AND/BOTH Podcast - Real Conversations, Shared Experiences, and the Community You've Been Missing – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I sit down with Kendra Koch, the founder of Divergently, a private community built for late-diagnosed neurodivergent women who want clarity, support, and a softer landing than the internet usually offers.

Kendra came to this work through her own late diagnosis, years spent in the Silicon Valley wellness world, and a growing sense that the tools available to neurodivergent women were either too shallow, too loud, or too overwhelming to actually use. What started as her personal search for answers eventually became Divergently- a curated, trauma-aware space built to help women understand themselves and make daily life feel less chaotic and more doable.

We cover a lot in this conversation, including:

• What it feels like to receive a diagnosis later in life
• Why so many women only start connecting the dots after their kids begin evaluations
• The emotional and logistical realities of navigating care, systems, stigma, and uncertainty
• How trauma keeps showing up in ways many of us don’t expect
• The difference between “having information” and actually being supported
• Why “just disclose at work” isn’t simple — or safe — advice for everyone
• How creating boundaries inside a community can be what makes it truly inclusive
• The small, practical shifts that make life less prickly: body doubling, environmental tweaks, lowering the bar in smart, supportive ways
• And how Kendra is building a company while raising a young child, healing, and moving at a pace that fits her real life — not the one hustle culture demands

This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and full of moments that made me rethink how we support ourselves and each other. If you’ve ever felt like something wasn’t quite adding up, or you’ve been searching for a place that feels safe and steady, you’ll feel seen here.

Where to find Kendra:

Website: joinedivergently.com

Social: @joinedivergently

LinkedIn: Kendra Koch

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @mydovetail.app

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

For more than 100 episodes, AND/BOTH has shared conversations with women navigating identity, care, and capacity — and this week, the conversation widens.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Perry, founder and CEO of Maple, to talk about what it means to be part of what he calls “the transition generation” — a time when fathers are learning to show up differently, families are renegotiating what partnership looks like, and the systems that support us are still catching up.

Michael is a father of two, a husband, and a founder who’s building technology designed to make the invisible work of family visible, to help parents collaborate better, share responsibilities, and stay connected in the chaos.

We talk about what’s shifting in modern parenthood, what’s still broken, and how we can bring more empathy, participation, and grace into our homes, without turning our families into another project to manage.

• What it means to be part of the “transition generation” of fathers
• Why partnership is more than division of labor, it’s shared leadership
• The systems that fail families (and what it might look like to rebuild them)
• How to have better conversations at home about what’s working and what isn’t
• The difference between intention and participation
• Why grace and gratitude are essential tools in family life
• And how to find your 8 out of 10 days — the perspective shift that can change everything

• You’re navigating how to balance partnership and parenting in real life
• You’re curious about how fathers are experiencing this cultural shift
• You want to build more empathy and communication at home
• You’re ready to talk about family as shared work — not a scorecard

• Maple: growmaple.com
• Follow Michael Perry: @michaelperry | LinkedIn: Michael Perry
• Connect with Maple: @growmaple

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @mydovetail.app

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Today’s episode goes behind the scenes with my roundtable cohost, Erin, host of the PG-ish Podcast. Even though we live on opposite sides of the country and have never met in person, Erin and I can dive into honest conversations and share truths that aren’t often talked about. We chat about our own podcasts, motherhood, where we’re heading next, and what’s fueling these episodes. We believe that community, whether virtual or in-person, truly matters, and we hope to share that community with you, the listener, as well.

Show links:

• Erin: PG-ish Podcast

Listen to our roundtables:

◦ Episode 75: Caregiving, Careers & the Cost of Being "Fine"

◦ Episode 79: From Lost to Found: How Moms are Redefining Identity & Belonging

◦ Episode 85: Burned Out? How to Redefine Success in Work and Motherhood

◦ Episode 91: The Emotional Cost of Doing It All

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @mydovetail.app

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Christina Bogatsky is a mom of two and has her own coaching practice; Totally Fine Coaching. Before having children she spent nearly two decades in the corporate world. Motherhood rocked her world and in today’s conversation she shares the trials and tribulations she’s learned along the way.

We discuss how motherhood opened up her eyes to the small things and allowed her to figure out what really matters. Christina also shares how she had to learn that even five minutes of daily self-care lead to monumental change. These habits also were a great demonstration to her children that moms are still allowed time for themselves in motherhood.

Christina also shares how she was able to transition from trying to meet society's standards and expectations to choosing her own. She gives a hot take on not wanting the obedient child and opens up about how much parenting of herself she had to do once becoming a parent.

Follow Christina:

Instagram

Website

Podcast

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @andboth_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Today I am sitting down with the very talented, multi-dimensional Hive Co-Founder & CEO Andrea Sommer. Andrea and I first met when I was a participant in the Hive Investment Readiness Accelerator. She is also a mom to an almost five year old daughter and today’s episode is all about showing up as your whole self in entrepreneurship.

Andrea shares the backstory of Hive and how it started organically as a support group in a friend’s basement. It has now grown into a global startup accelerator with over 1200 members. In this episode Andrea shares how motherhood has taught her one of the most important lessons entrepreneurs can learn; how to say no. She has also flipped the script on the idea of having to hide our children in order to seem professional. Through Hive, she has created a company where women can unapologetically show up as their whole selves.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to raise venture capital as an entrepreneur be sure to check out Hive’s website below. I can personally attest to the benefits of joining the program. If you have questions about my experience, don’t hesitate to reach out.

www.hivefounders.net

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @andboth_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

The lovely Dr. Dara Storch of Seacoast Mobile Physical Therapy is our guest today. Dara has two grade school aged kids who love all things sports. She’s busy juggling her own PT practice while trying to find quality time to spend with her family. We are covering all things kids and managing your own business in today’s conversation.

Dr. Dara has a fresh take on the struggle of wanting to teach your kids the everyday mundane tasks but feeling the urge of just doing them yourself because it’s easier. She also shares her personal experience of launching a business, during the middle of a pandemic, while her children were home. 

Starting your own business can be great when it's great, but when it’s not, it’s hard. Dara explains how in the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey she had to figure out who to take advice from, where to spend money, and the necessity of finding resources she could trust. She realizes that it’s sometimes necessary to wear all the hats of a business owner but she’s constantly working toward getting back to the area of business that she truly loves; being a PT.

Email Dr. Dara

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @andboth_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Our very first guest on the AND/BOTH podcast is Rachel Mae. She hosts the podcast Mama’s Cup of Ambition, is the mama to two little boys and is a country singer/songwriter. In this episode Rachel shares her story of feeling the juxtaposition of being pulled towards both motherhood and her career as a creative artist at the same time.

We cover how Rachel is in the in-between phase of figuring out how to be both a mom and a professional artist. She is realizing that the longer she stays away from the music scene, the harder it is to get back into it. So rather than being able to go on a week-long retreat and write lyrics the whole time, she is now picking up the guitar in the living room and having a jam session while her kids are present.

Motherhood transforms us all. And Rachel shares a beautiful analogy toward the end of our conversation about comparing motherhood to the process of a caterpillar molding into a butterfly. She reminds us that it can be dark and mushy but in the end you’d never want to go back to not being able to fly. We’re still the same person we were before becoming a mom, so let’s not forget to honor and advocate for her both in and out of our roles as mom.

Connect with Rachel

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @andboth_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Welcome to the AND/BOTH Podcast. I’m so excited that you’re here. I’m Dr. Ashley Blackington, your host. I am a mom to four kids and have over 12 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. In this very first episode I explain what an OT does and share how becoming a mom is what catapulted my transition into being a business owner.

I started my entrepreneurship journey as an OT consultant but when the pandemic hit, and my husband had to go back to work right away I realized that I was getting lost in motherhood. So, I created Dovetail Designs Co.; a planning system where you, as mom, are able to find time for what you truly enjoy outside of motherhood.

We can all agree that we love our kids. There’s no doubt about that. But my goal with this podcast is to help you figure out what else you enjoy beyond motherhood. One of my favorite questions to ask is, “What do you like to do for fun?” If you struggle to answer that, number one you’re not alone and number two - this podcast is for you.

We will hear from all kinds of moms and listen to what lights them up. What brings them joy? What are they working on? My goal is to bring people on who you can relate to. I want to create a space for you to be fully seen and acknowledged for who you are outside of your role as a mom.

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @andboth_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Send us a Text Message.

Hear from moms in all different scenarios doing their absolute best to honor themselves as individuals in a world that would prefer, as mothers, we not. ⁠
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Hear from moms who are trying to figure out what that "something" is after the life altering transition into motherhood.⁠
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Hear from moms that say "I know I need to do something for myself and this is what it is, but it feels impossible to do it"⁠
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What is the AND/BOTH that you are juggling with motherhood? Career, hobbies, entrepreneurship, new identity, new activities, new passions and interests?⁠

Support the Show.

Connect with Ashley:
Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co
Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing
Dovetail® Schedule Academy: https://dovetaildesigns.co/dovetail-schedule-academy
Caregiver by Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-co/id6449788093

Social:
Instagram: @dovetaildesigns.co
TikTok: @dovetaildesigns.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Career. Parenthood. Flexibility. For so long, we’ve been told these choices are black and white- either you stay in the workforce full-time or you step away completely.

This week's episode features Kaleana Quibbell, a mom and corporate veteran who is challenging that story. After leaving her corporate career in internal benefits consulting, Kaleana built a new path as a part-time consultant and mom of two and in the process, she discovered countless other parents designing careers that don’t fit the old mold.

Kaleana founded Both And, a storytelling platform where parents share their journeys of reimagining work—whether that means consulting, freelancing, part-time roles, job-sharing, or simply advocating for more flexibility at work.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why work and parenthood don’t have to be either/or
• The fears and freedom of leaving corporate life
• How consulting and part-time work can keep parents connected and relevant
• The importance of separating your expertise from your employer’s name
• Why companies need to rethink flexibility if they want to keep great talent

Kaleana’s perspective is honest, practical, and deeply encouraging. She reminds us that there’s no one right way to combine work and family, and that we all benefit from seeing what’s possible.

Connect with Kaleana:

• Website: bothand.co
• Instagram: @bothand.co
• LinkedIn: Both And

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com

Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822

Instagram: @andboth_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/