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  • How To Survive Purim with Dr. Romy Schulman [Re-Release]

    How To Survive Purim with Dr. Romy Schulman [Re-Release]
    2026/02/27

    On this re-released episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Dr. Romy Shulman joins Aimee Baron, MD for a thoughtful and practical conversation about how to celebrate Purim while honoring your mental health.

    Purim is meant to be joyful, but it can also feel overwhelming. Together they explore how choosing a smaller Megillah reading with fewer children can create a more manageable and meaningful experience. They also discuss rethinking mishloach manot by giving gifts of food specifically to those who have supported you, rather than feeling obligated to give to everyone you know.

    The conversation also reframes the Purim seuda (meal), suggesting that instead of hosting a large gathering, people may consider making the meal more intimate to connect more deeply.

    This episode offers empowering permission to celebrate differently and create a Purim that feels aligned and intentional.

    Connect with Chana, UK:

    -Check out their website here

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    36 分
  • 195. When the Plan Changes: From Fertility Treatments to Adoption

    195. When the Plan Changes: From Fertility Treatments to Adoption
    2026/02/20

    In this episode, Aimee speaks with "Q" about infertility, identity, and redefining motherhood. She shares her diagnosis of PCOS and the emotional toll of years of fertility treatments, including multiple IUIs.

    Q discusses the decision she made to look into other options. She opens up about the heartbreak of closed doors, including her 15-year hope of adopting from Ethiopia, which became complicated after policy changes. F shares how she ultimately built her family through domestic adoption in the United States after navigating the cultural pressure to have biological children, and stereotypes about fertility in Black women.

    This conversation is a powerful reminder that family-building can look different than expected and still be deeply intentional and sacred.

    Note:

    "Q" is a pseudonym and the voices in this episode have been altered to ensure the anonymity of our guest

    Connect with us:

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    58 分
  • 194. Balancing Loss and Life: Navigating Pregnancy, Healing, and Parenthood

    194. Balancing Loss and Life: Navigating Pregnancy, Healing, and Parenthood
    2026/02/05

    In this episode of Talking Away the Taboo, Aimee sits down with Shira Sussi, a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, for an honest conversation about pregnancy loss, the challenges of returning to work afterward, and her journey of building a family while holding joy and grief simultaneously.

    Shira shares her path to motherhood, which includes multiple losses, two medical terminations, and the emotional complexities of parenting after loss. She opens up about the stigma surrounding pregnancy loss and termination, as well as how grief has reshaped both her personal life and professional approach.

    The conversation also explores how Shira navigated the blending of different Jewish backgrounds within her marriage and vulnerability of talking about loss with her children.

    If you're navigating loss, seeking healing, or trying to find your way through a transition, this episode is for you.

    More about Shira Sussi MS RD CDN:

    Shira Sussi MS RD CDN is a Brooklyn-based registered dietitian nutritionist and mother of two living children. She supports families during the all-encompassing life-phase of pregnancy and postpartum, and teaches parents simple, practical approaches to creating more intuitive eaters while building a positive feeding relationship with their child.

    Connect with Shira:

    - Check out Shira's Instagram

    - Visit her website Shira Sussi Nutrition

    - Connect with Shira via email

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    1 時間 22 分
  • 193. Not Broken, Just Wired Differently: The Quiet Fertility Struggle No One Talks About

    193. Not Broken, Just Wired Differently: The Quiet Fertility Struggle No One Talks About
    2026/01/22
    In this episode of Talking Away the Taboo, Dr. Baron is joined by Hadassah Eventsur, an occupational therapist and life coach, for a deeply needed conversation about neurodiversity in Jewish life, and how that contributes to a smaller family size. Hadassah reached out to name something many women feel but struggle to articulate: the pain of wanting a large family while knowing that undiagnosed ADHD or other neurodivergent traits make the day-to-day demands of parenting feel overwhelming or unsustainable. Dr. Baron names this experience as circumstantial infertility, where the barrier to growing a family isn't medical, but rooted in capacity, support, and how the world is built. Hadassah shares her own journey of recognizing her neurodivergence, the coping strategies she developed long before she had language for them, and the shame that so often accompanies doing things "differently." From challah baking to daily routines, she explains how COVID became a turning point in understanding her brain with more compassion. Together, they explore:

    • Why neurodivergent women often feel unseen and unsupported

    • How communal expectations around motherhood can deepen shame

    • The difference between desire and capacity, and why both matter

    • Practical, realistic tools for executive functioning and emotional regulation

    • The power of community over advice, fixes, or judgment

    This conversation is for anyone who has ever thought, "I want more, but I don't know how I'd survive it," and felt alone in that tension. It's an invitation to widen how we define infertility, support, and what it means to make thoughtful, loving decisions without shame.

    More about Hadassah Eventsur, MS, OTR/L:

    Hadassah Eventsur, MS, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist, Transformational Coach, Mishpacha Magazine contributor on Neurodivergence in adult women and the Founder of MindfullyYou, a Supportive Community for the Frum Neurodiverse Population.

    Connect with Hadassah:

    - Check out Hadassah's Instagram

    - Visit her website Mindfully You and set up an appointment

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    56 分
  • 192. Adoption, Transparency, and Trust: Pamela Krooth's Story (Part Two)

    192. Adoption, Transparency, and Trust: Pamela Krooth's Story (Part Two)
    2026/01/08

    In this episode of Talking Away the Taboo, Dr. Baron is joined again by Pam Krooth as they pick up right where their first conversation ended, the moment Pam received the call about a little boy available for adoption.

    Pam shares her experience adopting her son, David, from Ethiopia, including the emotional weight of the legal process, the heartbreak of separation during visa delays, and the realities of bringing a young child into a new country, culture, and family. She reflects on the importance of ethical adoption practices, thorough preparation, and honest self-assessment before choosing this path.

    The conversation also explores raising a child of color in a Jewish family, navigating dual racial and cultural identities, and why love alone isn't enough without intentional representation and open, ongoing dialogue. Pam emphasizes respecting a child's timeline, avoiding secrecy in adoption, and creating space for age-appropriate conversations about identity and origins.

    This episode offers an honest look at what adoption truly asks of parents, and how openness, humility, and care help build trust over time.

    More about Pam Krooth, LCSW:

    Pam Krooth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who resides in Maryland with her husband, two children and French Bulldog. She is the mother of a biological and adopted child. She is currently on the Board of Directors at The Lab School of Washington, DC, an independent private school for children with language based learning differences. And is on the Board of Directors at Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE), an organization that provides mental health treatment and education to adoptive, foster and kinship individuals and families, as well as training in adoption competency to professionals working with these populations.

    Resources:

    - Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)

    Connect with Pam:

    -Check out Pam's Instagram

    - Contact Pam via email at pamela.k@therapist.net

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    49 分
  • 191. Nothing About This Was Simple: Amanda Bryk on Miscarriage, Pregnancy After Loss Anxiety, and Finding Community

    191. Nothing About This Was Simple: Amanda Bryk on Miscarriage, Pregnancy After Loss Anxiety, and Finding Community
    2025/12/22

    In this episode, Aimee sits down with Amanda Bryk, a new IWSTHAB board member, to talk honestly about miscarriage, anxiety, and the complicated reality of building a family after loss.

    Amanda shares her first miscarriage and the shock of learning there was no heartbeat at an early ultrasound, navigating that moment without her husband Darren present due to residency, and the emotional weight of making decisions no one prepares you for. As her losses continued, Amanda opens up about how anxiety followed her into subsequent pregnancies and how grief doesn't disappear just because you go on to have living children.

    Together, Aimee and Amanda talk about balancing careers, relocations, and family planning, the absence of miscarriage leave in the workplace, and the pressure to share deeply personal information just to get through the day. Amanda reflects on circumstantial infertility, social media support after loss, invasive questions that often come from ignorance, and the unexpected comfort of finding others who truly understand. This conversation also explores partnership. Amanda shares how she and Darren navigated different expectations around family size, guilt, responsibility, and how they kept showing up for one another through uncertainty, COVID, moves, and traumatic pregnancies.

    If you've experienced miscarriage, pregnancy loss, fertility anxiety, or the emotional whiplash of holding gratitude and grief at the same time, this episode is for you. You're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong.

    More about Amanda Bryk, JD:

    Amanda Bryk is a non-practicing attorney who worked in the financial markets practice of an AM100 law firm for 5 years. Amanda struggled with multiple pregnancy losses and secondary infertility and turned to social media when she felt alone within her community. She is excited to be a part of IWSTHAB and give back to a cause deeply personal to her family. Amanda now devotes her time to her husband (a urologist specializing in male infertility) and 3 children, volunteering at their school and volunteering within the Hollywood, Florida Jewish community.

    Connect with Amanda:

    -Check out Amanda on Instagram and connect with her via email

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    1 時間 10 分
  • 190. When the Waiting Becomes the Story

    190. When the Waiting Becomes the Story
    2025/12/16
    In this episode, Tamar and Giddy share their story - how they met, fell in love, and built a marriage shaped by multiple losses, 11 rounds of IVF, and the constant waiting that comes with not knowing what's next. They talk openly about how infertility impacts a marriage, how they learned to support each other while grieving differently, and the role therapy, creativity, faith, and community played in helping them survive the most challenging moments. Tamar also shares how their Instagram page, Tales of Tamar, became a creative outlet and source of connection during COVID — and how telling their story changed their relationship. The episode also touches on the added complexities of navigating fertility challenges in Israel, the assumptions people make about adoption and surrogacy, and what it feels like to be "hostage to infertility." Woven throughout is a conversation about emuna, doubt, and finding meaning without tidy answers. Want to be inspired by a couple who doesn't have all the answers? This episode shows how they navigate hope, loss, and the unknown while staying connected and resilient. Resources: Mercaz Panim (Rachi Hain)Bonei OlamTahreinuLeeman Hayeled (Adoption in Israel)Bar Toov (Male Infertility) More about Tamar Ben Tzvi: Tamar Ben Tzvi is the founder of Tales Of, a social media company helping mission-driven businesses and organizations, and @talesoftamar, her Instagram page, which she started 5.5 years ago to break the ice around infertility in the Orthodox Jewish community and create a safe space for open conversation about taboo topics. Tamar and her husband, Giddy Ben Tzvi, live in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, and have been happily married for over 9 years. Together, they are navigating a long and challenging fertility journey of 7.5 years. Through Tales of Tamar, Tamar runs two initiatives: a Tefillah initiative that pairs people up to daven for others going through a similar struggle, and a challah-baking initiative in which people bake as a Tefillah for those struggling with infertility. Connect with Tamar: -Check out Tamar's Instagram - View her website and connect with her via email at Tamar@tales-of.com More about Giddy Ben Tzvi: Giddy Ben Tzvi, originally from Rockville Maryland, he is a proud alum of the Melvin J.Berman Hebrew Academy (Here We go Cougars Here we go!), Yeshivat Torat Shraga, and holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yeshiva University. He works as a recruiter for UrbanRecruits, where he works to help jobseekers find gainful employment in the Israeli job market. He lives in Ramat Bet Shemesh with his incredible wife Tamar, he enjoys learning Torah, especially works of Machshava (Jewish Thought), playing a good game of basketball, going for a good run, chillin with friends, and watching some quality TV with Tamar. Connect with Giddy: - Check out his Instagram and Facebook - Connect with Giddy via email Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn
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    1 時間 32 分
  • 189. BRCA: Understanding Risk and Reclaiming Control (in partnership with JScreen)

    189. BRCA: Understanding Risk and Reclaiming Control (in partnership with JScreen)
    2025/12/11
    This episode brings together the science, the medicine, and the lived experience behind BRCA mutations. Emily Goldberg, JScreen's Director of Genetic Counseling Services, breaks down what these mutations are, how they're inherited, and what the actual cancer risks look like. Dr. Melissa Frey, a GYN oncologist at Cornell who works closely with high-risk families, walks us through what happens after someone tests positive — from screening to risk-reducing surgeries to the big conversations around fertility and timing. We also hear from Heather Boussi, who shares her powerful story of living with both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. She talks about diagnosis, surveillance, surgeries, and how this all shaped her family-building decisions. Lastly, we look at what BRCA means for men, how that journey differs, and why PGT can still be an option. If you or someone you love is navigating this, we close with places to turn for support: JScreen, Sharsheret, I Was Supposed To Have A Baby, and Stardust (links below). It's a mix of expertise, honesty, and heart — the kind of conversation so many people wish they had heard earlier, especially when faced with such difficult decisions. Note: This episode is the 4th of a series of 5 that we are collaborating on with Jscreen in 2025. Take a look at our previous three episodes here : Episode 157: Introduction to Genetics and Infertility Episode 166: Fragile X Syndrome: A Silent Factor in Infertility Episode 185: It's Not Just Her: Male Factor Fertility and Genetics Uncovered Resources: Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program Facing Our Risk Empowered (FORCE) Jewish Fertility Foundation Stardust Foundation Sharsheret JScreen More about Emily Goldberg: Emily Goldberg serves as the Director of Genetic Counseling Services at jscreen, where she is dedicated to helping individuals understand and manage their genetic health. With dual bachelor's degrees in biology and psychology from Brandeis University and a master's degree in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College, Ms. Goldberg has been a certified genetic counselor since 2011. Prior to joining jscreen, she worked at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, specializing in prenatal and cancer genetics. In addition to her role at jscreen, Ms. Goldberg is committed to education, serving as an Instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and adjunct faculty at Sarah Lawrence College, where she teaches and mentors future genetic counselors. Her expertise and dedication make her a key member of the jscreen team. Connect with JScreen: - visit their website here - check out their Instagram More about Melissa Frey, MD: Dr. Melissa Frey is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Director of the Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program at Weill Cornell Medicine / NewYork Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Frey's clinical care and research focus on the management of individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome) and strong family history of breast and gynecologic cancers. She performs gynecologic cancer risk-reducing surgeries and is the principal investigator on several large trials aimed at cancer prevention among high-risk individuals. Dr. Frey has presented her research at national and international meetings and has more than 130 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Connect with Dr. Melissa Frey: - check out her Instagram - view the Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program website More about Heather Boussi : Heather grew up in Westchester, NY and now lives in Englewood, NJ with her husband and three children. Her personal experience with hereditary cancer risk and genetic testing has made her a passionate advocate for awareness, education, and empowerment in women's health. Grounded in faith and family, Heather shares her story to help others approach life's challenges with strength, perspective, and gratitude. Connect with Heather: - check out Heather's Instagram and connect with her via email Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn
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    56 分