32. Ask Susannah: Why Does My Anxiety Keep Switching Themes?

32. Ask Susannah: Why Does My Anxiety Keep Switching Themes?

If your mind seems to find a new thing to worry about every time you make peace with the last one, this episode is for you. When fears keep bouncing from topic to topic, it's easy to wonder if you're getting worse — or if you've finally stumbled onto the real problem. In this episode, I'm sharing the idea that completely changed how I understood my own experience of anxiety, drawing on David Hawkins' concept of form versus underlying energy. The topic of your fear might matter a lot less than you think. Key Takeaways * Anxiety that keeps switching themes isn't evidence that you're getting worse — it may actually be a clue that the topic was never the real issue * There's a difference between the form of anxiety (the story, the topic) and the underlying energy (the feeling beneath it) — and most of us spend all our time trying to solve the form * When fear is active, the mind is remarkably good at finding new things to attach it to — which is why reassurance only ever works temporarily * The goal isn't to finally find the right answer to the right fear — it's to become willing to feel the feeling underneath the thought * Allowing an emotion to be present without immediately trying to escape it is a skill, and it's one you can build Susannah's Free Mini Course for Moms:If you're in the thick of postpartum or early motherhood and you're wondering why anxiety and intrusive thoughts are showing up the way they are — I made something for you. Join my email list and get instant access to my free mini course, Why Is This Happening to Me?! Understanding Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum and Early Motherhood. Click ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [susannahlongcoaching.com/joinus] or head to ⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠ [https://www.susannahlongcoaching.com/] to sign up. Want more support on your journey? Check out my signature program, Motherhood Beyond Fear, or apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://susannahlongcoaching.com/] Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode. DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, maternal anxiety, mom anxiety, new mom anxiety, motherhood anxiety, anxiety themes, OCD themes, shifting anxiety themes, changing anxiety themes, anxiety topic switching, OCD topic switching, OCD theme switching, intrusive thoughts, postpartum intrusive thoughts, mom intrusive thoughts, reassurance seeking, reassurance seeking anxiety, health anxiety, postpartum health anxiety, SIDS anxiety, milestone anxiety, developmental anxiety, anxiety recovery, postpartum recovery, anxiety spiral, OCD spiral, fear of the unknown, uncertainty anxiety, emotional avoidance, anxiety and emotions, feeling your feelings, David Hawkins anxiety, David Hawkins letting go, form and energy anxiety, underlying anxiety, anxiety energy, anxiety patterns, anxiety cycles, OCD cycles, postpartum mental health, maternal mental health, mom mental health, early motherhood anxiety, new mom mental health, postpartum podcast, mom podcast, anxiety podcast, mental health podcast, postpartum support, anxiety support, OCD support, matrescence, motherhood identity, anxiety education, anxiety tools, anxiety tips for moms, intrusive thought themes

31. The Motherhood Industry Has a Fear Problem

Fear isn't just a mental health issue some moms struggle with. It's woven into the fabric of modern motherhood — pregnancy, birth, feeding, sleep, development, safety, social media, parenting advice, and even the maternal mental health space itself. In this episode, I'm naming the system. The industry that has quietly made fear the operating system of motherhood, and packaged it as responsibility. We talk about: * How fear shows up in every stage of early motherhood * Why social media algorithms are designed to keep you scared * The optimization trap — and the hidden fear underneath it * What it actually means to mother in the presence of uncertainty The goal isn't a fear-free motherhood. It's a motherhood where fear isn't in charge. Susannah's Free Mini Course for Moms:If you're in the thick of postpartum or early motherhood and you're wondering why anxiety and intrusive thoughts are showing up the way they are — I made something for you. Join my email list and get instant access to my free mini course, Why Is This Happening to Me?! Understanding Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum and Early Motherhood. Click ⁠HERE⁠ [susannahlongcoaching.kit.com/freebie] or head to ⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠ [https://www.susannahlongcoaching.com/] to sign up. Want more support on your journey? Check out my signature program, Motherhood Beyond Fear, or apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://susannahlongcoaching.com/] Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode. DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- postpartum anxiety, motherhood industry, fear in motherhood, mom anxiety, new mom overwhelm, parenting advice, infant feeding anxiety, baby sleep anxiety, wake windows, child development anxiety, mom guilt, social media and motherhood, motherhood optimization, postpartum mental health, intrusive thoughts, constant vigilance, uncertainty in motherhood, anxious mom, postpartum support, matrescence

30. You Deserve Beautiful Things: How Le Lolo Is Changing the Way We Care for New Moms with Courtney Boylan

You Deserve Beautiful Things: How Le Lolo Is Changing the Way We Care for New Moms What if the products you use in the postpartum season could do more than solve a physical problem? What if they could actually remind you of your strength, your worth, and your beauty during one of the most vulnerable seasons of your life? That's the question behind Le Lolo — and it started with a lost nipple shield. Courtney Boylan is the founder of Le Lolo, a postpartum accessories brand built on the belief that new moms deserve beautiful things. In this episode, Courtney shares her postpartum story — the fear she felt leaving the hospital, the overwhelm she hid from everyone around her, the identity shift of becoming a mom, and the mindset work that helped her find her confidence again. And she talks about how all of it led her to build something she wishes she'd had. This conversation goes deep. We talk about shame, autonomy, the pressure moms feel to hide their postpartum reality, and why even the smallest choices can feel so significant when you're in the thick of early motherhood. In this episode we cover: * Courtney's first postpartum experience and the fear she carried into it * Why so many moms mask their struggles — and what that costs them * The mindset work that helped Courtney go from self-doubt to founder * How postpartum products can either compound shame or challenge it * Why autonomy and small choices matter so much in the postpartum season * The journaling practice that changed things for Courtney Susannah's Free Mini Course for Moms:If you're in the thick of postpartum or early motherhood and you're wondering why anxiety and intrusive thoughts are showing up the way they are — I made something for you. Join my email list and get instant access to my free mini course, Why Is This Happening to Me?! Understanding Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum and Early Motherhood. Click HERE [susannahlongcoaching.kit.com/freebie] or head to susannahlongcoaching.com [https://www.susannahlongcoaching.com/] to sign up. Links & resources mentioned: * Le Lolo website: wearelelolo.com [https://wearelelolo.com/] * Le Lolo on Instagram: @wearelelolo * Find Susannah on Instagram: @postpartumwithsusannah * Join Susannah's email list + access the free mini course: susannahlongcoaching.com [https://www.susannahlongcoaching.com/] Want more support on your journey? Check out my signature program, Motherhood Beyond Fear, or apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://susannahlongcoaching.com/] Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode. DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- postpartum anxiety, early motherhood anxiety, intrusive thoughts postpartum, postpartum identity shift, matrescence, postpartum confidence, new mom mental health, postpartum shame, breastfeeding support, postpartum products, Le Lolo, Courtney Boylan, postpartum recovery, mom entrepreneur, postpartum self-care, new mom support, postpartum overwhelm, motherhood mindset, postpartum fear, breastfeeding accessories, mom confidence, postpartum isolation, autonomy in motherhood, postpartum journaling, mindset work for moms, early motherhood coach, anxiety coach for moms, ACT for postpartum anxiety, nipple shield, lactation products, lactation support, breastfeeding tools, nursing accessories, nursing pads, postpartum body image, breastfeeding mom, new mom products, postpartum gifts, baby shower registry, lactation consultant, breastfeeding journey, postpartum wellness, postpartum healing, fourth trimester

29. Ask Susannah: What Do Intrusive Thoughts MEAN About ME?

Episode Summary In this first Ask Susannah episode, Susannah explores one of the most common and distressing questions moms ask when struggling with intrusive, anxious, or unwanted thoughts in postpartum and early motherhood: What do these thoughts mean about me? This episode breaks down why intrusive thoughts feel so charged, why they do not reflect your true desires or character, and how fear, nervous system activation, and psychological stress fuel the anxiety loop. Susannah explains how postpartum and matrescence create the perfect storm for fear-based thinking, why your mind targets what matters most to you, and how assigning meaning to thoughts is often what keeps you stuck. You’ll walk away with a more compassionate and accurate understanding of your mind—and the beginning of a new way to relate to fear thoughts so you can reclaim your presence, peace, and trust in yourself. In This Episode, We Cover: * Why intrusive thoughts feel meaningful—but aren’t inherently so * The difference between thought content and nervous system activation * How postpartum stress and major identity shifts intensify fear thoughts * Why your mind targets your deepest values * The cycle of fear, rumination, and reinforcement * How assigning meaning to thoughts increases anxiety * Why intrusive, anxious, and unwanted thoughts are all fear-based * How to begin changing your relationship with thoughts instead of trying to solve them Resources Mentioned: * Free Guide: Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum & Early Motherhood * Website: susannahlongcoaching.com * Instagram: @postpartumwithsusannah * Submit your questions for future Ask Susannah episodes via email (in show notes) Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.susannahlongcoaching.com/].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://susannahlongcoaching.com/] Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode. DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship. postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts postpartum, unwanted thoughts motherhood, maternal mental health, postpartum OCD, early motherhood anxiety, fear thoughts, matrescence, postpartum mental wellness, intrusive thoughts meaning, postpartum nervous system, motherhood and anxiety, postpartum coach, maternal stress, reclaiming motherhood from fear

28. Is It Depression, Anxiety...or Depletion? A Deeper Look at How Nutrition Affects Mental Health in Motherhood with Brittany Jones, MS, RD, LD

When a mother feels anxious, foggy, or not like herself postpartum, the conversation often centers around mental health — stress, sleep, hormones, or diagnosis. But what if there’s another layer that often gets overlooked? In this episode, I’m joined by registered dietitian Brittany Jones to explore postpartum depletion — and how nutrient deficiencies can sometimes mimic or amplify what feel like symptoms of anxiety or depression. This isn’t about replacing mental health care with nutrition. It’s about expanding the lens and understanding how the body and mind are deeply connected in early motherhood. We talk about what depletion actually means, why so many women are told everything is “normal” when it doesn’t feel that way, and how diet culture and the pressure to “bounce back” can contribute to under-fueling, low energy, and emotional overwhelm. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In Part 2, we’ll break down specific nutrients and how they support mental and emotional well-being. In this episode: * What “postpartum depletion” actually means * How deficiencies can feel like anxiety or depression * Why it’s not just psychological — and not just physical either * The impact of diet culture and under-fueling in early motherhood * A more integrated way to understand postpartum mental health   Brittany Jones, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian with 15 years of experience, business owner, and mom who helps women and families simplify nutrition in real life. Through her weight-inclusive, non-diet approach, she supports clients in building sustainable habits that work for their busy lives—without guilt or overwhelm. As a mom herself, Brittany understands the challenges of feeding a family while also taking care of your own health. Resources mentioned: * Brittany Jones: brittanyjonesrd.com * Instagram: @brittanyjonesnutrition * Work with Susannah: susannahlongcoaching.com * Free guide: Intrusive Thoughts in Early Motherhood (free mini course coming soon) If this resonated, be sure to check back for Part 2 — where we’ll get more practical and break down key nutrients. Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [susannahlongcoaching.com/freeguide].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://susannahlongcoaching.com/] Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode. DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ postpartum depletion, postnatal depletion cure, postpartum mental health, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, maternal mental health, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, PMADs, intrusive thoughts postpartum, brain fog postpartum, emotional overwhelm motherhood, nutrient deficiencies, nutrition and mental health, postpartum nutrition, iron deficiency postpartum, B12 deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, magnesium deficiency, omega 3 and mood, zinc deficiency, protein intake postpartum, blood sugar regulation, diet culture postpartum, bounce back culture, under eating and anxiety, maternal depletion, hormonal changes postpartum, sleep deprivation motherhood, nervous system regulation, matrescence, early motherhood support, holistic mental health, mind body connection, women’s health postpartum