AND/BOTH Podcast

Dr. Ashley Blackington
AND/BOTH Podcast

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. ⁠⁠Hear from moms who are trying to figure out what that "something" is after the life altering transition into motherhood.⁠⁠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"⁠⁠What is the AND/BOTH that you are juggling with motherhood? Career, hobbies, entrepreneurship, new identity, new activities, new passions and interests?⁠

  1. APR 18

    70. From Surgeon to Startup: Dr. Noor Ali on Building Businesses, Babies, and Boundaries

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode of The And Both Podcast, Dr. Ashley welcomes Dr. Noor Ali, a Bangladeshi-American medical doctor turned health insurance consultant, community builder, and beverage brand co-founder. Dr. Ali shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to the U.S. at age five to becoming a surgeon abroad—and later pivoting her career after facing insurmountable red tape while trying to transfer her medical credentials back to the U.S. You'll learn: How to navigate major life and career pivots with resilience and intentionThe surprising health insurance options available to entrepreneurs (and why benefits shouldn't hold you back)Why motherhood and business ownership don’t have to be at odds—and how Dr. Ali structures her week to honor bothWhat it means to be a multi-passionate entrepreneur and how to build sustainably across different business modelsHow Dr. Ali defines boundaries, self-care, and visibility in her personal and professional life Questions Answered: What happens when your medical degree isn't recognized in the U.S., and how do you pivot after that?How can women safely and confidently leave corporate jobs without losing access to quality health insurance?What does it look like to create highly curated, impact-driven in-person networking experiences for women?How do you stay focused and productive while running multiple businesses and raising small kids?Why is honoring white space in your calendar and building slow, sustainable businesses critical? Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @dovetailapp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    54 min
  2. APR 11

    69. Trauma Lives in the Body: Sangheetha Parthasarathy’s Journey Through Immigration and Healing

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode of The And Both Podcast, Ashley sits down with the incredible Sangheetha Parthasarathy—a Harvard and MIT alum, birth worker, and now nervous system coach. Sanha’s career journey took her from major consulting firms like Oracle and Accenture to co-founding a nonprofit focused on birth advocacy and eventually building her own body of work around somatic trauma healing and nervous system regulation. Ashley and Sangheetha covered a lot in this conversation, including: What it feels like to live in limbo as an immigrant (she's immigrated twice and repatriated once)How immigration, perfectionism, attachment, and motherhood intersectHow Sangheetha found healing and purpose through birth and postpartum experiencesThe connection between somatic work, nervous system regulation, and career pivotsWhy slowing down can feel really uncomfortable for high-achieving women—and what to do about it This conversation got REAL. Ashley and Sangheetha both shared their personal immigration stories and how that uncertainty shaped their nervous systems, their work, and their motherhood journeys. ✨ What you’ll walk away with: A better understanding of how nervous system regulation really worksHow systemic experiences like immigration, workaholism, and motherhood trauma live in the bodyWhy traditional “self-care” can fall flat—and what to do insteadHow to build safety in your body and life when the world feels unstable Sangheetha is someone who brings heart, clarity, and wisdom to every conversation—and I know this one will leave you thinking deeply about how you care for your own nervous system, especially in chaotic times. Connect with Sangheetha: Website: https://www.sangparth.com/ Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @ashleyblackington LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    1h 2m
  3. APR 4

    68. Feeding with Love: Supporting Infants and Mothers in Uncertain Times With Suzie Driscoll

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode, Ashley is joined by Suzie Driscoll, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Tiny and Mighty Therapy, specializing in infant feeding. Together, they reflect on becoming first-time moms during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how those experiences shaped their parenting, careers, and personal growth. Suzie shares her journey from working at Seattle Children’s Hospital to launching her own private practice, motivated by the challenges she faced with feeding her newborn during lockdown. With deep empathy and clinical expertise, she now supports families through feeding difficulties and offers strategies rooted in prevention and early intervention. What you’ll learn: The emotional and logistical realities of becoming a mom during the pandemicWhat pediatric feeding therapy looks like, especially for infantsHow Susie’s own feeding challenges as a new mom inspired her to help other familiesThe importance of addressing feeding issues early—and how therapy before and after tongue-tie procedures can support better outcomesWhat it’s like to run a solo private practice while navigating motherhood, loss, and another pregnancy This episode is a powerful reminder that you’re not alone in your motherhood journey—and that support, compassion, and clinical expertise can make a world of difference. Connect with Suzie: Website: https://www.tinyandmightytherapy.com Instgram: @tinyandmighty_ot Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @dovetailapp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    48 min
  4. MAR 28

    67. Startups, Parenting and Unexpected Caregiving with Three Time Founder Ellen Hockley

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode, we're sitting down with Ellen Hockley—a seasoned entrepreneur, mom of two, and caregiver—to explore what it truly looks like to build and grow businesses while managing life’s most demanding roles. Ellen shares her journey from founding a sustainable event planning company in NYC, to launching a maternity activewear brand during the pandemic, and most recently, starting her consulting firm that supports postpartum and purpose-driven female founders. The conversation also dives into Ellen’s unexpected role as a caregiver to her husband and the emotional toll, time demands, and isolation that can come with it. Ellen speaks candidly about postpartum depression, building businesses without social media, and the misconceptions moms face when stepping into entrepreneurship. What you’ll learn: The real challenges and triumphs of starting and sustaining multiple businesses while raising young childrenWhy paid parental leave and postpartum support matter deeply in the U.S.How Ellen helps early-stage female founders build realistic, sustainable businesses with strategic guidanceThe power of honest entrepreneurship—and why the “six-figure in six months” promise isn’t what it seemsInsights into caregiving as a young spouse and the impact it has on identity, relationships, and businessThat you can build a successful business without social media Connect with Ellen: Website: www.ellenhockley.com Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @dovetailapp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    1h 2m
  5. MAR 21

    66. Beyond Marketing: Exploring the Heart of Branding with previous Sony Exec and Branding Expert, Laura Bull

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode of The And Both Podcast, Laura Bull, founder of The Brand Management Company and author of From Individual to Empire, joins us for an insightful conversation on personal branding, motherhood, and how identity evolves over time. Laura shares her journey from becoming one of the youngest executives at Sony Music—working with stars like Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley—to launching her own brand agency while raising two daughters. She breaks down the difference between marketing and branding, how to craft a lasting narrative, and why personal evolution doesn’t mean abandoning who you are. What you'll learn: The difference between branding and marketing—and why it matters for your businessHow to identify your personal brand pillars that stay true across all life seasonsWhy many entrepreneurs fail with marketing due to unclear brandingHow motherhood and big life transitions impact identity and brand narrativeHow Laura helps clients build sustainable, authentic brands with her signature brand matrixWhy even powerhouse figures like Martha Stewart and Adele stick to core branding (and what you can learn from them!)Practical branding advice and tools Connect with Laura: Instagram: @thelaurabull and @thebrandmgmtco Website: https://thebrandmgmt.com Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @dovetailapp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    58 min
  6. MAR 7

    64. The Power of Community for Entrepreneurial Moms: Insights from Erika Hanafin, former CEO of HeyMama

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode of In Both, host Ashley sits down with Erika Hanafin, the former CEO of Hey Mama, a massive networking community for entrepreneurial moms. Erika shares her insights on balancing business growth with motherhood, the unique strengths moms bring to entrepreneurship, and how to build confidence in both roles. With five successful acquisitions under her belt, she discusses her journey, the power of community, and how women can embrace ambition without guilt. Whether you're navigating startup life or looking for ways to reclaim your time, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration for mom entrepreneurs. You'll learn: How to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship without sacrificing personal well-beingWhy moms have unique leadership skills that make them powerful entrepreneursHow to shift your mindset to embrace confidence in business and leadershipThe importance of community in business growth and personal supportHow to set boundaries and prioritize personal needs without guiltPractical time management and productivity hacks to reclaim hours each weekHow to integrate ambition with family life in a sustainable wayThe role of mindset shifts in overcoming self-doubt and embracing opportunitiesStrategies for networking and building meaningful business relationshipsHow to navigate different seasons of business and life with flexibility and resilience Connect with Erika: Website: erikahanafin.com Instagram: @erikahanafin Get Erika's free guide: 5 Steps to Scale Your Business Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @dovetailapp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    53 min
  7. FEB 28

    63. Living in Alignment: Heather Chauvin on the Importance of Prioritizing Your Own Values

    Support AND/BOTH: Help us offset production costs while we're growing In this episode, I sit down with Heather Chauvin, a leadership coach who helps successful women live, work, and parent on their own terms—with courage and authenticity. Heather’s journey took a dramatic turn in 2013 when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis forced her to reevaluate everything she had been taught about motherhood, success, and sacrifice. Since then, she has been on a mission to challenge cultural expectations that lead to burnout and self-sacrifice, helping women redefine what it means to truly thrive. Heather shares insights on breaking free from societal “shoulds,” prioritizing your own well-being without guilt, and leading from a place of alignment—all while being an engaged parent and successful entrepreneur. Her approach is real, refreshing, and unapologetic. If you’ve ever felt like you’re checking all the right boxes but still feeling drained, this conversation will inspire you to take your power back. What you’ll learn: Why self-sacrifice isn’t a requirement for good motherhoodHow to listen to your intuition and trust yourselfThe dangers of ignoring your body’s whispers before they turn into screamsWhy prioritizing your own fulfillment is the key to thrivingHow to break free from cultural expectations and create a life that truly aligns with you Connect with Heather: Book: Dying to Be a Good MotherInstagram: @heatherchauvin Connect with Ashley: Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/ AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form Social: Instagram: @dovetailapp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

    55 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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. ⁠⁠Hear from moms who are trying to figure out what that "something" is after the life altering transition into motherhood.⁠⁠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"⁠⁠What is the AND/BOTH that you are juggling with motherhood? Career, hobbies, entrepreneurship, new identity, new activities, new passions and interests?⁠

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