We’re closing out the season with a bang (and a few brain-busters)! In this interactive episode, Dr. Hack is testing what you think you know about your body (and you do know a lot). From vulvas and vaginas to breasts and beyond, we’re serving up a mix of surprising truths, stubborn myths, and eye-opening facts that even the most well-informed listeners might second guess.

Play along, challenge your own knowledge, and walk away feeling even more empowered and informed about your health.

Is your hair trying to tell you something?

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH sits down with Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris—biomedical scientist, trichologist, and founder of Alodia Hair Care—to explore the deep connection between healthy hair and overall wellness. They break down the science behind breakage, thinning, and scalp inflammation, while also uncovering how common hair products may be silently impacting your health. Rooted in research and cultural relevance, this conversation offers practical, holistic steps to help you care for your hair—and your body—from the inside out.

If you're ready to reclaim your health from root to tip, this episode is a must-listen.

Mood swings, brain fog, and burnout? It might not just be stress—it could be perimenopause. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH explores the connection between hormonal changes and depression during the menopausal transition. Backed by clinical evidence and national research studies, she breaks down why this critical phase is so often misunderstood, how to recognize real warning signs, and what steps you can take to protect your mental health. Because yes—healthcare is self-care, and knowledge is power.

References:

1. Kessler RC, McGonagle KA, Zhao S et al. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1994;51:8–19. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

2. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Liu L, Gracia CR, Nelson DB, Hollander L. Hormones and menopausal status as predictors of depression in women in transition to menopause. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2004;61:62–70. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

3. Bromberger JT, Epperson CN. Depression During and After the Perimenopause: Impact of Hormones, Genetics, and Environmental Determinants of Disease. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018 Dec;45(4):663-678. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2018.07.007. Epub 2018 Oct 25. PMID: 30401549; PMCID: PMC6226029. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226029/#R4)

4. Behrman S, Crockett C. Severe mental illness and the perimenopause. BJPsych Bull. 2023 Nov 13;48(6):1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2023.89. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37955045; PMCID: PMC11669460. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11669460/#:~:text=Fluctuations%20of%20hormone%20levels%20and,episodes%20of%20mental%20illness%2C%20including

5. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/perimenopause-rocky-road-to-menopause

6. https://www.swanstudy.org/womens-health-info/depression-menopause/

7. https://www.swanstudy.org/wps/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SWAN-Fact-Sheets-Depression.pdf

8. Santoro N, Epperson CN, Mathews SB. Menopausal Symptoms and Their Management. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;44(3):497-515. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.001. PMID: 26316239; PMCID: PMC4890704. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4890704/)

9. Kravitz HM, Colvin AB, Avis NE, Joffe H, Chen Y, Bromberger JT. Risk of high depressive symptoms after the final menstrual period: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Menopause. 2022 Jul 1;29(7):805-815. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001988. PMID: 35796553; PMCID: PMC9268212. { https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35796553/ )



10. Gibbs Z, Lee S, Kulkarni J. What factors determine whether a woman becomes depressed during the perimenopause? Arch Womens Ment Health 2012;15:323–332.

In need a reset faster than it takes to check your inbox? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH guides you through a powerful 15-minute guided meditation designed to bring deep peace and restoration. Enjoy the healing rhythm of rain and your breath. In this episode, you'll let go of mental clutter, release emotional tension, and emerge grounded and renewed. Perfect for a midday reset, evening unwind, or any moment you need to come back to yourself.

As the seasons change, even small adjustments to your daily habits can noticeably improve your energy, mood, and overall well-being. In this episode, Dr. Hack introduces her personal method for helping you get back to an active lifestyle. Rooted in clinical recommendations, this method is designed to help you optimize your health with realistic, sustainable steps. Small shifts, big results. Let’s step into your next level of wellness together.

Links:

https://ladypartsdoctor.com/

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/water-healthy-drinks/index.html

https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need

In this soul-stirring conversation, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH, sits down with Dr. René Stokes, MD—renowned psychiatrist and founder of Whole First Psychiatry—for an unfiltered yet deeply nurturing dialogue on birth trauma. With compassion and clinical clarity, they explore how trauma can quietly shape the postpartum experience and emotional health, especially for Black mothers and birthing people. This episode offers validation, insight, and a gentle path toward healing. If you've ever felt unseen in your birthing journey, this one’s for you.

As Black Maternal Health Week begins, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH sits down with public health leader Dr. Nina Ashford, PhD to confront the alarming state of Black maternal health in America. Together, they unpack how recent political shifts, federal data suppression, and DEI backlash are putting reproductive justice at risk. Dr. Ashford, Chief of Public Health Services for Montgomery County, brings decades of expertise in policy, practice, and advocacy to help us understand what's at stake—and what we can do to protect our health, our rights, and our communities. This is a conversation about truth, resilience, and the power of collective action in a time of uncertainty.

In this special 100th episode, Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH, takes a heartfelt look back at three years of podcasting—sharing the highs, the challenges, and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. From behind-the-scenes stories to personal growth moments, this episode is a celebration of resilience, purpose, and the incredible community that’s grown around the show. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just tuning in, this milestone episode is a must-listen tribute to the journey so far—and a glimpse at what’s to come.