Explore every episode of the podcast Birth at Work
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 EP24 | Esther Grubbs: From Classroom to Birth Room, Charting the Next Chapter | 28 Oct 2026 | 00:35:35 | |
Esther Grubbs spent eight years teaching elementary school, first grade and then fifth, before a math problem changed her career. After her third child, childcare cost more than she was earning, and she left the classroom. A few months later she became a doula, then a childbirth educator, and eventually co-founded Birth Connection, a business she never planned to own. In this episode, Esther talks candidly about the financial conversations with her husband that made leaving teaching possible, the cultural assumption that only women’s salaries should be scrutinized when childcare costs are weighed, and the ethical concerns that pushed her to co-found her own company. She shares what she’s learned about building connections and patience as a new entrepreneur, how her classroom experience shapes the way she teaches birth, and why she believes parenthood often forces us to rethink the lives we planned. If you’ve ever run the childcare numbers and felt stuck, or wondered whether a career pivot after kids is possible, Esther’s story offers both practical perspective and encouragement.
IG - @birthconnectionaz Website -Birth Connection AZ Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP23 | Lindsey Suriani: Silence is Compliance & How Working Parents Changed Culture | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:45:46 | |
Lindsey Suriani spent nearly 14 years at a global chemical company in operations and customer-facing roles before she became a mom. Ten years ago, she helped build an employee resource group alongside other working mothers, and it grew into a community that welcomed all types of working parents. Through “parenting out loud,” they set out to normalize the experiences parents often feel pressured to hide, and they won real change together. In this episode, Lindsey shares what it took to build that grassroots movement, from advocating for pumping and parental leave policies to the emotional complexity of returning to work after childbirth. She talks candidly about nursing twins, which she calls a huge accomplishment, and about pregnancy loss and how it shaped her advocacy for others. Lindsey also reflects on the importance of reconnecting with hobbies as a parent and the value of authenticity at work. Her message is clear: silence perpetuates the problems we’re trying to solve. If you’re a working parent who has felt like you had to hide part of your life to succeed, or you want to start a movement in your own workplace, this conversation offers both encouragement and a practical blueprint. Connect with Lindsey here: IG - @sewmamalovesyou Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP22 | Beth Wanner: Laid Off Twice While Pregnant, Building Mother Cover | 14 Oct 2026 | 00:40:45 | |
Beth Wanner spent 15 years climbing the tech marketing ladder, until infertility, IVF, and pregnancy discrimination derailed her trajectory. After spending years keeping her fertility struggles private (terrified it would cost her her job), she finally got pregnant through IVF. Two days after finding out, she was laid off. She immediately began job searching while pregnant, keeping her pregnancy hidden from potential employers. She landed a new role, disclosed her pregnancy, and was let go again at eight months pregnant. In this episode, Beth shares the raw reality of navigating infertility while working, the discrimination pregnant job seekers face, and what finally made her decide to go public with her story on LinkedIn. Hundreds of people reached out with their own stories - and a pattern emerged: companies had great parental leave policies, but the operational reality was chaos. Teams were left without coverage, employees felt pressure to stay "connected," and the promise of leave became a broken one. So Beth founded Mother Cover: an agency that provides interim and fractional leadership during parental leaves, ensuring business continuity while giving employees the space to actually be fully present during leave. In this conversation, Beth explores the gap between what companies say and what they do, why interim leadership is a game-changer, and what the business case for supporting parents actually looks like. If you've experienced workplace discrimination around pregnancy or parenthood, felt unsupported during leave, or wondered how companies could actually do this better, Beth's story and solution offer both validation and hope. Website - Mother Cover IG - @mothercoveragency Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP21 | Postpartum On My Time & My Terms | 07 Oct 2026 | 00:26:02 | |
After 10+ years in corporate communications and customer experience, Krislyn Powell made a radical choice: she left. Not because she had to, but because she wanted to enjoy her life. In this deeply personal episode, Krislyn shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to stepping away to build a business aligned with her values - all while navigating motherhood and postpartum on her own terms. She talks about the moment she knew it was time to move on, what "radical responsibility" actually means (owning your time and choices, fully), and why the traditional postpartum recovery timeline doesn't work for ambitious mothers who want both career fulfillment and presence with their kids. Krislyn reflects on the challenges and joys of building Find Flow Birth Co. and the Birth at Work podcast while raising two young children, the importance of community support, and what it costs to stay in spaces that don't align with who you are. This episode is for anyone questioning whether the corporate path is really theirs, wondering if it's possible to have both meaningful work and a life you actually enjoy, or feeling trapped by the expectation that postpartum looks a certain way. Krislyn's answer: it doesn't. You get one life. This is how she's living hers.
IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP20 | Partner Dynamics & Why They're Important | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:18:45 | |
In this personal, vulnerable episode, Krislyn Powell goes solo to talk about the conversations that don't happen enough: partner dynamics and how they shape everything about being a working parent. She shares her own journey navigating traditional and non-traditional roles with her husband, the hard conversations that had to happen, and what she's learned about the mental load, communication, and advocacy within a relationship. Krislyn is honest about the fact that no relationship dynamic is perfect, but that growth and understanding are always possible when both partners are willing to show up. Whether you're in a traditional partnership, co-parenting solo, or navigating something in between, this episode explores the real work of partnership: shifting responsibilities as families grow, understanding each other's needs, and supporting one another as both parents and professionals. If you've ever felt unsupported by your partner, struggled to divide labor equitably, or wondered how to advocate for what you need, this conversation offers both validation and a path forward. Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP19 | Clara Kuo: Finding Presence in the Seasons | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:41:47 | |
Clara Kuo spent 15 years in high-tech UX research in Silicon Valley, climbing the ladder while raising two daughters. But there's one thing she regrets: sometimes, she was so focused on survival that she missed the joy. Early on, the right thing felt like: working, providing, being ambitious. Then, 13 years later, after being RIF'd from her job, Clara finally had the space to ask: "What if I had treated each phase as a season instead of something to get through?" In this raw and honest conversation, Clara reflects on the identity shifts of motherhood, the toll of trying to do it all in a male-dominated tech industry, and what it means to reclaim presence and creativity now that her daughters are older and can walk themselves to school. She's pivoting from corporate to solarpreneurship, - helping professional women unlock personal creativity through nature-based practices - and she's learned that the joy wasn't something to rush past. It was always there, waiting. If you've ever felt like you were missing your own life while living it, or wondered if it's too late to show up differently for your kids, this episode offers both the honest reckoning and the beautiful redemption. Website - Love Notes to Nature IG - clarakoala.sketcher Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP 18 | Jessica Butkus: When Motherhood Meets Career | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:38:28 | |
Jessica Butkus is a digital marketing and operations leader who became a Certified Lactation Counselor while working full-time - and through that journey - she discovered something critical: employer policies for breastfeeding support mean nothing without the culture to back them up. After being laid off at eight months pregnant, taking only four weeks of maternity leave while doing contract work, and then being reprimanded for babywearing her newborn on video calls, Jessica learned that even mission-driven organizations focused on women and families can fail working mothers. She's now at a company that actually walks the talk, and she's passionate about helping other working parents understand what real support looks like. In this episode, Jessica breaks down the gap between what companies claim to value and what they actually implement, and what it took to find an employer who didn't just have a pumping room - but a culture of genuine flexibility, dignity, and respect. If you've felt unsupported despite working for "values-aligned" organizations, or wondered what actual meaningful support for breastfeeding employees looks like, this conversation reveals what needs to change. IG - Rolling Creations Photo Box Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP17 | Rachel Cottam: Parenting Out Loud & Why Allyship Matters | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:47:49 | |
In S2 EP17, we sit down with Rachel Cottam, who transitioned from teaching (a female-majority profession) to being the only woman in a Utah tech office while raising young children - and she quickly realized that supporting working parents requires more than just women supporting women. It requires allies. Drawing from her own experience navigating pregnancy, pumping at work, childcare logistics, and the impossible pressure to "do it all," Rachel created the "Allies at Work" podcast and playbook to shift the conversation from "how do women manage?" to "how do we actually change this?" She's a working mom who knows firsthand what it costs when colleagues don't understand the realities of postpartum recovery, school pickups, sick days, and the mental load - and she's spent her career asking: what if men were part of the solution? Recently completing her Master's degree at Cambridge while working full-time and parenting, Rachel practices what she preaches about integration over balance. In this episode, she shares what she's learned about managing guilt and expectations, why partner dynamics matter, and what real support from allies actually looks like. If you've felt unsupported or wondered how to advocate for change, this conversation offers both permission and a path forward. Connect with Rachel here: LinkedIn - Rachel Cottam and Allies at Work Podcast - Allies at Work Web - Rachel Cottam IG - Allies at Work Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP16 | Dr. Frederica: Acupuncture & Bringing Fertility Back | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:45:25 | |
In S2 EP16, we sit down with Dr. Frederica, a Certified Acupuncturist and herbal medicine practitioner who knows firsthand the power of listening to your body. After six years without a menstrual cycle - a journey through fertility challenges that conventional medicine couldn't solve - she restored her health through acupuncture, herbs, and diet. She went on to conceive, have an unmedicated birth with acupuncture support, and now helps other women navigate fertility and postpartum wellness. In this episode, she shares how working through pregnancy challenges while building her practice taught her that symptoms aren't life sentences - they're invitations to get back in balance. If you've ever felt unheard by the medical system or wondered what holistic approaches might offer, this conversation will change how you think about your body's wisdom. Connect with Dr. Frederica here: IG - @dr.frederica Web - Mount Sunny Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP15 | What It's Like Working in the Cracks | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:14:02 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us growing families while growing our careers. In S2 EP15, I share a glimpse of what it's really like molding my business around my life. For some, the thought of it can seem scary and unattainable, but I'm here to share the truth. P.S. I'd love to hear your story if you're chasing a portfolio career, too! Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP2 | Yusuf Ongel: How U.S. Working Parenthood Really Stacks Up | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:42:41 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us growing families while growing our careers. In S2 EP 2, we sit down with Yusuf Ongel, the founder and CEO of of XDRHub, the go-to business development and lead generation agency, dedicated to helping B2B organizations thrive in a competitive marketplace. He's also reimagining what working parent support actually looks like. After years exploring different industries—from trade unions to teaching to sales—he built his company around three core principles: flexibility without penalty, predictability and respect for time, and sustainable, human-centered work culture. As a working dad navigating childcare, career transitions, and co-parenting dynamics, Yusuf is on a mission to prove that companies can grow and let parents thrive. Connect with Yusuf here: LinkedIn - Yusuf Ongel and XDRHub Web - https://www.xdrhub.com/ Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - Krislyn Powell and Birth at Work | |||
| S2 EP1 | Kaleana Quibell: Changing Company Policy & Choosing Family | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:53:38 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us growing families while growing our careers. In S2 EP 1, we sit down with Kaleana Quibell of Both&, a benefits leader turned founder, wellbeing advocate, and working parent on a mission to change the way we think about work and caregiving. She shares her own story of birthing two humans while holding an executive leadership position, as well as the moments where she realized it was just as important to support other parents' lived experiences and how that directly impacted her company policies. Now, she's made it her mission to empower working parents to create career paths that honor both their professional ambitions and family priorities. Connect with Kaleana here: IG - @bothand.co LinkedIn - Kaleana Quibell and Both& Web - https://www.bothand.co/ Connect with Krislyn here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell | |||
| S2 TEASER | hear what's coming | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:14:51 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us growing families while growing our careers. Inside this S2 Teaser, I'll give you a glimpse into our new season, including brand new guests, as well as my postpartum journey. Connect with me here: IG - @birthatwork @findflowbirthco LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell | |||
| [BONUS] - Ep 11 | Imagine If: How I Wish Sharing My Pregnancy at Work Looks Like | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:15:51 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 11, I'll share about:
Connect with me here: IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 10 | Pregnancy as a Healing State | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:14:37 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 10, I'll share about:
Mentioned on the show: @IAmAnnikaNicole's on how pregnancy shifts a mother's brain to nurture Connect with me here: IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 9 | Bryce Hunt: Women ERGs, Workplace Funded Childcare, & the Importance of Investing in Yourself | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:38:58 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 9 ft. Bryce Hunt:
Mentioned on the show: Utah Women Leadership Program w/ Susan Madsen Find Bryce here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-hunt-313269aa/ IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 8 | "You’ve Got Plenty of Time" (Krislyn's 3rd pregnancy) | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:31:05 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 8, I'll share about:
Mentioned on the show: Lily Nichols "Real Food for Pregnancy" Connect with me here: IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 7 | Maliana Tupou: Balancing Education, a Career, and Communication with her Daughter | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:43:19 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 7 ft. Maliana Tupou:
Find Mali here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maliana-tupou-701268a3/
IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 6 | Angela Yung: Postpartum Growth & Leading a Team of Fellow Pregnant Women | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:39:47 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 6 ft. Angela Yung:
Mentioned on the show: Find Angela here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-yung-bb982a5b/ IG - @akayungmoney IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 5 | Ashley Allen-Pina: From Budding VP to Solopreneur & Welcoming Her 3rd Baby | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:50:18 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 5 ft. Ashley Allen-Pina:
Mentioned on the show: Find Ashley here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-allen-pina-8a050b82/ IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 4 | Profits Over People (Krislyn's 2nd pregnancy) | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:27:00 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 4, I'll share about:
Connect with me here: IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 3 | Hannah Pearson: The Power of Remote Work & No Nonsense Approach to Birth | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:31:31 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 3 ft. Hannah Pearson:
Find Hannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-pearson-384a18ab/ IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 2 | Overwork & Miscarriage (Krislyn's 1st pregnancy) | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:19:29 | |
TRIGGER WARNING: PREGNANCY LOSS
Inside Episode 2, I'll share about:
Connect with me here: IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| Ep 1 | Bri Rios: Breadwinning & Building Community | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:39:00 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside Episode 1 ft. Bri Rios:
Find Bri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bririos/ IG - @birthatwork IG - @findfllow LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislynpowell Contact - linktr.ee/krislynpowell Thank you for your support! | |||
| TRAILER | Welcome to Birth at Work | 28 Jul 2025 | 00:00:30 | |
Welcome to Birth at Work. It's time we talked about what it's like for the millions of us trying to grow families while growing our careers. Inside this trailer:
Thank you for your support! | |||