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Entrepreneur, mother, and cofounder of Mamava—the inventor of the freestanding lactation pod—Sascha Mayer introduces her newest baby: The Bodacious Optimist, a podcast dedicated to celebrating and learning from the people who have inspired and supported her entrepreneurial journey. They are designers and storytellers, business leaders and activists who have challenged the status quo and thrived. Bodacious Optimists believe that there are always solutions waiting to be unveiled.
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Kanika Chadda Gupta, a seasoned CNN television journalist, podcaster, and mother of three (including twins), aims to give credit where it's often overlooked - the lasting impact of living your purpose and modeling that for the next generation. She hosts the popular podcast That's Total Mom Sense, where she interviews public figures on their life lessons, parenting journey, and legacy. Guests include Chelsea Clinton, Kelly Rowland, Bobbi Brown, America Ferrera, Daphne Oz, Sarah Harden, Rebecc ...
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The NextGen Work Culture podcast helps managers and HR professionals support working parents to recruit and retain the best people. Join host Kortney Ross as she interviews experts and provides insights into the struggles that working parents face in the workplace. Learn how your business can become a place where parents feel included, supported, and valued. Being a family-friendly business isn't just a "nice-to-have" anymore. For the Next Generation of work, it is critical.
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Overview Breastfeeding offers countless benefits for mothers and babies, yet many women struggle to sustain it due to societal barriers and a lack of proper facilities. Mamava’s Co-founders, Sascha Mayer and Christine Dodson, addressed this issue by creating portable lactation pods, providing a private and comfortable space for mothers on the go. T…
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Sascha Mayer knows what it’s like to be invisible. Like so many new moms nursing their children, if she wanted to nurse or pump when she was away from home, her options were often limited to a bathroom stall, an unattended room, or a parked car. But it was around Labor Day weekend in 2006 that an article in the New York Times and a confluence of ot…
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A great magic trick, like a great creative briefing, begins long before everyone gathers in a room. To the general public, Mike Jacobson may be best known for his magic show performance on America’s Got Talent in 2023, but for the past decade in the business and advertising world, Mike has brought his unique methods to strategic briefings and creat…
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If you could live in your gym clothes, would you? What if your workwear was as comfortable as athleisure? With tuxedo silhouettes made of lyra and spandex, Founder/CEO Lee Evans Lee of Mrs. Mommabear Workwear has cracked the code! Her collections, with names like After Glow and Love Letters, pay homage to the women she admired at various phases of …
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In this solo episode, Kortney is diving into an often overlooked topic—working caregivers. Last week, we had an insightful conversation on this topic, and today Kortney shares her own family's journey through this challenging landscape. Her mom became the sole caregiver for her elderly parents, which drastically affected her ability to maintain a f…
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190.6 million Americans ages 5-90 play video games and 61% report playing a video game at least one hour per week. Video games have evolved over the decades and have become more than just entertainment— they teach team building, critical thinking skills, and are a means for socializing. Patricia E. Vance, President of the ESRB who has spent over 20…
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Host Kortney Ross dives deep into the significant costs businesses face when they lack proper support structures for working parents, particularly those dealing with pregnancy and lactation-related issues. Kortney highlights startling statistics and shares real-world examples to illustrate just how much organizations can lose—both financially and i…
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This episode covers the crucial topic of supporting working caregivers with guest Ashley Blackington, the CEO and founder of Dovetail. In this conversation, she sheds light on the unique challenges caregivers face, whether they're juggling childcare, elder care, or both. We explore how caregiving impacts employees in the workplace, the importance o…
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As a longtime news anchor, former host of “Access Hollywood” and co-host of “Access Hollywood Live,” current West Coast Anchor of the TODAY Show and correspondent of Dateline NBC and NBC Nightly News, Natalie Morales is a beloved household name. So it's only natural that she released a bestselling cookbook called At Home With Natalie: Simple Recipe…
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This episode dives into parenting through adoption and the essential role of workplace support. Joining us is Boomie Odumade, a software engineering leader and adoptive parent. She shares her journey through domestic adoption, from navigating long wait times to the joys of bonding with her son. Boomie discusses balancing work with preparing for par…
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In this episode, Kanika interviews Samreen Arshad, the visionary behind Samreen's Vanity, an all-inclusive makeup line. We delved into her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, discussed the importance of creating makeup shades for women of color, and explored her personal experiences with motherhood and postpartum depression. Samreen shared valuable …
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There are a lot of strategy documents in the world. Briefs. Decks. White papers. Books. According to Alex M H Smith, most of them are full of shit. Impenetrable, calcified, piled-high bullsh*t. That’s because, despite all their words and charts and graphs, these so-called strategies fail to inspire action. And that’s what Alex wants to change in th…
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Join us for an eye-opening talk. As Summer approaches and screen time increases, it's crucial for parents to stay informed about best practices for keeping children safe online. Featuring Roo Powell, founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sex Abuse), and Kanika Chadda-Gupta, founder of That's Total Momsense, this session will provide practical advice an…
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In this episode of the NextGen Work Culture podcast, we're excited to share our conversation with Ryan Houmand, author of the book "A Passion for Monday". Ryan shares his insights on the four big mistakes that make people hate Mondays and what managers can do to help their teams avoid them. From trying to be good at everything like Michael Jordan t…
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For over two decades, Shobha Sairam has worked on a wide variety of brands at a number of agencies around the world, including Leo Burnett, Mother, Deutsch, and The Community among others. Most recently, Shobha has led strategy at 22 Squared Inc, based out of New York, where she and her team have breathed new life into brands like Baskin Robbins, P…
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This episode is brought to you by Name Bubbles. Founder Michelle Brandriss was a mom who set out to solve an age old problem - making the best name labels when her son started daycare. She wanted them to be creative, fun, durable, and remain intact when thrown in the dishwasher or washing machine. She did exactly that - Name Bubbles’ is dedicated t…
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Today we're diving into the significant return on investment (ROI) of implementing lactation support programs in the workplace. We’ll explore compelling statistics, such as how these programs can dramatically cut healthcare costs and reduce absenteeism, enhance employee morale and retention, and elevate your company's image. Join me as we uncover w…
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As the adage goes, “Nine months on; nine months off.” It takes about 9 months to put on the baby weight during pregnancy, and roughly that amount of time to lose it. My guest Mara Schiavocampo, three-time Emmy Award winning correspondent, chart-topping podcast host, and best-selling author of her memoir “Thinspired,” which documents how she lost 90…
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In this episode of the NextGen Work Culture podcast, host Kortney Ross sits down with Matt Gjertsen, founder of Better Everyday Studios, to delve into the intricacies of leadership in the modern workplace. Matt shares insights from his rich background as a former US Air Force instructor pilot and leader of the training development team at SpaceX. T…
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Most ad agencies have clients. That’s not exactly the case with Bullish Inc. Started in 2015 by Michael Duda and Brent Vartan, the co-founders of Bullish asked a provocative “what if” question that re-envisioned what an agency could be to help maximize a new brand’s success. Their question: “What if we invested in early stage brands by providing ac…
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A true Renaissance woman, Falguni Lakhani Adams was a prosecutor who pivoted to become a television producer. She shares her journey as an Emmy award-winning producer and executive with Vice TV, a director, writer, mindfulness coach, wife to her lifelong sweetheart Richard who’s also in the TV biz and devoted mom to their two kids. She’s produced s…
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In this episode, we're diving into the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) with Vianei Braun, an esteemed employment law expert with over 30 years of experience. The PWFA is a crucial law that's reshaping the workplace for pregnant employees, with the final regulations released and implemented in June of 2024. In this episode, we unpack the nuance…
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On Kanika's special birthday episode (July 4th - independence day!) brought to you by Bright Horizons, the tables are turned. Kanika is interviewed by the co-hosts of the Work-Life Equation podcast, Priya Krishnan (Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, Bright Horizons) and Paul Sullivan (The Company of Dads). She shares how she pivoted in her m…
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In this episode, Emily Stone, a certified breastfeeding counselor and founder of Empowered Breastfeeding Bootcamp talks with Kortney about the logistics of breastfeeding and pumping. ​ We dive into the challenges working moms face when returning to work, especially in a country like the United States where paid maternity leave is not the norm. Emil…
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Toyya Lassere is the Senior Director of Guest & Team Member Experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. In this episode, she shares her journey from a life centered on care to a successful career in entertainment management that spans music, film, and professional sports at premier venues, including U.S. Bank Stadium and SoFi Stadium. Toyya…
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Mental health within Asian communities remains highly stigmatized, but younger generations realize it's essential to a life well lived. In this conversation brought to you by The Asia Society, Kanika interviews Dr. Jenny Wang, PhD, nationally recognized psychologist, author of Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans, an…
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In this episode, we dive into the innovative world of lactation pods with Sascha Meyer, Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of Mamava. We talk about how Sascha and her co-founder developed the category of lactation pods that are changing the landscape for breastfeeding parents in public places and workspaces. Learn about the challenges that spa…
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Sonia Strobel is the cofounder and CEO of Skipper Otto, a community supported fishery based in Canada that provides consumers with premium fish and seafood direct from small-scale fishermen (think: CSA for seafood). In this episode, Sonia shares her experience partnering with B Lab on creating more rigorous certification standards for the seafood i…
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Curiosity, conviction, and a desire to get out of one’s comfort zone - these are just a few of the characteristics that Seth Gaffney and Marika Wiggan look for in strategic candidates at Preacher, and it’s this non-traditional approach to finding talent and building campaigns that has led to Preacher’s continued success, winning them Small Agency o…
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In this episode, Kanika interviews former Miss America Nina Davuluri on her documentary film, COMPLEXion, where she takes on colorism in South Asia and more broadly all communities of color. The fairness industry is worth $4 billion and continues to make the youth (typically girls as young as four) feel self-conscious about their looks and color of…
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Kate Torgerson joins Kortney on the podcast to share more about her company, MilkStork. Kate tells her personal story that sparked the creation of MilkStork, the first breast milk shipping company and discusses how her company is making a huge difference for working parents, military families, and even Olympic athletes. In this episode, we'll learn…
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Alysia Montaño is an Olympic athlete, a seven-time USA Outdoor Track and Field Champion, an entrepreneur, and a mother. In 2019, Alysia’s op-ed in The New York Times about the inequities in her Nike sponsorship brought worldwide attention to the barriers and career conflicts faced by professional athletes who are athletes and mothers. On Mothers Da…
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Have you ever wondered exactly how our subconscious mind works and what it captures as memory? In this episode, Kanika interviews Pranav Yadav, Founder & CEO of Neuro-Insight US. He shares how his company has patented technology to track synapses in the brain when it’s consuming various forms of advertising. Not only is this useful when targeting m…
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In this episode, Kortney speaks with Louise Siwiki, a fertility empowerment coach, about navigating infertility in the workplace. Louise shares her personal journey of overcoming infertility and the importance of holistic support for individuals struggling with fertility issues. They dive into the impact of infertility on mental health, the demands…
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Adam Davidson is one of the godfathers of podcasting, the cofounder of NPR’s Planet Money, and a longtime contributor to many popular podcasts including Freakonomics and This American Life. He has written for such esteemed publications as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and the New York Times Magazine. He is also the author of The Passion Economy, a …
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Jessica Fein was a marketing executive and mom who adopted three lovely children from South America. Her world was turned upside down when her daughter Dalia was diagnosed with a rare disease called MERFF Sydrome and ended up passing away in her teens. Jessica shares her insights on taking care of children with illnesses, how to overcome loss of fa…
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This solo episode dives into how HR departments can enhance communication and employee education to better support working parents. We'll explore the importance of regular benefits reminders, standardized communication for new and returning parents, and the creation of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Additionally, we'll talk about the importance o…
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Jen Saxton is a serial entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Tot Squad, a baby services marketplace that connects new parents with health, wellness, and safety services— like car seat installation, babyproofing, doulas, sleep consultants, and more. In this episode, Jen talks to Sascha about building and selling her first company, how assuming the res…
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Water, whether calm or raging, is a metaphor for how we can move through life. Shannon Lee, author of "Be Water, My Friend" and daughter of the legendary Bruce Lee shares her story. Raised in California by her mother Linda after her father's untimely death (she was just 4 years old), Shannon has carved her own path as a martial artist, actress, pro…
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In this episode, Kortney chats with Eric Girard, CEO of Girard Training Solutions and author of the book "Lead Like a Pro," about empathy and trust in leadership. They dive into why empathy is essential for managers and how it can amp up business success. From practical tips to hilarious monkey metaphors, they break down the nitty-gritty of buildin…
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Kelly Brush is a mother, athlete, healthcare professional, and the inspirational leader behind the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF)—an organization dedicated to making active and engaged lives a reality for those who have experienced a spinal cord injury. In 2006, Kelly crashed and injured her spinal cord while racing for the Middlebury College ski tea…
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In this special episode called Ma Ki Rasoi (from his Mother's Kitchen) to Michelin Star, Kanika sits down with Chef Vikas Khanna at his NY restaurant, Bungalow. The common thread is the letter "M" as they open by admiring a floral mandala and he shares poignant stories about his motherland, mother, Masterchef India, Michelin Star, and manifestation…
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Nic Longo is the Director of Aviation at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV). In addition to being the busiest airport in Vermont (and New England’s fifth busiest and second busiest commercial service airport when it comes to landings and takeoffs), BTV is home to the F35s of the Green Mountain Boys (Vermont’s Air National Guar…
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In this episode, we're delving into the transformative journey of Sarah Willoughby, author of the book "Infertility Saved My Life." Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her ten years in corporate HR to her current role as a transformation coach, fertility coach, author, speaker, and energy healer. In this moving conversation, Sarah opens up abo…
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When we look at the parenting industry, as creators and mothers, it feels uber saturated and overwhelming. Kanika moderates a panel with community leaders on how we can scale our brands, grow on trending social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and build our online courses and serve our audiences in the most authentic way. Learn …
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Ingrid Michaelson sits down with Kanika at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Nashville to discuss her journey as a singer/songwriter, grieving the loss of her parents, the launch of The Notebook musical on Broadway, and how to find joys in the ups and downs in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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On this episode of NextGen Work Culture, we delve into the experiences of Veronica Malolos, a seasoned commercial real estate broker, founder of Capstack Commercial, host of the Women Influencers podcast, and a passionate advocate for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). In our conversation, Veronica shares her journey as a woman, an immigrant, …
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Roxanne Vought is the Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). VBSR is a statewide, nonprofit business association founded 34 years ago by a group of pioneering socially responsible businesses in Vermont, including Ben and Jerry’s and Gardener’s Supply Company. VBSR’s mission is to leverage the power of business fo…
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As a child of immigrants, do you feel conflicted about your cultural values and your modern day beliefs? Are you navigating what you want to pass on to your kids and what you want to end with you? Today I’m joined by Sahaj Kaur Kohli, my family friend and a celebrated author, therapist, #WashingtonPost columnist, and founder of @browngirltherapy, t…
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