A Journey to Whole Woman Health

Jamie Erwin, MD & Mary Kathryn Nader, PhD/LPC
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Medicine

A Journey to Whole Woman Health is a podcast for women of all ages who want to care for their bodies, minds, and souls with wisdom, courage, and confidence. Hosted by Dr. Jamie Erwin, board-certified OB/GYN and women’s health expert, and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader, Licensed Professional Counselor with a doctorate in counseling specializing in women’s mental health, this podcast brings together medical science, emotional insight, and faith-centered encouragement. Each episode explores the real issues women face across every season of life—hormones, mental health, fertility, pregnancy, loss and grief, work-life balance, fitness, nutrition, relationships, identity, and spiritual growth. Through honest conversations, evidence-based education, and deeply relatable stories, Dr. Erwin and Dr. Nader help women feel informed, seen, and supported. This is a space where expertise meets authenticity, where science meets soul, and where women are reminded they are not broken—they are becoming whole. Our mission is simple: To educate, empower, and encourage women to pursue whole-woman health with clarity, compassion, and faith. Whether you’re navigating young adulthood, motherhood, midlife, or reinvention, this podcast is your companion on the journey.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 18: How to Complete the Stress Cycle | Anxiety, Burnout & Women’s Health

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader discuss the difference between stress and stressors — and why so many women stay trapped in chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, exhaustion, insomnia, irritability, and overwhelm even after the stressful event is over. Inspired by the groundbreaking book Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski, this episode explores how to “complete the stress cycle” and teach your body that it is finally safe again. We discuss:  The physiology of stress  Cortisol, adrenaline & the nervous system  Why women feel chronically overwhelmed  How stress affects libido, sleep & health  The difference between stress and stressors  The 7 evidence-based ways to complete the stress cycle  Physical movement & exercise  Deep breathing & nervous system regulation  Connection, laughter & affection  Crying as emotional release  Creativity & healing  Burnout, compassion fatigue & anxiety  Listening to your body If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, this episode is for you. ✨ Join the journey. Support the show

    31 min

  2. May 27

    Episode 17: Why Don’t I Want Sex Anymore? The Truth About Women’s Libido

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you love your partner… but your desire is gone? In this honest and science-backed episode, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader break down the truth about women’s libido, desire, hormones, stress, relationships, and emotional connection. They discuss:  Why women’s libido is more complex than men’s  The invisible mental load women carry  Testosterone and estrogen’s role in desire  Painful sex, vaginal dryness, and postpartum changes  How stress and cortisol affect intimacy  SSRIs and libido  Why scheduling sex may actually help  Testosterone therapy for women: what the science says  Emotional connection, resentment, exhaustion, and intimacy  The 5 pillars of desire This episode is empowering, educational, and deeply validating for women in every season of life. Because you are not broken. Your body is communicating with you. 🎧 Join the journey.  Support the show

    36 min

  3. May 20

    Episode 16: Grief Isn’t Linear- What No One Tells You About Loss

    Send us Fan Mail Grief is one of the most universal human experiences—and yet, when you're in it, it can feel completely isolating. In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader explore what grief actually looks like—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Together, they unpack the myths we’ve been taught about grief, including the idea that it follows a neat timeline or a predictable set of stages. From miscarriage and infertility to identity shifts, relationship changes, and life transitions, grief shows up in ways many women don’t expect. You’ll learn:  What grief really is (beyond death and loss)  The truth about the “five stages” of grief—and why they’re often misunderstood  How grief shows up in the body (sleep, headaches, gut symptoms)  Why there is no “right way” or timeline for grieving  The concept of duality—holding grief and joy at the same time  Practical ways to support someone who is grieving  The role of faith when you’re walking through loss If you’re navigating grief—or walking alongside someone who is—this episode will remind you: You are not alone.  You are not doing it wrong.  And you are allowed to carry both sorrow and strength at the same time. Support the show

    28 min

  4. May 13

    Episode 15: What Your Child’s Behavior Is Really Telling You — Part 2: Hard Conversations, Big Feelings & What Kids Need Most

    Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of our conversation with Kate Jennings, LPC-S, founder of The Bug and The Bee in Fort Worth, we continue exploring how anxiety shows up in kids, teens, and even parents. Kate helps us understand the physical signs of anxiety—from stomachaches and headaches to sweating, racing hearts, and sensory overwhelm—and explains why helping kids name what is happening in their bodies can reduce fear and build emotional awareness. We also talk about overscheduled kids, performance pressure, risk-aversion in teens, and how parents can guide children through hard conversations about death, divorce, scary news, illness, and grief. This episode is full of practical language, compassionate reframes, and parent-friendly tools for raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids. In This Episode, We Discuss  How anxiety shows up physically in children and teens  Why stomachaches, headaches, sweating, and racing hearts may be anxiety signals  The “face the wind” sailboat analogy for anxiety  Why bravery means feeling anxious and doing the hard thing anyway  How overscheduling keeps kids from feeling and processing emotions  Why “being the best” does not always mean performing  How to talk to kids about divorce, death, illness, and scary news  Why we should use clear words like “death” and “dying” with children  How to talk about suicide with less stigma  Helping teens take healthy risks and tolerate failure  Mom mantras for hard days: “progress, not perfection,” “you can do hard things,” and “we’re doing the best we can” Key Takeaways Behavior is communication. Anxiety often shows up in the body before kids have words for it. When we teach children to notice what is happening inside their bodies, we help them feel less afraid and more empowered. Bravery is not the absence of anxiety. Bravery is feeling anxious and doing the hard thing anyway. Hard conversations do not have to be perfect. They need to be honest, age-appropriate, and grounded in safety and connection. Call to Action If this episode encouraged you, share it with a parent, caregiver, teacher, or friend who loves a child or teenager. Support the show

    34 min

  5. May 6

    Episode 14: What Your Child’s Behavior Is Really Telling You — Part 1: Anxiety, Overwhelm & the Signals We Miss

    Send us Fan Mail What if your child’s “bad behavior” isn’t something to fix—but something to understand? In this powerful episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader sit down with licensed professional counselor supervisor Kate Jennings, founder of The Bug and the Bee, to unpack what’s really going on beneath tantrums, anxiety, and overwhelm in kids and teens. From toddler meltdowns on airplanes to middle school friendship struggles and rising anxiety, Kate shares practical, evidence-based tools for parents to respond with empathy, clarity, and confidence. You’ll learn why behavior is communication, how anxiety shows up in the body, and how small shifts in your response can completely change your child’s emotional world. What You’ll Learn:  Why behavior is always about gaining or avoiding something The power of “connect before redirect” How anxiety activates the fight, flight, or freeze response Why saying “you’re fine” can actually increase anxiety  The mind-gut connection and why kids feel anxiety in their bodies  How to respond to tantrums, overwhelm, and emotional outbursts  Practical scripts to help your child process fear and uncertainty  How to model emotional regulation as a parent Key Takeaways:  Kids do well if they can Behavior is not random—it’s communication Anxiety lives in the body, not just the mind  Connection builds safety—correction alone does notResources Mentioned:  SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)  Mind-gut connection research  Collaborative Problem Solving framework Connect with Our Guest: Kate Jennings, LPC-S The Bug and the Bee (Fort Worth, TX) If this episode helped you better understand a child in your life, share it today with a parent, teacher, or caregiver. Support the show

    28 min

  6. Apr 29

    Episode 13: Movement Is Medicine: What Women Need to Know About Exercise

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader talk about exercise for women and why movement matters so much for physical, mental, and emotional health. Jamie shares her own background as a lifelong athlete, from gymnastics and track to collegiate competition and marathon running, and explains how her relationship with exercise has changed over time. Instead of punishment and pressure, movement has become a way to honor the body, build longevity, and care for overall health. Together, Jamie and Mary Kathryn break down a simple framework for women’s fitness using the acronym FACE: F – Flexibility Why mobility and stretching matter every day A – Aerobic How zone 2 cardio supports heart health, endurance, and longevity C – Carry the Load Why strength training is essential for women, especially in midlife E – Equilibrium How balance training helps prevent falls, improve stability, and support healthy aging They also discuss:  common myths about women and weight training  why women should not be afraid of lifting heavy  the role of VO2 max in longevity  why too much high-intensity exercise can backfire in midlife  how exercise supports insulin sensitivity, bone health, and muscle mass  the importance of movement during pregnancy  why finding joyful movement matters for long-term consistency This conversation is both practical and encouraging, whether you are a marathoner, a walker, a class lover, or someone just trying to move more in this season of life. Because movement is not about punishment. It is about strength, stewardship, and caring for the one body you have. Support the show

    28 min

  7. Apr 22

    Episode 12: Just Tell Me What to Eat: Simple Nutrition for Busy Women

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader dive into one of the most common questions women ask: What should I actually be eating? This conversation explores how women’s nutritional needs shift across the lifespan—from adolescence to the reproductive years, through pregnancy and postpartum, and into perimenopause and midlife. Dr. Erwin shares practical, realistic guidance for fueling your body well without perfection, shame, or extreme dieting. You’ll hear discussion about iron, calcium, vitamin D, protein, folate, omega-3s, fiber, and probiotic foods, along with why these nutrients matter in different seasons of a woman’s life. The episode also focuses heavily on midlife nutrition, including how to support muscle mass, bone health, metabolism, and hormonal changes in your 40s and 50s. Dr. Erwin also breaks down simple, actionable strategies for busy women, including easy high-protein meals and snacks, why breakfast matters, how to fuel before and after exercise, and the “30-30-2” rule:  30 grams of protein per meal, 30 grams of fiber per day, and 2 probiotic foods daily. If you’ve ever felt confused by nutrition advice or just wanted someone to “tell me what to eat,” this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover:  How nutrition needs change through each stage of a woman’s life  Key nutrients for teens, reproductive years, pregnancy, postpartum, and midlife  Folate vs. folic acid and what to look for in a prenatal vitamin  Why women in midlife need more protein  The connection between estrogen decline, muscle loss, bone loss, and insulin resistance  Why skipping breakfast can backfire later in the day  Fueling before and after exercise  Easy, realistic meal and snack ideas for busy women  How to build a healthier relationship with food without perfectionism Whether you are navigating adolescence, trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, perimenopausal, or simply trying to feel better in your body, this episode offers practical nutrition wisdom to help you fuel yourself with more confidence and clarity. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient or therapist-client relationship. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns. Support the show

    33 min

  8. Apr 15

    Episode 11: The Truth About Forgiveness (And Why You’re Struggling With It)

    Send us Fan Mail Forgiveness is one of the most talked about—and most misunderstood—parts of emotional and spiritual health. In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, we break down what forgiveness really is, what it’s not, and why so many women struggle with it. If you’ve ever thought:  “I can’t forgive because I can’t forget…”  “They don’t deserve my forgiveness…”  “Forgiving means I have to let them back into my life…” This episode will change the way you see forgiveness. We discuss:  • The biggest myths about forgiveness  • Why forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation  • Why “forgive and forget” is not the goal  • How unforgiveness affects your mental, emotional, and physical health  • A simple, research-based framework (the REACH model) to help you move forward  • Why forgiveness is a decision—not a feeling This conversation is for the woman holding onto hurt, resentment, or regret—and wondering how to finally let go. You don’t have to stay stuck. 🎧 Listen on Apple & Spotify  📺 Watch on YouTube Support the show

    25 min
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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

A Journey to Whole Woman Health is a podcast for women of all ages who want to care for their bodies, minds, and souls with wisdom, courage, and confidence. Hosted by Dr. Jamie Erwin, board-certified OB/GYN and women’s health expert, and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader, Licensed Professional Counselor with a doctorate in counseling specializing in women’s mental health, this podcast brings together medical science, emotional insight, and faith-centered encouragement. Each episode explores the real issues women face across every season of life—hormones, mental health, fertility, pregnancy, loss and grief, work-life balance, fitness, nutrition, relationships, identity, and spiritual growth. Through honest conversations, evidence-based education, and deeply relatable stories, Dr. Erwin and Dr. Nader help women feel informed, seen, and supported. This is a space where expertise meets authenticity, where science meets soul, and where women are reminded they are not broken—they are becoming whole. Our mission is simple: To educate, empower, and encourage women to pursue whole-woman health with clarity, compassion, and faith. Whether you’re navigating young adulthood, motherhood, midlife, or reinvention, this podcast is your companion on the journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Jamie Erwin, MD & Mary Kathryn Nader, PhD/LPC
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Journey to Whole Woman Health
  • Show Website
    A Journey to Whole Woman Health

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