Zoe Clarence, Author at Insights

Jennifer Ayton: Breastfeeding and Returning to Work: Strategies for Success | Raising Parents #26

Zoe Clarence — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:39:45 +0000

For mothers going back to work after maternity leave, striking a balance between breastfeeding and job responsibilities can be tough. Nevertheless, with thoughtful planning and support, it’s entirely achievable to nurture a breastfeeding bond while thriving in one’s professional life.

Meet Jennifer Ayton

Jennifer Ayton is a renowned researcher and senior lecturer in Public Health at the Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia. With expertise in maternal and child health, she shared valuable insights on how breastfeeding mothers can successfully navigate the transition back to work while maintaining their breastfeeding journey.

About the episode

In this episode, host Dina Sargeant and Jennifer Ayton discussed the challenges of balancing breastfeeding and returning to work. Jennifer emphasized the importance of starting a conversation about these topics, which are often hidden and not openly discussed.

Moreover, she highlighted the discomfort society has with breastfeeding and the need for open conversation, particularly in the workplace.

She also discussed the concept of “aloe parenting,” which promotes a collaborative and shared approach to parenting. She emphasized on the challenges parents face when transitioning into parenthood and returning to work and highlighted the importance of clear expectations and support networks.

Ayton also discussed the definition and benefits of breastfeeding, as well as the need for workplace policies and government support to enable mothers to balance breastfeeding and work responsibilities.

In conclusion

For moms juggling work and breastfeeding, having their partner’s support and workplace understanding is key to a successful balance between nursing their children and their careers.

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Violet Sheena Wigley: Postpartum Well-Being: From Exhausted to Empowered | Raising Parents #25

Zoe Clarence — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 09:03:25 +0000

Having a baby brings both immense happiness and potential sadness. For many new mothers, the initial days after childbirth can be an emotional roller coaster, filled with moments of joy and sudden shifts to feelings of depression, including sadness, anxiety, and anger.

Meet Violet Sheena Wigley

Violet Sheena Wigley is a Hypnobirth educator, postpartum doula, breastfeeding professional, empowerment support, and healer. She is passionate about empowering mothers, partners, and families on their birth, postpartum, and life journey.

With the belief that childbirth is a transformational time in life, she trusts the importance of honoring such a sacred rite of passage through unique support in meaningful and loving ways.

About the episode

In this episode hosted by Dina Sargeant, Violet Sheena Wigley discussed her journey into postpartum and emphasized the transformative and healing aspects of this period. She also highlighted the importance of preparing for postpartum and creating an empowerment plan that includes practical support, self-care, rest, replenishment, and open communication about fears and challenges.

She mentioned misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding postpartum well-being and encouraged individuals to question societal norms and create a parenting dynamic that aligns with their values and desires. Also, Violet emphasized the holistic nature of parenting and the valuable lessons children can teach parents.

In conclusion

Preparing for the postpartum period and creating an empowerment plan is crucial for women entering parenthood. Working with professionals to identify needs, goals, and challenges can ensure a smoother transition into the new journey.

By prioritizing self-care, rest, and replenishment and recognizing the transformative and vulnerable nature of this phase, new parents can navigate the postpartum period with greater ease and well-being.

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Jessica Maxwell, Ph.D.: The Role of Sexual Empowerment in Well-Being | Doing Well #26

Zoe Clarence — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:24:56 +0000

Sexual empowerment is vital to one’s overall well-being. How you take care of yourself sexually can have a significant impact on your relationship and quality of life.

Meet Jessica Maxwell

Jessica Maxwell is a social psychologist (Ph.D., University of Toronto, 2017). Her research aims to shed light on the most important factors in maintaining satisfying sexual and romantic relationships.

She examines individual differences in expectations and perceptions that influence sexual and relationship well-being, examining factors such as how individuals expect to maintain sexual satisfaction best, what they expect from casual sex encounters, and how accurate they are in detecting their partners’ feelings and sexual preferences.

She was also a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland (2019-2022) and recently returned to Canada for her new role as an assistant professor at McMaster University.

About the episode

In this episode hosted by Lu Ngo, Jessica defined well-being as a state of physical, mental, and emotional ease and peace. She believes it encompasses various aspects and is difficult to define precisely.

When discussing sexual empowerment, Jessica emphasized that the term can have different interpretations for different people. However, she defined it as feeling comfortable, confident, and assertive in one’s sexuality, including being able to communicate preferences and be authentic in the bedroom.

Sexual empowerment is closely linked to overall well-being, according to Jessica. She explained that research consistently shows that a satisfying sex life is tied to increased happiness and life satisfaction. Conversely, if someone is dissatisfied with their sex life, it can negatively impact their sense of well-being.

Jessica also highlighted the bi-directional relationship between stress and sexual well-being. While stress can reduce one’s desire for sex, the absence of sexual activity can also lead to stress due to the potential loss of relational benefits and hormonal boosts.

According to Jessica, many people struggle with sexual communication. While couples claim they are comfortable talking about sex, the reality is that few actually engage in such conversations. It is a vulnerable topic with significant meaning and beauty.

Jessica suggested several strategies for improving sexual communication. Non-verbal cues during sex can be effective in conveying what pleases you. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of general communication skills outside the bedroom, as being good communicators overall benefits sexual communication as well.

If discomfort arises from sharing specific desires, Jessica mentioned websites or apps where couples could independently answer surveys about sexual acts, which later generate a list of potential interests to explore. However, she emphasizes that relying solely on these tools is insufficient, and genuine honesty with your partner is crucial.

In conclusion

When discussing sexual matters, sensitivity and kindness towards your partner are vital due to the vulnerability involved. Considering the long-term benefits and being willing to have uncomfortable conversations with your partner is vital to fostering better sexual and romantic relationships and overall well-being.

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Ali Greene: Why Remote Work Is Here to Stay: Working Remotely & Productively | Work in Progress #21

Zoe Clarence — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:32:15 +0000

The traditional office setup has undergone a remarkable transformation. With the rise of remote work, employees have adapted to a new work environment where the lines between professional and personal lives are blurred. In this episode, you will explore how to stay productive in this dynamic setting.

Meet Ali Greene

Ali Greene is the co-author of Remote Works: Managing for Freedom, Flexibility, and Focus. A remote worker since 2014, she was previously the Director of People Operations for DuckDuckGo and the former Head of Culture and Community at Oyster.

About the episode

In this episode, host Gabriella Joustra and Ali Greene delve into the topic of personal productivity and remote work setup. Ali said personal productivity focuses on adding value to one’s craft and bringing forth unique value in one’s work.

She emphasized the importance of quality over quantity, highlighting that productivity should not be solely measured by how much one can accomplish in a given time frame. Instead, she suggested focusing on enhancing work, avoiding mistakes, and creating high-value outputs.

Remote work, according to Ali Greene, involves utilizing technology and a digital-first mindset to unlock the benefits of location and time flexibility. It is not solely about where one works but also about how technology and tools are used to enhance productivity and autonomy.

Ali added that in remote work, individuals could experiment and customize their work environment, working hours, and tasks to align with their energy and productivity levels. Building relationships and collaboration in remote work requires understanding individual work styles and finding suitable meeting times that energize and engage team members.

Moreover, Ali discussed various strategies and practices to balance remote work and personal life. She suggested the concept of “one place, one goal,” where individuals choose specific locations for focused work and change locations for different tasks, providing visual cues and boundaries.

In conclusion

It’s important to note that the negative impact of remote work can vary depending on individual preferences, work style, and specific circumstances. However, these challenges can be mitigated with proper planning, effective communication strategies and practices, and supportive workplace policies.

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Jessica Harrison: Sustainable Living at Home | On the House #2

Zoe Clarence — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 09:41:28 +0000

Our home should be our safe haven, the center of our world. Because our homes define who we are and our values. Basically, everything we do at our home determines our identity. In this episode, Jessica Harrison will discuss the importance of house management and what it can do for us and for the environment.

Meet Jessica Harrison

Jessica comes from an environmental consulting background and holds a Master’s of Environmental Management and Sustainability from Monash University. She is currently the Team Leader of Sustainability at Greater Dandenong City Council, and the Secretary of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA).

About the episode

The conversation started by getting to know Jessica’s story, from getting her own motorbike learner’s permit, and ended with Jessica’s best practices to live sustainably in her own house.

According to Jessica, one of the important things for us to attain sustainable living is through behavioral change; avoid using plastic packaging, opt for plant-based foods, and learn other sustainable practices and habits such as cutting down food waste and preferring packaging that is not terrible for the environment.

Applying the concept of home management is a great place to start. As someone who is living alone, knowing meal prepping helps a lot. She also briefly discussed about climate change and how simple burning can harm the environment.

In conclusion

Jessica believes in the concept of household management and how a simple action we take affects the environment and ourselves. Actions can be taken every day, and there are a lot of ways we can do for a sustainable future.

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