The False Tradeoff is a podcast for working parents, HR leaders and anyone committed to proving working parents can be successful at work AND at home - that it’s not an either/or tradeoff. Each week, we dive into some of the most challenging, complex and sometimes controversial topics related to parental leave and navigating life as a working parent. Because in order to break the false tradeoff, we need to address these topics head-on.
Parents at PwC Canada don't see parental leave as career-limiting because the company has built an entire system to support employees through the moments that matter. Chief People Officer Sonia Boisvert and Total Rewards Leader Lisa Rosen share how their work with Parentaly played a foundational role in improving employee preparedness, retention and engagement.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
As a senior HR leader, Eric Severson spent years trying (and failing) to pass paid parental leave at many organizations - until he finally pulled it off at Neiman Marcus. Learn how he and Chief Integrated Retail & Customer Officer Stefanie Ward built a compelling business case, aligned cross-functional leaders and turned employee feedback into a policy that improved retention and equity across the company.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Heidrick & Struggles launched a parental leave task force to better understand the challenges and roadblocks employees were facing throughout the parental leave experience: it was significantly impacting retention and development across the firm. Hear how the task force's findings led them to launch a parental leave support partnership with Parentaly.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Starbucks significantly increased its parental leave policy for store partners, moving from six weeks to up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave. Hear from Sara Kelly, EVP and Chief Partner Officer of Starbucks, about how the new policy reflects Starbucks' commitment to its people and how it'll make the business stronger.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
What happens when two of your dreams come true at the same time? Shortly after learning she was pregnant, Lindsay Shookus was promoted to lead talent at Saturday Night Live. Hear how she navigated these major life milestones - which led to a 20-year run with the show - and why she ultimately took the leap to chart her own path after two decades.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Want to hear a parental leave expert answer some of the most thoughtful - yet complex - questions about parental leave and working parenthood? We close out season one of The False Tradeoff with an “ask me anything” session to answer questions from HR leaders and expecting and working parents in the Parentaly community.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Are sleep regressions real? How long should my infant stay in my bedroom? Should I be worried about swaddles and white noise machines? Dr. Harvey Karp answers infant sleep questions that keep working parents up at night in this “ask me anything” episode.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
The election is less than one week away. From paid family leave and childcare to reproductive rights and maternal health, there's a lot on the ballot this year that directly impacts parents and caregivers. We compiled clips from past episodes with politicians, public figures & advocates about key issues that voters should think about before Election Day.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Is pregnancy and motherhood a career obstacle or a source of confidence and growth? L'Oreal CHRO Stephanie conducted extensive research about the intersection of career and motherhood. We interviewed her about her book, Carry Strong: An Empowered Approach to Navigating Pregnancy and Work, where she shares strategies to help both individuals and organizations navigate this life milestone.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
What goes into launching an ERG? How can you design programming that appeals to diverse members? Verizon's global lead for the Parents and Caregivers ERG shares tips on how she built a thriving community based on her experience as an ambitious single mother.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
We surveyed nearly 3,000 women to better understand their parental leave experience - the first comprehensive study of its kind. Tune in to hear the most interesting and surprising findings, and what employers and policymakers can do to better support parental leave transitions.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
If Orli Cotel's grandparents didn't take leave from work back in 1949, she wouldn't be here today. Hear Orli's story and why she's spent the last decade advocating for paid family leave and maternal rights in the United States through her work at Moms First and PL+US.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
She went from 0 to 4 kids in 3.5 years: Paige Connell, a working mom of 4 and digital creator you may know as She Is A Paige Turner on Instagram and TikTok, shares her path to parenthood, including her experience as a foster parent.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
If all of us help one woman every single day, it will make a huge difference: Words of wisdom from today's guest, Kelley Steven-Waiss, author of Valley Girls: Lessons From Female Founders in the Silicon Valley and Beyond. Hear the inspiration behind her book and how motherhood played a role in her successful career.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Parental leave policies are often designed for successful pregnancies – but what about employees who experience pregnancy loss? Cassandra Babilya shared her story and how her employer showed up as she grieved the loss of her child while 22-weeks pregnant.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Does your organization support all paths to parenthood? Hear from Boomie Odumade, a working parent who adopted, about what her employer got right to make her experience with adoption in the workplace a positive one.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Career coaching through parental leave helps expecting employee's thrive in their careers – and there's research to prove it. Hear from two researchers on what they found about the power of career coaching for new parents and its contribution to business continuity through parental leave transitions.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
What's the purpose of The Chamber of Mothers? Co-founders Raena Boston and Erin Erenberg join us to talk about their advocacy work for moms and caregivers in the United States and their newly launched “Vote Like a Mother” campaign.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Paid parental leave and supporting working parents in the workplace is great for both employees and businesses. Bobbie Co-founder Sarah Hardy joins us to explain why, and shares tips on how to implement a policy that works for everyone.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Could early motherhood be the right time to make a career pivot? We spoke to Jess Galica, author of Leap: Why It's Time To Let Go To Get Ahead In Your Career, to get her take after interviewing women who reclaimed their careers after having kids.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Trying to improve your parental leave policy, but not sure how to make the business case for it? Learn from Jessica Winder, HR leader and fractional chief people officer on how she convinced her company to increase the amount of paid leave while implementing a program to support parental leave transitions.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Women shoulder two-thirds of the unpaid domestic work in their households. How can heterosexual couples better divide these responsibilities so one parent isn't carrying the burden? NYT-bestselling author Eve Rodsky explains how her “fair play” movement helps families reach gender equity at home.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
How becoming a stepparent helped change one highly successful corporate sales leader's perspective on what success looks like: Jen Allen-Knuth shares her story. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Do you know who is fighting for affordable childcare and paid family leave in Congress? And do you know what YOU can do to actually get legislation passed? We address this and more with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark in this bonus episode.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Ever wonder why policy is not enough to support working women? You won't want to miss this interview with WSJ and USA Today best-selling author Mita Mallick, who shares why she dedicated an entire chapter of her book about DEI and inclusion to parental leave.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
After landing in the ER twice in a week due to panic attacks, single mom of three, 2x founder and brand builder Amanda Goetz knew she had to slow down. She shares her story in this episode and how she's taken her career into her own hands as a solopreneur.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Ever bring your child to your first day of work? Hear this story and more about Blessing Adesiyan's, CEO & Foudner of MH WorkLife, path to how she got to where she is today - from being a single mom in corporate America to launching a caregiving platform to support families.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
What's it like to be a successful woman in a male-dominated industry? WSJ Journalist Joann Lublin spills it all before sharing some of the most interesting findings from her newest book about the generational shifts of women in the workplace: Power Moms.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
She left a career in TV to create a company so working moms get the support they need to thrive in the workforce. Paula Faris, former co-host of The View and Good Morning America, tells us all about her career transition and reveals key findings from her book that might surprise you.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
More companies are offering paid parental leave to all employees. What will it take for fathers to feel more comfortable taking the time they're eligible for? Google's Erez Levin - a parental leave coach and self-proclaimed “dadvocate” - joined us to talk all about the dads.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
So much conventional wisdom about parenting and pregnancy isn't actually backed by data. So what happens when you apply a data-driven academic approach to these topics? Emily Oster - a professor of economics and NYT-best selling author who was named to TIME's most influential people in the world list - joined us this week to weigh in.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Moms First launched a first-of-its-kind paid leave AI tool to help families get the support they need to access and apply for paid leave benefits. Learn more from CEO Reshma Saujani on how this tool will change the game for expecting parents - and HR leaders - who are navigating the paid family leave process, starting with New York.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
If women make up 42% of the workforce, why are so few in leadership positions? We brought 2x founder and mom-of-3 Tracy Young onto the podcast to talk about why we need more women in leadership and how to make strides normalizing it for future generations. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Don't miss this interview with Emily Calandrelli - aka The Space Gal - who is an MIT-engineer turned Emmy-nominated science TV host. We talk about what it was like filming a Netflix show while 36-weeks pregnant and her advocacy around better parental leave policies in the aerospace industry.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Should new parents be allowed to do “work” while on parental leave? What do we even mean by “work?” We break down the differences between working and staying in touch with work, sharing examples of when it's actually beneficial to the employee not to completely unplug.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
When should a candidate disclose that they're pregnant? What are the challenges of onboarding and coverage planning at the same time? We address the pros and cons of starting a new role when expecting a child - from the interview stages all the way to the return-to-work experience.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
How our CEO's personal struggles with parental leave led her to build a company that helps parents grow their careers after they start a family.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
Introducing: The False Tradeoff, a podcast by Parentaly for working parents, HR leaders and anyone committed to proving working parents can be successful at work AND at home. Each week, we'll dive into some of the most challenging, complex and…sometimes controversial topics related to parental leave and navigating life as a working parent. Because in order to break the false tradeoff, we need to address these topics head-on. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Parentaly | Allison Whalen | Jenna VassalloLearn more about our parental leave programs: How We Help | Contact UsKeep in touch with Parentaly: Podcast newsletter | Monthly newsletter
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
