The Work-Life Equation

In this candid conversation, working moms Casandra Williams and Aurore Joshi open up about the challenges and joys of navigating careers while juggling caregiving responsibilities. Casandra, a first-generation college graduate and mother to a 2-year-old, shares her strategies for effective co-parenting and staying organized. Aurore provides a moving account of her 20-year journey as the "sandwich generation" caregiver – supporting her ailing single mother for 11 years, and then her father's declining health shortly after the birth of her first child. The two mothers offer invaluable insights on mindfulness, prioritizing self-care, finding moments of joy amidst hardship, and giving oneself grace during life's intense seasons. They discuss the importance of supportive managers, affordable backup care, and building a nurturing "village." With refreshing vulnerability, Casandra and Aurore emphasize the lessons of gratitude, self-love and acceptance that their caregiving journeys have taught them. This powerful episode illuminates the daily struggles and resilience of modern working parents striving to find harmony across work and life.

On this episode Priya and Paul are joined by Dr. Aditi Nerukar, a Harvard physician, nationally recognized stress expert, and author of the book "Rewire Your Brain for Less Stress and More Joy." Dr. Nerukar shares invaluable insights from her years of expertise working with patients on managing stress and burnout. She debunks the myth of multitasking, explaining how our brains are wired for "monotasking" and provides actionable strategies like time blocking to boost productivity. She also offers empowering advice for working mothers navigating the impossible demands placed on them. Whether you're looking to rewire your relationship with stress or simply live with more joy, this candid conversation with the insightful Dr. Nerukar provides a roadmap for lasting change.

DeAnne Aussem, Managing Director and Wellbeing Leader at PwC, shares her inspiring journey as a female executive while navigating work, parenthood, and finding harmony across life's different spheres. DeAnne provides an inside look at PwC's pioneering "Be Well, Work Well" initiative launched in 2017 to prioritize employee wellness across six dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and social. DeAnne also opens up about her own experiences as a wife, mother of two, and a caregiver. Her authentic storytelling offers insights into modeling work-life integration, the importance of self-care, and creating truly inclusive cultures where employees can thrive as their whole selves. 

Dr. Ramon Jacobs-Shaw is redefining what it means to be a modern father and healthcare leader. From growing up in rural poverty to achieving dual board certifications in pediatrics and internal medicine at elite institutions, Ramon has been driven by a passion for serving underserved populations like his own Lumbee tribe. He opens up about his roles championing health equity as Chief Clinical Officer at Belong Health and being a "visible dad" modeling engaged fatherhood. Ramon provides an inside look at the pivotal experiences that shaped his holistic perspective on medicine, leadership, LGBTQ+ family building, work-life integration, and bringing diverse voices to the healthcare decision-making table.

In this powerful episode, author Jessica Fein discusses her new memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes, which chronicles her family's journey caring for their daughter Dalia, who was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease at age 5. Jessica opens up about the range of emotions - fear, grief, guilt - that came with being a caregiver while also working full-time and raising her three children. She shares candid insights about navigating relationships, finding support systems, and the judgment she faced for continuing to work while caring for her daughter. Jessica also talks about her advocacy work and her Psychology Today column "Grace and Grief" which explores our society's attitudes towards loss. With remarkable vulnerability, she offers hard-won wisdom on balancing work and life, and what friends and employers can do to truly show up during life's most challenging times.

In this insightful episode, leadership expert and author Jenna Fisher shares her inspiring journey and hard-won wisdom from over 20 years of helping women navigate the corporate ranks. Drawing from her bestselling book To the Top, Jenna provides a practical playbook for creating meaningful change and closing the gender gap in executive roles. She discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, the power of sponsorship, redefining career paths as a "web" rather than a ladder, and how the leadership traits once considered "feminine" are now indispensable in today’s workforce. Jenna also offers candid advice on work-life balance, supporting parents through equitable leave policies, harnessing age diversity, and empowering the next generation to maximize their potential.

Pulitzer-prize winning Wall Street Journal reporter and author Joann Lublin shares invaluable wisdom from her books Power Moms and Earning It which detail how executive mothers can thrive at the highest levels while navigating work and family. Lublin reveals eye-opening findings from her interviews with more than 100 trailblazing leaders across generations, including powerful strategies they used to overcome bias, find work-life sway, and pay it forward to uplift other women. With candid storytelling and practical advice, Joann shows how embracing mentorship and choosing the right workplace enables ambitious moms to redefine success on their own terms.

David Smith, a former Navy pilot who is now an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, shares eye-opening insights on achieving gender equity in the workplace and at home. Drawing from his own experiences in the male-dominated Naval Academy and military, as well as his extensive research with co-author Brad Johnson, David dives deep into the systematic biases and everyday actions that hold women back professionally. He provides powerful strategies for leaders to build more inclusive cultures through true allyship. With candid personal anecdotes about raising his son and daughter, he offers inspiring advice for dads on prioritizing family alongside work success.  

Dr. Dana Suskind, a trailblazing surgeon, and researcher, has built a career on the profound impact that parent-child interactions have on children’s brains. Drawing from cutting-edge science and her own inspirational life story, Dr. Suskind shares practical strategies that any parent or caregiver can use to massively boost a child's cognitive development and lifelong potential. You'll learn why societies that support parents end up with smarter, healthier, more successful children - and what employers and policymakers can do to prioritize early childhood. Whether you're a new parent or you work with families, this is an eye-opening look at how talking, reading, and engaging with young kids can quite literally shape their minds for the future. Don't miss this opportunity to become a "brain architect!”

David Newson, founder of XNW Digital, is a seasoned professional who brings a unique perspective to the discussion of work-life integration and mindful leadership. With a successful career in marketing and a genuine commitment to striking a balance between professional success and personal fulfillment, David's insights into intentional time management and navigating the challenges of parenthood and leadership are sure to resonate with working parents and leaders seeking improved work-life integration. His personal journey and experiences offer valuable wisdom and practical strategies for finding harmony between professional and personal responsibilities.

In this episode of The Work Life Equation podcast, co-founders Roger Brown and Linda Mason share the story of their incredible journey that inspired them to start Bright Horizons and revolutionize the child care industry. They also talk about their hopes for the future of early childhood education, especially for those in one of the most important roles: our teachers.   

Do you want your employees to be happier and more productive? Are you looking for a solution to improve their work-life balance? Look no further. Join Christine Michel Carter, Priya Krishnan, and Lars Minns, CHRO of Mercedes-Benz, North America, we discuss the key to achieving greater employee well-being and satisfaction. By implementing effective strategies, you can create a workplace environment that prioritizes the mental and physical health of your team. This will result in increased job satisfaction, better work-life balance, and a more engaged and motivated workforce. Let's work together to create a workplace culture that supports and values employee well-being.

Does this sound familiar? You want to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all families, but you're not quite sure how. You may have been told to simply ignore differences and treat everyone the same, but that approach hasn't yielded the results you hoped for. The truth is, ignoring diversity can actually lead to feelings of exclusion and disrespect. You may be feeling frustrated and uncertain about how to move forward. But don't worry - in this episode with our featured guest, Ariel Foxman, we'll explore the importance of respecting and celebrating diverse family structures and traditions. You'll gain valuable insights and practical tips to create a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Do you want to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and become a game-changer in your male-dominated industry? Do you want to see diversity and gender equality thrive within your workplace? If so, we have the solution for you. Join Christine and Priya on this week's episode of The Work-Life Equation as they speak with Swin Cash, an empowering leader, speaker, and advocate. She shares how you can achieve the ultimate goal: to become an unstoppable force and achieve gender parity in your industry. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the tools and strategies to take your career to the next level.

Ann Shoket, founder of New Power Media and CEO of The Li.st, shares her inspiring journey of reinventing her career as an author and entrepreneur after her memorable career as Editor-in-Chief at Seventeen Magazine. In this episode, you will be able to:  Understand the value of a solid support network for women in their workplace journey. Tackle the issue of loneliness that often plagues women pursuing professional development. Discover fresh approaches to re-envisioning power dynamics and success for women. Harness the strength of your existing relationships to expand your professional network. Promote a culture of cooperation to establish a fairer and more inclusive workplace.

In this episode of The Work-Life Equation, Minda Harts shares her experience as a black woman in the corporate workplace and how she founded The Memo to help women of color advocate for themselves. The conversation digs deeper into workplace trauma, diversity initiatives, and the impact of the pandemic on women of color. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that will leave you wanting more answers. Minda Harts is a renowned author, entrepreneur, and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant. With a passion for empowering women of color in the corporate world, Minda has dedicated her career to addressing workplace trauma and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable environment. Her insightful book, The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, has become a must-read for those navigating the challenges of the professional world. As the CEO of The Memo LLC, a career development company, Minda also offers guidance and support for women of color looking to excel in their careers.

Eve Rodsky was determined to lighten the unfair burden of domestic labor placed on women, but she never expected blueberries would be the catalyst of her movement. In this episode, you will: Discover the significance of fair and equal distribution of domestic labor, while fostering harmony within relationships Unravel the role of effective communication in breaking down gender roles and expectations Learn how to continuously reassess and adapt to maintain equilibrium between work and personal life Acknowledge the impact and necessity of self-care, mental wellness, and personal identity cultivation in nurturing fulfilling relationships. Eve Rodsky is a game-changing author and thought leader in the world of domestic labor and partnership equity. With her revolutionary book "Fair Play", she has helped countless women and families navigate the often-chaotic waters of household responsibilities. Eve's expertise in this area stems from her own personal experiences, as well as her extensive research on the topic. She's a sought-after speaker and consultant, offering insights and strategies that empower women and create more balanced partnerships. With a relatable and engaging personality, Eve Rodsky is the perfect guest for this conversation on achieving “Fair Play”.

Paul Sullivan, a former New York Times columnist, embarked on a quest to build the leading platform for Lead Dads, challenging the traditional notion of what defines being a father and parent. In this episode, you will learn how to: Embrace fatherhood by breaking free from traditional gender roles Discover balance in juggling work and caregiving tasks to become a modern dad Redefine success in parenting through a new lens of work-life integration Enhance your communication, teamwork, and self-care strategies for more purposeful parenting Paul is the founder of The Company of Dads, the first platform dedicated to creating a community for Lead Dads. Its mission is to help Lead Dads feel less isolated and more confident that they have made the correct choice to take on the bulk of the parenting and family duties - or at the very least not embrace stereotypes around who does what at home. As a Lead Dad himself, Paul understands intimately the joys, frustrations, isolation and reticence around talking about being a Lead Dad. It’s a role that is growing in numbers but is far from normalized. Before starting The Company of Dads in 2021, Paul wrote the Wealth Matters column in The New York Times for 13 years. He also created the Money Game column in GOLF Magazine.

"Lead with grace, dignity and compassion and empower the next generation to light the path for a brighter future." Alanah Odoms is the first Black woman to lead the ACLU of Louisiana in its 65 year history. She is a civil rights leader, professional and spiritual support to countless activists, and a single mother to her daughter, Elan.  She taught her daughter to embrace her unique identity and to not be weighed down by the expectations of the world. Alanah believes in creating a pipeline of leadership for women, black people, and other marginalized individuals. She encourages her daughter to use her privilege to help others, and to use her light to light up the candles of others. In this episode, you will learn the following: How can we use our resources to affect positive change in the world? How can we create a world that our children can inherit that respects their identities?  How can we practice conscious leadership and empower our children to become the next generation of leaders?

Deborah Cox, a resilient mother of three, fearlessly jumps between the lily pads of opportunity to balance her own ambitions with her personal life as a mother and wife, despite the obstacles of a pandemic and the unexpected “no's" of life. You will learn: How have Deborah Cox and her family managed to create a balance between their values, principles, and professional lives? How did Deborah Cox learn to embrace failure and use it as a source of motivation? Deborah Cox is an award winning recording artist and Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee. She is a trailblazing international icon with a nearly three decade long career, and a dedicated mother of three who is committed to fighting back against marginalization and inequity.