The Damsel Podcast

This Mother’s Day, we’re doing something different. In Part 1 of this special series, we sit down with the women who raised us, our moms, for an honest, funny, and surprisingly emotional conversation about motherhood across generations.We talk about what it was really like for them becoming moms, what they wish they had known, and how their experiences compare to what motherhood looks like today. From pregnancy and early parenting to identity shifts and the pressure to “get it right,” this episode is filled with moments that will make you laugh, pause, and maybe see your own mom a little differently. Whether you’re a mom, want to be one, or are simply navigating your relationship with your own, this one will stay with you.

We’re joined by novelist Sophie Stava, whose journey to publication is anything but conventional with a story shaped by rejection, resilience, and the decision to keep going when it would have been easier to stop. What started as an idea became a debut novel, Count My Lies, and is now being adapted into a Hulu series, with Sophie stepping into the role of producer.In this episode, Sophie opens up about the real path to getting published. We talk about where the story came from, how she built the discipline to keep writing through uncertainty, and what it looked like to pursue ambition while navigating motherhood. She also takes us behind the scenes of the adaptation process, sharing what it actually means to be involved as a producer and how the story evolves from page to screen.This conversation is a reminder that success rarely looks the way we think it will and that sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from refusing to walk away. For anyone chasing something that hasn’t happened yet, this episode is proof that persistence matters, your voice matters, and the story is still unfolding. ✨

Lea Fairbanks pt. 2 - no explanation needed.

Join Lea Fairbanks, a licensed mental health counselor, as she reveals the unexpected realities of therapy. Lea shares her journey into mental health counseling, emphasizing the importance of finding a therapist who matches your energy and needs. She debunks common misconceptions about therapy and highlights the value of authentic relationships as true healing tools.Discover practical advice on starting therapy, choosing the right therapist, and understanding modern therapy tools like ChatGPT. Lea's candid stories and insights offer a glimpse into the nuanced world of mental health support, making this episode a must-listen for anyone curious about therapy or seeking personal growth. Whether you're considering therapy or just curious about mental health, this conversation will inspire you to see therapy as a powerful, accessible resource.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we sit down with Shannon Gill to talk through her full birth experience and what really happens in those first days and weeks postpartum. From expectations to reality, this conversation pulls back the curtain on one of the most transformative moments in a woman’s life.Shannon shares her birth story in detail, walking through how things unfolded, what surprised her, and the decisions she made along the way. Whether you’re preparing for your own birth or just starting to think about it, this episode is filled with grounding, real-world advice to help you feel more informed and less alone. It’s a reminder that there is no perfect path, only your path, and that knowledge and support can make all the difference.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we sit down with Lisel Lewis, chiropractor and founder of Solana Beach Wellness Collective, for an honest and empowering conversation about how women can better understand and support their bodies through every stage of life. From pregnancy and postpartum to stress and nervous system regulation, Lisel breaks down how chiropractic care fits into whole body wellness and why it is often misunderstood. This episode is about reconnecting with your body and feeling empowered in your health journey. Whether you are pregnant, navigating postpartum, or simply looking to better understand your body, Lisel offers a grounded and approachable perspective on what it means to truly support your health from the inside out.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we’re keeping things light and letting loose with a series of games that spark laughter, and honesty. From unexpected questions to rapid-fire moments, this one is all about having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best conversations happen when you stop overthinking and just play.

Today we sit down with functional health practitioner and founder of Natural Way Clinic, Kayla Gasbarro, for an honest and eye opening conversation about what it really means to listen to your body and advocate for your health.Kayla shares her deeply personal journey navigating unexplained symptoms, the path to discovering breast implant illness, and the decision to explant. What began as a frustrating and isolating experience ultimately became the foundation for her work helping women uncover root causes, understand their hormones and gut health, and take a more empowered, informed approach to healing. Together, we unpack the differences between functional and conventional medicine and how to navigate a system that often leaves you feeling dismissed. This episode is a reminder that you know your body better than anyone else. It is about asking better questions, trusting your instincts, and realizing you are not alone in the pursuit of feeling well. Whether you are dealing with chronic symptoms or simply want to better understand your health, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, validated, and empowered to take the next step.

Welcome to the first Damsel DMs episode and trust us, the debut did not disappoint. In this new series, listeners send in anonymous stories they might not feel comfortable sharing out loud but know deserve to be heard. The funny ones, the messy ones, the painful ones, and everything in between.The truth is, so many of us are carrying experiences we think we’re alone in. Damsel DMs exists to change that. Because when one woman shares her story, even anonymously, it reminds the rest of us that we’re not the only ones figuring it out as we go.

Sage Soulopulos is the founder of Soul Pilates in San Diego, a dedicated doula, and a mother building spaces where women feel supported in every season of life.In this episode, Sage shares her journey into motherhood, entrepreneurship, and birth work and how each path informs the other. We talk about the inspiration behind creating a Pilates studio designed specifically for moms, offering prenatal and postpartum reformer classes with onsite childcare. She breaks down the real benefits of Pilates for pregnant and postpartum bodies, clears up common misconceptions, and explains why intentional movement can be one of the most powerful forms of preparation and healing. This conversation is about more than fitness or birth plans, it’s about building community, trusting your body, and redefining strength in a season that asks everything of you. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, thinking about motherhood, or simply craving a deeper connection to yourself, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, empowered, and less alone.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we sit down with Monica Salamanca, fitness and nutrition coach and fierce advocate for helping women feel stronger, safer, and more at home in their bodies. Monica has coached women through pregnancy, postpartum, and every hormonal chapter in between, bringing both technical expertise and deeply human understanding to the way she supports her clients.Monica shares her personal journey into coaching and how her experiences shaped the way she thinks about strength, body trust, and what women actually need. We talk about how to get started with training when you feel intimidated, the biggest misconceptions about exercise and nutrition during pregnancy and TTC, and the overwhelming amount of conflicting advice women face today. She also pulls back the curtain on the impact of social media and AI on the fitness industry, and why individualized guidance matters more than ever.This conversation is equal parts myth busting, practical guidance, and permission to rethink everything you’ve been told about your body. Monica leaves us with simple, actionable shifts women can start today, and a powerful reminder that strength isn’t about shrinking yourself. It’s about building a body that feels capable, supported, and fully yours.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we are diving into one of the most foundational and misunderstood parts of being a female: the menstrual cycle. This is an open, honest conversation between the two of us about what is actually happening hormonally, physically, and emotionally throughout the month, and why understanding your cycle can completely change the way you experience your life.We talk about the four phases of the cycle and how each one impacts your energy, mood, and confidence. We also explore the different types of birth control, how they work, how they can affect your body and hormones, and the importance of having clear, unbiased information. Our goal is not to tell anyone what they should choose, but to help you feel informed and empowered to make the decision that is right for you.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we sit down with Kelly Murphy, General Manager of Lola, a clean feminine care brand disrupting the period care and sexual wellness categories. Listen in for a smart, spirited conversation about building modern brands and reimagining how access to clean hygiene products can change the game.We talk candidly about what it really takes to build products for women in a space that has long been stigmatized, overlooked, and under-designed and how Kelly’s career has shaped her perspective on ambition, creativity, and collaboration. Along the way, she gives us a peek into her playful, intellectual side through her book Historical Heartthrobs, blending history and humor in a way that makes the past feel unexpectedly relevant (and hot).Kelly reflects on what it means to lead with both rigor and empathy, why women-centered innovation matters now more than ever, and how curiosity can be a powerful professional superpower — leaving listeners inspired to build boldly, think differently, and take up more space in their own lives.

In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we sit down with Danielle McLaughlin, World Champion paratriathlete, marathon runner, and healthcare leader, for an inspiring, candid conversation about resilience, identity, and redefining what strength looks like.Danielle opens up about losing her leg to synovial sarcoma at 17, how she navigated grief and recovery, and what it really took to rebuild both her body and her confidence. We talk about elite sport, the mental toughness behind high performance, and how she translates lessons from athletics into leadership and everyday life.She also reflects on how her experience shaped her purpose, her career in healthcare, and her belief that setbacks can become catalysts for growth — offering listeners both motivation and perspective for facing their own challenges with courage and grace.

From haunted houses to real-life fears, this episode moves from lighthearted to deeply personal.Megan shares her ectopic pregnancy story: what happened, what it felt like, and the details she wishes more people understood. She walks through the medical side of an ectopic pregnancy while also reflecting on the emotional weight of navigating loss and uncertainty.This is a candid conversation about fear, grief, and understanding your body.*This podcast reflects our personal experiences and conversations, and should not be taken as medical advice.

For our very first Wine With Friends brought to you by Just Enough Wines, we’re pouring a glass with two of our favorites. Shannon and Jess.Honest, unfiltered girl talk. We dive into fertility, pregnancy, stress, work, and what it really looks like to build a business while holding everything else life throws at you. The pressure. The joy. The burnout. The balance. And the moments where wine helps you exhale just enough to say the quiet parts out loud.This episode is candid, comforting, and exactly how we wish more conversations sounded. Friends around a table, good wine in hand, talking about the stuff that actually matters.Pull up a chair. Pour a glass. Welcome to Wine With Friends!

What if we told you that baby milestones aren’t a race — and that trusting your instincts matters just as much as tracking timelines?In this episode of The Damsel Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Panetta, pediatric physical therapist and founder of Bean Sprouts Physical Therapy, for a grounding, confidence-building conversation about early childhood development, intervention, and motherhood.Rachel breaks down what really matters in a baby’s first two years, the subtle signs that might warrant extra support, and how parents can tell the difference between a child who’s simply taking their time and one who could benefit from early intervention. We talk about what pediatric PT actually looks like in real life, how to support development through everyday play and routines, and which common baby products may be doing more harm than good.As a mom herself, Rachel also shares how motherhood reshaped her perspective — both personally and professionally — and offers reassurance for parents navigating milestone anxiety in a world full of comparison.

Welcome to Damsel.In this first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing who we are, how this podcast came to be, and why it felt urgent to create a space like this.Damsel was born out of conversations we were already having about our bodies, our ambition, identity, motherhood, careers, relationships, and the quiet pressure women carry to hold it all together while looking like it comes naturally. We talk about the moments that shaped us, the versions of ourselves we’ve had to shed, and the questions we’re still sitting with.This isn’t a podcast about having it all figured out. It’s about telling the truth while we’re still in it. It’s about rewriting the narratives we inherited and making room for more honesty, softness, and self-trust.Join us here every Tuesday.Welcome to Damsel. We’re so glad you’re here.

Welcome to The Damsel Podcast where we’re flipping the script on women's health. This is your invitation to join us as we dive headfirst into real, raw, and powerful stories. We’re just regular women trying to figure it out - asking experts the things we were never taught and sharing what we learn along the way.Topics range from fertility, menopause, puberty, gut health, acne, feminine hygiene products, pregnancy loss, and more. If it’s something women navigate in real life, it’s part of the conversation.This trailer marks the beginning of our journey — one built on honesty, connection, and a little bit of rebellion. We’re so glad you’re here. Subscribe, follow, and come along as we take the stage and start the conversation.