37: Sex, Pelvic Health and Breaking Taboos with Dr. Rachel Gelman
Release Date: 05/29/2025
47: Rewiring Pain: From Velociraptors to Victory with Dr. Laura Katz
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Laura Katz, a health, rehabilitation, and clinical psychologist who's revolutionizing how we understand and treat chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. From the evolutionary biology of pain signals to groundbreaking interdisciplinary treatment approaches, Dr. Katz shares her expertise on helping women reclaim their lives from chronic pain through the power of pain science and neuroplasticity. What You'll Learn Why our pain signals haven't evolved past the "velociraptor era" and how this impacts chronic conditions The critical...
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46: PAUZ Before You Perimenopause: The Reset Your Body Is Begging For with Natalie Perkins
The Hole Shebang
Special Listener Offer Follow on Instagram and DM "hole shebang" to receive: 3 months free of the PAUZ Health community Entry to win $50 off at the PAUZ Health marketplace Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she reconnects with her former McMaster University classmate, Dr. Natalie Perkins, who traded her VP role at a major telemedicine company to launch PAUZ Health, a revolutionary platform supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. From life-threatening health scares to marriage endings to career pivots, Natalie shares her raw, authentic journey of self-discovery and how...
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45: Exhausted to Energized: Real Nutrition Talk for Real Moms with Laura Lima
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Are you tired of feeling exhausted all the time as a mom? Wondering if you'll ever feel like yourself again? This episode is your wake-up call! Join Kristen Parise as she chats with Laura Lima, a holistic nutritionist and soon-to-be mom of four, who's cracking the code on how busy moms can ditch the fatigue and reclaim their energy—without complicated meal plans or impossible routines. Laura brings real-world wisdom from the trenches of motherhood, sharing practical strategies that actually work when you're sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, and just trying to keep everyone fed...
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44: Rock Star to Pelvic Floor Revolutionary with Dr. Bruce Crawford
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Get ready for one of the most fascinating origin stories you'll ever hear! Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Bruce Crawford, the maverick urogynecologist who went from drumming in rock bands to revolutionizing pelvic floor health worldwide. This isn't your typical medical journey—it's the story of a surgeon who discovered that "It's a fitness problem, not a surgical problem" and completely transformed how we approach bladder control, prolapse, and pelvic health. From playing drums in successful rock bands to becoming the ONLY urogynecologist in the United...
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43: Body Brilliance: Connecting the Dots Between Emotional Eating, Hormones and Pelvic Health with Amber Romaniuk
The Hole Shebang
Connect with Amber Romaniuk Website: Podcast: The No Sugarcoating Podcast (available on all podcast platforms) Social Media: @AmberRomaniuk (Instagram) Free Resources: Emotional eating quiz and workshop replay available on her website Consultations: Free consultation bookings available through her website Join the Body Brilliance Workshop Date: Tuesday, July 29th Time: 2:00-3:30 pm EST Location: Online via Zoom Investment: $47 CAD Register: Can't attend live? No problem! All participants receive access to the recording. What You'll Discover in Body Brilliance: Emotional Eating & Hormonal...
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42: From Dry to Delighted - The Vaginal Moisturizer Revolution with Angelique Montano-Bresolin
The Hole Shebang
Episode Highlights 🌟 🧬 The Science Behind Midlife Changes: Discover why vaginal tissue goes from 20+ layers to just 2 post-menopause—and what you can do about it 💡 Lubes vs. Moisturizers Decoded: Finally understand the difference between "lubes for love" and "moisturizers for maintenance" 🌱 From Clinician to Entrepreneur: How a pelvic health physio created FemSense Balm after struggling to find effective products for her clients 🔬 pH Balance Matters: Learn the exact pH range (3.5-5.0) your vulvar area needs to stay healthy and infection-free 🩺 Beyond Menopause: Why...
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41: Exercise as Medicine: Stroke, Recovery, Strength Training, and Healthy Aging with Dr. Ada Tang
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Ada Tang, a physiotherapist, professor, and researcher at McMaster University who's transforming how we think about exercise for stroke survivors and older adults. From her unexpected journey from clinical practice to groundbreaking research, Ada shares evidence-based insights on how the right exercise can be life-changing medicine for recovery, independence, and healthy aging. What You'll Learn Why aerobic exercise should be a standard part of stroke rehabilitation (just like cardiac rehab) The surprising benefits of...
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40: Beyond the Numbers - How Retirement Planning Affects Your Mental Health & Soul with Gillian Stovel Rivers
The Hole Shebang
Episode Summary In this final installment of our three-part financial wellness series, Kristen and Gillian dive deep into retirement planning—but not in the way you'd expect. While we cover the essential numbers (spoiler: Canadians need $1.5-1.7 million for comfortable retirement), this conversation explores the profound connection between financial security and mental wellbeing in your golden years. From understanding why social isolation hits retirees as hard as smoking and obesity, to discovering how whole life insurance can become a tax-free investment vehicle, this episode challenges...
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39: Floored by the Truth: Demystifying Pelvic Health from Teens to Menopause with Dr. Sara Reardon
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise for a compelling conversation with Dr. Sara Reardon, pelvic floor physical therapist and author of the groundbreaking book "Floored." Dr. Reardon challenges the dangerous myths surrounding pelvic health, from the misconception that Kegels are a universal solution to the harmful narrative that pelvic floor dysfunction is just part of aging and motherhood. This episode is a rallying cry for women's health advocacy and a comprehensive guide to understanding your pelvic floor at every life stage. What You'll Learn Why balance, not strengthening or relaxing, is...
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38: The Scoop on Kids Poop: The Secret World of Pediatric Pelvic Health with Clare Bourne
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she dives into the often-overlooked world of pediatric pelvic health with Clare Bourne, a London-based pelvic health physiotherapist and author. From bedwetting misconceptions to constipation crises, Clare shares her expertise on helping children and families navigate pelvic floor challenges while breaking down the shame and taboos that often surround these essential bodily functions. What You'll Learn Why potty training should be viewed as a developmental process, not a quick fix The surprising connection between constipation and...
info_outlineGet ready for a conversation that pulls no punches! In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Rachel Gelman, a pelvic floor physical therapist and certified sexuality counselor who's making waves in San Francisco's sexual health scene. From painful sex to leaky laughs, Rachel breaks down everything you've wondered about but were afraid to ask.
About Dr. Rachel Gelman
Dr. Rachel Gelman is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and AASECT-certified sexuality counselor based in San Francisco. She's the owner and founder of Pelvic Wellness & Physical Therapy, where she specializes in treating pelvic pain, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction across all gender identities. With over 15,000 clinical hours and extensive training from the University of Michigan's sexuality counseling program, Rachel is also an adjunct instructor at Samuel Merritt University and works with companies in the sex tech and femtech space.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pelvicwellpt.com
- Instagram: @pelvichealthsf
- Email: [email protected]
Episode Highlights
🔥 Why Rachel prescribes vibrators more than Kegels - spoiler alert: your pelvic floor might need the opposite of what you think
💡 The chocolate cake technique for rediscovering pleasure when sex has been painful
🚽 How your bathroom habits are sabotaging your sex life (and the simple $15 fix that could change everything)
âš¡ The clitoris vs. penis truth bomb that explains why most sex education gets it wrong
Chapter Breakdown
[00:00] From Biology Student to Pelvic Health Pioneer How Rachel fought university pushback to specialize in the "taboo" field of pelvic health
[05:30] Solo Sex as Self-Care
Why masturbation isn't just about pleasure—it's essential healthcare
[12:15] The Great Orgasm Education Gap Breaking down the clitoris-penis connection and why anatomy education is failing us
[18:45] When Your Tailbone Ruins Your Sex Life The surprising connection between tailbone pain and sexual dysfunction
[24:00] Breathing Your Way to Better Sex Simple techniques that calm your nervous system and unlock pleasure
[29:30] Creating Your Sexual Menu Rachel's game-changing approach to moving beyond vanilla penetration scripts
[35:15] The Leaky Sex Dilemma Addressing incontinence during intimacy (spoiler: it might not be what you think)
[41:00] Painful Erections Aren't Normal What's happening when erections hurt and how pelvic floor dysfunction affects all genders
[46:30] Sex Tech Recommendations Rachel's favorite brands and why your vibrator should look like modern art
Resources Mentioned
Sex Toy Brands Rachel Recommends:
- Unbound - Women-owned, versatile products (try the "Bender")
- Maude - Sleek, modern art aesthetic
- Mystery Vibe - Research-backed products for people with pelvic pain
Tools & Techniques:
- Squatty Potty or toilet stool for better bowel movements
- Yes/No/Maybe lists for sexual communication
- Romance novels and audio erotica as pleasure research
- Child's pose and happy baby positions for pelvic floor relaxation
Professional Resources:
- AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists)
- International Society for Sexual Medicine
- International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health
Why You Need to Listen
This isn't your typical health podcast episode. Rachel doesn't just talk about pelvic floors—she revolutionizes how we think about pleasure, pain, and the connection between our bodies and our sex lives. Whether you're dealing with painful sex, curious about pelvic health, or just want to understand your body better, this conversation will leave you with actionable insights and a completely new perspective on sexual wellness.
Warning: This episode contains frank discussions about sex, anatomy, and bodily functions. Perfect for anyone ready to have real conversations about real bodies.
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