Each of us has experienced some sort of grief in our lifetimes. We often think of grief as death but there’s grief in divorce, leaving your family home, moving to a new location, even in losing dreams or versions of ourselves. In this episode we are joined by Melissa Stein, creator of My Life 2.0 to hear her story of loss, renewal and second chances.

With more than 30 years in entertainment publicity and brand storytelling, Melissa Stein has spent her career helping some of the world’s most beloved franchises connect with audiences. As Vice President, Publicity for TV, Animation & Originals at Warner Bros., she oversaw campaigns across TV, Genre, Family, and Animation, including Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, and LEGO.

Now, she is channeling that same storytelling instinct into her next act: My Life 2.0, a lifestyle blog and community for women starting over in midlife.  It’s there that she shares her reinvention journey with humor and heart covering everything from love and loss to motherhood, fashion and the gadgets that make life a little easier.

Whether in the boardroom or on the blog, Stein’s mission remains the same, to connect, inspire, and remind us it’s never too late for a reboot.

The Bonds We Make: Choosing the right healthcare professional is such a critical part of any experience. Hear from our guests, Dr. Elisa Port of the Dubin Breast Center at Mt. Sinai in NYC and The Today Show’s Jill Martin about the power of a successful doctor and patient team, and the lessons they have learned in their careers, along this journey, and how they embrace life to the fullest.

One family’s insight into ovarian and uterine cancer, finding support, cherishing family and making change through philanthropy. An inspiring story for anyone confronting illness, acting as caregiver, or looking for a way to make a difference.

Breaking Barriers, Making Healthy Choices, and Embracing Survivorship. In this episode Yonni and Heather sit down with Dr. Laurie Kirstein from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who made history as the first female chair of the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. We will talk about breaking glass ceilings, access to quality healthcare, pain management and the impact of smoking on women’s health outcomes.

Dr. Laurie Kirstein is an Attending Breast Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She attended Downstate Medical School, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein University for residency and Massachusetts General Hospital for Breast Surgery fellowship. Prior to arriving at Memorial Sloan Kettering she was attending surgeon and Breast Fellowship Director at the Rutgers Cancer Center Institute of New Jersey. At Memorial Sloan Kettering she is the Surgical Site Director for their Monmouth, NJ location. She is the current Chair for the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer. She is the lead for the national quality improvement project Breaking Barriers: overcoming barriers to cancer care across America. Her research interests include surgical decision for breast cancer, postoperative pain management and tobacco cessation for cancer patients.

Whether a diagnosis has an immediate fix, a lengthy treatment regimen or is a chronic one, there are so many issues that arise: How to tell loved ones and friends, even children? What techniques are there to help manage mental health? Where, in the pain of it all, are there silver linings? Join Yonni + Heather and special guests Kiley Durham Castriccone and Julie Rosenthal Ruby for a powerful and inspiring conversation.

Julie Ruby, LCSW is a psychoanalytically trained therapist with over 20 years of experience working with adults to help them navigate a wide range of life challenges. She specializes in supporting individuals and couples in all stages of their cancer journeys, fertility issues, and the complexities of parenthood. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she is passionate about helping women sort through the complexities of post-surgery body changes and body image.

Kiley Durham-Castricone is an artist and designer residing in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Prior to her diagnosis of stage four breast cancer in 2017, Kiley spent 15 years as a dress and accessories designer in New York City. Throughout her extensive treatment journey, she rediscovered painting as a therapeutic outlet and subsequently made the decision to pursue an art career full-time. Her artwork frequently depicts multiple women in a single composition, celebrating the profound connections between women and the transformative power of female relationships. Motivated by her battle against metastatic breast cancer and the countless individuals she has encountered, Kiley has dedicated herself to advocating for others within the cancer community. In addition to donating a portion of the proceeds from her artwork sales to support cancer research, she collaborates with organizations such as New York Presbyterian Hospital to raise awareness and instill hope in patients and their caregivers. Kiley is also a member of the Greenwich chapter of Pitch Your Peers, a non-profit grant funding organization and a member of the Greenwich YWCA’s board of directors.

Find Yonni & Heather here https://www.herhealthcompass.com/

Whether it is a concern for a cancer diagnosis, diabetes, heart disease or other condition, knowing your family history can be a key factor in early detection and treatment for inherited disease. Knowing something is not rooted in family history is important as well! Dr. Sarah Cate will help breakdown our understanding of genetics, epigenetics and more on this important episode.

Whether you have naturally aged into menopause, were brought there early for medical reasons, or had it chemically induced from chemotherapy, things are likely heating up! Hot flashes, rounder bellies, emotional rollercoasters, and dryness in unwelcome places make this part of getting older a lot less fun. Join Yonni and Heather and special guest, Dr. Alicia Robbins, board certified OB/GYN, certified menopause practitioner and lifestyle medicine doctor to talk candidly about it all, GLP-1 included!

Access the Her Health Compass resource hub here https://www.herhealthcompass.com/

It is challenging for women to see changes to their bodies during and after treatment. Some have to cope with hair loss, others with changes to skin tone and texture, many others with scars from lumpectomy or mastectomy, with or without reconstruction which adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult cancer diagnosis. Hear from Heather and Lauren Spiezia who have experienced this firsthand, Yonni and Jana Siegel as caregivers and friends, and Dr. Lucy de la Cruz as a breast surgeon about handling side-effects, cold-capping, managing surgical expectations and more.

Lauren Spiezia is a passionate advocate and breast cancer warrior, diagnosed in 2024 at the age of 31. Despite still undergoing treatment, she is dedicated to sharing her journey with others, offering strength and insight to those in similar battles. Professionally, Lauren brings a wealth of experience in wealth management, coupled with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Following her diagnosis, she was inspired to launch a venture in clean, non-toxic cosmetics, reflecting her commitment to health and wellness both personally and professionally. Outside of her cancer journey and business endeavors, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and 2-year-old son in New Jersey. A former collegiate athlete at Babson College, she continues to prioritize an active lifestyle, valuing health in all aspects of her life.

Jana Shopkorn Siegel is a New York State licensed speech-language pathologist who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Child Development from Tufts University before going on to receive her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from NYU. She has worked in a wide range of settings, including schools, daycares, homes, and virtual platforms with diverse populations, and in private practice as well. Jana is passionate about helping individuals of all ages find their voice and build confidence through communication. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a proud member of the organization. Jana was born and raised in NYC and lives there with her husband and three teenagers. She is involved with the Ronald McDonald House, and supports other charities that have touched her life and community.

Dr. Lucy De La Cruz is an internationally recognized breast surgical oncologist and the Chief of Breast Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She serves as the Director of the Lombardi Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center and is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. De La Cruz is deeply committed to advancing women’s health through personalized, compassionate care, innovative treatment, and education. Her pivotal manuscript on nipple-sparing and oncoplastic surgical outcomes has been widely cited and continues to shape the global landscape of breast surgery for both patients and physicians. Known for blending surgical precision with empathy and advocacy, she brings a powerful voice to conversations around leadership, equity, and the evolving role of women in medicine and beyond. Dr. De La Cruz’s unique perspective is shaped by her experience as a surgeon, mother, and mentor—blending clinical excellence with heart, humor, and humanity.

That “now what” is the big question everyone faces when they hear those dreaded worlds: You have cancer. Tune into this episode to hear some helpful advice from Heather’s “chief of staff” (aka one of the best friends) Amy Dieterich, and Dr. Starr Mautner, a Board-certified surgeon with clinical expertise in breast surgical oncology of the Breast Center at Miami Cancer Institute, a part of Baptist Health South Florida.

Starr Mautner, M.D., F.A.C.S.: Dr. Mautner is a board-certified breast surgical oncologist at the Miami Cancer Institute (MCI) in Miami, Florida. She specializes in performing breast surgical procedures for women with breast cancer, high risk lesions, or women with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.

She grew up in South Florida and earned her undergraduate and medical school degrees as part of the University of Miami’s 7-year Medical Scholars Program. She then completed her general surgery residency at Weill Cornell’s New York Presbyterian Hospital and clinical fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before moving back to Miami to join the Miami Cancer Institute in 2015.

She is the co-chair of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Alliance Education Committee and is very involved in community engagement and educational programs in South Florida. She is also the lead physician for breast surgical oncology clinical trials at MCI and a member of the Breast Cancer Alliance Medical Advisory Board. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children exploring Miami or traveling on adventures around the world together.

Amy Dieterich: A dedicated philanthropist with a deep passion for supporting families and children, Amy Dieterich is committed to making a meaningful impact in healthcare and advocacy. As a member of the Chairman’s Circle at NYU Hospital and the Children’s Advisory Council of New York-Presbyterian Komansky Center for Children’s Health, she plays a vital role in shaping initiatives that enhance pediatric care.

Her leadership extends to Breakthrough T1D, where she has spearheaded giving campaigns and initiatives to advance research and support for those affected by Type 1 Diabetes. Beyond her philanthropic efforts, she is a strong advocate for women, fostering connections and uplifting women in business.

A devoted mom of four boys, she embraces adventure and cherishes traveling with her family, always seeking new experiences and meaningful ways to give back.

Are you a woman who has faced health issues and was unsure of where to turn? Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer, or completed your treatment and wonder “what now”? In their pilot episode, Yonni Wattenmaker and Heather Ouida welcome you to Her Health Compass, your girlfriend’s guide to navigating cancer and the complexities of women’s health and thriving beyond. So grab a cup of coffee or matcha, find a cozy chair, and welcome!