Women Making Moves

The Future of Working Motherhood w/ Alexa Starks

The Future of Working Motherhood: Flexibility, Ambition, and Real Support After Maternity LeaveAmy Pons hosts Alexa Starks, maternity leave coach and founder of Executive Moms, to discuss reshaping maternity leave and return-to-work experiences and the findings from Executive Moms’ Future of Working Motherhood 2026 report. They reflect on the need to deconstruct harmful workplace systems, the lack of support for mothers returning from leave, and how simple supports like mentorship can improve retention. Alexa shares key data: 40% of women leave their job within a year of returning from maternity leave, yet 97% would stay if truly supported; the report also found no “ambition gap,” with mothers reporting equal or greater ambition after having kids. A major takeaway was that flexible work design (remote/hybrid/part-time) mattered more than longer leave. Alexa also previews a TED Talk in Rotterdam and the launch of Mothered Magazine.01:09 Coaching and Paradigm Shift03:02 Aha Moments in Corporate05:22 Maternity Return Support Systems06:48 Report Findings and Retention Stats09:02 Ambition Gap Myth Debunked11:43 Burnout and Hands On Work13:54 Workplace Bullying and Boundaries15:20 Surprising Data on Flexibility16:56 Flexibility Tops Requests17:15 Ambition And The 97 Percent17:52 Survey Logistics And Reach18:34 Return To Office Pushback20:51 Why Leaders Cling To Control22:42 TED Talk And Moving Abroad25:04 Launching Mothered Magazine27:04 Super Bowl Holiday Hypocrisy28:46 Advice For The 97 And 4031:06 Where To Find The Report31:32 Feminine Strength ClosingFind the 2026 'Future of Working Motherhood' report along with key updates from Executive Moms here, and follow Alexa on LinkedIn and Instagram. Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.

Working Today with Bipolar Disorder w/ Breana Grayson

What Stability Really Requires: Breana Grayson on Bipolar Disorder, Stigma, and Support at WorkAmy Pons hosts Women Making Moves and interviews writer Breana Grayson about living with bipolar disorder, what “stability really requires,” and the stigma and misunderstandings that still surround bipolar (“one of the ‘scary ones’”). Breana explains that medication is essential for her but not sufficient; stability also involves therapy, psychiatric care, consistent sleep, exercise, diet, and enjoyable practices like writing, guitar, and “therapy based kind of yoga,” and she defines stability as moving through life without derailing relationships or work. They discuss how menstrual cycles can affect symptoms, Breana’s use of cycle tracking and astrology to document patterns, and her diagnosis process at 25 through an intensive outpatient program after work and relationship difficulties. Brianna argues remote and flexible work are not favors but protect productivity, and she advocates proactive workplace support, education, and community so people don’t handle bipolar alone.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:47 Stability and Root Chakra01:22 Bipolar Stability Routine02:22 Redefining Normal03:46 Yoga and Creative Coping04:33 Bipolar Stigma Myths05:46 Cycles Hormones Astrology08:51 Sharing Her Story at 2609:23 Diagnosis at 2510:32 Screening and Medication Risks11:58 Childhood Signs and School Support14:58 Remote Work as Accommodation17:51 Workplace Support Strategies20:37 Mental Health Across Generations25:21 Advice Find Community27:04 Where to Follow and Closing

It's Time to Choose the Children w/ Dr. Nelva Lee

Dr. Nelva Lee on School Choice, Vocational Pathways, and Housing Solutions in GeorgiaHost Amy Pons welcomes Dr. Nelva Lee—healthcare and academic leader, former board appointee, author, and Georgia Superintendent of Schools candidate—who discusses the bleak realities of healthcare and education and her focus on solutions. Lee describes Concrete Build Financing, a crypto company backed by real estate aimed at countering private equity’s rent hikes by converting commercial multifamily properties into rent-to-own condos to promote stability, equity, and dignity. In education, she advocates expanding Georgia’s Promise Scholarship Act so more families—including homeschool and private-school families—can access broader learning environments, and she proposes every student graduate with both a diploma and a trade certificate. She cites post-COVID learning gaps, top-heavy education budgets, low reading and math proficiency rates, and calls for basics like phonics, targeted resources, and holding back non-readers by second grade. She also critiques HOPE Scholarship “bait and switch,” urging lower maintenance requirements and a college “star system,” and encourages limiting news, cultivating hope, and volunteering.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:13 Healthcare and Maternal Gaps02:59 Crypto Real Estate Housing Plan06:31 School Run and Voucher Expansion10:36 COVID Learning Loss and Resources15:25 Vocational Skills Over College22:21 Hope Scholarship Reform Ideas27:19 Hopeful Action and Volunteering31:59 Where to Find Dr Lee32:23 Final Thanks and Wrap UpFind all of Dr. Nelva's work on her website and follow along with her campaign!Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.

What is the Redline w/ Isvari Maranwe

Isvari Maranwe on Impact-Focused Activism, Citizen Journalism, and Rebuilding Social MediaAmy Pons, founder of Unlock the Magic, interviews Isvari Maranwe—Silicon Valley–raised tech leader and Georgetown-educated cybersecurity attorney—now based in London. Isvari is CEO and founder of YuVoice, a new social media company designed to reward users for tangible impact rather than a follower-driven influencer model, and CEO of The Sentinel by YuVoice, a nonprofit, ad-free, non-paywalled citizen journalism platform building an all-volunteer global press corps. They discuss the tension between professional success and the emotional toll of social justice work, the importance of boundaries, and prioritizing empowering people who want to make a difference over trying to convince those who won’t. Isvari shares her view that only about 1% of people truly shape society for good, making it critical to change social defaults and focus energy where it creates measurable impact. Isvari explains that YuVoice has closed a $1 million angel round and will launch in phases with nonprofit partners, focusing on “anti addictive algorithms” and mentally healthy design. The Sentinel’s mission is to break global news through local perspectives: “We believe that everybody can tell their story the best.” They critique for-profit media incentives and argue, “media needs to be a nonprofit.” 02:22 What’s on Your Heart: Success, Privilege & Staying Resourced03:54 Stop Convincing the Unmoved: Empower the 1% Who Shape Society06:35 From Righteous Rage to Real Impact (and Posting with Intention)13:00 Why Outrage Doesn’t Translate to Action (and What Might)18:32 What Happens When No One Wants the Baton? Work, Power & Consolidation22:38 Global South activism & the myth that “they can’t modernize”28:19 Borders, stolen land & rethinking indigeneity and migration30:46 What is YuVoice? Building a healthier, impact-rewarding social platform32:24 The Sentinel: citizen journalism, no ads, no paywalls, global perspectives37:21 Escaping doomscrolling: joy, community, boundaries & anti-addictive tech40:34 Where to follow, platform burnout & final call to find your purposeFollow Isvari on LinkedIn, check out The Sentinel, and follow along with YuVoice!Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.

This Can't Be It...

Exploring Change and Manifestation with Megan SeneseIn this episode of Women Making Moves, host Amy Pons talks to Megan Senese, co-founder of Stage, a women-owned business development and marketing boutique. Megan shares her journey from leaving a high-paying law job to starting her own company with just $3,000. Megan also discusses her experience with manifestation, using a 'want circle' to visualize her goals, and emphasizes the importance of aligning personal energy with desires to manifest intentions effectively. Furthermore, the episode touches on the challenges and systemic issues faced by lawyers and nurses, and the significance of maintaining one's well-being. The conversation concludes with Megan highlighting Stage's focus on creating authentic, balanced, and meaningful connections for lawyers looking to develop their business sustainably.00:00 Introduction to Women Making Moves00:19 Meet Megan Senese: From Big Law to Boutique Business00:48 Texas Bar Association Changes01:35 Megan's Career Journey and Personal Growth03:58 The Power of Manifestation04:45 The 'I Want' Circle Exercise07:38 Aligning Goals with Personal Truth12:50 Challenges in the Legal and Healthcare Systems15:47 Creating a Balanced Life and Career20:35 The Role of Energy and Intuition23:50 Stage's 2026 Vision and Values27:28 Supporting Lawyers and Legal Marketers29:45 Closing Thoughts on Magic and ManifestationFind Megan on LinkedIn and through her podcast, "So Much to Say".Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram and Bluesky. Visit Amy at Unlock the Magic, and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn. Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.