“You are not alone.” We hear this phrase often—but truly feeling less alone is something else entirely. Real connection begins when we share our stories, speak our truths, and let ourselves be seen. Few people champion this idea more powerfully than today’s guest, Dr. Jessica Zucker. Jessica is a psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, and is the author of “I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement”. After experiencing her own miscarriage, Jessica launched the now-viral #IHadAMiscarriage campaign—a deeply personal yet universal invitation for women to speak their truths on their own terms. Her next book, “Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives”, is out on April 22nd. In this episode, Erin and Jessica explore the silence, shame, and societal expectations around grief, body image, motherhood and many other fundamental aspects of women’s lives—and how sharing our stories can help dismantle them. We discuss: Why storytelling is an act of liberation—and how speaking openly about miscarriage and other stigmatized experiences builds healing and connection How silence around common women’s experiences like infertility, illness, menopause, and abortion perpetuates shame and isolation The problem with comparative suffering—and why women often minimize their pain by telling themselves “others have it worse” How girlhood teaches us to self-silence and be “good,” and the long-term impact this has on authenticity and self-expression Why it’s essential to talk to kids early and openly about bodies, sexuality, and emotions The cultural cost of silence—and how creating space for women to share their whole truths can shift the narratives we’ve been taught to hide OUR GUEST: Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She’s been featured on NPR, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. Her new book, NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives, is out April 22nd! Want more Jessica? Find her online at https://www.drjessicazucker.com/ and check out her books “I Had A Miscarriage” and “Normalize It” at the links below: https://www.drjessicazucker.com/i-had-a-miscarriage https://www.drjessicazucker.com/normalize-it Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage/ Want more Hotter Than Ever ? Subscribe to the Hotter Than Ever Substack to dive deeper. Find episode transcripts at www.hotterthaneverpod.com Follow us on: Instagram: @hotterthaneverpod TikTok:
