Leading, Mothering, and TEDx with Hazel Sy

Amplify with Jess Ekstrom

Have you ever questioned if you should quit your career to focus on family, only to realize that constant self-doubt is draining energy you could use elsewhere? What if continuing to work is not just a financial necessity, but a vital investment in your own identity?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with Hazel Sy, a Fortune 500 executive, board member, and powerful advocate for working parents. Hazel shares the moment her childcare plan fell through, the panic and guilt that followed, and the eventual mindset shift that allowed her to thrive as both a dedicated professional and a devoted mom.

Hazel opens up about the emotional journey of creating her viral TED Talk, the shocking financial reality of childcare, and the surprising ways that conscious parenting techniques can make you a more intentional and connected leader at work.

Tune in for:

• Hazel's eye-opening story of her childcare falling through and the constant question she asked herself: "Should I quit?"
• Why the high cost of childcare is actually a financial and personal investment that pays off in career growth and a preserved sense of self.
• The "mother AND" philosophy: how to choose a parenting style where your children see you succeeding and failing, not just staying home.
• The subtle societal double standards around working parents, including the "babysitting" comment and the different applause men and women receive.
• How Hazel consciously uses the word "study" instead of "work" around her children to avoid modeling a workaholic lifestyle.
• The emotional journey of getting 67 rejections before landing her TEDx Talk, and the critical moment when she decided to scrap all the feedback and write from the heart.
• How the skills of conscious parenting—like giving two choices instead of a demand—make you a better leader and influencer in the workplace.

About Hazel Sy:

Hazel Sy is a Fortune 500 executive, a board member, a highly requested speaker, and an alumnus of Mic Drop Academy. She is a passionate advocate for working parents and a living example of how intentionality and purpose can allow you to thrive in both your professional and personal life.

Resources & Links:
Watch Hazel's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE-PN4i-eAE

• Find Hazel's Speaker Prep Checklist:
• Follow Hazel Sy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehazelsy/
• Visit Hazel Sy's site: https://www.hazelsy.com/
• Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.