The Breadwinners Podcast

What does it take to walk away from 17 years of corporate security — stock options, healthcare, a VP title at Nike — and bet on yourself? In this episode, Alexis sits down with Mel Strong, co-founder of Next Ventures, a health and wellness-focused venture fund. Mel's path has been anything but linear: first-grade teacher, journalist, marketing executive, interim CMO of Oura Ring, and now fund manager — and she's candid about every messy step it took to get there. In this conversation: Why women at the same income level as men weren't investing the same way — and what Mel did about it The athlete mindset and using fear as a compass instead of a stop sign Growing up as a caregiver to a sister with disabilities — and becoming a "mom" in 4th grade What it was really like when her husband became unemployed and she became the Breadwinner Her early investment in Oura Ring and what she saw before anyone else did Why women are the chief medical officers of their families — and what that means for the future of health tech The loneliness epidemic, human connection, and why community is the truest form of technology Mel's story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and building wealth on your own terms. 🎙️ The Breadwinners Podcast — where ambitious mothers don't just earn a living, they're pioneering a new era. 📩 Join the Breadwinner community: wearethebreadwinners.substack.com 🌐 Next Ventures: nextventures.com | Substack: https://nextventures.substack.com/

You're expected to work like you don't have kids and parent like you don't work. Kelly Hubbell, founder of Sage Haus, looked at this impossible equation and decided to build the solution herself. In this episode, Kelly shares her journey from corporate tech sales to launching Sage Haus—a company that provides house managers and holistic family support for busy working parents. After her second child, Kelly found herself overwhelmed, creating a spreadsheet at 2am cataloging everything she was managing on top of her full-time job. That breakdown moment became her breakthrough. We dive into the reality of founder-motherhood, why the "mental load" conversation needs to shift from problem to solution, and how Kelly is building a business that reflects her values while showing her three kids what's possible when you refuse to choose between ambition and presence. About Kelly Kelly Hubbell is the founder of Sage Haus, a company that helps busy families find holistic, versatile support through house managers and family assistants. A former software sales professional who worked her way through Silicon Valley startups, Kelly made the leap from corporate America to entrepreneurship after realizing the support gap working parents face. Kelly lives in Portland with her husband (also an entrepreneur), three children (ages 7, 5, and 3), and a 7-year-old dog. She's on a mission to normalize household support and give families permission to get the help they need. Find Kelly: Instagram: @mysagehaus LinkedIn: Kelly Hubbell Website: Sign up for informational calls about finding your house manager Get $275 off your deposit by using this link: https://sage-haus.thrivecart.com/hiring-services-deposit/?coupon=BREADWINNERJoin The Breadwinners Community Subscribe to The Breadwinners on Substack for: - Full podcast episodes - In-depth written interviews with guests - Live Q&A sessions with experts - Exclusive content on hormones, finances, partnership dynamics, and more It's free to subscribe → wearethebreadwinners.substack.com

What does modern fatherhood really look like in 2025 - and why aren't more men talking about it? In this episode of The Breadwinners Podcast, host Alexis Contos sits down with Nick Firchau, creator and host of The Paternal Podcast, to have an honest conversation about the challenges fathers face today. From the crisis of male loneliness to the invisible labor dads carry, Nick shares insights from over 130 interviews with fathers from all walks of life. This conversation explores why fatherhood feels so isolating for many men, how generational patterns shape the parents we become, and why supporting working mothers and engaged fathers isn't a zero-sum game. 1. Many fathers are parenting without a roadmap Nearly 40% of the dads Nick has interviewed either didn't have a father figure present or had a problematic one (substance abuse, violence, or emotional absence). These men are building their approach to fatherhood from scratch. 2. Male loneliness is a parenting issue While mothers often find community through mom groups and playdates, fathers struggle to form meaningful friendships where they can discuss the real challenges of parenting. Men are conditioned to keep conversations surface-level. 3. The "bumbling dad" stereotype hurts everyone From Homer Simpson to Modern Family, media has long portrayed fathers as incompetent or emotionally distant. This trope doesn't just frustrate dads—it sets low expectations for father involvement. 4. Partnership means rejecting the scorecard Nick and his wife live by "BOTD" (Benefit of the Doubt) and refuse to keep score. They recognize that careers, income, and family responsibilities ebb and flow—what matters is adapting together. 5. Emotional vocabulary is learned, not inherited One of the biggest shifts Nick is making with his own kids: teaching them to name and discuss their emotions, something he didn't learn until adulthood. Nick Firchau is the creator and host of The Paternal Podcast, a show exploring modern fatherhood through candid conversations with dads from diverse backgrounds. With a background in journalism (Chicago Sun-Times) and over 15 years in podcasting, Nick has interviewed Super Bowl champions, Pulitzer Prize winners, bestselling authors, and everyday fathers about what it means to be a dad today. The Paternal Podcast launched in 2017 and has produced over 130 episodes examining father-son relationships, masculinity, male mental health, and the evolving role of fathers in American families. Connect with Nick: Podcast: The Paternal Podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms) Website: paternalpodcast.com Instagram: @paternalpodcast The Breadwinners Podcast is for ambitious working mothers who are set out to redefine what Breadwinner means in today's society and culture - beyond the paycheck. New episodes drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5-star review and share it with a fellow breadwinner - or the dad in your life who needs to hear this conversation.

Ali Tate Cutler gets brutally honest about what nobody tells you: how to build a business while grieving the version of yourself you once were. Less than 1% of guests on major business podcasts are mothers. The rest? Childless men teaching strategies that don't work when you're building while celebrating your own transformation as a working mom. "Mothers don't grind, we create. We don't hustle, we flow." Ali (former supermodel turned social media strategist) created a new framework: Mothers don't grind, we create. We don't hustle, we flow. She shares the grieving process of losing her pre-mother self, what she misses, the paradox of freedom, how to create when your time is fractured, and what small business owners get wrong about social media. What You'll Learn: - How moms actually build businesses versus the traditional playbook - The grief of losing your pre-mother self and why it's okay - The paradox of choice after kids - Creating (not grinding) with constant interruptions - What's wrong with "hustle" advice for working parents - Building visibility without burnout - Honoring who you were while becoming who you are Subscribe to The Breadwinners Substack Connect with Ali Join The Breadwinners

In this episode, Alexis Contos sits down with Patrice Meagher, a 20-year Commercial Real Estate veteran turned Founder and CEO of MilkMate. After spending two decades leasing millions of square feet in Manhattan , Patrice realized that while we can fly to space, the most "innovative" solution for pumping at work was still a storage closet or a bathroom stall. Patrice shares her journey of leaving a successful corporate career to solve a problem that had plagued her through four children: the inefficiency and indignity of pumping in the workplace. She breaks down her famous "Coffee Pot Analogy" - asking men to imagine brewing their morning coffee in a bathroom stall while disrobing and carrying equipment back and forth - to illustrate the absurdity of the status quo. In this conversation, Patrice discusses the "tipping point" for working mothers - that moment when one small thing (like a forgotten pump part) causes the mental load to crumble. She opens up about the daunting process of gaining FDA clearance for MilkMate , the wisdom she carries from her late father’s "Don’t Quit" motto , and why she believes working moms are the most efficient workers in the universe. Whether you are an employer looking to support your team or a parent navigating the "drip effect" of balancing career and family , this episode offers a blueprint for how we can evolve the workplace—bird by bird, step by step. The Breadwinners MilkMate MilkMate Instagram

It started with a pinched sciatic nerve and a diet of dollar-slice pizza. In 2012, Sarah Levey was working in fashion on a $32,000 salary, desperate for physical recovery but completely alienated by the performative nature of traditional yoga. She didn't just want a workout; she wanted a sanctuary where she didn't have to look like the teacher or the person in the front row. So she built Y7 Studio—a beat-bumping, candlelit rebellion against the mirrors, bright lights, and judgment of the typical studio experience. ​ In this candid conversation, Alexis and Sarah go far beyond the business of fitness. Sarah opens up about the darker side of building a cult-favorite brand: the dangerous trap of letting your business become your entire identity. She takes us through her transformative experience with the Hoffman Process, revealing how she learned to "divorce" her soul from her company after years of being the ultimate decision-maker. ​ From her early days of "living the dream" on the streets of New York to her evolution as a leader who no longer needs to control every outcome, Sarah shares deep wisdom on emotional accountability. She discusses the parallels between gentle parenting and leadership, and why stepping back to become a "steward of culture" might be the bravest move a founder can make. ​ Whether you're a reluctant yogi, a burnt-out founder, or someone trying to stop carrying the emotional weight of everyone around you—this episode is a masterclass in building a business without losing yourself. The Breadwinners Y7 Studio Sarah's Website Sarah's Instagram Breadwinners Instagram

In this episode, Alexis Contos sits down with Libby Leffler, tech executive turned founder of First, who is dismantling the stigma around prenups and reframing them as the ultimate act of partnership design. After spending nearly two decades building generation-defining companies like Google, Facebook, and SoFi, Libby noticed a glaring gap in how we handle our most significant personal "merger", marriage. She realized that while we plan meticulously for our careers and companies, we often leave our relationships to chance. She founded First to change that, shifting the narrative from a "breaking point" to "a "joining point." From debunking the Sex and the City era myths about prenups to defining "modern money" (it’s not just cash, it’s your IP, your side hustle, and yes, even your pets), Libby is normalizing the hard conversations that actually make couples stronger. She’s helping women protect their "future selves" amidst the Great Wealth Transfer, ensuring they enter partnerships with clarity rather than crossed fingers. In this conversation, Libby opens up about the reality of leaving a high-powered corporate career to build a startup while raising young children. She discusses why "work-life balance" is a lie we need to stop believing, how she uses "focus" as her superpower to navigate different seasons of life, and why she believes your failures will always teach you more than your successes. Whether you’re walking down the aisle, negotiating a raise, or just trying to figure out how to integrate your ambition with your life, this episode offers a new operating agreement for it all. The Breadwinners Website  
First Official Website  First's Instagram Libby’s Instagram Breadwinner's Instagram Business Insider Article Use code THEBREADWINNERS at checkout for $100 off First lawyer reviewed prenup package Promo code available 1/5/2026 through 3/1/2026 11:59p PT; all coupon codes must be used a checkout at time of purchase (no retroactive discounts), terms and conditions apply

In this episode, Alexis Contos sits down with Morgan Zanotti, the founder behind Waay and former leader at Primal Kitchen, to discuss what it really takes to build wellness brands while being a breadwinner mother. From navigating the competitive CPG industry to creating products that align with her values as a parent, Morgan shares the unfiltered reality of startup life, financial responsibility, and integration. Learn about her journey from established brand to founder, her philosophy on health and family, and how she's redefining what success looks like as a mother-entrepreneur in the wellness space. The Breadwinners: https://thebreadwinners.co/ Waay: https://drinkwaay.com/ Morgan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganzanotti/ Alexis' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lex919

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

In this episode, Alexis Contos sits down with Nicole Trunfio—supermodel, founder of Bumpsuit, and mother of three—who's on a mission to do something radical: make motherhood desirable, not just manageable.When Nicole's father told her "You have a strong head on your shoulders and I trust you," she took that trust and ran—straight to New York to model, then straight through every outdated rule about what mothers should look like, how they should behave, and what they should accept. She built Bumpsuit and started a movement.From studying ancient Ayurvedic postpartum practices (belly binding, the first 40 days, pelvic floor work) to openly discussing the things mothers are "supposed" to whisper about, Nicole is rewriting the entire system. She's not just designing maternity wear—she's amplifying mothers' voices and creating camaraderie among women who are tired of being told motherhood is something to merely survive.In this conversation, Nicole shares how she balances raising three children with Gary Clark Jr. on a Texas ranch while running a company that's fundamentally about changing how we see motherhood—not as sacrifice or limitation, but as power. Learn about her move-fast-break-things approach to business, why she has high expectations for her children while also giving them radical trust, and how she's teaching the next generation to be their own best advocates.Whether you're breaking rules, building systems, or just trying to feel like yourself again—this episode will challenge how you think about what's possible when we stop managing motherhood and start making it magnetic. Liver flushing Nicole's Instagram The Breadwinners ⁠The Breadwinners on Instagram

"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

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

In this powerful episode, Alexis Contos reunites with Julie Cordua, CEO of Thorn, an organization building technology to defend children from online child sex exploitation. Julie and Alexis worked together 15 years ago on Thorn's launch, and Alexis has watched Julie dedicate her life to this essential work while raising her own family. Content note: This episode discusses child sexual abuse and trafficking. While we don't include graphic details, the subject matter is inherently difficult. This conversation explores what it means to be a Breadwinner when your currency isn't just financial - it's measured in children identified, child sex exploitation content identified and removed, and technology platforms made safer. We discuss the impact of AI on child exploitation, the reality of the dark web, how tech companies must do better, and - critically - what parents can do right now to protect their children online.Julie shares practical guidance for talking to kids about online safety, warning signs to watch for, and how everyday people can join the fight against child exploitation. Whether you're a parent trying to navigate your child's digital life or someone who wants to understand how to make a difference, this conversation will inform and empower you." Thorn.org Thorn on Instagram Julie's TED Talk Thorn Parent Guide The Breadwinners on Instagram