In our very first episode of I’m Listening with Dr Ariella, the tables turn: Ovum founder Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks becomes the guest, opening up about the personal and professional journey that led her to create Ovum.

Joined by Stefanie DiGianvincenzo, Ovum’s Chief Marketing Officer and stand-in host for this episode, Ariella shares what it was like to move from the clinic into advocacy, the frustrations she faced in a system that so often overlooks women, and the moment she knew something had to change.

Together, they dive into:

• The gap between women’s lived experiences and how medicine responds

• What Ariella’s medical training got right—and what it missed

• The early days of building Ovum, and what the app offers today

• The bigger mission: creating tools that listen, believe, and respect lived experience

This is more than an origin story—it’s a rallying cry for better healthcare, a glimpse behind the curtain of Ovum’s mission, and an invitation to anyone who’s ever felt dismissed in their health journey.

If you’ve ever had to fight to be believed, you’re not alone. Ovum was built with you, and for you. Download the app on Apple or Android to take the first step toward being seen, heard, and supported.