Holding Space

Parenting can be overwhelming, throw in being a Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) and oof...it can be a lot. In this episode we support you in understanding what it means to be a HSP, the challenges and gifts that come with it, and tangible ways to care for yourself in this modern era of parenting. Amy Lajiness, LCSW, PMH-C is a Therapist and Coach who has spent countless hours supporting Highly Sensi...

Let's talk about sex baby...but after baby!  I'm so excited to share my conversation with New York Times bestselling authors of the book Sex Talks: The Five Conversations that will Transform Your Sex Life, Vanessa and Xander Marin. She's a sex therapist with 20 years of experience, and he's a regular dude! Together they've made it their mission to provide the sex education we a...

The pandemic showed us all how quickly things can change, and as parents we had to face that not only for ourselves, but for our kids too. I invited Sarah Rosney, licensed clinical social worker, back on to the podcast to provide strategies for supporting our children (and ourselves) with navigating change.  Whether the change has to do with a new baby, a new home, a new school, a new schedule, a...

Sibling relationships...the challenges, the pressure, the rivalries. Yep, it's real. If you grew up with siblings, maybe you can even connect to these experiences.  Yet, supporting sibling relationships can also provide opportunities for deep connection, empathy-building, and so much more. I am thrilled to share my conversation with Jessica Rolph, co-founder and CEO of Lovevery and mom to 3. J...

You know what's really having it's moment right now (and I'm LOVING it!)? Internal Family Systems and "parts" work. What is Internal Family Systems, and why is this therapeutic approach so helpful when it comes to understanding our triggers and developing a new relationship with our emotions? You're going to leave this episode with the answer. I invited Vanessa Trine, Licen...

Today we are talking about origin wounds, those painful experiences from when you were young that find themselves showing up in present day relationships and patterns. I invited fellow Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the book Origins of You, Vienna Pharaon, to walk us through understanding how we can begin to understand and heal our origin wounds. Even if you had a wonderful c...

You're reading the parenting books, following the experts on social media, listening to the podcasts, maybe even buying the courses...and somehow in the tough moment with your child none of the "strategies" feel intuitive...can you relate? Yea, same, and I'm considered one of those "experts!" Maybe you relate to trying to hold it all together, but underneath you wonder if s...

In this episode we are shedding light on the often misdiagnosed experience of Postpartum OCD. I invited Licensed Therapist Jenna Overbaugh to share her professional (and personal!) experience with postpartum OCD. Together we open the door to the internal experience of living with OCD and discuss the symptoms, impact, treatment and how to get the support you need from your healthcare team. Jenna do...

Am I screwing up my kids? I've laid in bed wondering this and I know I'm not alone. In this episode I invited Dr. Sumi Raghavan to help us explore the answer to this question. Together we discuss steps we can take today to begin the work of breaking generational cycles as parents, unhook from unrealistic expectations of perfection, and tap into our own intuition amidst all the noise when i...

The toddler years...somehow one of my favorite stages and simultaneously so exhausting and triggering. In this episode I invited my colleague Gayane Aramyan, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and fellow mother to a 2 and half year old, on to the podcast to talk about the challenges of the season and how we can move beyond survival. We discuss tantrums, triggers, self-care and relationships du...

The coughing, the sneezing, the snot, the sore throats...this viral season has been A LOT. I invited Dr. Krupa Playforth, board certified pediatrician and mom of 3 back on to the podcast to help us navigate the load of caring for our sick kids while navigating all the stress of being a parent (and possibly sick yourself!) We discuss: *Proactive steps we can take to boost immunity and protect our f...

Finally, an episode fully dedicated to EMDR! In this episode we're taking you behind closed doors to demystify this powerful and evidence-based approach to processing your trauma and triggers. We walk you through what EMDR is, who it can help, and how to find an EMDR trained therapist. I'm also thrilled to introduce you to EMDR certified therapist and consultant Sarah Rosney, LCSW. License...

This episode has been a long time coming. I've shared my birth stories on this podcast before, but I've wanted to do a deeper dive into birth trauma for a long time now. When planning this episode there was no better person to dive deep with than my colleague Dr. Alexandra Shrake. Her own traumatic birth was the muse for her research and her desire to hold space for others who have experie...

You have a million tabs open in your brain, you're the one keeping track of all the family appointments, the school emails, the grocery list, each child's current preferences, and when your kids need something....they come to you first.  Can you relate? If you can, there's a word that might resonate...the default parent. In today's episode I invited mental health advocate, cycle br...

Let's talk about tongue ties! In this episode I share my conversation with pediatric physical therapist Brita DeStefano to demystify tongue ties. Brita shares both her personal and professional experience with tongue ties and the stressors and emotions that can come with this experience. Together we discuss: *What exactly is a tongue tie? *What are some stressors that can come with this experi...

In this very personal episode, I sit down with Kristin Gallant, co-founder of Big Little Feelings. We are getting real, raw, and vulnerable as we discuss our own pregnancy loss stories. This episode discusses the physical, emotional, relational, and mental toll of pregnancy loss as well as the ways we individually processed these experiences. We talk about the importance of support and community,...

Today I am SO excited to be talking all about potty training with Allison Jandu! Personally, I was thrilled to sit down with Allison to ask all of my questions as I enter the potty training stage with my youngest. I am thrilled to share this episode with all of you to support and de-mystify the potty training journey. We're talking all about timing, signs your child is ready, developmental cha...

Let's unpack the idea of "balance" for the working parent! In this episode we explore the relationship we have with our work while holding space for our relationships and family life.  I invited New York based therapist Justine Carino on to the podcast, and together we share our personal journeys in navigating the challenges of being working parents, unpack the impact of societal expec...

In this episode I am honored to sit down with Dr. Jasmine to talk about her real-life experience with severe PPD (postpartum depression), which happened to show up for her alongside PPA (otherwise known as postpartum anxiety.) We are diving deep into what PPD and PPA can really look like. Together we explore sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, the decision to supplement, medication, seeking support,...

Does the phrase "I look fine, but I'm not fine" sound anything like you? If is does, you're not alone. I invited my friend Dr. Sahar Martinez to talk all about this idea on this week's episode. We're talking all about anxiety, the tough moments of parenting, healing as parents, and connecting with your own inner child through the experiences of parenting. We're sharing...

When you're going through the challenges of TTC, pregnancy, and postpartum, we often hear about the physical challenges and mental health - but how are those things connected? If you find the challenges of becoming a parent difficult both physically and mentally, you are definitely not alone! Today, we're talking all about that physical and mental health connection with Krystle Howald from...

Friendship in motherhood and parenthood is life-giving -- but it's also really challenging! Do you find yourself struggling to balance your friendships with your new role as a parent? Or feeling awkward trying to meet new friends after baby? If so, you're not alone. This is an all-too-common challenge of parenthood which is why I invited my friend Miriam Kirmayer to talk all about friendsh...

Parenting can be...A LOT, and today we're talking all about PARENTAL BURNOUT. We often hear about burnout in the context of work or career, but burnout and exhaustion can absolutely show up in parenting. If you find yourself dreading the end of naptime because there wasn't enough time, feeling depleted, struggling with the idea of attaining perfection in parenting... you're not alone....

How does your past impact your parenting? Today we're talking all about the ways that motherhood and parenthood can trigger our past pain or trauma. I invited my friend Yara Heary on this week's episode to discuss her own story with healing in parenthood. We're sharing our own experiences and hope you leave this episode with actionable steps and a better understanding of how we can hea...

Compassion is something we often give to others with ease, but it's so much harder to give ourselves that same type of grace -- especially in tough parenting moments. If you are a highly sensitive parent (or suspect you may be!) these difficult moments can feel even MORE intense. If you are struggling to navigate sensitivity in you or your child, you are not alone. I invited my friend Runda Eb...