In this episode, Blessing Adesiyan, founder of Mother Honestly, shares her powerful journey as a working mother and advocate for caregivers. Blessing opens up about the personal challenges of finding affordable, sustainable care for her four children and the broader implications for families across the U.S. She discusses the critical need for companies to recognize and support the caregiving responsibilities of their employees, emphasizing paid leave as an essential transition period for parents.

Blessing also delves into the often-unacknowledged value of unpaid caregiving work and the need for policy changes that involve men in the conversation around care. She stresses the importance of empathy, curiosity, and genuine understanding from men as key to reshaping care responsibilities. This episode is a call to action for companies, families, and communities to value care more equitably and advocate for meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating care as a working mother is challenging, especially with limited affordable care options in the U.S.
• Companies must prioritize caregiving support through policies like paid leave.
• Valuing unpaid caregiving work is essential for recognizing its true impact on families and communities.
• Involving men in the conversation about caregiving is crucial, as they control many of the structures that shape care policies.
• Approach conversations about care with empathy, and encourage curiosity from all stakeholders.
• Never make assumptions about caregiving needs—ask questions and listen.
• Parenting often leads to unexpected opportunities to advocate for better care policies.

Keywords: working mothers, caregiver support, workplace policies, paid leave, caregiving advocacy, men and caregiving, unpaid work, care redistribution, caregiving challenges, caregap, daycare, childcare, equitable care policies.

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Paige:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

In this raw and revealing episode, Maggie Remynse joins us to share her journey from unexplained infertility to motherhood, navigating the unexpected hurdles of fertility treatments, a traumatic birth, and the early days of parenthood. Maggie, a 32-year-old mom to a 6.5-month-old son, opens up about the emotional and financial toll of IVF treatments and shares her experiences managing challenging pregnancy complications. Living in Northern New Jersey with her husband, Maggie works as the VP of Curriculum/Content at an EdTech company, where she leads a team of data scientists creating data-driven learning content for corporate tech e-learning.

Beyond her professional life, Maggie’s story is even more unique as a former Division 1 athlete turned professional pickleball player. Ranked in the top 20 worldwide before her pregnancy, she played her last professional tournament at 12 weeks pregnant and now coaches pickleball in her spare time. In this conversation, Maggie highlights the harsh realities often left unsaid about fertility treatments, birth trauma, and early motherhood while shedding light on the resilience required to navigate it all.

Maggie’s Joy
Maggie shares that her favorite moment each day is when she goes to pick up her son from his crib. His beaming smile when he sees her each morning fills her with happiness and makes all the challenges she’s faced worthwhile. For Maggie, these simple, joyful moments with her son bring the greatest sense of fulfillment.

Maggie’s Advice
For those beginning the journey into motherhood or navigating fertility challenges, Maggie advises: "Be prepared in whatever way feels right for you." She wishes she had researched more and prepared herself for the realities of fertility treatments, potential birth complications, and the early days of parenting. Maggie encourages other new or expectant parents to seek out information and resources that help them feel informed, especially if they’re the type of person who finds comfort in preparation.

Resources:
The Wonder Weeks
Maggie's Episode Page

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Paige:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Balancing Career and Motherhood: Stephanie’s Inspiring Journey Through NICU Challenges, Advocacy, and Career Success

Description: In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie, a Chief Merchandising Officer and mother of two, who shares her unique journey from being a career-driven woman to embracing motherhood later in life. Stephanie dives deep into her experiences navigating the NICU after a traumatic early birth, balancing her high-powered job in the fashion industry, and becoming an advocate for better parental support and leave policies.

Key Topics Covered:

• NICU Challenges: Hear Stephanie’s emotional recount of her son’s premature birth and 87-day NICU stay, shedding light on the financial and emotional toll it took.
• Balancing Work and Motherhood: Discover how Stephanie manages a demanding career while prioritizing family, thanks to ruthless calendar management and a supportive team.
• Advocacy and Empathy: Learn about Stephanie’s advocacy work with Chamber of Mothers and her mission to improve parental leave and support for families in crisis.
• Unexpected Joys of Parenting: Despite the challenges, Stephanie shares the profound joy and fulfillment that motherhood has brought into her life.
• Practical Advice for Parents: From time management tips to embracing the positive moments, Stephanie’s advice is relatable and inspiring for parents at any stage.

Keywords: NICU, career and motherhood balance, parental leave advocacy, high-powered working mom, traumatic birth story, NICU journey, working mom tips, balancing work and family, parental support, premature birth, parenting challenges, motherhood joy, empathy in leadership.

Helpful resources:

Chamber of Mothers

RAISEfashion

Helpful Instagram page for NICU parents @dearnicumama

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Paige:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms