Why Women Feel Shame Talking About Work Vs Motherhood | Dr. Jessica Zucker

Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

This week on Live Well Be Well, I got to sit down with the incredible Dr. Jessica Zucker, psychologist, writer, and fierce advocate for women’s reproductive and mental health. We dove into some of the hardest stories we rarely talk about, the pressure to become a mother, the quiet weight of miscarriage, and that strange guilt that can come with ambivalence about parenthood. Jessica’s wisdom on how our cultural scripts shape our inner lives is breathtaking and a much needed reminder that sharing our truths is how we heal.

We peel back attachment theory in real life, exploring how our earliest bonds echo through every relationship we have and why rewriting those old narratives can be our greatest act of self love. Jessica does not shy away from the emotional labor we carry, the hidden tears, the unspoken hopes, and the ways we hold ourselves back from speaking up. This is not just theory, it is a heartfelt guide to giving voice to the parts of ourselves we have been taught to silence.

By the end of our chat you will see why honesty is revolutionary, why compassion for yourself changes everything, and what courage really looks like in the messy middle of life. If you have ever felt alone in your doubts or stifled by expectations this episode is for you.

About Dr. Jessica Zucker:

Dr. Jessica Zucker is a renowned psychologist, writer, and advocate specialising in women’s reproductive and maternal mental health. Based in Los Angeles, she has spent over 15 years supporting women through the emotional complexities of fertility, miscarriage, and motherhood. Jessica is the author of the bestselling book I Had a Miscarriage, which helped spark a global movement encouraging women to speak openly about pregnancy loss and reproductive grief. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian, and she is widely respected for her compassionate, feminist approach to breaking the silence around topics traditionally shrouded in shame.

Connect with Dr. Jessica Zucker:

• Website: drjessicazucker.com/

• Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage

• Twitter: @DrZucker

• Book: I Had a Miscarriage – Available on Amazon

• Newsletter: Sign up via her website

Love,

Sarah Ann 💛

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Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

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If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:

Using Dating Apps to Fill a Void? Here’s the Hard Truth | Emilia Vuorisalmi | Be Well Moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvL3Ty7mcCU

Understanding the Loneliness Epidemic | John Vervaeke on Trust, Belonging & Meaning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbxCzAt6ZcM

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Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:

Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

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Highlights:

Introduction (00:00)

Do All Women Really Want Children? (01:23)

Why Talking About Reproductive Choices Still Feels Taboo (05:23)

Understanding Maternal Ambivalence (08:44)

How to Let Go of Shame and Self-Blame After Miscarriage (14:36)

The Psychology of Attachment Styles Explained (24:17)

Are You Disconnected From Yourself? (28:01)

Why We Struggle to Talk About Mental Health (29:19)

When to Turn to Friends vs. Therapists for Support (30:54)

Holding Space Without Trying to Fix People (32:52)

How to Recognise and Manage Anxiety and Shame (36:15)

The Power of Trying: Why Vulnerability Builds Resilience (44:10)

What Living Well Means to Dr. Jessica Zucker (49:27)

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