So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales cover art

So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales

So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales

By: MGH Center for Women's Mental Health
Listen for free

Summary

Motherhood comes with a million questions. So why is it so hard to get real answers? Why does society tell moms to just “push through,” like it’s just part of the job? And when moms do ask for help, why is the first place we turn to Google? Why are we left scrolling social media or scouring the internet for answers?


That's why we created "So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales," a show where you bring your toughest maternal and mental health questions to top experts and get real, evidence-based answers and actionable resources.


Co-hosted by Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a clinical psychiatrist at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Allie Hales, a mom of four, this show isn't just for real moms, it's by real moms. Because moms don't just deserve support, they deserve solutions—whether before or during pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.


Each episode we take on questions that keep moms up at night. Every conversation is led by YOU. Your questions, your experiences, your mental health—front and center. No question is too small. No topic is off-limits. You ask. We answer.


🎧 Subscribe now and send us your questions at podcast@womensmentalhealth.org or leave us a voicemail at (617) 643-9232.


Brought to you by the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

© 2026 So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • When Does Normal Worry Become Postpartum Anxiety?

    When Does Normal Worry Become Postpartum Anxiety?
    Apr 29 2026

    Welcome back to So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales! We’re starting off this season with such an important episode. We talk all the time about postpartum depression but what about postpartum anxiety?

    In this advice-packed episode, Dr. Ruta and Allie sit down with Nicole Amoyal Pensak, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, and Author of the book RATTLED, How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain. They discuss how the new mom's brain changes and what that means for mental health. Plus, Dr. Ruta shares tips for distinguishing normal worry from postpartum anxiety.

    If you’re preparing for the postpartum, have a history of anxiety, are caring for a loved one with postpartum anxiety, or just looking to learn about matrescence, this episode is for you.

    Recommended Resources:

    • Rattled by Nicole Pensak
    • Postpartum Support International
    • Learn more on our Resource Hub



    Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. The views, thoughts, and opinions shared today are the speakers’ own. **Trigger Warning** postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD.

    Like What You Heard?

    • Subscribe so you never miss an episode
    • Leave us a review to share your feedback
    • Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

    So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs is brought to you by the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Welcome Back: So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs Season 2

    Welcome Back: So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs Season 2
    Apr 8 2026

    So Glad You Asked returns April 29 with Season 2.

    Hosted by psychiatrist Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales, So Glad You Asked is the maternal mental health podcast that tackles the questions keeping moms up at night clearly, compassionately, and with expert guidance you can trust.

    This season, we’re featuring more expert voices, covering the topics listeners have been asking for, and sharing new resources handpicked by Dr. Ruta.

    Because moms deserve high‑quality, easy‑to‑access mental health information.

    Subscribe now and listen when Season 2 drops on April 29.



    Like What You Heard?

    • Subscribe so you never miss an episode
    • Leave us a review to share your feedback
    • Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

    So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs is brought to you by the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • We're Here To Help You Answer: Do I Have Postpartum Depression or Anxiety?

    We're Here To Help You Answer: Do I Have Postpartum Depression or Anxiety?
    Jun 25 2025

    Welcome to the season 1 finale of So Glad You Asked! In this powerful episode, we’re unpacking some of the most essential questions about maternal mental health — including one that many moms quietly struggle with: Do I have postpartum depression or anxiety?


    To help us understand this important topic, we’re joined by Dr. Lee Cohen and Dr. Marlene Freeman, Director and Associate Director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women’s Mental Health at Mass General Hospital. Alongside Dr. Ruta, they’ll break down how to recognize the signs of postpartum depression and anxiety, when to seek help, and where to find support. Whether you’re navigating postpartum challenges yourself or want to better understand these conditions to support someone you care about, this episode offers practical insights and actionable tools to help you manage postpartum mental health with confidence.


    As we head into our summer hiatus, follow us on Instagram @mghcwmh to hear Dr. Ruta answer more listener questions and explore our resource hub at womensmentalhealth.org for more support and information. Take care, and we’ll see you next season!


    Recommended Resources:

    • Learn more about Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders at womensmentalhealth.org
    • Learn more about Perinatal OCD and Psychosis
    • Find a therapist or join a support group at postpartum.net
    • Watch the trailer for More Than Blue, a documentary on postpartum depression across America


    Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. The views, thoughts, and opinions shared today are the speakers’ own. **Trigger Warning** postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis


    Like What You Heard?

    • Subscribe so you never miss an episode
    • Leave us a review to share your feedback
    • Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips

    So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs is brought to you by the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.