The Feminist Mom Podcast

In this episode of The Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Jillian Knight, LMFT, a financial therapist specializing in feminist and trauma-informed care, to discuss the emotional and relational complexities of money—especially for women and mothers. They explore how financial stress intersects with caregiving, gender roles, and systemic oppression, offering a compassionate lens on how to unlearn the money stories we've been handed and build healthier, values-aligned relationships with money.In this conversation, Erin and Jillian delve into how social conditioning and systemic forces shape women's financial beliefs and behaviors—from scarcity mindsets to shame around spending. They examine how motherhood can intensify financial anxiety and emotional labor, especially within heterosexual partnerships where caregiving and income often remain imbalanced. Together, they unpack the unspoken financial power dynamics that emerge in relationships, the importance of transparency, and how healing your relationship with money can be a powerful feminist act.Jillian Knight is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Financial Therapist based in Raleigh, NC. She helps women and couples move from financial stress to empowerment by combining systemic therapy with financial education. Jillian brings a feminist, anti-oppressive approach to her work, creating inclusive spaces where clients can align their financial lives with their values and rewrite inherited narratives around money and worth.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt anxious about money, avoided financial conversations with their partner, or wondered how societal expectations around gender, caregiving, and class shape their financial decisions. You’ll walk away with fresh insight—and a few practical tools—for reimagining your relationship with money through a feminist lens.Learn more about Jillian Knight and her work:Website: https://www.herfinancialtherapy.com/Instagram: @herfinancialtherapyConnect with Erin:Instagram: instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapistWebsite: www.erinspahrtherapy.comSubstack: erinspahr.substack.com/subscribeSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

Just tell me what to do is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of The Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Dr. Jessica Zucker, a psychologist and writer specializing in reproductive health, to talk about her new book Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives. Together, they explore how shame and cultural silence shape women’s experiences—from miscarriage to menopause to aging and identity.In this conversation, Erin and Jessica discuss the ways storytelling can break the cycles of shame that often accompany womanhood. Jessica shares her own experience with miscarriage and how it reshaped her understanding of women’s mental health. They talk about societal pressures around perfectionism, beauty, and the expectations placed on mothers—and how healing begins when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, human, and imperfect.This episode also dives into the deeper themes of aging, intersectionality, and how we can create safe spaces for authenticity and connection. It’s a powerful call for cultural change—and a reminder that we’re not alone.Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement. She’s the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue, New York Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and more. Her latest book, Normalize It, is available now.Learn more about Dr. Jessica Zucker and her work:Website: drjessicazucker.comInstagram: @ihadamiscarriagePurchase Normalize It: Amazon Bookshop.orgConnect with Erin:Instagram: instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapistWebsite: www.erinspahrtherapy.comSubstack: erinspahr.substack.com/subscribeSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

In this bonus episode of the Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Tiff D’Amico, a certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, birth worker, and educator, to discuss the unique challenges of motherhood and postpartum for neurodivergent moms. Tiff shares her personal journey through loss, motherhood, and her late diagnoses of ADHD and autism, diving into how these experiences shaped her approach to parenting and mental health. Erin and Tiff cover:The emotional and mental load of postpartum for neurodivergent momsHow late diagnoses of ADHD and autism impact parenting and self-understandingThe importance of building a support system that actually meets your needsWhy mainstream postpartum advice often falls short for neurodivergent momsHow to approach postpartum planning in a way that prevents burnout and overwhelmThe cultural shifts happening around neurodiversity and motherhoodTiff D’Amico is a certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, birthworker, and educator based in South Jersey. She’s the founder of NeuroSPICY Postpartum, where she helps neurodivergent moms avoid or conquer postpartum anxiety, rage, and burnout through personalized support. Whether through strategic postpartum planning, placenta encapsulation, or hands-on help, Tiff is passionate about giving moms the tools to take control of their mental health in motherhood. She believes women have more power than we’ve been led to believe when it comes to preventing PMADs—and she’s here to help you claim it.Read Tiff’s blog post: Navigating the Perinatal Period as a Neurodivergent MomMentioned in the episode:Minna Dubin helped normalize discussions around rage in motherhood. Listen to her episode hereNightbitch by Rachel Yoder, also recently made into a film staring Amy AdamsLearn more about Tiff: https://www.tiffdee.com/Work with Tiff D’Amico Follow Tiff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplacentagirlFollow Erin on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.comPodcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

In this bonus episode of the Feminist Mom Podcast, we’re diving into a critical and urgent conversation at the intersection of reproductive rights and mental health—a topic that has only become more pressing in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Joining me is Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, a clinical psychologist and expert in maternal mental health, to explore: The mental health toll of losing reproductive autonomy How therapy can empower women to advocate for their rights The role of cultural narratives and systemic oppression in shaping our experiences of motherhood and reproductive healthcare Why reclaiming anger is a valid and necessary response to oppressionDr. Gustafson also shares her own insights and experiences, offering a powerful perspective on why reproductive choice is essential for women’s well-being.Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, is a clinical psychologist and author of Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), helping people develop mindfulness and self-compassion skills to navigate difficult emotions. Dr. Gustafson has a special interest in supporting high-achieving women through stress, anxiety, depression, and perinatal mental health challenges. She sees clients through Heartship Psychological Services at Village Birth.Read Dr. Carissa Gustafson’s blog post on the Inclusive Provider Directory. Mentioned in the episode Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood by Jessica GroseRegister for the webinar cosponsored with Exhale Pro-Voice: “Understanding Abortion Stigma & Providing Compassionate Support” Friday, March 14th, 2025 | 12-1pm ETWork with Dr. Carissa Gustafson Follow Dr. Gustafson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carissagustafson/Follow Erin on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.comPodcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

In this episode of The Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Dr. Serene Khader where they discusses her book “Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop” and explores the intersections of feminism and motherhood, particularly in the context of the pandemic.In this conversation, Erin and Serene discuss the evolution of childcare awareness and the impact of the pandemic on caregiving. They explore the historical context of feminism and childcare, the need for flexible childcare solutions, and the burden of intensive parenting. The discussion also highlights the overutilization of women's labor and the changing gender dynamics in feminism, emphasizing the importance of men's involvement in the movement.Dr. Serene Khader is a writer, philosopher, and feminist thinker whose new book, Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop, takes a hard look at how mainstream feminism often focuses too much on individual success instead of real, collective change. She’s a professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, and she has a lot to say about the ways feminism and motherhood intersect—especially after the pandemic.Learn more about Dr. Serene Khader and her work at https://www.serenekhader.com/Follow Serene on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/serenekhader.bsky.socialPurchase Faux Feminism here.Follow Erin on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.comPodcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review: Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

In this episode of The Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Nancy Reddy, author of the forthcoming book The Good Mother Myth, which challenges the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers. Together, they discuss the cultural narratives that shape motherhood, the history of these ideals, and how we can create healthier, more equitable family dynamics. They explore the value of caregiving work, the importance of community, and why we need to let go of the "shoulds" that weigh us down.Topics Discussed: The origins of The Good Mother Myth and Nancy’s inspiration for writing it The cultural expectations of motherhood and how they impact parents The value of caregiving work and paid care in today’s society Intensive mothering, attachment theory, and breaking free from societal “shoulds” How to seek help, build community support, and share parenting responsibilities Nancy’s reflections on her own early years of motherhoodNancy Reddy is a writer, teacher, and author of The Good Mother Myth, coming January 21, 2025. She’s also the author of three poetry collections and has written for outlets such as Slate and Romper. Nancy teaches at Stockton University in New Jersey and leads writing workshops to inspire creativity and connection.Learn more about Nancy and her work at https://www.nancyreddy.com/Follow Nancy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.o.reddyNancy’s newsletter Write More, Be Less Careful: https://nancyreddy.substack.com/Purchase The Good Mother Myth here. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.comPodcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

In this episode of The Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez, an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, and founder of FreeBlackmotherhood. Together, they explore Ambreia’s journey as a mother, her groundbreaking work on FreeBlackmotherhood, and the systemic challenges faced by Black parents.Ambreia reflects on the intergenerational trauma stemming from enslavement, the complexities of gentle parenting and intensive mothering, and the importance of cultural healing alongside conscious parenting. She emphasizes the need for mothers to experience freedom in order to model it for their children and shares her thoughts on repairing relationships, embracing imperfection, and fostering authentic connections.The conversation also touches on navigating conversations about race, privilege, and oppression, while challenging traditional narratives of motherhood. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care, healing, and prioritizing the well-being of those who mother in order to raise thriving, well-adjusted children. Ambreia’s journey as a mother and founder of FreeBlackmotherhood Intergenerational trauma and its impact on Black parents The challenges of gentle parenting and intensive mothering The importance of freedom and healing for mothers Balancing conscious parenting with cultural healing Navigating conversations about race, privilege, and oppression in parenting Repairing relationships and embracing imperfectionAmbreia Meadows-Fernandez is an award-winning writer, editor, and speaker who covers topics at the intersection of motherhood and Black health and wellness. She is the founder of FreeBlackmotherhood, a counternarrative to intensive mothering models that argues for prioritizing the well-being of mothers as essential to raising healthy children.Learn more about Ambreia and her work at FreeBlackmotherhood.Read Ambreia’s article Finding Freedom in Black MotherhoodFollow Ambreia on Instagram: @freeblackmotherhoodFollow Erin:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.comPodcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

In this episode of the Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, a clinical psychologist and the author of Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World. Drawing from her decades of experience and her education at Harvard and Northwestern Universities, Dr. Finkelstein shares invaluable insights into the challenges of raising girls in a world still shaped by gender bias.They discuss the lasting effects of sexism on girls' self-perception, the importance of healthy entitlement, and how self-objectification can impact confidence and development. Dr. Finkelstein and Erin explore practical strategies for parents to navigate these challenges, including how to praise character over appearance, repair parenting mistakes, and foster resilience and empowerment in their daughters. The conversation also touches on the role of fathers, generational tensions, and navigating political uncertainty while building hope and community.This timely and powerful discussion is a must-listen for parents committed to raising girls who can thrive in today’s world.About Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein: Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the author of Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World. Educated at Harvard University and Northwestern University, she now maintains a private clinical practice in Chicago. Dr. Finkelstein’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Harvard Business Review, Oprah Daily, Parents, and CNN, among others. She is an expert blogger for Psychology Today, and her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Ms., Your Teen, and other publications. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Stop Sexual Assault in Schools, working to create safer and more equitable environments for children and families.Listen now and learn how to empower your daughters to rise above gender bias and thrive.Links and Resources: Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein’s book: Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein’s website: https://www.joannfinkelstein.com/ Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein’s substack: https://joannfinkelstein.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannfinkelstein.phdFollow Erin: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.com Podcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review:Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

Jennifer Jolorte Doro is a Mom of 2, Clinical Nutritionist, and the cofounder and Chief Culinary Officer of Chiyo. For the next generation of mothers looking for guidance on their ever-adapting health journey, Chiyo is a personalized & integrative food-as-medicine platform when they need it most. Unlike other maternal health companies, Chiyo does the research and the work of nutrition planning during fertility, pregnancy and postpartum, empowering women to feel their best with minimal effort. Learn more about Chiyo: https://wearechiyo.com/ (affiliate link)Use code ESpahrcctrial for $75.00 off Chiyo's One Day TrialLearn more about Jennifer: https://oulahealth.com/team/jennifer-jolorte-doroFollow Chiyo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearechiyo/Follow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com

Sharon Itkoff Nacache ATR-BC LCAT LPAT PMH-C (she/hers) is a perinatal art therapist with 15 years of clinical experience specializing in supporting those who identify as caregivers–personally or professionally–in cultivating creative resilience in the workplace, throughout their family building journeys, and beyond. She is a trauma-informed, attachment-based, relational clinician with a virtual practice serving New Jersey and New York. As a creative clinical consultant with the Whitney Museum of American Art, she also provides integrative arts-based wellness workshops for employees in both the public and private sectors to bring creative healing spaces to work and address caregiver burnout on the job. Her work has been featured in both the New York and LA Times, and her creative clinical approaches are grounded in principles of cultural humility, humanism, and the healing power of an empathic creative process.In this conversation, Erin and Sharon discuss the challenges of caregiver burnout, particularly in the context of motherhood. They explore the definitions and cultural implications of burnout, emphasizing the importance of community support . Sharon shares her insights on how creativity and art therapy can serve as tools for healing and resilience, encouraging mothers to reconnect with their authentic selves. The discussion highlights the need for systemic changes to support caregivers and the significance of play and joy in combating burnout. Read Sharon’s blog post “Caregiver Burnout: Empowering Caregivers Through Art As Therapy”: https://www.inclusiveproviders.com/articles/caregiver-burnout-empowering-caregivers-through-art-therapy Work with SharonLearn more about Sharon: https://www.cocreatearttherapy.com/Follow Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocreatearttherapyFollow Erin on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin Spahr:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erinspahrtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Friends of the podcast get $30 off the first year of their annual membership with code FEMINIST30.Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erinspahr.substack.com