Motherhood Equipped

Brigitta Borinstein
  • 5.0 (35)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Motherhood Equipped is a faith-centered podcast for moms navigating wellness, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood with intention. Hosted by Brigitta Borinstein, this show blends biblical encouragement, natural health education, real birth stories, and honest conversations about identity, marriage, and raising the next generation—helping moms feel equipped in their health, faith, and calling as mothers.

  1. 3d ago

    75. Beyond the Checklist: Customizing Kids' Health with Dr. Monique Yohanan

    Dr. Monique Yohanan breaks down pantry food dyes, microplastics in frozen meals, and how to navigate vaccine schedules with precision and parental agency. She sits down with us today drawing on her extensive background in medical guideline writing, health policy, and AI technology as well as her primary role as a mother. She is a physician, public health expert, and Independent Women's Center for Better Health Director. In this conversation, Dr. Yohanan breaks down how parents can move away from one-size-fits-all mandates and confidently take the wheel when it comes to their children’s health, nutrition, and medical care. Resources & Links MentionedDr. Monique Yohanan’s Policy Paper: Rethinking Vaccine Policy: A Case for Humility, Precision, and Parental Partnership Independent Women's Forum (IWF) — Focuses on free-market solutions, health policy reform, and individual empowerment.Dr. Casey Means: Functional medicine expert and co-founder of Levels (referenced for her work in metabolic health and root-cause medicine).Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM): Suggested as a framework and provider directory for families seeking open-minded, root-cause medical care.Follow along with @MotherhoodEquipped on Instagram! Key Takeaways & Highlights Pantry Basics & Ingredient Red FlagsFocus on three building blocks for balanced meals: Fiber, Healthy Fat, and Protein.A quick rule of thumb for fruits/vegetables: If you can eat the skin (e.g., apples), it’s generally high in beneficial fiber.Artificial petroleum-based dyes—specifically Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6—have been linked in studies to hyperactive and behavioral symptoms in children (partially triggered by histamine release).Unlike the U.S., European regulations require warning labels on foods with these dyes, leading many global brands to reformulate their recipes overseas using natural coloring (e.g., paprika) while keeping synthetic dyes in American products.Plastics & Frozen Foods: Avoid heating food directly in plastic containersReclaiming Control in the Pediatrician’s OfficeUnderstand the system: Standardized schedules and rigid "one-size-fits-all" checklists are often driven by clinic quality scores and insurance compensation models, not individual nuance.Enter appointments with a focused agenda (aim for no more than 3 main topics/questions per visit to stay productive).A Precision Approach to VaccinesDifferentiate between community-protective vaccines (highly contagious illnesses like measles and whooping cough) and individual-protection vaccines (like the seasonal flu shot).Recognize flexibility in timing: For example, while standard U.S. CDC guidelines recommend the MMR vaccine between 12–15 months, countries like Sweden successfully wait until 18 months. Spacing out shots is a valid, nuanced conversation to have with your provider.

  2. Sep 1

    74. Why You Need to Ovulate (Even If You Aren’t Trying to Get Pregnant) with Haley Yeager, MA, CFCP

    What if everything we’ve been taught about the female cycle focuses on the wrong thing? In this episode, Haley Yeager, a fertility awareness instructor and founder of the Truth and Fertility Project, busts the biggest myths surrounding reproductive health. Haley shares her personal journey of being prescribed birth control at age sixteen for irregular periods, only to discover years later that it was masking a root diagnosis of PCOS. We dive deep into the difference between standard hormonal suppression and Restorative Reproductive Medicine, how to spot crucial hormonal red flags on your chart, and why ovulation—not just your period—is the ultimate biomarker of your overall health. Connect with us!Connect with Haley here Connect with Motherhood Equipped here! Haley’s recommendations:  The Truth and Fertility Project (Haley’s platform for fertility awareness coaching).Naprotechnology (Natural Procreative Technology): A specific system of restorative medicine that works cooperatively with a woman's natural cycle.Episode 90 of Truth & Fertility: Haley interviews an expert endometriosis surgeon regarding surgical diagnosis, high success rates of excision, and the reality that early-stage endo rarely shows up on a standard ultrasound.Dr. Monica Minjeur. https://radiantclinic.com/Natural  womanhood https://naturalwomanhood.org/FEMM https://femmhealth.org/FertilityCare.org https://www.fertilitycare.org/Key Takeaways The Standard Prescription: Haley shares her experience being put on the pill at sixteen for irregular cycles, the mood side effects that caused her to stop, and the lack of alternative answers given to young women.Restorative Reproductive Medicine: The turning point at age eighteen where Haley discovered Naprotechnology (Natural Procreative Technology) and learned that charts can be used as medical diagnostic tools."Why Do You Want to Ovulate?": The shocking disconnect between mainstream primary care and restorative health when treating young, non-sexually active women.The Triad of Diagnosis: How charting, comprehensive blood work, and an ultrasound led to Haley’s true diagnosis of PCOS, and how radical diet and lifestyle changes finally flipped the switch to get her ovulating.The Ultimate Cycle Misconception: Why ovulation is the star of the show, not your period, and why a true period must follow ovulation.How to Read the Language of Your Body: A breakdown of normal cycle parameters (24 to 36 days) and what indicators like cervical fluid changes can tell you about your estrogen and progesterone.PCOS & Endometriosis: Why these two conditions are leading causes of infertility today, driven by decades of symptom-masking via hormonal birth control.

  3. Aug 18

    73. Faith Over Formulas: Finding Hope in the Infertility Journey with Conceiving Coach Alexa Gruber

    In this conversation, I sat down with exercise physiologist and fertility coach Alexa Gruber (known as "The Conceiving Coach") to discuss a radically different approach to navigating infertility. Alexa shares her journey from running a general fitness coaching business to stepping into a season of deep pruning. God called her to strip away her plans, focus on her family, and ultimately step into ministering to women trying to conceive. We dive deep into why true fertility coaching goes far beyond supplements, cold plunges, and hormone tracking, and explore how drawing close to Jesus regulates the nervous system, helps us to fight spiritual battles and maintain hope despite disappointment. Join Alexa’s Pregnancy Prep Collective for a way to connect deeply with others walking the same journey as you and to get the resources you need. Connect with her on Instagram here. See more of Motherhood Equipped on Instagram here!

  4. Aug 4

    72. Unlearning Standard Prenatal Advice with Lily Nichols, RDN

    What if standard pregnancy dietary advice is actually backwards? Bestselling author, dietitian, and researcher Lily Nichols, RDN joins us to dismantle conventional prenatal guidelines. From outdated carbohydrate recommendations to the truths about blood sugar, PCOS, and egg quality, Lily shares the science-backed, real-food strategies every woman needs to feel confident in her health decisions before, during, and after pregnancy. Lily Nichols’ Website Lily’s Books: Real Food for Pregnancy, Real Food for Fertility, and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes Recommended Prenatal Vitamin Brands: FullWell & Seeking HealthConnect with @MotherhoodEquipped on Instagram!  Key Takeaways Questioning the Guidelines: Why standard pregnancy nutrition advice often falls short—and what the research actually shows.The "Nutrient Bank Account": Why it’s never too late in pregnancy or postpartum to start making deposits using nutrient-dense, whole-food protein.Blood Sugar Mechanics: How balancing fat, carbs, and protein prevents the energy crashes, cravings, and mood swings common in pregnancy.Rethinking PCOS: Why "just lose weight" is outdated advice and how protein-forward eating addresses the root cause of insulin resistance.Optimizing Egg Quality: What’s actually within your control during the months leading up to conception.Prenatal Vitamin Red Flags: Navigating quality control issues in the supplement industry and how to choose a trustworthy formula.Timestamps 02:10 The Impact of Food Industry Conflicts on Dietary Guidelines04:00 How Lily's Books Empower Women in Pregnancy07:09 The Importance of nutrient stores to prevent depletion 10:00 Protein's Role in Pregnancy and Postpartum12:03 Understanding Blood Sugar and Its Effects17:12 Managing PCOS Through Diet and Blood Sugar22:47 The Role of Healthcare System and Guidelines27:01 Egg Quality, Age, and Lifestyle Factors29:58 Choosing Quality Prenatal Vitamins35:10 Foods to Emphasize During Pregnancy39:55 Caffeine Intake and Pregnancy 43:52 Gestational Diabetes and Blood Sugar Trends50:02 Preconception Testing and Fertility52:00 Personal Habits for Optimal Nutrition

  5. Jul 21

    71. Faith Over Fear: The Surrender of My Last-Minute Hospital Shift

    In this episode, I’m getting incredibly vulnerable and sharing the complex, high-stakes birth story of my second son, Luke. After a beautiful previous homebirth, I fully intended to deliver at home again, even knowing Luke was breech. But days before my due date, a sudden fluid check put me "out of bounds" for homebirth, pulling the rug out from underneath me. Driving to the hospital, I had to completely lay down my vision, my sense of security, and surrender the experience to God. I openly navigate the heavy contrast between a peaceful home environment and the corporate, often fear-driven reality of modern hospital medicine. I share how we fought to avoid an unnecessary, mandatory C-section, what it was like keeping my mental focus in a chaotic room of 15 people, and the reality of a forced supine (on my back) delivery that led to a last-minute placental abruption. This is a story of deep spiritual surrender, intense self-advocacy, and a reminder that even when the shifting sands take over, you are built to do hard things. Help us build a real, supportive community so no mom feels isolated in the mundane or the heavy moments. Follow along and share your thoughts at @MotherhoodEquipped.

  6. Jul 7

    70. The Mental Game of Labor and Why I Chose a Homebirth

    In this episode, I’m opening up and sharing my personal journey to motherhood. As a fit, first-time mom, my story started in a standard hospital model. However, facing a preeclampsia diagnosis at 25/26 weeks left me feeling unsettled and craving true autonomy. I wanted to see "both sides of the coin" when making informed decisions, which ultimately led me to pivot, trust my intuition, and choose a homebirth. Tune in as I share how I went from hospital hesitation to absolute peace and confidence. I break down how I chose a midwife who perfectly fit my vision, why I focused on mental discipline over a perfect nursery, and how amazed I was by just how intensely athletic labor truly is. It is the ultimate mental game and endurance sport. Follow along for more behind-the-scenes and motherhood encouragement at @MotherhoodEquipped

  7. Jun 16

    69. Minding Your Mind & Finding Beauty in the Chaos with Ashlee Haines

    "Small wins are still wins and they still matter. There is beauty in simplicity." — Ashlee Haines In this episode, we catch up with Ashlee Haines, the powerhouse mom and CEO behind Inspire boutique. Ashlee gets real about navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, bouncing back from a tough postpartum season, and building a faith-first business right out of her home. Grab your coffee and tune in for some super relatable advice on celebrating small wins, ditching the comparison trap, and setting healthy boundaries for your family. Connect with AshleeBrowse her shop!Connect with the podcast!

  8. Jun 2

    68. Motherhood, Hormones, and Finding Energy Again with Sarah Grace Meckelberg, MS, RD

    Are you exhausted and overwhelmed in motherhood and thinking it’s just “normal”? I used to believe that, too. But what if exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor? What if simple shifts in your routine could transform how you feel? In this chat, Sarah Grace shared powerful ways to reconnect with your body, like starting your day with just 10 minutes of stillness or sunlight. She emphasizes how protecting your peace, nourishing your body with quality food, and minimizing phone time can drastically reduce stress, hormone imbalance, and fatigue. Imagine feeling more energized, more confident, and fully present all while embracing your faith and trusting your body. Maybe it's time to get back to real food, quiet mornings, and trusting God with your motherhood journey. What simple change will you try first? Connect with Sarah:  sarahgracemeck.com , @sarahgracemeck Connect with us: @motherhoodequipped

See All (76)

Trailer

5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Motherhood Equipped is a faith-centered podcast for moms navigating wellness, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood with intention. Hosted by Brigitta Borinstein, this show blends biblical encouragement, natural health education, real birth stories, and honest conversations about identity, marriage, and raising the next generation—helping moms feel equipped in their health, faith, and calling as mothers.

Information

  • Creator
    Brigitta Borinstein
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 642463
  • Show Website
    Motherhood Equipped

You Might Also Like