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.

In this episode, Marissa opens up about her own experience with miscarriage. A raw, honest conversation about the heartbreak of pregnancy loss and the complicated space where grief and joy coexist. Together, Marissa and Ana explore how we make sense of loss while continuing to hold onto hope, connection, and meaning. They talk about what it means to grieve openly, how to support others through loss, and the importance of giving ourselves permission to feel everything, the sadness, the guilt, the gratitude, and the love.This episode is for anyone who’s walked through pregnancy loss, supported someone who has, or simply wants to better understand the emotional landscape of grief in reproductive health. 💛

This episode dives into how our own fathers shaped our views on parenting and partnership. We talk about how modern dads are rewriting the script by showing up emotionally, physically, and mentally, but still face unique challenges and isolation in early parenthood.

In this episode, we get real about something that’s too often overlooked: what actually happens to your mental health after having a baby. We open up about how little training we received on postpartum mental health — even as psychologists — and how we had to intentionally seek out education to truly understand postpartum blues and postpartum depression.

We break down what these terms mean in real-life language, share the warning signs to look out for, and talk about why it’s so important to normalize these conversations. Whether you’re a new parent, a partner, or just someone who wants to better support the people you love, this episode will help you feel more informed, grounded, and empowered.

💛 Resources Mentioned:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI)

• Black Infant Health Program

• Men Excel