“Just pray about it” is often offered with good intentions — but when it’s used to bypass fear, emotions, or support, it can actually make anxiety worse.

In this episode, we explore the difference between faith that supports healing and faith that unintentionally silences emotional experience. We talk about why anxiety and intrusive thoughts are nervous system responses — not spiritual failures — and how prayer can be integrated in a way that honors both faith and emotional honesty.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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Being told to “stop overthinking” can feel frustrating — especially when your mind won’t stop analyzing, evaluating, replaying, and scanning for danger. But what if overthinking isn’t the real problem? What if it’s a signal pointing to something deeper?

In this episode, Susannah explains why the mind gets stuck in mental loops during early motherhood, why logical solutions don’t calm emotional discomfort, and how “overthinking” is often a sign of unprocessed feelings rather than too many thoughts. You’ll learn how to recognize rumination for what it is — a safety behavior — and how to shift into choices that support genuine emotional freedom.

What We Explore in This Episode

• Why early motherhood creates the perfect storm for overthinking

• How emotional suppression fills your “internal tank” and triggers anxious thoughts

• Why the content of your worries often has nothing to do with the feelings underneath

• Rumination as a mental safety behavior — and why it keeps you stuck

• How to interrupt the rumination cycle using three simple, repeatable steps

• Why moving against fear is one of the most powerful parts of healing

What You'll Take Away

Overthinking isn’t a character flaw or a sign that something is wrong with you — it’s a coping strategy your mind learned to use when emotions felt overwhelming or unsafe. True healing comes from reconnecting with your body, fully allowing and feeling your emotions, and choosing actions that reflect your values rather than your mind's fear.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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What You’ll Learn:

We’ve all heard it: “Just don’t think about it.”
It’s the kind of advice people give when they don’t know what else to say — but for moms struggling with anxiety or intrusive thoughts, it’s not helpful. It can actually make things worse.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why “just don’t think about it” doesn’t work, what’s really happening in your brain when you try to push thoughts away, and what you can do instead.

• Why trying not to think about something makes it come back stronger

• How the postpartum brain amplifies worry and fear

• What intrusive thoughts actually mean (and what they don’t)

• What’s really happening when you can’t stop thinking about something

• What to do instead of fighting your thoughts

  
  

Key Takeaway

Trying to control your mind only keeps you stuck.
Freedom comes from learning to respond differently — not from thinking less, but from no longer fearing thoughts.

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Have you ever filled out a postpartum screener — like the PHQ-9 or EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale)— and walked away feeling more anxious than before? You’re not alone.

In this episode, Susannah Long Fowler, LMFT and early motherhood anxiety coach, explores how these widely used “check-the-box” tools can unintentionally make moms feel broken instead of supported.

You’ll learn:

• The surprising history of these screeners (including Pharma’s role).

• Why the stats about their “validity” might not be as solid as they seem.

• The two traps moms fall into: fearing what they’re already experiencing, or fearing what they might experience.

• How these forms can reinforce fear around experiencing ANY emotional change - while doctors often use them to quickly screen for high-risk patients.

Takeaway: Nothing is wrong with you for struggling during one of life’s biggest transitions. You deserve more than a checklist.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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In this episode, I reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the rise of political violence in America, and the tragedies of recent school shootings in 2025 that have left many of us grieving and afraid. As mothers, we’re asking how to raise resilient kids in a broken world, how to navigate motherhood and fear, and how to parent through tragedy without being consumed by anxiety. Together we’ll talk about faith and mental health, the spiritual crisis in America, and why choosing hope, God’s presence, and courage over fear can shape not only our mental wellness but the future of our children.

Over the past couple of weeks, our country has been shaken by tragedy after tragedy — from school shootings to public acts of violence, and most recently, the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

In this episode:

• Why these events reveal something deeper than politics — a spiritual and moral illness in our culture.

• The role of fear and lack of spirituality in fueling violence and despair.

• What we can learn from Charlie Kirk’s courage to speak boldly, even in the face of extreme opposition, whether you agreed with his politics or not.

• How to sit with the very real fear so many moms are carrying right now — and how to shift that fear into faith and resilience.

• Why healing ultimately begins within yourself and in your home, and how mothers play a vital role in raising children who value life.

This is not an easy episode, but it’s an important one. We’re going to talk about some hard things, and we’re going to talk about hope — because that always exists.

My prayer is that you leave this episode grounded, comforted, and reminded that every act of love you bring into your home matters.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

Have you ever reached out for help during postpartum or early motherhood, only to feel like the support you received completely missed the mark? Maybe the advice felt generic, dismissive, or just didn’t land.

In this episode of Postpartum Changed My Life, I’m unpacking why so much postpartum mental health support can feel tone-deaf — and how to recognize when it’s happening. I’ll also share what to look for in a therapist or coach and how to find the kind of attuned, compassionate care and guidance you actually deserve.

Because moms aren’t broken. The support system is. And it’s time for that to change.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why lived experience matters when supporting mothers through postpartum anxiety, depression, and identity shifts

• How surface-level strategies and dismissive language can deepen shame and cause moms to shut down

• Red flags that the support you’re receiving isn’t the right fit (and what to look for instead)

• How to advocate for yourself and find truly attuned and aligned maternal mental health and emotional wellness support

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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If you've been on the journey of healing from postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts, you know that recovery isn't a straight line. In this episode, we're diving into one of the most crucial yet challenging aspects of healing: navigating setbacks with the right mindset.

We're rejecting the mainstream narrative that tells you setbacks mean failure, or that you're "stuck" with experiencing intrusive thoughts and intense anxiety forever - and instead exploring how these moments can become your greatest teachers. This is about fundamentally changing your relationship with the ups and downs of recovery.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠

What You'll Learn

• Why setbacks are actually a normal part of brain rewiring during recovery
• The mindset trap that keeps you stuck in shame and self-criticism after difficult days
• How to shift from "Why is this happening again?" to "What is this here to teach me?"
• The difference between a temporary setback and actual regression
• Why comparison steals your ability to see your own progress
• The reasons behind why your brain defaults to old patterns when stressed

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Katie Lakvold of @gracefilled_ministries, the creator of the Grace-Filled Postpartum Journal. Katie opens up about her own postpartum journeys—the joys, the grief, and the unexpected moments of spiritual growth that followed. Together, we explore how God uses the tender, raw, and often overwhelming experiences of early motherhood to refine us, stretch us, and begin healing the parts of us that we didn't even know were wounded.

This is a conversation for any mom who’s ever asked, “Why is this so hard? Why is this happening to me?” and “Where is God in this?” You’ll leave feeling less alone—and maybe even with a more empowered perspective - one that will enable you to stay in courage and move forward trusting that a newer, brighter, more healed version of you is already unfolding.

In this episode, we discuss:

• ​Katie’s postpartum experiences and how they shaped her faith
• ​The creation of the Grace Filled Postpartum Journal
• ​Why motherhood is not a detour from spiritual growth—but the path itself
• ​How God uses our challenging and painful postpartum experiences for deeper healing and transformation
• ​The invitation to surrender, rest, and receive grace in motherhood

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠

Resources Mentioned:

• ​Grace Filled Ministries
• ​Grace -Filled Postpartum Journal

Connect with Katie:

Instagram: @gracefilled_ministries

Katie's Bio

Katie Lakvold is a devoted wife, mother of four (including twins), and the founder of Grace-Filled Ministries. Drawing from her own diverse postpartum journeys—an emergency cesarean, a successful VBAC, and a twin pregnancy that pushed her beyond expectations—Katie understands the complexities and challenges new mothers face.Her experiences revealed a universal truth: moms often say they’re “fine” even when they struggle to recognize their own needs. This realization inspired her to create The Grace-Filled Postpartum Journal, a 12-month well-being journal designed to help new and seasoned moms track their mental, emotional, and spiritual health with simplicity and grace.Through her work, Katie seeks to remind mothers that they are seen, loved, and never alone—especially by our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. She hopes her journal will nurture self-awareness and self-advocacy in a season often defined by exhaustion and isolation, offering mothers a lasting resource for reflection and a reminder of the beauty and strength found in motherhood.

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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