Cycles and Seasons

Episode 42. Don't Be an Athena: Medical Gaslighting and Silent Endurance

In this episode Jennifer talks with Kayla Branstetter about the Greek myth of Medusa and Athena as a lens for understanding medical gaslighting, reproductive trauma and the cultural expectation that women endure their pain in silence.  Kayla is an English instructor at Crowder College, where she teaches literature, creative nonfiction, and composition. She is a published writer whose work has appeared in more than 40 journals worldwide, and the author of the creative nonfiction book Off With Her Head. A TEDx speaker and educator, her work centers on women’s health, narrative medicine, reproductive trauma, and the cultural expectations placed on women’s bodies and resilience. She is currently completing a Doctorate of Education in Healthcare, with research focused on narrative medicine and women’s healthcare.  Her forthcoming book, Don’t Be an Athena, examines reproductive health, medical gaslighting and the myth of silent endurance through storytelling, research and at times, dark humor. Key topics discussed:  * The Greek myth of Medusa and Athena, and how it shaped the title and framework of Kayla’s book, Don’t Be an Athena * How society tends to demonize women’s reproductive choices and experiences, from teen pregnancy and miscarriage to IVF, abortion and choosing not to become a mother * Kayla’s own experiences with infertility, miscarriage and medical gaslighting * The idea of “silent endurance” and where the centuries-old expectation that women must suffer quietly comes from * Missouri’s maternal and infant mortality rates, restrictive abortion laws and the challenges of accessing reproductive healthcare in rural areas * The need for comprehensive sex education and more supportive, paid parental leave policies * Kayla’s dissertation research on narrative medicine, the role of AI in healthcare and improving doctor-patient communication * The difference between treating “the chart” versus “the human,” and how storytelling builds trust between doctors and patients * What folk medicine traditions can teach modern medicine about accessibility and human connection * Endometriosis, the importance of self-advocacy, and how cultural expectations can make it harder for women to seek care Resources Mentioned: * Don’t Be an Athena [https://a.co/d/017Q7IWz]: Women’s Stories of Surviving Medical Misogyny. Kayla’s forthcoming book, releasing July 20th and available for pre-order now * Ozark Hollow Press [https://www.ozarkhollowpress.com] * Kayla’s TEDx talk, “Don’t Be an Athena” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2VdZTr3ttY] (TEDxMSSU) * “Blood,” a short story by Zdravka Evtimova that Kayla discussed with her class while talking about folk medicine * The work of Dr. Rita Charon [https://sps.columbia.edu/person/rita-charon-md-phd], a founding figure in the field of narrative medicine Connect with Kayla Branstetter * https://kaylabranstetter.wordpress.com/ [https://kaylabranstetter.wordpress.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kbranstetter87/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-branstetter/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kaylabranstetter87/] (personal profile — she welcomes friend requests!) Connect with Jennifer: * Schedule a free Fertility Support Session [https://jennredmond.com/contact/] * Follow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc [https://www.instagram.com/jennredmondinhc/] I would be so grateful if you would subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information. Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

Episode 41: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Third-Party Reproduction with Alicia Abdella

In this episode Jennifer talks with Alicia Abdella, MSW, LICSW,  about the emotional and psychological dimensions of third-party reproduction, including egg donation and gestational surrogacy. Alicia is the founder of On the Path Counseling and Consultation, a specialized psychotherapy practice supporting individuals and couples through the emotional challenges of reproductive health. With 15 years of clinical experience, Alicia and her team of licensed therapists provide compassionate counseling for those navigating fertility struggles, IVF, pregnancy loss, third-party reproduction, and complex family-building decisions. Her practice is based in Andover, Massachusetts, with virtual services available in New Hampshire, Maine, Florida, and Massachusetts. Key topics discussed:  * What egg donation and gestational surrogacy are, and who uses them * The wide range of emotional starting points when considering donor egg or surrogacy * Why partners are rarely at the same emotional place at the same time, and how to navigate that * Normalizing ambivalence – you don’t have to be 100% on board right away * How the loss of a genetic connection reshapes feelings about bonding and parenthood * Disclosure decisions: navigating social stigma, family, culture and religion * Known vs. anonymous donors and surrogates: short-term and long-term considerations * Why true anonymity is no longer realistic in the age of direct-to-consumer DNA testing (23andMe, Ancestry.com) * Bonding with a baby you didn’t carry - what gestational surrogacy looks like emotionally for intended parents * The role of community and peer connection as a coping tool * What to expect from a therapy session or formal consult with a reproductive mental health professional * ASRM guidelines for mental health professional involvement in donor and gestational carrier cycles Resources Mentioned: * Fertility Forward — a support program in partnership with Terra Fertility (Boston area) * American Society for Reproductive Medicine [asrm.org] (ASRM) — asrm.org (practice guidelines for third-party reproduction) Connect with Alicia: * On the Path Counseling and Consultation [https://onthepathcc.com/] * Email: abdela@onthepathcc.com [abdela@onthepathcc.com] Connect with Jennifer: * Schedule a free Fertility Support Session [https://jennredmond.com/contact/] * Follow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc [https://www.instagram.com/jennredmondinhc/] I would be so grateful if you would subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information. Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

Episode 40: The Legal Side of Building Your Family with Janene Oleaga

In this episode Jennifer talks with Janene Oleaga, a family formation lawyer and reproductive rights advocate, about the legal side of building a family through assisted reproduction. Janene demystifies the role of a reproductive attorney and offers clear, grounding guidance for anyone navigating surrogacy, egg donation or donor conception.  Key Topics Discussed: * Janene explains what a reproductive attorney does and why reaching out before you begin your family-building journey - before selecting a surrogate, donor, or signing with an agency - can make a meaningful difference. * She describes what to expect from an initial consultation, and why her goal is for clients to leave feeling informed and more settled amid the uncertainty of the fertility journey. * Surrogacy law is governed at the state level and varies widely. Janene breaks down what that means for intended parents, especially when surrogacy arrangements cross state lines. * She walks through what a gestational surrogacy agreement covers and why she describes it as the roadmap for the entire journey, from embryo transfer through establishing legal parentage. * Janene addresses surrogacy in the news honestly, distinguishing between bad actors and the hundreds of ethical arrangements that never make headlines. * For those using an egg or sperm donor, Janene explains the difference between closed, semi-open and fully open arrangements, and why true anonymity is no longer a realistic promise in the age of consumer genetic testing. * She offers practical guidance on how to find a reproductive attorney, what questions to ask, and why - beyond credentials - trusting your gut matters most when building your team. * Janene speaks to the importance of legislative advocacy and reminds listeners that your personal story is your most powerful tool when talking to representatives.  Resources Mentioned: * Oleaga Law LLC [https://www.ivfesq.com] * AllPaths Family Building [https://www.allpathsfamilybuilding.org] * American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) [https://www.adoptionattorneys.org] * American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) [https://www.asrm.org] * New England Fertility Society (NEFS) [https://www.newenglandfertility.org] * The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS) [https://seedsethics.org/] Connect with Janene Oleaga: * IVFESQ.com [https://www.ivfesq.com] * Instagram: @IVFESQ [https://www.instagram.com/ivfesq/] Connect with Jennifer: * Schedule a free Fertility Support Session [https://jennredmond.com/contact/] * Follow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc [https://www.instagram.com/jennredmondinhc/]I

Episode 39: Mother's Day and Infertility

Episode Summary In this episode Jennifer shares a check-in and love note to her community as Mother's Day approaches. She knows how difficult the holiday can be for women on a fertility journey, and offers gentle, practical ideas for navigating the day in a way that honors wherever you are. Key Topics Discussed: * Mother's Day can be an incredibly painful time for women who are trying to conceive or have experienced pregnancy loss, and it's okay to feel all of it. * The holiday comes with unavoidable noise - ads, emails, store displays - and Jennifer wants you to give yourself permission to opt out, unsubscribe and step back from social media if you need to. * Mother's Day brings its own complicated layers when it comes to our relationships with our own mothers, and Jennifer speaks openly from personal experience. * If you can't sit the day out, Jennifer offers practical strategies for getting through it,  from limiting your time to planning ahead for the moments when feelings hit hard. * Ways to spend the day that feel nourishing and restorative, including leaning on your comfort list, spending time in nature and connecting with your support system. * Jennifer reminds listeners who have partners to let that person in, because they're navigating the day too. * She closes with a loving challenge and journal prompts to help you reflect on how you can mother yourself this Mother's Day. Journal Prompts: * This Mother's Day, I can mother myself by ________________________________. * My ideal way to spend this Mother's Day is ________________________________. * My ideal day is _________________________________________________________________. Connect with Jennifer: * Schedule a free Fertility Support Session [https://jennredmond.com/contact/] * Follow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc [https://www.instagram.com/jennredmondinhc/] I would be so grateful if you would subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information. Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

Episode 38: Living with Endometriosis

In this episode Jennifer sits down with Nicole Tanionos, an 18-year-old high school senior, patient advocate and co-founder of The Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts (TEAM). Nicole shares her deeply personal journey living with endometriosis since middle school, and the remarkable advocacy work that has grown from it. Nicole's story is a reminder that the signs may be there long before a diagnosis, and that understanding your history can be a powerful part of navigating your path forward. Key topics discussed:  * Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and can take 4 to 11 years to diagnose, a reality Nicole knows firsthand. * Nicole's symptoms began in middle school and included migraines, severe bloating ("endo belly"), constipation, and increasingly painful, irregular periods - symptoms she initially thought were unrelated. * Nicole shares an all too common, long and frustrating road to diagnosis, including being dismissed by doctors, seeing nearly a dozen specialists, and learning to fight to be believed.  * She opens up about the emotional and psychological toll of living with a chronic, underdiagnosed illness, and why mental health is an inseparable part of the conversation.  * Nicole talks candidly about what life looks like after treatment, including the ongoing challenges and what it has meant for her future plans.  * Driven by her own experience, Nicole co-founded TEAM to advocate for better education, improved medical training, and legislation that could shorten the diagnostic journey for others.  * She shares a story about a chance conversation at a backyard gathering that may have changed a young woman's life, and explains why that kind of ripple effect keeps her going. * Nicole speaks honestly about the fears and uncertainties that come with an endometriosis diagnosis at a young age, including what it may mean for her future fertility. Resources Mentioned: * Survey for Endometriosis Patients [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT1Q1C3T-cjmV-_40gGISeiBqe3DiMk6hRD5YMLVKht1TN9Q/viewform] * Swinging for Hope, Golf Tournament to Support Endometriosis Awareness [https://www.swing4endo.com/], supported by TEAM  * Endometriosis Conference, October 24, 2026, Save the Date * Below the Belt [https://www.belowthebelt.film/] documentary Connect with The Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts: * endoteam.org [https://www.endoteam.org/] Connect with Jennifer: * Schedule a free Fertility Support Session [https://jennredmond.com/contact/] * Follow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc [https://www.instagram.com/jennredmondinhc/] I would be so grateful if you would subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information. Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.