Hosted by Chelsea Myers: Quiet Connection is a podcast where parents and caregivers share their experiences with PMADS, traumatic birth, fertility struggles, pregnancy/infant loss, and more without fear of judgment or criticism. Let's normalize the conversation and end the stigma! You are not alone. I see you. Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health? Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/quietconnectionpodcast
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PMADS Podcasts
There are few experiences as universal to human existence as pregnancy and childbirth, and yet its most difficult parts — perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) — are still dealt with in the shadows, shrouded in stigma. The fact is 1 in 5 new and expecting birthing people will experience a PMAD, yet among those who do many are afraid to talk about it, some are not even aware they’re experiencing one, and others don’t know where to turn for help. The fact is, when someone suffers from a ...
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Perinatal Wellbeing - The Podcast about Prenatal, Pregnancy & Postpartum Health
Christine Cunningham
Let's talk about Prenatal, Pregnancy and Postpartum health! This podcast is all about authentic conversations centred on Perinatal health and wellbeing; from mood and anxiety disorders, to breastfeeding challenges, to grief and loss in the Perinatal period and literally everything in between! This is the place to have real and honest conversations about these experiences so we can break down barriers to accessing treatment and crush stigma! I open these conversations up by sharing my knowled ...
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Join Karli Shank, LCSW & Ann Nost, MPH, LCSW, PMH-C, two hospital-based clinical social workers turned therapists as they navigate the complex world of perinatal mental health. As both parents and professionals, they offer a unique perspective on the challenges and joys of parenting while supporting the perinatal population. In each episode, they delve into topics such as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, infertility, perinatal loss, and the impact of these experiences on mental well-bei ...
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Our First Listener's Story: IVF, NICU, & PMADs
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1:02:28In this episode, Kim Kimball graciously joins us to share about her journey to parenthood. We talk about how painful it is to diverge from your idealized reproductive story. We reflect on the need to have flexible expectations of yourself and your experience in the perinatal period. In Kim's story, she shares how prioritizing her own mental health …
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The holidays are over, the new year is right around the corner—and this in-between week feels… tough. Routines are gone, exhaustion has set in, and the pressure of resolutions is already creeping in. In this episode, Sarah and Whitney talk about why this strange “holiday hangover” hits so hard for moms, from the mental load and social media compari…
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Sarah J - Motherhood Doesn't Have to Glow
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1:04:08Send us a text In this honest and energizing conversation, Chelsea is joined by Sarah Johnston: entrepreneur, infertility warrior, and proud parent of a rainbow-loving toddler. Sarah shares her winding path to motherhood through infertility and IVF, the mental toll of a complicated pregnancy, and the terrifying postpartum OCD symptoms that followed…
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The holidays fill our feeds with matching pajamas and picture-perfect trees—but what’s really behind the post? In this episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack why we really post on Instagram, how scrolling impacts mental health, and the pressure moms feel to curate perfection. Plus, a simple reflection tool to help you check in after scrolling and protec…
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Send us a text In this episode, Chelsea connects with Dr. Sandra Fernandes, a family physician turned burnout coach, for a candid conversation about how motherhood shattered her carefully planned life. Sandra opens up about her experience with multiple ectopic pregnancies, breastfeeding struggles, pandemic-era burnout, and the quiet expectations th…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 30 - The Other Side of Trauma: A Partner's Perspective
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20:45Send us a text Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including suicide and psychiatric hospitalization. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. In this special Quiet Confessions mini-episode, Chelsea's partner, Ben, steps behind the mic to share his perspective on the intense trauma the family has na…
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All is Calm (We Hope): A Child Therapist’s Holiday Survival Guide
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29:53Holiday magic can quickly turn into holiday meltdowns. 🎄 In this episode, Sarah and child therapist Madison Curren share the ultimate survival guide for parents—how to keep kids grounded at family gatherings, prevent stress from boiling over, and protect everyone’s mental health in the busiest season of the year. Tune in for practical, sanity-savin…
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Britt J. - Recognizing the Signs of PPD
1:11:17
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1:11:17Send us a text After a traumatic birth experience left her feeling dismissed and unseen, Brittny found herself battling postpartum depression without realizing what was happening until nearly a year later. In this candid conversation, she discusses being gaslit by providers, how she learned self-advocacy, and the moment she realized her pain was va…
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Quiet Confessions: Episode 29 - Survival is the Only Option
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7:58Send us a text A Note from Chelsea: This episode was pre-recorded, but the content definitely still applies to my current situation. I've been battling a respiratory virus on top of chronic illness and exhaustion in an endless germ cycle. In this episode, and today, I remind myself that some phases of parenting aren't about thriving; sometimes, jus…
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Why Do I Keep Doing This Every Holiday Season?
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31:18If the holidays leave you feeling more stressed than joyful, you’re not alone. In this episode, Sarah talks with Kati Morton, licensed therapist and author of Why Do I Keep Doing This? about the real reasons holiday anxiety shows up—and what you can do about it. From family dynamics to people-pleasing to the pressure of packed schedules, Kati share…
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Send us a text *This episode discusses some topics that may be triggering to some individuals, including abortion trauma, and intrusive thoughts. In this episode, Chelsea is joined by multidisciplinary artist and healer Casey Urban. Casey shares her raw journey through postpartum depression, perinatal mental health struggles, abortion trauma, and r…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 28: My Story Part 2 - Unlocked
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40:14Send us a text Due to a break for health and recovery, I'm bringing you the full, uncut version of a popular bonus episode. This episode, originally titled My Story Part 2, was first released in its entirety exclusively to Patreon subscribers in 2024, with a bite-sized snippet available during Season 3 of Quiet Connection. I'm offering the full dee…
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Holidays are supposed to be merry—until the guilt trips, boundary-pushing, and “but family!” chorus kicks in. In this episode, Sarah and Whitney get real about navigating narcissistic traits at gatherings: how to set (and keep) boundaries, use gray rock without losing your mind, protect your peace during gift and photo ops, and create exit plans th…
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Send us a text What happens when a perinatal mental health specialist finds herself overwhelmed by postpartum OCD, PTSD, and anxiety—right in the middle of a pandemic? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Kara Kushnir, LCSW, a therapist, author, and mom who shares her deeply personal journey through birth trauma and postpartum mental health st…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 27: I Said I'd Never Be a Van Mom
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15:04Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confessions, I'm sharing a big change in our family that came with a surprising mix of feelings. We finally upgraded from our beloved, tiny Honda Fit (the TARDIS!) to a minivan, a Kia Carnival, and yes, I am now officially a van parent (even though I swore I never would be!). But this episode isn't just about car…
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The holidays bring joy, chaos, and sometimes difficult conversations. How do you respond when a family member shares their postpartum struggles at the dinner table—or when you want to speak up about your own experience? In this episode, Sarah talks with reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Claire Smith about navigating maternal mental health conversations…
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Send us a text What does it mean to grow through fatherhood while navigating shame, rage, grief, and joy? In this week’s Quiet Connection, Chelsea sits down with Daniel, a musician, creative coach, and father of three, whose story is as lyrical as it is raw. From becoming a dad at 18, to navigating rage and self-abandonment, to grieving his father’…
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Quiet Confessions: Episode 26 - Magic, Meltdowns, and Memory-Making
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17:20Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confession, Chelsea shares the real, unfiltered magic and chaos of their family’s recent trip to Disney. From the long drive down the East Coast to the unforgettable moments in the parks, they open up about the joys, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. Expect a mix of laughter, meltdowns, gratitude, an…
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Pregnant for the Holidays? What to Tell Your Boss (and When)
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36:08The holidays are here—and for many moms-to-be, that means sharing pregnancy news with family. But after the excitement comes another big question: when and how do I tell my boss? In this episode, Sarah talks with Aria Allen, attorney and workplace rights advocate, about what every pregnant employee should know. From timing your announcement to acco…
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Holly F : When Motherhood Meets the Unexpected - Rebuilding after GBS
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49:28Send us a text In this episode of Quiet Connection, I’m connecting with Holly Frances, who shares the raw and emotional story of becoming a mother—just as her body was shutting down from Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Diagnosed just weeks after giving birth, Holly spent nearly three months in the ICU, fighting for her life. She opens up about the physica…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 25: Finding Your Disney and Reconnecting With Yourself
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9:55Send us a text In this Quiet Confession, Chelsea reflects on a conversation with an old friend that led to a realization — Disney isn’t just a destination, it’s a feeling. It’s the space where “little me” exhales, where play and magic return, and where identity exists outside of motherhood, partnership, and responsibility. Through this story, Chels…
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Love, In-Laws, and Leftovers: Navigating Holiday Conflicts Together
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43:29The holidays can be magical—but they can also bring out family drama, money stress, and fights over whose parents to visit first. Sound familiar? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Erin and Stephen Mitchell from Couples Counseling for Parents to talk about the most common conflicts couples face this time of year. From juggling in-laws to setting…
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Send us a text What actually is a doula—and why do so many parents say they’d never give birth without one again? This week I’m joined by Kristin from Gold Coast Doulas, who’s on a mission to transform the way we support birthing individuals from conception through the chaos of early parenting. Kristin shares how her own birth experiences sparked a…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 24: Saying No and Choosing Myself
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11:11Send us a text In this Quiet Confession, Chelsea opens up about the lifelong belief that saying “no” equals failure, and how motherhood has challenged that mindset. Between constant illness in their household, navigating hormone replacement therapy, and juggling an endless list of commitments, they're learning that saying “no” isn’t selfish. It’s s…
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Do you find yourself saying yes when you really want to say no? Feeling guilty for setting even the smallest boundary? You might be a people pleaser. In this pre-holiday episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack why people-pleasing is so common, how it impacts moms especially, and share practical tools for saying no, setting boundaries, and showing up as y…
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Lisa L - Preeclampsia, NICU, and Postpartum Truths
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1:06:26Send us a text Motherhood is rarely what we expect—and sometimes it’s life-threatening. In this episode of Quiet Connection, Lisa, a mom of three, shares her powerful story of an unexpected pregnancy, a dangerous case of preeclampsia, and the challenges of NICU life. She opens up about navigating postpartum depression, anxiety, and rage, and how li…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 23: Finding Connection in the Chaos
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8:38Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea gets real about marriage in survival mode. With sick kids, nonstop appointments, and the relentless weight of the world, they share how love can sometimes look less like date nights and more like passing the baton at bedtime. From the honesty of being “sleep divorced” with twin Tempur-Pedics …
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In this episode, Jennifer Jenkins-Boitnott, LPC with Sea Glass LLC, helps us demystify Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR). This therapy treatment modality has become more accessible and well known, especially as it relates to trauma. Join us as we discuss frequently asked questions about EMDR and Jennifer breaks down what …
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Perimenopause - "The Pause" You Need to Know About Now
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29:42When we think of perimenopause, we hear about hot flashes—but what about the mood swings, anxiety, and depression no one talks about? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Reproductive Psychiatrist Dr. Lindsay Standeven to break down the mental health side of perimenopause. They talk about why women are more likely to face depression during this st…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 22: What I’ll Miss One Day
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9:42Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea reflects on the small, everyday moments of parenting that are equal parts exhausting and heart-melting — the duality we don’t always recognize until it’s gone. From preschool mispronunciations like “B-member” and “preschoo,” to bedtime bathroom excuses, to popcorn-for-dinner movie nights, Che…
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Feeling like you hit a wall this month? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about the October Crash—that moment when the back-to-school adrenaline wears off, the calendar fills up, the weather shifts, and your nervous system finally says, “I’m done.” Sarah and Whitney unpack why October can feel so heavy for moms, how the invisible loa…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 21: Zoom Calls & Paw Patrol
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8:45Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea gets vulnerable about the mom guilt that comes with trying to balance parenting and personal growth. With both kids now in school, they share the challenges of juggling preschool pick-ups, three-hour Zoom trainings, and the ever-present temptation of screen time for their toddler. From Paw Pa…
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Our previous guest, Olga Montgomery, LCSW, returns for our 10th episode to tell us about grief support groups she offers at no cost through Voyager Counseling. We discuss how to register, what to expect, and how rare but important these offerings are. Grief is isolating, yet as Olga reminds us, it also demands a witness. Shame and worries of judgem…
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October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In this episode, Sarah Piasecki—founder of Izzy Lee’s—shares the story of her daughter Izzy, the heartbreak of stillbirth, and the healing that followed. If you’ve walked this road—or love someone who has—this conversation is for you. Together we talk about love, loss, and how Izzy’s memory insp…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 20 - Meltdowns, Milestones, and K-Pop on Repeat
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8:54Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confession, Chelsea shares a whirlwind week of parenting their three-year-old—complete with nap strikes, preschool jitters, and a household cold that took almost everyone down. From meltdowns soothed only by K-pop on repeat to the bittersweet milestone of watching their last baby walk into preschool, this is a ca…
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The Motherhood Survival Plan You Didn’t Know You Needed with Dr. Jill Zechowy
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40:30What if postpartum depression and anxiety weren’t just something we reacted to — but something we could actually prevent? In this episode, Dr. Jill Zechowy — family physician, perinatal psychotherapist, and author of The Motherhood Survival Manual — joins us to share the tools, red flags, and real-life strategies every mom-to-be should know before …
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 19 - One Connection That Changed Everything
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9:11Send us a text After years of feeling alone in their rare postpartum experience, Chelsea finally connects with someone who truly understands—the hemorrhage, the tumor, the trauma, and the fight to survive while parenting. In this episode, Chelsea reflects on how one unexpected connection through social media felt like oxygen after years of suffocat…
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Previa Playback: Default Parenting - What It Is and How to Manage
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34:44What does default parenting mean? Default parenting may be a new term but it's a very old concept. The default parent is the one who handles every aspect of family life- doctor appointments, play dates, school shopping, meal planning, discipline, and problem-solving. Maybe you wonder why your kids walk past their dad to ask you for something or why…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 18 - Suicide Awareness Month: My Story of Survival
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10:26Send us a text In this episode of Quiet Confessions, Chelsea shares their story of surviving postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and the long road through psychiatric hospitalizations and misdiagnoses. With raw honesty, Chelsea reveals the toll of stigma, the failures of the healthcare system, and the terrifying weight of intr…
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The term “Mom Bod” is a hot topic and often not used in a good way. Between stretch marks, hair loss, and bags under our eyes, our awesome bodies that developed and delivered a whole human being sacrifice a lot! In this episode, we talk about all the ways our bodies change and how to reframe the label of “mom bod.” Follow Previa Alliance! Previa Al…
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Aaisha A - Surviving Postpartum Psychosis
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1:10:10Send us a text ⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, and homicidal ideation related to postpartum psychosis. Please take care while listening. In this deeply vulnerable and powerful episode, Chelsea sits down with author and advocate Aaisha Alvi to talk about her lived experience with postpartum psychosis…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 17: Surviving the Meltdowns
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8:15Send us a text Parenting toddlers isn’t for the faint of heart. In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea shares a brutally honest look at surviving a morning of total toddler chaos after her three-year-old’s 4 a.m. wake-up call. From trying every trick in the toolbox to realizing that sometimes nothing works, this episode is for every parent who’s…
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On this episode, we are joined by guest Emma Goff, the Fertility Awareness Educator behind Emmamma and Your Cyclical Doula. She shares with us about her work as a Certified SymptoPro Instructor and FACTS speaker. Learn about how empowering it can be to understand what is going on with your body and when throughout your cycle. We talk about how this…
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Previa Playback: What is Postpartum Depression?
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41:20In this episode, Sarah and Whitney talk about postpartum depression, also known as PPD. They describe signs and symptoms of PPD, risk factors for developing PPD, and what PPD looks like and sounds like in real life. We encourage everyone to download this episode and share with your friends and families so everyone knows what PPD is and how to help …
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Send us a text After multiple miscarriages and years of navigating fibroids, irregular cycles, and unanswered questions, fertility coach Heather Kish found the path to motherhood—and to her calling. In this heartfelt conversation, Heather shares her journey through loss, the emotional toll of infertility, and how one chromosomally normal embryo cha…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 16: Jealousy, Joy, and Grief
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7:32Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea opens up about something raw and complicated: feeling angry at their body. From the exhaustion of living with chronic illness to the jealousy and worry stirred by the wave of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, Chelsea shares the messy reality of holding multiple emotions at…
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Previa Playback: Anxiety During Pregnancy
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15:31What if I can't do this? Is the baby, ok? Why do I feel this way? Sound familiar? Pregnancy anxiety is common but often not talked about. Listen in as the ladies break down why you may experience anxiety during pregnancy and how to manage it. Follow Previa Alliance! Previa Alliance (@previa.alliance) • Instagram photos and videos Previa Alliance Po…
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Sarah C: Resilience and Redefining Motherhood
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1:05:09Send us a text “Even when your body feels like it’s betraying you, you are not broken.” In this powerful episode of Quiet Connection, host Chelsea Myers sits down with Sarah Caminiti, who opens up about her deeply personal six-year journey to parenthood. From an early PCOS diagnosis to unexplained infertility, miscarriages, IVF, and the emotional t…
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Quiet Confessions, Episode 15: Pixie Dust and Policy Failures
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7:32Send us a text In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea gets candid about the updated Disability Access Service (DAS) policy at Disney World — and why it feels dehumanizing, exhausting, and disrespectful to the disabled community. As they prepare for a surprise trip for their daughter’s 10th birthday, Chelsea shares both the frustration of being d…
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Previa Playback: Depression During Pregnancy
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17:14This week, Sarah goes back to a fan favorite episode for Maternal Mental Health Month, Depression During Pregnancy. You know about postpartum depression, but do you know about depression that occurs during pregnancy? Listen in as Sarah and Whitney talk about the risk factors, what depression during pregnancy looks like, and how to advocate for your…
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