Golden Hour

We’re closing out Season One of Golden Hour with a guest who embodies everything this show is about: thoughtful conversation, creativity, advocacy, and care.

In our season finale, I’m joined by Taylor McKay Smith — a Canadian model, photographer, doula, and women’s health advocate — whose work invites us to reimagine how we see and support mothers. From international fashion runways to birth rooms and photography studios, Taylor has spent her life capturing the beauty, complexity, and contradictions of motherhood.

In this episode, we explore:
 – The identity shifts of matrescence
 – What it means to feel tr...

You’ve heard about it—but how much do you really know about your pelvic floor?

This week on The Golden Hour, I’m joined by Dr. Sara Reardon—board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist, founder of The V-Hive, and widely known as The Vagina Whisperer. With over 700,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, Sara has made it her mission to educate and empower people to care for their pelvic health at every age and stage.

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just learning about your body, this episode is for you. We cover everything from pelvic floor dysf...

What happens when the moment that’s supposed to be one of life’s most joyful turns into one of the most traumatic?

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Kayleigh Summers — licensed therapist, writer, and one of today’s most important voices in the conversation around birth trauma. After surviving a rare and nearly fatal Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Kayleigh turned her experience into purpose: helping others process, heal, and feel less alone through her therapy practice, podcast, and deeply honest social media storytelling.

We talk about:

What happens when a journalist dives deep into the world of egg freezing? In this episode, I sit down with award-winning writer and author Natalie Lampert, whose new book The Big Freeze (Random House, 2024) takes readers inside the booming egg freezing industry with unprecedented insight.

Natalie shares her personal thought process around egg freezing, what she discovered in years of reporting on fertility tech, and how the industry often markets hope while sidestepping harder truths. We unpack the emotional, medical, and financial pressures facing women today, and explore how fertility decisions intersect with autonomy, privilege...

Infertility is deeply personal—and often deeply misunderstood. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brian Levine, board-certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist, founding partner of CCRM New York, and founder of Nodal, a healthcare startup revolutionizing gestational surrogacy in America.

Dr. Levine has spent his career helping families grow. Now, through Nodal, he’s tackling the complex, often inaccessible surrogacy system—aiming to make the journey more transparent, equitable, and supportive for surrogates and intended parents alike.

Together, we dive into:

Is “sleeping like a baby” a myth? Let’s talk about it.

In this episode of Golden Hour, we’re diving into the sleep struggles that every parent faces—but rarely talks about—with Certified Gentle Sleep Coach Tracie Kesatie. With over a decade of experience, plus advanced degrees in psychology and counseling, Tracie brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to helping families get the rest they desperately need.

We talk sleep regressions, nighttime routines, parental guilt, and why “cry it out” isn’t your only option. If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just desperate for a nap—...

Pregnancy and infant loss are some of the most profound—and too often, silenced—experiences in parenthood. In this deeply moving episode of Golden Hour, I’m joined by Eileen Santos Rosete: postpartum doula, grief educator, trauma-informed yoga teacher, and author of the powerful new book To Tend and To Hold.

Eileen shares how her work is sparking a cultural shift in how we acknowledge and support those grieving after loss. We explore what true, holistic postpartum care looks like—including for those who have experienced miscarriage or infant loss—and how we can better honor the emotional...

Why is postpartum care still an afterthought in American healthcare?

The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations—and much of that comes down to how we neglect postpartum health.

In this episode of Golden Hour, I speak with Meghan Doyle, CEO and co-founder of Partum Health, a maternal and family care startup based in Chicago that’s redefining what postpartum support should look like.

Born from both personal experience and years of strategic healthcare consulting at Boston Consulting Group, Meghan founded Partum to close the...

There’s no one “right” way to parent—just the way that works best for you. Few understand this better than postpartum doula, baby sleep coach, and parenting expert Devon Clement. As the founder and CEO of Happy Family After, she’s spent 25 years guiding hundreds of families through the raw, messy, and beautiful postpartum journey.

In this episode of Golden Hour, Devon shares her wisdom on everything from the realities of sleep training to the overlooked importance of parental self-care—offering practical, judgment-free advice for new parents navigating this transformative stage of life.

Devon Clement is t...

Breastfeeding is a natural and powerful connection between mom and baby—yet modern pressures, from “pump culture” to social media, have set unrealistic expectations around milk supply. Add to that outdated advice on common challenges like nipple pain and the over-diagnosis of tongue-tie, and it’s no wonder so many moms feel overwhelmed.

Enter Dr. Rachel Yang, a board-certified breast surgeon and lactation specialist, who joins me on Golden Hour to debunk breastfeeding myths and offer expert guidance. Together, we’ll break down the most common struggles and, more importantly, empower moms to navigate one of the most rewar...

After eight grueling IVF cycles and multiple heartbreaking losses, Abbe Feder transformed her frustration with the fertility process into a mission to help others. As the founder of InCircle Fertility, she provides invaluable support to individuals and couples navigating the complexities of infertility—bridging the gap between clinics, doctors, therapists, and patients with a unique, empathetic approach.

With a background in Behavioral Science and certification as a Life Coach, Abbe brings both expertise and personal experience to the table. She’s also the host of Women’s Wellness with Abbe Feder, where she dives deep into f...

There are many reasons a couple might turn to surrogacy—whether due to medical conditions, fertility challenges, or same-sex parenthood, every journey is unique and deeply personal.

No journey is as heartwarming as Emma’s. From an early childhood diagnosis to the trials of an unsuccessful surrogacy in New Zealand to an epic twist that led to a successful surrogacy in the U.S., Emma’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the kindness of strangers.

As the host of SurroTales, a podcast dedicated to surrogacy advocacy for intended parents and gestational carriers, and highli...

Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative experiences, and your body undergoes many changes—none more important than the support of your pelvic floor. In this episode, we dive deep into everything you need to know about preparing and protecting this crucial muscle group throughout pregnancy, as well as expert tips on minimizing tearing during delivery.

Joining us is Dr. Eileen Johnson, a leading pelvic floor physical therapy specialist, who shares her extensive knowledge and practical advice to keep your pelvic floor strong and healthy. With a doctorate in pelvic floor physiotherapy, Dr. Johnson is a trusted expert in he...

From heartwarming labor stories to triumphant birth victories—and even the harrowing experience of a newborn overcoming a life-threatening respiratory illness—children’s book author Caroline Kusin Pritchard masterfully weaves the highs and lows of motherhood into unforgettable narratives.

But her story goes beyond motherhood. Caroline shares the beauty of blending two rich cultures—honoring her Jewish roots while celebrating her husband’s Samoan heritage—creating a multicultural family filled with love, tradition, and meaning.

This episode is packed with wisdom, resilience, and stories that will resonate with everyone. Don’t miss it!

#podcast #postp...

Pregnancy and birth can be unpredictable, and no one understands this better than Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist Dr. Arianna Cassidy. In this episode of the Golden Hour Podcast, we dive into the complexities of high-risk pregnancies, the emotional toll of unexpected complications, and the power of compassionate, patient-centered care.

Dr. Cassidy shares her expertise on what it means to truly honor a patient’s experience, how to navigate difficult medical decisions, and the importance of creating space for healing after a traumatic birth experience. Whether you’re an expectant parent, a healthcare professional, or simply interested in the real...

This week on the Golden Hour Podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Dr. Joyce Park, a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Skin Refinery—a cutting-edge teledermatology clinic—and the force behind Tea With MD, where she educates over 900,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. As a sought-after skincare expert, she’s been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, Good Morning America, Allure, and more. 

Dr. Park has become a trusted voice in the skincare community, sharing science-based advice with her global audience. In this episode, she takes a break from her busy schedule to share her inspi...

Starting a family is an exciting journey—but for same-sex couples, it can come with unique challenges and important considerations. 

On this episode of the Golden Hour podcast, I sit down with my dear friend Dr. Sarah Isquick to explore the family planning process for LGBTQ+ couples. As both a physician and a parent, Dr. Isquick shares her personal experience and professional expertise to help navigate the medical, legal, and emotional aspects of this journey. Join us for a deeply thought-provoking conversation.

Dr. Sarah Isquick grew up in Ohio and earned her bachelor’s degree at th...

Fertility can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

This week on the Golden Hour podcast, I sat down with my friend and colleague Dr. Eduardo Hariton, a double board-certified expert in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. With his compassionate approach and invaluable expertise, Dr. Hariton demystifies the fertility journey—from understanding when to seek help to exploring personalized testing and treatment options that work for you.

We also dive into the exciting future of fertility care, offering not just information but empowerment for anyone on this path.

Tune in for...

Every pregnancy tells a unique story, and certified nurse midwife Alyse Nikolao knows this better than anyone.

In this heartfelt episode of the Golden Hour podcast, I’m joined by Alyse, a dear friend and practicing midwife, as she shares her incredible experiences—from her own long and challenging first delivery to the profound journey of being a gestational carrier for surrogacy. Alyse doesn’t just recount her personal pregnancy and postpartum stories; she also offers valuable insights on how to support others through these transformative experiences, drawing from her deep expertise as a midwife. This i...

Becoming a mother doesn’t just bring new life—it transforms you. This incredible transition, called “matrescence,” is the journey from who you were before birth to the person you become as a mother.

But with transformation comes with emotional challenges and moments of self-discovery. Therapist Molly Nourmand, LMFT, and Clinical Director of Life After Birth®, joins us on the Golden Hour podcast to share powerful insights  and heartfelt advice to help navigate this transformative journey with grace and resilience. Tune in for a conversation that empowers and uplifts as we explore the beauty and complexities of becoming a...

Motherhood and parenthood are a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with highs and lows. This week on the Golden Hour, we’re joined by Dawoon Kang, co-founder and Chief Dating Officer of Coffee Meets Bagel, as she opens up about her journey through a complicated labor and postpartum anxiety. Now thriving on the other side, Dawoon shares her story and offers powerful insights to help other mothers navigate their own challenges and find strength in the storm. 

Dawoon Kang is originally from Korea and immigrated to the US when she was 13 with her two sisters. In 2012, Dawoon and her...

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful way to connect with your newborn—but it’s not always easy. For many moms, it comes with its own set of challenges, stress, and questions.

This week on the Golden Hour podcast, we sit down with Sarah Peck, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, to discuss the realities of breastfeeding. From exclusive tips to navigating the pressures of “breast is best,” Sarah offers practical advice and compassionate insights for every mom’s journey.

Sarah Peck is a Registered Nurse and Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She obtained her RN and Masters in...

Motherhood rarely goes according to plan, and Nyssa’s birth stories are a testament to that. In this episode, we explore her journey through an unplanned cesarean and a challenging attempt at a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). With honesty and grace, Nyssa reflects on how these experiences taught her profound lessons in humility, patience, and embracing the unexpected. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, growth, and the unpredictable beauty of motherhood.

Nyssa Noyola grew up in the small beach town of Magnolia, Massachusetts. She went to boarding school in Massachusetts. Then attended University of Pe...

In the United States, 1 in 10 babies are born preterm—a reality that touches countless families. While high-risk pregnancies face unique challenges, the advancements in care designed to support them can improve outcomes for every mother and baby 🌟.

This week on The Golden Hour, high-risk OB specialist Dr. Martha Tesfalul joins us to explore how we can all access the comprehensive, compassionate pregnancy care every family deserves 💛✨. Tune in for an eye-opening and empowering conversation. 

Dr. Martha Tesfalul is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) within the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reprodu...

Motherhood is a profound journey of selflessness and sacrifice. In this episode of the Golden Hour, corporate attorney Alana Walker shares her deeply personal story of overcoming postpartum anxiety and finding her way back to a renewed sense of self. Her journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of embracing life's challenges.

Alana is a corporate lawyer for Waymo (formerly Google's Self Driving Car Project). She lives in San Francisco, with her husband, and their bright-eyed and rambunctious 2.5 year old daughter. Originally, from Long Island, New York, Alana earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from...

In last week’s episode of The Golden Hour, we delved into newborn feeding essentials. This week, we’re shifting the spotlight to you! Join us as we chat with Irene Liu, co-founder and CEO of Chiyo (https://wearechiyo.com/), a meal delivery service dedicated to supporting moms through every stage—fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.  Together, we’ll explore how nourishing your body can empower your journey from preconception to motherhood. Whether you're trying to conceive, nurturing a growing bump, or navigating postpartum recovery, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive. 

Irene Liu was born and r...

There is no right or wrong way to feed your baby. On this episode of the Golden Hour, Certified Nurse Midwife Kassie Donnels enlightens us with her best tips and tricks for breastfeeding, while creating space for self-love during the inevitably stressful months of postpartum. 

Kassandra, Kassie, Donnels is originally from Sacramento, CA. She attended the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate degree, where she studied nursing science. After graduation, she worked as a gynecologic oncology, gynecologic surgery, and high risk obstetric nurse in Philadelphia. After a couple of years of nursing, she returned to U...

This week on the Golden Hour podcast we return to another tale of motherhood through the lens of Shruti Challa. Like many of us, Shruti has skillfully channeled her Type-A energy to reinforce her priorities not only in pregnancy, but most importantly postpartum. In this episode Shruti gives us a thoughtful glimpse into the privilege and power of agency. 

Shruti grew up in Kansas before moving out to California for her undergraduate at Stanford University. She has been a technology operator for the past 15 years. She has been part of two exits to Groupon and Booking.com a...

This week on the Golden Hour we continue a deeper dive into midwifery care. In this episode we speak with Certified Nurse Midwife Martina Chwascinska-Szarek and learn about the history of midwifery care and how its origin is foundational to reinforcing empowered, dignified births.  

Martina is a Certified Nurse Midwife based in Berkeley, California. She completed her nurse midwifery and women’s health nurse practitioner training at UCSF in 2016, with a focus on global health, and has been working as a full scope nurse-midwife in Northern California since then. Prior to becoming a midwife, Martina wor...

This week on the Golden Hour we interviewed Stephanie Sherwood, mother of two. Stephanie intentionally sought out an unmedicated hospital birth for her first daughter, and a home birth with her second daughter. She reminds us that you can find beauty in birth when you empower yourself with the knowledge you need to choose the birth environment that is right for you. 

Stephanie is a former attorney, and currently a stay at home mom. She grew up in Sacramento California, and attended Stanford University for both undergrad and law school. She currently lives in Brooklyn, N...

This week on the Golden Hour podcast we are joined by Midi Feng. In this episode Midi candidly opens up about the trials and tribulations of motherhood and finding her true sense of happiness despite societal pressures. 

Midi grew up in Taipei, and spent her teenage years in an exchange school in the US. After graduating from Drexel with a degree in Finance and Accounting, she started her career in Taipei at Ernst & Young. She then made the move to San Francisco in 2012, and spent six years working at major accounting firms, including PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and Deloitte. S...

This week on the Golden Hour Podcast we discuss a topic that is nearest and dearest to my heart, black maternal health, and we are graced by hosting Dr. Katie Brown to passionately talk us through this important topic. 

Dr. Brown is originally from Cambridge, MA. She went to undergrad at University of  Pennsylvania and medical school at Columbia. She completed her OBGYN residency and fellowship in Complex Family Planning at UCSF. Dr. Brown is a passionate advocate for reproductive health, choice, and justice. Her research focuses on exploring and improving the reproductive health experiences of Black wo...

This week my esteemed guest is Danielle Garcia. 

Danielle is a graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Business School. She is originally from the Phillippines and by way of Vancouver Canada she made her way back to the Bay Area where she now lives with her husband and their 4-year old and 3-year old sons. Her accolades include being the co-founder and CEO  Yescredit.com and a former product manager at Facebook/Meta. Join us as we reflect on the inevitable ups and downs of motherhood and the strategies Danielle implemented to support her family 💛.

Thank...

This week my guest is Dr. Brittni Boyd.

She is originally from Los Angeles, California but grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Stanford University for undergrad. She went to medical school at UCLA, then completed her OBGYN residency training at UCSF. She went on to do a Urogynecology Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery fellowship at UC Irvine. 

Dr. Boyd is now a Urogynecologist and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgeon at Cedar Sinai. Raising two beautiful children, 3yo son and 4 month old daughter with her husband in LA.

#podcast #postpartum #mom #mother #obgyn #pelvicfloorexercise #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #urogynecology

Cynthia Wilkes is a mother of three - 5 year old twin boys Kam and Leo and 2 year old girl Maya. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California.

Cynthia is currently serving as a Community Engagement Fellow at OES where she integrates principles from community-based participatory action research into ongoing evaluations. Drawing from scholarship in organizational behavior and critical race theory, she uses qualitative and mixed methods to explore intersectional experiences by looking at the ways in which systems...