Hospital Birth, Self-Advocacy & Why "No Thanks" Is a Full Sentence with HeHe Stewart

This week, Nikki sits down with HeHe Stewart, a leading childbirth educator and doula based in Boston, Massachusetts, who has supported over 2,000 families in the last decade. HeHe is known for her fierce advocacy around informed consent, reducing unnecessary interventions, and ensuring patient autonomy—all while her husband works as a physician in the ER, giving her a unique insider perspective on the American hospital system. Together, they unpack the reality of hospital birth culture, why the system isn't designed to support laboring women, and how to advocate for yourself without apology. HeHe shares practical scripts for setting boundaries with providers, why hospital childbirth classes often teach compliance over options, and how to avoid the kind of birth trauma that ripples through your entire postpartum experience. Recorded when HeHe was 37 weeks pregnant with her first baby, this conversation is both deeply personal and powerfully educational. HeHe shares: Why the hospital system is designed for compliance, not support—and the only person happy in the equation is the system itself "You can't make a wrong choice if you don't know all your options"—powerful reframe for releasing mom guilt about past births Why hospital-sponsored childbirth classes teach you to be a "good compliant patient" instead of an informed decision-maker Practical advocacy scripts including "No thanks" as a full sentence and how to request a different provider mid-labor The ripple effect of birth trauma on mental health, parent-child bonding, and your entire family ecosystem Her own comprehensive birth planning approach: birth plan, C-section plan, transfer plan, and even an ICU plan Evidence-based practices vs. hospital policies: eating in labor, breaking waters, suspected big baby inductions, and more Why flexibility (not rigidity) is the key to avoiding compounded trauma in birth Ways to Connect with HeHe: Instagram | Web

This week, Nikki welcomes Tina, aka MamaNurseTina: a labor and delivery nurse, mom of four, content creator, and aspiring stand-up comedian who's on a mission to empower women through birth and postpartum. With years of experience in emergency and labor & delivery, Tina brings an insider's perspective on hospital birth culture, patient advocacy, and why "be kind but firm" might be the most important advice you'll hear. Together, they dive into the reality of cookie-cutter hospital births, why asking questions doesn't make you a difficult patient, and even tips on switching nurses if you're not vibing in the delivery room. Tina shares practical scripts for advocating in labour, why cervical exams aren't always necessary, and how proper prep work can transform your birth and postpartum experience. This is a fun one! Tina shares: The reality of "cookie-cutter" hospital births and why interventions become automatic You can switch nurses—here's the exact script for how to ask without being "difficult" "Need to know" vs. "nice to know" cervical exams and the two questions every provider should answer How to be "kind but firm" when advocating and why the BRAIN acronym helps with decisions Consent can be withdrawn at any moment—even mid-exam—and why this needs to be in training Why Black moms face unique challenges advocating (3x maternal mortality rate) and how tone matters The failure of breastfeeding support: we promote it but don't provide accessible lactation services or adequate maternity leave Why prep for postpartum and breastfeeding matters just as much as your birth plan Ways to Connect with Tina: Instagram: @mama_nurse_tina TikTok: @mama_nurse_tina Breastfeeding Course: bumptolatch.com

This week, Nikki welcomes Abbey Sharp, a registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience, award-winning cookbook author, podcaster, YouTuber, and the voice calling out nutrition BS across social media. Abbey specializes in helping people navigate the minefield of diet misinformation, wellness culture, and the return of toxic "skinny tok" online. Together, they discuss how diet culture has evolved from the heroin chic of the '90s to today's "wellness" rebrand, why under-eating actually causes bloating, the truth about Ozempic and muscle loss, and how to support your gut health without falling into restrictive patterns. Abbey shares her personal recovery from orthorexia and why she's dedicated her career to fighting the algorithms that trap young people in dangerous diet rabbit holes. Abbey shares: Her personal journey recovering from orthorexia and how it shaped her anti-diet approach Why "skinny talk" is making a dangerous comeback on social media—and what parents need to know The hidden truth: how undereating slows your digestion and creates the bloating you're trying to avoid The "migratory motor complex"—aka the witch's broom sweeping through your gut (and why constant snacking stops it) Ozempic reality check: why you still need protein and strength training to avoid muscle loss How wellness culture is just diet culture with "a new coat of lipstick" Protein myths debunked: how much you actually need and why fiber matters just as much The 13-year-old girls in her DMs eating 700 calories—and why she keeps fighting Practical gut health tips: straws, carbonation, meal timing, and what actually helps with bloat Why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition (and how to find what works for you) Ways to Connect with Abbey: Instagram: @abbeyskitchen YouTube: Abbey's Kitchen Podcast Website: abbeyskitchen.com Get Digest + Debloat: neuetheory.com/products/digest-debloat

This week, Nikki sits down with Dr. Jessica Zucker, a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, and the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Jessica is the author of the award-winning books NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives and I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Together, they unpack the silence surrounding pregnancy loss, the cultural conditioning that keeps women quiet about grief, and how empathy, not platitudes, creates true healing. Jessica shares her own 16-week loss, how it reshaped her work, and why storytelling is the antidote to shame. Dr. Jessica shares: Her personal story of a 16-week loss and why it “changed the course” of her life The problem with comparison (“no trauma wars”) and why your loss matters because it’s yours How the 12-week rule fuels silence and what healthier sharing can look like What not to say (“at least…”) and the simplest, best opener: “How are you doing?” Practical support ideas and how to have empathy vs. sympathy The silence → stigma → shame cycle—and how storytelling breaks it Self-compassion after loss, releasing self-blame, and the urge to “find the reason” A preview of her new book on dismantling stigma across every stage of women’s lives Ways to Connect with Dr. Jessica: Instagram Purchase her latest book: 📘 Normalize It – Amazon 📗 Normalize It – Bookshop.org Or find it wherever books are sold.

This week, Nikki sits down with Heather Ogden, Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, to explore what it means to rebuild strength, identity, and purpose after motherhood, injury, and change. At 44, Heather is still performing at the top of her craft — balancing artistry and athleticism while raising two children, recovering from back surgery and performing the lead Odette in Swan Lake at just 5 months postpartum. Together, Nikki and Heather dive into resilience, aging, body image, and the mindset it takes to keep showing up for your passion at every stage of life. Heather shares: How she returned to dance Swan Lake just five months postpartum The mindset of recovery under pressure Why aging as a performer has brought unexpected confidence and perspective How motherhood reshaped her relationship with her body Her advice to dancers — and all women — on body image and self-worth The mental tools that helped her navigate injury, transition, and reinvention In this episode, we explore the intersection of art, motherhood, and resilience — and how strength evolves as we do. Ways to Connect with Heather: [Instagram] Loved the episode? For more of We Go There Podcast, please visit instagram.com/wegotherepodcast on Instagram and wegotherepodcast.com on the Web *Warning- this podcast is completely unfiltered. If you are around young children, we suggest headphones.

This week, Nikki sits down with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and author of You, Your Husband and His Mother. Together, they dive into the tricky and often emotional dynamics of mother-in-law relationships — from boundary setting and family triangles to breaking cycles and redefining your role as a mother and partner. Tracy shares her years of clinical insight and actionable strategies for navigating these relationships without guilt or resentment. Tracy shares: Why tensions can arise when you marry into your husband’s family How & why mothers support their daughters but sometimes challenge their daughters-in-law The difference between a boundary and a request — and how to enforce it without conflict The role of identity in mother-in-law dynamics and why some women struggle more  The Vault Method: Tracy’s five-step system for couples to navigate family stress and set healthy boundaries How to break generational patterns while maintaining connection and love within your family In this episode, we discuss relationship dynamics, boundary setting, family triangles, and actionable strategies to create healthier, more empowering family relationships. Ways to Connect with Dr. Tracy & Purchase You, Your Husband and His Mother: Web | Instagram Loved the episode? For more of We Go There Podcast, please visit instagram.com/wegotherepodcast on Instagram and wegotherepodcast.com on the Web *Warning- this podcast is completely unfiltered. If you are around young children, we suggest headphones.

This week, Nikki sits down with her lifelong friend, Carol, who is preparing for a hysterectomy and oophorectomy after a long journey with endometrial cancer. At 44, she’s facing the reality that she’ll never be able to carry children — a loss she’s spent years fighting to prevent through egg freezing, cancer treatments and hope. In this deeply personal conversation, Carol shares the heartbreak, courage, and surrender that come with saying goodbye to her fertility while entering surgical menopause. Together, they talk about grief, resilience, and what it means to keep hope alive in the face of profound change. Carol shares: Her experience navigating endometrial cancer and the treatments she tried to preserve fertility The emotional reality of needing a hysterectomy and ovary removal after exhausting every other option Coping with the grief of infertility and the loss of a dream she held onto for years How she’s preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally for the surgery The support, resilience, and self-compassion she’s leaning on during this difficult time In this episode we discuss facing loss, confronting life-altering medical decisions, and finding strength in moments of uncertainty. Ways to Connect with Carol: Web | Instagram Loved the episode? For more of We Go There Podcast, please visit instagram.com/wegotherepodcast on Instagram and wegotherepodcast.com on the Web *Warning- this podcast is completely unfiltered. If you are around young children, we suggest headphones.

This week, Nikki sits down with Dr. Mathew Leonardi, one of North America’s leading experts on endometriosis, to uncover the truth about a condition that affects 1 in 10 women, yet often takes a decade to diagnose. From the hidden history of “hysteria” in women’s medicine to unfortunately normalized period pain,, this episode dives deep into how bias, outdated systems, and silence have shaped the way women experience healthcare, and how Dr. Leonardi is working to change that.  Dr. Leonardi shares: Why it takes an average of 10 years for women to get an endometriosis diagnosis How cultural stigma and language have minimized women’s pain for generations The real signs your period pain isn’t normal and deserves investigation Why surgery shouldn’t be the only way to diagnose or treat endo  The reality that endo can be a chronic and recurrent condition — and why a “one and done” approach rarely works The use of ultrasound vs surgery in endometriosis diagnosis The promise of new, multimodal care — combining medication, physiotherapy, diet, and mental health support — to help women find real relief The hope: how research and awareness are finally shifting the narrative It’s an eye-opening, validating, and empowering conversation that every woman should hear — whether you’ve been dismissed in a doctor’s office or simply want to understand your body better. Ways to connect with Dr. Mathew: Instagram | Web | YouTube | X Loved the episode? For more of We Go There Podcast, please visit instagram.com/wegotherepodcast on Instagram and wegotherepodcast.com on the Web *Warning- this podcast is completely unfiltered. If you are around young children, we suggest headphones.

Season 11 of We Go There kicks off with something new - it’s me, Nikki, sharing my own journey for the first time. From dancer to teacher, from injury to purpose, and from being broke and burnt out to building The Belle Method 14 years ago… this episode is a look behind the scenes at the moments that shaped it all. My hope? That it inspires you to see how your own challenges can become the foundation for something beautiful. Nikki Shares: Why she decided to take the podcast solo and what it’s like to step into the spotlight alone How personal tragedy and a search for purpose led her to Pilates and ultimately to founding The Belle Method The early challenges of starting a business from scratch, including taking risks with no safety net How she transformed physio into fun, engaging classes and built a community-centered approach to women’s wellness Pivoting during the pandemic to launch online courses that support women during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond Lessons on leadership, humility, and surrounding yourself with people who know more than you. Get ready for a season full of inspiring stories, expert insights, and candid conversations. This first episode sets the tone…we are getting deep!  Loved the episode? For more of We Go There Podcast, please visit instagram.com/wegotherepodcast on Instagram and wegotherepodcast.com on the Web *Warning- this podcast is completely unfiltered. If you are around young children, we suggest headphones.

Thank you for being with us the past 100 episodes! We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve shared our anger, we’ve shared our hopes… we have not held back. We are looking forward to the next 100 episodes and promise to keep “going there” in every way. Tune in for some updates :)   Show Notes:  For more of We Go There Podcast, please visit instagram.com/wegotherepodcast on Instagram and wegotherepodcast.com on the Web *Warning- this podcast is completely unfiltered. If you are around young children, we suggest headphones.