Parenthood Bytes

In this episode of Parenthood Bytes, we sit down with Mubashir Memon, a single parent in tech who is raising three young children - ages 6, 5, and 3. He shares his approach to raising well-behaved and happy kids - doing activities with them, treating them like little grown-ups you can reason with, and helping them adapt to the world around them.We also explore his journey into tech, product management, and consulting, and how he launched his own car dealership. He opens up about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and solo parenting, and how he’s learned to take things as they come. He also gives us a preview of an app he’s currently developing, something we’ll revisit in a future conversation.

In this episode, we reconnect with Ivy Brooks, who is a business and marketing strategist and author. She talks to us about her journey of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. From overcoming tokophobia to building a successful freelance marketing career, Ivy opens up about the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. Discover how she navigated the complexities of parenting, homeschooling during the pandemic, and the evolving landscape of technology in her work. To learn more about Ivy and see how she can help you, check out her site at ivymbrooks.com!You can check out https://www.littleone.care/ to learn more about the product Ivy was talking about in the episode.

In this episode, we sit down with Ivy Brooks, who is a Business and Marketing Strategist, published author, and professional celebrant. Ivy partners with mission-driven individuals to help them create lasting, meaningful impact in both their industries and personal lives.Based in Las Vegas and raising a nine-year-old son, Ivy shares her experience of launching and growing her own business while navigating the complexities of single motherhood. She opens up about the realities of balancing entrepreneurship and parenting, the moments of doubt, and the mindset shifts that helped her stay aligned with her values.We also explore her unexpected journey into the tech and marketing space, how she built her expertise, and the ways she continues to evolve as both a strategist and a parent.Tune in to hear Ivy’s story!

In this episode, Max Lee returns to the show to talk about growing up in a bilingual household and how he’s now fostering bilingualism with his own kids. He shares the challenges he faced as a child, what’s worked for his family, and the values behind raising multilingual children.Max previously joined us in Episodes 44, 47, and 69 to talk about his journey into tech, his experience with parental leave, and his decision to take a break from his tech career to create his own app, Wandrous.▶️ Check out Episode 44 to hear about Max's journey into tech, Episode 47 to hear about his paternity leave, and Episode 69 to hear about his intentional break and his app, Wandrous!💡If you'd like to download the Wandrous app, you can do so here.📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!

In this episode, we welcome back Klaudia McDonald for a second conversation. Klaudia first joined us to share her journey into tech, and today she returns to talk about building her business while raising two young kids and navigating international moves.We dive into what it really looks like to pursue entrepreneurship in the midst of early parenthood - from ruthless prioritization to time management strategies that allow her to get things done within tight windows. Klaudia speaks candidly about the challenges, tradeoffs, and fulfillment that come with carving out a path that aligns with both professional goals and family life.💡Check out www.boboapp.app to learn more about the Bobo App!📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co!

In this episode, we’re joined by Klaudia McDonald, founder of the Bobo app, a platform designed to make parenting easier and more straightforward than ever before. Klaudia is a tech founder and mom of two young kids, ages 4 and 3, and brings a thoughtful, real-world perspective to the conversation around balancing startup life with early parenthood. Klaudia also hosts her own podcast, She Has It All, where she interviews moms from the UK and Canada about their personal and professional journeys.We talk about her journey into tech, what inspired her to build Bobo, and how she navigated multiple parental leaves while launching her company. Klaudia shares how the app provides localized, medically-vetted resources and personalized content for parents, helping them track not just their child’s development, but their own well-being as well. ▶️ Tune in to hear about Klaudia's inspiring journey!💡 You can learn more about the Bobo app at their website: www.boboapp.app!📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co!✨ Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!

In this episode, we reconnect with Lauren Fischetti, a career and life coach and parent of two young kids. Lauren first joined us in Episode 20 to share her journey into tech and her transition into coaching. She returned in Episode 77 to talk about how she built and evolved her coaching practice.Now, she's back to discuss common themes she hears from moms in tech and to offer practical advice on how to navigate them. From the ongoing tension between career growth and being present for your kids, to strategies for taking more control of your professional path, Lauren offers thoughtful insights and actionable tips for working parents.▶️ Check out⁠ ⁠Episode 20⁠⁠ to hear Lauren's journey into tech and coaching and Episode 72 to learn more about Lauren's coaching business and how Lauren's it has evolved. 💡If you'd like to learn more about Lauren's coaching business, the workshops she runs, or how she can help you or your business, you can reach her at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-fischetti/⁠.📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!

In this episode, we're rejoined by Ha Tran, a former tech executive turned coach and founder of The Inner Fire, a practice dedicated to helping people lead with greater clarity and courage - both at home and at work. You can learn more about her work at theinnerfire.co.We previously spoke with Ha in Episode 60 about her journey from tech to coaching, and again in Episode 76 about equipping kids with essential life skills. Today, she’s back to dive into the topic of Calm Parenting.We explore what Calm Parenting means, how Ha practices it in her own life, and how it can help parents navigate tough moments with their children. Ha shares powerful anecdotes and practical insights that highlight the impact of this approach in real-life situations.💡If you're curious about how Ha can support you in finding more clarity and courage, visit theinnerfire.co to learn more.🎧 Tune in to hear more about Ha's insights and take on calm parenting!▶️ You can hear Ha's previous episode about her journey into tech and coaching on Episode 60. ▶️ You can hear about how she equips kids with essential life skills on Episode 76.📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!

In this episode, we reconnect with Lisa Schultz, a marketing Operations Leader, who is also running a successful home organizing business. Lisa candidly discusses her strategies for work-life balance and navigating the unprecedented challenges of raising young children during the pandemic. She provides invaluable insights into her son's experiences with distance learning, his ADHD diagnosis, and how she supported him through an eating disorder. Lisa powerfully underscores the importance of community support and its resources. She also highlights the critical role of parental oversight, even when support systems are in place, to ensure children are truly receiving the promised and necessary care.🎧 Tune in to hear Lisa's valuable insights and learnings! 💡If you are looking for a marketing leader to join your team, you can reach Lisa at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaschultz3000/.🏠 If you are in the California East Bay, and would like to learn more about Lisa's home organizing business, you can reach her at withinreachorganizing.com!

In this episode, we chat with Lisa Shultz, who is a seasoned Marketing Operations professional with more than 15 years of experience in the fast-paced world of high-growth startups. A mother of two (ages 6 and 11), Lisa currently leads a home organizing and consulting agency, drawing upon her extensive marketing operations background. In this conversation, she recounts her journey into tech, her evolution into marketing, and the story behind her entrepreneurial venture. Lisa also openly shares her experience taking a deliberate step away from tech and her current desire to re-enter the field. 💡If you're interested in her marketing operations skills, connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaschultz3000/. 🏠 California East Bay residents seeking her home organizing services can reach her via the same LinkedIn profile or at https://www.withinreachorganizing.com/.

In this episode, we're delighted to continue our conversation with Nam, a Director of Product at Oracle and a dedicated father to two young children, ages one and four. For those who tuned in to episode 78, you'll recall Nam's inspiring journey into the tech industry and his thoughtful approach to career transitions while embarking on the adventure of starting a family. Now, Nam returns to offer invaluable insights into his approach to work/life balance, sharing his personal strategies for effectively managing his demanding time. He also opens up about his perspective on his own ongoing career development as he navigates the rewarding yet challenging years of raising young toddlers.🎧 Tune in to hear thoughtful insights about Nam's journey as a working parent in tech!▶️ You can catch the last conversation with Nam ⁠here⁠.📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!

In this episode, we chat with Nam, Director of Product at Oracle and father of two (ages 4 and 1). He shares his journey into the tech world, the unique experience of navigating parenthood during the pandemic, and his thoughtful transition out of the demanding consultant lifestyle. Nam offers reassuring wisdom for parents, encouraging them to embrace the present, avoid over-planning, and trust that their perspectives will naturally evolve as their children grow. Tune in to hear Nam's insightful perspectives and unique journey!

In this episode of Parenthood Bytes, we're delighted to welcome back the insightful Lauren Fischetti, whom we last spoke to on Episode 20. While her previous appearance offered a glimpse into her inspiring journey into tech and coaching, today's conversation dives deeper into the evolution of her coaching career. Lauren shares the pivotal shifts in her business, starting with a focus on empowering women in the tech industry and now expanding to address the critical challenges of burnout and the art of balancing a fulfilling career with being a present and engaged parent. 🎧 Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for achieving a more sustainable and balanced life.▶️ Check out Episode 20 to hear Lauren's journey into tech and coaching.💡If you'd like to learn more about Lauren's coaching business or how she can help you or your business, you can reach her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-fischetti/.📣 If you or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story, ➡️ email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co⁠!

In this episode, we welcome back Ha Tran, a former tech executive turned coach. Her business, The Inner Fire, focuses on helping people lead with more clarity and courage both at home and at work. You may remember her from Episode 60, where she talked to us about her journey into tech and how she pivoted into coaching. Ha joins us today to explore the crucial topic of discussing future careers with children and how to set them up with the foundation to make tough decisions on their own. Ha emphasizes the importance of nurturing essential life skills in kids, focusing on the development of emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and robust problem-solving abilities rather than just focusing on a specific script. She shares practical strategies and perspectives on how parents can guide young people to make wise and thoughtful decisions about their future paths, empowering them to navigate uncertainty and embrace opportunities with confidence. 💡 If you would like to reach out to Ha, you can find her at theinnerfire.co or email her at ha@theinnerfire.co.

In this episode, we welcome back Bernadette Castaneda, a seasoned Compliance Manager and the mother of a now 25-year-old son. Drawing from her personal experiences, Bernadette generously shares her strategies and wisdom on navigating the often-challenging teenage years with her son. She delves into the nuances of guiding him through the significant milestone of choosing a college and offers valuable perspectives on supporting him in making crucial life decisions along the way. Beyond the college application process, Bernadette also provides practical advice on staying attuned to the various facets of a teenager's life. This includes fostering healthy communication when a romantic partner or close friends enter the picture, being mindful of the environment and influences surrounding your child, and generally staying connected with their evolving world.🎧 Tune in to gain valuable insights and actionable tips from Bernadette's journey, offering a blend of personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflections on raising a teenager in today's world.💡 You can also revisit Bernadette's previous appearances in Episode 11, where she recounted her journey into the tech industry and the joys and challenges of raising a young child, and in Episode 70, where she thoughtfully discussed her decision-making process regarding private versus public schooling.✉️ Please reach out to me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co if you'd like to be a guest on the podcast or if there is a specific topic that you would like to hear being discussed.✨ Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co!

In this episode, we welcome back Virginia Frischkorn, founder and CEO of Partytrick, to delve into her experience navigating the pandemic while raising two young children, now 8 and 10, and how her business has evolved. She talks to us about the practical tools she implemented to manage stress, including mindfulness techniques and time-saving strategies. Virginia also emphasizes the importance of cultivating gratitude, even for the smallest daily moments, and how these practices provided essential support during challenging times.🎧 Catch up on last week's episode to hear Virginia's story of building her business after becoming a mother, and her tips for work-life balance and self-care.💡 For your next corporate event, celebration, or milestone moment, check out Partytrick! You can also find them on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.✉️ If you, or someone you know, has experience as a parent in tech and would like to share your story  ➡️ Email me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co!✨Interested in sponsoring an episode? ➡️ Email me at ⁠chiao@parenthoodbytes.co!

This episode features Virginia Frischkorn, an award-winning event industry veteran and startup founder. Virginia is currently the CEO and founder of Partytrick, an end-to-end event planning platform for consumers and brands. She shares her journey of building a business while raising two children, ages 10 and 8. She talks about how she navigated building a startup with young children, structures her days, and instills the value of hard work in her kids. Virginia also talks about how she keeps her children involved in her business, being fully present for her family, and the crucial role of self-care in her busy life.🗓 Tune in next week to learn how Virginia navigated the pandemic with two young children and how her business evolved as a result. 💡 For your next corporate event, celebration, or milestone moment, check out Partytrick! 

We continue our inspiring chat with Neha Tiwari, founder and principal consultant at Version Consulting, and a mom of two (ages 3 and 6). In this episode, Neha opens up about the challenges and triumphs of growing her business while simultaneously raising a newborn to toddler, and then another newborn during the pandemic. She also talks about how the pandemic has forced her to stretch herself and realize that her skills transfer to more industries than where she started. Neha tells us that as a parent, she has been really ruthless about prioritizing and taking advantage of every minute she has to get things done such as doing things for self care. She also emphasizes the importance for parents to advocate and set boundaries for themselves as well. Tune in to hear how Neha was able to build her growing business through the pandemic while raising young kids and how she manages it all! You can also find Neha at https://www.versionconsulting.co/ or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehalia/

In this episode, we chat with Neha Tiwari, who is the founder and principal of Version Consulting, a fractional Chief Operating Officer, as well as an award-winning digital strategist. Not only that, but Neha is also the mother of a 3 and 6 year old. She shares with us her inspiring journey of launching Version Consulting and navigating the unique challenges of parental leave while building her business from the ground up. We will continue our chat with her next week to talk about how she navigated the pandemic while growing her evolving business, raising two young kids, and making sure to take care of herself in the process.If you're interested in connecting with Neha, you can find her at her website, versionconsulting.co, or on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/nehalia.

In this episode, we reconnect with Bernadette Castaneda, a Compliance Manager in the Bay Area and mother to a 25-year-old son, whom we last spoke with on Episode 11. We take a deep dive into the decision-making process between public and private schools, discussing the factors she considered, the trade-offs she navigated, and the pros and cons of each option. Bernadette also shares insights on what ultimately worked for her family and advice for parents facing a similar choice.Please reach out to me at chiao@parenthoodbytes.co if you'd like to be a guest on my podcast or if there is a specific topic that you would like to hear being discussed!