The Dismantling You Podcast

Lisa Pineda
  • 4.8 (16)
  • Spirituality
  • Monthly

The Dismantling You Podcast is a groundbreaking podcast with a mission to have honest conversations about what it really means to discover and live the best version of you. Hosted by Lisa Pineda, creator of Yoga for Fertility, a Mindfulness Meditation Guide, Two-Time TEDx Speaker and retreat leader. I’ll bring you interviews with experts, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs in all fields and different industries. For more information on the podcast and it’s guests, visit www.lisapinedayoga.com. Find Lisa on Instagram @yoga4fertility and Facebook @lisapinedayogaandmeditation

  1. Oct 27

    Pregnant at 45 With Her Own Eggs with Mary Manjon

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Mary Manjon, mother of two and a former fertility yoga client of mine, who became pregnant at 45 using her own eggs. Mary and I worked together during the pandemic, and her story is one that is very close to my heart. We go back to the beginning: a first pregnancy that took two years to arrive, a second that would not come, and the moment at 40 when every doctor told her they could find nothing wrong. We talk about how she found Dr. Enrique Soto by following another woman's IVF journey on Instagram, why she waited six months before reaching out, and what it felt like to hear the percentages at that first appointment and decide to try anyway. We also get honest about the hard parts. Mary describes the year she said no to everything, the medical issues that kept delaying her embryo transfer, and the day a signed work contract and a single frozen embryo forced her to decide whether to walk away or go forward. We dig into what made her trust her doctor, how fertility yoga and meditation gave her an hour a day that belonged only to her body, and what she would say to a woman in her 40s who has been told her eggs will not work. Her message is simple: get a good team, do your part, and do not stop trying. __________________________________________________ 🌱 Two very different pregnancies: Mary's first child took two years to conceive and arrived with no complications in 2015. Trying again from 2017, nothing happened, and by 40 the doctors could find no cause. 📱 Finding Dr. Soto through someone else's journey: She followed a stranger's IVF journey on Instagram for six months, saw her get pregnant under Dr. Enrique Soto, and asked herself, why not me. 🩺 Why she trusted him: Low percentages on paper, but a first appointment of an hour and a half, every question answered with patience, and never a feeling of being rushed to the next patient. ⏸️ The year she said no: After the egg retrieval, health issues kept blocking the transfer. In 2022 she told her husband she was done, and the whole year became a year of denial. 📄 One embryo and a contract: In 2024 an email arrived about the stored embryo: she had only two eggs, and only one perfect embryo. With her husband's full support, and at 44, she chose to go forward rather than start another retrieval. 🧘 An hour that belonged to her body: Fertility yoga during the pandemic disconnected her from work and focused her on her reproductive system, and she came back for meditation before the transfer and during pregnancy. 💬 Her message to women in their 40s: People told her to stop trying. Her answer: it is not too late, get a good team, consider every option including a donor if you need one, and do your part. __________________________________________________ 🧘 Yoga for Fertility with Lisa Pineda: yoga, breathwork and meditation to support conception 🏥 IVFMD, Dr. Enrique Soto's fertility practice in South Miami 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts Key HighlightsResources & Next Steps

    Pregnant at 45 With Her Own Eggs with Mary Manjon

  2. Oct 14

    Episode 121 Dr. Enrique Soto on Egg Quality, AMH and The Truth About IVF

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Dr. Enrique Soto, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility Specialist at IVFMD, live from a studio in Miami. Dr. Soto and I are connected through a former patient of his and client of mine who became pregnant at 45 using her own eggs, and we start right there: why it can happen, and why it is the exception rather than the rule. We dig into why IVF has become the treatment he performs most for patients over 35, how its success compares with an IUI, and why age is the number one factor in egg quality, even for women who are the picture of health. We also talk about endometriosis as a condition that still puzzles patients and doctors alike, how common male factor infertility really is, and how to live with the way the numbers drop from eggs retrieved to normal embryos without spiraling.We also get practical. Dr. Soto explains how he decides between surgery and going straight to IVF when fibroids or endometriosis are involved, what he looks at after a failed IVF cycle, and why the simple AMH blood test may be the most useful number a woman in her early thirties can know. We talk about egg freezing and the public conversation sparked by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, when embryo genetic testing matters most, and which ovulation tracking method he actually trusts. In our rapid fire round he puts two myths to rest: that egg freezing brings on early menopause, and that testosterone is harmless for a man hoping to become a father. We close on the belief he had to dismantle himself, that he already knew how becoming a father would feel, and how his daughter has made him a more empathetic physician. Key Highlights 🥚 Age is the number one factor: Overall health does not predict egg quality, and the decline after 35 is not gradual but sharper. Even women who conceived easily in their twenties may need help at 40 📊 Why IVF has become the leading treatment: For a woman around 40, an IUI carries roughly a 2 to 3% chance per month, while transferring a genetically normal embryo offers around a 70% chance of pregnancy. 👨 Male factor is more common than people think: The male side is the sole cause in about 25 to 30% of cases and is involved in around half of all fertility challenges. 🔢 Do not get attached to a number: From 25 eggs retrieved, many patients end up with one to four embryos, and only some will be genetically normal. All it takes is one good embryo. 🩺 Fibroids, surgery and timing: The size and location of a fibroid decide whether it needs treatment, and after larger surgery about six months must pass before a transfer, so retrieving eggs first can protect precious time. 🧪 Know your AMH early: The AMH test is inexpensive, can be done on any day of the cycle, and shows your ovarian reserve while there is still time to act. 💉 Testosterone and male fertility: Taking testosterone can drive a man's sperm count to zero, and recovery can take months or even more than a year. Resources & Next Steps 📸 Follow Dr. Enrique Soto on Instagram @miamifertilitydoc 🏥 IVFMD  @Ivfmd ⁠ , Dr. Soto's fertility practice in South Miami with offices across South Florida 🧪 Ask your doctor about an AMH blood test to check your ovarian reserve 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts

    Episode 121 Dr. Enrique Soto on Egg Quality, AMH and The Truth About IVF

  3. Sep 15

    Episode 120 Bracha Banayan GLP-1s, Metabolic Health and Fertility

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Bracha Banayan, Family Nurse Practitioner, Founder & CEO of IVDRIPS and Hello Dose, for a conversation that reframes almost everything we are told about weight loss. Bracha argues that the number on the scale is the least interesting part of the story, and that what we should actually be chasing is metabolic health. We unpack the glucose and insulin dance happening in the body every day, why so many of us are living in a high insulin state without knowing it, and how that quietly drives the inflammation sitting underneath so many modern conditions. For anyone navigating fertility, this matters far more than it might sound. Every system in the body, from cognitive function to egg quality, works better when inflammation comes down. We also get personal. Bracha has been openly candid about her own egg freezing journey, including the rounds that did not go the way she hoped, and what she learned about the difference between fighting reality and accepting it. She shares why she believes women should be checking their AMH levels in their twenties rather than their mid thirties, and why muscle is the closest thing we have to a cheat code for longevity. We get into her upcoming book, the idea of a body set point and why willpower is not the whole story, and where she thinks women's healthcare is heading over the next decade. It is a conversation about biology, but it is really about refusing to live with regret. __________________________________________________ 🧊 The iceberg you cannot see: Bracha describes GLP-1s as an iceberg. The visible part is weight loss, but the real strength sits underneath in metabolic health, inflammation and cardiovascular protection. 🩸 Insulin resistance is not a diabetes conversation: Most people are living in a high insulin state without realising it, and that pattern affects fertility, sleep, cognition and long term health. 🥚 What one specialist noticed about egg quality: Bracha recounts a fertility doctor in Israel who saw significantly better egg quality in women on GLP-1s, and explains why lower inflammation may be the reason. 💪 Muscle is the cheat code: Muscle breaks down glucose far faster than fat cells do, which is why Bracha says building it matters more than any number on the scale. 🧠 The pause factor: These medications appear to quiet short term dopamine cravings without  dulling desire for life, which is why she believes they may open a path toward treating addiction. 💔 Regret was worse than failure: After a frustrating second round of egg freezing, Bracha realised she would rather try and fail repeatedly than carry the regret of never having tried at all. ⚖️ Your body has a set point: Biology defends the weight you have held for years, which is why willpower alone so rarely moves it and why this is not a question of laziness. __________________________________________________ Follow Bracha Banayan on Instagram @Bracha_Banayan 💧 IVDRIPS @IVfdrips_ 💊 Hello Dose @hellodose_ 📖 Why Are You Still Hungry? by Bracha Banayan (forthcoming) 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts Key HighlightsResources & Next Steps

    Episode 120 Bracha Banayan GLP-1s, Metabolic Health and Fertility

  4. Aug 18

    Episode 119 Jordana Graifman, MS, LCGC, What Every IVF Patient Deserves to Know About Embryo Screening

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Jordana Graifman, a genetic counselor at Orchid, to talk about the genetic information most fertility patients are never offered before their next transfer. Jordana walks us through what a genetic counselor actually does, when you might meet one on your reproductive journey, and why so many people leave clinic asking the same painful question: could anyone have told me this sooner? We explore carrier screening, the difference between standard embryo testing and whole genome embryo screening, and why being healthy yourself does not tell the full story about the risks you can pass on to your children. We also dig into the emotional side of this work, the miscarriages, failed transfers, and quiet losses that so many women carry without a place to talk about them. Jordana shares how she counsels patients who are hopeful but terrified, how she responds to fears about designer babies, and what she wishes every hopeful parent understood about family building. Her core message is simple and powerful: see a genetic counselor earlier than you think you should, because the sooner you have the information, the more freedom you have to make decisions that are truly your own. This is a conversation about science, compassion, and deeply personal choices. 🧬 What a Genetic Counselor Really Does: Jordana explains how genetic counselors assess risk, order and interpret testing, and sit with families at the intersection of science and deeply personal decisions. 👨‍👩‍👧 Why Healthy Parents Can Still Carry Risk: Most of us are silent carriers for something. The real risk appears when both parents carry the same condition, creating a 25 percent chance of passing it on to any pregnancy. 🔬 Standard Testing Versus Whole Genome Screening: Standard embryo testing looks at less than 1 percent of an embryo's genome, while Orchid analyzes 99 percent, surfacing thousands of conditions traditional testing misses. 🧩 The Many Ways Conditions Are Inherited: From dominant and recessive inheritance to X linked and sporadic de novo variants, Jordana breaks down why a condition can appear even when it has never run in your family. 👶 Who Benefits Most From Embryo Screening: Information seekers, families using donors, fathers 40 and up, and patients with complex screening requests often gain the most from a comprehensive approach. 💗 Counseling Through Loss and Uncertainty: Jordana shares how she supports patients navigating miscarriage and failed transfers, validating the grief while grounding the conversation in real data. 🕰️ See a Counselor Earlier Than You Think: Her central message is that early information creates freedom, giving hopeful parents the room to make informed choices before their next step. Resources & Next Steps 🧬 Orchid whole genome embryo screening (comprehensive genetic testing before transfer) 📧 Complimentary Orchid pre test counseling: genetics@orchidhealth.com ✍️ Follow Jordana Graifman on Substack (The Genetic Counselor) 📲Follow Orchid on Instagram @Orchidinc 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts

    Episode 119 Jordana Graifman, MS, LCGC, What Every IVF Patient Deserves to Know About Embryo Screening

  5. Jul 28

    Episode 118 Matthew Braman on the Hidden Grief Men Carry Through Fertility, Loss, and Fatherhood

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Matthew Braman, LCSW, LCSW-C, PMH-C, a paternal perinatal mental health specialist and the Founder & CEO of VERVE Psychotherapy to explore a subject that too often goes unspoken: the grief men carry through fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, and the transition into fatherhood. Matthew shares how he found his way into this work, why men's emotional experiences in the perinatal period are so easily overlooked, and what happens when partners stop truly seeing each other. We talk honestly about the distance and resentment that build when grief has nowhere to go, and why real connection asks so much more of us than we expect. From there, Matthew and I dig into the four pillars of connection and what it takes for couples to move through reproductive grief together rather than apart. We explore why so many men wait for a crisis before seeking support, how the myth of the impenetrable man keeps them isolated, and the quiet power of doing the work before things fall apart. We also cover the invisible load in partnership, the guilt that surfaces around parenting, and the practice of building internal safety in the middle of hard seasons. It is a tender, grounding conversation about showing up, asking for help, and remembering that therapy, and honesty, are for everyone. __________________________________________________ 💔 Grief that goes unspoken: Why reproductive and perinatal loss create distance in relationships when emotions are not shared or validated. 👨‍👦 Fathers in the perinatal period: The overlooked reality of men's mental health through fertility, pregnancy, and early parenthood. 🧱 The four pillars of connection: How empathy, understanding, acceptance, and validation keep couples close through hard seasons. 🚪 The myth of the impenetrable man: How the pressure to appear strong keeps men isolated and delays them from seeking support. ⚖️ The invisible load: A candid look at Fair Play, shared responsibility, and the guilt that surfaces in modern parenting. 🌱 You do not need a crisis: Why therapy and inner work matter before things fall apart, not only after. __________________________________________________ Key HighlightsResources & Next Steps 🧠 VERVE Psychotherapy (Matthew Braman’s practice), www.vervpsychotherapy.com 👶 Becoming Dad workshops for new and expecting fathers (in person in Westfield, New Jersey, and virtual) 📲 Follow Matthew Braman on Instagram @vervepsychotherapy 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts

  6. Jul 7

    Episode 117 Dr. Sitara Ravikumar Fertility Truths Every Woman Should Know

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Dr. Sitara Ravikumar, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with Sher Fertility New York, to unpack the conversations most women are not having early enough. We dig into why preparation for conception begins in your mid-20s, not the month you decide to start trying, and why understanding your own body, your hormones, and your reproductive goals is one of the most important investments you can make in your future. Dr. Ravikumar shares her journey from broad OB/GYN practice at NYU and Mount Sinai into the world of reproductive endocrinology, and what drew her to a fertility practice that prioritizes relationship-based care over rushed appointments. We also explore the realities of fertility that pop culture and social media often gloss over, from age and ovarian reserve to the influence of sleep, stress, and lifestyle on hormonal balance. Dr. Ravikumar opens up about the rebrand of PCOS to PMOS, the role of AI in egg quality assessment, and why being honest about outcomes matters more than chasing perfection. We talk about IVF and IUI, the emotional weight of fertility care, and what it means to redefine success when biology is the variable you cannot fully control. This is a candid look at fertility, ambition, and the conversations we should be having sooner rather than later. __________________________________________________ Key Highlights 🩺 Preparation Starts Earlier Than You Think: Dr. Ravikumar urges women to begin fertility conversations in their mid-20s, with ultrasounds, hormone testing, and a clear sense of reproductive goals long before they plan to conceive. 🌱 From OB/GYN to Reproductive Endocrinology: Dr. Ravikumar walks through her path from surgical OB/GYN at NYU and Mount Sinai into fertility medicine, and why the pathophysiology of endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, and polyps naturally pulled her into the field. 🤝 Care That Sees the Whole Person: She describes why Sher Fertility New York prioritizes thorough consultations, real conversations, and ongoing relationships over the volume-driven culture that defines much of fertility care. ⏰ Age, Ovarian Reserve, and Honest Outcomes: Dr. Ravikumar explains how age and ovarian reserve shape what is possible, why sleep and chronic stress quietly erode hormonal balance, and how realistic goal-setting protects both outcomes and emotional health. 🧬 PCOS Is Out, PMOS Is In: We unpack the shift from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) to PMOS (polycystic ovarian morphology), why the rebrand matters for patient understanding, and what the diagnosis actually says about your body. 🤖 AI in Egg Quality Assessment: Dr. Ravikumar shares how AI-assisted egg grading is reshaping IVF outcomes, helping embryologists select the most viable eggs with more precision than visual assessment alone. 💗 IVF, IUI, and Letting Go of Perfection: She talks about the difference between IVF and IUI, the emotional reality of working with biology that is 80 percent predetermined, and what it has taken her to give herself grace as a self-described perfectionist. __________________________________________________ Resources & Next Steps 🌐 Sher Fertility New York: SherFertilitySolutions.com 📲 Follow Sher Fertility on Instagram @SherFertilityNY 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts

  7. Jun 23

    Episode 116 Dr. Drew Tortoriello Demystifying IUI: What You Need to Know

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Dr. Drew Tortoriello, Medical Director at Sher Fertility, to demystify one of the most misunderstood options in reproductive medicine: intrauterine insemination (IUI). We dig into why IUI is often the right first step for couples facing unexplained infertility, how a thoughtful, non-aggressive approach can lead to better outcomes, and why knowing your numbers matters long before you ever think you'll need a fertility specialist. Dr. Tortoriello brings both deep clinical expertise and a refreshing honesty about the limits of medicine, reminding us that even the best science cannot guarantee outcomes.We also explore what proactive reproductive health really looks like in your 20s and 30s, the role of egg freezing as a hedge against future infertility, and why stress alone does not cause infertility (despite what the headlines say). Dr. Tortoriello shares his perspective on the emotional grieving process so many couples experience, the importance of patient education, and what genuine self-care looks like for a physician at the top of his field. Whether you're actively trying to conceive, planning ahead, or simply curious about what reproductive endocrinology really involves, this conversation will give you a clearer, calmer framework for understanding your options. Key Highlights 🩺 From Maternal Fetal Medicine to Fertility: Dr. Tortoriello shares how a residency rotation and personal family experiences pulled him into reproductive endocrinology, where he found both intellectual challenge and deep human meaning. 🔬 Routine Fertility Testing Explained: We walk through the standard workup every couple should expect, from hormone panels to imaging, and why getting answers early is itself a form of relief. 💡 When IUI Is the Right Move: Roughly 20% of couples have unexplained infertility, and Dr. Tortoriello explains why this group often responds beautifully to intrauterine insemination before escalating to IVF. 🥚 The Case for Proactive Egg Freezing: More young women are using fertility preservation as a hedge against future challenges. We discuss the science, the timing, and how this choice is reshaping reproductive planning. 🧘 Stress and Fertility: Separating Myth from Truth: Dr. Tortoriello pushes back on the popular narrative that stress directly causes infertility, while acknowledging the very real emotional weight couples carry through the process. 💞 The Grieving Process Most Couples Don't Talk About: Trying to conceive without success is a form of anticipatory grief. We discuss why naming it helps couples feel less alone and more equipped to move forward. 🌱 Hard Work, Good Research, and the Next Generation: Progress in fertility medicine doesn't come from shortcuts. Dr. Tortoriello reflects on mentorship, research discipline, and the steady work of teaching the next wave of physicians. Resources & Next Steps 🏥 Sher Fertility-helping patients all over the world. (where Dr. Drew Tortoriello serves as Medical Director) 👤 Follow Dr. Drew Tortortiello at Sher Fertility New York @sherfertilityny on Instagram and his work in reproductive endocrinology 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts

  8. Jun 3

    Episode 115 Dr. Stephanie McNally: The Truth About Fertility, Perimenopause, and Menopause

    In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Dr. Stephanie McNally, a women's health physician affiliated with the Katz Institute for Women's Health at Northwell Health. We pull back the curtain on the parts of women's health that so often go unspoken: fertility, perimenopause, menopause, and the hormonal shifts that shape how we feel at every stage. Dr. McNally explains why so many women misread their own bodies, how the birth control pill can mask underlying hormonal patterns, and why regular cycles do not automatically mean everything is fine underneath. We also talk about the importance of listening to your body and getting curious instead of dismissing symptoms as just stress or aging.From there we go deep on hormone therapy and why the science has been so badly misunderstood for decades, including what newer research suggests about heart and cognitive protection when therapy starts at the right time. We unpack the truth about menopause weight gain and metabolism, why sleep should be treated as a vital sign, and how mood, anxiety, and hormones are far more connected than most of us were ever taught. Dr. McNally also speaks candidly about access to care, the cultural silence around women's health, and why she has had to unlearn parts of her own training along the way. It is an honest, myth busting conversation that will leave you better equipped to advocate for yourself and ask sharper questions at your next appointment. Key Highlights 🧬 Fertility and menopause are connected: Understanding one helps you understand the other, and your cycle is often telling you more than you realize .💊 What the pill can mask: Hormonal contraception can hide underlying patterns, so knowing your baseline hormonal needs before starting matters.🩺 Regular cycles are not the whole story: A predictable period does not guarantee everything is fine underneath. Women have to listen to the fuller picture their bodies give. ❤️ Hormone therapy, reframed: Decades of fear were built on misread data. Newer analysis points to cardiac and cognitive benefits when therapy starts at the right time in the right patient. ⚖️ The menopause belly and metabolism: Why weight changes happen, the role of insulin resistance, and why estrogen alone is not a magic fix 😴 Sleep as a vital sign: Vasomotor symptoms disrupt sleep, which cascades into fatigue and mood, so sleep deserves real clinical attention 🧠 Mood, anxiety, and hormones: You cannot cleanly separate mental health from hormonal change. Resources & Next Steps 📱 Dr. Stephanie McNally Instagram @stephtmcnallymd 🏥 Katz Institute for Women's Health at Northwell Health 🎧 Subscribe to Dismantling You on Apple Podcasts

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About

The Dismantling You Podcast is a groundbreaking podcast with a mission to have honest conversations about what it really means to discover and live the best version of you. Hosted by Lisa Pineda, creator of Yoga for Fertility, a Mindfulness Meditation Guide, Two-Time TEDx Speaker and retreat leader. I’ll bring you interviews with experts, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs in all fields and different industries. For more information on the podcast and it’s guests, visit www.lisapinedayoga.com. Find Lisa on Instagram @yoga4fertility and Facebook @lisapinedayogaandmeditation

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