72. What the Research Says About Moms, Self-Care, and the Path to Repair with Leslie Forde

In this episode, Ashley Blackington welcomes Leslie Forde, founder and CEO of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs and upcoming author of Repair With Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs. With humor, honesty, and deep research-backed insight, Leslie unpacks the complex emotional and logistical layers of caregiving, particularly motherhood, in a post-pandemic world. She discusses how societal expectations, personal habits, and systemic structures collide—and what we can do about it. From redefining self-care to advocating for policy change and workplace flexibility, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating care, career, and their own mental health.In this conversation:The origin and evolution of Mom’s Hierarchy of NeedsHow Leslie’s research is changing the conversation around parental burnoutWhy self-care isn’t optional—and how to reclaim itThe intersection of public policy, workplace culture, and maternal well-beingWhat the pandemic revealed about caregiving and equityActionable ways moms can “vote with their wallets” for changeHow organizations can retain working parents and caregiversThe critical role of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in supporting caregiver wellbeingWhy women’s mental and physical health are directly impacted by invisible laborThe long and short game strategies for changing the systems that hold moms backQuestions answered in this episode:What is the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs, and how did it begin?Why do moms struggle to care for themselves—and how can that change?How has the pandemic reshaped caregiving and work?What long-term solutions exist for systemic inequities in care and labor?Why is self-care a “ministry” for Leslie?How can moms find clarity on what actually matters in their day-to-day?What is the role of employers in creating family-friendly workplaces?What’s the danger of society “returning to normal” post-pandemic?How can mothers advocate for change through spending power?What’s in Leslie’s upcoming book, Repair With Self-Care?Connect with Leslie Forde:Website: https://momshierarchyofneeds.comBook (Pre-order): Repair With Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs (available wherever books are soldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieforde/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momshierarchyConnect with Ashley: Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.comDovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822Instagram: @andboth_podcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/