Mind Body Mother

Details on our upcoming move, why the show is taking a temporary pause and reflections on a decade after moving from the East Coast to the Midwest. This episode is a vulnerable solo on what it was like to struggle mentally while moving away from my home city to Louisville, KY and what this next chapter for our family holds.  I share: -Why this podcast started 4 years after the initial idea due to...

When it comes to fertility, what truly matters — and what’s just marketing? In this episode, Helene chats with mom of 2, Registered Dietitian and FullWell Founder Ayla Barmmer to break down evidence-based fertility nutrition for both women and men, PCOS support and what you need to know about prenatal and fertility supplements. Whether you’re actively TTC, planning ahead, navigating PCOS or simply...

2026 hit and “clean living” is no longer on trend. In a fast-growing culture shift where drinking green juice and tracking sleep is out, while smoking cigarettes is apparently cool again, Helene Kusman weighs in on the rebellion against diet culture, biohacking and healthy living that has the pendulum swinging hard in the opposite direction. Helene breaks down what’s really behind this trend, why...

Perinatal mood disorders affect 1 in 5 women, postpartum depression impacts 1 in 7 and Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy complications. Helene Kusman sits down with the certified nurse-midwife and nationally recognized researcher Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah to explore the truth about postpartum depression, perinatal mental health and maternal health equity. Dr. Karen sha...

Helene sits down with Dr. Meredith Sweeney, weight loss surgeon turned longevity expert, to break down the real science behind women’s metabolic health, body recomposition and long-term longevity. Dr. Sweeney explains how women’s hormones impact blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, fat storage and muscle mass. We discuss key differences between women and men and for women at different stag...

Feeling the winter blues? You’re not alone. In this episode, Helene shares simple, realistic wellness habits to support your mood, energy and mental health during the cold, dark winter months.  From light therapy and vitamin D to nourishing foods, movement, and digital boundaries, listen in for tools that can help you embrace the seasonal changes and support your well-being all winter long. You’ll...

If your family is catching every virus going around right now, you’re not alone. In this episode, Helene sits down with Naturopathic Doctor, Birth Doula, and mom of 3, Dr. Rachel Schwartzman , to talk about realistic, holistic ways to support immunity for moms and kids during cold and flu season. Dr. Rachel cuts through the industry noise and marketing to break down what actually works when it com...

Discover how to reignite sexual pleasure and desire through postpartum, perimenopause and beyond. Dr. Lori Brotto joins Helene to break down the truth about female orgasms, how hormones impact your sex life and tips for arousal for women of all ages. Dr. Brotto is a mom of 3, registered psychologist and serves as the Executive Director for the Women’s Health Research Institute. Her book, Better Se...

In this deeply personal solo episode, MBM host and Integrative Health Coach Helene Kusman, shares the episode she wishes had existed while going through the challenges of growing her family. Through both personal reflection on her own struggles and professional insight as a health coach, she offers tools, mindset shifts, and strategies to help women navigate the emotionally heavy load of fertility...

Neuroscientist and mom of three Dr. Cindy Hovington, founder of Curious Neuron, joins Helene to unpack how your nervous system influences your energy, patience and relationships as a mom. Learn evidence-based tools to manage stress, understand your emotional triggers and become the regulated leader your family needs. We cover: -Understanding your unique nervous system + emotional patterns -Setting...

Are you overwhelmed with nutrition and fitness advice and lost with how to make it work for busy mom life? MBM host and Integrative Nutrition and Fitness Coach Helene Kusman walks you through designing a realistic and sustainable nutrition and fitness plan that works with your life, not against it. You’ll learn how to: -Prioritize nutrition essentials like protein, blood sugar balance, fiber and m...

Dr. Chauweda Smith, a licensed mental health therapist, certified personal trainer and owner of Total Life Counseling—to explore the mindset, boundaries and systems busy moms need to make health and fitness a sustainable, enjoyable part of life. We discuss: -The connection between mindset, confidence and fitness -Common obstacles to new fitness routines for moms -How to handle pushback from family...

If you’re tired of conflicting advice about food, workouts, and wellness, this episode will set the record straight. Helene shares 3 myths that hold moms back from their health goals and how to re-think everything you’ve been told by the wellness industry.  You’ll learn: -Why focusing on calories can actually sabotage your health goals (even for weight loss) and what to focus on instead -The truth...

Clinical Psychologist and Couples Therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish joins the show to explore the realities of relationships after having kids. We dive into navigating conflict and resentment, rebuilding intimacy and redefining what sex and connection look like amidst the overwhelm of parenting. If you’ve ever wondered how to reignite connection, joy and playfulness in your relationship after kids, th...

In this solo episode, Mind Body Mother Host and Integrative Nutrition and Fitness Coach Helene Kusman shares why high-protein lunches are essential for moms who want more energy, fewer cravings and better mood stability throughout the day. She breaks down how much protein you actually need and 5 mom-life-friendly lunch ideas you can make without spending hours in the kitchen. If you find yourself...

Physical therapist, founder of Sergent Wellness and mom Dr. Julie Sergent joins the show to discuss how to stay active, strong, and pain-free—long-term. We dive into the connection between stress, sleep, and pain that often impacts moms. Julie shares her expertise on how strength training is an important tool for recovery and how to realistically add more movement to life with kids. Julie also ope...

Registered Dietitian Lily Nichols is the author of the #1 bestselling book on prenatal nutrition, Real Food for Pregnancy. She joins Helene to shed light on what’s missing from the conventional conversation around fertility and pregnancy nutrition. From the controversial topic of methylated folate vs. folic acid and MTHFR mutations to animal vs. plant protein and egg quality, Lily brings a science...

In this solo episode, MBM host Helene Kusman shares a non-judgmental guide for drinking less or quitting alcohol in a way that feels aligned with your health goals, lifestyle and the realities of motherhood. Helene walks you through practical strategies, mindset shifts, and real-life examples that can help you rethink your relationship with alcohol. Whether you want to sleep better, reduce anxiety...

Dr. Ana’Necia Williams, founder and Clinical Director of Momology Maternal Wellness Club, joins the podcast to redefine self-care through the phases of motherhood from pre-conception to empty nesting. We discuss how to rethink self care on a deeper level by healing your inner child, unpacking generational trauma, learning how to ask for support, and creating space to rediscover who you are outside...

Dr. Anjali Dsouza, a board certified integrative and functional medicine doctor who specializes in women’s health and hormones joins the show to discuss optimizing metabolic health from the reproductive years to perimenopause and beyond. We get into why only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy and how even those at a “normal” weight may be unknowingly dealing with insulin resistance or chro...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many busy moms struggle with—how to build a consistent workout routine, stay motivated, and finally start seeing real results. Whether your goals are physical, mental, or a combination of both, this episode will guide you through practical steps to create a routine that actually sticks and leads to change. From battling exhaustion and self-doub...

In today’s episode, Psychodynamic Therapist, Friendship Educator and toddler mom Blake Blankenbecler joins me for an honest conversation on all things friendship in motherhood. We discuss how to both maintain existing friendships and cultivate new aligned relationships as a busy mom. Blake shares her journey of moving around a lot, going through infertility and how to navigate friendships through...

In today’s episode, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack breaks down how to understand and optimize your overall health using your menstrual cycle as a vital sign. We discuss how to use cycle charting to both get pregnant when it’s desired and avoid pregnancy when it’s not. Lisa is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator, Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner, and the author of The Fifth Vital Sign and Real...

The tens of thousands of chemicals we are surrounded by impact our hormones, nervous systems, gut health, weight, metabolism and countless health outcomes. They also of course impact our children's health and development from the time they are in utero, so there is a lot of motivation as moms to really understand and avoid them.  Listen to 3 women's health doctors on what you need to know...

Erica Djossa is the founder and CEO of Momwell, a Registered Psychotherapist and mom of 3. You may know her from her viral motherhood graphics on Instagram or book, Releasing the Motherload. In today's conversation, Erica gives practical tools for avoiding burnout and reducing the overwhelm of motherhood by managing the mental load. She breaks down how to work with your partner, set boundaries...