The Mental Load of Trying to Conceive and Infertility Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

In this episode, host Natalie sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshman to dismantle the toxic "wellness" culture that leaves women feeling more exhausted than when they started. They explore the hidden architecture of burnout - moving past the superficial world of bubble baths and meditation apps to address the systemic pressures and internal "tiny dictators" that dictate our worth. This is a conversation about why "doing more" isn't the cure and how to reclaim your agency when life feels like a burden you’re carrying alone. What You’ll Learn: The critical neurobiological distinction between everyday stress and the psychological collapse of meaning found in true burnout. Why your inner critic might actually be a "tiny dictator" and the simple naming exercise that helps you reclaim your mental autonomy. The "Pause, Yes, No, or Negotiate" framework for setting boundaries that account for the real-world costs of saying no. How to use the "Check Engine Light" metaphor to separate structural guilt from your actual moral compass. Why psychological integrity is the only resource that truly matters when navigating high-stakes health journeys like infertility. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can listen to The Mental Load of Trying to Conceive and Infertility Dr. Pooja Lakshmin online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The Mental Load of Trying to Conceive and Infertility Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is an episode from As a Woman by Natalie Crawford.

This episode is 43:06 long.

This episode was published on Apr 28, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from As a Woman when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.