{"podcast":{"title":"No One Told Us","slug":"no-one-told-us-6590891","podcast_index_feed_id":6590891,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/WFH8217127280","website_url":"https://sites.libsyn.com/472398","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/03f94308-bbb6-11ee-b4e6-7ff557de9095/image/6d38133e9534cd12bf56b89cb081f987.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Rachael Shepard-Ohta","episode_count":120,"summary":"No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?! Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I'm your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations. From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us. So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there's a lot to unpack. So l…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-09T22:18:48.207675+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-one-told-us-6590891"},"episode":{"title":"Episode 104: Mom Brain Explained: The Science of the Postpartum Brain with Dr. Nikki Pensak","slug":"episode-104-mom-brain-explained-the-science-of-the-postpartum-brain-with-dr-nikki-pensak","published_at":"2026-07-09T11:14:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-one-told-us-6590891/episode-104-mom-brain-explained-the-science-of-the-postpartum-brain-with-dr-nikki-pensak","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-one-told-us-6590891","url":"https://tracking.swap.fm/track/JhoQDAATtO1l0y8tdKNa/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL3068303390.mp3","audio_url":"https://tracking.swap.fm/track/JhoQDAATtO1l0y8tdKNa/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL3068303390.mp3","summary":"What if \"mom brain\" isn't something to laugh off, but evidence that your brain is undergoing one of the biggest transformations of your life? In this episode, Rachael sits down with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Nikki Pensak to explore the science behind the postpartum brain, why anxiety is so common after having a baby, and what every mother deserves to know about her mental health. Together, they unpack the brain changes that occur during motherhood, why maternal instinct isn't as automatic as we're often told, and how sleep deprivation, stress, and trauma can shape the postpartum experience. Dr. Pensak also shares why healing is possible, how mothers can recognize when they need support, and the hope that can come through post-traumatic growth. Inside this episode: What \"mom brain\" really is and why it happens How neuroplasticity reshapes the brain during motherhood Why postpartum anxiety is so common and often overlooked The myth of maternal instinct and what actually builds confidence as a parent How stress and sleep deprivation affect the maternal brain Understanding birth trauma and the possibility of post-traumatic growth Signs it may be time to seek support for postpartum anxiety or depression Why self-care is a vital part of maternal mental health How social media can impact new moms….for better and for worse Dr. Nikki's inspiration for writing Rattled and helping mothers feel less alone And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Rattled by Dr. Nikki Pensak If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website …","meta_description":"What if \"mom brain\" isn't something to laugh off, but evidence that your brain is undergoing one of the biggest transformations of your life? In this epis…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2340,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/no-one-told-us-6590891/episodes/episode-104-mom-brain-explained-the-science-of-the-postpartum-brain-with-dr-nikki-pensak/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-one-told-us-6590891/episode-104-mom-brain-explained-the-science-of-the-postpartum-brain-with-dr-nikki-pensak.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}