In this reflective episode, we welcome back Malky Shoob to explore the delicate yet powerful theme of self-intimacy. As a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s health, Malky provides insightful perspectives on nurturing our relationship with ourselves.

About the Guest: Malky Shoob, Malky Shoob is a single mother of four and a talented makeup artist turned pro-women health activist, brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation. Her experiences in an arranged marriage fuel her advocacy against such practices, empowering women to make independent decisions about marriage and life.

Follow Malky on ⁠Instagram⁠

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with perinatal disorders

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media⁠

In this episode, we delve into the personal and transformative journey of Malky Shoob. From her experience in an arranged marriage to becoming a fervent advocate for personal choice in marriage, Malky's story intertwines with themes of mental health, perinatal health, and self-empowerment.

About the Guest: Malky Shoob, a talented makeup artist turned pro-women health activist, brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation. Her own experience in an arranged marriage was a pivotal catalyst in her advocacy against such practices and in support of empowering women to make their own choices in marriage and life.

Follow Malky on Instagram

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with perinatal disorders

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media

Pregnancy and motherhood often brings with it an array of new mental and physical challenges. In this episode, we invite listeners to explore the concept of nurturing a secure and playful relationship with oneself through our conversation with Yasmin Sofian, a laughter yoga teacher and a mental health student.

About the Guest:

Yasmin Sofian is a life coach and laughter & mindfulness practitioner with a background in psychology and experience as a psychology instructor at Hunter and Touro colleges. She is currently studying to be a mental health counselor. Yasmin finds the most meaning in educating and empowering people. Her focus is on strengthening their mindset, self-awareness, and esteem with compassion and curiosity, to build secure and playful relationships with themselves and lead fulfilling lives, drawing from Jewish and psychological sources and her own life journey.

Follow Yasmin on ⁠Instagram⁠

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with PPD

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media

In this episode we delve into a vital aspect of the birthing process - hormonal changes with Dr. Elissa Hellman, obstetrician, gynecologist, abd physician at The Confident Kallah, a telemedicine gynecology practice focused on the health needs of Jewish women. We explore why hormonal fluctuations are not just normal but a significant part of a woman's life journey. While these fluctuations can bring about a myriad of changes, especially during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, Dr. Hellman reassures us that navigating this ebb and flow is possible and, in fact, critical for a healthy woman’s life.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Dr. Elissa Hellman is an experienced board-certified OBGYN. She received her medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and completed her residency at Northshore University Hospital in Long Island in OBGYN. Dr. Hellman has been in clinical practice for over twelve years in Milwaukee, WI. She is also the physician at The Confident Kallah, a telemedicine gynecology practice focused on the health needs of Jewish women. Throughout her career, she noticed a gap in women's health awareness and knowledge. This developed into a special interest in patient education and being a resource for the Jewish community in relation to body awareness and women's preventative health.

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with PPD

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media

In this episode, we delve into the world of emotional well-being with Rus Devorah Wallen, founder of Toratherapeutics®. Discover how integrating short yet impactful meditation practices, like the transformative "four gratitudes," can shape emotional resilience and mental clarity. While the modern world can be a whirlwind of anxiety and distractions, Rus Devorah offers insights into harnessing our focus for better emotional health. Drawing parallels between meditation and medication, she underscores the potency of self-regulation. Through her unique blend of traditional therapeutic approaches, musical healing, and timeless Torah wisdom, Rus Devorah crafts a pathway to awareness and healing that resonates deeply in today's fast-paced world.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Founder of Toratherapeutics,® Rus Devorah Wallen is an accomplished musician, performer, social worker, psychotherapist, certified integrative mental health professional, coach, and educator who conducts workshops worldwide that improve emotional well-being. Her work incorporates holistic techniques such as sound healing and therapeutic meditation. An alumna of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work (Yeshiva University), the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and Machon Alta Women’s Institute (Safed, Israel), Wallen utilizes her educational background to inspire and heal. With advanced clinical training in several areas of diagnosis and treatment, as well as integrative mental health, Rus Devorah conducts workshops on a wide variety of therapeutic themes. Her presentations are woven with practical ideas for improving emotional well-being, self-regulation, and incorporating holistic techniques such as sound healing, integrative nutrition, neuroscience, and therapeutic meditation. Additionally, by distilling eternal Torah concepts, she creates cutting-edge, research-based practical tools for the lay public. She has produced NOGA® Sound Solutions, which is a collection of various meditations and relaxation recordings under the rabbinic supervision of Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Senior Judge, Sydney Beis Din, Sydney, Australia.

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with PPD

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media

In this episode, we delve into the oft-unspoken complexities of pregnancy and birth with Chumie Friedman, Director of HUG at ATIME, shedding light on the experiences of women navigating through infertility and perinatal loss.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Chumi Friedman is the Director of HUG, a program of ATIME supporting couples experiencing perinatal and infant loss. She is RTS trained and a certified doula and chaplain.

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with PPD

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media⁠

In this episode, we're joined by an expectant father to have an open conversation about the often-unspoken complexities of postpartum disorders (PPD). Together, we'll confront the full scope of PPD—from its subtle beginnings to its most acute manifestations—and unpack how it affects both mothers and fathers. Our conversation will also delve into prevention, and early intervention strategies, as well as the crucial role and essential support that partners and communities play in the healing and in addressing this pervasive issue.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Israel Romand is the CMO of Montebello Media, and an expectant father. Israel's perspective is one of earnest exploration—a reflection of the concerns many soon-to-be fathers hold. Israel's journey into the heart of PPD awareness exemplifies the invaluable role of engaged and informed father and husband.

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with PPD

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media⁠

In this episode we sit down with Blimie Heller, a renowned parenting expert, to discuss the significance of building a strong relationship with your child instead of creating a power dynamic. Drawing on her own experiences as a child and mother, Blimie will share how she overcame conflicting thoughts and sought help to develop a better relationship with her child. We will why discuss why utilizing punishments may not be the best way to raise a child and other methods that may be more helpful. Blimie will also emphasize the importance of having realistic expectations and understanding that children are still developing, and that we as parents are still learning.

About the Guest: Blimie Heller is a passionate parenting coach and child advocate who has developed an empathetic and relationship-focused approach to parenting. She believes in building trust, understanding children's behavior, and treating them with respect. Her innovative method emphasizes empathizing with children's feelings and needs, finding alternative ways to communicate, and providing stability without rigid structure.

Birthing Conversations is a podcast by Sparks, an organization helping women who are struggling with PPD

For more information about sparks visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.sparkscenter.org/⁠⁠⁠

Follow Sparks on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@sparkswomen⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠Montebello Media