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Join me for this conversation for growing moms with Anna McDonald, a licensed therapist specializing in couples therapy and postpartum support.
In this episode, Anna shares her journey from a childhood aspiration of becoming a social worker to founding her own practice, where she uses the Gottman Method to help couples strengthen their bonds, especially during the demanding early years of parenting.
Listeners will learn about the common relationship challenges new parents face, including communication breakdowns and shifts in household responsibilities. Anna emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing conflict rather than viewing it as a negative experience. She provides insights into the Gottman Method, which is based on over 40 years of research, offering structured communication techniques to enhance connection and empathy in relationships.
Anna also highlights the significance of proactive relationship maintenance, encouraging couples to invest time in learning about their partnership before crises arise. With practical advice and recommended resources, including books and podcasts, this episode equips listeners with valuable tools to navigate the complexities of parenthood while nurturing their relationships.
Tune in to discover how to transform relationship struggles into opportunities for growth and connection! â
Resourcesâ Thrive Therapy and Couples Counseling Website
â Solly Baby Wraps - use code âpoppy.therapy10â for 10% off
â Podcast: Marriage Therapy Radio
â Podcast: Love and Sex Unfiltered
â Book: Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection
â Book: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
â Workshop: November 17th: Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work in Lakewood, CA
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Join me for this conversation for growing moms with Kristin Mize, a licensed therapist, motherhood empowerment coach, and mom of three boys.
In this episode, Kristin talks about motherhood has grown her self-compassion, mindfulness, and kindness - and how she supports other mothers to do the same.
We talk about:
â Psychological flexibility in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and baby sleep
â What Kristin wishes all moms knew when it comes to preparing your mental health for having a baby or adding another baby to your family
â How to prepare for birth and be flexible around birth plans and expectations
â Finding your own âmaternal instinctâ
â Developing and cultivating self-compassion in parenting
â Setting boundaries around what works for YOUR family
â How black and white thinking can contribute to anxiety, depression, and perfectionism
â A framework for making decisions while avoiding anxiety spirals and self-doubt
â And of course, her words of wisdom for moms who are in it right now
Join us!
Resourcesâ FREE DOWNLOAD: Maternity Leave Checklist
â Kristinâs Websiteâ Calm Mom Collective Facebook Group
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Fehlende Folgen?
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Join me for this conversation for growing moms with Tori Sprankel, a mom to two and an expert at personal brands for go-to girlies. You already know her work from, well, this podcast! Tori has played a huge part in growing Poppy Therapy and this podcast - she's someone I look up to both in business and in motherhood and I'm thrilled to share this conversation with you!
This episode is especially for you if you are in the messy middle of figuring out how to shift your work life to fit motherhood wondering if there's another way or if you're an entrepreneur juggling it all đ€čââïž As a mom to two girls, Tori believes in showing them that a cubicle isn't the only way to make a living - that having the freedom and courage to change lives through your own dreams is worth more than any paycheck.
In this episode, you'll hear about Tori's journey from being torn up at having to drop her baby at childcare to work a job that didnât fit, to finding a work-life formula that did fit her family - and how Tori has grown through shifts and challenges to step into motherhood and business with clarity and confidence.
We talk about:
â Romanticizing life and the small moments
â Being a âwhy choose?â mom - why choose between being a present mother and using your skills to build something that impacts the world?
â The wild ride of losing her corporate job the day she brought a new baby home from the hospital - and how the uncertainty of that time also brought her freedom
â Working mom guilt (including some mindset shifts and mantras for the hard days)
â Dinosaurs and poop - being enthralled with what your kids are enthralled with
Join us!
"I'm the "why choose?" - I want both. I want the kids and I also want to have parts of my day look like I don't have kids. You can have both and it's okay to want both."
Tori is an expert at personal brands for go-to girlies + her obsession is turning that pretty little pinterest board of yours into the brand youâve always dreamed of. She loves working with women who need that boost of brand magic to back up their killer service suite that the world desperately needs. She specializes in lighting-fast turnaround to help you show-up efficiently, confidently and consistently where it matters most these days: online.
Resourcesâ BLOG: Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmedâ Sign up for Tori's Nothin' Fancy Friday Emails here!
â Shop Solly Baby wraps here (and use code "poppy.therapy10" for 10% off!)
You can learn more about Tori and all of her services at www.torisprankel.com
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Join me for this conversation for growing moms with Dr. Julie Franks, a therapist specializing in mom anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and burnout. In this episode, Julie shared about her own experiences living with anxiety through fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, a high-risk pregnancy, and constantly adjusting to the challenges of motherhood!
We talk about:
â Living with anxiety - and why anxiety is not always obvious
â Julieâs unexpected experiences in pregnancy - including extreme sickness and bed rest - and how she used self-talk and gratitude to help her through
â Recognizing grief over missing out on experiences that sheâd hoped for, like a babymoon, a maternity photo shoot, and prenatal yoga classes
â How motherhood has given her the ability to ârise to the occasionâ with calm and confidence
â Finding peace - and her voice - through learning to lean into challenges and changes - and letting go of expectations
Join us!
"My life got so much easier when I could really lean into what was working for me and our family."
Dr. Julie Franks is an experienced & licensed mental health therapist for moms, an expert in women's mental health, & a social work educator + researcher. She specializes in mom anxiety, and supports moms online with psychoeducation, resources, and tools that bring relief (and really work!!). Most importantly, she is a mom who is right there with you in experiencing the social pressures/demands of motherhood and the stress it creates. She live on Bainbridge Island, WA with her 2 year old son, husband, and 4 dogs.
Resources
â BLOG: Do I Have Postpartum Anxiety?
â BLOG: Birth Trauma: How to Heal from a Traumatic Birth
â BLOG: Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmed
â You can learn more about Julie and her resources for anxious moms at www.nurturingthesisterhood.com
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Join me for this conversation for growing moms with Jodi Klaristenfeld, mother of a 28-week preemie NICU graduate and the founder of FLRRiSH. In this episode, Jodi shares about the unexpected early birth of her daughter, her NICU experience, and how her motherhood journey has brought her to support and empower NICU parents.
We talk about:
â Navigating the complex and beautiful world of becoming the mother of a NICU baby
â Special NICU milestones and celebrations
â The mix of emotions NICU families experience - from fear and worry to wonder and pride
â Adjusting expectations of motherhood and learning to trust your child's own journey in their development and growth
â Practical challenges like feeding your baby and returning to work when your baby has an extended NICU stay
â The strength and resilience of NICU babies (and their parents)
This episode gives such insight into the challenging journey of having a baby in the NICU - and all that comes after.
Join us!
"Sometimes in life, we don't have choices - we put one foot in front of the other even though we don't necessarily know how we do it. And then we see all the beauty and and the celebrations throughout."
Resources
â BLOG: Caring for Your Mental Health with a Baby in the NICUâ BLOG: 5 Ways to Bond with Your Baby in the NICU
â SUPPORT GROUP: Support and Connection Group for NICU momsâ You can learn more about Jodi and her resources for NICU parents at https://www.flrrish.com
Jodi Klaristenfeld is a mom to an adorable little girl who was born at 28 weeks due to a rare and life-threatening form of preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. After her daughter's early birth, Jodi quickly discovered preemie moms and dads arenât always given the support they need. As a result, she created FLRRiSH, a platform that offers NICU parent education, empowerment, support and resources to help families navigate this beautiful and challenging journey. Jodi, her husband, and her family live in NYC.
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Join me for this conversation for growing moms with Jenna Overbaugh, a licensed professional counselor, anxiety and OCD expert, and mother.
In this episode, Jenna talks about how becoming a mother has grown her strength, self-compassion, acceptance, and authenticity.
We talk about:
â The unexpected challenges of becoming a mom - all those things that don't make it onto the highlight reels
â The identity shift she experienced as an academic and career driven professional becoming a parent
â Adjusting to the lack of external validation in motherhood and learning to trust herself
â Intrusive thoughts and anxiety in postpartum and motherhood
â Doing things with her son now that seemed impossible in the early days
â OCD, anxiety, and effective treatment - and how to know when you should get help
This episode is packed with relatable, insightful stories from Jenna and her expertise as the go-to girl for anxiety and OCD treatment. Join us!
"There are always going to be challenges, but you can rise to meet those challenges as long as you are meeting yourself with acceptance and self-compassion. And you're gonna get a whole heck of a lot stronger."
Resourcesâ BLOG: How to Manage Postpartum Anxiety and Scary Thoughtsâ QUIZ: What Kind of Support Do You Need to BLOOM in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!â You can learn more about Jenna and her work at https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com
Jenna Overbaugh is a licensed professional counselor based in Wisconsin and has been working with people who have OCD and anxiety since 2008. Previously, she worked at world renowned facilities including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Rogers Memorial Hospital, where she treated some of the most debilitating cases of OCD and anxiety in the world. She has contributed to several peer reviewed literature articles as well as spoken at national conferences on OCD, anxiety, hoarding, and related issues. She is the host of the "All The Hard Things" podcast and the creator of her signature program "The OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint". Sheâs also mom to a 5 year old and has lived experience with OCD and anxiety.
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Learn about the "new and improved" podcast and what to expect from season two, including:
â Guest episodes with mothers who have been through it as they share the stories of what it was like for them
â Interviews with experts with the knowledge and skills in everything from baby and toddler sleep to pelvic floor health to child development - all to help you navigate the early years of motherhood.
â Short solo episodes from me, Molly Vasa Bertolucci, a licensed perinatal mental health therapist and mother of two on a parenthood learning journey, just like you.
Weâll touch on topics like postpartum and maternal mental health, practical challenges like feeding and sleep in the early years, relationship changes and challenges, and identity shifts (oof, thatâs a big one).
If you want to know how other moms got through it, learn from experts, and be supported in embracing change, learning and growing, and BLOOMING IN MOTHERHOOD... youâre in the right place.
I can't wait - thanks for joining me for these conversations for growing moms.
Resources:
Poppy Therapy Website
Blooming in Motherhood Website
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Season one finale episode!
And a name change! Our First Year is now Blooming in Motherhood - with more exciting changes to come. I can't wait to see how this podcast grows and develops. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the guests and listeners of this first season.
For this special finale episode, I'm talking with Dr. Cassidy Freitas.
Cassidy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and mom to three with a virtual group private practice in California where she supports parents navigating fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and parenting young children. She hosts the top-rated wellness and parenting podcast Holding Space and shares supportive tips and strategies for millennial parents over on Instagram @drcassidy.
On this episode, Cassidy talks about her own experiences in postpartum and parenting that have led her to the work that she's doing today.
We talk about:
âš Models of parenthood from our own parents
âš Breaking cycles of perfectionism
âš Sleep deprivation and the impact on mental health
âš Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders for both parents
âš Breastfeeding challenges
âš Learning, growth, and healing for many years through parenthood
This episode is jam packed with wisdom and insight from Cassidy. Join us!
Resources
âš BLOG: Managing Sleep Deprivation with a New Baby
âš QUIZ: What Kind of Support Do You Need to BLOOM in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
âš You can learn more about Dr. Cassidy and her private practice
at www.drcassidymft.com
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We are joined today for an expert interview with Dr. Carri Dominick!
Carri is a pelvic floor physical therapist and the owner of Recharge Therapy in Long Beach, California, where she supports people during pregnancy and postpartum recovery as well as helping people with pelvic floor dysfunction live their best lives.
In this podcast episode, Carri talks about:
Common reasons birthing people seek out pelvic floor therapy in the first year of parenthoodHow pelvic floor physical therapy can help in recovery after birthWhat an initial assessment, sessions, and course of treatment might look like for a pregnant or postpartum person seeking out physical therapy for pelvic floor symptomsSigns and symptoms to watch for in pregnancy and postpartum and how to prepare your pelvic floor for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartumReturning to fitness after having a babyThat it's never too late to seek out help and support - common does not mean normal!Join us!
Resources:What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
From Dr. Carri Dominick:
Recharge Therapy Website
Recharge Therapy on Instagram
Recharge Therapy on TikTok
Recharge Therapy on Facebook
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Today's guest is Valerie Probstfeld, MSN, FNP-BC.
Valerie is a nurse practitioner and mother of three. Valerie shares in this episode about the amazement she found in her first year, along with the vigilance and control she felt she needed to hold on to during and after her baby's NICU stay - "within the first 10 minutes of my childâs birth, the illusion of control was ripped away from me."
Valerie talks about:
Studying for the "motherhood exam like I was going to get an A+"Learning to cope with fear and anxiety to be present in the momentThe unique challenges of navigating a NICU stay as a mother AND a medical provider Building new ways of thinking and reactingAdvice to mothers to take photos to preserve memoriesCultivating and practicing self-compassionShifting ambition in motherhood and following her passion for supporting moms"At the end of the day, Iâm an imperfect mom who loves - and thatâs really all that matters."
About Valerie:
Valerie Probstfeld, MSN, FNP-BC is a nurse practitioner who received her bachelor's degrees from Bradley University in nursing and music. Valerie also holds a master's degree from Yale University. Valerie has experience in pediatric neurology as well as primary care. Valerie encourages moms to love as an action while living life more authentically. You can check her out at her website: tomomistolove.com and social media: @valerie_probstfeld. Valerie also has a podcast available on Spotify, Apple, and Google called "To Mom with Valerie Probstfeld, NP" Resources:Therapy for NICU Moms How We Get Thru Course : Having a Baby in the NICU(Get a free month of How We Get Thru with this link!)
Photographing the First Year: Expert Interview with Miranda Hayek
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I'm so excited to share this expert interview with Mika Storey!
Mika is a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist and a mother of two young boys. She is the owner of A Speech Storey â a pediatric private practice specializing in early intervention and speech sound disorders in Southern California. Mika values play-based therapy, parent education, and family-centered care.
In this episode, Mika talks about:
Speech and language milestones in the first year of lifeHow she became interested in speech and language developmentEmpowering caregivers in therapyHow play aids in speech and language developmentWhat to do if you have concerns about your child's speech and language developmentDetails about her language focused play group, Storeytime Tots, and her debut children's book - Nixon's Engine WordsJoin us!
Resources:How We Get Thru App
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
From Mika
A Speech Storey Website
Instagram: @a_speech_storey
Storeytime Tots
Nixon's Engine Words
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A very special guest on the podcast today - my sister, Marci!
Marci is a first time mom to baby Marek and shares in this episode about how this emotional first year of motherhood has transformed and humbled her. Marci thought life would be âpretty much the same, but with less sleepâ. The reality? âEverything about my life changedâ.
Marci talks about:
Unexpected feeding challenges when starting her baby on solid foods
Comparison in motherhood that brought on feelings of fear and shame
Navigating changes in her career and the decision to leave paid work for a time
The importance of improving communication with her husband and finding connection and common ground outside of their roles as parents
Asking for support with the mental load around feeding her baby and baby sleep
The pride she feels in learning, growing in patience, and letting go of control
Iâm so thrilled to share parts of Marciâs story with you - Iâm glad youâve joined us!
Resources:Communication Habits of Successful Couples
Eight Ways to Keep Your Relationship Healthy During Postpartum and Early Parenting
Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmed
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
Lovevery Playkits
From Marci:
Taking Cara Babies
Marciâs instagram: @marcellaruth
See the transcript and show notes on the website.
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Weâre joined today by Megan Walsh. Megan is a licensed creative arts therapist and board-certified music therapist - AND a new mom! In this episode, Megan talks about what her first year as a mother has been like and how her training and work as a creative arts psychotherapist has set her up to bond and connect with her son. Megan talks about getting to establish a playful, fun, loving, and openly affectionate family culture with her son, how communication has strengthened her relationship with her husband, and navigating adjusting ambition and work-life balance as a mother and business owner.
Megan talks about:
Communication is đ even when itâs hard - sharing feelings around resentment and the unequal load in postpartum
Shifting feelings about work and ambition in postpartum and early parenting
How routines and schedules have supported her family in being connected and being flexible
How her training and work as a creative arts psychotherapist has impacted her parenting, especially in the early days
Using music for co-regulation, connection, and bonding (some golden tools in this one!)
Embracing the duality of the hard and the good in the first year of parenting
Join us and get ready to be inspired to sing to your baby đ€
Megan Walsh, LCAT, LPMT, MT-BC
Megan graduated with her masterâs degree in music psychotherapy from New York University in 2014. She worked as a licensed creative arts therapist and board-certified music therapist with adults, teenagers, and children in prominent teaching hospitals for six years before moving full time into private practice for the last three years. She is currently completing an advanced clinical training as an analytical music therapy practitioner. Her work has been presented nationally, and Megan has served as a guest lecturer at New York University and St. Mary College of the Woods. When she is not working, you can find Megan harmonizing to her Spotify playlist, listening to her favorite podcasts, and spending time outdoors with her husband, son, and pups.
Resources:Managing Sleep Deprivation as a New Parent
Communication Habits of Successful Couples
Eight Ways to Keep Your Relationship Healthy During Postpartum and Early Parenting
Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmed
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
Ollie Swaddle (use discount code 9NWURUWCHW for 10% off đ°)
From Megan:
Meganâs website
Instagram: @connectwithmegan
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Weâre joined today by Dr. Anne Welsh, a mother of four and a clinical psychologist, executive coach, and consultant. In this episode, she talks about learning how to let go and grow through her motherhood journey - in her career, relationships, and in self-compassion. She gives wonderful insight into some of the deep struggles new moms face with all of the shifts that come with becoming a parent.
Dr. Welsh began her career at Harvard before opening her own practice with a focus on perinatal mental health and wellness, to support working parents in growing their careers and families. She is a mother of 4 and draws on her own experience as a mother, her research career in the transition to motherhood, and her over 15 years in practice, to help parents feel less alone, more connected to themselves and their values, and more empowered to make their own choices.
In this episode, Anne talks about:
The process of learning to let go in motherhood - easier said than done for us type A personalities!
Scary medical challenges in the first year
How so many things - baby temperament, breastfeeding challenges, changes in work and ambition - can challenge your expectations of motherhood (and how thatâs okay)
How stepping back and allowing chaos to unfold allowed her enjoyment, closeness in relationships, and self-compassion.
Wise, wise words for mothers who are in the thick of it right now.
Resources:Managing Sleep Deprivation as a New Parent
Returning to Work after Maternity Leave: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmed
How We Get Thru App
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
From Anne:
Dr. Anne Welshâs website
Group Coaching Info
Instagram: @dr.welsh.coaching
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We have an amazing expert interview today with Dr. Kelsey Kerkhove.
Dr. Kelsey is a pediatric audiologist with a passion for connecting and supporting families of children with hearing loss. With a background in diagnosis, treatment, and intervention, she has worked with hundreds of children and their families. She has seen first-hand the roller coaster of emotions that parents feel when they find out their child has been diagnosed with hearing loss. From sadness, to fear, and ultimately acceptance. Her goal is to support you every step of the way.
In this episode, she talks about how she helps parents and their babies in the first year, how she became interested in audiology, hearing development and milestones in the first year, and what to do if you have concerns about your baby's hearing.
Dr. Kelsey also answers some listener questions about sound machines and noise-cancelling or reducing headphones for babies.
Join us!
Resources:How to Support a New (or New Again) Mom
Ollie Swaddle (use discount code 9NWURUWCHW for 10% off đ°)
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
From Dr. Kelsey
Dr. Kelseyâs website
Instagram: @kelseykerkhove_aud
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Berenice is a mother of three and a social worker in California who shares about an overwhelming, vulnerable, and miraculous first year.
She talks about all of the adjustment that she and her family went through in that first year, how her relationship with her partner was tested, and how they learned the importance of co-regulation and extending grace to each other to strengthen their relationship.
Berenice shares about her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety and what it looked like to get help - eventually - and some of the grief she experienced with an unexpected pregnancy that threw off her timeline and expectations of motherhood, along with the fun and joy of a full household.
Resources:
Postpartum Depression: What You Need to Know
How to Manage Postpartum Anxiety and Scary Thoughts
Communication Habits of Successful Couples
Postpartum Support International
Solly Baby Wrap (use code POPPY.THERAPY10 for a 10% off Solly Baby discount code)
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
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Chelsy is a social worker and mother of two in southern California.
From an emergency c-section the weekend the world shut down, to breastfeeding challenges and the decision to have another baby, Chelsy shares the story of her rollercoaster first year of motherhood.
She talks about gaining a new role, feeling overwhelmed by the newborn days, and describes becoming a mother as a resilient process full of emotion and adjustment.
Resources:Managing Sleep Deprivation as a New Parent
Postpartum Depression: What You Need to Know
Communication Habits of Successful Couples
Returning to Work after Maternity Leave: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmed
Kindred Bravely Bras (use MollyV15 for your 15% Kindred Bravely discount code)
What Kind of Support Do You Need in Motherhood? Take this quiz for a personalized list of free resources!
From Chelsy:
Big Little Feelings
Looma New Mom Circle (Long Beach, CA)
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9,585. That's how many photos are on my phone right now - and counting!
Mothers tend to be the documenters and memory makers in families. With a camera in your back pocket, it's both easier and harder than ever to document family life. I asked Miranda Hayek of Blossom Blue Photography and Blossom Blue Studios to be our first expert guest on the podcast and to talk about photographing the first year.
Miranda gives tips on how to best photograph your baby, when to hire a photographer, creating systems for organizing and storing photos to reduce overwhelm. She beautifully shares about how photos and videos aid in preserving memories and building legacy and connection, as well as the importance of embracing the messy beauty of postpartum and early parenthood as part of your family's story.
About Miranda:
Miranda Hayek, MA, is the artist behind Blossom Blue Photography and the creative director of Blossom Blue Studios, a team of creative artists offering fine art products and visual storytelling services throughout Long Beach and worldwide. She is known for her warm personality, engaging editorial approach and sought out for her captivating imagery and nostalgic films.
Her focus is to document everyday connection and movement from an organic perspective in order to produce archival fine art pieces and digital content that hold a visual story of your legacy to hold and share today and for generations to come.
Resources:Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Instagram: @blossombluephoto
Editorial Fine Art Website
Workbook for Telling Your Birth Story
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Anna is a mother of two who thought her motherhood and her family might resemble a 90s sitcom. All of that changed when she received completely unexpected and life-changing news after her first daughter's newborn screening. In this episode, Anna shares about the challenges her family faced with 3 open heart surgeries in 4 years, the impact of postpartum depression and anxiety on her husband, and the trust, endurance, and self-love that Anna found in her first year as a mother.
Resources and Links:
Anna on instagram
Lily Evadena Watterworth Facebook Page
Jack's Helping Hand
Caring for Your Mental Health When Your Baby is in the NICU
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Jess is a mother and a fertility coach and doula. On this episode, Jess shares about her self-discovery in her first year of motherhood - learning to accept change and be adaptable as a mother, finding clarity, and most of all, finding herself.
We talk about asking for help (everyone should take notes from her neighbor on how to support a new mom!) and the importance of sleep in her healing from postpartum anxiety.
Resources
Jess's website!
Jess's instagram: @fertilityjess
Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Managing Postpartum Anxiety and Scary Thoughts
Managing Sleep Deprivation as a New Parent
How to Support a New (or New Again) Mom
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