Moms with Benefits

Want to become a change agent in your organization? Want to create a powerful and impactful Employee Resource Group? Join us as we talk with Meredith and Aprile from Bozzuto's 'Parents and Caregiving Together' (PACT) ERG. Learn the secrets to their success, from fostering engagement to driving meaningful change within the organization. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories for anyone looking to chase change and build a strong community at work. Topics include:The Birth of PACT: A Community for ParentsDefining Success for PACT ERGPersonal Impact of PACTStrategic Planning for ERG SuccessResources and Support for CaregiversBecoming Change Agents in OrganizationsWant to stay connected? Follow Bozzuto on LinkedInExpecting or planning ahead? Learn about your leave benefits at perkyleave.com.Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If this episode resonated with you, please rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find us on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.

Looking for a workplace that truly supports working moms? In this episode, Samantha dives deep with Alison, a working mom and CFO at Liberty Mutual to explore the amazing initiatives they've implemented to create a positive and inclusive environment. From flexible work arrangements to enhanced benefits like free virtual mental health counseling, Liberty Mutual sets a new standard for working parent support. Get inspired to advocate for positive change in your own workplace and create a culture where working moms can thrive!Connect with Alison on LinkedIn if you enjoyed this conversation.Expecting or planning ahead? Learn about your leave benefits at perkyleave.com.Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If this episode resonated with you, please rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find us on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.

Are you a parent or grandparent who wants to learn more about 529s?  529s can be a great way to save for college but can also be confusing. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about 529s in a way that's easy to understand. We talked to financial advisor Alissa Maizes about everything 529s, including the tax benefits, when to open a 529 account, and how to pick the best option for your family. Throughout this episode, Samantha and Alissa discuss: The Importance of Financial Education Understanding 529s Tax Benefits of 529s The Grandparent Loophole What if scenarios for 529s Creating a Stable Financial Future for Your Kids If you enjoyed this conversation, you can connect with Alissa on LinkedIn, follow Amplify My Wealth on Instagram, and learn more on her website. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Tamara, Director of Product at a leading technology company, Harvard MBA, and mother, shares her personal journey navigating the complexities of a demanding career and motherhood. Tamara offers valuable insights into overcoming fertility challenges, developing a return-to-work strategy, prioritizing personal values, maintaining healthy boundaries, and achieving fulfillment in both professional and personal life.  Her experience provides an intuitive playbook for those returning to paid work. Throughout this episode, Samantha and Tamara discuss: The Challenges of Balancing Motherhood and a High-Pressure Career Navigating 2 Different Experiences for Maternity Leave and the Return to Work The Experience of Postpartum Depression Highly Intuitive Return to Work Playbook! Planning for more kids If their conversation resonated with you, check out our Tamara on LinkedIn, or check out her newsletter on SubStack called the Half Moon Hustle. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

In our special mini-series Chasing Change, host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated meaningful change in their workplaces to get the support they and others needed.  In this episode, Samantha Saxby is joined by Kristen Posso, mom of 2 and founder and leader of Informatica’s Parent and Caregivers Connection EIG. Kristen shares her journey of creating a supportive community for working parents and caregivers, from tackling logistical challenges like access to pumping rooms to advocating for policy changes that make a real difference. Discover how Kristen’s personal experiences and dedication to inclusivity are transforming her workplace, providing essential resources, and reshaping how employers view the unique needs and strengths of caregivers. In their inspirational conversation, Kristen and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Creation of Employee Inclusivity Group Policy Change Success Story Advocating for Policy Changes and Benefits Power of the Pause Recognizing the Value of Leadership Skills The Importance of Education and Awareness If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.

In this episode, Samantha Saxby is joined by Dr. Anne Welsh, mom of 4, a clinical psychologist and executive coach specializing in supporting women through the transition to parenthood, particularly in STEM, law, and healthcare. They dive deep into the Ambitious Identity Paradox, a concept developed by Dr. Welsh to explore the inner conflict faced by many ambitious moms who struggle to reconcile personal goals with societal expectations. The discussion covers the challenges of balancing family, career, and self, and the emotional toll of attempting to meet external standards of perfection. Dr. Welsh emphasizes the importance of rediscovering personal values and ambitions and navigating motherhood on your own terms. Whether you are managing the logistics of being a working parent or reflecting on your identity, this episode offers valuable insights for ambitious moms everywhere. In their inspiring conversation, Dr. Anne and host Samantha Saxby discuss: The Multiple Identity Shifts of Parenthood The Ambitious Identity Paradox: Pursuing External Standards Aligning Personal Ambition with Desires and Values Approaching Financial Goals with a Long-Term Perspective Resiliency and Adaptability If their conversation resonated with you, check out our Anne on Instagram and LinkedIn, or check out her website at ambitiousidentityparadox.com If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.

In our special mini series Chasing Change, host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated meaningful change in their workplaces to get the support they and others needed.  In this episode, Samantha is joined by Lucy Boyd, working mom of an amazing two-year-old boy and Sales Technology Manager and leader of the Parents and Caregivers Business Resource Group at UPS. She discusses the challenges new parents face in the workplace, the power of community, and how she and her team are working to support parents and caregivers through a variety of initiatives. This episode is a deep dive into leadership, empathy, and the process of creating lasting cultural change in large organizations. In their enlightening conversation, Samantha and Lucy discuss: The challenges of motherhood and the need for support Creating a community for parents and caregivers at UPS Impactful events and virtual meetups The role of managers in supporting new parents The power of community Giving grace to new moms or dads Advice for making change in organizations If this episode resonated with you, connect with Lucy on LinkedIn. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Dr. Nikki Pensak is a working mom of 2 and after dedicating her work to supporting the medical field, she turned her interest and research to understanding how to support the caregivers in the room best. To her, mothers are the ultimate caregivers, and this has inspired her most recent book Rattled which breaks down the science of motherhood and matrescence. Dr. Nikki Pensak is a clinical psychologist, researcher specializing in treating postpartum mental health issues, author, and TEDx Speaker.  In their uplifting conversation, Dr. Nikki and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Understanding the Neurocognitive Development of Motherhood Destigmatizing Mental Health Treatment for Mothers Challenging the ‘Mommy Brain’ Stigma through science Understand matescence through science The Benefits and Skills of Motherhood Navigating Postpartum Challenges and Emotional Experiences Managing Mom Guilt, Mom Shame, and Mom Rage Embracing Postpartum as a Normative Trauma If their conversation resonated with you, check out our Amazon book list for Dr. Pensak’s book “Rattled” and Instagram to stay up to date. You can also connect with Nikki on LinkedIn. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.

In our special mini series Chasing Change, host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated meaningful change in their workplaces to get the support they and others needed.  In this episode, Samantha is joined by Allison Ward, working mom of two and Chief People Officer at marketing agency Walker Sands. In her 10+ years with the company, Allison has witnessed growth from a smaller agency to a fully corporate function, including the addition of new family-friendly policies. Thanks to her efforts, Walker Sands now boasts flexibility for its employees with unlimited PTO, parental leave, and other related benefits.  In their eye-opening conversation, Samantha and Allison discuss: Evolving your career as your life evolves  Defining “family friendly policies” in the workplace Benefits of hybrid and remote work for working parents  Tips on advocating for organizational change Business-related benefits of having a paid leave policy  Seeking guidance from your community    If this episode resonated with you, connect with Allison on LinkedIn. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Rachel Rangel is a working mom to a two-year-old son. Through Mother Forward (formerly Campaign for Childcare), she and hundreds of other women, moms, and caregivers advocate for large-scale meaningful change in the childcare system around the country, at all levels. Rachel is passionate about childcare reform, after a particularly heartbreaking experience at their own center motivated her to seek change at a higher level.  In their inspiring conversation, Rachel and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Questioning returning to work after pregnancy The hidden struggles of childcare centers  Grassroots beginnings of Mother Forward The pandemic’s effects on childcare centers   The key challenges families face with childcare Federal, state, and local advocacy for childcare reform How listeners can get involved and make an impact If their conversation resonated with you, visit the Mother Forward website and Instagram to stay up to date on their work and mission. You can also connect with Rachel on LinkedIn. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.  Editor’s Note: Since the date of this recording, Campaign for Childcare has rebranded to Mother Forward. Their mission now encompasses “building a community of motherly support that mobilizes to pass federal and local policies that support families and create economic security”—including childcare reform and paid leave advocacy.

In our special mini series Chasing Change, host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated meaningful change in their workplaces and communities to get the support they and others needed.  In this episode, Samantha speaks with Nikki Brooker, who has dedicated her life to supporting mothers in crisis. Nikki is the Founder and CEO of You Are Not Alone (YANA), a nonprofit organization created in the wake of two community tragedies that took the lives of two mothers and their children. YANA offers completely free programs to help support moms in their most difficult and crucial moments, ensuring that all moms feel safe, valued, and accepted.  In their conversation, Samantha and Nikki discuss: How tragedy inspired Nikki and others to take action Pivoting YANA’s programs during the pandemic The mother’s role in their households’ mental health The importance of community and peer support for moms  Goals for YANA and its growth  If you found this conversation impactful, you can learn more about YANA and their work on their website and their podcast, Let’s Be Real. You can also find more information on volunteer opportunities and making donations on the YANA website. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Melanie Maldonado is a business owner, medical professional, doula, wife, and working mom to four children ages 10 and under. Through her business, Golden Love Birthwork, Melanie provides birthing mothers with prenatal, labor, and postpartum support to create a healthy, positive, empowering birth experience. Each of Melanie’s four pregnancy and birth experiences were different, and in this week’s episode, she shares how each of them impacted her and shaped her into the working mom she is today. In their inspiring conversation, Melanie and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Learning how to be a first-time mom Experience of a parent loss between babies How each baby changes you as a mother Adapting to new work routines as a mother Having a baby during the pandemic If Melanie’s story resonated with you, follow her on Instagram @goldenlovedoula to stay up to date with her doula business. You can also learn more about her business on her website. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Dr. Molly Millwood is a clinical psychologist, author, educator, consultant, wife, and mother of two boys. Her 2019 book, To Have and To Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma, is inspired by her own experiences as a new mother and navigating the changes it brought to her marriage and life. In it, she explores the complexities of new motherhood, and the emotional, physical, mental, and professional impacts it brings to individuals and their partners. She examines the link between women’s well-being as mothers and the well-being of their relationships, while offering guidance to help overcome guilt and reclaim their identities. In their eye-opening conversation, Molly and host Samantha Saxby discuss: How Molly’s personal experiences inspired her book Emotional, physical, and psychological changes in motherhood Parenthood’s impact on marriages and relationships  Societal expectations placed on parents  Dealing with shame and guilt in motherhood Balancing identity and autonomy in motherhood  If this episode resonates with you, you can order Molly’s book on Amazon, in hardcover, Kindle edition, and audiobook. You can also stay up to date with her on Instagram and website. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Rosa Castano is a workplace well-being expert and advocate, business owner, yoga teacher, wife, and working mom of a three-year-old daughter. Through her business, Workplace Stress Solutions, Rosa and her team provide trainings and workshops on wellness, well-being, leadership development, and stress management tools for employers and employees of all levels of influence.  In their inspiring conversation, Rosa and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Transition from career to motherhood during the pandemic  Navigating insurance and short-term disability challenges  Integrating wellbeing into the workplace effectively  Empowering employees to advocate for themselves  Building strong relationships with your HR team If this episode resonated with you, you can connect with Rosa on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram @wellbeingwithrosa.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Alexis Adams is a full-time business owner, therapist, coach, wife, and mother of three kids five and younger. Her motherhood journey has been anything but conventional, and she joined the Moms With Benefits Podcast to share her experiences and what she’s learned about motherhood and herself and adds a unique layer of seeing it through a therapist’s perspective.  In their insightful conversation, Alexis and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Different lgoals of maternity leave for each child Navigating job interviews while pregnant  Identity shifts during motherhood  Leaving the workforce and coming back after children Mom shame and guilt of choosing career vs. family If what Alexis shared in this episode resonated with you, you can follow her on Instagram @confidently.therapy.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

In our special mini series Chasing Change, host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated meaningful change in their workplaces to get the support they and others needed.  In this episode of Chasing Change, Samantha speaks with Loryn Duke, Communications Director at Steamboat Ski Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Loryn and her colleagues developed and opened the resort’s first-ever employer-based childcare center in 2022, resulting in a 425% return on investment. The opening of Steamboat Child Care Center has had a hugely positive impact not only on fellow resort employees, but the community at large.  In their moving conversation, Loryn and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Finding your advocates in your organization ROI of employer-based childcare Impacts on employee recruitment and retention Effective data collection and employee surveys The future of Steamboat Child Care Center If you found this conversation impactful and want to hear more about the childcare center, connect with Loryn on LinkedIn. She’d love to hear from you! You can also learn more about the center on the resort’s website, this Fortune story, and in this story from KUNC. Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Alissa Maizes is a financial advisor, attorney, RIA, wife, and mother of two adult children. She’s the Founder of Amplify My Wealth, where it’s her mission to empower women and families with their finances. She provides her clients with financial advice and custom plans to help simplify their finances and equip them with knowledge, education, and guidance to amplify their wealth.  In their conversation, Alissa and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Being financially stressed vs. financially confident Assessing goals related to paid work vs caretaking Loud budgeting and financial parenting tips   Aging parent financial challenges Avoiding financial infidelity in relationships  Women live longer - what does that mean for finances? Aligning your values and finances If you enjoyed this conversation, you can connect with Alissa on LinkedIn, follow Amplify My Wealth on Instagram, and learn more on her website. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Linda Alunkal is an entrepreneur, strategic business consultant, COO, founder and CEO, wife, and mother to two boys. In childhood, she and her family came to the United States as Chinese immigrants, and it’s those experiences that shaped her work ethic, outlook, and values. After an impressive corporate career with Johnson & Johnson, Linda pivoted to entrepreneurship after realizing her life’s mission—among other entrepreneurial endeavors. She’s now building bitebrave to help families navigate life-threatening food allergies with knowledge and confidence.    In their inspiring conversation, Linda and host Samantha Saxby discuss: How your upbringing impacts your parenting style Parental leave for contract employees vs. full time employees Battling new mom anxieties Financial pressures of entrepreneurship Aligning your work and mission with your values If you enjoyed this conversation, you can connect with Linda on LinkedIn and follow bitebrave on Instagram. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Christa Bright is the founder of the Working Mom Conference, an annual two-day event that honors working moms, acknowledges the challenges they face, and helps them achieve success in their professional and personal lives. This year’s conference is August 3-4, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA.  Christa’s background in event planning and entrepreneurship, and ambition to create a supportive community for moms like her, led her to launch the Working Mom Conference in 2022. Its second-year speaker lineup is packed with inspiring women and moms from around the country, each with unique experiences and outlooks to share.  In their inspiring conversation, Christa and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Challenges of starting a business  How serving in the Army impacted her career Building your own support system as a mom Defining work-life balance vs. separation  Learning financial habits in motherhood If you enjoyed this conversation, you can follow the Working Mom Conference on Instagram and learn more on their website. Registration for this year’s conference in Philadelphia is still open here! Your host Samantha Saxby will be speaking on navigating finances in motherhood. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

This is the first episode of our podcast miniseries, “Chasing Change.” Host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated change in their workplace to get the support they needed. Including how employees have utilized Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and affinity groups, to make an impact in the workplace, especially for working parents.  In this episode, Samantha is joined by Alison Nogueira and Melissa Peikin from Northeastern University. Allison and Melissa co-founded NU Parents, a parent affinity group for working parents at all stages of parenthood. NU Parents provides personal and professional development for working parents and caregivers to create a strong network of fulfilled members. What began as a casual meetup in 2011 to discuss parenthood has now grown into an active community of almost 600 members, and has affected meaningful change across the university. In their conversation, Samantha, Allison, and Melissa discuss: How the parent affinity group was born out of a community need Challenges and successes during COVID-19 Being change agents to improve university culture Challenges of leading an ERG on top of a full-time job Providing valuable resources for group members …and much more! To learn more about affinity group NU Parents, visit their website. You can also connect with Melissa and Allison on LinkedIn.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Zaiba Hasan is a corporate event planning professional, corporate wellness consultant, coach, podcast host, wife, and mother of four. She’s the founder and CEO of Emerge Consulting Solutions, a coaching company that guides and empowers parents to align their body, mind, and soul and unlock strengths and instincts to help them be the best parents they can be. Much of her work focuses on women in the workplace and DE&I.  In their insightful conversation, Zaiba and host Samantha Saxby discuss: Evolving your career to align with your needs Changing the narrative around work-life “balance” Finding harmony between your work, life, and values Battling your ego and “should-ing” in parenthood Imparting financial wisdom to your kids If you found this conversation impactful, you can connect with Zaiba on LinkedIn, visit her website, and subscribe to her podcast.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

This week, host Samantha Saxby is joined by Danielle Pickens, a mother of three, consultant and career coach. Danielle has coached working parents through negotiating with their employers and effectively advocating for flexibility vs. shortened hours. This conversation gives tangible examples and actionable tips to help working parents advocate for their ideal work-life setup postpartum.   In this insightful conversation, Samantha and Danielle discuss: How are the systems and dialogue changing to support working parents?  How is employee feedback impacting the workplace, especially for working parents? What’s a “north star,” and how do you find yours?  How can parents navigate the challenges of returning to work postpartum? How do you make a descope plan that empowers both you and your team? Are you negotiating your power away without realizing it?  If you enjoyed this conversation, you can follow Danielle on LinkedIn and explore her website lumitalent.com.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits. Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.

Arika Linton is a nonprofit leader, education expert, board member, writer, scholarship supporter, and working mom to a five-year-old son. Her writing has been published in The Chicago Defender, Blavity, 21Ninety, PYNK Magazine, and more. Arika is passionate about “purpose to impact” work and making a difference in her community and beyond.  In their conversation, host Samantha Saxby and Arika discuss: Mom guilt  Balancing work and life as a single mother Finding your support system as a single mom Recognizing when to step back from work  Love languages between parents and children  Making a difference with purpose-to-impact work If Samantha and Arika’s conversation resonated with you, follow Arika on Instagram @authentically_arika and connect with her on LinkedIn. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Octavia Conner is a virtual CFO and tax strategist, Founder and CEO of Say Yes to Profits, mother of four, and new grandmother. Say Yes to Profits is a premier full-service accounting firm that offers virtual CFO services tailored to consultants and service-based businesses seeking clarity, control, and confidence in their financial endeavors.   In their insightful conversation, host Samantha Saxby and Octavia discuss: Benefits of entrepreneurship for motherhood Reevaluating your business structure for higher tax savings How to determine a “reasonable” salary as a business owner Identifying tax deductions for your business  Hiring your kids for your business   If you enjoyed this episode, you can follow Octavia Conner on Instagram @octaviaconnercfo, connect with her on LinkedIn, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. Learn more about Say Yes to Profits on their website, and grab the free tax toolkit here.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Dr. Carly Buxton is a mother of two, certified lactation specialist, postpartum doula, and the CEO of Nessle, a parent-to-expert connection platform. Through Nessle, Carly and her team connect parents to experts, resources, brands, and services that match their needs throughout their parenthood journey, from fertility to teenhood.   In their conversation, host Samantha Saxby and Carly discuss: How her motherhood journey inspired Nessle Deciding whether or not to start a family Challenges of returning to paid work after maternity leave Finding alignment between your work and your values Financial implications of pursuing entrepreneurship in motherhood  The importance of flexibility for parents in the workplace If you enjoyed this episode, you can follow Nessle on Instagram @parentswarm and check out their website. Connect with Carly on LinkedIn and learn more about her work on her website. If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn about your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

In this week’s episode of the Moms With Benefits Podcast, host Samantha Saxby is joined by Elle Benson, mom of two, non-profit capacity builder, keynote speaker, author, and certified expert on the science of happiness. Her 2020 TED Talk, “A Crash Course in Learning to Laugh,” explores the relationship between humor and happiness.  In their conversation, Elle shares what she’s learned about happiness through research and her own experiences, and how other moms can use the “TAB” method to improve happiness using examples from maternity leave and young motherhood. Specifically, Samantha and Elle discuss: How motherhood impacted her career path  Battling comparison and expectations as a new mother The impact of gratitude on your happiness Elle’s TAB formula for reframing your mindset for happiness  How novelty can boost your relationships and happiness  Adjusting maternity leave expectations  If you enjoyed this episode, you can follow Elle on Instagram @cultivateyourhappiness and connect with her on LinkedIn. You can learn more about her work and books on her website.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to learn your leave benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

In this week’s episode, host Samantha Saxby talks with Akiko Thayer, wife, mother of two, certified leave management specialist, and founder of Maternity Leave 411. Through her business, Akiko helps parents navigate the complexities of maternity and paternity leave benefits, in California and beyond. She empowers expectant parents with the knowledge of their leave rights so they can have productive conversations with their employers—and maximize their time with their newborn babies. In their insightful conversation, Samantha and Akiko discuss: How Akiko’s leave experiences inspired Maternity Leave 411 California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) California’s Family Rights Act (CFRA) How expectant parents can leverage those laws to their benefit  The possibility of a federal parental leave law To learn more about Akiko and her work, connect with her on LinkedIn and check out the Maternity Leave 411 on Instagram @maternityleave411.  Legal Aid At Work is a non-profit organization that helps people understand and assert their rights in the workplace. Their legal clinics and helplines provide free, direct and individualized help for workers across California.  If you are currently expecting, or planning ahead, check out perkyleave.com to explore your benefits.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

This week, host Samantha Saxby is joined by Danielle Melton, a coach, speaker, foster parent, and working mom wellbeing expert and advocate. Danielle is the Founder and CEO of MOTHERboard Society, a comprehensive burnout and wellness solution for working mothers.  In their conversation, Samantha and Danielle discuss: 1:18 Untraditional paths to parenthood 8:34 Setting boundaries as a working parent 10:50 Finding work-life balance as a working parent 13:13 Prioritizing and setting goals as a working mom 16:34 Loud parenting and loud budgeting 24:28 Recognizing and dealing with burnout  To learn more about Danielle and her work, follow and connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her website. If you’re interested in MOTHERboard, check out their website and find them on all social media @joinmotherboard.  Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg. 

Discover how Mariah, founder and CEO of Made for Mothers, transformed her traumatic maternity leave experience into a powerful mission to support and uplift fellow mom entrepreneurs. Gain valuable insights into financial empowerment, long-term visioning, and the importance of a value-driven business. Whether you're a mom entrepreneur seeking solidarity or simply curious about the intersection of motherhood and business, this episode offers profound wisdom and inspiration for every listener.

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Molly, a doctor of physical therapy and a working mom, to explore the anxiety-inducing challenges of navigating maternity leave on a small team and the daunting task of finding suitable daycare. Molly also shares her perspective on postpartum healing, both from a clinical and personal experience.

In this insightful episode of "Moms with Benefits," host Samantha Saxby sits down with Yasmine, a former lawyer and mother of three, to delve into her journey of pivoting careers after entering motherhood. Yasmine shares her candid experiences, from grappling with the internal struggle of feeling misaligned in her legal career to finding clarity during her maternity leave. Through a meticulous process of self-reflection and research, Yasmine navigated the complexities of choosing a new career path while considering the financial implications for her family. From untangling societal expectations to embracing the empowering realization that she wasn't alone in her journey, Yasmine offers valuable insights and encouragement to other mothers contemplating a career change. This episode is a testament to the resilience and empowerment that come with embracing change and aligning one's career with personal values and passions, even amidst the challenges of motherhood.

Listen to Joanna’s experience as a military spouse and mom on planning ahead for RIVF, childcare, constant moving across states, and a partnered approach to family finances.

Navigating assumptions, clearly communicating, and rethinking the narrative are all part of Heather’s ingredients for success. Listen to working mom Heather share how her family thrives even with the challenge of having one spouse who is consistently traveling for work.

With an 11% chance of getting pregnant through IVF, listen to Abbey, age 40, who chose to financially invest over $40,000 in her dream of becoming a mom. As a therapist and coach, Abbey shares her return to paid work journey and discusses the current social and cultural climate of support for working moms.

Listen to Kim, mom of 2, discuss her evolution as a career-oriented woman in a male-dominated fitness industry, navigating an amicable divorce, and on what keeps her emotionally grounded.

We talk to mom, principal, and breadwinner Brianna on her transition back to paid work. With a 16-month-old at home, she shares her recent struggles and how she overcame them. Brianna also talks about having separate bank accounts with her husband, but shared accounts for her children’s financial future.

To be very clear, ALL MOMS WORK. HARD. REALLY HARD. Some moms just get paid for it. Join us as we discuss with Alissa, her perspective on the financial considerations - both short-term and long-term - of deciding which path aligns with your goals.

Join us as Samantha talks with the founder of MamaMode app, Emily, on how her gut told her to create a new business she wished she had existed for herself. A lively and fun conversation - Emily and Samantha share a similar postpartum feeling of wanting to help and create resources for other moms.

Kim shares raw details of her postpartum depression journey and how she felt like it made her a ‘bad mom.’ This mother of 1 also shares her seasons with burnout and how she has learned to manage it.

If you’re in the thick of young motherhood, this episode will ground you with the perspective of a working mom who's 13 years in. Join us as we talk with former teacher Devin, mom of 4, on why your curated mom tribe is essential for your motherhood journey.

Immerse yourself in Jenessa's personal transformation story through motherhood - tackling mental load, layoffs, and fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Shelby George, CEO and ERISA attorney breaks down the 2024 Parental Leave landscape. Shelby explains the various types of protections that exist today, gives a legislative update, and shares a new resource available to every expecting parent to learn what their unique bonding leave protections are.

Shawna had her first child in the US and her second in France. Shawna shares the shocking differences between those two experiences with real-life examples of pregnancy and postpartum support, child care infrastructure, and cultural expectations.

With two kids under 4, Corporate Climber Savannah shares how her evolution into motherhood meant a career shift and overcoming partner resentment.

As a new mom of a four-month-old, Entrepreneur Ronniesha shares her experience being on the job site one week after birth, how she gets her mom-confidence, her work-life 'balance' evolution, and her household's unique approach to finances.

As a married mom of 3 kids, Lauren shares her evolving relationship with return to paid work. Lauren also digs into her work as a therapist and social worker and the postpartum challenges she helps her clients with.

“This is just real moms, doing real mom work, and real moms listening trying to figure out our real mom stuff.” Through stories of everyday, earnest working moms, this podcast community aims to be a bright, yet honest spot in your day to help us moms evolve into working motherhood with emotional and financial stability.