Advertise on podcast: Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. What happens when the host becomes the guest? In this special Season 1 finale of Perinatal and Reproductive Perspectives, editor Oumar sits down with host Becky Morrison-Gleed to look back on the conversations, stories, and insights that shaped the first season. Together, they reflect on the themes that emerged across the series, the moments that stayed with Becky, what she has learned from the guests she interviewed, and why creating space for diverse perspectives in perinatal and reproductive health matters. It’s a chance to step behind the microphone, revisit the journey so far, and consider what these conversations can teach us as we look ahead to the next season. Thank you for being part of Season 1—and for listening, learning, and sharing these perspectives with us. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. In this episode, Sharon Covington explores the clinical dimensions of fertility counseling and the essential role counseling plays throughout the fertility care journey. She discusses how clinicians can support patients as they navigate complex diagnoses, treatment decisions, uncertainty, and the emotional challenges that often accompany infertility and fertility treatment. Drawing on her expertise in reproductive health and counseling, Sharon offers practical insights into integrating psychosocial care with medical treatment, communicating effectively with patients, and recognizing the clinical considerations that can shape the counseling process. Whether you are a fertility specialist, mental health professional, nurse, embryologist, or other member of the reproductive care team, this conversation provides valuable perspective on delivering compassionate, informed, and patient-centered fertility care. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. Sharon Covington helped invent a field that didn't exist when she started. Decades before fertility counseling had a name, a curriculum, or a professional home, she was in the room with patients navigating infertility, donor conception, and the emotional weight of reproductive medicine, building the frameworks, ethics standards, and support models that the field now takes for granted. In this episode, Sharon walks us through the early days of reproductive psychology, the moments that convinced her patients needed more than medical care alone, and how she helped shape fertility counseling into the recognized profession it is today. We talk about the cases that changed her thinking, the resistance she faced along the way, and what she still wants the next generation of counselors to understand about sitting with people at some of the hardest moments of their lives. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. In 1977, a new mother in Santa Barbara named Jane Honikman couldn't find the support she needed after childbirth — so she built it herself, co-founding Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP). A decade later, on June 28, 1987, that grassroots work grew into something bigger: Postpartum Support International, founded at a landmark conference on women's mental health after childbirth that drew advocates from Canada, Australia, and across the U.S. In this episode, Jane Honikman traces PSI's evolution from a single support group into a worldwide organization spanning dozens of countries. She reflects on the two decades she spent directing PSI, the stigma she fought to dismantle around postpartum depression and anxiety, and why perinatal mental health is still a fight worth having today. Jane also shares what led her to co-found the Postpartum Action Institute in 2016, and what she'd tell a new parent — or a new advocate — starting out now. A conversation about grief, grit, and the power of one person deciding no family should go through this alone. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. Infertility conversations often center on women, but roughly half the time, male factors play a role. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Deaton joins us to break down what male factor infertility actually looks like, why it's so often overlooked, and what treatment options exist today. We talk through the emotional weight it carries for men and couples alike, and why a diagnosis isn't the end of the story. If you or someone you love is navigating this, this conversation offers both clarity and hope. Dr. Jeff Deaton is Associate Professor and Division Director of Reproductive Medicine at Wake Forest University, where he directs the Center for Fertility and Reproductive Surgery. With over 40 years in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, he's the author of When Waiting Becomes Life, a collection of stories and compassionate guidance for couples navigating infertility. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. When a pregnancy is anything but typical, the emotional weight can be overwhelming, and yet mental health support is often the last thing families are offered. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kari Millican, PsyD, LPC-S, PMH-C, Division Manager of Mental Health Therapy at Phoenix Children's Hospital, to talk about what it means to care for the whole family when a fetus or infant is medically fragile. Dr. Millican shares how Phoenix Children's is breaking new ground in perinatal mental health by walking alongside parents through some of the most frightening and uncertain moments of their lives, from a difficult prenatal diagnosis to the NICU and beyond. She speaks to the unique grief, fear, and love that coexist when your baby's life hangs in the balance, and why tending to a parent's mental health is not a luxury — it's a critical part of the child's care. Whether you're a parent living this reality, a provider supporting families in crisis, or someone who loves someone navigating a medically complex pregnancy or infant journey, this episode will leave you feeling seen, informed, and reminded that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same breath. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Leonard Lopoo to explore the concept of wantedness and its implications for reproductive health, policy, and well-being. What does it mean for individuals to achieve their reproductive goals, and how can systems, programs, and policies better support those aspirations? Drawing on his research, Dr. Lopoo discusses wantedness as a framework for understanding reproductive intentions and outcomes, highlighting the social, economic, and policy factors that shape people's ability to make and realize decisions about childbearing. Together, we examine how shifting the focus from outcomes alone to individuals' goals and preferences can lead to more person-centered approaches to reproductive health and family well-being. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on reproductive autonomy, equity, and what it takes to create conditions in which every person can pursue the future they want. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. What does it mean to build a family through openness, transparency, and connection? In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Bayen, an open sperm donor, fertility advocate, and donor-conceived entrepreneur who is helping reshape the future of donor conception. Having grown up knowing he was donor-conceived and connected with more than 20 half-siblings, Daniel brings a unique perspective to the conversation. His personal experience inspired a mission to create a more ethical, transparent, and supportive approach to family building—one that prioritizes honesty, informed choice, and lifelong connections. As an open sperm donor, Daniel has helped more than 15 families achieve healthy and intentional pregnancies. Through his work with the Open Donor Association, he has also helped connect over 100 families with open and known donors. Based in Florida and working with families across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Daniel educates recipients and donors on navigating the donor conception journey safely and thoughtfully. Join us as we discuss the realities of open sperm donation, the donor-conceived experience, the evolving fertility landscape, and why transparency matters for future generations. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. Aaisha Alvi is a writer and leading advocate for postpartum psychosis (PPP) awareness, and the author of A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis. Her memoir has earned acclaim from reproductive mental health experts and organizations including Postpartum Support International (PSI), Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), and Library Journal. Drawing from her own harrowing experience navigating a broken system in search of care, Aaisha has made it her mission to expand public and provider understanding of postpartum psychosis — working to prevent the unnecessary suffering, misdiagnosis, and tragedy that too often accompany this illness. She speaks regularly to clinical, academic, and community audiences on the misdiagnosis of PPP, and serves as an active volunteer with PSI, where her educational materials are incorporated into the organization's professional trainings. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. Pleasure during pregnancy and after birth is one of the least talked-about parts of the perinatal experience—yet it’s something so many people quietly struggle to understand or reconnect with. In this episode, Jordin Wiggins opens up an honest, judgment-free conversation about pleasure, intimacy, and the physical and emotional shifts that happen before and after baby. From changing hormones and body image to discomfort, fear, and evolving relationship dynamics, we explore why pleasure can feel so different—and sometimes out of reach—during this season of life. Jordin shares practical insights and compassionate guidance to help normalize these experiences, reduce shame, and support a more connected, informed approach to your body and relationships. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a refreshing, real look at what’s often left unsaid—and how to navigate it with confidence, curiosity, and care. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. What really happens to your body after birth—and why don’t we talk about it more honestly? In this episode, we take a “Peter Lap” approach—slowing things down, taking it all in, and moving through the postpartum body with curiosity instead of judgment. From physical recovery and hormonal shifts to body image, identity, and the pressure to “bounce back,” this conversation creates space for the full, unfiltered reality. We explore what healing actually looks like (hint: it’s not linear), how to reconnect with your body after such a transformative experience, and why redefining strength and beauty postpartum matters. Whether you’re newly postpartum, years removed, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers grounded insight, reassurance, and a reminder that your body’s story deserves respect—not rush. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. Kristin Revere is the founder and owner of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is an elite certified birth and postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and childbirth educator dedicated to supporting families through every stage of the parenting journey. Kristin is the co-author of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby and the host of the Ask the Doulas podcast. She’s also a proud mom of two and a bonus mom to one, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to her work. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. In this episode, we explore the complex, beautiful, and often overwhelming transition into motherhood through a neurodivergent lens. Joined by guest Emily Beecher, we dive into the realities that don’t always make it into parenting books or social media feeds—sensory overload, shifting identity, emotional regulation, and the pressure to meet neurotypical expectations while honoring your own needs. Emily shares her personal journey into motherhood, offering candid reflections on what surprised her most, what challenged her deeply, and what ultimately helped her find her footing. Together, we unpack how neurodivergence can shape everything from bonding and routines to burnout and self-compassion. Whether you’re newly postpartum, preparing for motherhood, or navigating this transition in your own way, this conversation offers validation, insight, and practical strategies to help you feel less alone—and more empowered to define motherhood on your own terms. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. In this episode, we speak with Wendell Honanie Jr. of the Hopi Tribe about the importance of maternal health in Indigenous communities and the unique challenges facing Native mothers today. Drawing from his experience and community perspective, Wendell shares insights into how cultural traditions, family support systems, and Tribal leadership play a role in supporting healthy pregnancies and births within the Hopi community. The conversation explores the broader landscape of maternal health across Tribal Nations, including barriers to care, the impact of historical and systemic inequities, and the ongoing work to strengthen culturally grounded healthcare for Native families. Wendell reflects on the importance of honoring traditional knowledge while building stronger health systems that support mothers, babies, and future generations. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on community resilience, the power of culture in healing, and the path toward better maternal health outcomes for Indigenous families. Support the show

Thanks for stopping by! We'd love to hear from you. In this episode, we welcome back Tami Gaines, author of Preemie Parents and mother of micro-preemie twins born at 25 weeks, for Part Two of our conversation—this time focusing on life after the NICU. After months of monitors, medical rounds, and constant vigilance, going home can feel both joyful and overwhelming. Tami shares candidly about the emotional shift that happens once the hospital safety net is gone: navigating follow-up appointments, managing ongoing medical needs, coping with anxiety, and redefining “normal” as a family. We explore the invisible weight many parents carry after discharge—the hypervigilance, the lingering trauma, and the pressure to simply feel grateful—alongside the profound resilience that continues to grow in this new chapter. Together, we discuss how families can build support, care for their own mental and spiritual health, and find steadiness in the uncertainty that can follow a NICU stay. Tami’s work has been featured in the New York Daily News, New Jersey News 12, and on dozens of podcasts and blogs, where she continues to offer hope and connection to families navigating life beyond the NICU. Support the show