To say I could absolutely not stop reading it till the end is an absolute understatement. As a woman: I thank you. As a mother: I thank you As a wife/spouse: I thank you As a leader: I thank you As a mentor/friend: I thank you
An Eye-Opening Memoir and Playbook for
Highly Achieving Working Parents
Dual-career couples double down every day with all-out effort on their careers and their children. How do these families succeed? What works? What doesn’t? This book, Doubling Down: The Secret Sauce for Dual-Career Families, tells you. Endorsed by relationship experts and business leaders – and supported by research – the guidebook offers thought-provoking insights into the home of two senior executives and outlines an actionable game plan for finding and becoming a partner who enjoys the financial and personal fulfillment advantages of a dual-career family.
A portion of proceeds will support Girls 4 Science.
Meet Bram and Ilene
Who You Marry Impacts Your Career Success
Ilene Gordon is on the Board of Directors at Lockheed Martin, International Paper and International Flavors and Fragrances and served as CEO of multiple international organizations. She was named five times to Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” U.S. list, and twice to Fortune’s international list. Bram Bluestein held senior leadership positions at several of the most respected consulting firms in the world, including Boston Consulting Group, Kearney, and Booz Allen Hamilton. His career building some of the world’s most transformative brands spans six continents.
What People are Saying
What relationship experts and business leaders have to say
Marilyn Hewson
"DOUBLING DOWN is an indispensable resource for anyone navigating the challenges of maintaining a dual-career household in an increasingly demanding business environment and rapidly evolving society."
John Gottman, Ph.D.
“Buy this book if you’re going to succeed as a dual-career family. Gordon and Bluestein reveal how they managed to keep love and romance alive, be great parents, and still nurture two separate careers.”
Gregory Kenny
“I shared DOUBLING DOWN with my daughters and their husbands.”
Michal Clements
“In my decades studying the insights and perspectives of thousands of mothers, I have not come across a book that so successfully articulates the creativity that successful dual-career couples need in order to bring out the best in each other. Written candidly and with humor, the guidebook to a good marriage offers a deeper level of wisdom.”
Jim Lowry
“Bram and Ilene have been one of the most committed couples: committed to their careers, to their families, and to Chicago. This book reveals the secret sauce that all dual-career families can adopt to improve their own success.”
Tom Plath
“DOUBLING DOWN is a testament to the fact that being great at what you do doesn’t require 80 hours a week, but it does require commitment, emotional intelligence, and presence.”
What's New
News and Events
Enjoying the financial and personal fulfillment advantages of the pursuit of aggressive professionals goals, a close-knit family-life and a romantic relationship with your partner requires a proactive and intentional game plan. We’ll be updating this website with details of our events and announcements in this section. Be sure to check back for the latest resources on succeeding as a dual-career family.
Indie Reader
DOUBLING DOWN: The Secret Sauce for Dual-Career Families begins with an eye-opening revelation: “Couples juggling two jobs are now the norm—among married-couple families with children, 64 percent have both parents employed.”
BookLife
“Gordon and Bluestein, former CEOs of multiple international organizations, pair expert know-how with streetwise experience in this indispensable guide for couples–or singles–looking for success in dual-career roles. Married for more than 40 years, the duo share tips they have learned and applied in their own lives–covering all the necessary bases, from money management to travel […]
Weathering the Covid Stress Test
The pandemic has put many dual-career families through a particularly rigorous stress test. Figuring out how to be effective in two high-powered careers while working remotely and still splitting other life responsibilities equitably requires high levels of creativity and discipline.
Get in Touch
Do you have feedback about DOUBLING DOWN: The Secret Sauce for Dual-Career Families or an inquiry about a speaking engagement or interview request? We would love to hear from you. (Keep in mind we can’t respond to all messages and ask that you do not send inquiries related to professional networking.)
