Shows
Mommy Brain Revisited57. Prolactin and Thermoregulation in PregnancyPregnancy isn’t just about a baby bump—it’s also a massive hormonal and physiological shift, including how the body regulates temperature.In this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited, I’m joined by Dr. Rosie Brown, a Senior Lecturer and Group Leader at the University of Otago in New Zealand. We dive into the hormone prolactin—its role in motherhood and the brain—and explore her team’s groundbreaking research on how prolactin helps regulate body temperature during pregnancy. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on all things prolactin and parenting!For more information on Dr Brown’s...2025-07-0429 minMommy Brain Revisited56. Postpartum Brain ChangesIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Prof Dr Natalya Chechko, a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy at Aachen University. We talk about her recent research investigating maternal brain changes and mental health. We also talk about the neuroendocrine factors that may be involved and how to visualize them in the human brain. Fascinating research! Enjoy. For more information on Dr Chechko’s research see here .Here is a link to her recent . 2025-05-1526 min
Chill Like a Mother PodcastMental Load, Memory Fog, and the Myth of “Mommy Brain” with neuroscientist Dr. Jodi PawluskiSend us a textYou walk into a room, forget why, stand there blinking like a confused Sims character. Then you start spiralling: Is my brain broken? Is this what motherhood does?!If that moment feels freakishly familiar, this episode is your official permission slip to stop blaming your brain - and start understanding it.In this illuminating convo on Chill Like a Mother, Kayla Huszar chats with neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski to dismantle the myth of “mommy brain” as a bad thing. Instead, you’ll learn how your brain is actually doing someth...2025-05-0632 min
Grow Yourself UpEp 130: Secure Attachment, Postpartum and Growing up in Motherhood with Jodi Pawluski (Re-release)In this episode Cath was joined by Dr Jodi Pawluski, they talked about Jodi’s path to motherhood, her postpartum time, how she prepared for this time and how her own parents’ support impacted her.Jodi shares a bit about her family history, about the partnership she has with her husband in parenting and how her own work and knowledge of the brain supports her in her mothering role. Dr Jodi Pawluski is a Behavioural Neuroscientist, Psychotherapist and Author. Her research is affiliated with a research unit of the INSERM institute, the University of Re...2025-04-2253 minMommy Brain Revisited55. Emotion Regulation and the Maternal BrainIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Katie Haigler, a graduate student at Penn State, about her research detailing how the maternal brain processes infant and adult emotion cues - aiding in our understanding of emotion regulation in parents. Interesting!For more about Katie’s research seehttps://hhd.psu.edu/contact/katherine-haigler Here is a direct link to the paper we talk about.2025-04-0433 minMommy Brain Revisited54. Caregiving and the Paternal BrainIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Prof Wendy Saltzman, who is in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, Riverside. We talk about her research detailing how caregiving affects the paternal brain and how fascinating parenting is in many species! For more about her research see :https://profiles.ucr.edu/wendy.saltzmanFor a direct link to her lab website see :https://sites.google.com/site/saltzmanlaboratory/2025-03-0737 minMommy Brain Revisited53. Brain Changes Across PregnancyIn this episode I talk with Dr Laura Pritschet about her recent research detailing how the brain changes across pregnancy. It’s a fascinating study!
Dr Pritschet is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. For more about her see: https://www.pennlinc.io/team/laura-pritschet
The study we talk about:
Pritschet L, Taylor CM, Cossio D, Faskowitz J, Santander T, Handwerker DA, Grotzinger H, Layher E, Chrastil ER, Jacobs EG. Neuroanatomical changes observed over the course of a human pregnancy. Na...2025-02-0746 min
TUBA | entrepreneuriat, organisation, astuces solopreneur, stratégie, business, mindset entrepreneur, freelance, structuration, échec#54 - Maternité et entrepreneuriat : Comment se réinventer après un gros échec professionnel ? | Mélanie LevalloisMaternité ou carrière : pourquoi choisir ? Mélanie s'est posé la question, comme beaucoup de femmes, avant de réaliser qu'il était possible de conjuguer les deux… mais pas sans embûches. Dans cet épisode, elle nous raconte son parcours semé d’interrogations, de doutes et de fails, qui l’ont menée à réinventer son projet pro après la naissance de son enfant. Mélanie est coach carrière et experte en maternité. Elle accompagne les jeunes mamans dans leur transition professionnelle et personnelle, en leur offrant des outils pour réconcilier vie pro et vie perso sa...2024-12-1049 minMommy Brain Revisited52. Oxytocin and Baby CriesIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited, I talk with Dr Silvana Valtcheva, a Junior Group Leader at University of Cologne in the Faculty of Medicine, about her recent work on oxytocin and it’s role in the maternal brain and behaviour.
For more about Dr Valtcheva’s research see: www.valtchevalab.com
Paper we talk about: Valtcheva S*#, Issa HA*, Bair-Marshall CJ, Martin KA, Jung K, Zhang Y, Kwon HB, Froemke RC#, Neural circuitry for maternal oxytocin release induced by infant cries. 2023 Nature. Sep;621(7980):788-795. (*co-first author; #co-corresponding auth...2024-11-0149 min
The Art of Parenting172: The Science of Mommy Brain. With Jodi PawluskiIs 'Mommy Brain' real or just a myth? Listen in and discover the science behind it with my guest, Jodi Pawluski! Click here for the show notes and extra resources. So often the ‘Mommy Brain’ gets a bad wrap, but did you know everything happens for a reason!? Today I’m talking with a neuroscientist to understand the science of the mommy brain better. What We Talked About: The brain changes that occur in mothers during parenthood Societal and environmental pressures that disproportionately affect mothers Effects of perinata...2024-10-1742 min
Unsung HistoryA History of Postpartum Depression in the United StatesIn his bestselling childcare manual American pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock advised new moms:“If you begin to feel at all depressed, go to a movie, or to the beauty parlor, or to get yourself a new hat or dress.” Although puerperal insanity had been a recognized diagnosis at the end of the 19th Century, doctors in the early 20th century dismissed the postpartum onset of psychiatric symptoms as “pure coincidence.” It would take decades of activism by both parent groups and clinicians for the effects of postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis to be recognized and studied, with limited federal funding...2024-09-3042 minMommy Brain Revisited51. Dad BrainIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited, I talk with Dr Darby Saxbe, Professor of Psychology at USC Dornslife.
We talk about her recent work on how brain changes in fathers may reflect parenting engagement and mental health risk. Fascinating!
For more about Dr Saxbe see https://dornsife.usc.edu/nestlab/current-members/
Her book ‘Dad Brain’ will be out in 2026! Can't wait!
Paper we talk about: Saxbe D, Martínez-García M. Cortical volume reductions in men transitioning to first-time fatherhood reflect both parent...2024-09-0629 minMommy Brain Revisited50. Birth and the BrainIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Susana Carmona, Research Scientist at the Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain.
We talk about her recent research on how a mother’s brain changes from late pregnancy to the early postpartum published in Nature Neuroscience early this year.
Fascinating research and the first of its kind!
For more about Dr Carmona see: https://neuromaternal.es/
Her book is available in Spanish and title...2024-09-0627 minMommy Brain Revisited49. Nesting and NeuronsIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Nicolas Renier, the Team Leader of the Laboratory of Structural Plasticity at the Paris Brain Institute.
We talk about his work on the neural mechanisms modulating nest building in mice during pregnancy. A fascinating study with amazing neuroscience techniques.
We also talk about the value of using pregnancy as a model to understand neurophysiological processes, the important role of pregnancy in remodeling certain parts of the brain, what progesterone can do to neurons and more. Fascinating!
2024-07-0551 minMommy Brain Revisited48. Growing a Social BrainIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Shir Atzil an Assistant Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
We discuss her recent Perspective in Nature Human Behaviour titled ‘Growing A Social Brain’. A must read!
We talk about the importance of a caregiver or caregivers in growing a social brain, what happens when infants are more challenging or parents are struggling, and the fact that the parental brain is actually in charge of two brains.
You won’t want to miss this one!
For more information on Dr Atzil see https://www.atzillab.com/
Here is a link...2024-06-0753 min
The Good Enough Mother108. Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Transform Our Mothering, with Dr. Jennifer Hacker PearsonIn this episode, we speak to the PhD-qualified Neuroscientist, psychotherapist, meditation teacher, maternal mental wellbeing consultant, international speaker, author, and host of the podcast ‘Mama, Unleashed!’, Dr Jennifer Hacker Pearson. Within this conversation we delve into the fascinating world of neuroplasticity, the maternal brain, and how all of this information can be relevant in practical ways to our daily lives as mothers. Dr Jen explains how our brains continuously adapt and change in response to both internal and external stimuli. We explore the concept of self-directed neuroplasticity, and how we can begin to reshape our neural pathways. In this episode you’...2024-05-1538 minMommy Brain Revisited47. Bonding with Bump: Interoception and PregnancyIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Catherine Preston, an Associate Professor at the University of York. We talk about body sensations in pregnancy, trusting your perinatal body, bonding to bump, birth experience, and more.
We also talk about the need to focus our research on pregnancy and importance of understanding the connection between interoception and the maternal brain in health and illness.
For more information on Dr Preston’s research see https://www.york.ac.uk/psychology/staff/academicstaff/cp1039/
Here is a link to the paper that we talk about: https://www.sciencedirect.com/sc...2024-05-0356 minMommy Brain Revisited46. A Model of Perinatal Mental IllnessIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Danielle Stolzenberg, an Associate Professor at UC Davis, about the nonhormonal basis of parenting, modelling perinatal mental illness, and the 51 Foundation which she started.
We also talk about the need to understand current treatments for perinatal mental illness (particularly SSRIs) and the importance of funding research in females. Yes!
For more information on Dr Stolzenberg see https://psychology.ucdavis.edu/people/dstolzen
Here is a link to the paper that we talk about: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34674243/
2024-04-0552 min
Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica HochmanEp 121: “Mommy brain”! what it is and how to offer support, with Jodi Pawluski, neuroscientist and psychologistSend us a textEpisode 121 of Ask Dr Jessica with Jodi Pawluski, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses how we can support mothers throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period. She explains the concept of the 'mommy brain', and how the brain adapts to the demands of motherhood. Jodi emphasizes the importance of understanding the normal range of emotions during pregnancy and postpartum. She also discusses the importance of sleep and self-care, nutrition, movement and exercise, social interaction and the importance of mental health support, and therapy for postpartum depression. TakeawaysSleep is cr...2024-01-2937 min
Momwell208: What Causes Mommy Brain? with Dr. Jodi Pawluski, neuroscientist, psychotherapist and authorThe stereotype of mushy “mommy brain” is a reality for many of us, full of brain fog and forgetfulness. But is it really a fair assessment, or one steeped in gender norms? What if mommy brain doesn’t mean we’re less sharp—what if it’s our body telling us we’re at capacity? Today, I’m joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski, author of Mommy Brain, to break down the factors at play behind maternal brain fog, the connection to mental health, and the role of the invisible load.Show notes: https://bit.ly/48xRsYp...2024-01-1749 min
Mommy Brain Revisited45. Mom PowerIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Maria Muzik and Dr. Katherine Rosenblum about Mom Power, a parenting intervention they developed, and how it impacts parents and the parental brain. Both are Professors in the Departments Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology, as well as Co-Directors of Zero To Thrive & Women and Infant Mental Health Program at the University of Michigan.
We talk about the development of Mom Power, it’s core components and the research supporting the importance of this group intervention. We also talk about attachment, the importance of nature, and building ‘strong root...2023-12-0459 min
Mommy Brain Revisited44. Neural Remodeling during PregnancyIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr Jonny Kohl, Group Leader, State-Dependent Neural Processing Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
We talk about his new research on how the hormones of pregnancy affect specific neurons in the MPOA that essential for parenting. It’s a fascinating new finding and provides valuable insight into the neuroendocrine factors governing parental care.
We also talk about whether or not we should be using reproductively experienced females more in general neuroscience research because of the long-term impact of pregnancy on the brain, the importance of...2023-11-0639 minGrow Yourself UpEp 72: Secure Attachment, Postpartum and Growing up in Motherhood with Jodi PawluskiIn this episode Cath was joined by Dr Jodi Pawluski, they talked about Jodi’s path to motherhood, her postpartum time, how she prepared for this time and how her own parents’ support impacted her.Jodi shares a bit about her family history, about the partnership she has with her husband in parenting and how her own work and knowledge of the brain supports her in her mothering role. Dr Jodi Pawluski is a Behavioural Neuroscientist, Psychotherapist and Author. Her research is affiliated with a research unit of the INSERM institute, the University of Renne...2023-10-3153 min
Your Anxious ChildMommy Brain: Discover the amazing power of the maternal brain-Interview with Jodi Pawluski, Ph.DThe brain changes that happen as a result of pregnancy is a fascinating topic. Dr Pawluski is one of the leading authorities on this topic. We talk about her book Mommy Brain in which she discusses how the brain changes as a result of pregnancy and how the transition to parenthood does not get the recognition that it deserves. She also sets the record straight about what actually happens to a mother's memory during pregnancy. Most importantly she highlights the amazing ways the brain adapts to the task of having a child. Jodi Pawluski, PhD is...2023-10-2351 min
Mommy Brain Revisited43. Attachment and Neural SynchronyIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr. Pascal Vrticka, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Essex. We talk about all thing’s attachment and neural synchrony in mother-child and father-child dyads.
We also talk about attachment parenting and how our beliefs about parenting can impact how our brain functions. Fascinating!
Don’t miss this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited. It will
make you rethink about how the parental brain is working and why!
For more information on Dr Vrticka’s work: https://pvrticka.com/
...2023-10-0554 min
Mommy Brain Revisited42. ZuranoloneIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr. Kristina
M. Deligiannidis, MD, Professor, Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Director, Women’s Behavioral Health, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Professor, Psychiatry, Molecular Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, USA.
We talk about her research on the development of neurosteroid treatments for postpartum depression.
In particular we talk about her work on the new FDA approved oral medication for postpartum depression – Zuranolone as well as some practical information on Zuranolone, itself.
Do...2023-09-0455 min
Many MindsMatrescence and the brain Scientists who study the mind and brain have always been drawn to periods of intense change—to those life stages marked by rapid transformation. Infancy is one of those periods, of course. Adolescence is another. But there's a less-discussed time of life when our brains and minds have to reconfigure: the window surrounding when we become parents. My guests today are Dr. Winnie Orchard and Dr. Jodi Pawluski. Winnie is a cognitive neuroscientist and postdoctoral scholar at the Yale Child Study Center. Jodi is a neuroscientist, author, and podcaster affiliated with the University of Rennes in France. Bot...2023-07-271h 18
Mommy Brain Revisited41. Fatherhood, Neurosteroids, and FishIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr. Devaleena
Pradhan, Associate Professor of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology and Physiology at Idaho State University, USA.
We talk about fatherhood, the neural mechanisms mediating parenting, the origins of parenting behaviors and more.
We also talk about her research on parenting in sex-changing fish and what we can learn from them.
Don’t miss this episode. It will make you rethink sex/gender and parenting!
For more information on Dr Pradhan’s wo...2023-07-1155 min
Health After 30 - Women's Holistic HealthNavigating Baby Brain w/ Dr Jodi PawluskiAre you a mother who feels like her brain existed with the placenta? Then this episode is for you!
Today I talk with Dr Jodi Pawluski and we delve into the remarkable world of motherhood and get the perspective of what's happening to our brains, which is commonly referred to as baby brain or mommy brain.
Join us to discover the inherent challenges faced by mothers and the profound impact on their brain. We talk about the notion that motherhood should never be tackled alone and that the brain...2023-06-1341 min
Mommy Brain Revisited40. Mindfulness and the Parental BrainIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr. Tara Chaplin, Associate Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, USA. We talk about parenting, mindfulness, and the parental brain. We also talk about the importance of mindfulness in terms of parenting tweens and teens, how mindfulness helps empower parents to parent with intention (wow!), and her ongoing research in this area. Don’t miss this episode on Mommy Brain Revisited. It will make you want to be more mindful!
Download the publication that we talk about here: Affective Neural Mechanisms of a Pa...2023-06-0554 min
Mommy Brain Revisited39. Oxytocin Neurons and AlloparentingIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Dr. Robert Froemke, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Skirball
Professor of Genetics, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at New York University. We talk about oxytocin neurons, learning to parent and
alloparenting. We also talk about the importance of experience with offspring, making mistakes, and ‘mouse midwifery’. Don’t
miss this episode on Mommy Brain. So interesting!
Download the publication in Nature that we talk about here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34381215/
For more information on Dr Froemke’s work: https://med.nyu.edu...2023-05-0255 min
Mommy Brain Revisited38. Mommy Brain in the USAIn this episode of Mommy Brain Revisited I talk with Valerie Miller, a PhD candidate in Anthropology at Purdue University. We talk about her
recent research on ‘Mommy Brain’ in the USA and the importance of studying how moms feel and the cultural factors that can influence mommy brain and motherhood. You won't want to miss this episode!
Download the publication here: https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/etho.12381
Citation: Valerie Miller, Marcy Price-Crist. Mommy brain in the United States. First published: 18 January 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/etho.12381
2023-04-0357 min
Entering Motherhood: Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Support129. The History of Women’s HealthMarch is Women's History Month and in this episode we briefly cover the history of women’s health in American the culture. It's fascinating to look at history and see what it has taught us. This knowledge can be used to build off of and create new outcomes for the future.
The Farmer and the obstetrician
Postpartum University
Episode 110 - Shelley Rahim
Episode 116 - Dr. Jodi Pawluski
3 Postpartum Freebies
Connect more with The Entering Motherhood Podcast:
Instagram: entering_motherhood and sarah_marie_bilger
Facebook...2023-03-2919 min
Reflective Parenting by Curious NeuronChelsea Conaboy & Dr. Jodi Pawluski: How our brain changes when we become parentsSend us a textIn today’s episode, we are joined by Chelsea Conaboy & Dr. Jodi Pawluski. We discuss all things parent brain - if you’re not sure what that is, this episode is for you.Why is it important to talk about the postpartum period and the brain?Is “mommy brain” negative?Does parenting keep you young?Does a father or non-birthing parent’s brain change when their child is born?Is parental leave adequate around the world?What is the “perfect mother myth”Do we really need the village to raise our children?Is it normal t...2023-03-1348 min