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When Stella Faulkner became a mom, she had no idea how much old trauma and new stress would collide. She joined a partial hospitalization program at The Motherhood Center after reaching her breaking point, which ultimately saved her life. But Stella didn’t stop there. She turned her recovery into action, becoming a certified peer specialist, postpartum doula, and founder of DOWA Health, an app designed to make mental health tools and support accessible to all parents, no matter where they are in their journey.

In this episode of Quiet Connection, Stella honestly shares her story, why she rejects the label "PMAD," the impact of cultural stigma on her mental health, what skills worked for her, and the vision behind DOWA. This conversation is about resilience, accessibility, and the power of mothers supporting mothers.

🗝️Key Takeaways

• Trauma resurfacing in parenthood isn’t always a PMAD—old wounds can collide with new stress.
• Accessibility is one of the biggest barriers in maternal mental health. Programs like partial hospitalization can save lives, but they aren’t widely available.
• Skills like CBT and DBT don’t work for everyone—finding individualized, multimodal approaches matters.
• Peer support, community, and hearing another mother’s voice can be life-saving.
• DOWA Health is reimagining support by offering tools, coaching, and peer voices right in your pocket.

🔊Soundbites

• “The program saved my life. EMDR helped me recover.” – Stella
• “I don’t like calling it a PMAD, because for many of us it’s old trauma resurfacing, not just motherhood.” – Stella
• “Sometimes all you need is to hear another mom’s voice saying, ‘I’ve been there, too.’” – Stella
• “What you’re sharing is not small—it can change the trajectory of someone else’s life.” – Stella

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

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 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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