"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] - How Alexis structures her day to make space for both work and family. \[34:00] - Why aspiring breadwinners are joining the community and helping write a new playbook for working mothers. \[38:00] Resources Mentioned: Find Alexis on Substack (and get a discounted subscription) at: https://wearethebreadwinners.substack.com/738ea8e9 Find Alexis on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/wearethebreadwinners/ Learn more about The Breadwinners: https://thebreadwinners.co To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: http://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/ Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki