In this episode of How I Ally, Lucinda sits down with comedian and storyteller Jessica Wood for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious, unfiltered, and deeply human.

From growing up in chaos to navigating identity, motherhood, and societal expectations, Jess brings humor to the hardest truths—and challenges everything we think we’re “supposed” to be as women.

This episode explores the tension between freedom and responsibility, the silence around women’s mental health, and the radical act of choosing your own life.

In this episode, we cover:

• Using comedy to process trauma—and why timing matters
• The silence and stigma around postpartum mental health and suicide
• Why there’s no safe space for women to be honest about how they feel
• The pressure on mothers to be “happy” and selfless at all times
• The double standard in how men vs. women talk about parenting
• What it means to choose not to have children—and the judgment that follows
• Growing up with instability, neglect, and unconventional parenting
• How early experiences shape identity, relationships, and resilience

• The invisible labor of women as “support systems” for everyone else
• Radical self-acceptance and letting go of shame
• The concept of “dukkha”—and why we don’t need to punish ourselves for being human

Key Takeaways

• Women are expected to feel—but only certain feelings.
• Motherhood is idealized, but rarely discussed honestly.
• Choosing your life (with or without children) is an act of autonomy.
• We are hardest on ourselves—and we don’t have to be.
• Kindness toward yourself is the foundation for everything else.

Memorable Quotes

• “There’s no safe space to say how you actually feel.”
• “Women are told how to feel—and how not to feel.”
• “You’re basically a human support beam.”
• “We’re always going to be unskillful sometimes. That’s being human.”
• “Be nice to yourself so we can be nice to each other.”

About the Guest

Jessica Wood (aka “Jess Wood”) is a comedian and storyteller known for her raw, fearless humor and deeply personal material. Her work blends trauma, truth, and comedy in a way that challenges audiences while making them laugh.

Her comedy album Breaking Bad Barbie is coming out soon.


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Follow Lucinda: @lucindarogerskoza
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In this powerful episode of How I Ally, Lucinda sits down with Amani Echols, Senior Policy Analyst for Maternal Health at the National Partnership for Women & Families, to unpack the realities behind the Black maternal health crisis in the United States.

This conversation goes beyond statistics—exploring the lived experiences, systemic barriers, and deeply human moments that shape pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

Together, they discuss the meaning behind Black Maternal Health Week, its 10th anniversary theme of justice and joy, and why both must exist at the same time.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Black Maternal Health Week is—and why it matters
• Why the U.S. has worse maternal outcomes than other high-income countries
• The shocking reality that nearly 90% of maternal deaths are preventable
• Why Black women are 3.5x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes
• The difference between racism vs. race in health outcomes
• The concept of “weathering”—how chronic stress and racism impact the body over time
• Why many Black women are not listened to in medical settings
• The role of midwives and doulas in improving outcomes
• The postpartum period (“fourth trimester”) and why it’s often overlooked
• Maternal mental health, stigma, and the fear of speaking up
• The lack of paid leave and postpartum support in the U.S.
• How we can begin to build a more just, equitable system for mothers

Key Takeaways

• This crisis is preventable. The issue isn’t biology—it’s systems.
  • Racism—not race—is the risk factor.
  • Maternal mental health matters. It’s one of the leading contributors to maternal mortality.
  • Support doesn’t end at birth. The postpartum period is critical—and often neglected.
  • Listening to mothers is essential. Their experiences must shape policy and care.
• Memorable Quotes
  • “The most radical thing a mother can do is raise her children with love in a world that tries to deny their humanity.” — Angela Davis
  • “We are failing our mothers right now—and Black mothers in particular.”
  • “The problem is not race. The problem is racism.”
  • “Your body keeps score.”
• About the Guest
  Amani Echols is a Senior Policy Analyst for Maternal Health at the National Partnership for Women & Families, where she works at the intersection of equity, health justice, and maternal care policy.
  Resources & Links
  • Learn more about Black Maternal Health Week
  • Follow Lucinda: @lucindarogerskoza
  • Share this episode to help raise awareness

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Lucinda sits down with caregiving expert and author Jennifer A. O’Brien to explore what it really means to lead—at home, in crisis, and in the quiet, unseen moments of caregiving.

From navigating communication with caregivers to redefining what “good leadership” looks like in parenting and grief, this episode reframes caregiving as one of the most complex and demanding leadership roles a person can hold.

Jennifer shares how Lucinda’s message—“you are the CEO of your situation”—inspired her book Care Boss, and why caregiving is often harder than being an actual CEO.

Together, they unpack:

• How to set communication boundaries with caregivers and professionals
• The difference between urgent vs. important (and why it matters)
• The power of pinpointed positive feedback in parenting and leadership
• The emotional complexity of caregiving, grief, and identity
• Why “okay” is sometimes the highest form of success
• And how to survive—not just care for others—through it all

Key Takeaways

1. You are the CEO of your caregiving experience

Whether you’re parenting, supporting a partner, or caring for a loved one—you are leading. That means setting expectations, defining communication norms, and making decisions with intention.

2. Not everything is urgent (even if it feels like it)

Using a framework inspired by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jennifer explains how to distinguish:

• Urgent & important (true emergencies)
• Important but not urgent (most caregiving moments)
• Urgent but not important (distractions or noise)

3. Feedback shapes behavior—especially positive feedback

Instead of only correcting what’s wrong, highlight what’s working. Specific, positive reinforcement builds trust, confidence, and better outcomes—whether with kids, caregivers, or teams.

4. Caregiving is often harder than leadership in business

Jennifer, a seasoned healthcare executive, shares that caregiving is more demanding than being a CEO—because it’s constant, emotional, and deeply personal.

5. “I am surviving while they are dying”

One of the most profound distinctions in caregiving:

You and your loved one are on two different paths—and holding both realities at once is one of the hardest parts.

6. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline

There is no “how long.” Instead, healing happens in moments—sometimes even just making it through the next hour.

7. Flip the narrative: measure backward, not forward

Instead of asking “How will I get through tomorrow?”

Ask: “I made it through today. That counts.”

Powerful Quotes

• “Caregiving is by far the harder job—even compared to being a CEO.”
• “You are always speaking to the most sensitive person in the room.”
• “He is dying. I am surviving.”
• “Okay is rock solid.”
• “At the end of the day, congratulate yourself—you did another day.”

About the Guest

Jennifer A. O’Brien is a healthcare executive, caregiver advocate, and author of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow and Care Boss. With decades of leadership experience and firsthand caregiving for her husband and parents, she brings a rare blend of strategy and humanity to the conversation.