Regan Rouse
Regan, a seasoned photographer with an 18-year career, specializes in capturing life's genuine moments with a unique flair for storytelling through her lens. Her photography transcends mere images; it's about encapsulating the essence of emotions, the texture of moments, and the play of light. She is passionate about delivering an authentic narrative in her work, focusing on candid moments, intricate details, and creative portraiture, offering a comprehensive view of each story.
Her approach to photography is deeply rooted in creating experiences that are not just memorable but also enjoyable. Regan's work is characterized by her ability to explore faces and expressions, seeking out what truly ignites a person's spirit. This skill is particularly relevant to the "After Birth" project, where capturing the raw, emotional journey of postpartum experiences is essential. Her expertise in documenting vital moments with realism and emotion makes her an invaluable asset to the project, offering a real taste of the narrative's depth and complexity. Regan's photography is not just her profession but her love language, an expression of her deep connection to the stories she tells through her camera.
Jessica Sparzak
Jessica Sparzak is the visionary founder of Flowerlet, a unique floral design company that blends her passion for artificial flowers with her extensive background in the nonprofit sector. Launched in January 2024, Flowerlet has quickly distinguished itself by focusing on social impact through its charitable initiative, “Flower Superpower.” This program donates a significant portion of sales to charities that improve the health and wellness of women and children. Jessica’s journey into floral design began in New York City, where she initially designed for charity events, transforming her interest into a thriving business that challenges traditional floral industry norms. As a survivor of postpartum depression, Jessica brings a personal understanding and deep compassion to her advocacy work, supporting causes close to her heart. Her experiences with postpartum depression provide her with unique insights, making her contributions especially valuable to "After Birth"
Aubrie Nettle
Aubrie is a resilient and insightful individual whose journey into motherhood has been marked by profound challenges and growth. Encountering postpartum depression and psychosis at an older age, Aubrie's experience diverges from the conventional narrative of motherhood. She candidly addresses the deep shame and guilt associated with not initially wanting to be a mother and how these feelings intertwined with her postpartum mental health struggles. Aubrie's openness in discussing her journey, including the extreme steps she took to seek help, underscores her strength and determination. Her story is a testament to the importance of honest communication about maternal mental health and the need for systemic change in how postpartum care is approached. Aubrie's advocacy for legislative reform in maternal mental health care reflects her commitment to ensuring that other women do not face the same obstacles she did. Her story is not only one of personal survival but also of hope and action for the future of maternal mental health care.
Sara Nudd
Sara Nudd's valuable insights in "After Birth" stem from her extensive experience as a pediatric nurse and sleep consultant, coupled with her personal journey as a mother of four, including overcoming the challenges of her first child's congenital heart defect. Her 20-plus-year career in pediatric healthcare equips her with a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between child sleep patterns and parental mental health. In Colorado, Sara's practice is renowned for its holistic, evidence-based approach to sleep challenges, offering bespoke solutions tailored to family needs. Sara's expertise and personal story emphasize the project's focus on the critical importance of mental well-being and restorative sleep for parents. Her professional journey, highlighted by her role in facilitating parent support groups, demonstrates her commitment to nurturing a supportive community for parents navigating the complexities of parenthood.
Tyler Jane Jones
Tyler Jane Jones, a dynamic innovator and project manager, brings a wealth of experience and a personal touch to "After Birth." Her decade-long tenure in the health insurance industry witnessed her spearheading key projects and product launches, driven by her knack for process optimization and human-centered design. Tyler's journey took a turn when balancing her demanding corporate role with her role as a mother of two young children and her aspiration to create a homestead-like environment in suburban Denver. This challenge ignited her entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to establish her own company, Tyler Jane Jones, aimed at enhancing business strategy and operational flow for small business owners. As a mother, she deeply empathizes with the complexities of parental roles, making her an invaluable asset to the "After Birth" project. Her experience, both professional and personal, aligns perfectly with the project's mission, contributing a unique perspective on balancing professional aspirations with the demands of parenthood.
Patrece Hairston Peetz
Patrece Hairston Peetz, a licensed clinical psychologist with 16 years of experience specializing in maternal and child health, brings a vital perspective to the "After Birth" documentary. Her professional expertise is enriched by her personal journey through postpartum depression and anxiety as a mother of two, making her contribution to the film particularly poignant. Patrice's understanding of the nuances of perinatal health—spanning biological, hormonal, social, and familial factors—makes her a valuable voice in exploring the complex realities of postpartum experiences. Her work across diverse settings, including academia, medical, community mental health, and policy, aligns closely with the documentary's exploration of systemic issues in maternal mental health care. As an advocate for proactive and comprehensive support for mothers and families, Patrice's insights underscore the importance of community and peer support, early intervention, and the need for systemic change in how society approaches postpartum care. Her unique blend of professional knowledge and personal experience positions her as a key figure in the documentary, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of postpartum challenges and recovery.
John Curtis
John Curtis, a deputy chief with South Metro Fire Rescue and a paramedic with over 20 years of experience, offers a unique perspective in the postpartum space, highlighting the often-overlooked impact of postpartum depression (PPD) on fathers. Married to Kristen for almost nine years and a father to two boys with a third child on the way, John's insights are especially relevant to the documentary "After Birth." His personal journey through his wife's struggle with PPD and his professional encounters with child-related emergencies have deeply influenced his understanding of parental mental health. John's experience underscores the critical need for awareness and support for both parents during the postpartum period, emphasizing that PPD is not just a mother’s issue but a family one, making his perspective invaluable in a field where fathers' experiences are seldom heard.
Lindsey Long
Lindsey Long is a board certified pediatrician specializing in the field of mental and behavioral health. After working with University of Michigan for 9 years, she has openned her own private practice called Haven and Health Consulting Group, with the mindset of focusing on the health and wellness of the family dynamic to foster a safe space for ourselves and our children to thrive. She is an advocate for a compassionate, inclusive, and safe environment that provides a dynamic and integrative approach. Her professional perspective on the positive changes that could be made within the current traditional healthcare model make her a valuable asset to After Birth.
Kristi Marrs
Kristi is a pediatric nurse with 18 years of experience in the medical field. She's worked on all medical units in pediatric hospitals, including years in the NICU. Even though she spent her career helping others through their hardest days, getting help herself after recognizing the signs of postpartum depression and anxiety felt impossible.
Kristi's journey begins with a difficult birth process, leading to mental health struggles that created a lack of bonding with her newborn for months. Her story proves that no matter how much experience or knowledge you have prior to birth, PPD and PPA can happen to anyone.
After feeling lost in the beginning of her journey, Kristi found a way to find her hope and happiness again. She still battles anxiety on a daily basis, but has collected skills to overcome it and be a more "present" mom. She's become an advocate for others silently battling postpartum mental health and carried her experience into her nursing career, making her a stronger caregiver focusing on educating and supporting new moms in their hardest phase of life.