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. 13h ago

    Women Who Lead: Betsy Price on Service, Strength & Taking the Leap

    Send us Fan Mail Women Who Lead: Betsy Price on Service, Strength & Taking the Leap What does leadership really look like? Sometimes it looks like City Hall. Sometimes it looks like volunteering at your child's school, raising a family, building a business, serving your community—or simply being willing to step forward when someone says, “You should do this.” In the first installment of our new Women Who Lead series, we sit down with former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price to talk about the woman behind the title. Betsy shares how a lifetime of service—from volunteering as a young girl to PTA leadership, business ownership, public service, and eventually becoming Fort Worth's longest-serving mayor—shaped her understanding of leadership. But this conversation goes far beyond politics. We talk about the people who encouraged Betsy to take chances she wasn't sure she was ready for, navigating leadership as a woman, the role faith has played in her biggest decisions, and what leadership has required of her family and personal life. And because this is A Journey to Whole Woman Health, we also ask: How do you care for yourself while carrying responsibility for so many others? For Betsy, movement has always been non-negotiable. She shares why physical and mental wellness go hand in hand, how she protected time for exercise even during her busiest years as mayor, and why relationships, faith, family, service, and staying physically active remain central to her definition of a healthy life. One of our favorite parts of the conversation comes when we ask Betsy what she would tell women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. Her message? There is no age when your opportunity to grow, serve, pivot, or begin again expires. In this episode, we talk about: • How Betsy's earliest experiences with service shaped her life • Going from business owner and PTA mom to public office • Why sometimes we need someone else to see our potential first • Navigating leadership in traditionally male spaces • Why service matters more than titles • Protecting marriage and family while carrying enormous responsibility • The connection between physical activity and mental wellness • Why exercise became a non-negotiable during Betsy's years as mayor • Faith, prayer, and making difficult decisions • Leading with honesty when you don't have all the answers • What Betsy would tell women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s • Why midlife may be one of the best times to take a leap of faith • What it means to be a “whole and healthy woman” Our biggest takeaway: Leadership doesn't require a title. It begins when we recognize what we've been given and choose to use it in service of someone else. Wherever you are in your own journey, perhaps the question isn't, “Am I qualified to lead?” Maybe it's simply: Why not me? Join the journey. A Journey to Whole Woman Health — where science, mental health, and faith come together to educate, empower, and encourage women in every season of life. Support the show

  2. Oct 7

    Midlife, Motherhood & Making Space for Yourself- Welcome Back!

    Send us Fan Mail We’re back for Season Two of A Journey to Whole Woman Health! After a summer break, Jamie and Mary Kathryn are catching up on a season filled with travel, family milestones, big goals, and some pretty significant transitions. Mary Kathryn shares about her family’s three-week home exchange in Denmark and the bittersweet experience of sending her daughter, Lydia, off to college. She opens up about the unexpected moments of grief that come with launching a child—and the continual surrender of motherhood as our children grow into lives of their own. Jamie takes us to Australia for the Sydney Marathon, her sixth marathon and third World Major. After months of training through the Texas heat, she crossed the finish line in 4:00:31—a new personal best. She shares what made this race different, how she stayed mentally strong, and why she’s learning to stop and savor an accomplishment instead of immediately asking, What’s next? But the conversation becomes about much more than travel, college, or running. Jamie and Mary Kathryn talk about something many women lose somewhere in the middle of careers, motherhood, marriage, and caring for everyone else: Something that is just yours. For Jamie, that’s running. For Mary Kathryn, it’s tennis. Your thing may look completely different—but having something you enjoy simply because you enjoy it can be an important part of staying connected to yourself in midlife. In this episode, we talk about: The transition into a new season of motherhoodSending a child to college and learning to let goMary Kathryn’s three-week Denmark home exchangeJamie’s Sydney Marathon and her 4:00:31 PRMental toughness and doing hard thingsWhy women need hobbies and interests of their ownLearning to celebrate an accomplishment before chasing the next goalWhat we learned over the summerWhy we’re continuing the podcast—even when we’re not quite sure where we find the timeOur vision for Season Two and what’s aheadAt the heart of it all is the reason we started A Journey to Whole Woman Health: to educate, empower, and encourage women—and to be the trusted expert friends you can come back to each week for honest conversations about physical health, mental health, and faith. We’re so glad you’re back with us for Season Two. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss the conversations ahead. A Journey to Whole Woman Health Science. Mental Health. Faith. The Whole Woman. Support the show

  3. Aug 12

    Episode 28: Season 1 Finale-What We Learned, Your Questions Answered & What's Next

    Send us Fan Mail One season. Twenty-eight episodes. Countless conversations. In this special Season 1 finale, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader pause to reflect on what they've learned from launching the podcast, the lessons that surprised them, and the moments that impacted them the most. They answer listener questions about self-care, perimenopause, perfectionism, and their favorite episodes from Season 1 while sharing honest encouragement for anyone afraid to start something new. You'll also get an exciting preview of topics coming in Season 2—including women's leadership, GLP-1 medications, menopause, midlife health, and more. Whether you've listened from the beginning or are just joining us, thank you for being part of this journey. In this episode you'll hear about: What starting a podcast taught us about courage and imperfectionWhy waiting until you're "ready" keeps you from growingOur favorite self-care habitsThe biggest myths about perimenopauseFavorite moments and guests from Season 1Topics coming in Season 2How you can help support the podcastThank you for listening, sharing, reviewing, and walking alongside us this season. We can't wait to see you again in Season 2. Support the show

  4. Aug 5

    Episode 27: Pelvic Floor Therapy-The Women's Health Treatment Too Many Women Don't Know About

    Send us Fan Mail One in three women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction, yet many suffer in silence because they think urinary leakage, painful sex, prolapse, or pelvic pain are simply "part of getting older" or "what happens after having babies." They're not. In this episode, we're joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Haley Miller, who explains what the pelvic floor actually is, why it affects so much more than bladder control, and how pelvic floor therapy can dramatically improve quality of life. We discuss: • Why leaking urine during running, coughing, or laughing is never normal  • Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and preparing for labor  • Pelvic organ prolapse explained simply  • Painful intercourse and pelvic pain  • Constipation, bowel health, and pelvic floor function  • The surprising connection between your feet, hips, posture, and pelvic floor  • Menopause, estrogen, vaginal health, and urinary symptoms  • What to expect during your first pelvic floor therapy appointment  • Who should consider pelvic floor physical therapy  • Practical ways every woman can protect her pelvic floor Whether you're an athlete, pregnant, postpartum, perimenopausal, menopausal—or simply want to understand your body better—this conversation will empower you with evidence-based information and hope. Remember: You are not broken, and help is available. Support the show

  5. Jul 29

    Episode 26: The Friendship Gap: Why Adult Women Feel Lonely—and How to Find Your People

    Send us Fan Mail Why does making friends feel so much harder as an adult? We may be surrounded by coworkers, children, spouses, neighbors, and hundreds of online connections—and still feel deeply lonely. Motherhood and midlife can make friendship especially complicated as schedules fill up, identities change, and the easy, organic connections of our younger years become harder to find. In this episode, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader welcome Emily Youree, owner and CEO of Fort Worth Moms and host of the Momfessions podcast, for an honest conversation about adult friendship, loneliness, vulnerability, and community. Emily explains why we need to let go of the idea of finding one “perfect” friend and instead become open to different friendships for different seasons. The conversation also explores the fear of initiating, the pressure to appear as though we have everything together, and the surprising intimacy of allowing someone to see the laundry on the bed, the messy car, and the realities of everyday life. You’ll hear practical ways to meet new people, strengthen existing friendships, become a more generous friend, and create connection without adding another overwhelming obligation to your life. Most importantly, Emily reminds us that while friendship with others matters, we must also learn to become a compassionate friend to ourselves. In This Episode: Why friendship is an important pillar of healthHow motherhood can increase isolation and lonelinessWhy one friend does not have to meet every needThe danger of searching for the “ideal friend”How friendships can serve different purposes and seasonsWhy friendships rarely happen organically in adulthoodPractical places to meet potential friendsHow to initiate without making it awkwardWhy vulnerability creates deeper connectionThe pressure to appear like the “ideal mom”Making room for friends who think or parent differentlyHow to be the kind of friend you hope to findWhy friendship should enrich your life rather than become another obligationWhat it means to become a friend to yourselfKey Takeaways: Stop searching for one perfect friend. A running friend, neighborhood friend, childhood friend, work friend, or fellow mom can each hold a valuable—and different—place in your life. Adult friendship requires intention. Friendships may no longer form automatically. Someone often has to send the message, suggest coffee, join the group, or put the next lunch on the calendar. Assume the other woman wants connection too. The person who appears to have a full social life may still feel lonely, left out, or grateful to receive an invitation. Let people see real life. You do not need a spotless house, clean car, perfect children, or perfectly managed life before welcoming someone in. Be open to difference. A meaningful friend does not have to parent, vote, think, worship, or live exactly as you do. Curiosity and mutual respect can create stronger relationships. Friendship is not another measure of success. Some seasons naturally leave less margin for social connection. The goal is not to feel guilty but to recognize when you desire more support and take one manageable step. Be a friend to yourself. Notice whether your internal expectations and criticism are harsher than anything you would say to someone you love. Support the show

  6. Jul 22

    Episode 25: Why Strong Women Struggle to Ask for Help | Building the Village Every Mom Needs

    Send us Fan Mail When was the last time you let someone help you? For many women, asking for help feels harder than doing everything ourselves. In this week's episode, Dr. Jamie Erwin and Dr. Mary Kathryn Nader sit down with pediatrician and pediatric hospitalist Dr. Erin Eastman for an honest conversation about motherhood, medicine, perfectionism, community, and learning to receive help. Whether you're preparing for your first baby, balancing career and family, or simply feeling overwhelmed trying to hold everything together, this episode is a reminder that strength isn't found in doing everything alone. Together they discuss: • Why high-achieving women struggle to ask for help • Building your village before you desperately need it • Practical ways friends and family can actually support new parents • Colic, breastfeeding, formula and the pressure of being a "perfect" mom • Balancing career, marriage and motherhood • Finding yourself again through movement, friendship and faith This conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement and practical advice for women in every season. Support the show

  7. Jul 15

    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

  8. 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

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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
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Journey to Whole Woman Health
  • Show Website
    A Journey to Whole Woman Health

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