What if grief isn’t something you “get over” — but something you learn to carry?

In this deeply honest and compassionate roundtable conversation, HER+ Experts explore the messy, non-linear reality of grief and why the pressure to “move on” can actually deepen suffering. Together, they unpack the harmful myths surrounding grief timelines, the emotional weight of judgment from others, and the unexpected ways loss can resurface years — even decades — later.

From maternal grief and infertility to losing loved ones and navigating trauma, this conversation validates the many forms grief can take and reminds listeners that healing is not about erasing pain. It’s about learning how to live alongside it with compassion, support, and meaning.

The panel also discusses why the traditional stages of grief often fall short, how grief and trauma can live in the body, and why protecting your story and emotional well-being matters during the healing process.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you should be “further along” in your healing journey, this episode offers reassurance, validation, and a powerful reminder: grief does not follow a timeline.

In this episode listeners will learn:

• Why grief is often non-linear and can resurface unexpectedly over time

• How trauma and grief can live in the body and impact emotional healing

• Practical ways to navigate grief with more self-compassion, meaning, and support

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

Featured HER+ Experts:

• Sarah Szymanowski, licensed clinical mental health counselor associate and a music therapist - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/sarah-szymanowski-lcmhca-ncc-mt-bc/

• Kelly Smedley, board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/waypoint-counseling-maternal-wellness/

• Katherine Rose, Integrative Health Practitioner, Personal Trainer - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/katherine-rose-2/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278

Reproductive loss is often spoken about in hushed tones—if it’s spoken about at all. But for many mothers, this kind of loss is not only grief…it’s trauma, too.

In this powerful roundtable conversation, HER+ Experts come together to unpack the deeply layered experience of reproductive loss and why it’s essential to view it through both a grief and trauma-informed lens. From the physical realities that can follow loss—like lactating without a baby—to the emotional weight of navigating a world that often doesn’t know how to respond, this episode brings honesty, compassion, and validation to a topic that deserves more space.

Together, the conversation explores the concept of secondary trauma, the harm of comparative grief, and the profound importance of acknowledging every loss—no matter how or when it occurs. You’ll also hear what truly helps grieving mothers, from practical acts of care to the simple, powerful act of remembering and speaking a child’s name.

This is a conversation about showing up, sitting in the uncomfortable, and creating a culture where mothers feel seen, supported, and never alone in their grief.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why reproductive loss is both a grief experience and a trauma response—and why that distinction matters

• How “comparative grief” can unintentionally invalidate loss, and what it looks like to truly honor all experiences

• Meaningful, practical ways to support a grieving mother—both in the immediate aftermath and long after others have moved on

This episode gently invites us all to rethink how we understand loss, and how we show up for those living through it.

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

Featured HER+ Experts:

• Sarah Szymanowski, licensed clinical mental health counselor associate and a music therapist - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/sarah-szymanowski-lcmhca-ncc-mt-bc/

• Kelly Smedley, board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/waypoint-counseling-maternal-wellness/

• Katherine Rose, Integrative Health Practitioner, Personal Trainer - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/katherine-rose-2/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278

When we think of grief, we often picture something visible, something others can easily recognize. But maternal grief doesn’t always look that way.

In this honest and deeply human roundtable conversation, HER+ Experts unpack the many forms of maternal grief—especially the ones that often go unseen, unspoken, or even dismissed. From miscarriage and stillbirth to infertility, identity shifts, and the bittersweet ache of watching children grow, this episode creates space for the full spectrum of what it means to grieve as a mother.

Together, we explore how societal expectations, internal judgment, and even well-meaning comments can unintentionally silence grief and deepen isolation. This conversation also sheds light on the physical and emotional toll grief can take on the body, and why unprocessed loss doesn’t just disappear, it shows up in ways we might not expect.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder: there is no “right” way to grieve. Every experience is valid, and every story deserves to be acknowledged.

If you’ve ever felt like your grief didn’t count…this conversation is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize both visible and “disenfranchised” forms of maternal grief

• Why societal expectations and common responses can unintentionally deepen a mother’s pain

• The connection between grief, trauma, and the physical body—and why processing emotions matters

This is one of those conversations that gives language to what so many mothers feel but don’t always have the words to express.

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

Featured HER+ Experts:

• Sarah Szymanowski, licensed clinical mental health counselor associate and a music therapist - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/sarah-szymanowski-lcmhca-ncc-mt-bc/

• Kelly Smedley, board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/waypoint-counseling-maternal-wellness/

• Katherine Rose, Integrative Health Practitioner, Personal Trainer - https://herhealthcollective.com/listing/katherine-rose-2/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278

We’re wrapping up our Skin Roundtable Series with a conversation you don’t want to miss. In this final episode, our HER+ expert providers take on the skincare tools and trends that seem to be everywhere—Gua Sha, red light therapy, microcurrent, face yoga, fascia release, and more.

Are these tools truly effective… or are they just well-marketed promises?

In this honest and informative discussion, our experts break down what these popular modalities can (and can’t) do, and why more isn’t always better when it comes to your skin. From the importance of lymphatic movement to the risks of at-home devices, this episode highlights the value of professional guidance and personalized care.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by skincare trends or wondered if you’re doing too much (or the wrong things), this conversation will help you simplify your routine and refocus on what actually supports healthy skin.

This is the final episode in our Skin Roundtable Series—be sure to go back and listen to the previous episodes for a more complete, well-rounded understanding of skin health.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Which popular skincare tools are worth exploring—and which may cause more harm than good

• Why professional guidance matters when it comes to advanced skincare treatments

• How simplifying your routine and focusing on lifestyle factors like sleep and stress can have the biggest impact on your skin

Because sometimes, the best thing you can do for your skin… is less.

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

HER+ Experts in this episode:

• Dr. Maryam Haque, Board Certified Dermatologist, https://www.oakcitydermatology.com/

• Dr. Abby DeVries, Family Medicine Doctor - https://www.sabiahealthnc.com/

• Kate Layman, Certified Nurse Midwife - https://motherlovewellness.com/

• Dr. Farzaneh Rezaei, Microbial Formulation Scientist - https://fafabiotic.com/

• Tiffaney Webb, Licensed Esthetician | Holistic Skin & Wellness Specialist - www.stillnessandskin.com

• Stephanie Opper, Licensed Esthetician - https://myskinsationalesthetics.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278

The skincare world is loud, promising glowing skin, fewer wrinkles, and flawless complexions with long, expensive routines. But for busy moms, it raises a bigger question: what actually works and what’s just really good marketing?

In this eye-opening roundtable, HER+ experts break down the truth behind today’s skincare industry. From influencer trends to multi-step routines, they unpack why so many products fall short and how to cut through the noise with confidence.

Grounded in science and real-life practicality, this conversation focuses on the ingredients and treatments that actually have strong evidence behind them like retinol, vitamin C, mineral sunscreen, and barrier-supporting ingredients, while also highlighting what you can safely ignore. You’ll also hear why constantly switching products can do more harm than good, how your skin microbiome plays a critical role in skin health, and why a simpler, more personalized approach often leads to better results.

If you’re tired of guessing, overspending, or feeling like you’re doing skincare “wrong,” this episode will help you refocus on what truly matters for your skin and your season of life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The most evidence-based skincare ingredients dermatologists actually recommend

• What’s worth investing in and what’s likely just smart marketing

• Why simplifying your routine can improve your skin (and reduce overwhelm)**

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

HER+ Experts in this episode:

• Dr. Maryam Haque, Board Certified Dermatologist, https://www.oakcitydermatology.com/

• Dr. Abby DeVries, Family Medicine Doctor - https://www.sabiahealthnc.com/

• Kate Layman, Certified Nurse Midwife - https://motherlovewellness.com/

• Dr. Farzaneh Rezaei, Microbial Formulation Scientist - https://fafabiotic.com/

• Tiffaney Webb, Licensed Esthetician | Holistic Skin & Wellness Specialist - www.stillnessandskin.com

• Stephanie Opper, Licensed Esthetician - https://myskinsationalesthetics.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

We hear it all the time—“get more sleep” and “stress less”—but how do stress and sleep actually impact your skin? And what’s really happening inside your body to cause those changes?

In this expert roundtable from Mama Needs a Moment, we take a deeper look at the biology behind the breakouts, dullness, sensitivity, and accelerated aging so many moms experience. Because it’s not just about skincare—it’s about what’s happening beneath the surface.

This conversation connects the dots between your daily reality as a mom and the changes you’re seeing in the mirror—helping you understand why your skin is responding the way it is.

And while the science is powerful, the solutions don’t have to be overwhelming. The experts also share simple, supportive practices to help regulate your nervous system, improve sleep quality, and care for your skin in a more holistic, realistic way.

Because when you understand what your body is going through, you can stop guessing—and start supporting your skin with intention.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What’s actually happening inside your body when your skin changes — including how stress hormones like cortisol and lack of sleep trigger inflammation, break down collagen, and disrupt your skin barrier

• Why motherhood (especially perimenopause) can amplify skin issues — and how the combination of hormones, stress, and sleep deprivation creates a perfect storm for breakouts, sensitivity, and premature aging

• Simple, realistic ways to support your skin from within — including nervous system regulation, better sleep habits, and small daily practices that can improve both your skin health and overall well-being

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

HER+ Experts:

• Dr. Maryam Haque, Board Certified Dermatologist, https://www.oakcitydermatology.com/

• Dr. Abby DeVries, Family Medicine Doctor - https://www.sabiahealthnc.com/

• Kate Layman, Certified Nurse Midwife - https://motherlovewellness.com/

• Dr. Farzaneh Rezaei, Microbial Formulation Scientist - https://fafabiotic.com/

• Tiffaney Webb, Licensed Esthetician | Holistic Skin & Wellness Specialist - www.stillnessandskin.com

• Stephanie Opper, Licensed Esthetician - https://myskinsationalesthetics.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

What if your skin isn’t just reacting—but trying to tell you something?

In this roundtable episode of Mama Needs a Moment, our HER+ Provider Directory experts unpack how the **skin microbiome—your skin’s living ecosystem—**changes through pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. With hormones shifting, sleep disrupted, and stress running high, your skin is constantly adapting… and sometimes struggling to keep up.

We explore how these changes can show up as dryness, acne, sensitivity, or accelerated aging—and why your skin may suddenly feel unfamiliar. You’ll also hear how to tell the difference between what’s normal in motherhood and what’s worth a closer look, plus why building a supportive care team (including dermatology and esthetic support) matters.

This conversation is your reminder: your skin isn’t failing you—it’s signaling. And you deserve to understand what it’s saying.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the skin microbiome shifts during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause—and why it matters

• What’s considered “normal” skin changes vs. signs it’s time to seek professional support

• How to advocate for your skin health and build the right care team for long-term support

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER Health Collective community.

HER+ Experts:

• Dr. Maryam Haque, Board Certified Dermatologist, https://www.oakcitydermatology.com/

• Dr. Abby DeVries, Family Medicine Doctor - https://www.sabiahealthnc.com/

• Kate Layman, Certified Nurse Midwife - https://motherlovewellness.com/

• Dr. Farzaneh Rezaei, Microbial Formulation Scientist - https://fafabiotic.com/

• Tiffaney Webb, Licensed Esthetician | Holistic Skin & Wellness Specialist - www.stillnessandskin.com

• Stephanie Opper, Licensed Esthetician - https://myskinsationalesthetics.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “What is happening to my skin?!”—this episode is for you.

In this roundtable conversation, we’re joined by a group of HER+ health experts to unpack one of the most common (and confusing) experiences of motherhood: changing skin. From pregnancy through postpartum and into perimenopause, your skin is constantly responding to shifts in hormones, stress, sleep, and overall health—and it can show up as melasma, breakouts, dryness, or new sensitivities you’ve never dealt with before.

We’re getting real about what’s actually going on beneath the surface—and why so many moms feel like their skincare routine suddenly stops working.

Inside this episode, we talk about:

• Why pregnancy can trigger acne, oiliness, and pigmentation

• What’s behind stubborn melasma that lingers long after postpartum

• How perimenopause and hormone shifts impact collagen, elasticity, and breakouts

• The role of stress and sleep (or lack of it) on your skin

• Why SPF isn’t optional—and how to find one you’ll actually wear daily

• The connection between your skin microbiome and overall skin health

You’ll walk away with a better understanding of your skin and simple, expert-backed ways to support it—without overcomplicating your routine.

Because your skin isn’t “failing you”—it’s responding to everything your body is navigating in this season.

👉 And if you’ve been curious about the deeper “why” behind your skin changes, don’t miss our next episode where we take a closer look at the skin microbiome and when it’s time to dig deeper into concerning changes.

HER+ Experts:

• Dr. Maryam Haque, Board Certified Dermatologist, https://www.oakcitydermatology.com/

• Dr. Abby DeVries, Family Medicine Doctor - https://www.sabiahealthnc.com/

• Kate Layman, Certified Nurse Midwife - https://motherlovewellness.com/

• Dr. Farzaneh Rezaei, Microbial Formulation Scientist - https://fafabiotic.com/

• Tiffaney Webb, Licensed Esthetician | Holistic Skin & Wellness Specialist - www.stillnessandskin.com

• Stephanie Opper, Licensed Esthetician - https://myskinsationalesthetics.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.