Women in the U.S. aren’t just balancing careers and caregiving—they are the invisible backbone of a broken system keeping our economy afloat. In this episode of the VEST Her Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Jessica Calarco, sociologist, professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and author of Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net.
Moderating this discussion was Monica Barczak, VEST Member and Founder & Principal of Barczak Consulting, where she works with organizations to promote family economic success and well-being.
Together, they unpacked the hidden burdens placed on women, the systemic challenges that force them into unpaid caregiving roles, and the urgent need for policy reform.
This episode is brought to you by VEST, a peer network for women professionals and investment fund investing in women led companies.
Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This conversation was part of a more intimate coaching session with VEST Members and has been repurposed to accommodate this episode. If you'd like to learn more about joining our peer community, go to www.vesther.co to learn more.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction: Women’s Role in Society
3:00 The Invisible Backbone: Women and the Economy
5:25 Myths About Women, Work, and Caregiving
8:10 Global Comparisons: Safety Nets in Other Countries
22:52 The DIY Model: Risks and Consequences
42:00 How Can We Help Young Men Redefine Gender Roles?
46:34 Future Directions: Call for Policy Change
Show Notes
Dr. Calarco’s book, Holding It Together, sheds light on a troubling reality: when government and workplace policies fall short, women step in to fill the gaps—often at great personal and financial cost. She explained how this phenomenon is not just a result of individual choices but rather a deeply ingrained expectation in American society.
“In the U.S., when someone loses a job, falls ill, or can’t afford childcare, we don’t have a strong safety net to catch them,” she explained. “Instead, we rely on women—mothers, daughters, sisters, friends—to step in. This isn’t just about personal sacrifice; it’s about systemic failure.”
Compared to other countries with more robust social policies, the U.S. offers little in the way of paid parental leave, affordable childcare, or universal healthcare—leaving women disproportionately responsible for caregiving.
The Impact on Women’s Careers and Financial Security
One of the most pressing challenges professional women face is the unpaid labor they take on at home, even when they work full-time jobs. From managing household responsibilities to caring for children and aging parents, this invisible workload has real consequences for their career progression and long-term financial security.
Dr. Calarco shared how these demands can force women into career breaks, limit their earning potential, and widen the gender wealth gap. “Women aren’t choosing to ‘opt out’ of the workforce—they’re being pushed out when workplaces don’t accommodate caregiving responsibilities,” she emphasized.
She also debunked common myths that blame women for these disparities, such as the idea that they simply need to “negotiate better” or “lean in” harder. The reality is that women face structural barriers, not just individual challenges, and real change requires collective action.
Practical Steps for Supporting Women at Work and at Home
So, what can professional women do to support each other and push for systemic change? Dr. Calarco and Monica Barczak explored several strategies:
Advocating for better workplace policies – Pushing for paid leave, flexible work arrangements, and caregiver support programs can create lasting change.
Challenging outdated gender roles – Encouraging equal partnerships at home and pushing back against expectations that women should “do it all.”
Leveraging networks like VEST – Building strong peer support systems where women can share resources, opportunities, and strategies for success.
Holding policymakers accountable – Engaging in advocacy efforts to demand government action on issues like childcare affordability and paid family leave.
Dr. Calarco highlighted that real progress will require action from the government, private sector, and philanthropic organizations—all of whom have a role in addressing the systemic factors that contribute to this issue.
Motherhood, Career, and Navigating It All
As a mother of two young children, Dr. Calarco also shared how her research has shaped her own approach to balancing work and family. She spoke candidly about the challenges of integrating career ambitions with caregiving responsibilities, noting that having a strong support system is essential.
“We need to stop treating work-life balance as an individual problem to solve and start demanding structural solutions that support all women,” she said.
Taking Action: What’s Next?
The conversation ended with a call to action: women must push for policies that recognize and support their contributions, both at home and in the workplace. Individually, this can mean advocating within your own company, setting boundaries, and supporting other women in your network. Collectively, it means organizing for systemic change.
To hear the full conversation and gain deeper insights, listen to the latest episode of the VEST Her Podcast.
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Guest Bios
Dr. Jessica Calarco is a sociologist and a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She's an award-winning author, and her most recent book is titled Holding it Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net. She has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, and CNN. She writes the Hidden Curriculum newsletter, and she is also a mom of two young kids.
Monica Barczak, is a VEST Member and Founder and Principal, Barczak Consulting, where she works with organizations to promote family economic success and well-being. Prior to establishing her consulting practice, Monica was Director of Community Health Equity at Ascension, where she designed and implemented strategies to reduce health disparities for low-income uninsured adults in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During her tenure, Monica grew the impact of this portfolio from $5 million a year to $12 million a year. Before this, Monica held multiple leadership roles in nonprofits and social impact organizations.