Parents At Work

Epizodai

• Dads in Academia: Balancing Research, Teaching, and Family Life EP 69 15.06.2026 44min

  What’s it really like to balance the demands of academia with the responsibilities of fatherhood? In this engaging episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin sit down with professors Eric Chitambar and Lee Pinkowitz to discuss parenting, tenure, flexibility, career growth, and the lessons they’ve learned raising children while pursuing academic excellence. Along the way, they share thoughtful insights, memorable stories, and even a few outstanding dad jokes. Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/Connect with Eric on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-chitambar-50a4b5362/Connect with Lee on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-pinkowitz-a1525413/
• Working Motherhood in Academia: Planning, Purpose, and Parenthood EP 68 01.06.2026 55min

  What does it really look like to build a career in academia while raising children? In this thoughtful and often hilarious episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin sit down with professors Elizabeth Grimm and Catherine Leimkuhler Grimes to talk about parenting, ambition, research, flexibility, ADHD, planning, self-compassion, and the evolving realities of working motherhood in higher education. From grant funding and tenure to strategic planning and family adventures, this conversation is packed with wisdom, honesty, and practical insights for working parents everywhere.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/Links mentioned:https://www.mindfulreturn.com/academia/https://www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/grad-college/graduate-college-pdfs/GraduateStudentParentalLeaveTrailGuide.pdf.https://www.ncfdd.org/
• The Working Parent’s Guide to Travel: Mindset, Logistics, and Letting Go EP 67 18.05.2026 38min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin explore the realities of work travel as parents, from the emotional challenges of leaving young children to the logistics of preparing, managing time away, and reintegrating at home. They share personal stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts that help working parents navigate travel with more confidence and less guilt. Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/
• From Diagnosis to Resilience: A Surgeon’s Perspective on Cancer, Motherhood, and Purpose EP 66 04.05.2026 53min

  In this powerful episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin sit down with Dr. Lucy De La Cruz, a breast surgeon whose care played a pivotal role in Lori’s cancer journey. They explore the intersection of medicine, motherhood, resilience, and early detection, while Dr. De La Cruz shares her remarkable story of perseverance, failure, and purpose. The conversation offers both practical guidance and deeply human insight into navigating work, parenting, and life’s hardest moments.Connect with Lori at Mindful ReturnConnect with Jason at Ready Set LaunchConnect with Dr. Lucy De La Cruz on LinkedIn
• Rethinking Parental Leave: The Rise of Fill-In Talent EP 65 20.04.2026 40min

  In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin talk with Beth Wanner of MotherCover and Kyle Robisch of Latitude about parental leave fill-in talent and why it’s becoming essential for modern workplaces. They explore how thoughtful coverage supports both business continuity and employee well-being, while redefining what it means to take leave without guilt or career risk.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/Connect with Beth at Mother Coverhttps://www.mothercoveragency.com/our-storyConnect with Kyle at Latitudehttps://latitudelegal.com/about/leadership/kyle-robisch/
• Work, Marriage, and Parenting: Inside a True Partnership EP 64 06.04.2026 49min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin welcome Lisa Tan and Martin Rawls-Meehan, partners in both business and parenting, to explore what it really takes to work and raise a family together. From building a company to raising bilingual kids, they share candid insights on trust, flexibility, and redefining balance as working parents.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/
• Split Shifts, Melatonin, and Middle Schoolers: A Real Conversation About Sleep EP 63 16.03.2026 28min

  After years of sleepless nights, split shifts, ADHD diagnoses, and even cancer recovery, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin reflect on how their relationship to sleep has evolved through every stage of parenting. From baby wakeups to middle school melatonin routines to perimenopause and pillow replacements, this episode explores why adult sleep deserves as much attention as our children’s—and how protecting it can transform mental health, resilience, and partnership.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/
• Build Your Bench: What the Olympics Teach Us About Coaching and Caregiving EP 62 02.03.2026 31min

  In this Olympics-inspired episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin explore what working parents can learn from elite athletes about teamwork, coaching, mental health, and going after dreams. From building a “babysitting bench” to hiring coaches and supporting each other in marriage and career, they unpack why success in parenthood and work is never a solo sport. The takeaway is clear: build your team, care for your mental health, and don’t stop chasing your own dreams.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/
• Lawyer Dads at Work: How Fatherhood Shapes Leadership and Legal Careers EP 61 16.02.2026 56min

  What happens when fatherhood meets the general counsel role? In this episode of Parents at Work, hosts Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin welcome Andrew Ting and Jesse Raben for a candid conversation about being lawyer dads, leading legal teams, and raising kids at the same time.From billing 2,700 hours and daycare pickups to trust-based leadership and workplace flexibility, the guests explore how parenting shapes better leaders—and how legal skills show up at home in unexpected ways.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/
• We're Not Okay: How Admitting That Helped Us Heal EP 60 29.01.2026 37min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin share how their family navigated an 18-month period marked by serious mental health challenges, cancer treatment, and deep uncertainty.Through a candid “top five” list from each host, they explore what helped them survive and recover: mindset, partnership, asking for help, systems and support, physical and emotional care, and vulnerability.This episode is an honest, compassionate conversation about resilience, marriage, parenting, leadership, and why saying “we’re not okay” can be the most powerful step forward.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/
• A Public Service Episode for Working Parents: Kid Mental Health, DBT Skills and Early Breast Cancer Detection EP 59 15.01.2026 51min

  After an 18-month hiatus, Lori and Jason return to Parents at Work to share what pulled them away and what helped them survive it. In an honest, practical conversation, they unpack navigating kids’ mental health crises (and the confusing “get help” maze), what they learned about DBT therapy, medication decisions, referrals, and insurance fights. Lori also shares her early-stage breast cancer story as a public service announcement, especially for people with dense breasts and why advocacy, coordinated care, and community support matter more than ever.Connect with Lori at Mindful Returnhttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/Connect with Jason at Ready Set Launchhttps://readysetlaunch.net/14 Mental Health Options for You and Your Kidshttps://www.mindfulreturn.com/mental-health/
• Leading a City While Raising a Child: Mayor Muriel Bowser on Motherhood, Leadership, and Boundaries EP 58 17.06.2024 27min

  Join Lori and Jason for this special episode as they welcome the Mayor of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser. A public servant for many years prior to becoming a mother, Mayor Bowser offers valuable insights into balancing life as a high-profile working mom. She shares how she incorporates her daughter into her official duties, how motherhood has enhanced her negotiation skills, and more.
• Life as a General Counsel and a Working Mom EP 57 13.05.2024 40min

  Lori and Jason are back with an engaging episode, featuring conversations with parents who are not only attorneys but serve as general counsel for major organizations. This week, they welcome LaTanya Langley (Chief People Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary at Edgewell Personal Care), alongside Betsy Philpott (Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Washington Nationals). Tune in to hear how they blend their parenting roles with their demanding careers, ways to enhance support systems for working parents, and insights from their personal journeys, offering advice they wish they had known as they navigated parenthood and professional growth.
• The Financial Services Working Mom Playbook EP 56 20.11.2023 47min

  This week, Lori and Jason return with the second installment of their discussion with parents in finance. They are joined by guests Amie Patel (Partner at Elevar Equity) and Millie Schild (Managing Director, Corporate Banking at Truist Corporate and Investment Bank). In this episode, the guests delve into their experiences with varied maternity leave policies, express appreciation for backup childcare, and bond over shared feelings of mom-guilt related to their career journeys.For more information on Aura, the digital security app mentioned in this episode, click here.
• Fatherhood Lessons from Financial Services Leaders EP 55 06.11.2023 49min

  Parents At Work is back for a new season as Lori and Jason kick off a two-part conversation with parents in finance. In this episode, guests Rahul Buxani (Managing Director of FinTech and Climate Finance at KBW, a Stifel Company) and Shahed Amanullah (Managing Director at Frost Capital) highlight the evolving landscape of work-life balance within the sector, the benefits of exposing their children to the working world, as well as the skills they've gained from parenthood that have been beneficial to their careers.
• Moms in Professional Development: Patience, Flexibility & the Power of Support EP 54 18.05.2023 47min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin are excited to bring you the second in their two-part series of interviews with moms and dads in professional development! Today, Lori and Jason are happy to welcome two wonderful moms in professional development, Aisha Greene and Stephanie Felder, to share their stories.Aisha is the Director of Attorney Development and Training at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. She oversees firm professional development programming, including the formal assignment systems, partner and associate mentoring programs, upward and downward attorney performance evaluations, diversity programs, pro bono and corporate social responsibility initiatives, and all formal training and continuing legal education programs. Aisha lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two wonderful daughters, ages 10 and 13. Stephanie has more than fifteen years of experience in attorney professional development at two Am Law 100 firms. In her current role at Groom Law Group, she is responsible for creating a comprehensive training and development curriculum for all attorneys at Groom and developing and overseeing the execution of strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Stephanie lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband Zach, her 8-year-old daughter, and her 5-year-old son. Stay tuned to hear what Aisha and Stephanie say about their experiences as moms working in the field of professional development.Show highlights:Aisha and Stephanie share their personal working parent journeys. (4:02) (5:55)How Stephanie’s legal professional development training and skills prepared her for being a mom. (8:15)Aisha describes what it’s like to be a parent in professional development today. (9:26) Aisha discusses the contrast between being a parent in professional development and being a parent as a legal associate. (10:23)The workplace supports that were the most helpful and impactful for Stephanie when she became a working parent. (12:27)Aisha talks about the magic of having informal workplace support. (16:09)Stephanie gets into what she learned from her challenging first job as an infant room teacher at a daycare center. (21:10)Skills Aisha gained from being a parent that have been helpful in her job. (26:20)Changes in the field of professional development that are impacting parents. (28:54) (31:14)Aisha discusses the importance of having working parent-caregiver groups across all industries. (35:56)How Aisha and Stephanie’s approach to time management changed when they became parents. (38:22) (40:10)Links and resources:Aisha Greene on LinkedInCadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLPStephanie Felder on LinkedInGroom Law GroupIf you’re a leader of a working parent or caregiver employee resource group or affinity group (or would like to start one at your place of employment), join the Working Parent Group Network (WPGN) learning collaborative, at to www.mindfulreturn.com/wpgnBooks mentioned:Work Parent Thrive by Dr. Yael SchonbrunHow to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine MazlishThe Harry Potter series by J.K. RowlingImpact Winter by Travis BeachamMentioned in this episode:Provide an Employee Benefit for Moms Returning After Maternity LeaveJoin over 75 companies who currently provide an employee benefit course to new Moms. Mindful Return is a 4 week course that will help your employee retention at this critical time in your employee's life. Mindful Return Course Ad
• How PD Dads Navigate Work, Kids, and the Unexpected EP 53 11.05.2023 46min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin are so excited to introduce a new set of interviews with moms and dads in professional development. Lori and Jason are thrilled to welcome Joshua Troy and Neil Dennis to today’s podcast! Neil and Josh are both amazing dads in professional development.Josh Troy is the Director of Talent Management at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, where he engages with attorneys and staff to ensure their professional and personal success. Josh is a proud parent of two daughters, one almost six years old and the other four, who were excited to learn their dad was being interviewed! Neil Dennis is the Director of Professional Development at Blaney McMurtry LLP, a mid-sized full-service law firm in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is responsible for the recruitment, professional development, and training of legal professionals at the firm. Before joining the firm, Neil led career development at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and held similar positions in Washington DC, including as the Assistant Dean of Career Services at the Howard University School of Law and a Director of Career Services at Georgetown Law Center. He lives in Markham, a suburb near Toronto. He is married to Kia, who has a much cooler job than him as an author of thriller mystery novels. They have two kids, Bryson, age 13, and Miles, age 10 (almost 11). Stay tuned to hear what Neil and Josh have to share about their lives as dads working in the world of professional development!Show highlights:The challenges Josh faced when his oldest daughter was born. (5:15)How Neil got into the field of professional development, and what it means to him. (8:33)How Neil draws inspiration from his kids and being a dad in his career. (11:05)Josh describes his path into professional development and explains what it’s like to be a parent in that field. (13:02)The workplace support Josh found especially helpful when he became a working parent. (18:09) Josh discusses his experience of being in Covid lock-down with his young children. (19:49)Josh shares some tips about backup care from his experience. (21:37)Having conversations about figuring out the best way to space out your leave after having a child. (27:50)What Neil learned from his very first job. (30:49)The skills Josh and Neil gained from being parents that are helpful to them in their professional development roles. (34:56) (37:53)A workplace change that affected working parents. (41:44) Changes in the field of professional development that could affect working parents. (43:58)Neil and Josh each share their advice for working parents. (47:15) (48:53)Links and resources:Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP Joshua Troy on LinkedInBlaney McMurtry LLPNeil Dennis on LinkedInMindful Return blog post: What Is Backup Childcare and How Does It Work? An Interview with 3 Working MamasIf you are the leader of a working parent or caregiver employee resource group (ERG) or affinity group at your organization, please join us in the Working Parent Group Network (WPGN) learning ,ollaborative. Go to www.mindfulreturn.com/wpgn to sign up.Recommended Books:The Questioneers – A series by Andrea Beaty (Author) and David Roberts (Illustrator)Relationships to Infinity by Jason LevinMentioned in this episode:Get the new book: Relationships to Infinity, the Art and Science of Keeping In Touch from Ready, Set, LaunchHead over to www.readysetlaunch.net to grab your copy of the book, Relationships to Infinity, the Art and Science of Keeping In Touch.Ready Set Launch Book
• How Realtor Moms Make it Work and Savor the Little Moments EP 52 28.04.2023 42min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin are back with the second part of their two-part series of episodes with moms and dads working in real estate!Today, Lori and Jason are excited to introduce Eva Davis and Jennifer Eaby, who are both amazing moms working in real estate.Jen Eaby is a realtor in the north suburbs of Atlanta. She has been in the real estate industry for nine years. She loves house shopping with clients, staging her listings for sale, and making friends with her clients. She and her husband, Joel, have been married for 19 years and are raising two daughters. Elizabeth is a senior in high school, and Gabriella is a freshman. Eva Davis is an Executive Vice President at Compass and a real estate agent in the Washington, DC Metro area. Eva brings significant business experience to her real estate career from her time in the mortgage industry, positioning her for great success in the greater Washington DC market. Her high-touch service, top negotiating skills, ongoing hustle, and sense of humour have helped her build a deep referral business. Eva currently lives in downtown Bethesda, with her University of Michigan-loving husband and her two little kids, with whom she enjoys exploring the food scene in the DC area and taking advantage of local concerts, parks, theatre exhibits, and playgrounds. Stay tuned to hear what Eva and Jen have to share about their lives as working moms in the world of real estate!Show highlights:Jen and Eva share their working parent stories. (3:50) (5:15)Eva describes her current experience as a parent in the real estate industry. (7:06)Eva talks about managing work-life boundaries in the real estate world. (9:05)Jen shares something that caught her by surprise as her children got older. (10:29)Jen describes the kind of support she had as an entrepreneur when she became a working parent. (13:45)Eva talks about what she learned from her first job. (25:10)Jen discusses the skills she gained as a parent that are helpful in her real estate role. (27:53)Changes Eva sees in real estate right now that will affect working parents. (32:49)Links and resources:Compass Real EstateEva Davis on LinkedInJennifer Eaby on LinkedInIf you’d lead a working parent group at your organization and would like to join the Working Parent Group Network (WPGN), go to www.mindfulreturn.com/wpgnRecommended books:Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Relationships to Infinity by Jason Levin
• Navigating Fatherhood, Real Estate and Real Life EP 51 21.04.2023 43min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin are excited to begin a new segment talking to moms and dads working in real estate!Today, Lori and Jason are delighted to introduce two wonderful dads in real estate, Paul Benshoof and Corey Lee!Corey Lee is the Principal of Residential Growth Properties LLC, a real estate investment brokerage in Washington DC. He has been actively involved in the real estate industry for nearly 25 years, and his company focuses on helping property owners unlock the value of their properties through zoning, entitlement, and redevelopment. He works closely with his wife, Bhavna, who runs her own successful real estate general contracting development and owners representation firm, and they live in the Forest Hills neighborhood of DC with their two youngest children, Sara and Ian, who are in middle and elementary school. While Corey and Bhavna met in grad school at UNC Chapel Hill, they still find a way to remain proud of their oldest daughter, Ida, who recently graduated from Duke, as a member of the Class of 2023. Corey earned his Political Science and Systems Engineering degree at the United States Military Academy at West Point and completed his JD and MBA in Real Estate Concentration at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Paul Benshoof is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Metropolitan in Northern New Jersey and has been with Keller Williams for eight years. Paul is a proud Scarlet Knight and studied economics at Rutgers University. He lives in Mount Olive, New Jersey, with his wife, Lindsay, and their three sons, aged 12, 10, and 3. Tune in to hear what Paul and Corey have to share about their lives as working dads in the real estate world!Show highlights:Corey discusses his introduction to working parenthood. (5:18) Paul shares what he enjoys most about being a parent working in the real estate industry. (9:58)Corey shares his experience of being a parent in real estate. (11:12)How Paul managed to remain consistent with his work when his children came into his life. (17:43)The experiences and supports that were helpful for Corey when he became a working parent. (20:09)Paul talks about the job he did while in high school and his first job after college and shares what he learned from doing them. (24:56)Corey shares what he learned when his dad turned down an economically viable business opportunity to spend more time with his family. (30:32) The skills Paul and Corey gained from being parents that are helpful in their current roles in real estate. (33:44) (35:25)Corey explains how he would have benefited from having had a business coach. (36:02)Corey’s tips for people in a business partnership with a partner or spouse. (38:50)Changes in the real estate industry that could affect working parents. (40:33)Links and resources:Residential Growth Properties LLCCorey Lee on LinkedInKeller Williams Metropolitan Northern New JerseyPaul Benshoof on LinkedInIf you’d like to participate in the conversation at the Mindful Return Working Parents Group Network Learning Collaborative, go to www.mindfulreturn.com/wpgnRecommended books:The Power of Ambition by Jim RohnThe Awakened Family by Shefali TsabaryRelationships to Infinity by Jason LevinThe Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
• Lessons from Two Consulting Dads and How They Make it Work EP 50 15.03.2023 32min

  Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin are back with the second episode in the series of interviews with parents in the consulting world!Today, Lori and Jason are excited to talk with two awesome consulting dads, Jonathan Milde, and Daniel Baldor!Jonathan Milde is a Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, where he is a core member of the technology and digital advantage transactions and integrations and industrial goods practice areas. He also has significant experience with health care, consumer goods, and retail clients. Jonathan lives in Maryland and has been married to Bess for 15 years. They have two kids, Beah, age 11, and August, age 8. Dan Baldor has been with Accenture for nearly 18 years. He is the Office Managing Director for Accenture in Miami, as well as the Life Sciences Client Group Lead and Strategy and Consulting Products Lead for Accenture’s self-market unit. He has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 24 years. He is a dad to Carolina, who is 21, a senior at Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, and Stephanie who is 19 and studying psychology at Florida State University.Tune in to hear what Jon and Dan have to share about their lives as working dads in the consulting world!Show highlights:Jon talks about his transition to working parenthood. (3:34)Dan shares his working parent story. (5:15)What it’s like for Dan to be a parent in management consulting these days. (7:00)How the change in travel pace post-pandemic will affect new parents. (8:19)The workplace supports Jon found particularly helpful when he became a working parent. (11:29)Dan discusses the fantastic benefits Accenture offers for working parents. (13:40)As a parent, ask the organization you work for whether or not they have backup child support if you’re unsure.Dan and Jon share what they learned from their first jobs. (17:41) (19:34)How living with his young children helped Dan prepare for client interactions. (23:30)Dan offers advice for working parents in management consulting. (26:00)What Jon does to mitigate workplace stress. (28:24)Links and resources:Boston Consulting GroupAccentureJonathan Milde on LinkedInDan Baldor on LinkedInIf you’d like to participate in the conversation at the Mindful Return Working Parents Group Network Learning Collaborative, go to www.mindfulreturn.com/wpgnBooks mentioned:Mindset by Dr. Carol DweckThe Power of Now by Eckhart TolleMentioned in this episode:Get the new book: Relationships to Infinity, the Art and Science of Keeping In Touch from Ready, Set, LaunchHead over to www.readysetlaunch.net to grab your copy of the book, Relationships to Infinity, the Art and Science of Keeping In Touch.Ready Set Launch Book