Holding Space

You have a million tabs open in your brain, you're the one keeping track of all the family appointments, the school emails, the grocery list, each child's current preferences, and when your kids need something....they come to you first.  Can you relate? If you can, there's a word that might resonate...the default parent. In today's episode I invited mental health advocate, cycle breaker, content creator and mother of two Libby Ward (from Diary of an Honest Mom) to unpack this experience. How did we get here? What's the cost? (hint: burnout, anxiety, health issues, overstimulation, partner resentment, and rage just to name a few). AND how do break the cycles and share the load? We talk about it all in this episode. To connect with and learn more from Libby check out her website www.diaryofanhonestmom.com and give her a follow on Tik Tok and Instagram @diaryofanhonestmom. Resources mentioned in the episode: Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski Fair Play by Eve Rodsky Libby's Journal Promp

Let's talk about tongue ties! In this episode I share my conversation with pediatric physical therapist Brita DeStefano to demystify tongue ties. Brita shares both her personal and professional experience with tongue ties and the stressors and emotions that can come with this experience. Together we discuss: *What exactly is a tongue tie? *What are some stressors that can come with this experience? *Experiences of being invalidated by providers and questions to ask to make sure you're getting the support you and your child need. *The impact of tongue tie on the parent's mental health and relationships *Addressing those feelings of guilt for not knowing or intervening earlier if the tongue tie was missed Brita offers in-home visits, virtual consults, and online courses to help empower parents to connect with their little ones through purposeful play. Connect with her below! Website: www.ptpdenver.com Instagram: @progressthroughplay Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding

In this very personal episode, I sit down with Kristin Gallant, co-founder of Big Little Feelings. We are getting real, raw, and vulnerable as we discuss our own pregnancy loss stories. This episode discusses the physical, emotional, relational, and mental toll of pregnancy loss as well as the ways we individually processed these experiences. We talk about the importance of support and community, resources like EMDR therapy, and the varied ways birthing people process this type of experience. We hope you walk away from this episode feeling less alone in what can be a very isolating experience for so many. You can connect more with Kristin @biglittlefeelings on Instagram and learn more about their parenting courses for kids 1-6 here. MORE RESOURCES: What is EMDR? https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/emdr EMDR walk-through https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17999846029229289/ Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast rev

Today I am SO excited to be talking all about potty training with Allison Jandu! Personally, I was thrilled to sit down with Allison to ask all of my questions as I enter the potty training stage with my youngest. I am thrilled to share this episode with all of you to support and de-mystify the potty training journey. We're talking all about timing, signs your child is ready, developmental changes around the time of potty training, ways to support your child's readiness for potty training, supportive tools and language, and other actionable tips to help your child through this major milestone! Owner and founder of Potty Training Consultant, Allison Jandu, is a mom just like you. When it came time to potty train her oldest, she was quickly overwhelmed by all the conflicting information available online and was missing the support and guidance she was after. She didn't think it seemed fair for mamas to have to guess their way through potty training - toddlerhood is challenging enough! Follow @pottyt

Let's unpack the idea of "balance" for the working parent! In this episode we explore the relationship we have with our work while holding space for our relationships and family life.  I invited New York based therapist Justine Carino on to the podcast, and together we share our personal journeys in navigating the challenges of being working parents, unpack the impact of societal expectations and share tangible tips for prioritizing your values in work and family life. For more from Justine: Thoughts from the Couch - Using Your Values to Guide Your Decisions in Your Twenties with Dr. Cassidy Freitas Justine's WebsitePath to Peace courseFind Justine on Instagram Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcirc

In this episode I am honored to sit down with Dr. Jasmine to talk about her real-life experience with severe PPD (postpartum depression), which happened to show up for her alongside PPA (otherwise known as postpartum anxiety.) We are diving deep into what PPD and PPA can really look like. Together we explore sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, the decision to supplement, medication, seeking support, guilt, shame, and intrusive thoughts. If you are a new parent, expecting parent, or a person who has experienced PPD and PPA, we hope you find this episode supportive and walk away from this conversation feeling seen and with some tangible tools for seeking the support you so deeply deserve. Dr. Jasmine is a pharmacist and native Californian. She's a mom of one and a strong advocate for maternal mental health and normalizing postpartum depression and anxiety. She volunteered as a Peer Mentor for PSI and wholeheartedly supports their free resources for perinatal mood disorders. In her spare time (if she has any t

Does the phrase "I look fine, but I'm not fine" sound anything like you? If is does, you're not alone. I invited my friend Dr. Sahar Martinez to talk all about this idea on this week's episode. We're talking all about anxiety, the tough moments of parenting, healing as parents, and connecting with your own inner child through the experiences of parenting. We're sharing personal stories and actionable tips of ways you can start to not only "look fine” but truly start to care for your needs. We hope you find some valuable tools in this episode to take into your own journey as a parent. Dr. Sahar Martinez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. She offers individual and couples therapy to support folks as they navigate relational issues, transitional phases of life, emotional pain, trauma, grief & loss. Dr. Martinez specialize in perinatal mental health, honoring the intense shift that occurs for couples and individuals when we enter parenthood. She ap

When you're going through the challenges of TTC, pregnancy, and postpartum, we often hear about the physical challenges and mental health - but how are those things connected? If you find the challenges of becoming a parent difficult both physically and mentally, you are definitely not alone! Today, we're talking all about that physical and mental health connection with Krystle Howald from Expecting and Empowered. We're sharing our own experiences as parents, addressing the connection between physical and mental health symptoms, and discussing the ways physical therapy and being proactive about your mental health can be used to support your overall wellness in parenthood. Krystle Howald specializes in orthopedic and women's health- treating patients in her clinic Empower Movement Physical Therapy in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. She also owns Expecting and Empowered- a prenatal and postpartum business aimed at helping women navigate both periods with safe and effective workouts. You can find more fro

Friendship in motherhood and parenthood is life-giving -- but it's also really challenging! Do you find yourself struggling to balance your friendships with your new role as a parent? Or feeling awkward trying to meet new friends after baby? If so, you're not alone. This is an all-too-common challenge of parenthood which is why I invited my friend Miriam Kirmayer to talk all about friendships after baby on today's episode. We're talking about our personal experiences with friendship after baby, strategies for making and sustaining friendships, and the importance of meaningful and supportive friends in parenthood. Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is a clinical psychologist and leading expert on friendship and social connection. Grounded in over a decade of research on the science of friendship, her work focuses on helping people to cultivate resilience and build healthier relationships and more connected lives. You can find more from Miriam here: Website: www.miriamkirmayer.com Did you connect with that epi

Parenting can be...A LOT, and today we're talking all about PARENTAL BURNOUT. We often hear about burnout in the context of work or career, but burnout and exhaustion can absolutely show up in parenting. If you find yourself dreading the end of naptime because there wasn't enough time, feeling depleted, struggling with the idea of attaining perfection in parenting... you're not alone. I invited my friend Dr. Morgan Cutlip to talk about her experience as a professional and a mom in navigating burnout. We're discussing what parental burnout looks like, how you can identify it in yourself, day-to-day signs that burnout is creeping in, and what you can do about it. We hope you leave this episode feeling seen, understood, and supported with helpful tips to navigate the many challenges of parenthood and how to protect yourself from burn out! You can find Dr. Morgan Cutlip at the following links: Instagram: @mylovethinks Website: mylovethinks.com Podcast: Love Thinks Podcast Did you connect with that

How does your past impact your parenting? Today we're talking all about the ways that motherhood and parenthood can trigger our past pain or trauma. I invited my friend Yara Heary on this week's episode to discuss her own story with healing in parenthood. We're sharing our own experiences and hope you leave this episode with actionable steps and a better understanding of how we can heal and re-wire our past wounds. Yara is a Perth, Australia psychologist who works exclusively with women throughout conception, pregnancy, and motherhood. Yara started Life After Birth Psychology following the birth of her first son which started her on yet another journey of self-rediscovery. Her experiences throughout early motherhood sparked her passion to support other women as they navigate their own family of origin dynamics, the social programming of the “good mother”, relationship changes with those around them, identity shifts, and role changes to find their place of balance and authenticity as mothers. You c

Compassion is something we often give to others with ease, but it's so much harder to give ourselves that same type of grace -- especially in tough parenting moments. If you are a highly sensitive parent (or suspect you may be!) these difficult moments can feel even MORE intense. If you are struggling to navigate sensitivity in you or your child, you are not alone. I invited my friend Runda Ebeid on the podcast today to talk all about self-compassion for sensitive parents and sensitive kids. Runda is a pediatric Occupational Therapist & brings her expertise to her Instagram @mothercarejourney. Today, we're talking ALL about self-compassion, shame, guilt, and ways we can make space for compassion in some of those most difficult, overwhelming parenting moments. We hope you'll take away actionable exercises and steps for practicing more self-compassion in your journey as a parent. Links mentioned in the episode: ENCANTO Live Runda's Instagram @mothercarejourney Did you connect with that episo

On the first day I dropped my daughter off at preschool, she came home and said "Mommy, there are ouchies in my mouth." -- as it turned out, she had the hand foot mouth disease & I had to call her daycare on DAY ONE to let them know! If you have a child in daycare, this may be a familiar story. You're not alone! Navigating healthy habits and immunity with children in daycare and school is a challenge and can bring up a lot of difficult feelings like anxiety & guilt. Today, we're talking all about keeping your daycare and school-aged kids healthy with pediatrician Dr. Krupa Playforth from ThePediatricianMom. Dr. Playforth is a mom and pediatrician who shares her expertise on social media to help parents just like you.  We're talking all things immunity including what is "normal" for illness at this age, daily habits to support health, nutrition for immunity, stress reduction to support health, and the feelings that come up when our children get sick. I hope you find some hel

Let's talk about Anxiety, particularly when it shows up around money. Money and finances can feel complicated, overwhelming, and anxiety-inducing! Our own individual and family stories around money can inform the way we think about money as adults, and as we navigate the discussion around money with our own children. Today, we're talking all about Money Anxiety with Financial Therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin to address all things personal finance, financial anxiety, finances in relationships, and how to talk about money with your children. Lindsay Bryan-Podvin (she/her) is a biracial financial therapist, podcast host, speaker, and author of the book "The Financial Anxiety Solution." In her therapy practice, Mind Money Balance, she uses shame-free financial therapy to help people get their minds and money in balance. She's expanded her services to help private practice therapists with their money mindset, sustainable pricing, and authentic marketing so they can include financial self-care in

New parenthood comes with so many challenges--sleep deprivation, so many decisions, new identities, and the monumental shift in the relationship with your partner as you become parents. With all this stress, how do we find each other again? How do we get on the same team? Today, I'm talking with Matthias Barker all about partner relationships and parenting. We're covering everything from the research behind relational satisfaction in parenting to tangible tips for supporting your parter relationship in the trenches of early parenthood and beyond. I hope you find this episode supportive and takeaway some actionable tips for navigating this challenging transition, together! To learn more about Matthias, you can check out all of his offerings (including books and courses on grief, burnout, anxiety, trauma, and couples) at matthiasjbarker.com. Matthias Barker has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has been formally trained for treating complex trauma, anxiety, and marital issues. M

Do you experience driving anxiety as a parent? Dread getting in the car because your kiddo seems to hate it? Feel overwhelmed by picking and installing a car seat? If this sounds like you, you're definitely not alone! I've invited my friend Michelle from Safe in the Seat to talk all about driving anxiety and car seat safety. You'll leave this episode with steps to build your car seat confidence and tools for navigating the anxiety triggered by driving. Michelle is a parent and the founder of Safe in the Seat. She is recognized as a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Expert. You can find her on Instagram @safeintheseat & find her courses and consults at safeintheseat.com! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiri

Remember when we thought we would stay home for a few weeks and this pandemic would be behind us?! Well, here we are a few years later and it's still impacting our every day in so many different ways. Caution fatigue, decision fatigue, anxiety, uncertainty, isolation, grief, sadness...if you're feeling it, you're not alone. In today's episode I sit down with my colleague Dr. Veronica Eyo, mom to 3 and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to discuss pandemic burnout for parents. You'll walk away with a better understanding for WHY you're feeling burnt out, and WHAT we can begin to do to care for ourselves, replenish (and repair when needed) amidst it all. To continue to follow Dr. Eyo's work and learn more from her or about her private practice, you can follow her at @drveronicaeyo or check out her website here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I

Having a baby can put a strain on partner relationships and with all the shifts in identity, sleep deprivation, and new found pressures and boundaries to navigate...new parents are at risk for increased conflict. So, how can couples stay connected while experiencing the struggles that understandably bring them conflict? This is an important question, and to support you in this new season as a couple I've invited Dr. Steve and Lisa Call from The Reconnect Institute onto the podcast and together we are unpacking conflict and finding connection again after baby and beyond. Connect with Dr. Steve and Lisa Call:  Website: thereconnectinstitute.com Podcast - The Reconnect Marriage Podcast Instagram: @reconnectmarriage Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com

Do you have a picky eater in your life?! I was! So this is a topic especially close to my heart. A child's relationship with food, eating, and their body can follow them into adulthood. So how do we navigate these incredibly important conversations around "pickiness"? The relationship with food is complicated. It is personal, relational, and unavoidable. We're talking all about that complicated dynamic today. I invited Jenny Friedman, MS, RD onto the podcast. Join us as we discuss how you can support your child in building a healthy and comfortable relationship with food, eating, and mealtimes. Jenny Friedman MS, RD, is a dietitian who specializes in picky eating and pediatric feeding challenges. Known for her playful and approachable child-led style, Jenny is the author of Stories of Extreme Picky Eating: Children with Severe Eating Challenges and the Solutions that Helped Them. She shares her insight on her website and blog and over social media @feedingpickyeaters. You can find Jenny's

I'm a recovering perfectionist, and in this episode I'm sharing my story. Perfectionism is often rooted in Anxiety. Maybe if I do this perfect, then I'll be safe? Unfortunately, there's no shortage of messages that can keep us stuck in the cycle of striving for control through Perfection while ignoring our own needs, falling short because, well...we are HUMAN, and feeling swallowed up by the Guilt or Shame that follows. Can you relate? I invited my friend Kaitlin Soule, LMFT (author of the upcoming book A Little Less of a Hot Mess) to hear my story and walk us through ways we can begin to stop the cycle of people-pleasing and perfectionism that so often leads to burnout and anxiety in parenting. You can learn more from Kaitlin on her website, https://wellnotesforher.com/ and on Instagram @kaitlin.soule. Learn more about Kaitlin's book and FREE Limiting Beliefs Checklist below! A Little Less of a Hot Mess: The Modern Mom's Guide to Growth & Evolution The Transform Your Limiting Beli