Hotter Than Ever

“You are not alone.”

We hear this phrase often—but truly feeling less alone is something else entirely. Real connection begins when we share our stories, speak our truths, and let ourselves be seen. Few people champion this idea more powerfully than today’s guest, Dr. Jessica Zucker. Jessica is a psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, and is the author of “I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement”. After experiencing her own miscarriage, Jessica launched the now-viral #IHadAMiscarriage campaign—a deeply personal yet universal invitation for women to speak their truths on their own terms.  Her next book, “Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives”, is out on April 22nd.

In this episode, Erin and Jessica explore the silence, shame, and societal expectations around grief, body image, motherhood and many other fundamental aspects of women’s lives—and how sharing our stories can help dismantle them. We discuss:

• Why storytelling is an act of liberation—and how speaking openly about miscarriage and other stigmatized experiences builds healing and connection
• How silence around common women’s experiences like infertility, illness, menopause, and abortion perpetuates shame and isolation
• The problem with comparative suffering—and why women often minimize their pain by telling themselves “others have it worse”
• How girlhood teaches us to self-silence and be “good,” and the long-term impact this has on authenticity and self-expression
• Why it’s essential to talk to kids early and openly about bodies, sexuality, and emotions
• The cultural cost of silence—and how creating space for women to share their whole truths can shift the narratives we’ve been taught to hide

OUR GUEST: Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She’s been featured on NPR, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. Her new book, NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives, is out April 22nd!

“ You can't say the wrong thing to the right person.”

Modern dating can feel like a chaotic mess—swiping fatigue, societal pressures, and outdated patriarchal norms make it seem more like a minefield than a path to love. But what if dating could actually be joyful, empowering, and aligned with your values? Enter Lily Womble, a feminist dating coach, author, speaker, and founder of Date Brazen, which is on a mission to help women create dating lives that feel extraordinary and authentic.

In this episode, Erin and Lily break down the biggest myths about dating and offer powerful, actionable strategies to help you approach love on your terms. Whether you’re feeling disheartened by the process or just need a fresh perspective, this conversation will leave you ready to date with confidence. We discuss:

• Why dating is still stuck in the dark ages and how to reclaim your power & joy in the process
• Dating as self-care— prioritizing boundaries, agency, and pleasure over pressure and scarcity
• Most people aren’t your person and how to focus on the ones who actually align with you
• Ditch the checklist, because true compatibility is about how they make you feel, not just what’s on paper
• Words matter—how reframing your dating mindset creates new possibilities
• Using qualifying & disqualifying questions to filter for true compatibility
• Dating apps are just a tool—how to attract great matches both online and IRL

OUR GUEST: Lily Womble is an intersectional feminist dating coach and founder of Date Brazen. She has led thousands of badass, feminist women around the world to build dating lives that feel like self-care, that also lead to extraordinary love. Womble has been featured in InStyle, HuffPost, Bustle, ABC News, and Oprah Magazine. She lives in Brooklyn.

"Our intuition does speak to us—it screams at us, if we really let it listen."

For many women, motherhood is the most rewarding, purpose-driven, and all-consuming role we take on. But what happens when the kids grow up and fly the nest? How do you figure out what’s next for you? Turns out, this chapter is bursting with potential for reinvention and self-discovery—but it often starts with the daunting question: "Who am I now?" Jodi Silverman, empty nest advocate and founder of the Moms Who Dare community, joins us to peel back the layers of identity beyond motherhood.

In this episode, Erin and Jodi dive into the exciting (and sometimes terrifying) journey of rediscovering yourself after your kids gain independence. They explore how to approach this transition with intention, curiosity, and a daring spirit. You'll hear about:

• Why embracing new experiences is key to building a fulfilling life beyond motherhood.
• How stepping outside your comfort zone—even when things don’t go as planned—helps refine what truly lights you up.
• The surprising power of starting with what you *don’t* want to get clarity on your next steps.
• The magic that happens when Moms put their fulfillment first—because when you thrive, so do your kids.
• Why maintaining your own interests shows your children that self-care and ambition matter at every stage of life.
• How making decisions based on how you want to feel can be the best guide to your next adventure.
• The power of reframing loneliness as an opportunity—to create new routines, deepen connections, and embrace this new season with excitement.

OUR GUEST: Jodi Silverman is a coach and advocate for women in the empty nest phase, helping them reclaim their identities and build fulfilling lives beyond motherhood. Through The Moms Who Dare® community and her DARE Method, she empowers midlife women to embrace change, rediscover their passions, and step into this new chapter with confidence.

Do you ever feel like you're doing all the emotional heavy lifting in your relationship? Constantly managing your partner’s feelings, smoothing over conflicts, and wondering why you're always the one trying to "fix" things? You might be over-functioning—taking on more than your fair share of responsibility and emotional labor.

In this episode, Erin sits down with psychotherapist Dr. Ashley Southard to unpack the unhealthy dynamic of over-functioning in relationships and how to break free. Tune in as they discuss what a real, emotionally mature partner looks like (yes, they do exist!), why rupture and repair are essential for healthy relationships, and why it’s time to stop analyzing your partner’s issues and start focusing on your needs. Here’s what’s on the table:

• Why women are often conditioned to overfunction in relationships.
• How over-functioning leads to loneliness, frustration, and resentment—and keeps you stuck in a cycle.
• The impact gender roles and cultural norms have on relationship dynamics, and how they often leave women to pick up the emotional labor.
• Ignoring your intuition has consequences—don’t wait for a crisis to force change, pay attention to the small signals before reaching a breaking point.
• Why shifting your focus inward and prioritizing yourself is the antidote to over-functioning.
• How to recognize the signs of an emotionally mature, engaged, and healthy partner.

OUR GUEST: Dr. Ashley Southard is a psychotherapist in Scottsdale, AZ, specializing in helping over-functioning women in unfulfilling relationships. With 20+ years of experience treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues, she creates a safe space for women to realize they’re not ‘crazy’ or ‘broken’—they’re powerful and capable of becoming their best selves. Dr. Ashley also shares life-changing insights on Instagram, guiding women to reclaim their power and heal together in community.

“Is it hot or is it just me?”

It’s a question many women find themselves asking as they navigate perimenopause and menopause—often without fully understanding what’s happening to their bodies. Despite affecting every woman, perimenopause remains widely misunderstood, rarely discussed, and frequently misdiagnosed. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome menopause advocate Carin Luna-Ostaseski, founder of Hot Or Just Me, a resource and community dedicated to helping women navigate this life stage with curated wellness solutions and tailored products that actually address perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

Join Erin and Carin as they unpack the misunderstood and often-overlooked experience of perimenopause—and why, despite its challenges, this phase of life can be one of the most transformative and empowering. We discuss:

• Carin’s journey from creative director to whiskey entrepreneur to menopause advocate—proof that reinvention is possible at any age
• Unpacking perimenopause, its symptoms and why its underdiagnosed by medical professionals (Visit menopause.org to access a list of certified practitioners specializing in perimenopause and menopause)
• How increasing your libido can positively impact your experience of perimenopause
• Defining Andropause–or menopause for men– how to navigate conversations about hormonal changes with your partner
• How menopause can be a catalyst for career shifts, self-discovery, and owning your next chapter
• Practical solutions and must-try products to ease perimenopause and menopause symptoms
• The power of community in normalizing conversations around aging, menopause, and beyond

OUR GUEST: Carin Luna-Ostaseski is the founder of Hot or Just Me?, an online resource and shop dedicated to empowering women through perimenopause and menopause with trusted products, expert advice, and a supportive community. Her personal struggle with symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and insomnia inspired her mission to find solutions. A serial entrepreneur, Carin made history as the first American woman and Hispanic person to create a Scotch whisky, SIA Scotch Whisky, which gained recognition through a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. She also founded the Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund, providing over $350,000 in grants to underserved entrepreneurs.