Reproductively Speaking

Taryn Zweygardt
  • 5.0 (8)
  • 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

    22. Embracing Your Second Act with Audra Dinnell

    Send us Fan Mail I'm beyond excited to welcome Audra Dinnell to the podcast today! Audra is the founder of The Thread: A Women's Leadership Collective, an award-winning community that equips professional and entrepreneurial women with the connection, confidence, and clarity to lead with purpose. She's also a speaker, writer, coach, podcast host, and fellow mom who is passionate about helping women build lives rooted in their values (not someone else's expectations). In today’s conversation, Audra and I explore something so many mothers quietly wrestle with: ambition after motherhood. We talk about what happens when our goals begin to shift, why success doesn't have to look the same in every season of life, and how motherhood often refines (not diminishes) our dreams.  Together, we unpack everything from balancing entrepreneurship with family life to navigating comparison, burnout, people-pleasing, and what your “Act Two” (such a beautiful concept) can look like! If you've been wondering whether it's too late to pivot, dream bigger, slow down, or choose a different path, I hope this conversation gives you permission to trust yourself + embrace YOUR Act Two! Episode Recap: Why motherhood often reshapes (not replaces) our ambitionDefining success through your values instead of society's expectationsBalancing entrepreneurship, motherhood + changing seasons of lifeBuilding confidence through action & self-trust through slowing downHow identifying your core values leads to better decision-makingWhy "full-body yeses" require meaningful "nos"Audra's "Act Two" framework for embracing life's messy middleLetting go of comparison + creating a life that feels true to YOUThe importance of filling your own cup before pouring into othersWhy it's never too late to trust yourself & choose a different path **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: Listen to A LOT with AudraConnect with Audra on Instagram @audradinnell and thethreadwlcCheck out the ThreadFollow Audra’s SubstackFollow on me Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

  2. Jul 13

    21. Asking Better Questions: My Reflections on the Annual PSI Conference

    Send us Fan Mail Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Postpartum Support International (PSI) Conference. While I came home with pages of notes, new research, and countless ideas, I realized I didn't come home with all the answers.  Instead, I came home with better QUESTIONS. In this episode, I'm sharing some of the biggest moments that stayed with me. From an unexpected encounter with a wish tree in Los Angeles, to powerful conversations about maternal mental health, advocacy, and the work that's still ahead of us, this was truly a life-changing experience My hope is that this episode encourages both parents and providers to keep asking better questions, and to lead with compassion. Meaningful change happens one conversation, one family, and one community at a time.  We still have a ton of work to do, but together, we have every reason to believe that better care, better systems, and more hopeful futures ARE possible! Episode Recap: My reflections from the annual Postpartum Support International ConferenceWhy asking better questions can transform perinatal mental healthcareHow Kansas is expanding access to specialized perinatal mental health supportThe ongoing need for education surrounding postpartum psychosisWhy every statistic represents a real family AND real storyHow healing one parent can positively impact future generationsReplacing judgment with curiosity in healthcare & parenthoodBuilding trust through compassionate, patient-centered careWhy perinatal mental health is a public health issue (not just a parenting issue)Finding hope through advocacy, education + meaningful systems change **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: Postpartum Support International (PSI)Women Are Dying, Deb by Emily E. JohnsonFollow on Instagram @tztherapyCheck out my website

  3. Jun 29

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

See All (23)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 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
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Reproductively Speaking
  • Show Website
    Reproductively Speaking