Her Village
Her Village PodcastThis is the space where real women have real conversations — the ones we don’t always say out loud, but all feel in some way.Hosted by Jacqueline Baird, this podcast goes beyond surface-level talk and into the stories, struggles, and moments that shape us — in motherhood, relationships, identity, and everything in between.Through a mix of personal reflections and honest conversations with other women, each episode is designed to leave you feeling seen, understood, and a little less alone… while also giving you new perspective, insight, and the kind of validation you didn’t know you needed.Because yo...
EP 140: Finding Your Way Back to Yourself — Identity, Self-Trust & the Inner Teacher with Dr. Nicole Wordlaw
How much of who we are is truly ours—and how much has been shaped by the expectations, beliefs, and stories we’ve inherited?
In this episode of Her Village, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Nicole Wordlaw, clinical psychologist, author, and longtime Buddhist meditation practitioner, to explore what it means to reconnect with our own inner knowing.
Nicole’s book, Waking Up Alone: Navigating the Narrow Passage Through Master-Slave Narratives, combines memoir with an exploration of identity, power, relationships, and the conditioning that can shape how we understand ourselves and our place in the world.
T...
EP 139: Who Are Your Friends When No One Is Assigning Them to You?
Remember when making friends was just… built into life?
You met on the playground. Sat next to each other in class. Played on the same team. Lived down the hall in college. Or, in Jacqueline’s case, essentially paid for your friends by joining a sorority. 😂
Then adulthood happens—and suddenly, no one is assigning you friends anymore.
In this solo episode, Jacqueline explores why adult friendship feels so different, especially in motherhood. It’s not necessarily that we’ve forgotten how to make friends. It’s that the structure that once made friendship happ...
EP 138: More Than the Caregiver — Raising Neurodivergent Kids & Finding Yourself Again with Susanna Peace Lovell
Motherhood has a way of rewriting the plans we were so sure we had figured out.
For Susanna Peace Lovell, that meant becoming a mother to her daughter, Arizona, who is neurodivergent and has autism, ADHD, anxiety, and significant allergies. For Jacqueline, it meant infertility, loss, a 24-week premature birth, a four-month NICU stay, and eventually learning that her oldest son has autism and ADHD, and her younger son also has ADHD and sensory processing disorder.
In this deeply personal conversation, Jacqueline and Susanna talk about what happens when motherhood looks nothing like the version...
EP 137: The Kids Are Back to School… What About Us?
A Her Village Solo Episode 🎙️
The backpacks are packed, the school supplies are labeled, and the kids are settling back into their routines. But once we’ve gotten everyone else where they need to be… what about us?
In this solo episode, I’m talking about the back-to-school season as more than just a reset for our kids. It can be a reset for us, too.
Not in a reinvent your entire life now that the kids are in school kind of way. But as an opportunity to check in with ourselves and ask: Wha...
EP 136: What Comes After Trauma? Healing, Hope & the Freckles of Light with Cindy Benezra
What happens after you've survived something that could have defined the rest of your life?
Today's guest, Cindy Benezra, is a USA Today bestselling author, speaker, trauma recovery advocate, and author of Under the Orange Blossoms. Cindy is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father.
But this conversation isn't about the details of what happened to Cindy. It's about what came next.
Cindy and I talk about what healing actually looks like in everyday life, learning to trust yourself again, breaking generational cycles, reclaiming your voice, and...
EP 135: Maybe You Did Better Than You Think
As summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches, it's easy to look back and wonder...
Did I do enough?
Did we make enough memories?
Did my kids have the summer they deserved?
Did I somehow miss the mark?
If you've been carrying those thoughts, this episode is for you.
In today's solo episode, Jacqueline shares an honest reflection on the pressure moms often put on themselves during the summer—from trying to create magical memories to balancing work, childcare, businesses, and everything in between.
Whether you're a wo...
EP 134: The Woman Behind Blue's Clues, Daniel Tiger & Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things | Angela Santomero
Some stories entertain us.
Others help shape who we become.
This week on the Her Village Podcast, I'm joined by Emmy Award-winning creator, author, and storyteller Angela Santomero, whose work has helped generations of children learn, grow, and navigate the world with curiosity and confidence.
Known for creating Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Angela shares the thoughtful research, educational philosophy, and heart behind the stories she's spent her career bringing to life. We explore why imagination isn't just play—it's a powerful tool for he...
EP 133: What I Learned About Friendship After Starting Her Village
When I started Her Village, I thought I was creating a place where women could make new friends.
What I didn't expect was what those first few months would teach me—not just about friendship, but about belonging.
In this solo episode, I'm sharing some of the biggest lessons I've learned while building this community from the ground up. From women nervously walking into events alone to conversations that linger long after the official end time, I've realized that what so many of us are searching for isn't simply more friends—it's a place where we c...
EP 132: Why Making Friends as an Adult Feels So Hard (and What We Can Do About It) with Alex Gohla
When we're kids, friendship just... happens.
We're surrounded by classmates, teammates, roommates, and neighbors. But somewhere between careers, motherhood, relationships, and the never-ending to-do list, making meaningful friendships can start to feel surprisingly difficult.
In this episode, I'm joined by licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and founder of Bluebird Counseling Services, Alexandria Gohla, to unpack why connection feels so much harder in adulthood—and why so many women find themselves longing for something deeper than another group chat.
Alex shares insights from her work with women, the inspiration behind her upcoming bo...
EP 131: She Left Her Career to Raise Her Kids. Then She Started Again. | Dr. Vandana Arcot
She Left Her Career to Raise Her Kids. Then She Started Again.
What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the woman you're becoming?
This week on the Her Village Podcast, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Vandana Arcot to talk about identity, ambition, motherhood, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself.
After a successful global health career spanning more than a decade and work across 13+ countries, Dr. Arcot made the decision to step away from her professional life to focus on raising her children. Years later, she found...
EP 130: The Reinvention Nobody Talks About
Reinvention is often portrayed as a dramatic before-and-after moment—a bold leap, a fresh start, a perfectly curated transformation.
But what if it doesn't look like that at all?
In this solo episode, Jacqueline shares what she's learning about reinvention while living it in real time. From infertility and loss to motherhood, podcasting, and building Her Village, she reflects on the many versions of herself she's loved, outgrown, and carried with her along the way.
Together, we'll explore:
• Why reinvention can feel a lot like grief—even when it's chosen
• The pres...
EP 129: What Happened When We Finally Got Women in the Same Room
Something unexpected happened at the first Her Village gatherings.
Women walked in nervous… and walked out feeling lighter, more connected, and reminded that they’re not alone.
In this solo episode, I’m sharing reflections from our very first gatherings and why I believe women are craving real, in-person community more than ever before.
We talk about:
the loneliness of modern motherhoodwhy making friends as an adult feels so hardthe power of getting women in the same roomwhat I observed during our first Her Village meetupsmotherhood, identity, and connectionwhy I believe we all ne...EP 128: Welcome to Her Village (Trailer)
If you’ve been here for a while, you know this podcast has always been rooted in real conversations.
From the very beginning, Motherhood Intended was a space for the stories behind the highlight reel—centered around infertility, family building, and the journey to motherhood.
But life evolves… and so do we.
In this trailer episode, I’m sharing why this podcast is shifting, what this new season looks like, and what you can expect moving forward.
Welcome to Her Village—a space for real women, real stories, and honest con...
Life After Infertility: An Honest Update and the Beginning of Her Village
What happens when the season of life that shaped your story begins to change?
In this episode, I’m sharing an honest update about the evolution of Your Fertility Village, how my own infertility journey has shifted now that our family is complete, and the new vision that has been growing on my heart: Her Village.
When I first started the Motherhood Intended podcast, I was still in the thick of processing my infertility journey. I had experienced infertility, loss, IVF, the NICU, and eventually grew our family through surrogacy. During that season, su...
This Is What My Days Look Like Right Now
A real day in the life of a stay-at-home mom in this season of motherhood.
What does a real day actually look like in this season of motherhood?
In this solo episode, Jacqueline walks you through a true day in the life — from the moment she wakes up to when the house finally goes quiet at night. Not the highlight reel. Not the optimized routine. Just the honest rhythm of life right now as a stay-at-home mom of three, balancing motherhood, mental load, and creative work.
Jacqueline shares what mo...
The Part of Infertility No One Warns You About: Your Marriage
Infertility doesn’t just affect your body—it can quietly strain your marriage in ways no one prepares you for.
In this solo episode, Jacqueline talks openly about how infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys can impact a relationship—not just during treatment, but long after you’ve successfully grown your family.
She talks about the emotional survival mode couples often slip into, why communication can break down, how grief and coping styles differ between partners, and why those patterns don’t automatically disappear once a baby arrives. If anything, they can be harder to...
From Egg Freezing to Motherhood: A Full-Circle IVF Story (Single Mom by Choice)
This episode marks a powerful full-circle moment on Motherhood Intended.
Three years ago, Alison joined the podcast to share her decision to freeze her eggs in an episode titled “Egg Preservation: A Story of 10 Maybe Babies.” At the time, she was preserving her fertility and creating options for her future — without knowing exactly where the journey would lead.
Today, Alison is back to share what happened next.
In this Season 7 premiere, Jacqueline and Alison reflect on the path from egg freezing to single motherhood by choice, including:
deciding to pur...Egg Preservation: A Story of 10 “Maybe Babies” (Re-Air + Season Finale)
This week on Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline closes out Season 6 with a meaningful re-air of one of the earliest and most impactful episodes from Season 1: “Egg Preservation: A Story of 10 Maybe Babies.”
This episode intentionally follows last week’s solo conversation about freezing your eggs and fertility timelines — and serves as a bridge into what’s coming next.
In this episode, Jacqueline chats with Alison, who shares her personal experience choosing to freeze her eggs. Alison walks through what the egg freezing process actually looked like, what she felt emotionally along the way, and w...
Should You Freeze Your Eggs in 2026? What the Latest Data Really Says
As we head into 2026, more women than ever are asking themselves a deeply personal and surprisingly common question: “Should I freeze my eggs?” In today’s solo episode, Jacqueline breaks down everything you need to know about egg freezing right now — including age-related success rates, how many eggs you actually need, what the process looks like, and what the emotional side of delayed motherhood really feels like.
Whether you’re considering freezing your eggs for peace of mind, navigating an uncertain timeline, or simply curious about what egg freezing in 2026 can offer, this episode is your warm...
Re-Air: Boy Moms Talk Gender “Disappointment” + Why This Season Looked Different
This week on Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens the episode with an honest reflection on why this season of the podcast has looked different — and why that difference has actually been a gift.
In this heartfelt intro, Jacqueline shares what life has looked like behind the scenes, including:
• balancing toddlerhood, therapies, and packed family schedules
• navigating a season of growth in marriage and motherhood
• learning new systems and outsourcing for the first time
• building Your Fertility Village from the ground up
• and embracing the idea that there is power in the pause
As the...
Navigating the Holidays When You’re TTC: Triggers, Stress & What Really Impacts Your Cycle
The holidays can be magical — but if you’re trying to conceive, they can also feel incredibly heavy. Between family gatherings, triggering comments, pregnancy announcements, disrupted routines, and the emotional weight of longing for a baby, this season brings unique challenges that often go unspoken.
In today’s solo episode, Jacqueline shares a supportive and practical guide for navigating the holiday season while TTC. You’ll learn how to protect your emotional well-being, set healthy boundaries, handle difficult conversations, and understand the real impact stress and travel can have on your cycle. (Spoiler: it’s less than you think...
Understanding AMH, Egg Quality, and Fertility Testing Basics
If you’ve ever stared at your lab results and thought, “Wait… is this good or bad?” — this episode is for you.
Today, Jacqueline breaks down the most common (and most confusing) parts of fertility testing in simple, empowering language. From AMH and egg quality to antral follicle counts, HSGs, thyroid levels, and partner testing, you’ll walk away feeling informed, prepared, and a whole lot less alone.
Inside the episode, we cover:
• What AMH really does — and doesn’t — tell you
• The truth about egg quality and why age matters
• The key tests to ask for when...
Our Honest Experience With ABA Therapy: What’s Helping Our Son & Our Family
In this heartfelt episode, Jacqueline is joined by her husband, Josh, to talk openly about something that’s become a major part of their family’s life lately: ABA therapy. After their oldest son was diagnosed with level 1 autism and ADHD at age six, they spent months sitting with the news, learning, questioning, and honestly…trying to figure out what actually felt right for their family.
Fast forward to today, and he’s been in in-home ABA therapy for four months — about 11 hours a week — and it's been eye-opening in ways they never e...
Holding the Mother: How One Mom Found Healing After Her Son’s Heart Journey
When motherhood takes an unexpected turn, where do you find the strength to keep going?
In this emotional and powerful episode, host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Kath Hansen—a Brisbane mom of four, founder of the baby brand Bubba Cloud, and host of The Modern Mother Podcast. Kath opens up about her youngest son Odin’s rare congenital heart condition, months spent in the NICU, and the raw reality of parenting through trauma.
Together, Jacqueline and Kath explore what it means to mother through uncertainty, navigate grie...
Is It Okay to Be Angry at Your Body? Yes — and Here’s How to Start Healing
What if your anger toward your body isn’t something to hide — but a sign that it’s finally time to start healing?
If you’ve ever felt angry at your body — for not doing what you hoped it would, for betraying your trust, or for making something as natural as motherhood feel impossibly hard — this episode is for you.
In this solo episode, Jacqueline opens up about the unspoken emotion so many women carry after infertility, loss, or complicated pregnancies: anger. She shares why that anger is valid, what it’s really trying to tell...
Understanding Fertility Coverage And Finding Support Through Insurance And Your Partner
Insurance and infertility are two words that rarely bring comfort, but understanding how to navigate your coverage can change everything about your experience.
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline shares her best guidance for reading your policy, asking smart questions, and knowing your rights when it comes to fertility care. She explains what “infertility coverage” really means, how to check if your clinic is in-network, and why employer fertility benefit programs could be a game changer. You’ll also learn how to have honest money talks with your partner so financial stress doesn’t take over your jou...
Forever Carried — Honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss
October can be a heavy month for many mothers. It’s a time to honor the babies who never made it earthside and the women who continue to carry their memories with love and courage.
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens her heart for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. She shares her story of losing her daughters Charlotte, Cecilia, and Maren, and how those experiences continue to shape her as a mother today. This conversation is a safe space for every woman who has known loss, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, a failed transfer, or th...
Making Informed Choices in Pregnancy with Dr. Dallas Reed
Pregnancy comes with a lot of choices. A clear plan for information and advocacy can turn overwhelm into confidence at every step.
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes Dr. Dallas Reed to unpack the essentials of prenatal genetics and decision making. You will learn when to consider carrier screening before pregnancy, how NIPT fits into first trimester care, and a simple set of questions that helps you respond calmly to new information in the clinic or on the birthing unit. Dr. Reed also explains SneakPeek early gender testing in plain language, including timing and reliability.<...
Self-Advocacy in Infertility and Motherhood: Navigating Doctor's Appointments and Care
Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or with more questions than answers? You're not alone.
Self-advocacy is a skill many of us weren't taught but desperately need, especially when navigating fertility challenges and motherhood. Jacqueline shares her personal experiences with infertility, pregnancy loss, and raising children with special needs, and how she discovered that being your own advocate isn't optional—it's essential.
In this episode you'll learn:
Practical strategies for making your voice heard in medical settings. How to prepare for appointments.The importance of second opinions and switching providers when...Parenting After Infertility and Why Gratitude Alone Is Not Enough
You fought so hard to become a mom, but why doesn’t every moment feel magical? Parenting after infertility comes with hidden challenges that most people never talk about.
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens up about the invisible baggage many moms carry after infertility treatments, loss, NICU stays, or surrogacy. She shares her own story of bringing home her children after years of heartbreak, and why the pressure to feel grateful every second can actually make motherhood harder. With honesty and encouragement, she reveals how infertility trauma doesn’t just vanish once you become a pa...
How One Woman’s Surrogacy Journey Became a Book for Moms Everywhere
When your path to motherhood doesn’t go as planned, how do you rewrite the story? For Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella, that answer came through surrogacy, and a book that changed everything.
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Andrea, a pediatrician, mother, and author, to talk about her deeply personal experience with infertility, pregnancy loss, and ultimately, becoming a mom through surrogacy.
Andrea opens up about the emotional toll of trying to conceive, how her medical background shaped her perspective, and the unexpected journey that inspired her to write a bo...
BONUS: Summertime...& When Everyone Else Is Pregnant… And You’re Not
In this vulnerable bonus episode, Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of navigating infertility during a season filled with pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and growing bumps everywhere you turn. If you’ve ever felt left out, behind, or broken as the only one not pregnant in your circle, this episode is for you. With compassion and real-life insight, Jacqueline offers powerful tools for protecting your peace and reminding you that your path to motherhood is still unfolding—beautifully and on your own terms.
Inside This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How to navigate baby showers, gender reveal...BONUS: Family Building Options After Infertility and How I Knew Our Family Was Complete After Years of Fertility Challenges
In this episode, Jacqueline opens up about her entire journey to motherhood, from hopeful beginnings and unexpected infertility, to devastating losses, NICU stays, IVF, and eventually surrogacy. She vulnerably shares the highs, lows, and in-betweens of becoming a mom to three beautiful children, explains why there is no one “right” way to build a family, and lists multiple different family building options for those facing infertility.
What You’ll Learn:
Jacqueline’s complete fertility journey from IUI to IVF to surrogacyThe emotional and physical realities of infertility and lossInsight into IVF, embryo testing, surrogacy, egg/sperm donation...BONUS: How to Cope When Nothing Seems to Be Happening (When You're Trying To Get Pregnant)
In this deeply compassionate episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of the “waiting season” during the fertility journey. Whether you’re waiting for test results, a cycle to begin, or answers that feel impossibly out of reach, Jacqueline shares her own experiences and insights to help you feel seen and supported during this often invisible and very isolating stage. She offers grounding practices, mindset shifts, and an invitation to rest rather than constantly prepare — reminding you that this season is not wasted.
What you'll hear:
Why the “waiting season” can feel so...The Village We All Deserve: A New Chapter in Infertility and TTC Support
Season 5 comes to a close with a heart-to-heart from host Jacqueline Baird—reflecting on the powerful stories shared, the community built, and a new chapter that’s just beginning.
In this special solo episode, Jacqueline opens up about her own fertility journey and the inspiration behind Your Fertility Village—a new support community for women navigating infertility, IVF, TTC, loss, surrogacy, or adoption.
She also shares:
💛 A look back at Season 5’s most meaningful moments
🎧 New Spotify playlists curated by topic (so you can find what you need, when you need it)
🌻 What...
Why Baby Bonding Matters More Than Baby Gear with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie
In this episode, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a neonatologist and AAP spokesperson, to explore what truly builds a strong foundation between parents and their newborns. From NICU realities to bonding after surrogacy, this episode is a science-meets-heart deep dive into connection, communication, and ditching the pressure to “do it all.”
What you’ll learn:
Why bonding isn’t about perfection—it’s about presenceHow early relational health impacts brain developmentThe science behind skin-to-skin contact and kangaroo careWhat to know about birth plans, baby gear, and bonding expectationsHow babies communicate...Parenting Multiple Kids While Pregnant With a Heart-Defect Diagnosis With Betsy Goldbeck
In today's episode, Jacqueline sits down with Betsy Goldbeck, a mom of four, to share the emotional and complex journey of her son Aiden, born with a serious heart defect. From an unexpected diagnosis mid-pregnancy to a traumatic birth and multiple hospital stays, Betsy opens up about life as a special needs mom, the toll it’s taken on her family, and the resilience that continues to carry them forward. This is a story of strength, advocacy, and faith—and a reminder that you’re never alone in your motherhood journey.
What you’ll learn:<...
Working Mom Life From Corporate to Entrepreneur: How Evonne Roman Built Sweet Gear
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline chats with Evonne Roman who is a single mom, entrepreneur, and the founder of Sweet Gear about the transformative journey from corporate life to creative independence. Evonne shares the deeply personal story behind her business launch, the realities of solo parenting, and how reclaiming her identity fueled her professional and personal reinvention. Whether you’re dreaming of a new path or in the thick of a tough season, this conversation will leave you inspired to take that next brave step!
What you’ll learn:
What inspired Evon...Using Technology to Support Your Postpartum Journey With Sarah Trott
In today's episode, Jacqueline has a conversation with Sarah Trott—tech executive, mom of three, and creator of the Fourth Trimester Podcast—to explore the crucial yet often overlooked postpartum period. They dive deep into how technology can compliment, not replace, the support new parents need, and Sarah shares the inspiration and utility behind her latest project, Hello Gaia, an AI-powered, trustworthy parenting resource tool. With warmth, candor, and a wealth of lived and learned experience, Sarah empowers moms to plan their fourth trimester with intention, resources, and confidence.
What you'll learn:
Why creating a fourth trim...Surrogacy Reflections: Celebrating Lorelei's 1st Birthday
In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline celebrates a significant milestone: the first birthday of her daughter Lorelei, who was born via surrogacy. Joined by her husband Josh, the two reflect on their journey from deciding to pursue surrogacy to reaching this joyous milestone. They discuss the emotional highs and lows, the logistics and financial challenges, and the overwhelming joy of bringing Lorelei into their family. Jacqueline and Josh share valuable insights and advice for other hopeful parents considering surrogacy, emphasizing the beauty of how families can be built in diverse and incredible ways. This heartwarming episode is not...
