Welcome to today’s show! Parents have an unfortunate knack for being too hard on themselves, comparing themselves to others, and living in constant judgment of their decisions. This conversation takes a closer look at how self-compassion, understanding, and lighthearted humor can make the parenting journey easier. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Carla Naumburg is a clinical social worker, mother, and the author of five nonfiction books, including her international bestseller, How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids, and You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent. She also wrote the upcoming book,How to Stop Freaking Out, which is the middle-grade adaptation of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids. Carla infuses her witty sense of humor into her work and writing, bringing lightheartedness into subjects that are often filled with judgment, shame, and guilt. In this episode, she explains “Sh*tty Parent Syndrome,” why so many parents are suffering from it, and how self-compassion can make all the difference. 

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Resources:

Connect with Carla: Website, Instagram, and Facebook

Order Carla's new book, You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent, in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook format!

Visit www.postpartum.net for resources!

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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Today’s episode features a different take on perinatal mental health conditions. It’s a fresh and more expansive perspective on the things that take place in families during the perinatal process. This episode is loaded with helpful information, and I hope you’ll join us to learn more!

Rebecca Geshuri and Jessica Sorci are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists, and Perinatal Mental Health Certified. As co-founders of Family Tree Wellness in Silicon Valley, California, Rebecca and Jessica lead their one-of-a-kind IFS-informed group psychotherapy practice that provides counseling, education, and support for people who are in the family-building phase of life. They are wildly enthusiastic about creating trainings and supporting other therapists who want to deepen their knowledge and skill in using IFS and working in reproductive mental health. Most importantly, they are mothers on their own healing journeys who bring their own personal experiences with grief and growing, mixed with creative expression and spirituality to their work. Their goal is to heal the intergenerational burdens that are present in humanity. In this episode, Rebecca and Jessica share with us why perinatal mood and anxiety disorders need to be redefined, how IFS psychotherapy works in perinatal mental health, and why their practice offers training for therapists on the mother-centric approach to therapy.

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Resources:

Connect with Rebecca and Jessica:  Website, Facebook, and Instagram

Visit www.postpartum.net for resources!

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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We learn many things from the stories of others. In our quest to spread information, education, and compassion about the many topics we cover on Mom & Mind, it is just as important to hear the lesser-known stories of what people have experienced. Today’s guest shares her story of postpartum-onset bipolar disorder that resulted in postpartum psychosis. Unfortunately, this occurs in more mothers than we are led to believe, and we need more understanding about it. Join us now for a look at this often misunderstood condition. 

Jessica Ekhoff has written a memoir of her experience with postpartum-onset bipolar I disorder and psychosis. Super Sad Unicorn: A Memoir of Mania will be published in early 2023 by New Degree Press, and it’s available for preorder now. Jessica is a trademark advertising attorney who is a figure skating, board game, and fiction enthusiast. She is a peer facilitator for Postpartum Support International’s support group for pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their young son. Jessica shares her journey with mania and psychosis that began a few days after her son’s birth and landed her in a psychiatric ward.

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Resources:

Connect with Jessica: Instagram

Pre-order Jessica’s book: https://www.jessica-ekhoff.presale.manuscripts.com/    

Visit www.postpartum.net for resources!

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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I love hearing personal stories about someone’s experience, and I’m always honored to share those with you on this podcast. It is powerful to hear someone describe their struggles and journey to healing in their own words. Connecting through the story of a similar struggle can be extremely validating as it allows you to acknowledge what you have been through and find ways to cope. Join us now for Angela’s story of healing. 

Angela Martin is the mom of two boys, and her professional background is in the field of finance and accounting. She currently enjoys her part-time work in real estate, and she fills her free time with baking, hiking, and reading. She and her family live in a large college town in the Midwest.

Having just completed her memoir titled Dirty Laundry, Angela is looking for an agent to help publish her book and put her healing message out to a wider audience.

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Today’s show takes a look at postpartum depression through a firsthand account of the struggle to understand and heal. My guest is another example that finding just the right therapy makes all the difference because the same treatment modalities don’t work for everyone. Join us for Amanda’s inspiring story. 

Amanda Cunningham is a Pop/R&B singer-songwriter, wife, and mother of a 10-year-old daughter. Songwriting and singing provide her with an outlet to put her oversharing to good use, letting others know that it’s okay to poke fun at your imperfections and the trauma you’ve gone through and grown from. Amanda has struggled with mental health throughout her life, most recently having been diagnosed with Bipolar II, and she’s here to share her postpartum depression story and her journey to find healing. She shares helpful insights about her feelings of guilt and what it’s like to live in the “fog” of mental health issues. Amanda and I hope that her story can be an avenue of healing for others in similar situations. 

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Resources:

Connect with Amanda and hear her music:  Website, Instagram, and TikTok

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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My guest today shares bits of her personal motherhood story, along with a glimpse at her new book for moms-to-be, new moms, and moms with other children. The book helps these moms make a plan for their postpartum time with evidence-based information, insights, and helpful advice from a physician-mom. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Natasha Sriraman is a board-certified academic pediatrician and associate professor of pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School/Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. She is an internationally recognized expert on breastfeeding and postpartum depression. She works with the National AAP, is on the Virginia AAP Board, and is also the Honorary Chair of Postpartum Support Virginia.

Dr. Sriraman lives with her husband and children in Virginia Beach, VA. Her first book, recently published, is Return to You: A Postpartum Plan for New Moms, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her book offers insights as a friendly self-help guide to help new mothers prioritize themselves and make it through their “fourth trimester,” the three-month period following childbirth. 

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Connect with Dr. Natasha: Instagram

Return to You: A Postpartum Plan for New Moms

**Dr. Natasha is offering a signed copy of her book to the first listener to comment on this episode on the Mom & Mind YouTube channel. Visit Mom & Mind - YouTube today!

Visit my new website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, to get on the Interest List for the upcoming course. You’ll receive notifications when the course is live, and after you sign up, you’ll be able to watch or listen at your convenience. 

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We all know that teachers are underpaid, but they are also undersupported emotionally in times of pregnancy loss and postpartum difficulties. The need is great for bereavement and paid family leave. Join us to learn more about how change can happen for educators in our country. 

Jackie Mancinelli is a high school English and ESL teacher in New Jersey. She is the mother of two girls, ages 2 and 4, and had a son who passed away in 2016. She is the founder of Start Healing Together, a support organization for educators experiencing pregnancy loss and infertility, as well as the New Jersey ambassador for Count the Kicks. Jackie shares her personal story and the need for bereavement leave for teachers, both in instances of pregnancy loss and failed fertility treatments. 

Show Highlights:

Resources:

Connect with Jackie:  Website, Instagram, and Facebook

Visit my new website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, to get on the Interest List for the upcoming course. You’ll receive notifications when the course is live, and after you sign up, you’ll be able to watch or listen at your convenience.

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Today’s show is another story of a spectacular someone who turned their personal grief into a mission to help others. Our focus is on the disparity of medical treatment and care in the Black community regarding maternal mental health, infant loss, and more. Join us for this inspiring story from today’s guest!

Kay Matthews is here to share her long-term work through the Shades of Blue Project. She and her team are on a mission to uplift all birthing individuals with the care, respect, and dignity they deserve—no matter their social status or birth outcome. Their focus is on the birthing experience, and they bridge gaps by acknowledging that everyone’s birth story matters. Through education, advocacy, and support, they are dedicated to helping birthing individuals of color whose lives are impacted by racial disparities that amplify their birthing struggles. It is from her personal experience of infant loss and postpartum depression that Kay recognized a critical diversity gap in mental health resources and emotional support for Black and minority birthing individuals. Kay has founded Black Maternal Mental Health Week, which in 2022 falls on July 18-25 with the theme “Collective Efforts for Greater Community Impact and Change.” You can learn more by visiting their Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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You can connect with Kay and learn more about the Shades of Blue Project by visiting their  Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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The podcast is six years old this month! With well over 220 episodes, I’m thrilled to know we are reaching so many people in the US and about 90 other countries in the world! What’s most important is that we are getting the message out about perinatal mental health and telling the important personal stories to raise awareness and provide resources for support and healing. I have to say a huge THANK YOU to every listener!

With the COVID pandemic and the prevalence of telehealth, every therapist has had to shift in many ways. By the time people reach out for help, they need it right away, and it’s heartbreaking to make them wait. It’s great that more and more people have the opportunity to get the help that they need, but the increase in demand has strained resources and increased the wait times for appointments. Nothing feels more frightening and disheartening than being unable to get the help you need when you need it. We need to bridge the gap and do more–and I, for one, am up for the challenge! Join me to learn more in today’s episode!

Show Highlights:

Resources:

Visit my new website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, to get on the Interest List for the upcoming course. You’ll receive notifications when the course is live, and after you sign up, you’ll be able to watch or listen at your convenience. 

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It’s a good time to acknowledge the trauma that is raging around the world, which just adds to the stress from the challenges we have come through with the COVID pandemic.

Here in the US, we are going through a time of multiple mass shootings, baby formula shortages, wars in other countries, political issues, and controversy about women’s bodies. There is lots of tense energy, worry, and confusion, along with the normal challenges of parenthood.

For many parents, it has become very hard to process it all and keep living life. With so many people experiencing anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and burnout, navigating the journey is a difficult challenge. In today’s episode, I’m calling this trauma what it is and admitting that life can be so difficult at times. Join me for a closer look.

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