Sobriety, Motherhood, and the Myth of the Perfect Parent

In this episode of The Postpartum Standard, Toni Toomey sits down with Sarah Smith for a deeply honest conversation about postpartum mental health, identity, and what it actually takes to feel steady again after becoming a mother.

Sarah shares her experience navigating postpartum depression and anxiety after her first child, including long-term disability for mental health, the anger and memory loss that caught her off guard, and how sobriety, therapy, medication, and community helped her rebuild. Together, Toni and Sarah unpack why so many mothers struggle months after birth, long after the six-week checkup, and why the lack of a modern “village” leaves too many women feeling isolated and unseen.

They talk candidly about planning for a second child after PPD, the importance of partner education, reclaiming identity outside of motherhood, and the power of taking life one hour, one moment, one next right step at a time. This episode is a reminder that nothing is wrong with you, your brain is not telling the truth when you’re in the dark, and support can change everything.

If you’re in the thick of postpartum anxiety or depression, supporting someone who is, or simply craving a more honest conversation about motherhood, this episode is for you.

Guest Bio

Sarah Smith is the Chief Innovation Officer at Iconoclast Innovations LLC, where she helps small to mid-sized businesses scale by removing friction that slows teams down. She designs practical operational systems and change management approaches that allow companies to grow without constant oversight.

Sarah has supported $60M+ in revenue growth across technology startups, SaaS companies, and PE-backed firms by fixing what breaks under pressure: unclear processes, misaligned teams, and bloated systems. Her work emphasizes practical frameworks, clarity over jargon, and sustainable execution.

She is also a mother of two and a passionate advocate for postpartum mental health awareness.

Connect with Sarah
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahleasmith/
Website: https://iconoclastinnovationsllc.com/