Join Yale-trained MD & midwife Aviva Romm and her line-up of expert guests as they discuss everything from periods to menopause, sex to reproductive health politics, and motherhood to mental health. When it comes to women's health and well-being there's nothing we won't talk about. The new medicine for women is here!
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Resources & Links:
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
I remember when I first started practicing as a midwife—way back in the '80s—there was barely a whisper about how nutrition could impact pregnancy. I taught my first prenatal nutrition class in 1990, and the hunger for information was almost palpable. It’s amazing to me that, fast forward to today, we’re still facing a gap in understanding just how much food and lifestyle choices affect both mom and baby. But here’s the thing—there’s so much hope and possibility when we’re armed with the right information, and today’s guest has dedicated her life to providing just that.
I’m beyond excited to introduce you to Lily Nichols. Lily is a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and certified diabetes educator who is passionate about making pregnancy health both understandable and achievable. Her journey into this work is rooted in a deeply personal mission: she saw firsthand how powerful nutrition could be in preventing complications like gestational diabetes, and she wanted to share that knowledge with as many women as possible. Her books, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes and Real Food for Pregnancy, have helped countless women take control of their health during such an important time.
In today’s episode, Lily and I dive deep into some powerful truths about gestational diabetes—how it’s on the rise but, more importantly, how it can be prevented and even reversed with simple, mindful changes. We’ll talk about why so many women still aren’t given this information, how the right nutrition can truly change the trajectory of your pregnancy, and practical steps anyone can take. We’ll even touch on how blood sugar testing is done differently around the world—and why those differences matter.
Whether you’re pregnant, planning to be, or just curious about how your body responds to food, there’s so much to take away from this conversation. It’s about more than just numbers on a blood test; it’s about learning to listen to your body, trust yourself, and make small changes that have a lasting impact on your health—and the health of your baby.
So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s get into this empowering and eye-opening conversation with Lily Nichols. I think you’re going to walk away feeling hopeful, informed, and ready to take charge of your health in a whole new way.
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
Of all the stages in life, most women tell me they’d least want to revisit—it's puberty. If you're reading this, you survived it too. And while you likely have some fond memories, you also remember the awkward body changes, the anxiety of getting your mom to buy pads or tampons to avoid the dreaded checkout counter, the stress around your emerging—or non-emerging—breasts, acne, and the confusing wave of new feelings that came with your growing sexual awareness.
Our teens today are facing a different kind of puberty—a reality that’s markedly different from what we experienced. While they have more access to information and resources than we did, puberty itself has changed in significant ways. There are new gaps between what we as parents—and even many doctors—know and what our kids are going through. From earlier onset of puberty, which now often starts as young as eight, to prolonged puberty stages and earlier exposure to explicit content online, it’s a whole new world for our children.
Understanding these shifts is crucial for guiding your child through this delicate time.
In the latest episode of On Health, I’m joined by two incredible experts who are deeply immersed in these changes. Vanessa Kroll Bennett, a puberty expert, writer, and entrepreneur, and Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and the mind behind the New York Times bestselling series The Care and Keeping of You, bring their expertise and warmth to our conversation. Both are moms of teens themselves and co-hosts of The Puberty Podcast. Their new book, This is So Awkward, is a phenomenal guide to understanding the landscape of modern puberty so you can better support your child through this vulnerable and often tumultuous time.
In our discussion, we explore key aspects of modern puberty and how you can support your tween or teen:
These insights are more than just tips—they’re lifelines for helping your child navigate this critical stage of development with confidence and resilience.
I invite you to listen to this episode—click here to tune in. Let’s make sure we’re raising the next generation with the information and support they need. And if you find this conversation valuable, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join the conversation online using #OnHealth. Your stories, your questions, and your experiences make our community stronger.
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
Despite advancements in medical technology and a growing awareness of maternal health, the emotional and psychological experiences of birthing mothers in the US often go unnoticed. In this eye-opening episode, Aviva Romm, an experienced midwife and MD, delves into a topic that is often overlooked and misunderstood—birth trauma. Aviva shares her personal birth story, other birth stories, and draws from decades of experience to explore the hidden epidemic of birth trauma that is affecting an alarming number of women.
In this episode Dr. Aviva discusses:
Why This Episode Matters:
Birth is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, yet the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers often takes a back seat to physical outcomes. By bringing this issue to the forefront, Dr. Romm aims to empower women, educate healthcare professionals, and spark a much-needed conversation about the importance of “matrifocal: maternal health care.
Tune in to the full episode to understand the true impact of birth trauma and what we can do to support the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers.
Share Your Story: Have you or someone you know experienced birth trauma? Please join the conversation on Dr. Aviva’s Instagram @dr.avivaromm and use #HealingBirthTrauma.
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
If you find yourself feeling chronically overwhelmed, with a to-do list you can’t ever get to the bottom of, and a nagging feeling that you’re never quite doing enough, this episode is for you. Joining me is Jenny Odell, the acclaimed author of zthe books How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy and Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture. An artist and educator based in Oakland, California, Jenny’s work shines a light on how we can reclaim our attention in an increasingly digital world, while escaping from the clutches of productivity culture. I also share my personal story of how a recent vacation followed by COVID has caused me to rethink my own attention economy - and how this has been shifting my nervous system - and perspectives - on ‘what’s enough.”
Join us as we explore insights on the importance of rest, reflection, and mindful living as part of taking back our lives, power, and mental well-being including:
Resources Mentioned:
More from Jenny Odell:
The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution : Dr. Aviva’s book on taking back your health - while nourishing your adrenals and supporting your thyroid
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
Welcome to the second half of our alcohol miniseries!
In part one, I focused on how alcohol metabolizes differently in women than men and how this increases women's alcohol-related health risks. I also talked about how alcohol can effect puberty, our hormones, and menstrual cycles.
If you haven’t already listened, it's a perfect prequel to today's episode, where I talk about how alcohol may impact fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and breast cancer, giving you food for thought on whether and if so how much drinking is okay for YOU, and also tools for smarter alcohol intake.
You’ll walk away from series feeling empowered and equipped with the tools and information necessary to approach alcohol in a way that best matches your lifestyle.
In this episode, I dish on:
Whether you're trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, going through menopause, struggling with PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to learn more about the potential long-term effects of alcohol on your health, - even just light drinking - this series as a must-refer-back-to one for various cycles of your life. So listen, save and share it!
Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! 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 your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com 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
Alcohol. It's the kind of frenemy that many women have a love-hate relationship with. It may make us feel good in the moment—relaxed, more social, less anxious—but many women find that after a drink or several, they’re moody, irritable, don’t sleep as well, and feel overall kind of not-so-great. Are there reasons for this that are unique to women? And can alcohol have hidden effects on our estrogen? Progesterone? Menstrual cycles? What about your gut? Circadian rhythm? Thyroid?
That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones. Whether you’re having a dry July 4th or just hitting the brakes a little now, what better time of year is there to do a little self-check-in on this anyway? It can be a perfect time to revaluate your relationship with alcohol altogether.
We’ll be diving straight into the research and discussing the direct impact alcohol has on women’s hormonal and long-term health, so you can make the most informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption that best fit your lifestyle.
In the first of this two part series on women, alcohol, and our hormones, we'll deep dive into...
This episode will give you food for thought and some important information to consider as you intentionally reflect on whether and how much to include alcohol in your lifestyle with zero judgment.
Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! 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 your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com 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
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
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