Episodi

  • How Our Culture & Systems Failed Women Who Want to Be Mothers

    How Our Culture & Systems Failed Women Who Want to Be Mothers
    Jan 21 2026
    Our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers, not through malice, but through neglect, misalignment, and outdated priorities.In this episode, we explore how education, feminism, medicine, and career culture shaped a generation of women who were never truly prepared for motherhood. This is a nuanced, honest conversation about how our culture and systems have failed many women who want to be mothers.We want to say this clearly up front: this conversation reflects our lived experiences and what we see in our work. It is not meant to invalidate women who had supportive, empowering paths to motherhood, nor does it represent every experience across different socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds.What we explore here is a pattern. For decades, women were encouraged to prioritize education, career, and productivity, often with little to no preparation for health, fertility, or motherhood. Feminism brought women freedom, opportunity, and choice, and we honor that deeply. But like all cultural movements, there were unintended consequences that many women are only now grappling with.In this conversation, we discuss:• Why motherhood was treated as an afterthought rather than a life path• How feminism empowered women — and where systems failed to evolve alongside it• The lack of reproductive and health education for young women• How birth control often masked dysfunction instead of addressing root causes• Why so many women feel blindsided by fertility struggles in their 30s• The cost of prioritizing weddings, careers, and productivity over preparation for motherhood• Maternal burnout, postpartum strain, and the lack of systemic support• What a more integrative, honest, and compassionate approach could look likeThis is not about blame. It’s about awareness because we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. Our hope is that by having these conversations openly, we can support women now and create better systems for future generations. If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, sharing, or leaving a review. These conversations matter. 00:00 — Why We’re Having This Conversation02:45 — This Isn’t Everyone’s Experience But It’s a Real Pattern05:30 — Feminism Gave Women Choice... And Then the Pendulum Swung09:45 — When Motherhood Became an Afterthought13:20 — Career First, Motherhood “On the Side”17:40 — The Lie We Were Sold About Fertility & Birth Control22:10 — Why So Many Women Are Struggling to Conceive in Their 30s27:15 — “Our Society Is Not Set Up for Women to Become Mothers”31:00 — We Prepare for College & Sports — But Not Health34:30 — Imagine a World Where Girls Are Taught About Their Bodies38:20 — The Cost of Ignoring Motherhood (Burnout, Infertility, Trauma)42:45 — Weddings, Nurseries & Misplaced Priorities47:30 — What the Medical System Gets Wrong About Fertility52:10 — How This Could Change for the Next Generation56:00 — This Isn’t About Blame, It’s About What’s Broken59:00 — Final Thoughts, Hope & Why These Conversations Matter👉 New episodes every WednesdayResources Mentioned in This Episode:Join Womanhood WellnessSocial Studies DocuseriesThe Time Machine MovieFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at FondUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    1 ora e 10 min
  • A Real Life Update: Pregnancy, Motherhood Seasons & What’s Changing for Us | #147

    A Real Life Update: Pregnancy, Motherhood Seasons & What’s Changing for Us | #147
    Jan 14 2026

    In this life update episode, we’re sitting down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what’s really been going on behind the scenes: from pregnancy and health updates to sleep deprivation, motherhood challenges, and big life decisions.


    Dr. Morgan shares a deeply personal pregnancy update, including navigating pregnancy while being sick, fertility considerations, and what it feels like to prepare for another baby while holding space for uncertainty. Dr. Leah talks candidly about postpartum sleep struggles, co-sleeping, teething, and the emotional toll of chronic sleep deprivation, alongside the sweetness and perspective that comes with motherhood.


    We also dive into the realities of running a business while parenting, navigating children’s health concerns, making hard decisions around fertility and family planning, and learning how to hold both gratitude and exhaustion at the same time.


    This episode is a real, grounded conversation for anyone who wants honest motherhood talk — no filters, no pretending, just real life.


    What We Discuss
    1. Pregnancy life updates and preparing for a new baby
    2. Pregnancy after health issues and navigating early pregnancy anxiety
    3. Fertility differences and conversations around IVF and family planning
    4. Postpartum sleep struggles, co-sleeping, and chronic sleep deprivation
    5. Teething, illness, and children’s health worries
    6. Motherhood emotions: gratitude, overwhelm, fear, and joy
    7. Running a business while parenting young children
    8. Making peace with uncertainty and big life decisions
    9. Holding opposites in motherhood — exhaustion and sweetness at once


    00:00 – Welcome & why we love life update episodes

    02:15 – Social media, sharing updates, and being more offline

    06:30 – Deciding whether to have another baby

    12:45 – Pregnancy after health issues & fertility considerations

    20:30 – Getting sick in early pregnancy & managing anxiety

    27:40 – Progesterone, fertility differences, and early symptoms

    33:50 – Finding out the baby’s gender & family reactions

    39:45 – Emotional shifts, energy changes, and pregnancy differences

    45:30 – Sleep deprivation, teething, and postpartum struggles

    52:10 – Children’s health worries, co-sleeping, and mental load

    57:00 – Gratitude, perspective, and closing thoughts


    👉 New episodes every Wednesday


    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    • Araza Makeup - Use code DRLEAH for 10% off!


    Find more from Dr. Leah:

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

    Womanhood Wellness | Website


    Find more from Dr. Morgan:

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website


    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond

    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    59 min
  • 5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding (And Why No One Prepares Mothers for This) | #146

    5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding (And Why No One Prepares Mothers for This) | #146
    Jan 7 2026

    Breastfeeding is often framed as natural, yet so many mothers struggle, feel overwhelmed, or are told their bodies are failing them. In this episode, we break down five major factors that can sabotage breastfeeding and why women are rarely prepared for them.


    We explore how birth interventions, IV fluids, epidurals, misinformation, lack of postpartum support, and unrealistic expectations around sleep and feeding can deeply impact milk supply, confidence, and the breastfeeding relationship. We also unpack why phrases like “fed is best” can sometimes shut down honest conversations about the real challenges mothers face.


    This conversation is not about shame or blame. It’s about education, context, and holding nuance. Tools like formula, C-sections, and IVF can be life-saving and necessary, but they should not be treated as the first or only option without addressing root causes and the systemic gaps in maternal care.


    Episode Chapters

    00:00 Introduction & Why this conversation matters

    02:15 How birth influences breastfeeding

    07:10 IV fluids, engorgement & supply panic

    12:30 Epidurals & interventions

    18:45 The worst breastfeeding advice

    24:10 Bottles, pacifiers & nipple confusion

    30:05 Where “fed is best” falls short

    36:40 Systemic gaps in breastfeeding education

    43:20 Formula, IVF & C-sections

    51:10 Sleep pressure & breastfeeding

    58:30 Compassion, context & informed choice

    1:03:30 Final reflections


    In This Episode, We Cover:

    • How birth experiences influence breastfeeding success

    • Common breastfeeding myths and harmful advice

    • Why supply-and-demand is rarely explained clearly

    • How sleep pressure disrupts maternal instincts

    • Why breastfeeding struggles are not a personal failure


    🎧 Listen in for a grounded, honest discussion that gives mothers the information they deserve, and the permission to hold compassion, nuance, and informed choice.


    👉 New episodes every Wednesday

    👉 Explore related conversations in our Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum playlists


    Resources Mentioned in This Episode

    1. Dr. Morgan’s Mastitis Manual
    2. Dealing with mastitis? Get Dr. Morgan’s comprehensive Mastitis Manual and learn how to identify which type of mastitis you have, whether antibiotics are necessary, and how to support healing naturally. - https://milkmedicine.com/mastitis-manual/


    Find more from Dr. Leah:

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

    Womanhood Wellness | Website


    Find more from Dr. Morgan:

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website


    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond

    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond

    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    1 ora e 7 min
  • Coming Off Birth Control: What Your Body Needs Before Pregnancy (Ep. 145)

    Coming Off Birth Control: What Your Body Needs Before Pregnancy (Ep. 145)
    Dec 31 2025

    In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Gordon to explore why so many women struggle with fertility, even when their labs look “normal.”


    We discuss how hormonal birth control, chronic stress, gut health, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation can quietly block conception and implantation.


    Dr. Leah explains why ovulation alone doesn’t always equal fertility, how the body’s stress response impacts reproductive hormones, and what it really means to support the body before pregnancy.


    This is a compassionate, root-cause conversation for women navigating unexplained infertility, coming off birth control, or preparing their body for pregnancy, and a reminder that the body isn’t broken, it just needs the right support.


    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Womanhood Wellness Membership: Where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. 👉 Join today
    • The Birth of the Pill — A deep dive into the origins and long-term implications of hormonal birth control 👉 https://amzn.to/4slrNfw\
    • Episode #4 - Preconception: What It Is and Why It Matters 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000593847905


    In this episode, we cover:

    00:00 Coming Off Birth Control & Preconception Overview

    02:55 Why Preconception Matters More Than We’re Taught

    06:10 What Really Happens When You Stop Hormonal Birth Control

    10:55 Why “Wait and See” Isn’t Enough After Birth Control

    14:45 How Birth Control Disrupts Hormone Communication

    19:05 Post-Pill Hormone Surges & Acne Explained

    22:20 Why Your Cycle May Not Return Right Away

    25:05 The Hidden Nutrient Depletions From Birth Control

    29:45 Birth Control as Symptom Masking (The Fire Alarm Analogy)

    34:50 The Key Nutrients Needed for Fertility & Pregnancy

    40:20 Why Most Prenatals Aren’t Enough

    43:30 Liver Health, Detox & Hormone Clearance

    48:35 How Birth Control Impacts the Gut & Microbiome

    53:10 Inflammation, Stress & Fertility Challenges

    57:40 Nervous System Regulation & Preparing for Pregnancy

    01:02:10 Final Thoughts on Healing Before Conception


    Find more from Dr. Leah:

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

    Womanhood Wellness | Website


    Find more from Dr. Morgan:

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website


    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond

    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    1 ora e 5 min
  • #144: The Hidden Emotional Toll of Infertility | Dr. Andrea Liner

    #144: The Hidden Emotional Toll of Infertility | Dr. Andrea Liner
    Dec 24 2025

    Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today.


    What if the hardest part of trying to conceive isn't your body, but the silence around what you're actually feeling?

    

    In this episode, Dr. Leah sits down with Dr. Andrea Liner, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in reproductive mental health. She's also an IVF mama who navigated nearly four years of infertility, including misdiagnosis, two egg retrievals, and being told at 32 that she needed an egg donor.


    The trying to conceive journey brings up emotions most people don't know how to name, let alone process. Dr. Andrea walks through the mental traps that commonly keep couples stuck, the relationship dynamics that shift under pressure, and what actually helps when nothing is going according to plan.


    You’ll Learn:


    [00:00] Introduction

    [02:60] Dr. Andrea's nearly four-year fertility journey

    [15:27] The mental toll on high-functioning achievers who can't muscle their way through infertility

    [17:44] How fertility struggles permeate every aspect of your daily life and identity

    [18:45] The existential questions that surface when you feel like a failure at what matters most

    [24:29] When sex becomes a chore rather than a fun activity that cultivates connection and brings new life into the world

    [27:13] The worst things people say and how to navigate relationships during infertility

    [37:34] First steps for navigating pregnancy loss

    [40:55] The shame of struggling in pregnancy when you fought so hard to conceive

    

    Connect on a deeper level with Dr. Andrea by joining her mailing list.


    Find more from Dr. Andrea:


    Flux Psychology | Website

    Reproductive Psychology | Instagram


    Find more from Dr. Leah:


    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

    Womanhood Wellness | Website


    Find more from Dr. Morgan:


    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website


    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond

    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    50 min
  • #143: Supplements in Pregnancy: What You SHOULD and SHOULD NOT Take

    #143: Supplements in Pregnancy: What You SHOULD and SHOULD NOT Take
    Dec 17 2025
    Pregnant and wanting to learn how to optimize your health, prepare for birth, learn to breastfeed, and heal during postpartum? Come take Dr. Morgan’s pregnancy class!Not every supplement in pregnancy is harmless. Some can actually increase risk for you and your baby.Pregnancy supplements can be sorted into clear buckets: hard yes, maybe, and hard no. In this episode, you’re going to learn our core essentials, the optional add-ons that depend on your labs and symptoms, and the products that sound helpful online but clash with how a pregnant body actually works. We draw the line on some popular herbs, powders, and nervous system helpers, and for good reason—these decisions are shaped by both research limits and real clinical experience.If you’re pregnant and staring at a cabinet full of bottles scratching your head, the real challenge isn’t finding more options; it’s knowing which few are worth taking and when. You’ll receive insights on how we think about risk, timing, and dose, when we’ll push harder on something like immune support to avoid medications, and where we’d rather you do nothing than experiment. A small, intentional stack can serve you better than chasing every trending supplement.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[03:07] The overlooked problem with most prenatals and why ingredient form matters[04:30] The simple rule that prevents most women from absorbing iron properly[07:11] The hidden reason pregnant women shouldn’t fear vitamin A[09:20] How magnesium becomes a multipurpose lifesaver for sleep, cramps, and digestion[09:55] The real vitamin D levels you should aim for[17:04] When probiotics actually matter in pregnancy, and when they don’t[20:16] The surprising list of safe remedies you can use when you get sick while pregnant[27:05] The trending supplements that truly are safe[41:03] The herbs you must avoid because they disrupt hormones and fetal developmentResources Mentioned:Orthomolecular Vitamin D3 + K2 Drops | WebsiteHealthy as a Mother episode on Baby Brain Support in Pregnancy with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Spotify or AppleDr. Morgan's Managing Illness While Pregnant or Breastfeeding Course | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERSave 10% on pasture-raised bone broths from FOND with code HEALTHYMOTHER
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    51 min
  • #142: Why Salt Is More Important Than You Think | Darryl Bosshardt

    #142: Why Salt Is More Important Than You Think | Darryl Bosshardt
    Dec 10 2025
    Get real, true hydration with Redmond Re-lyte! Try it for 15% off, here.What if the real problem isn't salt itself but the way we've stripped it, feared it, and deadened the water we drink it with?We’re sitting down with Darryl Bosshardt, a salt expert from Redmond, Utah, who grew up inside his family's mineral business. We had a lot of fun recording this episode because he's as intensely nerdy about salt as we are about birth and motherhood.We question how salt ended up cast as the villain and what that fear has quietly done inside us, especially when studies and headlines ignored context like water and overall diet. We open up the tension between the mineral-rich salt and spring water humans adapted to and the stripped, “dead” versions most people are leaning on today. Instead of handing you another protocol, we stay focused on how it actually feels when you give your body enough of what it runs on and stop fighting its design.You’ll Learn:[00:00:00] Introduction[00:06:09] How ancient civilizations survived and thrived around salt deposits[00:11:52] The clever way our ancestors found salt and water[00:17:17] The fascinating science of salt crystal size and why it changes how salty food tastes on your tongue[00:20:30] The biblical origins of "kosher salt" and why it's called that (it has nothing to do with being blessed)[00:26:31] The 1954 mouse study that demonized salt[00:32:17] The shocking truth: consuming less than 2,300mg of sodium resulted in a 430% increase in heart attacks[00:34:19] The Brewer's Diet approach to preventing preeclampsia with unrestricted salt, protein, and water[00:40:16] What "dead water" is and why spring water contains the full electrolyte profile our bodies expect[00:47:32] The bottle experiment that proves RO water is aggressively trying to dissolve everything it touches[00:52:30] Drinking demineralized water makes your body pull minerals from your jawbone and teeth[01:03:05] The heavy metals question: understanding parts per billion versus actual micrograms consumed[01:13:04] How to evaluate ANY product with three simple questions about producer, source, and processingResources Mentioned:Find A Spring | WebsiteWater & Salt, the Essence of Life by Barbara Hendel and Peter Ferreira | BookFDA Total Diet Study | ArticleFind more from Darryl Bosshardt by following him on LinkedIn.Find more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    1 ora e 20 min
  • #141: 7 Everyday Things That Are Actually Bad for Your Hormones & Fertility - And What to Use Instead

    #141: 7 Everyday Things That Are Actually Bad for Your Hormones & Fertility - And What to Use Instead
    Dec 3 2025
    Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today.What if the everyday things touching your skin were quietly working against your hormones and fertility?Are there products lurking in your home, messing with your hormones, fertility, and even your kids? In this episode, you’re going to learn how something as simple as underwear, leggings, lube, or your favorite scent can shift your entire vaginal microbiome, change the pH in that delicate ecosystem, and ripple into things like infections, discharge, odor, and trouble conceiving.Most of us were raised to assume that if a product is on the shelf, it must be safe, and no one ever sat us down to explain how to spot the things that are the least like nature in our environment. Things like hidden plastics, fragrances, and chemicals might be sneaking into your daily routine, and there are simple swaps that can dramatically lower the load without making you feel like you’re living in a bubble. You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[06:50] How the wrong underwear disrupts your vaginal microbiome and fertility[12:05] What tight, synthetic leggings do to moisture, bacteria, and hormone balance[17:14] Why most personal lubricants damage sperm, and what to use instead[21:12] The everyday plastic exposures are silently lowering fertility[25:20] The hidden hormone disruptors in candles and home fragrances[28:17] How laundry detergents and dryer sheets flood your body with hormone disruptors[34:24] Why shower products may be a daily source of toxins you don’t realizeResources Mentioned:Auden Underwear | WebsiteCountry Save Laundry Detergent | AmazonMolly Suds Laundry Detergent | AmazonBranch Basics Laundry Detergent | WebsitePyrex Food Storage | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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    40 min