Momma Mosaic

On the occasion of the Second Annual Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Day, in this episode, we speak with Kristina Dulaney and Teresa Twomey, Maternal Health Advocates, Survivors of Postpartum Psychosis, and two of the incredible advocates behind Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day. For more information on their amazing work, please visit www.pppawarenessday.org.

Our guest today is Dr. Walker Ladd. Previously a professional modern dancer with both a BA and MFA in dance from UCLA, Walker returned to school to receive an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Seattle and practiced as a Couples and Family Therapist. Following the traumatic childbirth and subsequent postpartum depression of her son in 2000, Walker dedicated herself to maternal mental health advocacy and research literacy, working as a certified birth doula (CD, DONA), and serving as the perinatal mental health editor for Lamaze International's Science and Sensibility, before returning to school to receive her Ph.D. in psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (Sofia University).

Walker is a 17-year breast cancer survivor. Her son, Ziggy, is a sophomore at the Berklee School of Music. Her daughter, Miles, is the funniest person Walker has ever known and will be a freshman at CalArts majoring in theater design in the Fall, 2021.

Join us as we speak with Paige Bellenbaum, Chief External Officer and Founding Director of The Motherhood Center in New York City.

Paige started her social work career working at a homeless shelter for families in San Francisco, where she built a multi-million Housing and Aftercare Program for families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. She then moved to New York City in 2000 to get her Masters of Social Work at Columbia University. After she graduated, she held executive-level positions at various non-profit agencies including the Center for Family Life located in Sunset Park Brooklyn, Habitat for Humanity – New York City, and Settlement Housing Fund. Throughout her non-profit career she has worked with homeless families, victims of domestic violence and child abuse, formerly homeless single mothers, formerly incarcerated young adults, and more. She Chaired the Youth and Human Services Committee of Community Board 6 in Brooklyn for 6 years, and ran for public office, and was elected in 2015 as the District Leader for the 52nd Assembly District in Brooklyn which she held for four years.

After her first child was born, Paige suffered from severe postpartum depression that nearly ended her life. Once she began to heal, she became committed to fighting for education, screening, and treatment for postpartum depression so that no more women would have to suffer silently. She drafted legislation in New York State that was championed by State Senator Liz Krueger, mandating education and strongly encouraging screening of all new and expecting mothers that was signed into law in 2014. Paige has been an outspoken advocate on the issue of postpartum depression and uses her own story as a tool for change. She has appeared on the Today Show, NPR, PBS Newshour and in Women’s Health Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and several other media outlets. For more information, you can visit www.themotherhoodcenter.com

**Trigger warning: discussion of postpartum depression, PMADS, and suicidal thoughts.

Join us for our first episode as we speak with Maureen Daniel Fura, an award-winning Maternal Health Advocate, the Writer and Director of the documentary film Dark Side of the Full Moon, and the CEO of MAMMHA. Maureen speaks with us about her journey to motherhood, and on the importance of storytelling, screening for PMADS (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), and supporting moms. For more information on Maureen and MAMHHA, please visit www.mammha.com. To learn more about Maureen's film, please visit Dark Side of the Full Moon. Maureen's live storytelling appearances referenced in this interview can be found here: Lip Service and TedX.

**Trigger warning: parts of this interview discuss suicide, loss, anxiety, and trauma. If you or anyone you know needs help, please call the Postpartum Support International Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) or the Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.