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After giving birth to her daughter, Ayana Lage felt euphoric—until everything unraveled. Ten days postpartum, she was hospitalized with postpartum psychosis, experiencing delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. In this unfiltered conversation, Ayana joins us to share what really happened, how she got help, and why she’s choosing to speak out.

We talk about the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis, the cultural stigma that surrounds maternal mental health, and the systems that fail too many moms. Ayana opens up about being a Black woman navigating psychiatric care, how her husband and family carried her through, and what she did differently with her second baby to protect her mental health.

If you're a parent, if you've ever had scary thoughts after giving birth, or if you want to know what real support looks like—this episode is for you.


In this episode, we discuss:

What postpartum psychosis really looks like and why it’s often missed

How Ayana knew something was wrong—even as everyone else dismissed it

Why she felt safer in the hospital than at home

The truth about intrusive thoughts, rage, and the postpartum spectrum

Cultural and racial stigma around mental health for Black mothers

What Ayana did differently after her second baby to safeguard her mental health

How postpartum care needs a serious overhaul

Resources
Pre-order Ayana's Book
Follow Ayana on Instagram
Ayana’s personal essay in Cosmopolitan: "I Had Postpartum Psychosis and Didn’t Know What Was Real"

Postpartum Support International
The Blue Dot Project
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS)

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

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What do you do when your birth plan starts to fall apart, and how do you advocate for yourself?

In today’s episode, we dive into the often unspoken realities of childbirth and maternal mental health with our guest, Valerie. She shares her raw and powerful story of a traumatic birth experience, lack of paid leave and her journey of resilience and healing. Together, we explore the impact of childbirth trauma, the urgent need for better maternity leave policies, and how therapy and open conversations can be transformative.

Tune in to hear:

• The importance of preparing for every possible birth scenario, advocating for oneself, and being well-informed about different childbirth methods, including vaginal birth, c-sections, and induction
• The benefits of EMDR therapy and time in coping with PTSD and the crucial role of mental health support during the postpartum period
• An exploration of the gaps in maternity leave policies and support for expecting mothers and calling for better resources and flexibility to balance work and family life
• The importance of normalizing discussions around traumatic birth experiences and the mental health challenges associated with childbirth to provide comfort and help break the isolation many new mothers feel

Learn more about Valerie here: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com/our-guests/valerie

Connect with Valerie:

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valerieoresko

Instagram: www.instagram.com/valerieoresko

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Blake, a Meta copywriter and creative director and TikTok sensation, best known for his "This Week in Fatherhood" series. We'll explore the nuances of sober parenting, the impact of COVID-19 on family dynamics, and the hidden challenges and joys of raising children. Blake opens up about losing his mother to cancer, career instability, and transitioning to fatherhood amid a global pandemic. We'll also touch on the double standards in parental recognition, the significance of martial arts in Blake's life, and the bittersweet realities of balancing a social media presence with family privacy.

Tune in to hear:

• The complex feelings parents have about screen time for both themselves and their kids and how it often leads to unnecessary guilt.
• Reflections on parenting during the pandemic and how isolation and fear impacted Blake’s early fatherhood journey and heightened anxiety as a parent.
• How the profound grief from losing his mom prepared Blake in unexpected ways for fatherhood
• Blake’s journey with sobriety and how it has significantly impacted his ability to be more present and engaged as a father.
• They key advice Blake would give to new parents: lower your expectations—for your kids and yourself—and embrace the surprises and imperfections of parenthood.

Learn more about Blake here: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com/our-guests/blake

Connect with Blake:

Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@blakeoftoday

Instagram: instagram.com/@blakeoftoday

Parenting Keywords:
parenting advice, fatherhood journey, raising kids, parenthood struggles, parenting during the pandemic, new parent tips, fatherhood content creator

Jiu-Jitsu & Wellness Keywords:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, jiu-jitsu life lessons, black belt wisdom, mental discipline, wellness and parenting

Punk Rock & Personal Story Keywords:
from punk rock to parenthood, touring musician turned dad, life after hardcore punk, Blake Kasemeier podcast, creative parenting stories

Emotional & Personal Growth Keywords:
grief and parenting, loss of a parent, Good Grief podcast, overcoming challenges, mental health for parents, personal growth journey

Social Media-Specific Hashtags:
#ParentingPodcast, #FatherhoodStories, #JiuJitsuParenting, #PunkRockDad, #ParentingLifeLessons, #CreativeParenting, #FatherhoodUnplugged

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

In this episode, Brittany Ouyang shares her story of parenting a toddler while navigating the mental load of a dual-income household. As a brand marketing manager at Cruise and former ballet dancer, Brittany reflects on the coordination, effort, and unexpected joys of raising a family while balancing career ambitions. Her relatable insights and practical advice will resonate with parents and professionals alike.

Keywords: parenting, dual-income household, working moms, mental load, toddler life, brand marketing, Mill Valley moms, ballet, self-care for moms, motherhood challenges, ballet, dance, bay area parenting, parenthood

Learn more about Brittany on our website
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brouyang/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brouyang/

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

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Laid Off, Logged On: Parenting Through the Unpredictable Job Market

In this episode, I’m joined by an incredible panel—Valerie Oresko, Blake Kasemeier, and Brittany—to talk about the curveballs life throws at working parents, especially when job security takes a nosedive. We dive into the raw and real experiences of being laid off, navigating identity and stability, and balancing parenting amid uncertainty. Whether you're a parent or not, this conversation offers insight into resilience, reinvention, and how to find meaning (and even a bit of humor) in chaos.

From being the breadwinner while facing maternity leave with no income, to pivoting from corporate jobs to creative careers, to learning how to survive virality on TikTok—this is not your average career advice episode. We’re telling the truths behind the polished résumés and LinkedIn updates. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this one.parenting and layoffs, getting laid off with kids, working parents and job loss, millennial job insecurity, layoff stories from parents, career changes after layoffs, parenting through unemployment, balancing work and family, breadwinner mom challenges, male vs female parenting expectations, mental health after job loss, stay-at-home parent stigma, corporate layoffs in tech, maternity leave and career setbacks, freelancing after layoffs, mom guilt and career, TikTok parenting controversy, navigating layoffs in California, real stories of working parents, career identity after kids

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

This week, we chat with Jon Fogel—known to many as @wholeparent on social media—to challenge everything we think we know about parenting, discipline, and the role of punishment. Jon brings a unique blend of lived experience as a pastor, foster parent, and neuroscience-informed educator. Together, we dive into how authoritarian parenting patterns mirror broader societal dynamics and why shifting from punishment to connection could be the most transformative change we make as parents.

We also get deeply personal—sharing stories of tantrums, triggers, and those hard moments that test every parent's resolve. If you've ever wondered whether there's a more effective, more human way to raise your kids—especially when they're screaming "F-you" at you—you’re going to want to hear this. Jon’s insights on brain-based, compassionate parenting are nothing short of game-changing.

⭐️ If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to rate, review, and follow the show. And don’t forget to share it with a fellow parent who might need a reminder that punishment isn’t the only path. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and supported.

Links & Resources:

Jon Fogel’s Book: Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice

Follow Jon on Instagram and TikTok: @wholeparent

Jon’s Substack (with bonus parenting resources): wholeparent.substack.com

Book Mentioned: The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Dan Siegel

Children’s Book Mentioned: The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Book Mentioned: Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn

Emotional Regulation Guide from Jon (included in Substack subscription)

Primary Keywords:
gentle parenting, punishment-free parenting, parenting without punishment, conscious parenting, discipline vs punishment, emotional regulation for kids, neuroscience-based parenting, raising emotionally intelligent children, parenting, punishment-free parenting, emotional regulation, child development, neuroscience, parenting advice, John Fogel, Whole Parent, discipline, Bible, authoritarianism

Supporting Keywords:
Jon Fogel Whole Parent, Whole Brain Child, parenting expert interview, foster parenting, parenting and religion, parenting and politics, authoritarian parenting, ICE raids and parenting

Long-Tail Keywords:
how to discipline without yelling, what to do instead of timeouts, how punishment affects child brain development, alternatives to authoritarian parenting, what is conscious parenting really about, parenting advice for strong-willed children

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

In honor of Pride month, this is an encore release of Bret Shuford (of @Broadway Hubands fame) episiode. Bret Shuford, renowned for his performances in Broadway hits such as Wicked, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. Bret shares his personal journey to parenthood through surrogacy thanks to one of his friends, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the challenges and triumphs they've encountered. We learn some of the most interesting things about insurance, gestational carriers and the overall surrogacy process.

Delving into his illustrious career, Bret discusses the delicate balance between the demanding schedule of a Broadway performer and the joys of family life.

Bret Shuford, Broadway, Wicked, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, surrogacy, theater career, inclusivity, representation, performing arts, family life, authentic storytelling, LGBTQ parenting, gay dads, surrogacy journey, Pride Month podcast, Broadway dads, queer fatherhood, gay family, surrogacy costs, intentional parenting, LGBTQ family building

Long-tail keywords:
how gay couples have kids through surrogacy, Broadway actor talks LGBTQ fatherhood, real stories of gay dads and surrogacy, LGBTQ+ parenting podcast episodes 2025, what surrogacy really costs for same-sex couples, raising kids as a gay couple, Pride Month parenting stories, surrogacy advice from gay dads, how to start a family as an LGBTQ couple, Bret Shuford fatherhood interview

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the Instagram-perfect scenes of modern motherhood? In this episode, we’re joined by Ellie Rineck—mom of two, host of A Day in Her Life podcast who is unapologetically real about the highs and lows of parenting.
When she’s not recording conversations with women across all walks of life, Ellie works as a project manager and implementation lead in AI healthcare tech.

She joins us to talk about high-risk pregnancies and hormone chaos to postpartum recovery and the pressures of breastfeeding.

Plus, we dig into the mental load, unexpected waves of partner guilt, and why outsourcing might just be your secret to survival. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by motherhood or questioned if you're doing enough, this episode is the supportive, unfiltered talk you didn’t know you needed. Ellie also shares her insights from 100+ interviews with women on how they actually manage their chaotic, beautiful lives.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Ellie's Podcast: A Day in Her Life

Pepper Books (Spicy Romance Subscription): shoppepperbooks.com

Follow Ellie on Instagram: @adayinherlifepod

Ready to outsource? Remember to use Peacock Parents code

💬 Closing Thought
If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to rate and review the podcast, follow for more real talk, and share it with a fellow mom who needs to hear she’s not alone. Your support helps more women find this space for unfiltered, honest parenting convos. 💛

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/