Under the Hood

By Rebecca & Alex

Pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alexandra DiGrado and sex & couples therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy get real about sexual health, intimacy, and the stuff we didn't learn about our body in

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FAQs about Under the Hood:

How many episodes does Under the Hood have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.

Under the Hood episodes:

August 04, 2026Ep 39: How to Repair After Conflict ("I'm Sorry You Feel That Way" Doesn't Cut It)
You snapped at your kid, felt bad, and then “apologized” with, “I’m sorry, but you should have listened the first time.” Or your partner says, “I’m sorry you feel that way” mid-argument, and it makes things even worse….
In this episode, couples & sex therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alexandra DiGrado talk through why so many apologies miss the mark and what genuine repair looks like in parenting, partnerships, and everyday life. Dr. Rebecca also shares the story of a public blowup with a school crossing guard that still makes her cringe and what she did afterward to make it right.
Not all apologies are created equal. Tune in to learn the difference between a "sorry" that just clears your own conscience (...we’re all guilty of it) and one that actually protects your relationships for the long term.

You’ll learn:
Why a “but…” totally cancels out your apology
Why over-apologizing (especially as women) can make your words lose their meaning
Why a “forced march” doesn’t teach kids empathy (and what does)
How shame just keeps you stuck instead of helping you repair
Why modeling repair, not perfection, is what actually shows your kids how to handle their own conflicts
Why feeling guilty about losing your cool doesn't mean you're a bad parent. It means you care enough to try better

Tune in if:
Your partner says, 'I'm sorry you feel that way' mid-argument, and you want to hit the ceiling
You lost your temper recently and aren't sure whether to move on or address it
You’re stuck between “I shouldn’t have yelled” and “but that behavior wasn’t okay either” when it comes to your kids
You didn’t grow up with parents who apologized, and you're trying to figure out how to do it differently

Helpful resources:
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy — including more real-life rupture & repair stories
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory

Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack

Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood

Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
YouTube: @underthehooddocs
...more
18min
July 28, 2026Episode 38: "Is Something Going to Fall Out?!" Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Just hearing the word "prolapse" is enough to make many people panic because it sounds like their organs are going to just fall out. Thankfully, that's not what's actually happening.
In this episode, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado and couples & sex therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy discuss what pelvic organ prolapse is and isn't; the different types, stages, and treatment options for prolapse; and what it all means for your sex life.
Whether you're newly postpartum, noticed something concerning in the shower, or were recently diagnosed with prolapse with zero explanation, this conversation will give you honest answers and practical strategies so you can keep living the vibrant, active life you deserve.

What you'll learn:
The 3D "suspension system" holding all your pelvic organs in place (you definitely didn't get this information in health class).
Why prolapse affects athletes, people who've never been pregnant, and postpartum parents alike.
Non-surgical treatment options like compression wear and pessaries (including the type that looks like fuzzy car dice).
Realistic surgery success rates—and why surgery isn't always the first step.

Tune in if you've ever thought:
"Something feels like it's bulging or heavy down there—is that normal?"
"I felt okay after having my baby, so why did this come out of nowhere weeks later?"
"Is dealing with a rectocele as messy as it sounds?"
"I don't want surgery. Are there other options?"
"Will sex make things worse? Will my partner notice?"

Helpful resources:
Some links below are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves.
Boston Pelvic PT offers pessary fittings. Book a 15-minute connection call to learn more: https://bostonpelvicpt.com
If you're not in the Boston area, you can find a pelvic floor PT near you: https://pelvicrehab.com or https://pelvicglobal.com
Femmeze Device for Rectocele & Constipation Relief: https://femmeze.com
Revive Bladder Support Pessary for Women: https://www.revivebladder.com
SRC Restore Support Leggings – Uterine Prolapse & Continence Treatment: https://srchealth.com
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683738551?

Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: https://rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: https://substack.com/@parentsinlove

Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: https://bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: https://bostonpelvicpt.myflodesk.com/underthehood

Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: https://instagram.com/underthehooddocs
Website: https://underthehoodpod.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@UndertheHoodDocs

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If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick rating or review. It takes just 30 seconds, but it's one of the best ways to help our show grow and reach even more people. Thank you for listening!
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18min
July 23, 2026Episode 37: The Mental Load of IBS (with guest Megan Mountcastle, LICSW)
If you live with IBS, you already know it's not "just" a stomach issue. It's the mental math of always knowing where the bathroom is, the trips you don't book, and the memories you miss out on.
In this episode, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado and relationship/sex therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy sit down with Megan Mountcastle, a licensed social worker who specializes in the gut-brain connection, to talk about how IBS touches so many parts of everyday life, and what you can control.
Megan walks us through the "brain gut loop," explains why anxiety can act like a "cult leader," and why the goal of treatment isn't perfect symptom control. This is a conversation about learning to live a full life again, even when your gut doesn't always cooperate.

What you’ll learn:
How to acknowledge a symptom without letting it take over (also see Episode 22: “It’s Not Just a Bad Period” — A PT’s Personal Endometriosis Journey (with special guest Dr. Alyssa Demeule)
Why people go so long without a formal diagnosis
The surprising link between childhood trauma and gut issues later in life
How a simple device helped a patient feel confident enough to travel the world again

Tune in if you've ever thought:
"I canceled the trip because I just couldn't risk it."
"I've researched everything and know my triggers, so why can't I get this under control?"
“Am I the only one dealing with this?”
“How do I get my life back and do all the things I want to do?”

Helpful resources:
Megan Mountcastle, LCSW — individual therapy (licensed in MA and CT), the Calm Gut, Calm Mind program, webinars, and provider consultation. Email [email protected] with questions or to schedule a free consultation call.
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack

Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood

Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
...more
35min
July 14, 2026Episode 36: The Blame Game - Moving from Finger-Pointing to Connection
Humans are wired to make meaning out of what happens to us, so when something feels bad, we go looking for a reason (in an effort to avoid it next time). In relationships, that search often turns into blame…which devolves into criticism instead of the actual result we're hoping for.
In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (relationship & sex therapist) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor physical therapist) explain why blame and anger are usually secondary emotions covering something else underneath, and how naming that feeling gets you closer to real accountability and change than pointing fingers ever will.
Dr. Rebecca also shares how this all shows up with her own kids, plus a personal update on 40 days of yoga nidra that's changed how she handles the heated moments.
What you'll learn:
Humans being “meaning makers” is a survival instinct that sometimes goes awry.
The difference between truly taking responsibility…and just taking the blame to keep the peace.
Vulnerability will always get you further than blame.
Kids learn to stop blaming each other by watching us take accountability
Tune in if you've ever thought:
"Why do I get so defensive the second something comes up? Am I just being too sensitive?”
"My kid blames everyone else for their behavior. Is that normal?"
"Why is it so hard to talk about how I feel instead of what they did wrong?"
Helpful resources:
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Learn more about Ali Schmidt's yoga nidra practice; check her out on Insight Timer; and listen to our UTH podcast episode with Ali here!
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
***
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Under the Hood, share with a friend, and leave a quick rating. It takes 30 seconds, but it is the best way to help our show grow and reach more people. Thank you for listening!
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24min
July 07, 2026Episode 35: The Real Causes of Hemorrhoids (And Why Preparation H Isn’t Enough To Fix Them)
Many people think hemorrhoids are just a fiber and Preparation H problem, but there's a lot more going on. Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor physical therapist) and Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex and relationship therapist) talk through the different causes, from chronic stress and jaw tension to how you're sitting and pushing on the toilet. Alex explains why your hemorrhoids keep coming back, and how you can fix the underlying mechanics instead of just managing the symptoms. If you've felt too embarrassed to bring this up with your doctor, and you're stuck in a cycle of Metamucil and creams that never really work, this one's for you.
What you'll learn:
The proper way to push during a bowel movement (most people are doing it backwards)
How chronic stress and jaw tension can lead to hemorrhoids
What your stool consistency can tell you about your pelvic floor mechanics
Tune in if you’ve ever thought:
“Do hemorrhoids go away on their own?”
“Can I treat hemorrhoids at home?”
“How do I know if I have hemorrhoids or something else?”
"Is surgery my only option?”
Helpful resources:
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Desert Harvest Relievium (check out our podcast interview with Desert Harvest CEO Heather Florio here)
Anything Butt: 100% natural butt balm with CBD - helps with chafing, itching, dryness, rash, hemorrhoids, and more. Use code WELCOME15 for 15% on next order.
Squatty Potty
Bristol stool chart
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
...more
14min
June 30, 2026Episode 34: The Vulnerability Flinch - Why We Pull Away From the Good Stuff
You know that feeling when something is so good - your career, your relationship, a perfect spring afternoon - that almost immediately your brain starts bracing for when it ends?? In this episode, sex & relationship therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado explore this concept (coined by research professor and author Brené Brown) and unpack why so many of us reflexively push away joy, connection, and positive emotion, often without even realizing it. You'll learn how staying with joy can lead to deeper connection, greater ease, and a life that feels fuller instead of scarier.
What you'll learn:
Why rehearsing grief doesn't make loss easier, and what one patient's early pregnancy experience reveals about embracing joy instead of preparing for heartbreak
How the vulnerability flinch plays out in couples and what it costs the relationship
The difference between oversharing and true vulnerability
How to distinguish healthy self-protection (like curating your media intake) from emotional disconnection
Tune in if you've ever thought:
"I literally cannot just enjoy something good without immediately thinking about how it's going to fall apart."
“I've been hurt before and I'm not sure I can let my guard down again.”
"I love my kids so much it scares me sometimes."
Helpful resources:
The Power of Vulnerability - TED Talk by Brene Brown
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
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Enjoyed this episode? Please follow our show, share it with a friend, or leave a review to help more people discover these important conversations - thank you!
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18min
June 23, 2026Episode 33: Diastasis Recti - What's Really Going On With Your Abs After Baby
Dr. Rebecca had two nine-pound babies 18 months apart, and was told by a pelvic floor PT a few years back that her diastasis recti was pretty much just going to be that way. Dr. Alex respectfully disagrees (yes, even though the “babies” are now 10 and 11).
In this episode, Dr. Alex and Dr. Rebecca dig into what diastasis recti is (and isn’t), why so much of the advice floating around online makes people afraid to move altogether, and what pelvic floor PT can do for the symptoms you've been managing on your own since your last kid was born…even if that was many years ago.
If you feel your core doesn't work or look the way it used to, or worry you missed the window to do anything about it, this one's for you.
What you'll learn:
The link between diastasis recti, posture, and lower back pain (Dr. Rebecca originally came to PT for the latter)
The size of your ab separation doesn’t tell the whole story
Sucking in your stomach is not the same thing as activating your core
Your core functions differently standing than lying down, and what that means for how you train it
Tune in if you've ever thought:
"Every fitness influencer says something different and I don't know who to listen to."
"My belly still looks like I'm pregnant and I don't understand why."
"I was told not to do crunches or planks and now I'm afraid to do anything."
"I can work out, but I don't feel “connected” to my core."
"My kids are older now - is it even worth trying to fix things at this point?"
Helpful resources
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
The Postpartum Essentials Virtual Course: Heal from Your Pelvic Floor to Your Core
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
***If this episode was useful, please take a moment to leave a rating, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and follow us for future episodes. It's the best way to help us reach more people who could benefit from conversations like this one. Thank you!
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29min
June 15, 2026Episode 32: The Big Sister Chat — What We Wish We Knew Back Then About Sex, Bodies & Relationships
A listener asked Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Alex to do a "big sister chat" — the kind of honest, no-filter conversation that most of us never got growing up. They cover a lot of ground: tampon embarrassment, the myth of mutual orgasm, see-through yoga pants etiquette, and what not to do when you’ve been ghosted. Plenty of it is funny. All of it would have saved them a lot of confusion and heartache if they'd heard it earlier. This conversation is for your younger self…or for the younger people in your life who could use it now.
What you'll learn:
What mainstream porn consistently gets wrong about bodies, orgasms, and what sex is supposed to look like
Why so many people think their genitals look “weird” (even though there’s such a wide range of normal and healthy)
Why it's harder to receive than to give, and what that has to do with asking for what you want in bed
The difference between really liking someone and liking that they like you (...this lesson took us longer to learn than we'd care to admit)
Tune in if you've ever thought:
"I genuinely thought something was wrong with my body."
"I've always just gone along with things, even when I didn't really want to."
"I learned more about sex from TV than from any actual conversation."
Helpful resources
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
If this episode hit home, we'd appreciate it if you left us a rating, shared it with someone who also needs to hear it, and followed us for future episodes. Thank you!
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
...more
25min
June 09, 2026Episode 31: Tailbone Pain After Childbirth - A Personal Story with Our Podcast Editor, Kathy Seim
(Prefer to watch our talk? We’re now on YouTube!)
At least one in ten people experiences tailbone pain after childbirth, and many don't know that pelvic floor PT is an incredibly effective treatment for it - we hope this episode changes that.
Our guest today is Kathy Seim, BPPT Practice Manager and Under the Hood podcast editor. She joins Dr. Alex DiGrado and Dr. Rebecca Eudy to talk about her own experience of injuring her tailbone during the birth of her second son, what she wished she'd known to ask for at first, and how she eventually got the right treatment after a few wrong turns (and several loving nudges from Dr. Alex). Kathy’s experience reminds us that, even when you have a great care team, you still have to be your own biggest advocate.
What You'll Learn:
Why postpartum tailbone injuries are often missed or under-treated (and what to keep in mind if you're sent for imaging).
What to look for when choosing a pelvic floor PT, including asking if they work “in the front and the back.”
What a trauma-informed approach looks like in a clinical setting, and why it's relevant for any pelvic treatment, regardless of your history.
Your options for managing tailbone pain if you're in a rural area or don't have easy access to specialized pelvic floor PT.
Tune in if you've thought:
“I know some amount of discomfort is normal postpartum, but I can’t even sit for a short time without my tailbone feeling like it’s on fire.”
"My X-rays came back clear - so does that mean there's nothing more that can be done?"
"I didn't realize pelvic floor PT could help with tailbone pain - what does that treatment look like?"
"I live in a rural area and don't have easy access to specialized pelvic care. What can I do on my own in the meantime to get relief?"
Helpful resources:
Seat cushions for tailbone pain that Dr. Alex recommends to her patients (can be purchased with HSA/FSA funds)
Purple (what Kathy used)
Kabooti
Tush Cush
Yoga therapy balls
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory (NOTE: internal work in PFPT is always completely optional, requires your explicit informed consent, and can be stopped or declined at any time)
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
...more
24min
June 02, 2026Episode 30: “Wait, I Have a Pelvic Floor?” — Male Pelvic Health, Explained
Most men have never thought about their pelvic floor (or knew they had one). But those muscles are doing critical work every single day for bladder control, bowel function, sexual health, and athletic performance. In this episode, Dr. Alex DiGrado and Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy talk through what the male pelvic floor is, what happens when it stops working as it should, and why so many men are suffering through symptoms they didn't know were treatable. From younger cyclists dealing with pelvic pain to older men recovering from prostate surgery, this conversation sheds light on a topic that deserves far more attention and offers hope for men who may have been suffering in silence.
What you'll learn:
How a tight pelvic floor can lead to erectile dysfunction, post-pee dribble, urgency, and pain
Why Viagra only addresses part of the picture, and what the pelvic floor has to do with the rest
What "pudendal neuralgia" is and why bike seats are a surprisingly common culprit
Why weightlifters and high-impact athletes often have pelvic floor issues and how addressing them can improve performance
How anxiety and shame around these issues can make symptoms worse
Tune in if you've ever thought:
"I didn't even realize men had a pelvic floor. I thought pelvic floor PT was only for pregnant people."
"I get up to pee multiple times a night, but I just assumed that was a normal part of getting older."
"I’m careful about my form when I work out at the gym, so why do I still feel pain ‘down there’?”
"I've been dealing with this thing for a while, but I haven't told anyone."
Helpful resources
The Fuzz Speech by Gil Hedley — a short YouTube video explaining what fascia is, why it gets stiff over time, and why movement (in more than just one direction) is one of the best things you can do for your body.
Friedman, Danielle. "Why Men Shouldn’t Ignore Their Pelvic Floors." The New York Times, 1 July 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/well/live/male-pelvic-floor-health.html.
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com
...more
27min

FAQs about Under the Hood:

How many episodes does Under the Hood have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.