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In Conversation with Alanis Morissette and Postpartum Support International
We have a very special episode to share with you today. I’m 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!
Alanis 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 “postpartum activity,” 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’ life experiences under the bright–and sometimes stinging–light of celebrity.
In Conversation with Alanis Morissette and Postpartum Support International Show Highlights
Alanis’ struggle to balance the people-pleasing life of a celebrity with “the dark swamp of depression” that nobody wanted to see or hear
Being a high-achieving perfectionist who is self-reliant and autonomous puts a person at a greater risk for postpartum depression.
Figuring out the archetype of “mom” is a lifelong journey.
Motherhood brings profound vulnerability–and ALL the past traumas.
Alanis’ perspective: What does a struggling mother need the most? To be nurtured
Understanding how the 90s rock and roll scene was a strongly patriarchal environment that left Alanis feeling more isolated and less connected
Alanis’ role today as the champion of a sisterhood that protects and micromanages on behalf of women
The immense value of someone saying, “I see you.”
Alanis’ experience with anger, rage, panic attacks, and a loss of identity
Tenderness, love, and empowerment in motherhood
The elements of support that were most helpful for Alanis: the appropriate medications, finding community, strong relationships, and finding a space of safety to be “broken” (What didn’t help was someone saying, “You’re not alone.”)
What we all want: to make postpartum challenges more visible and to normalize the conversations around them
“Wholeness over wellness”
Alanis’ thoughts on the beauty and purity of being a mother to her children
- Our immense gratitude for Alanis’ impact as a fierce advocate and champion of PSI’s work and helpful resources
About Dr. Wendy Davis
Dr. 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’ve 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.
Resources:
Connect with Alanis Morissette: Find out more about Alanis’ music and events on her Website; follow Alanis on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Please 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.
You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms
Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.
Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Tools, Skills and Hacks for New Moms
Manage thoughts & feelings of overwhelm
Learn how breathing & grounding help reach calmness
Exercises to find peace
Unveiling Layers of Healing and Advocacy: Alanis Morissette and Dr. Wendy Davis on “Mom and Mind”
In a poignant episode of the “Mom and Mind” podcast, listeners were treated to an intimate conversation featuring Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette and Dr. Wendy Davis, President and CEO of Postpartum Support International (PSI). This episode not only highlighted the struggles of perinatal mental health but also shone a light on the transformative power of advocacy and support.
Alanis Morissette: A Journey Through Postpartum Depression
Alanis Morissette, a revered figure in the music industry, has not shied away from discussing her battles with postpartum depression. During the podcast, she offered a raw and open account of her experiences, which she has often referred to as “postpartum activity.” Her journey into motherhood was marred by what she describes as “the dark swamp of depression,” a challenge compounded by her public persona and the pressures that accompany celebrity status.
Morissette discussed the stark contrast between her life as a celebrated artist and the isolating experiences of her depression, where the demands of a people-pleasing, high-achieving career clashed dramatically with her mental health struggles. She articulated the heightened risks of postpartum depression she faced, being a self-reliant perfectionist accustomed to autonomous living.
The Role of Support and Community
Central to Morissette’s narrative was the invaluable role of PSI during her most challenging times. The support she found through PSI and the community it fostered played a crucial part in her path to healing. Morissette emphasized the importance of being seen and heard, reflecting on how expressions of understanding and visibility by others were critical in her recovery.
She also delved into the specifics of what helped her manage her condition, such as appropriate medications, finding a strong community, and nurturing relationships. These elements allowed her a safe space to be vulnerable and “broken,” a stark contrast to unhelpful assurances that she was not alone in her struggles.
Dr. Wendy Davis: Leading with Compassion
The episode also featured Dr. Wendy Davis, whose personal battle with postpartum depression led her to a life of advocacy and leadership at PSI. Since joining PSI as a volunteer in 1997 and later serving as its President and CEO, Dr. Davis has been instrumental in expanding the organization into a global leader in perinatal mental health support.
Her approach to leadership, centered on empathy and active support, has significantly shaped PSI’s mission and outreach, providing help and hope to countless individuals navigating the complexities of motherhood and mental health.
Advocacy for Visibility and Normalization
Both Morissette and Dr. Davis discussed the broader implications of their work, emphasizing the need to make postpartum challenges more visible and to normalize conversations around mental health in motherhood. They shared a vision of a world where the struggles and triumphs of motherhood are acknowledged openly, fostering a culture of support and understanding.
Morissette’s perspective on motherhood—its beauty, its challenges, and its profound capacity to bring about vulnerability—resonated deeply throughout the discussion. She spoke passionately about the role of a nurturing community and the empowerment that comes from supportive relationships.
Legacy and Impact
The podcast not only illuminated personal stories but also highlighted the significant impact of advocacy and the power of a supportive community. Alanis Morissette’s openness about her experiences and her role as a champion for mental health, alongside Dr. Wendy Davis’s dedicated leadership at PSI, underscore the importance of their contributions to mental health awareness.
Listeners left the episode with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of postpartum depression and the transformative power of compassion and community in the journey towards healing and wholeness.
In their conversation, the synergy between Morissette’s advocacy and Dr. Davis’s leadership painted a hopeful picture of the future of perinatal mental health support, emphasizing “wholeness over wellness” and the continued need for empathy, understanding, and action in addressing postpartum challenges. This episode of “Mom and Mind” was not only informative but profoundly inspiring, offering meaningful insights into the power of human connection and the importance of mental health advocacy.
