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

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.

Guest

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is a board-certified psychiatrist, best-selling author, and a leading voice in women’s mental health, specializing in the intersection of self-care, motherhood, and systemic change.

A clinical assistant professor at George Washington University since 2016 and a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Dr. Lakshmin has been featured on platforms including The Today Show, NPR, and The Washington Post and is a sought-after speaker.

Dr. Lakshmin is passionate about empowering women to reclaim their agency, challenge societal norms, and cultivate self-care practices rooted in their core values, not perfectionism or guilt. Her first book, Real Self-Care (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble-Baths Not Included), was an NPR Best Book of the Year. Her forthcoming book, QUANTUM SHIFTS: A Guide to Surviving Life's Big Changes, will be released by Penguin Life in March 2027.

https://www.poojalakshmin.com/

Guest appearance on:

How Does Infertility Affect Mental Health?