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The Good Health Cafe

The Good Health Cafe

Nikita Boston-Fisher

How do I navigate the healthcare system? What do I ask my doctor? What should I do when I'm not being heard? Why does it seem like researchers are unable to make up their minds about the guidance they provide? Our goal is to give you tips on how to navigate the healthcare system and understand other matters of public health in plain language. We will be sharing experiences and having candid conversations with guests on both sides of the health divide: practitioners and those of us they serve. Good Health Cafe conversations will leave you more empowered to take charge of your health and make you a better advocate for yourself and your loved ones. Health is more than healthcare so other topics that will be covered include mental health, health disparities, social issues and so much more. It’s a place for casual, insightful conversations to empower you on your health journey.

77 - Episode 77: Méno-Joie: Finding the joy in menopause
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  • 77 - Episode 77: Méno-Joie: Finding the joy in menopause

    In this episode our guest is Marie-Josée Bourassa. Marie-Josée is an accomplished nurse clinician and founder and manager of the Méno-Joie Clinic, She came to the cafe to discuss menopause and how to find joy in this natural transition . Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!


    Key Takeaways:

    Holistic Support is Key: Menopause isn't an illness—it's a natural transition. Optimal well-being comes from a blend of education, healthy habits (like nutrition and physical activity), and mental health support.Menopause and Perimenopause Explained: Menopause is officially marked by one year without a menstrual period, usually occurring between ages 45 and 55. Varied Symptoms and Experiences: While hot flashes are well-known, symptoms can also include sleep disturbances, mood changes, heavy or irregular periods, joint pain, loss of libido. Every woman’s experience is unique.Importance of Education and Self-Advocacy: There's still a lack of research and public knowledge about menopause. Women are encouraged to educate themselves, track their symptoms, and advocate for proper care when visiting healthcare providers.Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT is a safe and effective treatment for many women, and current research supports its use for longer periods than previously thought, particularly for managing severe symptoms and preventing osteoporosis.Empowerment and Support: Menopause can be a time of growth, empowerment, and community. Women supporting each other, breaking the taboo, and openly sharing experiences can make this life stage more positive and less isolating.


    As usual if you would like to learn more about the good health cafe check out website: www.thegoodhealthcafe.com, follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list. Until next time, see you in the cafe later, bye


    Bio

    Marie-Josée Bourassa, founder and manager of the Méno-Joie Clinic, is an accomplished nurse clinician and a leader in the Quebec healthcare services. Her expertise in women’s health and her decades of managerial experience in healthcare organizations have prepared her to lead in offering services to mature women. Her credibility as a leader and managerial abilities are well-established across the metropolitan of Montreal. She has directly worked with women healthcare providers for the last 25 years and has led many projects affecting patient access and optimization of healthcare services. Marie-Josée works closely with the McGill gynecology medical community and nursing associations. She is also the 2021 recipient of the Healthcare

    Leadership Award, the Jeanne Mance Award of the Regional Order of Nurses (ORIIML).

    Marie-Josée has gained knowledge through her education through the International Masters of Health Leadership at McGill. She aims to help the women suffering through the transitions of their menopause and, therefore, build a safe environment that prones compassionate medicine. She hears women and embraces them through Méno-Joie.

    Website: www.menojoie.com


    Host- Nikita Boston-Fisher

    The Good Health Cafe

    www.thegoodhealthcafe.com


    Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe


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    @thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook

    Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • 76 - Episode 76: Hope after stroke: a young mom's journey

    In this episode our guest is  Sasha Panday. Sasha is a mom to a young daughter and a stroke survivor. She came to the cafe to discuss her experience of having a stroke as a young woman in her 30s. Grabyour warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

    Key Takeaways:

    Strokes can happen at any age — know your risks and the warning signs.The road to recovery is long but possible, particularly with support, determination, and community.If you or someone you love is recovering from a stroke or another major health event, you are not alone. Seek out support groups and resources (Sasha found solace in groups like March of Dimes).Don’t take your health for granted. Early intervention for things like high blood pressure can be lifesaving.Never underestimate the power of hope and the people around you.


    As usual if you would like to learn more about the good health cafe check out website:www.thegoodhealthcafe.com, follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list. 

    Sasha's Bio

    Sasha Panday is a stroke Survivor and mom. Prior to her stroke she  was a digital strategist for Google. Post stroke she is focusing on recovering and strengthening her brain and body. She’s learning every day about hemorrhagic stroke and the effects it has on the body.


    The Good Health Cafe

    www.thegoodhealthcafe.com

    Host: Nikita Boston-Fisher

    Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe


    Sign up for our mailing list:https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/


    The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

    https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

    @thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook


    Wed, 24 Sep 2025
  • 75 - Episode 75: Navigating Mental Health in Pregnancy

    In this episode our guest is Nadia Mbonde. Nadia is a MotherScholar, Multimedia Artist, Mental Health Doula, a doctoral student . She came to the cafe to discuss the importance of mental health discussions in reproductive healthcare, and the broader societal impacts of racial and gender bias. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!


    Some key takeaways:

    Mental health and reproduction should be viewed together, not separately, to help reduce maternal mortalityThere's often poor coordination between mental health providers and reproductive healthcareQuality mental health care is heavily segregated, with stark differences between private and public facilitiesBeing informed helps in advocating for oneself in healthcare settingsHaving support (like doulas) can improve healthcare experiencesIt's important to fact-check and seek multiple opinions when receiving medical adviceThere's misinformation about mental health medication during pregnancy and breastfeedingCheck out Nadia’s work!


    About Nadia

    Nadia is a MotherScholar, Multimedia Artist, Mental Health Doula, a doctoral student in Sociocultural Anthropology at New York University and a multi-media artist pursuing a certificate in Culture & Media, a nationally-respected program in media documentation. Her research and creative work is situated at the intersection of medical anthropology, disability studies, Mad studies, and Black feminist theory. As a National Science Foundation Research Fellow and a Birth Equity Scholar, her research addresses how perinatal mental health disparities contribute to the ongoing Black maternal mortality and morbidity crisis in the United States.

    Nadia’s website: https://nadianmbonde.com/

    The Good Health Cafe

    www.thegoodhealthcafe.com


    Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe


    Sign up for our mailing list: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/


    The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

    https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

    @thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook

    Mon, 20 Jan 2025
  • 74 - Episode 74: Got consent?

    In this episode our guest is A’magine. A’magine is an author, educator, speaker and filmmaker. She came to the cafe to discuss her documentary called At Your Cervix. A new film exposing the little-known unethical practice of conducting non-consensual pelvic exams on unconscious patients. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

    Some key takeaways:

    Consent is non-negotiable: Patients have the right to set clear boundaries and be fully informed about all medical procedures involving their bodies.Advocacy matters: Being proactive, asking questions, and educating oneself before medical appointments can help protect against unethical practices. Support is crucial: We must work together to enact legislation, address systemic issues, and provide resources to empower patients and hold institutions accountable.The lack of consent is a critical issue that affects patients and medical students alike. Gynecological teaching associates (GTAs) are an excellent way for medical students to learn how to do pelvic exams with feedback.Watch the film, At Your Cervix!


    About A’magine

    A’magine earned her Master’s degree in Human Sexuality Education at New York University and has been teaching and speaking about feminism and sexuality for over two decades. She is author of Woman on Fire: Nine Elements to Wake up Your Erotic Energy, Personal Power and Sexual Intelligence and co-author of the best-selling classic Lesbian Sex Secrets for Men, both published by Penguin Random House, (under her former name Amy Jo Goddard). 

    A’magine was named one of Go Magazine’s “100 Women We Love” and Kinkly’s “100 Sex Blogging Superheroes.” She works with women and couples on their sexual and relationship lives and she is a corporate and media consultant. A’magine’s award winning documentary film, At Your Cervix, aims to improve pelvic exams for all patients and to end unethical medical practices that harm women and transgender people. A’magine is a legislative advocate for state laws banning the use of anesthetized patients without consent. Check out her popular TEDx talk, presented in Napa, California, “Owning Your Sexual Power”.

    A coastal transplant to New Mexico, she currently thrives in the desert of the southwest, residing with her wild feline friends, who, she claims are evolved teachers about self-care and healthy boundaries.


    https://amaginenation.com/

    https://www.atyourcervixmovie.com/


    The Good Health Cafe

    www.thegoodhealthcafe.com


    Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe


    Sign up for our mailing list: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/


    The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

    https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

    @thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook

    Tue, 07 May 2024
  • 73 - Episode 73: Pediatric Occupational Therapy

    In this episode our guest is Ms. Eliane Dionne. Eliane is a practicing pediatric occupational therapist who works in the province of Quebec while concurrently completing her doctoral studies. She came to the cafe to discuss what occupational therapy is, how to choose the right occupational therapist, myths surrounding the profession and the impact her PhD research can have on practice. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

    Some key takeaways:

    Eliane explains the scope of occupational therapy, focusing on aiding children with motor coordination disorders, addressing misconceptions about the field, and the need for systemic changes to support children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).Occupational therapists are rehabilitation professionals who help people that are having trouble with activities of daily livingThe conversation emphasizes the practical, real-life approach of occupational therapy and identifies the potential for OTs to help children make friends and improve social connections.It is a good idea to interview the OT to see if they are a good fit for your needsReferrals to OTs often come from teachers or doctorsShe outlines her dual career path as a clinician and a researcher, working with children with motor coordination disorders and exploring the academic implications of these conditions.


    About Eliane Dionne

    Eliane is a private self-employed Occupational Therapist working in the Gatineau and Montreal regions. She has been working with a pediatric clientele with various physical and mental health issues, primarily ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental coordination disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is concurrently completing her doctoral studies at McGill University, where she studies the learning implications of motor disorders during childhood, particularly towards mathematics, to better support Occupational Therapists that are providing services to this clientele.


    The Good Health Cafe

    www.thegoodhealthcafe.com


    Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe


    Sign up for our mailing list: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question


    The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

    https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

    @thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook


    Sponsor Info:


    The Good Health Candle Company

    www.goodhealthcandle.com

    @goodhealthcandle on Instagram and Facebook

    Tue, 12 Mar 2024
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