

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

Mar 27, 2024 • 53min
218: Breaking Away from the Invisible Load of Motherhood with Carly Watters, Literary Agent
The invisible load of motherhood isn’t easy to see, define, or explain. We feel the weight of it, but we often assume that we are just failing or that our partner is the problem. But when we learn to let go of the beliefs that create this “Mother Load,” we can take the steps to release and redistribute the mental and emotional labor in our homes. That’s why I wrote the book Releasing the Mother Load: How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More. Today, I’m joined by my literary agent, Carly Watters, to reflect on our book journey and discuss how moms can let go of the labor they are drowning in.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3TvlfuwBook 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

Mar 20, 2024 • 55min
217: How Partners Can Share in the Invisible Load with Zach Watson, Content Creator and Invisible Labor Educator for Men
Zach Watson, an invisible labor educator, discusses the importance of partners sharing the mental load to benefit moms. Topics include societal pressures on men, the evolution of the invisible load, decision-making dynamics, and advocating for equitable parenting partnerships.

Mar 13, 2024 • 57min
216: Understanding Menopause and Mental Health with Dr. Heather Hirsch, Founder of the Menopause & Midlife Clinic
Discussing the relationship between menopause and mental health is important. It gives us awareness of what we’re experiencing or what we might experience in the future—and it helps break the stigma, both around mental health and women’s health. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Heather Hirsch, founder of the Menopause & Midlife Clinic and author of Unlock Your Menopause Type to talk about the relationship between menopause and mental health, how to identify your symptoms, and how to advocate for treatment.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Tbtw6IBook 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

Mar 6, 2024 • 57min
215: Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts About Baby with Dr. Caroline Boyd, Clinical Psychologist
Intrusive thoughts in motherhood can be scary. But they are not premonitions or signs of deep, hidden desires. They are just thoughts—and the more we try to bury them without understanding what they are, the more they tend to stick around. With awareness and the right plan of action, we can learn to move past these disturbing thoughts more easily. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Caroline Boyd, author of Mindful New Mum, to discuss how moms can overcome unwanted intrusive thoughts.Show notes: https://bit.ly/3TjdAjQBook 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

Feb 28, 2024 • 52min
214: How to Embrace Career Change as a Mom with Jess Galica, Career and Leadership Coach, Best-Selling Author
Our careers can look different once we become moms—and that doesn’t need to be a bad thing. Many moms are embracing flexibility, considering career changes, and reevaluating what they want from their personal and professional lives. Today, I’m joined by career and leadership coach Jess Galica, best-selling author of Leap: Why It's Time to Let Go to Get Ahead in Your Career, to discuss how moms can overcome fear and guilt and embrace career change.Show notes: https://bit.ly/3uF8V2qBook 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

Feb 21, 2024 • 53min
213: Understanding Postpartum Depression in Dads and Non-Birthing Partners with Mark Williams, International Advocate for Perinatal Mental Health and Author
The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for our mental health—and not just for the person who gives birth. Fathers or non-birthing partners and adoptive parents are all also at risk. And yet, postpartum depression in dads and partners is often overlooked and undersupported—even more so than for birthing moms. Today, I’m joined by perinatal mental health advocate Mark Williams, co-founder of International Father’s Mental Health Day, to discuss postpartum depression in dads and partners, and what we can do to support mental health for all new parents.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49btaDLBook 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

Feb 14, 2024 • 57min
212: Rekindling Your Sex Life After Baby with Vanessa & Xander Marin, bestselling authors & hosts of the podcast Pillow Talks
There are so many factors at play in our sex life after baby, from resentment and conflict to the invisible load to a lack of time for emotional intimacy. But when we learn how to talk openly about sex we can overcome those factors and rekindle the spark in a way that feels good for both partners. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by Vanessa and Xander Marin, hosts of the podcast Pillow Talks and NYT bestselling authors of Sex Talks to discuss why our sex lives change so much after baby and how we can work through barriers to create intimacy and connection.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49bm2qN 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

Feb 7, 2024 • 44min
211: The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health with Carine Carmy, Co-Founder & CEO of The Origin Way
Research suggests that at least 32% of women struggle with pelvic floor health. But between stigma, a complex healthcare system, and a persistent myth that pelvic floor concerns are “just a part of life” after having a baby, many moms don’t seek the care they need. Today, I’m joined by Carine Carmy, Co-Founder & CEO of Origin—a pelvic floor therapy startup—to discuss why pelvic floor health is so important and how moms can seek support.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3SMIbWQBook 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

Jan 31, 2024 • 51min
210: Postpartum Rage vs. Parental Anger with Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder and CEO of Psyched Mommy, licensed clinical psychologist
Overwhelmed moms often find themselves experiencing anger and irritability. But is this a sign of a mental health concern or a justifiable response to unreasonable social expectations? Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder of Psyched Mommy, to unpack the differences between postpartum rage and parental anger due to societal pressure and expectations.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Ok6vws 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

Jan 24, 2024 • 56min
209: You’re Not an Angry Mom with Minna Dubin, author of Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood
None of us set out to become angry moms. We likely envisioned responding with warmth, patience, nurturing, and understanding. So when we experience mom rage, we wonder if something is wrong with us. But maybe we’re not the problem. Maybe the problem is the unrealistic pressure, expectations, and overwhelm modern moms carry. Today, I’m joined by Minna Dubin, author of Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood to unpack how to stop viewing ourselves as “angry moms” and how to use our emotions to understand and meet our needs.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/42cCWTA 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