Pollinated: Recent Episodes
Mary
cultivating a fertile mind, body and spirit for our seeds to grow.
join me as we talk to eastern practitioners who share lessons on creating a fertile mind body and spirit through diet and lifestyle and eastern principles. and also recognizing that sometimes we need a little western love in our lives, like trying to have a baby. this podcast is a marriage of east and west.
each week ill share my fertility journey and the journeys of women on the other side of their fertility challenge.
and i will also interview healers from eastern and western approaches like Ayurvedic practitioners, acupuncturists, fertility doctors, and more
Goodbye 2020! And Goodbye Season 1 of Pollinated. We are so grateful for everything you taught us and we can't wait to see what is in store for the future.
We will be back in May 2021 with Season 2!
Two things my husband told me this month that I really needed to hear, and I think you might too.
Carina found her love for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before Ayurveda. Continuously suffering from chronic bladder infections led her to a TCM practitioner who told Carina to focus on her emotions and her minded. It is then when she learned that what you eat and how you think is influencing your health.
In this episode, we dive deeply into connecting to our womb from a TCM perspective, which includes some of the most common imbalances Carina sees with clients as well as a plethora of ways we can correct imbalances in our body.
Heres a timeline of the topics we discuss in this episode, along with some links you will enjoy.
(2:40) Phases of cycle in Chinese medicine; ebb and flow of Yin and Yang
yin - negative dark feminine (moon)
yang - positive bright and masculine (sun)
yin and yang are always present but its about which one is dominating at what time
(6:28) What does a healthy cycle look like
Interesting takeaway from this section: Some women get concerned with 21 or 35 day cycle, but what Chinese medicine says, through Carina, is that a fixed cycle length is more important than a short or long cycle. f your cycle changes from month to month, then you need to look at what is out of balance. If you hav always consistently had 21 day cycle, this may be normal for you
(10:04) spleen Qi and signs of Spleen Qi deficiency and how to support the spleen
(12:20) Liver Qi and signs of stagnation/imbalance and what to avoid to support the liver
(14:13) How are the uterus and heart connected in TCM
Why we work on emotional balance when we treat women with fertility issues
Interesting takeaway from this section: Emotions have such a big influence on the uterus- think about it! Your heart pumps blood to the uterus
(17:50) Kidneys - the foundation of body’s yin and yang energies
kidney deficiency is most commonly at the root of fertility issues
(21:25) Most common factor for kidney deficiency
(22:48) Signs in face that indicate kidney deficiency
Links from Kidney Section:
How the kidneys influence your fertility:
https://carinagreweling.com/chinese-medicine-kidneys-influence-your-fertility/
Food recommendations for kidney-yin and kidney-yang deficiency:
https://carinagreweling.com/healthy-sex-life-chinese-medicine/
(24:20) The four steps Carina uses in practice to help rebalance/support fertility
(29:36) Embody to thrive program - upgrading your health to the next level
https://carinagreweling.com/embody-to-thrive/
Links from previous episode:
Hormone Yoga Therapy (HYT): https://carinagreweling.com/hormone-yoga-therapy/
Sleep
https://carinagreweling.com/improve-your-sleep-with-ayurveda/
Free Dosha quiz: https://carinagreweling.com/dosha-quiz/
Heres a little timeline of the topics we discuss in this episode, along with some links you will enjoy.
Phases of cycle from Ayurvedic Prospective ~ 10 minutes
All about the womb, directing energy to the womb ~19 minutes
- Hormone Yoga Therapy (HYT): https://carinagreweling.com/hormone-yoga-therapy/
Sacral Chakra ~22 minutes
- VAM ~25 minutes
Digestion ~27 minutes
- Intermittent fasting ~28 minutes, 40 seconds
- Online course
Sleep ~30 minutes
https://carinagreweling.com/improve-your-sleep-with-ayurveda/
Ways to nourish yourself and relax ~32 minutes
Embody to Thrive program ~34 minutes
https://carinagreweling.com/embody-to-thrive/
Free Dosha quiz: https://carinagreweling.com/dosha-quiz/
I know guys, a bit morbid title for a podcast about fertility. But there is purpose behind this episode and that is: trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, it might not be. Doctors are experts, but you are the expert of your own body. Get second opinions! And don't put all of your faith in one human - doctor or not.
Dr. Death - Season 1 - Dr. Duntsch
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-death/id1421573955
Dr Death - Season 2 - Dr. Fata
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-death-season-2-dr-fata/id1534642943
Im SPILLIN THE TEA!
attention tea drinkers!! this is your episode!! actually!! attention anyone who’s been trying for less than a year and has no diagnosis and still in the beginning phase and looking for something nice and quick to try before you head to the fertility clinic!
Trust me I was a skeptic at first - but I messaged people who had claimed to use this and anyone who answered me told me they knew it really helped! So thats when I decided to message the founder, Arielle and right away she was willing to interview on the podcast!
I had no idea the kind of wisdom she was about to hit us with.
Arielle started as a fertility acupuncturist and herbalist - her training is in Chinese medicine.
We talk a little about acupuncture in the beginning of the episode bc this what her background is in
The meat of this episode is how SHE BREAKS DOWN the cycle for us and tells us which of the tea we should be drinking during each phase, and WHY
endometriosis, unexplained infertility, PCOS, high FSH, late ovulation etc etc - she teaches you what you need and why
Her goal isn’t TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO ! her goal is to give you the tools so you can figure out what’s happening in your body
she also break down some of the ingredients (for example pomegranate is an astringent - holds in moisture- nourishing to follicles - GUYS Ayurveda says this too (AND I've seen pomegranate juice for IVF all around this community)
BRING A PENCIL AND PAPER BC YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE NOTES
ladies, as soon as she asked to open up the episode with breathing exercise i knew she was legit
Enjoy the episode fertile mamas!
order your tea here-
https://www.wisdomofthewombonline.com
youtube tutorial - womb massage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrZvPeaJ7ds
fertility assessment on her website
https://www.wisdomofthewombonline.com/fertility-assessment/
wisdom of the womb fertility group (message me for that) @pollinated.podcast
Hey Everyone! Update episode for you hear some things I talk about:
-my experience with essential oils so far
-my first experience with the chiropractor
-the "shift" in my focus
-supplements Im taking
-whats coming up on the pod
Happy Listening!
Baby dust to us
~Bus
This episode is a story of natural pregnancy but the best part is that our guest was told her only likely way to conceive would be through IVF
Our guest this week tells us about coming off of birth control which led to 12 months without a cycle. Her doctor recommended her to a fertility specialist as protocol to get her period back.
There she was diagnosed with hypothyroid and was told she doesn’t ovulate on her own
she went on BC to regulate her period than tried two IUIs which both failed, leading to the doctors recommendation of IVF to conceive - which is when our guest decided it was time to pause.
She started to focus on self care - seeking care from a nutritionist and going to therapy. she was able to get off of her thyroid and other meds and joined a gym and began seeing a chiropractor.
Around this time, she and her husband decided to change their diet and went plant based! PS HER HUSBAND WAS LIKE THE HUGEST MEAT EATER EVER.
anyway, i loved the communication and team work between her and her husband (he chimes in because he was home while we recorded) - and I truly admire their decision to live consciously so that they can be at their best potential when raising their children, and pass those traits to them. Isn’t that what we’re all here for anyway?
love this woman, love this couple, love this episode
enjoy
“I wanted them to remember that their body was their ally, and not their enemy on this journey” Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN
Link to her website below where you can also find the 5 minute Yoga for Fertility series :
Live Fertile
In this episode we speak with Kendra Tolbert - certified nutritionist and yoga teacher.
I love this episode because Kendra hits us with some very simple wisdom. She has this comforting, grounding, soothing vibe to her and she provides so many little nuggets of information we can apply day to day in order to Life Fertile.
Find her 5 minute Yoga for Fertility series on her website www.livefertile.com
There you can also find links to her instagram page and her youtube channel where she has so many informative nutrition and yoga videos She gives us one simple pose we can do every morning to enhance our fertility and talks about the importance of adding pleasure and rest into your life- a MUST if you are undergoing fertility treatments
Enjoy this episode and may you listen in good health,
Bus
In this episode we hear about Robin's journey to overcome what was first diagnosed as childhood rheumatoid arthritis and later as chronic lyme disease. At the start of her college years, she experienced total loss of her menstrual cycle and her health quickly deteriorate
That is whedn robin decided to take charge of her own health and has since been inspiring and guiding others to do the same.
Robin's story is so inspiring and her determination is evident. Years and two babies later, Robin talks about her evolving journey with not only taking back your health, but cultivating it for the future
PS! Robin Shirley has been mentioned on the podcast before in Episode 13 with Brian Richards, founder of Sauna Space.
We don't chat too much about the sauna in this episode, so go back and listen if you want to hear about the amazing health benefits, but Robin continues to use her sauna personally and on her retreats
Enjoy the episode,
Bus
Find Heather on Instagram: @ayoungwifestale
Creighton Method : https://www.creightonmodel.com
@jaimf.wilson is Jaimie’s instagram handle where you can follow her non-toxic lifestyle and learn all about young living essential oils
you can also find liz joy (mentioned a few times in the episode) on her instagram handle @purejoyhome
If you have been trying to conceive, RUN, don’t walk, to your nearest laptop and order yourself a bottle of Young Living Progessence Plus Essential Oil.
Here is the second episode in my Young Living Progessence Plus series! This essential oil has revealed itself to be pure magic for so many women who have been trying to balance hormones and or who have been trying to conceive.
In this episode we feature Marianne's story. She and her husband tried to conceive for 7 years (including 5 failed IUI's) before discovering progessence plus.
link to Chandresh Book Break the Norms: https://www.amazon.com/Break-Norms-Questioning-Everything-Think/dp/1622035410
link to Curiosity episode: https://cbmeditates.com/break-the-norms-podcast-feed/71-curiosity-matters
I recorded this meditation during one of my mentorship calls with Cassandra! It was time for me to launch the podcast and I was feeling super nervous so we did this meditation to help me feel grounded and secure in my offerings from my podcast to this world.
You don’t have to launch a podcast to benefit from this grounding meditation!
Find out more about Cassandra, meditation tools and much more, visit her website:
www.cassandrabodzak.com
Hope you enjoy!
I interviewed Carolina just after she graduated with her Masters Degree in nutrition- but trust me the knowledge from her degree is nothing in comparison to the real life experience she brings us in this episode
Carolina was diagnosed with anovulatory PCOS and after only 4 months on keto she experienced a cycle for the first time in 16 years!!
She has since lost lost 200 pounds on keto, completely rid her PCOS symptoms and gotten pregnant -with TWINS! (talk about enhancing fertility) s
she shares simple substations, snack ideals and her simple and easy to remember formula for each of her meals
she makes KETO look and sound easy
some other topics;:
-liver for fertility: this is a huge one!! its coming up everywhere!! hear about how her naturopath had her eat liver every day for a week and her iron count doubled-sound of eating liver make you queasy? don’t worry! she gives us some other ways to incorporate it !
-Fat and fertility
-how quantity/quality of carbs can effect fertility
she’s done the research, she’s read the literature, and she loves the science!
also - please don’t make any changes to your diet without doing your own research - Carolina acknowledges, and I acknowledge, that everyones body is different and what worked for her may not work for you........
link to breakfast muffins
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjFL0IAl-y/?igshid=16hvjmp1d164m
@ketobabies on instagram
Interview with Sarah Clark, author of Fabulously Fertile, Supercharge your fertility naturally
find her on insta : @fabfertile
book:
https://www.amazon.com/Fabulously-Fertile-Supercharge-fertility-naturally/dp/1500977616
podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-pregnant-naturally/id1329414094
Everyone’s telling me they’re proud of me for sharing my journey
Trust me I love and appreciate it and I’m proud of me too!
But there’s one person that gets lost in the mix: my husband
No ones telling him they proud of him
No one tells him he’s being courageous, brave and vulnerable
So - K- I’m here to tell you that and to tell the world that
I’m proud of you and I'm so happy to be your wife.
It takes a real man to stand up with his wife even when it might make him look vulnerable. You've been nothing but supportive and encouraging with this podcast (#Pitta). I couldn’t have continued with this podcast if you weren’t on board. I can’t talk about this journey without talk about you bc you’re 50% of my equation.
And you’ve dealt with me trying the oils and the supplements and the tinctures and the naturopath. AND you’re my number one Guinnea pig- my patient zero. and even when you roll your eyes you're still willing to try things for me and for the sake of our future family.
let's be clear though - I’m a freaking awesome wife.
We are both so lucky to have each other.
ladies, don’t forget to tell your man how much you love him and appreciate him. He is after all your first baby and even when your babies do come he will proooooobably still require the most attention
Love you so much K. And I can’t wait for babies.
- Wife
ok ladies!! we’ve all been there
you went to CVS (or amazon), bought your #OPK (ovulation predictor kit), and it turned blue!!
now - GAME TIME.
you're ovulating and you need to have SEX RIGHT NOW!
clocks ticking…
but really though how sexy is it call your husband and say “ I'm ovulating, we need to have sex RIGHT NOW”
its not.
what did I try? I put it as a calendar event in iCal (LOL )...that was not the sexiest !!
THATS WHY I asked my next guest DR Nazanin Moali to interview on the podcast!!
Dr Moali is a licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, and a published researcher. She is also the host of Sexology, a podcast that untangles the science of sex and pleasure
Dr Moali Talks about sex in such a professional yet elegant yet relatable, playful way
some things we talk about:
-naked happy hour
-adding money to your erotic bank
-focus on the sex you want to have - make it fun
-how to keep the spark alive if you’re feeling the depression that comes along with a long fertility journey
-what can you do to build up your mood for positive sexual experiences
-communication!!!!!!
-TTC is a marathon and you have to enjoy it
- what I learned from Dr. Moali is that a naked happy hour in iCal is much more appealing than putting the word "ovulating"
enjoy this episode ! its a juicy one
This weeks story of timing is with Amanda! excited to bring you this episode for so many reasons:
-This is the first story that involves male diagnosis only. this was Such a great perspective for me and so relatable because although our stories are somewhat different - they have many similarities and it brought up a lot of questions for me personally that you’ll be able to hear me ask like: am i delaying the inevitable ? and what if I have this IVF back up plan but it doesn’t actually work?
-This is not an IVF horror story!! This is proof (and hope) that it’s possible to do just one round and be successful on that round
-We also talk about this very REAL feeling of having to grieve the perfect cute way to surprise your husband with a pregnancy when he already knows it could be coming
-Focusing more on your feelings of hope rather than feelings of fear (if its even possible)
-And my favorite part, she ends it by saying - feel free to reach out to me - if you need a friend or want to talk, please reach out i will always be happy to hear from you . sometimes its easy to feel like yours on an island - no one else that your friends with is going through IVF and feel like you have no one to talk to about it- then start to talk to people about it an realize so many other going through; one of my favorite parts about this podcast is the new friends I’m making
Thank you Amanda for being so brave and sharing your story with us.
You can also find more about Amanda’s journey on her blog
http://www.mandamorgan.com/blog-links/
“All people really want to know is - Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say even matter?” Oprah (the woman who doesn’t need a last name)
sorry you can hear my feet crunching in the background - recorded this while walking outside and didnt think the mic would catch my feet!!!
enjoy the poem - play it as many times you need to until you believe if yourself - and share it with your girlfriends
Why do you need a Sauna? Find out in this interview with Sauna Space founder Brian Richards.
To learn more about Sauna Space, click here
Teana spent close to 6 years trying to conceive before finally finding acupuncture. She went from not ovulating on her own to having two perfect cycles in a row and getting pregnant on the third.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY
waaahoooooo
I love this topic
And I extra love this episode because it’s with MY acupuncturist!!!
Nicole specialized in pediatric acupuncture when a woman came to her for help trying to conceive. Not really knowing much about acupuncture for fertility, Nicole applied the basic principles she knew and helped this woman successfully conceive. Through word of mouth, more and more women began asking Nicole for acupuncture treatment for fertility, igniting it as her passion.
But the best thing about Nicole’s practice is that she doesn’t just focus on acu points for fertility! We spend a big portion of our convo talking about adjusting diet to balance hormones and increase fertility. I learned from her that a patient eating a clean diet responds so much more quickly to the acupuncture to than a person who is eating fast food and processed foods and doesn’t live a healthy lifestyle
We also talk about unexplained fertility and possible connection to toxicity in the body - mentions research not directly related to this but related this but listen to the episode and you kk see what I mean! ALSO MARY THOMPSON (episode 4 about Ayurveda) mentioned toxicity in the body and women successfully conceiving after a cleanse
aaaannnnnnd PCOS! And mild versions of PCOS. Did you know PCOS is the #1 diagnosis in the US among women who are struggling with fertility
Visit Nicole at Dedham Acupuncture if you live in the area
(please get through the dog barking circa 7 mins. in - this episode is so good!!!)
Click for Dedham Acupuncture Website
Also please please subscribe rate and review the podcast it helps it reach more people and helps me know how you guys are liking the content
Hear about Hillary’s journey to becoming the mother of four and how baby #4 came by surprise after years of fertility treatment with her first three babies (they had less than 2% chance of conceiving naturally)
Hillary is so silly and she was a joy to talk to so I know that you will enjoy listening.
Some topics in this episode: clomid , IUI, IVF, frozen embryo transfers; the frustrating and embarrassing part of the fertility journey, getting pregnant via IVF but no one knows you got pregnant with IVF
my favorite thing she said in this episode was sometimes she feels judged because she has four kids and her hands are full. she says “you see my hands full and I see a blessing because of the work that it took to get them”
Happy Listening!
Don’t forget to subscribe so that you never miss an episode and please rate and review the podcast so I can release more of what you enjoy!
Monica, founder of Finding Fertility, is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practioner and fertility health coach . She is all about inspiring you to improve your physical and mental health, to help increase your chances of getting & staying pregnant.
Hear about Monica’s 9 year journey to baby which includes two failed IVF cycles, 3 Frozen embryo transfers, 2 miscarriages and two baby boys (the second conceived naturally)
Some topics discussed:
Top 5 intolerances she sees across a lot of her clients
Top 3 fertility super foods
how changing up your diet brings so many other improvement other than just enhance fertility
the emotional awakening of the journey to becoming a parent
auto immune conditions and trying to conceive
Importance of improving your gut and adrenal health
having conversations with your husband regarding your health journey and lifestyle changes
Disclaimer this podcast does not ask you to change your diet and the answers in these interviews may or may or may not reflect my views. I am presenting to you information as I receive it and you do with it what you will but as always do your own research everyBODY is different #1 rule in Ayurveda- what and for whom
Here is the link to the Ted Talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_ikard_the_real_story_of_rosa_parks_and_why_we_need_to_confront_myths_about_black_history/transcript?language=en
Last night I had a conversation with Rev. Dr. Stacey Edwards Dunn, founder of Fertility for Colored Girls (FFCG) an organization that provides financial, mental and community support for couples with fertility challenges.
With the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, I began to think about how I can do my part to help; at times feeling like my podcast about fertility is insignificant in comparison to other problems happening in the world.
What I realized is that I can make sure Pollinated acknowledges and integrates the fertility challenges felt by women of all different races and ethnicities because what I know for sure is fertility challenges share no preference of color.
But what may be different are factors like the availability of treatment and community.
In this episode Reverend Stacey and I talk about the African American culture around fertility conversations - she talks about a common myth among black women that makes struggling to conceive so hard to talk about- which is a large contributor to why she went through much of her IVF journey alone.
I also ask Reverend Stacey about her faith in God and whether that was questioned on her journey. And listen until the end to hear Rev. Stacey’s message to my mom @theresasaghbini
WARNING this episode contains amazingly hilarious interruptions from a toddler
Remember I said we’re cultivating a fertile mind, body and sprit for our seeds to grow. Here is some food for your spirit.
in this episode:
unexplained interfitility, IVF, ivfsuccesstory
FFCG fertilityforcoloredgirls
visit their Website which has such great resources
www.fertilityforcoloredgirls.org
Rev. Dr. Stacey’s book: Hold on to Hope
Interview with Tarot Deck creator and reader Helen Miamii Moon. We met at a Wanderlust Festival and I have followed her ever since. At the end we do a card reading
find her:
@helenisthemoon
helenmiamiimoon.com
This weeks story of timing is with Tamryn. This episode is very emotional and very powerful. Tamryn’s voice is so soothing and she speaks so eloquently about her journey which involves a missed miscarriage and a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and a journey to acceptance and healing before conceiving with just one fallopian tube!
Mary Thompson is an ayurvedic practitioner and has been teaching ayurvedic principles for more than 20 years.
Think you are running out of time? Mary conceived at 42 years old! We also discuss: what ayurveda is, herb to support male fertility, 4 simple ways to support the liver which is important for the production of hormones, night sweats, calming PCOS, and towards the end like the episode I ask her a question in relation to marijuana
Mary brings a wealth of knowledge about Ayurveda and the human body mixed in with some really cool stories
I’m pumped to give you guys a taste of Ayurveda!
The name of this episode is wonder and that’s bc my favorite of her many famous lines (used in class and this episode) is - “ i wonder and would you consider” this is one of the ways she may approach a client - by proceeding with curiously and without being Pushy -bc the power is always in the hands of the person you are just guiding them on their health journey
I am so excited to bring you all the first story of timing. This is Rachel’s story. It’s a quick episode! There is some slight male factor, and a mild case of endometriosis.
Episode 1 - Interview with Dr. Henry Klapholz, MD, MEE, OBGYN, Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Tufts University School of Medicine
I think it’s ironic that my first episode is from the west. once you listen to the episode, you’ll understand why it is that I don’t mind.
For me, the interview with Dr. Klapholz has an informative, sort of therapeutic feel. Some topics we touch on: OPK's, PCOS, endometriosis, miscarriage and IVF, mixed in with a few cool stories and some uplifting messages from a wise teacher. Enjoy.