Podcast Summary: "Build Your Own Door, With Reshma Saujani"

Podcast Information:

• Title: From the Ground Up
• Host/Author: Inc. Magazine
• Episode: Build Your Own Door, With Reshma Saujani
• Release Date: March 10, 2025
• Guests: Reshma Saujani, Kate Luzio (Founder & CEO of Luminary), Diana Ransom (Executive Editor, Inc.), Christine Ligorio-Chafkin (Editor-at-Large, Inc.)

1. Introduction and Light-hearted Beginnings (00:04 - 03:20)

The episode opens with hosts Diana Ransom and Christine Ligorio-Chafkin introducing their guest, Reshma Saujani, alongside new co-host Kate Luzio from Luminary. The conversation starts on a personal note, sharing teenage babysitting anecdotes:

• Reshma Saujani shares her early experiences:

  “I think I was 10 when I started babysitting the neighbor kids... Mr. Mandelbaum would walk me to my front door after every time I babysat, even though I was literally next door.”
  (00:29)

• Diana Ransom recounts a challenging babysitting moment:

  “... I realized like, this is just, I'm not doing good at this.”
  (01:44)

• Christine Ligorio-Chafkin describes her struggles with a Great Dane while babysitting:

  “I went through like three packs of hot dog buns and like I just finally just like, tried to put these kids to bed.”
  (02:24)

These stories set a relatable and engaging tone before delving into the episode's main themes.

2. Transition to Main Topics: Introduction of Reshma Saujani's Work (03:20 - 05:46)

The hosts formally introduce Reshma Saujani and her current initiatives:

• Diana Ransom introduces Kate Luzio and mentions Reshma’s new nonprofit:

  “...the founder of Girls who Code, Reshma Sojani. She is building herself second nonprofit, and it's called Moms First.”
  (03:41)

• Christine Ligorio-Chafkin highlights the focus of Moms First:

  “It focuses on making women's lives better in the workplace through paid family leave.”
  (03:59)

• Kate Luzio elaborates on her partnership with Moms First:

  “I'm part of Moms First. It's moms, it's caregivers, and it's anybody that is an ally of a mom.”
  (05:02)

3. The Birth and Evolution of Moms First (05:46 - 11:10)

Kate Luzio discusses the genesis of Moms First, previously known as the Marshall Plan for Moms:

• Kate Luzio reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic:

  “...I had to go back to work and take care of a newborn baby, homeschool my then 5-year-old, and save my nonprofit from being shut down.”
  (06:00)

• She emphasizes the structural challenges facing working mothers:

  “Structurally, we have never built society to make it work for working moms.”
  (07:29)

• Kate provides statistics on childcare issues:

  “In America, 40% of parents are in debt because of the cost of childcare. 50% of Americans live in a childcare desert.”
  (07:46)

• Discussion on the organizational goals of Moms First:

  “Our goal is to get childcare and paid leave passed... through innovation, thought leadership, and research.”
  (10:42)

4. Political and Social Climate Impacting Advocacy (11:10 - 23:30)

The conversation shifts to the broader political landscape and its effects on advocacy efforts:

• Christine contextualizes current political shifts:

  “We are at a very different moment politically... your work has never not been tied to advocacy.”
  (11:11)

• Kate expresses concern over gender relations and DEI backlash:

  “We have essentially presented as a zero-sum game. Women have to lose in order for men to win.”
  (12:01)

• Kate critiques the dismantling of DEI programs:

  “Mark Zuckerberg's interview... I gotta dismantle these programs. That's what he said.”
  (17:05)

• Diana and Christine explore the implications of these changes:

  “Companies are shading... there's a perceived pressure in addition to kind of a real one coming from the government.”
  (21:10)

5. Advocacy Strategies and the Role of Technology (23:30 - 31:35)

Kate Luzio outlines strategic approaches to advocacy and the integration of technology:

• Kate emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum:

  “We need to continue to teach girls to code... ensure that women are given the opportunities they deserve.”
  (23:30)

• Introduction of AI tools to aid advocacy:

  “We launched a tool in partnership with OpenAI called Paid Leave Debt AI, which is to increase the uptake of paid leave claims.”
  (28:45)

• Kate discusses the potential of generative AI in solving societal issues:

  “We’re doing a research report with McKinsey that really shows the power of generative AI to solve really big problems in the benefits space.”
  (29:02)

6. Vision for the Future and Personal Insights (31:35 - 34:23)

The discussion delves into personal motivations and future goals:

• Kate Luzio introduces her new podcast “My Soul Called Midlife”:

  “We need a broader range... we need real advice and wisdom.”
  (31:10 - 31:35)

• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

  “Just do it. Just start. Don't overthink it... you have to build it.”
  (33:37)

• Kate shares achievements of Girls Who Code:

  “670,000 through direct programming... more than a million have interacted with it online.”
  (34:22)

7. Conclusion and Key Takeaways (34:23 - 36:20)

The episode wraps up with final thoughts and inspirational messages:

• Christine Ligorio-Chafkin summarizes Reshma’s approach:

  “Spot the problem, start the conversation, and then mobilize a broad community for support.”
  (35:37)

• Final Inspirational Message:

  “Make your own door.”
  (34:22)

• Hosts encourage listeners to subscribe and engage:

  “Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast platform of choice.”
  (35:37)

Notable Quotes:

• Reshma Saujani:

  “I was 10. But hey, they left me with their kids.”
  (00:15)

• Diana Ransom:

  “This is just, I'm not doing good at this.”
  (01:44)

• Christine Ligorio-Chafkin:

  “I have an A in the class, but I don’t know if I got those kids to eat dinner.”
  (03:13)

• Kate Luzio:

  “Women need to be sitting around the table thinking about what's the next innovation.”
  (30:08)

• Kate Luzio on Building Opportunities:

  “No one is going to open up the door. You have to build it.”
  (33:37)

Key Insights and Conclusions:

• Structural Barriers: The episode underscores the persistent structural challenges facing working mothers, particularly the high costs and limited availability of childcare, which impede women’s participation in the workforce.

• Advocacy and Activism: Reshma Saujani and Kate Luzio emphasize the importance of advocacy in driving policy changes, such as paid family leave and affordable childcare, highlighting the significant impact of nonprofit organizations in these areas.

• Political Climate: The discussion highlights the current political backlash against DEI initiatives, with significant implications for gender equality and women's advancement in the workplace.

• Technology as a Solution: The integration of AI and other technologies is presented as a promising avenue to address systemic issues, improve government services, and empower women through enhanced support systems.

• Empowerment and Entrepreneurship: The episode encourages women to take initiative, build their own opportunities, and lead movements for change, offering practical advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

• Future Directions: The conversation points to ongoing efforts to expand advocacy campaigns, leverage technology for social good, and foster inclusive environments that support women at all stages of their careers and lives.

This episode serves as an inspiring and informative guide for entrepreneurs and advocates looking to understand and address the multifaceted challenges faced by women in the workplace and beyond.