Things My Mother Forgot to Mention

Nobody sat us down and said, "Hey, one day your hips might just stop working." And yet here we are.In this episode, Jan and Patti are joined by the brilliant Nicole Grose, a retired professor, Gen X middle child, leukemia survivor, and now the proud owner of two brand-new hips. Nicole brings her background in anatomy and physiology (and a whole lot of hard-won personal experience) to a conversation that is equal parts eye-opening and deeply real.We talk about what it actually looks like to navigate joint replacement surgery, from the frustrating search for the right surgeon, to recovering mid-COVID, to the very specific math of being told your new hip will last 40 years when you have leukemia.This one's for every woman who's ever been waved off by a medical professional, told to push through the pain, or simply never given the full picture of what her body might need someday.About Nicole Grose Ph.D:Nicole obtained a Ph.D. in Quantitative Biology, studying the relationship between the nervous and immune systems. She is a recently retired professor who spent nearly 2 decades teaching college-level anatomy, physiology and animal physiology from 2003 to 2021.Her academic expertise and personal experience brings a unique perspective to conversations regarding joint replacement and long-term health. Living with chronic leukemia, Nicole understands firsthand the challenges and realities of navigating complex medical decisions, procedures and subsequent recovery. A GenX middle child of five and longtime educator at heart, Nicole now enjoys splitting her time between Dallas and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.Nicole is developing an academic success/tutoring business with the goal of assisting STEAM students in developing the skillset to succeed academically as well as in the workplace.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

So Jan's basically building a new body one joint at a time, and we figured it was time to talk about it.As of recording, Jan is eight weeks out from her fourth joint replacement, a knee this time, and we got into all of it. The parts they don't put in the brochure. The stuff your surgeon forgets to mention. The real experience of living in a body that needs a little extra hardware to keep going.If you have a joint replacement in your future, or your mom does, or you're just trying to figure out how to stay mobile as you age, this one is genuinely useful. We promise.Here's what we covered:How to know when it's actually time for a joint replacement and what the road there typically looks likeWhy the surgeon you choose matters more than you think, and what Jan learned the hard way from her first hipHow robotic surgery has changed everything, making procedures more precise and often fully outpatientScar tissue, fascia, and why rehab is non-negotiable for some bodies more than othersWhy strength training before surgery is one of the best things you can do for your recoveryWhat those first days home actually look like and why having someone there is not optionalHow to protect the joints you've already had replaced so they actually lastIf you've been through a joint replacement yourself, or you're heading into one, you already know this conversation was a long time coming. And if you haven't, consider this your heads up that your future self will thank you for listening now.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This week, Jan connected us with Melinda Watman, a woman who has lived inside the obesity and eating disorder world since she was two and a half years old, and who somehow turned that into a career that's literally changing how pharmaceutical companies and clinical trials treat patients. We had a feeling this conversation was going to be good. We had no idea.Melinda is a patient advocacy consultant, a former CEO, a French restaurant owner (yes, really), and a person who has had bariatric surgery, survived three concurrent eating disorders, and came thisclose to not being here. She's also as honest as we love our guests to be!We talked about:Why obesity is a disease, not a character flaw.The food noise.Bariatric surgery and what nobody prepares you for.How Melinda ended up with three eating disorders at once.The moment something shifted.GLP-1 medications, the real talk.Weight bias in healthcare.Her "village" approach to recovery.Why childhood obesity and eating disorders are rising together, and why the cruelest bullying still goes unchecked.The line that stayed with us: "I thought my goal was to be the skinniest girl in the room. It took me a long time to realize I was actually the sickest girl in the room."If you've ever felt shame around your body, your eating, or your weight, or if you love someone who has, this episode is for you. You are not weak. You are not broken. And you are not alone.About Melinda:Ms. Watman is the founder of Weighty Decision, a patient advocacy consultancy partnering with pharmaceutical companies in the anti-obesity medication space. She provides both internal and external stakeholders patient-centered frameworks that improve engagement and outcomes. Drawing on 15 years of clinical experience and an MBA-driven entrepreneurial career, she bridges healthcare delivery, policy, and innovation. Ms. Watman is a compelling and trusted voice on the lived experience of obesity, healthcare bias, eating disorders, and patient-centered innovation.In addition to her clinical practice, her background includes founding two successful consulting firms, serving as CEO and co-founder of a medical device company, working with both startups and established organizations to bring novel healthcare technologies to market, and owning a French restaurant.She is a strong believer in giving back and is a mentor with the MIT Venture Mentoring Service and Innovate@BU. She also is an Emeritus board member of the Obesity Action Coalition.Melinda will be speaking this year on eating disorders with obesity at two upcoming professional conferences: the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the World Obesity and Weight Management Congress. She is also involved with an advocacy effort to maintain coverage for anti-obesity medications for MassHealth/Medicaid patients in Massachusetts.Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

Today we’re talking about something so many women carry quietly: disordered eating and body image stuff. We get honest about our own histories (yep, both ends of the spectrum) and what actually helped us move toward peace—without shame, perfection, or “just try harder” nonsense.In this episode, we talk about:How eating disorders aren’t just anorexia and bulimia—there’s a whole range of disordered eating behaviorsPatti’s experience with control, trauma, food hiding, bingeing, and the shame spiralJan’s experience with thinness pressure, dance culture, and bingeing/purging without even knowing what it was calledWhy food often becomes a coping tool (just like alcohol, drugs, work, shopping… you get it)How body dysmorphia messes with what we think we see in the mirrorThe sneaky messages we absorb from family, culture, and “well-meaning” commentsWhy therapy matters (because food is rarely the real issue)The power of permission: eating carbs, adding snacks, and even having dessert on purposeIf you’re struggling, here’s what we encourage:Consider therapy with someone who understands trauma + body imageWork with a registered dietitian/nutritionist who doesn’t shame bodies (HAES-aligned can be a great fit)Start small with body neutrality: “I’m not broken” is a powerful first stepFind resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

The conversation this week with our colleague and friend, Dr. Rick Butts, stopped us in our tracks—in the best way.Rick walked us through his grief timeline, beginning with losing his grandmother at 7, his father at 10, and later his mother at 35. What unfolded was something we hadn’t quite thought about before: grief isn’t just an event… it’s a thread that runs through your entire life.In this episode, we talk about:Why many of us get “stuck” in one stage of grief (hello, denial)How childhood loss quietly shapes adult coping patternsWhy unprocessed grief lives in the bodyThe idea that all counseling is grief workWhat it means to complete a “threat response”How to create your own grief timelineWhy retirement, divorce, moving, and unmet expectations are real lossesHow mindfulness helps us embody grief instead of outrun itThe power of meaning-making in healingRick vulnerably shares his own journey—from shutting down as a 10-year-old boy to fully grieving decades later through experiential therapy.And we ask the big question:Where are you in your grief timeline?If this episode stirred something in you, you’re not alone. Grief is not weakness. It’s human. And you don’t have to move through it by yourself.About Dr. Rick Butts:Rick has been a therapist for the past 37 years. During this time, he has been a professor at two different Universities. At the University of Cincinnati, he taught in the Human Social Services department. And at the Cincinnati Christian University, he taught in their Master of Arts in counseling program. Throughout these 37 years, he has maintained a private practice focused for several years on children, adolescents, and families. Then he transitioned to adults with an interest in developmental and relational trauma and couples counseling. In 2013, he co-founded the Healing Our Core Issues Institute with Jan Bergstrom, which is a training program for therapists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and coaches.Website: https://www.drrickbutts.comFind resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we talk about the many faces of grief—and how it's not just about death. From heartbreak and dementia to aging bodies and old friendships, this one’s for anyone who’s had to say goodbye to something (or someone) they loved.We get into:The sneaky, shapeshifting nature of griefWhat “ambiguous grief” actually meansHow grief is deeply connected to attachmentWhy we need rituals—and how they help us move through painGrief triggers and how to copeCreating meaning from loss (even when it feels impossible)Whether you’re in it, past it, or dreading it—this conversation will meet you where you are.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we sit down with the wildly talented and utterly honest Ma Sherry Glaser—actress, playwright, author, and activist. Sherry shares her harrowing (and strangely funny) journey through a stroke, a cancer diagnosis, and a kidney tumor... all discovered after avoiding the medical system for decades.This one’s about what happens when your magical thinking meets a medical emergency—and what it really means to make peace with death.You’ll hear us talk about:How denial and “wishful wellness” can sometimes teach something elseThe shame and shock of getting seriously illWhat it’s like to have a stroke and discover a tumor in one hospital visitHer powerful new show, Life and Death: A Love StoryAnd why life tastes sweeter when you finally stop trying so damn hardIf you’ve ever feared getting older, been shocked by your own medical chart, or just wondered how to actually live while you’re still here—this one’s for you.About Ma Sherry:Sherry Glaser is originally from New York City and has been doing comedy for over 40 years. She is the star and author of 4 One woman shows, TAKING THE HIGH ROAD, (Comic confessions from behind the Cannabis Curtain), The ADVENTURES OF SUPER ACTIVIST MOTHER, OH MY GODDESS! and the Longest running one woman show in off-Broadway Herstory – FAMILY SECRETS. Sherry is a published author of THE FIRST PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR CRAZY PEOPLE, of her memoir FAMILY SECRETS, and MAMA’S 1ST POCKET CHICKTIONARY. She is the founder of the Peace Advocacy group; Breasts not Bombs Her new play is LIFE AND DEATH: A Love StoryLinks for Ma Sherry:WebsiteInstagramSherry also offer Tarot readings. You can contact her directly for more information here.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we go there—into the deep, raw, and very real territory of death and dying. Sounds jolly, right? But seriously, it's the conversation no one prepared us for, and that’s exactly why we’re having it.We're getting honest about:Sudden loss and the trauma of unexpected deathThe weird things our brains do when we first hear someone’s goneThe difference between grief and the act of dyingEnd-of-life planning, medical aid in dying, and making peace with our mortalityAnd yes… the “Oh No” book, because someone’s gotta know where the passwords areWe laugh, we share personal stories, and we hope this episode helps you feel a little more seen and a little less alone.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we sat down with Kristy Dillon—therapist, survivor, and truth-teller—to talk about something that too many people still struggle to say out loud: sexual abuse.This conversation is raw, honest, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from deep healing. If you've experienced abuse—or love someone who has—this episode is for you.Here’s what we talk about:What it’s like to tell your story after years of silenceHow sexual abuse impacts identity, relationships, and trustThe complicated feelings survivors often have about their abusersWhat healing actually looks like (hint: it's not linear)How safe touch, therapy, and community helped Kristy reclaim her bodyThe power of saying it out loud—yes, even if it’s messy or imperfectTrigger warning: We talk about childhood sexual abuse. Please take care of yourself as you listen. You can pause, come back, or skip this one if it’s not the right time.👉🏼 If this resonates with you, you're not alone. Healing is possible. We're proof.About Kristy:Kristy Dillon is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Dayton, Ohio with over 30 years of experience in the counseling field. She has been trained in Somatic Experiencing, Developmental and Relational Trauma, and Polyvagal Theory. Over the years, she has worked in Community Mental Health Centers, private psychiatric practice, school-based counseling, and private practice.Kristy was motivated to earn a degree in Counseling after engaging in her own personal counseling to address sexual trauma she experienced as a child. The profound healing she experienced inspired her to learn how to support others through their own healing journeys.View Kristy’s profile here.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, Patti shares her experience of childhood sexual abuse, what healing has looked like over the decades, and why it’s so important that we talk about the things that were buried under shame, silence, or secrecy for way too long.We’re not getting into graphic details—but we are talking honestly about the emotional toll and long-term impact of being hurt by someone who was supposed to protect you.Here’s what we dive into:How trauma shows up in your adult body, even when your mind doesn’t “remember”The difference between being a victim and choosing healingThe complications of caretaking for the very people who failed to protect youHow to recognize signs of abuse in children—and why it’s never too late to speak outWhat experiential therapies, boundaries, and nervous system work can do for your healingThis one is vulnerable, raw, and real—but it’s also filled with hope.If this topic is hard for you, please take care of yourself first. Hit pause if you need to. And know you're not alone.Resources mentioned:Gifts from a Challenging Childhood by Jan BergstromRunning on Empty by Jonice WebbThe Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura DavisExperiential therapy modalities: ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), Gestalt, Inner Child WorkWe see you. We’ve got you.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This week, we’re getting real about something that hits close to home.We’re joined by Jan’s dear friend and fellow therapist Laura Williams, who bravely shares her journey through an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. Stage zero—no symptoms, no lump, no family history. Just one routine mammogram that saved her life.In this episode, we talk about:How a mammogram caught Laura’s cancer before it spreadWhat “stage zero” breast cancer really meansThe wild (and frustrating) realities of navigating treatmentRadiation, Tamoxifen, and the side effects no one warns you aboutThe emotional toll of playing it “fine” while quietly falling apartHow women are often told to suck it up—even during cancerThe support systems that carried her, and the ones that surprised herThis is a must-listen for any woman who’s ever put off her appointment or felt dismissed in a medical setting. Let this be your nudge, your hug, and your reminder: you matter, and your health does too.Go get that mammogram. We mean it.About Laura:Laura Williams has known since her early twenties that she was called to this work — but the path to Be Found Counseling has been anything but linear. Three children, three moves, loss and birth, other careers, and her own healing journey have all shaped how she shows up as a counselor today. She looks back and can see that none of it was wasted. Every detour has deepened her belief in the power of mercy, grace, and community.Being a counselor isn’t just what Laura does — it’s who she is. Every day, she gets to witness hope, healing, and redemption unfold in real time. It’s an honor for her to walk with people as they discover their own worth and learn to live from a place of belonging rather than shame.While Laura’s faith deeply informs the way she sees the world, she doesn’t practice biblical counseling or label herself a Christian counselor. What guides her is how Jesus lived — bringing people out of shame into dignity, meeting them with compassion and understanding. Whether or not faith is part of someone’s story, her hope is that when they sit together, they experience unconditional love, mercy, and grace.Laura’s work is shaped by her training with the Healing Our Core Issues Institute (HOCI), where she now serves as a member of the core faculty. The HOCI model focuses on human worth, healthy boundaries, creating meaning out of imperfection, taking responsibility for needs and desires, and cultivating joy and secure connection — both with ourselves and others.She often says this work offers hope in the wilderness. When life feels overwhelming, lonely, or uncertain, it gives us a place to land — and a foundation we can return to again and again. After experiencing this transformation herself, Laura no longer fears the wilderness. She’s ready to step into it with you.Laura’s Links:Website: www.befoundcounseling.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/befoundcounseling Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

Today we’re diving deep into skin health and cancer — not as experts, but through sharing experiences we’d like to help you avoid.In this episode we talk:How baby oil and iodine once were Jan’s “sunscreen” (yes, really) and how that misguided vibe still haunts her skin todayJan’s personal skin‑cancer story: from a spot that wouldn’t heal on her forehead to multiple cuts, stitches and scalp scaresWhat MOHS surgery is and how it changed how Jan sees—and wears—her skinThe emotional landscape of having cancer (even non‑melanoma) and living with the “what‑if it comes back” anxietyPractical, no‑fluff tips on what to look for, how often to get checked, and how to build skin‑care awareness as you ageIf you’ve ever thought: “Wait, nobody told me this would happen,” then this is for you. We wish someone had said it earlier to us.🎧 Tune in, share with a friend, and let us know your story if skin health or cancer has touched you. We’re in this together.Note: We are not doctors. If you have any concerns about your skin or health, please seek professional advice.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we’re talking with Susan Kay, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 40 years of experience treating anxiety, panic, and mood disorders.Susan opens up about her own lifelong journey with anxiety—from childhood panic attacks to the hard-won wisdom that comes from facing fear head-on. Together, we explore:Why anxiety often begins early and hides behind shameThe connection between fear, the nervous system, and avoidanceHow to stop letting anxiety drive your decisionsThe power of small, brave steps and saying “bring it on”When medication, therapy, and community can all play a roleThe deep relief that comes from being seen, heard, and lovedIt’s an honest, compassionate conversation that reminds us we’re never alone in our struggles—and that healing often begins the moment we start talking about it.About Susan:Susan Kay is a pediatric and adult psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist with many years of experience treating both inpatients, residential and outpatient populations. She provides psychotherapy both short term and intermittent as well as psychiatric evaluation and medication management. Her designation as a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist has now changed to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner by the American Nursing Credentialing Center.Susan is seeing pediatric and adult populations in an outpatient setting. She offers primarily psychiatric evaluation and medication management is her specialty. She has extensive experience treating affective disorders, ADHD through the life cycle, Autism Spectrum Disorder, OCD and psychotic disorders.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we’re going deep into a topic we wish someone had warned us about: anxiety.From panic attacks to lump-in-the-throat discomfort and the reality of being “on edge” for decades—we’re talking about how trauma shapes the nervous system, and why healing isn’t just about mindset.Here’s what we cover:Patti’s real-life story of anxiety from childhood trauma to adult healingWhy “calming down” doesn’t cut it when your nervous system is on overdrivePanic, agoraphobia, and food-related anxietyTherapy approaches that helped (CBT, EMDR, ART, somatic work & more)Medication without shameThe power of naming what’s happening in your body and brainWhy anxiety looks different for everyoneThis conversation is honest, emotional, and grounded in real experience. If you’ve ever felt like your anxiety didn’t “make sense,” this one’s for you.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we need to talk about this stuff. This week, we sat down with the wonderfully wise and funny Kathleen Sachs, and wow—did she deliver.Here’s what we covered:How menopause is technically just one day—and what comes before and afterWhat our mothers never told us about hormones, hot flashes, and pelvic painKathleen’s no-holds-barred experience with perimenopause, UTIs, and HRTThe link between shame and silence—and how to start talking backWhat happens when you stand in your driveway holding a flaming pan (seriously)Takeaway: You’re not alone. And you’re not losing it. You might just be on the journey that is menopause - peri and post.About Kathleen Sachs:Kathleen Sachs is the second oldest, second daughter in a family of 9 children, and that explains EVERYTHING about her. Her life has been about being of service to others—whether it’s her career as a Financial Planner, her time in Town Government, or her years as a Hospice Volunteer doing Pet Therapy visits.She has experienced (as she thinks most women have) limits being placed on her simply because she is female—from overprotected activities as a young child, to being underestimated by men to whom she was doing a professional presentation. Her passion now is focused on encouraging women of all ages to use their voice and advocate for themselves, whether that is demanding effective medical care or taking time for self care.Kathleen is starting conversations with women, whenever possible, about the impact of hormonal changes in their bodies and how it can be addressed. She focuses on perimenopause and post-menopause. She recommends to everyone who will listen to her to read her latest "bible" The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver, MD. She heard Dr. Haver on a podcast with Brené Brown and what Dr. Haver said made her mad. She then bought and read this book and it made her madder and changed her life. The 'Pause Life' on Facebook, The ‘Pause Life’ on Substack, Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s InstagramFind resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This one’s a whole journey, so buckle up (or maybe unbutton your jeans and get comfy). Jan’s sharing her deeply personal—and yes, wildly specific—story of life post-menopause. From tight pelvic floors to uteruses that drop like it’s hot, this episode dives into the truth about GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause) and why it’s more than just hot flashes.Here’s what we’re talking about:What GSM actually is and why it mattersJan’s battle with painful bladder symptoms and pelvic floor dysfunctionWhy some vaginas get too tight and others... not tight enough 👀Pelvic floor therapy, mesh, lasers, and all the things no one warns you aboutEstrogen: The goddess hormone and what happens when she bailsBioidentical hormones, DHEA, yams (yes, yams), and natural support optionsWhy it took until 2015 for medicine to take our vaginas seriously 😒We’re calling this one “a menopause saga” because that’s exactly what it is. If you’re navigating your own hormonal rollercoaster or just want to be prepared for what’s ahead, we’ve got you.💡 P.S. Don’t forget to check the show notes for the resource sheet Jan put together!Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Tracy Meyer—a psychology professor, mom, and longtime educator who’s spent over 20 years teaching young adults about sexuality, development, and the things lots of mothers forgot to mention.We talk about the gaps in sex education, the myths still floating around, and how we can all do better—whether we’re raising kids or trying to understand our own bodies.Here’s what we cover:What many young adults still don’t understand about sex and anatomyThe surprising impact of using correct language for body parts early onHow to start age-appropriate conversations about puberty and sexWhy shame-free education leads to healthier kids (and adults)Resources we wish we had growing upDr. Meyer brings practical, thoughtful insight—with a good bit of humor—into how we can raise more informed, confident kids…even if we’re still learning ourselves.About Dr. Tracy Meyer:Dr. Meyer has been a psychology professor for over 20 years. She is married and has two children, a 17 year old daughter a12 year old son. Her research interests are in sexual harassment and gender microaggressions against women.Resources and Links:It’s Not the Stork (book for children)Our Bodies Our SelvesPlanned ParenthoodFind resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This episode is all about that wild ride known as coming of age. We dig into the physical changes, the unspoken questions, and the things that were forgotten to be mentioned.Here’s what we explore:Our first memories of starting our periodsWhat we were (and weren’t) told about our changing bodiesHow shame, silence, or support shaped those experiencesBras, pads, and navigating early body imageWhy creating open, shame-free conversations matters nowHow to show up for young people going through these transitions todayThis conversation is about more than just puberty. It’s about how we understand and relate to our bodies, how that connection forms early on, and how we can make sure the next generation doesn’t feel alone in it.If you’re a parent, a grandparent, an auntie, or someone who simply remembers feeling uncertain during those early changes, this episode is for you.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

**Content warning: This episode mentions rape**On this episode, we’re joined by our guest, Kandy Christensen, who shares her powerful personal journey—from being raised to comply, to reclaiming her voice and agency after years of silence, confusion, and trauma.This conversation covers deeply personal and sometimes difficult ground, but we believe in naming it, talking about it, and healing out loud.What consent really means—and why it goes beyond “no means no”How silence, fear, and shame shaped our early sexual experiencesThe impact of growing up in a culture that rewards compliance over agencyWhat it’s like to navigate sex and dating in a larger bodyThe long-term effects of not feeling safe enough to say noWhy personal power and sexual pleasure go hand-in-handAnd how it’s never too late to reclaim your right to chooseWe hope this episode makes you feel seen, supported, and never alone.As always, resources are available at thingsmymotherforgottomention.com.About Kandy:Kandy Christensen is a crafter who loves textiles, every personality test she has taken says she is a knowledge seeker, she is an empath, she sometimes can be seen carrying a vintage camera and she lives with a free range bunny named Sweetie. She works in non-profit administration by day and by night she is a Life Coach.Links:Kandy’s WebsiteInstagram FacebookFind resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

Content Warning: We mention Sexual Abuse in this episode.Today we're going there! We're talking sex, in all its confusing, complicated, hilarious, and healing glory.You’ll hear:How sexual trauma shaped Patti’s early experiences — and her journey toward healingWhy Jan’s first marriage was a sexual blurThe myth of orgasming through vaginal sex — only 18% of us doClitoral geography, tantra workshops, and pelvic floor PTHow shame and silence shaped our stories — and how open conversations are changing thatWhether you're just starting to explore your sexuality or have decades of experience — we’re here for the real talk our mothers missed.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This one hits close to home. We brought in our dear friend and seasoned relationship coach, Lisa Merlo-Booth, to unpack the relationship lessons we didn’t get from our mothers (or Hollywood, for that matter).In this episode, we get real about:Growing up with dysfunctional templates and learning to spot red flagsWhy jealousy is not love—and neither is ordering for you at dinnerThe danger of falling for potential instead of realityHow self-worth gets tangled up in whether someone chooses youTips for spotting healthy dynamics (and yes, they do exist!)What makes a good therapist or coach—and what to walk away fromWe laughed, we cringed, we healed a little. Join us for a conversation every woman deserves to hear, no matter what stage of life or love you’re in.About Lisa:Lisa isn’t your typical relationship coach. With over 20 years of experience as a relationship coach and trained therapist, she cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of the matter. Lisa tackles complex issues head-on with clarity, humor, and a no-nonsense approach that drives real, lasting change.Her mission is to help individuals, couples, teams, and organizations create radically new relationships and cultures that don’t just survive—they thrive.The old relationship rules are broken, and Lisa is here to rewrite them. Through her Radically New Relationships™ Paradigm, she challenges outdated norms and replaces them with a bold, transformative framework. Her approach ensures relationships are deeply supportive, powerfully connected, and built to last.Links:https://www.facebook.com/LisaMerloBoothStraightTalkhttps://www.instagram.com/lisamerloboothwww.lisamerlobooth.comFind resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This episode’s all about the messy, magical reality of relationships—and how many of us entered them without a clue. We dive into our personal stories, the generational myths that shaped us, and what we’ve learned the hard way.Here’s what we cover:The relationship advice that was missedHow family dysfunction models our love templatesCodependency, love addiction, and breaking toxic patternsWhy being alone can be just as powerful as being partneredWhat accountability and emotional health really look like in loveWe get candid, we get deep—and we keep it real. Whether you’re single, married, divorced, or somewhere in between, we’re here for the “WTF is this?” moments of love.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

In this week’s episode, we talk with the grounded and deeply wise Laura Blundo about her very real (and very relatable) journey through perimenopause, menopause, and all the bodily WTFs in between.We chat about:What it’s like when no one tells you about periods, sex, or menopauseThe emotional side of menopause—and yes, grief is a thingVaginal atrophy (it’s real, it’s painful, and it’s not just "in your head")The Mona Lisa Touch, radiofrequency treatments, and other (sometimes painful!) interventionsFinding the right doctor who takes menopause seriouslyHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)—bioidentical, pellets, creams, and moreWhether your vagina is whispering “WTF” or your libido has RSVP’d “no” to the party, this one’s for you. Grab a tea (or a tequila) and let’s talk about the stuff nobody ever warned us about.About Laura Blundo:Laura is a NH girl, woman, from head to toe, going back to the 1700s. She’s now in her early 60s, and coming into her children's weddings, becoming a new grandparent, all while embarking on a move to a new area this past December. In her personal world, she loves her family and friendships, she loves gardening, hiking, boating, skiing—pretty much all that nature has to offer. As a professional, she is a Relationship Coach, working with couples as well as individuals in helping them become more loving, respectful, nurturing humans. She specializes in Betrayal Trauma recovery as well as the traumas experienced in childhood, which directly affect how people show up in their relationships today.Links:Laura’s website: https://www.relationshipawakenings.com/We are now the stewards of an 1840s farm house with a GIANT red barn! It's exciting, and daunting at the same time.  It's called "Joy Farm", which will be incorporated into my coaching practice with workshops and intensives. Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

This episode is all about perimenopause—when it starts, what it really feels like, and how to navigate the wild hormonal rollercoaster with your sanity (and friendships) intact.Here’s what we get into:Patti’s just entering the night sweats chat (literally)Jan’s been-there-done-that tale of hormonal hell and healingWhat your doctor probably won’t tell you about hormone therapy (and what a functional medicine doc will)Why bioidentical hormone replacement therapy changed Jan’s lifeThe good, the bad, and the itchy: vaginal dryness, mood swings, libido nosedives, and moreNatural, medical, and lifestyle options to support you in perimenopausePSA: Pelvic floor therapy is a thing. And yes, it involves in there.If you’ve ever wondered, “Wait—why didn’t anyone tell me this could happen?”—this episode is your new best friend. You are NOT crazy. You are NOT alone. And we’re so glad you’re here.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.

Welcome! We’re Patti Meyer and Jan Bergstrom—and this is Things My Mother Forgot to Mention, the podcast where we talk about all the stuff no one warned us about.In our debut episode, we’re letting you peek behind the curtain as we:Introduce ourselves (spoiler: one of us is a tech nerd, the other a trauma therapist)Share the origin story of this podcast dream-turned-realityTalk about why we had to create a space for raw, unfiltered convos about womanhood, aging, and all the weirdness in betweenLaugh about encyclopedias, rogue chin hairs, and awkward library searches from the 'before times'We’re here to create a place where every woman feels seen, heard, and maybe even a little less alone.Get ready to talk taboo. Because if our mothers forgot to mention it, we’re bringing it up.Find resources mentioned in this episode here.Learn more about this podcast here.Submit your 90-second lesson/experience here.Apply to be a guest here.Stay updated on new episodes here.*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a proessional.