A Journey to Whole Woman Health

Jamie Erwin, MD & Mary Kathryn Nader, PhD/LPC
  • 4.8 (23)
  • 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. 6d ago

    Episode 24: Breastfeeding Without the Pressure-What Every New Mom Needs to Know

    Send us Fan Mail Should breastfeeding hurt? Is formula really "failing"? What actually matters most during those overwhelming first days with a newborn? In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader welcome board-certified pediatrician and newborn hospitalist Dr. Erin Eastman for an honest, compassionate conversation every new parent needs to hear. Together, they unpack what really happens during the first 48 hours after birth—from the "Golden Hour" to cluster feeding—and explain why so many mothers feel intense pressure to breastfeed perfectly. More importantly, they challenge the idea that successful motherhood is measured in ounces of milk. This episode explores: • What happens during the Golden Hour after delivery • Why skin-to-skin contact benefits both babies and fathers • The normal newborn feeding timeline • Cluster feeding explained • Common breastfeeding challenges • Risk factors for low milk supply • When supplementation may actually be the healthiest choice • How birth expectations affect postpartum mental health • Why bonding matters more than perfection • How to recognize postpartum struggles in both mothers and fathers Whether you're expecting your first baby, supporting someone who is, or simply want evidence-based reassurance, this episode offers practical guidance, grace, and freedom. Because healthy families aren't built on perfection. They're built on connection. Support the show

  2. Jul 8

    Episode 23: Boundaries Are Not Selfish: How to Stop People-Pleasing, Resentment & Emotional Exhaustion

    Send us Fan Mail Why do so many women feel exhausted, overwhelmed, resentful, and emotionally drained—and still say yes to one more thing? In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader unpack one of the most common struggles women face: boundaries. We explore why saying no can feel physically uncomfortable, why women often confuse being needed with being valued, and how people-pleasing, perfectionism, anxiety, trauma history, caregiving identities, and fear of rejection can make healthy boundaries feel almost impossible. You’ll learn: • What boundaries actually are—and what they are not • Why “clear is kind” • How people-pleasing leads to resentment and burnout • Why being needed is not the same as being valued • How your nervous system may react when you begin setting boundaries • Why resentment can be a signal that a boundary is missing • Practical time, emotional, relational, and digital boundaries • Simple scripts for saying no without over-explaining • How boundaries show up in motherhood and marriage • Why healthy boundaries model emotional maturity for our children • What faith teaches us about rest, solitude, and protecting our capacity You do not have to earn rest. You do not have to prove your worth through exhaustion. And you are allowed to protect the life, health, peace, and relationships that matter most. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a woman who needs permission to stop disappearing in the service of everyone else. Subscribe to A Journey to Whole Woman Health for weekly conversations where science, mental health, and faith come together to educate, empower, and encourage women in every season of life. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Listening does not establish a doctor-patient or therapist-client relationship. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns. Support the show

  3. Jul 1

    Episode 22: Why Women Wake Up at 3 A.M. | Sleep, Hormones, Cortisol & What Every Woman Should Know

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever woken up at 2 or 3 a.m., wide awake with your mind racing, wondering if it's stress, hormones, anxiety, blood sugar, or something else? You're not alone—and you're not imagining it. In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jamie Erwin and licensed professional counselor Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader explore the science behind women's sleep and why so many women struggle with middle-of-the-night awakenings, especially during perimenopause and midlife. You'll learn what happens inside your body while you sleep, why you may consistently wake between 2 and 3 a.m., and how hormones, cortisol, blood sugar, stress, and anxiety all work together to disrupt restorative sleep. We also discuss practical strategies to improve sleep, the evidence behind Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), common sleep medications, wearable sleep trackers, and when it may be time to talk with your healthcare provider about a sleep study. If you've been telling yourself, "I should be able to sleep," this conversation is for you. In this episode you'll learn: • Why women commonly wake between 2–3 a.m. • The role of cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and blood sugar in sleep • What actually happens during REM and non-REM sleep • How stress and anxiety affect your sleep cycle • What sleep hygiene really means—and what actually works • Why CBT-I is considered the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia • Pros and cons of common sleep medications like Ambien, Benadryl, Unisom, and trazodone • How accurate wearables like Garmin and Oura Ring really are • Signs you may need a sleep study for sleep apnea or another sleep disorder • Simple habits that can improve the quality of your sleep starting tonight Key Takeaway Sleep isn't a luxury. It's one of the most powerful tools your body has for healing, hormone regulation, memory, immune function, and emotional health. If you're waking up every night exhausted, you deserve answers—and there is help. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a better night's sleep. Follow us for more evidence-based conversations where science, mental health, and faith come together to educate, empower, and encourage women in every season of life. Support the show

  4. Jun 24

    Episode 21: Trauma Explained: How It Shapes Your Mind, Body, Relationships, and Healing

    Send us Fan Mail Trauma is a word we hear often, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader explore how trauma affects the brain, nervous system, body, relationships, and sense of self. Together they discuss: • What qualifies as trauma • Acute vs. chronic trauma • Childhood trauma and relational trauma • Birth trauma, miscarriage, and medical trauma • PTSD and complex PTSD • Why certain sounds, smells, or situations trigger strong reactions • How trauma impacts anxiety, sleep, hormones, and relationships • EMDR therapy and other evidence-based treatments • Practical tools for healing and nervous system regulation Whether your trauma was loud and obvious or quiet and invisible, healing is possible. You are not broken. You are not alone. And your story is not over. Subscribe for weekly conversations where science, mental health, and faith come together to educate, empower, and encourage women in every season of life. Support the show

  5. Jun 17

    Episode 20: Reframe & Reclaim Part 2- How to Create a Home That Calms Your Mind

    Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of our conversation with authors Jen Harris and Courtney Huckabay, we move beyond clutter and dive into the practical process of reclaiming your home, your peace, and your mental bandwidth. If you've ever looked around your house and felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or frustrated by the constant cycle of organizing and re-organizing, this episode is for you. Jen walks us through the complete RECLAIM framework, including how to create systems that actually work, why perfectionism keeps us stuck, and how our physical environments directly affect our nervous systems. We also explore: • Why sentimental items can be so difficult to release • How grief and loss influence our attachment to possessions • The connection between clutter, stress, and mental load • Practical strategies for maintaining organized spaces • How to stop buying things you don't need • Why your home should feel like a sanctuary, not another source of stress Whether you're staring at an overflowing closet, a chaotic pantry, or simply craving more peace in your home, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement to help you reclaim both your space and your mind. Because sometimes the path to feeling lighter starts with letting go. Join the Journey. Support the show

  6. Jun 10

    Episode 19: Why Successful Women Feel Overwhelmed (Part 1) | The Psychology of Clutter

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever looked around your home and thought: Why does this feel so overwhelming? Not just messy—but heavy. In this episode of A Journey to Whole Woman Health, we welcome counselor, author, and speaker Courtney Huckabay, co-author of Reframe and Reclaim, to explore the surprising connection between clutter, stress, identity, and mental health. This conversation goes far beyond organizing closets and cleaning countertops. We discuss how our physical environments can reflect our emotional lives, why decision fatigue leaves so many women feeling exhausted, and how clutter can become a visible manifestation of the invisible mental load many women carry every day. Whether you're a busy professional, a mother juggling countless responsibilities, or simply someone longing for more peace in your home and mind, this episode will help you begin to understand what's really underneath the overwhelm. In This Episode We Discuss:  Why clutter is rarely just about "stuff"  The connection between clutter, stress, and anxiety  How decision fatigue impacts mental health  The role identity plays in what we keep  Why letting go can feel emotionally difficult  Research linking clutter to lower life satisfaction  The first steps of the Reframe & Reclaim process  How to begin creating a home that supports peace rather than stress Key Takeaway Your home may not be the source of your stress—but it may be reflecting it. When we begin to understand our relationship with our belongings, we can start reclaiming not only our space but also our peace. Guest Courtney Huckabay, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, EMDR Therapist, Co-Author of Reframe and Reclaim Resources Mentioned 📖 Reframe and Reclaim by Courtney Huckabay & Jennifer Harris 🎙 Reframe and Reclaim Podcast Coming Next Week Part 2: Reclaiming Your Space We'll continue the conversation with co-author Jennifer Harris and walk through the practical steps of the Reframe & Reclaim method so you can begin transforming your environment with purpose and intention. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who may need to hear this conversation today. Join the Journey Support the show

  7. Jun 3

    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

  8. 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

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4.8
out of 5
23 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
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Journey to Whole Woman Health
  • Show Website
    A Journey to Whole Woman Health

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