Over the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that our partners will fulfill many roles, including being instrumental in our personal growth. But what do these expectations mean in romantic partnerships? Are they realistic, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment? We spoke with Lia Love Avellino, LCSW, a modern love therapist and founder of Spoke Circles, a group support hub in Brooklyn, about the primary concerns couples face communicating our wants and needs, creating balance in a relationship, and cultivating supportive bonds without trying to facilitate one another's self-actualization.

February is American Heart Month, and a pivotal date, February 22nd, shines a spotlight on Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, emphasizing the significance of the role heart valves play in maintaining our overall health and well-being. What function do the heart valves serve? What are the ways a heart valve can fail? We spoke with Icilma Fergus, MD, board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology and director of cardiovascular disparities and clinical lipidology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, about lifestyle prevention strategies, warning signs of valve disease, new treatments, and how patients can be empowered to best advocate for themselves at the doctor’s office.

When we think of racism, we often think of overt acts of prejudice and discrimination, but what about subtle microaggressions, bias, and systemic barriers? February is Black History Month, and we are looking at the ways trauma and stress due to racism can impact the Black community physically, mentally, and emotionally. We'll discuss covert racism, explore the psychological impact of working twice as hard to attain what others might take for granted, and unpack the ways hypervigilance takes a toll on mental health. We spoke with Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP, clinical psychologist and Fellow at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University, about the intergenerational impact of racism, tools for Black families to discuss this with the next generation, and how the brain responds to racial trauma.

In January, many people choose to refrain from alcohol, or what is known as a “dry January,” after potential excess during the holiday season. But what about those who want to refrain longer or explore their relationship with alcohol? What does it mean to be sober curious, or practice mindful drinking? How would shifting our drinking habits impact our health? We spoke to Amanda E. White, licensed professional counselor and the owner of Therapy for Women Center, author of Not Drinking Tonight, and creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen, about mindful drinking, how to practice boundaries when refraining from alcohol, and helpful tips for listeners who are sober curious to begin changing their relationship with alcohol.

Do you know the difference between a pap smear and a pelvic exam? Do you know where the cervix is located and what it does? Most importantly, what about the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer? According to some experts, almost 100% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lifetime and more than 14,000 women in the US are diagnosed with HPV related invasive cervical cancer every year. For cervical cancer awareness month, we spoke with Staci Tanouye, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN to answer common questions about cervical health. We discuss the difference between pelvic exams and pap smears, how often to schedule them, common facts and misconceptions about HPV, and why regular cervical cancer screenings are so important throughout the lifespan.

A 2023 survey by Cleveland Clinic found that 44% of men do not get an annual physical exam. How should men take control of their health? What are the top health concerns for men after the age of 40? What health screenings are essential? And why do we often overlook mental health when having these discussions? Neha Pathak, MD, and John Whyte, MD, discuss the importance of checking blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining heart health, cancer risk and screening, and how wearable devices and apps can inform and empower men to approach their health and wellness proactively.

In the first episode of the new year, Dr. Pathak takes a different approach to traditional New Year's resolutions. Rather than overwhelming you with the pressure of becoming a "new you," this episode encourages listeners to appreciate and love the "you" that exists right now. With a focus on embracing and accepting the current version of ourselves, we explore the transformative power of self-compassion. Guiding us through this topic is our guest, Kristin Neff, PhD, a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, and Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive. Dr. Neff explores mindfulness, empathy, fierce self-compassion, and helpful practices we can incorporate into our daily lives to show up with an open heart and mind.

Many of us can relate to feeling triggered or having our buttons pushed in our closest relationships, but what can we do about it? Is there an effective way to identify and communicate healthy boundaries? Can we create and sustain healthier connections even in the midst of conflict? We spoke with Whitney Goodman, LMFT, psychotherapist behind the hugely popular Instagram account @SitWithWhit, author of Toxic Positivity, host of the Calling Home podcast, and owner of the Collaborative Counseling Center, about how to communicate our wants, needs, and boundaries, as well as dynamics of enmeshment, estrangement and loving detachment.

It’s commonly said that we are what we eat. A great deal of research has been done to find a correlation between healthy diets and brain function, but misinformation persists. Figuring out how certain foods impact our physical, mental, and emotional health while also balancing our busy lives can become a frustrating exercise. So, how does food impact the brain exactly? To find out, we spoke to Uma Naidoo, MD, director of Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & director of Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry at MGH Academy, and author of the forthcoming book Calm Your Mind with Food. We explored the gut and brain connection, the benefits of spices and adaptogens, helpful food pairings to boost bioavailability and realistic solutions for supporting our mental and emotional health with food.

We've all heard of seasonal affective disorder, but did you know that it's more than just the winter blues? The cooler temperatures, seasonal changes, and limited daylight hours of the winter months can stir up a certain cozy feeling, but they can also bring a sense of lethargy, persistent sadness, and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. So, what exactly is seasonal affective disorder? What are the symptoms? Are there effective treatments available? We spoke with Michael Terman, PhD, founder and president of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics, about the science behind what causes seasonal affective disorder, the significant role that your chronotype plays, where and how to accurately assess mood changes during seasonal transitions, and the therapies available that alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder.