177: Postpartum, Perfectionism & the Power of the Village with Dr. Julia Krankl

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Julia Krankl—a Harvard-educated physician, UCLA-trained psychiatrist, TEDx speaker, author of The 21st Minute, and mother—for a deeply enriching conversation on mental health, emotional wellness, and the complex, sacred unraveling of the postpartum experience. Dr. Krankl brings both clinical insight and lived wisdom to our dialogue, drawing from her extensive training and personal journey.

Julia shares insights from her new book, The 21st Minute: Everything You Wish Doctors Explained About Mental Health, a resource she created to empower individuals with accessible, practical tools for navigating their emotional lives. We explore the inspiration behind the book’s title, the reality of postpartum anxiety, and the essential role of community when raising children.

Together, we dive into how perfectionism impacts parenting, the truth about emotional regulation, and how being “good enough” is more powerful than perfect.

You’ll also hear about:

• (02:15) Julia’s TEDx experience and forming instant community
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• (08:47) The origin and purpose of The 21st Minute
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• (16:22) What we’re getting wrong about postpartum mental health
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• (22:50) Why emotional regulation is key to parenting and healing
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• (34:18) Rewriting the perfectionism code as mothers
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• (45:12) How the “village” model of parenting can change everything
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Julia reminds us that mental wellness isn’t about perfection—it’s about honesty, self-awareness, and giving ourselves permission to grow through the process.

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Learn more about Dr. Julia Krankl:

• Visit her Website
• Watch her TEDx Talk
• Follow her on Instagram
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

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