72. What the Research Says About Moms, Self-Care, and the Path to Repair with Leslie Forde
AND/BOTH Podcast - Real Conversations, Shared Experiences, and the Community You've Been Missing · Dr. Ashley Blackington
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Show Notes
In this episode, Ashley Blackington welcomes Leslie Forde, founder and CEO of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs and upcoming author of Repair With Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs. With humor, honesty, and deep research-backed insight, Leslie unpacks the complex emotional and logistical layers of caregiving, particularly motherhood, in a post-pandemic world. She discusses how societal expectations, personal habits, and systemic structures collide—and what we can do about it. From redefining self-care to advocating for policy change and workplace flexibility, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating care, career, and their own mental health.
In this conversation:
- The origin and evolution of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs
- How Leslie’s research is changing the conversation around parental burnout
- Why self-care isn’t optional—and how to reclaim it
- The intersection of public policy, workplace culture, and maternal well-being
- What the pandemic revealed about caregiving and equity
- Actionable ways moms can “vote with their wallets” for change
- How organizations can retain working parents and caregivers
- The critical role of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in supporting caregiver wellbeing
- Why women’s mental and physical health are directly impacted by invisible labor
- The long and short game strategies for changing the systems that hold moms back
Questions answered in this episode:
- What is the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs, and how did it begin?
- Why do moms struggle to care for themselves—and how can that change?
- How has the pandemic reshaped caregiving and work?
- What long-term solutions exist for systemic inequities in care and labor?
- Why is self-care a “ministry” for Leslie?
- How can moms find clarity on what actually matters in their day-to-day?
- What is the role of employers in creating family-friendly workplaces?
- What’s the danger of society “returning to normal” post-pandemic?
- How can mothers advocate for change through spending power?
- What’s in Leslie’s upcoming book, Repair With Self-Care?
Connect with Leslie Forde:
- Website: https://momshierarchyofneeds.com
- Book (Pre-order): Repair With Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs (available wherever books are sold
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieforde/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momshierarchy
Connect with Ashley:
Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com
Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822
Instagram: @andboth_podcast