In this episode Jennifer shares what the holidays were like for her during her fertility journey, and the specific tools, boundaries and practices that helped her manage the season.

Key topics discussed:

• Figuring out what was supportive for me, instead of pushing myself into traditions or gatherings that made me feel worse.
• Boundaries will support you, and how to set boundaries you can actually hold.
• Maybe it’s time to create your own traditions, this year or ongoing.
• Self-care isn’t selfish. Learn to prioritize self-care without guilt.
• Do you need to be helped, heard or hugged?
• The holidays may bring a range of feelings, some uncomfortable. Let your emotions move through you instead of judging them.
• In a time that might feel out of control, focus on what you can control.
• Cultivate a connection with gratitude.

Sending you so much love this holiday season. xo

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow her on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

In this episode Jennifer talks with Julie Grimm, the founder of Spiritual Studies Institute - a center to support individuals in reaching their highest potential and tapping their divine gifts. Through ancient techniques, Julie facilitates healing and awakening within each soul so that they can live in greater alignment with their divine purpose.

Key topics discussed:

• Julie’s faith journey from atheist to scientist to a spiritual awakening, and what that means in her life.
• The connection between faith and courage.
• How you can build or reconnect with faith – in all areas of your life - during a fertility journey or other struggle.
• Coming to an understanding of what “God” is.
• Holding space for unmet expectations without losing hope or faith.
• Starting to build or reconnect with faith when you feel lost, hopeless or disconnected from your body or path.
• Moving from disappointment or grief into healing.
• Deepening your connection to oneness.
• Small daily steps to help you begin to trust the process again when things haven’t gone as planned.

Connect with Julie:

• Spiritualstudiesinstitute.com
• Instagram: @julie.e.grimm

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow her on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

For many of us, food becomes more than nourishment, it becomes about comfort and control. And when you're under pressure to “do everything right” when you're trying to conceive, it's easy to slip into guilt or frustration around how you’re eating.

Emotional eating is information; it's your body's way of asking for support. So I'm excited to have Dr. Stephanie Fine on the podcast to talk about what's really going on around emotional eating and your fertility.

Stephanie Fein, MD, is an internist turned weight loss expert helping fertility patients lose weight for higher success rates. With 25 years of experience helping people lose weight and 16 years keeping 50 pounds off herself, Stephanie walks the talk of sustainable weight loss.

As a mom of a 24 week micro-preemie, she knows the emotional rollercoaster of a rough start to motherhood.

Her restriction-free, deprivation-free approach to weight loss is safe and effective for all, during fertility treatments, pregnancy, lactation and beyond. Stephanie works one-on-one with clients all over the country and her Weight Loss for Fertility podcast is in its third year.

Key topics discussed:

• This episode is a judgement free conversation. We’re talking about a subject that our clients and patients deal with frequently and sharing ideas to help and empower you.
• Emotional eating is eating for any reason other than hunger – it can include every emotion. When we’re eating for hunger our body will tell us we’re hungry.
• Many of us learned at a young age that food is a coping mechanism. We’re often taught to manage our emotions with food. It’s not a weakness.
• Emotional eating has many triggers, including stress, disappointment, emotions and boredom. We often don’t realize it’s happening.
• During infertility or fertility treatment, you may be able to anticipate emotional eating triggers. How to notice patterns and gather information regarding hunger and eating to allow you to plan better.
• Learning to trust yourself around food will help you strengthen overall trust in yourself.
• Why you should create a “comfort list”: go-to things that bring your comfort.
• Learning to process and deal with emotions and release self blame is the ultimate way to break the cycle of emotional eating.
• Eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re satisfied can support your fertility.

Connect with Stephanie:

• Weight Loss for Fertility Podcast
• StephanieFeinMD.com

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow her on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Emily Silva Hockstra, a 5x author and sought after spiritual life coach. Her mission is to help others cultivate inner peace through life’s inevitable uncertainties. Emily’s books offer daily meditations and mindful practices. Her book Sunrise Gratitude, was named in “10 Books That Might Just Change Your Life Right Now.” And her most recent release, Sunset Gratitude, helps readers find hope while going through difficult times. She lives in San Diego with her husband.

• Emily’s journey as an author began with a one-way ticket to Bali.
• Developing a gratitude practice, and how a gratitude practice influenced Emily’s life.
• Emily’s fertility journey: primary ovarian insufficiency with a 5% chance of conception with her own eggs, and the ultimate decision to not have children.
• Labels are complicated: childless not by choice vs. childless by choice.
• A family of two.
• Emily’s healing journey: therapy, yoga teacher training (learning to move and be in her body), friendships and challenging your belief systems.
• Grief that accompanies the fertility journey: it’s not linear, it’s not one-size-fits all and it will surface when you don’t expect.
• What grief work can look like, and finding the resources that work for you.
• Living a life that is fulfilled and joyful.
• A meditation from Sunset Gratitude.

Connect with Emily:

• Soulsadventures.com
• Instagram: @soulsadventures
• Substack

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow her on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc

Resources Mentioned:

• Emily’s bookshop.org link where you can find:
  • Sunrise Gratitude
  • Sunset Gratitude
  • Moonlight Gratitude Moonlight Gratitude: A Journal
  • Find Your Glow, Feed Your Soul (2nd edition coming in 2026)

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information. That would mean the world to me!

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Dr. Pietro Bortoletto about restorative reproductive medicine.

Dr. Bortoletto is a reproductive medicine specialist, reproductive surgeon, and co-founder of the newly opened Terra Fertility, along with Dr. Emily Seidler and Dr. Denis Vaughan. Based out of Dedham, MA, Terra Fertility is reimagining fertility care by making it more accessible, through transparent pricing, intuitive technology, and comprehensive patient education - so that everyone, regardless of background, language, or identity, can feel informed, empowered, and supported on their fertility journey.

Dr. Bortoletto currently serves as the Interactive Associate in Chief for Fertility & Sterility, co-hosts the F&S OnAir podcast and is the former Media Editor for F&S Reports.

Key topics discussed:

• What restorative reproductive medicine is, and isn’t
• Fundamentally those who practice restorative reproductive medicine and reproductive endocrinologists want the same thing: patients getting pregnant as fast as possible with the least amount of intervention. Where they differ is in the approach.
• Restorative reproductive medicine stigmatizes IVF and assisted reproductive technology and delays appropriate therapy and treatment for many patients.
• The pathways for professional expertise in restorative reproductive medicine and reproductive endocrinology are very different and shouldn't be confused.
• The importance of conducting a thorough health history and fertility workup for a patient.
• There’s no one-size-fits-all in fertility treatment.
• Sometimes it takes a village to have a child: collaborating with herbalists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, pelvic floor physical therapists, mental health professionals and nutrition coaches.
• The evolution of PCOS treatment in the last 2 years.
• Weight loss drugs, like Ozempic, and fertility.
• The politics of restorative reproductive medicine: the personhood movement, limiting access to fertility treatment, protecting women’s health.
• Terminating a pregnancy that has miscarried or is ectopic is an abortion; abortion care is women’s health care.
• Restorative reproductive medicine creates a hurdle for patients who have a time-sensitive diagnosis.
• One piece of advice for every woman who is planning to try to become pregnant: get genetic carrier screening.

Connect with Dr. Bortoletto:

• TerraFertility.com
• Pietrobortolettomd.com
• Instagram: @BortolettoMD, @TerraFertility

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Leah M. Hill, a transformational energy healer and intuitive medium. She connects with Angels, Spirit Guides, Ascended Masters, and Loved Ones on the Other Side to relay messages that help people feel better, live better and embrace their own truth. Leah’s work helps those who may be struggling with anxiety and overwhelm, experiencing major life changes and challenges, looking to develop their own intuitive abilities, wanting to be free of negative relationship patterns, and those interested in connecting with loved ones on the other side.

Leah is the founder of Apollo Sunrise Center, a health, wellness and spiritual retreat center in Merrimac, Massachusetts. At Apollo Sunrise Center, you’ll find a diverse range of healing modalities, classes, workshops, and retreats designed to restore balance and harmony to your life.

Key topics discussed:

• Leah’s work as a transformational energy healer and intuitive medium and what led her to this work.
• Many women in midlife feel like they’re being pulled in a million directions: career, aging parents, kids, health changes, etc. Leah’s thoughts on how women can reconnect with themselves.
• Reframing menopause as a new season of life, an opportunity to redirect your identity.
• The value of trusting your intuition and intuitive development.
• Practical steps to start developing your intuition.
• Tuning into your truth, and protecting your energy.
• Paying attention to the signals your body is giving you.
• The power of journaling, and other daily practices to help you stay grounded in your intuition.
• Setting intentions and segment intenting.
• Advice for women who feel they have intuitive medium abilities.
  
  

Connect with Leah:

• ApolloSunrise.com
• LHill@ApolloSunrise.com
• Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: @ApolloSunriseCenter
• Voices of the Valley: Featuring Local Authors, November 1-2, 2025, at Apollo Sunrise Center

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Perimenopause Support Session
• Follow me on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc
• Join my email list for exclusive tips, free resources and honest conversations about what it really takes to feel good in your body—through perimenopause, fertility challenges, and everything in between. Plus, you’ll be the first to know about upcoming talks, programs and ways to connect.
  
  

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

In this episode Jennifer talks with Liane Moccia, the author of The Herbal Fertility Handbook: Holistic Strategies to Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, releasing in September, 2025.

Liane is a registered herbalist specializing in fertility and preconception planning. She is the author of The Herbal Fertility Handbook: Holistic Strategies to Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, releasing in September, 2025. In her clinical practice, Liane helps people prepare for pregnancy and optimize their fertility with herbs, nutrition, lifestyle changes and a clear plan.

A former healthcare marketing professional, Liane shifted careers after her own experience with infertility. In addition to her private practice, she speaks regularly at health and herbal conferences and contributes to professional publications.

Liane is a registered professional herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, a professional member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and serves as a peer support leader for AllPaths Family Building. She is also a board member at AllPaths and an Education Advisor for Wintergreen Botanicals’ herbal training programs.

Liane lives in the Boston area with her husband and their twin daughters. She works with clients one-on-one from all over the country through her virtual services.

Key topics discussed:

• What is an herbalist?
• Liane’s fertility journey: from fertility challenges, to getting “fired” by her fertility doctor, implementing holistic approaches, to a new fertility clinic, an IVF twin pregnancy to now a mom to 17-year-old daughters
• Liane’s career journey: from healthcare marketing to herbal medicine to support fertility
• Adaptogens to help you have a healthy response to the stress of infertility, including Ashwaganda and Holy Basil
• Nutritive herbs that provide antioxidants and phytonutrients for egg quality, including green tea, nettle and lemon balm
• Does Vitex live up to the hype?
• Is there a role for herbs in fertility treatment like IUI and IVF?
• Understanding the difference between herbal teas, tinctures, capsules and infusions
• Herbs to help improve sperm parameters

Resources Mentioned:

• The Herbal Fertility Handbook, Liane Moccia
• Mountain Rose Herbs
• Traditional Medicinals Teas

Connect with Liane:

• Website: https://lianemoccia.com/
• Instagram: @lianemoccia
• Substack: https://lianemoccia.substack.com/

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow her on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Merle Bombardieri. Merle has been a private practice clinical social worker and psychotherapist for over 35 years and was the Clinical Director of Resolve: The National Infertility Association for 2 years.

Merle is the author of the bestselling book The Baby Decision originally published in 1981.

The revised 2016 second edition of The Baby Decision is based on 35 more years of her work guiding decision-makers in educational workshops; long-distance consulting for people around the world; and psychotherapy.

In 2023, Merle was joined in her practice by her daughter Vanessa who is a certified coach. Together, they focus their practice on coaching so they can assist as many people as possible in parenthood decision-making.

Merle is currently working on her second book, Baby or Childfree.

Key topics discussed:

• Merle’s “baby decision”
• Finding support when facing fertility struggles
• Exploring options with less fear and more clarity
• Merle’s advice for people who are trying to decide whether continue or stop fertility treatment
• The importance of grieving, and a grieving exercise
• Decision making from a place of empowerment not defeat
• Reframing fears about not having children
• Fertility decisions for partners, who may not be in agreement about what’s next
• How to feel better, stronger, and reclaim power and control over your life again

Resources Mentioned:

• The Baby Decision, Merle Bombardieri
• Living the Life Unexpected: How to find hope, meaning and a fulfilling future without children, Jody Day
• The Next Happy: Let go of the life you planned and find a new way forward, Tracy Cleantis
• So Now What? Create a life you love without the children you always dreamed of, Lana Manikowski
• AllPaths Family Building
• The Childless Collective
• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Connect with Merle:

• Website: thebabydecision.com
• Instagram: @thebabydecision
• Facebook: @thebabydecision

Connect with Jennifer:

• Schedule a free Fertility Support Session
• Follow her on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhc
• Subscribe to her newsletter

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with women in your life who can benefit from this information.

Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.