In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Berabose Aline Joyce (Bose), founder of Luna Health in Kigali, to talk about women’s health in Rwanda and how FemTech can meet women where they are. We discuss period poverty, PCOS and endometriosis, postpartum realities, the lack of female gynecologists, and why care should be culture aware and community led. We also touch on mental health for the post-genocide generation, teaching in schools and workplaces, and how young innovators are shaping what comes next.

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:21 Meet Bose and Luna Health
• 01:31 Mental health in Rwanda and post-genocide context
• 03:05 Why she cares about sexual and reproductive health
• 04:50 Period poverty, PCOS, endometriosis, and speaking up about pain
• 06:47 A moment that revealed the health system’s gaps
• 08:32 Finding a female gynecologist and feeling seen
• 10:32 Why Luna Health exists and who it serves
• 12:25 Rwanda’s healthcare context
• 13:19 Support from first period to menopause
• 14:52 Motherhood, postpartum, and what no one explains
• 16:21 Mental health across the cycle
• 17:59 Pregnancy truths and what social media made visible
• 19:43 Education in schools, workplaces, and communities
• 22:36 Cultural nuance in women’s health education
• 23:19 Building based on real needs and conversations
• 27:48 FemTech for access and local innovation
• 33:39 Practical tools that help rural women
• 34:29 Young innovators and women doctors as the future
• 35:52 Advice to her 15-year-old self
• 37:12 What’s next for Luna Health
• 38:25 Where to find Bose and Luna

• Culturally grounded care
• Taboo topics, stigma, and speaking up about pain
• Bridging reproductive and mental health
• Supporting women across every life stage
• Grassroots solutions and local FemTech
• Why representation in healthcare matters

• Bose on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berabose/
• Luna Health: https://lunahealth.co/
• Gigi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

Episode notes and extra resources: https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep28-luna-health-rwanda

• Website: https://asele.tech
• App: https://asele.health
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/asele
• WhatsApp Community: https://bit.ly/aselecommunity

Question: What is one change that would make women’s care more accessible where you live?

#WomensHealth #Femtech #DigitalHealth

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Aline Noizet to explore the quiet, patient work that moves women’s health forward. We talk about community, connection, and why real impact in digital health takes empathy, curiosity, and time.

Aline shares how she stumbled into digital health, why startups and patients should build together, and what she has learned from years of connecting founders, doctors, and partners behind the scenes. We also discuss the future of women’s health, wearables, genomics, and how founders can navigate healthcare without losing their mission.

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:21 Meet Aline
• 01:31 Her unexpected path into digital health
• 02:44 Lessons from her first job in a different industry
• 05:19 The moment she knew digital health could change lives
• 07:46 Working with accelerators and startups
• 08:54 Mapping the Femtech landscape
• 09:47 Trends shaping women’s health innovation
• 10:49 Why doctor adoption matters and how to approach it
• 12:18 Oura rings, wearables, and tracking
• 12:50 Bridging ideas and adoption in health tech
• 15:01 Validation, evidence, and building trust
• 16:23 Advice for early-stage Femtech founders
• 18:48 Venture clienting explained
• 21:30 Pharma partnerships and real use cases
• 22:33 Personalized health, genomics, and prevention
• 24:48 A message to women building in health
• 25:26 Thoughts on AI in healthcare
• 26:13 What she would tell her younger self
• 26:54 Where to find Aline

• How real innovation in women’s health happens
• Building trust with clinicians and hospitals
• Why listening beats pitching
• Community as the engine of Femtech
• Early validation and patient involvement
• Genomics, prevention, and the future of women’s care

• Aline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aline-noizet-84212622/
• Digital Health Connector Website: https://www.digitalhealthconnector.com/
• Digital Health Connector on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-connector/
• Gigi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

Episode notes and extra resources:
https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep27-future-of-womens-health

• Website: https://asele.tech
• App: https://asele.health
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/asele
• WhatsApp Community: http://bit.ly/aselecommunity

What women’s health innovation are you most excited about right now?

🔔 Subscribe so you do not miss future episodes.

Andrea joins Blush and Bloom to talk about careers, confidence, boundaries, and health. We cover asking for support at work, staying visible when you are quiet, simple ways to avoid burnout, and using AI without the overwhelm. Honest, practical, and kind.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:21 Meet Andrea
• 02:54 What led her into talent and careers
• 04:41 How work and money shape wellbeing
• 07:06 When hobbies stay hobbies and that is okay
• 09:33 Leaving work that harms your health
• 12:40 Growing in male dominated spaces
• 15:33 How to ask someone to be your sponsor
• 19:36 Sponsors in startups vs big companies
• 21:29 Visibility tips for introverts
• 25:40 A weekly note system to show your impact
• 30:27 Feeling undervalued vs being misaligned
• 32:39 AI, curiosity, and staying safe online
• 36:44 Habits that protect you from burnout
• 39:22 A message to her younger self
• 40:30 Where to find Andrea

In this episode

• Quiet visibility instead of loud self promotion
• Values as a guide for career choices
• How to ask for mentors and sponsors
• Gentle ambition and rest without guilt
• Recovering from burnout
• AI as a tool, not a threat

People and links

• Andrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alungulescu/
• Talent Crunch: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-crunch-berlin/
• The Principal Recruiter: https://www.theprincipalrecruiter.com/
• Gigi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

Show notes
Episode notes and extra resources: https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep26-career-without-losing-yourself

More from Asele

• Website: https://asele.tech
• App: https://asele.health
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/asele
• WhatsApp community: https://bit.ly/aselecommunity

Question
What small thing helps you protect your peace at work?

#WomensHealth #Innovation #FemTech #PreventiveCare #Founders

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Dr. Valerie Cai — clinician, founder, and creator of XX Combinator — to explore how women’s health founders navigate funding, data, and product building.

Valerie shares why she avoids the word FemTech, how education and data literacy close gaps, and where AI can speed early product work for non technical founders. We also talk about the clinical gaps that still need bold solutions.

Key moments

• 00:23 Meet Dr. Valerie Cai
• 02:08 From medical student to founder during COVID
• 05:28 Lessons from building Puffin and early pivots
• 09:54 Using AI to ship a first version
• 12:26 What women founders should know about fundraising
• 20:05 Three bottlenecks founders face: funding, data, operations
• 28:10 Clinical gaps that are not being addressed fast enough
• 44:38 What is next for XX Combinator

We cover

• Funding realities in women’s health
• AI for founders without a technical background
• Data strategy, privacy, and safety
• What to have in place before a raise
• Why community and collaboration matter

Resources mentioned

• XX Combinator — xx-combinator.com
• XX Combinator on LinkedIn — linkedin.com/company/xxcombinator
• Dr. Valerie Cai on LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/valerie-cai

Show notes
asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep25-xx-combinator

Connect

• Dr. Valerie Cai — linkedin.com/in/valerie-cai
• Gigi Kenneth (Host) — linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

More from Asele

• Visit Asele — asele.tech
• Try the Asele app — asele.health
• Instagram — instagram.com/asele.tech
• WhatsApp community — join here

Question What is one change you believe would move women’s health forward?

#WomensHealth #FinancialWellness #EconomicAbuse #PreventiveCare

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Claudia Segre — economist, activist, and founder of the Global Thinking Foundation — to explore how financial health is women’s health.

Claudia shares insights on how women can protect themselves from economic violence, build financial literacy, and take ownership of their wellbeing. We talk about what financial abuse looks like, how it affects women’s health, and why financial independence is one of the most important forms of self-care.

In this conversation, we cover
✨ What economic violence is and how it shows up
✨ Why financial literacy prevents abuse
✨ How money and control affect women’s health
✨ Steps to rebuild confidence and independence
✨ How technology and advocacy drive change
✨ Why financial independence is self-care

This is a grounded and empowering conversation about money, health, and freedom — and why protecting your finances is part of protecting your wellbeing.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Blush and Bloom
00:24 – Meet Claudia Segre and her mission
02:38 – From finance to advocacy
03:00 – Why economic dependence traps women
04:29 – The impact of financial literacy on wellbeing
05:43 – Real-life story of love and financial stress
08:33 – Understanding economic abuse
10:23 – The health effects of financial control
12:18 – Rebuilding confidence and autonomy
13:53 – Taking women’s stories to the G7 and UN
18:28 – How fintech protects women from abuse
20:48 – Innovations in women’s financial health
22:25 – What keeps Claudia motivated
24:04 – The one policy she’d change
25:19 – Steps to improve your financial wellbeing
25:59 – About the Global Thinking Foundation
27:29 – Closing thoughts and Asele resources

📌 Resources Mentioned
• Global Thinking Foundation – gltfoundation.com
• OECD Financial Education – oecd.org/financial/education
• Istanbul Convention – coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention

📌 Show notes & resources
asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep24-economic-violence

Connect with Us
• Claudia Segre – linkedin.com/in/claudiasegre
• Gigi Kenneth (Host) – linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

More from Asele
✨ Visit Asele – asele.tech
✨ Try the Asele app – asele.health
✨ Join our WhatsApp community – Join here
✨ Instagram – instagram.com/asele.tech
✨ LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/asele
✨ Spotify – Blush and Bloom
✨ YouTube – Watch episodes
✨ Apple Podcasts – Listen on Apple

💬 What’s one step you’ll take today to protect your financial and emotional health?
🔔 Follow and share to keep the conversation going.

#WomensHealth #HeartHealth #PreventiveCare

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Dr Shabnam Das Kar MD, a functional medicine doctor and former obstetrician gynecologist. We talk about practical ways women can protect their hearts and brains, why symptoms get missed, and how to check blood pressure the right way at home.

• Why heart disease is not only a men’s issue
• How pregnancy history can raise future risk
• The link between hormones, sleep, and blood pressure
• Early signs of stroke and heart attack in women
• How small daily habits support heart and brain health
• How to measure blood pressure at home the right way

This is an honest and practical chat about awareness, advocacy, and everyday steps that make a real difference.

Resources mentioned

• Blood pressure measurement guidance — American College of Cardiology: acc.org
• Clinically validated blood pressure monitors — STRIDE BP: stridebp.org
• Dr Shabnam’s website and weekly email: drkarmd.com/email

Show notes and links
asele.tech post

Connect with us

• Dr Shabnam Das Kar MD — LinkedIn
• Gigi Kenneth — LinkedIn

More from Asele

• Visit Asele: asele.tech
• Try the Asele app: asele.health
• Join our WhatsApp community: join here
• Instagram: @asele.tech
• LinkedIn: Asele on LinkedIn
• Spotify: Blush and Bloom
• YouTube: episode playlist
• Apple Podcasts: listen on Apple

What is one small change you will make today for your heart and brain health

Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

The Hard Truths of Building for Women’s Health

Gigi talks with Jill Miranda — femtech advisor and startup operator — about what it really takes to build in women’s health. We get into funding, commercialization, real patient needs, and caring for yourself while you build.

In this episode

• Why early femtech startups struggle to raise funding
• Common founder mistakes and how to avoid them
• Commercialization and getting to real adoption
• Research, evidence, and understanding patients
• Why women’s health is human health

Show notes and resources
Episode page

Connect
Jill Miranda — linkedin.com/in/jill-miranda
Gigi Kenneth (host) — linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

More from Asele
Visit Asele — asele.tech
Try the Asele app — asele.health
Instagram — instagram.com/asele.tech

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend.

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I chat with Lara Solomon, founder of Hoopsy — a sustainable health company creating eco friendly, plastic free pregnancy tests.

Lara shares how her fertility journey led her to rethink diagnostic products and why sustainability should have a bigger place in women’s health. We talk about what she learned from IVF, the hidden plastic in pregnancy tests, and what it takes to build something that is good for people and the planet.

Highlights

• IVF and the idea that started Hoopsy
• Why fertility care and sustainability belong together
• The unseen plastic waste behind pregnancy tests
• Navigating FDA approval as a founder
• Honest conversations about fertility and mental health

A thoughtful conversation on purpose, resilience, and designing women’s health products that care for the planet too.

Show notes and resources

• Hoopsy — https://hoopsy.com
• Lara Solomon — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-solomon/
• Asele — https://asele.tech and https://asele.health
• WhatsApp community — Join here

Listen

• Spotify — Blush and Bloom
• Apple Podcasts — Blush and Bloom
• YouTube — Episode playlist

Connect

• Instagram — @asele.tech
• LinkedIn — Asele
• Gigi Kenneth — LinkedIn

Join the conversation — What small swap have you made to live more sustainably? Share in the comments.

#WomensHealth #FemTech #SoutheastAsia

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I chat with Sastya Wardani, co-founder and CEO of Ovy Health, a women’s health ecosystem based in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

We talk about how culture shapes women’s health, why awareness is still the biggest gap, and how Ovy Health blends AI with real human care to help women make informed choices about their bodies.

• From finance to femtech — Sastya’s journey as a founder
• The taboos around fertility and contraception in Indonesia
• Designing solutions that fit women’s lives across Asia
• Her message to women learning to trust their bodies

Learn more about Ovy Health: ovyhealth.com

More from Asele: asele.tech

#WomensHealth #DigitalHealth #FemTech

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Dr. Michelle Frank — a medical doctor, women’s health advocate, and digital health expert who calls herself an unconventional doctor. She’s spent over a decade helping women access safer, more empathetic healthcare through technology and community.

Dr. Michelle shares her journey from clinical practice to digital innovation, what she’s learned from talking to women every day for ten years, and why empathy, trust, and listening are still missing in most women’s health apps.

In this conversation:
✨ What “unconventional doctor” really means
✨ The assumptions digital health keeps making about women
✨ Why empathy and safety should guide every femtech product
✨ How stigma still shapes women’s health globally
✨ What AI can (and can’t) do for women’s health
✨ Why tracking symptoms helps women advocate for themselves

This is a thoughtful conversation about rethinking how we build and deliver care for women — and why true innovation starts with listening.

📌 Show notes & resources
https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep19-digital-health-and-women

Connect with Us
• Dr. Michelle Frank – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-frank/
• Gigi Kenneth (Host) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

Mentioned in this episode
• Cycle Positivity – https://www.cyclepositivity.com/
• SHEROES – https://sheroes.com/
• My Health Chat – https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MyHealthChat

More from Asele
✨ Visit Asele – https://asele.tech/
✨ Try the Asele app – https://asele.health/
✨ Join our WhatsApp community – https://chat.whatsapp.com/F8GY4RV7Bm2CtCfq6TONsV
✨ LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/asele
✨ Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6NEsMfkG3dvl0pYXU40Efi
✨ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blush-and-bloom/id1832044848

💬 What’s one thing you wish digital health companies understood better about women’s needs? Share your thoughts wherever you’re listening.