Unmasking Therapy (formerly Parenting in Hard Mode)

Irina talks with Kristin Diversi, a freelance writer, new mom, and host of the Macabre Traveler podcast. They discuss her long fertility journey that ultimately included IVF, an embryo adoption, and selective reduction. They also talked about struggling with the identity shift of motherhood and how to define motherhood for yourself.

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Whit Taylor, a cartoonist, comics editor, and new mom. They discuss feeding issues, the work/life balance, and cultivating gratitude during a difficult year. It's something that we could all use a little more of as we wrap up 2020. They also get into Whit's work, including the "Having a Baby in Quarantine" comic she created for The New Yorker and the must-read comic that she created for The Nib: Black Mothers Face Far Worse Health Outcomes. How Do We Fix It?

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Elaine, a civil engineer and first-time mom in New York City. Her story is an important one as Elaine gave birth just a few hours after the partner ban went into effect back in March, and she's still dealing with the long-term trauma associated with that. They also talk about loneliness, guilty, and impostor syndrome... You do NOT want to miss this one!

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Hannah Howard, a new mom, food writer, and author of Feast: True Love in and out of the Kitchen. In this episode, they discuss how Hannah and her husband left New York City when the partner ban was enacted, her emergency C-section, and dealing with breastfeeding issues after breast reduction surgery. Plus, experiencing FOMO!

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Carmen Perez, a mom of two, social justice activist, and co-founder of the Women's March. They get into the sadness of not having any baby bump photos with her 2nd pregnancy, the loneliness of spending this pregnancy in a pandemic, and how she learned to advocate for herself during these difficult times. Plus, how getting to spend more time with her baby in the postpartum period has been a silver lining. 

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Kaitlyn, a new mom and reading specialist in Northern Illinois. They talk about how a third trimester scare forced her to slow down at work, how difficult it is when things don't work out as you planned, and the grief of having a baby during a pandemic. Plus, how fun it was to not know the sex of the baby before they were born!

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Dr. Erin Watson — aka Dr. Pandemic Mom! She is a family medicine and emergency medicine physician currently working in the ER. She is also a fellow new mom and the author of Pregnancy During A Pandemic, We Can Survive This Together: A Pregnant Doctor’s COVID-19 Survival Guide. They discuss the inspiration behind her book, how she has managed to get exercise outside during the pandemic, and finding joy in the new normal. Plus, the good doctor has some great tips for all of us pandemic mamas as we head into winter.

Irina talks with Jacqui Hathaway Levin, a stay-at-home mom and writer based in Orlando, about setting boundaries as a new mom. They discuss how she found comfort with fellow sober moms, all of that new mom and pandemic guilt, and how this time has brought her and her husband closer together. Plus, why crying is the best self-care!

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Jenny, a teacher in NYC and a mom to a brand new baby girl, about dealing with the fourth trimester during the pandemic. They discuss what it was like to be pregnant during the lockdown, how she ended up in the hospital with post-partum preeclampsia, and the difficulty of making mom friends during this time. Plus, how she's preparing to go back to work.

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].

Irina talks with Conz Preti, author of Too Pregnant To Move: A Pregnancy Journal, editor at Motherly, and a mom of 3 under 3. They discuss how Conz prepared for possible postpartum anxiety, what it was like to leave New York City in the middle of the pandemic, and the difficulty of not having help with not one but two babies. Plus, how this city girl finally found peace in the countryside of Maine.

Join the Pandemic Mama Podcast Facebook group to connect with other parents having babies in 2020 and 2021, follow us on Instagram at @pandemicmamapod for updates, and email you questions to [email protected].