29: Moving from Surviving to Thriving in the Perinatal Period with Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich
Release Date: 04/04/2025
47: Rewiring Pain: From Velociraptors to Victory with Dr. Laura Katz
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Laura Katz, a health, rehabilitation, and clinical psychologist who's revolutionizing how we understand and treat chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. From the evolutionary biology of pain signals to groundbreaking interdisciplinary treatment approaches, Dr. Katz shares her expertise on helping women reclaim their lives from chronic pain through the power of pain science and neuroplasticity. What You'll Learn Why our pain signals haven't evolved past the "velociraptor era" and how this impacts chronic conditions The critical...
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46: PAUZ Before You Perimenopause: The Reset Your Body Is Begging For with Natalie Perkins
The Hole Shebang
Special Listener Offer Follow on Instagram and DM "hole shebang" to receive: 3 months free of the PAUZ Health community Entry to win $50 off at the PAUZ Health marketplace Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she reconnects with her former McMaster University classmate, Dr. Natalie Perkins, who traded her VP role at a major telemedicine company to launch PAUZ Health, a revolutionary platform supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. From life-threatening health scares to marriage endings to career pivots, Natalie shares her raw, authentic journey of self-discovery and how...
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45: Exhausted to Energized: Real Nutrition Talk for Real Moms with Laura Lima
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Are you tired of feeling exhausted all the time as a mom? Wondering if you'll ever feel like yourself again? This episode is your wake-up call! Join Kristen Parise as she chats with Laura Lima, a holistic nutritionist and soon-to-be mom of four, who's cracking the code on how busy moms can ditch the fatigue and reclaim their energy—without complicated meal plans or impossible routines. Laura brings real-world wisdom from the trenches of motherhood, sharing practical strategies that actually work when you're sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, and just trying to keep everyone fed...
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44: Rock Star to Pelvic Floor Revolutionary with Dr. Bruce Crawford
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Get ready for one of the most fascinating origin stories you'll ever hear! Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Bruce Crawford, the maverick urogynecologist who went from drumming in rock bands to revolutionizing pelvic floor health worldwide. This isn't your typical medical journey—it's the story of a surgeon who discovered that "It's a fitness problem, not a surgical problem" and completely transformed how we approach bladder control, prolapse, and pelvic health. From playing drums in successful rock bands to becoming the ONLY urogynecologist in the United...
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43: Body Brilliance: Connecting the Dots Between Emotional Eating, Hormones and Pelvic Health with Amber Romaniuk
The Hole Shebang
Connect with Amber Romaniuk Website: Podcast: The No Sugarcoating Podcast (available on all podcast platforms) Social Media: @AmberRomaniuk (Instagram) Free Resources: Emotional eating quiz and workshop replay available on her website Consultations: Free consultation bookings available through her website Join the Body Brilliance Workshop Date: Tuesday, July 29th Time: 2:00-3:30 pm EST Location: Online via Zoom Investment: $47 CAD Register: Can't attend live? No problem! All participants receive access to the recording. What You'll Discover in Body Brilliance: Emotional Eating & Hormonal...
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42: From Dry to Delighted - The Vaginal Moisturizer Revolution with Angelique Montano-Bresolin
The Hole Shebang
Episode Highlights 🌟 🧬 The Science Behind Midlife Changes: Discover why vaginal tissue goes from 20+ layers to just 2 post-menopause—and what you can do about it 💡 Lubes vs. Moisturizers Decoded: Finally understand the difference between "lubes for love" and "moisturizers for maintenance" 🌱 From Clinician to Entrepreneur: How a pelvic health physio created FemSense Balm after struggling to find effective products for her clients 🔬 pH Balance Matters: Learn the exact pH range (3.5-5.0) your vulvar area needs to stay healthy and infection-free 🩺 Beyond Menopause: Why...
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41: Exercise as Medicine: Stroke, Recovery, Strength Training, and Healthy Aging with Dr. Ada Tang
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Ada Tang, a physiotherapist, professor, and researcher at McMaster University who's transforming how we think about exercise for stroke survivors and older adults. From her unexpected journey from clinical practice to groundbreaking research, Ada shares evidence-based insights on how the right exercise can be life-changing medicine for recovery, independence, and healthy aging. What You'll Learn Why aerobic exercise should be a standard part of stroke rehabilitation (just like cardiac rehab) The surprising benefits of...
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40: Beyond the Numbers - How Retirement Planning Affects Your Mental Health & Soul with Gillian Stovel Rivers
The Hole Shebang
Episode Summary In this final installment of our three-part financial wellness series, Kristen and Gillian dive deep into retirement planning—but not in the way you'd expect. While we cover the essential numbers (spoiler: Canadians need $1.5-1.7 million for comfortable retirement), this conversation explores the profound connection between financial security and mental wellbeing in your golden years. From understanding why social isolation hits retirees as hard as smoking and obesity, to discovering how whole life insurance can become a tax-free investment vehicle, this episode challenges...
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39: Floored by the Truth: Demystifying Pelvic Health from Teens to Menopause with Dr. Sara Reardon
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise for a compelling conversation with Dr. Sara Reardon, pelvic floor physical therapist and author of the groundbreaking book "Floored." Dr. Reardon challenges the dangerous myths surrounding pelvic health, from the misconception that Kegels are a universal solution to the harmful narrative that pelvic floor dysfunction is just part of aging and motherhood. This episode is a rallying cry for women's health advocacy and a comprehensive guide to understanding your pelvic floor at every life stage. What You'll Learn Why balance, not strengthening or relaxing, is...
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38: The Scoop on Kids Poop: The Secret World of Pediatric Pelvic Health with Clare Bourne
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she dives into the often-overlooked world of pediatric pelvic health with Clare Bourne, a London-based pelvic health physiotherapist and author. From bedwetting misconceptions to constipation crises, Clare shares her expertise on helping children and families navigate pelvic floor challenges while breaking down the shame and taboos that often surround these essential bodily functions. What You'll Learn Why potty training should be viewed as a developmental process, not a quick fix The surprising connection between constipation and...
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Episode Description
In this powerful episode of The Hole Shebang, host Kristen Parise sits down with Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich, a clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health, sex and couples therapy. Together they explore the often unspoken challenges of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life. Dr. Buch-Frohlich shares insights from both her professional expertise and personal experiences, offering valuable guidance for couples navigating the complex emotional terrain of new parenthood. From redefining intimacy after baby to processing birth trauma and managing postpartum emotions, this conversation breaks the silence on topics many suffer through alone.
About Our Guest
Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich is a Clinical Psychologist licensed with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and Quebec. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and clinical training at the Sex and Couple Therapy Service at the Allen Memorial Institute. Dr. Buch-Frohlich provides inclusive Sex and Couples Therapy using a combination of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She specializes in helping couples navigate communication challenges, infidelity, and transitions into parenthood, from fertility to perinatal and postpartum care.
Key Takeaways
- Perinatal mental health issues are far more common than most people realize
- The postpartum period should be treated as a survival period before thriving can begin
- Both partners may experience birth trauma, though often in different ways
- Self-care is essential for new parents and should not be viewed as selfish
- The pressure to "bounce back" after pregnancy is unrealistic and harmful
- Intimacy can be redefined beyond sexual intercourse through emotional and physical connection
- Communication is key to maintaining intimacy and navigating challenges in relationships
- Processing emotions like anger is healthy; it's the behaviors that need to be appropriate
- Prioritizing your relationship during parenthood is vital for long-term success
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Perinatal Mental Health
- 03:04 The Journey of a Clinical Psychologist
- 05:57 Navigating Emotional Changes in Pregnancy
- 09:04 Creating a Supportive Environment for Couples
- 11:48 Surviving the Postpartum Period
- 14:57 The Pressure to Bounce Back
- 17:59 Self-Care Strategies for New Parents
- 21:03 Resuming Intimacy After Baby
- 24:02 Communication and Intimacy in Relationships
- 26:41 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability
- 27:34 Understanding Birth Trauma and Its Impact
- 30:03 Preparing for Birth: Communication and Expectations
- 32:10 Processing Trauma Together: The Partner's Perspective
- 33:53 Navigating Anger and Reconnection Postpartum
- 35:56 Self-Care Strategies for New Parents
- 39:34 Emotional Regulation and Healthy Expression
- 43:14 Resources for Postpartum Support
- 45:29 Prioritizing Relationships in Parenthood
Resources Mentioned
- Big Little Feelings (Instagram and podcast)
- Dr. Becky Goodenstein
- Fertility Oasis/The Oasis Network (support groups for Ontario)
- Dr. Arielle's website: drarieltherapy.com
- Coming Soon: Anna and Solomon's Sex and Couples Health (launching May 2025)
Connect With Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich
- Website: Dr. Arielle website
- Coming soon: Anna and Solomon's Sex and Couples Health
- Instagram: @annaandsolomon (launching May 2025)
Connect With The Hole Shebang
- Host: Kristen Parise, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
- Clinic: Blueberry Therapy Pelvic Health and Pediatrics
- Website: The Hole Shebang
- Instagram: @blueberrytherapypelvichealth
This episode contains discussions about birth trauma, mental health challenges, and intimate relationships. While we aim to provide helpful information, this podcast is not a substitute for personalized medical or psychological care.