Living Well with PMDD

By Heidi Bradford

This podcast is about living a great life with pmdd (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). Heidi's goal is to be a blessing and a comfort to you and to inspire you. Newer episodes have an array of topi

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FAQs about Living Well with PMDD:

How many episodes does Living Well with PMDD have?

The podcast currently has 105 episodes available.

Living Well with PMDD episodes:

June 06, 2026What To Do When Your Routines Are Thrown Off
We all know the feeling... things are going great and then BAM. Something happens that makes interrupts your smooth sailing. Maybe it's an interruption of your usual self-care routines. Maybe a loved one is sick and needs your care and support. Whatever the disruption, I have a process to help you FEEL GROUNDED in those moments. It leads you to getting back on track whether that means backtracking or continuing "off-track."
Listen in for my 3 Rs to feeling grounded when disruption or interruption happens. This is a simple, 3-step process to follow. You can write the 3 Rs on a notecard and post it around your house if you want to apply this often.
The 3 Rs: Recognize. Reassure. Resolve.
Take Aways:
1. Recognize that you're being interrupted or disrupted
2. Reassure yourself. "It's okay. Things like this happen sometimes." Add a deep breath if you're feeling a build-up of emotion (irritation, frustration, anger, etc.)
3. Resolve. Choose that you will back-track and do things as planned OR that you will continue off-track allowing the interruption. Then decide when/how you will get back to your routine, your project, your priorities... whatever is being disrupted at the moment.
*You may need help through life disruptions. Consider talking with a friend, a counselor, a life coach, or a religious leader during this time.
Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
19min
May 23, 2026A Miracle: God Gave Us a Dryer
Today I am sharing a miracle. God gave us a dryer... for $28.
I'm Heidi. A certified life coach who loves helping people. Right now you can hop on a 20 minute call with me for free. This is perfect for you if you're feeling stuck or need some support, let's talk. Click here for that.
Take Aways
Our family is moving overseas
Do we store our dryer or keep it for 2 months so we can dry clothes until we leave?
No good dryers on Facebook marketplace
God provided... listen to find out how
Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
11min
May 07, 2026Mother's Day Peace Challenge
If you struggle with Mother's Day, you're not alone. Today I'll share an idea I had about 10 years ago. It was nearing Mother's Day and I had a desire to show my kids that I appreciated them making me a mother. I chose to buy them each a book for Mother's Day. Listen in to hear my Mother's Day Peace Challenge inspired by that experience. Or watch here.
Take Aways
Review of my episode: A Tribute to My Mom: Things I Wish My Mom Had Known 50 Years Ago from May 6, 2024.
Many women have a hard time with Mother's Day.
An AI summary of why some women's don't like Mother's Day: Some women don't like it because it's heavily commercialized, because it puts pressure on being perfect, it creates extra labor rather than a restful break, it triggers sadness because of strained relationships, personal loss, infertility, or the pressure to perform happily while you are struggling with motherhood.
A few quotes from women in this article.
When I've struggled with Mother's Day, it was because I felt inadequate, false guilt (or mom guilt), or because I was missing my mom.
One year, I got my kids gifts to celebrate Mother's Day to say: thank you for making me a mom and I am glad to be your mom.
Mother's Day Peace Challenge: Answer this question: What do you want this weekend to look like? Then comes the challenge: Listen to what your heart or mind answers and if it feels good, do it!
YOU ARE AMAZING. AS YOU ARE. RIGHT NOW. HUGS!

Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
15min
April 30, 20265 Things No One Tells You About PMDD
Get faster results on your pmdd journey by talking with me. Click here to schedule a quick 20 minute conversation. We'll discover your best next step in alleviating your pmdd.
5 Things No One Tells You About PMDD
No "one-size-fits-all" solution. Many ways to treat it.
YOU know best.
You'll still be human. (Even after you find a good treatment, you'll have ups and downs to deal with.)
Doctors are not well versed in pmdd.
Resilience and Support make the biggest difference.
Take Aways
When looking for solutions to pmdd, be aware that a lot of people online are selling something.
What works for them might not work for you.
What didn't work for them might work for you!
To build trust that YOU KNOW BEST, consider what has given you a good result in the past.
You are going to have emotional roller coasters in your life even when your pmdd is under control.
Learn and utilize tools of well-being
PMDD has been in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Illnesses) since 2013. Many doctors still don't know much about it.
Be prepared to say "yes" and "no" to treatments your doctor recommends. YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOU.
If you choose surgery, have a total hysterectomy WITH bilateral sapling oophorectomy. This includes removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes. You'll probably need some HRT afterwards.
Dr. Peter Schmidt with the National Institute of Health is looking into the causes of pmdd, the treatments for it, and genetic factors affecting it.
Don't feel guilty for not being able to tap into your usual resilience when your pmdd symptoms are active. This is normal for that time.
Build support systems! This includes you, your husband, your friends, and your family.
Watch this episode here.
Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
25min
April 23, 2026Scheduling and Timing Decision Making to Have Better Experiences
LET'S CELEBRATE! THIS IS THE 100TH EPISODE! 🎉
I chose a topic that has helped me immensely in honor of this being the 100th episode. Enjoy the stories I share throughout. Maybe you can see yourself in some of them.
Take this with a grain of salt. It's meant to be general information. Tailor this to your own wisdom and experience.
Take Aways
Scheduling events and vacations based on your menstrual cycle can increase your odds of having good experiences.
Schedule commitments that you're planning, hosting, or attending to take place during your follicular phase.
Knowing when to make what decisions can also help.
There are decisions to make during your follicular phase and other decisions to make during your luteal phase.
When you can't schedule something for optimal timing or make a decision in the phase you would prefer, take measures to be in a good place at that time.
Consider a two-phase menstrual cycle for easier planning.
I created a PMDD Stabilization Guide. Download it here.
In general, think of your follicular phase as your yes phase when you are scheduling. Your luteal phase as your no phase when you're scheduling.
You want to make these decisions final during your follicular phase: moving to a new city, creating a new wardrobe, career changes, to quit a job, etc.
Good decisions for luteal phase are: the HOW of a decision made during follicular and following through strongly on a decision made previously when clear-minded.
In luteal phase, we talk ourselves out of making some decisions...stylistic, subjective (based on opinion), and again, big decisions.
16:07 Story about a trip right after my husband's first deployment.
When you can't schedule an event to happen at an ideal time for you, prepare emotionally and physically for that event as best you can.
Improving your emotional resilience will help you! Learn to feel any emotion and be okay.
You're human. You will have ups and downs. Others get to have their feelings and opinions too. Let things go!
Watch the episode here.
Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
29min
April 14, 2026PMDD Awareness with Marybeth Bohn: Part 3
Continuing our talk with Mary Beth Bohn. :) YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_SlnEvCiRE&t=2s
Take Aways
Therapies that may help: ACT, EMDR, or hypnotherapy.
Various dietary supplements have helped.
Lifestyle changes can improve (meaning decrease) pmdd symptoms.
REMEMBER: TRIAL AND ERROR IS IMPORTANT. WHAT HAS WORKED FOR SOMEONE ELSE MAY OR MAY NOT HELP YOU.
Some memories may show up only during the luteal phase. More research is needed, but pmdd can affect memory.
Reproductive hormones are STEROIDS. Steroids affect the brain a lot.
Women with pmdd should consider limiting or avoiding steroids due to the likelihood of sensitivity.
Both Christina and Heidi have had experiences of their memory being affected during luteal phase.
The menstrual cycle ought to be the 5th vital sign for women of that age.
Christina's Questions: When was your last period? When are you expecting your next period? What is "PMS" like for you?
If you are concerned that a friend or loved one may have pmdd or pme, ask them Christina's three questions listed above. This may help decrease the time it takes to figure out what is going on for them.
Possible indicators that you have pmdd or pme: having an big argument with a spouse monthly, wanting to quit your job (or actually quitting) monthly, or being impatient with your children more so during PMS timing.
You may not recognize these as related to your period. Start tracking. If something like the things listed above happen periodically and you start your period the next day, you likely have some premenstrual exacerbation or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
PMS does not last 7 days. If your PMS is lasting more than a few days, you likely experience premenstrual exacerbation of a different disorder/health issue OR have pmdd.
Histamines can influence the severity of premenstrual symptoms.
There are many ways to help yourself discussed throughout this episode and specifically around 36:00.
There are ways to help your loved one if you suspect they have pmdd or pme. Listen around 37:00.
"Awareness can reduce the average length of time to get a diagnosis from 12 years to a matter of a few months." -IAPMD.org
Consider attending the Christina Bohn Memorial 5K in Columbia, MO this October. Details here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/Columbia/ChristinaBohnMemorial5KforPMDDAwareness
Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
48min
April 10, 2026PMDD Awareness with Marybeth Bohn: Part 2
More with Mary Beth Bohn, co-founder of the Christina Bohn Foundation. Video slides are utilized so this one would be especially helpful to watch! Here's where it is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/taO0-OYAQf4
Take Aways
00 - About the Annual Christina Bohn Memorial 5K, establishing the first state recognized PMDD Awareness day (in Missouri), and about Mary Beth and her husband stepping into PMDD Awareness after Christina's death.
Here is the 7 minute video... about high level overview about pmdd and Christina.
07:35 - Education about the menstrual cycle and pmdd including powerpoint slides by Mary Beth
Follicular phase: first half of the menstrual cycle. Starting on day 1.
Luteal phase: second half of the menstrual cycle
All women generally feel better in the follicular phase. This is a good time to make decisions.
The luteal phase includes ovulation.
In luteal phase your uterus is preparing for menstruation or preparing for pregnancy.
We likely feel more tired, more sensitive, and more irritable in luteal phase than the follicular phase.
PMDD happens in the luteal phase.
Genetics influence the likelihood of experiencing pmdd.
TONS of wonderful information shared in here!!!
47:38 Heidi shares a current practice that is helping her be more steady with pmdd

Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
49min
April 01, 2026PMDD Awareness with Marybeth Bohn - Part 1: Christina's Story
Christina Bohn was misdiagnosed for years. Christina lived with a debilitating disorder: premenstrual dysphoric disorder. She didn't know about pmdd and her mental health issues were not linked to her menstrual cycle until it was too late. Her mother is joining me today to share Christina's story and increase awareness and understanding of pmdd. We want you, your doctor, your family, and everyone to know about pmdd. Let's decrease unnecessary suffering. Let's get women the support they need. Let's help to decrease misdiagnosis of health problems. You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUN7KX3bC_k&t=3s
Take Aways
Christina died because of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Christina had sought help from mental health professionals and doctors for 11+ years
Marybeth and her husband Steve now spread awareness of PMDD through the Christina Bohn Foundation
Christina was happy, musical, academically high achieving, and active growing up
Her mom, Marybeth, noticed that sometimes Christina had big/unusual reactions, but was extremely capable most of the time.
When Christina was finishing her last semester of nursing school, her mom noticed something was off.
Christina worried a lot about her nursing exams (which she aced).
During Christina's career, at times she voiced to her mom that she was a terrible employee and that her employers regretted hiring her. Neither of which was true.
Christina was suicidal at times and would take herself to the emergency room for help.
Marybeth believes hormonal birth control totally changed Christina's world for the worse.
Christina was really good at how she was feeling inside.
Marybeth and Steve tried to perceive Christina's needs and meet them.
In 2020, Christina was required to undergo Electroconvulsive therapy for treatment resistant depression. She'd admitted herself to the ER the previous day, but now felt good physically and clear of mind. They would not let her go home (from ER) until she had done the first treatment.
Christina was required to continue ECT. She was supposed to do 12 sessions in 1 months time. Throughout treatment, she expressed to her mom that her brain was being fried, her memory was being erased, and she was exhausted.
When Christina told her doctor she wanted to stop ECT (this would be her tenth round), the doctor yelled at her and told her to get up on the table. Christina complied.
After Christina's eleventh ECT, she asked her parents if she could come home and recuperate for a few weeks. Her parents were happy to help and have her home.
Christina's appearance was shocking to her parents. She was "a mere shell of herself". Her parents had no idea things were this bad.
Christina FaceTimed her children every day.
She confessed to her mom some negative beliefs she (Christina) had been harboring about them (her parents).
Christina held onto her negative perception of some specific interactions for years and years. They plagued her.
Christina would go experience psychosis sometimes and be admitted to a behavioral health unit for 5-20 day stints.
This was heartbreaking for Marybeth and Steve. They would send flowers and care packages.
Christina started a prayer group in one behavior health unit and was a light to others through music and listening.
Christina and her mom learned about pmdd nine months after Christina had come home to recuperate. Unfortunately, a few months later, Christina died by suicide.
Before Christina left this earth, she communicated 3 simple questions that could help health care providers, women themselves, and loved ones recognize that s
Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
47min
March 29, 2026Staying Positive When Things are Hard
Today I share about some areas of my life where I have wanted to disconnect. We all go through things that are hard for us. Listen in for some examples of this for me currently and a reminder to think about the good too.
Take Aways
"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." -Russell M. Nelson
When we only focus on the negative or only focus on the problems or what we perceive as problems, things that we need to solve, it just doesn't lead to a good place.
Take the initiative to speak the positive, to speak the good. To review in your mind and maybe to someone else some things that are good.
Heidi's tooth pain story
Heidi's lost notebook story... found in answer to prayer.
A talk by Elder Brik V. Eyre: Know Who You Really Are
Take time to be with God
Some blessings of the timing of Heidi's dental emergency
Next week: Talking with Marybeth Bohn!

Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
18min
March 18, 2026Whole Food, Plant Based Diet to Reduce PMDD Symptoms with Special Guest Berea Lavin
My amazing friend, Berea Lavin, has found something that has ELIMINATED her pmdd symptoms. She's 3 cycles into it working for her. She's had symptoms for years... starting around age 16.
When she told me she felt SO GOOD, I asked if she would come and share details with us. She agreed!
Take-Aways
00:00 to 15:00 Berea's background with pms and pmdd and the role God plays in her life
15:38 Berea tells us about her eating and exercise choices that are helping; all about a whole food, plant based diet
29:15 How Berea deals with temptations
32:07 Discussing deprivation and alterations to the strict use of this way of eating so she can LIVE
36:09 Taking the power away from the scale. It's just a tool!
Berea: I'm doing this because it makes me feel better and the weight is just an added perk, that comes along for the ride kind of thing as it comes off. I believe that I need the Lord in order to help me with this. I know he wants me at a healthy weight because that would be glorifying [to my body, to my family, to Him].
Heidi: It's about trying, making better choices, seeing something that does work and realizing the sacrifice is worth it.
Watch this episode on YouTube here.

Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place.
Free resources:
Heidi's website
Heidi's YouTube
Music
Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
...more
42min

FAQs about Living Well with PMDD:

How many episodes does Living Well with PMDD have?

The podcast currently has 105 episodes available.

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