It Takes a Village: Supporting Moms Through the Fourth Trimester

In this episode Adri sits down with Lauren Puliz, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist and founder of Millennial Mama Therapy, to dive into the emotional and mental shifts that come with parenthood. Lauren shares her journey through matrescence, the complex and often misunderstood process of becoming a mother, and how it inspired her to create a practice that supports moms navigating this life-altering transformation. Lauren opens up about her own experience as a pandemic mom and the shocking reality of postpartum life—revealing the immense impact of identity shifts, isolation, and lack of support that many mothers face. Together, they discuss why it’s crucial to address the needs of new parents with empathy and community care, and why we need a village to support the postpartum journey. In this heart-to-heart conversation, they tackle topics like the “fourth trimester,” baby blues vs. postpartum depression, and the cultural expectations placed on mothers to have it all together. Lauren also sheds light on the brutiful (brutal + beautiful) realities of parenthood and provides practical ways for friends, family, and therapists to support new parents in meaningful ways. Whether you’re a new parent, a friend to someone expecting, or simply interested in learning more about maternal mental health, this episode is a powerful reminder that motherhood is both hard and beautiful—and that no one should have to do it alone. Guest BioLauren Pulis is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Millennial Mama Therapy, a private practice focused on maternal mental health. Inspired by her own motherhood journey, Lauren now specializes in supporting new and expecting moms as they navigate matrescence and the transformative, often challenging transition into parenthood. Lauren is passionate about creating spaces where parents feel seen, supported, and empowered to embrace all parts of their experience. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennial_mama_therapy/ Website: https://millennialmamatherapy.com/ Resources: Postpartum Support International (PSI) for maternal mental health resources and training for providers: https://www.postpartum.net/ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Lauren’s Journey 03:15 - The Realities of Postpartum: Baby Blues vs. Depression 08:30 - Matrescence: The Emotional Transition into Motherhood 12:00 - Building a Village: Why Moms Need Support 15:20 - Navigating Identity Shifts and Rediscovering Self 18:45 - Cultural Expectations and Gender Roles in Parenting 23:10 - Understanding the “Fourth Trimester” 26:30 - Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health 31:00 - How the Village Can Show Up for New Moms 36:15 - Tips for Therapists Working with New Parents 41:30 - Addressing the Myth of “Having It All Together” 46:00 - Final Reflections on the Brutiful Realities of Parenthood