Previa Alliance Podcast
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.
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.
Sarah Parkhurst
Previa Alliance Podcast Co-host; Founder & CEO of Previa Alliance
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.
Whitney Gay
Previa Alliance Podcast Co-host; licensed clinician and therapist
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.
Follow us on Instagram @Previa.Alliance
Episodes
238 episodes
Pass the Pie… and "Oh, I Had PPD Too"
The holidays bring joy, chaos, and sometimes difficult conversations. How do you respond when a family member shares their postpartum struggles at the dinner table—or when you want to speak up about your own experience?In this episode, S...
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, a...
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 f...
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...
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 do...
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...
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 s...
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...
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, dis...
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 a...
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 dow...
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 manag...
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 Whit...
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...
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 ...
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 diff...
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...
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...
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...
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 scre...
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 ...
To the Narcissist In My Life - Part 1
In this episode, Sarah and Whitney delve into the concept of narcissism, its origins, and how it impacts relationships. They discuss how narcissism is a learned behavior rather than a genetic trait and explore the different types of narcissism—...
Title IX - How to Advocate for Yourself with Aria Allan
Did you know that Title IX protects you throughout pregnancy and postpartum? 🤰🏽🎓 Whether you're navigating pregnancy in your first semester of college, figuring out how to pump during clinical hours, or managing postpartum depression in ...
How to Advocate for Change Like a Mom with Michele Lampach
Becoming a mom changes you in ways you never expect. For Michele Lampach, it ignited a passion to fight for better support for parents. As a human rights attorney, nonprofit leader, and mom of two, Michele has spent her career adv...
Motherhood from the Eyes of a Reproductive Psychiatrist with Dr. Claire Smith
In today’s episode Sarah sits down with Dr. Claire Smith, Reproductive Psychiatrist, to hear Claire’s experience from pregnancy to first year postpartum. As a Reproductive Psychiatrist everyday Dr. Smith treats women who experience depression, ...