New Modern Mom Podcast

Hiring an au pair completely changed how Barbara’s family functions, and in this episode, she’s sharing exactly how and why.Whether you’re a working parent looking for more flexible childcare, a dual-career couple juggling inconsistent schedules, or just curious about how the au pair system compares to traditional nannies, this is a must-listen. In this mini-episode of our Toolkit Series, host Barbara Mighdoll shares her candid experience with four different au pairs (and two nannies) and breaks down the real-life pros, cons, and logistics you actually need to know.You’ll also hear an unreleased clip from the original episode with Samantha Wu, CMO of Eventbrite and former CMO of Facebook at Meta, who shares her own au pair experiences and wisdom from life as a high-powered executive and mom of two. If you've ever wondered whether an au pair could transform the way your family operates, this conversation offers the clarity, structure, and gut-check questions you need.In this episode, you’ll learn:👶 What an au pair is—and why it might be a better fit than daycare or a nannyUnderstand the structure, rules, and unique features of the au pair program, including legal hour limits and household responsibilities.💸 The real cost of hiring an au pairBarbara compares the annual expenses of an au pair vs. a full-time nanny and explains what’s included in the price.🛫 Why au pairs are ideal for parents looking for flexibility,Learn how au pairs can adjust to your changing schedule, help with travel logistics, and offer reliability that’s hard to find with other forms of childcare.🏠 How to evaluate if your family is truly ready to have an au pairWalk through a step-by-step readiness workshop with your partner to determine if this live-in childcare model aligns with your lifestyle and boundaries.🧠 What makes an au pair relationship work—and where it can fall apartFrom mismatched expectations to communication pitfalls, Barbara and Samantha share lessons learned and actionable advice to ensure your success from day one.If you’re looking for an honest, mom-to-mom guide to navigating the au pair world, this episode is your toolkit. You’ll walk away with not just knowledge—but a process you can start using today.Need help crafting interview questions for your au pair? Start here.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Samantha:On LinkedIn hereAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

No fluff—just the actual ways to use ChatGPT daily to save 20+ hours a week as a working mom.In this episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, we’re diving into the everyday benefits of AI and how working parents can actually use it to reclaim time, reduce mental load, and bring more ease into their routines. Whether you’ve never touched ChatGPT or you’re already experimenting with AI tools, this episode is packed with real-life examples, mindset shifts, and smart ideas that make AI less intimidating—and a whole lot more helpful.This isn’t just a tech episode. It’s a toolkit for thriving in modern working motherhood. You'll hear a practical breakdown of how to use ChatGPT in ways that feel realistic, approachable, and supportive to your daily life. Plus Barbara shares the secret to how to prompt ChatGPT to sound exactly like you.Whether you're trying to brainstorm dinner ideas, streamline your work responsibilities, or get back 20 minutes during your week—this one’s for you.In this episode, you’ll:🧠 Simplify your mental load with AI: Discover how tools like ChatGPT can streamline daily decision-making for working parents juggling work and home life.✉️ Use ChatGPT as your email assistant: Learn how to draft, edit, and polish emails faster while improving clarity, tone, and impact.🏡 Delegate home management tasks to ChatGPT: Create onboarding docs, checklists, and clear instructions to help manage your home in minutes.📊 Let ChatGPT take on admin at work: From refining presentations to managing team communication and drafting contracts, this tool helps you do more with less effort.🛠️ Train ChatGPT to sound just like you: Master prompt writing in the free version or build your own GPT to consistently reflect your voice, values, and brand style.This episode is part of our Toolkit Series, where we explore practical, modern tools to help you feel more grounded and less chaotic in your daily life. So grab your headphones, open your notes app, and get ready to meet your new favorite parenting assistant—ChatGPT. I’m Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereLooking for a breakdown of how I actually use ChatGPT in my daily life? I’ve created something for you: 5 Practical Ways to Use ChatGPT: A Working Mom’s Guide. This free guide walks you through the 5 ways I use ChatGPT every single day to lighten the mental load. Think of it like hiring an assistant... for free.Download it now to immediately start making your life easier.About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

What if living your dream summer in Europe was more possible than you thought—with kids, a full-time job, and all?In this episode of our Toolkit Series, host Barbara Mighdoll shares exactly how she and her family lived in Portugal for nine weeks through Boundless Life—without pausing her career, disrupting her children’s routines, or completely blowing their budget. If you’ve ever fantasized about living or working abroad but immediately shut it down because of kids, school, or work commitments, this episode will shift your mindset and give you a step-by-step framework to make it happen.This isn’t just a travel story. It’s a tactical deep dive into how to pull off a working family summer abroad—whether you want to go through a program or plan it yourself. Barbara walks through five key pillars every working parent should consider before packing their bags and the exact conversation starters you need to get your partner and your company on board. From managing childcare in a foreign country to navigating coworking setups and budgeting the true costs—this episode is your one-stop resource for transforming your “someday” dream into a “next summer” plan.Here’s what we cover in this episode:🌍 The 5 essential pillars to making a summer abroad work – From school and childcare to housing, coworking, transportation, and community, get a practical breakdown of everything you need to consider before committing to life abroad with kids.💼 Work logistics: How to stay fully employed while living overseas – Learn how to manage U.S. work hours, optimize your daily schedule, and even reduce your workload to maximize your time abroad without sacrificing your career.💰 Real numbers: What a family summer abroad actually costs – Get estimates for flights, housing, summer camps, and coworking spaces—and find out how to offset those costs (including renting out your home while you’re away).🧠 Mindset shifts to make this dream feel doable – Barbara breaks down the most common blockers, like getting your partner or employer on board, and shares reframes to help you treat this like a real opportunity—not just a fantasy.🔍 Boundless Life vs. DIY: Which abroad approach is right for your family? – Hear the pros and cons of going through a structured program like Boundless Life versus coordinating your own international summer setup. Get €400 off your program with Boundless Life with code NEWMODERNMOM.If you’ve ever said, “That sounds amazing, but there’s no way we could do that”—this episode is for you. Barbara proves that living abroad with young kids is not only doable, but deeply enriching for the whole family. She even gives you the exact next steps to kickstart the planning process, from how to prep for the partner convo to what to Google tonight.Whether you’re dreaming of Lisbon, Provence, or anywhere in between—your summer abroad starts with this toolkit.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet €400 off your program with Boundless Life with code NEWMODERNMOM.About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Running your home like the powerhouse operation it needs to be takes more than shared calendars and crossed fingers — it takes intentional, consistent communication. That’s what we’re tackling in this Toolkit Series episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast.In this episode, Barbara Mighdoll dives deep into one of the most powerful tools in any working mom’s arsenal: the weekly partner meeting. It’s not just about coordinating calendars or divvying up chores — it’s about transforming your relationship from survival mode into a supportive, intentional partnership that can handle the chaos of career and parenting. Drawing from her own experience and powerful insights from two previous guests, Hitha Palepu and Jeanelle Teves, this episode delivers a proven framework for making your home life feel less reactive and more aligned.Whether you’ve tried weekly check-ins and abandoned them, or you’re just now realizing the shared Google Calendar isn’t cutting it, this episode is packed with concrete steps to help you communicate better, plan smarter, and create a more peaceful rhythm at home. Bonus: You’ll walk away with a full meeting agenda ready to plug-and-play. 🧩 The real reason communication with your partner breaks down — and how weekly meetings solve it: Discover how a structured approach to checking in with your partner can prevent conflict, reduce mental load, and increase mutual empathy.🗂 A 5-point meeting agenda that’s been tested in busy households: Barbara walks through her personal weekly sync structure — from what to ask, how to delegate, and why this cadence can completely change your week.💬 Why emotional check-ins matter just as much as logistics: Learn how making space for emotional connection can stop resentment in its tracks and protect the bond behind your co-parenting efforts.🛠 How to identify the tasks that fall through the cracks and finally solve for them: You’ll get a simple homework assignment that helps surface the recurring "oh crap" moments that sabotage your schedule.📅 How to think bigger than just the week ahead with quarterly and annual planning rituals: Get inspired by rituals like a New Year’s Day goal walk that help couples align on the big picture and stay on the same page throughout the year.This episode isn’t just another chat about communication — it’s a practical blueprint to reduce stress, share the mental load, and feel like you’re truly in this together. Listen now, take notes, and start running your home like the aligned organization it should be.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Hitha:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Jeanelle:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

What if the key to unlocking your next career opportunity isn't in your resume—but in your online presence? On today’s bonus Toolkit Series episode, we’re diving deep into a powerful theme that sparked major interest in Season 1: personal brand building with Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer of Bugaboo and mom of two, who’s redefining what executive leadership looks like in the digital age. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually start building a personal brand while juggling work, motherhood, and a million to-dos, this is the episode for you. You’ll hear real-world strategies from an executive who made the leap from content consumer to creator—and gained new opportunities, confidence, and clarity in the process. Barbara also breaks it all down with a tactical solo strategy session you can do today to map out your own personal brand.📢 The evolution of thought leadership: Discover how thought leadership has moved beyond traditional PR and has shifted to self-driven, multi-platform content creation. 📱 Owning your narrative through social media: Explore how platforms like TikTok and Instagram are opening new doors for executive women to craft brands that reflect who they are—not just where they work.🔁 From scrolling to creating: The Mindset Shift: What sparks the leap from passive content consumer to confident creator? Hear what inspired Jeanelle Teves.🛣️ Building career lanes outside the 9–5: Learn how investing in side passions like mentoring and content creation expanded Jeanelle professional identity and opened unexpected doors.💬 Vulnerability as a leadership advantage: Why realness is rising: a conversation about how showing your human side can build trust and deepen your leadership impact.🗂️ The content creation workflow: Jeanelle shares tactical tips for creating consistent content, including posting cadence and learning from peers.🔂 The power of repetition and content pillars: Discover how repeating key themes builds recognition and strengthens your message.📝 Your solo strategy session playbook: Barbara outlines a step-by-step exercise to map out your personal brand goals, pillars, platform, and plan.Think of this episode as your permission slip to show up online—not to go viral, but to be visible. Whether you’re looking to build influence in your industry, plant the seeds for a future business, or simply share your story in a way that feels aligned, this Toolkit episode gives you everything you need to get started.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Jeanelle:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

I’m sitting down with Hitha Palepu—CEO, author, speaker, and dynamic mom of 2 boys—who embodies the multi-hyphenate lifestyle. Whether you're juggling a career, personal goals, or family life, Hitha’s journey offers insights on how to thrive in multiple roles without burning out.As the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals and thought leader across multiple platforms, Hitha’s ability to lead, inspire, and stay true to herself makes her relatable and motivating. Join us for practical strategies to successfully find personal fulfillment in everyday life.In this episode, Hitha shares lesson on:🔑 The Multi-Hyphenate Mindset: Practical advice on balancing different passions and responsibilities without losing sight of personal goals.⌛ Time Management Tips: Sharing strategies to structure your day for maximum productivity and balance between work, family, and self-care.🚫 Setting Boundaries & Saying No: Learn how to set boundaries and confidently say no to protect your time and energy, while staying focused on what matters.🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Sharing Responsibilities at Home: Tips for effective ways to communicate and split household duties, and maintain weekly check-ins to keep life running smoothly.🧳 Packing Like a Pro: How to streamline your travel packing process with expert tips for the busy, on-the-go lifestyle.💬 Authenticity as a Thought Leader: How to embrace vulnerability and authenticity to build deeper connections and establish a relatable, impactful presence as a thought leader.🚀 Pursuing Your Passions Relentlessly: The secrets to staying motivated and driven, by continually pursuing what fuels your personal and professional growth.This episode is packed with inspiration, actionable tips, and thoughtful reflection. A perfect listen to motivate you to make room for that passion project in your busy life.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Hitha onOn Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

On today’s episode, we’ve got a truly amazing guest, Divya Gugnani. She’s the CEO and Co-founder of Wander Beauty, CEO and Founder of 5 SENS, Founding Partner of Concept to Co, and—wait for it—a mom to two pre-teens AND a newborn. How does she do it all? You’re about to find out!Divya shares so many gems on everything from feeding her family to trusting your intuition, making the most of each day and how she actually accomplishes being present with her kids. She’s refreshingly real about how she manages it all behind the scenes, and I know you’ll walk away with tons of practical advice. Hear Divya’s lessons on…🌟 The power of intuition: How Divya trusted her gut to make pivotal decisions in both her personal life and her business, and how you can do the same.🏃‍♀️ Grit and resilience: The importance of pushing through obstacles, and how Divya stayed motivated when the going got tough—both as a mom and an entrepreneur.💪Raising independent kids: Divya’s older children have developed a great sense of independence by being enabled to make their own choices.🗓️ Time management tips: Tried-and-true strategies for managing time effectively while wearing multiple hats, from business leader to mom.🏡 The reality of support: Divya transparently shares the help she relies on at home and work, and why it’s essential for making her many roles a reality.📣 Marketing yourself effectively: Tips on how to find confidence to better market yourself, whether that’s for a promotion or for a new entrepreneurial journey.🧘‍♀️ Finding presence: Practical advice on how to stay grounded and present in the chaos of life, work, and motherhood.As a mom who’s successfully navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising a family, Divya’s unfiltered insights are going to inspire and empower you to take on your own challenges - be it at work or at home - with confidence.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Divya:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Ever wonder how power couples juggle big careers and busy family lives without losing their minds? In this episode of The New Modern Mom, we’re chatting with Erin Schaefer, the SVP of Publishing, Go-to-Market and Global Operations at Niantic, who gives us an inside look at how she and her husband, both high-powered execs, keep their home running smoothly while killing it at work. She gets real about the chaos of managing family schedules, the burnout that sneaks up during those crazy times of the year, and why she’s seen moms often end up as the default parent—even when both partners have demanding jobs.She also shares her struggles with imposter syndrome, even at the executive level, and how she’s learned to push through self-doubt. Packed with practical advice and relatable stories, this episode is a must-listen for every working mom out there!In this episode, we dive into:🗓️ The Magic of Family Organization: She shares how Google Sheets, shared calendars, and a solid support system help her manage the chaos of family life.⚖️ Splitting Responsibilities at Home: A discussion on how she and her husband navigate dividing up the many tasks of family life, and why she’s noticed that in many families, moms often end up as the default parent.🔄 Handling Burnout and Stress: Her go-to strategies for dealing with burnout, especially during those intense times of the year like the end of the school year, which she calls “Gray May.”🧘‍♀️ Finding Time for You: Creative ideas for squeezing in self-care, whether it’s during the commute, sneaking in a solo walk, or planning intentional date nights.🌱 Building Your Mom Tribe: The evolution of her support network, from local mom groups to lifelong friendships, and how these relationships keep her grounded.🌍 Taking Risks in Your Career: A reflection on the risks she wishes she’d taken earlier in her career and some solid advice for moms thinking about making a big career move.Tune in for practical tips on navigating a demanding career with family life—every working mom needs this!For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Erin on LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Ever thought that the very thing you’re afraid to show at work—your vulnerability—might actually make you a stronger leader? In this episode, I’m talking with Melanie Rosenwasser, the Chief People Officer at Dropbox about how the messy, chaotic world of motherhood can actually boost your career in ways you never imagined.Melanie’s chat is packed with real talk about how she’s managed to set up a remote work life that lets her be there for her kids while still advancing in her career. She opens up about the challenges of returning to work while dealing with postpartum struggles, and how she and her partner split the complicated responsibilities that come with two kids under three years old.In this episode, you'll learn:🎯 Juggling Work and Mom Life: The daily challenge of switching from making big decisions at work to handling chaos at home, and how tough it can be to wear multiple hats.🛠️ Creating a Supportive Home Setup: How she and her husband decided he should take a step-back from his career to be the at-home parent, and how they continue to support each other’s passions.🏡 The Perks of Remote Work: How Dropbox’s remote-first policy reshaped her work-life balance, allowing her to be present with her kids while leading a major company.💼 Taking Turns in Career and Family: The conscious decisions behind whose career takes the lead and how they navigate the give and take between work and family life.🌱 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership: How becoming a mom made her a more empathetic and focused leader, even in an industry where vulnerability isn’t always celebrated.🤹‍♀️ Keeping Up the Energy: The strategies she uses to save energy for her family while managing the demands of her job.🚸 Moving Closer to Family: The decision to move near family after having her first child and its impact on work and personal life.🧠 Dealing with Postpartum Struggles: Her experience with postpartum anxiety and depression, its effect on work, and how she found support.If you’re trying to figure out how to keep pushing forward in your career while navigating the realities of motherhood, Melanie’s insights are a must-hear.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Melanie on LinkedIn here.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.Navigate the episode:[00:00:45] Introduction: Introduction to Melanie Rosenwasser, focusing on her role as Chief People Officer at Dropbox and her journey as a mother.[00:02:22] Juggling Work and Motherhood: Melanie begins discussing the challenge of switching between executive decision-making and handling parenting duties.[00:04:13] The Move Back Home: Melanie talks about the decision to move closer to family after finding out she was pregnant with her first child.[00:07:07] Creating a Supportive Home Setup: The conversation shifts to how Melanie and her husband decided on their roles, with him becoming the primary caregiver.[00:09:02] Transitioning from One to Two Kids: Melanie shares her experience transitioning from having one child to two, and how she felt more prepared the second time around.[00:12:18] The Remote Work Advantage: Melanie describes her home office setup and how Dropbox’s remote-first policy has benefited her work-life balance.[00:15:06] Making the Leap to the C-Suite: The discussion moves to Melanie’s career progression from VP to Chief People Officer, focusing on the skills and experiences that were crucial for her promotion.[00:20:56] Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership: Melanie talks about how becoming a mother has influenced her leadership style, particularly in embracing vulnerability and empathy.[00:27:00] Navigating Postpartum Struggles: Melanie begins discussing her struggles with postpartum anxiety and depression and how she managed these challenges while returning to work.[00:31:12] Redefining Work-Life Balance: The conversation shifts to Melanie’s perspective on work-life balance, emphasizing the concept of work-life harmony and intentional decision-making in career and family life.

Nicky Jackson Colaco, VP of Public Policy at Roblox, brings over 20 years of tech experience to the table. She shares practical tips on managing kids' screen time and educating them about digital privacy. Nicky dives into the complexities of co-parenting and balancing a demanding career with motherhood. She also discusses the importance of support networks for parents and the transformative power of taking career risks. It's a treasure trove of advice for navigating tech boundaries while nurturing family life!