Parents At Work
A podcast for working parents presented by Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD, founder of Mindful Return, and Jason Levin, MBA, founder of Ready Set Launch, exploring work-life integration in all different roles, industries, adn professions. Techniques for parents in dealing with everything from sleep deprivation and managing work-life issues, to help you excel at work while also raising your family.
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037: Moms in Government Relations + Public Affairs, Part II
06/03/2021
037: Moms in Government Relations + Public Affairs, Part II
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin interview Jewelyn Cosgrove, a government affairs professional in Washington D.C. Jewelyn currently serves Melwood, a 501(c)(3) organization serving people with disabilities, as the Vice President of government relations, bringing with her 15 years of experience in public policy, lobbying, and advocacy. Outside of work, Jewelyn is passionate about elevating the needs of mothers and families and serves as the treasurer of Raising Our Future Political Action Committee, a PAC that’s aimed at electing congressional candidates that prioritize the needs of families. Jewelyn’s work has been focused on promoting and empowering parents to negotiate and advocate for their needs. She lives in Asheville, Virginia with her husband Greg, two children, and their two amazing cats. She is an alumna of the Mindful Return program and continues to serve the program as a coach to new mums. Jewelyn shares how Lori’s program, Mindful Return, helped her with her career and motherhood and highlights the fact that being a working mom, especially with more than one kid, means more work and a bigger family that you'll want to keep happy and strong. Organizational skills become more important than ever when you mix in growing your career, and Jewelyn has learned to manage “balancing” her time on a weekly basis, instead of getting obsessed about day-to-day work-life balance. You’ll want to join this lively conversation to learn more about life as a parent who works on Capitol Hill, the challenges of working in government affairs and parenting at the same time, navigating challenging conversations with your kids, and most importantly, how to figure out your own effective way of successfully parenting your kids while growing your career. Show Highlights Parenting her 5 and 2-year-old children (03:08) Finding Mindful Return and how she was able to recreate and reimagine herself and her career (03:43) Thriving at balancing things over a week instead of being too focused on work-life balance on a daily basis (05:13) What it’s like being a parent in a government relations role (07:46) Explaining her workdays to her kids in an age-appropriate manner (10:34) How she applies her skill in managing disagreements on the hill into managing disagreements with her kids (12:26) The most fulfilling thing about her work with Raising Our Future (15:54) Having a wonderful boss who supported her in her needs both as a parent and career woman (18:12) Support that she expects parents to get from their workplaces in this day and age (21:02) Working in the environment of uncertainty and new ways of doing things brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic (25:09) Remembering who “The Enemy” is when the going gets tough (29:32) How Freemies changed her working parenting life (32:32) Links and Resources by Michaeleen Doucleff
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036: Dads in Government Relations + Public Affairs
05/13/2021
036: Dads in Government Relations + Public Affairs
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin interview two working dads who work in government relations: Clif Porter and Jeff McNichols. Clif is the Senior Vice President of government relations at the American Healthcare Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), which represents more than 14,000 for-and not-for-profit nursing homes, assisted living residences, and facilities for the care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has been married for 31 years and has three children (Chanel, 28, Christian, 25, and Clifton, 22). He has served in various leadership positions within his local church and has been actively involved in several professional and community organizations. Jeff is the Director of the Alliance for Congress at the Partnership for Public Service, a new program committed to strengthening the institution of congress to better serve the American public. His career in government affairs began in 2004 when he left the Navy to work as a congressional staffer. Subsequent opportunities took him to the Department of Defence and the Boston Consulting Group. Jeff has been married for eight years and has two children (ages 5 and 3) The four of us dug into the life cycle of a government relations career, what it’s like to work as a congressional staffer, the adjustments to make when one has to constantly travel for work to ensure that they still stay engaged as a parent, creating a work environment where parents feel that their family life is considered, thriving at raising kids while building a successful career, and so much more. Cliff and Jeff’s candor on their experience as working parents in the government relations space was not just incredibly insightful but inspirational. Stay tuned for more. Show Highlights Clif’s “Quarterback and running back” working parent story (02:56) Being an older dad: John’s joyous experience as a working parent (05:27) How working in government service has been beneficial in achieving work-life balance (07:42) Why working as a congressional staffer is a “Young person’s game” (09:00) The parental friction and challenges that Jeff had to overcome when his government affairs career started picking up (11:45) Adjustments to make when you have to travel for work and need to stay engaged in your parental role (13:17) Having an honest conversation with your boss towards helping you achieve work-life balance that will support your parenting efforts (16:35) Leading employees who are parents and being sensitive to their needs (18:07) Workplace supports that Jeff found helpful as he became a working parent (20:07) Transitioning into the non-profit sector from government relations, at a time when the federal government is so far behind in providing support structures for working parents (22:00) Current changes in government relations that are affecting working parents (26:52) The broad impact of the merger of working life and real life (29:25) Best piece of advice from Jeff for navigating life as a working parent (31:20) Valuing coordination between parents and how powerful it really is (34:17) Flying the Kite: Achieving big things by celebrating small victories (36:14) Links and Resources
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035: Moms in Government Relations + Public Affairs, Part I
05/07/2021
035: Moms in Government Relations + Public Affairs, Part I
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin interview Nedra Pickler. Nedra is a partner at the global public affairs firm, Finsbury Glover Hering, where she advises clients on communications strategy, including crisis communications, reputation management, thought leadership, and brand awareness. She brings deep perspective from inside the media after 17 years at The Associated Press and as a commentator on television and radio. Nedra covered the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidencies, and the 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns. Nedra is a single mother to two amazing young boys and has successfully managed to thrive in her career despite the numerous challenges and bumps in the road that come with juggling the two. From constantly travelling on the campaign trail as a journalist covering presidential politics to dealing with different working parent challenges in the different roles she’s held throughout her career, Nedra has always found ways to make sure that she strikes some kind of balance between work and parenting her boys. In this conversation, she talks about the advantages of working in public relations as a working parent and expresses her concerns about the issue of paid leave in America. At the end of this episode, you’ll have learned so much about how you can make it work as a working parent in a way that suits you and your kids, so don’t miss out. Show Highlights The working parent challenge of being on the campaign trail as a journalist covering presidential politics (03:01) How her mum “The Granny Nanny” enabled her to thrive in her career (04:16) Transitioning from journalism into government relations and some of the positive surprises that came with it (05:21) Why working in public affairs and government relations may just be the best job for you as a working parent (10:10) Types of workplace supports that were helpful for her as a parent (11:56) The value of having the one day a week work at home day and the need for paid leave in America (15:17) Why you should get the Gizmo Watch for your kids (18:53) Making sure you spend quality time with your kids, not being too hard on yourself and lowering your expectations (20:40) Links and Resources
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34: Welcome Our New Parents at Work Co-Host!
03/30/2021
34: Welcome Our New Parents at Work Co-Host!
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori welcomes to the podcast her husband and new co-host, Jason Levin, MBA. Jason is the founder of Ready Set Launch, LLC where he helps organizations, professional associations, executives and lawyers with career transition and business development needs through outplacement, individual coaching, training and webinars. Jason comes on as a guest to share his own experience with parenting (during a pandemic!) while also holding down a job and working for himself in his own business. Jason shares some empowering and actionable tips on everything from how to thrive at working from home with kids in the house, to how you can get your employer to be more accommodating of your needs as a working parent, and so much more. Tune in for a jam-packed 20-minute episode. Show Highlights Jason’s personal working parent journey: Working for someone and also going out on his own while being a parent (01:47) Setting clear goals on what you need to get done and how working for yourself goes back to sales (03:45) Concentrating on work when working from home especially during the pandemic (06:08) The Wall: How he created space for himself so he could focus more on achieving his work goals (08:30) The number one career tip for working parents as they ease back into the post Covid-19 vaccine world (09:50) How to recenter yourself throughout the day to be consistently focused (10:54) Navigating a world where the industry you worked for or your career was turned on its head by the Covid-19 pandemic (12:11) How to approach and negotiate with your employer to keep you while enabling you to parent better (18:07) Links and Resources
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33: An Interview with Podcast Founder Tom Spiggle
12/29/2020
33: An Interview with Podcast Founder Tom Spiggle
Being a working parent can be a long and intimidating journey, but we are fortunate to live in a time when there is an array of resources to support you on your path. Today’s guest is none other than Tom Spiggle, founder of the Parents at Work Podcast and Spiggle Law, an employment law firm. Co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin interviews Tom about his inspiration for starting the podcast, as well as his own personal journey as a working parent. Join Lori and Tom in this conversation for tips on how to navigate your working parent journey and to say farewell to Tom in his co-host role. Show Highlights: Lori shares the story of Parents at Work Tom shares his personal working parent story Why Tom chose to educate people on the prejudices that happen in the workplace What sparked Tom’s interest in employment law Key take-aways from Tom’s book, You’re Pregnant, You’re Fired Tom shares his experiences being a podcast host Consistent themes Tom’s seen throughout his interviews Tom talks about why he started the “I Got Fired” podcast Tom’s favorite working parent technology and resources The importance of acknowledging the passing in parenthood Closing advice for the audience and Lori Links: Contact Lori: [email protected] Resources:
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32: Engineer Dads
11/19/2020
32: Engineer Dads
In today’s episode, Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin interview two engineer dads about their experience as working parents. We are joined by Matt Jensen, Business Owner and Senior Project Manager at Kimley-Horn, who has been an engineer manager and structural design specialist for over 20 years. We were also joined by Paul Andrukonis, Director of Personalization for Citi’s US Consumer Digital organization. Both dads share what it’s like to be a parent in the engineering field, as well as the cultural shifts that have been happening in the workplace. They discuss the importance of empathy and how client relationships have been impacted by developing a more common understanding, along with tangible tips on how to utilize a more flexible schedule. Join Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview to learn more about what it’s like to be a working dad in the engineering field. Show Highlights: Matt and Paul share their experiences as working parents Having clear expectations of tasks is vital to successful co-parenting, when you’re both working parents Matt and Paul share what it’s like to be a working parent as an engineer The ability to work remotely and having a supportive community are huge benefits to working in engineering Having parental leave for fathers and shared messaging are two work-place supports Paul wishes he would have had Having easy access to work within your schedule can help you be much more efficient as a working parent Back-up childcare is a great benefit for companies to offer It’s okay to ask to have flexibility with clients and to do things at home Being grateful for what you have and trying to be understanding of others is important to help build empathy and be an effective working-parent Matt and Paul share digital resources they use to make parenthood easier Finding time for self-care is important to be your best self Links: Contact Lori:
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31: Engineer Moms
11/17/2020
31: Engineer Moms
What is it like to be a mom in a field where only 15% of practitioners are women? In this episode of the Parents at Work Podcast, we interview Dhruva Lahon and Victoria Hills, who share what it’s like to be working mom engineers. They talk about the experience of being managed, of managing others, and of parenting during COVID. They also share how they found supports in this male-dominated field, along with how they leaned on family and friends and adopted flexible hours. Join Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin in this knowledge-filled and inspiring conversation. Show Highlights: How having children changed Dhruva’s work life Victoria shares how having children changed her work life What it’s like to be a parent in the engineering field What it’s like to be a woman engineer Beneficial work supports that Dhruva had as a new working parent Work supports Dhruva wished she had Work Supports that improved Victoria’s working parent experience Why extended maternity leave improves the working parent experience and is an excellent retention tool How AI and technology is impacting working parents Why you should utilize support from and for other moms in your workplace Resources to navigate life as a working parent Why you should take life one day at a time Links: Contact Lori: Resources:
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30: Mental Health Dads
09/11/2020
30: Mental Health Dads
Being a working parent looks different for every career, every family, and every parent. In today’s episode, Robin Smith, licensed marriage and family therapist shares his experience as a working dad in the mental health field. He shares wise insights, including the self-inflected pressure that can occur as a parent from having heightened awareness as a mental health professional, the shifts happening due to COVID-19, what it looks like to have grace and compassion for yourself and your children, and the many elements of being self-employed. Join Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview for incredible insight and advice from Robin Smith. Show Highlights: Robin shares his working parent story and how he navigated parental leave Robin talks about how COVID has impacted his profession and how he’s used positive reinforcement to make a better environment to work at home There’s great diversity in the experiences mental health professionals have How being a mental health professional impacts work-life balance Being a mental health professional can increase the strive for perfectionism and the feelings of shame when it isn’t met Being self-employed can allow for flexibility but also means there are no professional supports Why Robin wishes he would’ve had working dad groups to talk with during transitioning into parenthood Transitioning into a digital space has been a major shift and has been difficult for many therapists How will COVID change the future of therapy Why intentionality is more important now than ever before Why we should start with having self-compassion as a working-parent Robin shares books and technology that have helped him on his working-parent journey Links: Contact Lori: Resources:
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29: Mental Health Moms
06/03/2020
29: Mental Health Moms
This month, we’re focusing on moms and dads in the mental health field. And today we‘re delighted to be joined by two working moms who are mental health professionals, Dr. Elizabeth Allen and Dr. Aimee Danielson, to talk about navigating life as a working parent. Dr. Elizabeth Allen is an assistant professor of psychology and clinical psychiatry, and she’s also an assistant attending psychologist. She specializes in treating adolescents and young adults with anxiety disorders and OCD. Liz lives in New York, and she’s the mom of two girls, ages one and three. Dr. Aimee Danielson is an associate professor of psychiatry and OB-Gyn, and she’s the director of a women’s mental health program that provides treatment and support for pregnant and postpartum women. Aimee has had the privilege of working with mothers every day for the last twenty years, supporting them through their transitions into motherhood. She lives with her very supportive partner and her three wonderful daughters, ages seven, ten, and thirteen, in Arlington, Virginia. Be sure to listen in today, to benefit from Liz and Aimee‘s expertise, and to find out what they bring from their jobs to the way that they’re parenting their children. Show highlights: Liz and Aimee share their working parent stories. Aimee talks about why she felt privileged, informed, and ready when she became a mother. Aimee discusses the choice that she and her husband had to make when their eldest daughter was born with a serious health condition. Aimee talks about the flexibility, creativity, and surrender that’s required from working parents. Looking at the different seasons of parenthood. Aimee explains why she feels that the mental health field is a good environment for working women. Some of the challenges of being a working mom in the mental health field. Liz talks about her experience of being a working mom in the mental health space. Being promoted and rising through the ranks can be difficult for working moms with small children. The kind of support that Liz and Aimee found helpful when they became working parents. The kind of support that Aimee and Liz would like to have had when they became parents. Transitioning from a work identity into a parent identity is important and can be difficult for men, when colleagues don’t know they became a parent. Women are feeling that they have to re-invent the wheel. Some things that would help working parents, going forward. Links: Contact Lori: Contact Tom: For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”- Resources: Books mentioned: by Elisabeth Bing and Libby Colman , by Emily Oster , by Emily Oster by Lori Mihalich-Levin , by Professor Radhika Nagpal on the Scientific American blog. App:
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28: Shifting From Work to Work From Home
04/08/2020
28: Shifting From Work to Work From Home
COVID-19 has seemingly shifted everything about our work force and our family dynamics. As many of us are working from home and have children who are also now occupying that space, it can be a process to find a routine that works for everyone. Today Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin share what has worked for them in their shift to working from home and actionable tips for parents to find some small amount of sanity in their work and parenting.. Join Tom and Lori to learn more about how you can integrate a schedule and use connections to make your at-home experience as productive as possible. Show Highlights: What staying home has looked like for Lori’s family How creating a schedule and focusing on the present can create a smoother transition to working from home How Tom’s family is adjusting to COVID-19 shifts Dealing with the struggles that accompany work shifts for employees and parents The struggles of keeping children occupied and balancing work from home Protections that accompany leave Action steps to find peace amongst chaos Reaching out to others and connecting as a community Links: Contact Lori: Email Lori for Free Webinar on “How to Go Back to Work After Parental Leave” on April 2nd Contact Tom: For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”-
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27: Dads in Corporate Impact
03/03/2020
27: Dads in Corporate Impact
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview for great insight on not only the major impacts CSR is making today, but for practical tips to balance work and parent life.
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26: Moms in Corporate Impact
03/03/2020
26: Moms in Corporate Impact
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in these captivating interviews to learn more about the shifts that are happening in corporate impact, how these shifts are affecting working parents, and raising socially conscious children, along with great tips for new parents.
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25: Physician Dads
12/09/2019
25: Physician Dads
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this conversation to learn more about how juggling medical residency with parenthood children, the vitality of a support group, how the internet is impacting the medical field, and so much more.
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24: Physician Moms
12/02/2019
24: Physician Moms
Being a mom in the medical field comes with its own unique rewards, but also its own challenges. Today, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and Medical Director, Dr. Nawl Johansen, shares her experience of being a working parent in the clinical field. She describes many of the challenges mothers face in finding time to have children in the midst of a challenging career and how to navigate time windows as efficiently as possible. This episode is full of tangible advice on how to practice compassion towards yourself and others that parents in any work field can benefit from. Join Lori Mihalich-Levin in this episode for authentic insights on being a physician mom. Show Highlights: Dr. Nawal’s working parent story What it’s like to be a mom in medicine Knowledge gained from parenthood that is applicable to medicine Helpful programs and systems for transitioning into parenthood Establishing your value in the workplace to allow flexibility in your schedule Navigating time to pump during windows between work Finding the courage to ask for help and get a parent support group Struggles of having children during residency How the health care system is evolving to keep physicians fulfilled and avoid burnout Allowing yourself grace and space for gratitude Resources to survive life as a working parent Ways to practice self-compassion and mindfulness Advice to avoid unnecessary technology use Ways to carve a career path that support the life you want Links: Contact Lori: Resources:
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23: Accountant Dads
10/22/2019
23: Accountant Dads
Being a dad in the accounting industry looks different for everyone. With different roles and different types of employers, some accountants are in the office all day, while others work remotely or from client sites. Today’s guests, Kevin Stout and Jevon Knowles, talk about the benefits, flexibility, and struggles of being a working parent as an accountant. With over 18 years of experience in different positions, Kevin has a unique take on how to prioritize family and create a strong workplace culture. Javon’s position as an audit partner at BDO has also allowed him to give insightful advice on how to optimize so-called “work-life balance.” Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview for an array of diverse and tangible tips. Show Highlights: Kevin and Javon’s personal working parent stories What it’s like to be a dad in the accounting industry The importance of integrating family into the workplace Building stability and support in order to have a successful working parent career Creating flexibility in roles to accommodate circumstances Evaluating delaying parenthood to establish a successful career How the profession has shifted throughout the past few years The benefits of networking with other working parents How accountant shortages are affecting employers’ approach to recruiting and retaining working parents The impact of technology within accounting and family life Resources and technology to improve work and parenting Finding balance in your priorities Optimizing resources to have difficult conversations with your children Links: Contact Lori: Contact Tom: Resources:
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22: Accountant Moms
10/15/2019
22: Accountant Moms
What is the life of a parent accountant like? While public accounting may offer an array of benefits, such as a flexible schedule and paid parental leave, there are also struggles and client demands that accompany work in this profession. This episode explores what it looks like to be a mom in the accounting field with working parents, Jennifer Todling and Aneika Perez.
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21: Moms in the Tech Sector
09/03/2019
21: Moms in the Tech Sector
Today’s episode dives behind the scenes of the lives of three moms in the Tech industry. As parents and career-oriented women, Henri Loh, Shadiah Sigala, and Vanessa Loder have a lot on their plates. As entrepreneurs in Tech and leaders of parent groups, each woman has a unique experience to share in this interview. Henri, Shadiah, and Vanessa reveal shifts happening in the current workplace and take a look at how the structures reflect on moms and dads.
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20: Dads in the Tech Sector
08/27/2019
20: Dads in the Tech Sector
Technology has changed the way we parent in the modern world, but how does it impact parents in the tech sector? Today’s guests, Matt Burke, member of the programs team at Thumbtack and founder of the parent resource group, along with Hugh Molotsi, founder of Ujama, both share their experiences as working parents within the tech industry and advice to fully lean into the working fatherhood experience.
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19: Dads in Theatre
08/06/2019
19: Dads in Theatre
Being a parent in a field with sporadic schedules, travel requirements, and remarkably long rehearsals can create an array of complications. Today’s guests, Jeremy Chernick and Jerry Rapier are both involved in the theater and arts community while juggling parenthood. In this episode, they share what their journey as a parent and a theatre professional has looked like for them. They discuss the changes that are currently impacting parents, resources that have helped them throughout their careers, and the benefits of taking non-traditional career paths. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this exciting interview for a look behind the curtain as a theater dad. Show Highlights: Navigating being in the arts and becoming a new parent What it’s like to be a dad in the performing arts industry The scheduling restraints that accompany being a parent within the arts Being honest about being a parent and asking for what you need Studios’ strategies to work with parents’ schedules Jerry’s adoption process and the impact it had on his organization The opportunities that the art community provides for children Actively pursuing support for family during work projects Changes that need to take place for upcoming parents How building working relationships benefits parents Changes that are currently happening within the industry that are affecting parents Establishing boundaries and respecting others’ time Practices to prioritize family time Resources mentioned that are helpful to working parents Learning to communicate with children on their level The power of podcasts for kids Links: Contact Lori: Contact Tom: Resources: Google calendar Being a parent in a field with sporadic schedules, travel requirements, and remarkably long rehearsals can create an array of complications. Today’s guests, Jeremy Chernick and Jerry Rapier are both involved in the theater and arts community while juggling parenthood. In this episode, they share what their journey as a parent and a theatre professional has looked like for them. They discuss the changes that are currently impacting parents, resources that have helped them throughout their careers, and the benefits of taking nontraditional career paths. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this exciting interview for a look behind the curtain as a theater dad. Show Highlights: Navigating being in the arts and becoming a new parent What it’s like to be a dad in the performing arts industry The scheduling restraints that accompany being a parent within the arts Being honest about being a parent and asking for what you need Studios’ strategies to work with parents’ schedules Jerry’s adoption process and the impact it had on his organization The opportunities that the art community provides for children Actively pursuing support for family during work projects Changes that need to take place for upcoming parents How building working relationships benefits parents Changes that are currently happening within the industry that are affecting parents Establishing boundaries and respecting others’ time Practices to prioritize family time Resources mentioned that are helpful to working parents Learning to communicate with children on their level The power of podcasts for kids Links: Contact Lori: Contact Tom: Resources: Google calendar
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18: Moms in the Theatre
07/30/2019
18: Moms in the Theatre
In today’s episode of Parents at Work, Tom Spiggle and co-host, Lori Mihalich-Levin, introduce us to two moms in the performing arts, Rachel Spencer Hewitt and Roberta Pereira.
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17: Insights from HR Dads
07/02/2019
17: Insights from HR Dads
In today’s episode of Parents at Work, Tom Spiggle and co-host, Lori Mihalich-Levin, introduce us to 2 working dads in the HR field: Wiley Simmons and Adam Calli. Human resources are generally a women-dominated industry, yet men contribute a unique and valuable perspective.
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16: Insights from HR Moms
06/21/2019
16: Insights from HR Moms
This week’s episode of Parents at Work brings you three thoughtful and experienced mothers in Human Resources. Being a mother and meeting the demands of an office can be difficult to balance, so Kelly, Kecia, and Heather share their personal journeys to help others succeed at work while raising children. This interview covers how to navigate negotiations with your employer, the benefits of having flexibility to set clear expectations, and the importance of giving yourself grace. To learn more about what it’s like to be a parent in HR and how to balance parenthood along with professional life, join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview. Show Highlights: Personal parent working stories Retention tools for parent employees Choosing HR as a career path Not “leaving before you leave” as you contemplate parenthood What it’s like to be a mom in HR How motherhood can make you a better team player Support systems that are particularly beneficial when coming back to the office Using parenthood as a networking opportunity Support systems that companies don’t always have, but should The importance of having open communication and open dialogue with supervisors Changes occurring in the industry that are impacting working parents Integrating paid leave for parents Providing flexibility for all employees and getting rid of stigmas How firms impact families and the improvements the industry is making Top tips and resources for working parents Links: Contact Tom: Contact Lori: Books mentioned:
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15: Insights from Attorney Dads
05/29/2019
15: Insights from Attorney Dads
Being a working parent looks different for everyone, but there are many tactics and techniques that are effective no matter what your current circumstances are. This episode of Parents at Work interviews two lawyer dads, Justin Johnson and Kenny Kraft, who are currently navigating how to be successful both in their careers and as parents.
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14: Insight from Lawyer Moms
05/21/2019
14: Insight from Lawyer Moms
Juggling parenthood as a working mom can be a challenge, especially as a lawyer. Today, Tom Spiggle and Co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin interview two moms who work within the legal field, Anjali Patel and Katy Robinette. Both mothers currently have two children ranging from the ages of 15 months to 4 years., They discuss their experience as working parents in the private and public sectors, how they found a system that works for them, and the most important things they’ve learned throughout their time as a working parent. For more insight on what it looks like to succeed in life as a mom and lawyer, tune into this episode of Parents at Work. Show Highlights: Katy’s experience transitioning into a judicial clerkship as a mom Anjali’s experience having children as a mid-level associate at a large firm Preparing to be a working mom and aligning your career with parenthood Looking at jobs with benefits and flexibility for families Asking firms about their parental policies and finding a firm that offers what you need Macro and micro perspectives about what it’s like to be a mom and a lawyer Skills that parenthood provides within the workplace The push and pull parents feel trying to balance parenthood and a career Support systems that were effective returning to the office from maternity leave Changes that are happening in law that are impacting parents Advice for navigating parenthood in the workplace The importance of advocating for yourself and asking hard questions Learning to communicate about your needs as a working parent Links: Contact Lori: [email protected] Contact Tom: Books mentioned:
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13: Joining Forces to Help You Balance Work and Parenthood
04/22/2019
13: Joining Forces to Help You Balance Work and Parenthood
Juggling parenthood and a career can be handful. It can be difficult to balance both, but we’re here to share ways employers and employees are working together to make work and life possible. In this episode Tom Spiggle and (new!) co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin introduce the upcoming themes and scheduling for the Parents at Work podcast. In this updated podcast format, you’ll hear the perspectives of parents in a new industry or sector each month, parents from different career paths, and a plethora of advice for parents or employers will be included in these upcoming episodes. To join Tom and Lori on this journey and for helpful insight on balancing work and parenthood, tune into this episode of Parents at Work. Show Highlights: Learning from parents in different industries Issues that parents face in specific industries What to expect going into parenthood while having a career Insight for employers to implement in their respective fields The upcoming schedule for the podcast Links: Contact Lori: or [email protected] Contact Tom: or
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12: Mindful Return: Smoothly Re-entering the Workforce After Parental Leave with Lori Mihalich-Levin
09/04/2018
12: Mindful Return: Smoothly Re-entering the Workforce After Parental Leave with Lori Mihalich-Levin
Today, our guest is a multi-talented author and attorney, Lori Mihalich-Levin. Lori also has a very active blog and website platform, called Mindful Return, for parents who are returning to the workforce after having children. If you are returning back to work after maternity/paternity leave, Lori created a four-week program to help. Now, employers are also using this program to help! About Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD: Lori believes in empowering new working parents. She is the founder of Mindful Return, author of , and creator of the Mindful Return Maternity Leave . She is mama to two beautiful red-headed boys (ages 5 and 7), is a contributing author at and , is the at , and is a in the health care practice at Dentons US LLP. Show Highlights: Three major hats Lori wears: Being a partner at a law firm, being a mom & running her program How Mindful Return was born Creating that supportive parent community at your workplace is a universal challenge Tools and community for helping return to work after maternity/paternity leave The four-week course to guide parents Alumni group joining the Facebook group for support Retreats coming soon Employers are now offering this program as a retention tool Relating to one another, and how universal these problems really are Growing trends on dads taking paternity leave Lori’s own parenting story of going back to work Transitioning back to work is not a one-day thing; it is ongoing Books Lori recommends for this transition besides her own book Technology that helps going back to work Resources: Mindful Return Mindful Return Mindful Return Book “Back to work after Baby”
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11: Making Parenting and Entrepreneurship Work Together with Dan Kuschell
03/02/2018
11: Making Parenting and Entrepreneurship Work Together with Dan Kuschell
Can parenting and entrepreneurship go hand in hand? Many working parents believe the myth that you either have to sacrifice home life or business success—you cannot have both. My guest, Dan Kuschell, is here to tell you that this simply isn’t true! Dan is a serial entrepreneur with 12 successful businesses to his name. He delights in training budding business owners to use strategies to get more clients and develop a business that works for them. Dan’s success has been great, but he considers his family the greatest blessing of all. His path has always been inherently tied to his wife and children, and today Dan is going to show you how he does it. After a severe health scare, Dan knew he needed to make some changes. His busy lifestyle included many sleepless nights and poor choices that built up to the breaking point. Luckily, Dan believed in the power of coaching, and he sought the help he needed to balance and repurpose his life. Dan thinks that there are three questions every working parent needs to ask themselves. What do you want? Who are you? What do you stand for? Dan has managed to not just balance, but integrate his parenting into his businesses. He prioritizes time with his children and makes business decisions with the family in mind. It’s all about his mindset from the outset, and you can get that mindset too! Listen this week to start making some changes in your own life. Show Highlights: Dan has helped 12 different startups grow and get “unstuck.” What being a parent has taught Dan about running businesses. Be grateful for the joys that being a working parent can give you. Mindset should be our focus. The 3 big fears we need to overcome. Integrate, rather than try to balance between work and life. Dan learned from burnout that he needed to change some bad habits. Get a coach! The three questions you should ask yourself to change your life. Dan has resources available to you who might be ready to start a business. Why Marketing is like football. A piece of technology that Dan would recommend for making life a little easier. The books that Dan uses to bring some balance to his life. Resources: Dan’s Dan on Dan's Recommended Tool: Dan's Recommended Books:
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10: Balancing Business, Fatherhood and Relationships with Your Kids with Justin Batt of Daddy Saturday
01/16/2018
10: Balancing Business, Fatherhood and Relationships with Your Kids with Justin Batt of Daddy Saturday
Fatherhood is one of life’s greatest responsibilities, and yet so many of us feel completely unequipped for the role. Many first time and long time dads find it difficult to engage with their children, or otherwise feel overwhelmed with the pressures of work. How can we begin to redefine Fatherhood, and start building up intentional relationships with our kids? Luckily, we have places like Daddy Saturday to turn to. I’m talking to Justin Batt, Chief Daddy at Daddy Saturday, about how he has transformed his relationship with his kids, even as a working parent. Daddy Saturday is a website dedicated to building resources and communities for fathers. It started when Justin’s oldest daughter was born, and he found himself being the sole caregiver on Saturdays while Mom was at work. These Saturdays with his kids became precious as he intentionally planned ways to have quality time, rather than simply checking out on his phone or becoming preoccupied with work. Now, he and his children are having grand adventures and encouraging people from across the world to do the same. Justin is going to share all of his tips for Dads who want to transform their relationships with their kids. While it does require a mindset shift and a commitment to put the phone down, building intentional relationships with kids is incredibly easy. Fatherlessness is currently in a state of crisis, but Dads like Justin are trying to take back Saturday and encourage Dads to engage and take ownership of their responsibility. Yes, life and technology have their pressures and influences, but Justin is going to show us how easily we can build habits that will impact our children for a lifetime. More in this episode: • Being intentional and engaging with his kids on a Saturday became a community phenomenon. • How Justin is encouraging other dads to change how they approach their weekends with kids. • Fatherhood is a huge responsibility, but it’s also an opportunity. • Be there for your kids during breakfast, or any other rallying point. • Questions you can use to engage your kids. • Why experiencing failure as kids can make strong adults. • Justin tells the story of how he and his wife became business partners and life partners. • Advice for Dads who want to start being more intentional. • What is launching next for Justin and Daddy Saturday? • A little bit of planning makes a world of difference. • How to engage your kids as they get older. • Focus on peak performance in our parenting, not just our career or our health. • Learn all the nuts and bolts of how Justin runs Daddy Saturday. • Sometimes, low-tech is best. Links
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09: How to Get More and Better Sleep as a Parent: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Breus
12/26/2017
09: How to Get More and Better Sleep as a Parent: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Breus
When was the last time you got a good night’s rest? I think we can all agree that sleep is important, but have you thought about some of the negative consequences of sleep deprivation? Do you want to know how to sleep better? We have an expert for you that will tell you everything you need to know about sleep! Dr. Michael Breus is an expert sleep researcher. He is also a father, so he knows how hard won it can be to get sleep when you are a parent. With compassion and evidence-based wisdom, Dr. Breus is going to give you sanity-saving tools to get you the best night’s sleep. We will talk about everything from when you should take a nap, when is the best time to sleep train, and how to revisit your bad sleeping habits. Whether you want more sleep or just more quality sleep, this is the episode for you! Sleep can allow us to give our all to our jobs while also giving our children the care they need. Sleeps heals and restores, and it’s time to take it seriously! Show Highlights: Dr. Breus’ best advice for parents of new babies to minimize the effect of sleep deprivation. The shift methodology is a helpful tool for babies before sleep training. Learn all about the powerful effects of the “Napalatte.” How to make the most out of a nap. Sleep deprivation is different from person to person. There is no replacement for lost sleep, but extra sleep can definitely help! Why you might want to sleep separately. What kinds of sleep problems people develop because of their children. 5 Steps to get your sleep act back together. Get some sunlight! Know when you need to seek professional help. Resources: All the info you need for sleep issues and work
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08: Setting Your Priorities for Your Family, While Excelling at Work with Will Mount
12/11/2017
08: Setting Your Priorities for Your Family, While Excelling at Work with Will Mount
You believe in your vocation or career that your time and energy is important, but you also believe in your responsibilities as a parent. How can you find a balance between the two? Can you follow your career or civic passions while still showing up as a parent? There are also more expectations put on parents than ever before. Between career and that social pressure, it can feel like you are burning the candle at both ends.
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