336: In Conversation with Alanis Morissette and Postpartum Support International

Published: May 6, 2024, 7 a.m.

We have a very special episode to share with you today. I\u2019m deeply honored to host Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, thought leader, and wholeness advocate, Alanis Morissette! She is joined by the president and CEO of Postpartum Support International, Dr. Wendy Davis!\xa0\nAlanis found PSI as a resource when she was dealing with perinatal mental health challenges, and she has openly shared about the value of PSI resources while on tour. In addition to being a long-time, powerful presence in the music world, she has become an equally influential advocate for mental health. She has been vocal about experiencing postpartum depression, or \u201cpostpartum activity,\u201d as she has referred to it. In our conversation, she shares like never before what her experience was like, how it impacted her life, and how she has found her way to healing. Being in the public eye as a well-known performer has brought a whole other level of pressure and scrutiny to Alanis\u2019 life experiences under the bright\u2013and sometimes stinging\u2013light of celebrity.\xa0\nDr. Wendy Davis began as a volunteer with PSI in 1997, became the executive director in 2009, and later became the president and CEO. She was drawn to this work after healing from postpartum depression and has become a passionate advocate and leader in the world of perinatal mental health. I\u2019ve been privileged to see Wendy in action at PSI and work closely with her in my role as the Board Chair. Her heart-centered and help-centered approach to leadership has grown PSI into the leading perinatal mental health non-profit in the world today.\xa0\n\nShow Highlights:\n\nAlanis\u2019 struggle to balance the people-pleasing life of a celebrity with \u201cthe dark swamp of depression\u201d that nobody wanted to see or hear\n\nBeing a high-achieving perfectionist who is self-reliant and autonomous puts a person at a greater risk for postpartum depression.\n\nFiguring out the archetype of \u201cmom\u201d is a lifelong journey.\n\nMotherhood brings profound vulnerability\u2013and ALL the past traumas.\n\nAlanis\u2019 perspective: What does a struggling mother need the most? To be nurtured\n\nUnderstanding how the 90s rock and roll scene was a strongly patriarchal environment that left Alanis feeling more isolated and less connected\n\nAlanis\u2019 role today as the champion of a sisterhood that protects and micromanages on behalf of women\n\nThe immense value of someone saying, \u201cI see you.\u201d\n\nAlanis\u2019 experience with anger, rage, panic attacks, and a loss of identity\n\nTenderness, love, and empowerment in motherhood\n\nThe elements of support that were most helpful for Alanis: the appropriate medications, finding community, strong relationships, and finding a space of safety to be \u201cbroken\u201d (What didn\u2019t help was someone saying, \u201cYou\u2019re not alone.\u201d)\n\nWhat we all want: to make postpartum challenges more visible and to normalize the conversations around them\n\n\u201cWholeness over wellness\u201d\n\nAlanis\u2019 thoughts on the beauty and purity of being a mother to her children\n\nOur immense gratitude for Alanis\u2019 impact as a fierce advocate and champion of PSI\u2019s work and helpful resources\n\n\nResources:\nConnect with Alanis Morissette: Find out more about Alanis\u2019 music and events on her Website; follow Alanis on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube\nPlease find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.\xa0\nYou can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms\nVisit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.\xa0\xa0\nVisit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!