Leaving Leave

Kara Cox

A place for women to share theirs stories around maternity leave and their life after maternity leave

Episodes

  1. APR 11

    8.1 Cristal's Recap

    Alexis and I review Cristal's episode!

    13 min
  2. 8.0 Cristal's Story

    APR 11

    8.0 Cristal's Story

    Crystal Westwood went back to work after maternity leave with a newborn, a pandemic, and zero childcare options — only to face workplace bias, two layoffs, and the challenge of untangling her identity from her career. In this episode, we talk postpartum mental health, advocating for yourself when you return from leave, and how motherhood can reshape your ambition in ways you never expected. Follow Cristal on instagram at cristal.westwood! For more on Leaving Leave, follow me at tech_mama_pnw

    49 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    7.1 Alicen's recap

    Catching up on these recaps! Take a listen as we reflect on Alicen's journey with her first, transitioning to 3 with a some gnarly childcare challenges, such as "nannicking"

    45 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    6.1 Kris's Recap

    This is a really juicy and helpful recap!! We get into some "unpopular opinions" around wfh, and some more helpful stuff, like how to advocated to yourself to your manager, and what you can do as a manager to support someone going on or returning from leave.

    28 min
  5. 7.0 Alicen's Story

    09/21/2025

    7.0 Alicen's Story

    Alicen is a corporate mom and fellow podcaster. She is an "alumni" of the 3 under 3 club. She navigated two returns to work as well as becoming a manager shortly before her first leave. We touch on postpartum mental health challenges as well as the importance of a supportive workplace culture. Alicen's cheerful demeanor is infection and inspiring! Check out her podcast The Career Driven Mama on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow her @thecareerdrivenmamapodcast on Instagram! For more on Leaving Leave, and corporate life, follow me @tech_mama_pnw

    46 min
  6. 6.0 Kris' Story

    09/07/2025

    6.0 Kris' Story

    Kris is a managing director and mom of two tween boys in Texas. She delves into her personal story of pregnancy, returning to work, and the loneliness that can come during early motherhood. The conversation touches on resilience, adaptability, and the critical need for better parental support systems in the workplace. Follow me on Instagram @tech_mama_pnw for more information about Leaving Leave. For inquires, email me at kara.rucker@gmail.com .

    57 min

  7. 07/03/2025

    5.1 Courtney's Recap

    A new feature of the podcast will be recap episodes after the main event! We'll share our takeaways and highlight useful tips and insights. Plus plenty of jibber jabber. This is our first one so we are a bit awkward 3. We will get better!

    16 min
  8. 5.0 Courtney's Story

    06/29/2025

    5.0 Courtney's Story

    Courtney is the chiief culture officer for a fortune 50 company, as well as an entrepreneur. She shares her experience of maternity leave and returning to work from both of her pregnancies. Her kids are 18 months apart, and she worked in professional services at the time. She is an expert when it comes to systems optimizations, and there is a lot to be learned from her in this episode. Follow courtney and check out here work via her podcast 🎧 @lifemanagementsystem  and her coachnig business www.workingmomsmovement.com/todo. Also, if you haven't yet, follow me at tech_mama_pnw for all things podcast and otherwise :)

    48 min
  9. 4.0 Zeinab's Story

    06/09/2025

    4.0 Zeinab's Story

    Zeinab is a consultant in machine learning and analytics as well as an executive leadership coach.  She specializes in coaching women working in male dominated fields.   She has her PhD, which she acquired while beginning her journey to motherhood.  Zeinab has two kids, 5 years apart, and she shares both her experiences and the contrast between her two experiences.  I loved this episode and I hope you do too! Follow me on instagram to stay up to date on all episode @tech_mama_pnw.   For inquiries, reach out to me on my personal email kara.rucker@gmail.com

    54 min
  10. 3.0 Hannah's Story

    05/24/2025

    3.0 Hannah's Story

    Hannah is a graphic designer, home school teacher, and stay at home mom. Hannah's story is one of resilience and grit - as she navigated through trauma and job uncertainty. Want to here more about Leaving Leave? Follow me at @tech_mama_pnw. Hannah is a talented graphic designer. Check out her work at the balcony downtown! https://thebalconydowntown.com/

    51 min
  11. 2.0 Tess's Story

    05/11/2025

    2.0 Tess's Story

    Tess is mom to a little boy. She navigated maternity leave after a traumatic birth, returning to work as a newly appointed manager, and sharing the parenting load with a partner who had limited job flexibility and leave. Tess's story really highlights the importance of allyship and persistence, and is so inspiring!

    38 min
  12. 1.0 Kara's Story

    05/11/2025

    1.0 Kara's Story

    We are kicking off this series with Leaving Leave's, host, Kara Cox's story! Kara is an engineering manager and mom of 2 kids. She has a guest host JoCee Holladay on to interview her. Her story involves returning from leave at two separate large tech companies. JoCee and Kara compare and contrast the two stories, talk about ambition, motherhood, and the desire for better systems to support mothers and young parents in corporate America. For more info about the podcast, follow me at tech_mama_pnw. Also, give guest host @jocee.holladay a follow for all things women in tech, STEM, and feminism.

    46 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

A place for women to share theirs stories around maternity leave and their life after maternity leave

Information

  • Creator
    Kara Cox
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kara Cox
  • Show Website
    Leaving Leave