Crazy Normal

Fern's story continues as he discusses some of the ways he strives to find connection with his son. As a single father (after postpartum depression factored into his divorce), he wondered how he could not only connect with his son, but how he could give him a life full of wonder, adventure and love. We also discuss the transformative power of nature and exploration, funky and fun places to take your children, photography and how to heal as a single parent. 

After a LOOOONG but much needed Hiatus, Sarah is back to talk with Fernando about his experience with postpartum depression. Fern not only shares his heartbreaking experience watching his now ex-wife struggle with perinatal mental illness and how that effected their relationship and lifestyle but also delves into the largely unspoken world of having postpartum depression AS THE PARTNER who did not give birth.  He touches on big factors such as manhood, therapy, fatherhood, identity, being a supporter, and a good husband but also on particular experiences we don't often see spotlighted: that of being raised in a traditional Mexican household where "machismo" meant being a husband and father in a different way than he envisioned for himself. Don't miss this one!

Criselle Mesa; artist, military wife, owner of "Criselle Belle Crochet and Knits" and mother of two boys, opens up about her experience with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation during her second pregnancy. She gets real, emotional and honest about the lows and then the moment she sought help and how everything changed and she found herself again. You can find her on instagram @crisellebelleand her website is www.shopcrisellebelle.com

This episode is dedicated to three separate couples in my family/friend group who have recently lost their babies. I cannot imagine the pain from the loss of a child. The one thing I can do is bring this episode to light.. Fertility coach Jennifer Robertson (@msjenniferrobertson on instagram) from Australia talks with me about how to cope with infertility and loss all through the lens of her own journey and how she pushed through grief, fear, guilt and more to where she is today. We also discuss her Instagram page, her book, "The Injustice of Infertility" as well as do's and don'ts for the support team of someone who has suffered with infertility or loss. If you are struggling with infertility, miscarriage, or loss of your child I am sending you light, love and warmth. I am so sorry for what you are going through. If you want to get Infertility coaching from Jennifer Robertson, her website is below. Instagram: https: https://www.instagram.com/msjenniferrobertson/Her Website: https://www.jenniferrobertson.co/fertility-coaching 

Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation is briefly mentioned in this episode. For Women's History Month, Sarah welcomes Perinatal, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Misty Richards to answer questions about medication before, during and after pregnancy! We dispel some myths about anti-depressants and anxiety medications including safety risks for mom and baby, breastfeeding, when to start or stop medication and how to reach out for help. Dr. Richards raises awareness about MEN and Partners suffering from postpartum depression. We also try to de-stigmatize the world of mental health help! If you are considering medication for your mental health needs, you don't want to miss this episode as it will help you decide what path is available and best for YOU!Misty Richards MD and MS is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She is also Program Director of the UCLA Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program. RESOURCES:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Some books to help: The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook by Pamela S. Wiegartz , Kevin L. Gyoerkoe , et al. https://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Postpartum-Anxiety-Workbook-Compulsions/dp/1572245891/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=postpartum+anxiety+workbook&qid=1615403917&s=books&sr=1-3Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen KleimanWhat No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Dr. Alexandra Sacks, Dr. Catherine Birndorf : https://www.amazon.com/What-One-Tells-You-Motherhood/dp/1501112562Mental Health: SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Postpartum Support International WebsiteHelp for mom, family and dad1.800.944.4773Support groupsNATIONAL CRISIS TEXT LINE: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisisNational Suicide Prevention Hotline and Website1-800-273-8255www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Call for yourself or someone you care about; free and confidential; network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide; available 24/7

Trigger warning: this episode contains some content that may be triggering for some individuals including suicidal ideation and other scary (but mainly normal) symptoms and thoughts, including scary intrusive thoughts of people with Postpartum depression and other disorders. Sarah speaks with her therapist and licensed social worker Ronnie Vehemente about WHAT perinatal mood disorders are, WHO can get it, WHEN it can occur and HOW long. We also discuss COPING mechanisms and how to get help if you are struggling! We hope this episode makes those out there thinking they are insane that the thoughts and feelings you are having are NORMAL, you are not CRAZY!This episode is a must hear for anyone who has suffered a pregnancy loss, infertility, is currently pregnant or has had children that are suffering in any way with mental health. This is also a must hear for partners of these individuals!RESOURCES:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Ronnie Vehemente's Practice if you'd like her to be you therapist too!:Email: ronnie@familyroomla.com Website: https://www.familyroomla.com/Some books to help: The Postpartum Anxiety Workbook, Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, etc.Some phone numbers: SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Postpartum Support International WebsiteHelp for mom, family and dad1.800.944.4773Support groupsNATIONAL CRISIS TEXT LINE: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisisNational Suicide Prevention Hotline and Website1-800-273-8255www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Call for yourself or someone you care about; free and confidential; network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide; available 24/7

Sarah opens up in EXTREMELY intimate ways about her journey of mental health struggles (Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, OCD and more). She details her specific intrusive thoughts warily, but in the hopes to help other mothers recognize their "crazy" thoughts, aren't so crazy after all. Please listen with an open heart and mind and be gentle, kind and understanding as Sarah opens up about her struggle with her identity as a mother and all those like her! This is just a trigger warning for this episode. I will be discussing my own journey with postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. Some of the things I talk about, including intrusive thoughts, may trigger some people in the audience. So if you are extra sensitive right now, Just take caution.The story you hear here is just my own experience (I am not a mental health professional) and is not meant to diagnose or treat your own mental health struggles. If you need help, I can offer you resources if you are in need of help!If you are interested in working on your Mental Health you can join me in doing a 10 day "Tissue Issue Challenge" with Empath and Yogi Coach Emily Grass. This course is usually only $47 but if you are a Crazy Normal fan, you can use the code bodylove! to receive $10 off!here is the link for more info: https://emilygrass.com/tissue-issues

Sarah interviews her very own OBGYN Dr. Alexander Chiang from UCLA about the most common concerns, fears and questions regarding pregnancy and childbirth. We distinguish myth (old wives tales) from fact and so much more: inductions, PPD, ethics of gender selection, miscarriages, complications etc.This is a must hear!

Sarah and Natalie ring in the new year with some wine, tears and laughs. They review 2020 and all the events that took place, both good (Chris Evans nude photo) and bad (Trump...), personal growth, details on their grandfathers death which include the song Sarah sang to him via zoom as he was fading (featured in this episode), what they look forward to in 2021 and more! Join us!

Say good F***ing riddance to 2020 with us in this *barely edited DRUNK round table with many of the voices we have heard this season! Beware....there are many curse words, sex talk, celebrity crushes, what we would give Trump in his stocking, a baby quiz and more. Sarah opens up about her obsession with Harry Styles and is confounded when none of her friends agree with his degree of sexy. Ultimately, it's a good, and weird, and loud time. Thank you all for hanging out with us this season and we will see you next year every Tuesday starting January 11th! Don't forget to like, subscribe and tell us what you think we should talk about next year! Happy Holidays!

Michael hosts his first episode as he welcomes the Husbands of the Women of the first round table! Haru (Alanna's Hubby), Cody (Natalie's Husband), Oscar (Haylee's Hubs) and while we weren't able to get Scott (Michelle's husband) we did get BRODY, a best friend of Michael and Sarah's that is currently in the hard journey of infertility. So take a break and listen to some much needed real-talk from the all-to-often forgotten partners of the pregnant human! They get silly, awkward and REAL about infertility, guilt, love, relationships, hardships of fatherhood and how to help their partners in the pregnancy, fertility and parenting!

Join my husband Michael and I while we share how we met, our fertility journey, what our relationship was like before and after kids, what we struggle with and how we plan to resolve our relationship woes...all in dramatic and adorable fashion! We hope that in sharing our personal story and relationship journey as parents of two helps anyone else struggling with similar issues to feel NORMAL AF! Take a listen!

In the finale of the first series of relationship training, Sarah talks with Dr. Nancy Grass about Dialectical Tensions; the push and pull of needs and wants between people and romantic partners. They also talk about Love Languages and how to identify what your and you partners are! Both in how you want to FEEL loved and how you SHOW love to others! Definitely don't miss this one as it is a precursor for next weeks episode about Sarah and Michaels Relationship journey from before kids to after kids!

Sarah welcomes back Nana and Nancy to finish their conversation about Defense arousing behaviors! We discuss how to find empathy, how our romantic relationships change after having children, gender roles and have fun giving real-life scenarios that we aren't ashamed to share!

Sarah welcomes her Mother, Nancy Grass and Grandmother, Virginia Downie to speak about Romantic Relationships and how they change after having children! Three generations of Communication Studies Professors break down unhealthy relationship actions and communication and give you healthy relationship goals! This is just the beginning of what will be several parts of relationship training discussions to help parents feel more connected to one another, understand the in's and out's of their relationship and how it is affected by not only the introduction of children but also friends and family around us!

In this short episode we talk to Aunt Jamie again about the importance of voting in this years election! The general election is coming up fast (November 3rd) Have you voted? Do you know what your plans are to vote or where? Do you know the deadlines or what to bring with you to the polling place? If not, we got you covered!

Sarah welcomes fellow Halloween fanatic, Jamie from the Bronx to discuss safe alternatives for fun this halloween (and Dia De Los Muertos) with your family! You don't want to miss this episode!Here is the Meals on Wheels West site where you can get tickets (donate) to this years Monster Bash where my uncles band "The Rembrandts" (the band who created the Friends Theme song "I'll Be There For You") will be playing!: https://britesiders.com/mowwestmonsterbash

In this episode, Sarah welcomes 9 months pregnant Amanda (who had her baby 1 week after talking with us!) and live in Temecula and Erin who is 24 weeks pregnant living in Puerto Rico! We discuss the new experience first time and second time moms are having in their pregnancies during a pandemic ranging from lack of baby showers, losing jobs, miscarriages, loneliness and fear! Come join us as we laugh through the pain but find optimism in the face of it all!Poem at Start: "Mother is a Hero (Fearless)" by Ashleigh Evans, "The Constant Wonderer"https://youtu.be/XRPdwzkXan4

We welcome back cousin Natalie to discuss her journey to adopting her 4 babies. She discusses the foster care system, how the adoption process works, white privilege and the white savior complex as it relates to adopting children of a different race or ethnicity, relationship changes with her husband and more! Research Studies Mentioned in this podcast: 1. Journal of Critical Thought and Praxis-2017, Vol. 6, No. 3, 36-54"The White Savior Industrial Complex: A Cultural Studies Analysis of a Teacher Educator, Savior Film, and Future Teachers" by Brittany A. Aronson*https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1138&context=jctp2. Journal of Affective Disorders-115 (2009) 62–68"Post-adoption depression among adoptive mothers"Yehuda Senecky, Hanoch Agassi, Dov Inbar, Netta Horesh, Gary Diamond,Yoav S. Bergman, Alan Apter.http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.183.2800&rep=rep1&type=pdf3. "Supporting SpecialNeeds Adoptive Couples: Assessing an Intervention to Enhance Forgiveness, Increase Marital Satisfaction, and Prevent Depression" by Thomas W. Baskin, Margaret Rhody, Shannon Schoolmeesters, and Colleen Ellingson. https://www.apa.org/education/ce/adoptive-couples.pdf

We welcome Haylee, Michelle, Natalie and Alanna to a round table discussion about all the questions, none of the answers. All the frustrations, feelings and queries we've had or still have about motherhood, fertility/infertility, pregnancy, delivery, adoption, sex, relationships, Covid, schooling for kids, parenting during civil rights movement, fears, struggles, mental health and more!

This podcast centers on the subject of raising children or at least the attempt to do such. Although it is primarily for mothers, prospective mothers and primary caregivers we aim to include the all together forgotten fathers and their journey as well! Our focus is on helping women who are, or want to be, mothers, feel better about their roles, their identity, their struggles and fears, their partners and much more like infertility, relationships, illness, disabilities, loss, unconventional family structures, parenting during a second civil rights movement and a global health pandemic, adoption, child rearing methods and so much more. Every episode will feature a new topic or question (as asked by you, the listener, via twitter (crazynormalpod), instagram (@crazynormalpodcast) or email (crazynormalpod@gmail.com) about the world of being or trying to be, a parent aiming to raise a little human in the current state of the world.