#087 — Birth as a Portal: An Invitation   We know that pregnancy and childbirth is a time of profound transformation for women. Beyond the physical changes we experience, giving birth affords the opportunity to let go of our past selves and emerge as something new. But could birth be just as powerful for fathers and co-parents? How about our communities at large? What if everyone could tap into the wisdom and energy of new life, using it as a source of power to let go of what no longer serves us and rise up as a new iteration of our creative selves? Today, I’m taking a deep dive into the idea of birth as a portal. I describe the new research by Ruth Feldman on the neuroscience of parenthood as well as Amy Henderson’s thought leadership around the transformative power of being a present and active caregiver. Listen in for my invitation to let go of old identity markers and embrace a new way of being, drawing on the power of birth to level up and welcome a new way to show up in the world. FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/087. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER Community makes all the difference. So, at Startup Pregnant, we have launched a mastermind program for women who are interested in going deeper around questions about parenting, motherhood, and business. To apply for the Spring 2019 session and receive my free email series, go to https://startuppregnant.com/mastermind. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson Amy Henderson’s Tendlab Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience ‘Neural Plasticity in Fathers of Human Infants’ in Social Neuroscience ‘The Neurobiology of Human Attachments’ in Trends in Cognitive Sciences  THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Newsletter Email hello@startuppregnant.com Startup Pregnant on Facebook Startup Pregnant on Instagram Startup Pregnant on Twitter Sponsor the Podcast Review Startup Pregnant on iTunes

#086— Prepping for Maternity Leave We live in a society that pressures us to do more, a cult of busyness if you will. In our holiday letters, we brag about how hectic our lives are, and as women, we have a much harder time experiencing leisure and play than we do work. So, what happens when you need to slow down and take leave from work to have a baby?  In the US, pregnant women are typically expected to work straight through to delivery—and be back after just a few short weeks. Maternity leave is even more challenging for female business owners and entrepreneurs who lack social protections, who are not covered by any kind of infrastructure that provides the space and time to step away. On this edition of The Friendship Series, Cary Fortin and I unpack parental leave, discussing our frustration with the culture’s response to taking time off and the bizarre series of myths we hold about motherhood. I share the details of my first 12-week maternity leave working for a startup, explaining how the policy took shape as I lived it and why I negotiated the option to work at 50% for an additional three months before getting back up to full speed. Cary describes what her maternity leave looked like as an entrepreneur and freelancer and how she would afford herself more time off, given the opportunity. Listen in for insight on how I designed maternity leave this time around, batching content and enlisting the help of a team to give myself the freedom to focus on my family and my writing for several months—while my business continues to grow! FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/086. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT CARY FORTIN Cary Fortin is the co-founder of New Minimalism, a simple living website and provider of declutter + design services. New Minimalism brings together the fields of psychology and sustainable design to create holistic, long-term solutions for clients looking to simplify and renew their homes and workspaces. Cary’s work has been featured in Mindbodygreen, Apartment Therapy, and Yoga Journal, among many other publications, and she is the co-author of New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living. New Minimalism New Minimalism on Facebook New Minimalism on Instagram Cary’s Website Cary on LinkedIn Cary on Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE One Month Pumpspotting Arianna Taboa

#085 — The Fatigue is REAL At 33 weeks, I am dealing with a serious case of pregnancy insomnia. My Fitbit reports that I slept for 2:45 last night, and I was restless for 4:20. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. Pregnant women and new moms deal with fatigue on a grand scale. Our bodies are doing a lot of work, and we are sleep deprived like never before. So, how do you function? Is there anything you can do to manage the exhaustion? Today, Cary Fortin returns for an honest discussion about energy—and the lack thereof. We address how taxing pregnancy is on the body and the urge to apologize for not being able to do as much. I vent my frustration with a society that preaches the importance of family yet has little reverence for pregnant women, and Cary and I cover the myths around the dismissive term ‘Mommy brain,’ the loss of brain function associated with sleep deprivation, and the discovery that parenthood provides an opportunity to rewire your brain. Listen in to understand the significance of rest and short naps and learn how to approach periods of fatigue with a focus on self-compassion. FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/085. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER One of the biggest challenges we face in business is developing focus, figuring out how to do less and gaining clarity around what’s really important. I have developed a three-step process that helps me simplify and make decisions about when to say no. Get the free guide at https://startuppregnant.com/stop.  All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT CARY FORTIN Cary Fortin is the co-founder of New Minimalism, a declutter + design service and online platform for people looking to simplify and renew their homes and workspaces, and the co-author of New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living. An expert in the field of simple living and the psychology of letting go, Cary is also a writer and lifestyle expert whose work has been featured in Mindbodygreen, Yoga Journal and Sunset Magazine, among other publications. New Minimalism New Minimalism on Facebook New Minimalism on Instagram Cary’s Website Cary on LinkedIn Cary on Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Kate Northrup on Startup Pregnant EP008 THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Newsletter Email hello@startuppregnant.com Startup Pregnant on Facebook Startup Pregnant on Instagram Startup Pregnant o

#084 — Making Friends: A Few Helpful Strategies Sure, you know a LOT of people. But how many of those people do you consider true friends? Who would you really feel comfortable calling on in a crisis? Maintaining meaningful friendships as adults can be a challenge, especially if you move to a new city or change jobs, but you can take a proactive approach, seeking out new people you connect with on a personal level. Yes, it takes work and commitment, but the benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort of putting yourself out there. Today, I’m sharing a few helpful strategies around making friends as an adult. I offer advice on setting an intention and going to the places where likeminded people hang out. I also discuss the value in showing up by yourself, casting a wide net, and taking a chance on a new friend. Listen in for insight on starting your own groups and learn why I say YES when people offer to help! FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/084. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER This podcast is made possible by Alavita Nutrition, a tremendous resource when it comes to food, health, and wellness. The Alavita team is on a mission to make eating good food and understanding nutrition easier for busy moms. Head to https://www.alavitanutrition.com/ and use the code ‘startup pregnant’ for 20% off their self-paced programs or a nutrition consultation. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.  RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ‘Why Is It Hard to Make Friends Over 30?’ in The New York Times World Domination Summit Vanessa Van Edwards on YouTube Science of People THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Newsletter Email hello@startuppregnant.com Startup Pregnant on Facebook Startup Pregnant on Instagram Startup Pregnant on Twitter Sponsor the Podcast Review Startup Pregnant on iTunes

#083 — Cultivating Adult Female Friendships If you are working parent, chances are that career and family dominate your time and attention. Yet we all know the immense value of cultivating friendships with other women who share similar circumstances, interests, or values. So, how do you carve out the time to nurture established friendships? Even more challenging, how do you build new female friendships? And how do you handle it when a friendship ends? Today, Cary Fortin is back to help me explore the issue of making new friends as an adult. We discuss the process of putting yourself out there and identifying a good friendship match as well as the logistical challenge of staying in touch with long-distance friends. I explain what it means to ‘aggressively make friends,’ and Cary addresses the value in owning who you are and leading with your values. Listen in for insight on letting people know you’re thinking about them (without an agenda) and learn how Cary and I navigate the emotional landscape when a friendship ends. FULL SHOW NOTES  Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/083. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER  Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT CARY FORTIN Cary Fortin is an expert in the realm of simple living and the psychology of letting go. She is the co-founder of New Minimalism, declutter + design service and online resource for people looking to simplify and renew their homes and workspaces, and the co-author of New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living. Cary is also a writer and lifestyle expert whose work has been featured in Mindbodygreen, Fayr and Sunset Magazine, among other publications. New Minimalism New Minimalism on Facebook New Minimalism on Instagram Cary’s Website Cary on LinkedIn Cary on Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Morra Aarons-Mele on Startup Pregnant EP005 LÄRABAR Asha Dornfest on Startup Pregnant EP076 Lauren Smith Brody on Startup Pregnant EP004 The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby by Lauren Smith Brody THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

#082 — The Friendship Series: Doing Less in Business If your business could only do one thing, what would it be? In planning for my second pregnancy, I thought about how to design a business in Startup Pregnant that would serve my life as an expectant mother. Given the constraints on my time and energy, what was mission critical and what could be eliminated from my to-do list? I got strategic about doing less.  Today on the podcast, Cary Fortin and I continue the Friendship Series, discussing the three-step process I leveraged to design a resilient business that could weather my pregnancy and subsequent maternity leave. We explain how to reframe parental leave as an opportunity to systematize and document a business’ processes and the specific challenges faced by solopreneurs taking a leave of absence. Listen in for insight around getting honest about the number of hours you can REALLY devote to work and making decisions on which projects are integral to your business—and which can be relegated to the Don’t Do list. FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/082. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER One of the biggest challenges we face in business is developing focus, figuring out how to do less and gaining clarity around what’s really important. I have developed a three-step process that helps me simplify and make decisions about when to say no. Get the free guide at https://startuppregnant.com/stop. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT CARY FORTIN Cary Fortin is a writer, editor and web designer based in Boise, Idaho. She is also the co-founder of New Minimalism, a simple living platform and declutter + design service, and the co-author of New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living. New Minimalism brings together the fields of psychology and sustainable design to create holistic, long-term solutions for clients looking to simplify and renew their homes and workspaces. The firm’s work has been featured in Design Sponge, Apartment Therapy, and Yoga Journal, among many other publications. New Minimalism New Minimalism on Facebook New Minimalism on Instagram Cary’s Website Cary on LinkedIn Cary on Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  ‘Stop Doing it All’ Blog Post Sarah Lacy on Startup Pregnant EP023 A Uterus is a Feature, Not a Bug: The Working Woman’s Guide to Overthrowing the Patriarchy by Sarah Lacy Annie Dean on Startup Pregnant EP002 Werk THE STARTU

#081 — Honest Conversations About the Hard Things With Co-Host Cary Fortin Deep female friendships are one of the greatest blessings of my life. But I didn’t really have meaningful friendships with other women until my late 20’s. Then I discovered what a gift it is to have judgement-free, deeply thoughtful conversation partners who engage in honest conversation about the hard things—sex, the patriarchy, aspirations, feminism… And for the next few weeks, I am sharing some of those conversations with one of my best friends, Cary Fortin. Today, Cary describes the genesis of her business, New Minimalism, explaining the psychology behind letting go of ‘stuff’ and the ins and outs of a service-based business. She shares her incredibly difficult parenting journey, discussing how dealing with the loss of two pregnancies shaped the person she is today and taught her how to have honest conversations about complex issues. Listen in for the story of our friendship and understand the value of being open with close female friends! FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/081. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER Community makes all the difference. So, at Startup Pregnant, we have launched a mastermind program for women who are interested in going deeper around questions about parenting, motherhood, and business. To apply for the Spring 2019 session and receive my free email series, go to https://startuppregnant.com/mastermind. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT CARY FORTIN Cary Fortin is the co-founder of New Minimalism, a simple living website and provider of declutter + design services. New Minimalism brings together the fields of psychology and sustainable design to create holistic, long-term solutions for clients looking to simplify and renew their homes and workspaces. The firm’s work has been featured in Design Sponge, Apartment Therapy, and Yoga Journal, among many other publications. Cary is also a writer, editor, and lifestyle expert, and she is the co-author of New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living. New Minimalism New Minimalism on Facebook New Minimalism on Instagram Cary’s Website Cary on LinkedIn Cary on Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living by Cary Telander Fortin and Kyle Louise Quilici Replens THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Newsletter Email hello@startuppregnant.com

#080 — Caffeine, Alcohol, and Television: What’s True? — Episode 080 Conventional wisdom—and most official recommendations—tell us that we must abstain entirely from coffee and alcohol for the duration of pregnancy to avoid very serious consequences. And once our kids are born, experts urge us to keep our children away from screens to prevent behavior problems and poor academic performance in the future. But what does the data say? Is it really the end of the world to have a cup of coffee in the morning? How about an occasional glass of wine? What is wrong with letting our kiddos watch an episode or two of Dinosaur Train?  When economist Emily Oster got pregnant, she also got curious about the advice she was getting. Some recommendations were based on her age alone, and sometimes she found it difficult to get any answers at all. So, she started digging into the data. Eventually, Emily’s research became Expecting Better, and today, she joins me to discuss her approach to writing for a popular audience and the somewhat unintentional way the book was born. Emily describes how her background as an economist shapes her decision-making and how to go about judging the quality of a particular study. I ask Emily for insight on the data around caffeine, alcohol, and screen time for kids, and she explains why two people can see and understand the same data—yet make different, and equally valid, decisions. Listen in for Emily’s take on making corrections to our thinking based on new evidence and get a sneak peek at what’s covered in her forthcoming book! FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/080. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER  Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT EMILY OSTER Emily Oster is a highly-respected economist and professor at Brown University. Her research interests range from development and health economics to research design and experimental methodology. Emily’s work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the bestseller SuperFreakonomics, and FiveThirtyEight, among many other publications, and she is the author of Expecting Better: Why Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know. Emily at Brown University Emily on Twitter RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  Expecting Better: Why Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster

#079 — Fostering a Community of Breastfeeding & Pumping Mamas ‘Breastfeeding can be really challenging and really isolating. The onus for us is that what makes it easier is … being connected to other women and other mothers who’ve been there.’  Like many entrepreneurs, Amy VanHaren uncovered a need in her personal life, and a creative idea was born. While she loved breastfeeding, Amy had no choice but to get back to work six weeks after her son was born. And work involved a great deal of travel. She found herself pumping in closets, bathroom stalls, and even between businessmen at 20,000 feet.  Talking to other women always made Amy feel better, so she wondered what it would be like if she could reach out to other mamas in these moments of isolation. What if she could create a community where women supported each other—and change the way the world treats breastfeeding? Today, Amy joins me to discuss the business that was born out of her desire for community, Pumpspotting, and its latest iteration in the form of a cross-country RV tour known as #breastexpress. She describes the challenges of committing to extensive travel for work with a family at home as well as the logistics of life in a recreational vehicle. I ask Amy about her breastfeeding journey, and she explains how it informed the original Pumpspotting app. Listen in for Amy’s insight around the evolution of a business and learn about the magic that happens when moms share their stories in a welcoming space. FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/079. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER This podcast is made possible by Alavita Nutrition, a tremendous resource when it comes to food, health, and wellness. The Alavita team is on a mission to make eating good food and understanding nutrition easier for busy moms. Head to https://www.alavitanutrition.com/ and use the code ‘startup pregnant’ for 20% off their self-paced programs or a nutrition consultation. All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT AMY VANHAREN Amy VanHaren is the founder of Pumpspotting, a community designed to support breastfeeding mothers in all their forms, and VanHaren Creative, an agency that harnesses the power of social media to help companies grow. With more than 15 years in the field of creative communications and marketing, Amy has developed digital strategy for clients including Patagonia Provisions, Amy’s Kitchen, and Vistaprint, among many others. Pumpspotting Pumpspotting on Instagram Pumpspotting on Twitter VanHaren Creative Amy on Twitter Amy on Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Pumpspotting App THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Newsl

#078 — Loving Yourself, Mental Health, Starting a Business We all have things we hide about ourselves. Things we are afraid of sharing. Things we need to ‘come out’ about. Learning to love yourself is a process, and for Mason Aid, it began when they came out as gender queer. Mason grew up in rural northeast Missouri, where identifying as LGBTQ is not widely accepted. At 17, they were in the hospital for self-harm and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It took Mason many years to begin working on self-acceptance—and it’s still a work in progress. But now they are an LGBTQ advocate, building a startup that supports businesses in embracing inclusion.  Today, Mason joins me to share their parenting journey, explaining how they had given up on becoming a parent until meeting their wife Hillary. Mason discusses their business, describing how their work with LGBTQ teens led to the consulting firm they refer to as ‘your business’ gay best friend.’ I ask Mason what they do to take care of their mental health, and they offer insight around using inclusive language to recognize and respect the non-binary members of our audience. Listen in to understand how Mason is strategically building a business while working 30 hours a week and learn how companies can prepare for the next generation of consumers and employees! FULL SHOW NOTES Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/078. EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance.  All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. LEARN MORE ABOUT MASON AID   Mason Aid is an LGBTQ educator and advocate focused on helping business owners be inclusive in their language and processes. Based in Columbia, Missouri, Mason got their start working with LGBTQ teens and discovered a passion for activism. This led to volunteer opportunities training educators and social service providers, and Mason has grown those opportunities into a business. Today, Mason helps entrepreneurs avoid ‘accidental asshole moments’ and supports business owners in embracing diversity and inclusion. Mason is also the host of the new podcast, All the Letters. Mason’s Website Mason on Facebook Mason on Instagram All the Letters Podcast RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Mason’s Blog Generation Z Marketing Study  THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Newsletter Email hello@startuppregnant.com Startup Pregnant on Facebook Startup P