Podcast
Motherhood Advantage
Hosted by Dr. Laura Marie Rivera · EN
Explore how the concepts of Motherhood and Leadership intersect with Dr. Laura Marie Rivera.
What if Motherhood is one of the most powerful leadership trainings in the world? We’ve heard about the Motherhood penalty, but what about the Motherhood Advantage?
This podcast explores the powerful connection between Motherhood and leadership. Hosted by Dr. Laura Marie Rivera, the podcast grew out of Intuitionship, a groundbreaking research study with nearly 1,000 Mothers examining how the lived experience of Motherhood shapes the way women lead, solve problems, and navigate complexity.
Each episode features thoughtful conversations with remarkable Mothers—from bestselling authors and public leaders to entrepreneurs, creators, and Mothers just beginning their journeys. Together, they explore how Motherhood cultivates skills like adaptability, empathy, resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead through uncertainty.
Part research, part storytelling, and part collective exploration, Motherhood Advantage invites us to reconsider a powerful idea: the experiences that prepare Mothers to nurture, guide, and protect the next generation also prepare them to lead in policy decisions and the paid workplace.
For more information or to recommend an amazing Mother-leader, please join us @motherhoodadvantage.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Motherhood and the Art of Divorce with Olivia Howell
1w ago00:29:34Tap to summarizeWhat if divorce support looked less like crisis management — and more like community, strategy, and care?In this episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera talks with Olivia Howell, divorce coach and founder of a first-of-its-kind divorce registry platform, about what women really need when they are moving through one of life’s most destabilizing transitions.Olivia shares how her own experience with divorce, Motherhood, and raising two boys shaped her work supporting women through separation, co-parenting, rebuilding, and starting over. She explains how divorce coaching can serve as a crucial bridge between therapy and legal counsel — helping women save time, money, and emotional energy while making clearer decisions during a high-stress chapter.This conversation explores the support gap around divorce, the importance of asking for help, and why rebuilding your life is not a failure of leadership — it is leadership. Olivia also shares how women can create stronger support systems, communicate honestly at home and at work, set boundaries, and invest in their own healing without apology.At its heart, this episode is about more than divorce. It is about reinvention, resilience, and the leadership required to begin again.For any Mother navigating transition — or supporting someone who is — Olivia’s story is a reminder that starting over can be an act of courage, clarity, and power.Starting over is not a failure. Sometimes, it is the bravest form of leadership.Connect with Olivia Howell on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviadreizenhowellFresh Starts RegistryLearn more about Motherhood Advantage Follow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit https://intuitionship.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.comConnect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn for research updates, podcast conversations, and reflections on Motherhood and leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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Season Two Recap: Motherhood, Ambition, Care, and Power
2w ago00:32:58Tap to summarizeIn Season Two of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera continues the conversation at the heart of her research and her book, Beyond the Pipeline: what changes when we recognize Motherhood not as an obstacle to leadership, but as one of the places leadership is formed?This season brings together an extraordinary group of Mother-leaders, researchers, advocates, authors, executives, educators, and changemakers to explore ambition, caregiving, identity, maternal health, storytelling, justice, support, and the systems that shape women’s lives.The season opens with researcher Dr. Carolyn Burroughs, whose partnership in the original Motherhood-and-leadership research helps ground the conversation in evidence: Mothers develop many of the skills organizations say they value most, from strategic thinking and crisis management to advocacy, communication, and adaptability.From there, Stefanie O’Connell, author of The Ambition Penalty, challenges the myth that women lack ambition, naming how systems too often punish women — especially Mothers — for wanting and pursuing power. Rebecca Hogan and Dr. Anne Welsh bring coaching and leadership insight to the emotional complexity of ambition, identity, guilt, purpose, and building a life that honors both meaningful work and family reality.This season also deepens the storytelling lens. Laura Nespoli explores the power of narrative, voice, and embodied truth, while Catherine Temkin reflects on the foundational, often invisible work of caregiving and how the quiet lessons of Motherhood transfer into leadership, mentoring, and professional life.The maternal health and caregiving conversations are especially powerful. Ana Rodney, doula and maternal health advocate, speaks to postpartum care, birth justice, and the need to surround Mothers with real support. Rayna Tabanera-Geras brings an early childhood and advocacy lens, reminding us that care, education, and community systems are inseparable from the lives of Mothers and children.Season Two also highlights Mothers leading in business, law, and public life. Ambika Singh, founder of Armoire, talks about entrepreneurship, identity, and what it means to build differently as a Mother. Judge Sharonda Amamilo reflects on justice, trauma-informed leadership, and the ways Motherhood can deepen empathy, accountability, and public service. And Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and author of Drop the Ball, offers a powerful conversation about support, failure, repair, rhythm, and why women cannot — and should not — lead or Mother alone.Together, these conversations ask us to move beyond the Motherhood penalty as the only story. Yes, Mothers face bias, exclusion, impossible expectations, and structural barriers. But Mothers also develop profound leadership capacities through caregiving — capacities that workplaces, institutions, and public narratives too often fail to recognize because they were honed outside the paid workforce.Season Two is a reminder that Motherhood and leadership are not separate identities. They are deeply connected — in the home, at work, in communities, in courtrooms, in classrooms, in companies, and in movements.Featured guests include:Dr. Carolyn BurroughsStefanie O’ConnellRebecca HoganLaura NespoliAna RodneyAmbika SinghRayna Tabanera-GerasCatherine TemkinJudge Sharonda AmamiloDr. Anne WelshTiffany DufuLogo Art by Erin Swanson McGoldrickLearn more about the research behind the podcast in Beyond the Pipeline.
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Drop the Ball, Find Your Power with Tiffany Dufu
3w ago00:38:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera sits down with Tiffany Dufu — president of the Tory Burch Foundation, author, speaker, Mother of two, and longtime advocate for women’s leadership — for a deeply thoughtful conversation about Motherhood, purpose, failure, and the power of support.Tiffany reflects on the profound influence of her Mother, Brenda, and how becoming a Mother herself reshaped her self-awareness, leadership style, and sense of purpose. Together, she and Laura Marie explore the difference between parenting and professional leadership, the importance of asking for help, and why solidarity among Mothers is essential for women navigating work, ambition, caregiving, and identity.From the lessons of failure to the daily practice of repair, rhythm, and intentional living, Tiffany offers a powerful reminder that Motherhood and leadership are not separate lives we are forced to balance — they are deeply connected callings that can strengthen one another.Support is not a luxury — it is essential.Tiffany reminds us that women cannot and should not have to lead, Mother, work, and care alone.Motherhood can deepen leadership.Becoming a Mother sharpened Tiffany’s self-awareness, clarified her purpose, and shaped how she leads.Asking for help is a leadership skill.Letting go of perfection and inviting support creates more space for purpose, presence, and impact.Failure can be formative.Tiffany speaks honestly about failure as a source of wisdom, humility, and growth.Motherhood and leadership are connected callings.The episode challenges the idea that Motherhood and professional ambition are separate identities, showing how each can inform and strengthen the other.LINKS Learn more about Tiffany at https://www.tiffanydufu.com/More about the Tory Burch Foundation and Fellows Program https://www.toryburchfoundation.org/Purchase a copy of DROP THE BALL at https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250071767/droptheball/Continue the conversation: Learn more about Motherhood Advantage, recommend a future Mother-leader guest, or explore the podcast at Motherhood AdvantageFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit Intuitionship ResearchYou can also connect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn for research updates, podcast conversations, and reflections on Motherhood and leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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Ambitious Mother: Why Motherhood Makes Better Leaders with Dr. Anne Welsh
4w ago00:41:14Tap to summarizeWhat happens when we stop viewing Motherhood as a liability and start recognizing it as an asset?In this episode, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera welcomes Anne Welsh, a fellow Mom of four, clinical psychologist, executive coach, and author of Ambitious Mother. In this eye-opening conversation, she challenges the assumption that parenting and professional ambition compete with one another. Instead, she argues that Motherhood develops many of the very skills organizations value most: emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, adaptability, prioritization, and resilience.Drawing from her experience raising four children—including navigating neurodiversity, adolescence, and the daily complexity of family life—Anne explains how Motherhood pushes women to grow in ways few other experiences can. She introduces the "Five P's" of leadership developed through parenting and explores the concept of "growth edges"—the moments that stretch us beyond our comfort zones and ultimately shape us into stronger leaders.Whether you're raising toddlers, managing teenagers, leading a team, or simply interested in a more expansive view of leadership, this conversation will challenge the way you think about Motherhood—and the remarkable capabilities it cultivates. KEY TAKEAWAYSMotherhood develops leadership skills that directly translate to the paid workplace.Anne's "Five P's" of leadership: people skills, processing speed, prioritization, project management, and playfulness.Why managing children strengthens emotional regulation and adaptability.How raising neurodiverse children can deepen empathy, flexibility, and resilience.Why self-care is often better understood as "family care."How recognizing Mothers' strengths can help combat the Motherhood penalty.LINKShttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=anne+welsh+ambitious+mother&crid=3JQW563F249CU&sprefix=anne+welsh+ambitious+mothe%2Caps%2C241&ref=nb_sb_noss_2https://www.drannewelsh.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/drannewelsh/Learn more about https://www.motherhoodadvantage.com/Follow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit https://intuitionship.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.comConnect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn for research updates, podcast conversations, and reflections on Motherhood and leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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The Case for Mother Leadership with Judge Sharonda Amamilo
Jun 2900:35:10Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a judge brings the wisdom of Motherhood to the bench?In this powerful conversation, Judge Sharonda Amamilo—Mother, military veteran, and the first person of color elected in her county—shares how Motherhood transformed her understanding of justice, leadership, and public service. Drawing from her experiences in the military, the legal profession, and the courtroom, she explains why truly fair decision-making requires understanding the whole person—not just the facts of a case.Judge Amamilo reflects on the experiences that shaped her path to the bench, from pursuing a legal career to protect and provide for her children to serving her country and ultimately making history in elected office. She reveals how Motherhood sharpened her ability to lead with both empathy and accountability, and why trauma-informed decision-making is essential to achieving just outcomes.Together, we explore the surprising parallels between parenting and judging, the power of representation in leadership, and the unique perspective brought by a bench composed largely of women and Mothers. Judge Amamilo makes a compelling case that some of our most valuable leadership skills are cultivated through caregiving—and that justice is strongest when it recognizes the humanity of the people it serves.Whether you're passionate about leadership, public service, social justice, or the transformative power of Motherhood, this episode offers an inspiring look at how one trailblazing judge is redefining what leadership can look like. Her story reminds us that the skills developed through Motherhood are not a detour from leadership—they are leadership.Links: https://dcyfoversight.wa.gov/board/sharonda-amamilo/https://seattlemedium.com/judge-sharonda-amamilo-supreme-court/ https://www.trialnewsonline.org/trialnews/march_2025/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=2047657#articleId2047657Learn more about Motherhood AdvantageFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit Intuitionship ResearchConnect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn for research updates, podcast conversations, and reflections on Motherhood and leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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Keeping Them Alive, Teaching Them to Thrive with Catherine Temkin
Jun 2200:27:38Tap to summarizeWhat if some of the most important leadership work in our society is happening in kitchens, carpools, living rooms, and bedtime routines—and hardly anyone recognizes it as leadership?In this deeply personal episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera sits down with her sister, Catherine Temkin, a publishing professional and Mother of three, to explore the often-invisible work of Motherhood and the leadership skills it quietly develops over a lifetime.Together, they unpack the foundational responsibilities of caregiving that most people take for granted: keeping children safe, healthy, loved, supported, and prepared for adulthood. Catherine reflects on more than three decades of parenting, sharing how motherhood evolves as children grow and why the work extends far beyond meeting basic needs.The conversation explores how Mothers become experts in resilience, communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and long-term development—all while balancing careers, households, and the ever-changing needs of their families. Catherine also draws powerful parallels between parenting and leadership in the paid workplace, discussing her mentoring approach, the importance of trust, and why effective leaders know when to step back and allow others to grow.This episode is a reminder that leadership is not defined by titles or authority. Often, it looks like nurturing potential, creating opportunities for others to succeed, and doing important work that may never receive public recognition.Whether you're a parent, manager, mentor, educator, or someone who has benefited from the care of others, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what leadership truly looks like—and why the skills developed through motherhood deserve far more recognition than they receive. Key TakeawaysMotherhood Is More Than SurvivalKeeping children fed, clothed, and safe is only the beginning. Mothers are also responsible for helping children develop confidence, resilience, character, and independence.Invisible Work Is Still LeadershipMany of the most important leadership responsibilities happen behind the scenes and often go unrecognized, both at home and in organizations.Caregiving Develops Transferable Leadership SkillsMotherhood cultivates communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, long-term planning, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.Trust Is Essential for GrowthWhether raising children or managing employees, growth happens when people are trusted to take ownership of their responsibilities.Recognition MattersPeople thrive when their efforts are acknowledged. The same principle applies to children, employees, and caregivers.Leadership Evolves as People GrowJust as parenting changes across developmental stages, effective leadership requires adjusting support as individuals gain competence and confidence. Strong leaders understand that success often means helping others become capable enough to operate independently.LinksLearn more about Motherhood AdvantageFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit Intuitionship ResearchConnect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn for research updates, podcast conversations, and reflections on Motherhood and leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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Raising the Next Generation of Culture Keepers with Rayna Tabanera-Geras
Jun 1500:25:35Tap to summarizeWhat if Motherhood wasn't viewed as an individual responsibility, but as a shared community commitment?In this episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera sits down with Rayna Tabanera-Geras to explore how Indigenous perspectives on Motherhood, advocacy, and community challenge many of the assumptions embedded in mainstream parenting culture.Drawing from her tribal traditions and her experience raising a son with autism, Rayna shares how Motherhood extends far beyond biological relationships. In her community, everyone has a role to play as a caregiver, mentor, advocate, and protector. This collective approach to raising children creates powerful networks of support while reinforcing cultural identity and belonging.Rayna also offers an honest look at the realities of advocating for children with disabilities in tribal and rural communities. She discusses navigating IEPs, IFSPs, private services, and educational systems while working to ensure her son receives the support he needs to thrive. Through these experiences, she demonstrates the leadership skills that so many Mothers develop: persistence, relationship-building, strategic communication, systems navigation, and unwavering advocacy.The conversation also explores the Tribal Early Learning Fund, Indigenous language revitalization, culturally responsive education, and the critical role of tribal sovereignty in shaping educational opportunities for future generations.At its heart, this episode is a powerful reminder that Motherhood is not limited to caregiving—it is leadership. Whether advocating for a child, preserving culture, or navigating complex systems, Mothers are often developing and exercising the very skills that define effective leaders.Key TakeawaysMotherhood Is a Community ResponsibilityIndigenous perspectives expand the definition of Motherhood beyond biological ties, emphasizing collective caregiving and shared responsibility for children's wellbeing.Advocacy Is a Leadership SkillNavigating educational, healthcare, and support systems requires strategic thinking, persistence, communication, and relationship-building—all core leadership competencies.Mothers Become ExpertsThrough advocating for her son, Rayna developed deep expertise in educational plans, disability services, and systems navigation, demonstrating how Motherhood often requires professional-level knowledge and problem-solving.Cultural Identity Strengthens FamiliesChildren thrive when they see themselves reflected in their education, language, traditions, and community.Language Preservation Is LeadershipRevitalizing Indigenous languages protects culture, strengthens identity, and ensures future generations remain connected to their heritage.Rural Communities Face Unique BarriersFamilies in tribal and rural areas often encounter significant challenges accessing services, highlighting ongoing inequities in educational and healthcare systems.Links:https://pgst.nsn.us/https://wsaheadstarteceap.com/parent-ambassadors/https://www.nihsda.org/about-c1x1t @MotherhoodAdvantage with Dr. Laura Marie Rivera - motherhoodadvantage.comFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageDr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn
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Fashion as Armor and the Logistics of Leadership with Ambika Singh
Jun 1000:26:22Tap to summarizeWhat do Motherhood, leadership, logistics, and fashion have in common?In this episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera sits down with Ambika Singh, founder and CEO of Armoire, the Seattle-based clothing rental company transforming how women approach their wardrobes. As a Mother of two and a leader of a company managing hundreds of thousands of garments, Ambika offers a fascinating perspective on the invisible systems that make both businesses and families run.Together, Laura Marie and Ambika explore the surprising parallels between raising children and building organizations—from letting go of control and supporting growth, to managing the endless logistics that often go unseen. Ambika shares how Motherhood deepened her understanding of leadership, how her company has reimagined parental leave and workplace flexibility, and why trust, rather than surveillance, creates stronger teams.The conversation also examines the mental load carried by Mothers, the operational complexity behind both family life and business success, and the ways women leaders can design workplaces that acknowledge the realities of caregiving. From soccer cleats and school schedules to RFID-tagged inventory and AI-powered styling, this episode reveals that logistics is not merely administration—it is leadership in action.Whether you're a parent, entrepreneur, executive, or anyone trying to balance competing responsibilities, this episode offers powerful insights into the skills Motherhood develops and why those skills belong at the center of conversations about leadership.Key Takeaways1. Learning to guide without controlling.2. Logistics is one of the most valuable leadership skills.3. The invisible work is often the most important work.4. Trust is a leadership strategy.5. Flexibility matters because no two parenting experiences are alike.6. Motherhood cultivates systems thinking--Check out Armoire at armoire.styleLearn more about Motherhood Advantage, recommend a future Mother-leader guest, or explore the podcast at Motherhood AdvantageFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit Intuitionship ResearchYou can also connect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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Mothering the Mother: Ana Rodney on Doulas, Leadership & Survival
Jun 300:42:29Tap to summarizeContent Warning: This episode includes discussion of traumatic birth experiences, NICU hospitalization, maternal mortality, medical trauma, and pregnancy complications.In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera speaks with doula, advocate, and maternal health leader Ana Rodney about the realities of Motherhood, leadership, and Black maternal health in America.Ana shares her journey from a traumatic premature birth and NICU experience to becoming a nationally recognized advocate working to improve maternal health policy and expand access to doula care. Together, Laura Marie and Ana explore the invisible labor of Motherhood, the leadership skills Mothers develop every day, and the resilience required to navigate parenting, advocacy, and professional life simultaneously.The conversation dives into postpartum support, the importance of doulas, single Motherhood, healing after trauma, and the urgent need to address racial disparities in maternal healthcare outcomes. Ana also reflects on the lessons Motherhood has taught her about communication, emotional regulation, accountability, and leading with humanity.This episode is both heartbreaking and hopeful — a reminder that Mothers are already doing extraordinary work, often without recognition, support, or grace.Key TakeawaysWhat doulas do — and why every family can benefit from birth and postpartum supportAna Rodney’s experience surviving a traumatic premature birth and raising a thriving child against overwhelming oddsThe emotional labor and “repair work” involved in parenting with intention and compassionWhy “just” is one of the most harmful words we use when talking to struggling parentsThe realities of the Black maternal health crisis and why racial disparities in birth outcomes persistThe importance of giving Mothers grace — and recognizing their power--Ana Rodney LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anarodney/Doula Alliance of Marylandhttps://www.doulaallianceofmd.org/More than 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable:https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.htmlBlack maternal health outcomes:https://www.cdc.gov/womens-health/features/maternal-mortality.htmlLearn more about Motherhood Advantage, recommend a future Mother-leader guest, or explore the podcast at Motherhood AdvantageFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit Intuitionship ResearchYou can also connect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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Threads That Connect Us with Laura Nespoli
May 2900:37:56Tap to summarizeIn this deeply reflective and inspiring episode of Motherhood Advantage, Dr. Laura Marie Rivera sits down with storyteller, strategist, and founder Laura Nespoli for a conversation about Motherhood, identity, transformation, and the power of story.Laura shares the personal journey behind her debut book, Threads of Me and You, exploring how Motherhood and self-discovery led to transformation in her life. Together, Dr Laura Marie and Laura Nespoli discuss caregiving, learning to Mother ourselves, breaking generational patterns, and what it means to become the protagonist of your own story.The conversation also explores the intersection of Motherhood and leadership — from raising courageous daughters and navigating work-life integration to building purpose-driven communities rooted in care and growth. The author reflects on her emotional transformation journey, lessons she’s learned from her children, and why meaningful change often begins with one small decision at a time.This episode is a thoughtful and hopeful exploration of what happens when Mothers allow themselves to grow beyond limitation, embrace complexity, and weave together all the threads of who they are.Key TakeawaysWhy motherhood can be understood as both caregiving and long-term community leadershipThe difference between patriarchal leadership models and matriarchal approaches rooted in care and connectionHow storytelling can help people process transformation, identity, and personal growthThe role of creativity, art, and shared storytelling in building connection and communityThe power of small daily choices in creating lasting personal transformationWhy being “worthy of being the protagonist” in your own life mattersLinksThreads of Me and You is sold at major book retailers: Threads of Me and YouContact Laura Nespoli and learn more about her work at Meshin MovementContinue the conversation: Learn more about Motherhood Advantage, recommend a future Mother-leader guest, or explore the podcast at Motherhood AdvantageFollow along on Instagram: @motherhoodadvantageFor the complete Intuitionship research results and a free copy of the report, visit Intuitionship ResearchYou can also connect with Dr. Laura Marie on LinkedIn for research updates, podcast conversations, and reflections on Motherhood and leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship/
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