Advertise on podcast: 7 Domains of Women's Health

For decades, contraception and family planning have been shaped by scientific discovery—but also by misinformation, flawed research, and cultural narratives that refuse to die. In recent years, social media has amplified debunked claims about hormones, attraction, and birth control, influencing how people think about family planning despite a lack of credible evidence. In the intellectual domain of family planning, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, examine how we come to "know" what we believe about reproduction, contraception, and choice. Drawing on history, ethics, and Katie's own deep dive into evolutionary science, the conversation unpacks how research evolves, why bad science sometimes sticks, and how misinformation gains traction.

Decisions about family planning rarely happen in isolation. In the U.S., access to contraception, fertility care, and pregnancy-related services is shaped not only by individual choice, but by partners, families, employers, health care systems, and state policy—factors that can dramatically influence reproductive outcomes. Research consistently shows that social and structural conditions play a defining role in who can plan a pregnancy, delay one, or receive timely care. In the social domain of family planning, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by Jessica Sanders, PhD, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Research at the ASCENT Center for Reproductive Health. Together, they explore how family planning decisions are shaped by layers of influence—from intimate partner dynamics and community access to poverty, misinformation, and shifting laws. The conversation examines how social forces enter even the most private decisions, and why understanding these pressures is essential for supporting truly informed, equitable reproductive care.

Family planning may sound like a logical process—timelines, contraceptive options, fertility planning, spreadsheets of pros and cons—but for most people, the emotional weight far outweighs the math. Fear, hope, excitement, shame, relief, grief, joy, and uncertainty often coexist, shaping decisions in ways data alone cannot capture. In the emotional domain of family planning, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by Annabel Sheinberg, Director of The Turnaway Project, to examine the deeply human side of reproductive decision-making. Together, they explore the emotional complexity behind contraception, abortion, infertility, and adolescent reproductive choices. They discuss the emotional nuances of adolescent confidentiality, the reality that multiple conflicting feelings can be true at once, and how people navigate some of life's most personal decisions.

Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. Physically preparing for or preventing pregnancy is a central part of family planning, but what that looks like varies widely from person to person. In the physical domain of family planning, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, open the seven-episode series by breaking down what "family planning" truly means. They explore the physical health factors that influence fertility, the medical considerations for preparing the body for pregnancy, and the full spectrum of contraceptive methods designed to prevent it. Reproductive needs shift across different phases of life; every individual's reproductive life plan is unique, and people can begin shaping a plan that reflects their goals, values, and physical health.

Strong friendships have been shown to reduce loneliness, improve emotional resilience, and even buffer the effects of grief and stress. In moments of birth, loss, illness, and major life transitions, certain friendships take on a deeper, almost sacred role—offering grounding, presence, and meaning when it is needed most. In the spiritual domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by Chaplain Susie Nelsen. Together, they explore the friendships that accompany us through profound transitions, the companions who help us make sense of loss and identity, and the rare “spiritual friends” with whom we can speak openly about purpose, belief, and meaning.

The spaces we live in—our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and even digital worlds—shape not only how we live, but who we know. Environments create or constrain opportunities for connection, and over time, they influence the kinds of friendships we build. In the environmental domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how geography, mobility, and social infrastructure influence our ability to form and sustain friendships. From the “big sort” that clusters us into like-minded communities to the loss of public spaces that once bridged divides, the conversation asks what it means to make—and maintain—connection in an era of separation.

Money can strengthen a friendship—or quietly strain it. Whether it is splitting a dinner bill, planning a trip, or navigating big differences in income, finances often bring unspoken tension into even the strongest relationships. In the financial domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how money influences connection, power dynamics, and trust between friends. They discuss why financial transparency can feel taboo, how generational attitudes toward lending differ, and what happens when income or life stages diverge among friends. 

Friendship does not just enrich our emotions—it shapes how we think. Studies show that intellectually engaging conversations with friends can improve cognitive flexibility, creativity, and even long-term brain health. Yet in an age of constant scrolling and algorithm-driven feeds, genuine intellectual exchange is becoming increasingly rare. In the intellectual domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how true friends challenge our ideas, expand our perspectives, and make us think in new ways. From bonds formed through shared learning to the role of disagreement in deepening connection, they talk about the transformative power of intellectual curiosity between friends—and what we lose when technology replaces real dialogue.

Friendship is central to human connection. Yet, the ways we form, maintain, and redefine friendships evolve throughout life. From imaginary friends in childhood to the deep bonds of adulthood, our social connections shape who we are and how we navigate the world. But what happens when friendships drift apart—or when digital and artificial “friendships” blur the lines of real connection? In the social domain of friendship, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how friendships develop, change, and endure across the lifespan. They discuss the neuroscience of social bonding, the effects of modern technology and social media, and why genuine reciprocity remains the foundation of meaningful relationships.

Friendship is one of the most powerful regulators of emotion—shaping how we love, grieve, connect, and heal. Strong social ties can reduce anxiety, strengthen emotional resilience, and even increase life expectancy. Yet the ways we express and sustain those bonds often differ across gender, life stage, and circumstance. Scot Singpiel and Mitch Sears—co-hosts of Who Cares About Men’s Health—join Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, in the emotional domain of friendships for a conversation about the emotional layers of human connection. They explore how emotional openness and the courage to be vulnerable shape the friendships that sustain us.

When friends connect, the body responds in powerful ways. Research shows that close social bonds can lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and even help regulate glucose levels. Studies also reveal that friends’ brainwaves, breathing patterns, and heart rates can synchronize during shared experiences. In the physical domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore how our bodies react when we are with friends—from the calming effects of a hug to the contagious nature of laughter and tears. The conversation highlights the biology behind connection and the ways physical presence and touch play a vital role in human well-being.

Across the globe, families welcome newborns with sacred traditions—such as baptism, christening, naming ceremonies, or rituals of blessing—that honor both the child and the family’s spiritual journey. At the same time, more than 2 million babies are stillborn each year worldwide, a heartbreaking reality that leaves lasting emotional and spiritual impacts on families. These moments of joy and grief underscore the deep role spirituality plays in the postpartum experience. Rana Jawish, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and faculty lead for the Stillbirth Center of Excellence, joins Kirtly Jones, MD, in the spiritual domain of the fourth trimester. They discuss the role of faith and culture in welcoming newborns, and how compassionate care can provide meaning and healing for families navigating profound loss in the fourth trimester.

Only one in four infants in the U.S. is exclusively breastfed for the first six months, despite strong evidence linking breastfeeding to better health outcomes for both mother and baby. Success often depends less on individual determination and more on the environments that shape a mother’s daily life—home, workplace, and community. Lactation specialist Anna Burch, RN, joins Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, in the environmental domain of the fourth trimester to explore how surroundings influence postpartum experiences. The conversation examines what makes an ideal feeding environment at home, the impact of workplace and public space accommodations, and how stressors such as noise, lighting, and privacy can affect milk production. They also discuss the social and cultural pressures that shape breastfeeding journeys, the role of family and community support, and the policies that could create more equitable environments for new parents.

Childcare for an infant in the U.S. averages over $11,000 a year—more than triple the federal benchmark for affordability. For many new parents, the financial strain of the fourth trimester starts before the baby arrives and can extend for years. In the financial domain of the fourth trimester, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, unpack the expenses of welcoming a newborn—from unpaid leave and rising childcare costs to hidden medical bills and the long-term impact on career and retirement savings. The conversation examines disparities in access to resources, the role of social safety nets, and practical ways families can prepare and adapt.

More than 80% of new mothers report changes in memory and attention during the postpartum period—often referred to as “mom brain.” On top of that, the average new parent manages over 100 daily tasks related to their baby's care, contributing to what researchers call the “maternal mental load.” In the intellectual domain of the fourth trimester, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore how new parents cognitively adapt after childbirth. Perinatal mental health specialist Jamie Hales joins the conversation to unpack the neurological and intellectual shifts that shape early parenthood. From navigating the cognitive overload of caregiving to reshaping personal identity, the discussion offers insight into how people make meaning of their birth experiences and mentally transition into their new roles.