The journey and longing for a baby can be incredibly hard. You might be early on in your fertility journey and finding yourself surprised by the intense emotions and disappointment when you get a negative pregnancy test. Or maybe, you're further along and beginning to explore fertility treatment options. No matter where you are in your journey, I'm glad you're here.

I am joined this week by Dr. Temeka Zore @temekazoremd to talk about fertility burnout. Dr. Zore is a Fertility specialist and Board-certified OB/GYN, who completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UCLA.

If you have been in the process of trying to conceive before or you're in the thick of it, you know that this journey can come with a lot of questions, uncertainty, hurdles and a slew of emotions. For many, it can take longer than expected to get pregnant and though most doctors will tell you that it's totally normal to take up to six months to a year for most couples, that often doesn't make the emotional experience easier. What I love about this conversation with Dr. Zore is that she provides insightful and evidence-based information while also acknowledging some of the emotional aspects and challenges that are often overlooked for those trying to conceive. You can learn more about Dr. Zore here.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

Whether you're one month in, 6 months in, or over a year into your fertility journey, it can be overwhelming to say the least. The mental and emotional load can be a lot to carry both on an individual level and within your partner relationship. Not to mention, it can be challenging to navigate and sift through all the information and myths around fertility.

That's why this week I asked Dr. Danielle Lane, a highly regarded endocrinology and fertility specialist, onto the podcast to talk about all things fertility. Dr. Lane de-mystifies the fertility experience by offering insights and information into when you should reach out to a fertility specialist, what tests and treatments are available to you and your partner, what options are available to same-sex couples, we talk about some of the myths around fertility, and we explore the emotional experience that is bound to be a part of this journey for you and your partner.

You can learn more about Dr. Lane at her website or follow her on social media at @drdaniellelane!

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

Did you feel an instant connection with your baby after they were born? Or maybe, did it take a little longer to bond and grow in love? If your experience was more like the latter, you are not alone....and I share my story here.

In this episode I am joined by my friend Rachel Rainbolt. Rachel was one of my greatest resources of support when I was struggling with bonding with my baby. In this episode she offers compassionate and supportive tips for how to embrace the imperfect and new relationship you have with your baby.

Rachel is the Sage Family coach, writer, podcaster, and advocate for gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living, with an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and decades of experience guiding families to peace and joy at sagefamily.com. She works from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives wild and free in connection with her 3 wildlings and the papa bear in their fixer upper on the beach.

Rachel's Baby Massage Video: https://youtu.be/5qkSW1V-0fs

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

Do you ever feel a sense of overwhelm when you're scrolling on social media? Or maybe you log off the app feeling not enough or like you're a project to be improved? In today's episode I am joined by LMFT Whitney Goodman of @sitwithwhit and we are talking about wellness overload in digital spaces. Maybe you follow a number of mental health professionals on Instagram or experts in the postpartum and parenting wellness arena. While these accounts are intended to be helpful, sometimes we can begin to feel overwhelmed by the overload of advice and wellness content.

In this episode Whitney and I talk about how this can be overstimulating, how to become aware of if this is something you're experiencing, and ways you can set some tangible and healthy boundaries to empower you in your own personal wellness journey.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

A big fear and struggle for many postpartum parents is the impact that having a baby will have on their partner relationship. With postpartum there is more responsibility, less sleep, and less time to connect and repair with your partner. If your relationship feels disconnected in postpartum or you have a fear this could happen one day in the future, this is the episode for you. Today I am joined by relationship coach and therapist, Sheina Schochet from @loveafterbaby, and we are talking about all things intimacy, communication, and connection. In this episode we bring you tangible tips to help improve your communication and reconnect.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. 

Why can motherhood be so overstimulating at times? The noise, the mess, the touching, it can all lead to sensory overload. Sometimes we respond to this overload with irritability, followed by guilt or shame for our behaviors. Can you relate? This is the topic for today's episode with psychologist Dr. Ashurina Reams. You can continue to follow Dr. Ream's work and find her offerings through instagram @psychedmommy.

Resource mentioned in the episode:

Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Lisa M Ross.

This episode was brought to by Storq.com.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

In this episode I share my conversation with Dr. Kelly Fradin, Pediatrician and author of Parenting in a Pandemic. Dr. Fradin demystifies your biggest worries when it comes to the coronavirus and children, and answers questions about steps parents can take to keep their families safe during the upcoming holidays. We explore the social emotional impact of living in a pandemic for both parents and their children, and offer tips for staying well both physically and mentally.

To continue to follow Dr. Fradin's work you can find her on instagram @adviceigivemyfriends, and you can buy her book Parenting in a Pandemic here!

This episode was brought to you by Storq.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

In this episode I share my conversation with Chasity Holcomb, Licensed Professional Counselor. Together we explore the identity transition of becoming a mother. While we might hope and imagine that we will just connect with that new identity after our baby is born, it is very common to not feel comfortable or confident in your role as "mom" right away! You can learn more from Chasity at her Momfully You blog here: https://chasityholcomb.com/blog/

This episode was brought to you by Storq.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

In this episode I share my conversation with Lindsey Shipley, RN, IBCLC-certified lactation coach and founder of Lactation Link. In this episode Lindsey shares her story of grief and loss that she experienced after having a baby and being diagnosed with cancer. Together we explore how Lindsey found joy even amidst the grief and pain.

You can continue to follow Lindsey's journey on Instagram @lindsey_shipley 

This episode was brought to you by Storq. 

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.

In this episode I share my conversation with New York Times Best Selling Author and mom to three Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, LCSW. We discuss her most recent book Bottom Line for Baby, where she shares the science behind some of the biggest decisions new parents have to make. Tina and I explore the overwhelming feelings that come with trying to make the best decisions for you and your baby, all while navigating the parent shaming and judgment that unfortunately many of us experience. 

To continue to follow Tina's work you can find her @tinapaynebryson.

You can get your hands on Bottom Line for Baby by clicking here!

This episode was sponsored by Storq.

Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.