411: “NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives”
It’s no secret that silence, stigma, and shame surround many of the major moments of grief and loss in women’s lives, especially during pregnancy loss. Today’s guest shares her personal story, along with her professional perspective as a psychologist, author, and respected voice in social media. Join us to hear the conversation.
Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health, and she holds advanced degrees from NYU and Harvard. She’s the author of the award-winning book, I Had A Miscarriage: A Memoir, A Movement and is the creator of the viral hashtag, I Had A Miscarriage Campaign. She has been featured on NPR, CNN, the Today Show, and Good Morning America, and her writing has appeared in the NY Times, Washington Post, NY Magazine, Vogue, Harvard Business Review, and others. Today’s conversation focuses on Jessica’s second book, Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives, newly released on April 22, 2025. Jessica shares her personal experience through miscarriage and a breast cancer diagnosis, and how her motherhood journey has been profoundly impacted by silence, stigma, and shame.
Show Highlights:
Jessica’s inspiration to write her most recent book, Normalize It
Jessica’s traumatic miscarriage experience that changed the course of her life
The purpose behind Normalize It, which offers a compassionate invitation to women
Our culture teaches women to have silence, stigma, and shame.
If we ALL spoke our truth . . .(just imagine the possibilities!)
Common platitudes minimize our pain and can alienate and isolate those who are hurting.
Jessica’s breast cancer experience compared to her miscarriage experience
Why Jessica doesn’t like the term “warrior” when referring to her resilience
Living with tamoxifen, which blocks estrogen and brings early menopause symptoms
What the research reveals around silence, stigma, and shame
Resources:
Connect with Dr. Jessica Zucker: Website, Instagram, Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives, and I Had A Miscarriage
Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov
Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.
You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms
Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.
Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!
If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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