The Bodacious Optimist Mamava

Jen Saxton is a serial entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Tot Squad, a baby services marketplace that connects new parents with health, wellness, and safety services— like car seat installation, babyproofing, doulas, sleep consultants, and more. In this episode, Jen talks to Sascha about building and selling her first company, how assuming the resiliency of “a cockroach” has helped keep her businesses alive in tumultuous times, and what she is most optimistic about moving forward.
Mentioned:Tot Squad at TargetTot Squad at Amazon

Kelly Brush is a mother, athlete, healthcare professional, and the inspirational leader behind the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF)—an organization dedicated to making active and engaged lives a reality for those who have experienced a spinal cord injury. In 2006, Kelly crashed and injured her spinal cord while racing for the Middlebury College ski team. After undergoing rigorous rehabilitation for her new life in a wheelchair, Kelly and her family created the foundation—just months after her accident—as a way of channeling the support she received in her recovery and to share the power of sport for physical and mental health, confidence, and community building. In this podcast, Kelly shares her story and talks with Sascha about KBF’s aim to influence culture and how all humans are living adaptive lives.
Mentions:Kelly Brush Foundation “What Can a Body Do? By Sara Hendren

Nic Longo is the Director of Aviation at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV). In addition to being the busiest airport in Vermont (and New England’s fifth busiest and second busiest commercial service airport when it comes to landings and takeoffs), BTV is home to the F35s of the Green Mountain Boys (Vermont’s Air National Guard), the fast-growing start-up BETA Technologies, and, of course, the place where Mamava piloted our first lactation pods. In this episode Nic talks about his career path, optimistic leadership style, and approach to making this community-oriented airport a delightful user experience.
Mentioned: Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport BETA Technologies 

Roxanne Vought is the Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). VBSR is a statewide, nonprofit business association founded 34 years ago by a group of pioneering socially responsible businesses in Vermont, including Ben and Jerry’s and Gardener’s Supply Company. VBSR’s mission is to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact. In this episode, Roxanne and Sascha talk about the evolution of the organization as corporate social responsibility has become more mainstream, where the B Corp movement intersects with VBSR, and how Roxanne leads in the face of radical change.
Mentioned:Vermont Businesses for Social ResponsibilityB Corporations 

Michael Jager is the cofounder of the design studio Solidarity of Unbridled Labour. For more than 30 years, Michael has been designing and collaborating with international brands like Burton Snowboards, Xbox, and Patagonia. In this episode, Michael talks to Sascha about how his love for music became a love for art and inspired his career in multidisciplinary brand design, which includes building the Burton brand, and the origins of Mamava. Michael shares how his philosophy of Living Brand design was inspired by his roots growing up close to nature in rural Vermont. This episode is a master class for anyone interested in category-creating brand design, and the inevitability of needing to embrace change in business and life.
Mentioned:Hard’ack Mountain  Burton Snowboards Solidarity of Unbridled Labour No B******t Strategy by Alex M H Smith 

Claire Coder is the founder and CEO of Aunt Flow. Founded in 2016 when Claire was just 18, Aunt Flow supplies free-vend dispensers and 100% organic cotton menstrual products to businesses and schools to ensure that everyone has access to healthy, sustainable menstrual products wherever they are. Aunt Flow has implemented free period products in thousands of bathrooms and donated millions of tampons and pads. In this interview, Claire and Sascha talk about creating new business categories, “Flow Bros” and “Fairy Pod Fathers,” and what it feels like to be the Betty Crocker of menstruation.
Mentioned: Stadiums that stock Aunt FlowMenstrual Equity Legislation
content warning: swearing, 31:20-32:20