Explore every episode of the podcast Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms
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| Why Mental Load Hacks Don't Work for Working Moms (And What Does) | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:15:56 | |
You can delegate more, create better systems, and try every mental load hack out there, but what if none of that is actually fixing the problem? In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest findings from my State of the Working Mom in 2026 research: why so many working moms struggle to sustainably let go of the mental load, even when they're doing all the "right" things. And here's the surprising part. It might have less to do with your partner or your to-do list and more to do with how you see yourself. I'm sharing my own experience, the identities that keep us holding on so tightly, and the shift that can finally help you release some of that responsibility without sacrificing the ambitious, capable woman you are. This one might change how you think about everything you're carrying. In this episode, we unpack:
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| The State of the Working Mom: New Research on Burnout, Mental Load & Why It's Not Your Fault | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:19:12 | |
If you’ve been wondering why working motherhood still feels so exhausting even when you’re doing everything “right,” this episode is the beginning of a conversation I think we desperately need. I’m kicking off my new State of the Working Mom series with the research, interviews and data I’ve gathered from working moms across the country, and the findings are incredibly validating. From the mental load that never clocks out to the guilt that follows us everywhere, the missing village, the toll on our bodies and the deep desire to simply feel like we have our lives back, I’m unpacking what working moms are really experiencing right now and why so much of it goes far beyond better time management. In this episode, we unpack:
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| High-Functioning and Barely Holding On: Ranjita's Story of Burnout, Self-Doubt, and Steady Confidence (rebroadcast) | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:46:44 | |
I’m bringing back this powerful conversation with Ranjita, a working mom of three, tax professional, and former Ambitious & Balanced client. She shares what it looked like to move through grief, burnout, and deep self-doubt, and how she slowly found her way back to herself. This is a beautiful conversation about learning to trust your own voice, letting go of the need to be everything for everyone, and creating a version of balance that actually feels like yours. In this episode, we unpack:
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| How to Advocate for Yourself at Work Without Feeling Like You're Bragging (rebroadcast) | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:22:23 | |
If advocating for yourself at work feels uncomfortable, awkward or a little too much like bragging, this episode is for you. I’m rebroadcasting this conversation because knowing how to speak up about your value, ask for what you need and advocate for what you want is a skill every working mom can learn. I’m sharing four practical tips to help you advocate for yourself with more confidence, plus the common reasons so many women struggle to do it in the first place. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Stay-at-Home Mom Envy: Do I Want to Quit My Job or Am I Just Burned Out (rebroadcast) | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:21:29 | |
Have you ever caught yourself looking at stay-at-home moms and thinking, “Maybe I just don’t want to work anymore”? Before you assume that means you need to quit your job, there may be something else going on. In this rebroadcast, I’m revisiting stay-at-home mom envy and what it can reveal about burnout, exhaustion, and the desire for more space in your life. We’ll talk about why these feelings show up and how to figure out whether you truly want a different career or if you’re simply craving a different way of working and living. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Stop Feeling Overwhelmed: The 3-Step Tool That Actually Works for Working Moms (rebroadcast) | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:23:13 | |
I’m rebroadcasting this important episode because I know so many working moms need this reminder. Overwhelm isn’t just something that happens to us. It’s an emotion our brain uses to tell us something needs our attention. Instead of pushing through it or getting bogged down by it, we can learn to get curious about what it’s trying to tell us. In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 simple steps to leverage overwhelm so you can feel more free, confident, and energized. You know…basically the opposite of overwhelmed. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Nothing Has Gone Wrong: A Working Mom's Guide to Back-to-School Emotions | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:17:05 | |
Back-to-school season can bring out some BIG emotions, and not just for our kids. Between the meltdowns, changing routines, and the bittersweet reality of watching our kids grow up, it can be easy to wonder what’s gone wrong. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift that changed everything for me: nothing has gone wrong. What if instead of trying to fix all the messy emotions, we simply gave ourselves and our kids permission to feel them? In this episode, we unpack:
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| Overscheduled? How Working Moms Can Say No to Fall Commitments Without the Guilt | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:17:08 | |
Back-to-school season has a way of making everything feel like a yes. PTA? Sure. Volunteer? Okay. Take on another project at work because nobody else raised their hand? Fine. But suddenly your calendar is packed, you’re exhausted, and the things that actually matter to you are getting whatever energy is left. In this episode, I’m talking about how to recognize when you’re overcommitted, why high-achieving women are particularly vulnerable to taking on too much, and the two shifts that can help you start creating a life that feels full without constantly feeling drained by it. Because the goal isn’t an empty calendar. It’s a calendar filled with the things you actually want your life to be about. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Back-to-School Overwhelm? The Questions Every Working Mom Should Ask Before the School Year | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:21:27 | |
There’s something about back-to-school season that makes me want to reset everything: routines, schedules, priorities, family systems... all of it. But in this episode, I’m challenging the idea that a smoother fall comes from better organization. Instead, I’m sharing five powerful questions that can completely change how you approach this season. We’re talking calmer mornings, less resistance with your kids, letting go of what doesn’t matter, and making sure you don’t disappear from your own schedule. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Why Is It So Hard to Dream Big as a Working Mom? (My 44th Birthday Episode) | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:15:38 | |
I turned 44 recently, and instead of celebrating where I've been, I found myself questioning where I'm going. In this episode, I'm sharing a vulnerable reflection about how easy it is for working mums to lose sight of their biggest dreams while managing the endless demands of everyday life. We talk about why survival mode steals our ability to dream, how fear disguises itself as "being practical," and why your past doesn't get to decide your future. If you've been feeling stuck, this conversation is your invitation to start believing in what's possible again. In this episode, we unpack:
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| The Mental Load: How to Build a Truly Equal Marriage (with Mika Ross) | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:50:31 | |
The hardest part isn't doing the laundry, packing the lunches, or remembering the appointments. It's feeling like you're the only one carrying the responsibility. In this episode, I sit down with relationship therapist and coach Mika Ross to explore why so many women end up carrying the invisible mental load, how society quietly reinforces those patterns, and what it really takes to build a more equal partnership at home. If you've ever thought, "Why do I have to ask?" this conversation is for you. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Is Your Career Hurting Your Kids? And The Truth About Working Mom Guilt (with Dr. Laura Froyen) | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:45:08 | |
What if the guilt you feel as a working mum isn't actually yours to carry? Rebecca and parenting expert Dr. Laura Froyen explore the stories we've been told about motherhood, career, and what it means to be a "good mum". Together they unpack the research, challenge common beliefs, and share practical ways to parent with more confidence and far less guilt. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Why Time Blocking Doesn't Work for Everyone (And What Does) with Anna Dearmon Kornick | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:49:37 | |
In this episode, I sit down with time management coach Anna Dearman Kornick for a fascinating conversation about why traditional productivity advice doesn't work for everyone. We explore how your personality influences the way you plan, make decisions, and manage your time, and why feeling overwhelmed has far less to do with your calendar than you might think. If you've ever felt like you're failing at time management, this episode will completely reframe the way you think about productivity, overwhelm, and creating a life that actually works for you. In this episode, we unpack:
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| How Busy Moms Can Make a Real Political Impact in 60 Seconds or Less (with Cynthia Levin) | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:48:03 | |
In this episode, I sit down with advocacy expert Cynthia Levin to challenge one of the biggest lies busy working moms believe: that making a difference requires more time than we have. Cynthia shares how she began advocating while raising babies, not after life got easier, and explains why moms are uniquely equipped to create real change. We talk about simple, practical ways to use your voice, why even small actions matter, and how advocacy can fit into an already full life. If you've ever cared deeply about an issue but felt like one person couldn't make a difference, this conversation will completely shift your perspective.86 In this episode, we unpack:
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| How Working Moms Stop Feeling Overwhelmed | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:24:47 | |
Over the last few months, I've interviewed dozens of working moms through my research and on this podcast. Their jobs were different. Their families were different. Their lives looked different. But the challenges they faced, and the breakthroughs that created lasting balance, were remarkably similar. In this episode, I'm unpacking the four biggest lessons that every working mom needs to hear. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Can Working Moms Get Promoted AND Have Balance? (Yes — Here's How) | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:13:20 | |
If you've been telling yourself, "Maybe now just isn't the right time to go after that promotion," I want you to hear this. In this episode, I share a conversation I had with a working mom who thought she was questioning her ambition, when in reality, she was simply running out of capacity. We unpack why so many ambitious women shrink their dreams instead of expanding their ability to hold them, and why sustainable work-life balance isn't about choosing between career success and family, it creates space for both. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Podcast Takeover: 2 Moms Talk Confidence, Guilt, and How They Got Their Time Back | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:30:00 | |
For the first time ever, I handed over the microphone to two badass moms from my Ambitious & Balanced coaching program and let them take over the podcast. No script. No questions. No coaching from me. Just an honest conversation between two working moms about what life looked like before coaching, what finally made them say yes to investing in themselves, and what's changed since. What followed was a candid conversation about confidence, guilt, boundaries, burnout, me time, and learning how to stop carrying the weight of everything alone. If you've ever wondered what it's actually like inside Ambitious & Balanced, this episode gives you a front-row seat. In this episode, we unpack:
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| There's Gotta Be Another Way: One Mom's Journey Out of Overwhelm (with Tania Deshpande) | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:49:38 | |
For years, Tania believed success meant grinding harder, working longer, and constantly proving her worth. As a working mom in Silicon Valley, she was exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in a cycle of perfectionism, guilt, and never feeling like she was doing enough. In this conversation, she shares the mindset shifts, practical tools, and surprising breakthroughs that helped her create a completely different way of living, one where ambition and balance can actually coexist. If you've ever wondered whether there has to be a better way than constantly running on empty, this episode is for you. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Working mom guilt is keeping you stuck (and here’s what to do about it) | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:16:39 | |
What if the guilt you've been carrying as a working mom isn't proof that you're failing... but a signal that you're unclear on what matters most? In this episode, I challenge the idea that mom guilt is just part of the job description and share why guilt often points to a lack of clarity around priorities, balance, and success. Through real client stories and practical examples, you'll learn how defining what truly matters to you can reduce guilt, increase confidence, and help you feel more in control of your life as a working mom. In this episode, we unpack:
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| A Working Mom’s Breakthrough About Work-Life Balance (with Allison Costelow) | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:40:39 | |
My client Allison shares the moment she realized she’d been living by expectations she never consciously chose, and how redefining balance on her own terms changed everything. In this conversation, we talk about the pressure ambitious working moms carry, the invisible mental load, the myth of the “magic button,” and the surprisingly simple shifts that finally helped her feel calmer, more present, and back in control of her life. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Forever Balance: The Principles Behind Sustainable Work-Life Balance (with Kelly Maher) | 25 May 2026 | 00:41:11 | |
What if balance actually lasted? In this episode, I talk with my client Kelly, who once believed a promotion would cost her everything at home. Now she’s doing both—leading at work and feeling present with her kids—and the shift wasn’t doing more or lowering her standards. It was learning how to think differently. We break down “forever balance” and why most women feel like they’re starting over every time life gets busy. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Working Mom Burnout: Why Summer Is the Breaking Point (And How to Stop It Before It Starts) | 18 May 2026 | 00:18:53 | |
Summer can feel like a pressure cooker for working moms. The camps, the childcare scramble, the disrupted routines, the pressure to make magical memories, the guilt of being behind at work while also feeling like you’re not fully present at home — it’s a lot. In this conversation, I’m sharing the real reason so many ambitious working moms burn out during the summer months and the one shift that helps you stop running yourself into the ground trying to do it all. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Work-Life Balance in the Middle of Uncertainty: Navigating AI Job Loss as a Working Mom | 11 May 2026 | 00:21:40 | |
What happens when the career you worked so hard to build suddenly feels uncertain? In this episode, I’m talking about the fear, overwhelm, and identity spiral so many working moms are experiencing right now as AI rapidly changes industries and job security. But instead of teaching you how to “hold on tighter,” I’m walking you through how to stay grounded, calm, and strategic in the middle of uncertainty. I share my own experience leaving the safety of a paycheck to start my coaching business, the mindset shift that changed everything for me, and the exact three things you actually can control when life feels wildly unpredictable. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Why You're Not Procrastinating (And What's Actually Holding You Back) | 04 May 2026 | 00:19:24 | |
You’re not procrastinating… you’re protecting something. In this episode, I walk you through the difference between procrastination and resistance, and how what feels like avoidance is actually your brain protecting your identity. Once you understand that, everything shifts. I’ll show you how to move through that resistance without waiting for confidence and how to finally take action on the things that matter most. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Feeling Guilty for Loving Your Job? A Must-Listen for Working Moms | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:23:32 | |
You love your job… and feel guilty about it? Let’s talk about that. I recorded this episode years ago, but after so many recent conversations with working moms, I realized this truth hasn’t changed: sometimes the guilt isn’t about leaving your kids…it’s about loving your work. In this episode, I unpack why that doesn’t make you a bad mom, what’s really driving that guilt, and how to start thinking differently so you can actually enjoy both your career and your life at home - without constantly second-guessing yourself. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Still Overwhelmed as a Working Mom? Why It’s Not Getting Easier (And What to Do Instead) | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:14:34 | |
I’ve been thinking a lot about those seasons in motherhood and work where things just feel hard… longer than you expected. In this episode, I’m sharing why the belief that “it’ll get easier later” is actually what’s keeping you stuck, and how shifting out of that waiting mindset can completely change how you show up today. This is one of those perspective shifts that sounds simple, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. In this episode, we unpack:
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| How to Stop People Pleasing as a Working Mom (with Michelle Gauthier) | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:43:24 | |
Have you ever said yes… and instantly felt that pit in your stomach? In this conversation, I sit down with Michelle Gauthier to unpack how people pleasing quietly fuels overwhelm, steals your time, and keeps you stuck in a cycle of overcommitment. We get real about why ambitious women default to yes, how it impacts your success, and the simple “love and fit” tool that helps you finally make decisions that actually align with the life you want. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, this one will hit home. In this episode, we unpack:
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| How to Stop Resenting Your Partner as the Default Parent | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:19:28 | |
I went deeper into something I see all the time with working moms, the default parent dynamic - and the part no one really talks about: how it impacts your relationship. If you’ve ever felt that quiet resentment building, or caught yourself thinking “why do I have to ask?”, this episode will hit home. I walk through the shift from trying to control your partner to actually leading change in your home, and why that’s the only way this dynamic truly transforms. In this episode, we unpack:
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| How to Stop Being the Default Parent: What You Can Actually Control | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:18:43 | |
If you’ve ever asked for help but still felt like everything lives in your brain…this episode is for you. I walk through why delegating tasks isn’t actually solving your mental load and what it really takes to step out of being the family “project manager.” We’re talking about ownership, control, and the subtle ways you’re unintentionally staying at the center of everything—and how to shift it for good. In this episode, we unpack:
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| The Default Parent Problem: Why Moms End Up Managing the Whole Family | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:17:16 | |
I had one of those moments again where my kid asked me for something while my partner was sitting right there, and it made me realize how many of us have quietly become the default parent without ever deciding to. In this episode, I’m breaking down why that happens, not from a place of blame, but from understanding. Because when you see how this dynamic forms over time, it becomes so much easier to change it. If you’ve been carrying the mental load and wondering how it all ended up on your plate, this is going to give you a completely different perspective. In this episode, we unpack:
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| The Pressure of Being a Good Daughter on Work-Life Balance (with Dr. Allison Alford) | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:49:47 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allison Alford to talk about something we almost never name out loud: daughtering. We explore the invisible labor many women carry in their families — the emotional, logistical, and mental work of keeping relationships connected across generations. This conversation opened my eyes to how much space this role takes in our lives and how acknowledging it can actually bring relief, clarity, and healthier boundaries. If you’ve ever felt stretched between work, parenting, and family expectations, this conversation will help you see that dynamic in a completely new way. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Mental Load Hack #3: Why Subtraction Reduces Mental Load Faster Than Organization | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:19:07 | |
I’m diving into the third mental load hack in our series—and this one might challenge you. We’re talking about downshifting. Not lowering your standards. Not settling. But consciously deciding what is actually yours to carry and what isn’t. I unpack why mental load decreases faster through subtraction than optimization, how we silently assume responsibility at work and home, and why your capability does not equal your obligation. If you’ve been feeling like the default for everything, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Mental Load Hack #2: How to Close Open Loops and Reduce Overwhelm | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:16:35 | |
You don’t feel exhausted because you have too much to do. You feel exhausted because too many decisions are still open. In this episode, I break down how “open loops” — the unresolved questions quietly spinning in your brain, are driving your mental load and keeping your nervous system activated all day long. I share the simple decision framework I teach my clients that instantly brings relief. This isn’t about better organizing. It’s about deciding differently. And when you do? Everything shifts. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Mental Load Hack #1: One Thing That Brings Instant Relief for Working Moms | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:16:53 | |
This week, I’m kicking off a new series all about the mental load, and it could not be more timely. I woke up with that familiar heaviness so many working moms carry — the constant tracking, anticipating, remembering, deciding. Not just tasks, but the invisible thinking work behind everything. In this episode, I share the simplest, most powerful thing I did before my tea even finished boiling that helped me feel lighter, calmer, and more in control. If your brain feels like it’s running overtime and you’re tired of holding everything in your head, this is a must-listen. In this episode, we unpack:
Your next steps:
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| Letting Go of Rumination and Finally Feeling in Control (with Mike Garcia) | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:53:19 | |
This week on the podcast, I’m doing something I’ve never done before — I’m interviewing a working dad.
Mike is a coaching client who came into our work stuck in his head, overwhelmed by pressure, and caught in constant rumination. In this conversation, he shares what it actually looked like to question the stories running his life, stop chasing external validation, and learn how to pivot out of spirals faster. We talk about the real tools that helped him feel calmer, more focused, and more present at work and at home. If you’ve ever felt stuck replaying the same thoughts on repeat or carrying stress from one part of your life into the next, this episode will hit close to home. What We Cover:
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| The “Not Enough” Trap Keeping Working Moms Exhausted | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:18:56 | |
I’m diving into one of the most foundational conversations I have with every client: enoughness. That quiet “not enough” voice shows up at work, at home, and even when you’re supposed to be resting. In this episode, I break down why chasing more never brings balance and share simple mindset shifts and practical practices to help you decide what enough actually means for you so you can end your days feeling calm, confident, and done. In this episode, we unpack:
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| MUST LISTEN If You Did Not Experience Work-Life Balance in 2025 | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:16:38 | |
I’m saying this boldly and early: balance didn’t stay out of reach because your job was too demanding or your season was too hard. It stayed out of reach because it stayed an “it would be nice if” instead of becoming a real commitment. In this episode, I walk you through the exact mindset shift that separates women who want balance from women who actually create it — and why “if/then” thinking quietly keeps ambitious working moms stuck year after year. If you’re done wishing and ready to decide, this episode will hit home. In this episode, we unpack:
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| Reconnecting With Your Spark: Finding Fun, Ideas, and Joy Again as a Working Mom (with Whitney Baker) | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:40:23 | |
Somewhere along the way, many working moms lose touch with the parts of themselves that feel playful, energized, and alive. In this episode, I’m joined by Whitney Baker, founder of Electric Ideas, for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, identity shifts after motherhood, and what it really means to reconnect with your spark. If you’ve been moving through your days on autopilot, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and reconnect. In this episode, we unpack:
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| How to Reframe Your Goals So They Feel Inevitable | 19 Jan 2026 | 00:20:04 | |
If you’ve ever set goals you genuinely want… and still watched yourself stall, second-guess, or fall back into old patterns, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the missing piece of goal setting that almost no one talks about — the part that makes goals feel inevitable instead of exhausting. This isn’t about more discipline or a better plan. It’s about who you believe yourself to be while you’re going after what you want. If you’re tired of forcing change and wondering why it never sticks, this conversation will make a lot of things finally click. In this episode, we unpack:
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| The 3 Mindset Traps Keeping Working Moms Stuck in 2026 | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:22:38 | |
What if the reason you feel stuck right now has nothing to do with discipline or motivation?
In this episode, I’m breaking down the three quiet traps that keep so many working moms stuck in survival mode as we head into 2026. These patterns sound responsible and reasonable on the surface, but they’re the very things that keep you postponing joy, shrinking your desires, and telling yourself “later” will be better. We’re talking about why responsibility can become a cage, why waiting for the right season keeps you frozen, and why “it’s fine” is often the most dangerous place to stay. This episode is an invitation to stop settling and start choosing an unapologetic life—intentionally, not recklessly. In this episode, we unpack:
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| What If This Was the Year You Lived Unapologetically? | 05 Jan 2026 | 00:20:00 | |
Working moms don’t lack motivation in January. They lack permission. In this episode, I’m introducing the word I’m speaking over 2026 for myself and this community: unapologetic. We’re talking about why so many working moms burn out even when they’re capable and committed, how shrinking and self-justifying quietly drains your energy, and what it looks like to finally name what you want without guilt. This is about moving from good intentions to real commitment and letting this year feel different. In this episode, we unpack:
Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
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| 7 ways to redirect your “not enough” thoughts (rebroadcast) | 29 Dec 2025 | 00:29:56 | |
Today, I’m bringing back a conversation that feels especially relevant right now, in that quiet space between Christmas and New Year’s when reflection can quickly turn into self-judgment. I share a very real moment when my own “I should be further ahead” thoughts showed up, even as a coach who teaches this work, and walk you through the exact tools I use to redirect not-enough thinking. This episode is grounding, practical, and a powerful reminder that balance isn’t about fixing yourself, it’s about learning how to come back to sufficiency and presence again and again. Topics in this episode:
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| Presence over presents: the secret to joy during the holidays (rebroadcast) | 22 Dec 2025 | 00:27:31 | |
I’m talking straight to the working mom who doesn’t want to hustle her way through the holidays and look back wondering where the magic went. We’re diving into what presence actually means, why joy depends on it, and how to get your brain and body in the same place at the same time during a season that pulls you in a hundred directions. I share personal holiday moments, common patterns I see with ambitious moms, and simple mindset shifts that help you stop missing your life while you’re living it. Topics in this episode:
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| Take Ownership of Your Work-Life Balance in 2026 | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:23:20 | |
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m talking directly to the working mom who’s thinking, “I cannot do another year like this.” We’re diving into what it really looks like to take back ownership of your life in 2026, not through hustle or perfect systems, but through three grounded shifts that bring clarity, confidence, and control. If you want next year to feel calmer, more intentional, and less reactive, this episode will help you see exactly where to start and what to stop tolerating Topics in this episode:
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| The Hidden Causes of Mom Burnout: 3 Patterns Setting You Up for Exhaustion in 2026 | 08 Dec 2025 | 00:24:31 | |
Follow the show: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Everywhere else In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m breaking down the three deeply rooted patterns that quietly lead ambitious working moms straight into burnout — the ones you don’t even recognize because they feel so normal. I walk you through why these patterns show up, how they drain your energy and joy, and what needs to shift if you want 2026 to feel calmer, more spacious, and actually aligned with your priorities. If you’ve been ending your days exhausted or feeling like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders, this episode will help you finally understand why — and what to do about it next. Topics in this episode:
Show Notes & References:Sign up for the New Year Reset here: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/2026-reset
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| Three Signs You’re Headed Toward Burnout in 2026 (and what to do about it) | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:24:20 | |
Follow the show: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Everywhere else In this week's episode of the podcast, I’m diving deep into the truth of your 2025 and why so many working moms are closer to burnout than they realize — not because of dramatic moments, but because of the small, daily “fender benders” we’ve learned to brush off. I share the three subtle signs that burnout is on the horizon, why your brain resists change (even the change you want), and how to set yourself up for a completely different 2026. If you’ve been stretched thin, craving presence, or quietly wondering if you can keep going like this…this episode is the reset you didn’t know you needed. Topics in this episode:
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| Overwhelmed vs. Control: How to Reframe Your Long To-Do List | 24 Nov 2025 | 00:19:27 | |
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m breaking down why your long to-do list isn’t actually the problem. We tend to make that growing list mean we’re behind, failing, or not doing enough — but what if it’s actually a sign of something really good? In this episode, I share four reframes that completely shift the way you interpret your to-do list so you can stop starting your day in stress mode and instead feel grounded, capable, and fully in the driver’s seat again. If you ever look at your list and immediately feel overwhelmed, you’re going to want to listen to this one. Topics in this episode:
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| Balance Isn’t Instant: How Consistency Unlocks a Truly Balanced Life (with Amanda Chapple) | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:39:11 | |
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m talking with my client Amanda about what it really looks like to stay committed to balance even when it feels like nothing is changing. She shares her journey of re-entering the workforce full-time, the fear of slipping back into old habits, the quiet months where progress felt invisible, and the moment everything finally clicked — leading to less stress, more confidence, and even a surprise promotion. If you’ve ever wondered whether consistency actually pays off, or worried that maybe balance just won’t “work” for you, this episode will give you so much hope and clarity. Topics in this episode:
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| Productivity vs. Presence: How to Reframe What It Means to Feel Successful | 10 Nov 2025 | 00:18:34 | |
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In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m exploring what happens when your old definition of success no longer fits your life as a mom. Before kids, success might’ve meant promotions, achievements, and productivity, but now that version just leaves you feeling like you’re always behind. I share client stories and practical tools to help you redefine success in a way that aligns with your values and season of life, so you can finally feel fulfilled, calm, and proud of how you’re spending your time. Topics in this episode:
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| BONUS: Balance & Boundaries: How to Lead (Not Just Survive) the Holidays | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:17:31 | |
In this week’s BONUS episode of the podcast, I’m breaking down how to do the holidays differently this year. Instead of slipping into the usual cycle of guilt, overcommitment, and exhaustion, I’m showing you how to lead yourself through the season—with intention, courage, and calm. You’ll learn how to set a clear vision for what you want this holiday to feel like, how to stand strong when family expectations pile on, and how to stay grounded no matter how busy things get. If you’re ready for a joyful, peaceful holiday (without the overwhelm), this episode is for you. Topics in this episode:
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