From tantrums to defiance to trouble sharing, normal toddler behavior can frustrate us. But our mindset and approach play a bigger role than we realize—and if we can reframe our own outlook, we can start to see the positives in the toddler period. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician Dr. Cathryn Tobin, founder of Healthiest Baby, to discuss how to change the way we view normal toddler behavior and to bust some of the common myths about this stage. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/43MOUmK Book a Free 15 m...
Jun 21, 2023•45 min•Ep. 178
We talk a lot about the invisible load of motherhood—but dads carry a mental load too. Just like moms, dads face contradictory expectations, gender norms, and societal pressures. When we understand the invisible load we each are carrying, we can start to challenge norms and work together to share the labor in the home. Today, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Dan Singley director of The Center for Men’s Excellence, to unpack masculinity, fatherhood, and the invisible load for dads. Show Notes: http...
Jun 14, 2023•57 min•Ep. 177
Sharing the load in the home after a baby is born can be hard. Moms often find themselves falling into a pattern of carrying the bulk of the labor without even realizing it. This can lead to resentment, burnout, or mental health struggles. But there are ways to challenge norms and break out of these patterns. Today, I’m joined by one of Momwell’s maternal mental health specialists, Dr. Nicole Mowbray, to discuss how to share the load in the home after a baby is born. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3...
Jun 07, 2023•48 min•Ep. 176
We’re in a new era of the reproductive justice movement, but many of us don’t know how to be a part of the conversation. Today, I’m joined by doula and activist Sabia Wade, founder of Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, to discuss what reproductive justice is, why it matters, and how we can incite change. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3oyQ06j Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell....
May 31, 2023•59 min•Ep. 175
Learning how to be a stepmom can be complicated. Blended families face unique challenges with relationships, contradictory expectations, and potential conflict. But with the right approach, you can navigate the dynamics and embrace your role as a stepmom. Today, I’m joined by life coach Jamie Scrimgeour, founder of The Kick-Ass Stepmom, to discuss how to let go of perfection and expectations and show up as the stepmom you want to be. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/45qni8j Book a Free 15 min Consult ...
May 24, 2023•54 min•Ep. 174
Many new parents find themselves coping with relationship changes after baby, leaving them afraid that the passion is gone forever. They might wonder if their partner is “the one” or question the entire foundation of the relationship. Today, I’m joined by holistic psychotherapist Vanessa Bennett to discuss how to navigate changes in our relationship after baby. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3pHLXVq Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.c...
May 17, 2023•51 min•Ep. 173
As moms, we’re often socialized to be selfless—to put everyone else’s needs above our own, leaving us on the backburner. But when we deplete ourselves and neglect our own needs, it often leads to mental health struggles, resentment, relationship conflict, and burnout. Unlearning that socializing and discovering how to communicate your needs isn’t always easy. Today, I’m joined by Mara Glatzel, author of Needy to discuss why moms deserve to be a priority and how they can take responsibility for t...
May 10, 2023•58 min•Ep. 172
When we have children, we’re often surprised to discover how difficult it is to regulate our own emotions and show up the way we want to. We are often triggered and frustrated by our child’s behavior. But when we become more conscious parents, we can look within ourselves and change the way we react and respond—ultimately leading to stronger relationships with our kids. Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary, author of The Conscious Parent, to discuss how looking within o...
May 03, 2023•36 min•Ep. 171
Deciding whether you are done growing your family is a tough choice—but what do you do if you and your partner aren’t on the same page? How can you work through a different viewpoint on such a big life decision? Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw, founder of Liz Listens, to talk about how to navigate different desires about growing your family. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3LmAUJz Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Inst...
Apr 26, 2023•51 min•Ep. 170
Between to-do lists, the mental load, and conflicting emotions, it can be very hard to know how to be more present as a mom. But it isn’t just worries about the future that keep us from being present—we also often find ourselves looking back on old memories and grieving as our children age, unsure of how to rediscover ourselves. Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel, founder of Conscious Mommy, to unpack why we grieve as our children get older and how to be more...
Apr 19, 2023•56 min•Ep. 169
Partners usually want to be the go-to support person during labor. But sometimes they don’t know how to help. With the right plan, conversations, and communication about expectations, partners can learn how to support you the way you need. Today, I’m joined by labor and delivery nurse Jen Hamilton to discuss how to be a valuable support person during labor. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3zLSnVb Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/mo...
Apr 12, 2023•48 min•Ep. 168
When you’re grappling with your mental health in the postpartum period, it can be hard to know what’s happening. Is this depression, anxiety, or something more severe? With recent tragedies in the news, many moms are left wondering what postpartum psychosis is and what causes it. Today, I’m joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Oreck to discuss the causes, signs, risk factors, and treatments for postpartum psychosis and how it differs from postpartum depression. Show Notes: http://bit.ly...
Apr 05, 2023•45 min•Ep. 167
Facing a subsequent pregnancy after a traumatic birth can feel overwhelming and scary. You can’t predict what will come next, but you can heal from your past trauma and prepare a strong support system. Today, clinical social worker Kayleigh Summers, founder of The Birth Trauma Mama, joins us for part 2 of our conversation about birth trauma. Last week, we talked about how trauma can impact our decision to expand our family. Today, we’re discussing how to prepare for a subsequent birth after a tr...
Mar 29, 2023•40 min•Ep. 166
A traumatic birth experience can leave moms feeling conflicted, lost, and unsure of themselves. We’re often told that we should be grateful or appreciative for a healthy baby, no matter what the birth looked like. But traumatic birth experiences can stick with us, impacting our future decisions, such as whether or not to grow our family. I sat down with clinical social worker Kayleigh Summers, founder of The Birth Trauma Mama, to discuss traumatic birth experiences. In part 1, we talk about how ...
Mar 22, 2023•43 min•Ep. 165
Overwhelmed moms are often told to carve out time for “self-care,” from bubble baths to massages. But not only does that version of self-care for moms add more to our neverending to-do list—it also does not address the real problems that are contributing to burnout. Real self-care for moms isn’t about what we do or what we buy—it’s about mindset shifts that change the way we approach motherhood. Today, I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, author of Real Self-Care, to discuss self-care ...
Mar 15, 2023•51 min•Ep. 164
Moms often find themselves grappling with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or fear of emotionally damaging their children. But what many don’t realize is that these tendencies are often rooted in unresolved childhood wounds. Today on the podcast, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Vienna Pharaon, founder of Mindful MFT, to discuss why childhood wounds arise in parenthood and how to identify and work through our pain. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Jj9h3g Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mo...
Mar 08, 2023•56 min•Ep. 163
Many of us were never taught how to make decisions with confidence. Some of us came from a religious background, some of us encountered controlling environments, and some of us were simply taught to trust our parent’s choices rather than making our own. Now, as moms, we often find ourselves struggling with people pleasing or an inability to trust ourselves. But when we understand what’s holding us back, we can empower ourselves to make decisions. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Quincee Gideon, clinical...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 162
Working mom struggles are real—we’re bombarded with messages and expectations about “having it all” and encouraged to seek “work-life balance.” We often end up feeling as though we’re failing both at home and in our careers. But what if we let go of external measuring sticks about what it means to be a good mom and focused instead on our values and priorities? Today, I’m joined by licensed mental health counselor Mary Beth Somitch, founder of Your Journey Through, to discuss working mom struggle...
Feb 22, 2023•45 min•Ep. 161
Do you ever find your brain spiraling with endless to-dos? Or feel overwhelmed by all the toys and mess around you? Many moms struggle with both physical and mental clutter, juggling responsibilities, worries, and labor in the home. But with the right strategies, we can declutter our homes and our minds, bringing some calm back into the chaos of motherhood. Today, I’m joined by therapist Denaye Barahona, host of the Simple Families Podcast, to discuss the intersection of clutter and mental healt...
Feb 15, 2023•44 min•Ep. 160
What is mom guilt and how do we overcome it? Motherhood has a way of bringing out doubt, fear, guilt, and shame. But when we learn how to let go of comparison and mother with our own values, we can break away from unproductive mom guilt and chart our own path in motherhood. Today, I’m joined by Libby Ward, founder of Diary of an Honest Mom, to discuss why we experience mom guilt and how we can navigate it. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3JJoKtM Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell...
Feb 08, 2023•55 min•Ep. 159
If you’ve ever felt like a medical provider dismissed or minimized your concerns, you are not alone. There is a long history of doctors who medically gaslight women, failing to take them seriously and leaving them questioning their own judgment. Today, I’m joined by family physician Dr. Sarah Fraser to discuss the medical gaslighting of moms and what you can do to advocate for yourself. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3HjhsKC Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell ...
Feb 01, 2023•47 min•Ep. 158
We have exciting news–Happy as a Mother has evolved into The Momwell Podcast! I started Happy as a Mother to help moms everywhere realize they are not alone. But over time, we’ve grown, evolved, added new services, and expanded. The podcast is staying the same–same great experts, same mission, same format. But we’re now operating under a new name–Momwell. We believe that when a mom is well, a baby is well. Find out more about why we’re growing and changing in this special bonus! Book a Free 15 m...
Jan 31, 2023•7 min
Should I have another baby? Is my family complete? How will I know I’m done? For many of us, these questions begin soon after a baby is born. It can be hard to know if you want to add another baby to your family. While the decision is unique to every person and every family, there are some ways to make the decision easier. Today, I’m joined by mental health counselor Kate McReynolds, founder of The Mom Therapist, to discuss how to use both your emotions and logic to answer the burning question, ...
Jan 25, 2023•53 min•Ep. 157
Are you facing more conflict in your relationship after having a baby? Many couples find themselves arguing more after becoming parents. Stress, sleep deprivation, mental health, and additional responsibilities all play a role. But we can learn how to resolve conflict productively, communicate openly, repair, and work through struggles. Today, I’m joined by mental health counselor Sheina Schochet, founder of Love After Baby, to discuss how to keep your relationship strong after having a baby. Sh...
Jan 18, 2023•55 min•Ep. 156
Do you find yourself wondering if you’re doing something to make your baby “difficult”? It might just be baby temperament! Our children are born with certain inborn personality traits. When we understand them, we can better attune to their needs (and stop blaming ourselves)! Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator, to discuss baby temperament and how to support your child’s individual needs. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3IJJOQi Book a Free 15 min Con...
Jan 11, 2023•49 min•Ep. 155
Are you struggling to find your footing with sex after having a baby? If so, you aren’t alone. Many couples experience barriers to sex in the postpartum period, including sleep deprivation, new relationship dynamics, and a lack of open communication. Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Travis Goodman, founder of Therapy4Dads, to discuss how sex changes after a baby, how to build other forms of intimacy, and how to find a new normal in the postpartum period and beyond. Show notes: ...
Jan 04, 2023•47 min•Ep. 154
Did you think you’d have a village to help with the baby only to discover you have no family support? The postpartum period is hard for everyone, but when our expectations of how friends and family might help don’t match the reality, it can be even harder. Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapists Emmalee Bierly and Jennifer Chaiken, founders of ShrinkChicks, to discuss how communication can help when you feel you have no family support. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3FGR8Jy Book a Free 15...
Dec 28, 2022•53 min•Ep. 153
Moms with ADHD take on additional struggles and labor, along with the typical mental load of motherhood. Our mental health affects our capacity and impacts the way we deal with stress. Today, I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani, founder of The Psych Doctor MD, to discuss how moms with ADHD can overcome their challenges and take care of themselves in the process. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3PELJHu Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as ...
Dec 21, 2022•48 min•Ep. 152
Navigating both career and motherhood can be hard. Depending on their location and workplace policies, moms are often not offered maternity leave or guaranteed that their job is safe. After they return to work, the struggles only continue, with the wage gap widening after every child. But with the right plans in place, you can work through the challenges and find your own path as a working mom. Today, I’m joined by Allison Venditti, founder of Moms at Work, to discuss how to have conversations w...
Dec 14, 2022•56 min•Ep. 151
Has your breastfeeding journey not gone the way you imagined? You aren’t alone. From medical issues to latching difficulties to engorgement, breastfeeding doesn’t always look like a peaceful bonding experience from the beginning. Today, I’m joined by Lactation Consultant Amey Fields, founder of Az Breastfed Babies, to discuss the common struggles moms face on the breastfeeding journey, the importance of flexibility, and why our support system matters. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3gVobRW Book a Fre...
Dec 07, 2022•55 min•Ep. 150
