Responding to Life: Talking Health, Fertility and Parenthood

In this fertility episode, I am joined by Alli Kasirer. After countless procedures, false hopes, negative pregnancy tests and a sea of unanswered questions, Allison Kasirer didn't see failure, she saw an opportunity. She set out to ensure that no other parent ever felt as alone and confused as she once did on the path to parenthood, and started Robyn: a maternal health and wellness company that po...

On today's episode, I am joined by Krystle Chavez.  Krystle is an infertility advocate and warrior currently in the midst of her path to parenthood.  Krystle's quote says it all: "I wanted to take control of my narrative, share my truth, break the stigma around infertility and encourage others it's okay to do the same." In today's episode, we discuss: Race and infertility Faith's role in Krystle's...

On today's fertility episode, I am joined by Marilyn Gomez. Marilyn is a gritty, empath and Latina,  who got her reiki certification to help her heal through trauma of infertility. She had her daughter in 2016, from her 3rd IVF transfer. In 2019, she attempted to expand her family with transferring the last 2 of her frozen embryos. That transfer failed so she closed her chapter of expanding her fa...

In this fertility episode, I am joined by Tina Sugandh. Tina is an international Bollywood star, reality TV personality, and founder of Mom on Top Shop (organic, all-natural, vegan and chemical-free skincare including bestsellers "Bake It" and "Shake It" for pregnancy and postpartum women). Sugandh and her husband, Tarz, starred on a series of reality shows including Bravo TV's "Newylweds: The Fir...

On today's health, fertility and parenting episode, I am speaking with Eli Weinstein.  Eli is a Social Work therapist who has worked in a psych hospital, intense outpatient clinic and currently works in a community clinic in Queens.  He created ELIvation to fill a need to help those in struggling times and add some extra inspiration and motivation into everyday life.  Eli has been featured on Kell...

April Christina is a New York City based Women's Wellness Advocate with focus on Endometriosis and Fertility. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with a minor in Psychology in hopes to pursue her goal of becoming a chemistry professor. But after being diagnosed with endometriosis in December of 2010, her goals then changed. April reevaluated what mattered mo...

On today's fertility episode, I am joined by Afton Vechery.  Afton is on a mission to integrate the growing and buzzy fertility sector more broadly into women's culture and mainstream wellness.  Her company, Modern Fertility, offers an at-home hormone test—the same one given in fertility clinics, but for a fraction of the price. It's designed to get women to think more proactively and earlier abou...

On today's fertility episode, I am joined by Kerrigan Behrens. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sagely Naturals, Kerrigan has successfully galvanized and accelerated marketplace acceptance of CBD as a natural and effective alternative for the products you would already find in your medicine cabinet.  Nearly a decade before founding Sagely, Kerrigan began her professional journey at Duke University. Fol...

On today's fertility episode, I am joined by Samantha Busch.  Samantha is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, lifestyle blogger, IVF advocate, philanthropist and co-owner of a professional race team. As a successful "boss babe," Samantha is driven to empower women of all ages and backgrounds to live their best lives - with confidence and poise. Samantha has written a book entitled, "Fighting Infertility...

On today's parenting episode, I am joined by Kanika Chadda Gupta. Kanika is a wife, mom of three [twins + 1], and CEO of Kronologie Agency, a digital marketing firm specializing in branding and web design. As a former television anchor and executive producer (CNN International, Zee TV), Kanika is a born storyteller and hosts the widely popular "That's Total Mom Sense" podcast where she interviews...

On today's wellness episode, I am joined by Danny Bader. Danny is a best-selling author and sought-after speaker whose life was transformed after he died when 8,000 volts of electricity ripped through him…then, he came back to life, from a place where he connected with "something bigger than us." He uses his experience to lead people to create more perspective, joy, and a love that replaces wearin...

On this parenting episode, I am joined by Whitnee Hawthorne, the creator of The Savvy Working Mom. Whitnee is a professional speaker… author… certified coach… Fortune 500 executive… productivity expert… successful entrepreneur… self-care guru… passionate mom and wife… Whitnee Hawthorne is a woman with many hats. When you meet her, it is clear that Whitnee is a leader at home, in the office, and in...

On today's Fertility Episode, I am joined by Monica Bivas.  Monica is a Mindset & Holistic Fertility Coach, speaker, writer of the book "The IVF Planner" and founder of The IVF Journey, an online community for women and couples to find support, hope, and connection with other individuals contemplating or experiencing In Vitro Fertilization. Monica is a Certified Fertility Coach from the Wholesome...

On today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Loree Johnson.  Dr. Loree is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Coach in private practice with more than 25 years of experience as a clinician, educator, and clinical supervisor.  Specializing in women's mental health and reproductive health, Dr. Loree helps her clients overcome the emotional challenges that come with infertility - including...

On today's fertility episode, I am joined by Kelsi Burley and Linny Stone, two amazing women who are currently in the process of trying to conceive.   Kelsi has gone through multiple IVF cycles and miscarriages and is passionate about sharing information and resources as a means to educate and therefore empower women.  Kelsi does this through her IG account @myjourneywithivf and has recently start...

In another bonus episode, I give you, my wonderful listeners, another guided meditation this time with the aim of helping you set your intention for the new year (or you can use it as a daily intention meditation, too!) In the first ten minutes of this episode, we will discuss the reason you should ditch making a new year's resolution and instead set an intention.  I'll go over the differences and...

In this fertility episode, I chat with Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh.  Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and host of the Egg Whisperer Show, Dr. Aimee has heard story after story from women and couples from all over the world about their struggles in trying to conceive.  In her attempt to prevent more of these heartbreaking stories, she has gone on a mission to promote "fertility awareness". Her hope is...

In this wellness and fertility episode, I am joined by a fellow University of Chicago alum and friend, Dr. Linda Kim, who is the founder and CEO of LuvLuk. Linda is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist with many years of clinical and leadership experience. She became passionate about how to offer mental health care tailored to address the unique challenges that women need support with – finding emotiona...

In this fertility episode, I am joined by Elyse Ash, founder and CEO of Fruitful Fertility, a fertility mentorship service, where you can become someone's support or find the support you need. It took Elyse and her husband, Brad, three years, two rounds of IVF and one frozen embryo transfer to see their first positive pregnancy test which brought them their daughter, born in March 2018, and led to...

Every year, the holidays hit us with extra stress no matter how prepared we may be. This year is uniquely different due to the impact of the pandemic on our lives and thus our holiday season. As we kick off the end of the year holiday season, I want to show my gratitude to all of you for being part of my community. As a gesture of my gratitude, this week's Responding to Life episode is a special t...

On today's parenting episode, I am joined by Jasmine Johnson, MD, a wife, mother of two, and Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Johnson is the founder and content creator of the blog: The Mrs. The Mommy. The M.D., currently serves on the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine – Health Policy and Advocacy Committee, a...

In today's parenting episode, we will talk to Vanessa about a new role in her life – new mom to her adorable son, Oliver. We'll talk about being pregnant during COVID, returning back to work with a newborn, and Vanessa's role as an Asian woman in business. Vanessa Dew co-founded Health-Ade Kombucha in 2012 alongside her best friends and husband-and-wife team, Justin and Daina Trout. As Chief Sales...

In this health, fertility, and parenting episode, I speak with Jennifer Blossom, a boy mom of two, occupational therapist, and CEO/Founder of Blossoming Moms- a digital wellness brand that helps overwhelmed moms simplify motherhood using healthy habits and simple strategies in order to feel great and live a life of meaning. Jennifer is also the host of the top-rated mom podcast, The Blossoming Mom...

In this wellness episode, I am joined by Guru Nanda, also known as Dr. Fresh, a successful businessman-turned- yogi, certified Ayurvedic practitioner and proponent of aromatherapy as a means of heightening human well-being. Today, he brings high quality, pristine, sustainable essential oils and oil blends to consumers. A dedicated social entrepreneur, Dr. Fresh is also committed to effecting posit...

Episode 28: In this health and parenting episode, my guest is Olivia Reiman, author and mental health coach behind SimplyOli LLC. Olivia's mission is to help more people Beat The B.A.D. (bipolar, anxiety, & depression) through a self empowered path. After being diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder in 2003, while also struggling with suicide attempts, panic attacks, and psychotic episodes...