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
Interview with Taylor Cordell (Part 1)
Ever wondered how to maintain a spark during pregnancy or even post-baby? Guest Taylor Cordell and Sarah dive deep into the complexities of intimacy during and after pregnancy, breaking down how changing physical and emotional states can impact...
Interview with Mckenna Pou: Getting Back Our Physical Identity
Balancing motherhood and fitness is no easy feat, and our guest this week, Mckenna Pou offers practical advice on how to integrate exercise into a busy mom's life. From creative activities during nap times to setting realistic goals amidst the ...
Interview with Mallory Whitmore (A.K.A. The Formula Mom): The Other F Word
In this epidsode, join us as we sit down with Mallory Whitmore, also known as the Formula Mom on Instagram, who bravely shares her personal journey through the challenges of postpartum life and formula feeding. From dealing with medical complic...
Interview with Motherhood Center Founder Paige Bellenbaum
Paige Bellenbaum, LCSWFounding Director and Chief External Relations OfficerPaige Bellenbaum, LCSW is the Founding Director and Chief External Relations Officer at The Motherhood Center of New York. Paige attended UCLA as an...
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...
Interview with Andrea Stefens: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)
Imagine being trapped on a never-ending roller coaster of nausea and vomiting while trying to cherish the miracle of pregnancy. That's the reality for those battling Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a condition that our guest, Andrea Stefens, tackl...
Why Mothers Day May Have Been Hard
This episode peels back the curtain on the social media highlight reel, urging a return to authenticity in how we celebrate our mothers and ourselves. We discuss how crucial it is to communicate our needs and desires with our partners and how t...
Interview with Kristina Dunley: My Story of Postpartum Psychosis
In this episode, Kristina Dunley bravely shares her harrowing encounter with postpartum psychosis. Her story is a sobering reminder that every mother's postpartum journey deserves to be met with the highest level of care and compassion. We hope...
Interview with Courtney Montgomery: When Anxiety Meets Motherhood
Mothers are expected to have it all together, but reality isn't always so simple. In this episode, we explore strategies for resilience and self-care that are as practical as they are empowering. Courtney Montgomery joins us to share personal t...
National Infertility Awareness Week with Alex Kornswiet (Our Beautiful Surprise)
In an episode close to our hearts, we revisit the silent struggle of infertility with Alex, an advocate whose voice resonates with unwavering strength in the infertility and motherhood community. We delve into the nuances of motherhood that sur...
PMDD Awareness with Dawn
Dr. Dawn Boender, an OB/GYN turned reproductive behavioral health fellow, joins Sarah and Whitney to unravel the mystery of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and how it can turn the tides of emotion for women worldwide. From lifestyle twea...
Are Moms Burnt Out or Are We Codependent?
Sarah and Whitney are joined by Hannah Stiltner for a deep exploration into the varying faces of codependency, from the anxiously attached to the fiercely independent.These insights guide us through understanding the impact of codepende...
Why We Don't Joke About Pregnancy
The witching hour isn't just for babies; it's a very real phenomenon for parents too. Sharing stories of this collective struggle, Sarah and Whitney discuss actionable methods like stepping outside for breath of air, taking a moment for yoursel...
Why We Need Moms in Front of Us
In this episode, Sarah and Whitney share tales of becoming a mom, and being a source of motivation and support for other moms. Whether you're battling mental health challenges or just trying to figure out the car seat, remember that amidst the ...
The Most Asked Questions About Postpartum Anxiety
In this episode, Sarah and Whitney dissect the nature of anxiety that can linger beyond the baby blues, potentially morphing into a generalized anxiety disorder that can affect everyday life. They dive into the importance of therapy, help expla...
The Most Asked Question About Postpartum Depression
In this heartfelt episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack the complexities of postpartum depression and baby blues. They dive deep into dissecting the causes and impact while emphasizing the important distinction between the two. Listen in as they sh...
Why Moms Can't Put Their Own Oxygen Mask On First
We're all familiar with the airline safety instruction to put on our own oxygen mask before assisting others, but the truth is, for mothers, this goes against our every instinct. In this episode, Whitney and Sarah share a candid conversation ab...
Lacey Douthat's Postpartum Journey
Lacey returns to the podcast to share her journey since giving birth. Join us as she Lacey shares her pregnancy story and her commitment to self-improvement postpartum, from embracing the simplicity of nice pajamas to the transformative power o...
Interview with Courtney English: Sensory Dysregulation with a Pediatric OT
Sarah is excited to have Occupational Therapist Courtney English join this week's podcast to discuss sensory dysregulation. Courtney shares her journey from hand therapist to pediatric occupational therapist and her struggles with postpartum an...
Exploring Attachment Styles
Do you ever wonder how your childhood experiences impact your relationships today? After Sarah discovered her own attachment style through a quiz recommendation from Whitney, a conversation was sparked that they just had to share with you. Toge...
What a Reproductive Psychiatrist Tells Her Patients About Intrusive Thoughts
Have you ever found yourself gripped by thoughts that seemed to come out of nowhere? Unsettling thoughts, completely at odds with who you are as a person and as a mother. You're not alone, and that's the heart of Sarah's conversation with Dr. C...
Why the New Postpartum Depression Drug is a BIG Deal
🎙️ Curious about the groundbreaking new postpartum depression medication? Tune in to this enlightening quick podcast where Sarah converses with reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Claire Smith. Discover our hopes for this medication and the vital mes...
Interview with Lisa McCarty: Embracing the Struggle of Infertility
In this episode, Lisa McCarty joins Sarah and Whitney to recount the emotional whirlwind of her own infertility. Through her story, Lisa shares a raw and powerful perspective on why listening to your body and practicing self-advocacy is essenti...
Navigating Resentment in Motherhood
Have you ever felt a wave of frustration wash over you while juggling the demands of motherhood with the rest of your life? We get it, and that's why we're peeling back the layers on the emotional struggles that come with being a mom. From the ...
When Everyone Gets Sick
Ever felt like waving a white flag when your kiddo sneezes for the umpteenth time, knowing full well you're about to embark on yet another germ-fueled adventure? That's where we find ourselves in today’s heartfelt discussion, as Whitney and Sar...