Honest Mamas Podcast

Welcome to episode forty-eight of the Honest Mamas Podcast, today Melissa speaks to Allison Purer, LCSW about the work / life balance as a successful entrepreneur. 

Allison specializes in helping people recover from eating disorders, sexual trauma, and anxiety disorders. She has worked with people struggling with these issues since 1998 and has seen clients work through them and live healthy, happy lives full of meaning. She is firm but compassionate and is committed to her clients' healing.

Eating disorders take over your life. Allison's clients find themselves in a cycle of feeling not good enough then virtuous for choosing the "right" food then back to feeling not good enough. Sometimes they purge. Sometimes they over-exercise. Sometimes they binge. Sometimes they restrict. These behaviors feel like they help in the moment but by the time clients call her, they realize they don't have the life they keep trying to earn through thinness/fitness/"admirable self-control." Her clients look like they have it all together and barely anyone knows they're struggling.

Allison's clients want to stop thinking about food and bodies so much. They want to stop comparing themselves to other women. Part of them wants to be able to order what sounds good, eat it, and not think about it again but they're also terrified to let go.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Allison handles family life and being an entrepreneur
• The need to disconnect from social media to have better family time
• Creating a business model that works around your life
• Understanding that financial gain doesn’t guarantee happiness
• Overcoming post-partum depression
• Milk sharing; ways new mamas can help each other out
• How strict work boundaries can help you be more productive
• Tips for women who are looking for a change in career

Resources

https://abundancepracticebuilding.com

https://www.amazon.com/Present-Over-Perfect-Leaving-Frantic/dp/0310342996

Welcome to episode forty-nine of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Melissa speaks to Jessica Slatus about the fourth trimester.

Jessica Slatus is a licensed clinical social worker and has been working with adults, adolescents, children, and families for over ten years. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work at New York University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies from Vassar College. Jessica is also trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and is a Certified AEDP Therapist and Supervisor.

In addition to her general practice, Jessica specializes in working with individuals struggling with eating, exercise, and body image problems. She was trained at the Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia in New York City, where she also worked as a staff therapist.  While her approach is primarily experiential and emotion-focused, Jessica incorporates elements of behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, into her work as needed.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• What is the fourth trimester?
• Jessica’s personal experience of the fourth trimester
• The need for a wise elder through this process
• Why it’s important to undo aloneness
• How most people find it difficult to communicate effectively with their partners about what they need
• Practical tools and tips to help new moms deal with the fourth trimester
• The need and benefit to tell your story with other moms to help each other through the fourth trimester

Resources

http://jessicaslatus.com

Welcome to episode forty-seven of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Melissa speaks to Dr. Shelly Steinwurtzel about the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) experience.

Dr. Shelly Steinwurtzel is a New York state licensed clinical psychologist who has been working with children, adolescents, and adults since 2004 in their pursuit of lasting positive change.

After receiving her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Brandeis University, she worked as a Research Coordinator at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. While clinical research was of interest, Shelly knew she wanted to pursue a career helping children, adolescents, and adults through more individualized, clinical interventions founded on strong theoretical and evidence-based underpinnings.

Shelly earned her Masters of Education and Doctorate in Psychology focusing on School and Clinical Psychology at Pace University in lower Manhattan.  She has worked in elementary, and middle school settings as well as multiple NYC hospital systems with people of diverse socio-economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. In addition to clinical and academic work, Shelly supervised and taught undergraduate and graduate students during her Fellowship year as the Assistant Director of the McShane Center for Psychological Services at Pace University.

Currently, Shelly is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University Medical Center working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and consulting with the Perinatal and Neonatal Comfort/Palliative Care Program. She is instrumental in helping parents and family members (siblings, grandparents…) as they navigate the joys and traumas of having a baby born early, or with medical complications, and sometimes, life-limiting conditions. 

What you’ll hear in this episode

• What led Shelly to work with families and staff in the NICU
• The things Shelly has learnt since working in the NICU
• Ways in which to seek out emotional support through this process
• Being open to support from other parents in a similar situation
• How feelings of being out of control can increase anxiety
• Being open to conversation about the best course for your baby
• Working through the transition of leaving the NICU

Resources

[email protected]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mypreemie-app/id931150109?mt=8

Welcome to episode forty-six of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Melissa speaks with Brook Nalle about the issues surrounding your baby and sleep.

At Bank Street's Graduate School of Education, Brooke (MS Ed. 2003) learned to apply a developmental lens to her teaching and curriculum design. When she founded Sleepy On Hudson in 2009, she brought and applied this training to infant, baby, and toddler sleep. 

She is one of Kim West's first 50 Gentle Sleep Coaches and has worked with over 1,500 families with children of all ages.  Brooke specializes in creating and affirming behavioral routines that are right for your child's developmental picture and of course are sensitive to his temperament. 

In addition to her work with infant and babies, Brooke especially enjoys working with toddlers and can help you through this rocky sleep period.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• The most common sleep issues Brooke comes across
• The need for a good routine to help with a baby’s sleep
• Learning not to be too hard on yourself around this issue
• Knowing what’s developmentally appropriate
• Why you can’t put a baby to sleep on their belly if they can’t do it on their own
• Making sure to properly use techniques such as swaddling correctly
• Set realistic expectations and goals
• Learning to work with sleep consultants through this process

Resources

http://www.sleepyonhudson.com

Welcome to episode forty-five of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Sophie speaks with Shawn Fink. Shawn has been called the "Yoda of Mamas" and is her 5th year of the Abundant Mama, her blog which has evolved into a 4-week program.

She has placed over 1500 mamas onto a path of building an abundant life practice using "soul"-care (her definition of self-care), learning to trust and let go, and making time for play. 

The Abundant Mama® Project is on a mission to bring JOYFUL energy to overwhelmed, highly sensitive moms all over the world. Being wholeheartedly present, peaceful and playful while nailing the work-life-parenting balance role is HARD.  It’s even harder for those of us who are highly sensitive.

This project is all about empowering moms to follow their dreams and live the kind of mom you dream of being. YOU get to design motherhood YOUR way through our resources, inspiration, support and encouragement.

What you’ll hear in this episode  

• How Shawn became interested in this line of work
• The issues around motherhood overwhelm
• Triggers and the ways they affect highly sensitive people
• The physical responses our bodies have to issues of nervousness
• Ways in which mothers can support themselves through overwhelm
• Managing the post-partem years
• The importance and need to mother and care for ourselves
• Practical tips for mothers dealing with these issues

Resources

http://www.abundantmama.com

Welcome to episode forty-four of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Claire speaks with Eva Zasloff, MD, about the power of in-home postpartum medical care. 

Dr. Zasloff is a board-certified family doctor. She received her undergraduate degree at Barnard College, Columbia University and her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her medical residency training at Tufts University with a focus in obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics.

Dr. Zasloff is a co-author of chapters on holistic women's health in Rakel's 2nd Edition Integrative Medicine textbook. Dr. Zasloff created a grant-awarded support program for pregnant teens. She has published research articles on pediatric and postpartum issues with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Boston Children's Hospital.

She is a mother of 3 boys and has been practicing family medicine in the Boston area for many years. Dr. Zasloff is thrilled to have created this new approach to postpartum and newborn care.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Eva became interested in this line of work
• The leap of faith Eva had to take to pursue this work
• The importance of the birth story
• The symbiotic experience mothers and babies have in the fourth trimester
• How the mothers Eva sees are feeding back with their positive experience
• Why it’s important to have a trusted advisor through this process
• The importance for a sense of togetherness and collectiveness

Resources

https://www.tovahealth.com

Welcome to episode forty-three of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, Melissa speaks to Dr. Nazanin Moali about eating disorders on the motherhood journey.

Dr. Nazanin Moali is a sex and relationship expert and has helped many individuals and couples improve their sex lives and restore and achieve deep and passionate connections with their partners. In addition to Sexology podcast, Dr. Moali launched a similar, top-rated podcast in Farsi in 2016. Dr. Moali is dedicated to educating people around the world to embrace sexuality as an essential aspect of life and eliminate the stigma associated with it.

Dr. Moali has appeared on many television shows including Channel One, Andisheh, and Gem TV. She has also been featured on many podcasts and publications.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How certain words, parts of language don’t fall under the definition of an eating disorder
• The pressure women feel to look good and not be overweight during pregnancy
• The way in which the mainstream media portrayal of pregnancy exacerbates this issue
• The role will power, and control plays in this issue
• How shame can be a trigger for eating disorders
• The current issue and discussion around gestational diabetes
• Understanding the postpartum body
• Knowing it’s ok to give yourself space from those who might trigger your disorder

Resources

http://oasis2care.com

https://www.sexologypodcast.com

Welcome to episode forty-two of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, Sophie speaks to Lacey Broussard about rediscovering our sexuality as mothers.

Lacey works with people who want to experience better, more connected sex and satisfying relationships.

She uses deep transformational tools and techniques based in modern coaching modalities, tantra, and Taoist practices to help liberate her clients’ innate multiorgasmic potential, discover their erotic genius, and experience deep intimacy, connection, and love for themselves and their partners.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Lacey became interested in this line of work
• What is the jade egg practice and how does it work?
• Why mothers don’t feel like being sexually active after having a child
• How society doesn’t value sexuality in women over 40
• Ways in which mothers can find their way back to being erotic
• Learning to make time for you and your partner at the end of the day and not just always watch TV / Netflix
• Recommendations for pre-date night rituals

Resources

http://laceybroussard.com

Welcome to episode 41 of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, Claire speaks to Sean Grover, LCSW, about his book; When Kids Call the Shots: How to Seize Control from Your Darling Bully — and Enjoy Being a Parent Again.

Sean Grover, LCSW, is an psychotherapist, speaker and author with 25 years experience working with adults and children. He maintains one of the largest group therapy practices in the U.S. and leads over 300 groups a year in his practice, in addition to monthly workshops in clinics, medical centers, youth organizations, and schools.

Sean began his clinical career as a school social worker in some of the most notorious and gang-ridden areas of New York City. Sean recalls, “My first school office was a broom closet with no windows and a broken light switch. I remember my supervisor wishing me well as she closed the door and left me in complete darkness.”

During those early years, his affinity for working with youth and connecting with their families led to the rapid expansion of his programs, supported by significant private and public funding. For his innovative youth programs, Sean was honored with two awards from New York Times Neediest Cases Fund.

Sean's book, When Kids Call the Shots: How to Seize Control from Your Darling Bully — and Enjoy Being a Parent Again, has gathered rave reviews and received a starred review for best new non-fiction from Publishers Weekly. To date, it has been translated into Russian and Chinese.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Insights from Sean’s parenting experience
• How parenting is changing and how we can adapt
• The ways in which the roles of parents have changed and what that means for you
• How the bully dynamic develops in a parent / child relationship
• Learning to put your ego to the side
• The importance of community support
• Understanding that to help your child, you’ll have to work on yourself as a parent
• Knowing that it’s ok to not be perfect 100% of the time

Resources

http://www.seangrover.com

Welcome to episode forty of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, Melissa speaks to Alexa Wilding about Finding strength through her son's cancer diagnosis.

Alexa is a musician, writer, and a twin mama. Tagged "the neo-Stevie Nicks" by The New York Times, Alexa's third album "Wolves" (2016) was called "an intimate howl" by Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter. The record was written in the hospital while she saw her son, Lou successfully through cancer treatment.

Alexa has also shared this experience and its impact on her life as an artist on platforms such as The Glow, Mother and Style Like U. Her recent video on postpartum body acceptance for Allure magazine's “Dispelling Beauty Myths” series went viral within 24 hours, empowering women all over the world to embrace the journey from maidenhood to motherhood.

After completing an MFA in Writing at The Writer’s Foundry, Brooklyn in 2017, Alexa and her family relocated to the Hudson Valley. She is currently working on her first book.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Insights into Alexa’s experience of caring for a son diagnosed with cancer
• Learning to accept that part of being a mother is not being able to control everything
• The importance of looking after yourself so you can look after others
• The need for Alexa to create a space of comfort at the hospital
• Understanding that it’s ok to ask for and receive help
• Learning to transition from care in the hospital to no care at home

Resources

http://www.alexawilding.com