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“Stay safe, have fun, learn lots and don’t pee in your pants.” This is the motto that Mark Brooks and his three kids repeat each day as they walk out of the door. It may seem silly, but Mark explains to us that if his family can consistently abide by this simple, yet powerful mantra, the day is sure to be a good one.   A dad of three kids, ages 4, 7 and 9, Mark is also the President and Co-Founder of Brainiac Foods, a company that produces nutritious and delicious snacks to support brain health. Mark tells us that his childhood played a large role in informing his current entrepreneurial ventures. By helping out around his dad’s interior lighting store while growing up, Mark learned the incredible value of quality, service, integrity and authenticity when it comes to gaining and maintaining a loyal customer base.    Join Eric Quick and guest host Josh Selo as they talk parenting and brain health with Mark Brooks on the newest season of Bathtime 2 Boardroom – Dads Takeover! Learn about Mark’s journey from the world of finance to nutrition, how Mark’s son Aston has made a name for himself in the poultry industry, and how Mark has turned his three children into unwitting product testers for his nutritious snacks.   Quotes • “We get on Skype a lot with the gramps back home, and Aston gets onto the screen and says, ‘Hey! Hey Pops, you’re still alive!’” (8:24-8:36) • “There are so many pressures [that come with parenting] and so many ways of doing it that are all good and all correct and everyone’s trying their best. If having a career and working for you is awesome and means you’re your best parent self, fantastic! If it’s not, fantastic!” (16:30-16:48) • “We’re making products for kids, for families, for adults. Let’s make sure that we actually make quality products, right, that are made from good stuff….I’m doing a functional food that has a promise for a health benefit, which I want parents to trust, and so I better do my research to make sure that it does what I say it does.” (27:18-28:42) • “There is a direct line of sight from being fourteen, fifteen, sixteen on a Saturday running a shop, climbing a ladder and doing what it takes, which is that entrepreneurial scrappiness, that same sort of ‘every-penny-counts’ [attitude]. But also, people are only going to come back if there’s authenticity.” (28:19-28:43) • “Every day...before we leave, this thing has caught hold in my family. I will say ‘stay,’ and they fill in the blank. So ‘stay,’ and they say ‘safe,’ and then I say ‘have’ and they say ‘fun,’ ‘learn’ ‘lots,’ and then I always offer an ‘and don’t.’ So it’s stay safe, have fun, learn lots and don’t...and the thing that stuck is ‘pee in your pants.’ And I think as life advice, if you leave the house every day and you all align on that point, figuratively or literally, it’s all good.” (38:15-38:47)   Links Connect with Mark Brooks: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainiackids/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-brooks-083a6458/   Keep up with Bathtime 2 Boardroom: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bathtime-2-Boardroom-Podcast-104607138442668 • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bathtime_2_boardroom/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bathtime-2-boardroom/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“I have memories of my brother teaching me to read before I went to Kindergarten because he didn’t want me to be stupid,” says Brian Kamenetzky, Cohost of Locked on Lakers. Brian explains that while he and his older brother, Andy, did have the occasional sibling tiff growing up, they were for the most part extremely close. This brotherly bond has remained strong throughout the years, as Brian and Andy are now co hosts of Locked on Lakers, a daily podcast that brings listeners a fresh look into the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA.    Brian is also a father of three kids: two boys (ages nine and eleven) and one girl (age two-and-a-half). Brian tells us that his two sons are also surprisingly close considering their narrow age gap and have only gotten closer over the course of the pandemic. He does admit, though, that while he and his wife have always wanted three kids, raising their middle son made them briefly reconsider this dream, hence the wider difference in age between the two boys and their younger sister.   Tune into this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom for a conversation with Brian Kamenetzky about podcasting and parenthood. Learn about the importance of couple awareness when it comes to managing your kids, how the broadcasting world has shifted during and post-pandemic, and why Brian’s household motto (“Don’t be an asshole”) helps maintain peace and structure within their family unit.   Quotes • “I have memories of my brother teaching me to read before I went to Kindergarten because he didn’t want me to be stupid.” (4:27-4:30) • “Certain qualities that [my wife and I] have at certain moments are better suited to different aspects of an individual kid’s personality.”  (10:43-10:52) • “I’m interested in seeing how [my kids] develop independent of us.” (17:15-17:18) • “Our motto when [our son] was really little was ‘Don’t make it angry.’” (22:42-22:48) • “The Lakers are great because there is really no off-season for them. There’s no time where the interest goes down, so we sit down Monday through Friday and we broadcast and bring in interviews, and we’re going to start doing live shows and all that stuff.” (30:52-31:09) • “Working from home – it’s remarkable to me how technology has allowed radio to do that. A lot of studio shows that you hear, whether at ESPN or other places, are still people working from home….I think what we’re seeing is similar in a lot of ways to what we’re seeing in other industries where there’s a recalibration of what is required.” (35:30-36:07) • “Don’t be an asshole. That’s really our only house rule. It’s the easiest one to kind of flex and enforce, and we find that it’s a good one.” (39:58-40:06)   Links Check out Brian’s podcast Locked on Lakers: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers/id1034379593   Keep up with Bathtime 2 Boardroom: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bathtime-2-Boardroom-Podcast-104607138442668 • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bathtime_2_boardroom/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bathtime-2-boardroom/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“Boundaries are the way in which you teach others how to treat you,” says Audia Reggie. “Without boundaries, you don’t have self-respect.” Not only does Audia teach others about the importance of boundaries in her role as a psychotherapist, but she also regularly shares her words of wisdom on her TikTok account @truthheals.    Although Audia started her TikTok account primarily as a COVID pastime, she quickly noticed a need for more content surrounding the intersection between parenting and intergenerational trauma. After posting her first video and receiving a surprising amount of encouraging feedback, Audia went on to produce more regular content and now has over 60k followers!   As for her role as a psychotherapist, Audia explains that the two most crucial things she tells her clients are to (1) critically reflect on how their childhood has shaped them and (2) create meaningful and resilient boundaries. Audia actively incorporates both of these tips into her own parenting style by encouraging her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Nyma to always ask questions, use her voice, and feel comfortable telling others no.   Join Eric and Nina Quick on this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom for a conversation with Audia about helping your child find their voice. Learn why breaking away from the mistakes of our parents requires us to confront our intergenerational trauma, how Audia has managed to avoid unsolicited advice about her daughter, and why trusting your intuition is key when it comes to parenting.   Quotes • “We as parents have good intentions...and we all are left with a sense that we want to do better than our parents, we want to provide our children with more. But for a lot of people, it stops right there. And the reason is that it requires a deep amount of introspection: the ability to look at self and also learn new skills and then implement these skills every single day with our kiddos! But if we have not been healed from trauma, we get triggered by our kids and we go back to square one.” (10:19-11:07) • “Maybe you have the best intentions, but you might need a little support. Lean into your support network. (11:43-11:51) • “Our DNA changes with our trauma experiences, so healing yourself is giving a gift to the next generation.” (15:11-15:20) • “I have clients – couples – who I tell to do exactly that. Maybe once per month, you schedule a time to air out your grievances. Schedule it, so it’s not going to come in your face at a time when you’re maybe not ready for it. You know, and you can prepare, and you recognize that this is not a threat, it’s an opportunity to help come together.” (18:28-18:57) • “Boundaries are at the heart of healthy relationships with self and with others. Boundaries are the way in which you teach others how to treat you. Without boundaries, you don’t have self-respect.”  (21:37-21:51) • “Respect your elders….well, let’s talk about that. Let’s talk about this blanket respect that you’re just handing out to people over the age of 40. No, my child is going to ask questions. My child is not just going to blindly obey. My child is going to have the voice and feel confident enough to ask questions and tell you no.” (26:02-26:26) • “One of the most important features of therapy is your relationship with the therapist. And if you lean into that relationship, a lot of the family of origin issues can be healed in the therapeutic relationship.” (32:40-32:59) • “QTIP: quit taking it personal.” (34:18-34:21) • “I’m big on trusting your intuition as a parent and making sure that you lean in on your support network. And if you don’t have one, build one. (35:03-35:16) • “Remind yourself that you’re doing the very best you can in very challenging times. Even outside of a pandemic, it’s challenging on a daily basis to be a parent. Give yourself grace.” (36:12-36:26) • “Hug your kids. Tell your children that you love them. Tell your children that you’re proud of them for simply being your child and give them these things every single day.” (36:36-36:48) • “Begin from within. Start with self. A lot of times we are trying to fix others….Start with self, and everything else will come into place.” (38:58-40:16)   Links Audia’s TikTok: @truthheals   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“When we surrender to the unknown a path is shown.” This mantra perfectly sums up Emily Szajda’s life journey. Currently a General Manager at The NOW Massage, Emily is also an author, speaker, chef, nutritionist, yoga meditation instructor, and activist. Not to mention, she is a mom to Henry William, age 3, and is expecting a baby girl this July!   Emily may have grown up in a small town of only 900 residents, but the rest of her life has been a story of exploration and drawing outside of the lines. In her late 20s, Emily moved abroad to Brussels, looking for more work-life balance after a hectic start to her career in the hospitality industry. It was there that she let her inhibitions go to the wind and began incorporating a greater focus on wellness into her day-to-day routine. Now, Emily has not only applied this new perspective to her career in the massage therapy world, but she has also exposed her son to the importance of mindfulness and self-care.   Tune into this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom for a conversation with Emily Szajda about establishing consistent mind and body wellness while parenting. Learn how Emily has found a healthy balance between her Midwest work ethic and a more care-free approach, why Emily’s son Henry has decided (independently!) to be a vegetarian, and why treasuring experiences has been a fundamental component of Emily’s motherhood journey.   Quotes • “It’s interesting because once you move away from your small town or move away from what you once knew and you change as an individual, your parents or family at large expect you to stay the same in your mentality.” (16:25-16:42) • “In regards to being present with Henry, whenever I’m not working and committed to my clients and to my day job, I’m just very mindful that I’m always listening. I’m not being distracted by my cell phone, which is so easy to do these days….When it’s Henry’s time, it’s Henry’s time.” (23:57-24:29) • “As an organization, we’re really focused on the power of a touch, and that touch can transcend whether that is empowering you as a person or giving you just that sense of wellness, wellbeing, grounding.” (29:27-29:39) • “My advice to parents returning to the workplace is, even if it’s five minute’s time, find those little tidbits in the day in regards to filling your cup full. Because we give so much of our energy to our jobs, to our partners, to our children, that we’re often running on low fumes, low fuel gauge I like to say.” (33:07-33:25) • “I think so often as Americans, sleep gets pushed to the bottom of the totem pole, and it’s so vital for us to be able to show up in a good mood, a good place for ourselves, so that we’re not disgusted by how we react, and for our children, so that they’re getting the best of us.” (34:25-34:42)   Links https://thenowmassage.com www.emilyszajda.com https://www.helenbamber.org/ https://www.notforsalecampaign.org/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“Working with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a dream,” says Amanda Tyler, mom of two and Professor of Law at UC Berkeley. Not only did Amanda serve as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the start of her career, but more recently, she also co-authored a book with RBG titled Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue: A Life’s Work Fighting for a More Perfect Union. Amanda explains that RBG taught her countless lessons, which continue to powerfully inform her own teaching strategies to this day. Most importantly, RBG was heavily invested in the success of each of her clerks, and Amanda aims to provide the same level of feedback and support to her students in her current teaching role.   RBG has also shaped Amanda’s outlook on parenting, most notably with the advice: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” This seemingly simple one-liner has helped Amanda get through even the most stressful of times when it comes to balancing between her work life and motherhood. Amanda has also taken inspiration from her own parents when it comes to her parenting approach, specifically their unwavering positivity and their refusal to micromanage their children.   Join hosts Eric and Nina Quick on this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom to hear more about Amanda’s journey through law and motherhood. Learn about Amanda’s passion for marathons (she has run 18!), how To Kill a Mockingbird sparked her interest in law, and why failure is not really failure, but rather an opportunity to learn. And, of course, you won’t want to miss Amanda’s stories about RBG, her wisdom and her steadfast approach to law and to life.   Quotes • “I had parents that didn’t micromanage, which I think was really important…. I don’t remember my mother ever saying anything after a soccer game except, ‘Great job, kiddo.’ That literally was all she ever said, even if I had a terrible game…. She never tried to coach me, she let my coaches do that. And she just always was very positive and very cheerful and made me feel like if nobody else was there, I at least could always count on her being in my corner, and that’s a really special thing to have as a kid growing up.”  (3:20-4:20) • “At the end of the day, what I want for my kids is for them to figure out what they’re passionate about…. In my experience and my life, if you’re passionate about something, you’re going to do your best work, you’re going to put more of yourself into it, and you’re going to be more successful.” (5:20-5:56) • “We need to teach our kids to take risks, to be ok with taking a risk and knowing that it might not work out because, at least in my life experience, if you aren’t willing to put yourself out there, then you’re never going to achieve your greatest success…. If you’re not willing to take risks and not take the safe route, then you’re never going to achieve your full potential.” (10:42-11:15) • “I wrote [Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg] an email, and I said, ‘Dear Justice, I’m really nervous about this. Suddenly the work-life balance thing everybody’s been talking about seems far more consequential because I’m going to have this little kid at home. And I don’t quite know how I’m going to balance all of it.’ And she wrote back a one-line email, which was quintessential RBG. She said, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’” (17:11-17:44) • “[Working with Ruth Bader Ginsburg] was a dream. She was just awesome, there’s no other way to describe it. She was inspiring; she was demanding in totally fair ways; she had incredibly exacting standards, but she never asked more of us than she asked of herself; she pushed you in really healthy ways to rise to the occasion and be your very best…. And because she held herself out to the same standards…you really wanted to do that, you wanted to make her proud of you.” (40:02-40:51)   Links https://www.mrsdalloways.com/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“The need for stories is such a human instinct. Human beings crave stories, they crave narrative to understand our world,” says Sumi Aggarwal, award-winning journalist and mother of two adopted daughters. Now the Interim Editor in Chief and Managing Editor at Reveal, Sumi explains that human instinct plays a crucial role in her life. Whether it’s in parenting or at work, Sumi always trusts her instincts to lead her in the right direction.   The daughter of two Indian immigrants, Sumi originally faced backlash from her parents when she decided to pursue journalism. However, after they witnessed her ambition and passion for the field, Sumi’s parents quickly became her biggest cheerleaders. Now a mother herself, Sumi explains that she has more empathy for her parents than she initially thought she would. While she has taken a decidedly different approach in some respects, she has mimicked their parenting strategies in others.   Tune into this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom to hear more about Sumi’s journey through investigative reporting and adoptive motherhood. Learn more about the emotional challenges of the adoption process, Sumi’s take on work-life balance, and why Sumi and her family will never outgrow their love of America’s Funniest Home Videos.   Quotes • “I think what has been really really exciting is just watching [my daughters] change and grow, but they still have that innate part of themselves that they were even when they were little. You kind of see the core of them, but then they take on these different facets….All of the kids that are part of our little tribe….imagining who they’re going to be and what they’re going to do out in the world is just such an exciting prospect.”  (6:29-7:19) • “I think what I was not prepared for – and this is true whether you do a domestic adoption or an international adoption – is just the emotional toll that waiting takes on you. Both of our girls are adopted from India, and it would be like get to this step of the process, and then you’re waiting for one guy somewhere to file a paper, and nobody knows why he hasn’t filed the paper. And it will drive you insane.” (15:47-16:15) • “Women particularly get sold a bill of goods about having work-life balance. And the older I get, the more I believe that you cannot have work-life balance every day, but hopefully over the course of your life and your career you find that balance.” (22:45-23:01) • “While change has been slow and difficult, I think it’s here to stay. And I think those things that people like me took for granted, like oh this is just part of the deal, are no longer true. So now that I lead my own newsroom, it’s been an evolution in my own thinking of how to empower the people on our team to really set the culture and set what’s acceptable and what’s not and lead from that perspective.” (33:15-33:44) • “Something that does guide my intentions is to feel scared on a regular basis. If you’re not scared, you’re not doing something new, you’re not pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.” (40:56-41:07)   Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumiaggarwal/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“I have now delivered a baby wearing an N-95 mask, so I feel as though there’s nothing I can’t do,” says Sara Desphande, Partner at Maven Ventures. Sara was over 4 months pregnant with her second child when COVID hit the US in full force. Luckily her husband was allowed to sit in on the delivery; however, Sara did have to keep her mask on at all times when doctors and/or nurses were in the room. She describes the odd feeling of not being able to kiss her baby girl the first time she held her, but acknowledges the strength of mothers to take difficult moments like this in stride. Sara’s daughter Ruby is now 9 ½ months old and her son Tommy is almost three!   On the boardroom side of things, Sara is a Partner at Maven Ventures, a venture capital firm that specializes in backing software startups. Sara explains that the firm’s overarching goal is to invest in “visions worth fighting for” and this purpose drives her search for software that actively betters lives. Sara also teaches a course called Startup Garage at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, her alma mater, in which student teams design and test new business concepts that address real-world needs.   Tune into this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom for a conversation with Sara about motherhood, business and how to balance between the two. Learn about what it was like to be pregnant during COVID, the joys and frustrations of being a female partner at a venture fund, and what consumer needs entrepreneurs should be addressing in a post-COVID world.   Quotes • “My husband and I haven’t been going to restaurants or doing anything like that, so we went for one of our very first outdoor dinners just a month or so ago, and I came downstairs and was in a dress and heels. I had full makeup on, and I had fixed my hair. And Tommy saw me and, the little hype man he is, truly gasped, gasped at my beauty. He looks at me and he goes, ‘Mama, I love your costume!’” (4:58-5:29) • “I will say I have now delivered a baby wearing an N-95 mask, so I feel as though there’s nothing I can’t do.” (13:49-13:55) • “If you feel like you can be really focused and perform at work and at the same time spend the extra time in the mornings and the evenings that you have with your kids, to some extent I think you have to be willing to let other stuff fall through the cracks. This phase of life is short.” (19:35-19:49) • “[Business school] is really where I discovered that for me the intersection between business and social change really was entrepreneurship. And I think that it’s the greatest tool that our generation has to have a massive positive impact on the world.” (22:34-22:46) • “Women and moms control the majority of consumer spending, of health care decisions, of parenting decisions, of childcare decisions, and household spending overall. So, you start to look at just the power of the female consumer and the power of the mom consumer – it’s incredibly large. And so I think having empathy and being able to connect with that and bring those insights into our fund has been really helpful.” (26:53-27:20) • “We look at our work lives and with Zoom and Slack and Asana and Trello...you look at all of the tools that have been created...to help make our work lives more productive, and it’s amazing. And then you look at the innovation to help with our home lives, and there’s nothing.” (34:49-35:09)   Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeshpande/    Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

On this episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom, we are flipping the script and interviewing none other than Colleen Blake, our very own Cohost and Producer! While she may have been expecting an interview with actress Jessica Alba, we instead surprised her with an appearance from her eldest daughter Emily Blake, who is our guest co-host for this episode.   On the bathtime side of things, Colleen is a mom to three daughters. When asked why she decided to become a mom, Colleen tells us that she never really questioned being a mother. Instead, she has always seen motherhood as a natural and expected part of her life. Since having kids, Colleen has actively combined elements of what her own parents taught her (modeling hard work, incorporating organization and party planning, to name just a few things) with an effort to be present in her daughters’ school and social lives. She explains that she has done this to show her daughters that you can both have a career AND show up for your family’s important moments.   On the boardroom side, Colleen not only hosts and produces our podcast, but she also is a VP of People at Dremio. With over 20 years of diverse experience across HR, IT, Marketing, Services and Product, Colleen explains that her favorite part of her job is helping others feel valued and heard. She tells us that her motherhood and work roles often overlap in unexpected ways. For example, she brought work into the home when she had Emily create a flow chart for getting ready for kindergarten in the mornings! And she admits to having sometimes felt like a parent towards the employees in her professional life.   If you’ve been dying to learn more about our host, then you won’t want to miss this special episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom. Learn how Colleen has used improv lessons to inform her parenting skills, how she balances all of her responsibilities (parenting, professional and everything in between), and why post-it notes are an absolute MUST for keeping her organized and inspired.   Quotes • “I wanted to make sure I was also present in my children’s life at school and outside of school in terms of activities and things while at the same time still showing my girls...that you can also have a career at the same time. So it wasn’t like you had to sacrifice one for the other.” (7:54-8:15) • “Over the past year, one of the blessings of being in the pandemic has been being able to see [my daughter Emily] evolve as a human being and as a member of society and having real adult conversation with her where I’m like, ‘Holy crap, I did that!’....I don’t know that we often as parents talk about that enough and really sit back and reflect on how much you really have created another human being to be part of society.”  (11:42-12:15) • “Improv definitely helped with being playful: more playful with the kids and just kind of going with it and then also at work. I think as a leader sometimes you automatically think you know what the right thing is to do, but you really have to listen and hear other people, (1) so they feel acknowledged and (2) maybe they have a really great idea that if you keep going with the story that will turn into something even more powerful and more successful.” (14:16-14:45) • “Everyone in the world deserves a chance to make a choice, to have equal choice on things and make a decision, whether they want to have kids, whether they want to have a career, you should have a choice. That’s why I explore and talk to other people and share stories because I think that’s a huge part of making sure you know what your options are. That’s what I want for you girls.” (16:00-16:26) • “If there’s any advice I would give about the whole work-life balance thing, it’s to raise your hand and ask for help or to raise the white flag and say, ‘I can’t do this alone, and I need support.’” (28:30-28:40) • “My favorite part [about working] is having an impact….and being able to take chaos and get it cleaned up and efficient and so it’s running on a good cadence, and then getting the sense that people feel like they’re valued. So helping others feel valued in what they do and that you care about their experience – I get excited about that.”  (31:28-32:00) • “Be kind to yourself. It’s not just about being kind to others but being kind to yourself and being more forgiving. You’re doing better than you think!” (40:46-40:54)   Links https://colleenablake.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenablake/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

Recently, Molly Brooks’ daughter Kaelie told her that she doesn’t want to have kids when she grows up. Instead, she wants to dedicate her adulthood to her career. As a woman who has decided to do it all, from a full-time career in HR to parenting two young daughters, Molly could have dismissed her daughter’s wishes as they diverged from her own journey. Instead, she wholeheartedly embraced Kaelie’s outlook, explaining that this is exactly the approach she wants to instill in both of her daughters: not that they can do everything, but that they can do whatever they want to do.   On the bathtime end of things, Molly explains to us that no one ever told her just how hard motherhood would be. Sure there are times when all she wants to do is snuggle up with her little ones, but at other times, she reaches her limit. Through the years, she has found tools to cope with these moments of frustration and indecision. One of the recent methods she has used to avoid feeling “mommy guilt” is making decisions together with her family (daughters included!), so that they can all commit to things as a team, and she doesn’t have to feel solely responsible when things don’t go according to plan.   On the boardroom side, Molly works as a Senior Manager in HR Operations for Omnitracs, a fleet management platform with offices in San Diego. In the past, she has also held HR roles at various breweries! Molly explains that she doesn’t have to do much to avoid burnout at her job because she truly loves what she does. Twenty two years ago, she found her niche, and she has been thriving at this work ever since.   Tune into this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom to hear more about Molly’s parenting and working journeys and how they intersect. Learn about returning to the workforce post-COVID, the most common misconceptions about HR departments, and why it’s always ok to put on a tiara and eat whipped cream in your closet.   Quotes • “As a parent, I’m constantly second guessing my decisions, right? I make a decision, and I’m like, ‘Oh no, I should’ve done it that way’....I have a really hard time committing to the decision I’ve made. Well, in this case Kaelie was part of the decision, and at the dinner table we all put our hands in, and we said….‘That’s it, we’re going back to Gage, that’s it, we’re not going to second guess it no matter what happens. This is our commitment. We’re going forward.’ And all of that has I think helped me not second guess myself.” (17:10-17:47) • “I was at work and my husband was at home when Kaelie took her first steps. And Kaelie was our first. And to this day I still carry that guilt….I regularly ask myself, ‘Why did I choose to do both? Why didn’t I do one or the other?’ And I know why: because my mom told me, since I was a tiny little thing, ‘You can have everything you want!’” (25:49-26:44) • “I think because I regularly talk about how hard my day is, Kaelie has decided she doesn’t think she’s going to have kids. She thinks she’s just going to have a career. And, you know what, I think that’s great!....And that’s what I want to instill. Not that you can do everything, but that you can do whatever you want.” (27:41-28:02) • “Knowing that there’s so many people out there that are feeling the same feelings I think is what validates me and what gets me through it. I know I’m not perfect, I know I’m going to make mistakes, but it’s like I try to tell them all the time, ‘You’re going to make mistakes, it’s part of growing up. It’s trying not to make the same mistakes over and over that makes us grow.’” (30:33-30:53) • “I’m going to crawl into my closet, put on a tiara and put whipping cream in my mouth because I can!” (37:55-38:01)   Links Kristina Kuzmic on Instagram Shitty Mommy Moments on Instagram   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“There’s so much power in the pause,” says Nikki Cruz, viral TikToker and blogger. Once a self-proclaimed tiger mom, Nikki has since realized that this style of parenting was not what was best for her son. She came to understand that her tendency towards an authoritarian approach was rooted in inherited generational thinking and decided to shift to a more nurturing parenting strategy. Understanding the power in the pause is one method she now uses to decompress and reset before instantly reacting to a problem. She explains that this transition to more peaceful parenthood has allowed her son Kalev, now six years old, to blossom into a more independent, confident and outspoken child.   After sharing this parenting journey on social media, Nikki quickly went viral on TikTok. She has since become passionate about sharing her story to help others reclaim their personal power, discover new possibilities in parenting and learn how to create the lives of their dreams. Her handle, @maartemami, reclaims the Tagalog word maarte, which is usually directed towards women viewed as over-the-top or “too much.” Nikki transforms the sentiment to embrace her “doin’ the most” outlook, as she constantly seeks new ways to invite more ease and happiness into the daily challenges of juggling a career and being a mom.   Tune into this week’s episode of Bathtime 2 Boardroom and join Nikki, Colleen and guest host Monica Chandra for a conversation about the unique joys of motherhood. Learn about Nikki’s calming corner, how to work with your partner to develop shared parenting strategies, and why Nikki is ok with letting motherhood define her. And, remember, the world needs kids and adults who are doing too much, so let your doing-the-most-ness shine!   Quotes • “There’s nothing wrong with being ‘too much.’ The world needs it, and the world needs kids and adults who are too much.” (3:03-3:09) • “I share with my followers that you can have your own set of rules when you collaborate with your kid, but I think that the best thing is to leave [the calming corner] open, so that they just naturally gravitate to it. Sometimes [my son] just wants to go there and relax and read a book, other times he’s like, ‘I’m having a lot of high energy right now, let me just go in here and lift my 5-pound medicine ball to help me relax and focus’….I think it’s very fluid and open the way any family can leverage the space.” (10:22-11:17) • “If your husband, wife, or partner has a very different set of beliefs, it’s coming from somewhere. There are generations of trauma, there are unhealed parts of them, so just coming from a place of empathy and not judging has been very helpful.” (17:24-17:40) • “At one point, when I made this shift, I was very depressed because I just felt like I wasn’t connecting with him, he was always scared of me, he was flinching when I came around and he was like years old. And I was like, ‘Is this what I want for my son?’” (20:21-20:34) • “When you’re a working mom, it’s so hard to make time for yourself, right?....You’re feeling guilty like you’re not doing enough for your job, you’re not doing enough for your kids, and I think it’s just so important to prioritize self care.”  (28:43-28:55) • “The struggle can be so real, but so is the progress. And practice makes progress.” (35:42-35:47)   Links www.maartemami.com https://www.instagram.com/maarte_mami/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

“What have Mia and Gavin taught me?” asks Nina Quick, wife of Eric Quick, Bathtime 2 Boardroom co-host. “They have taught me to take a breath before I respond.” Mom to two kids, Nina is no stranger to the ups and downs of parenting. Nina has also had to navigate the added challenge of helping her son, Gavin, as he copes with both autism and ADHD. But with the support of her husband, her mom, and her network of mom friends, Nina has learned to tap out when she needs to take a deep breath and incorporate more self-care into her daily routine. While Nina admits to sometimes missing the years when her kids were babies and still yearned for hugs, kisses, and constant attention, she explains that watching them grow into autonomous human beings has been equally rewarding.   On the boardroom side of things, Nina was particularly motivated to get politically involved after the 2016 election. For the past four years, Nina has been volunteering for Vote Save America’s Adopt a State program. Nina adopted Florida and participated in extensive campaigning efforts for the Democratic Party in this crucial swing state. According to Nina, the most gratifying part of her work has been finding camaraderie amongst an extensive network of like-minded individuals, who share her passion for change and go about creating it in a positive and uplifting way.   Learn more about Nina’s bath time to boardroom journey on the kickoff episode of our fourth season of Bathtime 2 Boardroom! We’re calling this season Moms Takeover, and we mean it….these episodes are all about moms, their personal struggles, and their incredible achievements, both at bathtime and in the boardroom. Tune in for an honest, engaging, and entertaining conversation with Nina, host Colleen Blake and special guest co host Monica Chandra (sorry Eric, it’s moms only this week!). Learn about Nina’s approach to parenthood, where she turns when she needs support, and why she never leaves the house without her camping toilet! You won’t want to miss it.   Quotes • “That kind of gave me a perspective moving forward...because I loved their ‘babyness,’ and I loved them being little, and I wanted them to stay little forever, but that holds them back. And I had to recognize that it wasn’t all about me, it was also about them. These were independent human beings, and I needed to really celebrate their victories and their milestones and their abilities that started to form as they got older.” (5:20-5:51) • “Part of this political division is this feeling of othering others and this feeling of, ‘I’m going to make you feel like you’re alone in your thoughts and you’re wrong.’ And so to come into this arena was really uplifting for me, to realize that it was not just in my little group of people and my husband that we agreed on our politics. It’s broader than that, and it’s bigger than that.” (23:39-24:08) • “You need a village. You need to find people that can help support you….If things are getting hard here, I have an outlet to vent to.” (31:33-31:44) • “My pocket perspective is what’s familiar is preferred and to keep that in mind when you’re dealing with any situation with the kids or even yourself. If you recognize that what’s familiar is preferred, you’ll understand that change can be hard and sometimes you have to maybe work through the situation to make it become more familiar, so that you have less resistance to it.” (42:16-42:41)   Links From Emotions to Advocacy by Pete Wright Parents Helping Parents https://www.autismspeaks.org/   Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas and now the Executive Chef of the Fairmont Hotel in Austin, Andre Natera shares his lessons learned from the kitchen to the kitchen table including how he deals with difficult people, what he's doing differently in raising his children and fueling the fire that inspired him to pursue a career in the culinary arts. You can follow Andre on instagram at Andre_natera.

With COVID & all the social, political climate affecting our society today, this conversation was just what the doctor ordered. Sharing stories from her humble beginnings to imagining what her two kids might be like as adults, Dr. Kelly Yeh makes us laugh, cry and be grateful for being parents. Kelly is an anesthesiologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. She takes care of patients from their first day of life to those over 90 years old. Born from Chinese immigrants, and a Houston, Texas native, her parents worked full time and instilled the value of hard work and not taking anything for granted. Happy listening!

We spoke to Dr. Laila Hishaw aka Dr. Momager, a wife, mother of 3, pediatric dentist, Amazon Best Selling Author, and mentor to many teens and young adults. Her compassionate nature and clinical expertise have gained the respect of her colleagues who (since 2012) have annually selected her as Tucson, Arizona's Top Dentist™ featured in Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. She informed us that black dentists only make up only 3.8 percent of all dentists in America, which ignited a spark in her to tie in her love for her profession with serving as a role model to children and teens to nurture and bring up the next generation of leaders in her field. Dr. Hishaw is known to wear many hats and we sat down with her to discover how she manages her time and when it's appropriate for her (or someone like her) to say no.

We spoke with Liz Hartman, a wife, mother of twin girls and a Physician Assistant for an ER. We received insight on what it’s like to witness COVID patients first hand, along with, how she was able to get creative when she comes home to her toddlers. She explained to us the many challenges many parents have faced during this pandemic, like finding the perfect childcare. Through it all, she still found ways to experience safe and fun outdoor activities. If you have mom or dad guilt and need affirmations that everything is going to be okay if you’re not checking off all the boxes on your checklist, this is the episode for you!

We spoke with Jayd Swendseid. A loving husband and dad of four who has been a chief Los Angeles County Firefighter for the past 30 years. We were able to better understand how he has kept open mind to learning from and listening to his children. Outside of his service to the Los Angeles community, he enjoys acting and has played roles in feature films, cable TV, sitcoms, soap operas, commercials and music videos. When he isn’t working or on set, he enjoys spending quality time with his family.

We were able to speak with Angela Tang, an Assistant Professor for a School Counseling Program and Fieldwork Coordinator at The University of San Francisco. In this episode, she emphasizes the importance of public education, school counseling, and explains how her own personal college experience lead her into her career. We were able to take away many parenting tips on how to better listen to our children, as well as, suggestions for a household with kids and two working parents during COVID.

If hindsight is 20/20, what would you want to know about your children in the future so that you can make different (or the same) choices in how you raised them today? In this episode, Dr. Jill shares her perspective on raising kids during COVID and the important role our communities play in helping them cope. Dr. Jill Rovaris is the Director of Health and Counseling at Santa Clara University. She has served as a psychology professor at several major universities including two Historically Black Colleges. Dr. Jill is also reaching out to help people to become discoverable unto themselves using her mantra, iWill ‘til i’mWell. She is working to help people impose their WILL onto themselves (hence the “i”) until they are WELL. Learn more about Dr. Jill at https://www.iwilltilimwell.com/

Of the many lessons this COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, there's so much that happens behind the scenes to ensure the health and safety of our community. This includes the sacrifices being made by these front line workers when it comes to their home life in addition to their day job. Meet Joe Everett, Battalion Chief for the City of Los Angeles Fire Department and father to a high school senior. Joe shares his story on how the influences of his parents in education and how acknowledging the tough times at work, have helped him be a better role model for his son and for his team.