The Earliest: A ZERO TO THREE Podcast

Who we become starts before birth. Season One of The Earliest gets personal with early childhood expert, doula, and mother Elizabeth Pihlaja, about the joy and trauma of bringing her first baby from the womb into the world. ZERO TO THREE believes that early connections last a lifetime. This four-part series will delve into how those connections form, and why they’re so important. The Earliest launches May 5, 2022. Learn more about infant and early childhood mental health at zerotothree.org. And while you're on the site, check out our upcoming trainings and conferences.

Our journeys into this world started in the womb. In the opening episode of The Earliest, we explore the moment of passage from womb to world: birth. We get personal with Elizabeth Pihlaja—a mother, doula, and early childhood expert—about her own traumatic birth experience. We hear from Elizabeth and experts about what went right, what didn’t, and how it all could’ve been better. Learn more about infant and early childhood mental health at zerotothree.org. And while you're on the site, check out our upcoming trainings and conferences.

Everyone experiences adversity in life, with many feeling the impact of those experiences harder and deeper than others. This week, we explore the impact a mother’s mental health can have on a child during pregnancy. We hear more from our experts, and follow Elizabeth’s journey from childhood to her daughter’s birth. A journey where the adversity she's faced has made her stronger, more capable, and more committed to care for herself and her family and her community. Learn more about infant and early childhood mental health at zerotothree.org. And while you're on the site, check out our upcoming trainings and conferences.

This week, we take a look at the days after a newborn returns home. What does it look like when the hustle and bustle of the hospital is behind you? We’ll hear from Elizabeth about her postpartum experience, and get expert insight on how the early days can impact a baby’s brain development. Learn more about infant and early childhood mental health at zerotothree.org. And while you're on the site, check out our upcoming trainings and conferences.

This week, what now? We’ll zoom out to look at the world of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and see what comes next for the field. We’ll learn more about Elizabeth’s work as a doula and a birth worker in tribal spaces and what it means to prioritize neonatal care in the context of community. Learn more about infant and early childhood mental health at zerotothree.org. And while you're on the site, check out our upcoming trainings and conferences.