#208 — "Real self care is a verb. It's not a noun," Dr. Pooja Lakshmin tells host Sarah K Peck in this week’s enlightening episode of Startup Parent.

As women, we're taught that our value lies in being perfect, selfless mothers. But what if there's more to motherhood than martyrdom?

In this episode, Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, founder of Gemma, and Sarah K Peck discuss how to redefine motherhood, overcome mom guilt and prioritize self-care. They explore the intersection of mental health and gender, and how the language of individualism can exonerate poorly designed systems. They also delve into the importance of creating safe spaces for women to have conversations about motherhood. Pooja describes how Gemma is providing a platform for women to redefine wellness and challenge systems of oppression.

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University School of Medicine and a psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health. As the founder of Gemma, a digital community focused on women's mental health and equity, she has spent thousands of hours taking care of women who are struggling with burnout, despair, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Lakshmin is a contributor to The New York Times and her work focuses on the intersection of mental health and gender. She is also the author of Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included), which aims to redefine self-care in a way that prioritizes asking ourselves different questions.

Where to find Pooja:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Full show notes at startupparent.com/208

Resources:

Gemma at Website | Twitter | Instagram

Startup Parent | Substack | Sponsor

Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not IncludedWe Don't Need Self-Care, We Need Boundaries.

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This episode is sponsored by WWC