On Health for Women

• Normalize It: From Miscarriage to Midlife—Owning Our Stories Without Shame with Jessica Zucker

  There are the stories we tell out loud, and then there are the ones we keep tucked away—the ones that ache the most, because we’ve carried them in silence.On this episode of On Health, we’re breaking the silence—and the stigma—around some of the most vulnerable, hidden experiences women carry: miscarriage, illness, identity loss, perfectionism, aging, and the loneliness so many of us feel but rarely name.I’m joined by the phenomenal Dr. Jessica Zucker, clinical psychologist and author of the groundbreaking memoir I Had a Miscarriage, and her latest book, Normalize It, which is just what we need: an invitation to stop apologizing for what we’re going through—and start talking about it.Together, we explore:How grief grows in silence—and thrives in stigmaWhat it means when you don’t feel like yourselfWhy midlife isn’t a decline—it’s a reckoningWhat being a “good girl” has cost usWhy loneliness is a serious health issueWhy we are more than what we doHow perfectionism is stealing our joyThis one’s for all the women tired of pretending they’re fine.Who are aching to be seen.Who are ready to stop carrying the weight alone.Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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• Breastfeeding Challenges, Tongue Tie, & Trusting Your Instincts

  What if you already have what it takes to breastfeed your baby—and just need the right support to unlock it?This question is at the heart of my conversation with Lisa Paladino, Certified Nurse Midwife, IBCLC, and a fierce advocate for women and babies. Lisa has decades of experience helping families navigate the powerful, joyous, and sometimes confusing, emotional, and occasionally challenging terrain of breastfeeding. Not just a brilliant clinician, but a graduate of both my Women’s Integrative and Functional Medicine and Herbal Medicine for Women training programs… and now, a lifelong friend.Lisa is the passionate founder of Tongue Tie Experts. She’s spent decades supporting parents through the intense, sacred, and often confusing path of breastfeeding—especially when things don’t go as planned.Lisa’s journey from hospital-based nurse and midwife to fierce advocate for women’s rights and breastfeeding education is one you won’t forget. And what we unpack in this conversation might change how you see everything from nipple pain to infant sleep—and even adult airway health.In this episode, we dive into:What exactly is an IBCLC—and why it mattersThe silent struggle of mastitis, milk supply issues, and painHow breastfeeding shapes your baby’s airway—and possibly lifelong healthThe heartbreak of not making enough milk—and how to support yourselfSetting yourself up for breastfeeding success before the baby comesWhy so many moms stop breastfeeding before they want to—and how we can change thatAnd yes… we go there with nipple toughening myths, lactation cookies, pumping in broom closets, and airplane glares. Because we’ve all been there—or know someone who has.💬 Favorite Quotes:“Breastfeeding is a vital sign of the infant-maternal dyad. If it’s not working, we need to ask why.” — Lisa Paladino“We’re grown-ass women. Nobody should be telling us what we’re ‘allowed’ to do in birth or postpartum.” — Aviva RommIn this episode, we dive into:You deserve real, informed support—not just platitudes or formula handouts.Breastfeeding might be “natural,” but that doesn’t mean it’s easy or intuitive.Trusting your instincts is medicine.Whether you breastfed for two years, two days, or not at all, you’re still a phenomenal mama.Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsThe Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn moreMentioned in this episode:The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn moreLooking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here:...

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  1:14:23
• Have You Been Medically Hexed? The Power of Words to Heal and to Harm

  Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling more defeated than when you arrived? Perhaps a diagnosis felt like a life sentence, or a well-meaning comment planted a seed of fear that lingered for months. This isn’t just bad bedside manner; it’s a phenomenon I call “medical hexing.” It’s the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, way that language in medical settings can disempower us, shaping our beliefs and even our health outcomes. Today, we’re diving deep into the power of words in medicine – how they can both heal and profoundly harm. In this episode I give you the down-low on:The Concept of Medical Hexing: How negative language and disempowering beliefs, often unintentionally, can act as a "medical hex," influencing our health beyond just our physical symptoms.The Nocebo Effect's Reality: This isn't just "woo-woo." The "evil twin" of the placebo effect, has a neurobiological basis, demonstrating how negative expectations can directly impact our physiology.Words as Physiological Triggers: The language used by healthcare providers directly impacts our brain and body, triggering stress responses, altering hormone levels, and even influencing our immune systems.The Power Imbalance: The traditional doctor-patient power dynamic can amplify the nocebo effect, making us more susceptible to negative suggestions and limiting our ability to advocate for ourselves.Reclaiming Your Agency: It's crucial to recognize your own expertise in your body and health, to question negative prognoses, and to seek out providers who foster trust and empowerment.The Body's Innate Healing Capacity: We must shift away from a disease-focused model and recognize the body's remarkable ability to heal, a capacity that can be enhanced or diminished by our beliefs.For a deeper dive into advocating for yourself within the medical system, be sure to read my book, "Hormone Intelligence." It includes a full chapter dedicated to empowering you to get the supportive, respectful healthcare you deserve. Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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  45:29
• Holding On and Letting Go: Modern Friendship in Women’s Lives with Anna Goldfarb

  What if friendships were just as vital to our health as sleep, nutrition, and exercise? Research suggests they might be. But in our fast-paced, modern world, nurturing deep and lasting friendships can feel overwhelming.In this episode, I sit down with journalist and author Anna Goldfarb to explore the evolving landscape of friendship—why it can be so challenging to maintain meaningful connections as we move through different life phases, and what we can do to strengthen the relationships that nourish us the most.Anna’s book, Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections, gave me so many “aha” moments about why friendships shift, how we can show up for each other in a more intentional way, and how to release the guilt we sometimes feel when friendships change.Join us as we unpack:How relationships have changed over time—why past generations had built-in social structures that kept friendships steady, and how today’s hyper-fluid, fast-paced world has reshaped the way we connect.How understanding the difference between “bathtub friends,” “swimming pool friends,” and “memorial friends” can ease the strain in relationships and help us let go of unrealistic expectations.Why some friendships fade over time (and why it’s not your fault!) and how to cope with changing relationships.The impact of social media on our lives and how having ‘friends’ online can leave us feeling more lonely than not. How we can keep connections alive through life changes—from motherhood to career shifts, big moves, and more.What to do when a connection feels out of sync—how to know whether to repair it or let it go.If you’ve ever felt lonely, longed for deeper relationships, or struggled to navigate the shifting nature of connection as life evolves—this conversation is for you.The way we connect in our modern lives is changing, but meaningful relationships are still the key to a healthy, fulfilling life. Have a listen to learn how to nourish the connections that truly matter. Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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  1:22:29
• Moving Beyond Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome to Find Happiness with Emma Seppälä

  Have you ever felt torn between dreaming big and staying realistic? Between trusting your instincts and wondering if fear is holding you back? In today’s conversation, we’re diving deep into what it truly means to reclaim your personal sovereignty—the ability to stand fully in your own power, free from self-doubt, external expectations, and the weight of comparison.My guest today, Dr. Emma Seppälä, is a psychologist, researcher, and bestselling author dedicated to helping people cultivate happiness, resilience, and self-leadership. As a Yale lecturer and the Science Director at Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research, she’s spent years studying what actually helps us thrive—not just succeed.Together, we explore:The social science behind self-doubt and imposter syndrome—and how to break free from it.The inner critic: where it comes from, why it keeps us small, and how to find inner quiet.The role of meditation and breathwork in rewiring our nervous systems for resilience.How comparison culture and social media impact our self-worth—and how to navigate them with sovereignty.Why we need to redefine success and self-worth in a world that constantly tells us who we should be.Daily practices to help you stay rooted in self-trust, confidence, and joy.This conversation is full of powerful takeaways, practical tools, and a deeply personal look into how we all wrestle with self-doubt—even those of us who have spent decades doing this work. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re enough, struggled with self-judgment, or wanted to free yourself from limiting beliefs, this episode is for you.If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who might need a reminder of their own power. And if you love it, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other women find this show!Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

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  1:13:15

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