The Layers We Live

How Can We Navigate Perimenopause With More Support, Clarity, and Compassion?

What if one of the biggest transitions in a woman’s life is also one of the least understood...and least talked about? In this episode, Dr. Loree Johnson sits down with Dr. Wiyatta Fahnbulleh for an honest and deeply validating conversation about perimenopause, a phase that can begin far earlier than many expect and one that carries emotional, physical, and identity-shaping changes. Despite affecting millions, perimenopause is still surrounded by silence, confusion, and cultural misconceptions. Together, they explore the wide range of symptoms, especially the emotional shifts, that often go unrecognized, and how these changes can impact relationships, identity, and mental health. Dr. Loree and Dr. Wiyatta highlight the importance of community support and the power of advocating for yourself in medical spaces, particularly when symptoms are dismissed or misunderstood. They also discuss why aging should be embraced as a privilege, how perfectionism can interfere with self-acceptance, and why normalizing conversations about perimenopause is essential for women’s emotional and reproductive health. This episode is a compassionate reminder that no one has to navigate this transition alone, and that embracing this phase with understanding and openness can be profoundly empowering. Key Takeaways * Perimenopause can begin as early as the 30s. * Many symptoms, especially emotional ones, are rarely discussed. * Emotional dysregulation is a significant and often overlooked aspect. * Community and connection make this phase easier to navigate. * Self-advocacy is essential for receiving proper medical support. * Aging is a privilege and deserves to be reframed positively. * Perimenopause conversations need to be normalized. * Identity often shifts during this transition. * Perfectionism can make self-acceptance more difficult. * Tracking personal symptoms helps in understanding your own experience. Connect with Dr. Wiyatta: https://drwiyatta.com/about-me/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycounselingnow/ Connect with Dr. Loree Johnson Website: https://www.drloreejohnson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson`

How Does Weathering Shape Healing & Identity in Black Women’s Lives?

In this episode, Dr. Loree Johnson and Barbie Chapman explore the concept of weathering, particularly in the context of marginalized communities. They discuss personal experiences of healing, the impact of chronic stress on health, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights the need for awareness and understanding of how systemic issues affect health outcomes, especially for Black women. Barbie shares her journey of leaving the corporate world to prioritize her health, emphasizing the significance of vulnerability and connection in the healing process. Connect with Barbie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeylingartist/?hl=en Website: https://www.poopism.com/ Connect with Dr. Loree Johnson Website: https://www.drloreejohnson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson`

Why Is Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Still So Misunderstood?

What happens when loss repeats itself and no one seems to have the answers you need? In this episode, Dr. Loree Johnson sits down with Megan Hansen, co-founder of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association, for an honest and compassionate conversation about the realities of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), an experience far more common than most realize, yet one often met with silence, stigma, and isolation. Together, they share their personal journeys through multiple pregnancy losses and explore the emotional, relational, and identity-shifting impact of RPL. They discuss the urgent need for better medical care, earlier intervention, and accessible mental health support for those navigating repeated loss. Dr. Loree and Megan also talk about the founding and mission of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association, its groundbreaking work in research, education, and community support, and upcoming opportunities to raise awareness and connection through national events. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing from recurrent loss takes time, compassion, and community, and that no one should have to walk this path alone. About Megan Hansen: Megan Hansen is the co-founder of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA), an organization dedicated to increasing awareness, advancing research, and providing support for those affected by recurrent pregnancy loss. Through advocacy, education, and community initiatives, RPLA helps families find hope and healing after repeated loss. Connect with the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association Website: https://rplassociation.org [https://rplassociation.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rplassociation [https://www.instagram.com/rplassociation] Upcoming Events: Virtual Walk/Run: August 23 – September 6 (includes National Grief Awareness Day) OB Provider Education Event: November 15 (virtual, free for students and residents) Connect with Dr. Loree Johnson Website: https://www.drloreejohnson.com [https://www.drloreejohnson.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson [https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson` [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson]

Are Your Boundaries Helping You Heal or Holding You Back?

What if the boundaries you struggle to set or keep are the very key to your healing? In this episode, Dr. Loree Johnson invites empowerment coach Dr. Homeyra Faghihi into a heartfelt conversation about what it truly means to protect your peace without guilt. Together, they explore how boundaries can be acts of self-respect, self-compassion, and courage, especially for those shaped by trauma, culture, or lifelong patterns of care for others. Dr. Loree and Dr. Faghihi reflect on the emotional layers that make boundary setting so complex and how saying “no” can become a revolutionary step toward reclaiming self-trust. They unpack the misconceptions that boundaries are walls, share the impact of guilt and cultural conditioning, and offer practical insights for communicating needs with clarity and kindness. About Dr. Homeyra Faghihi Dr. Homeyra Faghihi is an empowerment coach, licensed clinical social worker, and narcissistic abuse treatment clinician with over two decades of experience. As the founder of Power to the Self Coaching, she helps women rediscover who they are beneath layers of self-doubt, fear, and guilt, guiding them toward clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom. Connect with Dr. Homeyra Faghihi Website: https://powertotheself.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/power.to.the.self [https://www.instagram.com/power.to.the.self] Connect with Dr. Loree Johnson Website: https://www.drloreejohnson.com [https://www.drloreejohnson.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson [https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson]

Grief, Identity, and Life After Childlessness

In this episode, Dr. Loree Johnson and counselor-coach Tanya Hubbard engage in an honest and compassionate conversation about navigating life when you are childless not by choice. They explore the layers of grief, the shifts in identity, and the search for meaning that accompany a path different from the one once imagined. The discussion highlights the importance of validation, community, and language in healing disenfranchised grief, while offering hope for finding joy, purpose, and legacy beyond parenthood. About Tanya Hubbard Tanya Hubbard is a counselor, coach, and somatic experiencing practitioner based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She specializes in working with individuals experiencing grief, trauma, and unexpected life transitions, helping them find new ways to heal and thrive. Connect with Tanya Website: https://www.tanyahubbard.com/ [https://www.tanyahubbard.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rest.your.heart.here [https://www.instagram.com/rest.your.heart.here] Connect with Dr. Loree Website: https://www.drloreejohnson.com [https://www.drloreejohnson.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson [https://www.instagram.com/drloreejohnson] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloreejohnson]