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In this episode of Quiet Confessions, Chelsea reflects on a hopeful session with their new psychiatrist, the ongoing struggle with sleep, overstimulation from chaotic parenting mornings, and their evolving relationship with trauma and healing. 

They candidly share their challenges with burnout, their nervous system’s fragility, and the everyday chaos of parenting with PTSD.

This is a raw, unedited space—where Chelsea lets their guard down, explores messy emotions, and gives themself permission to exist without performance. 

You’re invited to sit beside them in this sacred space of honesty, exhaustion, and slow healing.

Topics Covered:

• Meeting a new psychiatrist and feeling seen.
  
  
• Parenting with a dysregulated nervous system.
  
  
• The impossibility of sleep after trauma.
  
  
• Magnesium baths & grounding rituals.
  
  
• Distress tolerance in trauma therapy.
  
  
• Real talk about routine, overstimulation, and bedtime battles.
  
  
• The importance of claiming space for yourself.

Mentioned:

• Morbid Podcast 
• Flewd Magnesium Bath Soaks (not sponsored)
• Odd Moms On Call (Chelsea's other podcast)

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

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In this episode of Quiet Connection, I'm connecting with Emma Nagy, founder of My Lighter Way, for a heartfelt conversation about maternal mental health, healing after pregnancy loss, and the power of preventative care. Emma opens up about her own motherhood journey, from navigating pregnancy after loss to overcoming breastfeeding challenges and learning to trust her intuition. Together, we explore the critical role of community support, self-connection, and personal growth in the postpartum experience. Whether you're preparing for motherhood, in the thick of it, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a gentle reminder that you’re not alone.

To learn more about Emma, visit her Instagram or check out her Masterclass resources!

Takeaways

• Emma emphasizes the importance of preventative mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum.
• She shares her personal experiences with pregnancy after loss and the challenges that come with it.
• Emma highlights the significance of having a strong support system during motherhood.
• She discusses the impact of breastfeeding challenges on mental health and the need for support.
• Emma advocates for self-connection and intuition as essential tools for mothers.
• She reflects on her personal growth journey and how it shaped her approach to motherhood.
• Emma's business, My Lighter Way, focuses on helping mothers prepare for postpartum with a preventative lens.
• She encourages mothers to follow their joy and prioritize their mental health.
• Emma believes in the power of intention to feel as good as possible during motherhood.
• She stresses that every mother's journey is unique and that it's okay to seek help. 

Sound Bites

"I wanted to feel good the whole time."
"I love being a mom so much."
"You are not doing anything wrong."

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

In this raw solo mini-episode, Chelsea introduces Quiet Confessions, a new weekly mini-series where they share unfiltered updates from their own journey through parenthood, mental health challenges, and chronic illness. 

🎧 In this episode, Chelsea talks about: 

• Transitioning to a new psychiatrist and navigating complex medication management.
• The interconnected messiness of mental and physical health.
• Living with PMADs, a ruptured pituitary tumor, POTS, and the realities of being a disabled stay-at-home parent.
• How their postpartum experience never really ended—and why that matters.
• The invisible load of chronic illness and why support systems make all the difference.

This episode isn’t polished. It’s not rehearsed. But it’s real, honest, and straight from the heart—recorded on the go, just like parenthood itself.
 
💬 Chelsea says: “Quiet Confessions is gonna be my time. I don’t know how I got here from telling you I’m meeting with a psychiatrist—but I guess that’s the point.”

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I’m connecting with Farrah Sheehan—nurse, childbirth educator, and advocate for maternal and child health. 

Farrah shares her experiences serving vulnerable families, the power of trauma-informed care, and how birth story medicine transforms the healing process.

 Together, we explore the impact of storytelling in processing birth experiences, the importance of support networks, and the cultural barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help. 

This heartfelt conversation highlights the need for compassion in maternal healthcare and the strength found in sharing our stories.

Learn more about Farrah, Birth Story Medicine, and VCHIP!

Takeaways

• Farrah's journey as a nurse and advocate for child health is deeply rooted in her desire to support families.
• Birth story medicine serves as a healing tool for both birthing individuals and healthcare professionals.
• Trauma-informed care is essential in improving birth outcomes and supporting families.
• Storytelling can facilitate personal growth and healing, making it a powerful tool in healthcare.
• Creating a supportive community is crucial for new parents to thrive during the postpartum period.
• Healthcare professionals need to process their own experiences to provide better care for families.
• Empathy and compassion are vital in the healthcare system, especially in maternal and child health.
• Every family deserves to have their birth story heard and validated in a loving manner.
• Building a village of support is essential for new parents to navigate the challenges of parenthood.
• The cultural stigma around seeking help needs to be addressed to improve mental health outcomes for parents.

Sound Bites

"I always knew I wanted to be a mother."
"There is magic in birth story medicine."
"You have to build your village now."

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Quiet Connection, I'm connecting with Kim Chahat, also known as the Buff Mama, to explore her powerful journey through motherhood and fitness. Kim opens up about the mental health challenges she faced during pregnancy and postpartum, including her struggles with anxiety. 

She shares how fitness became a vital part of her recovery, helping her rebuild both physical and emotional strength. Together, we discuss the importance of seeking support, prioritizing self-care, and modeling healthy behaviors for their children. 

This candid conversation is a reminder that healing and strength often come from showing up for yourself—one step, one rep, and one day at a time. 

To learn more about Kim, visit her Instagram or Website. 

Takeaways

• Postpartum mental health is crucial and often overlooked.
• Kim's journey into fitness began with CrossFit and evolved into powerlifting.
• Pregnancy can be isolating, especially without a support system.
• Postpartum preeclampsia can occur even if blood pressure was normal during pregnancy.
• Anxiety can amplify postpartum, leading to intrusive thoughts.
• Seeking help for mental health should not be delayed.
• Fitness can provide a sense of purpose and boost confidence postpartum.
• Community support is vital for new mothers.
• Modeling self-care for children is important for their development.
• Balancing mental and physical health is essential for overall well-being.

Sound Bites

"Fitness gave me a purpose again."
"I love helping other women."
"Don't wait to ask for help."

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

This week I'm connecting with Emma, who opens up about the unspoken struggles of motherhood—the messy, beautiful, and often overwhelming parts.

We discuss how becoming a parent reshapes your identity, the pressure to do it all, and the importance of carving out space for yourself. 

If you’ve ever felt lost in the chaos of motherhood, this episode is your reminder that you’re still in there—and you’re stronger than you think. 

Takeaways

• Emma's journey into motherhood began with IVF due to infertility issues.
• Mental health plays a significant role in the IVF process and postpartum experience.
• Support systems, including family and therapy, are crucial for mental well-being.
• Postpartum depression can affect anyone, regardless of preparation or awareness.
• Normalizing conversations about mental health is essential for future generations.
• Self-advocacy and asking for help are vital skills for parents.
• It's okay to have days where parenting feels overwhelming.
• Screen time and easy meals can be necessary for self-care as a parent.
• Children can learn about emotions and mental health through open dialogue.
• Every parent's journey is unique, and love for one's children is what truly matters.

Sound Bites
"You're strong enough to do this."
"It's okay to ask for help."
"Sometimes motherhood is beautiful and sometimes it is hard."

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

This episode discusses postpartum psychosis, suicidal ideation, and other related challenges. It is important to create safe spaces to discuss these topics, but please be mindful of your own mental health.

Motherhood is never easy—but for neurodivergent moms, it comes with unique challenges and triumphs. In this episode of Quiet Connection, Samantha Foote shares her raw and honest experience of raising three neurodivergent children while managing her own mental health struggles. 

From battling postpartum depression and psychosis to becoming a fierce advocate for herself and her family, Samantha offers insight into the importance of seeking help, building support systems, and embracing the ups and downs of healing. 

To learn more about Samantha, visit her Instagram or website.

Takeaways

• Samantha is a neurodivergent mom to three neurodivergent kids.
• Motherhood catalyzed Samantha's pursuit of her own diagnosis.
• Samantha's journey includes struggles with postpartum depression and psychosis.
• Advocacy is crucial in healthcare and parenting.
• Support systems play a vital role in recovery.
• Medication can be a helpful tool for managing mental health.
• Samantha emphasizes the importance of understanding perinatal mental health disorders.
• Community support is essential for new parents.
• Samantha's experience highlights the need for self-advocacy.
• Healing is a non-linear journey with ups and downs.

Sound Bites

"Advocate for yourself, advocate for your kids."

"You are on this earth for a reason."

"Healing isn't linear; you're gonna have hard days."

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Visit our Patreon to help support our mission to normalize the conversation and end the stigma surrounding PMADs!

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

*This episode contains information and experiences relating to postpartum psychosis, hallucinations, and hospitalizations. These topics are important to discuss and normalize, but please be aware of your triggers.

Join Chelsea as they talk with Nancy Di Nuzzo about her powerful journey from a career in accounting to becoming a postpartum doula. Nancy shares her unexpected pregnancy, the challenges of postpartum mental health, including her experience with postpartum psychosis, and how it inspired her to create Anamav Postnatal Care. A must-listen for expecting and new parents. 

Takeaways

• Plan for postpartum support before having a baby.
• Communication with family is crucial for managing expectations.
• Understanding perinatal mood disorders can help in early recognition.
• Seeking help early can prevent worsening mental health issues.
• There are resources available for postpartum support, like helplines.
• Creating a supportive environment can ease the transition into parenthood.
• Therapy and self-care practices are important for mental health.
• Every birth experience is unique; past experiences do not dictate future ones.
• Advocating for oneself in healthcare settings is essential.
• Community support can make a significant difference in recovery. 

Sound Bites
"I felt like a failure."
"I was on suicide watch."
"I want to do what I'm doing."

To learn more about Nancy, visit her website or her Instagram Account!

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Visit our Patreon to help support our mission to normalize the conversation and end the stigma surrounding PMADs!

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

Originally aired on Odd Moms On Call 

As we count down to the Quiet Connection Season 5 premiere on Monday, April 28th, I’m bringing you a special bonus episode from a project that’s close to my heart. 

This episode comes from Odd Moms On Call—a panel-style podcast I co-host alongside a brilliant, bold, and diverse group of moms from across North America. Together, we tackle everything from current events to the real stuff no one tells you about parenting. 

In More Than the Baby Blues, we’re diving into PMADs—Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. These go far beyond the “baby blues” and can affect anyone navigating the intense transition into parenthood. Whether you're a parent yourself, supporting someone who is, or just curious about how mental health shows up during this time, this conversation is one worth hearing. 

If you love Quiet Connection, you’ll definitely want to check out Odd Moms On Call. It’s raw, real, and a little bit rebellious—just how we like it. 

🎙️ Stay tuned, and I’ll see you back here for the Season 5 premiere on Monday! 

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

Send us Fan Mail

*Please note that this episode discusses Postpartum Psychosis, delusions, and hallucinations. We also talk about the stigma surrounding PPP and how the media portrays mothers who succumb to its more severe symptoms. 

Please excuse the audio quality of this episode as we seem to be having some difficulty with our overseas recordings. We have done all that we can, but we recognize that your listening experience may be impacted. We ask that you try to look past this and fully take in Emma's incredibly powerful story.

In the Season Four Finale of Quiet Connection: Postpartum Mental health, I'm connecting with Emma Grenfell, a survivor of postpartum psychosis, who shares her candid journey through motherhood, mental health challenges, and the importance of advocacy and education. Emma emphasizes the significance of recognizing early warning signs, the impact of stigma, and the necessity of creating a supportive environment for those struggling with mental health issues. Emma's story is one of resilience, empowerment, and the drive to help others navigate similar challenges.

Takeaways

• Emma shares her journey as a survivor of postpartum psychosis.
• The importance of recognizing early warning signs of mental health issues.
• Postpartum psychosis can manifest in various ways, including hallucinations and delusions.
• Advocacy for mental health is crucial for both individuals and their support systems.
• Education about postpartum psychosis is essential for reducing stigma.
• Emma emphasizes the need for a supportive environment for new mothers.
• The role of healthcare professionals in recognizing and treating postpartum psychosis is vital.
• Emma's experience highlights the importance of self-advocacy in mental health care.
• The conversation aims to normalize discussions around mental health and motherhood.
• Emma encourages open dialogue about mental health to help others feel less alone.

Sound Bites
"I was just in fight or flight."
"I thought we were all gonna die."
"You need to do better."

To learn more about Emma, visit her Instagram!

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Visit our Patreon to help support our mission to normalize the conversation and end the stigma surrounding PMADs!

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch