Our interview today is the perfect example of why I created this podcast. I walked away from my talk with Dr. Jenny Wang feeling very emotional, moved, and inspired. As Asian Americans, we both have commonalities in our upbringing, yet each have a very special story that is our own.  Dr. Wang shares with us what her purpose-driven journey has looked like over the years, and gives a unique and powerful explanation of mental health.

Dr. Jenny Wang is a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and national speaker on Asian American mental health and racial trauma in the Asian American community. Her work focuses on the intersection of Asian American identity, mental health, and social justice. She is the founder of the Asians for mental health community. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Intergenerational trauma
• Experiencing the professional world as an Asian American woman
• The idea of shame in the Asian culture
• Encouraging and reframing ideas around conflict
• The complex relationship between us and our elders
• Strategies to help our communities in crisis
• Talking to our children about race

Connect with Dr. Wang:

• jennywangphd.com
• Instagram: @asiansformentalhealth

For full show notes and more resources, head to mommy-diary.com/podcast. Connect with me on Instagram @mommydiary.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I recently contracted COVID-19. I tested positive after taking a trip to Seattle to visit my parents. We wore masks, sanitized, and took all the precautions we knew how to. However, I know now that traveling still comes with risk no matter how prepared you are.

In today's episode I want to share with you where I believe I contracted the virus and the moment I knew I needed to take a test. I'll describe what my first symptoms were and how they progressed over time. The virus slowly made it's way through my family with the exception of my youngest kids. Luckily we are all okay and almost fully recovered after experiencing mild cases. Stay safe and continue to wear your masks friends!

For full show notes, head to mommy-diary.com/podcast. Connect with me on Instagram @mommydiary. 

No matter how many books you read and classes you take, becoming a mother is not something anyone can prepare you for. My guest, Michelle Tangeman, wholeheartedly agrees. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Michelle was likely more informed than most women about raising babies. That is why she was surprised to find out she was experiencing postpartum depression.

We can both agree the scariest part of PPD is the feeling that it is never going to end. I'm here to tell you that it's temporary. I'll say that again - it's temporary. Seeking support is the best thing you can do for yourself and there are so many resources available. After all, taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your family.

In this episode you'll learn:

• 3 symptoms of postpartum depression
• How dads are affected by postpartum depression
• Signs you should seek help
• Tips for mothers experiencing symptoms
• The difference between "baby blues" and postpartum depression

Connect with Michelle:

• thrivingtoddler.com
• michelletangeman.com
• Instagram: @thriving.toddler

The secret's out: peeing your pants after birth does not have to be your new state of normal. Yes, you read that correctly. I was just as surprised as you to learn that physical therapy can be the answer, and my guest, Dr. Heather Jeffcoat, is the expert. Heather is the owner of Femina Physical Therapy with 3 Los Angeles locations. She is pilates-certified and a certified fascial stretch therapist. Today she's providing us with valuable knowledge on the functions of the pelvic floor and the importance of it's health.

During this episode, Heather exploits myths about vaginal pain and the benefits of pelvic health. This is very important because she stated 9 out of 10 women have pain during sex after birth. There is no doubt that pelvic floor physical therapists are the best kept secret in medicine for moms.

In this episode we discuss:

• Normalized postpartum issues that really aren't normal
• How pelvic floor examinations are done by physical therapists
• Pain during sex after childbirth
• The four functions of the pelvic floor
• Symptoms treated by pelvic floor physical therapists

Connect with Heather:

• FeminaPT.com
• Instagram: @feminapt
• Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok: @theladypartspt
• Book: sexwithoutpainbook.com (receive 20% off with code DIARY20)

For full show notes, head to mommy-diary.com/podcast. Connect with me on Instagram @mommydiary. 

I'm so excited to be back with season two of the podcast. I hope 2021 is going well for you so far. If I'm being honest, I don't feel very refreshed, even after the holiday season. As a reminder to myself and all of you, I'm sharing some of my favorite ways to help feel refreshed in your everyday life.

We all deserve a nice comforting space to let our minds and bodies rest. Over the years I've found such peace and success with implementing rituals like essential oils, weekly decluttering, and sleep. 

In this episode I discuss:

• 8 ways to improve the flow of your life
• My favorite natural elements to bring into your home
• How to use a smudge stick to cleanse your space
• Why I use clean products
• Why I feel strongly about putting our needs first

For full show notes, head to mommy-diary.com/podcast. Connect with me on Instagram @mommydiary. 

Can you believe 2020 is almost over? What a year it's been. For me, it's been one of the most challenging years ever. With that being said, it's also been the most transformative year full of growth, gratitude, and learning. 

Today I'm reflecting on two words that led me to where I am today. These words gave me the push I needed to start my blog, my podcast, and to build a community of like-minded women who each have their own story!

In this episode, I share:

• How I've learned to hold space for myself this year, despite the constant chaos
• The effect gratitude can have on your life
• Why self-talk can affect your growth 
• My human design experience

This will be my last episode of season 1! Thank you all so much for listening. It means the world to me. I'll be back in January 2021 with fresh new episodes and some incredible guests. Until then, you can connect with me @mommydiary on Instagram and at mommy-diary.com. Happy holidays friends!

I'm grateful to have a very special guest on the show today. Her name is Celina Wright, and she is my daughter's speech therapist. She is like a part of my extended family, as she has been one of our greatest supporters during our special needs journey. 

Celina is a child of God, mother, speech therapist and advocate for people. She was introduced to the world of special needs first as a mother and then as a professional. Her oldest son, Jacob, has forever changed the course of her life and her family's life. She is indebted for his presence in her life which set into motion her growth as a mother and her passion as a speech therapist. 11 years later and she is still on fire for the field she works in. Helping families and students is a calling. She's grateful for the spaces and relationships this calling has brought her to.

This episode is extra special because Ms. Celina shares her experiences as both a professional in the world of speech therapy, and also a mother of a special needs child.  We both dive into emotions we've experienced while parenting our special needs children, and how they constantly model important lessons of empathy, patience, and joy.

In this episode, Celina and I discuss:

• The various stages of life that we go through as parents and professionals
• The important relationship between a family and their therapist
• Steps that parents should take when they feel their child needs to be evaluated 
• Advice for parents who are looking for a trusted therapist/provider for their child

Resources:

• Connect with Celina on IG @speakingwrightfromtheheart
• Connect with Angela on IG @mommydiary
• For full show notes, head to mommy-diary.com

For many of us, the year 2020 has definitely tested our mental strength in many areas of our lives. Author and therapist, Amy Morin, is on the show today to discuss the topic of mental strength, particularly during difficult times.

Amy Morin is an international bestselling author, the host of the Mentally Strong People podcast, and she lives on a sailboat in the Florida Keys. She gave one of the most popular TEDx talks of all time and she's been featured on media outlets like Good Morning America, Today, and the Hallmark Channel.

Amy shares how she accidently became an author after publishing a letter she wrote to herself during an emotional time in her life. Rather than listing out things to do when you're going through hard times, Amy shares what NOT to do. 

On this episode, Amy and I discuss:

• the difference between mental strength and mental health
• how parents can help their kids build mental strength
• gender biases 
• embracing self doubt

You can with Amy on her website, amymorinlcsw.com or on Instagram @amymorinauthor. 

For full show notes, head to mommy-diary.com/podcast!