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We often enter motherhood envisioning joy, nurturing, peace, and love. But the reality can blindside us. Nobody tells us about Mom Rage, overstimulation, intrusive thoughts, or other mental health struggles. Unfortunately, when we seek help, we might face a lack of support, a system that doesn’t put moms first, and a world that turns a blind eye to the challenges of motherhood. We’re here to change that. We believe that moms deserve access to community, support, and mental health literacy. If you’re struggling with motherhood, you’re not alone–and you’re not failing. On The Momwell Podcast, host and psychotherapist Erica Djossa teaches strategies to help you cope with the psychological and emotional load of motherhood and prioritize your mental health and wellbeing. Erica shares the best kept secrets of the therapy world and interviews other professionals (psychologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, fertility specialists, lactation consultants, and more!) who provide their expertise to empower you on your motherhood journey.
222 Episodes
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Maintaining friendships or making new friends as a mom, takes skills, intention, and deliberation. The adjustment to motherhood changes us—and it makes sense that our friendships, along with our values, priorities, and other relationships, might change too. That doesn’t mean we have to leave our old friendships behind, and it doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to make new ones.
Today, I’m joined by Danielle Bayard Jackson, founder of Friend Forward and author of Fighting for our Friendships to discuss why friendship is vital for moms and what we can do to maintain friendships and form new connections.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/43ZC4T2
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We don’t have to accept stress as our default state of being. When we can learn how stress shows up in our bodies, what our triggers are, and how to break away from the stress cycle we are trapped in, we can improve our well-being and show up the way we want for our children and for ourselves.
Today, I’m joined by Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, to discuss how our society sets moms up to be stressed, why it leads to burnout, and how moms can break out of the stress cycle.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3JbP5iQ
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Why does a messy house give me anxiety? Why can’t I motivate myself to clean since I had kids? Am I just a lazy mom? Moms often worry about these things, feeling immense pressure to keep a clean house and experiencing shame when they fall short of those expectations.
As moms, we can’t always buy ourselves more time to clean. But we can approach the concept of cleaning differently, learn to overcome our anxiety around cleaning, and develop simple tips for keeping the house functioning without getting overwhelmed.
Today, I’m joined by KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning, known as Domestic Blisters on TikTok and founder of Struggle Care, to discuss reframing our thinking about “the mess” and tips for cleaning with kids.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49mxrTY
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The invisible load of motherhood isn’t easy to see, define, or explain. We feel the weight of it, but we often assume that we are just failing or that our partner is the problem. But when we learn to let go of the beliefs that create this “Mother Load,” we can take the steps to release and redistribute the mental and emotional labor in our homes.
That’s why I wrote the book Releasing the Mother Load: How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More. Today, I’m joined by my literary agent, Carly Watters, to reflect on our book journey and discuss how moms can let go of the labor they are drowning in.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Tvlfuw
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When partners take an active role in the invisible load, everyone benefits. It reduces pressure and overwhelm on moms, and it empowers partners to make decisions and parent with confidence.
Today, I’m joined by Zach Watson, creator of Real Zach Think Share and invisible labor educator for men, to unpack why partners need to help carry the invisible load and how they can start.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49ZNKr6
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Discussing the relationship between menopause and mental health is important. It gives us awareness of what we’re experiencing or what we might experience in the future—and it helps break the stigma, both around mental health and women’s health.
Today, I’m joined by Dr. Heather Hirsch, founder of the Menopause & Midlife Clinic and author of Unlock Your Menopause Type to talk about the relationship between menopause and mental health, how to identify your symptoms, and how to advocate for treatment.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Tbtw6I
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Intrusive thoughts in motherhood can be scary. But they are not premonitions or signs of deep, hidden desires. They are just thoughts—and the more we try to bury them without understanding what they are, the more they tend to stick around. With awareness and the right plan of action, we can learn to move past these disturbing thoughts more easily.
This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Caroline Boyd, author of Mindful New Mum, to discuss how moms can overcome unwanted intrusive thoughts.
Show notes: https://bit.ly/3TjdAjQ
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Our careers can look different once we become moms—and that doesn’t need to be a bad thing. Many moms are embracing flexibility, considering career changes, and reevaluating what they want from their personal and professional lives.
Today, I’m joined by career and leadership coach Jess Galica, best-selling author of Leap: Why It's Time to Let Go to Get Ahead in Your Career, to discuss how moms can overcome fear and guilt and embrace career change.
Show notes: https://bit.ly/3uF8V2q
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The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for our mental health—and not just for the person who gives birth. Fathers or non-birthing partners and adoptive parents are all also at risk. And yet, postpartum depression in dads and partners is often overlooked and undersupported—even more so than for birthing moms.
Today, I’m joined by perinatal mental health advocate Mark Williams, co-founder of International Father’s Mental Health Day, to discuss postpartum depression in dads and partners, and what we can do to support mental health for all new parents.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49btaDL
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1There are so many factors at play in our sex life after baby, from resentment and conflict to the invisible load to a lack of time for emotional intimacy. But when we learn how to talk openly about sex we can overcome those factors and rekindle the spark in a way that feels good for both partners.
This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by Vanessa and Xander Marin, hosts of the podcast Pillow Talks and NYT bestselling authors of Sex Talks to discuss why our sex lives change so much after baby and how we can work through barriers to create intimacy and connection.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49bm2qN
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Research suggests that at least 32% of women struggle with pelvic floor health. But between stigma, a complex healthcare system, and a persistent myth that pelvic floor concerns are “just a part of life” after having a baby, many moms don’t seek the care they need.
Today, I’m joined by Carine Carmy, Co-Founder & CEO of Origin—a pelvic floor therapy startup—to discuss why pelvic floor health is so important and how moms can seek support.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3SMIbWQ
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Overwhelmed moms often find themselves experiencing anger and irritability. But is this a sign of a mental health concern or a justifiable response to unreasonable social expectations?
Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder of Psyched Mommy, to unpack the differences between postpartum rage and parental anger due to societal pressure and expectations.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Ok6vws
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None of us set out to become angry moms. We likely envisioned responding with warmth, patience, nurturing, and understanding. So when we experience mom rage, we wonder if something is wrong with us. But maybe we’re not the problem. Maybe the problem is the unrealistic pressure, expectations, and overwhelm modern moms carry.
Today, I’m joined by Minna Dubin, author of Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood to unpack how to stop viewing ourselves as “angry moms” and how to use our emotions to understand and meet our needs.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/42cCWTA
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The stereotype of mushy “mommy brain” is a reality for many of us, full of brain fog and forgetfulness. But is it really a fair assessment, or one steeped in gender norms? What if mommy brain doesn’t mean we’re less sharp—what if it’s our body telling us we’re at capacity?
Today, I’m joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski, author of Mommy Brain, to break down the factors at play behind maternal brain fog, the connection to mental health, and the role of the invisible load.
Show notes: https://bit.ly/48xRsYp
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When we enter motherhood, hormonal shifts can take a toll. We often find ourselves struggling with fatigue, mood swings, and irritability and wonder about our hormone health and wellness. But how do we separate out hormonal causes, mental health concerns, and sheer mom overwhelm? How do we know what’s fact and what’s online misinformation?
Today, I’m joined by OBGYN and NYT bestselling author Dr. Jen Gunter to bust myths, analyze the research, and unpack the impact of hormones on health and wellness for moms.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/41NfTyp
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Parenting with a world of information at your fingertips isn’t always easy. Conflicting information, inflammatory headlines, and a sea of articles can lead to information overload and leave us feeling less confident as parents.
Today, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator. Learn how to cut through the online noise, avoid information overload, and build confidence and trust in yourself.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4aFdGJu
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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, “Should I have another baby?”
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/48vh33N
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Today we’re reaching back into our vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes! When it comes to maternal mental health, moms are struggling. But the more we become aware of that, the more we can collectively offer better support for moms.
Today, I’m joined by Jill Koziol, co-founder and CEO of Motherly, to unpack the company’s annual State of Motherhood survey and discuss what moms need and how we can change the way they are supported.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/41zEpD6
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Today we’re reaching back into our vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes! The mental load of motherhood is a common vicious cycle for families. One parent (often the mom) becomes the default parent. That default parent takes on a disproportionate amount of labor in the home. They find themselves drowning in unpaid and unappreciated labor.
The resentment and overwhelming load lead to mom rage, resentment, and even marital problems. New York Times Bestselling Author Eve Rodsky sheds light on why this happens and the system she’s created to put an end to the cycle and redistribute the invisible work of moms.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3TlpE4x
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Many new parents struggle with different sex drives after having a baby. Sleep deprivation, body changes, and a lack of time to prioritize our relationships all have an impact on our libido. But when we understand the factors affecting sex drive, we can navigate those differences and stay connected.
Today, I’m joined by psychologists and authors Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy and Dr. Jennifer Vencill to discuss how to navigate different sex drives in parenthood.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/481mAi7
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The ability to take 12 weeks is a luxury for most but, let's be honest, it is a bare minimum and a joke conparet to European maternity leave for what a new mom actually needs in terms of her physical, mental, and spiritual health! How is this so unhuman in the US 😞