In this deeply personal season finale, Dr Laura Marie Rivera returns to where Motherhood Advantage first began—with the very first interview she ever recorded: a conversation with her own Mother, Carol Crosta.

Carol is a mother of five, retired emergency room nurse, master problem-solver, and the embodiment of capable, compassionate leadership. Long before the research, podcast, and movement took shape, Carol’s willingness to say “yes” gave Laura Marie the courage to begin.

This special Mother’s Day episode reflects on the roots of Motherhood Advantage, exploring how Motherhood cultivates resilience, adaptability, crisis management, and leadership in ways society often overlooks.

Through Carol’s story, listeners are reminded that some of the most powerful leaders may never hold formal titles—but they shape generations through care, strength, and unwavering presence.

Takeaways

• Motherhood often develops extraordinary leadership skills long before they are formally recognized.
• Caregiving, crisis management, and adaptability are foundational forms of leadership.
• The origins of powerful movements often begin with small acts of trust and support.
• Family stories can illuminate broader social truths about women’s invisible labor.

This episode honors not only Laura Marie’s Mother, but all Mothers whose unseen leadership has shaped families, communities, and futures—often without recognition. It is a tribute to where this movement began, and a reminder of why it matters.

Find Dr. Laura Marie Rivera at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/

Download the full dissertation for FREE from ScholarWorks: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/eoll-dissertations/22/

Connect with us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/motherhoodadvantage/