Entrepreneur, mother, and cofounder of Mamava—the inventor of the freestanding lactation pod—Sascha Mayer introduces her newest baby: The Bodacious Optimist, a podcast dedicated to celebrating and learning from the people who have inspired and supported her entrepreneurial journey. They are designers and storytellers, business leaders and activists who have challenged the status quo and thrived. Bodacious Optimists believe that there are always solutions waiting to be unveiled.
Noah Miller on Corporate ESG + Improving Breastfeeding Infrastructure
In this episode of the Bodacious Optimist podcast, host Sascha Mayer talks with Noah Miller, a leader in Environmental and Social Governance (ESG). The discussion delves deep into the definition and importance of ESG pillars: environmental stewardship, social impact, and governance. Noah recounts his unique career path, including his time as a professional athlete and Israeli army commander, and how these experiences shape his ESG work. Highlighting the significance of gender equity and UN Sustainable Development Goals, the conversation also explores the complexities and rewards of implementing ESG initiatives within organizations. Noah expresses his belief in the importance of empathy, collective action, and the realization that we are capable of solving the biggest challenges through collaborative efforts. The episode concludes with Noah discussing his proudest personal achievements and sharing his audacious optimism about the future.
00:00 Introduction to Noah Miller and ESG
02:27 Understanding ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance
04:02 Mamava's ESG Journey and Practices
05:02 Noah's Role as a Fractional ESG Director
06:33 UN Sustainable Development Goals and Gender Equity
11:49 Noah's Unique Career Path: From Athlete to ESG Leader
20:16 Challenges and Opportunities in ESG
21:33 The Impact of Fatherhood on Noah's Work
27:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Mentioned in this episode:
University of Vermont’s Sustainable Innovation MBA (https://www.uvm.edu/business/program/sustainable-innovation-mba)
Rho Impact (https://rhoimpact.com/)
Vermont Businesses For Social Responsibility (VBSR) (https://vbsr.org/)
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/page/sustainable-development-goals)
EcoVadis (https://ecovadis.com/)
JUST Capital (https://justcapital.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1347805575&gbraid=0AAAAADAzIrlgPd4vI_xFYjapFnNer14dS&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzt_FBhCEARIsAJGFWVlj6N4MsnDkolL9EWkXickxTPha_YTiDR4S7SiD8EfDKXVxLMQIs1IaAmw0EALw_wcB)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (https://www.ncaa.com/)
13 Aug 2025
Dr. Lisa Stellwagen on Breastfeeding + Human Milk Banking
In this episode of the Bodacious Optimist podcast, Sascha interviews Dr. Lisa Stellwagen, a pediatrician and leading advocate for breastfeeding and milk banking. Dr. Stellwagen, who played a key role in establishing UC San Diego's baby-friendly hospital designation and cofounded the UC Health Milk Bank, discusses the importance of milk banks in providing donor breast milk for fragile and premature babies. She explains the historical context, safety protocols, and the life-saving benefits of donor milk compared to formula, particularly in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The conversation also covers the donor screening process, legislative efforts, and the cultural significance of milk donation. Dr. Stellwagen shares her personal journey and the broader impact of breastfeeding advocacy.
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Lisa Stellwagen
02:04 The Basics of Milk Banking
03:22 The Importance of Donor Milk for Premature Babies
08:05 The Process of Donating Milk
19:31 Challenges and Awareness in Milk Banking
24:21 Dr. Stellwagen's Journey and Advocacy
31:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Mentioned in this episode:
Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) (https://www.hmbana.org/)
UC Health Milk Bank (https://health.universityofcalifornia.edu/patient-care/milk-bank)
UC San Diego Health, Baby-Friendly designation (https://health.ucsd.edu/care/pregnancy-birth/hospital-stay/newborn/)
23 Jul 2025
Health Economist Trisha Johnson on the ROI of Breast Milk
In this episode of the Bodacious Optimist podcast, the host interviews Trisha Johnson, a professor at Rush University's Department of Health Systems Management. As a human milk economist, Trisha discusses her work in understanding the economic drivers of healthcare spending, particularly focusing on the cost-effectiveness of feeding mother's own milk (MOM) to premature infants. Trisha shares her journey into this niche field, her collaborations with other researchers, and the significant health and economic benefits of MOM for preterm infants in the NICU. The conversation touches upon the disparities in breastfeeding among different racial and socio-economic groups and the impact of policies and interventions like the "ReDiMOM" trial, which aims to reduce these discrepancies. Trisha also emphasizes the importance of long-term economic evaluations, discussing the broader implications of her work, including policy development and healthcare strategies. Finally, she reflects on the challenges and opportunities of balancing her professional research with her personal life as a parent.
00:00 Introduction to Human Milk Economics
03:28 Trisha Johnson's Journey into Human Milk Economics
05:35 Economic Impact of Preterm Births and Human Milk
07:34 Research on Breastfeeding and Health Outcomes
10:27 Addressing Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding
14:28 The "ReDiMOM" Trial: Reducing Disparities
16:15 Economic Theories and Cash Transfers in Breastfeeding
20:53 Challenges and Solutions in Breastfeeding Support
25:32 Personal Insights and Optimism
29:03 Conclusion and Future Aspirations
Mentioned in this episode:
RUSH University (https://www.rushu.rush.edu/research-rush-university/departmental-research/health-systems-management-research) Department of Health Systems Management Research
Human Milk Institute (https://hmi.ucsd.edu/)
National Institutes of Health (https://www.nih.gov/)
Rush Mothers' Milk Club
"ReDiMOM" Cohort Study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34996401/)
"LOVEMOM" Cohort (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147912/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
16 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 21 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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