What is trauma? How does it manifest in our lives? How is trauma passed down through generations or within communities? And most importantly, what can we do about it? Most of us have some experience with trauma, but rarely, if ever, are we encouraged to discuss it. Instead, we are encouraged to muscle through it or transcend it. In this episode of the WebMD Health Discovered podcast, we explore the impact of trauma in our lives and the often-overlooked topic of intergenerational trauma. We spoke with Thema Bryant, PhD, host of the Homecoming podcast, author of Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole, Authentic Self, and 2023 president of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Thema is a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. Dr. Thema unpacks how traumatic stress disrupts the nervous system and is passed down through generations and within communities. She highlights the importance of honoring the survival skills of people who came before us, how we can adopt and model healthy coping methods, and how we can appropriately talk with future generations about our lived experiences of trauma to help them go from just surviving to thriving.

Heart failure affects approximately 3 million women and is the leading reason for hospitalization and a major cause of death in women over age 65. What facts do women need to know about heart failure? Why is heart failure so prevalent in Black and Hispanic communities? How does premature onset heart failure impact people under the age of 65? We spoke with Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, attending cardiologist and professor of medicine/cardiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, about common risk factors and symptoms of heart failure, treatment options, and how racial disparities and social determinants of health impact diagnosis and treatment. We also spoke with Chevonne Dixon, blogger of This Well Planned Life, who is living with heart failure after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at age 19. Chevonne spoke openly about her journey to diagnosis and how other heart failure patients can be their own best advocates.... 

The average adult uses a dozen personal care products daily, including shampoo, deodorants, lotions, and cosmetics. That averages to about 125 chemicals we are exposing ourselves to daily. How does this chemical buildup in our system increase the chance of health risks? What can we do in our everyday lives to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals? We spoke with Kristina Marusic, an award-winning journalist at Environmental Health Sciences and author of A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention, about the common chemicals we are exposed to, online resources to learn about alternative health-conscious products, the importance of an at-home water filtration system, and small ways we can implement changes in the products we purchase to reduce our chemical body burden without disrupting our lives or breaking the bank.

Every 3 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer. About half of the blood cancers that occur each year are lymphomas. Unlike some cancers, there is no widely recommended screening test for lymphoma, and as a result, people typically don't know something is wrong until they experience symptoms. In honor of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Peter Martin, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Lymphoma Program at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, to learn more about lymphoma, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. Dr. Martin also shares an empowering perspective on cancer survivorship that everyone navigating a cancer diagnosis should listen to.

Finding the right therapist can be challenging. Before we ever attend our first session, we must navigate health insurance, research available therapists who can meet our needs, and address our blocks to seeking therapy in the first place. So when should we seek help? How do we start looking for a therapist? What happens if we find a therapist and are unsure if they are the right fit? How can we practice self-care while waiting for an appointment? We spoke with Sue Varma, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of a forthcoming book, Practical Optimism: The Art, Science and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being, about the four M's of mental health, the benefits of different therapeutic modalities, and key tips for creating an impactful therapeutic experience.

American mothers are spread thin and feeling the strain of unrealistic parenting expectations. The lack of parental leave, rising healthcare costs, and constant messaging from both media and social media about how to be a "good mother" can leave us confused and depleted. Add a pandemic on top of that, and you have a recipe for disaster. We spoke to Jessica Grose, an opinion writer at The New York Times and author of Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood, about the dynamics of motherhood in the U.S., why so many of us feel unsupported and under-resourced, how this impacts our physical and emotional health, and most importantly, what changes we can implement in our personal lives and at the policy level to empower ourselves, our children and our communities.

While many of us are familiar with well-known menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, libido changes, and mood swings, there is another symptom that deserves attention: brain fog. How exactly is brain fog linked to menopause, and what solutions and tools are available for individuals experiencing brain fog? We spoke with Gayatri Devi, MD, Director at Park Avenue Neurology and Clinical Professor of Neurology & Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, to explore the timing and symptoms of brain fog during menopause and available treatment options such as hormone replacement therapy.

We've all heard about what happens during menopause, but what exactly occurs during perimenopause, why is it so important, and why is no one talking about it? We spoke with Sharon Malone, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist and chief medical officer at Alloy Women's Health, about hormonal changes linked to perimenopause, lifestyle adjustments, treatment options, and how to talk about these things with your doctor for an empowered and collaborative experience in personal health. 

June is Migraine Awareness Month, shedding light on the over 1 billion people globally experiencing migraine. In this episode, Dr. John Whyte sits down with two migraine experts, Dr. Cynthia E Armand, clinical director of Montefiore Headache Center and fellowship director of the Montefiore Headache Program, and Dr. Addie Peretz, board-certified neurologist and clinical assistant professor at Stanford Medicine, to discuss diagnostic criteria, cardiovascular risks, the impact of social determinants of health, support during reproductive years, and new treatment options to empower long-term migraine sufferers.

Perimenopause, the time in our lives leading up to menopause, can be isolating and confusing for many of us. A lot of medical literature surrounding perimenopause is often outdated, with language oriented toward the end of our sexuality and vitality, and symptom control often focused mainly around hot flashes. Where does that leave those of us experiencing a wide variety of changes? We sit down with Falguni Lakhani Adams and Kruti Majmudar of the “Getting Hotter” platform to discuss why it is so crucial to openly talk about various aspects and experiences of perimenopause, the importance of seeking resources, and the significance of community.