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
Hairspray and Honesty (Part 2)
Crowd favorite Hannah Griffin is back and she and Sarah are sharing the truths of motherhood. Tune in to hear what you wish someone would have told you, what you were not prepared for (hello hair loss), and most importantly, why moms shou...
New Motherhood Perspective from a Doula and Lactation Consultant
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a lactation consultant or doula answer questions about birth or breastfeeding and give you the truth with no judgement? Well, today you will meet Jenny Mizzell, Previa Alliance's Lactation an...
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...
Life in the Trenches (The Newborn Days)
Listen as Sarah speaks with Madison, a mom of 2 and lifestyle influencer, about what the newborn days are really like. Madison’s 6-week-old daughter joins the ladies as they talk about sleepless nights, transitioning from being a mom of 1 to 2,...
New Year, New Mom
More like new year, same mom…but you get what we mean. Society has a way of telling us a new year has to be filled with resolutions, and all these changes should have been made yesterday! Instead of thinking of things you must fix, try focusing...
After Holiday Blues
The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, the parties have ended, and you may be feelinglike what is life now? This is when it is a great time to discuss the “Post-holiday crash” aka the after-holiday blues. Listen is as the Sarah ...
Like the Perfect Christmas Card
Life is not Hallmark movies or Pinterest perfect, but sometimes the Holiday season as those perfectly curated Christmas cards make us feel that it is for everyone but us. In today’s episode the ladies discuss why moms battle perfectionism and h...
Jingle Jingle All The Tears!
Maybe it is the hallmark movies or the smells of the season that makes us all feel all the feels. From our childhood memories to missing a loved one during this season-it can bring in all the tears. From grief to unmet expectations to trying to...
Mom's Toolbox! Holiday Edition
Wrapping present check, a zillion school parties check, feeling like there is so much to do and so little time check check! We know the holiday season is full of stress and emotions and we want to give you the tools to conquer it. Listen in as ...
Hey, Whitney! Holiday Edition
You asked and Whitney is answering. The holidays are tricky when navigating so much with so little time and too many opinions. Listen in as Whitney answers how to deal with exhaustion during the holidays, navigating infertility during the seaso...
Let’s Talk Boundaries & Why You Need Them for the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us which means chaos, cookies, and family politics! In today's episode, we talk about how to answer that aunt who constantly asks when you're having the next kid, the pushy in-law who doesn't take no for an answer, an...
Guest Series: Episode 1, Motherhood Moments: Hairspray and Honesty
Have you ever felt like a new person after you get a fresh haircut or a new hairstyle? Same! Maybe this is because you are talking to your hair “therapist” and come out with both a new look AND a new perspective.Today, Sarah interviews h...
Hey, Whitney! (Part 6)
Our amazing listeners have some really good questions in today's "Hey, Whitney!" episode. Today she talks about phantom baby cries, what “up in my feels” means, and why those stomped goldfish in our cars really trigger us. Follow Previa...
Mom's Toolbox (Part 3)
Today, Sarah and Whitney share more tools moms need to navigate motherhood. Today, they discuss what to do when your baby is screaming his head off in the carpool lane to what enmeshment is (hint: lack of boundaries). Tune in to hear prac...
Hey, Whitney! (Part 5)
Whitney is back on the hot seat taking real questions from you! Today the ladies cover a wide range of topics including miscarriage, navigating conflict, friendship changes in motherhood, bed dread, and when you just feel like your old sex life...
How to Deal With Your Inner Child
Have you ever wondered why you do things the way you do? Or, wonder why a certain event or activity triggers a childhood memory? If so, this is the episode for you. Whitney and Sarah talk about our 'inner child.' They discuss what it is, ...
Coping With a Traumatic Birth Experience
In today’s episode, Sarah describes her traumatic birth experience and the effects she suffered in her postpartum period. The ladies discuss what happens when your birthing experience does not go as planned and how trauma presents itself physic...
Guest Interview: Emily Gilmore, DPT, Discusses "Stop Thinking You Should Pee on Yourself!"
Today, Sarah and Whitney bring back fan-favorite Emily Gilmore from Thrive PT! The ladies hit all the real topics of postpartum that no one wants to say…yep, they are going to go there. Emily educates us on common issues such as painful i...
Guest Interview: Emily Gilmore, DPT, Discusses "What To Tell Your Best Friend About The Pelvic Floor"
In today’s episode, Sarah and Whitney talk with Emily Gilmore from Thrive Physical Therapy. She is a pelvic floor guru and a passionate advocate for prenatal and postpartum physical therapy. Emily describes what the pelvic floor is, discusses h...
Guest Interview: Lacey Douthat, We Are the Glitter Gospel
In today’s episode, Sarah and Whitney speak with blogger Lacey Douthat from We are the Glitter Gospel Blog. Lacey shares her journey to motherhood and the ups and downs of infertility, IVF, miscarriage, and being in the public eye. You wi...
Motherhood: Exposing All My Stuff
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart! Today, Sarah and Whitney share how motherhood has a way of bringing a whole bunch of things about ourselves out into the light. From childhood experiences to tight resources, motherhood enhances them. I...
IVF and Infertility
In today’s episode, Sarah and Whitney talk about the difficulties some couples have when trying to become pregnant. Specifically, they address the ups and downs of trying to conceive (TTC) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). They each share their...
Things I Wish I Knew About My Child’s Daycare
Dependable and quality childcare is a top concern for all moms. Today, Sarah and Whitney discuss how to locate the best childcare options for your child. The ladies discuss how to find state regulations, the difference between licensed an...