RedefineHER

Brenda sits down with Sonal Patel to unpack how technology, especially AI, is reshaping the way we support women through one of the most transformative stages of life: motherhood.

Driven by both personal insight and a deep understanding of gaps in the system, Sonal shares how she’s building solutions that don’t just support women, but scale that support through AI as a powerful multiplier. From pregnancy to postpartum and beyond, her work is focused on making sure no mom has to navigate it alone.

They dive into the realities new moms face, from mental load to identity shifts, and why traditional systems often fall short in supporting parents holistically. Sonal opens up about the journey of building in this space, the importance of accessible, personalized care, and how AI can bridge the gap between what mothers need and what they actually receive.

Ever wondered how technology could better support you (or someone you love) through pregnancy, postpartum, or early parenthood, or how AI could redefine care for families at scale?

This episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when innovation meets empathy.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ The gaps in support for new moms and parents today

✔️ How AI is being used as a multiplier in women’s health and caregiving

✔️ The emotional and mental realities of early motherhood

✔️ Why personalized, accessible support matters more than ever

✔️ Building a solution-driven business in the maternal health space

✔️ The intersection of technology, empathy, and care

✔️ The future of support systems for moms and families

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Sonal Patel and her mission

01:10 The importance of postpartum care and systemic gaps

03:15 Personal postpartum journey and recognition of care deficiencies

07:01 Understanding the fourth trimester and its significance

09:49 Physical and mental health interconnectedness in postpartum care

12:40 The economics of maternal mortality and systemic impact

17:40 Colorado's family leave policy and its implications

24:44 The role of advocacy in healthcare policy change

34:44 AI's potential to address postpartum care gaps

42:42 Naya Care: Bringing postpartum support to the home

54:31 The future of maternal health technology and AI

58:17 Empowering women through belief and policy change

58:43 Advice for women in the postpartum phase

01:01:09 The importance of sleep and support in postpartum recovery

01:02:41 Where to find Dr. Sonal Patel and Naya Care

Sponsor Spotlight:
Are you a mom in America?
Moms First is currently running an Associate Producer Referral Challenge. The more voices that are included now, the stronger the impact will be when the film premieres.
Join the movement by sharing your story or becoming an Associate Producer for your community.
🌐 Learn more and get involved: ⁠https://momsfirst.us/doc/?emci=0a1675d8-830d-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&emdi=cd81a572-640e-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&ceid=3321302 ⁠

Mentioned in the Episode:

• NayaCare Website
• NayaCare App
• Access Naya (AI postpartum guide)

• Dr. Sonal Patel TEDx Talk – The Economics of the Fourth Trimester

• Search: “Sonal Patel TEDx Economics of the Fourth Trimester”

Connect with Sonal:[Naya website | Instagram | LinkedIn: Dr. Sonal Patel ]

🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long

⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2026 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Aagya Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO of Aavia, to explore how understanding hormone cycles can transform the way women approach health, work, and everyday life.

Driven by her own experiences, Aagya shares how she built Aavia to give women the tools, data, and community they need to better understand their bodies.

She opens up about the journey of turning a deeply personal problem into a growing health tech startup.

They unpack the stigma surrounding hormone conversations, why most health systems still overlook women’s cyclical biology, and how technology can empower women to make smarter decisions about sleep, fitness, productivity, and mental well-being.

Ever wondered why your energy, focus, and mood shift throughout the month, or how better hormone literacy could change the future of healthcare? This episode will completely reshape the way you think about your cycle.

✨ Special Offer for Our Listeners:
Download the Aavia app and use the code REDEFINEHER to receive your first month of the VIP experience completely free.

(Download app on Google Play / Apple App Store)

In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ Why hormone literacy is still missing from mainstream healthcare

✔️ The personal experiences that inspired Aavia’s creation

✔️ How hormonal cycles impact energy, sleep, mood, and productivity

✔️ Breaking the stigma around talking about periods and hormones

✔️ What it takes to build and scale a women’s health startup

✔️ Using data and technology to help women understand their bodies

✔️ The future of personalized hormone health and digital care

Timeline:

00:00 Understanding Hormonal Health and Its Impact

02:49 The Role of Aavia Health in Women's Wellness

06:00 Subjectivity of Hormonal Symptoms

08:46 The Importance of Personalized Data

12:07 Healthcare Costs and Women's Health

15:03 Building Trust in Health Data

17:50 Aavia's Comprehensive Approach to Hormonal Health

20:59 The Future of Hormonal Awareness in Healthcare

30:22 The Importance of Women's Heart Health

32:35 Funding Disparities in Women's Healthcare

33:52 Fundraising as a Female Founder

40:59 The Role of Hormone Health in Public Health

47:42 Future of Women's Health Education

50:27 Accessing Avia and Its Impact

Sponsor Spotlight:

Are you a mom in America?

Moms First is currently running an Associate Producer Referral Challenge. The more voices that are included now, the stronger the impact will be when the film premieres.

Join the movement by sharing your story or becoming an Associate Producer for your community.

🌐 Learn more and get involved: https://momsfirst.us/doc/?emci=0a1675d8-830d-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&emdi=cd81a572-640e-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&ceid=3321302

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Conditions & Concepts Mentioned - PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
• Organizations & Institutions Referenced - Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Harvard University , Ministry of Supply , Labcorp
• People Mentioned in This Episode - Kit Hickey – Aagya studied under, Lara Zibners – Founder of Calla Lily Clinical Care, referenced, Tessiah Coleman – Founder of Kyndred, referenced
• Data Points Referenced - 2.1 billion people globally in reproductive years, 7–10 year average diagnostic delay for hormone-related conditions, 42% of Aavia members report missing 5+ days of work annually due to symptoms, Women drive ~80% of healthcare decisions in households, Women’s health companies receive a small fraction of total venture funding

Connect with Aagya:

Aavia Website | Email: [email protected] | Aagya LinkedIn | Aavia LinkedIn | Aavia Instagram | Aavia Youtube

🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long

⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2026 ⁠RedefineHER Podcast⁠. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Tesiah Coleman to explore what it takes to build healthcare that is equitable, trustworthy, and truly designed for everyone.

From navigating the pandemic while supporting her son through cancer treatment to leading high-growth health tech startups, Tesiah shares her deeply personal journey from community health to founder leadership.

She explains why “moving at the speed of trust” is the most overlooked, but powerful, accelerator in healthcare innovation.

Together, they dive into race-concordant care, equitable AI, and building digital-first health homes for Black women, unpacking the challenges of scaling clinical teams, balancing ethics with business realities, and creating care models that last.

If you’ve ever wondered how to design health systems that actually work for marginalized communities, or what it really takes to lead with equity in health tech, this episode will shift your perspective completely.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ Why trust, not speed, is the true growth lever for early-stage healthcare companies

✔️ Lessons from scaling clinical teams across multiple states and early-stage startups

✔️ Balancing personal values with venture realities in high-growth environments

✔️ The shift from clinician to founder, and the journey into health tech

✔️ Designing bias-aware, equitable AI and care systems from day one

✔️ Navigating leadership while supporting a child through cancer

✔️ How Kyndred and Togather are reimagining healthcare for Black women and clinicians

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Equity and Personal Experience

02:59 Tesiah’s Journey and the Catalyst for Change

05:55 Transitioning from Community Health to Health Tech

09:10 The Importance of Race-Concordant Care

12:07 Introducing Kyndred Health and Its Mission

14:49 Challenges in Funding and Building Kyndred Health

18:01 Innovative Services Offered by Kyndred Health

21:05 Designing for Equity in Healthcare

24:01 The Future of Kyndred Health and Call to Action

27:03 Transforming Healthcare for Black Women

31:30 The Power of Collective Care

36:29 Addressing Racial Injustice in Healthcare

40:05 Navigating Trauma in a Turbulent World

46:24 Empowering Women to Demand Change

51:16 Building Inclusive Communities for Healing

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Kyndred
• Togather
• ALI™ Framework ( Anti-Racism, Liberation, Intersectionality)
• Scaling multi-state virtual clinical teams

Connect with Tesiah:

🌐 Kyndred | Togather | Personal site

💌 [email protected]

💻 LinkedIn

📸 Instagram

📣 Kyndred Launch: February 18th (access code via email)

🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long

📜 Disclaimer

⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice.

©2026 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Amy Gaston, VP of Strategic Growth at OhmBody, to unpack how burnout, biology, and bold innovation are reshaping the future of women’s health.

From the quiet realities of working through menstrual pain to steering a breakthrough femtech startup, Amy shares how her 7-month sabbatical, her deep understanding of the female body, and her commitment to truth-telling are rewriting what leadership looks like in a space that desperately needs change.

Together, they dive into the science behind OhmBody’s neurostimulation technology a “neural tourniquet” that reduces menstrual pain and blood loss without drugs or hormones and why the next generation of innovation starts not with more medication, but with listening to the body itself.

Amy and Brenda also explore the emotional, professional, and economic cost of operating in systems that were never built with women in mind, and why honesty, rest, and data-driven advocacy are the new pillars of impactful leadership.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, gaslit, or unsupported when it comes to your health, or wondered what it takes to build real, meaningful change in women’s health tech, this episode will shift your perspective completely.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ The hidden cost of menstrual pain and why the data dramatically underestimates its impact

✔️ How OhmBody harnesses the body’s natural intelligence through neurostimulation

✔️ Amy’s 7-month reset and how stepping back made her a stronger leader

✔️ What authentic leadership looks like in a male-dominated industry

✔️ Why menstruation deserves global funding... not silence

✔️ The emotional toll of building in systems that weren’t designed for women

✔️ What founders and investors need to understand about women’s health in 2025 and beyond

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to OhmBody and Amy Gaston

02:45 The Journey to FemTech and Women's Health

05:43 Understanding Menstrual Pain and Its Impact

08:32 Innovations in Menstrual Health: OhmBody's Approach

11:25 Clinical Studies and Results of OhmBody's Device

14:09 The Mechanism Behind Neurostimulation

17:12 The Importance of Education in Women's Health

20:07 Challenges in Women's Health and the Need for Advocacy

23:00 Leadership and Authenticity in the Workplace

25:54 The Economics of Women's Health

28:41 Future Directions for OhmBody and Women's Health

31:38 Self-Care and Balancing Work-Life

34:12 Empowering Women Through Education and Advocacy

37:13 Closing Thoughts and Future Initiatives

Mentioned in the Episode:

• PopSugar feature on OhmBody

• Wellcome Leap Grant 

• Melinda Gates Contribution

https://www.ohmbody.com/?utm_source=RedefineHER_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=PR

Connect with Amy:

🌐 Website: ⁠⁠⁠ohmbody.com

💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Amy Gaston

🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long

💼 Sponsor: CH2 Solutions

Where Technical Depth Meets Business Agility.

CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most.

Learn more at ch2solutions.com

📜 Disclaimer⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Jason Short, veteran CTO and consulting executive at CH2 Solutions, to explore how negotiation, leadership psychology, and self-awareness intersect in the fast-paced world of healthtech.

From learning the art of negotiation through a 12-cassette tape series during his DC commutes to advising PE-backed companies on billion-dollar decisions, Jason shares how curiosity, structure, and empathy can turn negotiation from a power play into a genuine superpower.

Together, they unpack how preparation beats pressure, why most executives mistake silence for weakness, and how to read the real game being played behind the deal.

Jason also reflects on being the first male guest on RedefineHER and what listening, allyship, and equity look like when you’re negotiating for a better future in women’s health.

If you’ve ever wondered how leaders win without ego, this episode will change how you think about influence, confidence, and communication.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ Why negotiation is a daily leadership skill, not just a deal tactic

✔️ How Jason’s “cassette tape education” shaped his executive mindset

✔️ The three stages of negotiation: technique, counter, and masked offer

✔️ How to navigate “good cop/bad cop” energy in high-stakes rooms

✔️ Why preparation and silence are the sharpest negotiation tools

✔️ How to detect hidden agendas and when to plant one ethically

✔️ What PE and VC leaders need to know before investing in women’s health

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to Negotiation Techniques

05:16 The Three Stages of Negotiation

10:28 Real-Life Applications of Negotiation15:51Negotiating with Private Equity Firms

22:14 The Art of Negotiation

26:49 Understanding Hidden Agendas

30:05 Fundraising Strategies for Startups

34:23 Preparing for Board Meetings

36:56 Owning Your Career Path

41:38 Women's Health in Tech Negotiations

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Negotiation isn’t a power play ,it’s a framework for understanding people.”- Roger Dawson’s Secrets of Power Negotiating

• “Preparation beats pressure every time.”
• The “Puppy Dog Close” and why it still works

• “If you’re investing in women’s health, start by asking what matters to women.”

Connect with Jason:

🌐 Website: ⁠⁠ch2solutions.com⁠⁠

💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Jason Short⁠⁠

RedefineHER Podcast Credits

🎙 Host: ⁠⁠Brenda Armstrong⁠⁠

🎧 Producer: ⁠⁠Tarryn Long⁠⁠

💼 Sponsor: CH2 SolutionsWhere Technical Depth Meets Business Agility.CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most.Learn more at ⁠⁠ch2solutions.com⁠⁠.

📜 Disclaimer⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not business or legal advice.©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Imen Maaroufi Clark, founder of Prickly Pear Health, to explore the intersection of women’s brain health, menopause, and emerging technology.

From her roots in Tunisia to her groundbreaking work in health tech, Imen shares how personal experience and scientific curiosity fueled her mission to redefine how women experience midlife. Together, they unpack why menopause is less of a breakdown and more of a brain shift and how hormonal changes, cognitive health, and emotional clarity are deeply intertwined.

This episode dives into the neurological toll of midlife transitions, the promise (and limits) of AI in mental wellness, and the role of generational trauma in shaping women’s health narratives. Imen also reveals how Prickly Pear Health is pioneering voice technology to deliver personalized, proactive mental health support helping women feel seen, supported, and empowered in every stage of life.

If you’ve ever been told “it’s just in your head,” this conversation will make you rethink everything you know about hormones, health, and healing.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✔️ Why 70% of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in women and why it’s rarely discussed

✔️ How hormonal changes reshape brain health and cognition

✔️ The emotional and cultural silence surrounding menopause

✔️ How voice technology can personalize mental wellness support

✔️ Why generational trauma must be part of the women’s health conversation

✔️ What founders in health tech need to know about empathy and innovation

✔️ Why trusting your intuition can be a radical act of self-advocacy

Timeline
00:00 Introduction to Women’s Brain Health

01:44 Imen’s Background and Global Perspective

07:11 Understanding the Real Challenges of Women’s Health

15:38 Founding Prickly Pear Health: The Why and How

22:12 The Power of Voice Tech for Mental Wellness

28:30 Empathy, Trauma, and Mental Health in Women’s Lives

37:05 Barriers to Advocacy in Women’s Brain Health

43:09 Advice for Emerging Leaders in Health Tech

46:07 Welcome to the RedefineHER Movement

46:35 Your Call to Action: Get Involved

Mentioned in the Episode
🔹 “Midlife isn’t a breakdown, it’s a brain shift.”

🔹 “Your lifestyle will override your genetics.”

🔹 “70% of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in women.”

🔹 Voice technology as a diagnostic and wellness companion

Connect with Imen
🌐 Website: pricklypearhealth.com

💻 LinkedIn: Prickly Pear Health

📱 Instagram: @pricklypearhealth_

RedefineHER Podcast Credits
🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long

💼 Sponsor: CH2 Solutions:

Where Technical Depth Meets Business Agility.
CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most. Learn more at ch2solutions.com.

📜 Disclaimer

⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Jodi Neuhauser, 4x founder, investor, and visionary builder to unpack what it really takes to fix women’s health at scale.

As the founder of In Women’s Health, co-founder of the Women’s Health PAC, and the driving force behind the soon-to-launch $900M Stealth for Women’s Health initiative debuting at HLTH, Jodi reveals why women’s health isn’t just underfunded, it’s structurally underbuilt.

From the absence of women in clinical trial data to the hard truth that big money moves mountains, Brenda and Jodi dive deep into how tech, policy, and capital must align to rebuild a system that finally works for women.

This episode explores the intersection of innovation and impact, how digital health, reimbursement reform, and venture-scale leadership can drive equity and growth in one of the most overlooked markets in healthcare.

Whether you’re a founder, policymaker, or someone navigating your own health journey, this conversation challenges you to think bigger, build smarter, and back the future of women’s health with both heart and capital.

In This Episode, We Cover

✔️ The funding and clinical trial gaps that hold women’s health back

✔️ How policy and PACs can unlock systemic change

✔️ The $900M vision for rebuilding women’s health from the ground up

✔️ What founders often miss about scaling and exit strategies

✔️ How tech and talent fuel sustainable health innovation

✔️ Jodi’s path from corporate healthcare to unapologetic system builder

✔️ Why leadership in women’s health demands both empathy and audacity

Timeline

00:00 Introduction to Women’s Health Innovation

03:56 The Structural Challenges in Women’s Health

09:16 Jodi’s Journey and Initiatives in Women’s Health

13:08 The Role of Policy in Women’s Health

17:04 Creating an Economic Engine for Women’s Health

21:32 Leveraging Technology in Women’s Health

27:17 Navigating the Landscape of Women’s Health Startups

32:37 Advice for Founders in Women’s Health

37:15 Personal Insights and Self-Care in Entrepreneurship

42:54 Future Opportunities in Women’s Health

Mentioned in the Episode:

🔹 Stealth for Women’s Health — launching at HLTH 2025, Las Vegas

🔹 In Women’s Health — www.inwomenshealth.com

🔹 Women’s Health PAC — co-founded by Liz Powell and Candace McDonald

🔹 Rachel Braun-Scherl — Renowned women’s health entrepreneur and advisor to Jodi

🔹 CH2 Solutions — Strategic tech partner for scaling healthcare innovation (ch2solutions.com)

Connect with Jodi:

🌐 Website: www.inwomenshealth.com | www.changewomenshealth.com

💻 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jodineuhauser

📱 Instagram: @jodi_neuhauser

🧠 Learn more about the Women’s Health Mini-MBA and Mastermind: inwomenshealth.com

📍 Join Jodi at HLTH 2025 in Las Vegas – October 19–22

RedefineHER Podcast Credits

🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long
💼 Sponsor: CH2 Solutions

Where Technical Depth Meets Business Agility.CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most. Learn more at ch2solutions.com.

📜 Disclaimer ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

Brenda sits down with Mary Fusillo, fertility industry pioneer and founder of Family Solutions International, to explore the intersection of ethics, empathy, and innovation in family-building.

From her early days as a fertility clinic executive to launching one of the first nurse-led consulting firms in reproductive health, Mary shares hard-won lessons on reshaping how people experience the path to parenthood.

Together, they dive into the ethical gray zones of assisted reproduction, the emotional toll of fertility journeys, and the entrepreneurial drive it takes to build compassionate solutions in a high-stakes industry.

Mary also reveals how empathy-driven leadership and ethical frameworks can transform the business of fertility, reminding us that behind every innovation is a human story.

In This Episode, We Cover

✔️ The ethical challenges shaping today’s fertility industry

✔️ How empathy can guide innovation in family-building services

✔️ Mary’s journey from fertility clinic executive to industry consultant

✔️ The emotional realities of fertility struggles and patient burnout

✔️ Balancing rapid innovation with ethical responsibility

✔️ What it takes to lead with compassion while scaling a business

✔️ The future of ethical entrepreneurship in reproductive health

Timeline

00:00 Introduction to Mary Fusilo and Family Solutions International

03:49 The Evolution of Family Solutions International

06:32 Personal Journey and Challenges in Fertility

09:42 The Changing Landscape of IVF and Patient Care

12:46 Ethics and Pricing in Fertility Services

15:50 Navigating the Emotional Journey of Family Building

18:47 The Importance of Education and Counseling

21:58 Red Flags in the Fertility Industry

25:22 Technology's Role in Fertility Treatment

28:29 The Intersection of Bioethics and Fertility

31:42 Future Directions in Fertility Services

45:18 Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Fertility

51:21 Navigating the Complexities of IVF

56:40 The Role of Technology in Fertility Treatments

01:03:41 The Impact of AI and Genetic Testing

01:06:15 Insurance and Government's Role in Reproductive Health

01:11:10 The Emotional Journey of Building a Family

01:20:59 Introduction to Redefine Her Podcast

01:21:26 Call to Action for Engagement

Mentioned in the Episode:

Maven Clinic provides a comprehensive guide.

• https://www.mavenclinic.com/post/in-what-states-is-ivf-covered-by-insurance

• https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/insurance%20coverage?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD-185.926.xml

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2024/07/26/rise-of-the-ivf-influencers-fertility-creators-tiktok-instagram/

•  https://kabukisprings.com/

• In what states is IVF covered by insurance?: A comprehensive guide for HR leaders

• https://www.mavenclinic.com/post/in-what-states-is-ivf-covered-by-insurance

• policysearch.ama-assn.org

• Policy Finder | AMA

  
  

Connect with Mary Fusillo🌐 Website: https://familysolutionsinternational.com/

• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedonorsolution/

• 📱 Social: https://www.facebook.com/3SistersSurrogacy/

• 🎧 Podcast: @the_eggsplanation_pod

  
  

RedefineHER Podcast Credits
🎙 Host: ⁠Brenda Armstrong⁠

🎧 Producer: ⁠Tarryn Long

⁠💼 Sponsor: CH2 Solutions connects purpose-driven organizations with top-tier nearshore engineering talent—helping you build high-performing, diverse teams without compromising on quality, speed, or budget. Whether you're scaling a health tech platform or launching your next innovation, CH2 delivers expert support that aligns with your mission and moves your vision forward.

📜 Disclaimer ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

In this powerful episode of RedefineHER, host Brenda Armstrong sits down with Judith Nowlin, maternal health innovator, FemTech pioneer, and CEO of Nest Collaborative to uncover the systemic failures in postpartum care and the bold innovations reshaping breastfeeding support.

From her early days as a childbirth educator and doula to founding iBirth and scaling Nest Collaborative into the nation’s leading virtual lactation platform, Judith shares what it really takes to build solutions that work for moms.

Together, they unpack the hidden barriers families face, including insurance illusions, cultural biases, and systemic gaps, and reveal how technology, advocacy, and payer reimbursement can finally bring equity to maternal care.

Judith also opens up about the emotional toll of breastfeeding struggles, the intersection of mental health and postpartum burnout, and the importance of balancing startup life with self-care and family.

This is an unfiltered conversation about postpartum care, innovation, and the future of maternal health.

In This Episode, We Cover

✔️ Why so few U.S. infants are exclusively breastfed at 6 months and what systemic failures are behind those numbers

✔️ The hidden illusion of “network adequacy” in insurance coverage for lactation care

✔️ How Nest Collaborative’s telehealth model is expanding access to real support for families

✔️ Judith’s journey from doula to FemTech founder

✔️ Why payer reimbursement could be the most radical innovation in women’s health today

✔️ The emotional and mental health impact of breastfeeding struggles on new mothers

✔️ How self-care rituals, including Judith’s morning coffees, anchor resilience and balance

✔️ The future of postpartum advocacy and why equity in maternal health cannot wait

Timeline

00:00 The Postpartum Marathon

02:10 Barriers to Breastfeeding

05:24 Judith's Personal Journey

11:28 The Role of Education in Childbirth and Breastfeeding

17:57 Identifying Gaps: The Need for Postpartum Support

19:59 The Birth of iBirth: Bridging the Education Gap

27:23 Transitioning to Nest Collaborative

32:08 Navigating the Gray Areas of Healthcare

34:07 The Power of Collaborative Decision Making

36:09 Integrating Technology in Maternal Care

38:08 The Journey of iBirth and Baby Scripts

39:54 Advising Female Founders in Health Tech

41:42 The Role of Nest Collaborative in Postpartum Care

42:31 Reimagining Breastfeeding Support through Telehealth

47:13 Addressing Mental Health in Maternal Care

51:42 Building Trust and Accessibility in Lactation Services

58:16 Navigating Insurance and Reimbursement Challenges

01:03:28 Navigating Insurance Challenges in Lactation Care

01:08:34 The Role of Advocacy in Maternal Health

01:12:53 Self-Care Strategies for Healthcare Professionals

01:18:06 Creating a Supportive Environment for New Parents

01:22:44 The Future of Women's Health Advocacy

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Babyscripts acquisition of iBirth

• IBLCE – Become a Certified Lactation Consultant

Welcome to the RedefineHER Podcast, where Women's Health Innovation meets real-world impact.

In this episode, your host, Brenda Armstrong sat down with Sarah Klein, founder of Anu Yoga School, teacher, mother, myth-lover, and guide for those ready to return to themselves.

Sarah has two B.S. degrees from the University of Vermont in Health Psychology and Human Development and Family System studies.

She is an E-RYT-500 with well over 500 hours of training. She is a certified Health and Wellness coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, with continuing education in hormonal health and Ayurvedic studies. 

Since 2008, Sarah has considered herself privileged to share and serve by spreading the spark of Yoga.

She sees sharing Yoga as a true honor. She intends to convey the teachings of Yoga from the heart, igniting a fire of self-curiosity in her students and inspiring them to pursue a lifelong practice as a path for personal growth.

Sarah believes that through the potent teachings of Yoga, we can shift humanity's current trajectory.

Together they explored the honest, messy, and beautiful path of yoga teacher training, not just for those who want to teach, but for those who are ready to remember who they are.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ How Sarah’s journey from health coach to yoga educator revealed a deeper calling

✔️ The transformative power of the 8 limbs of yoga and Patanjali’s Sutras

✔️ What mythology teaches us about ourselves as modern women

✔️ Why self-study isn’t selfish, it’s sacred

✔️ How yoga teacher training creates a ripple effect across families, communities, and generations

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

02:15 The Path of Yoga

05:30 From Corporate Wellness to Anu Yoga School

10:45 The Psychological Aspect of Wellness

15:00 Commitment and Consistency

20:30 Anu Yoga School's Approach

25:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

Connect with Sarah Klein:

• Website: https://www.anuyogaschool.com/
• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sarahteddyyoga
• INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/anuyogaschool_/
• YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahklein631

RedefineHER Podcast Credits

🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong – ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaarmstrong1/⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long – ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarrynlong/⁠⁠⁠

💼 Sponsor: ITEOM Talent Partners | Connecting purpose-driven organizations with top-tier talent to build thriving, diverse teams.

More at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠redefineherpodcast.com⁠⁠

📜 Disclaimer:⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

#AshtangaYoga #YogaPhilosophy #EmbodiedMythology #YogaTeacherTraining #ConsciousMovement #TantricYoga #HeartCenteredYoga #DivineFeminine #YogaAndStorytelling #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualAwakening #SomaticHealing #MythicalStorytelling #BreathworkHealing #SacredMovement #AwakenYourShakti #InnerAlchemy #YogaForEmpowerment #LivingYourDharma #EnergeticAlignment #ChakraActivation #MysticYoga #ShadowWorkYoga #YogaSoulJourney #YogaAndMyth #EmbodiedWisdom #SacredFeminine #VinyasaFlow #YogaLife #YogaPodcast #YogaCommunity #FeminineEmbodiment #YogaWisdom #SacredPractices #EmbodiedRitual #YogaMagic #YogaTransformation #GoddessEnergy #YogaForWomen #ConsciousYoga #YogaHealing #MythAndMovement #ArchetypalHealing #SpiritualYoga #YogaJourney #YogaStudioLife #TantricWisdom #YogaIntuition #SomaticStorytelling #YogaAwakening #YogaConsciousness #ModernMysticism #DharmaJourney