Behind The Mic: How Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives Came to Life
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Episode Notes
In this rare behind-the-scenes conversation, we turn the microphone toward Becky Morrison Gleed, LMFT, PMH-C—founder of Perinatal & Reproductive Wellness Group and host of this podcast.
Becky opens up about the deeply personal and professional journey that shaped her into one of the most dedicated advocates for birthing individuals and families in the perinatal mental health space. From the early days of her graduate training to the formative experiences working in emergency psychiatric care, Becky shares how witnessing severe gaps in perinatal support propelled her into specialized training and eventually into founding her practice.
She also reflects on the experiences that made the work personal: infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum anxiety, and what it has meant to mother her two daughters while carrying the weight of her own traumas and her clients’ stories.
Becky shares:
the evolution from solo practitioner to a multi-state, collaborative group model
how the podcast began and why it blends clinician expertise with personal narratives
the importance of culturally informed, community-rooted care
why collaboration, mentorship, and evidence-based practice anchor everything Becky builds
how this work continues to change her as a clinician, mother, and human
Topics Discussed
Becky's origin story in perinatal mental health, starting in 2007
The pivotal ER cases that sparked her perinatal specialization
Why postpartum psychiatric care often falls short—and what needs to change
The personal side: infertility, loss, postpartum anxiety, motherhood
How her work with diverse communities in Virginia, New Mexico, and Hawaii shaped her clinical lens
The philosophy behind PRW’s “from me to we” group practice model
Why multidisciplinary collaboration is non-negotiable in perinatal mental health
The podcast’s unique blend of expert interviews and personal stories—and why both matter
Reflections on the first year of podcasting: surprises, lessons, standout guests
How the stories shared on the show continue to influence her clinical work
Plans for 2026: expanded services, new office, group programming, community outreach
“Getting pregnant, staying pregnant, navigating postpartum—none of that was simple for me. But what has always been simple is loving my girls. Showing up as their mom is the greatest honor of my life.”
Show Notes
Journey and Motherhood (00:00:00)
Becky shares her personal experiences with pregnancy, postpartum anxiety, and the challenges of motherhood.
Podcast Introduction and Host/Guest Background (00:00:44)
Introduction to the podcast, Becky, and guest host Marisa Escolar’s background and connection.
Book Collaboration and First Meeting (00:01:28)
Marisa recounts editing Becky’s book in 2021 and their initial collaboration.
Defining Perinatal and Becky's Motivation (00:02:32)
Discussion about the meaning of "perinatal" and Becky’s reasons for writing her book.
Book Timeline and Behind-the-Scenes Stories (00:03:31)
Timeline of the book’s creation, publication, and anecdotes from the process.
Early Career and Gaps in Perinatal Training (00:05:19)
Becky describes her early career, the lack of perinatal focus in training, and identifying gaps in care.
Residency, Play Therapy, and Emergency Department Work (00:08:03)
Transition to play therapy, government work, and impactful emergency department experiences.
Case Study: Postpartum Depression and Systemic Gaps (00:09:32)
A specific case of severe postpartum depression highlights systemic issues in care and hospital policies.
Specialized Training and Entering Perinatal Field (00:10:47)
Becky’s pursuit of specialized perinatal mental health training and certification.
Personal Experience with Postpartum Anxiety (00:12:08)
How Becky’s own postpartum anxiety shaped her empathy and clinical approach.
Serving a Diverse Population (00:13:47)
Challenges and strategies for addressing the needs of a diverse range of birthing individuals and families.
Geographic Practice: Virginia, Hawaii, New Mexico (00:16:17)
Becky’s connections to and work in different states, emphasizing cultural sensitivity and grassroots outreach.
Grassroots Collaboration and Community Engagement (00:17:41)
Stories of building relationships with local providers and adapting resources for specific communities.
Importance of Collaboration in Perinatal Work (00:20:58)
The necessity of interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches in perinatal and reproductive health.
Organic Collaborations and Expanding Impact (00:21:38)
Examples of how collaborations arise and expand Becky’s reach, including training and podcast guest sourcing.
Transition from Solo to Group Practice (00:24:34)
Becky’s evolution from solo practitioner to group practice leader, mentoring interns and residents.
Day-to-Day Practice and Future Plans (00:25:15)
Details about current clinical work, group therapy, residency programs, and plans for growth and outreach.
Community Outreach and Embracing Change (00:27:18)
Efforts in community outreach, adapting to new trends like AI, and operational changes for better care.
Upcoming Initiatives: "Others Day" (00:28:54)
Plans for a new event supporting those who wanted to be mothers but are not, expanding inclusivity.
Podcast Reflections and Approach (00:29:30)
Discussion of the podcast’s unique approach, including diverse guests and blending clinical and personal stories.
Power of Personal Stories and Reducing Isolation (00:30:32)
The impact of sharing personal experiences to help listeners feel less alone and more understood.
Themes of Perseverance and Systemic Change (00:32:41)
Common threads in guest stories: overcoming isolation, the need for better screening, and systemic improvements.
Commitment to Evidence-Based Education (00:35:01)
Highlighting the podcast’s dedication to evidence-based information and expert guests.
Clinicians with Lived Experience (00:36:23)
The importance of featuring clinicians who have personal perinatal experiences and addressing provider burnout.
Honoring Double Heroes in the Field (00:37:39)
Celebrating clinicians who turn personal adversity into advocacy and support for others.
Podcast’s Impact on Becky as Clinician and Mom (00:39:39)
How the podcast has broadened Becky’s perspective, connected her to national efforts, and reassured her about the field’s growth.
Motherhood Reflections and Personal Loss (00:41:26)
Becky reflects on her journey as a mother, personal traumas, pregnancy loss, and how these experiences fuel her work.
Listener Testimonial and Podcast’s Broader Impact (00:45:08)
Marisa shares how the podcast has enriched her life and provided resources for her community.
Closing and Future Outlook (00:47:21)
Gratitude, encouragement to stay tuned for future episodes, and information on how to connect with the practice.
Guest information
Becky Morrison Gleed, LMFT, PMH-C, is an author and licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in perinatal and reproductive mental health. Her clinical work centers on supporting individuals, couples, and families through fertility challenges, pregnancy and postpartum transitions, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, and reproductive loss.
Becky is the founder and host of the Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives podcast, a platform dedicated to elevating thoughtful, nuanced conversations across the reproductive spectrum.
With a background in reproductive psychotherapy, teaching, and clinical supervision, Becky is dedicated to strengthening the perinatal mental health field and expanding the ways we support growing families and the providers who care for them.
Resources
Perinatal & Reproductive Wellness Group
Employed Motherhood: Healthily and Holistically Transition Back to Work After Having a Baby