Podcast
Golden Hour
Hosted by Golden Hour · EN
Golden Hour is the must-listen podcast for moms and moms-to-be, where real stories from fellow mothers meet expert advice from top professionals. Tune in to discover insights, share in the journey, and connect with a community that understands the joys and challenges of motherhood
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Beyond the Diagnosis: What PCOS & Endometriosis Really Mean for Women with Allara CEO Rachel Blank and Dr. Heather Huddleston | Golden Hour, Episode 52
1w ago01:00:21Tap to summarizePMOS, formerly PCOS, and endometriosis affect millions — yet most women still struggle to get accurate diagnoses, effective treatment, or compassionate care. In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel Blank, founder and CEO of Allara, and Dr. Heather Huddleston, reproductive endocrinologist, CMO of Allara, and director of the UCSF PCOS Clinic, to break down the truth about these conditions and the future of women’s hormonal and metabolic health.We discuss: • Why PMOS and endometriosis are still so misunderstood • How misdiagnosis and dismissal impact women’s long-term health • Fertility, insulin resistance, metabolic health & hormonal balance • What comprehensive PMOS and endometriosis treatment should look like • The connection between whole-health care and improved outcomes • Allara’s virtual-first model and how it expands access nationwide • The research, innovations, and breakthroughs on the horizonIf you’re managing PMOS or endometriosis, trying to conceive, exploring hormone health, or working in women’s health innovation — this conversation is essential.#PCOS #endometriosis #womenshealth #metabolic health #hormonalimbalance #fertility #infertility #allarahealth #PCOSsymptoms #endometriosistreatment #insulinresistance, #infertilitycauses #chronicconditions #womenshormonecare #womenshealthmattersThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Preeclampsia: How Personalized Testing Is Changing Pregnancy Care with Carrie Haverty | Golden Hour, Episode 51
3w ago01:17:32Tap to summarizePregnancy care has long relied on a “wait and see” approach — identifying risk only after symptoms appear. In this episode, Dr. O sits down with Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Mirvie, to explore how that model is beginning to change.Carrie is a board-certified genetic counselor and national leader in women’s health diagnostics. She leads clinical strategy for Mirvie’s diagnostic portfolio, including the Encompass™ test, a 2025 TIME Invention of the Year, which uses cell-free RNA to assess placental health and identify pregnancies at increased risk for preeclampsia.Drawing on her background in high-risk prenatal care and leadership roles at institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital and Sutter Health, Carrie explains why earlier risk identification matters, how biologically informed diagnostics can support more preventive pregnancy care, and what it will take to move obstetrics beyond reactive medicine.This conversation covers:Why preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal morbidityHow placental biology offers earlier insight into pregnancy riskWhat predictive diagnostics could mean for patients and cliniciansThe role of advocacy and leadership in changing maternal health outcomesA must-listen for anyone who was affected by preeclampsia in their pregnancy or knew a loved one affected by the illness. It's also an important episode for those interested in the future of pregnancy care, maternal health innovation, and closing gaps in outcomes through earlier, smarter intervention.#MaternalHealth #Preeclampsia #Pregnancy #OBGYN #WomensHealth Thank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Rebuilding Postpartum: Access, Equity, and Community Care with 4th Trimester ED Rachel Scandling | Golden Hour, Episode 50
Apr 2901:05:37Tap to summarizeThe first weeks after birth are supposed to be tender, supported, and deeply cared for. But for far too many women—especially low-income, immigrant, and asylum-seeking mothers—postpartum becomes a period of isolation, fear, and survival.In this episode, Dr. O sits down with Rachel Scandling, Executive Director of 4th Trimester, a nonprofit transforming postpartum care for the families most often left behind. Based in Southern California and along the U.S.–Mexico border, 4th Trimester provides practical support, emotional care, and advocacy rooted in dignity and community.Together we talk about: • What postpartum care should look like • The realities facing moms navigating trauma, immigration, housing instability, or lack of healthcare access • How community-based support can prevent crises and save lives • Why “postpartum deserts” are a growing public-health problem • What every new parent deserves—but rarely receives • How clinicians, policymakers, and advocates can help rebuild postpartum systems • And what gives Rachel hope for the future of maternal healthWhether you’re a new mom, a clinician, a doula, or someone fighting to improve women’s health outcomes, this conversation is a powerful reminder that postpartum care is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline.Keywords: postpartum, 4th trimester, maternal health, postpartum depression, birth recovery, immigrant families, community care, postpartum support, women’s health, birth justice, perinatal mental health, postpartum resources, birth trauma, equitable healthcareAbout 4th Trimester | 4th Trimester believes the weeks and months after birth should be a time of deep care. They are a nonprofit organization changing how new mothers and birthing people experience the postpartum period. Many of their team has been through the trenches of postpartum themselves and know how isolating it can feel without enough support.Headquartered in Pasadena, and serving southern California and along the U.S./Mexico border, 4th Trimester serves those most often left behind by traditional systems, including low-income, immigrant, asylum-seeking, and disaster-impacted families. They provide practical support, emotional care, and advocacy that puts parents' needs first.Rachel Scandling, Executive Director Bio |Rachel brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience across LA’s public, academic, and nonprofit sectors. A hands-on leader and systems thinker, her career has spanned fundraising, programming, and management for organizations of all sizes, with a consistent focus on supporting women.Before joining 4th Trimester, Rachel led the graduate producing program at CalArts and served as Producing Director of its Center for New Performance. She’s a member of Loud Community, a woman-led network advancing community care, and did her graduate studies in intersectional feminist practices in the arts at Wesleyan University. Rachel is a mom of two and lives in Los Angeles.Thank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →When Fibroids, Fertility, and Hormones Collide: A Conversation with Dr. Cheruba Prabakar | Golden Hour, Episode 49
Apr 1500:49:01Tap to summarizeWhat do fibroids, fertility struggles, painful periods, IVF complications, and confusing hormone symptoms all have in common?They’re often dismissed, misunderstood, or minimized—leaving women to navigate life-altering symptoms without the answers or support they deserve.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Cheruba Prabakar, a board-certified OBGYN and fellowship-trained minimally invasive surgeon specializing in fibroid surgery, fertility-sparing gynecologic care, and hormonal health. She’s also a nationally certified menopause practitioner and an educator who’s reshaping how we understand women’s health across the lifespan.Together, we get into:🌱 Fibroids & FertilityHow fibroids affect conception, miscarriage risk, and IVF successWhen to treat fibroids before trying to get pregnantWhat people get wrong about “watchful waiting”🩺 Hormones, Menopause & MisdiagnosisWhy so many women are told their symptoms are “normal”What progesterone, estrogen, and perimenopause symptoms really meanMyths about hormone therapy that urgently need debunking💛 The Bigger PictureHow racial and diagnostic inequities delay treatmentWhy women’s pain keeps getting dismissedWhat excellent, whole-person gynecologic care should actually look likeThis conversation brings clarity to conditions millions of women struggle with: uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, infertility, heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, perimenopause, and hormonal imbalance. It also offers the kind of practical, evidence-based insight that can change how women advocate for their bodies—no matter their age or stage.This episode gives you the language and the science women should’ve had all along.Dr. Cheruba Prabakar is a board-certified OBGYN and fellowship-trained minimally invasive surgeon dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care. With advanced expertise in fertility-sparing fibroid surgery and endometrial polyp removal, Dr. Prabakar offers cutting-edge solutions for gynecologic issues, particularly for women navigating IVF and hormonal challenges.Her practice, Lamorinda Gynecology and Surgery, reflects her mission to empower women at every stage of life—from menarche to menopause and beyond—through accessible, sustainable, and holistic care.A nationally certified menopause practitioner, Dr. Prabakar is passionate about educating women and debunking myths surrounding hormone therapy and women's health. She extends her impact globally by supporting educational initiatives for young girls in South India.As a dynamic speaker, Dr. Prabakar has been featured in media outlets such as Arise America and Essence magazine. She delivers engaging talks at webinars, conferences, and events, inspiring women to take control of their health and wellness.#fibroids #womenshealth #obgyn #menopause #perimenopause #midlife #hormonesThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Closing the Maternal Mental Health Gap with Seven Starling CEO Tina Keshani | Golden Hour, Episode 48
Apr 101:04:05Tap to summarizeMaternal mental health is the #1 complication of pregnancy and childbirth—yet the majority of women still don’t get the care they need.In this episode of Golden Hour, Dr. O sits down with Tina Keshani, co-founder and CEO of Seven Starling, to unpack the maternal mental health crisis—from postpartum depression and anxiety to the systemic barriers preventing women from accessing care.Together, they explore:Why 1 in 5 women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disordersWhy up to 75% never receive treatmentThe real reason OB-GYNs often can’t connect patients to careHow stigma, time constraints, and system gaps leave women unsupportedThe emotional reality of postpartum anxiety—including intrusive thoughts and sleep disruptionWhy maternal mental health is more than a diagnosis—it’s a full life transitionHow innovative care models (therapy, group support, medication) are changing outcomesTina also shares her personal journey through miscarriage, postpartum challenges, and building a company while becoming a mother—offering a rare, honest look at what it means to navigate both leadership and early motherhood.This conversation is essential for:Women navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or fertility challengesClinicians seeking better solutions for their patientsAnyone interested in the future of women’s healthIf you’ve ever felt like the system is failing mothers—you’re not wrong. But there are solutions.🎧 Listen now to learn why maternal mental health care must change—and how we get there.Tina Keshani is Co-founder and CEO of Seven Starling, a women's mental health company she has led for nearly six years with a mission to ensure every woman has access to specialized and affordable mental health care. Under her leadership, Seven Starling has developed a specialized clinical model to drive best-in-class outcomes for its patients, expanded its services across 16 states, and partnered with the country's largest health plans to make care more affordable. The company has treated thousands of patients to date, addressing the maternal mental health crisis that affects 1 in 5 new mothers.Tina holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Denison University. She lives in the Washington D.C. area with her husband and children.#postpartummentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #newmomlife #fourthtrimester #momtruths #womenshealth #obgyn #mentalhealthmatters #mom #momlife #mother #motherhood #motherhoodjourney #postpartum #postpartumjourneyThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →The Birth Advice No One Gives Parents (But Should) with Brittany Pruneau | Golden Hour, Episode 47
Mar 1800:59:20Tap to summarizeMany expecting parents spend months preparing for the baby — but far less time preparing for the birth itself.In this episode, Dr. O sit down with Brittany Pruneau, a birth educator who works closely with families preparing for labor and delivery, to talk about why so many people walk into birth feeling unprepared — and how education can change the entire experience.Brittany shares what she regularly sees when working with expecting parents: many arrive at the hospital without fully understanding the range of decisions that may come up during labor, the interventions that might be offered, or how quickly circumstances can change.We talk about why birth is not something you can simply “wing,” and why understanding your options ahead of time can make a significant difference in how people experience labor.Brittany also explains how expectations shape birth experiences. When someone believes there is only one “right” way for their baby to be born, any deviation from that expectation can feel overwhelming — even when both parent and baby are healthy. In many cases, it’s the gap between expectations and reality that leads people to feel disempowered or distressed about their birth experience.This conversation explores how preparation, information, and realistic expectations can help parents approach birth with greater confidence and clarity.In this episode we discuss:• Why many parents feel unprepared for labor and delivery • The role of birth education in decision-making during labor • How expectations influence birth experiences • Why flexibility and knowledge can reduce fear around birth • What expecting parents should understand before going into laborIf you’re expecting a baby — or supporting someone who is — this episode offers an honest look at why birth preparation matters.#birthprep #birtheducation #pregnancy #laboranddelivery #newparents #mom #momlife #motherhood #mother #pregnancyjourney #postpartum #postpartumjourneyThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifespan: Perinatal Psychiatry, Birth Trauma & the Perimenopause Transition with Dr. Anna Glezer
Mar 401:00:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Golden Hour, Dr. O sits down with Dr. Anna Glezer, a reproductive and integrative psychiatrist trained at Harvard and UCSF, where she continues to teach and mentor residents and fellows. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Psychiatry, creator of the Fellowship in Reproductive & Integrative Psychiatry, and co-founder of the Bay Area Reproductive Mental Health Conference. Through her clinical work, teaching, and national leadership, she has helped shape how we understand women’s mental health across the reproductive lifespan.This conversation moves beyond isolated diagnoses and instead examines women’s mental health as a longitudinal experience — from preconception and pregnancy through postpartum and into perimenopause.We explore:The misconception that pregnancy is protective for mental healthWhy symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety often begin during pregnancyThe role of shared decision-making when discussing SSRIs in pregnancyThe concept of matrescence as a profound identity and neurobiological transitionThe statistic that 1 in 5 women experience perinatal or postpartum depression — and why anxiety, OCD, and trauma are often underrecognizedWhy approximately 40% of birthing people describe birth as traumatic, even when nothing “medically went wrong”How loss of locus of control contributes to birth traumaWhy perimenopause can last 5–15 years and frequently manifests through mood swings, irritability, insomnia, and brain fogThe integrative approach to mental health in midlife, including hormone therapy, CBT, exercise, sleep, micronutrients, and lifestyle medicineAt its core, this episode reframes women’s health around one central principle:Mental health is health.From pregnancy through midlife, women deserve to feel informed, seen, and supported — not dismissed, minimized, or told to “grin and bear it.”If you work in women’s health, psychiatry, primary care, or are navigating these transitions yourself, this conversation offers both clinical depth and practical insight.#reproductivepsychiatry #womensmentalhealth #birthtrauma #perinatalmentalhealth #perimenopause #postpartum #postpartumdepression #postpartumanxiety #mom #momlife #pregnancy #motherhood #motherhoodjourney #postpartumjourneyThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Postpartum Is Broken in America: How Boram Nam Is Redefining Maternal Care | Golden Hour, Episode 45
Feb 1801:04:09Tap to summarizePostpartum care in America is failing women.In this powerful episode of The Golden Hour, Dr. O sits down with Boram Nam — entrepreneur, hospitality leader, and co-founder of Boram — to discuss why postpartum recovery is treated as optional in the U.S., while in Korea 84% of women receive structured postpartum support.Boram shares:Her personal experience with postpartum depression (that she didn’t recognize at the time)The guilt, rage, and exhaustion no one warned her aboutWhy the “supermom” narrative is harming womenHow Korea’s postpartum retreat model inspired her to build BoramWhat true postpartum support should look likeWhy parental leave and postpartum infrastructure are policy issuesTogether, they explore:Matrescence and identity shiftsThe invisible labor of new motherhoodWhy postpartum doulas and lactation consultants are undervaluedHow to build your village — even if you don’t have oneIf you are pregnant, postpartum, supporting someone who is, or simply care about women’s health equity — this conversation is essential.Postpartum isn’t six weeks. It’s a transformation.#postpartumcare #maternalhealth #postpartumdepression #fourthtrimester #workingmoms #parentalleave #womenshealthThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Menopause Care Is Changing: Hormone Therapy, FDA Updates, and New Treatments for Hot Flashes with Dr. Risa Kagan | Golden Hour, Episode 44
Feb 401:21:10Tap to summarizeMenopause care is finally evolving — and this episode explains what every woman needs to know right now.In this conversation, Dr. O sits down with Dr. Kagan, board-certified OB-GYN, UCSF Clinical Professor, and nationally recognized expert in menopause, hormone therapy, bone health, sexual health, and cancer survivorship.We break down the recent FDA label change for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), why vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats are more serious than we once believed, and how untreated symptoms are linked to cardiovascular disease and brain health.Dr. Kagan also explains the two newly approved non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes, including how neurokinin B receptor antagonists work by targeting the brain’s thermoregulatory system — a major shift in menopause treatment options.This episode covers:The truth about menopausal hormone therapy todayWhy hot flashes are not “just annoying”New FDA-approved non-hormonal treatmentsWho should (and shouldn’t) consider hormonesWhy menopause is still under-treatedHow women can advocate for better careWhether you’re approaching menopause, in the thick of it, or caring for women who are — this episode brings clarity, evidence, and empowerment to a stage of life that has been misunderstood for far too long.#HotFlashes #MenopauseCare #MidlifeHealth #MenopauseAwareness #WomenHealth #MidlifeMattersThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →Matrescence Explained: Why Postpartum Is a 2–3 Year Transformation with Jessie Harrold | Golden Hour, Episode 43
Jan 2100:53:05Tap to summarizeWhat if postpartum isn’t something to “recover from” — but a profound identity transformation?In this episode of The Golden Hour, Dr. O sits down with Jessie Harrold, doula, coach, author of Mother Shift, and host of the Becoming Podcast, for a deeply honest conversation about matrescence, the fourth trimester, and why the transition to motherhood often takes years — not weeks.Together, they explore:Why postpartum is a developmental stage, not a pathologyThe difference between the fourth trimester and matrescenceWhy so many mothers feel “lost” after birthThe role of grief, body change, and identity shifts in early motherhoodHow lack of community and maternity leave impact maternal mental healthWhy “bouncing back” is the wrong goalThis episode is essential listening for:Mothers and birthing peopleWomen considering motherhoodOB-GYNs, midwives, doulas, and women’s health providersAnyone supporting someone through postpartum🎧 Listen, reflect, and share with someone who needs this reminder: You’re not broken — you’re becoming.TakeawaysMotherhood is a rite of passage that changes everything.Matrescence is a developmental process similar to adolescence.The transition to motherhood can take two to three years.Community support is essential for new mothers.Grief is a natural part of the motherhood journey.Body image changes significantly during and after pregnancy.It's important to honor and validate feelings about body changes.Societal pressures can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy in mothers.The healthcare system often fails to support the postpartum period adequately.Transformation in motherhood is messy but ultimately empowering.Keywords#motherhood #matrescence #postpartum #transformation, #identity #community #bodyimage #grief #ritesofpassage #supportThank you for listening ❤ PODCAST LINKS:- Podcast Website: https://goldenhour.fm- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenHourFM?ref=bs- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golden-hour/id1768847425?ref=bs- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldenhourfm?ref=bs- RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2401875.rss?ref=bsSOCIAL LINKS:- Instagram: https://instagram.com/goldenhour.fm?ref=bs- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenhour.fm?ref=bs
Transcribe →