Previa Alliance Podcast

In this episode, Sarah Parkhurst and Whitney Gay, LCSW, dive into the world of therapy speak and the ways words like boundaries, triggered, trauma dumping, and protecting my peace can sometimes bring clarity—and sometimes keep us from taking accountability.

Have we started labeling normal friendship conflict as something deeper? Is saying "I was triggered" easier than saying "I overreacted"? Is "we're just not aligned" sometimes code for "I stopped showing up"?

Join us for an honest, thoughtful, and occasionally uncomfortable conversation about healthy boundaries, real accountability, and why the strongest friendships aren't the ones wi...

Emily Gilmore DPT is back from last week to discuss with Sarah and Whitney what we may all experience but do not want to discuss…yep we are talking about peeing on yourself, painful intercourse, and mama pooch. No matter if your baby is a newborn or 20 years old, this is a episode you need to turn in to.

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October is National Physical Therapy Month, and you might be wondering, "Why would I need a physical therapist as a mom?"

Grab your headphones as we replay one of our most valuable episodes featuring Emily Gilmore, DPT, a pelvic health physical therapist. Whether you're pregnant, preparing for birth, newly postpartum, or years into motherhood, your pelvic floor plays a vital role in your health.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Grief doesn’t always arrive when you expect it—or look the way you thought it would. It can sneak into ordinary moments, surprise you years later, and change parts of you that you never saw coming. In this episode, we talk honestly about the unpredictable nature of grief, the ways loss can reshape us, and what it means to keep living while carrying someone or something we’ve lost.

If grief has caught you off guard lately, you’re not doing it wrong—and you’re not alone.

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Grief is something we all experience, but few of us truly understand. In this episode, Sarah Parkhurst and Whitney Gay, LCSW, take a deeper look at the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—and discuss what they really look like in everyday life.

Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a dream, or a season of life, this conversation offers insight into why grief isn't linear, why no two people grieve the same way, and how understanding the grieving process can bring hope and healing.

If you've ever...

You're scheduling pediatrician appointments, packing lunches, answering school emails...and helping your parents navigate doctor's appointments, medications, and life's next chapter.

Welcome to the sandwich generation.

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney explore the emotional weight of caring for children while also supporting aging parents—and why so many moms feel like they're being pulled in every direction at once.

Together, they discuss:

You've heard of an OB-GYN. You've probably heard of a psychiatrist. But have you ever heard of a reproductive psychiatrist?

If the answer is no, you're not alone.

In this episode, Sarah sits down with reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Claire Smith to explain why one of the most important specialties in maternal mental health remains one of the least known. Together, they discuss what reproductive psychiatry is, why so few specialists exist, how this training differs from general psychiatry, and why so many women never learn this specialty is available until they're...

She scheduled the doctor's appointments.

She Googled slime recipes.

She packed lunches, answered school emails, signed permission slips, and showed up for her kids.

So...how could she possibly be struggling?

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney use the Lindsay Clancy trial to examine one of the biggest misconceptions in maternal mental health: we mistake functioning for wellness.

Why do we have such a hard time believing that a mother can be doing everything for everyone else while quietly battling postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, or even...

Hayden Panettiere helped bring postpartum depression into the national conversation more than a decade ago. Her story reminds us that postpartum depression doesn't always look the way people expect—and that's exactly why so many mothers go unseen.

Sarah and Whitney unpack Hayden's experience, the stigma that still surrounds maternal mental health, and why mothers deserve to be believed before they reach a breaking point. This is a conversation about courage, compassion, and what every family should know about postpartum depression.

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Sarah and Paige unpack the Lindsay Clancy trial through the lens of perinatal mental health and the gaps in care that can leave maternal mental health crises overlooked. Paige, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of the Motherhood Center, explains why conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety often go undiagnosed and how postpartum psychosis, while rare, requires urgent attention. They explore the lack of specialized training among healthcare providers, the need for better collaboration and education, and what parents and professionals can do to improve maternal mental health care.

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Everyone talks about helping kids adjust to a new school year—but what about the parents?

Behind the first-day-of-school photos are moms juggling schedules, worrying about teachers, packing lunches, coordinating drop-offs, paying activity fees, and wondering if they're doing enough. For many parents, back-to-school brings excitement, but it also brings stress, grief, and an enormous mental load.

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney explore why this season can feel so emotionally overwhelming, the science behind life transitions, and practical ways to navigate back-to-school without burning yourself out before the year even begins.

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Ever notice your patience gets shorter, your anxiety feels higher, and everything seems harder during a heat wave? You're not imagining it.

Extreme heat doesn't just make us sweat—it affects our brain, nervous system, sleep, hormones, mood, and even how we interact with the people we love.

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack the science behind why hot weather can leave us feeling exhausted, emotionally reactive, overstimulated, and mentally drained. They also share practical ways to protect your mental health during the hottest months of the year, especially for parents, pregnant women, and an...

Do you ever feel like you're not giving enough to each of your children? You're not alone. Sarah and Whitney unpack the guilt that often comes with raising multiple kids, what research says children truly need, and practical ways to let go of the pressure to be everything to everyone. A must-listen for moms navigating mom guilt, sibling dynamics, and the mental load of motherhood.

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Sometimes the healthiest response is no response at all.

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney explore why not every action deserves a reaction. We discuss boundaries, emotional regulation, people-pleasing, protecting your peace, and how choosing silence can be one of the strongest forms of self-care. If you've ever struggled with difficult relationships, conflict, or knowing when to walk away, this episode is for you.

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Nobody should walk into labor, an epidural, or a C-section feeling like the process is a mystery. 

In this episode, we discuss why clear patient education is often missing, how fear of the unknown can increase anxiety and contribute to birth trauma, and the real-world challenges providers face in preparing families for delivery. 

We also share practical ways to advocate for better communication, set realistic expectations for birth, and process difficult experiences, offering support for anyone who is pregnant, postpartum, or helping a loved one navigate the journey.

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Ever feel like your brain has 47 tabs open at all times? Same.

This week Sarah and Whitney are talking about the invisible mental load moms carry every single day — the constant remembering, planning, anticipating, organizing, managing emotions, and making decisions for everyone around us.

From school forms and meal planning to emotional regulation and “default parent” responsibilities, motherhood is mentally exhausting in ways people don’t always see. And sometimes it’s not the big things that break us… it’s one more person asking us one more question after making 10,000 decisions already that day.

They disc...

Motherhood can be beautiful and grief-filled at the exact same time.

In this deeply honest episode, Sarah and Whitney talk about something many moms feel but are terrified to admit: missing their freedom, independence, identity, and old life after becoming mothers.

This is not about regret. This is about the very real identity shift that happens in motherhood.

Together they discuss:

If you’ve ever thought:

From the moment our babies are born, we become experts in them.

We notice every pattern.

Every cry means something different.

Every shift, every need—we just know.

We become mind readers.

But what happens when that same mindset shows up in our adult relationships?

When we expect our partner to just know what we need…

When we don’t say it out loud because it feels obvious…

When the expectations go unspoken—and unmet…

That’s where resentment builds.

This week, w...

Ever felt like you were the only one seeing the truth?

Something felt off.

The charm didn’t sit right.

The stories didn’t fully add up…

But everyone else? Completely pulled in.

Almost like they were under a spell.

In this episode, we break down the “narcissist spell”—why some people are so convincing, how they draw others in so easily, and why you were able to see what others couldn’t.

If you’ve ever questioned your gut, doubted yourself, or looked back and thought how...

In honor of Infertility Awareness Week, Sarah sits down with crowd favorites Erin and Stephen Mitchell from Couples Counseling for Parents to discuss how trying to conceive, infertility, and pregnancy loss affect relationships. From self-blame to communication breakdown, this honest conversation explores navigating this incredibly difficult journey and having hard conversations with yourself and your partner. 

Erin and Stephen are the cofounders of Couples Counseling for Parents, a company focused on providing access to research-informed, psychologically sound online education for couples. Both have a clinical education—Stephen, a PhD in medical family therapy, and Erin, a master’s deg...

The fourth episode we cover during Maternal Mental health month is a topic that is often felt but not talked about, postpartum rage. Postpartum rage is a mood disruption that causes intense anger, aggression, and agitation in the weeks and months after giving birth. At Previa Alliance, one of the most frequent questions we get is, “Why do I feel so angry?” Today, the ladies break down what postpartum rage is, why new moms experience it, and what you can do to manage it. We hope this conversation leads to more education and less shame and judgment.

Foll...

The final episode we discuss during Maternal Mental health month is one that is a true medical emergency, postpartum psychosis. This episode comes with a trigger warning as this condition, which is rare, is tough to discuss and understand. Our hope for this episode is that you gain knowledge about this little-talked about condition and know to get help.

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The second episode in maternal mental health month is "What is Postpartum Anxiety?"

Are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious about your new role? Do you find yourself struggling to cope with the changes in your life after having a baby? Well, we've got your back! In our latest episode of The Previa Alliance Podcast, we're diving deep into postpartum anxiety and sharing some seriously helpful coping strategies that you can start implementing today. We'll be discussing the importance of therapy, positive affirmations, grounding techniques, and much more. We want to help you take control of your mental...

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 download this episode and share with your friends and families so everyone knows what PPD is and how to help moms who experience it!

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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 manage it.

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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 Whitney talk about the risk factors, what depression during pregnancy looks like, and how to advocate for yourself.

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You’re not “just tired.”

You’re overloaded.

In this episode, we break down the difference between stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression — and why high-achieving moms often miss the warning signs.

We talk about chronic cortisol, invisible labor, perfectionism, and why burnout often shows up as irritability before sadness.

If you’ve ever thought,

“I should be grateful… so why am I so exhausted?”

This conversation is for you.

Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s biology.

And support shouldn’t start when you collapse.

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Why does your child’s birthday make you cry?

In this episode, we unpack the unexpected mix of joy and grief that comes with milestones, new phases, and watching your child grow.

We explore attachment, nostalgia, ambiguous loss, and why the days feel long — but the years feel fast.

If you’ve ever stayed up scrolling baby photos or felt tender on a milestone day, you’re not dramatic. You’re deeply attached.

Motherhood holds joy and grief at the same time.

And both are allowed here.

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When your child says “I can’t do this”… or starts comparing themselves to others… it can be hard to know what to say.

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Renee Marie, founder of My Secret Playbook, to talk about the years when confidence often starts to dip—especially between ages 6–14.

They discuss how kids develop self-talk, why comparison becomes so powerful during these years, and how parents can help children reframe negative thoughts and build real confidence. Renee also shares how her own experience as a mom led her to create a st...

Parenting can feel overwhelming, and sometimes we wonder—would a child therapist help my kid? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Madison Curren, licensed child therapist to share what therapy really looks like, when it can make a difference, and how parents can feel supported in the process.

Is it postpartum depression—or could it be bipolar disorder?

In this episode, Sarah sits down with reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Claire Smith to talk about why bipolar disorder during pregnancy and postpartum is often missed, especially bipolar II. They break down the key differences between bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis, why sleep is a critical factor in mood stability, and how the right diagnosis can completely change a mom’s treatment and recovery.

An important conversation for mothers, partners, and providers who want to better understand bipolar illness in the perinatal period—and why ge...

Spring is here, and before we rush into the next season, we’re pressing pause. In this episode, Sarah and Whitney guide a gentle self check-in—asking what you’re carrying, how you’re responding, and what your nervous system might be trying to tell you. If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, or just tired of pushing through, this episode is for you.

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What if we trained for maternal mental health the way we train for everything else in medicine?

In this powerful episode, Sarah sits down with Paige Bellenbaum during Social Work Awareness Month to talk about the truth behind social work—and why social workers are essential to solving the maternal mental health crisis.

Paige shares her own experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, the misconceptions people have about social workers, and the bold work she’s leading to train the next generation in perinatal mental health. From classrooms to policy change, this conversation is about prev...

We prepare for so much in pregnancy—but rarely for mental health, even though it’s the most common complication of childbirth. In this episode, we talk about why we don’t think twice about mammograms or colonoscopies, why mental health deserves the same preventive approach, and how having a therapist early in pregnancy can make all the difference. Listen in as Sarah and Whitney tackle this important conversation head on.

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Mallory Whitmore, author of Bottle Service, joins us to talk honestly about formula feeding, motherhood, and the emotional weight parents often carry in silence. She shares why feeding choices are so judged, how formula can actually protect mental health, and why confidence and connection matter more than how milk gets into the bottle.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it right,” this episode—and Bottle Service—is here to reassure you: you’re enough, your choice is valid, and you are not alone.

About Mallory Whitmore:

Mallory Whitmore is a mom of two, ed...

Nobody warns you about the quiet heartbreak of friendship after motherhood — how the texts slow down, the invites change, and suddenly you feel like you live on a different planet than your friends without kids.

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack the friendship shift that happens when life milestones stop lining up — whether you’re the first to have babies, the last, or just in a different season. They talk about how to grieve what was, nurture what still fits, and find new connection in the middle of it all.

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Sarah and Whitney explore how childhood patterns—like peacekeeping or fearing conflict—can fuel adult anxiety, especially around communication. They break down why delayed texts or unclear responses trigger worst-case thinking and share simple, effective tools to stop spirals, calm your nervous system, and stay grounded in relationships. A relatable, reassuring episode for anyone who’s ever overthought a message or worried they did something wrong.

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Taylor said it best — “I was the chosen one, I was the eldest daughter.” And every eldest daughter everywhere felt that in her bones.

In this episode, Sarah and Whitney dive into what it really means to grow up as the responsible one — the fixer, the peacekeeper, the emotional glue — and how those patterns quietly follow us into adulthood and motherhood. From perfectionism and control to guilt when we finally rest, we’re unpacking it all.

You’ll laugh, nod, and maybe cry a little as we talk about how to stop carrying everything and start letting...

In a world of screens, chatbots, and constant digital input, what still truly matters for our children? In this episode, we go back to basics with Pam Allyn, founder of World Read Aloud Day, to explore why reading—and reading aloud—builds children’s brains, supports emotional health, and strengthens connection in ways technology cannot. A grounding reminder for parents of babies through middle schoolers: no matter how advanced AI becomes, children still grow through words, stories, and shared presence.

Join us in World Read Aloud Day on Feb 4th!

In an age where moms can Google every symptom and ask AI to decode every feeling, it’s easier than ever to confuse information with healing.

This episode dives into the growing trend of people turning to chatbots and “AI therapy” for emotional support — and the real risks behind it. Together, we’ll explore why connection, compassion, and clinical expertise still matter more than ever.

Click here for Paige's First Episode with Previa Alliance.

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