The Feminist Mom Podcast

Sharon Itkoff Nacache ATR-BC LCAT LPAT PMH-C (she/hers) is a perinatal art therapist with 15 years of clinical experience specializing in supporting those who identify as caregivers–personally or professionally–in cultivating creative resilience in the workplace, throughout their family building journeys, and beyond. She is a trauma-informed, attachment-based, relational clinician with a virtual practice serving New Jersey and New York. As a creative clinical consultant with the Whitney Museum of American Art, she also provides integrative arts-based wellness workshops for employees in both the public and private sectors to bring creative healing spaces to work and address caregiver burnout on the job. Her work has been featured in both the New York and LA Times, and her creative clinical approaches are grounded in principles of cultural humility, humanism, and the healing power of an empathic creative process.

In this conversation, Erin and Sharon discuss the challenges of caregiver burnout, particularly in the context of motherhood. They explore the definitions and cultural implications of burnout, emphasizing the importance of community support . Sharon shares her insights on how creativity and art therapy can serve as tools for healing and resilience, encouraging mothers to reconnect with their authentic selves. The discussion highlights the need for systemic changes to support caregivers and the significance of play and joy in combating burnout.

Learn more about Sharon: https://www.cocreatearttherapy.com/

Follow Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocreatearttherapy

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.

Elissa Strauss is a writer who covers culture, gender and care. She is the author of When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. Her work appears in places like the Atlantic, CNN, Slate and the New York Times. She lives with her family in Oakland, CA. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Elissa Strauss, who dives into the often-overlooked importance of care work. She explores how care has been historically devalued and argues for a cultural shift that places care at the center of our values, both in policy and in practice. We discuss the complexities of balancing care work with societal expectations, especially as mothers, and the need to involve men in caregiving roles. Elissa touches on the ethical challenges parents face today, the deep interdependence between people, and how embracing care can reshape empathy and our relationships. Join us as we unpack the power and significance of care work in shaping healthier, more equitable societies.

Learn more about Elissa: https://www.elissastrauss.com/

Follow Elissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissaavery

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.

TJ Matton, LCSW-C (she/her) is a social worker, psychotherapist, adult play coach, and constructive misbehavior enthusiast helping adults liberate their mind and bodies through play. TJ’s business, The Playful Revolution, is focused on helping people understand the neuroscience of play and reconnect with the power and potential of play. Play is a primal need to the human body and is the neglected side of mindfulness. TJ helps people find enjoyment in the everyday, playful ways to manage stress, and empowering ways to greater fulfillment. 

Learn more about TJ: www.theplayfulrevolution.com/

Follow TJ on Instagram: instagram.com/theplayfulrevolution/

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Mentioned in this episode: 

https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. 

On this episode Misty Pratt discusses her book 'All in Her Head: How Gender Bias Harms Women's Mental Health,' which combines memoir, research, and the stories of women from around the world. Misty shares her personal experience with mental illness and the challenges her grandmother faced in receiving a diagnosis. She also discusses the impact of motherhood on her mental health and the struggles she encountered within the mental health system.

Misty Pratt is a science communicator and the author of the upcoming book “All In Her Head: How Gender Bias Harms Women's Mental Health.” With over a decade of experience working in the field of biomedical research, Misty unpacks how personal and systemic biases have shaped our scientific understanding of disease and wellness. Misty has written for publications including Broadview, Mindful.org, and Today's Parent, and is an advocate for better mental health care. She lives in Ottawa with her family and her mischievous pug, Winnie.

Learn more about Misty: https://www.mistypratt.com/

Follow Misty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistyprattwriter/

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. 

Helena Vissing, PsyD and Erin discuss the critical role of somatic therapy in maternal mental health, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach that considers societal and cultural contexts. They explore the tension between public and private spheres in motherhood, the challenges of modern motherhood, and the journey towards empowered, authentic motherhood. The conversation also examines the impact of social media on motherhood perceptions and the importance of reflection and connection in navigating these complexities.

Helena Vissing, PsyD is a Licensed Psychologist certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) in private practice in California. She practices trauma-informed somatic psychotherapy as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Dr. Vissing is experienced as Adjunct faculty at several graduate institutions, has taught Child and Adolescent Development, Treatment of Children and Adolescents, Psychodynamic Theories, and Maternal Mental Health. As Training Faculty for Maternal Mental Health NOW, Dr. Vissing also provides trainings and consultations for providers. 

Learn more about Dr. Helena Vissing: www.helenavissing.com

Follow Helena on Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenavissing

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.

Tracey Lindeman, in her discussion of her book "Bleed," highlights systemic issues in diagnosing and treating endometriosis, pointing to misogyny and paternalistic care in the medical system. She emphasizes the dismissal of women's pain and the impact on reproductive rights, mental health, and the invisibility of chronic conditions.

Tracey Lindeman is a longtime freelance journalist (The Guardian, the Associated Press, CBC, Fortune, etc.) and the author of BLEED: Destroying Myths and Misogyny in Endometriosis Care. She is from Montreal and will soon be moving to Chicago.  

Go to bleedthebook.com for info and reach out to [email protected] for book orders.

Follow Tracey on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bleed_thebook

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. 

Today on the podcast is Marissa Rivera Bolaños. Marissa is a doula, gentle parenting coach and visual artist with a passion to create change around the way our culture approaches women's health. In this discussion Marissa and Erin talk about gentle parenting beyond the white, heteronormative narratives we often associate with gentle parenting. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Marissa’s article “This is how patriarchy weaponizes gentle parenting and leaves moms behind”: www.wombrevolution.com/blog/this-is-how-patriarchy-weaponizes-gentle-parenting-and-leaves-moms-behind

@latinxparenting

Learn more about Marissa: https://www.wombrevolution.com/

Follow Marissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wombrevolution

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.

Dr. Nicole Pensak and Erin talk about the maternal brain, matrescence and why mothers deserve to be paid more. 

Dr. Pensak is a Clinical Psychologist, author and researcher specializing in treating postpartum mental health, anxiety, OCD, and depression. She is certified in postpartum mental health and provides evidence-based therapy to her patients. Dr. Pensak serves on the Expert Review Board for Parents Magazine. She is also the author of the book Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain.

Follow Dr. Pensak on instagram: www.instagram.com/drnikkipensak

Learn more about Dr. Pensak and purchase her book: www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com

Watch Dr. Pensak’s TED talk on Youtube

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.

Erin and Nykesha Geeter talk about anti-racism parenting and the intersection of anti-Black racism and sexism (aka “Black Feminism”).

Nykesha Geeter, MSW MPsy PPSC (on TikTok/Instagram/Patreon as TheAntiRacismEducator). Nykesha has spent over 15 years servicing children and families in communities in Southern California both in education and social services agencies. In addition, she has earned certification in both parenting education and as a doula to further learn ways to provide extensive support to marginalized families. She further advanced and began creating content for parents (and soon to be parents) specific to anti-racist and feminist practices and ways to progress in understanding while educating their children.  

Follow Nykesha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/theantiracismeducator

Find Nykesha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@theantiracismeducator

Find Nykesha on Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/nykesha-anti-94959167

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.

Erin and Dr. Sam DuFlo talk all things pelvic floor!

Dr. Sam DuFlo is the Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Indigo Physiotherapy - a pelvic physical therapy practice founded on the premise that the body deserves more and deserves better. Since opening in 2016 in a single rented room in Baltimore City, Indigo has grown to eight boutique locations and counting. Sam is also the author of Pelvic Prep School, a board member for &Mother and Caroline Center, the 2023 recipient of the APTA Maryland Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Award, one of The Daily Record Maryland's Top 100 Women of 2023, a runner, and a mother.

Learn more about about Indigo Physio at www.indigophysio.com/

Follow Indigo on instagram: www.instagram.com/indigophysio

Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.

Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.