The Unmistakable Creative Podcast Brea Starmer: Redefining Work Around Highest and Best Use, Not Hours Logged
Nov 20, 2025
Brea Starmer, founder of Lions and Tigers and a mother of three, reimagines work culture by placing value on 'highest and best use' over hours logged. She discusses her journey from corporate tech to entrepreneurship and the impact of being laid off while pregnant. Brea highlights the consequences of pregnancy discrimination, the chaos of parenting schedules, and how workplaces must adapt to support caregivers. Advocating for flexible work arrangements, she explains how companies can enhance productivity by focusing on outcomes rather than face time.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Moment Shaping Leadership
- Brea Starmer slept under her mother's desk as a child and watched her integrate work and life to meet deadlines.
- That memory shaped Brea's approach to parenting and leading with integration, not separation.
Laid Off While Pregnant
- Brea was laid off seven months pregnant and faced pregnancy discrimination while searching for work.
- She became a consultant out of necessity and used that experience to build her business.
From Facebook Group To Business Idea
- Brea created a sleep-training Facebook group that grew to 500 members and became a support network.
- That community inspired her to build workplaces with intrinsic help and mutual care.
