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In this first-ever collaborative roundtable with the PG-ish Podcast, Ashley Blackington and Erin Holland welcome powerhouse thought leaders Jess Ringgenberg (Elixir Coaching) and Leslie Forde (Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs) to unpack the real, raw, and research-backed realities of modern motherhood, caregiving, and careers. From burnout to benefits nobody knows how to access, and the persistent myth that moms are “fine,” this episode sheds light on the data, the lived experiences, and the quiet crisis facing working mothers. The group discusses everything from middle motherhood to the “default parent” dilemma, sandwich caregiving, workplace policy reform, and why empathy alone isn’t enough—we need systems change, and we need it now.

What you’ll learn:

• Why burnout is often the catalyst for career shifts among moms
• The data behind declining support for mothers post-pandemic
• How workplace benefits are often underutilized or misunderstood
• What “default parent syndrome” looks like at home and at work
• The invisible mental load of caregiving—across generations
• Why culture change needs to be systemic, not dependent on “one good manager”
• How caregiving impacts mental health and long-term career trajectories
• Key takeaways from Leslie’s ongoing longitudinal study and Jess’s organizational research
• The urgent need for care-conscious leadership training
• Actionable ways employers can build real infrastructure around caregiving

Questions answered in this episode:

• Why are so many mothers still burned out—five years after the pandemic began?
• What is the actual ROI for companies who invest in supporting caregivers?
• What does “modern motherhood” really look like—and why do our systems ignore it?
• How do we stop relying on individual leaders and start building systemic change?
• What small, daily self-care steps can truly make a difference for overwhelmed moms?
• What’s the difference between feeling supported and being supported at work?
• Why do mothers leave traditional careers, and what does that mean for talent retention?
• What should workplace benefits look like across different caregiving phases?
• Why are we still afraid to talk about caregiving and burnout at work?
• What do sandwich caregivers need—and why are they often left out of the conversation?

Connect with Erin:

• Website: https://www.pgishparenting.com
• Instagram: @pgishparenting
• PG ish podcast

Connect with Jess:

• Website: elixircoaching.com
• Instagram: @jess.elixr.modernmotherhood
• LinkedIn: Jess Ringgenberg

Connect with Leslie:

• Website: momshierarchyofneeds.com
• Research Study Participation: Join here
• LinkedIn: Leslie...