Momma Mosaic

On the occasion of the Second Annual Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Day, in this episode, we speak with Kristina Dulaney and Teresa Twomey, Maternal Health Advocates, Survivors of Postpartum Psychosis, and two of the incredible advocates behind Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day. For more information on their amazing work, please visit www.pppawarenessday.org.

Our guest today is Dr. Walker Ladd. Previously a professional modern dancer with both a BA and MFA in dance from UCLA, Walker returned to school to receive an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Seattle and practiced as a Couples and Family Therapist. Following the traumatic childbirth and subsequent postpartum depression of her son in 2000, Walker dedicated herself to maternal mental health advocacy and research literacy, working as a certified birth doula (CD, DONA), and serving as the perinatal mental health editor for Lamaze International's Science and Sensibility, before returning to school to receive her Ph.D. in psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (Sofia University). Since her doctorate in 2014, Dr. Ladd has taught research methods and mentored doctoral students through the dissertation process while conducting her own research on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders across the lifespan. Working across multiple qualitative methodologies, Walker seeks a deeper understanding of the subjective experience of mood and anxiety disorders during the perinatal period. Her book, Transformed by Postpartum Depression: Women’s Stories of Trauma and Growth (Praeclarus, 2020), was based on her grounded theory study of the traumatic nature of untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and subsequent post-traumatic growth for 25 women. In addition to her grounded theory study of the stigma of mental illness for new mothers with a bi-polar disorder (Ladd, 2018), Walker recently completed a study of the meaning of postpartum depression for women in later life (Ladd, 2021, in press). She is currently working on a study regarding the experience of postpartum anxiety for new mothers during COVID-19. Walker is a full member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), the Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology (SQIP), the Society of Humanistic Psychology (Division 32), the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IATA), and the Marce International Society for Perinatal Mental Health. She has been a faculty member of Saybrook University since 2018 and is currently full-time faculty in the Department of Research. Walker is a 17-year breast cancer survivor. Her son, Ziggy, is a sophomore at the Berklee School of Music. Her daughter, Miles, is the funniest person Walker has ever known and will be a freshman at CalArts majoring in theater design in the Fall, 2021.

Join us as we speak with Paige Bellenbaum, Chief External Officer and Founding Director of The Motherhood Center in New York City. Paige started her social work career working at a homeless shelter for families in San Francisco, where she built a multi-million Housing and Aftercare Program for families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. She then moved to New York City in 2000 to get her Masters of Social Work at Columbia University. After she graduated, she held executive-level positions at various non-profit agencies including the Center for Family Life located in Sunset Park Brooklyn, Habitat for Humanity – New York City, and Settlement Housing Fund. Throughout her non-profit career she has worked with homeless families, victims of domestic violence and child abuse, formerly homeless single mothers, formerly incarcerated young adults, and more. She Chaired the Youth and Human Services Committee of Community Board 6 in Brooklyn for 6 years, and ran for public office, and was elected in 2015 as the District Leader for the 52nd Assembly District in Brooklyn which she held for four years. After her first child was born, Paige suffered from severe postpartum depression that nearly ended her life. Once she began to heal, she became committed to fighting for education, screening, and treatment for postpartum depression so that no more women would have to suffer silently. She drafted legislation in New York State that was championed by State Senator Liz Krueger, mandating education and strongly encouraging screening of all new and expecting mothers that was signed into law in 2014. Paige has been an outspoken advocate on the issue of postpartum depression and uses her own story as a tool for change. She has appeared on the Today Show, NPR, PBS Newshour and in Women’s Health Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and several other media outlets. For more information, you can visit www.themotherhoodcenter.com **Trigger warning: discussion of postpartum depression, PMADS, and suicidal thoughts.

Join us as we speak with comedian, social media influencer, and "accidental activist" Angelina Spicer.  A cum-laude graduate of Howard University, Spicer has smartly delved deep for comedy that's authentic. Her original content has garnered a staggering 89 million views in more than 45 countries. Her viral success catapulted her career from phone screens to the silver screen when she became a regular sketch performer on both Jimmy Kimmel Live and Conan. In 2017, Angelina became an outspoken advocate for maternal mental health after her diagnosis and hospitalization of postpartum depression (PPD). Not only is Spicer using her voice in comedy clubs across the country, she is also working with lawmakers in California and on Capitol Hill to implement laws to support early motherhood. Spicer has worked with some of the world’s most trusted organizations like Cedars Sinai Hospital, Postpartum Support International, the World Health Organization and has been featured in USA Today, NPR, and was named Essence Magazine's Woke 100. Spicer is currently in production on The Push For Permission, a feature-length documentary that uses comedy to empower women to advocate for themselves and to normalize PPD. To learn more about Angelina and The Push for Permission, please visit www.angelinaspicer.com

Join us for our first episode as we speak with Maureen Daniel Fura, an award-winning Maternal Health Advocate, the Writer and Director of the documentary film Dark Side of the Full Moon, and the CEO of MAMMHA. Maureen speaks with us about her journey to motherhood, and on the importance of storytelling, screening for PMADS (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), and supporting moms. For more information on Maureen and MAMHHA, please visit www.mammha.com. To learn more about Maureen's film, please visit Dark Side of the Full Moon. Maureen's live storytelling appearances referenced in this interview can be found here: Lip Service and TedX. **Trigger warning: parts of this interview discuss suicide, loss, anxiety, and trauma. If you or anyone you know needs help, please call the Postpartum Support International Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) or the Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.