Ep 14 | The Adoption Journey with Madeline Smith

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Madeline E. Smith, a UX researcher, creative mind, and new parent by adoption, for a grounded conversation about building a family intentionally while navigating the realities of career, caregiving, and the waiting game. We talk about ethical domestic adoption, centering the child in every decision, and what it looks like to return from parental leave into layoffs, a new team, and the quiet pressure to “prove yourself” as a working parent. Madeline also shares how her definition of ambition has shifted, the role of support systems and daycare, and why comparison at work and in parenting is something she’s actively learning to step away from.Topics Discussed in This EpisodeHow childhood ideas and media shaped Madeline’s early assumptions about adoptionNavigating ethical domestic adoption, choosing an agency, and practicing a child-first approachBuilding a village: support systems, daycare, sick days, and co-parenting logisticsReturning from parental leave into layoffs, a new team, and the pressure to overperformRedefining ambition after becoming a parent and cultivating empathy at work and at homeConnect with Madeline:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsesmithAdopting On The Job with Madeline SmithWhat Winning the Lottery Taught Me About Team Preparedness and Research ContinuityMadeline Smith is Lead UX Researcher on Cisco’s IT Design Team, where she focuses on enhancing user experiences through thoughtful research and collaboration. Currently, she leads research initiatives for a large-scale project aimed at improving the licensing experience for Cisco’s customers, partners, and employees. Her journey into UX research began in academia, where she earned her Ph.D. in Technology & Social Behavior from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Information Science from Cornell University. She transitioned to industry UX research in 2021 and now draws on her academic roots to execute rigorous research, craft engaging presentations, and mentor junior researchers.Connect with Roberta on LinkedInSeason 2 reflection exercises https://www.learnmindfully.co/storeGrab Consciously Crafting Your Career Path: https://www.learnmindfully.co/storeConnect with Roberta on LinkedIn If this episode sparked new insight, please consider rating, following, or reviewing the show. It’s the best way to help more people find and benefit from these vital conversations. Thanks for listening!