Ep 62 | Being Informed and Supported During an Unplanned Pregnancy with Alicia Overocker

Ep 62 | Being Informed and Supported During an Unplanned Pregnancy with Alicia Overocker

We often discuss the importance of being informed and supported in an ideal birth, but what about when pregnancy wasn’t part of your plan? In this episode, I’m joined by doula Alicia Overocker, founder of Seeds of Strength [https://plantingseedsbodyandbirth.com/seeds-of-strength], a nonprofit supporting teen and single mothers through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and adoption decisions with practical support and compassionate care. Together, we talk about the emotional realities of unplanned pregnancy, the importance of informed decision-making, and why no woman should feel pressured, isolated, or unsupported during one of the most vulnerable seasons of her life. Alicia shares the personal story that inspired her nonprofit, how her own family’s adoption experience shaped her perspective, and why she believes support (not fear) can change the trajectory of a mother’s life. Inside this episode, we discuss: * The role doulas can play during unexpected or unsupported pregnancies * Supporting women through birth, postpartum, and adoption * Why informed consent matters during pregnancy-related decisions * The emotional realities many women face during unplanned pregnancy * How community support can change outcomes for mothers and babies * Encouragement for women who feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or alone Whether you’re navigating an unplanned pregnancy yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply want a more compassionate understanding of these conversations, I hope this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and hope. Resources: Connect with Alicia https://plantingseedsbodyandbirth.com/seeds-of-strength [https://plantingseedsbodyandbirth.com/seeds-of-strength] Read the abortion highlight [https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18049427140573546/] on Instagram Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory [https://justtheinserts.com/find-a-provider/] Take our free training course [https://justtheinserts.com/training-course/] Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 61 | Exploring the Science Behind Frequency Functional Medicine with Dr. Charlie

In today’s episode, Dr. Charlie joins us for a conversation about why more people are beginning to look beyond conventional healthcare and explore approaches like frequency functional medicine. We discuss the growing rise of chronic illness, the role of the nervous system in healing, environmental stressors in modern life, and why so many families feel dismissed after searching for answers within the traditional healthcare system alone. Dr. Charlie shares how his work in functional and frequency medicine led him to think differently about health, adaptation, and the body’s response to stress from nutrition and chronic infections to EMFs, circadian rhythms, mold exposure, and nervous system regulation. This episode also explores: * The science behind muscle testing and how it’s should be used in practice (and where it gets abused) * The connection between stress, cortisol, and chronic symptoms * Why many people are rethinking the modern health environment * The impact of light, technology, and environmental exposures on the body * Motherhood, self-care, and the nervous system of the home * Learning to become more observant and intentional about health As always, this conversation is not about fear or perfection. It’s about curiosity, awareness, and understanding the many different factors that can influence health in today’s world. Whether you’re completely new to these concepts or have been exploring root-cause approaches for years, this episode offers a thoughtful starting point for a broader conversation about modern health and healing. Resources: Connect with Dr. Charlie https://www.drcharliedc.com [https://www.drcharliedc.com] Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory [https://justtheinserts.com/find-a-provider/] Take our free training course [https://justtheinserts.com/training-course/] Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 60 | Why Some Pediatricians Are Rethinking Care and What They’re Building Instead with Dr. Jacki Burnett

There are a lot of conversations happening right now about the healthcare system... what’s working, what’s not, and where families are feeling the tension the most. For many parents, that tension shows up in the one-on-one conversations with their pediatrician. They often feel rushed, don’t have space to ask questions, or forced to make a decision before fully understanding what’s being recommended. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jacki Burnett, a board-certified pediatrician who made the decision to step away from the traditional model and build something different. We talk about her experience within the system, what led her to make that shift, and what she’s created in its place. We also talk through what direct primary care actually looks like, how it changes the relationship between provider and patient, and why time plays such a critical role in informed consent. Dr. Jacki shares what she’s seeing from parents right now, the questions that come up most often, and how she approaches those conversations in a way that supports families without pressure. (And yes, we talk about vaccines, poop, and all the little anxieties a parent frantically messages their pediatrician in the middle of the night.) If you’ve ever left an appointment feeling like you needed more time, more clarity, or just a different kind of conversation, this episode offers a perspective on what that can look like. Resources: https://www.dovepeds.com [https://www.dovepeds.com] Dr. Jacki MD on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DrJackiMD] Dr. Paul Thomas “Startup DPC: How To Start And Grow Your Direct Primary Care Practice“ Book [https://amzn.to/4dictuK] Douglas Farrago “The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice” Book [https://amzn.to/4cYOhfL] “Turtles All The Way Down: Vaccine Science and Myth” Book [https://amzn.to/3OZshsX] “Vaccines and the Diseases They Target: An Analysis of Vaccine Safety and Epidemiology” Physicians for Informed Consent Book [https://amzn.to/3Phav4D] Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory [https://justtheinserts.com/find-a-provider/] (use discount code “DRJACKI” for a 30 days free access) Take our free training course [https://justtheinserts.com/training-course/] Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 59 | Between Trust and Questioning: Navigating a Life-Altering Diagnosis with Katherine Sigblad

What do you do when a diagnosis comes with a clear plan… but it just doesn’t sit right with you? In this episode, I’m joined by Katherine Sigblad from Moms Off the Record Podcast [https://momsofftherecordpod.com] to talk through a story from her own life that started when she was an infant. Her parents were given a diagnosis and a recommendation for surgery. It was presented as the next step. But instead of moving forward right away, her dad paused. He asked more questions. He looked into other options. And what they ultimately chose ended up being very different from that first recommendation. This conversation isn’t about rejecting medical care, but about staying engaged long enough to understand what’s actually being recommended and whether there are other ways to approach it. We talk about: * When it makes sense to slow down * How to think about second (and third) opinions * Why different specialists can see the same situation differently * Simple questions that can change how you understand a plan * How to navigate that tension between trusting and questioning If you’ve ever left an appointment feeling unsure, or like you didn’t fully understand your options, this episode is for you. Resources: My interview with Moms Off the Record Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/23-informed-consent-and-thinking-critically-about/id1665488006?i=1000635169509](2023) Mother’s Cancer Journey Episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-43-when-healing-looks-different-than-you-imagined/id1803253212?i=1000744957664] Read the free Motherhood Guide [https://justtheinserts.com/the-motherhood-guide/] Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory [https://justtheinserts.com/find-a-provider/] Take our free training course [https://justtheinserts.com/training-course/] Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 58 | Infant Sleep Without the Pressure: A Nurse’s Perspective with Laura Longanecker from Strawberry Moon Sleep

Sleep is one of the most talked-about (and often most stressful) parts of early parenthood. From rigid schedules to pressure around “good sleepers,” many parents find themselves caught between their instincts and the expectations they’re hearing everywhere else. In this episode of Well Considered, Laura Longanecker, a registered nurse and infant sleep specialist behind Strawberry Moon Sleep, shares a refreshing and grounded perspective about infant sleep. We explore what normal infant sleep actually looks like, why so many families feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, and how to approach sleep in a way that supports both baby and parent. In this episode, we discuss: * What’s biologically normal when it comes to infant sleep * Why modern sleep advice can feel so confusing and stressful * The difference between supporting sleep and controlling it * How feeding, development, and connection all play a role * Letting go of unrealistic expectations and outside pressure If you’ve ever felt unsure, overwhelmed, or like you’re “doing it wrong” when it comes to your baby’s sleep, this episode offers a calmer, more compassionate perspective. Resources: https://www.strawberrymoonsleep.com [https://www.strawberrymoonsleep.com] The Nurture Revolution book [https://amzn.to/3NY5s8B] Safe Sleep 7 [https://llli.org/news/the-safe-sleep-seven/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7wzw4o-h0Em2xW0TAeicAQ52Qxn_HXPglYy2Uqh2sDPOWwOXTwx94iGWC4Lw_aem_7NGOvW2Htg8jLa6FxWCyKg] Safe Infant Sleep book [https://amzn.to/4stY9Vm] Read the free Motherhood Guide [https://justtheinserts.com/the-motherhood-guide/] Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory [https://justtheinserts.com/find-a-provider/] Take our free training course [https://justtheinserts.com/training-course/] Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska