In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the modern medical system to discuss the "invisible" forces shaping your birth experience. Why is it that a woman’s right to informed consent often feels like a nudge toward compliance?

Dr. Elliot Berlin joins me to break down the "lost art" of breech delivery and the rise of Defensive Medicine. We explore the legal and systemic pressures that cause doctors to prioritize liability over patient autonomy, and how "watch and wait" became the most dangerous phrase in a delivery room—not for the patient, but for the provider.

• The Death of Breech: Why a generation of doctors has lost the skill to deliver breech babies naturally, and why that limits your options.
• Defensive Medicine: The #1 reason doctors are sued and how "failure to act" lawsuits drive the push for unnecessary inductions and C-sections.
• Data vs. Coercion: How medical statistics are often framed to steer you toward a specific outcome rather than true informed consent.
• The "Invisible Load": Navigating the mental health toll of infertility and the anxiety that persists even after a positive pregnancy test.
• Reclaiming Autonomy: Practical advice for parents who want to advocate for themselves in a system built on risk-mitigation.

• Website: [https://www.google.com/search?q=InformedPregnancy.com]
• Podcast: The Informed Pregnancy Podcast
• Instagram: @doctorberlin

• YouTube: @liveto120podcast
• Instagram: @liveto120podcast

Support the show: If this episode helped you feel more empowered in your health journey, please rate, review, and subscribe. Your support helps us bring these critical conversations to more people.

#BirthRights #BreechBirth #InformedConsent #DefensiveMedicine #DrElliotBerlin #LiveTo120 #BirthAdvocacy #MaternalHealth #InfertilityAwareness #PregnancyAfterLoss

If you’ve ever wondered what actually sends people to the emergency room—and when you truly need to go—this episode is your essential guide.

Dr. Liz Rubin, an experienced ER physician, shares what she sees every day on the front lines of medicine: the most common reasons people end up in the ER, the biggest mistakes patients make, and the critical warning signs you should never ignore.

From keeping your kids safe to navigating an ER visit like a pro, this conversation is packed with practical advice, eye-opening stories, and honest truths that could one day save your life.

Birth is supposed to be one the best days of your life. What happens when having a baby almost costs your your life?

In this deeply raw episode, I’m joined by social worker and advocate Yardena Goldstein who dives into all things birth trauma. From C-sections and postpartum complications to the long, invisible road of pregnancy loss and healing, we are discussing the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.

We dive deep into:

• The Reality of Birth Trauma: Why "at least the baby is healthy" is toxic positivity.
• C-Sections & Complications: Processing the moment your birth plan becomes a survival story.
• The Decision to Conceive Again: How to navigate a second pregnancy after a traumatic first birth.
• Healing After Loss: Moving through the emotional toll of pregnancy loss and reclaiming your agency.
• The Influencer vs. Reality: How Yardena balances professional advocacy with her own raw healing journey.

If you’ve felt broken, unheard, or "betrayed" by your birth experience, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone—and healing is possible.

Subscribe to Live to 120 for more stories on resilience, longevity, and the truth about women's health. 🎙️✨

Today, we’re talking about the rebuild.

In this episode of Live to 120, I’m joined by Elizabeth Leigh Mandelbaum, the visionary founder of Leigh Leaf. We are pulling back the mask on "trendy" wellness to get to the root of true holistic health. From healing a compromised gut to the ancient science behind high-quality matcha, Elizabeth shares how simple, intentional rituals can transform your biology and your energy.

• The Gut-Health Foundation: Why "eating clean" isn't enough if your gut lining is compromised.
• The Power of Matcha: Beyond the caffeine
• Leigh Leaf’s Philosophy: How Elizabeth built a brand centered on purity, sourcing, and intentional living.
• Inflammation & Longevity: The specific antioxidants that fight premature aging and cellular stress.
• Creating a Healing Ritual: How to turn your morning routine into a foundation for mental and physical health.

Infertility is a fight no one prepares you for. You step into the ring every day, taking hit after hit, just hoping the next round will be the one that changes everything.

In this special episode of Live to 120, the roles are reversed. Gila interviews me about my personal journey. For the first time, I’m opening up about what it really felt like to be "beaten, broken, and bruised" by a system and a struggle that often stays in the shadows.

• Gila shares her background and motivation for founding Yesh Tikva to support those facing infertility in the Jewish community
• The common misconceptions and emotional toll of infertility, including community pressure and misinformation
• Key steps in the fertility journey, from initial doubts to working with reproductive endocrinologists
• The impact of medical and emotional support, including the importance of finding compassionate healthcare providers
• The ups and downs of IVF, including embryo freezing, genetic testing, and managing setbacks
• The critical need for community, advocacy, and addressing the intangible loss experienced by those with infertility
• Practical advice for interacting with others about fertility, emphasizing empathy and avoiding assumptions
• Resources and ways to connect with support networks, including Yesh Tikva's programs

00:00 - Introduction and guest Gila Block's background
02:50 - Understanding infertility: prevalence and emotional impact
05:11 - Personal infertility story and initial misconceptions
07:27 - The importance of seeking specialized care and second opinions
09:19 - Navigating community pressure and medical advice
11:20 - Recognizing early signs and advocating for yourself
13:08 - When to see a reproductive endocrinologist
15:10 - IVF process: from stimulation to embryo freezing
19:07 - The realities of embryo transfer and success rates
28:26 - Dealing with miscarriages and emotional resilience
34:07 - Pregnancy after infertility: challenges and support needed
43:29 - Handling setbacks, including uterine health and genetic testing
47:10 - Emotional toll and the importance of community support
50:23 - How words and actions impact those struggling with infertility
52:00 - Final advice on empathy and awareness
54:24 - Connecting with Yesh Tikva and community resources

• Yesh Tikva Website

This episode emphasizes the importance of empathy, advocacy, and community support in the fertility journey. Whether you're facing similar challenges or wish to support someone who is, these insights aim to foster understanding and resilience.

We’ve all heard the whispers, the "well-meaning" comments about weight, and the immense pressure to "look the part" before entering the dating world. But is our community's obsession with appearance creating a silent mental health crisis?

In this episode of Live to 120, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Miriam Pascal Cohen (known to many as the @overtimecook). Miriam is famous for her recipes, but today she is sharing a much more personal story: her journey with body image, self-worth, and the toxic intersection of Shidduch culture and disordered eating.

We aren’t holding back. We’re discussing why the "perfect" image has become a requirement for marriage and how this pressure is sabotaging the health and happiness of the next generation.

• The "Shidduch Weight" Trap: Why women feel they need to reach a certain size just to get a "yes" to a date.
• Faith vs. Food: How to navigate a culture centered around food while healing a broken relationship with eating.
• The Judgment Problem: Why our community's focus on external appearance is a distraction from true values.
• Breaking the Cycle: How we can change the conversation for our daughters and sisters.
• Finding Worth Beyond the Scale: Miriam’s advice for anyone struggling to love themselves in a world that demands perfection.

It’s time to stop the judgment and start the healing.

• Instagram: @overtimecook
• Check out her cookbooks: overtimecook.com

• Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on health, longevity, and community.

• Follow on Instagram: @LiveTo120Podcast

If this episode resonated with you, please share it. You never know who is struggling in silence and needs to hear this message. 🤍

#LiveTo120 #OvertimeCook #ShidduchCulture #EatingDisorderAwareness #JewishHealth #BodyImage #JewishPodcast #ShidduchCrisis #MentalHealthMatters

"How do you keep praying when it feels like the answer is always 'No'?"

In this deeply moving episode of Live to 120, Bracha sits down with Rebecca (known to many as @styledbyrebs) for an unfiltered conversation about the silent struggle of secondary infertility and the devastating reality of multiple pregnancy losses.

Rebecca opens up about the "faith gap"—that painful space between the life you imagined and the reality you’re living. She shares the raw frustration of unanswered prayer, the sting of community expectations, and the moment she realized that "chasing control" was the only thing keeping her from peace.

This isn't just a story about loss; it’s a story about the radical transformation that happens when you stop fighting the path and start letting G-d into the mess.

• The Grief of the "Idealized" Child: Why letting go of your dreams for your family is a real, valid loss.
• Secondary Infertility: Navigating the unique pain of being grateful for the child you have while mourning the ones that didn't come.
• Faith in the Silence: How Rebecca moved from anger and frustration to a deeper, more resilient belief.
• The "Control" Trap: Why surrendering the steering wheel is the ultimate act of strength.
• Community & Stigma: How to handle the "When is the next one?" comments with grace and boundaries.

"Loss didn't break my faith; it forged it."

• Follow @styledbyrebs:

• Instagram: @liveto120podcast
• TikTok: @liveto120podcast

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who needs to know they aren't alone in their waiting room. ↗️

This podcast episode features Dr. Audrey Griesbach, a board-certified developmental pediatrician, discussing child development, autism, and the role of developmental pediatrics. Dr. Griesbach shares insights into her journey, the collaborative approach in developmental pediatrics, red flags in child development, and the challenges of diagnosing and understanding autism spectrum disorder. She also addresses the issue of over-diagnosis and the impact of eligibility criteria on service needs. The conversation delves into the complexities of autism spectrum, exploring its diverse subtypes, genetic influences, and unique challenges faced by nonverbal children. It also addresses the environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to autism, the impact of technology and overstimulation, and the differences in autism presentation between boys and girls. The stigma and fear of diagnosis in the community, the need for intervention and support, and the rigidity of schooling systems are also discussed. The conversation concludes with unfiltered advice.

Takeaways

• Developmental pediatrics involves a collaborative approach with various professionals to support children's development.
• Red flags in child development include delays in milestones, social and behavioral challenges, and sensory issues.
• Understanding autism spectrum disorder requires careful consideration of individual differences and challenges, avoiding over-generalization and misdiagnosis. Understanding the diverse subtypes and genetic influences of autism
• The impact of environmental factors, technology, and societal norms on autism
• The importance of embracing individual strengths and talents, and the need for intervention and support

Rabbi Elan Segalman of @puahfertility sheds light on the complex intersection of halacha, reproductive technology, and personal journeys. Whether you're confronting medical decisions or curious about halachic perspectives, this conversation offers invaluable insights and guidance.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and Rabbi Segalman's background
02:15 - How reproductive halacha became Rabbi Segalman's niche
04:06 - Mentorship and guiding principles in halachic decision-making
05:32 - Modern challenges in fertility and halachic adaptations
11:55 - Halachic perspective on surrogacy and the status of the mother
16:58 - Finding Jewish surrogates and genetic considerations
21:33 - The complexities of egg donation in halacha
25:26 - Hashgacha (supervision) in fertility labs and procedures
29:44 - Disclosing medical issues and sensitive halachic guidance
51:29 - Halachic considerations around abortion and mental health
61:46 - Final advice: educating and supporting the community

Note: This episode provides an in-depth look into halachic issues in reproductive medicine, emphasizing the importance of consulting with qualified rabbinic authorities for personal cases.

Feeding your baby should be one of the most natural things in the world, yet for many, it becomes a source of extreme stress, guilt, and burnout. In this episode of Live to 120, Bracha sits down with Tamari Jacob, a lactation consultant and the force behind @onewiththepump, to dismantle the societal pressures and "failed" expectations placed on new moms.

Tamari shares her raw, personal journey navigating the worlds of both exclusive pumping and nursing. Together, they dive into the practical realities of baby feeding that many are too afraid to talk about—from the physical toll of pumping to the unfair stigma surrounding formula.

In this episode, we discuss:
The "Mom Guilt" Trap: Why societal pressures make us feel like we’re failing if we don't follow a specific feeding path.

Nursing vs. Pumping: The honest pros, cons, and mental health impacts of both methods.

The Formula Stigma: Moving toward a balanced perspective where feeding your child doesn't come at the cost of your sanity.

Protecting Your Mental Health: Why your well-being is the most important factor in your parenting journey.

Support Systems: How the motherhood community can move from judgment to true understanding.

Whether you are currently breastfeeding, pumping, or formula feeding, this conversation is a much-needed reminder that there is no one "right" way—only the way that works for you and your baby.

Connect with Tamari Jacob:
Instagram: @onewiththepump

Website: onewiththepump.com

Connect with Bracha & Live to 120:
Subscribe to the channel for more deep dives into health, longevity, and motherhood.

Follow us on Instagram: @LiveTo120Podcast

#LiveTo120 #MotherhoodUnfiltered #BreastfeedingJourney #PumpingMom #PostpartumMentalHealth