What happens when we stop focusing on the career costs of motherhood, and start looking at what value it actually gives us?

Alexa Starks, founder and CEO of Mothered Media and Editor-in-Chief of Mothered Magazine, talks about her journey through systemic advocacy, launching a magazine, and building a business while raising two toddlers. Alexa opens up about launching the groundbreaking Maternal Strengths Report, proving the undeniable ROI of motherhood on leadership, and balancing corporate redesign with parenthood.

In this conversation, Alexa shares insights on mental load, proximity bias, return-to-office mandates, parental support villages, scaling a business, and the confidence that comes with proving the worth of working moms. \

If you’re a working parent navigating ambition, mom guilt, identity, or the constant juggle between career and home life, this episode will hit close to home.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Meet Alexa Starks

(01:16) Founding Mothered Media and shifting the narrative

(02:54) Starting a business while having toddlers

(05:57) The logistics of an odd-numbered family

(08:34) Relocating to Europe and parenting without a village

(12:17) Pivoting to systemic advocacy and corporate research

(14:37) Quantifying maternal strengths and leadership ROI

(19:31) Dismantling manager bias and the return-to-office push

(26:45) All about macro trends, Zoom fatigue, and thoughtful flexibility

(33:59) Writing a bestseller and National Working Motherhood Week

(36:44) Saves of the week

(42:03) Fear of failure and pushing past the confidence gap

Connect with Mallory Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorylee/

Connect with Shannon Curran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-sweeny-curran/

Connect with Alexa Starks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

Check out Mothered Media: https://www.motheredmedia.com/

Check out Mothered Magazine: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

www.shareyourgenius.com