Holding Space

Do you find yourself constantly going to Google with all your questions or maybe feeling overwhelmed by all the information that is out there? Maybe you feel confused by all the conflicting opinions, or feeling drained by endless scrolling and comparison on social media? If so, don't worry, you are not alone! There is nothing wrong with you. If you're a millennial facing these experiences, this is what my friend and business partner, Dr. Christine Sterling, is now calling the Millennial Parent Problem. In this episode Dr. Sterling is breaking down the four main elements of the Millennial Parent Problem and we're chatting about how we can begin to feel more confident and more calm when it comes to parenting in the modern age. You can learn more about Dr. Sterling at her Instagram @drsterlingobgyn and you can check out our Prepared Postpartum course at https://thesterlinglife.mykajabi.com/preparedpostpartum Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscr

Have you ever wondered how to support your little one's speech from the start? In this episode I'm sharing my conversation with Brooke and Bridget, a.k.a. The Speech Sisters. Brooke and Bridget are speech-language pathologists, moms, and sisters! Their mission is to educate and empower parents in their child's language development. In this episode Brooke and Bridget demystify speech therapy and share tips and tricks for naturally supporting speech milestones through every day activities from the start. I share our family's personal story of going to speech therapy and my experience with mom guilt over missing some speech development red flags early on. Learn more about Brooke and Bridget's online speech and language courses for parents of babies and toddlers here! You can follow the Speech Sisters for daily tips on instagram 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

Did you know we are wired for comparison as human beings? Yet, in the modern age where we have so much access to the curated highlight reels of other parents and access to so much information, we can sometimes find ourselves comparing our real lives to unrealistic expectations. To breastfeed or to bottle-feed? What should go in your birth plan? How much screen time should your older kids have? We have so many decisions, advice, and opinions from others to navigate.  In today's episode I am joined by Certified Nurse Midwife, Ailsa. I love this conversation because Ailsa validates the fact that as moms we each have a unique story and context. What works for someone else, might not work for your family. And that is okay!  If you would like to soak up more from Ailsa you can follow her on Instagram at @_happygocurly_. 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 eve

Becoming a parent often brings a lot of experiences from our own childhood to the surface. Patterns of interacting and engaging within a family system can be passed down through generations. Sometimes this includes special and meaningful family traditions and ways of connecting, but other times this can include unhealthy dynamics and patterns. For many of us, we don't have a choice of what we are exposed to as children, but in this week's episode I am talking with my good friend and fellow therapist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart about how we can make the brave decision to break old parenting patterns when we are adults with our own families. In this episode we talk about exploring these patterns, identifying your triggers, and taking meaningful steps to break toxic dynamics that you want to stop with your generation. Dr. Ann-Louise is a Pediatric psychologist, parent coach, author, and business owner of a thriving practice in San Antonio, TX. You can learn more from her and follow on Instagram at @dr.annlou

The journey and longing for a baby can be incredibly hard. You might be early on in your fertility journey and finding yourself surprised by the intense emotions and disappointment when you get a negative pregnancy test. Or maybe, you're further along and beginning to explore fertility treatment options. No matter where you are in your journey, I'm glad you're here. I am joined this week by Dr. Temeka Zore @temekazoremd to talk about fertility burnout. Dr. Zore is a Fertility specialist and Board-certified OB/GYN, who completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UCLA. If you have been in the process of trying to conceive before or you're in the thick of it, you know that this journey can come with a lot of questions, uncertainty, hurdles and a slew of emotions. For many, it can take longer than expected to get pregnant and though most doctors will tell you that it's totally normal to take up to six months to a year for most couples, that often doesn't make th

Whether you're one month in, 6 months in, or over a year into your fertility journey, it can be overwhelming to say the least. The mental and emotional load can be a lot to carry both on an individual level and within your partner relationship. Not to mention, it can be challenging to navigate and sift through all the information and myths around fertility. That's why this week I asked Dr. Danielle Lane, a highly regarded endocrinology and fertility specialist, onto the podcast to talk about all things fertility. Dr. Lane de-mystifies the fertility experience by offering insights and information into when you should reach out to a fertility specialist, what tests and treatments are available to you and your partner, what options are available to same-sex couples, we talk about some of the myths around fertility, and we explore the emotional experience that is bound to be a part of this journey for you and your partner. You can learn more about Dr. Lane at her website or follow her on social media at @

Did you feel an instant connection with your baby after they were born? Or maybe, did it take a little longer to bond and grow in love? If your experience was more like the latter, you are not alone....and I share my story here. In this episode I am joined by my friend Rachel Rainbolt. Rachel was one of my greatest resources of support when I was struggling with bonding with my baby. In this episode she offers compassionate and supportive tips for how to embrace the imperfect and new relationship you have with your baby. Rachel is the Sage Family coach, writer, podcaster, and advocate for gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living, with an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and decades of experience guiding families to peace and joy at sagefamily.com. She works from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives wild and free in connection with her 3 wildlings and the papa bear in their fixer upper on the beach. Rachel's Baby Massage Video: https://youtu.be/5qkSW1V-0fs Did you connect with that epi

Do you ever feel a sense of overwhelm when you're scrolling on social media? Or maybe you log off the app feeling not enough or like you're a project to be improved? In today's episode I am joined by LMFT Whitney Goodman of @sitwithwhit and we are talking about wellness overload in digital spaces. Maybe you follow a number of mental health professionals on Instagram or experts in the postpartum and parenting wellness arena. While these accounts are intended to be helpful, sometimes we can begin to feel overwhelmed by the overload of advice and wellness content. In this episode Whitney and I talk about how this can be overstimulating, how to become aware of if this is something you're experiencing, and ways you can set some tangible and healthy boundaries to empower you in your own personal wellness journey. 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 an

A big fear and struggle for many postpartum parents is the impact that having a baby will have on their partner relationship. With postpartum there is more responsibility, less sleep, and less time to connect and repair with your partner. If your relationship feels disconnected in postpartum or you have a fear this could happen one day in the future, this is the episode for you. Today I am joined by relationship coach and therapist, Sheina Schochet from @loveafterbaby, and we are talking about all things intimacy, communication, and connection. In this episode we bring you tangible tips to help improve your communication and reconnect. 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://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https

Why can motherhood be so overstimulating at times? The noise, the mess, the touching, it can all lead to sensory overload. Sometimes we respond to this overload with irritability, followed by guilt or shame for our behaviors. Can you relate? This is the topic for today's episode with psychologist Dr. Ashurina Reams. You can continue to follow Dr. Ream's work and find her offerings through instagram @psychedmommy. Resource mentioned in the episode: Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Lisa M Ross. This episode was brought to by Storq.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 Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I share my conversation with Dr. Kelly Fradin, Pediatrician and author of Parenting in a Pandemic. Dr. Fradin demystifies your biggest worries when it comes to the coronavirus and children, and answers questions about steps parents can take to keep their families safe during the upcoming holidays. We explore the social emotional impact of living in a pandemic for both parents and their children, and offer tips for staying well both physically and mentally. To continue to follow Dr. Fradin's work you can find her on instagram @adviceigivemyfriends, and you can buy her book Parenting in a Pandemic here! This episode was brought to you by Storq. 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://redcircle.com/brandsPr

In this episode I share my conversation with Chasity Holcomb, Licensed Professional Counselor. Together we explore the identity transition of becoming a mother. While we might hope and imagine that we will just connect with that new identity after our baby is born, it is very common to not feel comfortable or confident in your role as "mom" right away! You can learn more from Chasity at her Momfully You blog here: https://chasityholcomb.com/blog/ This episode was brought to you by Storq. 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://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I share my conversation with Lindsey Shipley, RN, IBCLC-certified lactation coach and founder of Lactation Link. In this episode Lindsey shares her story of grief and loss that she experienced after having a baby and being diagnosed with cancer. Together we explore how Lindsey found joy even amidst the grief and pain. You can continue to follow Lindsey's journey on Instagram @lindsey_shipley  This episode was brought to you by Storq.  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://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I share my conversation with New York Times Best Selling Author and mom to three Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, LCSW. We discuss her most recent book Bottom Line for Baby, where she shares the science behind some of the biggest decisions new parents have to make. Tina and I explore the overwhelming feelings that come with trying to make the best decisions for you and your baby, all while navigating the parent shaming and judgment that unfortunately many of us experience.  To continue to follow Tina's work you can find her @tinapaynebryson. You can get your hands on Bottom Line for Baby by clicking here! This episode was sponsored by Storq. 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://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &

In this episode I share my conversation with Karrie Locher, postpartum nurse and mom to 3. We discuss a common (but not often discussed) symptom of postpartum depression and anxiety, RAGE. Karrie shares her experience with postpartum rage, we discuss the stigma around women expressing anger, and explore supportive coping skills. To learn more from Karrie you can find her on social media @karrie_locher or karingforpostpartum.com (where you'll also find her courses!) If you or someone you love is struggling with postpartum rage, you can find support and resources at Postpartum Support International.  This episode was brought to you in part by the support of Storq.  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://redcircle.com/bra

In this episode I share my conversation with registered therapist, maternal mental health specialist, and Happy as a Mother founder Erica Djossa. Together we explore the invisible mental load of motherhood in that first year with baby. You know all those tabs you have open in your brain that no one else sees? That's what we are talking about today! Tune in to learn more about the not so visible jobs that postpartum mothers carry and what you can do to lighten the load. Stay connected with Erica at www.happyasamother.co This episode was brought to you by Storq. 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://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I'm sharing my conversation with Psychologist Dr. Angel Montfort. Together we explore the impact of racism on mental health, physical health, and relationships. We discuss ways we can begin to talk to our children about race, why raising "color blind" children is not the answer, and navigating difficult conversations about privilege. Dr. Montfort shares the disparities that continue to exist in the peripartum wellness world for people of color. We identify resources and Dr. Montfort shares ways that we can begin to take steps TODAY to address the racial disparities experienced in our communities. You can continue to follow Dr. Angel's work on social media @drangelmontfort and at www.cfmmh.com. Here are some of the resources shared in the episode: Mental health care resources: Therapy for Black Girls @therapyforblackgirls The Loveland Foundation @thelovelandfoundation Black Mamas Matter Alliance @blackmamasmatter The Great Unlearn @thegreatunlearn The Next Question @tnqshow Dr.

In this episode of Holding Space Podcast I invited Dr. Christine Sterling, board certified OBGYN, back on the podcast! In this episode we flip the script. Dr. Sterling is pregnant and in this episode she asks me questions about how she can prepare her daughter Celeste for their new baby. I share our family's personal story and the challenges we faced in the transition to adding a new baby to our family system. I offer tangible ways you can be preparing your older children for becoming a big brother or sister. To learn more about our Prepared Postpartum course visit: https://thesterlinglife.mykajabi.com/preparedpostpartum 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://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle

In this personal episode, I'm sharing my two cesarean birth stories...what I learned, what I changed, and what I wish I had done to prepare. In the sharing of my first belly birth, I explore the ways that Fear showed up and led to rigidity around my birth plan and ultimately a disconnection from truly listening to my body. I unpack the challenges around healing that followed, and the key ways I changed my birth preparation the second time around. In sharing my birth stories, I hope to empower you to connect with YOUR personal values as you prepare for the intense and incredible experience of birth. The birth meditations mentioned in the episode are now a part of my course Prepared Postpartum with board certified Ob/Gyn Dr. Christine Sterling, which you can learn more about at: https://thesterlinglife.mykajabi.com/preparedpostpartum 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

In today's episode I'm welcoming back Chrissy Powers, LMFT to Holding Space Podcast! In our last episode we discussed Anxiety in Motherhood, and in today's episode we're exploring body image and body love during pregnancy and postpartum. Chrissy shares her history with an eating disorder and the journey she took to honor and care for her body through her experiencing of becoming a mother. A few resources were mentioned in the episode, including Chrissy's Body Love blog post with an included guide which you can find here. She also mentioned Christa Black Gifford's meditations and the book The Wild Woman's Way. To continue to follow Chrissy's work you can find her at @chrissyjpowers and https://chrissypowers.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