Explore every episode of the podcast The Back To Work Plan for Postpartum Moms

When most people think about doulas, they think about labor and delivery. But the truth is, some of the most meaningful support a mother can receive happens after the baby arrives. In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll sits down with Chanda Bryant, founder of Crown + Cradle Doula Co., birth and postpartum doula, lactation educator, healthcare professional, and doctoral researcher focused on maternal and infant health disparities. Together, they explore the often-overlooked role doulas play in helping mothers navigate the emotional, physical, and mental challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. In this episode, you'll learn: • What a doula actually does—and why their role extends far beyond labor and delivery • How postpartum doulas support mothers during one of the most vulnerable transitions of life • The emotional realities of postpartum recovery that many women aren't prepared for • Why support systems matter and how they impact maternal well-being • Common challenges new moms face and how doulas help ease the transition • The importance of advocacy, culturally sensitive care, and maternal health equity • Insights from Chanda's doctoral research on maternal and infant health disparities • What gives her hope for the future of maternal care and support for mothers Whether you're currently pregnant, recently postpartum, or supporting a new mother in your life, this episode is a powerful reminder that motherhood was never meant to be navigated alone. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure during the postpartum period, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and empowered. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Connect with Chanda Bryant: Crown + Cradle Doula Co. https://www.crownandcradledoula.com Connect with Dr. Ashley Carroll: https://ghcounselinggroup.com

Motherhood has a way of shifting everything—your priorities, your identity, and often, how you view your career. In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll sits down with Beth Mazza, serial entrepreneur, speaker, and co-founder of Female Mavericks. With decades of experience building and scaling successful businesses, Beth now helps women create financial independence and design careers that align with their lives—not compete with them. Together, they explore what it really looks like to rethink work after becoming a mother, including: • How motherhood reshapes your identity and career goals • Beth’s journey building businesses while raising a family • The challenges women face in traditional corporate environments after having children • Why many moms begin to consider entrepreneurship • The mission behind Female Mavericks and supporting women in business • Common myths about starting a business • How motherhood builds skills that translate into entrepreneurship • What financial freedom actually looks like for women and families • Mindset shifts needed to move from employee to entrepreneur Whether you’re returning to work, questioning your current path, or curious about building something of your own, this episode will challenge you to think differently about what’s possible. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Postpartum depression and anxiety are more common than many women realize—yet conversations around treatment, especially psychiatric medication, are often filled with fear, guilt, and stigma. In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll is joined by Dr. Jasmine Stephens, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in women’s reproductive mental health. With extensive training at Baylor College of Medicine and leadership experience at UT Southwestern, Dr. Stephens brings both clinical expertise and deep compassion to this important conversation. Together, they unpack what every mother deserves to understand about mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, including: • The difference between normal adjustment and postpartum depression or anxiety • Common symptoms and when to seek professional support • Why stigma around maternal mental health and medication still exists • The most common fears women have about psychiatric medication • How medication decisions are made during pregnancy and postpartum • The risks of untreated depression and anxiety for both mom and baby • What to know about medication and breastfeeding • How to navigate guilt, fear, and uncertainty when considering treatment • How partners and families can better support mothers This episode is both educational and reassuring—designed to help you feel informed, empowered, and supported in making the best decisions for your mental health. If you’ve been struggling in silence or feeling unsure about your options, this conversation is a reminder that help is available—and you are not alone. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Returning to work after maternity leave can bring a mix of emotions—excitement, guilt, uncertainty, and pressure to quickly find your footing again. In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll sits down with Alexa Starks, founder of Executive Moms, editor-in-chief of Mothered Magazine, maternity leave coach, author, speaker, and award-winning workplace culture innovator. Alexa is on a mission to redesign working motherhood by helping women prepare intentionally for maternity leave and return to work with clarity and confidence. As a mom of two toddlers herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the conversation.

Together, Dr. Ashley and Alexa explore:

• The story behind Executive Moms and what inspired Alexa’s mission • What “redesigning working motherhood” really means • Lessons from Alexa’s own maternity leave experience • The biggest mistakes women make when preparing for leave • How early you should begin planning and advocating with your manager • The emotional side of maternity leave—including identity shifts, career ambivalence, and managing guilt • What to do 3–4 weeks before returning to work • Setting boundaries and creating realistic expectations during the first months back • Redefining success as a working mother • What companies still get wrong about supporting new moms—and what great workplaces are doing differently

Whether you’re preparing for maternity leave, currently on leave, or getting ready to return to work, this episode offers practical guidance and powerful reassurance that you don’t have to navigate this transition alone.

When life feels full but you feel distant from yourself, this episode is for you. In Episode 18, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown explores why so many working moms feel disconnected from their own needs, emotions, and inner voice — even when they’re doing everything “right.” You’ll learn the psychology behind self-disconnection in motherhood, how it impacts confidence and wellbeing, and practical ways to reconnect with yourself without adding more to your already full plate. This episode offers reassurance, clarity, and tools to help you feel grounded, present, and like you again.

In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown sits down with Dr. Mila Thomas Fuller, business owner and multi-unit franchisee of Nothing Bundt Cakes, for an honest and encouraging conversation about navigating career transitions during motherhood. Together, they explore what it means to evolve professionally after becoming a mother, how identity shifts can prompt bold career changes, and the emotional challenges that come with stepping into entrepreneurship while raising a family. Dr. Fuller shares her journey of balancing ambition, leadership, and motherhood while building a successful multi-unit business, offering reassurance to working moms who feel restless, uncertain, or called toward something new. If motherhood has made you rethink your career path or dream about a different version of success, this episode will remind you that growth, change, and fulfillment can coexist with being a devoted mom.

When every day feels emotionally heavy — like you’re carrying stress from work straight into motherhood and never fully resetting — this episode is for you. Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown explores why working moms stay emotionally “on edge,” how stress accumulates across roles, and why rest alone isn’t enough to restore calm. You’ll learn the psychology behind emotional overload, simple ways to reset your nervous system, and how to create daily emotional transitions that help you feel more present, grounded, and like yourself again.

If you constantly doubt yourself, replay conversations in your head, or worry you’re making the “wrong” choice — you’re not alone. Postpartum women experience a major spike in self-doubt due to hormonal shifts, identity changes, and the pressure to balance motherhood with career demands. In this episode, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown breaks down why second-guessing becomes so intense after baby, and how to rebuild trust in your own judgment using practical, psychology-backed tools. You’ll learn how to quiet the mental noise, make decisions with confidence, and finally feel grounded again in who you are and what you know.

In this special episode, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown sits down with actress, artist, and advocate Tatyana Ali for a deeply honest conversation about becoming a mother while navigating a demanding career. Tatyana opens up about her postpartum experience, what surprised her most about life after baby, and how she learned to balance ambition with presence. Together, they explore the emotional shifts of new motherhood, the power of community, and what it really looks like to return to work while raising little ones. Whether you grew up watching her on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or you’re meeting her for the first time, Tatyana’s wisdom, vulnerability, and warmth will leave you encouraged and seen as a working mom trying to hold both your baby and your dreams.

If you’re saying yes when you want to say no, running on empty, or constantly feeling like you’re letting someone down, this episode is for you. Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown breaks down what healthy boundaries really look like for working moms — not as walls, but as protection for your peace, energy, and emotional wellbeing. You’ll learn how to identify where your energy is leaking, communicate your needs without guilt, and create realistic limits that help you show up as your best self — at home, at work, and for yourself.

Between career demands, childcare logistics, and the never-ending mental checklist of motherhood, it’s no wonder working moms feel constantly overstimulated and drained. In this episode, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown explains what decision fatigue really is, why it’s especially common postpartum, and how to manage overwhelm before it manages you. You’ll learn how to quiet mental chaos, set priorities that actually work, and use psychological tools to restore calm, clarity, and confidence — at home and at work.

Walking back into work after maternity leave can shake even the most accomplished woman’s confidence. You might wonder if you still have what it takes, question your value, or feel like a stranger in your own professional skin. In this episode, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown breaks down why confidence dips after baby — and how to rebuild it from the inside out. You’ll learn what psychology and research say about self-trust, imposter syndrome, and performance after motherhood, and you’ll walk away with powerful tools to help you reclaim your professional voice, your focus, and your belief in yourself. Follow Dr. Ashley @theworkingmamacoach and visit her website for her free training and to schedule a free consultation to work with her at theworkingmama.net/info

From managing daycare logistics to remembering pediatrician forms, working moms carry an invisible load that no one else sees. Dr. Ashley explains the psychology of the “mental load,” shares research on how it impacts relationships and performance, and teaches strategies to redistribute responsibilities at home and work. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

You don’t have to choose between your career goals and being a present, loving mom. In this episode, Dr. Ashley helps you redefine ambition for this new season, confront guilt head-on, and set healthy boundaries that let both your career and your motherhood flourish side by side. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. In this episode, Dr. Ashley unpacks why so many moms struggle to ask for support, and how to do it effectively — with your partner, at work, and within your circle. Learn how to communicate needs clearly, drop perfectionism, and embrace support as part of your success story. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Guilt is one of the heaviest emotions new working moms carry — the constant feeling of not being “enough” at work or at home. In this episode, Dr. Ashley breaks down the psychology of mom guilt, why it shows up after baby, and how to start releasing it so you can return to work with confidence and compassion. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

You don’t have to carry the full load alone. Dr. Ashley shows you how to get your partner genuinely engaged in your return-to-work plan — not just “helping,” but truly sharing responsibility. Learn how to communicate expectations, divide tasks fairly, and strengthen your relationship in the process. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

No mom thrives in isolation. Dr. Ashley shares the psychology of social support, stories from real moms, and research on why connection is key to surviving the working mom transition. You’ll learn how to build your own sustainable support network that’s emotionally safe, practical, and empowering. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Returning to work doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your wellbeing. In this powerful episode, Dr. Ashley explores the warning signs of burnout, the neuroscience of stress, and how to build sustainable routines that protect your mental and emotional health while you juggle work and motherhood. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Forget the pressure to “bounce back.” This episode reframes your career comeback after maternity leave. Through case studies, workplace research, and mindset tools, Dr. Ashley helps you rebuild your confidence, clarify your next career steps, and redefine success on your own terms. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

That first conversation with your boss after maternity leave can feel daunting. Dr. Ashley walks you through how to prepare, what to say, and how to present your needs confidently. You’ll learn practical scripts, real-life examples, and research-backed strategies to advocate for yourself — without guilt or fear. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Motherhood changes everything — including your identity. Dr. Ashley walks you through how postpartum identity shifts occur, the emotional impact of losing your “old self,” and research-backed strategies to help you rediscover who you are now — as both a mother and a professional woman. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.