Heart and Health Wellness

This is episode six of The Return, and it might be my favorite conversation in the whole series. Shauntia is a special education teacher who has spent the last six years working with K through 12 students, and for the past several months she has been doing it entirely virtually, logging into classrooms across the country from her home. She went to a fine arts school and majored in drama. She has a...

HEART AND HEALTH WELLNESS PODCAST The Return: Working Mom Interview Series Episode 44 | Released June 23, 2026 About This Episode This one really got me in the feels. I want to be honest with you about that before you press play. Jiana is a pediatric ICU nurse who works the weekender position at a level one hospital in Cleveland — two overnight shifts every weekend so she can be home with her daug...

HEART AND HEALTH WELLNESS PODCAST The Return: Working Mom Interview Series Episode 43  |  Released June 16, 2026 How to Protect Your Maternity Leave Before You Need It This episode is a lot. In the best possible way, but I want to be honest with you before you press play. Jordan is the co-founder and director of operations for Virtual Office Partners in Arizona, mom to 15-month-old Waylon, and som...

What a Twin Mom OT Wishes Every Working Mom Knew About Going Back to Work after Maternity Leave A pediatric OT and twin mom shares what she did differently — and the milestone conversation that will stop you in your tracks.   In this episode of The Return, Dr. Melissa Welch sits down with Maddie, a pediatric occupational therapist on the East Coast and first-time mom to ten-month-old twin girls. M...

The Return: Working Mom Interview Series Episode 41  |  Released May 19, 2026 What Type A Moms Need to Know Before Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave A healthcare administrator and self-proclaimed Type A mom shares what nobody warns you about — the identity crisis that hits when you go back to work and realize you are not the same person you were before.  If you are a type A mom — the one wh...

HEART AND HEALTH WELLNESS PODCAST The Return: Working Mom Interview Series Episode 40  |  Released May 12, 2026 Still on Leave and Already Dreading Goodbye: One NP’s Honest Take on Returning to Work A doctrine-prepared nurse practitioner shares what it really feels like to be on maternity leave with a four-month-old — knowing the clock is ticking.   Terrica is a doctorate-prepared nurse practition...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 39 released 4/21/26 Episode Title: EFT Tapping for Mom Guilt: When You Feel Like You’re Missing Too Much Keywords mom guilt, EFT tapping, self-care, mental wellness, parenting, stress relief, emotional health Summary Mom guilt is something almost every mother experiences—but it doesn’t have to take over your thoughts or define your reality. In this episode, Dr....

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 38 released 4/10/26 Episode Title: EFT Tapping for Pet Loss: ReleasingGuilt and Grief After Saying Goodbye Keywords EFT tapping, pet loss grief, grief after euthanasia, copingwith pet loss, emotional healing, grief and guilt, tapping for anxiety, nervoussystem regulation, processing grief, emotional support tools Summary If you’ve recently lost a pet or had to m...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 37 released 4/2/26 Episode Title: Without Ruining the Relationship Keywords communication, working moms, difficult conversations, relationship, assertiveness, message crafting, workplace, family, emotional intelligence Summary In this episode, Dr. Melissa Welch breaks down why hard conversations feel so overwhelming—and how to approach them with clarity, confide...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 36 released 3/24/26 Episode Title: The Return-to-Work Identity Crisis NoOne Talks About (For High-Achieving Moms) Keywords women, return to work, maternity leave, identity crisis,imposter syndrome, professional transition, motherhood, mental health, careerdevelopment, women in healthcare and education Summary Dr. Melissa Welch explores the profound challengeshig...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 35 released 3/4/26 Episode Title: Overwhelmed and Lost Your Cool? Here’sHow to Repair and Regulate Keywords mental health, emotional regulation, resilience, self-care,nervous system, stress management, wellness strategies Summary Dr. Melissa Welch explores how capacity is built graduallythrough small, repeated actions and emphasizes the importance of understandi...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 34 released 2/25/26 Episode Title: How to Increase Emotional Capacity andReduce Overwhelm Keywords capacity building, nervous system, resilience, stressmanagement, wellness, mental health, recovery, support systems Summary Dr. Melissa Welch explores practical ways to build emotionaland nervous system capacity in everyday life, emphasizing support and recoveryove...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 33 released 2/10/26 Episode Title: Why Emotional Regulation Feels So Hard: Overstimulation, Capacity, and Nervous System Overload Keywords emotional regulation, nervous system overload,overstimulation, emotional capacity, stress and overwhelm, mental load, invisible labor, nervous system health, emotional resilience, burnout prevention Summary Why does emotional...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 32 released 2/3/26 Episode Title: Emotional Regulation 101: Stress, Capacity, Overwhelm Keywords: overwhelm, exhaustion, over-functioning, mental health, wellness, biopsychosocial, self-care, burnout, emotional support, sustainable functioning Summary In this episode, Dr. Melissa Welch explores the themes of overwhelm and exhaustion, particularly in high-functio...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 31 released 12/31/25 Episode Title: Year in Review: How to Reflect on2025 and Plan for 2026 with Intention Keywords reflection, goals, personal growth, planning,self-improvement, wellness, mindset, daily practices, accountability, community Summary In this reflective episode, Dr. Melissa Welch guideslisteners through a thoughtful review of the past year, encoura...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 30 released 12/16/25 Episode Title: When Your Child Brings Home a Cold: How Parents Can Rest, Recover, and Let Go of Guilt Keywords parenting while sick, caring for a sick child, working momburnout, guilt when resting, biopsychosocial wellness, sick days as a parent, holiday stress and illness, daycare sickness guilt, rest without shame, family illness self-care...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 29 released 12/4/25 Episode Title: How to Cope with Anniversary Grief during the Holidays, Why Old Loss Feels New Again—and Gentle Ways to Support Yourself Through It Keywords anniversary grief, coping with loss, grief during holidays,emotional healing, personal stories, family dynamics, navigating grief, grief strategies, mental health, emotional well-being Sum...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 28 released 11/18/25 Episode Title: Why Moms Get Overstimulated And How to Take Your Energy Back Summary:  In this episode, Dr. Melissa Welch discussesthe concept of overstimulation, particularly in the context of busy women and working moms. She explains how overstimulation occurs when the brain receives more sensory input than it can process, leading to feelin...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 27 released 11/3/25 Episode Title: Simplify Your Wellness: How to FindMicro-Moments for a Healthier, Happier Life Summary:  In this episode, Dr. Melissa Welchsimplifies what it really means to “prioritize wellness” when your plate isalready full. From mindful moments during your morning coffee to turning yourcommute into a mini-reset, Melissa shares practical, f...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 26 released 10/14/25 Episode Title: How to Have Difficult Conversations: Communication Skills for Healthier Relationships Summary:  In this episode, Dr. Melissa Welch discusses the importance of having difficult conversations in both personal and professional relationships. She outlines the who, what, when, where, and why of these conversations, emphasizing the...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 25 released 10/1/25 Episode Title: Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time:The Secret to Real Wellness & Productivity Summary:  In this episode of Heart and Health Wellness, Dr. Melissa Welch discusses the importance of managing energy over time. She explores the concept of biopsychosocial spiritual health, emphasizing how energy management can lead to a more fulf...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 24 released 9/23/25 Episode Title: “I Feel Guilty No Matter Where I Am”: How Career Moms Can Return to Work After Baby Without Losing Confidence or Balance Summary:  In this episode, Dr. Melissa Welch introduces a new program aimed at supporting working mothers, particularly those reentering the workforce after maternity leave. She discusses the common struggles...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 22 released 9/16/25 Episode Title: How Using AI Can Help or Hurt Your Health and Wellness Summary: In this episode of Heart and Health Wellness, Dr. Melissa Welch explores the ethical considerations of using AI in health and wellness. She discusses the pros and cons of AI, its impact on biopsychosocial spiritual wellness, and how to use AI as a tool to complemen...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 22 released 8/26/25 Episode Title: How ‘Heart & Health Wellness’ camefrom Proverbs 15:30 Description: In this episode of Heart and HealthWellness, Dr. Melissa Welch explores the inspiration behind the podcast's name, rooted in Proverbs 15:30. She discusses the significance of joy and good news in relation to biopsychosocial-spiritual health, emphasizing how...

Heart & Health Wellness Episode 21 released 8/12/25 Episode Title: Feeling Stuck in Life? | How to GetUnstuck & Reset Your Wellness Description: In this episode of Heart and Health Wellness, Dr. Melissa Welch delves into the Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model for Wellness, exploring how biological, psychological, social, and spiritual domains impact our overall health. Discover practical tool...