Smell the Roses Health and Wellness Podcast

Neurodivergence affects millions of women, yet many don't discover they're neurodivergent until adulthood, motherhood, or even pregnancy.many women are left wondering :-Why certain situations feel more overwhelming.-Why the mental load can feel especially heavy.-Why routines, transitions, or sensory experiences can take more energy to navigate.In this episode, I sit down with Lara, a Certified Nurse Midwife who is also neurodivergent, for a thoughtful conversation about pregnancy, parenting, and the many ways neurodivergence can shape a woman's experience.We talk about:-What neurodivergence actually is-Why many women aren't diagnosed until adulthood-How ADHD and autism can show up during pregnancy and postpartum-The unique strengths and challenges neurodivergent mothers may experience-How healthcare providers can better support neurodivergent patientsWhether you're neurodivergent yourself, love someone who is, or care for women in pregnancy and postpartum, this conversation offers a deeper understanding of experiences that often go unseen.Because sometimes gaining a new perspective can help us better understand ourselves, our families, and the people we care for.Listen now on all major podcast platforms!#adhd #autism #neurodivergent #pregnancy #pregnancypodcast #motherhood #womenshealth

Postpartum is harder than anyone tells you, and the silence around it is part of the problem. In this episode we sit down with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Amy Beckler, to talk about the postpartum mental health truths that most new moms only learn the hard way.We get into the stuff that doesn't make it into the "what to expect" books:-postpartum rage -intrusive thoughts -phantom cries -identity shifts and why so many women struggle?... the silence is a big part. So this episode intends to normalize conversations between women, friends, and family about real experiences surrounding postpartum and motherhood. Amy brings her clinical lens and real experiences, and I bring the questions every mom (and pregnant mama) is too tired or too scared to ask.If you're pregnant, postpartum, or somewhere in the fog of the fourth trimester, this is the conversation I wish someone had handed me especially so I would have known I was not alone.💌 STAY CONNECTED:Subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode 🌹Instagram: @yournursemidwife @smelltherosespodcastTikTok: @smelltherosespodcastApple Podcasts & Spotify: https://linktr.ee/Smelltherosespodcast⚠️ A note: This episode discusses postpartum mental health, including anxiety and depression. It's meant for education and support, not as a substitute for medical or psychological care. If you're struggling, please reach out to your provider or Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773). #postpartum #postpartummentalhealth #postpartumdepression #postpartumanxiety #newmom #motherhood #fourthtrimester #womenshealthpodcast #pregnancypodcast

For six years, Katrina searched for answers. Endless appointments & Testing. But one thing changed everything.In this episode, Katrina shares her raw journey through infertility, the emotional toll of not feeling heard by providers, and the one overlooked piece that finally changed everything after years of searching for answers.We talk about the reality of infertility, advocating for yourself when you know your body, pregnancy after years of loss, and what hope can look like even after feeling defeated for so long.Topics we cover:• Infertility and emotional burnout• Not feeling heard by healthcare providers• The overlooked issue that finally led to answers• Conceiving after 6 years• Pregnancy after infertility• Holding onto hope during the waitingIf this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs hope in their fertility journey today. Follow Karina's story on instagram @kmariemcgrath

In this episode, I sit down with a licensed sex therapist Catie Buttner, PhD, LCSW, to have the kind of conversation most people have never had ...but should.We talk about:what pleasure really means & how to explore it within yourselfcommunicating your needs with your partner sex in long-term relationships understanding how desire evolves as we age how to approach conversations about sex with your kids in a way that feels open, honest, and empowering This episode is about creating a healthier, more connected relationship with your body, your partner, and your family. So lets have a real, honest, and judgment-free conversation about sex, connection, and what it actually means to feel pleasure everyday & at every stage of life.

Most women don’t learn about their pelvic floor until something goes wrong...In this episode, physical therapist Amanda Reeve, explains what the pelvic floor is, why it matters, and how dysfunction can affect everything from pregnancy and postpartum, to painful sex, leaking, and back pain.We cover:• What the pelvic floor actually does• Why pregnancy and birth impact it• Common postpartum symptoms women ignore• How pelvic floor dysfunction affects sex• When you should seek pelvic floor therapyIf you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms are “normal” after having kids...this episode is for you.

In this episode, we dive into the real, unfiltered side of postpartum mental health: intrusive thoughts, postpartum anxiety, OCD, depression, and even rage. These experiences are more common than people think, yet so many women suffer in silence because of shame, fear, or lack of support.We break down:-What intrusive thoughts actually are (and why they don’t mean you’re a bad mom)-The difference between postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD-Why postpartum rage happens—and why no one talks about it-What support should look like for new moms-First steps to getting help and feeling like yourself againIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, scared by your own thoughts, or like no one prepared you for this part of motherhood—this episode is for you.You are not alone. And you are not broken.Postpartum Support links:https://psichapters.com/

*TRIGGER WARNING: THIS EPISODE TALKS ABOUT CHILD NEGLECT AND TRAUMA* This episode is a deep and honest conversation about childhood trauma—what it does to us, how it shapes us, and most importantly, how we can heal from it.I sit down with guest author Barbra Latinka, who shares her personal story of trauma and how she transformed her pain into beauty through her writing. We talk about what it really means to “alchemize” trauma—turning something heavy into something that heals not only yourself, but others.We dive into:-How childhood experiences shape the way we show up as adults-The concept of inner child healing (and why it matters)-Tools and practices that actually help you move through trauma-The power of storytelling as a form of healing-Why healing isn’t always peachy—and what to expect along the wayThis episode is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in their past, is doing the work to heal, or wants to better understand themselves on a deeper level.You are not broken—you are becoming.

In this episode, we sit down with a student nurse midwife to break down what birth really looks like—beyond what you see in movies, social media, or fear-based narratives.We talk about the stages of labor in a way that actually makes sense, how to trust your body, and why understanding birth can completely change your experience. From pregnancy to postpartum, this conversation is all about demystifying birth and giving women the knowledge they deserve.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, scared, or unsure about what to expect—this episode is for you.Because birth isn’t something to fear… it’s something to understand.