Responding to Life: Talking Health, Fertility and Parenthood

In this heartfelt episode of  Responding to Life , Josephine is joined by her dear friend Jess Koehler, an LA photographer turned close confidante and collaborator on many of Josephine's wellness events. Together, they open up about the personal impact of the devastating Palisades fire that occurred on January 7, 2025. As two moms navigating the aftermath of this tragedy, they share the challenges...

As we close out 2024 and look ahead to the New Year, this episode of  Responding to Life invites you to take small, impactful steps toward a healthier and safer environment. Our guest, Sophia Ruan Gushée, is a renowned nontoxic lifestyle expert and author of A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures as well as several detox workbooks. Praised by leaders in medical and...

Parenting complex kids can feel like navigating uncharted waters. On this episode, we welcome Diane Dempster, MHSA, CPC, PCC - a seasoned coach, speaker, author, and educator with over two decades of experience in leadership and change management. Diane is the co-founder of ImpactParents.com, the creator of the Sanity School® Behavior Training program for Parents, and the co-host of the Parenting...

In this milestone 100th episode of Responding to Life , we're joined by the inspiring Dr. Tiana Woolridge, a pediatrician and sports medicine doctor whose work bridges the gap between mental health, wellness, and athletics. Dr. Woolridge shares her remarkable journey, from growing up as the daughter of NBA legend Orlando Woolridge to serving as a team doctor for elite organizations like UCLA Athle...

In this impactful episode, we're joined by Keisha Reaves, a compassionate mental health professional and advocate for Black maternal health. Certified in perinatal mental health, Keisha brings a wealth of experience supporting birthing parents through challenges ranging from fertility struggles to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. With a deep commitment to community, Keisha has served as a vol...

In recognition of October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, we're re-releasing a past episode where our guests discuss a very sensitive topic that may be triggering for some of you who are currently on your path to parenthood or are one of the 1 in 4 who has experienced pregnancy loss or miscarriage. Featured in this episode are the courageous stories of how to heal after experienci...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Karen Tang, a board-certified gynecologist, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, and the creator behind the popular @KarenTangMD on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Through her educational and engaging content, Dr. Tang has built a global platform to spread essential information about reproductive and sexual health. In this episode, we celebrate the release of h...

In this episode we hear from Ariel Boorstin, Co-founder and CMO of Cooper, a groundbreaking parenting support system designed to reduce stress, boost confidence, and help parents maximize their time. With Cooper's expert-led parenting groups, weekly classes, drop-in office hours, one-on-one coaching, and 24/7 expert-moderated chat, it's an always-on resource for parents at every stage of the journ...

In this episode, we kick off Season 6 with Daya Alexander Grant, Ph. D., CMPC, neuroscientist, yoga teacher, and co-founder of Mindful Sports Collective, as she explores the critical role of mental health in sports. In this episode, Daya delves into the science of stress management, recovery, and building resilience, offering practical tools for navigating life's challenges with clarity and calm....

In this episode, we delve into the world of fertility health with Michelle Oravitz. Michelle shares her personal journey with Chinese medicine and how it inspired her to transition from a career in architecture to becoming an acupuncturist specializing in fertility health. Michelle discusses the rewarding moments she has experienced while supporting women on their fertility journeys, including pow...

On this episode of Responding to Life, we will be exploring the transformative power of personal growth and resilience with a truly inspiring guest, Maria Suarez. In this episode, Maria will take us on her remarkable journey from a life of excess to one of profound self-discovery and wellness. Maria's story is one of evolution, from her days as a self-described party girl to her transformation int...

Jess Koehler is a Los Angeles based maternity and family photographer whose passion for storytelling is woven into every frame she captures. With a degree in Advertising Photography from RIT, Jess brings a wealth of technical expertise to her craft. But what truly sets her apart is her keen attention to detail and her deep understanding of production. These qualities, combined with her role as a m...

Elizabeth Boykewich is a seasoned Professional Life and Leadership Coach, dynamic speaker, and a driving force in the entertainment industry. With an impressive 28-year career in entertainment, Elizabeth is celebrated for her keen eye in identifying and nurturing new TV and film stars. However, her journey doesn't stop there. Elizabeth has seamlessly transitioned from the fast-paced world of enter...

Maxine L. Johnson is not just an author, co-author, and life coach – she is a transformation specialist and expert speaker, dedicated to guiding women towards taking their lives to the next level. CEO and Founder of WIFE Boss Academy, Maxine shares her experiences and insights on parenting adult children, raising a blended family, and finding balance as a busy woman. In this episode, we'll hear fr...

Jennifer Jolorte Doro, co-founder of Chiyo, discusses her background growing up in Southern California to Filipino parents and how her cultural roots influence her approach to nutrition and wellness. She explains how Chiyo uses Eastern food therapy to transform how they nourish mothers in America, focusing on stage and symptom-specific nutritional guidance. Jennifer shares the comprehensive and ho...

In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week, we're releasing a special episode that is designed to offer valuable insights and expert advice for those navigating the challenging journey of infertility. From understanding hormone imbalances to exploring assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy, the goal of this episode is to equip listeners with t...

Dr. Hoehn is a dedicated Los Angeles Fertility Acupuncturist who has been transforming lives through her unwavering commitment to women's wellness and fertility. As a board-certified acupuncturist, Dr. Hoehn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the podcast, specializing in the intricate realm of fertility acupuncture. Her practice, based in Toluca Lake, reflects a harmonious blend of tra...

Misha Blaise is an international best-selling author-illustrator whose books have been published in dozens of countries around the world. Her educational background was in the study of religions and conflict resolution, and did arts-based conflict-resolution curriculum in public schools for many years before devoting herself full time to art and graphic design. After designing wall art for global...

Amira Alvarez is the founder and CEO of The Unstoppable Woman, a business coaching and training company that equips ambitious, driven, high-performing female entrepreneurs to tap into their feminine energy to create a more fulfilled and satisfying life and business. As someone who has made a quantum leap (going from barely making 6-figures to making $700k in one year, then onto 7-figures) and has...

We're kicking off the first episode of the new year with Sonali Perera Bridges, an award-winning, dynamic, innovative leader with over 20 years of progressive experience in a wide breadth of educational settings. A lifelong mentor and advocate - particularly for young women - she is the driving force behind the conception of Shero's Rise and a mother of two vibrant young girls.   Sonali has spent...

On the newest episode of Responding to Life I am joined by Dr. Kumkum Sarkar Patel, a double-board certified gastroenterologist practicing at Providence St. Jude and Providence St. Joseph Heritage Medical Groups in Orange County, CA. Dr. Patel specializes in irritable bowel syndrome, esophageal, and anorectal disorders. Dr. Patel currently serves as a healthcare consultant and speaker for medical...

On the newest episode of Responding to Life, I am joined by Linda Fruits, the content creator behind the relateable motherhood account @fruitsofmotherhood. Her mission in life is to normalize the sweet, bitter and bittersweet Fruits of Motherhood, with a side of humor. This year, Linda wrote, designed and illustrated her first book called, The Mom Life. Linda's content on social media is bite size...

In recognition of October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, we're re-releasing a past episode where our guests discuss a very sensitive topic that may be triggering for some of you who are currently on your path to parenthood or are one of the 1 in 4 who has experienced pregnancy loss or miscarriage. Featured in this episode are the courageous stories of how to heal after experienci...

Dr. Kela Smith is a Holistic-Integrative Fertility and Hormone Doctor. She founded The Hormone Puzzle Society and the Fertility Coach University. The Hormone Puzzle Society is a health hub for fertility, hormones, and pregnancy. Through this platform, Dr. Kela and her team work with women/couples coaching them on how to optimize their body/mind/spirit so they can get and stay pregnant, bring home...

As many of you may know, a big part of my path to parenthood involved many rounds of IVF cycles. Back then we really didn't know much about what was happening with our embryos and just blindly trusted that the miracle workers in the lab of our reproductive center knew best. These days, we're so lucky to have people like this episode's guest who is helping thousands of people learn about the ins an...