Shattered Conception

My guest is licensed acupuncturist, Laura Erlich. She is the owner and founder of Mother Nurture Wellness, a holistic women’s health collective located in West Los Angeles, where she maintains a private practice as an acupuncturist with a specialty in reproductive medicine. Her career in the healing arts began in New York City in 1998 when she graduated from the Swedish Institute of Massage and immediately felt called to work with pregnant women. By 1999, she was back in her home town of Los Angeles, where she quickly built a successful house-call massage therapy practice and became a birth doula. After several years of growing her massage/doula business, Laura felt a desire to deepen her knowledge of both eastern and western medicine and enrolled in Chinese Medicine school at Emperor’s college in Santa Monica.  In 2007, she gave birth to her son and her new practice, and began tending to them both with her full heart and soul. Her background in pregnancy and birth made way for an acupuncture and herbal medic

My guest is Dr. Ann O’Neill. Ann completed her Master’s degree in Environmental Science in 2006, and her PhD in Natural Resource Science & Management in 2015. Excitedly anticipating the arrival of their 4th son in July of 2018 and were shocked to learn Elijah, no longer had a heartbeat at 39 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. Elijah was stillborn on his due date, July 2nd, 2018. They returned home from the hospital in desperate tears, bewildered, arms aching, and with a million questions. Three months after Elijah’s stillbirth, the autopsy report concluded that the cause of Elijah’s death was “unknown”.  Unhappy with the insufficient answers to basic questions provided by the autopsy, Ann listened to a podcast interview of Dr. Harvey Kliman, a placental pathologist at Yale University. On this episode, Ann discusses learning that Elijah’s death was due to an extremely small placenta that could not provide the oxygen he needed to survive past week 39 of pregnancy. While Ann’s original plan was to continue teach

My guest is Dr. Louanne Davis, author of Meditations for Healing Trauma: Mindfulness Skills to Ease Post-Traumatic Stress. Dr. Davis is a clinical psychologist affiliated with the Roudebush VA Medical Center and the Indianapolis University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. For the past 17 ½ years, she conducted federally funded research, most recently focused on developing and evaluating treatments for PTSD that include scientifically validated and beneficial approaches such as meditation and yoga. She has practiced yoga and meditation for 13 years and is certified by the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, also known as MBSR, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Dr. Davis takes us through a short mindfulness meditation at the end of the interview specifically for anyone who has Post Traumatic Symptoms and or a diagnosis of PTSD. Louanne Davis, Psy.D. can be reached through her email: louanne.davis52@gmail.com

My guest is Sydnee Miller. Sydnee is a TV Set Decorator in Los Angeles. She moved to Los Angeles from Arizona in search of a new start after receiving inpatient treatment for an eating disorder in 2008. She completed her education at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and began dating the man who would become her husband. When they got engaged in 2012, Sydnee immediately went off of birth control in preparation for pregnancy, which she hoped to achieve a year later. Her period never returned, and after a year of waiting, she decided to see a reproductive endocrinologist. She completed 3 rounds of IUI’s and 3 rounds of IVF, only to find heartbreak and disappointment at the end of each one. She miscarried two of those rounds, and unfortunately the others never resulted in a pregnancy. Her first stimulation for retrival resulted in a dangerous hyper-stimulation situation and the RE retrieved 91 eggs! In July of 2016, Sydnee and her husband decided to give up trying and pursue adoption. This is whe

My guest on Episode 19 is Paola Brass. She is a Clinical Social Worker who works as a Child Advocate at Stuart House, a program of the UCLA Rape Treatment Center in Santa Monica. Paola works with children and their families to provide crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and court-related services for children who are victims of sexual abuse. Paola also participates in The Rape Treatment Center’s 24-hour on-call-response services for suspected victims of assault/abuse as a crisis counselor. Prior to coming to Stuart House, Paola investigated child abuse for 8 years with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as an Emergency Response Social Worker. While working with DCFS Paola had the opportunity to work closely with Stuart house, she found passion in the work she was doing with sexual abuse survivors and decided to pursue the role of a child advocate. After 9 plus years of clinical experience in supporting families during traumatic events Paola was able to recognize the

On Episode 18 of Shattered Conception my guest is the author of Miscarriage Mom: The Unspoken Realities of Miscarriage and How To Cope. Starting from the age of 27 through the age of 32 Kristy and her husband, Vincent, experienced 6 miscarriages. Kristy understands the pain and grief of losing an unborn child and losing many much wanted pregnancies. Her book offers heartfelt insights into the unforeseen realities surrounding miscarriage and suggests ways to cope. Miscarriage Mom openly addresses the emotions, reactions, and experiences to be expected after a miscarriage. Honoring your unborn baby, returning to work, and dealing with others' reactions are just a few of the many topics addressed. With a genuine desire to help numerous women, Kristy wrote Miscarriage Mom and includes a special "man-to-man" chapter written by her husband, Vincent.  This episode covers many common experiences a woman experiences not only with one miscarriage, but multiple miscarriages. Including the confusion, frustration and grie

My guest is Sheri Poe, a DONA trained birth and postpartum doula who specializes in supporting and helping women during the postpartum period also known as the 4th trimester. She is newborn care specialist and also specializes in lactation support and breastfeeding. She has spoken before audiences throughout the country about her experiences as an entrepreneur, an assault survivor, a working mother and a leader in corporate social responsibility. Sheri has also shared her story of triumph on national television and in publications, including: The Today Show, Oprah, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, People, The Los Angeles Times & Business Week. Sheri has been recognized by the National Association of Female Executives with a NAFFY Award for nurturing the aspirations of females for the future. She also received The New England Women’s Leadership Award in Business, National Victim’s Center Milton Petrie Award and the Women Of Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions toward hel

My guest is Spirit Baby Medium and Medical Intuitive Kelly Meehan. Kelly has a MFT with a specialization in Somatic Psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. She also has a podcast titled Spirit Baby Radio. Additionally, Kelly has training in Energy Based and Somatic Based modalities such as: Reiki I, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Infant Massage Instruction/ Parent Education, and Yoga with Mini Yogis (children’s yoga teaching certification). She has completed the training for the advanced levels of Integrative Energy Therapy (IET) I, II, and III. Kelly has authored a book titled: Sacred Communication - A Spirit Baby Journal, which you can order directly from her website. Kelly uses her intuitive sensitivity of Clairvoyance and Clairsentience to support women/couples all around the world that are looking to connect in a deeply spiritual and awakened way on their fertility journey. Kelly calls herself a Spirit Baby Medium and offers a loving service that focuses on spirit baby communication in conception, ener

On episode 15 of Shattered Conception my guest is Laura Malcolm Kocsis. She is the founder of Give InKind. Give InKind was created after Laura and her husband, James, experienced the devastating loss of their daughter Layla while in her 8th month of pregnancy in 2013.  While on leave from their respective technology jobs, she and her husband remembered how badly their friends and family around the country wanted to help, but felt too far away during the time after Layla’s death. Laura and James knew there had to be a better way to provide friends and family with a way to support those they care about during times of need and in life’s celebrations.  Give InKind is on a mission to make sure that no one feels too far away to help when life events happen. We know you can't always be with the ones you love when they need you, but they also know that sending money or flowers isn't always the only answer. They wanted to make it easy to send the support that's really needed - whether that's a hot meal, a housecleane

On this episode my guest is Dr. Jiling Hu. She is a licensed acupuncturist with an office in West Los Angeles. Dr. Hu has over 30 years clinical experience in gynecology and endocrinology and specializes in treating endocrine issues and women’s reproductive and overall health. She specializes in fertility challenges that are related to immune and endocrine disorders, unexplained infertility, irregular menstruation, PCOS, dysmenorrhea, menopause and other female aging related conditions. Her extensive education in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine gives her a unique perspective in treating her patients holistically. Dr. Hu had 8 years medical training at Hubei University and Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received a Master’s degree in endocrinology and immunological disorders, which integrated TCM and Western medicine. After completing her graduate studies, she was an Attending TCM Physician at the distinguished China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing for 4 year

On Episode 13 of Shattered Conception my guest is Marcella Johnson, founder of the non-profit organization, The Comfort Cub. The mission of The Comfort Cub is to bring comfort to anyone experiencing a broken heart as a result of a significant loss or trauma. We have all had our heart broken or know someone that has. Is there actual medical and physiological effects of having a "broken heart" or is it just a figure of speech? It turns out, this is a REAL "syndrome".  Starting in 2001, more became known about Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, aka a broken heart. First described in Japanese medical journals, it was named after the similarities between the LEFT VENTRICLE in systole and the shape of a Japanese octopus trap. It is also called "broken heart syndrome". Marcella shares her story of the death of her newborn son, George, due to a medical condition and the subsequent physical manifestations of grief and trauma in her body. She found comfort in holding a weighted flower pot...which gave her the idea to create a w

On this episode of Shattered Conception my guest is Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Kathryn Chaya Lubow. Chaya specializes in Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. She is also a Trained Mindful Self Compassion Teacher & Therapeutic Imagery Facilitator. She teaches meditation at the Den Meditation in Los Angeles and is the co-host of the podcast Awakenings in Real Life which focuses on the spiritual path of women and mothers in contemporary life. Her private practice is in Los Angeles, California. Chaya shares two significant life events: One being a terrifying car accident and another being the condition of developing hyperemesis during her pregnancy with her daughter and told her cervix was labeled “incompetent”. As well as having an OB telling her the terrible statistics while pregnant if she were to have a premature baby…Chaya discusses how she got through that pregnancy. Chaya can be reached through her website: www.kathrynlubow.com or email: kathrynlubow@gmail.com Chaya mentions Mindful Self Compass

My guest on episode 11 is Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Paula Shulman. Her office is located in Santa Monica, California and she has hospital privileges at Providence Saint John’s Hospital and UCLA. She practices the full breadth of women’s healthcare and strives to use shared decision making whenever possible. She is a supporter of VBAC and vaginal delivery of twins, and encourages her patients to use both Eastern and Western medicine to achieve their fertility goals. She also specializes in menopause. Dr. Shulman shares how she had 2 harrowing traumatic births of her own and how her personal experiences have helped her be a more compassionate and thoughtful doctor. She also shares how she discovered her passion and career path in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Shulman screens her patients for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and after the delivery. She encourages women to come up with their "birth preferences" (instead of a "birth plan) and works closely with her patients througho

My guest is licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Hillary Goldsher with a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Goldsher’s areas of expertise include trauma and grief, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and relationship counseling. Additionally, she specializes in the arena of maternal mental health—helping women and their families cope with miscarriages/stillbirths, postpartum depression and parenting/couple challenges post birth. On this podcast we discuss her late term miscarriage while on vacation and how her personal journey of pregnancy loss has solidified her commitment to improving mental health outcomes for women who have suffered from pregnancy losses of any kind as well as supporting women going through assisted reproductive technology (IVF). Dr. Goldsher believes that healing comes from a willingness to deeply experience, explore, and feel one’s emotions that are related to both present and past circumstances. Unexamined feelings can often lead to unwanted or painful symptoms. The pro

My guest on Shattered Conception is licensed Clinical Psychologist and music composer, Dr. Michael Mollura with a private practice in Beverly Hills. Dr. Mollura is the creator of Dream Music Therapy. Dream Music Therapy is based on the foundations of Dr. Carl G. Jung and James Hillman. Dr. Michael Mollura composes music to the actual dream reports of his patients as a way of accessing unconscious material to provide healing pathways on neurological, quantum, and collective levels. His music helps heal and bring relief to trauma, emotional conflict in the unconscious mind, and provide answers to confusing and distressing nightmares and dreams. His work is the first of its kind and exemplifies the healing powers of creativity in a clinical setting.The dream music therapy draws a bridge between Dr. Mollura’s work as a music composer and as a clinician.  As a feature film music composer, Michael Mollura is known for his recent score for the documentary film HEAL directed by Kelly Noonan, which is currently the #1

On Episode 8 of Shattered Conception my guest is Marriage and Family Therapist, Lily Dulan. Lily is also a certified Heart of Yoga Teacher and Author of the book, The Name Work. The Name Work is also an A-Z deck of cards which describes the qualities of each letter of the alphabet and then has simple affirmations to go with each quality listed on the back of the card. Lily facilitates The Name Work workshops throughout the country and conducts one-on-one sessions in person or on-line. Additionally, Lily studied spiritual coursework at Agape International Spiritual Center under the tutelage of Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith. Lily formed a foundation a few years ago that partners with local and international organizations called The Kara Love Project. This foundation was developed in loving memory of her first daughter, Kara Meyer Dulan, who died at home in 2009 of SIDS when she was 2 months old. The mission of The Kara Love Project is to promote conscious giving and positive action for underserved and margi

My guest is licensed psychotherapist, certified professional coach and author Joanna Flemons. Joanna's book is titled, Infertility and PTSD: The Uncharted Storm. She has worked in healthcare for nearly two decades and has a clinical specialty in reproductive trauma, grief counseling and infertility counseling. She has a private practice in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Infertility affects one in eight couples, causing widespread grief, anxiety, and stress affecting both women and men. One-third of infertility is attributed to male factor; another one-third to female factor; and the remainder from both and unexplained factors. Increasingly, research indicates that certain experiences during infertility can trigger or exacerbate post traumatic stress disorder. Joanna Flemons explains the complex relationship between PTSD and infertility, and offers proven techniques and strategies for reducing trauma symptoms and loosening the powerful grip of PTSD. Telephone: (720) 530-9518 Email: jfccservices@gmail.com Website: 

On Episode 6 of Shattered Conception my guest is renowned doula, healer, life coach and author Lori Bregman.  Lori is the author of The Mindful Mom to Be: A Modern Doula’s Guide To Building A Healthy Foundation From Pregnancy Through Birth (With month-by-month advice, comprehensive checklists, and customizable birth plans, this is your indispensable holistic companion for pregnancy, birth, and beyond.)…and the soon to be released Mamaste: Discover A More Authentic, Balanced, and Joyful Motherhood From Within. (Introducing the “five expressions of motherhood”—Action Mama, Flow Mama, Rebel Mama, Vulnerable Mama, and Free Mama—Lori offers supportive advice, exercises, meditations, and yoga practices to cultivate a healthy balanced life)  She works intimately with her pregnant clients and supports new mothers on all aspects of their personal transformation from fertility and infertility journey through pregnancy and into new motherhood. She is unique in her innate ability to blend spiritual coaching, healing and

On this episode of Shattered Conception I'm talking with comedian, actress, social media influencer, wife and mother, Angelina Spicer.  Spicer has smartly delved deep for comedy that’s authentic, transparent, and relatable. By using her social media platform, she became an outspoken advocate for maternal mental health after she was admitted into a psychiatric facility for a seven day treatment of postpartum depression when her daughter was 8 months old. She was admitted because she had scary thoughts that just would not abate on their own. It was then that her journey to remove the stigma from the shame and guilt associated with a Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder began. She became the 2018 Spokeswoman for The Blue Dot Project, has lobbied on Capitol Hill, and has recently help pass three new pieces of legislation for new moms in California through supporting 2020Mom and the Maternal Mental Health NOW Task Force (which I am also a member). Angelina has also been featured in USA Today & Essence magazine

Danica Thornberry, L.Ac., was one of the first women in America to focus, treat, and support women going though assisted reproductive technology. She is a fertility specialist and founder of Well Women Acupuncture in Los Angeles. She completed a post-graduate certification in Chinese Gynecology and has had phenomenal success in helping thousands of women reach their individual goals. She has appeared twice on Lifetime TV’s “Speaking of Women’s Health, ” where she presented acupuncture as a successful form of treatment for fertility problems and hormone imbalances. She is the author of Stick it to Me, Baby! Inserting Spirit Into The Science of Infertility and the creator of The Seed Program, where she offers a collection of online courses for women who want to learn what they can do to improve their fertility. Danica faced fertility challenges of her own and learned that baby-making is a combination of timing, self-care, and faith in a bigger picture. She shares the wisdom she gained in pursuit of her own chil