Meet Dr. Carly Buxton, the founder of Parentswarm, a startup connecting parents to expert support. She also teaches business at the University of Richmond and writes across multiple genres, including historical fiction and children's books. Her work highlights the power of nuanced thinking and embracing a multifaceted life.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• 00:00 Welcome and Introductions
• 01:17 Balancing Multiple Roles
• 02:31 Societal Expectations and Personal Identity
• 04:14 Challenges of Stay-at-Home Parenting
• 06:36 Navigating Indecision and Change
• 11:13 Parenting Neurodiverse Children
• 17:47 Finding Joy and Creativity
• 21:45 Engaging Conversations and Authenticity
• 25:50 Teaching Principles: Asking the Right Questions
• 26:27 Encouraging Nuanced Thinking in Students
• 28:34 Designing Effective Learning Tools
• 29:34 The Importance of Analog Thinking
• 30:26 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
• 34:33 The Journey to Becoming a Flight Attendant
• 40:55 The Value of De-Technologizing
• 44:42 Future Plans and Aspirations
• 46:36 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Carly Buxton—a historian, entrepreneur, and user research strategist—who challenges the rigid labels society places on us. From academia to business, from writing to parenting, Carly shares how embracing multiple passions has shaped her life.

In this conversation, we explore:

✅ The struggle of being defined by a single role or identity

✅ The pressure to have a "perfect" answer when asked, "What do you do?"

✅ How to navigate major life transitions with flexibility and confidence

✅ The power of curiosity, nuance, and stepping outside societal expectations

Hosts: Emily McAnelly & MaryAnn Means-Dufresne

This episode of The Great Noticing is hosted by sisters Emily and MaryAnn, bringing you candid conversations about navigating motherhood, relationships, and life’s beautiful chaos. With Emily’s humor and MaryAnn’s practical advice, we’re here to help you laugh, reflect, and tackle the challenges of modern womanhood.

Thank you for noticing with us! We would love to connect with you!

The Great Noticing Instagram

Collective Growth Instagram

Collective Growth Website

MaryAnn's LinkedIn

Emily's LinkedIn

Hanna Isul Website