The Breadwinners Podcast

In this episode, Alexis Contos sits down with Aileen Fitzgerald, an Austin-based landscape artist who embodies "the art of devotion." After eight years as an ICU nurse, Aileen made the bold decision to pursue her childhood passion for painting while raising her daughter Lilah. From overcoming early discouragement to choosing emotional richness over financial security, Aileen shares how she navigates the tension between scheduling for freedom, presence and productivity. Learn about her commitment to seeing life in pure colors (literally - she won't wear sunglasses), her belief in physical connection as a love language, and how she's modeling authenticity for her 2 daughters while building a thriving artistic practice. The Breadwinners Aileen Fitz Art Aileen's Instagram Alexis' Instagram Edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod

"You're not hitting your skincare routine, being a great mom, crushing it at your job, putting dinner on the table, and having sex with your husband in 24 hours every day,” says Kim Chappell, the chief brand officer at Bobbie. “Nobody is. That's not happening." On our first episode of The Breadwinners Podcast, Alexis Contos talks with Kim about the inaugural “breadwinner dinner” at SXSW, returning to work and navigating guilt after maternity leave, and what’s next after "girlboss" culture. In the third era of working families, where success isn't about perfection but about defining your own boundaries, what does it mean to be a breadwinner? Kim explains why the future belongs to women who refuse to choose between career and family. Links: The Breadwinners Bobbie Edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod

They say you can't have it all — that mothers must choose between ambition and presence. But what if we're asking the wrong question? On The Breadwinners Podcast, Alexis Contos redefines what it means to be a Breadwinner in modern culture, moving it far beyond the paycheck. Through raw, honest conversations with women like Morgan Zanotti (CEO of Primal Kitchen), Nicole Trunfio (CEO of Bumpsuit), and Eve Rodsky (Author of Fair Play & Find Your Unicorn Space), we explore what it really takes to bring financial richness, emotional richness, and systemic change to our families. This isn't about balance, it's about integration. Not perfection, but wholeness. Whether you're already navigating motherhood and career, building your empire before kids arrive, or reimagining what family leadership looks like, these conversations will challenge everything you've been told about what's possible. The Breadwinners: Where ambitious mothers aren't just earning a living, they're pioneering a new era for themselves, and everyone who comes next. Learn more at thebreadwinners.co. Edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.