AND/BOTH Podcast - Real Conversations, Shared Experiences, and the Community You've Been Missing

In this engaging episode, Emmy-nominated producer Marni Blake Ellis shares her inspiring journey from an MTV internship to producing critically acclaimed documentaries, reality shows, and digital programming for major networks like HBO, Bravo, and TLC. As a mom and a seasoned industry professional, Marni discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career, her battle with stress-related multi...

Today we’re joined by Lori Sugarman, a former marketing executive turned passionate advocate for the value of unpaid labor in the home. Lori shares her transformative journey from a high-level corporate career to a devoted stay-at-home role, only to discover how society systematically undervalues the invisible work of care and home management. Lori reframes the narrative around this labor and its...

What do you do when the unimaginable happens? In this conversation, Melissa Saleh shares her profound journey through grief, motherhood, and the challenges of navigating loss. From her experiences as a corporate lawyer to her transition into tech and startups, she discusses the impact of her personal tragedies, including the loss of her first child, and how these experiences have shaped her identi...

In today’s episode, we're joined by Lee Sevier, a former big law lawyer who boldly chose to leave her demanding career and be more present with her children. We dive into her journey of managing career aspirations and family priorities, discussing the trade-offs, challenges, and moments of clarity along the way. Lee also shares her experiences with her son’s developmental needs, revealing the real...

In today's episode, I welcome Kate Westlund Tovsen, the founder of the Society of Working Moms, a community designed for moms of all ages and stages to connect and get support. Kate shares insights about the group’s features, including monthly workshops, weekly group coaching, and a low-stakes book club. She also discusses the importance of work-life balance and the challenges she faced as a worki...

In today’s episode, our guest is Jenny Armstrong, an elected Alaska state representative and founder of Wild Awake and Delve, two companies focused on empowering women and driving social good. Jenny shares her inspiring journey from the East Coast to Alaska, where she now balances politics, business, and motherhood. We discuss her work advocating for paid family leave, mental health, and childcare...

In this episode, we sit down with Tori Johnston, a marketing consultant and former CMO for top fitness brands like SoulCycle and Exponential Fitness. Tori shares her career journey from corporate marketing to consulting, while balancing her role as a mom to a three-and-a-half-year-old. She talks about the challenges of managing work and family life, the transition from city living to suburban life...

In today's episode, I explore the multifaceted dynamics of balancing a creative career, parenting, and personal identity. Our guest, Chauncey Zalkin, shares her journey from being a senior VP in marketing to a creative entrepreneur focusing on writing and fiction projects, with aspirations to become a therapist. We discuss the challenges of maintaining authenticity, the influence of her entreprene...

In today's episode, I sit down with Jen White, the founder and chief brand strategist of Collective Memory. Jen shares her incredible journey of over two decades as an entrepreneur and discusses the powerful connections between running a business and raising a family. We dive into the concept of moms being the CEOs of their households and explore how the skills we learn as mothers can directly tra...

After a decade-and-a-half of chronic stress from trying to fit her square peg into the round hole of society, her body broke down, and she got Type 1 Diabetes as an adult, which dramatically shifted her perspectives. She now coaches women to expand into truer versions of themselves by discovering deep self-trust, writing their own rules, attuning to their hearts and bodies, and thriving in living...

In today's episode, we talk with Daniella Marchetti, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine. Daniella shares her journey into sleep medicine, motivated by her own postpartum sleep struggles and her discovery of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. She emphasizes the importance of regular sleep schedules, the pitfalls of social jet lag, and the negative impact of us...

In today's episode, we chat with Abby Wachoff, an occupational therapist and mother, to discuss the profound impact of losing her sister to cancer. Abby shares her raw and heartfelt journey through grief, how it reshaped her life and career, and her decision to pursue a master's in mental health counseling. They delve into the complexities of motherhood, grief, and the importance of being present....

In today's episode, we address the outdated structure of company benefits that still cater to single-income families, despite the modern-day necessity of dual-income households. It highlights the challenges families face due to the mismatched timing of the school day and after-school programs, the high demand for summer camps, and how economic status and race compound these difficulties. After 11...

In today's episode, we welcome Jessica Hunt- a psychotherapist and mother of two to discuss the challenges and nuances of balancing multiple roles in life. Jessica shares her journey as a mother and her professional life as a therapist and small business owner. In this conversation, we discuss parenting strategies, the importance of community and support systems, and Jessica's innovative 'walk and...

In today's episode, we're wrapping up season 3! We're talking all about how the AND/BOTH podcast has grown and highlights how individuals, including business owners, moms, and so many other women from walks of life, have turned their own challenging experiences into solutions that benefit others. Hit play and then binge all of the episodes to feel less alone! Connect with Ashley: Website: https://...

In today's episode, we're chatting with Emily Guarnotta about the significant issue of child care and the need for more companies to provide childcare benefits or in-house childcare facilities. We talk about ensuring that child care not only is available but also meets safety and comfort standards for parents, that the quality of child care including suitable stimulation and proper attention to ch...

In today's episode, our guest Samantha Gollup and I discuss the importance of improving our relationship with food and our bodies, especially as parents. We talk about diet culture and generational trauma on our attitudes towards food and body image, not to mention the need for autonomy and self-regulation when it comes to eating and the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for our children.&n...

In today's episode, we welcome Brooke Shapiro, the owner of Sprinkles Parents. Brooke shares her personal journey as a mom and her experience working in the parenting space, and the challenges she faced in the workplace, including being laid off twice after returning from maternity leave. This led her to start Sprinkles Parents, a community and resource hub for parents where she provides various r...

In this episode, we chat with our guest Jill Sutton, a mom and host of the Living Her Legacy Podcast. We dive into the complexities of balancing motherhood with career aspirations, the pressures of perfect motherhood, and the importance of finding personal fulfillment. Jill shares her journey from being a physical therapist to a podcaster, discussing the personal growth and challenges faced along...

In today's episode, we welcome our guest Allie McQuaid, a mom, therapist, and business owner. We chat about the pervasive guilt and pressure to be perfect that many moms experience, and how modern mothers increasingly balance professional work inside or outside the home. Allie also shares her journey of opening a private practice in Maryland, where she works with moms from a 'treehouse' office spa...

In this episode with Mary Wiegand, founder and CEO of Boone, a consulting agency specializing in demand forecasting and inventory management for product-based businesses. Mary shares her journey from a decade-long corporate career in retail to establishing Boone and discusses how she balances being a mother to six children with running a successful business. She talks about the importance of invol...

In today's episode, we chat with Justine Carino, a licensed mental health counselor from New York, specializing in anxiety disorders, couples therapy, and family therapy. Justine shares her journey into the mental health field, her experience of becoming a mother, and how it shaped her career focus towards maternal mental health. We talk about the impact of the pandemic on working mothers, the imp...

In today's episode, we welcome Erin Spar, a feminist mom therapist and the host of the Feminist Mom Podcast. We chat all about the individualistic approach to parenting, the societal pressure on mothers to be perfect and self-regulated without sufficient support, and the importance of cultural and systemic change to alleviate the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers. We also dig into the sig...

In today's episode,  Jess Weisz  and I chat about the concept of exceptionalism and the immense pressure it creates, particularly for mothers striving to balance career, caregiving, and self-care. We talk about the unrealistic corporate culture demands, the systemic challenges mothers face, and the impact of society's lack of trust and support systems. Topics also covered: -Exploita...

In this episode, our guest, Dr. Jasmonae Joyriel, dives deep into the complexities of emotional intelligence, communication in relationships, and the nuanced dynamics of parenthood. This conversation brings to light the critical importance of understanding oneself and one's partner emotionally for a healthier relational dynamic while also dicing into cultivating vulnerability and assertiveness- es...