The Work-Life Equation

Donald Knight, Seasoned HR Leader and Father

In this eye-opening bonus episode, Donald Knight II, a seasoned HR leader and father, shares his journey of balancing parenthood and professional life. From his evolving perspective on parental leave to innovative approaches in supporting a multi-generational workforce, Donald offers valuable insights on creating inclusive work environments.

Kanika Chadda-Gupta, Host of That's Total Mom Sense

In this special bonus episode, Priya and Paul welcome Kanika Chadda-Gupta, host of That's Total Mom Sense, as she interviews them about their fascinating career paths, parenting journeys, and the impact of their roles. 

James Heckman, Nobel Prize-Winning Economist & Professor

In this episode, Heckman explains the 'Heckman Equation,' which demonstrates the high return on investment for early childhood education programs. He discusses findings from landmark studies like the Perry Preschool Project, highlighting how early interventions can significantly improve life outcomes, including health, education, and economic prosperity.

Mita Mallick, Chief Diversity Officer & Author

Chief Diversity Officer and author Mita Mallick gets candid about the myths and biases holding back working parents in today's workplaces. Her insights illuminate the path toward integrating, not balancing, work and life.

Casandra Williams & Aurore Joshi, Navigating Caregiving and Careers

With refreshing vulnerability, Casandra and Aurore emphasize the lessons of gratitude, self-love and acceptance that their caregiving journeys have taught them. This powerful episode illuminates the daily struggles and resilience of modern working parents striving to find harmony across work and life.

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, Harvard Physician & Author of "Rewire Your Brain for Less Stress and More Joy."

Dr. Nerurkar shares invaluable insights from her years of expertise working with patients on managing stress and burnout. She debunks the myth of multitasking, explaining how our brains are wired for "monotasking" and provides actionable strategies like time blocking to boost productivity. She also offers empowering advice for working mothers navigating the impossible demands placed on them. 

DeAnne Aussem, Managing Director and Wellbeing Leader at PwC

DeAnne provides an inside look at PwC's pioneering "Be Well, Work Well" initiative launched in 2017 to prioritize employee wellness across six dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and social. DeAnne also opens up about her own experiences as a wife, mother of two, and a caregiver.

Dr. Ramon Jacobs-Shaw, Chief Clinical Officer at Belong Health

From growing up in rural poverty to achieving dual board certifications in pediatrics and internal medicine at elite institutions, Ramon has been driven by a passion for serving underserved populations like his own Lumbee tribe. Ramon provides an inside look at the pivotal experiences that shaped his holistic perspective on medicine, leadership, LGBTQ+ family building, work-life integration, and bringing diverse voices to the healthcare decision-making table.

Jessica Fein, Author

Jessica opens up about the range of emotions - fear, grief, guilt - that came with being a caregiver while also working full-time and raising her three children. She also shares candid insights about navigating relationships, finding support systems, and the judgment she faced for continuing to work while caring for her daughter.

Jenna Fisher, Leadership Expert and Author

Drawing from her bestselling book To the Top, Jenna provides a practical playbook for creating meaningful change and closing the gender gap in executive roles. She discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, the power of sponsorship, redefining career paths as a "web" rather than a ladder, and how the leadership traits once considered "feminine" are now indispensable in today’s workforce.

Joann Lublin, Wall Street Journal Reporter and Author

Joann reveals eye-opening findings from her interviews with more than 100 trailblazing leaders across generations, including powerful strategies they used to overcome bias, find work-life sway, and pay it forward to uplift other women. With candid storytelling and practical advice, Joann shows how embracing mentorship and choosing the right workplace enables ambitious moms to redefine success on their own terms.

David Smith, Professor and Author

Drawing from his own experiences in the male-dominated Naval Academy and military, as well as his extensive research with co-author Brad Johnson, David dives deep into the systematic biases and everyday actions that hold women back professionally. He provides powerful strategies for leaders to build more inclusive cultures through true allyship. 

Dr. Dana Suskind, Trailblazing Surgeon and Researcher

Dr. Suskind shares practical strategies that any parent or caregiver can use to massively boost a child's cognitive development and lifelong potential. You'll learn why societies that support parents end up with smarter, healthier, more successful children - and what employers and policymakers can do to prioritize early childhood.

David Newson, Founder of XNW Digital

Balancing family priorities with a career can be difficult. David Newson, founder of XNW Digital, joined Priya and Paul to talk through his personal experience as both a working dad and a business leader. Discover how his intentional time management tactics helped him set a standard for work-life integration.

Indra Nooyi, Former CEO of PepsiCo

Indra Nooyi is an award-winning business leader, New York Times bestselling author, and the first woman of color and immigrant to run a Fortune 50 company. She is consistently ranked one of the world's 100 most powerful women. Discover how she learned to juggle her responsibilities as a mother and CEO while navigating the conflicting demands of power and humility.

Paul Sullivan, Founder of the Company of Dads

Learn how Paul Sullivan, a former New York Times columnist, embarked on a quest to build the leading platform for Lead Dads, challenging the traditional notion of what defines being a father and parent.

Eve Rodsky, Author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space

Eve Rodsky is a game-changing author and thought leader in the world of domestic labor and partnership equity. With her revolutionary book "Fair Play", she has helped countless women and families navigate the often-chaotic waters of household responsibilities. Eve's expertise in this area stems from her own personal experiences, as well as her extensive research on the topic. Listen to this episode to learn how you can achieve “Fair Play."

Deborah Cox, Grammy-Nominated Singer, Actress & Broadway Star

Deborah Cox, a resilient mother of three, fearlessly jumps between the lily pads of opportunity to balance her own ambitions with her personal life as a mother and wife, despite the obstacles of a pandemic and the unexpected “no's" of life.