

Momwell
Erica Djossa
We often enter motherhood envisioning joy, nurturing, peace, and love. But the reality can blindside us. Nobody tells us about Mom Rage, overstimulation, intrusive thoughts, or other mental health struggles. Unfortunately, when we seek help, we might face a lack of support, a system that doesn’t put moms first, and a world that turns a blind eye to the challenges of motherhood. We’re here to change that. We believe that moms deserve access to community, support, and mental health literacy. If you’re struggling with motherhood, you’re not alone–and you’re not failing. On The Momwell Podcast, host and psychotherapist Erica Djossa teaches strategies to help you cope with the psychological and emotional load of motherhood and prioritize your mental health and wellbeing. Erica shares the best kept secrets of the therapy world and interviews other professionals (psychologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, fertility specialists, lactation consultants, and more!) who provide their expertise to empower you on your motherhood journey.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 30, 2022 • 52min
149: Can Dads Get Postpartum Anxiety? with Dr. Pierre Azzam, Psychiatrist
Can dads get postpartum anxiety? The answer is yes! Just like moms, dads are at increased risk for anxiety in the postpartum period. Paternal mental health matters too. Today, I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Pierre Azzam, founder of Braver Man, to discuss the signs and risk factors for postpartum anxiety in dads, and why caring for the mental health of the whole family matters. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3ARYBDY Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 snips
Nov 23, 2022 • 53min
148: The Mental Load of Motherhood with Gemma Hartley, Author
Do you find yourself carrying the mental load of motherhood? Moms often serve as the default parents. The housekeepers. The caregivers. The go-to for all of the to-do lists. It’s a problem that can leave us overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out—and we often don’t even realize it’s happening. But we can make small changes that shift the household mental load and create buy-in from our partners. Today, I’m joined by Gemma Hartley, journalist and author of Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women and the Way Forward, to discuss how to rebalance the emotional and mental load of motherhood. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3V4l4G8 Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 2022 • 49min
147: Surviving the Baby Witching Hour with Dr. Whitney Casares, Pediatrician
As a new mom, one of the most stressful things we can experience is not being able to soothe our babies. So when we face the “baby witching hour,” colic, or a fussy infant, we often feel like failures. It’s hard to cope with crying. It’s even harder to let go of the expectation that we should be able to soothe every cry. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares, founder of Modern Mommy Doc, to discuss how to survive the baby witching hour, and how to be kind to ourselves in the process. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3GgS2yi Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 9, 2022 • 49min
146: Overcoming Formula Feeding Guilt with Mallory Whitmore, Founder of The Formula Mom
Are you experiencing formula feeding guilt? Moms whose breastfeeding journey doesn’t match their expectations, or moms who choose to formula feed their babies, often face pressure, shame, and a sense of failure. But there are many factors that go into a feeding journey, and staying flexible can protect our mental health. Today, I’m joined by infant feeding technician Mallory Whitmore, founder of The Formula Mom, to discuss how to overcome the expectations, pressures, and guilt about formula feeding. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3NPY7Dx Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 2022 • 44min
145: How To Deal With Toxic Positivity As a Mom with Whitney Goodman, Marriage and Family Therapist
Enjoy every moment. Be grateful you have a healthy baby. Everything happens for a reason. Moms often get bombarded with these messages, being told they should be happy and positive all the time. But how do you deal with this toxic positivity? Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Whitney Goodman, author of Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real In a World Obsessed With Being Happy. We’re discussing what toxic positivity is, how to deal with toxic positivity as a mom, and better ways to offer support than emphasizing artificial happiness. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3sMayXb Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 2022 • 54min
144: Adjusting to Becoming a Dad with Travis Goodman, Marriage and Family Therapist
Moms aren’t the only ones with a big adjustment when a baby comes. Becoming a dad brings its own adjustments, changes, and difficulties. Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Travis Goodman, founder of Therapy 4 Dads, to discuss the transition into becoming a dad, ways dads can bond with babies, and signs of paternal postpartum depression. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Tyd53g Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 2022 • 56min
143: Returning to Work After Maternity Leave with Dr. Cassidy Freitas, Marriage and Family Therapist
Returning to work after maternity leave, or having your partner return after their leave, can be tough. These situations often come with feelings of anger, guilt, and resentment. But if we can learn to listen to our emotions, guide ourselves through the transition, and work with our partner, we can overcome mom guilt and ease the transition. Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Dr. Cassidy Freitas to talk about coping with our emotions while returning to work after having a baby. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3D5hYeh Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 12, 2022 • 50min
142: How to Know if You Have Postpartum Anxiety with Dr. Sarah Oreck, Reproductive Psychiatrist
Are you confused about how to know if you have postpartum anxiety? For many moms, this is a difficult question. Postpartum anxiety symptoms are often dismissed as normal worries or first-time mom jitters. Many moms also feel a sense of fear about acknowledging their struggles. To top it off, postpartum anxiety is often misunderstood and understudied. But undiagnosed and untreated anxiety during pregnancy and the postpartum period can leave many moms overwhelmed and lost. Today, I’m joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Oreck to discuss why perinatal mental health is overlooked, how to know if you have postpartum anxiety, and what treatment methods might be right for you. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3fUE0as Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 5, 2022 • 1h 4min
141: Protecting Maternal Sleep with Dr. Nicole Leistikow, Reproductive Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Moms often feel like sacrificing sleep is just a part of motherhood. But there is a relationship between sleep deprivation and postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and other mental health concerns. If we want to support moms, protecting maternal sleep is important. Today, I’m joined by reproductive psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Nicole Leistikow to discuss the role of protected sleep in maternal mental health and how families can work together to support moms. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3EdRt7q Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 28, 2022 • 55min
140: Establishing Age-Appropriate Boundaries With Kids with Tia Slightham, @parentingcoach on TikTok and Founder of Parenting Solutions
Establishing age-appropriate boundaries can be tough. But without boundaries, we often find ourselves in a cycle of misbehaviour and punishment, leading to frustration for us and our children. Today, I’m joined by parenting coach Tia Slightham to discuss the importance of boundaries and how to set limits that are age-appropriate and effective. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3r2xdxL Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: happyasamother.co/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops: happyasamother.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices