<p>The Future of Working Motherhood: Flexibility, Ambition, and Real Support After Maternity Leave</p><p>Amy Pons hosts Alexa Starks, maternity leave coach and founder of Executive Moms, to discuss reshaping maternity leave and return-to-work experiences and the findings from Executive Moms’ Future of Working Motherhood 2026 report. </p><p>They reflect on the need to deconstruct harmful workplace systems, the lack of support for mothers returning from leave, and how simple supports like mentorship can improve retention. </p><p>Alexa shares key data: 40% of women leave their job within a year of returning from maternity leave, yet 97% would stay if truly supported; the report also found no “ambition gap,” with mothers reporting equal or greater ambition after having kids. A major takeaway was that flexible work design (remote/hybrid/part-time) mattered more than longer leave. Alexa also previews a TED Talk in Rotterdam and the launch of Mothered Magazine.</p><p>01:09 Coaching and Paradigm Shift</p><p>03:02 Aha Moments in Corporate</p><p>05:22 Maternity Return Support Systems</p><p>06:48 Report Findings and Retention Stats</p><p>09:02 Ambition Gap Myth Debunked</p><p>11:43 Burnout and Hands On Work</p><p>13:54 Workplace Bullying and Boundaries</p><p>15:20 Surprising Data on Flexibility</p><p>16:56 Flexibility Tops Requests</p><p>17:15 Ambition And The 97 Percent</p><p>17:52 Survey Logistics And Reach</p><p>18:34 Return To Office Pushback</p><p>20:51 Why Leaders Cling To Control</p><p>22:42 TED Talk And Moving Abroad</p><p>25:04 Launching Mothered Magazine</p><p>27:04 Super Bowl Holiday Hypocrisy</p><p>28:46 Advice For The 97 And 40</p><p>31:06 Where To Find The Report</p><p>31:32 Feminine Strength Closing</p><p>Find the 2026 'Future of Working Motherhood' report along with key updates from Executive Moms <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.executivemoms.co/">here</a>, and follow Alexa on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/">LinkedIn</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/">Instagram</a>. </p><p>Thank you for tuning in to Women Making Moves, be sure to rate and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/women_making_moves_?igsh=ZWVqdmhxbmdjc2d0&amp;utm_source=qr">Instagram</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/womenmakingmoves.bsky.social">Bluesky.</a> Visit Amy at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://unlockthemagic.org/">Unlock the Magic</a>, and follow on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/unlockthemagic_/profilecard/?igsh=MTVjNm0zY2t5NGVlMg==">Instagram</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linkedin.com/in/amyponsismagic">LinkedIn</a>.</p><p><em>Women Making Moves is for personal use only and general information purposes, the show host cannot guarantee the accuracy of any statements from guests or the sufficiency of the information. This show and host is not liable for any personal actions taken.</em></p>