Returning to Work After Baby: The Cognitive Cost No One Talks About w/ Pei Ying Chua Ep 28

In this episode of Innotainment, Aga Gajownik is joined by Pei Ying Chua - Head Economist @ LinkedIn APAC to explore what really happens cognitively, emotionally, and logistically when mothers return to work.   Together, they unpack what is often left unnamed in professional settings: brain fog during breastfeeding, dopamine suppression, shifting identity, cognitive overload, and the invisible emotional labour of balancing caregiving with performance.   This conversation goes beyond productivity. It looks at the neurobiology of postpartum changes, the cognitive cost of constant micro-decisions, and what brain-friendly organisations can do to support sustainable performance for working parents.   Topics include: The neurological impact of breastfeeding on dopamine and focus Why "mum brain" is physiological, not incompetence Cognitive load, decision fatigue, and emotional labour Flexibility beyond location: workload pacing and quarterly structuring Why empathy is a core management skill Using AI to reduce mental logistics and cognitive strain Protecting focus time and reducing unnecessary micro-decisions The identity shift of returning as a "new version" of yourself This episode is especially relevant for mothers returning to work after maternity leave, managers supporting new parents, HR leaders designing flexible policies, organisations focused on retaining female talent, and anyone interested in brain-friendly workplaces and sustainable performance.   This is Season 2 of the Innotainment Podcast, now continuing as Brain Friendly Systems with Aga Gajownik.   Links mentioned in this episode: Pei Ying Chua - Head Economist @ LinkedIn APAC Innotainment podcast - Q&A / Office Hours Submission Form: Submit questions for future episodes Aga Gajownik - Certified ADHD Practitioner and founder of Innovation Integration Innotainment podcast⁠ - Q&A / Office Hours Submission Form⁠ : Submit questions for future episodes Follow Innotainment Podcast and Aga Gajownik on Instagram ⁠@innotainment_podcast,⁠  ⁠@myquirkyadhdbrain