PODCAST · business
The Work-Life Equation
by Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Hosted by Bright Horizons' Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, Priya Krishnan, and founder of The Company of Dads, Paul Sullivan, each episode delivers expert advice from top employers alongside inspiring success stories on how employers deliver benefit solutions that alleviate personal employee challenges and positively impact workforce performance. Discussions include practical solutions for enhanced employee benefits, flexible work options, and comprehensive support programs that empowers employees to achieve a rewarding work and home life. From financial wellness and mental health to career development and family support, we cover it all. Join us to explore how organizations are helping their employees find joy and balance in their personal and professional lives, ensuring they can pursue career growth and well-being.
Episodes
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S4E9: From Perk to Priority: Rethinking Work-Life Support w/ Priya and Paul
As we close out the year on The Work Life Equation, Priya and Paul unpack the biggest insights from a year of powerful conversations with HR leaders, benefit innovators, and caregiving champions. From the "manager lottery" to the infrastructure of care, we explore how companies are evolving their...
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S4E8: From Cost to Competitive Edge: Walmart's Child Care Investment w/ Meghan Klosterman
What if child care wasn't just a benefit but a game-changer for employee loyalty, engagement, and even talent attraction? In this episode of The Work-Life Equation, we talk with Meghan Klosterman, Senior Manager of Child Care Programs at Walmart, about the launch of Little Squiggles Children's...
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S4E7: Degrees of Impact: How Education Benefits Transform Lives w/ Chad Jones
What if your employee benefits could do more than support the day-to-day—they could shape someone's entire future? In this episode, we hear from Chad Jones at Papa John's, whose own journey from pizza maker to PhD candidate inspired a company-wide education initiative. "Dough & Degrees" is…
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S4E6: Why People-First Workplaces Win w/ The Band of Sisters
What happens when companies truly put people first? In this episode of The Work-Life Equation, we sit down with Lori Marcus and Angelique Bellmer Krembs—two powerhouse leaders from The Band of Sisters—to explore how inclusive cultures aren't just good for morale—they're good for business. Through...
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S4E5: The Secret Sauce Behind Thriving Workforces w/ Alyssa Friedrich
How do you design benefits that actually work—for everyone? In this episode, Alyssa Friedrich, Chief People Officer at United Therapeutics, shares how flexible, inclusive benefits like child care, backup care, and mental wellness support are driving retention, equity, and engagement across a...
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S4E4: Care Isn't a Cost—It's Capital w/ Blessing Adesiyan
What if care wasn't a perk, but the foundation of a thriving workforce? In this episode of The Work Life Equation, Blessing Adesiyan, founder of The Care Gap, shares how supporting caregivers boosts productivity and retention, why flexible policies create real equity, and how care is no longer a...
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S4E3: Why Childcare Is Your Secret Weapon for Talent Retention w/ Jenny Guldseth
What if childcare was the key to your company's success? In this episode of The Work Life Equation, we sit down with Jenny Guldseth, Chief People & Culture Officer at Allianz Life, to explore how investing in working parents transformed their workplace. From on-site childcare to flexible...
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S4E2: How Flexible Benefits Are Saving Careers, Families, and Bottom Lines w/ Cindy Silva
In this episode, Priya and Paul sit down with Cindy Silva, HR leader and benefits expert, to explore how modern employee support, from student loan repayment to elder care, is reshaping the workplace. Cindy shares how these benefits have personally impacted her and why they matter now more than...
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S4E1: How Employee needs are CHANGING 2025 w/ Subha Barry
In this episode, Priya and Paul sit down with Subha Barry, President of Seramount, global inclusion expert, and one of the most resilient leaders in the business. From high-stakes boardrooms to deeply personal health battles, Subha shares how her lived experiences have redefined what meaningful...
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Empathy in Leadership: Lessons from Parenthood
In this eye-opening bonus episode, Donald Knight II, a seasoned HR leader and father, shares his journey of balancing parenthood and professional life. From his evolving perspective on parental leave to innovative approaches in supporting a multi-generational workforce, Donald offers valuable...
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Parenting, Careers, & Purpose: Insights from Priya and Paul
Join Priya Krishnan and Paul Sullivan in a special bonus episode of The Work-Life Equation podcast. In this episode, they welcome Kanika Chadda-Gupta, host of That's Total Mom Sense, as she interviews Priya and Paul about their fascinating career paths, parenting journeys, and the impact of their...
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The Economics of Early Childhood: Insights from a Nobel Prize Winner
In this illuminating episode of The Work-Life Equation podcast, hosts Paul Sullivan and Priya Krishnan welcome Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor James Heckman from the University of Chicago. Professor Heckman shares insights from his groundbreaking research on early childhood education and...
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Work-Life Integration: Creating Supportive Workplaces for Parent
Chief Diversity Officer and author Mita Mallick gets candid about the myths and biases holding back working parents in today's workplaces. Drawing from her bestselling book "Reimagine" and years of leadership experience, Mita debunks the notion that extended maternity leave alone supports women,...
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Navigating Caregiving and Careers: Insights from Working Moms
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...
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The Five Resets: A Harvard Physician's Insights on Stress and Balance
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...
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Be Well, Work Well: How Employees Can Thrive as Their Whole Selves
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...
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Redefining Success: A Physician's Pursuit of Work-Life Balance
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...
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Balancing Career and Caregiving: A Parent's Love Story
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...
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Break Free From the Ladder: Forging Non-Linear Career Paths
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...
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When to 'Sway': Practical Tips for Working Parents
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…
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Turning Talk into Action for Gender Equality
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…
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Work, Life, Family: Defining the Parenting Village
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…
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How One Leader's Personal Planning Created Workplace Change
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...
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Ep. 11: Roger Brown and Linda Mason, Co-founders of Bright Horizons
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…
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Ep. 10: Lars Minns, Chief HR Officer, Mercedes-Benz, North America
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...
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Ep. 9: Ariel Foxman, Writer & VP, Brand and Experience
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...
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Ep. 8: Swin Cash, Vice President of Basketball Operations, New Orleans Pelicans
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...
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Ep. 7: Ann Shoket, CEO, The Li.st and Founder, New Power Media
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...
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Ep. 6: Minda Harts, Workplace & Equity Consultant, Best-selling Author
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...
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Ep. 5: Eve Rodsky, Author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space
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...
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Ep 4: Paul Sullivan, Founder of the Company of Dads
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…
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Ep 3: Alanah Odoms, Executive Director, ACLU of Louisiana
"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…
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Ep. 2: Deborah Cox, Grammy-Nominated Singer, Actress & Broadway Star
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...
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Ep. 1: Indra Nooyi, Former CEO of PepsiCo
After winning the lottery of life with a supportive family, Indra Nooyi, a trailblazing woman, must juggle her responsibilities as a mother and CEO while navigating the conflicting demands of power and humility. You will learn: How can working parents balance work and family responsibilities?…
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Ep. 40: How COVID-19 Shifted the Work-Life Equation
It seems like forever ago: working parents dropping the kids at child care and then heading to work. Today those same parents ARE child care — and they're still going to work, just in the home office. We asked about strategies, trial and error, and generally, how it's going. Here's what parents...
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Ep. 39: Parenting through Uncertainty (A Teach. Play. Love. Episode)
World events shake all of us — parents and children alike. So how do you answer when your child asks, "Are we going to be okay?" On this bonus episode, we feature an important discussion from our podcast, "Teach. Play. Love." Bright Horizons early childhood education expert Rachel Robertson gives...
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Ep. 38: Things Haven't Changed for Working Parents
In 2014, the first Bright Horizons Modern Family Index surveyed mothers and fathers about working and parenting. They said it was hard. This year we asked again, and guess what? It's even harder. On this episode, Bright Horizons VP Jennifer Vena breaks down the key highlights and shares stories...
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Ep. 37: VP Moms REPLAY
Four of our awesome Bright Horizons vice presidents talk very candidly about being working mothers and having high-powered careers. Listen again to this episode, as they reveal what's worked for them, what hasn't, and what they had to let go of to build the careers and the families they wanted.
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Ep. 36: Parenting Success in 2020
What's your most recent parenting success story? We asked, and parents told us about theirs — the big and little wins that made them break out in happy dances. Plus, our resident editor of our parenting blog, The Family Room, gave us the lowdown on what parents talked about in the last 12 months,...
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Ep. 35: Making the Holidays More Meaningful
Holiday stress is no joke. When it seems like everyone's in a perpetual rush to the next moment, how can you and your family just enjoy where you are? And what can you do to make the holidays more meaningful? We asked two of Bright Horizons' own early childhood experts, Debbie Hoppy and Melanie...
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Ep. 34: Let's Talk Baby Blues
We all start with the idealized image of parenting. Then comes the first night of crying (yours and the baby's), and you wonder if you were cut out for this at all. On this episode, mother/daughter parenting pros Marti and Erin Erickson get real about new motherhood; the elation, the blues, being...
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Ep. 33: Easy School Lunch Ideas for Kids
Dread making school lunches? You've got lots of company. A study (really!) says it's a parent's most dreaded task. Why no love for lunch? And what can we do to restore the love — and get your kids to eat what you pack? Listen as the Scramble's Jessica Braider talks strategies for lunches you (and...
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REPLAY: Summer's Over! Back to School
Did you celebrate the return of the school bus, or did you dread it? We asked Christine Koh, one of our favorite guests, host of the award-winning podcast, "Edit Your Life." Listen to this episode to get tried-and-true tips straight from the host and guest extraordinaire for the new school year,...
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Ep. 32: How Parents Use Back-Up Care at Home
Nanny canceled on the day of a big meeting? Call in the reserves! That's the principal behind back-up care: click or call (even at the last minute) and a nanny will be sent right to your door. How does it work, and how do you get it? Tune in for our expert primer on the basics of back-up care…
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Ep. 31: The Child Care Location Equation
In child care, as in real estate, it's location, location, location. But is the right center for you near home or work? That's the question! If you need help deciding, this episode — featuring two Bright Horizons moms, one ace child care consultant, and a checklist of details to consider — is for...
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Ep. 30: Pumping Strategies for Work That Work
The pumping, the storage, the oddly personal conversations with co-workers...can nursing and working ever feel comfortable? Karen Rubin, work-life coach and consultant with Life Meets Work, answers questions from expectant moms on breastfeeding at work — including laws, accommodations, and why...
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Ep. 29: The Truth About Varsity Blues
Cheating...bribery...athletic scholarships for sports never played—how did admissions get so wacky? Fresh from her morning-show tour, Bright Horizons educational counseling vice president, and former admissions officer, Elizabeth Heaton stopped by to give us the lowdown on admissions, why we...
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Ep. 28: (Rewind) Secrets of Successful Working Parents
Not long ago, we talked to author and consultant Jodi Detjen about what it will take get women's careers out of the second-rate zone — and give men equal cred as parents. After our episode on the Motherhood Penalty, her advice seems more relevant than ever. Listen as we revisit what Jodi had to…
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Ep. 27: The Motherhood Penalty is Real
It's not your imagination — the Motherhood Penalty is real. Listen to real moms talk about real experiences. And get the not-so-surprising secret from Bright Horizons CHRO Maribeth Bearfield — that the very thing you feel might be holding you back (motherhood!) turns out to be your biggest asset.
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Ep. 26: Single Mom Life
Every podcast or webinar we do at Bright Horizons generates the same question: how does this work for single parents? So we asked. Join Helen and Christine, two working moms at Bright Horizons, as they talk single motherhood—what they've learned, what they wish they knew, and why parenting solo...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by Bright Horizons' Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, Priya Krishnan, and founder of The Company of Dads, Paul Sullivan, each episode delivers expert advice from top employers alongside inspiring success stories on how employers deliver benefit solutions that alleviate personal employee challenges and positively impact workforce performance. Discussions include practical solutions for enhanced employee benefits, flexible work options, and comprehensive support programs that empowers employees to achieve a rewarding work and home life. From financial wellness and mental health to career development and family support, we cover it all. Join us to explore how organizations are helping their employees find joy and balance in their personal and professional lives, ensuring they can pursue career growth and well-being.
HOSTED BY
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Work-Life Equation have?
The Work-Life Equation currently has 75 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Work-Life Equation about?
Hosted by Bright Horizons' Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, Priya Krishnan, and founder of The Company of Dads, Paul Sullivan, each episode delivers expert advice from top employers alongside inspiring success stories on how employers deliver benefit solutions that alleviate personal...
How often does The Work-Life Equation release new episodes?
The Work-Life Equation has 75 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Work-Life Equation?
You can listen to The Work-Life Equation on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Work-Life Equation?
The Work-Life Equation is created and hosted by Bright Horizons Family Solutions.
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