For Stephanie Matsuba—artist, actress, and instructor at BURN Los Angeles—movement has never been just about fitness. In this deeply honest conversation, Stephanie sits down with Amy Cohen Epstein to reflect on her journey living with bipolar II disorder, the early physical and emotional signals she learned to suppress, and the long road toward diagnosis, self-understanding, and care. From navigating illness as a teenager to discovering the stabilizing power of routine, structure, and community, this episode explores how mental health, movement, and self-advocacy intersect—and why listening to your body matters at every stage of life.
Read MoreFor more than a decade, broadcast journalist Marla Tellez has lent her voice, visibility, and heart to Kickin’ Cancer, the Lynne Cohen Foundation’s annual 5K/10K supporting breast and ovarian cancer prevention. In this episode of The SEAM Podcast, Marla reflects on what the event means to her today—now as a new mother—while sharing how motherhood, recovery, and advocacy have reshaped her relationship to health, work, and purpose.
Read MoreAfter Amy Epstein lost her mom to ovarian cancer in 1998, grief turned into resolve. She made it her mission to ensure no other family would endure the same loss. “No daughters, no mothers, no sisters should have to go through what my family experienced—especially when so many women’s cancers are preventable and treatable with early detection,” she says.
Read MoreThe Series for Education and Awareness in Medicine (SEAM) continues its intimate conversation with Marla Tellez as she navigates the realities of early motherhood with baby Sloan, now nearly six weeks old. This candid discussion explores the physical transformations, emotional challenges, and unexpected joys of postpartum life, offering valuable insights for new and expecting mothers about the importance of community, self-compassion, and trusting the journey.
Read MoreWhat happens when life hands you the ultimate plot twist? For Gila Pfeffer, it meant discovering that her "preventive" double mastectomy wasn't preventive at all—surgeons found early but aggressive cancer hiding in her breast tissue…
Read MoreThe transition to motherhood is perhaps one of life's most profound transformations, yet it's an experience that often feels impossible to fully prepare for, no matter how much advice you receive or how many books you read. For veteran broadcast journalist Marla Tellez, who has spent over a decade navigating the demanding world of morning television news, becoming a mother at 48 brought revelations that surprised even someone accustomed to high-pressure situations and unpredictable schedules…
Read MoreThe clean beauty movement has transformed from niche concern to mainstream demand, driven by consumers who increasingly understand that what we put on our bodies matters as much as what we put in them. At the forefront of this shift are Mary Lennon and Leah Yari, co-founders of CÔTE, a luxury clean beauty brand that began with a simple question: why can't you find a nail salon you can trust?
Read MoreIn an increasingly digital world, the art of handwritten correspondence has become both rare and precious. Marcie Pantzer, founder of the luxury stationery brand Dear Annabelle, has built her business on a simple yet profound principle: authentic human connection matters. Named after her daughter and rooted in the timeless tradition of letter writing, Dear Annabelle creates beautifully crafted note cards, notepads, and entertaining accessories that encourage people to slow down and connect with one another in meaningful ways.
Read MoreSome jewelry tells a story the moment you see it—each detail holding a memory, a vision, or a piece of the person who created it. Andrea Fohrman, the Los Angeles–based designer hailed as the “Celestial Queen” by Vogue, has built a career on capturing the beauty of the night sky and the energy of the earth in her fine jewelry. In this conversation with SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein, Andrea reflects on the inspirations rooted in her Marin County childhood, her love for one-of-a-kind gemstones, and the ways she’s learned to shape her business around the life she wants to live.
Read MoreThe children's beauty market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by parents seeking safer, cleaner alternatives for their young ones who are naturally drawn to experimenting with makeup and self-expression. Enter Adrianna Abbott, a seasoned beauty industry executive who spent a decade at Estée Lauder Companies before embarking on her own entrepreneurial journey with Lillipop, a clean play makeup brand designed specifically for children.
Read MoreIn this first-ever solo episode of the SEAM Podcast, Amy Cohen Epstein, founder and CEO of the Lynne Cohen Foundation, shares a deeply personal reflection as she approaches her 49th birthday—a milestone shaped by memory, grief, and profound gratitude. Amy opens up about the significance of turning 49, the age her mother, Lynne Cohen, was when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and how this past year has felt like an emotional holding of breath. With honesty and vulnerability, Amy explores the legacy of her mother’s strength, the value of preventive care and early detection, and the journey of self-discovery that comes with age. This powerful reflection reminds us that caring for ourselves—and one another—is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor those we’ve lost and the lives we continue to build.
Read MoreAmy Cohen Epstein sits down with novelist Megan Tady, author of Bluebird Day, to explore how fiction can hold space for grief, healing, and complex family dynamics. Megan’s novel follows a mother and daughter—former elite ski racers—who are forced to confront painful truths and rebuild their relationship while stranded in a Swiss village during a snowstorm. Inspired by personal loss and her evolving relationship with her own mother, Megan shares how writing became a path toward self-understanding and emotional reconciliation. Together, Amy and Megan discuss themes of parenting, performance anxiety, resilience, and the generational shifts in how we define strength and healing.
Read MoreDrawing from her diverse background as both a clinical nurse and creative force in luxury hospitality, Jules Timms Robertson, RN, shares how her work integrates science-backed modalities and therapeutic touch with the healing power of joy, sensory awareness, and human connection
Read MoreIn this emotional and inspiring episode of the SEAM Podcast, host Amy Cohen Epstein sits down with Katelyn Burke, owner of Perspire Sauna Studio in Brentwood, to discuss how the loss of her mother to cervical cancer reshaped her life and fueled her commitment to wellness. Katelyn shares how her personal experience with grief and caregiving led her to explore preventive health, clean living, and holistic recovery—values she now brings to her community through the healing power of infrared sauna therapy. While the Lynne Cohen Foundation advocates for preventive care in partnership with trusted medical providers, this conversation offers a window into how lifestyle-based wellness practices—when used responsibly and alongside medical advice—can play a powerful role in self-care, emotional healing, and physical recovery.
Read MoreNutrition plays a crucial role in overall well-being, and making thoughtful, science-backed lifestyle changes can support long-term health. In this conversation, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein speaks with holistic nutritionist Elissa Goodman about how diet, stress management, and self-care can complement traditional medical treatment. Elissa shares her personal journey with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, how she used nutrition and lifestyle adjustments alongside medical care, and the lessons she’s learned about healing from the inside out. Together, they discuss the importance of digestive health, hormone balance, and the power of choosing nourishing foods to feel and function at your best.
Read MoreWhen facing a serious health diagnosis, medical advice is essential—but so is understanding how lifestyle choices impact your overall well-being.In this conversation, our own Amy Cohen Epstein speaks with Yalda Alaoui, founder of Eat Burn Sleep, about how making intentional changes to diet, movement, and stress management can complement medical treatment and improve quality of life. Diagnosed with two life-threatening autoimmune diseases, Yalda took a proactive approach to her health, combining expert medical care with research-backed lifestyle adjustments that ultimately helped her heal. In this interview, she shares her journey, insights on reducing inflammation, and practical steps anyone can take to support their health alongside their doctor’s guidance.
Read MoreIn this insightful conversation, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein interviews Allison Statter, CEO of Blended Strategy Group. As a leader in strategic branding and influencer marketing, Allison delves into her experiences building a business focused on fostering genuine connections, balancing work with motherhood, and redefining the modern marketing landscape. Allison shares her journey of resilience, the value of deep-rooted friendships, and her passion for philanthropy, providing a refreshing take on what it means to blend influence with true impact.
Read MoreLauren Pudwill is the creative force behind By Bago, a lifestyle and design company based in LA. With an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by curiosity, Lauren discusses her journey from singer-songwriter to designer, crafting unique lifestyle products inspired by her Chinese-American heritage and experiences across California. From hand-poured candles to custom leather goods, Lauren's approach emphasizes creativity, community, and personal memory-making. Dive into this inspiring conversation as Lauren shares how passion and purpose guide her work, bridging the gap between artistry and daily life.
Read MoreIn this interview, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein speaks with Jenny Galluzzo, co-founder of The Second Shift, a platform designed to provide mid-career women with flexible job opportunities and professional development. Jenny shares how The Second Shift has adapted to the changing workforce landscape, emphasizing flexibility, community, and empowerment. With insights into work-life balance, career pivots, and building resilience, Jenny’s perspective sheds light on the evolving roles of women in today’s workforce and the power of connection. Join Amy and Jenny as they explore the ways women can find purpose and meaning in their professional and personal lives.
Read MoreI love being a woman. Some of my greatest accomplishments are related to my womanhood: birthing and raising my daughters and creating a career path that allows me to transform other women’s lives, just to name a few. However, despite all the absolute pleasures of womanhood, we all know it comes with its own challenges, too. Our bodies continuously change from year to year, day to day, and even from morning to afternoon to evening. One of the most notable changes is the inevitable natural shift to menopause and postmenopause.
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