The Bodacious Optimist Podcast

Sascha Mayer on Launching Something Brand New

For The Bodacious Optimist’s inaugural podcast, coproducer Nicci Micco talks with the show’s host and Mamava cofounder Sascha Mayer about her path to making pods (both this show, and the lactation pods she invented). The episode focuses on how Sascha and cofounder Christine Dodson incubated the concept of freestanding lactation pods (the birth of Mamava) at the design studio where they worked, the power of design and brand to influence culture, and the challenges of creating an entirely new category and business from the ground up. 

Sascha is a recognized expert on lactation space design, family-friendly workplace policies, and social entrepreneurial leadership.  Her career in design started at JDK (now Solidarity of Unbridled Labour) where as Strategy Director, Sascha designed and facilitated multidisciplinary creative collaborative sessions with brands including HP, Levi’s, Lululemon, Nike Women, and Seventh Generation. Prior to joining Solidarity, Sascha served as assistant press secretary for former Congressman (now Senator) Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). 

Nicci Micco, Mamava’s Chief Marketing Officer, began her career as a magazine journalist and content creator, producing multi-platform health and lifestyle content for brands including EatingWell, SELF, Cooking Light, Men’s Health, and Glamour—and later working with health and wellness experts to architect lifestyle programs that help people live healthier, happier lives. Nicci is also a mom of two sporty teenagers and a yoga teacher.

Mentioned in the episode

Michael Jager creative director of Solidarity of Unbridled Labour

Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Evolution  by Cat Bohannon