Between Meetings & Motherhood

What if the skills that make you a great mom are the exact same ones that make you a great leader? In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood , host Alexa Starks sits down with Alex Pensiero — doctor, school psychologist, leadership coach, and founder of Wellspring Coaching and Consulting ( wellspringcoachingandconsulting.org ) — for a deeply honest conversation about ambition, identity, f...

She was the county's number one Girl Scout cookie seller at nine years old, moved to New York City the day after her 18th birthday with zero plan, built a quarter-million-dollar marketing agency during COVID — and then burned it all down three weeks postpartum while being threatened with a lawsuit while holding her newborn. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood , host Alexa Starks...

Two working parents, a baby, and an endless list of mental load no one ever sees — that's the problem Ashley Chang Dawson set out to solve before she even became a mom herself. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Ashley, founder of Sundays ( withsundays.com ) — a service that pairs families with expert executive assistants to take the mental loa...

Most women don't hear the words "pelvic floor" until they're already pregnant — or already dealing with symptoms they don't know how to name. In this episode, Alexa talks with Anna McMaster, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic floor specialist, about the muscle group your OB probably never mentioned and why it matters your entire life. Anna is the founder of Amy (askamie....

Did you know U.S. kids are out of school up to 18 weeks a year — but most working parents only get 4 weeks of PTO? That gap is exactly what Kathryn Hatcher set out to solve. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood , host Alexa Starks sits down with Kathryn, founder of Camply (joincamply.com) — a two-sided marketplace helping parents find the right summer and school break camps, and help...

Most women were never taught how to invest, and that gap is costing them. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood , host Alexa Starks sits down with Danielle Sissons, independent financial planner and founder of Ivy Financial Planning — a firm built specifically for ambitious women who want to grow their wealth, on their own terms. Danielle started her career in financial services strai...

Building a business while becoming a mother can feel like everything is shifting at once—and no one really explains why. In this episode, Alexa talks about matrescence —the real, full-body transition into motherhood that affects your mind, your energy, your emotions, and your entire life structure. This isn’t just about “finding balance” or getting organized. It’s about navigating a version of you...

Most women dismiss the postpartum phase as a “natural” part of motherhood, but the truth is, it’s often poorly supported and profoundly misunderstood — until now. In this eye-opening interview with Morgane Besins, she reveals how her journey from corporate leadership at Netflix to redefining maternal support systems was sparked by her own struggles navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the gaps in...

Most moms feel like they’re expected to do it all perfectly — but Erin Schlozman’s story and insight reveal why that’s a dangerous myth. In this candid episode, Erin shares how postpartum anxiety tipped her into a mission to dismantle society’s impossible standards for mothers. From her personal journey navigating postpartum struggles to her groundbreaking work in maternal mental health, she expos...

Most women are navigating a maternal health system that often overlooks Black women and underserved communities—but what if the solutions were rooted in community-led, accessible care? In this exclusive interview with Crystina Hughes, she shares her inspiring journey from nurse to doula, revealing how she’s transforming maternal health in Alabama through innovative support programs tailored for fa...

You've heard the word. You've probably dismissed it. Today, we're taking it back. In this episode, Alexa breaks down the word matriarchy to its roots — and what she finds might surprise you. Mater. Origin. Source. Foundation. This word was never about domination. It was about where everything begins. And then we're asking the real question: what if the values motherhood builds in y...

In this eye-opening episode, Alexa Starks uncovers the origins of the school and work hour mismatches that unfairly burden mothers and caregivers. From the 19th-century factory days to today's rigid 9-to-5 structure, she reveals how these outdated systems continue to accelerate burnout and reinforce gendered inequalities. You'll discover how the true cost of this misalignment harms not onl...

Did motherhood make you softer… or did it make you sharper? In this episode, Alexa challenges the narrative that empathy is a “soft skill” and reframes it for what it actually is: a leadership advantage. After sharing a personal story from her own return to work, Alexa explores how motherhood strengthens attunement, emotional regulation, and perspective-taking — the very skills research links to h...

In this episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood , Alexa Starks talks about the quiet anger many working mothers carry — and why it isn’t irrational, dramatic, or misplaced. Modern workplaces were built around assumptions that don’t reflect caregiving realities. Yet when mothers struggle inside those systems, we’re told to optimize, adapt, and manage better — instead of questioning the structu...

In this episode of 'Between Meetings and Motherhood', host Alexa Starks addresses common questions and concerns faced by working mothers. She discusses the challenges of comparing oneself to others, the exhaustion that comes with juggling work and motherhood, and the importance of asking for help. Starks emphasizes that every phase of motherhood is different and that support is crucial for...

In this episode of 'Between Meetings and Motherhood', host Alexa Starks discusses the challenges of balancing work and motherhood. She addresses common questions from listeners about the overwhelming nature of this dual role, the long-term journey of working motherhood, and the importance of self-compassion during tough times. Follow on Instagram: @alexa.starks @mothered.magazine Intereste...

In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks discusses the unrealistic expectations placed on working mothers and how these norms fail to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities. She emphasizes the need for systemic change in workplaces to support mothers, who often feel pressured to be constantly available and productive. The conversation highlights the importance o...

Join Alexa Starks and Amanda DeLuca in this engaging episode of the Reentry Room podcast, where they dive into the realities of working motherhood. Amanda, a pediatric sleep consultant and co-creator of the Riley app, shares her journey through motherhood, balancing career and family, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover how the Riley app is revolutionizing parenting with expert-backed...

Join host Alexa Starks in this heartfelt episode of the Reentry Room podcast as she sits down with Carla Greenan, an inspiring executive coach for working parents. Carla opens up about her transition from a demanding career in accounting to empowering parents through coaching. Discover her insights on managing the chaos of motherhood, the pivotal lessons learned from raising three children, and th...

Join host Alexa Starks and guest Barbara Joyce ter Horst, founder of Thrive Career Development, as they delve into the transformative journey of motherhood and career reentry. Discover how to embrace new identities, overcome workplace biases, and leverage motherhood skills in professional settings. Gain insights on building confidence, navigating career breaks, and redefining success as a working...

In this heartfelt episode of the Reentry Room podcast, host Alexa Starks welcomes Shayna Abraham, a dedicated advocate for families navigating the challenges of the NICU and beyond. Shayna shares her personal journey of becoming a mother to a premature baby and how it inspired her to support other families through similar experiences. Together, they discuss the emotional highs and lows of motherho...

Join Alexa Starks as she chats with Nikki Steele Osborne, the Scottish Soul Sister, about her transformative journey from hairdresser to maternal mental health advocate. Discover how Nikki's personal battles with postpartum depression led her to create resources for new parents, and learn about the importance of understanding oneself before diving into parenthood. Connect with Nikki: https://w...

TW: Grief & Pregnancy Loss In this heartfelt episode of the Reentry Room podcast, Alexa Starks and Michelle Valiukenas delve into the raw and honest realities of motherhood. Michelle shares her poignant journey through loss and how it has shaped her approach to parenting. Together, they discuss the importance of community, the power of vulnerability, and the strength found in embracing life&#3...

TW: Suicide and Mental Health In this deeply moving episode of the Reentry Room podcast, Alexa Starks and Diane Moca delve into the raw and honest realities of motherhood and mental health. Diane shares her personal journey of balancing career ambitions with the challenges of parenting, revealing her struggles with guilt and the lessons learned from her daughter's mental health battles. Throug...

In this episode of the Reentry Room podcast, hosts Alexa Starks and Miriam Rubin dive into the challenges and triumphs of being a working mother. They discuss the realities of balancing a career with motherhood, focusing on the often-overlooked topic of pumping at work. Miriam shares her personal journey and insights on how workplaces can better support mothers, while Alexa offers practical advice...