The Belonging Project Belonging Project

As we hear about some personal stories and societal landscapes of nursing, in this episode, we confronted the gamut of reactions to breastfeeding in different context: at work, in public, beyond a certain time period and within different cultural contexts.

From acceptance to negativity, the dialogue serves as a
reminder of the need for visibility and community. The surprising shifts in breastfeeding rates during lockdowns and the discussion about nursing older children further reveal the intricate societal tapestry surrounding this natural aspect of motherhood.

 

Join me as I sit down with Lea Henry, co-founder of Cocorio,
for a heartfelt conversation about the triumphs and tribulations of
breastfeeding. Lea opens up about her personal struggles and the societal scrutiny that accompanies a mother's decision to breastfeed or formula feed. We tackle the stigma surrounding public breastfeeding and the importance of supporting mothers in their choices without judgment.

 

Later, I sit down with Katie Muir, a health visitor with the
NHS Scotland, to explore her personal breastfeeding experiences with her two children. Despite facing a range of challenges, including faltering growth and latch difficulties, Katie's resilience shines through. We delve into the crucial role of support from partners and healthcare professionals. Katie's insights reveal the complexities of breastfeeding and underscore the importance
of a robust support system for new mothers.

 

Our discussion is a powerful reminder of the need for compassion and understanding in the journey of new motherhood. We explore:

(11:22) - Breastfeeding Norms and Challenges

(23:22) - Normalizing Conversations Around Breastfeeding

(27:45) - Empowerment and Belonging in Breastfeeding

(34:39) - Breastfeeding Experiences and Support

(45:51) - Supportive Workplace for Breastfeeding Mothers

(51:48) - Transitioning Away From Breastfeeding

(56:16) - Breastfeeding Challenges and Belonging

 

** Selected Resources from the episode:

Breastfeeding or Formula-Feeding support in the UK:
National Breastfeeding Helpline (open 365 days a year): 0300 100 0212, here to support you and listen, including any grief around not being able to breastfeed if you wanted to 3.

IBCLC are certified lactation consultants providing professional infant feeding support.
First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent public health nutrition charity.


Articles written by Lea Henry:
Feed your bubba proudly
A stranger called me unhygienic for breastfeeding in a GP waiting room



Article with input from Katie Muir:
Continuing Breastfeeding when you return to work (including UK legal rights)

 


** Connect withLea: Linkedin | Instagram | Website

I really enjoyed diving into Justin Reinert's model of Belonging, following up on his book Creating Belonging, a Practical Guide to Accelerate Belonging in Organisations and Communities.
Justin's work poses a model where belonging is created at the intersection of authenticity and acceptance.
I really wanted to explore with him strategies to help us navigate toxic work environments. The unpacking we did together was brilliant: from setting intentions, values mining, implementing behaviours that match our intentions.
Gold nuggets have been dropped, people!
Justin also provides poignant examples of how we could expand our world views and perspectives through life.
We had such a great conversation, I can't wait for you to tune in!
** Links from the episode:
Book Creating Belonging, a Practical Guide to Accelerate Belonging in Organisations and Communities.: https://amzn.to/3NVSUez

Justin's podcast Creating Belonging

Connect with Justin's here and with Fiorenza here.

Our host Fiorenza sits down with Tim Mart, CEO and co-founder of the socially driven coaching platform Know You More.
They talk about transitioning from corporate career into entrepreneurship and Tim's personal journey since he was diagnosed with ADHD a few months earlier.

Entrepreneurship: we get to learn about what prompted Tim's decision, how his family adapted, and why the projects his company are involved in matter, such as coaching for young adults.
ADHD diagnostic: Tim's decision to get the diagnostic, how he's been processing it, how's he's been talking to his children about ADHD and ways he's finding to feel seen and belong.
Links from the episode:
- Learn more about Know You More and their project of coaching young adults
- Connect with Tim here and Fiorenza here.

Women make on average 15% less than men across countries.
As I was pregnant with my second baby and ahead of my mat leave, Allison Venditti and I got to talk on the Belonging Project Podcast.
Allison is the founder of Moms at Work, a Canada-based organisation providing
community, resources and advocacy for working mothers.
In this podcast episode, we talk about:
- the Motherhood Penalty
- the impact of the pandemic on working mums
- what can help prevent gender discrimination in the workplace: universal daycare, pay transparency, actively promoting & supporting men taking parental leave.
I also loved learning about Allison's own journey and how her organisation grew from a Facebook Group to meeting with the Canadian PM and passing legislation.
What a great conversation!!! If you're a working mother, father, or if you have a working mom in your organisation, I urge you to listen to this episode.
** Links from the episode:
Learn more about Moms at work and Allison's work here: https://thisismomsatwork.com/

Access expert resources on Parental leave for your teams: https://myparentalleave.ca/about/
(Canada specific)

Connect with Allison here and with Fiorenza here.

More than a decade ago, Kerstin Graebner moved across the globe from Germany to India - interestingly enough she was not the first in her family to do so. It's a journey that her grandparents had also taken.

 

Reflecting on this cultural and life journey with my dear friend Kerstin brought up many shared experiences: arriving in a new place, being in culture shock, stepping out of the expat circle, finding roots in a new professional path, finding a sense of real arriving many years after.

 

We had such a great conversation, I can’t wait for you to tune in this episode! 🎧

 

Connect with Kerstin Graebner
and with your host Fiorenza Rossini.

What’s a hidden disability?
A hidden disability is a disability that may not visible or immediately obvious
when looking or talking to someone but can have a significant impact on a
person’s life.


'Hidden disabilities' is an umbrella term that captures a spectrum of
disabilities, and can include:


Sensory Disabilities
Mental Health Conditions
Specific learning differences
Autism
Long-term and physical health conditions

*not and exhaustive list



For The Belonging Project Podcast, I talked with Serena Savini. Serena has
experienced a life changing event a few years ago, for which she had to undergo
several surgeries and face chronic pain. In our conversation we talk about the
emotional impact this had for her generally and for her career within HR.

 


More recently, Serena has started her own podcast I’m Back!, a platform for many to
share about their life changing events and how they came back to work after
that.

🎙️ We had such a great
conversation, I can’t wait for you to tune in this episode!

 


***Resources
from the episode:

-
Serena's podcast Im Back!: https://www.serenheart.com/

 


Connect
with Serena Savini and
with your host Fiorenza
Rossini.