What to Know Down Below®

In this episode of What to Know Down Below®, ovarian cancer survivor Mechal Haas sits down with Julie Larson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, for an honest conversation about the emotional side of cancer that so often goes unspoken.

Together, they explore mental health at every stage, from the shock of a new diagnosis through treatment and into life after cancer. Mechal draws on her own experience, while Julie offers expert insight into the feelings many patients face and why caring for your mental health matters just as much as caring for your physical health.

Mechal opens up about the challenges that were hardest for her, including the moments when well-meaning words from loved ones sometimes missed the mark. With Julie’s guidance, they talk through the ways caregivers, family members and friends can offer support that truly helps. Whether you are newly diagnosed, supporting someone you love, or living life after treatment, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to navigate it alone.

Want to help spread the word? Tina’s Wish ovarian cancer symptoms decals are available to help put important information in front of more people. Display them in high-traffic areas like bathroom stalls, offices, or community spaces where they can help raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. If you would like to receive decals, please contact [email protected]. [email protected].

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

In this episode of What to Know Down Below®, Tina’s Wish Executive Director Beverly Wolfer sits down with Dr. Melissa Frey, gynecologic oncologist and Director of the Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, for an important conversation about what everyone should know about ovarian cancer. 

Together, they break down the basics, from recognizing subtle symptoms and understanding your personal and family history to genetic testing and ways to reduce your risk. Dr. Frey also explains why many ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes, what that means for prevention, and why there is currently no routine screen for ovarian cancer. 

Most importantly, they discuss the power of knowing your body, asking questions, and advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right. 

Whether you’re looking to better understand your own risk or want to help someone you love take charge of their gynecologic health, this episode offers practical information to help you feel more informed and empowered. 

Knowledge is power, and knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can make a difference. 

Want to help spread the word? Tina’s Wish ovarian cancer symptoms decals are available to help put important information in front of more people. Display them in high-traffic areas like bathroom stalls, offices, or community spaces where they can help raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. If you would like to receive decals, please contact [email protected]. 

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

Infertility Series Episode 3: In the final episode of our infertility series, hosts Meaghan Repko DeShong and Rachel Nicks are joined by reproductive endocrinologist, obstetrician-gynecologist, and infertility specialist Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey for an empowering conversation about fertility preservation and family-building. 

Together, they discuss fertility preservation both in the context of a cancer diagnosis and for anyone who wants to better understand their reproductive options. They explore why these conversations should happen early, what options are available for people at different stages of life, and how advances in fertility care are creating new possibilities for patients, survivors, and anyone planning for the future. 

Whether you're navigating a diagnosis, considering your future fertility, or supporting someone you love, this episode offers practical guidance, hope, and the knowledge to help you advocate for yourself. 

Education is power, and understanding your options can make all the difference. 

Connect with our guests:  

Rachel Nicks
https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/  

https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/    

Meaghan Repko DeShong 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marepko/   

Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey 

https://www.instagram.com/drtiajacksonbey/?hl=en  

tinaswish.org/whattoknow 

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

Infertility Series Episode 2: As part of our Infertility Awareness Month series, this episode of What to Know Down Below® continues the conversation with Rachel Nicks, Founder of Birth Queen, breast cancer warrior, women's health advocate, and host of Runway for Research. 

In this deeply personal conversation with Tina's Wish Board Member Meaghan Repko DeShong, Rachel reflects on her experiences with fertility preservation, pregnancy loss, breast cancer, motherhood, and the unexpected decisions that can follow a diagnosis. 

Together, Rachel and Meaghan discuss the importance of understanding fertility options, finding a medical team that listens, advocating for yourself, and allowing space for the full range of emotions. Rachel also shares how support, education, and self-compassion helped her navigate one of the most challenging chapters of her life. 

Filled with honesty, wisdom, and hope, this episode is a reminder that there is no single path to parenthood and that every person deserves the information and support needed to make the choices that are right for them. 

Connect with our guests: 

Rachel Nicks
https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/ 

https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/   

Meaghan Repko DeShong 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marepko/  

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

Infertility Series Episode 1: In recognition of Infertility Awareness Month, this episode of What to Know Down Below® explores the many different paths to building a family and the resilience it can take to get there. 

Tina’s Wish Board Member Meaghan Repko DeShong and Rachel Nicks, breast cancer warrior, founder of Birth Queen, and host of this year’s Runway for Research, come together for an honest conversation about infertility, surrogacy, parenthood, and hope. Meaghan shares her experience following the discovery of an ovarian tumor in 2016, the fertility challenges that followed, and the journey that ultimately led her to motherhood through surrogacy. 

Together, Meaghan and Rachel discuss the emotional realities of infertility, navigating unexpected changes to family-building plans, and the importance of finding support along the way. Filled with candor, humor, and compassion, this episode is a reminder that no two journeys look exactly the same—and that there is no one right path to parenthood. 

Connect with our guests: 

Meaghan Repko DeShong: 

https://www.instagram.com/marepko/ 

Rachel Nicks:  

https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/ 

https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/ 

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I feel so different lately?” or “Is it just me?”, this episode of What to Know Down Below™ is for you.

Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN & Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member & Partner at Joele Frank, are back to take a deeper dive into hormones and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Building on their perimenopause and menopause episodes, they break down what hormones actually do in the body, why fluctuations can make you feel “off”, and how HRT could make a real difference. 

They also share nonhormonal strategies, lifestyle tips, and guidance for talking to your doctor, so you can finally feel like yourself again.

Check out Dr. Ghofrany and Meaghan's previous episodes! 

• CLICK HERE to listen to "What is Perimenopause?" 
• CLICK HERE to listen to "Navigating Menopause" 

Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:

• https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/
• https://telleveryamazinglady.org/
• https://www.tribecalledv.com/

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, Beverly Wolfer, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, sits down for an inspiring conversation with ovarian cancer warrior, social worker, and mom Elizabeth Johnston.

Elizabeth shares her journey from fertility treatment to an unexpected diagnosis, the choices she made to protect her health, and how adoption reshaped her definition of family. The episode also explores symptoms, self-advocacy, and the power of support groups.

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

Caregiving can be a deeply meaningful experience—but it can also be incredibly challenging.

In this heartfelt episode of What to Know Down Below™, host Jannina Norpoth—a uterine and ovarian cancer survivor and GRAMMY-nominated violinist and composer—sits down with her mother, Barbara Barefield, a fellow uterine cancer survivor, and Bridget Gabbe, a clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Jannina and Barbara reflect on the unique experience of having cared for each other through their diagnoses, opening up about the emotional weight of shifting roles and the resilience it takes to support a loved one. Bridget offers expert insight into the realities of caregiving, along with practical advice for finding resources and maintaining self-care. 

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

When it comes to preventing cancer, sometimes the most powerful tool is a conversation. 

In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, attorney, writer and BRCA awareness advocate Erika Stallings sits down with Estie Rose, a licensed genetic counselor at JScreen. Together, they discuss how understanding your family health history and exploring genetic testing can empower you to make informed choices about your health — and why talking openly with loved ones can be the first step toward prevention. 

CLICK HERE to watch this episode on YouTube!  

CLICK HERE to learn more about JScreen!

tinaswish.org/whattoknow

In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, Beverly Wolfer, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, is joined by Tina’s Wish Scientific Advisory Board member and funded researcher, Lan Coffman, MD, PhD of UPMC, and Andrew Brozman, co-founder of Tina’s Wish and husband of the late Tina Brozman.

Their conversation honors Tina’s legacy, highlights the urgent need for early detection, and showcases the innovative, collaborative research making real progress in the fight against ovarian cancer.

tinaswish.org/whattoknow