Wellness Wednesday with 3W

For years, 3W’s FEMM program has focused on helping women understand and chart their cycles. But what happens when charting reveals that something is actually wrong? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Dr. Adeola Mead and Shannon Leach to introduce the next phase of FEMM at 3W: FEMM Medical Management. They discuss how cycle abnormalities like painful periods, missing perio...

In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Dr. Theresa Santos to talk about her journey through medical school, motherhood, and becoming a board-certified family medicine physician. This episode also introduces Dr. Santos as one of the newest providers at 3W Medical. Together, they discuss the current state of primary care, why so many patients feel rushed or unseen in today’s hea...

What if understanding your body was just… normal? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Laurisa, founder of Girls Who Know, and Amy, one of their educators, to talk about how they’re creating a new narrative for girls’ health. Instead of waiting until problems show up, Girls Who Know is equipping young girls early with clear, age-appropriate education about their cycles, horm...

Many women grow up learning very little about how their bodies actually work. When cycle issues arise, the default solution is often medication or hormonal birth control—without much explanation of what’s happening beneath the surface. In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen is joined by FEMM instructors Aleksandra and Andie for a conversation about why women’s health education matters now mo...

Walk into any supplement aisle and it’s overwhelming. Magnesium for sleep. Vitamin D for immunity. B12 for energy. Fish oil for inflammation. But what do you actually need? And what’s worth your money? In this episode, our nurse practitioner Shannon Leach, ARNP, MSN breaks down the core vitamins she consistently recommends to women — especially those navigating hormone health, fatigue, stress, and...

What if your cycle isn’t something to suppress—but something to listen to? In this episode, Helen sits down with Lauren, certified FEMM teacher and long-time member of the 3W team, to break down what FEMM (Fertility Education & Medical Management) really is—and why cycle health is a critical indicator of overall health. They talk about: Why painful, irregular, or heavy periods are not normal H...

What actually happens behind the scenes at 3W? In this special episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen brings together team members from both the medical and advancement sides of 3W to look back on a year of growth, challenges, and patient impact. It’s a candid, warm conversation that shows the heart of the organization: how the staff thinks, what they care about, and the moments that reminded them w...

You’ve heard of vampire facials—but what about healing your uterus with your own blood? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Dr. Sarah Pederson, OBGYN, MD. and founder of Vera Fertility, to unpack one of the most innovative tools in restorative reproductive medicine: the intrauterine PRP wash. Dr. Pederson explains how this procedure—using a patient’s own platelet-rich plasm...

Why isn’t nutrition part of the fertility conversation? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen talks with Ginny Noce, a registered nurse, certified fertility awareness instructor, and functional medicine nutritionist who’s changing how women understand their bodies. Ginny shares how a clinical rotation in women’s health led her to discover the FEMM method—and opened her eyes to the deep conn...

Lacrimo-Auriculo-Dento-Digital (LADD) syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition—so rare that Madison Sisson was only the 13th known case at the time of her diagnosis. Now a mom of two boys who also have LADD, Madison shares what it’s like to raise children with limb differences, hearing loss, and feeding challenges—all while building a joyful, fully lived family life.   In this candid and mo...

Can food really boost your fertility? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Dr. Angela Thyer and dietitian Judy Simon, co-authors of Getting to Baby, a fertility and lifestyle guide born from years of clinical experience—and personal journeys through infertility. They dive into how plant-forward diets, whole grains, legumes, fish, and even soy (yes, soy!) can support hormone...

Episode Description: In this deeply moving episode of Wellness Wednesday, host Helen sits down with Laura Belk — founder of Nurturing Nations and mother of nine — to discuss the beauty, heartbreak, and transformative power of adoption. From adopting children with special needs across continents to building a nonprofit that rescues and educates abandoned children in Ghana, Laura shares her remarkab...

In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen is joined by Dr. Jim Heid, a seasoned family physician with decades of experience in women’s health, including over 1,000 births. Together, they take a deep dive into the biology of the menstrual cycle and the importance of cycle awareness for both women and their partners. Key topics include: A breakdown of the follicular and luteal phases, and what’s...

In this vulnerable conversation, Helen sits down with Diana Jorda—a mental health professional with a powerful story of healing and purpose. Diana opens up about growing up as a military child in a Filipino-Chamorro household, the impact of emotional neglect, and the pressure to perform and “keep it together” in her work. She shares how trauma shaped her early identity, and how entering the mental...

Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community faces unique challenges when it comes to mental health and access to care. In this episode, Christopher Archiopoli shares his journey as a queer advocate and discusses the barriers many face when seeking compassionate mental health support. From personal experiences to systemic issues, we dive into the realities of mental health care, the power of peer support, and how w...

In this deeply moving episode of Wellness Wednesday, Helen sits down with Joann Andrews, who shares her powerful story of adoption, resilience, and discovering her biological roots. From growing up in a loving foster home to uncovering the truth about her family and birth parents through DNA testing, Joann's journey is one of hardship, healing, and the transformative power of love. This conversati...

Dr. Clay Brigance returns to our podcast for an in-depth conversation about the ways reproductive loss impacts couples and some strategies that can help.      Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical con...

Helen and 3W staff members share their reflections and highlights from 2024.      Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical consultation, but for general education only. Always consult your own health pro...

Faith Franz of Island Sound Counseling ( https://islandsoundcounseling.com ) and Jynger, a client of hers, join us to discuss the benefits of a newer psychotherapy approach known as A.R.T. therapy.      Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical informati...

Today's guest is Kristina Kovalevich, founder of Femininity in Business, author, and semifinalist of Miss Washington USA 2019. Join us for this inspirational episode as she discusses her experience overcoming PCOS, the importance of femininity in business, and what true female empowerment means to her.    Follow Kristina:  www.kristinakovalevich.com Instagram: @kristina.kovalevich    Disclaimer: 3...

A most special guest and survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Andra, returns to our podcast to share about her experience healing traumatic memories with the popular new therapeutic technique known as EMDR.     If you have questions for Andra and would like to connect with her, let us know by emailing info@3wmedical.org     To hear Andra's story as told on her first Wellness Wednesday appearance, v...

The birth mother of 3W CEO Helen Nguyen's adopted son joins our podcast for an open conversation about their experiences with adoption. Hear both mothers' perspectives–of giving up and of receiving a son–in one of our most personal episodes on record.   Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opi...

Medical Assistant and Miss World America pageant hopeful Aishy Kumar joins 3W Medical for Women CEO Helen Nguyen to share her story of a childhood health emergency that changed her life forever and what has inspired her to lead a life driven by compassion.      Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is...

Licensed naturopath and 3W medical provider Adeola shares the essentials about Ozempic: what it is, who it's for, and whether there are any potential side effects. Learn if this seeming weight loss wonder is right for you or if you should consider other alternatives for your situation.     Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The informat...

Army veteran and security worker Tori Murphy shares her insights and observations on domestic violence in marriage, the military, and society at large.       Disclaimer: 3W Medical for Women is a program of Women's Accessible Medical Services, PS (WAMS). The information shared in this podcast is the opinion of the speaker, or speakers. Medical information is not intended as individual medical cons...