Reproductively Speaking

Taryn Zweygardt
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Mental Health

Parenthood is messy, beautiful, exhausting, and transformative - sometimes all before breakfast. Each episode, join Taryn Zweygardt, therapist and certified perinatal mental health specialist, for real and relatable conversations about the challenges and joys of parenthood. From identity shifts to mental health struggles, you’ll hear deep, honest talks, expert guidance, and inspiring stories that remind you - you're NOT alone. Reproductively Speaking is here to help you nurture your mind, your relationships, and yourself, one episode at a time. Connect with Taryn on Instagram @tztherapy Learn more about working with Taryn: https://www.tztherapy.com

  1. 2d ago

    20. The Lasting Impact of Birth Trauma + Finding Healing with Leslie Thompson

    Send us Fan Mail I’m honored to welcome Leslie Thompson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and perinatal therapist with a private practice in Liberty, MO, to the podcast! With more than a decade of experience supporting children and families, she specializes in helping women navigate the reproductive journey, as well as supporting parents in building stronger, more connected relationships with their children.  Leslie also has advanced training in birth trauma and pregnancy, infant, and child loss. She brings both professional expertise + deeply personal lived experience to every family she serves. In today’s conversation, Leslie and I are diving into her own experiences with traumatic C-sections, a NICU stay, pregnancy loss, and how those moments ultimately shaped both her healing journey + the work she does today.  We also talk about the emotional impact birth trauma has on both parents, how fathers are often the “invisible parents” during this time, how EMDR can help parents process traumatic experiences, and more. Ultimately, I hope this episode reminds you that your birth story MATTERS. Your experience deserves to be acknowledged, and yes, healing is possible. You don't have to carry the weight of your story alone, friend! Episode Recap: Leslie's personal journey through birth trauma, C-sections + the NICUHow traumatic birth experiences can shape the postpartum journeyThe grief of unmet expectations surrounding birth & parenthoodWhy dads experience birth trauma, tooThe impact of minimizing comments like "At least everyone is healthy"How Leslie's lived experiences shaped her work as a perinatal therapistWhat EMDR is + how it helps process birth traumaCommon signs that unresolved birth trauma may still be affecting youWhat healing after birth trauma can look likeWhy your birth story deserves validation, support + specialized care **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Connect with Leslie on InstagramCheck out Leslie’s websiteFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    39 min

  2. Jun 15

    19. The Grief I Didn't Expect to Find in Motherhood

    Send us Fan Mail Lately, I've been thinking a lot about grief. Not the kind we typically associate with death or major loss, but the quieter grief that can accompany motherhood.  As my children have gotten older, I've found myself looking back on different seasons of parenting with a perspective I simply didn't have while I was living them. If I’m being honest? Sometimes, I don't remember the milestones as much as I remember the exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety, and all that I was carrying at the time. In today’s episode, I'm sharing some of the reflections that have surfaced as I've revisited those early years of motherhood. I also explore the questions many of us ask ourselves, like “What if I had gotten support sooner? What if I had known more? What if I had understood myself better?” If you've ever looked back on a season of motherhood and wished you had known then what you know now, this one is for YOU. My hope is that this reminds you that it's never too late to do your healing work. Your struggles do not define your worth as a parent, and as always, you deserve compassion, too! Episode Recap: The quiet grief that often accompanies motherhoodLooking back at early parenting seasons with compassionThe support, knowledge & understanding I wish I had soonerAccountability, self-compassion + healing as a parentWhy children need connection, not perfectionHow motherhood reveals the work we need to do within ourselvesLearning to extend grace to the version of ourselves who was simply surviving **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Follow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    21 min

  3. Jun 1

    18. Why You Need to Stop Settling for the Bare Minimum in Your Relationships with Lauren Gilley

    Send us Fan Mail I’m excited to welcome my friend, Lauren Gilley, to the podcast today! Lauren Gilley is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wichita, KS with main focuses in Couples Therapy, Perinatal Mental Health, and Sexual Wellness. She is a wife & mother who loves animals, spending time in nature, gardening, being with friends and family, and simply having a good time. If you’re struggling with a  relationship that looks “fine” from the outside, but underneath the surface there’s disconnect and resentment, this episode is for YOU! In today’s conversation, Lauren and I are unpacking something we both see all the time in the therapy room: the way so many people settle for emotional disconnection, unmet needs, and survival-mode partnership. And yes…they’re doing all of this while convincing themselves it’s “not that bad”. We’re talking honestly about the bare minimum in relationships, emotional labor, and what it actually means to feel emotionally safe and supported by your partner. Desire discrepancies are about sooo much more than sex.  Changes in intimacy don’t automatically mean something is wrong with you or your relationship either. Desire is not linear, and intimacy is not just physical connection - it’s emotional safety, communication, and feeling known and cared for. Remember - you deserve relationships where your needs, emotions, and humanity are considered. Sometimes, rebuilding connection starts with simply being willing to have the conversation! Episode Recap: What the “bare minimum” in relationships actually looks likeWhy emotional safety, respect + connection matter in partnershipThe mental load, invisible labor + resentment in parenthoodWhy women (especially moms) often settle for less than they needUnspoken expectations, communication + relationship resentmentDesire discrepancies + why they’re about more than sexHow stress, exhaustion, parenthood + emotional disconnection impact intimacyWhy changing desire does not mean something is wrong with youRebuilding connection through honest conversations + intentional ritualsSmall, low-pressure ways to reconnect emotionally with your partner **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Come Together by Emily NagoskiFollow Lauren on Instagram @lg_therapyLearn more about working with LaurenFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    47 min

  4. May 18

    17. What I Wish More People Understood About Maternal Mental Health

    Send us Fan Mail With it being the month of May, I felt like it was time to have a REAL and honest conversation about maternal mental health.  While we’ve gotten slightly better at talking about postpartum depression, there are still many parts of motherhood and perinatal mental health that people quietly struggle through without support or understanding. Maternal mental health is about sooo much more than postpartum depression. It’s also anxiety, rage, intrusive thoughts, identity shifts, overstimulation, and loneliness. It’s the emotional weight of matrescence, and the invisible mental load mothers carry every.single.day.  Ultimately, maternal mental health is not *just* an individual issue - it’s a public health issue that needs our attention, now, more than ever. I hope this episode reminds you that you are NOT failing at motherhood. You are human, and you were never meant to carry all of this alone. There is support available, and you deserve care LONG before things become unbearable!!  Episode Recap: Why maternal mental health is about so much more than postpartum depressionThe many ways perinatal mental health struggles can show upHow normalized maternal suffering keeps moms struggling silentlyUnderstanding matrescence + identity shifts in motherhoodGrieving former versions of yourself while loving your children deeplyMaternal rage, overwhelm, and the invisible mental loadNormalizing intrusive thoughts + why trained support mattersLoneliness, isolation & unrealistic expectations in modern motherhoodHow unsupported systems impact maternal wellbeingWhy maternal mental health IS a public health issueThe importance of therapy, rest, community & shared supportMaternal mental health resources + reminders that struggling does not mean failure **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Ep. 3 | What “The Mental Load” Really Looks Like (and Why It’s So Damn Heavy)Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA)Postpartum Support InternationalFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    20 min

  5. May 4

    16. Movement, Mindset, and Motherhood: What Your Body Actually Needs During Pregnancy with Dr. Lisa Vawter

    Send us Fan Mail I’m honored to welcome Lisa Vawter to the podcast today! Dr. Lisa Vawter is a mother of two and a dedicated women's health chiropractor specializing in prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care. With a Master’s in nutrition and certifications in the Webster Technique, Spinning Babies, and Birthfit, along with 100 hours of acupuncture training, her practice offers comprehensive and holistic support for expectant and new mothers and their kiddos.  Inspired by her own transformative experience with chiropractic care during pregnancy, she’s committed to providing compassionate and personalized care using movement as medicine, and to help navigate the physical changes of motherhood. We talk a lot about pregnancy like it’s a checklist of physical changes…but what if that’s only part of the story?  In today’s conversation, I sat down with Dr. Lisa to unpack the metaphysical experience of motherhood, and what it actually feels like to live in a body that’s constantly changing, stretching, and becoming. The truth is - your physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual experiences during this season are NOT separate. They’re deeply intertwined! Something that needs to be said louder: pregnancy does NOT have to equal pain. Yes, your body is changing in big ways, but movement, basic body awareness, and simple daily habits can make a massive difference during this time! Motherhood is a full-body, whole-person transformation. You DESERVE care that reflects that, and you should never feel like you’re meant to do this journey alone! Episode Recap: Why motherhood isn’t just physicalHow Lisa’s personal journey shaped how she supports women todayLisa’s 2 birth experiences + how they were completely differentWhy letting go of control + accepting support mattersHow pregnancy changes your identity (not just your body)Pregnancy ≠ pain (even if we’ve normalized it)How simple movement can reduce discomfort + build confidenceHow mobility supports baby positioning + smoother laborWhy you don’t have to wait until you’re in pain to get supportHow the system often overlooks the physical experience of pregnancyWhy there IS hope w/more education + support shifting maternal careFocusing on the basics like eating, moving, resting & staying connected during pregnancy **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisavawterchiroCheck out Lisa’s websiteFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    46 min

  6. Apr 20

    15. Learning to Stay: What 100 Days Sober Taught Me About Self-Trust

    Send us Fan Mail For the past few years, I’ve challenged myself to do Dry January. But…this year became something much bigger.  What started as “just seeing if I could do it” turned into 100 days sober. Honestly? The biggest thing I’ve gained hasn’t been about alcohol at all! It’s been about self-trust, and proving to myself that I CAN do hard things, sit with uncomfortable feelings, and stay present (even when I want to check out). Believe me, I totally understand the many “quiet” ways that so many moms cope. Whether it’s alcohol, scrolling, overworking, or staying constantly busy, sooo many of us are just trying to find relief from #allthethings that come with motherhood.  More than anything, this episode is about learning how to STAY. Stay with yourself, your body, your hard emotions, and your life…even when it feels uncomfortable.  Self-trust is not built in huge, dramatic moments -it’s built in small, quiet choices over and over again. This is your reminder that you do not have to be “perfect” to rebuild that trust - you just need to keep staying! Episode Recap: How doing Dry January turned into 100 days sober + a deeper journey of self-trustLearning to stay with hard emotions instead of immediately checking outWhy self-trust matters just as much as confidence or disciplineHow ADHD can impact follow-through, emotional regulation & identityThe connection between ADHD, overwhelm, and substance useWhy many moms use alcohol (or other coping tools) to regulate an overwhelmed nervous systemRealizing alcohol was often about seeking relief, not the drink itselfHow stopping drinking changed relationships, socializing & identityThe unexpected benefits that came with cutting alcohol What really builds self-trust over time **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Follow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    15 min

  7. Apr 6

    14. It’s Never *Just* About Sports: Raising Kids in a High-Pressure World with Danielle Wallace

    Send us Fan Mail I’m excited to welcome Danielle Wallace to the podcast today! Danielle Wallace is a former competitive volleyball player, corporate professional, and business owner. She knows firsthand the pressure of performing at a high level, whether on the court, in the boardroom, or running your own business.  As a therapist, she helps athletes, entrepreneurs, and their families build mental and emotional resilience to thrive under pressure (and beyond). Danielle understands firsthand what it feels like to perform, push, and carry expectations, both from within and from the outside. In today’s conversation, we talk about youth sports and how parents can navigate that, but honestly, it’s sooo much more than that. The pressure, identity, perfectionism, and ways our kids begin to tie their worth to performance can show up in any area of life!  These patterns don’t just start on the field. They start in families, nervous systems, and the subtle ways we respond to our kids’ emotions, struggles, and mistakes. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful reminder: our kids don’t need us to perfect the experience - they need us to be a safe place within it. Whether your child plays sports or not, this episode is really about raising humans in a high-pressure world, and helping them build resilience, emotional safety, and a sense of self that isn’t dependent on performance! Episode Recap: Why performance pressure doesn’t start on the fieldWhy many parents feel stuck between supporting their child & unintentionally adding pressureWhy kids may tie their identity to performanceHow social pressure is often stronger than parent pressure for youth athletesHow well-intentioned phrases from parents can increase pressure in kidsThe importance of connection after gamesHow kids and parents often protect each other emotionally + what this can lead toHow burnout can typically show up in kidsWhy resilience is built by allowing kids to feel disappointment & work through it **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Mental Toughness for Young Athletes Good Inside by Dr. Becky KennedyFollow Danielle on Instagram @coretherapyksCheck out Danielle’s websiteFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    43 min

  8. Mar 23

    13. Fatherhood, Pressure, and the Things Dads Aren’t Saying Out Loud

    Send us Fan Mail Fatherhood is something we don’t talk about nearly enough….but it’s time to change that. In this episode, I want to broaden the conversation on fatherhood. I recently gathered responses from over 100 fathers in my community, and explored fatherhood through three lenses: my husband’s experience, what other dads shared, and what we know clinically about paternal mental health.  What stood out most? Fathers are deeply involved, deeply committed, and often carry a quiet weight (even though they’re super unsure and overwhelmed themselves). Many fathers shared that they feel pressure to handle everything on their own, believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Yeah…that belief didn’t come out of thin air! It’s rooted in long-standing expectations about what society deems to “be a man”. At the end of the day, what stood out most from these fathers was their love, effort, and desire to get it right. Dads are “just trying to figure it out, too”.  Supporting fathers, strengthening relationships, and caring for parental mental health aren’t separate conversations. They’re how we build healthier families, together! Episode Recap: Why fatherhood is a conversation we need to be having more openlyThe hardest transitions into fatherhoodKey themes from 100+ fathers who took an anonymous surveyReal thoughts from my husband regarding fatherhoodThe very real mental load fathers carry + how societal expectations have shaped thisHow paternal mental health is impacted by maternal mental healthThe evolving role of fathers & shift toward deeper emotional connection w/their kidsHow parenthood truly changes relationshipsThe importance of preparing your relationship (not just your home) for a babyWhy supporting fathers, strengthening relationships, and prioritizing mental health are vital for building healthier families **Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone. Links/Resources: Take the Fatherhood SurveyFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Parenthood is messy, beautiful, exhausting, and transformative - sometimes all before breakfast. Each episode, join Taryn Zweygardt, therapist and certified perinatal mental health specialist, for real and relatable conversations about the challenges and joys of parenthood. From identity shifts to mental health struggles, you’ll hear deep, honest talks, expert guidance, and inspiring stories that remind you - you're NOT alone. Reproductively Speaking is here to help you nurture your mind, your relationships, and yourself, one episode at a time. Connect with Taryn on Instagram @tztherapy Learn more about working with Taryn: https://www.tztherapy.com

Information

  • Creator
    Taryn Zweygardt
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Reproductively Speaking
  • Show Website
    Reproductively Speaking

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