How I Ally

How I Ally

Welcome to How I Ally—where we talk about the fun, lighthearted world of… postpartum recovery, traumatic birth, and infertility. Yeah, not exactly small talk at brunch. I sit down with experts who actually know what they’re talking about—because let’s be honest, Google can only take you so far. Each episode builds on interviews published in Authority Magazine, but now with real voices and real conversations—because reading is hard when you haven’t slept in weeks. But as it turns out, this isn’t a podcast about parenting. This is a podcast about transformation. This is a podcast about the unseen labor of being broken down, then re-building yourself from the rubble. This is a podcast about people who have created their own post-trauma growth, and now they are sharing their stories, reaching out as if to ask you directly, how can I be your ally? Subscribe now. Because this is how I ally. How will you?

Episodes

June 1, 2025 27 mins

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Lucinda Koza is joined by Dr. Lisa De La Rue—licensed psychologist, trauma specialist, and Chief Education and Research Officer at Urban Alchemy—for a candid conversation about parenting through trauma, the stigma surrounding formerly incarcerated mothers, and how healing becomes possible when we give ourselves permission to stumble.

Together, they explore the realities of reparenting y...

Mark as Played

Lucinda Koza welcomes Will Acuff—entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Corner to Corner—for a rich conversation about parenting, purpose, and what it means to truly ally with your community. From playing the Apollo to launching 1,600+ small businesses, Will’s journey defies the expected—and reveals the radical power of showing up with curiosity, compassion, and a theology of neighbor.

Will also opens up about parenting a son with...

Mark as Played

In this candid and eye-opening episode of How I Ally, Lucinda Koza is joined by relationship coach and therapist Rich Heller, founder of Rich in Relationship. With decades of experience—and deep personal insight—Rich helps parents navigate high-conflict relationships, rekindle emotional connection, and restore safety within their homes.

Together, they explore:

  • Why new parenthood often becomes a fla...
Mark as Played

In this deeply resonant episode of How I Ally, Lucinda Koza is joined by Navi Hughes—a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, therapist, and emotional intelligence coach. Navi opens up about her journey from teen motherhood and widowhood to becoming a fierce advocate for mental health and emotional literacy.

Together, they explore:

  • How emotional intelligence transforms parent...
Mark as Played

Dr. LaNail R. Plummer is not just a mental health powerhouse—she’s a revolution in motion. In this rich and intentional conversation, we dive into how she’s built a life aligned with her values as a veteran, CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, Chair of Counseling at Trinity Washington University, and a proud bisexual Black woman.

 

Topics we cover:

  • The power of intentional commun...

Mark as Played

With guest Steven Lowell on How I Ally with Lucinda Koza

 

What happens when you stop hiding the hardest part of yourself—and start leading with it instead?

 

In this deeply human, candid conversation, Lucinda Koza sits down with career coach and reverse recruiter Steven Lowell, who shares how a late diagnosis of epilepsy reshaped his life. From collapsing on the...

  • Mark as Played
    March 13, 2025 43 secs

    Discover the lighthearted side of postpartum recovery, traumatic birth, and infertility with expert insights and real conversations on How I Ally.

    Mark as Played

    Navigating the emotional and psychological landscape of fertility challenges doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. That’s where fertility coach Becky Ackerman comes in, sharing her candid experiences and insights from her own journey through infertility. With a focus on stress management and a positive mindset, Becky emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's fertility experience and exploring alternative therapie...

    Mark as Played

    As a single mother by choice, Lakia Holmes bravely turned to IVF after being diagnosed with infertility, reshaping her life and dreams in unexpected ways. In this laid-back chat with host Lucinda Koza, Lakia opens up about the challenges and triumphs of balancing her career in sports production with the joys of motherhood, all while contemplating her future as a fertility coach. We dive into the societal pressures surrounding mothe...

    Mark as Played

    Gloria Kolb, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of Elida, joins us to chat about her groundbreaking work in women's health, specifically tackling incontinence with her innovative Elitone device. Her personal journey with incontinence spurred her to create a solution that’s not just effective but also non-intrusive, breaking the mold of traditional treatments that often leave women feeling sidelined. We dive deep into the unique chall...

    Mark as Played

    Liz Hilton is revolutionizing postpartum support with her innovative swaddle technology, the Swaddelini, designed to help babies sleep through the night. Host Lucinda Koza delves into Liz's inspiring journey from founding her company, KnitIt, to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising a family. Liz highlights the importance of community feedback in developing her products and discusses the impact of her work on ...

    Mark as Played

    Navigating the challenges of the NICU and the complexities of grief, Elaine Roth shares her poignant journey as a mother and writer with host Lucinda Koza. After the premature birth of her daughter, Elaine found herself facing the emotional turmoil of an emergency C-section and the uncertainty of her child's health in the NICU. Through candid storytelling, she reveals how writing became a crucial outlet for processing her experienc...

    Mark as Played

    Overcoming birth trauma is a vital conversation that needs to be addressed, and Lucinda Koza sits down with perinatal mental health specialist Marilyn Cross Coleman to dive deep into this important topic. Marilyn shares her personal journey of experiencing a traumatic birth and postpartum depression, which inspired her to specialize in helping others navigate similar challenges. They discuss the profound impact of societal expectat...

    Mark as Played

    Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Kristina Leos, a NICU nurse turned NICU mom, as she shares her powerful journey through postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Victoria. Kristina's unique perspective as both a healthcare professional and a parent highlights the emotional and psychological challenges faced by NICU families. She discusses the groundbreaking medication Zeranolone and her relentless quest f...

    Mark as Played

    Rediscovering intimacy and pleasure postpartum is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of motherhood, and Nikkita Grady is here to shed light on this critical journey. As a certified postpartum pleasure and intimacy coach, Nikkita shares her personal experiences following a miscarriage in 2021, which ignited her passion for helping mothers reconnect with their bodies and partners. She addresses the taboos surrounding postpartum inti...

    Mark as Played

    Join us as we explore empowering in-hospital birth practices with Angela Anderson, a dedicated certified nurse midwife with nearly three decades of experience. Angela emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care, informed consent, and shared decision-making to ensure respectful and empowering birth experiences for all. We discuss innovative practices such as water births, the use of nitrous oxide for pain relief during labor, ...

  • Mark as Played

    As a gift to our listeners, Revolution Motherhood is offering 3 months free with the code RMMAMA at https://www.revolutionmotherhood.com

    Rachel Welch, founder of Revolution Motherhood, emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to fitness and wellness that specifically addresses the unique physiological changes women experience from prenatal to postnatal stages. She critiques traditional fitness programs for being male-centric an...

  • Mark as Played

    A licensed therapist and mother of six-year-old twins shares her honest journey of navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of raising multiples while managing a professional career. She delves into her experiences with postpartum depression and the struggles faced during the first two years, emphasizing the unrealistic expectations society places on mothers, especially those of twins. The conversation highlights the crit...

    Mark as Played

    Jillian Amodio, a licensed social worker, shares her powerful journey through postpartum depression and the profound impact it has had on her life and career. Driven by her own struggles, she founded Moms for Mental Health, a supportive community for mothers facing similar challenges. Throughout the conversation, Jillian emphasizes the importance of tailored support for different personality types, highlighting the unique needs of ...

    Mark as Played

    Elizabeth shares her transformative journey from a private practice counselor to a dedicated motherhood coach, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health struggles in motherhood. She candidly recounts her own challenges with hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy and the severe postpartum depression and anxiety that followed, highlighting how these experiences fueled her passion to support other mothers facing similar ...

    Mark as Played

    Popular Podcasts

      If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

      Dateline NBC

      Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

      24/7 News: The Latest

      The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

      True Crime Tonight

      If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.

      The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

      The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    Advertise With Us
    Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

    Connect

    © 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.