disruptHER

Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and author of the national bestseller "High Functioning." She runs Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, chairs the Women in Medicine Initiative at Columbia, and has worked on about 130 clinical trials, including the first peer-reviewed study on high-functioning depression. She is also one of the most followed psychiatrists in the world, known for making mental health science approachable without watering it down. In today's episode, Judith joins me to talk about the women medicine has overlooked: the ones who show up to everything, take care of everyone, and look completely fine while feeling nothing inside. She opens up about her own experience with high-functioning depression during 2020, and how naming it publicly sparked a global conversation. We dive into anhedonia, the loss of joy, pleasure, and interest that so many high achievers push through without realizing what it is. Judith also explains why our brains are wired to focus on the negative, and why simply acknowledging what you're going through can be therapeutic on its own. Judith breaks down her 5 V's framework (validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision) and shares which one to start with first. She also explains how to map your own "joy fingerprint" using the biopsychosocial model, and why joy is the missing link in today's longevity and optimization culture. Our conversation also covers the mental health side of perimenopause and menopause, brain fog, sleep, the research gaps we still need funded, and why mind and body care can't stay siloed. Judith also shares three simple steps to take before your next doctor's appointment so you don't walk out dismissed. Join us today as we discuss high-functioning depression, anhedonia, joy as a longevity tool, the mind-body connection, menopause and mental health, self-advocacy in healthcare, doctors on social media, and why looking fine and being fine are not the same thing. Dr. Judith Joseph's Links: https://www.instagram.com/drjudithjoseph/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjudithjosephmdmba/ https://www.tiktok.com/@drjudithjoseph https://drjudithjoseph.com/ Dr. Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.instagram.com/dr.somijavaid/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid/ https://www.tiktok.com/@somijavaid https://www.drsomi.com/

Dr. Jennifer Reid is a psychiatrist, women’s behavioral health expert, speaker, and author of “Guilt-Free: Reclaiming Your Life From Unreasonable Expectations”. She has worked with high-achieving women struggling with burnout and perfectionism, helping them break free from unrealistic expectations and create healthier, more fulfilling lives. In today’s episode, Jennifer joins me to unpack why so many successful women experience chronic guilt and constantly feel like they’re failing, even when they’re succeeding professionally, raising families, and accomplishing incredible things. We dive into the emotional weight women carry as caregivers, professionals, and mothers, and why burnout has become normalized. Jennifer also explains why many women end up neglecting their own health and emotional wellbeing while trying to solve other people’s problems. Jennifer shares the four major categories of expectations that drive guilt and burnout in women. We also discuss physical burnout, maternal guilt, postpartum mental health, and the emotional chaos many women experience during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer also explains why most women’s self-care practices are ineffective, and she shares how to use her therapeutic SPEAK framework to recognize unrealistic expectations, practice self-compassion, reframe negative thoughts, and reconnect with lives that actually align with their values. Join us today as we dive into female burnout, people-pleasing, motherhood, self-compassion, physician wellness, perimenopause, healing beyond traditional medicine, and how women can finally release unreasonable guilt and reclaim their lives. Dr. Jennifer Reid’s Links: https://www.instagram.com/jenreidmd/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-reid-m-d-59146893/ https://amindofherown.substack.com/ https://www.jenniferreidmd.com/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/

Dr. Holly Richmond is a prominent somatic psychotherapist, certified sex therapist, speaker, author, and Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, where she helps train the next generation of sex therapists. She specializes in trauma recovery, relationships, sexuality, nervous system regulation, and has spent nearly two decades helping people reconnect with their bodies and pleasure. In today’s episode, Holly joins me to discuss the connection between trauma, burnout, stress, sexuality, and nervous system health. She explains why so many women feel disconnected from themselves, their desire, and their pleasure. We dive into the hidden effects of chronic stress, pushing yourself too hard, and the factors that cause the body to forcibly shut down. Holly explains somatic psychology and why traditional talk therapy is sometimes not enough for healing trauma. She breaks down how the mind and nervous system respond to stress, how trauma impacts sexuality and intimacy, and the most common periods when women often lose sexual desire. Our conversation also covers female pleasure, orgasm, sexual shame, and the unrealistic expectations many women develop around sex and relationships. Holly shares how women can reconnect with their bodies, understand their own sexual template, and create healthier sex lives. Join us today as we discuss the connection between trauma, burnout, and sexual desire, nervous system regulation, individual therapy versus couples therapy, rebuilding intimacy, listening to your body, and creating more fulfilling intimacy. Dr. Holly Richmond’s Links: https://www.instagram.com/drhollyrichmond/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-richmond-phd-71a86233/ https://www.facebook.com/DrHollyRichmond/ https://twitter.com/DrHollyRichmond Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Shannon Cohn is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, attorney, and endometriosis advocate. She is the creator of the groundbreaking documentaries "Endo What?" and "Below the Belt," which have helped transform public awareness, influence medical education, and drive policy reform in women's health. In today's episode, Shannon joins me to share her remarkable journey to becoming one of the leading voices exposing the hidden systems that fail women with endometriosis. Shannon opens up about her own 13-year journey to diagnosis and how she realized that her experience wasn't unique, but part of a much larger systemic problem affecting millions of women. We dive into the reality of medical gaslighting, and the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis. We also explore how storytelling has influenced policymakers, medical schools, and healthcare providers, while advocating for increased research funding, better physician education, and improved insurance coverage for endometriosis care. Shannon reveals why painful periods should never be considered normal, the challenges surrounding reimbursement for excision surgery, and the future of endometriosis diagnostics. Join us today as we discuss medical gaslighting, diagnostic delays, healthcare advocacy, documentary filmmaking as a tool for change, improving medical education, advancing women's health policy, empowering patients to advocate for themselves, and much more. Shannon Cohn's Links: https://www.instagram.com/shancohn/ https://www.instagram.com/endowhat/ https://endowhat.com/ Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Dr. Jennifer Wagner, MD, is a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist who has become a women's health and performance expert at Canyon Ranch. After working with elite performers, including Olympians, Special Operations teams, and high-performing executives, she now focuses on helping midlife women optimize their health, performance, and longevity. In today's episode, Jennifer joins me to discuss why so many women feel invisible in today's healthcare system and what needs to change. She shares her journey to building innovative wellness programs designed specifically for women navigating midlife. We dive into the challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer also shares why so many women leave their doctor's appointments without answers and explains the importance of evidence-based education, collaboration, and community in improving women's healthcare. Jennifer explains the five core habits that serve as the foundation of long-term health and performance. She also shares why women need to stop viewing food and exercise through the lens of weight loss and how to develop a mindset around food that helps them build strength, prevent disease, and live healthier for longer. Our conversation also covers physician burnout, why many women are leaving traditional medicine, cardiovascular disease, bone health, and what an ideal healthcare team for midlife women should look like. Join us today as we discuss women's midlife care, menopause, burnout, longevity, preventive medicine, redefining midlife, why women feel invisible in today's healthcare system, and how women can take control of their health with confidence. Dr. Jennifer Wagner's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wagner-65609a210 Dr Somi Javaid's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid https://www.drsomi.com/ Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com