Health Discovered

How does trauma shape identity, trust, and connection in relationships? In this episode, we spoke with Thema Bryant, PhD, author of Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love, to unpack how PTSD can show up in intimacy and everyday life through hypervigilance, shame, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, and the pathways to healing. From safe relationships and self-compassion to community and spirituality, we look at how recovery happens over time. This is a conversation about naming harm, rejecting shame, and making space for growth, hope, and wholeness on the other side of trauma. This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Some listeners may find this content difficult or triggering. Please take care while listening, and consider reaching out for support if needed. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Thema Bryant, PhD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perimenopause is the natural transition leading into menopause, marked by erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These unpredictable shifts can trigger emotional, cognitive, and physical changes – often years before menopause officially begins. We spoke with Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C, a licensed clinical psychologist, about the whole-body experience of perimenopause, including mood and memory changes, the structural and social factors that place some groups at higher risk, available hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle strategies that may help, and when – and how – to ask for support. Your symptoms matter, and you deserve informed, compassionate care. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miscarriage is common, yet many people feel unprepared when it happens. What are the different types of miscarriage, and what does follow-up care look like? We spoke with Lora Shahine, MD, double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and OB-GYN, about what to expect after a miscarriage, available care options, and the emotional aftermath, including the connection to postpartum depression. Dr. Shahine also explains the most common cause of miscarriage – genetic issues in the embryo – and why it is not caused by something a person did. Miscarriage is not your fault, and support matters. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Lora Shahine, MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss and can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body, causing patchy, partial, or complete hair loss. What are the different types of alopecia, and how are they diagnosed? We spoke with Carolyn Goh, MD, a dermatologist specializing in hair loss and scalp disorders, about common forms of alopecia, signs of pattern hair loss, what to expect after a diagnosis, available treatment options, and how to find support – because you’re not alone, and help is available. Additional resources: Scarring Alopecia Foundation (SAF)National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Carolyn Goh, MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever felt pressure to keep the peace and ended up saying “yes” when a big part of you wanted to say “no”? In this episode, we unpack people pleasing – and, at its extreme, fawning – an often misunderstood coping response rooted in survival. We’re joined by Lia Love Avellino, LCSW, director of head and heart at The Well, to explore how boundaries, emotional health, and lived experience intersect. Lia helps us recognize the physical cues that signal self-abandonment – like a tight chest, knotted stomach, or shaky voice – and offers tools to pause, check in with the body, and name what you truly need. Because boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re meeting places that make more honest, authentic connection possible. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Lia Love Avellino, LCSW Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of WebMD Health Discovered podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our Top 5 episodes of 2025 -- and how these powerful conversations came to life. We reflect on the moments that shaped the stories you heard and the questions that guided them. You’ll hear clips from some of our most groundbreaking episodes, spanning stillbirth and maternal care, cancer screenings, anorexia and recovery, evolving parenting dynamics, and the emerging science of xenotransplantation. This year, we released 52 high-value episodes of the podcast, each inspired by your feedback and the real challenges people face while navigating health care. While the podcast has been recognized with top industry honors, these episodes earned their place in our Top 5 for one reason above all others: their impact on you. Full episodes featured:Stillbirth and Maternal Care Gaps: Risks, Support, and AdvocacyThe Risks of Delaying Routine Cancer ScreeningsUnderstanding Anorexia: Signs, Support, and the Role of Hope in RecoveryRedefining Parenting Dynamics: Moving From Resentment to CollaborationExploring Xenotransplantation with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Inside the Future of Organ Transplants Credits Guests: Heather Florescue, MD, FACOG, OBGYN; Samantha Banerjee; Christopher Scuderi, DO; Kamryn Eddy, PhD; Lia Love Avellino, LCSW; Sanjay Gupta MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 1.5 million people in the United States are living with lupus, a chronic and often misunderstood autoimmune disease. What are the most common myths about lupus – and who does it really affect? We spoke with Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH, director of the Lupus Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, about early symptoms to watch for, potential environmental triggers, widespread misconceptions, and what patients can expect from their healthcare team when seeking diagnosis and care. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack each year – and the experience doesn’t end in the ER. Recovery is a long-term process. We spoke to Harmony R. Reynolds, MD, director of both the Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health and the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at NYU Langone Health, about the signs and symptoms to watch for, what healthy recovery can look like, how to support yourself or a loved one after a heart attack, and the key lifestyle changes that make a lasting difference. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Harmony R. Reynolds, MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraud targeting older adults is on the rise, with schemes designed to steal personal information, drain savings, or even jeopardize health through the sale of fake medical equipment. We spoke with Robert “Bob” Blancato, who serves as the National Coordinator of the bipartisan Elder Justice Coalition and is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Program, about the biggest red flags – from fake Medicare calls to deceptive billing – and why trusting your instincts, speaking up if something feels off, and staying connected to your community are key to staying safe. Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/.    Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Robert "Bob" Blancato Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 10% of U.S. children ages 5 to 15 experience migraine. For parents, figuring out what’s normal, what’s serious, and how to help can be overwhelming. We spoke with Sara Pavitt, MD, chief of the Headache Program at UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, to break it down. She explains how to recognize the signs and symptoms of migraine in kids, when to call a doctor, and how to manage them day to day – from improving sleep and hydration to using supplements and cognitive behavioral therapy. Your child doesn’t have to suffer. Learn how to navigate migraine with confidence. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Sara Pavitt, MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.