We prepare for so much in pregnancy—but rarely for mental health, even though it’s the most common complication of childbirth. In this episode, we talk about why we don’t think twice about mammograms or colonoscopies, why mental health deserves the same preventive approach, and how having a therapist early in pregnancy can make all the difference. Listen in as Sarah and Whitney tackle this important conversation head on.
Bottle Service with Mallory Whitmore
03/02/2026 | 28 mins.
Mallory Whitmore, author of Bottle Service, joins us to talk honestly about formula feeding, motherhood, and the emotional weight parents often carry in silence. She shares why feeding choices are so judged, how formula can actually protect mental health, and why confidence and connection matter more than how milk gets into the bottle. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it right,” this episode—and Bottle Service—is here to reassure you: you’re enough, your choice is valid, and you are not alone. About Mallory Whitmore: Mallory Whitmore is a mom of two, educator, advocate, and infant feeding technician. She’s the founder of The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions—without guilt or shame. She can be found on Instagram @TheFormulaMom and at MalloryWhitmore.com. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
I Friendship Fade
02/23/2026 | 20 mins.
Nobody warns you about the quiet heartbreak of friendship after motherhood — how the texts slow down, the invites change, and suddenly you feel like you live on a different planet than your friends without kids. In this episode, Sarah and Whitney unpack the friendship shift that happens when life milestones stop lining up — whether you’re the first to have babies, the last, or just in a different season. They talk about how to grieve what was, nurture what still fits, and find new connection in the middle of it all.
When the Text Message is Left on Read
02/16/2026 | 21 mins.
Sarah and Whitney explore how childhood patterns—like peacekeeping or fearing conflict—can fuel adult anxiety, especially around communication. They break down why delayed texts or unclear responses trigger worst-case thinking and share simple, effective tools to stop spirals, calm your nervous system, and stay grounded in relationships. A relatable, reassuring episode for anyone who’s ever overthought a message or worried they did something wrong.
Eldest Daughter - You can put it down now. You’ve carried enough.
02/09/2026 | 23 mins.
Taylor said it best — “I was the chosen one, I was the eldest daughter.” And every eldest daughter everywhere felt that in her bones. In this episode, Sarah and Whitney dive into what it really means to grow up as the responsible one — the fixer, the peacekeeper, the emotional glue — and how those patterns quietly follow us into adulthood and motherhood. From perfectionism and control to guilt when we finally rest, we’re unpacking it all. You’ll laugh, nod, and maybe cry a little as we talk about how to stop carrying everything and start letting yourself be cared for, too. Because you don’t have to earn your worth by holding it all together.
There are few experiences as universal to human existence as pregnancy and childbirth, and yet its most difficult parts — perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) — are still dealt with in the shadows, shrouded in stigma. The fact is 1 in 5 new and expecting birthing people will experience a PMAD, yet among those who do many are afraid to talk about it, some are not even aware they’re experiencing one, and others don’t know where to turn for help. The fact is, when someone suffers from a maternal mental health disorder it affects not only them, their babies, partners, and families - it impacts our communities.In the Previa Alliance Podcast series, Sarah Parkhurst and Whitney Gay are giving air to a vastly untapped topic by creating a space for their guests — including survivors of PMADs and healthcare professionals in maternal mental health — to share their experiences and expertise openly. And in doing so, Sarah and Whitney make it easy to dig deep and get real about the facts of perinatal mental health, fostering discussions about the raw realities of motherhood. Not only will Previa Alliance Podcast listeners walk away from each episode with a sense of belonging, they’ll also be armed with evidence-based tools for healing, coping mechanisms, and the language to identify the signs and symptoms of PMADs — the necessary first steps in a path to treatment. The Previa Alliance Podcast series is intended for anyone considering pregnancy, currently pregnant, and postpartum as well as the families and communities who support them.Sarah ParkhurstPrevia Alliance Podcast Co-host; Founder & CEO of Previa AllianceA postpartum depression survivor and mom to two boys, Sarah is on a mission to destigmatize the experiences of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and to educate the world on the complex reality of being a mom. Sarah has been working tirelessly to bring to light the experiences of women who have not only suffered a maternal mental health crisis but who have survived it and rebuilt their lives. By empowering women to share their own experiences, by sharing expert advice and trusted resources, and by advocating for health care providers and employers to provide support for these women and their families, Sarah believes as a society we can minimize the impact of the current maternal mental health crisis, while staving off future ones. Whitney Gay Previa Alliance Podcast Co-host; licensed clinician and therapist For the past ten years, Whitney has been committed to helping women heal from the trauma of a postpartum mental health crisis as well as process the grief of a miscarriage or the loss of a baby. She believes that the power of compassion paired with developing critical coping skills helps moms to heal, rebuild, and eventually thrive. In the Previa Alliance Podcast series, Whitney not only shares her professional expertise, but also her own personal experiences of motherhood and recovery from grief. Follow us on Instagram @Previa.Alliance