Libsyn Directory

Ep. 172 - The psychology of infertility and new parenthood: A conversation with Dr. Mary Riddle

Release Date: 07/16/2026

Ep. 160 [Revised] - How to navigate perimenopause, menopause, and life’s next period with Lauren Tetenbaum

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we welcome author Lauren Tetenbaum to discuss her new book, "Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period." Lauren, a perinatal mental health specialist, shares her motivation for writing the book: a shocking realization of how little she, and many women, knew about this significant life stage. We delve into common misunderstandings surrounding perimenopause and menopause, emphasizing that symptoms like mood changes, irritability, and brain fog can begin as early as the late 30s and are often dismissed. The conversation highlights the...

Ep. 172 - The psychology of infertility and new parenthood: A conversation with Dr. Mary Riddle

Parenting Understood

In this episode, reproductive mental health expert Dr. Mary Riddle joins us to explore the psychological dimensions of infertility, new parenthood, and donor conception — drawing on both clinical expertise and her own fertility journey. Dr. Riddle reframes infertility as a genuine psychological crisis, not just a medical one and discusses reasons for dropping out of treatment. She further discusses how partners often grieve differently, and assuming otherwise creates distance. After finally conceiving, parents may face anxious pregnancies and guilt around normal feelings of ambivalence —...

Ep. 171 - Am I Losing My Mind or Is It Perimenopause? The Truth About Anxiety, ADHD, and Your Mental Health

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Agnes K. Simone, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Olea Women's Health in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Dr. Simone specializes in integrative, hormone-informed psychiatric care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and midlife — a space she says is deeply underserved. After training at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Dr. Simone noticed a recurring gap in her practice: women were coming in with new anxiety, mood changes, and cognitive concerns, yet the hormonal connection was...

Ep. 170 - Supporting Families from the Very Beginning — A Conversation with Nitzia Logothetis, Founder of the Seleni Institute

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we speak with the founder of the Seleni Institute, Nitzia Logothetis, a New York City nonprofit devoted to maternal and family mental health, about the invisible emotional toll of infertility and the gaps in women's mental health care. Founded in 2011, Seleni grew from the conviction that supporting children begins with supporting parents, and from Nitzia’s own experience discovering she had no guaranteed parental leave while pregnant and working in a community mental health clinic. Today, Seleni runs a clinic serving up to 120 patients weekly, an online resource hub...

Ep. 102 [Revisited] - How can we develop emotional self-awareness: A discussion with Dr. Marc Brackett

Parenting Understood

In this episode, Dr. Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, discusses the importance of emotional self-awareness, and explains that emotional self-awareness is the ability to identify and label our emotions. This skill is essential for understanding our own emotional states and making informed decisions. He explains that it can lead to improved mental health, stronger relationships, and better decision-making. Emotionally self-aware individuals are better able to manage their emotions, resolve conflict, and build trust with others. He further describes how the How We Feel app helps users...

Ep. 169 - Self-Care Beyond A Trip To The Spa

Parenting Understood

Michelle and Erin recorded a podcast episode discussing emotional exhaustion and burnout in parenting, focusing on the importance of mom friendships and community support. They explored how meaningful connections with other parents can provide validation, reduce stress, and benefit both parents and children, particularly during adolescence when multiple attachment figures become important. The conversation covered practical strategies for building these friendships, including starting small and being patient with the process, while also addressing how digital technology has impacted both...

Ep. 168 - Building Better Behavior Through Play with Dr. Kim

Parenting Understood

We welcome back Dr. Kim Van Dusen to Parenting Understood. Dr. Kim discusses her newly released parenting book centered on creative, play-based strategies for building better behavior and deeper connection with children, primarily targeting parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers of kids between the ages of 3 and 10. The book weaves together three evidence-based frameworks — including solution-focused therapy and positive behavior interventions — into what the author describes as a "trifecta" for more peaceful, connected parenting. A core message throughout is that children...

Ep. 20 [Revisited] - Making Parental Decisions through Data with Professor Emily Oster

Parenting Understood

We are thrilled to be re-airing our episode with Emily Oster on making parenting decisions through data. Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily’s books analyze the data behind choices on parenting and pregnancy. She is also founder and CEO of Parent Data, which provides information for parents, people who want to be parents, or anyone who likes to do their...

Ep. 37 [Revisited] - Utilizing Journalism for Parenting with Melinda Wenner Moyer

Parenting Understood

In today’s episode, we are excited to be joined by Melinda Wenner Moyer. Melinda Wenner Moyer is a contributing editor at Scientific American magazine and a regular contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, and other national magazines and newspapers. She is a faculty member in the Science, Health & Environmental Reporting program at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her first book, How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes, was published in July 2021 by J.P. Putnam’s Sons. We speak with Melinda on her research, publications, and being a mother. We also...

Ep. 167 - The Lifelong Anchor: Navigating the Messy Reality of Attachment

Parenting Understood

In this episode, after a brief hiatus, we reunite to dive deep into a topic that resonates both professionally and personally: attachment. While often discussed as a phenomenon of early infancy, we explore how attachment serves as a lifelong regulatory system. We discuss the "messy" reality of applying developmental theories to real-world parenting, the challenge of maintaining a "secure base" while fostering autonomy in adolescence, and how attachment styles are fluid and capable of change.

More Episodes

Dr. Riddle reframes infertility as a genuine psychological crisis, not just a medical one and discusses reasons for dropping out of treatment. She further discusses how partners often grieve differently, and assuming otherwise creates distance. After finally conceiving, parents may face anxious pregnancies and guilt around normal feelings of ambivalence — all of which Dr. Riddle urges parents to normalize and voice.

On postpartum mental health, she covers both depression and the under-recognized postpartum anxiety (affecting 11–21% of new mothers), encouraging parents not to let cultural pressure to appear blissful delay seeking help. Finally, Dr. Riddle advocates for early, open conversations with donor-conceived children.

Resources

Seleni Institute (seleni.org) — therapy, support groups, and educational resources for individuals and families navigating infertility, postpartum mental health, and all stages of the family-building journey
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (asrm.org) — mental health provider finder and patient resources
maryriddle.com — Dr. Riddle's research and practice information (coming soon)

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