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When God Calls, Say Yes: Donna Floyd's Story of Faith and Purpose

Women Who Lead | A Journey to Whole Woman Health

What happens when God calls you to something you never planned, never imagined, and have absolutely no idea how to accomplish?

For Donna Floyd, founder and executive director of Justin's Place in Fort Worth, Texas, the answer was simple: say yes and trust God with the rest.

In this inspiring episode of our Women Who Lead series, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader sit down with Donna to explore how opening her family's home and heart to a teenage boy named Justin became the beginning of a life-changing mission to empower single mothers and break cycles of generational poverty.

Donna shares the remarkable story of founding Justin's Place, building The Nest—a beautiful residential community providing stability, support, and opportunity for single mothers and their children—and witnessing what she describes as God's provision and miracles along the way.

But this conversation is about much more than starting a nonprofit. It's about recognizing your calling, finding purpose in a new season of life, leading through uncertainty, and trusting that the experiences and relationships throughout your life may be preparing you for something you haven't yet imagined.

In this episode, we explore:

• The power of one yes: How welcoming a teenager into her family changed Donna's life and inspired Justin's Place.
• Finding your calling: How Donna recognized God's direction and learned to move forward without having all the answers.
• Breaking generational poverty: How Justin's Place empowers single mothers through stable housing, community, counseling, education, and career development.
• Leading through challenges: The emotional weight of serving vulnerable families, raising millions of dollars, and learning to trust God's provision.
• Purpose in the second half of life: How Donna discovered an unexpected new calling as her own children grew older.
• Faith and whole woman health: Why Donna believes spiritual connection is the foundation of her relationships, leadership, and personal well-being.

One of the most powerful reminders from Donna's story is that you don't need to have everything figured out before taking the first step. Sometimes the greatest opportunities to make a difference begin with a simple act of obedience.

Whether you're navigating a life transition, wondering about your purpose, considering a new opportunity, or simply looking for encouragement to take that next step, this conversation will remind you that meaningful leadership often begins with an open heart and a willingness to serve.

Learn more about Justin's Place

Visit https://justinsplace.org to learn about The Nest, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support single mothers and children in the Fort Worth community.

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If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who might need a reminder that her next chapter can be filled with purpose.

Subscribe to A Journey to Whole Woman Health for more conversations at the intersection of physical health, mental health, and faith.

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What happens when the life you've worked so hard to build doesn't go according to plan?

In this episode of our Women Who Lead series, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader welcome Emmy Award-winning journalist and CBS News Texas anchor Madison Sawyer for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, infertility, motherhood, faith, and the lessons learned when life requires us to surrender control.

Madison is a familiar face to North Texas viewers, but behind the polished television presence is a woman who has navigated unexpected career opportunities, the emotional challenges of infertility and IVF, a complicated pregnancy, and the daily demands of balancing a high-profile career with raising a young family.

In a particularly personal part of this conversation, Madison reflects on her high-risk pregnancy, including a diagnosis of vasa previa, and the special relationship she shares with Jamie, who is also her OB-GYN.

Together, they explore the importance of trusting your medical team, finding support during difficult seasons, and recognizing that even the most prepared and accomplished women cannot control every outcome.

Madison also shares what it's really like to wake up at 2 AM for morning television, how she processes the emotional weight of covering difficult news stories, and why she's learning that being a whole woman isn't about keeping every burner on high.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How mentors helped Madison recognize opportunities she never imagined for herself
• What leadership looks like when we recognize potential in others
• Navigating infertility, IVF, and the uncertainty of waiting
• Madison's experience with vasa previa and a complicated delivery
• Why connection and community matter during difficult seasons
• The realities of working motherhood and a demanding television schedule
• Protecting mental health while telling emotionally difficult stories
• Learning to set boundaries, prioritize, and let go of perfection
• What it truly means to be a whole woman

One of our favorite takeaways:

Just because you have the capacity to keep every burner on high doesn't mean you need to.

Our priorities shift with the seasons of life, and sometimes the wisest thing we can do is allow something to simmer while we give our attention to what matters most.

Whether you're navigating a season of waiting, building your career, raising a family, or simply trying to figure out how to do it all, we hope Madison's story leaves you feeling encouraged, understood, and reminded that you don't have to have everything figured out.

Join the Journey.

A Journey to Whole Woman Health brings together science, mental health, and faith to educate, empower, and encourage women through every season of life.

If this conversation resonates with you, share it with a friend, subscribe to the podcast, and join us for more inspiring conversations in our Women Who Lead series.

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Women Who Lead: Betsy Price on Service, Strength & Taking the Leap

What does leadership really look like?

Sometimes it looks like City Hall. Sometimes it looks like volunteering at your child's school, raising a family, building a business, serving your community—or simply being willing to step forward when someone says, “You should do this.”

In the first installment of our new Women Who Lead series, we sit down with former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price to talk about the woman behind the title.

Betsy shares how a lifetime of service—from volunteering as a young girl to PTA leadership, business ownership, public service, and eventually becoming Fort Worth's longest-serving mayor—shaped her understanding of leadership.

But this conversation goes far beyond politics.

We talk about the people who encouraged Betsy to take chances she wasn't sure she was ready for, navigating leadership as a woman, the role faith has played in her biggest decisions, and what leadership has required of her family and personal life.

And because this is A Journey to Whole Woman Health, we also ask: How do you care for yourself while carrying responsibility for so many others?

For Betsy, movement has always been non-negotiable. She shares why physical and mental wellness go hand in hand, how she protected time for exercise even during her busiest years as mayor, and why relationships, faith, family, service, and staying physically active remain central to her definition of a healthy life.

One of our favorite parts of the conversation comes when we ask Betsy what she would tell women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Her message? There is no age when your opportunity to grow, serve, pivot, or begin again expires.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Betsy's earliest experiences with service shaped her life
• Going from business owner and PTA mom to public office
• Why sometimes we need someone else to see our potential first
• Navigating leadership in traditionally male spaces
• Why service matters more than titles
• Protecting marriage and family while carrying enormous responsibility
• The connection between physical activity and mental wellness
• Why exercise became a non-negotiable during Betsy's years as mayor
• Faith, prayer, and making difficult decisions
• Leading with honesty when you don't have all the answers
• What Betsy would tell women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s
• Why midlife may be one of the best times to take a leap of faith
• What it means to be a “whole and healthy woman”

Our biggest takeaway: Leadership doesn't require a title. It begins when we recognize what we've been given and choose to use it in service of someone else.

Wherever you are in your own journey, perhaps the question isn't, “Am I qualified to lead?”

Maybe it's simply:

Why not me?

Join the journey.

A Journey to Whole Woman Health — where science, mental health, and faith come together to educate, empower, and encourage women in every season of life.

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We’re back for Season Two of A Journey to Whole Woman Health!

After a summer break, Jamie and Mary Kathryn are catching up on a season filled with travel, family milestones, big goals, and some pretty significant transitions.

Mary Kathryn shares about her family’s three-week home exchange in Denmark and the bittersweet experience of sending her daughter, Lydia, off to college. She opens up about the unexpected moments of grief that come with launching a child—and the continual surrender of motherhood as our children grow into lives of their own.

Jamie takes us to Australia for the Sydney Marathon, her sixth marathon and third World Major. After months of training through the Texas heat, she crossed the finish line in 4:00:31—a new personal best. She shares what made this race different, how she stayed mentally strong, and why she’s learning to stop and savor an accomplishment instead of immediately asking, What’s next?

But the conversation becomes about much more than travel, college, or running.

Jamie and Mary Kathryn talk about something many women lose somewhere in the middle of careers, motherhood, marriage, and caring for everyone else:

Something that is just yours.

For Jamie, that’s running. For Mary Kathryn, it’s tennis. Your thing may look completely different—but having something you enjoy simply because you enjoy it can be an important part of staying connected to yourself in midlife.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The transition into a new season of motherhood
• Sending a child to college and learning to let go
• Mary Kathryn’s three-week Denmark home exchange
• Jamie’s Sydney Marathon and her 4:00:31 PR
• Mental toughness and doing hard things
• Why women need hobbies and interests of their own
• Learning to celebrate an accomplishment before chasing the next goal
• What we learned over the summer
• Why we’re continuing the podcast—even when we’re not quite sure where we find the time
• Our vision for Season Two and what’s ahead

At the heart of it all is the reason we started A Journey to Whole Woman Health: to educate, empower, and encourage women—and to be the trusted expert friends you can come back to each week for honest conversations about physical health, mental health, and faith.

We’re so glad you’re back with us for Season Two.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss the conversations ahead.

A Journey to Whole Woman Health
Science. Mental Health. Faith. The Whole Woman.

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One season. Twenty-eight episodes. Countless conversations.

In this special Season 1 finale, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader pause to reflect on what they've learned from launching the podcast, the lessons that surprised them, and the moments that impacted them the most.

They answer listener questions about self-care, perimenopause, perfectionism, and their favorite episodes from Season 1 while sharing honest encouragement for anyone afraid to start something new.

You'll also get an exciting preview of topics coming in Season 2—including women's leadership, GLP-1 medications, menopause, midlife health, and more.

Whether you've listened from the beginning or are just joining us, thank you for being part of this journey.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• What starting a podcast taught us about courage and imperfection
• Why waiting until you're "ready" keeps you from growing
• Our favorite self-care habits
• The biggest myths about perimenopause
• Favorite moments and guests from Season 1
• Topics coming in Season 2
• How you can help support the podcast

Thank you for listening, sharing, reviewing, and walking alongside us this season. We can't wait to see you again in Season 2.

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One in three women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction, yet many suffer in silence because they think urinary leakage, painful sex, prolapse, or pelvic pain are simply "part of getting older" or "what happens after having babies."

They're not.

In this episode, we're joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Haley Miller, who explains what the pelvic floor actually is, why it affects so much more than bladder control, and how pelvic floor therapy can dramatically improve quality of life.

We discuss:

• Why leaking urine during running, coughing, or laughing is never normal
 • Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and preparing for labor
 • Pelvic organ prolapse explained simply
 • Painful intercourse and pelvic pain
 • Constipation, bowel health, and pelvic floor function
 • The surprising connection between your feet, hips, posture, and pelvic floor
 • Menopause, estrogen, vaginal health, and urinary symptoms
 • What to expect during your first pelvic floor therapy appointment
 • Who should consider pelvic floor physical therapy
 • Practical ways every woman can protect her pelvic floor

Whether you're an athlete, pregnant, postpartum, perimenopausal, menopausal—or simply want to understand your body better—this conversation will empower you with evidence-based information and hope.

Remember: You are not broken, and help is available.

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Why does making friends feel so much harder as an adult?

We may be surrounded by coworkers, children, spouses, neighbors, and hundreds of online connections—and still feel deeply lonely. Motherhood and midlife can make friendship especially complicated as schedules fill up, identities change, and the easy, organic connections of our younger years become harder to find.

In this episode, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader welcome Emily Youree, owner and CEO of Fort Worth Moms and host of the Momfessions podcast, for an honest conversation about adult friendship, loneliness, vulnerability, and community.

Emily explains why we need to let go of the idea of finding one “perfect” friend and instead become open to different friendships for different seasons. The conversation also explores the fear of initiating, the pressure to appear as though we have everything together, and the surprising intimacy of allowing someone to see the laundry on the bed, the messy car, and the realities of everyday life.

You’ll hear practical ways to meet new people, strengthen existing friendships, become a more generous friend, and create connection without adding another overwhelming obligation to your life.

Most importantly, Emily reminds us that while friendship with others matters, we must also learn to become a compassionate friend to ourselves.

In This Episode:

• Why friendship is an important pillar of health
• How motherhood can increase isolation and loneliness
• Why one friend does not have to meet every need
• The danger of searching for the “ideal friend”
• How friendships can serve different purposes and seasons
• Why friendships rarely happen organically in adulthood
• Practical places to meet potential friends
• How to initiate without making it awkward
• Why vulnerability creates deeper connection
• The pressure to appear like the “ideal mom”
• Making room for friends who think or parent differently
• How to be the kind of friend you hope to find
• Why friendship should enrich your life rather than become another obligation
• What it means to become a friend to yourself

Key Takeaways:

Stop searching for one perfect friend.
A running friend, neighborhood friend, childhood friend, work friend, or fellow mom can each hold a valuable—and different—place in your life.

Adult friendship requires intention.
Friendships may no longer form automatically. Someone often has to send the message, suggest coffee, join the group, or put the next lunch on the calendar.

Assume the other woman wants connection too.

The person who appears to have a full social life may still feel lonely, left out, or grateful to receive an invitation.

Let people see real life.
You do not need a spotless house, clean car, perfect children, or perfectly managed life before welcoming someone in.

Be open to difference.
A meaningful friend does not have to parent, vote, think, worship, or live exactly as you do. Curiosity and mutual respect can create stronger relationships.

Friendship is not another measure of success.
Some seasons naturally leave less margin for social connection. The goal is not to feel guilty but to recognize when you desire more support and take one manageable step.

Be a friend to yourself.
Notice whether your internal expectations and criticism are harsher than anything you would say to someone you love.

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When was the last time you let someone help you?

For many women, asking for help feels harder than doing everything ourselves.

In this week's episode, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader sit down with pediatrician and pediatric hospitalist Dr. Erin Eastman for an honest conversation about motherhood, medicine, perfectionism, community, and learning to receive help.

Whether you're preparing for your first baby, balancing career and family, or simply feeling overwhelmed trying to hold everything together, this episode is a reminder that strength isn't found in doing everything alone.

Together they discuss:

• Why high-achieving women struggle to ask for help

• Building your village before you desperately need it

• Practical ways friends and family can actually support new parents

• Colic, breastfeeding, formula and the pressure of being a "perfect" mom

• Balancing career, marriage and motherhood

• Finding yourself again through movement, friendship and faith

This conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement and practical advice for women in every season.

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Should breastfeeding hurt? Is formula really "failing"? What actually matters most during those overwhelming first days with a newborn?

In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader welcome board-certified pediatrician and newborn hospitalist Dr. Erin Eastman for an honest, compassionate conversation every new parent needs to hear.

Together, they unpack what really happens during the first 48 hours after birth—from the "Golden Hour" to cluster feeding—and explain why so many mothers feel intense pressure to breastfeed perfectly.

More importantly, they challenge the idea that successful motherhood is measured in ounces of milk.

This episode explores:

• What happens during the Golden Hour after delivery
• Why skin-to-skin contact benefits both babies and fathers
• The normal newborn feeding timeline
• Cluster feeding explained
• Common breastfeeding challenges
• Risk factors for low milk supply
• When supplementation may actually be the healthiest choice
• How birth expectations affect postpartum mental health
• Why bonding matters more than perfection
• How to recognize postpartum struggles in both mothers and fathers

Whether you're expecting your first baby, supporting someone who is, or simply want evidence-based reassurance, this episode offers practical guidance, grace, and freedom.

Because healthy families aren't built on perfection.

They're built on connection.

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Why do so many women feel exhausted, overwhelmed, resentful, and emotionally drained—and still say yes to one more thing?

In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader unpack one of the most common struggles women face: boundaries.

We explore why saying no can feel physically uncomfortable, why women often confuse being needed with being valued, and how people-pleasing, perfectionism, anxiety, trauma history, caregiving identities, and fear of rejection can make healthy boundaries feel almost impossible.

You’ll learn:

• What boundaries actually are—and what they are not
• Why “clear is kind”
• How people-pleasing leads to resentment and burnout
• Why being needed is not the same as being valued
• How your nervous system may react when you begin setting boundaries
• Why resentment can be a signal that a boundary is missing
• Practical time, emotional, relational, and digital boundaries
• Simple scripts for saying no without over-explaining
• How boundaries show up in motherhood and marriage
• Why healthy boundaries model emotional maturity for our children
• What faith teaches us about rest, solitude, and protecting our capacity

You do not have to earn rest. You do not have to prove your worth through exhaustion. And you are allowed to protect the life, health, peace, and relationships that matter most.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a woman who needs permission to stop disappearing in the service of everyone else.

Subscribe to A Journey to Whole Woman Health for weekly conversations where science, mental health, and faith come together to educate, empower, and encourage women in every season of life.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Listening does not establish a doctor-patient or therapist-client relationship. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns.

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