In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Lori Mihalich-Levin, healthcare attorney and founder of Mindful Return, to unpack one of the most emotionally charged and operationally challenging moments for managers: when an employee becomes a parent.

We break down the real reason why one in three women don’t return to work after maternity leave—and what managers can do to create a supportive, retention-focused approach to parental leave transitions. Lori shares her four-part framework for managers, practical communication tips, and a powerful mindset shift that reframes parental leave from disruption to leadership opportunity.

Whether you’re creating your first parental leave policy or navigating your own experience as a working parent, this episode gives you the tactical tools and human-centered perspective to do it well.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[1:10] Why most managers mishandle parental leave

[4:00] The four pillars of a successful leave transition: Mindset, Logistics, Leadership, and Community

[7:25] How parental leave can actually strengthen leadership skills

[10:10] The damaging assumptions managers often make—and how to avoid them

[12:20] Why co-creating a leave plan builds trust and buy-in

[14:45] What to say (and what not to say) when someone tells you they’re expecting

[17:30] Rethinking “primary caregiver” and outdated policy terms

[19:00] How to support team members without breaking your budget

[21:15] Why small businesses are perfectly positioned to offer meaningful parental support

[24:00] Reframing guilt as values-based decision-making

[26:15] Free resources and step-by-step guides from Mindful Return

[28:05] Final thoughts on being a thoughtful, prepared boss during parental leave

Resources Mentioned:

• Mindful Return Website: https://www.mindfulreturn.com
• 99 Questions to Ask Yourself Before, During, and After Parental Leave: Download here
• Book: Back to Work After Baby by Lori Mihalich-Levin
• Parents at Work Podcast: Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Free meditations for working parents on Insight Timer
• Courses for new parents & managers available at mindfulreturn.com

Connect with Lori:

• LinkedIn: Lori Mihalich-Levin
• Instagram: @mindfulreturn

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Me:

• LinkedIn: Jackie Koch
• Website: peopleprinciples.co