MOTHER-podcast with Karina Vazirova

MOTHER-podcast

MOTHER is a movement of bold ideas about the female body. We will be diving into fascinating science and new technology pushing the boundaries of the female experience as we know it.  The show is hosted by Karina Vazirova, CEO and co-founder of FemTech Lab (www.femtechlab.com), a global ecosystem supporting startups in women’s health, and producer of the DECODING THE FUTURE OF WOMEN (www.d3cod1ng.com) conference in London. The name for the podcast "MOTHER" is inspired by the creative force inside us all - the force that creates ideas, businesses, spaces, communities, and life itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Joyce Harper, PhD - The New Science of Creating Life

    07/10/2025

    Joyce Harper, PhD - The New Science of Creating Life

    How far can we push our biology? Meet Joyce Harper, an internationally renowned, award-winning scientist and Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London, Institute for Women’s Health. Joyce has worked in the fields of fertility, genetics, reproductive health and women’s health for over 30 years, and regularly appears in the press, on radio and TV. She is the mother of three sons born through IVF, a keen open water swimmer, and an ambassador for This Girl Can. In this episode, we discuss emerging reproductive technologies, shifts in cultural attitudes towards family planning, independent motherhood, making embryos from skin cells ("IVG"), artificial wombs, government policy, and most importantly: how will all of it impact women? More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.themotherverse.substack.com Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://www.forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 More from Prof. Joyce Harper: https://joyceharper.com/ "Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?" podcast with Prof. Joyce Harper - https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/ (00:00) Intro (02:15) Why are we struggling with fertility?   (05:41) Fertility timeline for women and men   (08:53) Egg freezing   (14:04) The rise of solo motherhood   (25:14) IVG – creating an embryo from skin cells   (30:34) Artificial Wombs   (39:27) Delaying menopause (47:29) Government policies  (51:44) Lessons about life, nature, and the universe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  2. Sarah McKay, PhD - The Neuroscience of Being a Woman

    06/25/2025

    Sarah McKay, PhD - The Neuroscience of Being a Woman

    What makes you, you? Meet Dr. Sarah McKay - a neuroscientist, TEDx speaker, science communicator and author of The Women's Brain Book, which explores the female lifespan through the lens of neurobiology, and Baby Brain, about how pregnancy and motherhood shape the brain. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, and on ABC’s Catalyst. Sarah is also a sought-after keynote speaker and a regular guest on radio and podcasts. The new revised edition of The Women's Brain Book came out this week and contains findings from neuroscientists and researchers working in the disciplines of neuroendocrinology, brain development, brain health, and ageing. More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.themotherverse.substack.com Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://www.forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 Follow Dr. Sarah McKay: https://drsarahmckay.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drsarahmckay/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmmckay All Books - https://drsarahmckay.com/books/ The new edition of The Women's Brain Book (2025) - https://www.waterstones.com/book/demystifying-the-female-brain/sarah-mckay/9781409173182 (00:00) Intro (03:00) Gender equality and brain differences (07:46) What is neuroplasticity? (10:05) Pregnancy and neuroplasticity (12:15) Why stress response physiology changes during pregnancy (14:35) Intrusive thoughts and postnatal anxiety (16:57) Why women suffer from depression and anxiety more (20:10) Mental health and puberty (23:18) How puberty creates an emotional blueprint (25:03) Menstrual cycle as a neuroscience experiment (30:50) Tools for hormone-sensitive women (33:08) Insights from writing "Baby Brain" (44:44) Ageing and wisdom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  3. Dr. Aziza Sesay - Culture, Religion, Pleasure & Pain

    06/05/2025

    Dr. Aziza Sesay - Culture, Religion, Pleasure & Pain

    How do religion and culture shape our relationship with our body? Meet Dr. Aziza Sesay, a GP, GP Educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Host, Speaker and Health Content Creator. She runs a health platform called ‘Talks with Dr. Sesay', sharing evidence-based health information on a variety of topics, specifically women’s health, cancer awareness, mental health and health inequity. Dr. Sesay is also Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK. She is an Ambassador for the charities Eve Appeal, Wellbeing of Women, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) Hatfield Vision, and the Everywoman Festival. She is a member of the World Health Organisation Fides group and is one of the select creators of the first YouTube Health Partner Programme. She is also on the YouTube IQ Creator Programme with a select few who create videos targeting underrepresented communities. More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.themotherverse.substack.com Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://www.forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 Follow Dr. Sesay: Website - https://www.talkswithdrsesay.com/drsesay Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkswithdrsesay/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@talkswithdrsesay TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@talkswithdrsesay Projects Dr. Sesay mentioned: Keep it FAX - a charity established to support the education of children in Sierra Leone by providing scholarships and support. More info: https://www.keepitfax.com/ Black Women Rising - a charity offering vital help, information and practical advice for people of colour who have been diagnosed with cancer. More info: https://www.blackwomenrisinguk.org/ (00:00) Intro (03:25) Why removing taboos and shame will save lives (07:50) The role of culture and religion in how we relate to our bodies (12:00) Educating young girls (15:15) Culture v. Religion (15:45) The Quran is one of the earliest books on embryology (20:00) The double standard on women’s bodies (22:30) Finding purpose and managing the emotional challenges that come with her line of work  (24:10) The disparities in health outcomes for Black women (28:00) The importance of using the right language (30:25) What equitable healthcare means (33:40) Conscious and subconscious bias (36:45) What everyone can learn from the strong women in African communities (38:30) Pain and Pleasure (42:00) Lessons about life, nature, and the universe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  4. Tracy Bale, PhD - The Science of Stress and Groundbreaking Biomarkers for Mental Health

    05/21/2025

    Tracy Bale, PhD - The Science of Stress and Groundbreaking Biomarkers for Mental Health

    What if we could map where trauma is stored in the body? Meet Tracy Bale, the president of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and a leading neuroscientist exploring the connection between the brain, body, environment, and mental health. She is the Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Women's Integrated Mental and Physical Health Research, Director for InterGenerational Stress and Health and the Director for Sex Differences Research in the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado. In this episode, we dive into whether women experience stress differently and discuss emerging scientific research that could change how we approach mental health. More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: themotherverse.substack.com Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 Follow Tracy: The Bale Lab - https://www.balethompsonltp.org/bale/research Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/thebalelab.bsky.social (00:00) Intro (02:40) The science of stress (07:55) Biology of a stress response (11:15) Stress vs trauma (14:40) Women experience stress differently (22:40) Generational and transgenerational trauma (31:05) The biological mechanisms of the mind-body connection (36:30) The potential of psychedelics (48:00) Lessons about life, nature, universe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  5. Leah Hazard - Midwifery and The Future of Birth

    04/29/2025

    Leah Hazard - Midwifery and The Future of Birth

    You can see how much society values women's health by the magnitude of the crisis in maternity care. Meet Leah Hazard, a practising midwife, activist, award-winning author, and mother of 2 daughters. Her book Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began is a vital investigation of the body’s most miraculous and misunderstood organ. From smart tampons to womb transplants, trans healthcare to reproductive justice, she explores how the uterus affects us all as individuals and as a society. In this episode, we unpack why the health of mothers, midwives, and maternity systems tells us everything about the health of society at large.  More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: themotherverse.substack.com Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 Follow Leah: Website - leahhazard.co.uk Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began - amazon.co.uk/Womb-Inside-Story-Gripping-Statesman/dp/0349015805 Bluesky - bsky.app/profile/leahhazard.bsky.social Instagram - instagram.com/leahhazard Substack - leahhazard.substack.com (00:00) Intro (01:10) The role of midwives in society (11:40) The difference between a midwife and a doula (13:00) What happens during labour (17:45) Uterus as a muscle (22:00) Birth Plans vs. Birth Preferences (26:30) Artificial wombs (35:40) Organoid placentas and endometrium (38:00) The uterine microbiome (43:40) Lessons about life, nature and the universe (45:10) Leah’s Next Book: Birth Wars Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  6. Jessica DeFino - Science of Skin vs. Science of Skincare

    04/16/2025

    Jessica DeFino - Science of Skin vs. Science of Skincare

    The global beauty industry is worth over $260 billion, but has it lulled us into a collective beauty sleep? This week’s episode is a wake-up call.  Meet Jessica DeFino, an award-winning beauty reporter and critic (the New York Times, the Sunday Times, Vice, The Guardian). A one-time editor for the Kardashian-Jenner Official Apps and a former product obsessive, she now explores how beauty culture impacts people — physically, psychologically, and spiritually. Jessica also publishes The Review of Beauty newsletter, which “basically gives the middle finger to the entire beauty industry,” HuffPost says, and has been praised in New York Magazine, Forbes, and Adweek’s 2023 Creative 100. More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: themotherverse.substack.com Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 Follow Jessica: Website - https://www.jessica-defino.com/ The Review of Beauty - https://jessicadefino.substack.com/ "Science of Skincare is not Science or Care" by Jessica DeFino - https://jessicadefino.substack.com/p/the-science-of-skincare-isnt-science (00:00) Intro (05:20) Skin types are a myth (08:30) The scientific narrative in skincare marketing (10:05) Why "clinically proven" is a marketing term (12:05) The (real) science of skin (19:20) How skin interacts with different systems in the body (24:40) Endocrine disruptors (29:00) Embodied relationship with your skin (32:25) Beauty privilege, socioeconomic benefits, and spiritual tax of chasing beauty (34:45) Value of beauty in nature (38:00) Lessons about life, nature, and the universe (42:34) Jessica's non-skincare skincare routine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  7. Dr. Louise Newson - HRT, Longevity and the Future of Female Ageing

    04/09/2025

    Dr. Louise Newson - HRT, Longevity and the Future of Female Ageing

    Could hormones be the key to longevity? Dr. Louise Newson is one of the world’s leading voices in menopause and hormone health, a GP, best-selling author, and founder of Newson Health, the largest menopause clinic globally. She has transformed the landscape of women’s health through her groundbreaking work in clinical care, research, education, and public advocacy. Louise founded The Menopause Charity, hosts the UK’s No.1 medical podcast, and developed a free menopause training programme downloaded by over 30,000 clinicians worldwide.  More from MOTHER: Subscribe to the newsletter: https://themotherverse.substack.com/ Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8 Follow Louise: Website - drlouisenewson.co.uk Newson Clinic - newsonhealth.co.uk The Dr. Louise Newson Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor (00:00) Intro (01:20) Highlights from the UK tour (03:40) What does a healthy hormone cycle look like? (06:50) Why is estrogen so central to women’s health? (09:00) Autoimmune conditions and inflammation (10:00) Endometriosis and hormone treatment (11:00) Quick summary of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone (12:30) What happens during perimenopause and menopause? (15:30) What is HRT? (17:00) Hormone therapy as a longevity tool (19:10) How does getting started with HRT work? (20:20) The controversy around the Women's Health Initiative Study in 2022 (23:20) Is hormone therapy unnatural? (27:10) If you could commission any study… (28:20) What is inflammation, and why does it matter? (31:40) Social media, hormone myths, and misinformation (33:20) How should we redesign our approach to menopause? (34:50) Lessons about life, nature and the universe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  8. Emilė Radytė, PhD - A Deep Dive Into The Cycle-Brain Connection [Season 2 Finale]

    11/27/2024

    Emilė Radytė, PhD - A Deep Dive Into The Cycle-Brain Connection [Season 2 Finale]

    What happens in the brain during menstrual cycles, post-partum and menopause? Meet Emilė Radytė, the founder of Samphire Neuroscience, a technology company creating neuroscientific solutions for women. Their first product Nettle uses brain stimulation to treat period pain non-invasively. In this episode, Emilė brings the neuroscientific perspective to the show and explains what happens in the brain as the female body undergoes key physical transformations. Enjoy! Want to become a MOTHER-sponsor and create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://shorturl.at/0RHLM 00:00) Intro (01:10) Insights from studying depression and its link to the menstrual cycle (02:20) Neuroscience 101: How the brain operates chemically and electrically (04:40) Phases of the menstrual cycle (12:30) Menstrual Phase: Brain activity and the role of pain sensitivity (18:50) Follicular Phase: Creativity, dopamine, and social engagement (20:45) Ovulation: Hormonal peaks and Mittelschmerz (27:50) Luteal Phase: Emotional introspection and the influence of progesterone (33:20) Alpha waves in the luteal phase (37:50) Brain stimulation technology & Nettle (42:50) Applications in postpartum depression and menopause (45:40) Consciousness and the brain (47:10) Lessons about life, nature and the universe Follow Emilė: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eradyte/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/radytee/ Samphire Neuroscience - https://samphireneuro.com/ Links mentioned: Cycle-Brain Guide - https://www.samphireneuro.com/nettle/science/publications/cycle-brain-guide "Women’s health research lacks funding – these charts show how" - https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-01475-2/index.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

MOTHER is a movement of bold ideas about the female body. We will be diving into fascinating science and new technology pushing the boundaries of the female experience as we know it.  The show is hosted by Karina Vazirova, CEO and co-founder of FemTech Lab (www.femtechlab.com), a global ecosystem supporting startups in women’s health, and producer of the DECODING THE FUTURE OF WOMEN (www.d3cod1ng.com) conference in London. The name for the podcast "MOTHER" is inspired by the creative force inside us all - the force that creates ideas, businesses, spaces, communities, and life itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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