Parental Rage & Burnout: The Mental Health Reality of Early Parenthood

Parental Rage & Burnout: The Mental Health Reality of Early Parenthood

This week on Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Dr. Erin Wissler Gerdes, recent PhD graduate from the University of Iowa College of Public Health, to discuss the mental and emotional realities of early parenthood, including anxiety, burnout, loneliness, and “parental rage.” Drawing from her dissertation research and personal experience as a parent of three young children, Erin explains what parental rage actually is, why it remains under-discussed, and what her research revealed about how common these experiences are among both moms and dads. The conversation explores the role of social support, mental load, overstimulation, and the structural pressures shaping modern parenting. The episode also examines broader public health and policy questions surrounding childcare, parental leave, social isolation, and what meaningful support for families could look like moving forward. In recognition of Mother’s Day weekend, this episode highlights the importance of supporting parents not just individually, but through stronger systems and communities. In this episode, we discuss: -What “parental rage” means and how it differs from everyday frustration -Why anxiety and burnout are strongly linked to rage experiences -Differences and similarities between moms’ and dads’ experiences -The mental load of parenting and modern parenting expectations -Social isolation and the loss of “the village” -Structural barriers facing families, including childcare and parental leave -Why support systems matter for parental mental health *This episode contains discussion of parental mental health, anxiety, burnout, and emotional distress related to parenting.* A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-parental-rage-burnout-and-the-mental-health-reality-of-early-parenthood/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #mentalhealth #parenting #earlyparenthood #burnout #anger #anxiety #isolation #support #iowacity

Community and Coursework: Rethinking Graduate Student Wellness

In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Rachel Valentine, a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Iowa, practicing therapist, and Mental Health Director for Graduate and Professional Student Government. Together, they explore the growing issue of isolation among graduate and professional students and discuss how institutions can better support student well-being through community-centered approaches. What We Cover: -Why isolation is so common in graduate and professional programs -The role of academic pressure, life transitions, and systemic expectations -Why traditional student programming often fails to address real needs -The concept behind the Graduate Student Dialogue Series -How student-driven, informal spaces can foster connection -The importance of multidimensional wellness beyond clinical mental health -Practical ways students can begin to rebuild connection in their own lives Featured Initiative: Graduate Student Dialogue Series A new, student-informed initiative designed to create informal, discussion-based spaces for graduate and professional students to connect, share experiences, and build community across disciplines. Help shape the series by completing the needs assessment survey: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2qPRRhQJ0QOWIm Additional Resource: Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program The Graduate College’s GradLife P2P Mentorship Program matches first-year PhD students with experienced peer mentors. Participants also gain access to networking events and community-building opportunities. Learn more here: https://grad.uiowa.edu/grad-success/graduate-peer-mentoring About the Guest Rachel Valentine is a first-year PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Iowa and a practicing therapist in Iowa City. Her work focuses on student mental health, wellness, and building accessible, community-based support systems for graduate and professional students. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-rethinking-graduate-student-wellness/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #graduates #gradstudents #counseling #education #peertopeer #mentorship #gradlife #iowacity

Food Systems Under Pressure: Prices, Policy, and People (Part 2)

In part two of this conversation, we continue our discussion with Professor Hannah Shultz, shifting from rising food prices to the deeper policy and ethical questions shaping food access in the United States. This episode explores the debate around SNAP restrictions, including whether limiting certain food purchases actually improves health outcomes or instead reinforces stigma and inequity. We also examine how narratives around “healthy choices” often overlook broader structural factors, and what it means to approach food policy with dignity, autonomy, and real-world context in mind. The conversation also highlights where progress is happening, particularly at local levels through community-based food systems, school meal programs, and food-as-medicine initiatives. Throughout, a central theme emerges: food is not just fuel. It is cultural, social, and deeply tied to identity and well-being. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-food-systems-under-pressure-part-2/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #inequity #foodinsecurity #foodaccess #policy #inflation #farmbill #SNAP #iowacity

Food Systems Under Pressure: Prices, Policy, and People (Part 1)

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Hannah Shultz to unpack what rising food prices actually mean for food access and food insecurity in the United States. From grocery store sticker shock to broader policy decisions, this conversation connects everyday experiences to the larger systems shaping who can afford to eat and how. We explore how inflation, supply chain dynamics, and labor challenges are influencing the cost of food, along with the role of federal policy, including the Farm Bill and SNAP, in shaping access across communities. The conversation also highlights why food insecurity is not a one-size-fits-all issue and how unpredictability in prices and income can make it even harder for households to stay food secure. This is part one of a two-part series. Be sure to tune in next week as we continue the conversation. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-food-systems-under-pressure-part-1/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #foodprices #foodinsecurity #foodaccess #policy #inflation #farmbill #SNAP #iowacity

The Power of Biostatistics Beyond the Data with Dr. Amy Herring

In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Dr. Amy Herring, Professor of Statistical Science and Dean of Natural Sciences at Duke University, to explore how biostatistics shapes real-world public health research. From her early interest in applying math to meaningful problems to her current work across a wide range of health topics, Dr. Herring shares what it really looks like to build a career at the intersection of data and impact. The conversation highlights how statisticians collaborate with scientists and clinicians to translate complex questions into usable evidence. Dr. Herring walks through examples from her work, including global health research on sepsis in Tanzania, where differences in patient populations challenged assumptions built from studies in the United States and Europe. These experiences reveal how context, culture, and data quality all influence the conclusions we draw. This episode also touches on what makes collaboration effective, why understanding how data are collected is just as important as analyzing them, and how the field of biostatistics is evolving as data become larger and more complex. For students and early-career professionals, Dr. Herring offers practical advice on staying curious, getting involved in real-world data collection, and finding meaning in work that is not always linear. Whether you are interested in data, global health, or interdisciplinary research, this episode offers a grounded look at how biostatistics helps answer some of public health’s most challenging questions. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-power-of-biostatistics-beyond-the-data/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #biostatistics #statisticalscience #naturalscience #dukeuniversity #datacollection #globalhealth #research #iowacity