SwissCast Shows: Where Swiss Life Meets English Voices

Megan and fellow health coach Danna revisit an early episode on patient advocacy, reflecting on what still holds up in 2025. They cover why women are disproportionately dismissed, how to prepare for medical appointments, when to switch doctors, and how to use online research without catastrophizing.

Back in 2018, Megan shared Jennifer Esposito’s years-long road to a celiac diagnosis—an all-too-common story for women whose symptoms get minimized or misread. In this updated conversation, Megan and Danna dig into what it means to be your own advocate today: trusting your intuition, bringing organized notes, asking better questions, and remembering that clinicians are experts in medicine—but you’re the expert on your body. They also lay out a practical way to use communities, forums, and AI search without falling into worst-case rabbit holes.

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Becoming a Health Coach is a proud member and production of the SwissCast Network

The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you.

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Are you So Frickin' Healthy?

Check out the other podcast I co-host with Danna Levy Hoffmann from Organilicious.ch. We are both IIN Health Coaching graduates who got together for our love to talk about all things health related.

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What happens when your carefully planned birth center delivery takes an unexpected turn? Danielle's journey from New York to Switzerland, and from birth house to hospital and back again, offers powerful lessons in resilience, informed decision-making, and finding peace when birth plans change.

Moving to Switzerland while pregnant after a long-distance relationship with her Swiss husband, Danielle set her sights on delivering at Delphy's birth house in Zurich. The birth center represented the perfect middle ground between her dream of a home birth and her husband's preference for a hospital. But when her water broke and labor stalled, midwives suspected her baby wasn't in an ideal position, leading to a transfer to Triemli Hospital.

There, Danielle discovered her daughter was in the challenging "stargazer" position—head down but face up. Despite medical recommendations for a cesarean, she advocated to continue with a vaginal birth a little longer. After a marathon labor spanning multiple days, she delivered her daughter, though the experience left her feeling both triumphant and somewhat defeated that her birth center plan hadn't materialized.

For her second pregnancy, Danielle returned to Delphy's with confidence gained from her first experience. This time, she enjoyed a peaceful water birth followed by four blissful days of postpartum care at the birth center—something she missed with her first delivery. She describes this postpartum period as "like a retreat" with dedicated midwives, chef-prepared meals, and precious time to bond with her newborn while her husband cared for their toddler.

Throughout both experiences, Danielle learned valuable lessons about standing her ground, being informed about all possibilities, and prioritizing postpartum recovery. Her story highlights how the Swiss maternity system offers integrated options where families can access both medical intervention when needed and gentle, supportive care throughout the childbearing year.

Have you considered a birth center for your delivery or postpartum stay? Even if you plan a hospital birth, Swiss birth houses welcome families for recovery afterward—a lesser-known option that's fully covered by insurance and offers exceptional support during those precious first days.

Subscribe for more Swiss Birth Stories, Write a review, and share this podcast to help more parents in Switzerland and beyond find the show.

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• Instagram: @littlelambsleepconsulting
• Facebook: Little Lamb Sleep Consulting
• Website: www.littlelambsleep.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Delphy's birth centre (in Zurich) website: https://www.delphys.ch/

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Discover more great podcasts at SwissCast.Network

The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you.

SwissCast Network

Unveiling the Challenges of Maternal Health for Black Women in Portugal.

In this new episode of Narratives of Purpose's special series from the 2025 HIMSS European Health Conference, host Claire Murigande speaks with Carolina Coimbra, a doula and activist for pregnancy and childbirth rights.

Carolina is also the co-founder of SaMaNe, an association which aims to address the disparities in maternal healthcare experienced by Black and Afro-descendant women in Portugal, particularly through rigorous data collection and community engagement initiatives.

Carolina mentions her role as an advisor in the Portuguese Parliament, where her advocacy work has culminated in the approval of a groundbreaking national law, the first of its kind in Europe, that defines obstetric violence. Through Carolina's insights, we gain a profound understanding of the intersectionality of health disparities and the need for systemic change.

Be sure to visit our podcast website for the full episode transcript.

LINKS:

• Read about obstetric violence recognition in the Portuguese law on the respectfulcare.eu website
• Connect with Carolina Coimbra: INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK
• Learn more about Carolina's work at aminhadoulacarolina.pt
• Find more information on the SaMaNe association at associacaosamane.org
• Follow SaMaNe on social media: Facebook

• Follow our host Dr. Claire Murigande: WEBSITE | LINKEDIN
• Follow us: LinkedIn
• Connect with us: [email protected] | subscribe to our news
• Tell us what you think: write a review

This interview was recorded by Megan McCrory from the SwissCast Podcast Network.

This series was produced with the support of Shawn Smith at Dripping in Black.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - The First European National Law Defining Obstetric Violence

01:23 - Introducing Carolina and the SaMaNe Association

02:44 - How SaMaNe began, its Main Activities, and Data From its First Report

06:52 - Carolina's Work in The Parliament

08:23 - Carolina's Expectations of the HIMSS Congress

10:54 - Obstetric Violence Legal Definition Overview

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Narratives of Purpose is a proud member of the SwissCast Network

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Burnout is a beast, and we’re diving straight into the chaos of it in this episode. Danna's bravely sharing her personal saga, and trust me, it’s a wild ride through the trenches of exhaustion, identity crises, and a whole lot of tears – sorry, not sorry for the overshare, but it's real! Spoiler alert: no amount of yoga or green smoothies is gonna fix this mess, folks.

We chat about how burnout isn't just about feeling tired; it messes with your whole being. So grab your coffee, or maybe something stronger, and get ready for an unfiltered, laugh-through-the-pain exploration of what it's really like to be knee-deep in the burnout swamp.

Send Danna and Megan a voicemail or message via their website: https://www.swisscastnetwork.ch/show/so-frickin-healthy/

Mentioned in this episode:

1. Karina Schneider - Back After Burnout Podcast

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Ready to hit reset without the boring juice-only drama?

Organilicious - Danna, Functional Medicine Health Coach

In this intimate snippet, Megan and Danna get real about when and how they truly began to know themselves—not just preferences, but the kind of deep self-knowledge that shifts your life trajectory.

✨ Megan shares how her 2018 health coaching journey cracked her open to a new way of understanding her desires and body cues.

✨ Danna walks us through her twin awakenings: first, as a young adult breaking free of childhood labels, and later, as a mother rediscovering her identity beyond the roles of wife and caregiver.

Whether your moment came through a course, a breakdown, a bold leap, or just a quiet realization… self-discovery is never one and done. It's layered, messy, and so, so worth it.

🎧 Now it's your turn. Tell us about a moment you really saw yourself. Drop us a voice note—https://www.swisscastnetwork.ch/show/so-frickin-healthy/voicemail/. Your story might just inspire someone else’s next chapter. 💛

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Reducing Bias In AI To Bridge The Gap In Healthcare Innovation.

In this new episode of Narratives of Purpose's special series from the 2025 HIMSS European Health Conference, host Claire Murigande speaks with Mariatheresa Kadushi, the Founder of Mobile Afya and the Co-founder of SheHer app.

Mariatheresa is a visionary entrepreneur in the digital health space. In this interview, she shares her insights on the critical intersection of women's health and technology.

Mariatheresa's experiences navigating healthcare systems across different cultural contexts provide a rich backdrop to the discussion. A discussion that centers on the imperative of creating a more equitable and less biased framework in artificial intelligence through the lens of women's health narratives.

Mariatheresa emphasizes that as we develop new technologies, it is crucial that we do not perpetuate inequalities and systemic biases already present in healthcare. By transforming women's stories into actionable data, we can foster a new paradigm in both digital health and Femtech.

Be sure to visit our podcast website for the full episode transcript.

LINKS:

• Connect with Mariatheresa Kadushi: LINKEDIN
• Learn more about Mobile Afya at mobileafya.com and SheHer at sheher.app
• Follow Mobile Afya on their social media channels: Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter/X
• Follow SheHer on their social media channels: Instagram | TikTok
• Listen to Episode 75 from our Women's Health series, featuring Mariatheresa and her co-founder, Shamala Hinrichsen, introducing the SheHer app

• Follow our host Dr. Claire Murigande: WEBSITE | LINKEDIN
• Follow us: LinkedIn
• Connect with us: [email protected] | subscribe to our news
• Tell us what you think: write a review

This interview was recorded by Megan McCrory from the SwissCast Podcast Network.

This series was produced with the support of Shawn Smith at Dripping in Black.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Innovating Women's Health with AI

01:36 - Introducing Mariatheresa, SheHer App, and Mobile Afya

03:31 - New Focus on Data with the SheHer App

05:25 - Sharing Health Information Offline with Mobile Afya

06:34 - Experiencing Healthcare Across Geographies as a Woman and a Founder in the Digital Health Space

09:33 - The Changing Landscape of Women's Health with New Narratives Across Generations

12:13 - Investment in Female Founded Companies: The Need for Change

Mentioned in this episode:

Narratives of Purpose is a proud member of the SwissCast Network

Discover more great podcasts for English-speaking Switzerland

SwissCast Network

Burnout is more than just stress or exhaustion—it's a physical and neurological injury that affects how we function, recover, and live. In this episode, Karina sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Frei, a U.S.-trained and Swiss-certified clinical psychologist, to take a compassionate, science-based look at what burnout recovery truly involves—and how to navigate it in a sustainable, self-empowered way.

Drawing from her work with international clients in Switzerland, Dr. Frei shares practical insights into recognizing burnout, seeking professional help, navigating medical leave, and returning to work without falling back into old patterns.

This episode is an essential listen for anyone asking:

1. “Am I burnt out or just tired?”
2. “How do I find the right help?”
3. “How long will it take to recover?”
4. “How do I go back to work without burning out again?”

Back After Burnout is for education and inspiration only and does not constitute medical, mental-health, legal, or employment advice. Every burnout journey is unique—always consult qualified healthcare and workplace professionals before acting on anything you hear. Resources shared are tools Karina has personally found helpful; they may not suit every listener. Use what serves you and leave the rest.

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Back After Burnout is a proud member and a production of the SwissCast Network

Discover more great podcasts for English-speaking Switzerland

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Join us on Patreon

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Support the show

Please connect with us:

Click here to share your story and be our next guest!

Check out Julia's upcoming courses

Check out Christine's doula services

Lilybee's store with pregnancy, birth and postpartum essentials

All Swiss Birth Stories Episodes

When an ultrasound technician uttered the words "his neck is sick" during a routine 12-week scan, Sonia's world tilted on its axis. What should have been a joyful glimpse at her second baby instead launched her family into a medical odyssey that would test their resilience, challenge their beliefs, and ultimately change the landscape of treatment for an incurable disease.

Sonia's story isn't just about giving birth in Switzerland (she gave birth at HUG in Geneva)—it's about the extraordinary measures a mother will take when faced with a devastating diagnosis. At 22 weeks pregnant, after a high nuchal translucency measurement led to deeper genetic testing (the story to get there is incredible in it's own), Sonia learned her unborn son had cystic fibrosis. With her first child just 10 months old and no family history of CF, the news was shattering. Faced with the impossible choice between termination and continuing a pregnancy that promised hardship, Sonia did what few would have the courage to do—she questioned everything.

What follows is nothing short of remarkable. Through relentless research, Sonia discovered Trikafta, an expensive, unapproved treatment that might help her son even before birth. She connected with researchers worldwide, joined tiny online support groups, and eventually sourced the medication through a CF patient halfway across the globe. Becoming only the eighth woman worldwide known to take this medication during pregnancy, she watched in awe as her son's previously invisible gallbladder appeared on ultrasound three weeks later—proof the medicine was working.

Despite placenta previa, multiple hospitalizations, and an emergency C-section at 35 weeks, Seth was born fighting. Though separated from him for twelve agonizing hours after birth (prompting a fierce confrontation where she told hospital staff "I am fucking going now"), Sonia's determination never wavered. Today at 20 months old, Seth exhibits none of the devastating symptoms typically associated with CF—no digestive issues, no lung problems, and remarkably, he'll be fertile, something previously impossible for males with CF.

This extraordinary journey showcases the power of maternal intuition, medical advocacy, and the courage to challenge established protocols. Through sharing her experience, Sonia has helped approximately 30 other babies worldwide access life-changing treatment. Her message is clear: trust your instincts, do your research, and never stop fighting for your child's future.

Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is a rare inherited disease that affects about 1 in 3,300 newborns in Switzerland - around 1,000 people nationwide and more than 105,000 worldwide.

CF makes mucus, sweat and digestive fluids thick and sticky, clogging vital organs like the lungs and pancreas.

Once a childhood killer, CF is now a condition where many children born today are expected to live into their 60s. New treatments may push life expectancy even further and research continues to work towards a hopeful cure.

Read more about Seth's story: https://www.instagram.com/cf_mama_on_trikafta/

Subscribe for more Swiss Birth Stories, Write a review, and share this podcast to help more parents in Switzerland and beyond find the show.

@swissbirthstories

@lilybeezurich

@juliathedoula.ch

www.juliathedoula.ch

www.lilybee.ch

www.swissbirthstories.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover more great podcasts at SwissCast.Network

The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you.

SwissCast Network

Innovation In Eye Care Access To Enhance Health Equity.

In this new episode of Narratives of Purpose's special series from the 2025 HIMSS European Health Conference, host Claire Murigande speaks with Piotr Kruszynski, the Founder & CEO of Feyenally.

Feyenally is a med-tech company focusing on digital solutions related to eye examination, diagnostics and therapy. Their first product is a groundbreaking mobile application, which represents the first remote eye examination solution utilizing objective testing methods to ascertain refractive errors. 

In this interview, Piotr highlights the necessity of innovative solutions to improve access to eye care through advanced technological infrastructure.

Be sure to visit our podcast website for the full episode transcript.

LINKS:

• Connect with Piotr Kruszynski: LINKEDIN
• Learn more about Feyenally at feyenally.com
• Follow Feyenally on social media: LinkedIn

• Follow our host Dr. Claire Murigande: WEBSITE | LINKEDIN
• Follow us: LinkedIn
• Connect with us: [email protected] | subscribe to our news
• Tell us what you think: write a review

This interview was recorded by Megan McCrory from the SwissCast Podcast Network.

This series was produced with the support of Shawn Smith at Dripping in Black.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - The Role of Technology in Healthcare

01:26 - Introducing Piotr and Feyenally

06:14 - Developing Objective Eye Testing Methods Using Smartphones

09:31 - Transitioning to Home Vision Testing

11:18 - Piotr's Experience at the HIMSS Congress

Mentioned in this episode:

Narratives of Purpose is a proud member of the SwissCast Network

Discover more great podcasts for English-speaking Switzerland

SwissCast Network