Of all the stages in life, most women tell me they’d least want to revisit—it's puberty. If you're reading this, you survived it too. And while you likely have some fond memories, you also remember the awkward body changes, the anxiety of getting your mom to buy pads or tampons to avoid the dreaded checkout counter, the stress around your emerging—or non-emerging—breasts, acne, and the confusing wave of new feelings that came with your growing sexual awareness.

Our teens today are facing a different kind of puberty—a reality that’s markedly different from what we experienced. While they have more access to information and resources than we did, puberty itself has changed in significant ways. There are new gaps between what we as parents—and even many doctors—know and what our kids are going through. From earlier onset of puberty, which now often starts as young as eight, to prolonged puberty stages and earlier exposure to explicit content online, it’s a whole new world for our children.

Understanding these shifts is crucial for guiding your child through this delicate time.

In the latest episode of On Health, I’m joined by two incredible experts who are deeply immersed in these changes. Vanessa Kroll Bennett, a puberty expert, writer, and entrepreneur, and Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and the mind behind the New York Times bestselling series The Care and Keeping of You, bring their expertise and warmth to our conversation. Both are moms of teens themselves and co-hosts of The Puberty Podcast. Their new book, This is So Awkward, is a phenomenal guide to understanding the landscape of modern puberty so you can better support your child through this vulnerable and often tumultuous time.

In our discussion, we explore key aspects of modern puberty and how you can support your tween or teen:

1. The New Puberty: Why puberty is lasting longer than ever - and how this might impact your daughters - and you, too!
2. The Role of Social Media: How to balance allowing your child to connect with the world while protecting them from the darker sides of online life.
3. Mental Health: Differentiating between normal teenage mood swings and more serious mental health concerns.
4. Building Resilience: Empowering your child to handle the social and sexual pressures they’re facing at increasingly younger ages.
5. Un-Shaming Conversations: Creating a safe space for open, honest talks about body changes, sexuality, and all the things that used to make us blush.
6. Your kid isn't the only one going through puberty: Your kid’s puberty - it's hard on you, too! We talk about how move through it with grace - while not internalizing it when they say they hate you!

These insights are more than just tips—they’re lifelines for helping your child navigate this critical stage of development with confidence and resilience.

I invite you to listen to this episode—click here to tune in. Let’s make sure we’re raising the next generation with the information and support they need. And if you find this conversation valuable, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join the conversation online using #OnHealth. Your stories, your questions, and your experiences make our community stronger.

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Despite advancements in medical technology and a growing awareness of maternal health, the emotional and psychological experiences of birthing mothers in the US often go unnoticed. In this eye-opening episode, Aviva Romm, an experienced midwife and MD, delves into a topic that is often overlooked and misunderstood—birth trauma. Aviva shares her personal birth story, other birth stories, and draws from decades of experience to explore the hidden epidemic of birth trauma that is affecting an alarming number of women.

In this episode Dr. Aviva discusses:

• Birth trauma: what it is, how it manifests, and why it’s more common than you might think
• The profound impact of birth trauma on maternal mental health
• Real stories from women who have experienced trauma during labor and birth, highlighting the emotional and mental impact that can linger long after the baby is born.
• The surprising central factor most women report as the cause of birth trauma: medical mistreatment and lack of informed consent and communication..
• The critical importance of centering the mother’s well-being in the birthing process for the mother, the baby, and the family
• The actionable steps that can be taken by both healthcare providers and loved ones to support mothers before, during, and after birth to prevent trauma and promote healing.

Why This Episode Matters:

Birth is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, yet the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers often takes a back seat to physical outcomes. By bringing this issue to the forefront, Dr. Romm aims to empower women, educate healthcare professionals, and spark a much-needed conversation about the importance of “matrifocal: maternal health care.

Tune in to the full episode to understand the true impact of birth trauma and what we can do to support the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers.

Share Your Story: Have you or someone you know experienced birth trauma? Please join the conversation on Dr. Aviva’s Instagram @dr.avivaromm and use #HealingBirthTrauma.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

If you find yourself feeling chronically overwhelmed, with a to-do list you can’t ever get to the bottom of, and a nagging feeling that you’re never quite doing enough, this episode is for you. Joining me is Jenny Odell, the acclaimed author of zthe books How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy and Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture. An artist and educator based in Oakland, California, Jenny’s work shines a light on how we can reclaim our attention in an increasingly digital world, while escaping from the clutches of productivity culture. I also share my personal story of how a recent vacation followed by COVID has caused me to rethink my own attention economy - and how this has been shifting my nervous system - and perspectives - on ‘what’s enough.”

Join us as we explore insights on the importance of rest, reflection, and mindful living as part of taking back our lives, power, and mental well-being including:

• What the attention economy is and how it’s impacting our mental well-being
• The compare and despair impact of social media on women’s health
• The misconception of "doing nothing" and its true meaning.
• The anxiety and irritability that comes from constantly racing the clock
• Chronodiversity and the power of nature for expanding time
• Strategies for reclaiming our attention by focusing on what truly matters.
• The importance of rest and reflection in maintaining overall well-being.
• Practical tips for incorporating mindful practices into daily life.
• How to start making small changes toward a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Resources Mentioned:

More from Jenny Odell:

• How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy
• Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture
• Jenny's website

The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution : Dr. Aviva’s book on taking back your health - while nourishing your adrenals and supporting your thyroid

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here:...