What if one of the biggest drains on women’s time, energy, and leadership potential is something we rarely name?In this episode, Kelly sits down with Dr. Allison Alford, clinical associate professor at Baylor University, communication scholar, executive coach, and author of Good Daughtering, to explore the invisible labor of “daughtering.”Allison shares her unconventional academic journey, from earning her PhD as a mom of two to building what she calls a “portfolio career” that blends teaching, research, consulting, and coaching. But at the heart of this conversation is her groundbreaking research on daughtering, the emotional, cognitive, and relational labor adult daughters perform to keep families connected.Together, Kelly and Allison unpack how daughtering shows up as a third shift of labor, how it impacts working professionals, and why self-awareness and boundaries are critical for women who want sustainable success.If you’ve ever felt stretched thin between work, family, and the invisible expectations placed on you, this episode will help you feel seen, validated, and empowered to recalibrate.Key Topics & TakeawaysBuilding a “portfolio career” across academia and consultingEarning a PhD as a working mom and refusing to quitDefining daughtering and making invisible labor visibleThe four dimensions of daughtering: tasks, emotions, cognition, identityThe “kinship shift” across a daughter’s lifespanDaughtering plus-plus in the sandwich generationThe concept of first, second, and third shift laborHow divided attention impacts women in the workplaceBoundaries, calibration, and permission to pull backChapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Career Slay00:23 – Introducing Allison Alford01:51 – Childhood curiosity and “cruise director” energy03:55 – From international studies to communication research07:47 – The PhD journey as a mom of two11:29 – Conflict resolution coaching at McCombs15:49 – Starting a coaching business17:58 – Building a portfolio career at Baylor20:32 – What is daughtering?23:58 – Defining daughtering in four categories27:26 – The kinship shift across the lifespan31:00 – Setting boundaries without guilt33:38 – The mission behind Good Daughtering37:21 – First shift, second shift, third shift labor42:43 – What makes a fulfilling career44:20 – Advice to her 20-year-old self45:52 – Three words: Relationships, Innovation, EnergyGuest ResourcesBook: Good DaughteringPodcast: Hello Mother, Hello DaughterCoaching & Consulting: Good Talk Communication Consulting LinkedIn: Allison Alford, PhDEnjoying the show?Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:Website: careerslay.comLinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz BurkeInstagram: @careerslay