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 traditional care.

She shares the radical shift she made from controlling everything to embracing the unpredictability of motherhood and how her experiences led her to create Four Mamas, a platform dedicated to empowering women through education, community, and systemic change.

Read Morgane's exclusive interview in Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/the-magazine/spring-2026-issue ⁠Connect with Morgane: https://www.instagram.com/f_ourmamas/

https://www.four-mamas.com/Connect with Alexa: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/ ⁠Follow Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/⁠Want to be featured in the next issue of Mothered? Learn more about feature opportunities here: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

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 exposes how societal expectations stoke guilt, shame, and overwhelm — often without us even realizing it.

You'll discover how cultural myths around motherhood — like the myth of perfection or the “supermom” standard — keep us stuck in exhaustion and self-judgment. Erin unpacks how these myths develop from past generations and media portrayals, and explains why recognizing these stories is the first step toward genuine freedom.

She shares powerful frameworks from her upcoming book, The Myth of the Perfect Mom, to help you reframe your story and embrace the messy, beautiful reality of motherhood. Whether it’s intrusive thoughts, mom guilt, or societal pressure, Erin offers practical tools for normalizing these experiences and releasing shame.

Read Erin's exclusive interview in Mothered Magazine: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/the-magazine/spring-2026-issue

Connect with Erin:

https://www.instagram.com/4th.trimester.wellness/

https://www.erinschlozman.com/

Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

Follow Mothered Magazine:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

Want to be featured in the next issue of Mothered? Learn more about feature opportunities here:

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

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 families often left behind.

She didn’t start out planning to be a community change-maker, an experience with pregnancy loss and systemic disparities pushed her into action. Today, Crystina leads Diamonds for Doulas, a nonprofit providing childbirth support, advocacy, and education to WIC, Medicaid, and underserved families; support she believes is a matter of equity, not privilege.

In this conversation, she breaks down how community-led initiatives can reduce alarming maternal mortality rates, empower women with critical knowledge, and create a more inclusive, supportive maternal health landscape.

Read Crystina's exclusive interview in Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/the-magazine/spring-2026-issue ⁠Connect with Crystina: https://www.tiktok.com/@taytayncryssihttps://diamonds-for-doulas.square.site/Connect with Alexa: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/ ⁠Follow Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/⁠Want to be featured in the next issue of Mothered? Learn more about feature opportunities here: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

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 you — attunement, collaboration, long-term thinking, collective well-being — aren't soft skills?

What if they're the blueprint to a better society?

This one will make you see your own power differently.

Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.executivemoms.co/

Follow Mothered Magazine for our Spring issue coming out March 31:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/

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 only working moms but society as a whole—and why the powerful have little incentive to change it.

Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

Learn more about Executive Moms

https://www.executivemoms.co/

Learn more about Mothered Magazine - the only magazine spotlighting powerful working mothers:

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/

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 higher performance, stronger engagement, and better retention.

Drawing on data from the Center for Creative Leadership, Catalyst, Harvard Business Review, and neuroscience research on caregiving and empathy, she breaks down why empathetic leaders are rated higher in effectiveness — and why workplaces still undervalue the skill.

But this isn’t just theory.

Alexa shares three practical ways working moms can use empathy strategically:

• How to spot early disengagement before it turns into attrition

• How to diffuse conflict without over-functioning

• How to pair empathy with standards so you don’t burn out

If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming a mother made you less competitive or less ambitious, this episode offers a powerful reframe.

Connect with Alexa:

On IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

Learn more about:

Mothered Magazine: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/

Executive Moms: https://www.executivemoms.co/https://www.executivemoms.co/

The Maternal Strengths Report https://www.executivemoms.co/the-maternal-strengths-report

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 structure itself.

This episode explores how patriarchal systems show up in everyday work culture, why women internalize systemic pressure as personal failure, and what it really means to “burn the patriarchy” without burning yourself out.

This isn’t about chaos or quitting.
It’s about redirecting anger into clarity, boundaries, and structural awareness.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated and then immediately blamed yourself — this one’s for you.

If you're interested in being featured in Mothered Magazine's spring issue, applications are open until February 28. Learn more here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

Follow @mothered.magazine on Instagram

and Alexa Starks on Instagram

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 navigating these challenges. She encourages listeners to communicate their needs and reminds them that things will get easier over time.

Applications are now open to be interviewed in the upcoming Spring 2026 issue of Mothered magazine.

Learn more here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

And follow https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

or connect with Alexa Starks on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

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

Interested in being featured and interviewed for the upcoming Spring 2026 issue of Mothered Magazine? Learn more here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

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 of recognizing the challenges mothers face and advocating for a more flexible and understanding work environment.

If you're an expecting or new mom, please make sure you have a maternity leave & return to work plan and know how to advocate for yourself!

View the resources here: https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms

Follow on social:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/