Previa Alliance Podcast

<p><b>There are few experiences as universal to human existence as pregnancy and childbirth, and yet its most difficult parts — perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) — are still dealt with in the shadows, shrouded in stigma. The fact is 1 in 5 new and expecting birthing people will experience a PMAD, yet among those who do many are afraid to talk about it, some are not even aware they’re experiencing one, and others don’t know where to turn for help. The fact is, when someone suffers from a maternal mental health disorder it affects not only them, their babies, partners, and families - it impacts our communities.</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>In the Previa Alliance Podcast series, Sarah Parkhurst and Whitney Gay are giving air to a vastly untapped topic by creating a space for their guests —  including survivors of PMADs and healthcare professionals in maternal mental health —  to share their experiences and expertise openly. And in doing so, Sarah and Whitney make it easy to dig deep and get real about the facts of perinatal mental health, fostering discussions about the raw realities of motherhood. Not only will Previa Alliance Podcast listeners walk away from each episode with a sense of belonging, they’ll also be armed with evidence-based tools for healing, coping mechanisms, and the language to identify the signs and symptoms of PMADs — the necessary first steps in a path to treatment. The Previa Alliance Podcast series is intended for anyone considering pregnancy, currently pregnant, and postpartum as well as the families and communities who support them.</b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Sarah Parkhurst</b></p><p><b>Previa Alliance Podcast Co-host; Founder & CEO of Previa Alliance</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>A postpartum depression survivor and mom to two boys, Sarah is on a mission to destigmatize the experiences of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and to educate the world on the complex reality of being a mom. Sarah has been working tirelessly to bring to light the experiences of women who have not only suffered a maternal mental health crisis but who have survived it and rebuilt their lives. By empowering women to share their own experiences, by sharing expert advice and trusted resources, and by advocating for health care providers and employers to provide support for these women and their families, Sarah believes as a society we can  minimize the impact of the current maternal mental health crisis, while staving off future ones. </b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Whitney Gay </b></p><p><b>Previa Alliance Podcast Co-host;  licensed clinician and therapist </b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>For the past ten years, Whitney has been committed to helping women heal from the trauma of a postpartum mental health crisis as well as process the grief of a miscarriage or the loss of a baby. She believes that the power of compassion paired with developing critical coping skills helps moms to heal, rebuild, and eventually thrive. In the Previa Alliance Podcast series, Whitney not only shares her professional expertise, but also her own personal experiences of motherhood and recovery from grief. </b></p><p><br />Follow us on Instagram @Previa.Alliance<br /><br /></p>

Pregnant for the Holidays? What to Tell Your Boss (and When)

The holidays are here—and for many moms-to-be, that means sharing pregnancy news with family. But after the excitement comes another big question: when and how do I tell my boss? In this episode, Sarah talks with Aria Allen, attorney and workplace rights advocate, about what every pregnant employee should know. From timing your announcement to accommodations and maternity leave, this conversation will leave you feeling prepared and confident heading into the season. Filing A Charge of Discrim...

11-17
36:08

Love, In-Laws, and Leftovers: Navigating Holiday Conflicts Together

The holidays can be magical—but they can also bring out family drama, money stress, and fights over whose parents to visit first. Sound familiar? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Erin and Stephen Mitchell from Couples Counseling for Parents to talk about the most common conflicts couples face this time of year. From juggling in-laws to setting boundaries and keeping your partnership strong, they share practical tools to help you stay on the same team and actually enjoy the season togethe...

11-10
43:29

Me? A People Pleaser?!

Do you find yourself saying yes when you really want to say no? Feeling guilty for setting even the smallest boundary? You might be a people pleaser. In this pre-holiday episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack why people-pleasing is so common, how it impacts moms especially, and share practical tools for saying no, setting boundaries, and showing up as your authentic self this season.

11-03
21:44

Perimenopause - "The Pause" You Need to Know About Now

When we think of perimenopause, we hear about hot flashes—but what about the mood swings, anxiety, and depression no one talks about? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Reproductive Psychiatrist Dr. Lindsay Standeven to break down the mental health side of perimenopause. They talk about why women are more likely to face depression during this stage, what it means if you’ve struggled in pregnancy or postpartum, and—most importantly—what you can do now to protect your mental health. About Dr...

10-27
29:42

October Crash

Feeling like you hit a wall this month? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about the October Crash—that moment when the back-to-school adrenaline wears off, the calendar fills up, the weather shifts, and your nervous system finally says, “I’m done.” Sarah and Whitney unpack why October can feel so heavy for moms, how the invisible load catches up with us, and what to do when burnout, irritability, and emotional whiplash set in.

10-20
23:01

Light after Loss with Sarah Piasecki

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In this episode, Sarah Piasecki—founder of Izzy Lee’s—shares the story of her daughter Izzy, the heartbreak of stillbirth, and the healing that followed. If you’ve walked this road—or love someone who has—this conversation is for you. Together we talk about love, loss, and how Izzy’s memory inspired a movement to remind parents they don’t have to carry grief alone. Visit IzzyLee's: Best Organic Baby Blankets, Hats, Bibs, and Burp Cloths. F...

10-13
35:33

The Motherhood Survival Plan You Didn’t Know You Needed with Dr. Jill Zechowy

What if postpartum depression and anxiety weren’t just something we reacted to — but something we could actually prevent? In this episode, Dr. Jill Zechowy — family physician, perinatal psychotherapist, and author of The Motherhood Survival Manual — joins us to share the tools, red flags, and real-life strategies every mom-to-be should know before baby arrives. We talk about what a “survival plan” really looks like, how to spot the invisible mental load before it takes over, and the three men...

10-06
40:30

Previa Playback: Default Parenting - What It Is and How to Manage

What does default parenting mean? Default parenting may be a new term but it's a very old concept. The default parent is the one who handles every aspect of family life- doctor appointments, play dates, school shopping, meal planning, discipline, and problem-solving. Maybe you wonder why your kids walk past their dad to ask you for something or why you feel like you are the only person who ever replaces the toilet paper. Being the default parent can feel overwhelming and even lonely. Li...

09-29
34:44

Previa Playback: Mom Bod

The term “Mom Bod” is a hot topic and often not used in a good way. Between stretch marks, hair loss, and bags under our eyes, our awesome bodies that developed and delivered a whole human being sacrifice a lot! In this episode, we talk about all the ways our bodies change and how to reframe the label of “mom bod.” Follow Previa Alliance! Previa Alliance (@previa.alliance) • Instagram photos and videos Previa Alliance Podcast (@previapodcast) • Instagram photos and videos Keep the que...

09-22
29:23

Previa Playback: What is Postpartum Depression?

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney talk about postpartum depression, also known as PPD. They describe signs and symptoms of PPD, risk factors for developing PPD, and what PPD looks like and sounds like in real life. We encourage everyone to download this episode and share with your friends and families so everyone knows what PPD is and how to help moms who experience it! Follow Previa Alliance! Previa Alliance (@previa.alliance) • Instagram photos and videos Previa Alliance Podcast (@previap...

09-15
41:20

Previa Playback: Anxiety During Pregnancy

What if I can't do this? Is the baby, ok? Why do I feel this way? Sound familiar? Pregnancy anxiety is common but often not talked about. Listen in as the ladies break down why you may experience anxiety during pregnancy and how to manage it. Follow Previa Alliance! Previa Alliance (@previa.alliance) • Instagram photos and videos Previa Alliance Podcast (@previapodcast) • Instagram photos and videos Keep the questions coming by sending them to info@previaalliance.com or DM us on Instagram!

09-08
15:31

Previa Playback: Depression During Pregnancy

This week, Sarah goes back to a fan favorite episode for Maternal Mental Health Month, Depression During Pregnancy. You know about postpartum depression, but do you know about depression that occurs during pregnancy? Listen in as Sarah and Whitney talk about the risk factors, what depression during pregnancy looks like, and how to advocate for yourself. Follow Previa Alliance! Previa Alliance (@previa.alliance) • Instagram photos and videos Previa Alliance Podcast (@previapodcast) • Instagra...

09-01
17:14

Therapist Truth Bombs with Whitney

Buckle up and lace up those steel toe boots—this episode might step on some toes. Whitney and Sarah are diving into the honest truths your therapist wants to tell you—if they weren’t afraid of offending you. From realizing your partner can’t read your mind, to accepting that healing takes effort, to the hard truth that you get out of therapy what you put in—no subject is off limits. This is tough love with a whole lot of heart.

08-25
14:42

Did Motherhood Cause My Mental Health Condition?

In today’s episode Sarah and Whitney are back tackling the topic of does motherhood illuminate or cause mental health conditions. From depression, anxiety, or ADHD, listen in as they discuss what we may have experienced our entire life vs what motherhood challenging factors create.

08-18
17:49

Back to School Hey Whitney!

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney are giving you real mental health toolbox tips (and some life-lesson therapy truths) to help you survive the transition back to school. Because unfortunately, your nervous system doesn’t know the difference between being chased by a saber-tooth tiger and a Monday morning car line meltdown. From breathwork to boundary setting, thought reframes to sensory resets—we’ve got the tools you didn’t know you needed.

08-11
22:30

Working with Your Kid's Teacher with Pam Allyn

In this episode, Sarah sits down with veteran educator Pam to talk about one of the trickiest parts of parenting: how to actually communicate with your child’s teacher. From academic concerns to social dynamics, they explore what works, what doesn’t, and why taking a thoughtful pause before hitting “send” on that email can make all the difference. Pam shares personal stories and practical strategies for building respectful, effective relationships with teachers—including the power of face-to-...

08-04
31:15

Hey Whitney!

Your favorite maternal mental therapist is back answering your questions! From not loving every second of motherhood, mom guilt, to feeling the weight of that super mom cape to knowing when it is postpartum depression vs baby blues we dive into what you want to hear! Love Hey Whitney episodes? Don’t forget to go back and listen to our previous episodes.

07-28
27:26

Interview with Dr. Kevin Shrestha: Gestational Diabetes

We’ve all heard about the infamous sugary drink 🥤—but what exactly is Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and why does it matter beyond just blood sugar levels? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Dr. Kevin Shrestha, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist, to break it all down. They discuss: ✅ What Gestational Diabetes is and how it’s diagnosed ✅ The impact on both mom’s and baby’s health ✅ How GDM can affect mental health during pregnancy and postpartum ✅ Steps you can take to manage it and advocate...

07-21
21:09

Birth Trauma Awareness Week with Dr. Sharon Dekel

Can giving birth be traumatic? Harvard Associate Professor Dr. Sharon Dickel says yes—and it’s more common than you think. In this eye-opening episode, she breaks down the biology of postpartum PTSD, the signs we often miss, and why better screening and trauma-informed care are urgently needed. If you care about maternal health, this conversation will change how you see birth forever. More about Dr. Sharon Dekel: Dr. Sharon Dekel is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical Scho...

07-14
45:48

Tactics for Navigating the Narcissist in Your Life - Part 2

From love bombing, gaslighting, manipulation, and denial if you have ever interacted with a narcissist, you have encountered the above tactics. In today’s part 2 episode Sarah and Whitney talk about common phrases or traits of a narcissist and how to set boundaries and respond.

07-07
16:51

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