Why Are We Working Through Maternity Leave? A Conversation About Comfort, Identity, and Pressure with Jackie Cook

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n this episode of the BeHerVillage podcast, Kaitlin McGreyes sits down with Jackie Cook, founder of Popins—a company that helps parents and employers prepare for and protect maternity leave. Together, they dig into one big question: How did we end up in a world where new parents are answering emails while caring for a newborn?

Jackie explains why so many parents—especially mothers—feel the pull to work during maternity leave. From the familiarity and comfort of work to the disorienting nature of early parenthood, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate take on why stepping fully into leave is so difficult—and why it’s so necessary.

Whether you’re preparing for leave, returning to work, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers powerful insights and a refreshing dose of realism about what working parents are really up against.