On this episode of Responding to Life, we will be exploring the transformative power of personal growth and resilience with a truly inspiring guest, Maria Suarez. In this episode, Maria will take us on her remarkable journey from a life of excess to one of profound self-discovery and wellness. Maria's story is one of evolution, from her days as a self-described party girl to her transformation into a sober being. Through introspection and courage, she learned the importance of "unbecoming" and "unraveling" in order to rebuild her life on a new foundation of health and authenticity. At the heart of Maria's journey are her pillar system, Carol's Pillars, which encompass yoga, breathwork, meditation, walking, journaling, and cannabis therapy. These pillars have become essential tools in her ongoing quest for self-improvement and well-being. Maria shares her insights on navigating the path to sobriety, cultivating a daily practice of self-care, and embracing the power of saying "YES" to a better version of oneself. Get ready to be inspired by Maria's journey of transformation and resilience on this episode. On this episode, you’ll hear from Maria about: Her path to sobriety and rebuilding a new foundation Pillar system, Carols Pillar's, which help create a healthier and more intentional life How to choose oneself and living a better life is a powerful and inspiring decision Ways to connect with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/coachbycarol

Jess Koehler is a Los Angeles based maternity and family photographer whose passion for storytelling is woven into every frame she captures. With a degree in Advertising Photography from RIT, Jess brings a wealth of technical expertise to her craft. But what truly sets her apart is her keen attention to detail and her deep understanding of production. These qualities, combined with her role as a mother of two, infuse her work with a uniquely authentic perspective. In this episode we explore Jess's journey behind the camera, from her beginnings at RIT to her thriving career in Los Angeles. Discover how her experiences as a mother shape her approach to capturing the magic of family moments. Get ready to be inspired as we uncover the heart and soul behind Jess Koehler's extensive body of work. In this episode, you'll hear from Jess about: The importance of including mothers in family photos How to be mindful of the number of photos you take How to focus on capturing meaningful moments Self-portraits and family portraits can document personal growth and evolution Tips to prune your camera roll regularly Ways to connect with Jess: jesskoehler.comIG @jesskoehlerphoto Jess Koehler is offering a special discount for listeners of this episode! First-time families can receive $100 off the session fee when booking a full session with Jess. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with her to capture authentic and memorable moments. If you're not local to the Los Angeles area, be sure to follow Jess on Instagram @jesskoehlerphoto for more photography tips and inspiration.

Elizabeth Boykewich is a seasoned Professional Life and Leadership Coach, dynamic speaker, and a driving force in the entertainment industry. With an impressive 28-year career in entertainment, Elizabeth is celebrated for her keen eye in identifying and nurturing new TV and film stars. However, her journey doesn't stop there. Elizabeth has seamlessly transitioned from the fast-paced world of entertainment to become a beacon of inspiration in the coaching realm. As a Life and Leadership Coach, Elizabeth wears many hats. From working with individuals to leading groups and facilitating teams within organizations, she brings a unique blend of insights from her entertainment background and her dedication to helping people shine. Her purpose is succinct and powerful: "giving people a platform to shine." In this episode, you'll hear from Elizabeth about: How mindfulness and meditation can help individuals respond to life with intention How shifting from a victim mindset to an ownership mindset empowers individuals to take control of their lives Feeding our lives with self-care and self-reflection How applying mindfulness in everyday life allows us to respond to challenges with grace and compassion Ways to connect with Elizabeth: https://theeb.coIG @the.eb.co On Elizabeth's website is a contact to book a free discovery session. We will slow down and get curious.

Maxine L. Johnson is not just an author, co-author, and life coach – she is a transformation specialist and expert speaker, dedicated to guiding women towards taking their lives to the next level. CEO and Founder of WIFE Boss Academy, Maxine shares her experiences and insights on parenting adult children, raising a blended family, and finding balance as a busy woman. In this episode, we'll hear from Maxine on the importance of allowing adult children to make mistakes and learn from them, while also providing guidance and support. Maxine also discusses the challenges of parenting from afar and the need for open communication and transparency. She offers tips for navigating blended family dynamics and stresses the importance of being on the same page with your spouse. Maxine also shares strategies for self-care and finding purpose in life, as well as her work in empowering women through her book and Wife Boss Academy.   In this episode, you'll hear from Maxine about: Parenting adult children  How to navigate blended family dynamics Prioritizing self-care and the importance of being intentional about taking care of yourself Explore your skills and passions to find your purpose in life Build a supportive community of women who can inspire and empower each other Ways to connect with Maxine: facebook.com/maxineljohnsoninstagram.com/maxineljohnson Receive a free gift by visiting: maxinefreegift.com

Jennifer Jolorte Doro, co-founder of Chiyo, discusses her background growing up in Southern California to Filipino parents and how her cultural roots influence her approach to nutrition and wellness. She explains how Chiyo uses Eastern food therapy to transform how they nourish mothers in America, focusing on stage and symptom-specific nutritional guidance. Jennifer shares the comprehensive and holistic approach of Chiyo, which combines her expertise as a clinical nutritionist, postpartum chef, certified birth doula, and lactation counselor. Jennifer was profiled by Bon Appétit as “The Chef Making Nutrition More Delicious and Diverse” and was quoted in the New York Times on “How Food Traditions Nourish New Moms and the Parents Turning to Old Customs for Postpartum Recovery.” In this episode, you'll hear from Jennifer about: Using Eastern food therapy to nourish mothersChiyo and its programsHow to support women through fertility, pregnancy and postpartum Ways to connect with Jennifer: @wearechiyohttps://wearechiyo.com/

In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week, we're releasing a special episode that is designed to offer valuable insights and expert advice for those navigating the challenging journey of infertility. From understanding hormone imbalances to exploring assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy, the goal of this episode is to equip listeners with the tools and support needed to navigate their unique fertility journeys. Joining us in this compilation episode are four distinguished guests bringing their expertise and insight to the conversation: Dr. Brian Levine (@nodalhealth) will be discussing the intricate process of surrogacy (00:01:52-00:11:19).Dr. Elizabeth Grill (resolveorg) will be sharing valuable resources available for individuals and couples experiencing infertility, offering guidance and support along the way (00:11:20-00:15:57).Alease Daniel Barnes (@alease_the_embryologist) will take us behind the scenes of the lab during infertility treatments (00:15:58-00:23:50).Dr. Kela Smith (@kela_healthcoach) will delve into the complexities of hormones offering insights and strategies for understanding and managing hormone imbalances(00:23:51-00:31:30). With their expertise and compassion, our guests aim to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the challenges and possibilities on the path to parenthood. So whether you're just beginning your fertility journey or seeking support along the way, this episode is for you.

Dr. Hoehn is a dedicated Los Angeles Fertility Acupuncturist who has been transforming lives through her unwavering commitment to women's wellness and fertility. As a board-certified acupuncturist, Dr. Hoehn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the podcast, specializing in the intricate realm of fertility acupuncture. Her practice, based in Toluca Lake, reflects a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese medicine and modern fertility techniques. With a remarkable track record of success, Dr. Hoehn is not only a skilled practitioner, but also a compassionate guide for individuals and couples navigating the often complex and emotional journey towards parenthood. Her approach goes beyond the clinical, embodying a commitment to personalized care and holistic well-being. In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Hoehn about: A better understanding of acupunctureThe profound impact of acupuncture on fertility and general wellnessInvaluable insights on supporting women through their fertility journeys Ways to connect with Dr. Hoehn: www.mightyriverwellness.comwww.drbeckhoehn.comhttps://www.facebook.com/drhoehn/https://www.instagram.com/drbeckhoehn/ You can also check out https://www.drbeckhoehn.com/getpregnantguide

Misha Blaise is an international best-selling author-illustrator whose books have been published in dozens of countries around the world. Her educational background was in the study of religions and conflict resolution, and did arts-based conflict-resolution curriculum in public schools for many years before devoting herself full time to art and graphic design. After designing wall art for global brands, she shifted into making books for kids and adults. She is known for her uplifting content that helps people look at the world in a new way.  On this episode, Misha and I will be discussing her latest book, “Breathe Deep: An Illustrated Guide to the Transformative Power of Breathing.” In this episode, you’ll hear from Misha about: The inspiration for her bookThe power of the breathTechniques for better breathingHow to practice mindfulness and pleasure in everyday life Ways to connect with Misha: www.mishablaise.com Instagram: @mishablaise

Amira Alvarez is the founder and CEO of The Unstoppable Woman, a business coaching and training company that equips ambitious, driven, high-performing female entrepreneurs to tap into their feminine energy to create a more fulfilled and satisfying life and business. As someone who has made a quantum leap (going from barely making 6-figures to making $700k in one year, then onto 7-figures) and has lived to tell about it, she knows exactly what inner and outer game strategies are required to get out of your own way, live life on your own terms, and master the art of achieving any goal you set your mind to. Amira is proud to have helped thousands of women confidently break free of limitations and be unstoppable in pursuit of a life they are elated to live. When she's not helping others, she's continuing to say "yes" to her own growth and stays 100% committed to being unstoppable in her own life and business. In this episode, you’ll hear from Amira about: Feminine vs masculine energy and how to use it in life and business Ways to break free from limitations Recognizing stress in high achievers and coping strategies for stress How Amira says yes to growth Ways to connect with Amira: https://unstoppablewoman.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theunstoppablewomanpage https://www.instagram.com/theunstoppablewoman/ https://www.instagram.com/alvarezamira https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-unstoppable-woman/

We're kicking off the first episode of the new year with Sonali Perera Bridges, an award-winning, dynamic, innovative leader with over 20 years of progressive experience in a wide breadth of educational settings. A lifelong mentor and advocate - particularly for young women - she is the driving force behind the conception of Shero’s Rise and a mother of two vibrant young girls.   Sonali has spent the majority of her career focused on the development of young girls and their ability to reach their highest potential. She helped start the Women’s Leadership program at her alma mater, which grew to become a part of President Barack Obama’s National Honor Roll. In addition, she has served in a multitude of high-level leadership positions as well as on executive boards, at both the local and national level, to ensure equity and access to higher education.  In this episode, you'll hear from Sonali about: The origin and mission of Shero's Rise, an organization focused on empowering girls through self-discovery and the development of essential life skills The 12 pillars of Shero's Rise, which include self-esteem, empathy, courage, and gratitude The impact of the organization's programs, such as the Ignite the Force program and the recent Shero's Rise Summit How listeners can kick off 2024 by making a profound impact on the lives of young girls To make a donation: https://www.sherosrise.org/s/donate?language=en_US  Information on Shero’s Rise programming: https://www.sherosrise.org/s/programs?language=en_US  Apply to become a mentor: https://www.sherosrise.org/s/volunteer?language=en_US Connect on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sherosrise

On the newest episode of Responding to Life I am joined by Dr. Kumkum Sarkar Patel, a double-board certified gastroenterologist practicing at Providence St. Jude and Providence St. Joseph Heritage Medical Groups in Orange County, CA. Dr. Patel specializes in irritable bowel syndrome, esophageal, and anorectal disorders. Dr. Patel currently serves as a healthcare consultant and speaker for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. She also serves on the American College of Gastroenterology's Women in GI Committee to promote advancement for women in GI. Additionally, she is a passionate motivational speaker, and has spoken nationally about women's health, work-life balance, post-partum depression, burnout, and gut-health related to mental health. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her husband and sons, traveling, and singing a cappella. Dr. Patel‘s Instagram platform can be found on @dr.gut_motility. She uses this as an informational as well as an inspirational platform— to educate others on gastrointestinal diseases while inspiring them on lifestyle choices. In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Patel about: The link between gut health and mental health How to optimize what you're eating for overall wellness and to boost fertility The truth about probiotics How to be mindful about what you eat during the holiday season For more info, visit: www.kumkumpatelmd.com

On the newest episode of Responding to Life, I am joined by Linda Fruits, the content creator behind the relateable motherhood account @fruitsofmotherhood. Her mission in life is to normalize the sweet, bitter and bittersweet Fruits of Motherhood, with a side of humor. This year, Linda wrote, designed and illustrated her first book called, The Mom Life. Linda’s content on social media is bite sized, and her book is a full course dinner. Equal parts sass and inclusiveness, The Mom Life explores the highs and lows of new motherhood, tackling taboo subjects like losing interest in your partner, not immediately loving your baby, and imposter syndrome. Linda’s book will be a must-have for every new mother trying to maneuver the realities of daily life with small children. The Mom Life creates a safe space and a vital contrast to the deluge of information and picture-perfect parenthood accounts popping up across social media. Full of powerful and empowering advice for women. In addition, Linda hosts a new podcast called Fruits of Motherhood and now offers transformational motherhood life coaching. She helps moms make meaningful changes in their lives and overcome the guilt about doing so. As a coach, she’ll help you love the mother you already are and find the empowerment to move towards a more fulfilling life because taking care of you, is taking care of your children’s mommy. On this episode, you’ll hear from Linda about: Motherhood as a metamorphosis Unrealistic motherhood expectations and how to challenge them The hardest lesson she’s learned as a mother Burnout, owning our truth, and creating boundaries For more info, go to: fruitsofmotherhood.com

In recognition of October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, we're re-releasing a past episode where our guests discuss a very sensitive topic that may be triggering for some of you who are currently on your path to parenthood or are one of the 1 in 4 who has experienced pregnancy loss or miscarriage. Featured in this episode are the courageous stories of how to heal after experiencing loss. Samantha Busch @samanthabuschwww.samanthabusch.com Kim Hooper @kimhooperwriteskimhooperwrites.com Monica Bivas @monicabivaswww.monicabivas.com Tina Sugandh @TinaSugandhMomOnTopShop.com Kelsi Burley @myjourneywithivf Linny Stone @linnystone Josephine Atluri @josephineratluri

Dr. Kela Smith is a Holistic-Integrative Fertility and Hormone Doctor. She founded The Hormone Puzzle Society and the Fertility Coach University. The Hormone Puzzle Society is a health hub for fertility, hormones, and pregnancy. Through this platform, Dr. Kela and her team work with women/couples coaching them on how to optimize their body/mind/spirit so they can get and stay pregnant, bring home a healthy baby, have an easy postpartum, and eliminate symptoms of hormone imbalance. Fertility Coach University is an accredited and certified institute of higher learning for anyone wanting to become a fertility coach. With over 25 years of experience in integrative health, Dr. Kela has created seven online courses and published multiple books on fertility, hormones, pregnancy, and total body wellness. Some of her books include- The Complete Hormone Puzzle Cookbook, The Hormone Puzzle – Solving-Infertility Workbook, The Cycle Optimizing Scheduler, The Hormone Puzzle – Optimizing Pregnancy Guide and her newest cookbook, which came out in May 2023. Dr. Kela also hosts The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, Solving-Infertility Summit, and Healthy Happy Pregnancy Summit.  In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Kela about: 5 hacks to balance hormones fast How to tell if you have hormone imbalances What the Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E. is all about How to tell if your hormone balancing strategies are working Ways to connect with Dr. Kela: www.coachkela.com https://www.instagram.com/kela_healthcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/kelahealthcoach/ Grab your FREE Cycle Optimizing Quick-Start Guide and learn how to start incorporating cycle optimizing into your life and put your body into the optimal state of health. https://coachkela.com/responding-to-life/

As many of you may know, a big part of my path to parenthood involved many rounds of IVF cycles. Back then we really didn’t know much about what was happening with our embryos and just blindly trusted that the miracle workers in the lab of our reproductive center knew best. These days, we’re so lucky to have people like this episode's guest who is helping thousands of people learn about the ins and outs of their embryos.  Alease Daniel Barnes graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 with a degree in Genetics and a minor in Biotechnology. While at NCSU, she developed a passion for reproductive health, women’s health and comprehensive sex education, but wasn’t sure how that would translate into a career. Her degrees gave her great lab experience and she wanted to utilize that while also working with patients. Alease went into the field right after graduation and over the years, she realized just how little information there is on what actually goes on behind the scenes in the lab. She then decided to create her Instagram and Tiktok, and it’s grown into a great way to educate patients. Infertility is not an easy journey and she believes understanding what happens in the lab can help give patients peace of mind during their treatment. Her pages have now grown to over 170k followers and have been featured on Buzzfeed, Good Morning America, mom.com and more. In this episode, you’ll hear from Alease about: Embryo grading The embryo freezing process All about the PGTA testing What to ask about your reproductive endocrinologist and their lab Ways to connect with Alease: www.aleasetheembryologist@gmail.com Tiktok: @aleasetheembryologist Instagram: @alease_the_embryologist For more information on Josephine Atluri Mindful Coaching, LLC and the Responding to Life podcast, please visit www.jatluri.com. On the site, you can sign up for a monthly newsletter that comes with a free 30 day mindfulness plan, you can book private meditation sessions, general or fertility specific, as well as sign up for Josephine’s convenient online mindfulness workshops. For daily inspiration, please follow Josephine on Instagram @josephineratluri and @respondingtolifepodcast.

Victoria Facelli is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation consultant who just released a new book titled, FEED THE BABY: An Inclusive Guide to Nursing, Bottle-Feeding, and Everything in Between  Victoria is queer, Latinx, neurodivergent and raising a child with a disability. She wrote Feed the Baby to provide straightforward advice and evidence-based reasoning where bottle and breast are welcomed as equally valuable tools. Based on her years of experience in the field and as a lactation consultant who couldn't breastfeed, Facelli understands what families and babies need to thrive. She explains the science behind the various options, from how milks are made to how a newborn’s sucking and swallowing skills develop. There are dozens of nursing positions and paced bottle-feeding techniques, with suggested systems and methods for parents and partners, from those critical hours after birth through the early weeks and months to the first year. Feed the Baby includes: Detailed instruction on how to nurse, how to pump, how to formula feed – and, crucially, how to combine all of these tools, as almost all families ultimately will. The science behind breastmilk (a wonder of the human body) and formula (a wonder of human ingenuity). Accessible explanations of the ways a baby’s anatomy and posture in utero can affect their eating, and massage and therapeutic techniques to improve that posture. Links to 49 original instructional videos linked in the book via QR code, featuring a diverse array of infants and parents, and demonstrating feeding techniques from latching to hand-expression, to paced bottle feeding, to infant massage. 75 original illustrations featuring diverse families and useful techniques.  In this episode, you’ll hear from Victoria about: Victoria’s personal experience with breastfeeding Identifying expectations and goals as it relates to feeding your baby How to let go of expectations when it comes to feeding your baby How to prioritize one’s mental wellness postpartum How Victoria’s book, “Feed the baby” is different from other baby feeding books on the market and how it can help you Ways to connect with Victoria: www.victoriafacelli.com https://wwnorton.com/books/9781682686928 IG: @victoria.facelli.IBCLC For more information on Josephine Atluri Mindful Coaching, LLC and the Responding to Life podcast, please visit www.jatluri.com. On the site, you can sign up for a monthly newsletter that comes with a free 30 day mindfulness plan.  On the site you can book private meditation sessions, general or fertility specific as well as sign up for Josephine’s convenient online mindfulness workshops. For daily inspiration, please follow Josephine on Instagram @josephineratluri and @respondingtolifepodcast.

Audrey Wisch is the CEO and Co-Founder of Curious Cardinals, a global community where K-12 students discover and pursue their passions, build confidence, and unlock their greatest potential with the guidance of college mentors they aspire to be. Audrey started Curious Cardinals as an undergraduate at Stanford University; after teaching her first workshop on mass incarceration to high school students at the start of the pandemic, Audrey decided to mobilize her most ambitious peers at Stanford and beyond to join her in teaching the topics they were passionate about to K-12 students and serving as their near-peer mentors. Since then, Audrey has taken time off from Stanford to pursue Curious Cardinals full time, now a community of over 400 college mentors mentoring students around the world. The company has raised $6.8 million in seed funding led by Anthos Capital and Audacious Ventures, and has been featured on CNN and Bloomberg. Audrey was also recognized in the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 Education and Youngest category. In this episode, you’ll hear from Audrey about: How Curious Cardinals came to be How Curious Cardinals can support your children How to help your child if they don’t know their passion yet Ways to connect with Audrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-micay-wisch-39a95a1b2/ https://twitter.com/AudreyWisch CC founding story - my manifesto captures this: https://blog.curiouscardinals.com/the-pursuit-of-passion-a-manifesto For more information on Josephine Atluri Mindful Coaching, the Responding to Life podcast, and Josephine's mindfulness books, please visit www.jatluri.com. On the site, you can sign up for a monthly newsletter that comes with a free 30 day mindfulness plan. You can also book private meditation sessions, general or fertility specific, as well as sign up for Josephine’s latest online mindfulness workshops and retreats. For daily inspiration, please follow Josephine on Instagram @josephineratluri and @respondingtolifepodcast.

To kick off the new year, I want to show my gratitude to all of you for being part of my community. As a gesture of my gratitude, the newest Responding to Life episode is a special bonus edition featuring an intention setting meditation guided by me. In this episode, I will guide you through a meditation combining the elements of breathwork, visualization and intention setting. Tune in to: Learn what a visualization is and its benefitsLearn what an intention is and how to use itPut these two techniques together into a guided meditation starting at 00:00:50 I hope you enjoy this special edition episode and hope that it encourages you to take time for yourself and nourish your well being.   For more information on Josephine Atluri Meditation and the Responding to Life podcast, visit www.jatluri.com. To listen to this episode, click on the link in bio to listen on Apple, Spotify or my website (www.jatluri.com). I would love for you to share, rate and review this episode. Also, please be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode on wellness, fertility, and parenthood!

On the newest episode of Responding to Life, I am joined by Christina Rodriguez. Christina is a wife and mother of four. When Christina isn't working the Atlanta tech scene, she can be found sharing her love of storytelling as a content creator and blogger. Christina's own experience with PCOS, IVF, endometriosis, and adenomyosis has led her to devote a large portion of her time raising awareness of infertility and its many struggles. Tune in to hear us discuss: Christina's experience with PCOS and endometriosisLessons learned from her fertility journeyHow she empowers her daughters about their own health https://chrissyrodriguez.com/ IG: @christinanrodriguez To listen to this episode, click on the link in bio to listen on Apple, Spotify or my website (www.jatluri.com). I would love for you to share, rate and review this episode. Also, please be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode on wellness, fertility, and parenthood!

On the newest episode of Responding to Life (@respondingtolifepodcast), I am joined by Dr. Elizabeth Grill who is a clinical psychologist at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, and is Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, and Psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Grill is also a Board Member and Vice Chair of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association (@resolveorg). RESOLVE and First Response™ have teamed up to launch Fertile Friends, an initiative highlighting available support and resources for those experiencing infertility as well as tips for friends and family on how they can support those trying to conceive. Tune in to hear us discuss: Why is infertility and treatment considered a life crisisWhy do people TTC withdraw from family and friends and strategies that can be used to cope during this timeHow to be a "fertile friend" during the holiday seasonWays to support your mental health during the holidays while TTC https://www.firstresponse.resolve.org/ To listen to this episode, click on the link in bio to listen on Apple, Spotify or my website (www.jatluri.com). I would love for you to share, rate and review this episode. Also, please be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode on wellness, fertility, and parenthood!