In this episode of Medicine Motherhood Missions, I’m joined by Rebekah Blankenship, a board-certified physician assistant with advanced certification in pediatrics

and a background in pediatric surgery, hospitalist medicine, and newborn care.

After years in clinical practice and national recognition for her research in pediatric trauma, Rebekah followed a new calling — supporting mothers in the postpartum season through her platform, Nurtured Nest.

Together, we have an honest and faith-filled conversation about the transition into motherhood

— the emotional and spiritual shifts that come with it, and how God uses this season to refine our hearts in ways we don’t always expect.

We also dive into one of the hardest and most personal decisions many women face: returning to work, reducing hours, or stepping away altogether.

Rebekah shares insight into why these choices are often not as simple as they seem — shaped by systemic challenges, personal capacity, and the deep desire to be present for our families.

If you’ve ever felt torn between your professional calling and your role as a mother…

if you’ve wrestled with identity, guilt, or unmet expectations… or if you’re simply trying to discern what faithfulness looks like in this season —

this episode will remind you that God sees you, leads you, and is working in every detail of your story.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The reality of early postpartum and the transition into motherhood

• Identity shifts and spiritual growth through motherhood

• Why many mothers have to step back from careers or reduce hours

• Navigating the decision to return to work or stay home

• Letting God lead your calling in different seasons

• The importance of support, education, and community for new moms

• How Nurtured Nest is helping bridge the gap between medicine and motherhood.

Rebekah shares practical, grace-filled, and realistic resources for everyday motherhood - find more on her website below.

Connect with Rebekah Blankenship

Founder of Nurtured Nest — supporting mothers with evidence-based guidance on feeding, sleep, and early development

Website: ⁠https://nurturednestinc.org/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nurturednestinc?igsh=MXVibmJ1NXdnNm53dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/1ADBQw6Me6/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠

Calendly Booking Link: ⁠https://calendly.com/nurturednestinc⁠

💬 Loved This Episode?

Share it with a friend or fellow mama who needs encouragement in this season. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more women find these conversations and feel less alone.

Connect with Johanna &

Follow us on Social Media: 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠⁠

⁠www.johannamoses.com⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXH7WkmRtzX-gt_sDcKzwFA⁠

Johanna Moses, PA-C, MPH, is a physician assistant, author, and podcast host passionate about helping others live with purpose and courage. 

With years of experience practicing medicine and serving patients in clinical settings, Johanna brings a unique perspective that bridges healthcare, faith, leadership, and personal growth. 

She is the host of the podcast Medicine, Motherhood & Missions, where she shares meaningful conversations on medicine, calling, and impact, and the author of the children’s book series Little Evie’s Big Dreams.

Through her work in medicine and storytelling, Johanna encourages others to pursue their calling, lead with compassion, and dream beyond limitations.

In this episode, Johanna Moses and Simi John discuss the pressing issues of burnout, cultural expectations, and the importance of rest.

Simi shares her personal journey from experiencing burnout in her healthcare career to finding healing through silence and solitude.

They explore the challenges women face in ministry, the struggle for identity and purpose, and how cultural pressures can lead to feelings of inadequacy.

The conversation emphasizes the need to redefine success, embrace rest as an act of worship, and recognize that our worth is rooted in our identity in Christ.

In This Episode We Discuss

• Why burnout often affects high-achieving women of faith
• Cultural expectations and the pressure to perform
• Warning signs that burnout is creeping in
• The lie that women are “not enough” to lead

• What Scripture says about identity and calling

• How to shift from striving to resting in God

• Practical steps to create rhythms of rest and renewal

Simi John is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Bible teacher, author, and international speaker passionate about

helping women break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their God-given identity.

Through her teaching and writing, she encourages women to reject cultural stereotypes and step boldly into their calling.

Connect with Simi John:

Website: simijohn.com
Instagram: @simijohn

Topics Covered

• Christian burnout

• women in leadership

• overcoming the lie of not enough

• faith and rest

• identity in Christ

• cultural pressure and achievement

Johanna Moses, PA-C, MPH, is a physician assistant, author, and podcast host passionate about helping others live with purpose and courage.

With years of experience practicing medicine and serving patients in clinical settings, Johanna brings a unique perspective that bridges healthcare, faith, leadership, and personal growth.

She is the host of the podcast Medicine, Motherhood & Missions, where she shares meaningful conversations on medicine, calling, and impact, and the author of the children’s book series Little Evie’s Big Dreams.

Through her work in medicine and storytelling, Johanna encourages others to pursue their calling, lead with compassion, and dream beyond limitations.

Follow us on Social Media: 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXH7WkmRtzX-gt_sDcKzwFA

In a world often clouded by divisive narratives surrounding immigration, stories of resilience, courage, and hope shine brightly.

In the latest episode of the podcast "Medicine, Motherhood and Missions," host Johanna Moses engages in a heartfelt conversation with Heidy de la Cruz, the award-winning host of "The American Dream in the Eyes of an Immigrant."

This discussion not only highlights personal journeys but also redefines the essence of the American dream through the lens of immigrant experiences.

The conversation emphasizes empathy, cultural diversity, and the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and compassion.

• Heidy’s podcast aims to change the narrative around immigration through empathy and storytelling.

• Cultural shocks are a common experience among immigrants, highlighting the differences in societal norms.

• The American dream is redefined by each individual's experiences and aspirations. What does the 'American Dream' really mean?

• Sharing immigrant stories can foster understanding and compassion in society.

• We are more alike than different!

• Empathy is crucial in understanding the immigrant experience and the challenges they face.

• The journey of immigrants often involves resilience and perseverance despite hardships.

• Heidy emphasizes the importance of honoring both the struggles and triumphs in immigrant stories.

• Success in podcasting is measured by the impact on listeners and the comfort provided to guests.

• Faith and hope are central themes in navigating the immigrant experience.

Connect with Heidy:

Heidy De La Cruz is a podcaster, speaker, and online business coach.

Heidy is the host of the two-time award-winning podcast

"The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants," where immigrants share their journey of coming to the United States. Heidy speaks about immigration,

teaches all things podcasting and digital marketing, and shares her mental health experience on managing her PTSD.

She also coaches Latina women and busy moms to start their online business.

Lastly, she hosts the Digital Marketing 101 for Latinas Podcast, where she discusses all things online business and digital marketing. In her free time, Heidy enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and making memories with her family.

https://heidydelacruz.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13

Welcome to Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions – the podcast where we dive into impactful and inspiring

conversations with amazing professionals who’ve turned their

challenges into stepping stones for success. 

• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠




• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠




• www.johannamoses.com




• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXH7WkmRtzX-gt_sDcKzwFA

In this episode of Medicine, Motherhood and Missions, host Johanna Moses speaks with Cyndi Munson, the Democratic leader of the Oklahoma House and a candidate for governor.

They discuss Munson's journey from a challenging childhood to her current political aspirations, emphasizing the importance of resilience, representation, and community service.

Munson shares her vision for improving healthcare and education in Oklahoma and advocates for bipartisan efforts to address the state's pressing issues.

The conversation highlights the need for leaders who understand the struggles of everyday families and the importance of unity in diversity.

Leader Cyndi Munson made history as the first Asian American woman elected to the Oklahoma Legislature,

flipping a Republican-held seat in 2015 and breaking barriers for future generations.

Today, as the Democratic Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives —

and now a candidate for Governor of Oklahoma—she’s fighting for everyday families with the same resilience that shaped her own childhood.

Raised in Lawton by a single father serving in the U.S. Army, Cyndi moved ten times before graduating high school.

Those early experiences taught her the realities many Oklahomans face: economic insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and the need for strong public schools.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Representation in leadership is crucial for inspiring others, but remains a complex journey for those in politics and leadership.

• Mentoring young women and creating space for the next generation of leaders
  
• Growing up in a family working multiple jobs to make ends meet
• Rural health access, mental health needs, and the future of healthcare in Oklahoma
• Her advocacy for public schools, teacher pay, and equitable education
• Navigating bipartisan leadership in a politically divided state
• Why she’s running for Governor — and the Oklahoma she envisions for all of us

Whether you’re in medicine, motherhood, missions, or leadership of any kind, this conversation reminds us that courage can come from

the most humble beginnings—

and that real change starts with listening, serving, and believing in what’s possible.

Connect with Cyndi Munson:

Website: https://www.cyndimunson.com/home

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CyndiMunsonOK

Twitter: https://x.com/CyndiMunsonOK

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CyndiMunsonOK/

Welcome to Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions – the podcast where we dive into impactful and inspiring conversations with amazing professionals who’ve turned their challenges into stepping stones for success. 

Connect with Johanna 

• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com 

• 📥 Download for Free HERE —> ⁠https://www.johannamoses.com/product-page/the-fulfilled-provider-guide⁠

• Books:

1. Little Evie’s Big Dreams: The Painter; Sharing Joy & Kindness: https://a.co/d/7Z72lcJ

2. Little Evie’s Big Dreams: The Kuku Bike Repair Shop; Sharing Ideas & Working Together: ⁠https://a.co/d/07Nrj52g⁠

In this episode of Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions,

Johanna sits down with

Brian Cranley, author of The Call of Wonder: How the God of Reason Created Science in His Image,

for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of faith and science. With a background in biomedical engineering and a Master of Divinity,

Brian brings a rare perspective—bridging the laboratory and the pulpit— to explore how modern discoveries reflect the rational image of God.

Together, they dive into:

• The “three miracles” of science—the Big Bang, the evolution of life, and the human mind—and what they reveal about God’s nature. - the pattern of God’s image

• How ancient philosophy and theology provide a framework for scientific wonder.

• The difference between cheap, imaginative, and authentic wonder—and why authentic wonder transforms how we see creation.

• Why science and faith are not enemies, but complementary paths to truth.

• How stories, fables, and Scripture open doors to deeper understanding of both God and the cosmos.

Whether you’re a scientist, a person of faith, or someone who loves big questions about life and the universe, this conversation invites you to rediscover the beauty of wonder—and how reason and faith together illuminate the mysteries of our world.

Connect with Brian: 

https://briancranley.com

Book: The Call of Wonder 

https://amzn.to/4nYSWCz

Connect with Johanna 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com 

Grief touches every life, but how we walk through it can shape our faith, our healing, and our future.

In this episode of Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions, Johanna is joined by two compassionate guides who walk with others through seasons of loss.

Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young is an award-winning author and speaker whose devotional Breathing Through Grief was born out of her own journey after losing her husband.

Through storytelling, scripture, and spiritual practices, she helps others discover God’s presence and hope in the valley of sorrow.

Nims Dias is a registered counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Sri Lanka National Association of Counsellors.

She manages Compassion Room in Melbourne, supporting individuals, children, and families through grief, anxiety, and life transitions. With her cross-cultural background and clinical expertise, she offers practical, therapeutic insight into navigating loss.

Together, Dorina and Nims share tender wisdom on what it means to grieve with faith, the different ways people experience loss across cultures, and how both spiritual practices and mental-health support can help us breathe again after heartbreak.

If you’re carrying grief—or walking with someone who is—this conversation will remind you that you are not alone, and that hope and healing are possible.

Faith and Grief Can Coexist – Dorina shares how scripture, devotionals, and storytelling can bring hope even in deep loss.

Practical Strategies to Process Emotions – Nims offers therapeutic tools like grounding exercises, journaling, and breathing techniques to navigate grief.

Supporting Children and Families – Learn age-appropriate ways to help children understand and express grief.

Creating Meaningful Rituals – Discover ways to honor loved ones through remembrance, storytelling, and faith-centered practices.

Healing Takes Time and Community – Both Dorina and Nims emphasize the importance of patience, self-compassion, and leaning on trusted friends or support networks.

Connect with Nims: 

• ⁠www.compassionroom.com.au⁠
• ⁠www.instagram.com/compassionrmtherapy⁠
• www.facebook.com/compassion.room⁠

Connect with Dorina: 

• https://dorinagilmore.com
• https://dorinagilmore.com/books/
• https://dorinaglorygram.substack.com/p/when-you-are-known-you-can-find-your

Connect with Johanna 

• ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠⁠
• www.johannamoses.com⁠ 

In this episode of Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions, Johanna welcomes Julio G. Martinez-Clark, CEO of bioaccess® and Synapse Global Theranostics, and CSO of amavita Heart and Vascular Health®.

With more than two decades of cross-industry leadership, Julio has become a trusted voice in accelerating clinical trials and bringing life-changing medical innovations to communities worldwide.

Together, they explore how knowledge building across cultures is transforming clinical research, why emerging markets are uniquely positioned to drive faster, more cost-effective trials, and what it means to balance innovation with ethics, equity, and access.

Julio also shares how his pioneering work in radiopharmaceuticals is reshaping cancer care in Latin America, moving the region from a state of dependency to one of self-sufficiency.

✨ In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

Why Do More Cross-Cultural Research?

• Global Relevance – Diseases Don’t Stop at Borders. Treatments should be tested in diverse populations to ensure they work for everyone, not just those in high-income countries.

• Equity & Inclusion – Historically, medical research has disproportionately focused on Western or urban populations, resulting in gaps in understanding how treatments affect different ethnicities, genders, and regions.

• Faster Innovation – Emerging markets can provide unique opportunities for innovation, sometimes accelerating trials and discoveries.

• Trust Building – Engaging communities directly fosters trust in science, healthcare systems, and new therapies.

• Improved Outcomes – Cultural insights can improve patient adherence, communication, and long-term health outcomes.
  

• Julio’s journey from telecom engineering in Colombia to global healthcare leadership.

• How knowledge building across borders accelerates innovation and equity.

• The biggest myths—and truths—about running trials in emerging markets.

• The ethical challenges of cross-cultural research and how to navigate them.

• Why radiopharmaceutical access is a game-changer for cancer care in Latin America.

• The vision for a future where global clinical research builds trust, transparency, and hope.

Listeners will walk away with insights on the future of global healthcare innovation, the importance of cross-border collaboration, and how knowledge building can spark hope for families and communities everywhere.

Connect with Julio Martinez-Clark, CEO | bioaccess®: Fast-Tracking First-in-Human Trials, Anywhere

https://bioaccess-press-kit-x5e90gs.gamma.site/

bioaccessla.com

Connect with Johanna 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com 

Welcome to Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions – the podcast where we dive into impactful and inspiring conversations with amazing professionals

who’ve turned their challenges into stepping stones for success. 

In this episode of Medicine, Motherhood, Missions, Johanna sits down with Kristen Strong, author of Desperate Woman Seeks Friends, Girl Meets Change, and Back Roads to Belonging.

With honesty and hope, Kristen shares her own journey of moving often as a military spouse, navigating friendship’s ups and downs, and learning to trust God’s timing in every season.

Together, they explore:
✨ How to handle rejection without becoming bitter
✨ Why less can be more when it comes to friendships
✨ The difference between knowing many people and having true friends
✨ Finding contentment and grace in seasons of pruning
✨ Moving from jealousy to joy when others seem to have what we long for
✨ The gift of intergenerational friendships

Kristen offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone who has ever felt the ache of loneliness or the sting of rejection.

Through her honest storytelling as a military wife who has moved and started over many times, Kristen reminds us that God cares deeply about our friendships, and that His timing, boundaries, and pruning often shape them in ways we don’t expect.

Today we’ll talk about rejection, boundaries, jealousy versus joy, contentment, and what it looks like to invite God into every season of friendship—whether in medicine, motherhood, or missions.

Let’s dive into this beautiful conversation with Kristen Strong.

Connect with Kristen:

https://kristenstrong.com
https://www.instagram.com/kristenstrong/
https://www.facebook.com/chasingblueskies

Connect with Johanna 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com 

Welcome back to Medicine Motherhood Missions. Today’s episode takes us behind the curtain of medicine with Dr. Ryan McPherson, a trauma surgeon and author of

While You Were Asleep: Behind the Scenes Stories from Residency at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

In his book, Ryan pulls us into the raw, unfiltered realities of residency—the 3 a.m. trauma calls, the quiet doubts of imposter syndrome, the weight of mistakes, and the cost of living a life fully consumed by the calling of medicine.

But he also invites us to consider something deeper:

What mindset sustains a physician through burnout, perfectionism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of integrity?

Whether you’re in medicine, walking alongside someone who is, or simply curious about the human side of healing, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on resilience, honesty, and what it truly means to live out a calling.

Connect with Ryan: 

Check out the book, "While You Were Asleep: Behind the Scenes Stories from Residency at a Level 1 Trauma Center" https://a.co/d/jaEwdb3

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_mcpherson_author/

Connect with Johanna 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com 

Grief shows up in more places than we realize. It isn’t only about losing a loved one—it can come with the loss of health, the end of relationships, moving away from friends, or even leaving behind a life you once knew.

Too often, unspoken grief hides beneath anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms, leaving us searching for answers without addressing the root.

They also break down why psychiatrists, counselors, and psychologists are realizing that the five stages of grief are misleading.

In this conversation, Johanna sits down with a clinical psychotherapist, Nims Dias, who specializes in grief, loss, and emotional health.

Together they explore:

• Why grief and loss may be the underlying cause of anxiety and depression

• How somatic symptoms reveal what our emotions are holding

• The risks of unnecessary labels and the power of words in shaping our identity

• Practical ways to uncover the root of our pain and begin healing

• How faith, truth, and affirmation can restore hope when loss feels overwhelming

Whether you’re carrying visible grief or hidden losses, this episode will remind you: you are not alone, healing is possible, and hope can be sparked again.

Nims is a counsellor and a registered member of both the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Sri Lanka National Association of Counsellors.

She manages Compassion Room, a mental health service based in Melbourne, Australia, where she provides support to individuals navigating a range of emotional and psychological challenges.

Connect with Nims: 

www.compassionroom.com.au
www.instagram.com/compassionrmtherapy
www.facebook.com/compassion.room

Connect with Johanna 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com