EP 326: The Invisible Load of Motherhood with Lori Sugarman-Li
Lori Sugarman-Li: Championing Families, Unpaid Work, and Meaningful Conversations
If there’s one thing Lori Sugarman-Li knows for sure, it’s the incredible power of families—and the need to truly value the invisible work that so many do every day. As a Communications Strategist turned Coach, Speaker, and Author, Lori has spent years amplifying voices that often go unheard, shining a light on the vital role that unpaid labor—especially within families—plays in shaping the world we live in. And let’s just say, her passion for this mission is absolutely contagious.
From Communications Strategist to Family Advocate
Lori’s career path wasn’t exactly a straight line, but it was full of powerful experiences that ultimately inspired her to do the work she’s so passionate about today. With a background in communications, she spent years strategizing how to get the right messages out into the world. But after a decade of dedicating herself to full-time care for her family, community, and children’s charities, Lori saw firsthand how much unpaid work truly goes unnoticed—especially within families.
When you think about all the things that keep a family running smoothly—planning meals, organizing schedules, providing emotional support, managing household chores—it’s easy to see how much effort goes into the invisible labor of daily life. But in our fast-paced world, these tasks are often undervalued and overlooked. This realization became the spark for Lori’s professional relaunch as a coach and speaker, where she could advocate for the families that are working hard behind the scenes to make the world a better place.
Unpaid Work: The Hidden Engine of Society
Lori’s work shines a spotlight on something that many of us take for granted: unpaid labor. And not just the kind that happens behind closed doors—cooking, cleaning, caring for children, and organizing household life—but also the work done in communities, charities, and organizations, often by volunteers or those who aren’t compensated financially.
Through her speaking engagements and coaching, Lori helps families understand just how crucial this type of work is—not only for keeping things running but for fostering a culture of care and support. She encourages families to have open, honest conversations about how they divide their time and energy, and how they can better appreciate and support one another in those roles. After all, if we want to create more meaningful relationships, it starts at home.
Encouraging Families to Reimagine Their Spaces
One of Lori’s core messages is about creating shared spaces where everyone’s contributions are valued, and every voice matters. She’s passionate about helping families rethink how they engage with one another and how they nurture their collective well-being. It’s not just about managing the logistics of family life, but fostering a culture of love, empathy, and respect that honors the unique role each family member plays.
Whether it’s discussing the balance of work and home life or creating a more intentional and supportive family dynamic, Lori’s approach encourages families to reflect on how they care for each other and their shared spaces—whether that’s in a home, a community, or even a workplace. She challenges families to step outside the traditional models of care and labor and ask themselves, How can we do better?
A Voice for Change: Lori’s Professional Relauch
With her career as a Communications Strategist as her foundation, Lori’s professional journey took a powerful turn when she transitioned into coaching, speaking, and writing. It was a decision that allowed her to combine her passion for family, her expertise in communication, and her deep belief in the power of meaningful dialogue.
Her work now centers around helping families have those critical conversations—whether that’s through coaching sessions, public speaking engagements, or her written work. Lori is not just advocating for families to get on the same page about their daily tasks; she’s encouraging them to rethink how they approach one another’s contributions and how they honor and respect the work of caregiving, both in the home and beyond.
Lori’s Impact: Moving Toward a More Inclusive Future
What makes Lori Sugarman-Li’s work truly inspiring is her ability to foster empathy, understanding, and connection within families. In a world that’s often so focused on “what’s next,” she encourages families to take a step back and think deeply about how they care for each other and the spaces they share. Her work is a call to action for anyone who has ever felt the weight of invisible work and a reminder that every action, no matter how small, matters.
Through her words, Lori is sparking a cultural shift—a movement toward recognizing the true value of unpaid labor and bringing families closer together in the process. And as a coach, speaker, and author, Lori Sugarman-Li is showing us that meaningful conversations are the first step toward a more connected, compassionate, and well-balanced world. So next time you sit down for dinner or tackle a big project as a family, take a moment to recognize the invisible labor at play—and thank the people who make it all happen. Lori Sugarman-Li’s message is clear: when we value each other’s contributions, we create stronger, more resilient families and communities.