In this episode, I’m joined by Akiko Thayer, founder of Maternity Leave 411 and a Certified Leave Management Specialist, who has made it her mission to help new parents maximize their maternity and paternity leave in California. Akiko knows firsthand how overwhelming and confusing navigating leave can be—between state laws, federal protections, wage replacement programs, and unprepared HR departments, many parents end up leaving precious time (and money) on the table. Her work ensures families get the full benefits and bonding time they deserve.

When Akiko went on maternity leave with her first child, she was shocked at how little clear information was available online—and even more surprised at how little her HR department understood about California leave laws. What should have been a time of joy was instead filled with stress and confusion. That frustration fueled her mission: to advocate for employees and provide them with easy-to-understand, actionable information to maximize their time at home with their babies.

Through Maternity Leave 411, Akiko has helped hundreds of expectant moms and dads understand exactly how much leave they are eligible for, how long they will be paid, and how to have effective conversations with HR—even when their employer doesn’t know the law themselves. She believes no parent should have to cut their bonding time short because of misinformation or lack of support.

🌙 Why Maternity Leave 411 Matters 🌙

California has some of the strongest protections for expectant employees in the U.S., but the laws are complex and often misunderstood. Here’s why Akiko’s expertise is so vital: Leave duration varies for each person, depending on overlapping state and federal protections. California is one of the few states offering wage replacement through State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). Out-of-state employers and HR reps often misunderstand California law, leaving employees under-informed. Many employees don’t realize how to combine different leave programs to maximize time at home. Akiko breaks down these complicated systems so parents can feel informed and empowered—not intimidated—when discussing leave with their employers. Her advice has helped families take every day they are entitled to before and after baby’s birth.

💡 In this episode, we talk about: The biggest mistakes parents make when planning maternity/paternity leave in California How to decode SDI and PFL benefits without feeling overwhelmed What to say when HR or your boss gives you the wrong information How to ensure you don’t return to work earlier than necessary Why every minute of leave matters for bonding, recovery, and mental health Akiko’s passion is clear: helping parents spend as much time as possible with their newborns. Her mission is simple—don’t leave leave on the table.

📚 About Akiko’s Background & Credentials 📚

BA in Psychology, Boston University Certified Leave Management Specialist California Law HR Specialty Credential Certificate of Achievement: Leave of Absence, California Since 2015, Akiko has been equipping families with knowledge of their rights and paid leave options. Her work has transformed countless experiences, giving new parents the confidence to stand firm with HR, maximize benefits, and prioritize what matters most—those first precious weeks and months at home with baby.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode. Learn more at Maternity Leave 411 and discover how you can maximize your leave, protect your benefits, and spend the time with your baby that you’re entitled to.

https://www.maternityleave411.com/about

#MaternityLeave411 #AkikoThayer #MaternityLeaveCalifornia #PaternityLeaveCalifornia #CaliforniaSDI #CaliforniaPFL #PaidFamilyLeave #MaternityLeaveRights #NewParentSupport #CaliforniaEmployees #BondingTimeWithBaby #PostpartumSupport #ParentingInCalifornia #LeaveManagement

In this episode, I’m honored to speak with Kim, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, and founder of Root & Branch Nutrition. As a mom herself, Kim intimately understands the exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion many mothers feel — and her mission is helping moms move beyond just surviving into thriving. Root & Branch is where you discover root-cause holistic nutrition and wellness practices that align with real life in motherhood.

Kim’s approach is holistic but deeply practical: she works with mothers in all stages (preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond) to identify hidden root causes of symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, hormonal imbalances, and feeling “off,” and then gently but steadily build back energy, resilience, and joy. She blends training in nutritional therapy, wellness restoration, and a method she calls The Root & Branch Method to help women feel nourished, connected, and empowered in their own bodies.

She offers both highly personalized, one-on-one functional nutrition support and self-led transformation options: digital courses, downloadable resources, and mini-programs designed to fit into the chaos of motherhood. Whether you want hands-on help digging into your health challenges, or you need flexible guidance while juggling babies, jobs, and life, Kim has created ways to feel supported.

In this episode, we dive into: How root-cause nutrition and wellness can reset energy, mood, and hormones in motherhood What many moms overlook in postpartum health (nutrient deficiencies, digestive health, rest, stress, etc.) The tangible ways to shift from overwhelmed and running on empty to feeling vibrant, resilient, and nourished How to balance caring for others with caring for yourself—without guilt Small daily practices that create meaningful change when applied consistently You’ll leave feeling seen, that your body’s struggles are valid, and with actionable ways to begin reclaiming your health, energy, and sense of self.

Whether you join Kim in a 1:1 program or take one of her self-paced options, her goal is the same: to help you feel at home in your body again—and to live motherhood from a place of strength instead of depletion. 📌

Keywords: Kim Root & Branch Nutrition, functional nutrition for moms, root cause nutrition, postpartum nutrition, preconception health, hormonal balance in motherhood, postpartum fatigue help, holistic wellness for moms, reclaiming energy, mothers health reset, nourishing motherhood, restorative wellness, self-led transformation, mom wellness courses.

#RootAndBranchNutrition #KimNutrition #FunctionalNutritionMoms #MotherhoodWellness #PostpartumNutrition #RootCauseHealing #HormoneBalance #MomEnergyReset #RestoreAndThrive #HolisticMom #SelfLedWellness #NourishedMama #VibrantMotherhood

https://www.rootandbranchnutrition.com/

Join us as we talk all things SLEEP! Sleep is one of the most important tools every mother and child needs to bring success to their daily life. Yasmin Johnston, a certified sleep consultant, and Chloe Fries, a registered nanny, doula and sleep consultant with over 10+ years of experience, bring their knowledge together to cover everything from sleep for mom, to sleep for toddlers and beyond.

 Today's highlight is an exclusive screening of "A Mother is Born," a moving short film by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sarah Moshman, exploring the transformative experience of motherhood. Following the film, a discussion with Sarah and Emily Adler Mosqueda, a respected author and Clinical Associate Professor- Emily is the author of "Unexpected: A Postpartum Memoir" and maternal mental health advocate.