Many women at some point in their careers will experience the major milestone of becoming a mother. It's a life-changing experience, yet how often do we talk about how this transition impacts our work?

In this month's episode of Thrivival 101 we were so pleased to speak with Lori Mihalich-Levin and Arianna Taboada about the work they do to help parents thrive in both their parenting and professional lives. Lori shares some of her own challenging experiences as a new working parent and how this led to her creation of Mindful Return, an organization supporting parents in their working parent journey.

Lori and Arianna discuss some of the biggest misconceptions about integrating parenting into our careers, how parental leave can actually enhance our leadership skills, and some steps we can take to create a more positive workplace for working parents. Arianna and Lori share their favourite non-conventional self-care activities and we end this episode with Lori reading a touching segment from a letter to herself (and to all of us) about being enough.

Even if you aren't a parent, this discussion is so valuable for understanding the challenges and opportunities facing working parents.

Highlights:

• What led Lori to create Mindful Return
• The common misconceptions and mindset challenges for working parents
• How scenario mapping can be a helpful way of addressing catastrophizing
• How parenting out loud at work can create positive change
• Some impactful steps parents can take to support their success
• Lori and Arianna’s favourite nonconventional self-care activities

Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD, believes in empowering working parents. She is the founder and CEO of Mindful Return, author of Back to Work After Baby, and co-host of the Parents at Work Podcast. Lori is mama to two wonderful red-headed boys and is a health care lawyer in private practice. Arianna Taboada is the co-creator and lead for the Mindful Return Maternity Leave Course for Entrepreneurs. She is a public health social worker by training and author of The Expecting Entrepreneur.

Connect with Lori:
https://www.mindfulreturn.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimihalichlevin/
https://www.instagram.com/mindfulreturn/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parents-at-work/id1239258343

Connect with Arianna:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/81917905
https://www.instagram.com/thexpectingentrepreneur/

Connect with Melissa & Karen at Intentional Therapist:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelissatiessen/

Share one of your own self-care experiments via our SpeakPipe page at: https://www.speakpipe.com/intentionaltherapist

Ready to upgrade your self-care? Check out the independent study version of our course, Thrivival Skills for Therapists, and earn 3 CE credits! Because self-care is PART OF our jobs! More info at: https://intentional-therapist.newzenler.com/courses/thrivival-skills-for-therapists-independent-study

Disclaimer: This podcast seeks to be educational in purpose and is not to be used as clinical advice. Please connect with a therapist one-on-one for personalized support.