Episode 29

Pregism: corporate America's Hidden bias

August 14th, 2026

Summary

In this episode of Matrescence in Wellness, host Brittany unpacks the harsh reality of "Pregism" (the subtle discrimination, microaggressions, and anxiety pregnant workers face in corporate spaces). As a Black woman currently in her third trimester, Brittany shares her perspective on shifting from corporate burnout to entrepreneurship, utilizing legal protections like the Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act (PWFA), and setting boundaries to protect your mental and physical health.

In this episode, we also cover:

  • Maternal Health in the News: Unpacking the racial disparities in maternal mental health crises, contrasting the public narrative around the Lindsay Clancy trial with the criminalization of Black mamas facing postpartum psychosis.

  • Culturally Competent Care: The importance of universal screening, Black maternal mental health data, and follow-up care for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

  • Reproductive Autonomy & Career Timing: Analyzing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to freeze her eggs and treating fertility preservation as a legitimate form of occupational strategy and self-care.

  • Media Tropes vs. Reality: Debunking the media extremes of pregnant workers—from the "hyper-capable robot" to the "trad-wife" narrative—and finding your middle ground.

Whether you're navigating workplace accommodations, building your postpartum safety net, or seeking evidence-based advocacy, this episode offers a supportive space to honor your whole self.

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Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

🧘‍♀️ Free Prenatal Yoga for Nausea: Check out our new class on YouTube! 

🏋️‍♀️ ProNatal Fitness Group Fitness Course: Level up your coaching for pregnant and postpartum clients using our affiliate link in the show notes. 

📧 Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Join Bump to Beyond on Substack for bi-weekly health law breakdowns and fitness tips. 

Additional Resources:

  • Preeclampsia Support Line: 1-800-665-9341

  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

  • Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773


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