"Breadwinner, Redefined" with Alexis Contos

Nearly 40% of American mothers are now primary earners, but the culture hasn't fully caught up with what that actually requires.

In this episode, I'm joined by Alexis Contos, founder of The Breadwinners, a community built around the realities of building a career while raising a family. Alexis shares why she walked away from a 20-year corporate career, how one dinner at South by Southwest turned into a growing movement, and what she's learning about creating a different path for working mothers.

We also talk about guilt, ambition, integration, personal agency, and why we need to stop trying to do everything perfectly.

Show Highlights:

What Alexis was like growing up and how relationships shaped her. [02:30]

Why Alexis left her 20-year corporate career without knowing what she'd do next. [07:10]

How one dinner at South by Southwest became the beginning of The Breadwinners. [10:05]

Why women showed up to the dinner and why they needed that community. [13:05]

Why Alexis prefers "integration" over "balance." [19:00]

How Alexis defines a breadwinner as someone who brings important things into the home. [25:00]

Why ambition is about aligning your time with your values. [27:15]

How to replace guilt with confidence, agency, and community. [28:30]