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/supplements

Mentioned 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

“You’re holding your baby too much.” “Just let them cry it out.” “You’ll spoil them if you respond every time they cry.”

If you’ve ever heard these words—or wondered yourself whether nurturing your baby too much could backfire—you’re not alone. But the science is clear: responding to and connecting with our babies doesn’t spoil them; it builds their brains for lifelong emotional resilience and mental health.

In this episode of On Health, I’m joined by neuroscientist, doula, and infant sleep specialist Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, author of The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby’s Brain and Transform Their Mental Health. We’re diving into:

• Why babies need co-regulation, not early independence
• The neuroscience behind sleep training—and why much of it conflicts with infant brain development
• How small, intentional nurturing acts can buffer against stress and even heal intergenerational trauma

And because so many parents today are raising children without the village we deserve, we’ll also talk about what it means to nurture our babies—and ourselves—sustainably.

If you’ve ever felt torn between instinct and conventional parenting advice, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and science-backed reassurance. Tune in now.

Links and Resources

• Greer’s book, The Nurture Revolution 
• Greer Kirshenbaum’s website
• Greer’s workshops, resources, and coaching for parents and professionals
• Safe cosleeping guidelines from the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab at University of Notre Dame 
• Aviva’s podcast on colic in babies 
• Join The Mama Pathway, Aviva’s complete pregnancy, postpartum, and new mama journey 

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

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 avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Mentioned 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 more

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

In this episode Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, known as the Kitchen Curandera, and I explore the profound role of ancestral wisdom in women’s health. Felicia shares her journey of carrying forward her great-grandmother’s curanderismo practices and how food, plants, and rituals can transform the way we heal and care for ourselves across life’s stages.

From pregnancy to postpartum to the wisdom years of menopause, this episode is filled with insights on using food and herbs as medicine, as well as creating nourishing rituals that reconnect us to our roots.

Whether you're on a hormone healing journey, a new mama, or navigating perimenopausal or menopausal changes, or simply curious about ancestral healing, this episode offers practical wisdom to guide you.

What You'll Learn

• How ancestral wisdom shapes the way we approach women’s health
• Food as medicine: how nourishing traditions support healing in postpartum and beyond
• Herbs every woman should know for pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause
• Creating rituals and honoring transitions in women’s life cycles
• Why connecting to your roots matters for holistic healing

Links and Resources

• Learn more and register for Herbal Academy's FREE 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference
• Learn more about Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz and her book Earth Medicines at her website, Kitchen Curandera
• Study herbal medicine with Aviva as a student in her Herbal Medicine for Women course

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

Mentioned 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

Imagine living with the constant fear of leaking when you sneeze, jump, or can’t find a bathroom in time. Now add in the struggles of constipation, painful sex, or uterine, bladder, or rectal prolapse. These aren’t just occasional annoyances—they’re signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, which affects millions of women every year.

This episode of On Health is for every woman—whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, recovering postpartum, navigating menopause, or striving to age safely and independently. Pelvic health isn’t just about avoiding discomfort; it’s about living with freedom, dignity, and resilience.

I’m joined by Sara Reardon, aka The Vagina Whisperer, a trailblazing pelvic floor physical therapist who’s breaking the silence around this essential but often ignored topic.

We dish on:

• Why Pelvic Health Matters for Every Woman: Pelvic health impacts so much more than you might realize—intimacy, bladder and bowel control, core strength, and even your ability to stay active and independent as you age.
• Practical Tools for Prevention and Healing: Sara shares expert tips on preparing your pelvic floor for birth, postpartum recovery, and building strength at every stage of life.
• Breaking the Silence and Shame: We dive into the stigma surrounding pelvic floor issues and why compassionate care is the first step to healing.
•  The Surprising Link Between Pelvic Health and Aging: Did you know that urinary and stool incontinence are among the leading reasons older adults end up in nursing homes? Learn how strengthening your pelvic floor now can safeguard your independence later.

As Sara says, "You could live 30 to 50 years postmenopausal, and what you do now can make all the difference in how you live those years—whether you’re traveling, hiking, and socializing, or staying home because of discomfort or embarrassment."

Small, proactive steps like pelvic floor exercises, proper bathroom habits, and therapy can transform your health—not just today, but for decades to come.

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

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 avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Mentioned 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

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 more

I used to believe that for every good thing that happened to me, something bad had to happen as well to even it out, like a universal balancing system. Every time something good was going to happen, I always thought to myself, “What will the payback be?” In my years of experience working with and talking to women, I have learned that lots of women live with this fear, often for a long time.

Listen in as I talk about why we have this fear, acknowledge that you’re not crazy for having it, and how to shift out of this kind of thinking so you can live your life with freedom instead of fear.

In this episode I discuss:

• How fear keeps you from taking risks -  and how this protects and hinders us
• How negativity bias is a symptom of adrenal overload
• The role of the amygdala in fear
• How your brain remembers threats
• How negative emotions get attached to positive emotions
• What happens when we go into fight or flight mode
• What intuition really is
• How to get out of this fear
• The power of neuroplasticity
• The importance of being aware of your feelings
• How to use cognitive disruption to shift from fear to freedom
• Why I love taking deep breaths
• The value of journaling
• How to practice forgiveness

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

Why does it feel like no matter how much we do, it’s never enough—Including—and especially—in our mothering? 

It’s no wonder we feel this way! Societal changes have created a culture that ties worth to performance, often at the expense of our health and happiness, while macroeconomic trends that have shifted the way we think about work, education, and success, making it entirely focussed on external standards of achievement.  

In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Jennifer Wallace, journalist and author of Never Enough, to dive into the toxic achievement culture that’s shaping our lives—and the lives of our kids.

Together, we explore how this relentless pursuit of external success is leaving us exhausted, disconnected, and questioning our self-worth. We also dig into what really matters—connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging—and how we can reclaim these values for ourselves and our families.

Join us as we go deep into our own personal journeys as women and moms, and along the way talk about: 

• The Cost of Toxic Achievement: Macroeconomic trends—like rising inequality, job instability, and the increasing cost of living—are amplifying the push to achieve at any cost. But the evidence is clear: more external success doesn’t lead to happier or healthier lives.
• What We’ve Lost: The modern obsession with productivity has left less time for the things that truly nourish us—community, hobbies, connection, and learning for its own sake.
• The Power of Mattering: Kids thrive when they feel valued for who they are, not what they accomplish. And it’s up to us as parents to model that sense of worth by healing our own relationship with achievement—including feeling that the our kids’ success is a measure of our own worth, from where they were born to how long they breastfed to what schools they go to and who they are as adults. 
• Healing Generational Wounds: Unexamined beliefs and "ghosts" from our own upbringing often push us toward extrinsic measures of success. By addressing these wounds, we can break the cycle and redefine what matters for ourselves and our kids.
• Reclaiming What Matters:  Research shows that relationships—not status or money—are the strongest predictors of happiness, fulfillment, and resilience. We explore practical ways to prioritize relationships, joy, and intrinsic fulfillment over endless striving and external rewards.

If you’re ready to let go of the pressure to achieve and embrace a more meaningful, connected life, this episode is for you. Share it with a friend who might need the reminder that they’re already enough, and let’s start a movement toward true fulfillment—together.

This episode is a compassionate call to reevaluate what really matters. The relentless push for more isn’t the path to happiness, for ourselves, or for our kiddos. Instead, it’s connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging that truly nourish us.

📖 Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace offers even more insights and is a must-read for parents and caregivers.

💬 Let’s continue this conversation on Instagram: @DrAvivaRomm.

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

Mentioned 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

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of unresolved trauma and its psychological, emotional, or even physical effects from one generation to another. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals' mental health, coping mechanisms, and relational patterns. The cycle of intergenerational trauma underscores the importance of acknowledging, understanding, and actively addressing inherited wounds to break free from its influence on future generations.

On today’s On Health episode, I’m joined by the incredible Mariel Buque, PhD, author of Break the Cycle: who wants us all to learn to unravel the threads of family trauma, and becoming cycle breakers so we can heal the burdens of suffering carried forward by so many families across generations. 

In this powerful episode, we explore: 

• What intergenerational trauma is and how it can affect our physiology, mental health, relationships, economics, and more. 
• The profound connections between our individual experiences and the echoes of our ancestors' pain.
• Resilience and stress tolerance as essential tools for breaking the intergenerational trauma cycle.
• How to expand your window of resilience and respond to life's challenges with greater awareness and purpose."
• How compassion becomes a powerful ally, fostering understanding and acceptance of our shared human struggles."
• How mothers can be preemptive cycle breakers, initiating the healing journey even before conceiving.
• The landscape of family estrangement and tools for reconciliation before resorting to estrangement.
• Mariel's approach centers around the concept of an upward spiral, emphasizing small, consistent mindful actions for reshaping the nervous system.

Resources for those seeking guidance, including Mariel's book, "Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma."

Join us in this episode's transformative conversation on health, healing, and well-being, as we become architects of a future unburdened by the weight of generational pain.

Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation.

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

Imagine being told you had a “hostile uterus” and sent home, only to discover later you were on the brink of a life-threatening pregnancy complication.

This isn’t fiction. Terms like “hostile uterus” and “irritable uterus” are still in use, and they’re dangerous. In conventional medicine, language like this often subtly blames women’s bodies for medical events, creating a culture where women who advocate for themselves are frequently dismissed—or even labeled “difficult.” Disturbingly, some women, particularly Black mothers, have faced extreme consequences like social services or even police intervention for simply speaking up during labor.

The stakes are high. Medical and obstetric trauma are a reality for far too many, and symptoms of PTSD are often brushed off as “just part of the experience” instead of being acknowledged as trauma caused by medical mistreatment. This climate of dismissal causes many women to skip important screenings and healthcare visits, increasing their health risks.

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Hazard, a midwife, activist, and author who, like me, has seen firsthand the impact of misleading language and inconsistent protocols on women’s health. We discuss the urgent need for self-advocacy in healthcare, why it often feels like an uphill battle, and the unsettling inconsistencies in obstetrics. Leah explains how synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin)—a drug widely used to induce or speed up labor—is administered with inconsistent protocols across hospitals, affecting labor experiences, breastfeeding success, and postpartum mental health.

Episode Highlights:

• The Hidden Power of Words: We explore how terms like “hostile uterus” subtly place blame on women’s bodies, fueling a culture that sees women as “difficult” when they advocate for themselves.
• The Impact of Medical Dismissal: Leah shares real-life stories of women whose symptoms were dismissed, leading to delayed or inadequate care—even in life-threatening situations.
• Birth Trauma and Mental Health: Medical trauma affects a shocking number of women, with many experiencing PTSD symptoms that are often minimized or overlooked, leaving lasting emotional scars.
• Inconsistent Pitocin Protocols: Leah uncovers how the administration of synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) varies greatly across hospitals, impacting everything from labor experience to breastfeeding outcomes and postpartum mental health.
• The Essential Need for Self-Advocacy: We discuss why knowing your body—and the language around it—is crucial in navigating a system that too often undermines women’s voices.
• A Call to Change the Narrative: This episode isn’t just for those with a womb; it’s a call to examine how society, medicine, and language intersect in women’s health, challenging us to create a more compassionate healthcare experience.

If this episode resonated with you, consider taking action by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t miss out on future episodes! Make sure to subscribe to On Health for more conversations like this one, bringing you expert insights and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.

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

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 avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Mentioned 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 more

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

Could your love relationship use a bit of boost? Some calm in the storm? Or are you looking for love that’s been hard to find? In this On Health for Women episode I’m joined by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a wonderful couples therapist, professor, author of Love Every Day and the host of the Reimagining Love podcast. Together we explore the real meaning of love and how it can be cultivated through daily practices of self-awareness, self-compassion, and intentional connection. Whether single, in a relationship, or simply seeking a better relationship with yourself, this conversation offers powerful tools to foster a deeper, more resilient connection to yourself and others.

Dr. Solomon sheds light on using Relational Self-Awareness (RSA) to build fulfilling partnerships, understand our Family-of-Origin influences, and tackle relationship conflicts as a team. Join us as we unpack the complexities of intimacy and share practical guidance on nurturing love in ways that are both transformative and healing.

In this episode we explore: 

• Love as Daily Practice: Why love is more than a feeling—it’s a mindful practice that requires small, intentional actions each day.
• Understanding Family-of-Origin: How early family dynamics, or our "Original Love Classroom," shape our relationship patterns, and ways to move beyond them.
• Navigating Attachment Styles: A look at common attachment patterns like anxious and avoidant types, and ways to harmonize different styles in relationships.
• Relational Self-Awareness (RSA): How RSA can unlock healthier relationships by increasing empathy, self-understanding, and resilience.
• Turning Conflict into Connection: Practical tools for approaching challenges as a team and transforming conflict into intimacy and personal growth.
• Self-Compassion and Self-Respect: Balancing self-love with loving others without losing yourself in the relationship.
• Modern Dating Realities: Dr. Solomon shares insights into why dating can be difficult today and how to embrace a compassionate approach.
• Long-Term Partnership Wisdom: Dr. Solomon’s advice on nurturing enduring love with the help of daily practices that strengthen connection, respect, and joy.

If this episode resonated with you, consider taking action by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t miss out on future episodes! Make sure to subscribe to On Health for more conversations like this one, bringing you expert insights and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.

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

Mentioned 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

Feeling the first tickle of a sore throat? Or maybe you’re dealing with a full-blown cold or flu? In this episode, I’m sharing my top natural remedies to help you get through cold and flu season. From immune-boosting herbs to soothing teas, these are the must-haves I trust to keep my family healthy.

I’ll walk you through how to use each one, with practical tips on safety, including what’s safe for kids, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. You’ll learn simple recipes you can make at home, like ginger tea, garlic lemonade, and thyme-honey tea, and I’ll share why these remedies have been trusted for generations to help ease symptoms and shorten the length of your illness.

Episode Highlights:

• Echinacea: Immune-boosting benefits for prevention and early symptom relief.
• Ginger: Anti-inflammatory and warming, perfect for soothing sore throats and congestion.
• Elderberry: Sweet and antiviral, can help reduce the severity of flu symptoms.
• Garlic: A natural antimicrobial, with a recipe for a soothing garlic lemonade.
• Vitamin C: Classic immune support that helps shorten the duration of colds.
• Zinc: Effective for reducing cold duration, especially when taken early.
• Thyme-Honey Tea: Combines natural antimicrobials to soothe coughs and clear congestion.
• Vapor Rub & Herbal Steam: Menthol and eucalyptus-based rubs and steams to ease breathing.

Key Takeaways:

• Simple, safe ways to support your immune system during cold & flu season.
• Practical recipes for at-home remedies that can bring comfort and relief.
• Safety guidelines for using these natural remedies effectively, including recommendations for kids, pregnant women, and those with specific health concerns.

Tune in and get your natural medicine cabinet ready for this cold & flu season!

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

Mentioned 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

Many of us are aware of the ethical minefield of fast fashion—from the labor issues to the environmental damage. But did you know that the clothes in your closet could be making you sick? In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning investigative journalist Alden Wicker, author of To Die For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back. Alden’s deep dive into the world of fashion goes beyond the well-known stories of sweatshops and waste to uncover the hidden impact of unregulated toxic chemicals in our clothing on our personal health.

From flame retardants and PFAS to endocrine disruptors, Alden and I explore the unseen dangers lurking in everyday garments and how these chemicals are connected to a myriad of health problems, from skin issues to autoimmune diseases, fertility challenges, and even cancer. We’ll talk about why these chemicals are allowed in the first place, what the fashion industry isn’t telling you, and how you can protect yourself and your family—without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re looking for practical tips to detox your wardrobe or want to learn more about the systemic changes needed in the fashion industry, this episode will empower you to make safer, more informed choices when it comes to your clothes.

Episode Highlights:

• How Alden Wicker got into sustainable fashion journalism—starting with a troubling case of Delta flight attendant uniforms making women sick.
• The toxic truth: What chemicals are lurking in our clothing, and why is no one talking about it?
• How these chemicals are affecting not just the environment but also our bodies.
• From rashes to reproductive health issues—how clothing can impact autoimmune diseases and fertility.
• Why women are disproportionately affected by toxic chemicals in fashion, and the industry’s gender gap in addressing the problem.
• Practical tips: How to choose safer clothing, avoid harmful chemicals, and shop smarter without spending a fortune.
• Beyond your wardrobe: How you can join collective actions and advocacy to help push for systemic change.
• Alden’s advice to her younger self: Simplifying health and happiness.

Resources & Links:

• Alden Wicker’s Website: EcoCult.com
• Safer States: saferstates.org
• Toxic-Free Future: toxicfreefuture.org
• Follow Alden on Instagram: @ecocultcom
• Connect with Dr. Aviva Romm: @dr.avivaromm

If this episode resonated with you, consider taking action by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t miss out on future episodes! Make sure to subscribe to On Health for more conversations like this one, bringing you expert insights and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.

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

Mentioned 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