#WomensHealth #FemTech #Endometriosis #HealthTech #AI

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Rebekah Lloyd, founder of Rela Health, to talk about her 10-year journey with endometriosis and how it led her to build a consultancy dedicated to supporting innovators in women’s health and healthtech.

Rebekah has worked across the NHS, pharmaceuticals, and academia, and currently advises founders at Imperial College London, where she serves as the first and only (as of 2025) Women’s Health Expert in Residence. She’s also been recognised by Women of Wearables as one of the top 200 leaders in Femtech.

Together, we explore how personal experience can shape innovation, the fine line between advocacy and pinkwashing, and why “done is better than perfect” can be the most freeing mindset for any founder. Rebekah also shares her take on how AI can empower early-stage teams to deliver real impact — without losing the human layer of care.

🌸 In this conversation, you’ll learn:

✨ How a 10-year diagnostic delay inspired the creation of Rela Health

✨ What living with endometriosis taught Rebekah about self-advocacy and persistence

✨ How founders can build honest, useful healthcare products that scale

✨ Why women’s health still faces funding and research gaps

✨ The difference between authentic innovation and pinkwashing

✨ Where AI fits into the future of women’s health

✨ Why “done is better than perfect” helps founders move forward

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:34 Meet Rebekah Lloyd — Founder of Rela Health

02:08 Living with chronic pain and delayed diagnosis

06:55 How to advocate for yourself in healthcare

09:58 The story behind Rela Health

15:35 Working with Imperial College London

21:07 The state of women’s health and funding challenges

26:46 Pinkwashing and authenticity in femtech

31:42 Balancing lived experience with scalable product design

45:29 How AI is shaping femtech

49:42 Advice for new founders — Done is better than perfect

52:10 What she’d tell her 15-year-old self

55:29 Where to find Rebekah and learn more about Rela Health

57:48 Outro

Connect with Rebekah Lloyd

🌐 Website: relahealth.co

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebekah-lloyd

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @relahealth

More from Asele

✨ Website: asele.tech

✨ Try the Asele App: asele.health

✨ WhatsApp Community: Join here

✨ Instagram: @asele.tech

✨ LinkedIn: Asele on LinkedIn

🎧 Listen to all episodes of Blush and Bloom on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

💬 What does meaningful women’s health innovation look like to you? Share your thoughts and tag @asele.tech on Instagram.

#WomensHealth #MaternalHealth #FemTech

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, host Gigi sits down with Dr. Patience — medical doctor, public health specialist, and founder of MyLurah, a femtech platform designed for African women. She’s also the co-founder of the Mom and Me Foundation, a maternal and child health NGO working to reduce preventable deaths in Nigeria.

Dr. Patience shares how her background in clinical medicine and public health led her to create MyLurah — a digital platform that bridges the gap between traditional and modern care. Together, we explore why language, culture, and trust are key to improving women’s health outcomes and what it takes to design digital tools that truly serve African women.

🌸 In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why maternal care must extend beyond childbirth
• The importance of culturally aware and multilingual healthcare
• Challenges of building femtech for African women
• How poverty and education shape health outcomes
• The future of women’s health innovation in Africa

⏱ Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 00:30 – Meet Dr. Patience — Founder of MyLurah
• 01:20 – Why she started Mom and Me Foundation
• 05:06 – The reality of postpartum care in Nigeria
• 11:19 – Building apps that reflect African women’s lives
• 20:15 – Why language and culture matter in digital health
• 31:00 – What people get wrong about maternal health
• 37:58 – The myth of the “strong Black woman” in healthcare
• 43:54 – Fibroids, vitamin D, and lifestyle challenges
• 49:17 – The future of public health and femtech in Africa
• 1:04:46 – What she’d tell her 15-year-old self
• 1:11:21 – Why “Asele” means chosen — and why this episode is personal

💬 Episode Highlights

🔹 Dr. Patience explains how MyLurah was born out of her work at Mom and Me Foundation, which focuses on antenatal education, postpartum follow-ups, and women’s empowerment in northern Nigeria.
🔹 She discusses how 20 % of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria — and how language, literacy, and cultural sensitivity can change that.
🔹 We dive into how community once defined women’s health in Africa and why rebuilding that sense of support is crucial today.
🔹 From vitamin D deficiency to overlooked postpartum complications, Dr. Patience shares practical steps every woman should know about preventive care.

About Our Guest
Dr. Patience is a medical doctor, public health expert, and femtech founder passionate about transforming maternal and child health in Africa. She leads MyLurah, a digital health platform for African women, and co-founded the Mom and Me Foundation, a nonprofit tackling maternal mortality through education and access.

Connect with Dr. Patience:
• LinkedIn
• MyLurah Website
• Mom and Me Foundation

Connect with Gigi (Host):
LinkedIn

🎧 Listen & Explore
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

More from Asele
Website | Try the Asele App | Join the WhatsApp Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

What does “care that speaks your language” mean to you? Share your thoughts and tag us @asele.tech — let’s keep this conversation going.

🔔 Don’t forget to follow and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

What Every Woman Should Know Before Visiting the Pharmacy

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, Gigi talks with Jennifer Esiaba — pharmacist and founder of Mariam Grey Pharmacy in Nigeria. Jennifer shares how her team makes safe medicines easier to access with in person care, AI assistance, and multilingual support. We dig into medication safety, self medication, supplements, and what to ask before you buy anything over the counter.

You will learn:

• Why pharmacies are the nearest doctor for many Nigerians
• The risks of stopping antibiotics early or mixing medicines
• How social media trends can push unsafe self medication and supplement stacking
• Surprising food and herbal interactions with common drugs
• The role of traditional remedies and how to use them more safely
• Why multilingual support builds trust and improves access
• What your pharmacist wants you to know before your next visit

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:10 Meet Jennifer and the story of Mariam Grey Pharmacy
• 06:35 From pharmacist to founder
• 08:22 Common women’s health concerns in pharmacies
• 13:51 Drug and food combinations to watch for
• 18:44 Traditional medicine, culture, and safe use
• 20:35 Misuse of antibiotics, painkillers, and supplements
• 29:04 What every woman should know before visiting the pharmacy
• 41:08 How Mariam Grey is building safer access to medicines
• 46:40 Jennifer’s motivation, vision, and advice

Show notes and resources
https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep16-pharmacy-womens-health

Connect with us
Jennifer Esiaba: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferesiaba/
Gigi Kenneth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

Mariam Grey Pharmacy
Website: https://www.mariamgrey.com

More from Asele
Website: https://asele.tech/
Asele app: https://asele.health/
WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F8GY4RV7Bm2CtCfq6TONsV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asele
YouTube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3BXkKjK3rJrg1XoQpGnOC7gZjc72mqg3
Spotify show: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NEsMfkG3dvl0pYXU40Efi
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blush-and-bloom/id1832044848

Question for you
What is one thing you wish more people knew before buying medicine at the pharmacy?

#WomensHealth #ScarCare #FemTech

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Hanna Harkawy — industrial designer, PhD researcher in biomedical engineering, and founder of Ouli, a femtech startup creating a device that helps women treat scars after caesarean sections and other surgeries.

Hanna shares her path from medicine hopeful to design and healthcare, and how she became a founder with Ouli. We talk about why scar care is not just cosmetic, how untreated scars can cause real health problems, and why women deserve better options for postpartum recovery.

In this conversation, we cover:

• ✨ Why scar therapy goes beyond aesthetics and supports long term health
• ✨ How C section scars can lead to pain, adhesions, and functional issues if untreated
• ✨ The barriers women face when trying to access physiotherapy after birth
• ✨ How Ouli blends hardware and software for at home scar treatment
• ✨ Building a femtech startup in Poland and growing a local community
• ✨ Lessons from taking a medical device from idea to market
• ✨ Advice for new moms starting their healing journey

This is a powerful conversation about rethinking postpartum care and why scar health matters for every woman.

🎧 If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend and help us keep the conversation on women’s health growing.

Show notes and resources:
https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep13-scar-care-with-ouli

Connect with us
• Hanna Harkawy: LinkedIn
• Gigi Kenneth: LinkedIn

Learn more about Ouli
• Website: https://www.ouli.io

More from Asele
✨ Visit Asele: https://asele.tech/
✨ Try the Asele app: https://asele.health/
✨ Join our WhatsApp community: Join here
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech
✨ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/asele
✨ Spotify: Show page
✨ YouTube: Playlist
✨ Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple

💬 What is one thing you wish more women knew about scar care after childbirth? Share your thoughts in the comments.
🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

#WomensHealth #EconomicAbuse #FinancialWellbeing

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Claudia Segre — economist, gender equality activist, President & Founder of the Global Thinking Foundation, and Co-Chair of Women7 Italy at the G7.

Claudia shares her journey from working over 30 years in international financial markets to founding her foundation in 2016 to fight economic violence and empower women through financial and digital literacy. She explains why economic abuse is often a “hidden” form of violence, how it impacts women’s mental health, and the steps women can take to build financial independence and confidence.

• ✨ What economic abuse looks like and how to recognize the signs
• ✨ Why financial stress and mental health are deeply connected
• ✨ How financial literacy empowers women and prevents abuse
• ✨ The role of FemTech, FinTech, and InsurTech in women’s wellbeing
• ✨ Digital addiction, compulsive shopping, and gambling risks
• ✨ Policy-level changes from Women7 and G7 to support gender equality
• ✨ Claudia’s advice for protecting autonomy and investing in yourself

This is a powerful conversation about recognizing economic abuse, building financial independence, and protecting women’s mental health.

🎧 If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit and help us keep this vital conversation growing.

• 00:00 Welcome and introduction
• 00:41 Meet Claudia Segre and the Global Thinking Foundation
• 01:12 From banker to activist — why Claudia started her foundation
• 02:11 How economics, banking, and activism come together in her mission
• 03:32 Stories that reveal hidden economic abuse
• 05:29 The link between financial stress and mental health
• 06:49 How to recognize signs of economic violence
• 08:01 First steps to build financial confidence
• 09:07 The promise of FemTech, FinTech, and InsurTech
• 12:30 Digital addiction and overconsumption risks
• 16:38 Five pillars for building financial wellbeing
• 17:47 Recent projects and collaborations at Women7 and G7
• 20:23 Gender equality certification for corporates
• 22:12 Why financial education is foundational for women’s rights
• 23:32 What gives Claudia hope for real change
• 24:54 One message for women about autonomy and freedom
• 25:41 Advice for young women who want to influence policy
• 26:43 What Claudia would tell her 15-year-old self
• 27:38 Where to find Claudia and her work

Read the full blog post

• Claudia Segre (Global Thinking Foundation): LinkedIn
• Global Thinking Foundation: gltfoundation.com
• Women7: women7.org

• ✨ Visit Asele – asele.tech
• ✨ Try the Asele app – asele.health
• ✨ WhatsApp community – Join Here
• ✨ Instagram – @asele.tech
• ✨ LinkedIn – Asele
• ✨ Spotify – Blush & Bloom
• ✨ YouTube – Episodes
• ✨ Apple Podcasts – Blush & Bloom

💬 What’s one small step you’ve taken (or want to take) to feel more financially confident? Share in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

#WomensHealth #PMDD #FemTech In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Ananya — computer science & cognitive science graduate, menstrual health activist, and founder of HealCycle, a hormonal mental health app supporting women with PMS, PMDD, and cycle-related mood disorders. Ananya shares her journey from leading school period positivity campaigns to giving a TED Talk on period positivity and now building HealCycle. She explains why PMDD is often called the “evil cousin” of PMS, how stigma and lack of awareness delay diagnosis, and how tools like symptom tracking and Tara, HealCycle’s AI companion, can empower women to advocate for their health. In this conversation, we cover: ✨ The difference between PMS and PMDD, and why PMDD is often overlooked ✨ How menstrual and mental health are deeply connected ✨ The role of data and symptom tracking in seeking help ✨ Why privacy matters — including HealCycle’s end-to-end encryption ✨ The AI companion Tara and its supportive role ✨ Expanding conversations to include menopause and PCOS ✨ How to take part in real research: HealCycle’s Pilot Study with AthenaDAO (https://forms.gle/58jm2xhwwdBVrUrNA) This is a powerful conversation about rethinking menstrual mental health and why women deserve better tools, understanding, and support. 🎧 If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit and help us keep this vital conversation growing. ---⏱️ Chapters00:00 Welcome and introduction 00:41 Meet Ananya and HealCycle 02:07 What is PMS and how does it differ from PMDD 04:15 The mental health impact of PMDD 05:02 How HealCycle supports women through symptom tracking 07:45 Why PMDD is often misunderstood or missed in healthcare 10:49 The moment Ananya realized the need for HealCycle 13:06 Cycle health beyond periods — workplace and productivity links 14:14 Tara the AI companion and why privacy matters 19:29 Why PMDD is underdiagnosed and the stigma around it 23:54 Mood journaling, CBT, DBT and affirmations in HealCycle 26:59 Public awareness, feedback, and expanding beyond PMS/PMDD 29:43 Advice for women struggling with PMS or PMDD 32:38 What’s next for HealCycle — wearables and new tools 34:58 Advice to 15-year-old self 35:32 Where to find Ananya and HealCycle ---📌 Show notes & resources https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep13-pms-pmdd-with-healcycle Connect with Us • Ananya (HealCycle): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananya-grover/• HealCycle website & blog: https://healcycle.com • Download the HealCycle app — available on iOS & Android • Try Tara, HealCycle’s AI companion: https://healcycle.com • Ananya’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/ananya_grover_a_campaign_for_period_positivity• Join the Pilot Study with AthenaDAO: https://forms.gle/58jm2xhwwdBVrUrNA • Gigi Kenneth (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth More from Asele ✨ Visit Asele: https://asele.tech/ ✨ Try the Asele app: https://asele.health/ ✨ WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F8GY4RV7Bm2CtCfq6TONsV ✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech ✨ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/asele ✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NEsMfkG3dvl0pYXU40Efi ✨ YouTube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3BXkKjK3rJrg1XoQpGnOC7gZjc72mqg3 ✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blush-and-bloom/id1832044848 💬 What’s one thing you wish more women knew about PMS and PMDD? Share in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

In this episode of

Blush and Bloom

, I sit down with

Dr. Adanna Chimere

, a medical doctor and strategic lead at

, a digital health company tackling health inequities through culturally relevant solutions.

Dr. Adanna shares her journey from studying medicine to working across Africa and the Caribbean, and how myths and stigma shape the way African women experience healthcare. She opens up about the systemic gaps she’s witnessed and why rethinking how we talk about women’s health is urgent.

We Discuss:

✨ Why pain should never be dismissed as “just part of being a woman”

✨ How terms like “sanitary” reinforce stigma around menstruation

✨ The myth that fibroids and endometriosis are rare in African women

✨ Why policies on paper don’t always translate to real access to care

✨ The role of cultural context in building sustainable health solutions

✨ What needs to change for women to feel seen and heard in healthcare

This conversation is bold, eye-opening, and deeply relevant to women across Africa and beyond.

🎧 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe if this episode resonates with you.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Meet Dr. Adanna

01:40 How Her Journey in Medicine Began

04:20 Myths and Misconceptions

09:15 Why Pain and Period Stigma Hold Women Back

13:05 Fibroids, Endometriosis, and Misdiagnosis

16:40 Mental Health and Gaps in Policy

20:10 Building Sustainable Healthcare Solutions

23:15 Breaking Silence Around Reproductive Health

27:30 Advice for Young Women in Medicine

30:10 Where to Find Dr. Adanna

💬 What’s one myth about women’s health you think needs to be challenged?

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Show notes:

Connect:

• Dr. Adanna:

|

• Glacie Health:

• Gigi (Host):

More from Asele:

✨ Visit:

✨ Try the app:

✨ Join WhatsApp:

✨ Instagram:

✨ Spotify:

✨ YouTube:

✨ Apple Podcasts:

#WomensHealth #PelvicHealth #FemTech

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Tatiana, a physiotherapist, new mom, and co-founder of Evie, a digital health startup supporting women with pelvic floor conditions.

Tatiana shares her journey from working in hospitals in Brazil and Colombia to building a women’s health platform in Europe. She opens up about her own pregnancy and postpartum experience, and why pelvic health isn’t just for moms.

We discuss:

• ✨ Why pelvic floor issues like incontinence, painful sex, and prolapse are common but not normal
• ✨ How stigma and lack of education keep women silent
• ✨ The role of empathy and trust in digital health solutions
• ✨ Tatiana’s recognition by MIT as an Innovator Under 35
• ✨ Advice for women unsure where to start with pelvic care

This conversation is both eye-opening and practical, shining light on one of the most overlooked aspects of women’s health.

🎧 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe if this episode resonates with you.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:26 Meet Tatiana – Physiotherapist & Founder of Evie
• 01:22 Life in Europe and Building a Startup Abroad
• 01:51 How She Got Into Women’s Health
• 03:30 Discovering How Common Pelvic Floor Issues Are
• 07:04 What Evie Is and Who It Helps
• 09:39 The First Signs She Was on the Right Path
• 12:16 Why Women Normalize Pain and Discomfort
• 15:36 Misconceptions About Pelvic Health
• 16:40 Shifting from Hospitals to Digital Health
• 19:08 Building Trust in Sensitive Health Conversations
• 22:17 Navigating Investors Who Don’t Understand FemTech
• 23:42 Being Named MIT Innovator Under 35
• 25:08 Advice for Women with Pelvic Floor Issues
• 27:04 Lessons on Focus, Growth, and Comparison
• 28:37 What She Would Tell Her 15-Year-Old Self
• 30:17 Where to Find Tatiana & Evie
• 30:56 Outro

This podcast is about honest conversations, actionable insights, and real stories to help women and allies make empowered decisions about their health and bodies.

💬 What’s one thing you wish more women understood about pelvic health? Share in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

Read the blog post here

• • Connect with Tatiana: LinkedIn
• • Connect with Gigi (host): LinkedIn

• • Website: hievie.com

• ✨ Visit Asele: asele.tech
• ✨ Try the Asele app: asele.health
• ✨ Join our WhatsApp community: Join Here
• ✨ Follow us on Instagram: @asele.tech
• ✨ Follow us on LinkedIn: Asele
• ✨ Listen on Spotify: Blush & Bloom
• ✨ Watch on YouTube: Episodes
• ✨ Listen on Apple Podcasts: Blush & Bloom

#WomensHealth #DiasporaHealth #ThaiCommunity

In this episode, we sit down with Natnicha, founder of Nicha Group, a health and wellness brand supporting Thai women across the UK and EU. Her work blends culturally tailored supplements, health education, and community building to close healthcare gaps for minority ethnic women, especially Thai women living abroad.

Natnicha shares her journey as part of the Thai diaspora, why many women feel unseen in healthcare systems, and how trust and cultural understanding play a vital role in better outcomes. What began as a single product during COVID has grown into a brand bringing community-driven care, weekly education sessions in Thai, and compassionate support to thousands of women.

We discuss the challenges diaspora women face—from language barriers to cultural beliefs—why social media is a powerful tool for health education, and the importance of trust in lasting change. Natnicha also shares her vision for supporting other underrepresented communities and inspiring more female leadership in health and wellness.

Whether you’re navigating healthcare in a new country, working in women’s health, or passionate about inclusive care, this episode offers insight and practical lessons.

🎧 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe if this resonates with you.

• 00:00 Introduction to Nicha Group
• 01:23 What Inspired Natnicha
• 02:10 Healthcare Experiences Abroad
• 04:05 Combining Education and Supplements
• 05:04 Why Focus on Thai Women
• 06:38 Early Customer Feedback
• 09:30 Collaborations and Research
• 10:03 Using Facebook Live
• 12:29 Healthcare Challenges
• 13:50 Cultural Beliefs
• 15:18 Building Trust
• 20:15 Common Health Conversations
• 21:46 Mental Health and Postpartum
• 25:06 NHS Support Experiences
• 27:08 Advice for Women Who Feel Unseen
• 27:48 Lessons from Building Nicha Group
• 28:30 Future Impact
• 28:56 Advice to Her 15-Year-Old Self
• 29:29 Where to Find Natnicha

This podcast brings honest conversations, insights, and stories to help women and allies make informed decisions about health and the innovations shaping their future.

💬 What do you wish more people understood about healthcare for women living abroad? Share in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

Show notes:

Episode Link

• Natnicha on LinkedIn
• Gigi (Host) on LinkedIn

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

• Visit Asele
• Try the Asele app
• Join our WhatsApp
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Spotify
• YouTube
• Apple Podcasts

#WomensHealth #MaternalHealth #BirthTrauma

In this episode, we sit down with Emma Abassi, founder of Dearbump, a maternal health platform giving pregnant women the education, reassurance, and trusted support they often lack.

Emma’s journey began with two traumatic birth experiences. What started as pregnancy care boxes is now a digital platform where women connect with midwives, access tailored resources, and feel more prepared for pregnancy, birth, and recovery.

We discuss the silence around birth trauma, misinformation in maternal care, and how personalized, midwife-led advice can improve outcomes. Emma also shares her experience launching an app as a solo founder, bringing maternal health into workplace benefits, and using data to improve care.

Whether you’re expecting, work in maternal health, or want to understand the challenges women face during pregnancy, this conversation offers insights, strategies, and a vision for more supportive care.

🎧 Like, share, and subscribe if this episode resonates with you.

• 00:00 Dearbump & Mission
• 02:28 Building Dearbump
• 05:24 Community Growth
• 08:16 Challenges for Pregnant Women
• 10:27 Birth Trauma & Recovery
• 13:05 Workplace Support
• 15:34 Future Plans
• 17:33 Imposter Syndrome
• 20:07 AI in Maternal Health
• 22:45 Data Privacy
• 25:37 Advice for Mothers
• 27:54 Advice for Founders
• 30:46 Conclusion

💬 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about maternal health?

Read here

• Emma: LinkedIn
• Gigi (host): LinkedIn

• Website
• Google Play
• Apple Store
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Return to Work Course

• Website
• App
• WhatsApp
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Spotify
• YouTubeApple Podcasts