Birthing Conversations

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

In this week's episode, we delve into a captivating conversation with Chani Rosengarten, exploring the significance of self-love and empowerment for women. We discuss how women can create the life they desire without losing their sense of self amidst the multiple roles they play as mothers, partners, and community members. Furthermore, we discuss strategies for moving beyond negative societal portrayals and self-limiting beliefs. Chani highlights the innate power and creativity within women, emphasizing that they don't have to sacrifice their identity to fully embrace their potential.

About the Guest:

Chani Rosengarten is a wife, mother, #1 Amazon bestselling author, and motivational speaker. She teaches empowerment, self-care, and boundaries in business, love, and relationships. Chani's coaching and online courses have changed the trajectory of many lives. She is also the author of a book on creating effective boundaries in relationships.

In this week’s episode Libby Kenigsberg, daughter of Sparks founder Esther Kenigsberg, sits down with her mother to discuss the frequently asked questions that her mother gets, the motivations behind her work, and the insights she has gained from her experiences helping women navigate this challenging condition.

About the Guest:

As the daughter of the founder of Sparks, an organization dedicated to supporting women facing perinatal challenges, Libby Kengisberg has absorbed a wealth of knowledge and experience over the years.  At the same time, as a computer science major at Touro University, Libby is developing the skills and knowledge to make an impact in the tech industry and beyond.

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

Perinatal health challenges have a sweeping effect on women across the societal spectrum, every situation is a specific depiction of the challenges brought up when faced with it. 

In this week's episode, we speak to Amanda Weisz who has gone through some of these challenges and has found the healing necessary to thrive in her life. 

ABOUT THE GUEST: Amanda Weisz is a Mom to four beautiful children. After the birth of her third child, which resulted in an emergency C-section, she battled postpartum depression - at the time something she knew nothing about. She entered a world of anxiety, depression and an overall feeling of displacement from herself and her life. Through her own research and amazing friends she found the will to reclaim her life.

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

There are various methods of healing and every woman is on their own journey to find what works for them. One prominent aspect of healing that is so powerful yet often overlooked is holistic general self-care. In this episode, we sit down with Suri Wolhendler, a certified health coach, and discuss the importance of general self-care and offer practical guidance on how to do so.

Most people think that perinatal health issues are solely a challenge affecting women. This is far from the truth. In this week’s episode, we discuss the very real challenges that the perinatal period can have on husbands. These can include struggling because of the new responsibilities, such as supporting a wife who needs to heal, caring for a new baby, and new financial realities. We also speak about how when a couple heals from these challenges, they can create more love, safety, and belonging for their family than ever before.

About the Guest: Motty Kenigsberg is a trauma healer with a private practice and is the son of Sparks founder, Esther Kenigsberg. Motty has spent the last decade immersed in learning self-healing and coaching. After participating in multiple trainings by various professionals Motty specializes in trauma healing in which he works in his private practice.

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In this week's episode, we speak to Rivky Friedman, a woman who has personally experienced PPD. She discusses her personal struggle with bonding, guilt, and postpartum depression and how she found methods and modalities to heal as well as how she forwards the lessons she learned to others.

ABOUT THE GUEST: Rivky Friedman is a mom, grandmother, holistic coach, and a woman who has experienced PPD. She has completed a great deal of inner work to get to where she is today and is on a constant journey to figure out the best way to live her life.

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

In this week’s episode, we share anecdotal experiences about the diverse forms and unique challenges perinatal health takes in people’s lives.

Esther Kenigsberg and Devorah Kozlik discuss the red flags that a mom should watch out for after birth. They also dive deep into the trauma that can result from, or be reawakened by, the birth experience and discuss some of the healing methods that are available for it.

About the Guest: Devorah Kozlik has been treating individuals and couples with various anxiety disorders, and traumas for over 20 years; using EMDR, Somatic Experience, Hypnosis, and other interventions, with an abundance of validation and empathy. She has also been a  therapist for many years at SPARKS and is an authority on the topic of PPD.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the importance of trust between a clinician and patient, particularly for young mothers. We also explore the need for a woman to have the proper support after birth as well as the fact that our current culture may not encourage the most supportive path toward postpartum healing.

About the Guest: Yocheved Silk RPA-C was born in NYC, raised mainly in Brooklyn, and is the oldest of seven. She has always had a love of the written language which has been a mainstay of her careers as a daughter, mom, grandmother, teacher, medical professional, and entrepreneur. Yocheved currently lives in Brooklyn with 3 of her 8 children and husband.

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

Esther Kenigsberg and Yisroel Isaacs LCSW discuss how the lack of widespread education regarding perinatal issues, even amongst the very people that are supposed to help those struggling, prevents people from getting the proper help and healing needed to recover.

Esther Kenigsberg and Yehudis Karbal LCPC, speak about the dramatic changes in a woman's life that occur after giving birth. They discuss how these changes affect women's mental health, and most of all, how the biggest problem for women is the very thinking that feeling the way they are feeling is a problem.

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

While the problems presented by perinatal mental health are widespread and diverse, they are still stigmatized; the conversation around them lies in the shadows. In this week's episode, we sit down with Zissy Rosenberg, a case manager at Sparks to explain the need for the Birthing Conversations podcast and begin the process of opening the floor to the right types of conversations. In this way, we hope to offer a platform where we can properly address these issues.

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

Welcome to Birthing Conversations! 

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