The Working Mom's Playbook Podcast for All Moms Balancing Careers and Babies

Antonia DePace | First-Time Mom, Former Magazine Editor

Working moms have always lived at the intersection of career and motherhood, juggling the pull of family with the desire to build a meaningful, fulfilling professional life. And like most things in parenting, there’s no perfect play to run. Being a working mom means early mornings, late nights, daycare drop-offs, meetings, pumping schedules, mom guilt, mental load, and relying on a village to make it all happen. Even with support, balancing it all is one of the toughest challenges women face. Hosted by Antonia DePace—a former magazine editor turned marketing maven and mom—The Working Mom’s Playbook is a podcast where real moms share real stories about navigating career growth, motherhood, fertility, postpartum health, entrepreneurship, mental wellness, parental leave, working mother challenges, and work-life balance. This is your space to feel seen, supported, and inspired—because let’s be honest, our time is limited, our plates are full, and someone is probably calling for us already. career moms, working moms, working mother challenges, mom lifestyle, mom mental health, new mom style, time management moms, mom support network, breastfeeding career, breastfeeding, parenting career integration, work life balance, mom entrepreneurship, working mom advice, parental leave, mom struggles, infertility stories, mom wellness tips, family career balance, first time mom podcast, new mom tips, pregnancy podcast, postpartum podcast, newborn care podcast, holistic mom podcast, crunchy mom podcast, natural motherhood podcast, non toxic living for moms, holistic parenting podcast, natural baby care, extended breastfeeding benefits, breastfeeding support, postpartum recovery, postpartum workouts, emotional support for new moms, first time mom advice, simple living for moms, natural mom lifestyle, time management for new moms, working moms podcast, women's healthcare gaps, women's health, mom health, mom nutrition, nutrition for moms, maternity leave

  1. 4D AGO

    Making Childcare Affordable Again in the US with Laura Manion | Ep. 13

    On this week's episode of The Working Mom's Playbook, Antonia DePace sits down with the President & CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry to discuss the critical issue of childcare affordability and accessibility, highlighting personal experiences, statistics, and legislative efforts on a local and national scale. It also explores how the lack of affordable childcare affects more than just women, but the economy, as well. The conversation emphasizes the intersection of childcare with business, economics, and societal challenges, providing insights into the struggles faced by working parents. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced by working moms, particularly in balancing work and family responsibilities, the impact of childcare costs, and the need for support and advocacy. The dup also explore the role of employers and the need for a modern family-friendly workplace. Takeaways Child care affordability and accessibility have a significant impact on the workforce, productivity, and economic stability.Public-private partnerships and legislative efforts are crucial in addressing the child care crisis. Balancing work and family responsibilities is a significant challenge for working moms.Childcare costs and accessibility have a profound impact on working moms and their ability to pursue their careers. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome0:48 Laura's Personal Story and Childcare Challenges4:38 Statistics and Impact on Workforce7:57 Business Perspective on Childcare11:39 Solutions and Legislation19:38 Personal Trade-offs and Economic Impact37:56 Advice for Moms and Advocacy40:40 Conclusion and Resources best motherhood podcasts, motherhood podcasts, best podcast for babies, best podcast for toddlers, working moms, working mom challenges, career mom, career oriented mom, podcasts for moms, podcasts for working moms, podcasts for women,best podcast for moms, best podcast for working moms, childcare, childcare accessibility, impact of childcare, daycare, daycare lists, local childcare, pennsylvania childcare, moms in the workforce, chester county, chester county chamber of business and industry, laura manion, childcare tax credit, childcare bill

    45 min
  2. FEB 11

    The Shocking Truth About Pediatric ERs with Phyllis Rabinowitz | Ep. 12

    In this episode, Antonia DePace interviews Phyllis Rabinowitz, founder of the R Baby Foundation, who shares her heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Rebecca due to an unprepared pediatric emergency room. Phyllis discusses the alarming statistics surrounding pediatric emergency care in the U.S., the importance of parental advocacy, and how families can prepare for pediatric emergencies. The conversation highlights the need for systemic change in pediatric emergency room preparedness and the role of parents in advocating for their children's safety—as well as the progress that has been made so far. Discover More About the R Baby Foundation HERE Download the FindERNow App Takeaways Phyllis Rabinowitz founded R Baby Foundation after losing her daughter to an unprepared pediatric ER.The foundation has invested over $18 million to improve pediatric emergency care.80% of ERs in the U.S. are not fully prepared for pediatric cases.2,100 pediatric lives are lost each year due to unprepared ERs.Parents should research their local ERs before emergencies occur.There is a lack of federal mandate for pediatric ER preparedness.Parents must advocate for their children's safety in medical situations.The R Baby Foundation provides training for non-children's hospitals.Awareness and education are key to improving pediatric emergency care.Phyllis's mission is driven by the desire to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to a Pivotal Mission 07:27 The Tragic Story Behind Our Baby Foundation 15:05 The Importance of Pediatric ER Preparedness 20:11 Advocacy and Parental Preparedness 23:06 Surprises and Challenges in Pediatric Care 23:56 How Families Can Support the Mission 27:35 Looking Ahead to Future Episodes Keywords working moms, working mom challenges, career mom, career oriented mom, podcasts for moms, podcasts for working moms, podcasts for women, pediatric emergency, ER preparedness, pediatric ER, pediatric ER readiness, parental advocacy, R Baby Foundation, child safety, medical training, healthcare awareness, Phyllis Rabinowitz, emergency care, pediatric health, baby health podcast, toddler health podcast, best motherhood podcasts, motherhood podcasts, best podcast for babies, best podcast for toddlers, best podcast for moms, best podcast for working moms

    28 min
  3. FEB 4

    How to Promote Independent Play When Working from Home with Jill Lerman | Jillybean NYC | Ep. 11

    In this episode, Jill Lerman, a play and parenting coach, discusses the importance of independent play for children and how working parents can balance their responsibilities while fostering their child's development. Jill emphasizes the need to reframe independent play as a gift rather than a tool for parental convenience, and she provides practical strategies for facilitating play without direct involvement. The conversation covers various aspects of independent play, including its developmental stages, the significance of the environment, and the importance of connection between parent and child. Jill also addresses common myths about independent play and offers insights on how to create engaging play experiences for children. LINKS https://www.jillybeansnyc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jillybeansnyc/ DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY OF JILL'S "PLAY GUIDE FOR MOMPRENEURS" HERE! Chapters 00:00 Intro & Meet Our Guest 01:22 Balancing Independent Play and Work 11:58 The Nine Minute Rule for Connection 17:09 Stages of Independent Play Development 24:22 Understanding Child Engagement 27:36 Creating the Right Play Environment 30:28 Maximizing Play Potential 33:14 Encouraging Independent Play 37:29 Simplifying Play for Parents 41:12 Rapid Fire Insights on Play 49:56 OUTRO play, parenting, independent play, working moms, child development, play prompts, parenting tips, early childhood education, play coaching, mom guilt

    51 min
  4. Black Motherhood in the Media with Feminista Jones | Ep. 9

    12/17/2025

    Black Motherhood in the Media with Feminista Jones | Ep. 9

    In this episode of The Working Mom's Playbook, Antonia DePace joins forces with activist, scholar, and author Feminista Jones for a raw and insightful look at the intersection of Black motherhood, career, and social change. Feminista dives deeper into the impact of the media's portrayal of Black mothers, as well as raising the net generation, her unique framework for analyzing media portrayals of Black women and families, Black joy, and more. Key topics discussed in this episode: The Media’s Lens: Why current depictions of Black mothers are often flawed and how we can push for more positive, accurate representation.The Taylor Test: Feminista introduces her unique framework for analyzing media portrayals of Black women and families.Raising the Next Generation: The impact of technology and social media on youth, and why "hands-on" parenting is essential for developing critical thinking.Black Joy: A look at the bond between Feminista and her son, celebrating his musical talents and the importance of a strong mother-son relationship. Whether you are a working parent, an educator, or someone passionate about social justice, this episode offers a masterclass in living a life of purpose while staying grounded in family. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES Learn more about Feminista at feministajones.com, or follow along at @feministajones --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feminista Jones, Black Motherhood, Temple University PhD, Media Representation, The Taylor Test, Sankofa Summer School, Parenting in the Digital Age, Black Joy, Working Moms, Media, raising the next generation, media impact, career moms, academia, queer mom, queer parenthood, single mom, single Black mom, Black single mom

    44 min
  5. Everything You Need To Know About Pelvic Floor Health with Dr. Mae Hughes | Ep. 8

    12/10/2025

    Everything You Need To Know About Pelvic Floor Health with Dr. Mae Hughes | Ep. 8

    Join Antonia on the Working Mom's Playbook as she chats with Dr. Mae Hughes, a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and soon-to-be mom of three, about the vital connection between motherhood and movement. In this episode, we dive into why strength training is your most powerful tool for a healthier pregnancy, managing common aches and pains (like low back pain and hip pain), and achieving a smoother postpartum recovery. Dr. Mae busts the myth that women shouldn't lift weights while pregnant and stresses the importance of prioritizing muscle mass to combat issues like diastasis recti, incontinence (leaking), and pelvic organ prolapse. Learn practical, time-efficient ways to integrate pelvic floor exercises and core rehab into your busy schedule, understanding that consistency beats intensity. Find out the early signs of pelvic floor dysfunction that are often ignored and why foundational work is essential before jumping back into high-impact workouts. This episode is a must-listen for any mom looking to feel more seen, empowered, and capable throughout her maternal journey. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- working moms, working mom, career moms, career mom, working mom challenges, modern motherhood, mom podcast, podcast for moms, pelvic floor strengthening, pelvic floor therapy, motherhood and movement, postpartum health, postpartum movement, postpartum recovery, diastasis recti, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor exercises, core rehap. core for moms, pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum strength, pelvic strength

    34 min
5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Working moms have always lived at the intersection of career and motherhood, juggling the pull of family with the desire to build a meaningful, fulfilling professional life. And like most things in parenting, there’s no perfect play to run. Being a working mom means early mornings, late nights, daycare drop-offs, meetings, pumping schedules, mom guilt, mental load, and relying on a village to make it all happen. Even with support, balancing it all is one of the toughest challenges women face. Hosted by Antonia DePace—a former magazine editor turned marketing maven and mom—The Working Mom’s Playbook is a podcast where real moms share real stories about navigating career growth, motherhood, fertility, postpartum health, entrepreneurship, mental wellness, parental leave, working mother challenges, and work-life balance. This is your space to feel seen, supported, and inspired—because let’s be honest, our time is limited, our plates are full, and someone is probably calling for us already. career moms, working moms, working mother challenges, mom lifestyle, mom mental health, new mom style, time management moms, mom support network, breastfeeding career, breastfeeding, parenting career integration, work life balance, mom entrepreneurship, working mom advice, parental leave, mom struggles, infertility stories, mom wellness tips, family career balance, first time mom podcast, new mom tips, pregnancy podcast, postpartum podcast, newborn care podcast, holistic mom podcast, crunchy mom podcast, natural motherhood podcast, non toxic living for moms, holistic parenting podcast, natural baby care, extended breastfeeding benefits, breastfeeding support, postpartum recovery, postpartum workouts, emotional support for new moms, first time mom advice, simple living for moms, natural mom lifestyle, time management for new moms, working moms podcast, women's healthcare gaps, women's health, mom health, mom nutrition, nutrition for moms, maternity leave