At the age of 31, shortly after giving birth to her son Diego, Kisha Stewart experienced a life-threatening heart attack caused by a rare and often under-recognized condition called SCAD. What started as what she thought was normal postpartum fatigue quickly turned into chest pain, dizziness, and nausea — symptoms that could have been easily dismissed.

In this episode, Kisha opens up about that terrifying night, the role her intuition played in getting the care she needed, and the challenges of navigating gender bias in the healthcare system. She also shares her journey of rebuilding both her physical health and trust in her body, and offers vital insight into warning signs every woman should know. This is a story of resilience, awareness, and empowerment that every listener can learn from.

About Kisha Stewart:

Kisha Stewart, a nurse and mother of three, survived a near-fatal "widowmaker" heart attack (SCAD) at age 31, just two weeks after giving birth. Despite having a medical background, her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety. Now a Go Red for Women advocate, she shares her story to highlight postpartum risks, racial disparities in care and the need for self-advocacy. She documented her experience in the book "Sonata for a Damaged Heart: A Young Mother's Journey of Survival After a Near Fatal Heart Attack.

Keep up with Kisha:

Read her story at the American Heart Association: https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/class-of-survivors/kisha-stewart

IG - https://www.instagram.com/kishaandscad/

Book - https://www.amazon.com/Sonata-Damaged-Heart-Expanded-Survival-ebook/dp/B0CLKZJKW6

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Have you heard of insulin resistance? It’s one of those things that can sneak up on you without you realizing it. Maybe you’re noticing weight gain in your midsection, afternoon crashes, cravings that just won’t quit, or even irregular cycles — and you’re like, “What is happening with my body?” I see this so often with women, and the good news is, it’s manageable.

In this episode, we’re talking insulin resistance — what it is, why it happens, and how things like meals, movement, sleep, and stress fit into the bigger picture, along with labs and supplements that are often part of the conversation. Listen up!!

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

*This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your health.

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Resources:

Insulin Resistance Review (NIH): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507839/

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Motherhood didn’t unfold the way Beth expected. After becoming pregnant easily at 39, she assumed her second journey would look the same. Instead, she faced multiple miscarriages, failed IVF transfers, and the unexpected discovery of Hashimoto’s — an autoimmune condition that had gone undiagnosed.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/tr_X8EdRDMQ

In this deeply vulnerable episode, Beth shares what the fertility journey really looks like behind the scenes: the grief, the advocacy, the emotional toll, and the pressure of watching time pass.

We talk about:

-The myth of the 35 “cliff”

-Dating with a fertility timeline

-How pressure impacts women’s mental health

-The dark side of the fertility industry

-And the resilience that comes from rewriting the rules

At the end of the episode, Beth shares what she would tell her younger self and offers powerful words for women who feel like they’re behind.

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

Listener Note: This conversation includes discussions of miscarriage, IVF, and pregnancy loss, which may be sensitive for some listeners.

About Beth Gulotta:

Beth Gulotta, LMHC, is a psychotherapist, group private practice owner, boy mom, and host of the Quiet the Clock podcast, where she explores fertility, identity, and the pressure of societal timelines. She is the founder of NYC Therapeutic Wellness, a New York City based group practice, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Manhattan College. After years of following the “I should” path into finance before answering the “I want” call to therapy, Beth built a career centered on partnership, self-connection, and emotional healing. Her work is deeply informed by her personal fertility journey, which includes multiple IVF failures, miscarriages, and secondary infertility; she welcomed her first son through natural conception at age 40 and is currently expecting her second child after conceiving naturally at 44, bringing lived experience, nuance, and compassion to conversations often shaped by fear and silence.

Keep up with Beth at:

IG - https://www.instagram.com/quiettheclockpod/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@quiettheclock

Website - https://www.nyctherapeuticwellness.com/

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Ever get your blood work back and think… okay but what does any of this actually mean?? This episode is for the woman who wants to understand her body instead of just reacting when something feels off.

A recent 2024 Hologic x Gallup survey found that nearly half of women have skipped or delayed a health screening a doctor recommended. Not because they don’t care, but because of things like time constraints, cost, anxiety around tests, or not thinking a screening applies to them.

In this episode, we’re breaking down a huge part of screenings and prevention: blood tests. I’m walking you through 10 blood tests that can reveal major health clues, what they actually tell you, and how knowing your numbers can help you feel more in control of your health — not stressed by it.

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Resources:

Why US Women Miss Critical Health Screenings: https://hologic.womenshealthindex.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/Hologic_US_Mini-Report_7.8.24.pdf

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at hello@flourishheights.com

Say hello! Email us at hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / @valerieagyeman / @hersidebyfh

Want to support this podcast? Leave a fab rating + write a review! Thank you!

As the year comes to a close, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions, pride for what we’ve accomplished, frustration over what didn’t go as planned, and maybe a little anxiety about what the next year will bring. Holidays, family gatherings, and all the social pressure to look, feel, or perform a certain way can make those feelings even stronger. Sometimes it shows up as racing thoughts, a tight chest, or that critical inner voice about your body or choices.

To help make sense of it all, I’m talking with Amoya Robinson, a mental health therapist. We get into why anxiety shows up, how it can affect our daily lives and body image, and share practical ways to manage it without piling on more pressure. LISTEN UP!

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

About Amoya Robinson

Amoya Robinson, LCSW, is the founder of Thrive Therapy & Wellness, a culturally grounded practice redefining what healing looks like for women of color. More than a therapy space, Thrive offers holistic support that honors culture, identity, and emotional transformation through a trauma-informed lens. As a licensed therapist and wellness practitioner, Amoya helps women navigate anxiety, burnout, and life transitions with care that centers their voices and lived experiences.

Connect with Amoya:

IG: @thrivetherapywellness

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @flourishvulva / @valerieagyeman

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Brain fog, mood swings, and irritability… if that sounds familiar, trust me, you’re not alone. Between work, social life, and just trying to adult, it’s easy for our moods to feel all over the place. In this episode, we’re getting into why that happens and what you can do about it. We’ll talk about how stress, seasonal changes, and even subtle nutrient gaps can impact your brain chemistry and emotional well-being.

I’ll walk you through top key nutrients that support mood and cognitive function! Plus, I’ll share my favorite lifestyle strategies that actually work. LISTEN UP!

The Flourish Heights Podcast was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, Women’s Health Dietitian as she breaks through topics surrounding periods, women’s nutrition, body awareness, and self-care.

Stay Connected:

A research review on the food - mood connection:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224425002419

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / @valerieagyeman / Women's Health Hub: @flourishvulva

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Say hello! Email us at hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website: www.flourishheights.com

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Each year, about 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer — a number we’ve all heard, but behind it are real women, real families, and powerful stories of resilience.

In this episode, we share one of those stories. In 2015, Kim a mother of four, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Carcinoma. Her mother, sister, and grandmother had all faced breast cancer before her. After a double mastectomy and multiple reconstructive surgeries, Kim continues her treatment with therapies made possible by research from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. But her journey didn’t stop at survival it sparked a movement of strength, awareness, and hope for other women walking a similar path.

Tune in to hear how her story continues to inspire others to push through fear, embrace healing, and find purpose in the fight.

The Flourish Heights Podcast was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, Women’s Health Dietitian as she breaks through topics surrounding periods, women’s nutrition, body awareness, and self-care.

About Kim Rhodes

Kim Rhodes is the co-founder along with her daughter Brynne of the Pink Lemonade Stand Challenge (PLSC), a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research with a vision to inspire others take action to support this vital cause. What began as a mother-daughter idea has grown into a nationwide movement featured on the TODAY Show and in news outlets across the country and partners with fitness icon, Bay Clubs, NFL teams professional soccer teams and national retailers to expand its impact and reach.

An attorney, adjunct business school faculty at LMU, and a former corporate executive, Kim has led strategy, M&A, and growth initiatives across tech, fintech, and health services, and is known for her ability to connect people, ideas, and opportunities that drive meaningful change.

As a mother of four and health and wellness advocate, Kim teaches fitness classes at Bay Clubs bringing the same energy, enthusiasm and positivity to her classes that she brings to her mission empowering others, advancing research, and inspiring communities.

Connect with Kim:

IG: @pinklemonadestandchallenge

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @flourishvulva / @valerieagyeman

Facebook: @flourishheights

Twitter: @flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!