Saturday Secrets: Women CEOs + Products that Support Moms (2 of My Favorite Things!)


Tips on living a calmer life as a working parent sent to your inbox every weekend
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Women CEOs + Products that Support Moms

Dear Working Parents,
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My husband Jason, co-host with me of the Parents at Work Podcast, is a devoted reader of the Washington Business Journal. Every now and then, he rips a page out and puts it at my spot at breakfast table for me to peruse. One morning, I discovered an article entitled, "Alexandria baby brand Lansinoh appoints Julie Talbot as new global CEO."
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"Wow," I shouted over to him while he was cutting up strawberries in the kitchen. "I love Lansinoh! I used their nipple cream when I was breastfeeding and pumping, and they sponsored goodies for our Ultimate Pumping Room Bundle! We should have her on the podcast!" "Exactly," Jason replied, having had the same thought. A few days later, I requested a LinkedIn connection to Julie, congratulated her on her promotion, and told her about the Parents at Work Podcast. Her response was fast, warm, and enthusiastic.

Today, I'm delighted to share with you our interview with Julie. She shared with us stories about her life, career path, fertility journey, and what it's like navigating global CEO life while also being mama to a preschooler. I can't wait for you to listen!
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Listen here: Building the Village: Julie Talbot on Family, Flexibility, and Leadership.


#AmplifyVoices

I met my husband in France. He's from New Jersey, but the country - and the language, food, and culture - still have an important place in my heart. Today, in addition to getting ready for Bastille Day, I'm also celebrating French-American Heritage Month! If you can fete the occasion from Las Vegas (like they do in this news clip), then you can celebrate it from anywhere!


Savoring the Second
Half of Summer!

You know how by the end of July, summer feels like it is sprinting to a close? This year, I'm doing an experiment to see if I can savor it more and make that part of summer feel slower and more delicious. Want to join me?

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For the 4 weeks from July 20-August 14, I'm leading an accountability group on WhatsApp. Each weekday morning, I'll be posting a thought-provoking prompt in the chat related to one of the following 5 S's:

  • Mondays: Steady
  • Tuesdays: Self
  • Wednesdays: Silence
  • Thursdays: Surprise
  • Fridays: Silliness

Cost is $99. Given it will be on WhatsApp, you can join in from anywhere. If you want to join me for this intentionality quest, simply hit reply and say "count me in!" and I'll get you signed up.


Pick of the Month

In honor of the fact that it is Bastille Day in France this week...and that I am actually spending it in France on my dear friend's farm...I'm choosing the macarons from Ladurée as my pick of the month. I've happened upon a cookbook of their macaron recipes, which you can get here. I have no personal intention of learning how to make these remarkable delights, but if you get the cook book and decide to make some, I am coming to your house! 🇫🇷


Mindful Return Book Talks
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September 17, 12–1pm Eastern: The Setback Cycle - Join me in conversation with Amy Shoenthal. In this thoughtful and practical conversation, we’ll explore how setbacks — from career disruptions and burnout to caregiving challenges, identity shifts, and unexpected life changes — can become catalysts for growth, reinvention, and transformation. We’ll talk about the four phases of The Setback Cycle, why defining moments often shape us in powerful ways, how working parents can navigate uncertainty and transition with greater self-compassion and resilience, and practical strategies for moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan. The Setback Cycle offers a compassionate framework for understanding how difficult moments can ultimately move us toward greater clarity, confidence, and possibility. Register here.


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Saturday Secrets, by Mindful Return

Join our 5K+ strong "Saturday Secrets" newsletter community for some weekly working parent sanity. At Mindful Return, we support working parents through the transition back to work after parental leave and beyond. I'm Lori, author of the book Back to Work After Baby, an entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host, lawyer, teacher on Insight Timer, breast cancer survivor, proud resident of Washington, D.C., Francophile, and mama of two awesome neurospicy redheaded boys.

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