The Work-Life Equation

In this eye-opening bonus episode, Donald Knight II, a seasoned HR leader and father, shares his journey of balancing parenthood and professional life. From his evolving perspective on parental leave to innovative approaches in supporting a multi-generational workforce, Donald offers valuable insights on creating inclusive work environments. He discusses the importance of allyship, the changing needs of Gen Z workers, and the critical skills leaders need in today's rapidly evolving workplace. Join us for a candid exploration of the modern work-life equation and discover strategies for fostering empathy, resilience, and effective storytelling in your professional life.

Join Priya Krishnan and Paul Sullivan in a special bonus episode of The Work-Life Equation podcast. In this episode, they welcome Kanika Chadda-Gupta, host of That's Total Mom Sense, as she interviews Priya and Paul about their fascinating career paths, parenting journeys, and the impact of their roles. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation filled with personal anecdotes, career insights, and practical advice for parents striving to excel in their careers and personal lives.

In this illuminating episode of The Work-Life Equation podcast, hosts Paul Sullivan and Priya Krishnan welcome Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor James Heckman from the University of Chicago. Professor Heckman shares insights from his groundbreaking research on early childhood education and its long-term impacts on individuals and society. In this episode, Heckman explains the 'Heckman Equation,' which demonstrates the high return on investment for early childhood education programs. He discusses findings from landmark studies like the Perry Preschool Project, highlighting how early interventions can significantly improve life outcomes, including health, education, and economic prosperity. The episode also explores the challenges of implementing effective early childhood programs, considering the roles of parents, employers, and government. Heckman offers valuable insights on work-life balance and parenting, emphasizing the importance of consistency and engagement in child-rearing. This thought-provoking discussion illuminates the critical importance of investing in our youngest citizens and the far-reaching benefits for individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Chief Diversity Officer and author Mita Mallick gets candid about the myths and biases holding back working parents in today's workplaces. Drawing from her bestselling book "Reimagine" and years of leadership experience, Mita debunks the notion that extended maternity leave alone supports women, emphasizing the need to transform mindsets around involved fatherhood too. She shares powerful stories navigating the "motherhood penalty" in her own career after having children, from being asked "who's watching your kids?" to having her performance rating docked while on parental leave. Mita calls out the importance of proactive management training to interrupt biases and advocates for true paid parental leave, not just maternity policies. This engaging conversation covers making workplaces more inclusive for the "sandwich generation," the power of employee resource groups, and Mita's empowering advice for working mothers. Her insights illuminate the path toward integrating, not balancing, work and life.

In this candid conversation, working moms Casandra Williams and Aurore Joshi open up about the challenges and joys of navigating careers while juggling caregiving responsibilities. Casandra, a first-generation college graduate and mother to a 2-year-old, shares her strategies for effective co-parenting and staying organized. Aurore provides a moving account of her 20-year journey as the "sandwich generation" caregiver – supporting her ailing single mother for 11 years, and then her father's declining health shortly after the birth of her first child. The two mothers offer invaluable insights on mindfulness, prioritizing self-care, finding moments of joy amidst hardship, and giving oneself grace during life's intense seasons. They discuss the importance of supportive managers, affordable backup care, and building a nurturing "village." With refreshing vulnerability, Casandra and Aurore emphasize the lessons of gratitude, self-love and acceptance that their caregiving journeys have taught them. This powerful episode illuminates the daily struggles and resilience of modern working parents striving to find harmony across work and life.

On this episode Priya and Paul are joined by Dr. Aditi Nerukar, a Harvard physician, nationally recognized stress expert, and author of the book "Rewire Your Brain for Less Stress and More Joy." Dr. Nerukar shares invaluable insights from her years of expertise working with patients on managing stress and burnout. She debunks the myth of multitasking, explaining how our brains are wired for "monotasking" and provides actionable strategies like time blocking to boost productivity. She also offers empowering advice for working mothers navigating the impossible demands placed on them. Whether you're looking to rewire your relationship with stress or simply live with more joy, this candid conversation with the insightful Dr. Nerukar provides a roadmap for lasting change.

DeAnne Aussem, Managing Director and Wellbeing Leader at PwC, shares her inspiring journey as a female executive while navigating work, parenthood, and finding harmony across life's different spheres. DeAnne provides an inside look at PwC's pioneering "Be Well, Work Well" initiative launched in 2017 to prioritize employee wellness across six dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and social. DeAnne also opens up about her own experiences as a wife, mother of two, and a caregiver. Her authentic storytelling offers insights into modeling work-life integration, the importance of self-care, and creating truly inclusive cultures where employees can thrive as their whole selves. 

Dr. Ramon Jacobs-Shaw is redefining what it means to be a modern father and healthcare leader. From growing up in rural poverty to achieving dual board certifications in pediatrics and internal medicine at elite institutions, Ramon has been driven by a passion for serving underserved populations like his own Lumbee tribe. He opens up about his roles championing health equity as Chief Clinical Officer at Belong Health and being a "visible dad" modeling engaged fatherhood. Ramon provides an inside look at the pivotal experiences that shaped his holistic perspective on medicine, leadership, LGBTQ+ family building, work-life integration, and bringing diverse voices to the healthcare decision-making table.

In this powerful episode, author Jessica Fein discusses her new memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes, which chronicles her family's journey caring for their daughter Dalia, who was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease at age 5. Jessica opens up about the range of emotions - fear, grief, guilt - that came with being a caregiver while also working full-time and raising her three children. She shares candid insights about navigating relationships, finding support systems, and the judgment she faced for continuing to work while caring for her daughter. Jessica also talks about her advocacy work and her Psychology Today column "Grace and Grief" which explores our society's attitudes towards loss. With remarkable vulnerability, she offers hard-won wisdom on balancing work and life, and what friends and employers can do to truly show up during life's most challenging times.

In this insightful episode, leadership expert and author Jenna Fisher shares her inspiring journey and hard-won wisdom from over 20 years of helping women navigate the corporate ranks. Drawing from her bestselling book To the Top, Jenna provides a practical playbook for creating meaningful change and closing the gender gap in executive roles. She discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, the power of sponsorship, redefining career paths as a "web" rather than a ladder, and how the leadership traits once considered "feminine" are now indispensable in today’s workforce. Jenna also offers candid advice on work-life balance, supporting parents through equitable leave policies, harnessing age diversity, and empowering the next generation to maximize their potential.