The Pain Gap

Nathan Lents is a scientist, author, and professor at John Jay College, where he directs the Cell and Molecular Biology program. Dr. Lents is a leading voice in evolutionary biology, forensic science, and human behavior, and his work challenges long-held assumptions about what is “natural” regarding sex, gender, and relationships. His latest book, The Sexual Evolution, explores how the animal king...

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is a physician, public health expert, and bestselling author whose work focuses on stress, resilience, burnout, and mental health. With a background in integrative medicine and public health, Dr. Nerurkar has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between science and well-being, making stress management both accessible and evidence-based. Her book, The 5 Resets, has been recog...

In this episode, we reflect on an incredible year for  The Pain Gap Podcast . Throughout 2024, we explored powerful stories at the intersection of women’s health, systemic inequities, and personal empowerment. Featuring activists, authors, healthcare professionals, and cultural changemakers, each episode challenged us to think bigger about solutions for women everywhere. We tackled the system...

In this episode, Esmé Weijun Wang, author of The Collected Schizophrenias , shares her journey navigating mental and chronic illness while pursuing a thriving writing career. She discusses misconceptions about schizophrenia, the challenges of intersectionality, and her advocacy for writers with limitations. Tune in for powerful insights and inspiration. Episode Resources: The Pain Gap Esmé Weijun...

In this episode, Erica Djossa, founder of MomWell and maternal mental health advocate, shares her deeply personal journey through postpartum depression and how it led her to create a platform that empowers mothers to thrive. Erica unpacks the invisible load women carry, the societal pressures that drive burnout, and the myths of “perfect motherhood.” She offers insights on setting boundaries, aski...

Lulu Ge, founder of Elix, joins us to discuss her groundbreaking approach to menstrual wellness, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine and the critical need for personalized care in women’s health. Lulu opens up about her own struggles with post-birth control symptoms and medical gaslighting, revealing how these experiences fueled her mission. She explains Elix’s focus on root-cause solutions a...

Like so many of you, the team at The Pain Gap was heartbroken and deeply affected by the news of Trump’s re-election. In these last few days, we’ve taken time to process, grieve, and support each other through the shock and disappointment. As a team, we’ve come together to record this special episode to share our thoughts, emotions, and, most importantly, our continued commitment to advocating for...

In this episode, Jenny Albertini, a public health expert and one of the first KonMari-certified organizers, reveals the powerful link between clutter and personal well-being. Drawing from her 20-year career in global health, Jenny shares how decluttering goes beyond organizing—it’s about setting life intentions. She discusses how mindfulness can ease the emotional and mental stress that often mani...

In this episode, Dr. Ammara Khalid and Anushay dive into the critical need to decolonize mental health practices. She emphasizes integrating traditional wisdom with modern therapy, acknowledging the deep impact of colonization on generations. Dr. Khalid advocates for mental health approaches that honor cultural and ancestral roots, offering a more compassionate, inclusive path to healing. Through...

In this episode, Dr. Jayne Morgan shares her journey as a cardiologist and the significance of diversity in clinical trials, especially for women and people of color. She highlights the disparities in healthcare, including microaggressions faced by women of color, and advocates for equitable access to medical research and heart health care. Dr. Morgan reflects on her groundbreaking work in expandi...

In this episode of The Pain Gap podcast, host Anushay Hossain interviews Jacqueline Buckingham, founder of Cliterology, to discuss women’s health, societal stigmas around female bodies, and the importance of embracing "huge pussy energy." Jacqueline shares insights on medical gaslighting, gender health disparities, and her vision for a world where women’s health is honored and respected. With a mi...

In this episode of The Pain Gap Podcast , Dr. Nicole Pensak, a Harvard and Yale-trained clinical psychologist specializing in postpartum mental health, discusses the critical state of maternal health in the U.S. , and dives deep into the (really rough and isolating) postpartum experience in America. Dr. Pensak shares insights from her personal and professional experience, exploring the transformat...

 In this episode of The Pain Gap podcast, we sit down with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a leading cardiologist and women’s health advocate, to discuss the critical issue of heart disease in women. Dr. Steinbaum shares eye-opening insights into how heart disease manifests differently in women, the gender gap in medical research, and why women’s heart health is often overlooked. She also offers practical...

In this episode of the Pain Gap podcast, healthcare leader, attorney, and policy expert Priya Bathija shares her journey from law school to becoming a pivotal figure in women's health advocacy. Priya discusses her early career as a healthcare attorney, her transition to policy work at the American Hospital Association, and her passion for improving maternal health in the U.S. Triggered by the trag...

Shalene Gupta is an exceptional writer, journalist, and author. She is here to discuss her latest book, "The Cycle: Confronting the Pain of PMDD and Periods," in which she bravely shares her personal journey with PMDD and sheds light on this often misunderstood condition and the challenges women face with this condition. Shalene Gupta hails from Minnesota and is currently based in Boston, bringing...

Marcella Hill is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the Amazon bestseller "Wake Her Up." Known for her eye-opening TikTok videos on perimenopause and hormones, she brings much-needed attention to the often overlooked symptoms women face. Marcella's journey with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has inspired a global movement, "Wake Her Up," which empowers women with hope, information,...

Nitika Chopra is the pioneering force behind Chronicon, a renowned media and events conglomerate dedicated to empowering individuals living with chronic illnesses. Diagnosed with psoriasis at 10 and psoriatic arthritis at 19, Nitika's health challenges became defining aspects of her life, inspiring her to transform her experiences into a catalyst for change. Despite a successful career as the foun...

Dr. Jamila Taylor is a distinguished national health equity leader, seasoned health policy researcher, and dedicated social justice advocate. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Taylor's expertise shines in addressing maternal health and reproductive justice, tackling structural barriers to healthcare access, and advocating for equitable health outcomes for women of color. As President and CEO o...

We're diving deep into revolutionizing women's healthcare with Dr. Somi Javaid, MD, and her sister and business partner, Komel Caruso, from HerMD. What sets HerMD apart is that it's healthcare powered by women. But what does that even mean? Consider this: Only 20% of OBGYNs are trained in menopause and sexual healthcare. Yet, menopause affects 51% of the population, and three in five menopausal wo...

Ilana Jacqueline is the award-winning author behind the insightful blog Let’s Feel Better. At just twenty-two, Ilana embarked on a journey to share her candid experiences grappling with chronic illness, offering a blend of humor, humility, and heartfelt stories. From grappling with skull-crushing migraines to embracing life as a human pincushion, she fearlessly chronicles the highs and lows of her...

Dr. Neel Shah, MD, MPP, FACOG, is Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic, the world's largest virtual clinic and first "unicorn" technology company for women's and family health. He is also a visiting scientist at Harvard Medical School where he previously served as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive biology. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Shah has written landmark a...

Journalist and former CNN anchor Hala Gorani memoir, "But You Don't Look Arab," unpacks her many roots across Istanbul, Syria, France and the U.S. — and grapples with how her identity and its impact on her work have been scrutinized for decades.  In the premiere episode of the show, she speaks with Anushay Hossain about belonging, the quest for identity, and the mental health toll of covering...

Anushay talks about redefining postpartum, having the courage to tell your story, and more with actress and “Anya” Chief Impact Officer (CIO) Freida Pinto. Episode Resources: The Pain Gap Anya To learn more about Anushay Hossain's work, check out Anushay's  website  or sign up for her  substack . To continue the conversation, feel free to DM @anushayhossain or email me at&...

HerMD Founder, Dr. Somi Javaid is on a mission to make women’s healthcare exceptional by educating, advocating for, and empowering patients to take control of their health concerns. She speaks with Anushay about why women need to own our sexual health, how we are embracing the new menopausal woman and more. Episode Resources: The Pain Gap HerMD To learn more about Anushay Hossain's work,...

Did you know that more women die giving birth in America than in any other rich country? The number of women who die giving birth in America each year has nearly doubled in the last two decades, making the United States the only developed country with a consistently rising maternal mortality rate. How can we make giving birth in America safer? That's a question at the heart of the this episode wit...