144: When Play Feels Hard in the Age of Intensive Parenting with Myriam Sandler

In this episode of Holding Space, I welcome parenting educator and content creator behind the account Mother Could, Myriam Sandler, for a real and refreshing conversation about play in parenthood.Together, we unpack the pressure many parents feel to “play the right way,” especially in today’s era of intensive parenting.Episode highlights:How perfectionism and productivity culture shape our expectations around playWhy boredom matters—and how it supports creativity and independent playThe role of accessibility in helping kids play independentlyWhat to do when your child wants to play with you—but you need spaceHow to identify your own “play superpower” (even if it’s not getting on the floor)Practical tips for setting up multi-age play spaces at homeWhether you love crafting sensory bins or prefer connecting through board games, 3D printing, or sports, this episode invites you to reclaim play in a way that honors your capacity and your child’s uniqueness.Resources Mentioned:Playful by Design by Myriam SandlerFollow Myriam on Instagram @mothercouldAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Cassidy sits down with Megan McNamee, a registered dietitian nutritionist and co-founder of Feeding Littles, to discuss the intersection of perfectionism, parenting, and feeding children. Megan shares insights on how parents can move away from the pressures of perfectionism, especially in the context of feeding their kids, and embrace a more intuitive and balanced approach to mealtime.We dive into common struggles parents face when it comes to feeding their kids, such as dealing with picky eating, the pressures of packing lunches, and the stress of meeting societal expectations. Megan offers practical advice on how to navigate these challenges while keeping mealtime enjoyable and stress-free.Resources Mentioned:Feeding Littles Lunchbox BookFollow Feeding Littles on InstagramAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What do you REALLY need to know about caring for your postpartum body?To answer this question I invited Ruth Macy, a pelvic health physical therapist, and Courtney Naliboff, a teacher, writer, and musician, on to the podcast to talk about all things postpartum recovery and self-compassion.Together we explore:The inspiration behind their book "Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy"The concept of radical self-acceptance and compassion in healing after birthThe essential needs for postpartum recovery: rest, hydration, nutrition, and support (and how to make them a priority)The challenges/human cost of lactation and the mental health impact of weaningSystemic barriers to postpartum care and practical solutions to navigate themLearn more about Courtney and Ruth’s book here!If you're a California parent and interested in learning more about working with Dr. Cassidy and her therapy services visit www.drcassidymft.comIf you're not a California resident and interested in starting therapy, you can learn how to find a therapist in your area by visiting https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist-like-meAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

You are cordially invited to tune into our spicy book chat!I invited Sex Therapist and New York Times Bestselling Author Vanessa Marin on to the podcast to talk about all things Fantasy Fiction (especially of the spicy variety).Together we dissect:*What exactly is "smut?"*Why is fantasy so appealing?*What are some of the benefits for women reading spicy romance novels?*What are some of the tricky parts of these books to keep in mind?*Are smutty books basically just porn?*How can romantasy reading be a reclamation of time and pleasure for the busy woman?AND of course we are sharing our favorite books to add to your list and what we are reading next (download the list for yourself here: https://courses.drcassidymft.com/bookrecsLearn more about Vanessa's book and offerings at vmtherapy.com and give her a follow @vanessaandxander!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Gut health...the gut microbiome...people are talking about it, but what does it all mean?!In my quest for answers, I connected with Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder of Tiny Health. In this episode you're invited to learn about the fascinating world of gut health right alongside with me. During our conversation Cheryl shares her personal journey as an entrepreneur and mother, highlighting how her experiences with pregnancy and childbirth led her to discover the importance of gut health. We dive into what the gut microbiome is, where it comes from, and why it’s crucial for overall health. She shares the role of probiotics and prebiotics in supporting a healthy gut microbiome for both infants and mothers and offers specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations to enhance gut health. Additionally, Cheryl walks us through the process and benefits of gut microbiome testing for the entire family.Resources Mentioned:Tiny Health Website (you can use code DRCASSIDY for $20 off!)Tiny Health on InstagramIf you're a California parent and interested in learning more about working with Dr. Cassidy and her therapy services visit www.drcassidymft.comIf you're not a California resident and interested in starting therapy, you can learn how to find a therapist in your area by visiting https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist-like-meAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this heartfelt episode, we welcome back Dr. Jasmine, a clinical pharmacist, perinatal mental health specialist and mom to one, to discuss her journey of deciding to have only one child. Dr. Jasmine shares her personal story of battling severe postpartum depression and anxiety, the pressures and expectations from society, and how she navigated these challenges to make a decision (with support from therapy) that felt right for her and her family. We discuss the societal pressure and expectations of having more than one child as well as the stigma and stereotypes associated with only children and highlighting the joys and benefits of raising an only child. Resources and Links:Dr. Jasmine on Instagram: @pearlsofjasmineDr. Jasmine’s Blog: pearlsofjasmine.comDr. Jasmine’s Substack Newsletter: pearlsofjasmine.substack.com"Healing the Tigress" PodcastIf you're a California parent and interested in learning more about working with Dr. Cassidy and her therapy services visit www.drcassidymft.comIf you're not a California resident and interested in starting therapy, you can learn how to find a therapist in your area by visiting https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist-like-meAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

BLUEY! The beloved Heeler Family has touched the hearts and homes of children and adults around the world. But have you ever wondered what a therapist or parenting expert's take might be on the show and your favorite episodes? Have you ever wanted to really bring home the themes/lessons of the episode with your child or thought to yourself in a tricky parenting moment, "What would Chili or Bandit do?"We've got you covered! I invited fellow therapist and Bluey superfan Tessa Ritchie, LCSW to help me breakdown two of our favorite Bluey episodes: Bad Mood (Season 2) and Perfect (Season 3).You're going to want to take notes on the parenting strategies and connecting conversation starters shared in this episode, but no need to because we did it for you with the free Bluey Breakdown pdf you can download here or by visiting https://courses.drcassidymft.com/blueyguide!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I invite you to tune into my conversation with Emily Oster, professor of Economics, parenting data expert and NYT Bestselling Author. We dive deep into her latest release, "Unexpected," where she explores the often murky waters of pregnancy complications.Together we explore:*Understanding Pregnancy Complications: Emily shares some fascinating insights from "Unexpected," her newest book. We talk about the common threads among pregnancy complications and why it's crucial to understand why things happen during pregnancy. Hint: it's not always as straightforward as we'd like it to be.*Dealing with Medical Gaslighting: Ever heard of medical gaslighting? It's a real thing, and it can leave you feeling dismissed and invalidated by healthcare providers. Emily and I dive into this topic and discuss the importance of feeling supported by your medical provider.Guest Information:Emily Oster: You can connect with her on parentdata.org and Instagram @ProfEmilyOster.Preorder "Unexpected" by Emily Oster and Nathan Fox, MD here!If you're a California parent and interested in learning more about working with Dr. Cassidy and her therapy services visit www.drcassidymft.comIf you're not a California resident and interested in starting therapy, you can learn how to find a therapist in your area by visiting https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist-like-meAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I invited Erica Djossa, Canadian based psychotherapist, founder of Momwell, and author of the book Releasing the Motherload: How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More, back on to the podcast!Together we discuss:• An introduction to intensive mothering: unpacking societal expectations and the weight of invisible burdens in motherhood.• The role of comparison and social media in exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and overwhelm.• Strategies for releasing control and redistributing responsibilities to alleviate burnout and foster personal growth.• Embracing values over perfectionism: practical steps for identifying core values and aligning actions with your most aligned beliefs.• Recognizing the potential for growth and transformation when we embrace discomfort.• Creating space for self-care within motherhood: the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing mental well-being.Resources Mentioned:• Releasing the Motherload book: pre-order at www.ericadjossa.com• The Invisible Load of Postpartum episode 48• Find Erica on Instagram @momwellTo learn more about Dr. Cassidy's private practice visit https://www.drcassidymft.com/Enjoy this podcast? You'll also love Justine Carino's podcast "Thoughts from the Couch" learn more at www.carinocounseling.com/podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

AI (Artificial Intelligence) isn't going anywhere, but that didn't stop me from (at first) putting my head in the sand about it. But the truth is, it's not going anywhere and our kids are going to grow up with AI being a part of their schooling, future careers, and their life...so it was time to take my head out of the sand and learn everything I can so that I can support them too.This episode with Audrey Wisch, founder and CEO of Curious Cardinals was not originally planned! Our original topic (episode 134) was all about supporting kids in discovering THEIR passions and connecting those passions to their relationship to school (if you haven't checked out that episode yet, you don't want to miss it!)What I noticed though in my interactions with Audrey was how she seamlessly incorporated AI into her business model. I got curious about her use of AI, and discovered she was giving AI workshops to parents around the country. I had SO many questions, and thought you might too...and thus this episode was born!I went into this conversation with A LOT of questions, concerns, and a general sense of overwhelm, and I left feeling empowered and even EXCITED to support my kids with ethically navigating a world in which AI exists.To learn more about Curious Cardinals visit https://www.curiouscardinals.com/To learn more about Dr. Cassidy's private practice visit https://www.drcassidymft.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy