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With it being the month of May, I felt like it was time to have a REAL and honest conversation about maternal mental health.

While we’ve gotten slightly better at talking about postpartum depression, there are still many parts of motherhood and perinatal mental health that people quietly struggle through without support or understanding.

Maternal mental health is about sooo much more than postpartum depression. It’s also anxiety, rage, intrusive thoughts, identity shifts, overstimulation, and loneliness. It’s the emotional weight of matrescence, and the invisible mental load mothers carry every.single.day.

Ultimately, maternal mental health is not *just* an individual issue - it’s a public health issue that needs our attention, now, more than ever.

I hope this episode reminds you that you are NOT failing at motherhood. You are human, and you were never meant to carry all of this alone. There is support available, and you deserve care LONG before things become unbearable!!

Episode Recap:

• Why maternal mental health is about so much more than postpartum depression
• The many ways perinatal mental health struggles can show up
• How normalized maternal suffering keeps moms struggling silently
• Understanding matrescence + identity shifts in motherhood
• Grieving former versions of yourself while loving your children deeply
• Maternal rage, overwhelm, and the invisible mental load
• Normalizing intrusive thoughts + why trained support matters
• Loneliness, isolation & unrealistic expectations in modern motherhood
• How unsupported systems impact maternal wellbeing
• Why maternal mental health IS a public health issue
• The importance of therapy, rest, community & shared support
• Maternal mental health resources + reminders that struggling does not mean failure

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 3 | What “The Mental Load” Really Looks Like (and Why It’s So Damn Heavy)
• Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA)
• Postpartum Support International
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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I’m honored to welcome Lisa Vawter to the podcast today!

Dr. Lisa Vawter is a mother of two and a dedicated women's health chiropractor specializing in prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care. With a Master’s in nutrition and certifications in the Webster Technique, Spinning Babies, and Birthfit, along with 100 hours of acupuncture training, her practice offers comprehensive and holistic support for expectant and new mothers and their kiddos.

Inspired by her own transformative experience with chiropractic care during pregnancy, she’s committed to providing compassionate and personalized care using movement as medicine, and to help navigate the physical changes of motherhood.

We talk a lot about pregnancy like it’s a checklist of physical changes…but what if that’s only part of the story?

In today’s conversation, I sat down with Dr. Lisa to unpack the metaphysical experience of motherhood, and what it actually feels like to live in a body that’s constantly changing, stretching, and becoming. The truth is - your physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual experiences during this season are NOT separate. They’re deeply intertwined!

Something that needs to be said louder: pregnancy does NOT have to equal pain. Yes, your body is changing in big ways, but movement, basic body awareness, and simple daily habits can make a massive difference during this time!

Motherhood is a full-body, whole-person transformation. You DESERVE care that reflects that, and you should never feel like you’re meant to do this journey alone!

Episode Recap:

• Why motherhood isn’t just physical
• How Lisa’s personal journey shaped how she supports women today
• Lisa’s 2 birth experiences + how they were completely different
• Why letting go of control + accepting support matters
• How pregnancy changes your identity (not just your body)
• Pregnancy ≠ pain (even if we’ve normalized it)
• How simple movement can reduce discomfort + build confidence
• How mobility supports baby positioning + smoother labor
• Why you don’t have to wait until you’re in pain to get support
• How the system often overlooks the physical experience of pregnancy
• Why there IS hope w/more education + support shifting maternal care
• Focusing on the basics like eating, moving, resting & staying connected during pregnancy

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisavawterchiro
• Check out Lisa’s website
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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For the past few years, I’ve challenged myself to do Dry January. But…this year became something much bigger.

What started as “just seeing if I could do it” turned into 100 days sober. Honestly? The biggest thing I’ve gained hasn’t been about alcohol at all! It’s been about self-trust, and proving to myself that I CAN do hard things, sit with uncomfortable feelings, and stay present (even when I want to check out).

Believe me, I totally understand the many “quiet” ways that so many moms cope. Whether it’s alcohol, scrolling, overworking, or staying constantly busy, sooo many of us are just trying to find relief from #allthethings that come with motherhood.

More than anything, this episode is about learning how to STAY. Stay with yourself, your body, your hard emotions, and your life…even when it feels uncomfortable.

Self-trust is not built in huge, dramatic moments -it’s built in small, quiet choices over and over again. This is your reminder that you do not have to be “perfect” to rebuild that trust - you just need to keep staying!

Episode Recap:

• How doing Dry January turned into 100 days sober + a deeper journey of self-trust
• Learning to stay with hard emotions instead of immediately checking out
• Why self-trust matters just as much as confidence or discipline
• How ADHD can impact follow-through, emotional regulation & identity
• The connection between ADHD, overwhelm, and substance use
• Why many moms use alcohol (or other coping tools) to regulate an overwhelmed nervous system
• Realizing alcohol was often about seeking relief, not the drink itself
• How stopping drinking changed relationships, socializing & identity
• The unexpected benefits that came with cutting alcohol
• What really builds self-trust over time

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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I’m excited to welcome Danielle Wallace to the podcast today!

Danielle Wallace is a former competitive volleyball player, corporate professional, and business owner. She knows firsthand the pressure of performing at a high level, whether on the court, in the boardroom, or running your own business.

As a therapist, she helps athletes, entrepreneurs, and their families build mental and emotional resilience to thrive under pressure (and beyond). Danielle understands firsthand what it feels like to perform, push, and carry expectations, both from within and from the outside.

In today’s conversation, we talk about youth sports and how parents can navigate that, but honestly, it’s sooo much more than that. The pressure, identity, perfectionism, and ways our kids begin to tie their worth to performance can show up in any area of life!

These patterns don’t just start on the field. They start in families, nervous systems, and the subtle ways we respond to our kids’ emotions, struggles, and mistakes.

At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful reminder: our kids don’t need us to perfect the experience - they need us to be a safe place within it. Whether your child plays sports or not, this episode is really about raising humans in a high-pressure world, and helping them build resilience, emotional safety, and a sense of self that isn’t dependent on performance!

Episode Recap:

• Why performance pressure doesn’t start on the field
• Why many parents feel stuck between supporting their child & unintentionally adding pressure
• Why kids may tie their identity to performance
• How social pressure is often stronger than parent pressure for youth athletes
• How well-intentioned phrases from parents can increase pressure in kids
• The importance of connection after games
• How kids and parents often protect each other emotionally + what this can lead to
• How burnout can typically show up in kids
• Why resilience is built by allowing kids to feel disappointment & work through it

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Mental Toughness for Young Athletes
• Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy
• Follow Danielle on Instagram @coretherapyks
• Check out Danielle’s website
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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Fatherhood is something we don’t talk about nearly enough….but it’s time to change that.

In this episode, I want to broaden the conversation on fatherhood. I recently gathered responses from over 100 fathers in my community, and explored fatherhood through three lenses: my husband’s experience, what other dads shared, and what we know clinically about paternal mental health.

What stood out most? Fathers are deeply involved, deeply committed, and often carry a quiet weight (even though they’re super unsure and overwhelmed themselves).

Many fathers shared that they feel pressure to handle everything on their own, believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Yeah…that belief didn’t come out of thin air! It’s rooted in long-standing expectations about what society deems to “be a man”.

At the end of the day, what stood out most from these fathers was their love, effort, and desire to get it right. Dads are “just trying to figure it out, too”.

Supporting fathers, strengthening relationships, and caring for parental mental health aren’t separate conversations. They’re how we build healthier families, together!

Episode Recap:

• Why fatherhood is a conversation we need to be having more openly
• The hardest transitions into fatherhood
• Key themes from 100+ fathers who took an anonymous survey
• Real thoughts from my husband regarding fatherhood
• The very real mental load fathers carry + how societal expectations have shaped this
• How paternal mental health is impacted by maternal mental health
• The evolving role of fathers & shift toward deeper emotional connection w/their kids
• How parenthood truly changes relationships
• The importance of preparing your relationship (not just your home) for a baby
• Why supporting fathers, strengthening relationships, and prioritizing mental health are vital for building healthier families

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Take the Fatherhood Survey
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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I’m honored to welcome Sierra Fair to the podcast today!

Sierra Fair is an LSCSW who has worked in private practice for 4 years. She’s originally from Kansas, but now lives in Arkansas with her husband and son. They experienced delayed fertility when trying for their son, which opened her eyes to the world of fertility issues. Sierra dealt with PMADs after having her son, which later led her to pursue additional training through Postpartum Support International to better serve her clients (and help herself). She and her husband are now trying for baby #2, and in the waiting season again!

As a social worker, Sierra works as a mental health therapist, providing virtual therapy to her clients. Outside of work, she leads a faith-based support group for women struggling to grow their families, called Moms in the Making.

In this conversation, Sierra shares openly about the grief, isolation, and pressure that can come with delayed fertility. From navigating the heartbreak of an early pregnancy loss, to sitting with the constant question of “when will it be my turn?”, she speaks candidly about the emotional toll of fertility struggles (especially in a culture that often minimizes these experiences).

One of the most powerful parts of Sierra’s story is the role that community played in her healing. Through the faith-based support group, Moms in the Making, she found a space where women could be honest about the complexity of fertility journeys (grief, hope, jealousy, and everything in between).

Sierra’s story is a POWERFUL reminder that no one is immune to perinatal mood struggles, and fertility journeys are rarely linear. If this episode resonates, please know you are NOT alone, and you deserve support, validation, and compassion every step of the way!

Episode Recap:

• Sierra’s personal experience with delayed fertility + PCOS diagnosis
• The VERY real emotional toll of fertility struggles
• Sierra’s early pregnancy loss + how “at least..” statements can unintentionally minimize grief
• How finding community through Moms in the Making truly became a lifeline
• Supportive ways women can honor & process fertility or pregnancy loss
• Sierra’s journey of conceiving with the help of Clomid & welcoming their son
• Understanding you’re NOT alone, and your experience deserves support & validation

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Follow Sierra on Instagram @sierra_irene13
• Learn more about working with Sierra
• Check out Moms in the Making
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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Recently, I came across a 1963 magazine article titled “Mothers Without Joy.” As someone who LOVES thrifting and antiquing, I’ve always been drawn to old books and magazines. But…this one stopped me in my tracks.

The language was for sure dated, but the themes? Unsettlingly familiar. It felt like reading something written about today.

The article dove into "illegitimate babies”, and how pregnancy outside of marriage was viewed as a social and moral crisis. The burden of shame? It fell almost entirely on women.

Motherhood itself wasn’t the issue - unapproved motherhood was. While our language has changed today, the scrutiny is still very present.

History reveals what changing language can often conceal: women have long been evaluated on "mothering". What mothers needed in 1963, and what mothers need now, is NOT moral evaluation. We need support, autonomy, and compassion!

I mean…how different would motherhood look like in our world today, if it was met with care, instead of judgment?

Episode Recap:

• What a 1963 article titled “Mothers Without Joy” truly reveals
• How the term “illegitimate” highlights how deeply motherhood was regulated by marriage, age, class & race
• How the burden of shame & consequence historically fell almost ENTIRELY on women
• Why modern motherhood is still categorized into “acceptable” and “unacceptable” paths
• Why women continue to internalize cultural messages about motherhood & blame themselves
• The unfortunate common thread of motherhood today (regardless of your path there)
• Why the scrutiny of motherhood looks different now, but still carries so much
• What mothers have needed decades ago (and need now, more than ever)

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website

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I’m excited to welcome Emma Hilger to the podcast today!

Emma Hilger is a young stay-at-home mom of 3 kids under 4 and an amateur practicer of all things creative. She studied at the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University and is now putting her skills to use as an author/designer and self-publisher. "I'm a Good Mom: Positive Affirmations in Storybook Style" is the first of many books she hopes to write in a series of Good Mom Board Books that aim to make positive affirmations for moms accessible, realistic, and fun.

What I love about Emma’s work is how honest it is. It doesn’t sugarcoat motherhood or pretend it’s *magical* all the time. Instead, it speaks directly to the moments most of us know well - the self-doubt spirals, exhaustion, overstimulation, and quiet questioning of whether we’re doing this “right.”

In today’s conversation, we talk openly about bad-mom spirals, the massive identity shift that happens when external validation disappears, and why redefining what it means to be a “good mom” is SO necessary.

We also talk about affirmations in a way that feels realistic and grounded - not as cheesy mantras, but as reminders. Repair matters, perfection was never the goal, and trying counts for more than we give ourselves credit for.

Feeling like a bad mom doesn’t mean you are one - it usually means you care deeply, and you’re doing something incredibly demanding with very little support. Emma’s work reminds us that motherhood is about showing up, repairing when things go sideways, and offering ourselves the same compassion we give our children!

Episode Recap:

• Emma’s journey as a stay-at-home mom
• One of the most exhausting parts of early motherhood
• How bad-mom spirals & self-doubt inspired Emma to create her book
• Why affirmations don’t need to be cheesy to work
• The role of self-talk in repair after hard moments with your kids
• Why a “good mom” isn’t perfect, and keeps showing up
• Why realistic expectations & self-forgiveness are essential for sustainable motherhood

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 7 | Why the Overstimulated Version of You in Motherhood Isn’t the Whole Story
• Follow Emma on Instagram @goodmomboardbooks
• Follow on Facebook and TikTok
• Order Emma’s book online or purchase from Watermark Books & Cafe
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website