts and special guest Ben DeLeon from the Recycled Corn Podcast. We dive into chilling paranormal investigations across South Texas, haunted landmarks in Corpus, folklore like La Llorona, and the overlap of ghost stories with local history and culture. From EVP evidence to personal experiences, this episode is full of mystery, storytelling, and Coastal Bend legends.
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Sponsored by Full Stack Solutions
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Episode 92 Blog Post
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