In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jacob Ambrose for a deep and compassionate conversation about navigating complicated family dynamics—especially during the holiday season. We explore why boundaries are essential, what healthy ones actually look like, and how to honor your needs without burning bridges.

Dr. Jay also walks us through why cutting off family isn’t always the only—or healthiest—solution, and how forgiveness, nuance, and emotional maturity can help guide our decisions. Together, we talk about repairing relationships, protecting your peace, and the importance of connection and community when things feel messy or overwhelming.

Whether you’re heading into the holidays feeling anxious, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this episode offers grounded, realistic guidance to help you show up authentically and care for yourself along the way.

In this episode, we dive into Ana’s very real and very scary experience in the NICU—and what it took for her family to survive it. She shares what those early days looked like, how she coped in the moment, and the ways the NICU journey continued to shape her life in the years that followed. We’re also joined by Dr. Celeste Poe, NICU psychologist at Stanford, who offers expert insight into the emotional impact of NICU stays, why parents often feel the way they do, and the tools that truly help families get through one of the most overwhelming chapters of their lives. Whether you’re currently in the NICU, supporting someone who is, or seeking to better understand this experience, this episode provides validation, guidance, and hope.

More people than ever are choosing not to have kids and it’s not always for the reasons you might think. In this episode of Not Your Mother’s Therapist, Dr. Marissa Eusebio and Dr. Ana Abu-Rus unpack the many factors that go into the decision to have (or not have) children. From personal values and financial realities to mental health and societal pressure. Whether you’re child-free by choice, on the fence, or deep in parenthood and just curious about this growing trend, this conversation offers empathy, insight, and zero judgment.