The Breadwinners

Today’s workforce is comprised of four generations — Boomers, GenX, Millennials and GenZ — all of whom come to work every day with different views, communication styles, needs and challenges. In this episode, Rachael + Jennifer consider how we can, and should, work together to thrive and grow at work. Tell us your generational story at TheBreadwinnerspodcast.com. Help us tell the stories that mean...

The coronavirus pandemic is upending the way we work, live and connect with one another — and it’s happening so fast that it’s pushing us to new heights of stress, fear and uncertainty. Brigid Shulte, Director of the Better Life Lab at the New America Foundation, joins Jennifer to talk about work and life in the time of Covid — and the basic supports still needed to protect both. Please help us gr...

As some employers start to reopen their workplaces, two-thirds of Americans say they are worried about returning to their desks. But how much of our work still needs to be done onsite, and how much can be done at home? In this episode, Rachael + Jennifer consider the questions that need to be asked — and answered — as we consider returning to the office. How are you juggling home, work and family...

"You need to know how to play the game in order to change it. But you also have a responsibility to change it while you're playing it." In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead, which aims to propel women to take their fair share of leadership positions across all sectors by 2025. Its 50 Women Can Change the World leadership program is now focu...

Women represent nearly two-thirds of the workforce in the 40 lowest-paying jobs, many of which are now considered essential. Nevertheless, at least 36 percent, or 13 million, of these workers earn less than $15 per hour. In this episode, we consider breadwinners in low-paid occupations such as food services, healthcare and retail and the added struggles they now face in the pandemic. How are you j...

Today a majority of men believe they face at least a little bit of discrimination in the workplace due to their gender — and thus, any gain for women is seen as a loss for them. In this episode, Rachael + researchers Yasemin BesenCassino (Montclair State University) and Dan Cassino (Fairleigh Dickinson University) consider their research into breadwinning’s impact on masculinity, gender disparitie...

How often do you end your day having done so much but accomplished nothing of note? The average person checks their email about 15 times per day. But researchers say when people limit checking their email to just three times per day, their stress levels decrease significantly. In this episode, Jennifer + Rachael consider the stress, frustration and time pressure that multitasking generates — and h...

Even before the pandemic hit, more than 3 million college-educated women were trying to return to the workforce after years away. Aprés, an online jobs site, is designed to help. In this bonus episode, Jennifer + Aprés CEO Stacey Delo (co-author of Your Turn: Careers, Kids & Comebacks: A Working Mother's Guide) consider why women leave the workforce — and how best to help them return when the time...

Microsoft is now offering 12 weeks of paid leave to its working parent employees as schools remain closed during the coronavirus crisis. Will other employers attempt to match — or even, beat them? In this episode, Jennifer and Rachael consider how employers are responding to the pandemic and what benefits and policies might remain going forward. How is your employer responding to the pandemic? How...

Influencers have seen their work completely upended by the pandemic, prompting a shift away from aspirational posts back to more authentic takes on life — and Danielle Wiley, founder and CEO of Sway Group, a marketing agency and influencer network of more than 25,000 creators, welcomes the change. In this bonus episode, Jennifer and Danielle consider the authenticity shift, the ongoing pay gap for...

As a Pandemic Breadwinner ™ can you ever say no to work? How about as a homeschooling parent? In this very stressful era, choosing what’s right for you and your family can be harder than ever to do. In this episode, Jennifer + Rachael consider the old adage “there’s only so much time in a day” and what it means in an era of extreme job instability and increased family pressure. How are you decidin...

Yes, you can’t leave your house but that’s no excuse for not networking. In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Kristy Wallace, CEO of Ellevate Network, to talk about how to foster your network without the usual in-person coffee date. HOT TIP: Ellevate is accepting applications for a special cohort of Squads on Leading Through Uncertainty. This online peer mentoring program allows you to work on y...

For some Breadwinners, we’ve passed a month in isolation working, homeschooling and everything with no end in sight. It’s no wonder many of us are experiencing more bouts of anxiety, depression and loneliness than ever before. In this episode, Jennifer + Rachael consider the research regarding mental health during the COVID Era and share what they’re doing to stay (somewhat) sane — from our favori...

You’ve likely heard of job sharing but do you know what it really means? Today on a very special Breadwinners, we dive deep into the least-used weapon in the flexible work arsenal — and consider how it might help our stunned economy. In this episode, Melissa Nicholson of Work Muse joins Jennifer to consider the ups and downs of job sharing and what it takes to be a great team at work and home. Do...

Can you bring your whole self to work? Experts say you should… to a point. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we are all sharing more of our personal lives than ever before — whether on video calls with cats and kids passing by or sharing stories of feeling nervous or isolated. In this episode, Jennifer + Rachael consider the when and how of workplace authenticity and why social intelligence is so i...

Women outnumber men in the workforce. We earn more college and graduate degrees. We’re the primary breadwinner in 40% of families. And yet, we still earn about 80 cents for every male dollar — and for women of color, the gap is even wider. In this episode, Jennifer + Rachael consider why the gender wage gap is so hard to shrink, what role pay negotiating plays and share their holiday plans for Equ...

“The coronavirus crisis will be global and long-lasting, economic as well as medical,” writes Helen Lewis in The Atlantic. “However, it also offers an opportunity. This could be the first outbreak where gender and sex differences are recorded, and taken into account by researchers and policymakers.” In this episode, Rachael + Jennifer consider how the equation of breadwinning + caregiving will add...

For Breadwinners, staying home to care for yourself or your family — or to work from home — is possible only with paid sick leave and flexible work policies to support you. Join Rachael + Jennifer as they consider the current state of work in the #Coronavirus Era and what lasting impact it might have on how we all work going forward. Tell us your story at TheBreadwinnerspodcast.com and please help...

Men today spend an estimated 18 hours per week on housework and childcare. While lower than women’s hours of unpaid work, it’s still much, much more than our fathers or grandfathers did at home. In this episode, Jennifer + Rachael consider the workplace stresses that impact dads in particular — and how this ripples into our home and family life. Tell us your working dad story at TheBreadwinnerspod...

Breadwinning and parenting as the kids get older. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t get easier — nor does the math. Take this equation: schools close an average of 29 days a year, not counting summer vacations, while the average private-sector worker with paid leave has 16 days off in paid holidays and vacation. In this episode, Jennifer and Rachael consider the history of affordable child care and highli...