Matrescence in Wellness | A Podcast through Perinatal Wellness

In this deeply honest and empowering episode of Matrescence in Wellness, host Brittany Biggett-Heeren opens up about one of the biggest choices of her life: leaving corporate America to initiate her own "Power Pause."

Drawing from Neha Ruch’s book The Power Pause and the sobering documentary No Country for Mothers (screened via the Central Florida Postpartum Alliance), Brittany bridges personal storytelling with her Health Law (MJ) background to dismantle the systemic forces impacting modern mothers.

In this episode, we explore:

• The False Binary (Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife): Unpacking the cultural polarization that tells women they must either burn out in high-stress corporate roles or opt into total domestic dependence. Brittany shares why so many modern mothers are "in-betweeners."

• U.S. Policy Failures & Systemic Gaps: Analyzing the systemic drivers behind America’s maternal health crisis.

• 🏋️‍♀️ Fitness Professionals: Level up your pre/postnatal coaching with ProNatal Fitness (Affiliate Link)

• 💌 Join the Community: Subscribe to our bi-weekly Substack newsletter, Bump to Beyond, for evidence-based fitness tips, health law breakdowns, and weekly encouragement.

  
  

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prismatic Venus Fitness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF_Tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF Tribe ⁠

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific health and wellness plan.

In this candid and deeply personal episode of Matrescence in Wellness, host Brittany Biggett-Heeren explores what it truly means to prioritize quality over convenience in maternal healthcare.

We also open with our Maternal Health in the News segment, connecting pop culture headlines and national awareness to systemic clinical realities:

• Porsha Williams & Fibroid Awareness: Deconstructing Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams’ recent interview regarding her lifelong journey with severe uterine fibroids, pregnancy complications, and emergency surgery.

• September is NICU Awareness Month: Examining the March of Dimes report card on preterm birth drivers, the emotional and financial strain of NICU admissions, and how systemic policy expansions (like Medicaid coverage, paid leave, and doula reimbursement) protect mothers and babies. Plus, practical ways to support a family navigating the NICU without toxic positivity.

In the main feature, Brittany unpacks two critical pillars of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). She shares her raw experience transferring back to a downtown medical center 30 minutes away after experiencing prescription delays at a local clinic, and what happened when a 30-week blood pressure spike led to an emergency hospital admission for preeclampsia screening.

If you’ve ever felt anxious about hospital distances, dismissed by clinic staff, or conflicted about switching providers, this episode offers a nurturing space, clinical authority, and practical tools to trust your gut.

Enjoying the show? Please leave a 5-star rating, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Y

Episode Resources & Links:

• 📖 Read: Essence Article on Porsha Williams’ Fibroid Journey

• 💜 Learn: NICU Awareness Month & Support Resources (NICUAwareness.org)

• 🏋️‍♀️ Fitness Professionals: Enhance your pre/postnatal coaching with ProNatal Fitness (Affiliate Link)

• 💌 Join the Community: Subscribe to our bi-weekly Substack newsletter, Bump to Beyond, for evidence-based fitness tips, health law breakdowns, and weekly encouragement.

  
  

Additional Resources:

• Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prismatic Venus Fitness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF_Tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF Tribe ⁠⁠

Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational discussions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Uterine fibroids affect up to 80% of Black women and 70% of white women by age 50, yet their profound impact on fertility, pregnancy, and birth is far too often met with silence. In this deeply personal episode of Matrescence in Wellness, host Brittany shares her real-time experience navigating a 7-month pregnancy with a growing 8-centimeter fibroid, leading to a medically necessary scheduled C-section.

Brittany breaks down the clinical realities of uterine fibroids, from hormonal triggers and elevated risks of preterm labor to C-section necessities when a fibroid blocks the cervix. Through the cultural stories of celebrity advocate Lupita Nyong'o and reality TV stars sharing their fertility journeys, this episode shines a spotlight on the systemic dismissal of Black women's pain and the importance of preserving reproductive autonomy.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Are Uterine Fibroids? Understanding benign tumors, symptoms, and how pregnancy hormones (estrogen and progesterone) fuel their growth.

• Pregnancy & Delivery Impact: Navigating high-risk ultrasounds, fetal growth restrictions, placental concerns, and managing a pivot from a vaginal birth plan to a C-section.

• Treatment Options & Fertility Preservation: Exploring the difference between aggressive options like premature hysterectomy versus fertility-preserving options like a myomectomy or egg freezing.

• Self-Advocacy Tools: How to track your symptoms, bring a trusted advocate (doula, partner, or parent) to appointments, ask critical questions, and get a second opinion.

Enjoying the show? Please leave a 5-star rating, hit Follow, and leave a comment to help us reach more mamas needing guidance!

• 🧘‍♀️ Free Prenatal Yoga Classes: Subscribe to Prismatic Venus Fitness on YouTube for our new Prenatal Yoga for Nausea and upcoming core recovery classes!

• 🏋️‍♀️ ProNatal Fitness Specialist Certification: Learn more about becoming a certified pre- and postnatal specialist through my affiliate link in the show notes.

• 📧 Substack Newsletter: Subscribe to Bump to Beyond for bi-weekly health law breakdowns, fitness tips, and real-talk advocacy.

• 🌸 Fibroid Awareness & Advocacy Organizations:

  • [The White Dress Project]

  • [The Fibroid Foundation]

  • [Foundation for Women's Health]

    
    

Additional Resources:

• Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prismatic Venus Fitness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF_Tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF Tribe ⁠

Disclaimer: This podcast offers educational discussions and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your personal healthcare provider to develop a tailored care plan.

What happens when the transition to motherhood doesn't just change your daily life, but completely redefines your life’s work?

In this episode of Matrescence in Wellness, host Brittany sits down with Jodi Scott, co-founder and CEO of Green Goo and Ova Moon. Jodi shares how a simple cut while pregnant led her to examine her first-aid cabinet, sparking a revolution in plant-based, whole-plant skincare alongside her sister (an herbalist and midwife) and her mother.

Together, Brittany and Jodi dive deep into the messy, beautiful intersection of business, family dynamics, and matrescence. From growing a brand from farmers’ markets to national retail shelves like Target and CVS, to unlearning the "fight-or-flight" mentality of modern ambition, this conversation is an invitation to slow down and trust the season you are in.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Origin of Green Goo: How pregnancy inspired a safer, plant-based approach to family first aid and chronic skin conditions.

• Building a Family Business: The power of leading alongside mothers and sisters while honoring each woman’s "zone of genius."

• Scaling Without Compromise: How Green Goo maintained its B Corp ethics, whole-plant extraction process, and mission while growing into major retailers.

• Shifting Out of Fight-or-Flight: Practical, 15-second presence practices to lower cortisol and ground yourself during busy seasons of motherhood and work.

In this episode of Matrescence in Wellness, host Brittany unpacks the harsh reality of "Pregism" (the subtle discrimination, microaggressions, and anxiety pregnant workers face in corporate spaces). As a Black woman currently in her third trimester, Brittany shares her perspective on shifting from corporate burnout to entrepreneurship, utilizing legal protections like the Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act (PWFA), and setting boundaries to protect your mental and physical health.

In this episode, we also cover:

• Maternal Health in the News: Unpacking the racial disparities in maternal mental health crises, contrasting the public narrative around the Lindsay Clancy trial with the criminalization of Black mamas facing postpartum psychosis.

  -https://postpartum.net/why-postpartum-psychosis-needs-our-attention/

• Culturally Competent Care: The importance of universal screening, Black maternal mental health data, and follow-up care for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

  - https://policycentermmh.org/black-maternal-mental-health-issue-brief/

• Reproductive Autonomy & Career Timing: Analyzing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to freeze her eggs and treating fertility preservation as a legitimate form of occupational strategy and self-care.

  - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ocasio-cortez-says-shes-freezing-her-eggs-as-she-considers-her-political-career

• Media Tropes vs. Reality: Debunking the media extremes of pregnant workers—from the "hyper-capable robot" to the "trad-wife" narrative—and finding your middle ground.

  -https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/16/politics/karoline-leavitt-maternity-leave-briefing

  -https://www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5206673/tradwives-have-taken-over-tiktok-now-ex-tradwives-want-their-moment

Whether you're navigating workplace accommodations, building your postpartum safety net, or seeking evidence-based advocacy, this episode offers a supportive space to honor your whole self.

Enjoying the show? Please leave a 5-star rating, subscribe, and review!

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🧘‍♀️ Free Prenatal Yoga for Nausea: Check out our new class on YouTube!

• 🏋️‍♀️ ProNatal Fitness Group Fitness Course: Level up your coaching for pregnant and postpartum clients using our affiliate link in the show notes.

• 📧 Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Join Bump to Beyond on Substack for bi-weekly health law breakdowns and fitness tips.

  
  

Additional Resources:

• Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prismatic Venus Fitness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF_Tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF Tribe ⁠

Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational discussions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Please Note: We experienced a few brief audio dips during this international recording from Italy. Thank you for your understanding—the wisdom and heart in this conversation are well worth it, and we know you will still deeply enjoy the episode!

What happens when the dream of an Italian "slow life" meets the raw, isolating reality of postpartum depression? In this episode, Brittany sits down with writer and content strategist Stephanie Rubinato to unpack the profound identity shift of matrescence while living abroad. Stephanie shares her vulnerable journey of navigating a foreign healthcare system as a woman of color, the physical toll of repressed stress (culminating in a severe battle with shingles), and the life-saving necessity of finding a culturally safe community. Together, they challenge the exhausting "Strong Black Woman" archetype and discuss why breaking intergenerational cycles of silence is a matter of survival. This conversation is a gentle reminder that putting down the heavy cloak of resilience isn't a failure—it is the first step toward true healing.

If you found comfort or insight in this episode, please rate, review, and follow the show to help expand our village!

Resources:

📢 Want to keep up with us in your email inbox? We created Bump to Beyond to ensure that every mother has access to professional healthcare insights and safe, empowering fitness routines. Our newsletter bridges the gap between our podcast episodes with deep dives into maternal wellness that you can read in five minutes or less. 

Visit our Substack link to subscribe and start building a stronger, healthier foundation for your family today. Check out link below:

Link: https://substack.com/@bumptobeyond?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Additional Resources: 

📞Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341

📞National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

📞Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Follow Stephanie Rubianto (Guest) 

⁠🖥️Website⁠⁠: https://www.movedwithpeace.com/

🖥️Website⁠⁠: https://www.theitalianreset.com/ 

▶︎Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/theitalianresetretreat/ 

⁠▶︎Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movedwithpeace/ 

⁠⁠▶︎Website: 40catering.com

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren (Host)

⁠⁠🖥️ Website: https://www.prismaticvenusfitness.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠▶︎Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/pvf_tribe/

⁠⁠⁠▶︎TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pvf_tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠▶︎YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@UCN1lbzeCKmwWHdNF_eal7dw 

For more inspiring episodes about wellness, self-care, and expert insights, be sure to subscribe to our channel wherever you listen to podcasts!

Motherhood is a birth of its own. Welcome to Matrescence in Wellness (formerly Wednesday Wellness Debrief), a supportive space designed to nurture your mind, body, and rights as you transition into parenthood. Hosted by Brittany—a Maternal Health Advocate & Pre- & Postnatal Fitness Specialist—this podcast is your bi-weekly companion through the deep "identity shift" known as Matrescence. We believe that every parent deserves quality over convenience. Brittany leads with heart and expertise as a Black woman navigating her own first pregnancy while managing a chronic illness. She provides a roadmap for those who often feel unheard in our healthcare system.

Each episode offers a blend of education and advocacy:

• Expert Interviews: Deep dives with the "architects of birth"—from OB-GYNs to Doulas—to help you build your ultimate support team.

• Track That Bill: An educational breakdown of maternal health policy in Washington D.C., making complex laws accessible and relevant to your delivery room.

• Maternal Health in the News: A nurturing reality check where we peel back the layers of Hollywood headlines to reveal the truth about postpartum recovery.

Whether you are navigating a high-risk pregnancy, pivoting your career, or simply looking for a community that honors your whole self, we are here to help you stay grounded.

Join our community and never miss a deep dive into your wellness journey. Hit the "Follow" button to subscribe to Matrescence in Wellness. 

Motherhood is a powerful role, but it is not the only identity you were meant to carry. In this episode, Brittany interviews Arnice Foster to discuss how high-achieving women can remain multifaceted by honoring their passions for business, fitness, and creativity alongside parenting. We dive into the "Foster Fit Method" to break the internal cycle of self-suppression and give you permission to take up space in every area of your life. Learn how to enlist support and shift your mindset so you can thrive as a whole, vibrant woman without sacrificing your maternal heart.

Takeaways:

• It's essential to carve out time for self-care and personal interests.
• Embracing multifaceted passions can lead to greater fulfillment.
• Community support is vital for maintaining wellness and balance.
• Finding joy in creative outlets can enhance overall well-being.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Wellness & Empowerment

2:57 Balancing Law & Fitness Coaching

9:05 Embracing Creativity in Professional Life

16:20 Redefining Success & Prioritizing Well-Being

22:46 The Nine Pillars of Wellness & their Importance

26:29 Balancing Parenthood & Career

32:03 Embracing Personal Responsibility

35:01 Rediscovering Passion & Purpose

41:54 Overcoming Mental Blocks & Self-Sabotage

Resources:

Are you on your journey to start a small business and want to know more about Google Workspace?

Click Here

Want to keep up with us in your email inbox? We created Bump to Beyond newsletter to ensure that every mother has access to professional healthcare insights and safe, empowering fitness routines. Our newsletter bridges the gap between our podcast episodes with deep dives into maternal wellness that you can read in five minutes or less. Visit our Substack link to subscribe and start building a stronger, healthier foundation for your family today.

Click Here

Additional Resources:

• Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Follow Arnice Foster (Guest)

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Book (Amazon)

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren (Host)

• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

For more inspiring episodes about wellness, self-care, and expert insights, be sure to subscribe to our channel wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did a French King dictate how you deliver? We dive into the persistent, wild rumor about King Louis XIV and the alleged influence of his preferences on the modern supine (lying on your back) delivery position.

Then, we transition from history to actionable maternal health and fitness! Learn the science behind gravity-friendly birth positions (like deep squats and all-fours—the quadruped position) and how they naturally open the pelvis for an easier delivery. Your host, Brittany, breaks down the foundational prenatal preparation you need:

• Neutral Alignment: Stacking your body (ears, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles) to reduce soft tissue stress.

• Core Canister Activation: Mastering 360 breathing for pelvic floor strength and nervous system calming.

• Hip Mobility vs. Flexibility: Why joint mobility is key to preparing for a dynamic birth.

Plus, in Maternal Health in the News: We cover the conversations around Cardi B's postpartum workout journey and the alarming findings of the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card on maternal health in the US, with a deep dive into local funding cuts affecting care in Florida.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Birth Position Debate

1:28 Maternal Health in the News - Celebrity News & Postpartum Fitness

3:52 Maternal Health in the News - The March of Dimes Report Card: A National Crisis

11:16 Resources for Running During Pregnancy & Postpartum

12:17 Understanding Birth Positions: Gravity and Anatomy

16:51 Core Activation and Alignment: Foundation for Delivery

17:31 Mind-Body Connection: Managing Pain During Delivery

20:48 Advocacy in Birth Plans

21:09 Conclusion and Future Episodes

Resources:

Maternal Health in The News

• Cardi B Gives Birth to 4th Child with Stefon Diggs
• Postpartum Return to Running and High-Impact

• 2025 March of Dimes Report Card

• Infant mortality efforts in Jacksonville face local funding cut, federal policy changes
• What to know about congenital syphilis after 3 infants die in New York

Pronatal Fitness Running Guide

⁠Pronatal Fitness - Your Guide to Running During Pregnancy & Returning Postpartum

Want more information on pregnancy & postpartum fitness and health coaching, fitness classes, and possible newsletter?

Click Here

Additional Resources:

• Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

Love what you heard? Don't miss out on more episodes like this! Follow Wednesday Wellness Debrief | Your Journey to Wellness and Maternal Health on your favorite podcast platform to stay tuned.

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Prismatic Venus Fitness⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF_Tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠
• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF_Tribe⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠PVF Tribe ⁠

In this must-listen, deeply compassionate episode, we feature Tenisha Hill, a certified holistic nutritionist, discussing her journey into perinatal nutrition, the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, and the importance of cultural foods in modern dietary practices. The discussion also covers systemic barriers in healthcare, inclusive care, and making nutritional advice accessible and equitable.

Takeaways:

• Postpartum is a nutritionally demanding phase often overlooked.
• Cultural foods play a vital role in modern nutrition.
• Systemic barriers in healthcare affect cultural sensitivity.
• Inclusive care requires listening and co-creating solutions.
• Nutritional advice should be accessible and equitable.
• Food first approach is essential, supplements fill gaps.
• Cultural foods can be more affordable and nutritious.
• Representation in healthcare is crucial for inclusive care.
• Challenging stereotypes about cultural foods is necessary.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Holistic Nutrition

3:36 Nutritional Needs in Postpartum Care

7:39 Cultural Influence on Nutrition

11:48 Food as Medicine Across Cultures

15:10 Barriers to Culturally Sensitive Care

18:03 Integrating Cultural Wellness in Healthcare

21:10 Challenging Bias in Nutritional Practices

25:15 Accessibility of Clean Eating

28:22 The Role of Nutrition vs Supplements

34:07 Conclusion and Resources

Follow Tenisha Hill (Guest)

• Website
• Instagram

Follow Brittany Biggett-Heeren (Host)

• ⁠Website⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠TikTok⁠
• ⁠YouTube⁠

For more inspiring episodes about wellness, self-care, and expert insights, be sure to subscribe to our channel wherever you listen to podcasts!