RedefineHER

S2E3: Built for Birth, Not for Mothers: Moms Deserve More Than a Discharge Note with Dr. Sonal Patel

Brenda sits down with Sonal Patel to unpack how technology, especially AI, is reshaping the way we support women through one of the most transformative stages of life: motherhood. Driven by both personal insight and a deep understanding of gaps in the system, Sonal shares how she’s building solutions that don’t just support women, but scale that support through AI as a powerful multiplier. From pregnancy to postpartum and beyond, her work is focused on making sure no mom has to navigate it alone. They dive into the realities new moms face, from mental load to identity shifts, and why traditional systems often fall short in supporting parents holistically. Sonal opens up about the journey of building in this space, the importance of accessible, personalized care, and how AI can bridge the gap between what mothers need and what they actually receive. Ever wondered how technology could better support you (or someone you love) through pregnancy, postpartum, or early parenthood, or how AI could redefine care for families at scale? This episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when innovation meets empathy. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ The gaps in support for new moms and parents today ✔️ How AI is being used as a multiplier in women’s health and caregiving ✔️ The emotional and mental realities of early motherhood ✔️ Why personalized, accessible support matters more than ever ✔️ Building a solution-driven business in the maternal health space ✔️ The intersection of technology, empathy, and care ✔️ The future of support systems for moms and families Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Sonal Patel and her mission 01:10 The importance of postpartum care and systemic gaps 03:15 Personal postpartum journey and recognition of care deficiencies 07:01 Understanding the fourth trimester and its significance 09:49 Physical and mental health interconnectedness in postpartum care 12:40 The economics of maternal mortality and systemic impact 17:40 Colorado's family leave policy and its implications 24:44 The role of advocacy in healthcare policy change 34:44 AI's potential to address postpartum care gaps 42:42 Naya Care: Bringing postpartum support to the home 54:31 The future of maternal health technology and AI 58:17 Empowering women through belief and policy change 58:43 Advice for women in the postpartum phase 01:01:09 The importance of sleep and support in postpartum recovery 01:02:41 Where to find Dr. Sonal Patel and Naya Care Sponsor Spotlight: Are you a mom in America? Moms First is currently running an Associate Producer Referral Challenge. The more voices that are included now, the stronger the impact will be when the film premieres. Join the movement by sharing your story or becoming an Associate Producer for your community. 🌐 Learn more and get involved: ⁠https://momsfirst.us/doc/?emci=0a1675d8-830d-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&emdi=cd81a572-640e-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&ceid=3321302 [https://momsfirst.us/doc/?emci=0a1675d8-830d-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&emdi=cd81a572-640e-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&ceid=3321302] ⁠ Mentioned in the Episode: * NayaCare Website [https://nayacare.org/] * NayaCare App [https://www.naya-app.ai/] * Access Naya (AI postpartum guide) [https://nayacare.org/naya] * Dr. Sonal Patel TEDx Talk – The Economics of the Fourth Trimester * Search: “Sonal Patel TEDx Economics of the Fourth Trimester” Connect with Sonal:[Naya website [https://nayacare.org/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nayacare] | LinkedIn: Dr. Sonal Patel ] 🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaarmstrong1/ ]🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarrynlong/ ] ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2026 RedefineHER Podcast [https://redefineherpodcast.com]. Please share with credit and direct link.

S2E2: Hormone Intelligence: Why Feeling ‘Crazy’ Isn’t the Diagnosis with Aagya Mathur and Aavia

Brenda sits down with Aagya Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO of Aavia, to explore how understanding hormone cycles can transform the way women approach health, work, and everyday life. Driven by her own experiences, Aagya shares how she built Aavia to give women the tools, data, and community they need to better understand their bodies. She opens up about the journey of turning a deeply personal problem into a growing health tech startup. They unpack the stigma surrounding hormone conversations, why most health systems still overlook women’s cyclical biology, and how technology can empower women to make smarter decisions about sleep, fitness, productivity, and mental well-being. Ever wondered why your energy, focus, and mood shift throughout the month, or how better hormone literacy could change the future of healthcare? This episode will completely reshape the way you think about your cycle. ✨ Special Offer for Our Listeners: Download the Aavia app and use the code REDEFINEHER to receive your first month of the VIP experience completely free. (Download app on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aavia.android&pcampaignid=web_share] / Apple App Store [https://apps.apple.com/za/app/aavia-cycle-symptom-relief/id1378160961]) In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ Why hormone literacy is still missing from mainstream healthcare ✔️ The personal experiences that inspired Aavia’s creation ✔️ How hormonal cycles impact energy, sleep, mood, and productivity ✔️ Breaking the stigma around talking about periods and hormones ✔️ What it takes to build and scale a women’s health startup ✔️ Using data and technology to help women understand their bodies ✔️ The future of personalized hormone health and digital care Timeline: 00:00 Understanding Hormonal Health and Its Impact 02:49 The Role of Aavia Health in Women's Wellness 06:00 Subjectivity of Hormonal Symptoms 08:46 The Importance of Personalized Data 12:07 Healthcare Costs and Women's Health 15:03 Building Trust in Health Data 17:50 Aavia's Comprehensive Approach to Hormonal Health 20:59 The Future of Hormonal Awareness in Healthcare 30:22 The Importance of Women's Heart Health 32:35 Funding Disparities in Women's Healthcare 33:52 Fundraising as a Female Founder 40:59 The Role of Hormone Health in Public Health 47:42 Future of Women's Health Education 50:27 Accessing Avia and Its Impact Sponsor Spotlight: Are you a mom in America? Moms First is currently running an Associate Producer Referral Challenge. The more voices that are included now, the stronger the impact will be when the film premieres. Join the movement by sharing your story or becoming an Associate Producer for your community. 🌐 Learn more and get involved: https://momsfirst.us/doc/?emci=0a1675d8-830d-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&emdi=cd81a572-640e-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&ceid=3321302 [https://momsfirst.us/doc/?emci=0a1675d8-830d-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&emdi=cd81a572-640e-f111-a69a-000d3a57593f&ceid=3321302] Mentioned in the Episode: * Conditions & Concepts Mentioned - PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) * Organizations & Institutions Referenced - Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Harvard University , Ministry of Supply , Labcorp * People Mentioned in This Episode - Kit Hickey – Aagya studied under, Lara Zibners – Founder of Calla Lily Clinical Care, referenced, Tessiah Coleman – Founder of Kyndred, referenced * Data Points Referenced - 2.1 billion people globally in reproductive years, 7–10 year average diagnostic delay for hormone-related conditions, 42% of Aavia members report missing 5+ days of work annually due to symptoms, Women drive ~80% of healthcare decisions in households, Women’s health companies receive a small fraction of total venture funding Connect with Aagya: Aavia Website [www.aavia.io] | Email: aagyam@aavia.io | Aagya LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aagyamathur]| Aavia LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aavia] | Aavia Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/aavia.io/] | Aavia Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@aavia] 🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong 🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2026 ⁠RedefineHER Podcast⁠ [www.redefineherpodcast.com]. Please share with credit and direct link.

S2E1: Moving at the Speed of Trust: Building Equitable Care in Health Tech with Tesiah Coleman

Brenda sits down with Tesiah Coleman to explore what it takes to build healthcare that is equitable, trustworthy, and truly designed for everyone. From navigating the pandemic while supporting her son through cancer treatment to leading high-growth health tech startups, Tesiah shares her deeply personal journey from community health to founder leadership. She explains why “moving at the speed of trust” is the most overlooked, but powerful, accelerator in healthcare innovation. Together, they dive into race-concordant care, equitable AI, and building digital-first health homes for Black women, unpacking the challenges of scaling clinical teams, balancing ethics with business realities, and creating care models that last. If you’ve ever wondered how to design health systems that actually work for marginalized communities, or what it really takes to lead with equity in health tech, this episode will shift your perspective completely. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ Why trust, not speed, is the true growth lever for early-stage healthcare companies ✔️ Lessons from scaling clinical teams across multiple states and early-stage startups ✔️ Balancing personal values with venture realities in high-growth environments ✔️ The shift from clinician to founder, and the journey into health tech ✔️ Designing bias-aware, equitable AI and care systems from day one ✔️ Navigating leadership while supporting a child through cancer ✔️ How Kyndred and Togather are reimagining healthcare for Black women and clinicians Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Equity and Personal Experience 02:59 Tesiah’s Journey and the Catalyst for Change 05:55 Transitioning from Community Health to Health Tech 09:10 The Importance of Race-Concordant Care 12:07 Introducing Kyndred Health and Its Mission 14:49 Challenges in Funding and Building Kyndred Health 18:01 Innovative Services Offered by Kyndred Health 21:05 Designing for Equity in Healthcare 24:01 The Future of Kyndred Health and Call to Action 27:03 Transforming Healthcare for Black Women 31:30 The Power of Collective Care 36:29 Addressing Racial Injustice in Healthcare 40:05 Navigating Trauma in a Turbulent World 46:24 Empowering Women to Demand Change 51:16 Building Inclusive Communities for Healing Mentioned in the Episode: * Kyndred * Togather * ALI™ Framework ( Anti-Racism, Liberation, Intersectionality) * Scaling multi-state virtual clinical teams Connect with Tesiah: 🌐 Kyndred [https://www.withkyndred.com] | Togather [https://www.togathernow.com] | Personal site [https://www.tesiahmae.com] 💌 connect@tesiahmae.com 💻 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesiahcoleman/] 📸 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tesiahmae/] 📣 Kyndred Launch: February 18th (access code via email) 🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong 🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long 📜 Disclaimer ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2026 RedefineHER Podcast [www.redefineherpodcast.com]. Please share with credit and direct link.

S1E20: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Amy Gaston on Healing Women’s Health from the Inside Out

Brenda sits down with Amy Gaston, VP of Strategic Growth at OhmBody, to unpack how burnout, biology, and bold innovation are reshaping the future of women’s health. From the quiet realities of working through menstrual pain to steering a breakthrough femtech startup, Amy shares how her 7-month sabbatical, her deep understanding of the female body, and her commitment to truth-telling are rewriting what leadership looks like in a space that desperately needs change. Together, they dive into the science behind OhmBody’s neurostimulation technology a “neural tourniquet” that reduces menstrual pain and blood loss without drugs or hormones and why the next generation of innovation starts not with more medication, but with listening to the body itself. Amy and Brenda also explore the emotional, professional, and economic cost of operating in systems that were never built with women in mind, and why honesty, rest, and data-driven advocacy are the new pillars of impactful leadership. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, gaslit, or unsupported when it comes to your health, or wondered what it takes to build real, meaningful change in women’s health tech, this episode will shift your perspective completely. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ The hidden cost of menstrual pain and why the data dramatically underestimates its impact ✔️ How OhmBody harnesses the body’s natural intelligence through neurostimulation ✔️ Amy’s 7-month reset and how stepping back made her a stronger leader ✔️ What authentic leadership looks like in a male-dominated industry ✔️ Why menstruation deserves global funding... not silence ✔️ The emotional toll of building in systems that weren’t designed for women ✔️ What founders and investors need to understand about women’s health in 2025 and beyond Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to OhmBody and Amy Gaston 02:45 The Journey to FemTech and Women's Health 05:43 Understanding Menstrual Pain and Its Impact 08:32 Innovations in Menstrual Health: OhmBody's Approach 11:25 Clinical Studies and Results of OhmBody's Device 14:09 The Mechanism Behind Neurostimulation 17:12 The Importance of Education in Women's Health 20:07 Challenges in Women's Health and the Need for Advocacy 23:00 Leadership and Authenticity in the Workplace 25:54 The Economics of Women's Health 28:41 Future Directions for OhmBody and Women's Health 31:38 Self-Care and Balancing Work-Life 34:12 Empowering Women Through Education and Advocacy 37:13 Closing Thoughts and Future Initiatives Mentioned in the Episode: * PopSugar feature on OhmBody [https://www.popsugar.com/health/ohmbody-neurostimulation-review-49457202] * Wellcome Leap Grant  [https://wellcomeleap.org/] * Melinda Gates Contribution [https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/melinda-french-gates-launches-100-million-push-womens-health-research-2025-09-10/] https://www.ohmbody.com/?utm_source=RedefineHER_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=PR [https://www.ohmbody.com/?utm_source=RedefineHER_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=PR] Connect with Amy: 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ch2solutions.com]ohmbody.com [www.ohmbody.com] 💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Amy Gaston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygaston/] 🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong 🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long 💼 Sponsor: CH2 Solutions Where Technical Depth Meets Business Agility. CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most. Learn more at ch2solutions.com 📜 Disclaimer⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and not health or medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.

S1E19: Negotiation as a Superpower: Jason Short on how Healthtech Execs Win Without the Power Play

Brenda sits down with Jason Short, veteran CTO and consulting executive at CH2 Solutions, to explore how negotiation, leadership psychology, and self-awareness intersect in the fast-paced world of healthtech. From learning the art of negotiation through a 12-cassette tape series during his DC commutes to advising PE-backed companies on billion-dollar decisions, Jason shares how curiosity, structure, and empathy can turn negotiation from a power play into a genuine superpower. Together, they unpack how preparation beats pressure, why most executives mistake silence for weakness, and how to read the real game being played behind the deal. Jason also reflects on being the first male guest on RedefineHER and what listening, allyship, and equity look like when you’re negotiating for a better future in women’s health. If you’ve ever wondered how leaders win without ego, this episode will change how you think about influence, confidence, and communication. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ Why negotiation is a daily leadership skill, not just a deal tactic ✔️ How Jason’s “cassette tape education” shaped his executive mindset ✔️ The three stages of negotiation: technique, counter, and masked offer ✔️ How to navigate “good cop/bad cop” energy in high-stakes rooms ✔️ Why preparation and silence are the sharpest negotiation tools ✔️ How to detect hidden agendas and when to plant one ethically ✔️ What PE and VC leaders need to know before investing in women’s health Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Negotiation Techniques 05:16 The Three Stages of Negotiation 10:28 Real-Life Applications of Negotiation15:51Negotiating with Private Equity Firms 22:14 The Art of Negotiation 26:49 Understanding Hidden Agendas 30:05 Fundraising Strategies for Startups 34:23 Preparing for Board Meetings 36:56 Owning Your Career Path 41:38 Women's Health in Tech Negotiations Mentioned in the Episode: * “Negotiation isn’t a power play ,it’s a framework for understanding people.”- Roger Dawson’s Secrets of Power Negotiating * “Preparation beats pressure every time.” * The “Puppy Dog Close” and why it still works * “If you’re investing in women’s health, start by asking what matters to women.” Connect with Jason: 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠ch2solutions.com⁠⁠ [https://www.ch2solutions.com] 💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Jason Short⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/] RedefineHER Podcast Credits 🎙 Host: ⁠⁠Brenda Armstrong⁠⁠ 🎧 Producer: ⁠⁠Tarryn Long⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/] 💼 Sponsor: CH2 SolutionsWhere Technical Depth Meets Business Agility.CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most.Learn more at ⁠⁠ch2solutions.com⁠⁠ [https://www.ch2solutions.com]. 📜 Disclaimer⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not business or legal advice.©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.