

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

Jun 5, 2024 • 50min
228: Overcoming Gender Bias in Healthcare with Dr. Karen Tang, MD and author
Concerns like PMDD, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis, or even universal experiences like menopause are still underresearched and underdiagnosed. The more we can understand these concerns—and advocate for doctors to take them seriously—the more we can help support women and moms everywhere. Today, I’m joined by gynecologist and reproductive health specialist Dr. Karen Tang, MD, author of It’s Not Hysteria, to discuss how we can collectively and individually overcome gender bias in healthcare and advocate for women’s health.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4bGLy8UBook a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 2024 • 45min
227: From the Vault: Encouraging Independent Play with Susie Allison, Founder of Busy Toddler
Today, we’re reaching back into the vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes! What if I told you that you didn’t have to play with your child all day? Moms put a lot of pressure on themselves to entertain their kids. They believe that “good moms” play with their kids as much as possible. But when we learn how to encourage independent play, we not only remove that pressure—we also give our children room to create, grow, and blossom. Today, I’m joined by Susie Allison, founder of Busy Toddler, to discuss what play is, why it matters, and how to encourage your children to play independently.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3X00MBq Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2024 • 55min
226: Navigating Mom Shaming with Renee Reina, Host of The Mom Room Podcast
It isn’t easy to feel confident in a world full of mom shaming. When moms are already feeling lonely and unsupported, disconnected from their friends, and unsure about their abilities, this pressure and criticism can take a real toll on their self-esteem and their mental health. Today, I’m joined by Renee Reina, Ph.D, host of The Mom Room Podcast, to discuss mom shaming, toxic mom culture, and how we can break away from the pressure and carve our own path in motherhood.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3WVmC9b Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 15, 2024 • 51min
225: Encouraging Healthy Screen Time Habits with Dr. Michael Rich
It can be hard to establish healthy screen time habits for our children. But with the right framework in place, we can let go of guilt and fear and foster a positive relationship with technology within a healthy balance. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Michael Rich, known as “the Mediatrician,” to discuss how we can set kids up for digital wellness.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dGAF8vBook a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 8, 2024 • 56min
224: Breaking Away from Mom Guilt with JoAnn Crohn
JoAnn Crohn, founder of No Guilt Mom, discusses how to manage mom guilt by aligning actions with personal values rather than societal norms. She highlights the importance of self-compassion, challenging traditional gender roles, and advocating for shared parental duties in creating a balanced home environment for a more fulfilling parenting experience.

May 1, 2024 • 49min
223: Busting the Dream Job Myth with Lauren McGoodwin, CEO of Career Contessa
Gender norms, social expectations, and motherhood all become wrapped up in our identities, often leaving us questioning our career paths. But perhaps the answer starts with breaking away from the idea of a “dream job” and focusing instead on empowering ourselves to make active decisions driven by our internal values. Today, I’m joined by Lauren McGoodwin, CEO of Career Contessa, to discuss how women and mothers face barriers in the workplace and how they can start creating power moves to achieve real career fulfillment.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4dgFi90Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 24, 2024 • 59min
222: Understanding and Implementing Responsive Parenting with Dr. Cindy Hovington, founder of Curious Neuron
As moms, we feel immense pressure to stay calm and peaceful even in the toughest, most triggering moments. And when we fall short, we often beat ourselves up and feel ashamed. But if we want to break this cycle, we need to move away from shame and find a way to offer ourselves the same compassion and understanding that we have for our children. Today I’m joined by Dr. Cindy Hovington, founder of Curious Neuron, to discuss what responsive parenting really looks like and how we can move away from the cycle of unrealistic pressure and shame.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3w1h3uKBook a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 2024 • 59min
221: How to Maintain Friendships (and Make Friends) as a Mom with Danielle Bayard Jackson, Author
Maintaining friendships or making new friends as a mom, takes skills, intention, and deliberation. The adjustment to motherhood changes us—and it makes sense that our friendships, along with our values, priorities, and other relationships, might change too. That doesn’t mean we have to leave our old friendships behind, and it doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to make new ones. Today, I’m joined by Danielle Bayard Jackson, founder of Friend Forward and author of Fighting for our Friendships to discuss why friendship is vital for moms and what we can do to maintain friendships and form new connections.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/43ZC4T2Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 2024 • 58min
220: How Stressed Moms Can Cope with Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout
Amelia Nagoski, co-author of 'Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,' discusses how society sets up moms to be stressed, leading to burnout. Explore stress triggers, breaking the stress cycle, and the importance of self-care for mothers' well-being.

Apr 3, 2024 • 57min
219: From the Vault: Why Does a Messy House Give Me Anxiety? with KC Davis, Licensed Professional Therapist and Author
KC Davis, a licensed professional therapist and author of 'How to Keep House While Drowning', dives into the anxieties mothers face regarding household mess. She discusses the unrealistic standards placed on parents and the emotional toll of cleaning. KC offers practical tips for managing homes with kids, reimagining cleanliness as a neutral task instead of a moral obligation. She also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care and mental well-being over societal expectations, advocating for a more compassionate approach to motherhood.