Well Considered

Just the Inserts

Medical decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with conflicting advice, rushed conversations, and the weight of making the best choice for your family. It’s easy to feel pressured, unsure, or even second-guess yourself—but making informed choices doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. Welcome to Well Considered—the podcast that brings clarity and confidence to the medical decision-making process. I’m Alexandra, and in each episode, we’ll explore credible and transparent resources to help you move forward with knowledge and confidence—because you deserve to make well-considered medical decisions. Subscribe now for thoughtful conversations, expert insights, and the clarity you need to make the best choices for you and your family.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ep 54 | Learning to Live Today While Carrying Medical Fear with Tilly Dillehay

    What does it look like to live faithfully today when tomorrow feels uncertain? Whether it’s a diagnosis, pending test results, chronic symptoms, or simply the weight of “what if,” uncertainty has a way of pulling us out of the present moment. We gather information. We advocate. We prepare. And yet, beneath all of that effort, worry often lingers. Drawing from her book My Dear Hemlock, written as a modern-day Screwtape Letters for women, Tilly Dillehay offers a thoughtful and deeply practical perspective on how fear subtly shapes our days, our habits, and even our faith. Together, we explore: • Why worry feels responsible (but often robs us of today) • How medical uncertainty can reshape identity, expectations, and dreams • The connection between physical exhaustion and spiritual vulnerability • The discipline of gratitude • How community, story, and faith anchor us when outcomes are unclear This is not a conversation about pretending everything is fine. It’s not about minimizing grief or denying real fear. But through the fear, we can learn how to live fully in the present even while carrying unanswered questions. If you’re navigating hard news, waiting for clarity, or simply feeling the weight of uncertainty, this episode will meet you gently and remind you that faithful presence is possible. Resources: “My Dear Hemlock” book https://www.tillydillehay.com Read the free Motherhood Guide Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

    46 min
  2. MAR 24

    Ep 53 | Newborn Care Without the Overwhelm: An RN’s Approach to Postpartum Support with Danielle Crissman

    Bringing a baby home is one of the most sacred moments of parenthood. And, for many families, it’s also one of the most disorienting. You spend months preparing for birth, surrounded by professionals and checklists. And then suddenly, you’re home. The monitors are gone. The nurses are gone. The reassurance is gone. And you’re left wondering, Am I doing this right? In this episode of Well Considered, we sit down with registered nurse and Mothergood founder Danielle Crissman for a thoughtful conversation about newborn care without the overwhelm. Drawing from her experience as a former NICU nurse (and now as a mom herself) Danielle shares what she sees as the biggest gap between hospital discharge and real life at home. Together, we explore: • Why so many new parents lose confidence after leaving the hospital • How conflicting advice (including AI and social media) erodes intuition • The importance of asking “why” in medical decisions • How to build a healthcare team that aligns with your values • What realistic newborn sleep expectations actually look like • How education (not outsourcing) empowers parents • Why community is essential in the fourth trimester If you’re newly postpartum, expecting, or walking alongside someone in the newborn season, this episode will remind you that overwhelm is common but it doesn’t have to define your experience. Resources: https://www.mothergooddfw.com For 15% off all packages, use discount code "INSERTS" at checkout. Take The Vaccine Perspective Spectrum™ quiz (it’s free, no email required to see results). Read the free Motherhood Guide Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

    38 min
  3. MAR 10

    Ep 51 | The Science Behind Hypochlorous Acid and Skin Recovery with Justin Gardner

    If you’ve ever stood in the skincare or first-aid aisle wondering why there are so many products, and whether any of them actually do what they claim, this episode is for you. Hypochlorous acid is having a moment. It’s everywhere right now, showing up in wound care, acne treatments, diaper rash solutions, and even high-end cosmetic sprays. It’s often described as “natural,” “non-toxic,” or even miraculous. But here’s the question: Do most people actually understand what it is, and what makes a formulation truly effective? Justin Gardner, founder of Active Skin Repair, joins us to unpack the real science behind hypochlorous acid and skin recovery. Together, we explore: • What hypochlorous acid actually is (and how your body already uses it) • Why pH balance and stabilization matter more than marketing claims • The difference between medical-grade and cosmetic formulations • Why some products on the market may not even contain active levels of the molecule • How to thoughtfully use hypochlorous acid alongside other natural remedies Justin also shares his history working within hospital structures, and provides valuable insight in how medical products are introduced and regulated across our modern healthcare marketplace. Resources: Try Active Skin Repair today with discount code “INSERTS” for 20% off Read the free Motherhood Guide Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

    35 min
  4. MAR 3

    Ep 50 | Why Root-Cause Medicine Resonates with Patients Who Feel Dismissed: A Conversation with Family Nurse Practitioner Jessica Pawlicki

    For some, the phrase “root-cause” medicine sounds like a buzzword. For others, it feels like a lifeline. In this episode, Family Nurse Practitioner Jessica Pawlicki offers a grounded, thoughtful conversation about what root-cause care actually looks like in practice and why it resonates so deeply with patients who have felt dismissed in conventional settings. Jessica shares her personal journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, advocating for deeper testing when she was told to “wait it out,” and how those experiences reshaped the way she practices medicine today This is not an episode about rejecting medicine. It’s about restoring context, listening, and discernment, and building a healthcare team that sees the whole person. In this episode, we discuss: What “root-cause medicine” actually means (and what it doesn’t) The difference between symptom management and investigating underlying triggers Why so many patients feel rushed, dismissed, or unseen in modern healthcare systems The power of listening as a clinical tool (not just a “soft skill”) How functional and conventional medicine can work together Why detox protocols without guidance can sometimes cause harm The role of community in helping patients feel empowered and informed Jessica explains how her practice approaches chronic conditions like eczema, recurrent infections, autoimmune issues, fatigue, hormonal shifts, and gut imbalances by asking deeper questions about history, stress, trauma, environment, and nutrient status. Together, we explore the tension many families feel: wanting thoughtful, individualized care but unsure who to trust. They also address the very real structural pressures in conventional healthcare, including insurance limitations, time constraints, and staffing shortages. Resources: Jessica from Well Rooted Read the free Motherhood Guide Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

    34 min
  5. FEB 24

    Ep 49 | What Women Aren’t Told About Morning Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum with Jessica Reynolds

    Morning sickness is often framed as a normal, unavoidable part of pregnancy... something women are simply expected to endure. But what happens when nausea becomes debilitating? When vomiting interferes with daily life? When women are told “this is just pregnancy,” yet their intuition says something deeper is happening? Jessica Reynolds, founder of Born From Her, joins us to explore what women aren’t told about morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). We discuss why severe pregnancy nausea deserves deeper questions, why symptom suppression isn’t the same as resolution, and how informed consent applies to pregnancy care just as much as any other medical decision. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between typical morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) When nausea becomes a signal rather than an inconvenience Why pharmaceutical interventions like Zofran are commonly prescribed (and what informed consent requires before taking them) How preconception health impacts pregnancy outcomes and future generations What women can do if they feel dismissed, unheard, or rushed toward symptom suppression Jessica shares her own experience navigating severe pregnancy illness and explains how a holistic, physiology-based approach can shift not only pregnancy outcomes, but long-term maternal and child health. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, supporting someone who is, or simply want a deeper understanding of how informed consent applies to women’s health, this episode is for you. Resources: Follow Jessica on Instagram @born_from_her Read the free Motherhood Guide Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

    44 min
  6. FEB 17

    Ep 48 | Understanding Disease Risk Without the Fear with Katie Collins, PA-C, MSPAS

    How should parents actually think about disease risk without panic, minimization, or pressure? In this episode, we join Katie Collins, PA-C, for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about how disease risk is framed in modern medicine versus how it shows up in real life. Together, we explore why fear-based messaging leaves families feeling overwhelmed, how nuance gets lost in public health conversations, and what informed consent truly requires. This episode unpacks: Why disease discussions are unhelpful when it swings between extremes The difference between relative risk and absolute risk (and why it matters for families) What parents are (and aren’t) taught about vaccine-preventable diseases How baseline health, environment, nutrition, and access to care shape outcomes How parents can respond calmly to alarming headlines and social media narratives This is not an episode telling you what choice to make. It’s a conversation designed to help parents feel more grounded, informed, and confident when navigating medical decisions for their families. If you value informed consent, context, and honest conversations that leave room for complexity, this episode will meet you right where you are. Resources: Read the free Motherhood Guide Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

    1h 12m
  7. FEB 10

    Ep 47 | How to Equip Your Partner to Be Your Biggest Advocate in the Delivery Room with Stephanie King

    Labor is not the moment to start explaining your birth preferences or advocating for yourself while you’re in the middle of a contraction. That’s where a prepared partner can make all the difference. In this episode of Well Considered, Alexandra sits down with Stephanie King, founder of My Essential Birth, to talk about how partners can become confident, calm advocates in the delivery room and why preparation together matters far more than most couples realize. Stephanie shares why birth is not something you simply “show up for,” how fear and confusion during labor can derail decision-making, and how education before birth allows moms to stay in their body while partners help manage communication with the care team. Together, they explore what advocacy actually looks like in practice, from holding space during contractions to navigating provider conversations with clarity and respect. This conversation reframes advocacy as protection, partnership, and presence, not confrontation. It also addresses common pitfalls couples face, including outside opinions, lack of preparation, and unclear roles in the birth space, while offering practical ways to prepare together before labor ever begins. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why partners play a critical role in protecting the birth space What advocacy looks like during labor without creating conflict How preparation reduces fear and overwhelm for both parents Why partners should attend appointments and education together The importance of clear roles in the delivery room How advocacy during birth supports postpartum mental health Why grace, communication, and trust matter more than perfection Whether you’re pregnant, supporting a partner, or preparing for your first or fifth birth, this episode offers reassurance, practical insight, and a powerful reminder that birth is a shared experience and no one should carry it alone. Resources: Myessentialbirth.com Read the free Motherhood Guide Build your birth team with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory Take our free training course Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska Subscribe & Leave a Review (It helps more people find this information!) If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend. You never know who needs to hear this conversation.

    35 min
4.9
out of 5
145 Ratings

About

Medical decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with conflicting advice, rushed conversations, and the weight of making the best choice for your family. It’s easy to feel pressured, unsure, or even second-guess yourself—but making informed choices doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. Welcome to Well Considered—the podcast that brings clarity and confidence to the medical decision-making process. I’m Alexandra, and in each episode, we’ll explore credible and transparent resources to help you move forward with knowledge and confidence—because you deserve to make well-considered medical decisions. Subscribe now for thoughtful conversations, expert insights, and the clarity you need to make the best choices for you and your family.

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