Not Working Right Now – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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Not Working Right Now

Melyse Skaarup and Alicia Jones

Kids & Family

Frequency: 1 episode/14d. Total Eps: 17

For moms in the messy middle—done having kids, but not done figuring out what’s next. We’re talking burnout, big pivots, identity crises, and building a life that actually fits. Honest convos, laughs, and zero hustle-culture B.S.

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Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
26/04/2026
#95
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
11/02/2026
#84
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
24/01/2026
#99
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
12/01/2026
#84
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
11/01/2026
#52
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
10/01/2026
#61
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
25/09/2025
#97
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
22/09/2025
#99
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
21/09/2025
#56
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
20/09/2025
#40

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://fatiguefixer.ca/freeguide/
2 shares
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass.html
1 share
https://ottawa.overdrive.com
1 share

https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/flipp-flyers-shopping-deals/id725097967
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 38%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Ep 8: Burnout, Boundaries & Your Body’s Whispers — a Conversation with Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur

Season 1 · Episode 8

Thursday, August 7, 2025 • Duration 43:45

In this episode of Not Working Right Now, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur, a Naturopathic Doctor who helps women stop running on stress and start feeling like themselves again, because "being a Mom is not a medical diagnosis"

We talk about why so many moms hit burnout in the messy middle years, how our bodies signal when something’s off (hint: it’s not just about being tired), and why rest isn’t laziness—it’s medicine.

Sarah breaks down the difference between being busy and being full, what it really means to listen to your body, and how to start feeling better without overhauling your entire life.

Whether you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just craving more from this season—this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and more in tune with what you need next.

Show Notes**

Dr. Sarah refers to her Missing Piece Lab Guide which you can get here: https://fatiguefixer.ca/freeguide/

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Ep 7: Beach Chicken And Other Unhinged Parenting Hacks (That Actually Work!)

Thursday, July 31, 2025 • Duration 16:19

This one’s for the parents just trying to survive.

In this bonus episode, we’re stepping away from career pivots and diving into the gloriously chaotic world of parenting — specifically, all the questionable hacks we’ve used that definitely wouldn’t make it into a parenting book… but should.

From dyeing Advil red to make it more appealing, to telling our kids that “Le Monsieur” shuts down the parks at night, to casually strapping them into their car seats just to get 3 minutes of silence — we’re laying it all out. We’re talking beach chicken, Pokémon card currency, bedtime outfits that double as school clothes, and the greatest trick of all: making your kids think your food tastes better than theirs.

These might be mildly unhinged… but they’re highly effective.

If you’ve ever looked around and thought, “How are we all just doing this without a manual?” — this episode is for you.

👉 And we want to hear from YOU.

Submit your anonymous community confession — a parenting hack, a messy middle moment, or just something you need to get off your chest — by visiting the link in our Instagram bio. Your story might just be featured on a future episode.

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Ep 6: Work Got The Best Of Me, Home Got The Rest—A Conversation with Sara

Friday, July 25, 2025 • Duration 33:41

If you’ve ever felt like the version of you at work is shiny and put-together, while the version of you at home is running on fumes… this one’s for you.

In this episode, we sit down with fellow messy mom and NWRN community member Sara, who recently hit pause on her HR career to face something that so many of us try to push through: burnout, postpartum depression, and the crushing pressure to be everything for everyone.

Sara shares her deeply personal story — from colic babies and pandemic parenting to finally saying no (and realizing the world didn’t fall apart). We talk about the financial realities of going on leave, what it really feels like to stop achieving, and the hard but healing work of reimagining life on your own terms.

Got a messy middle story or moment to share? Submit your anonymous community confession at the link in our bio on IG to be featured in a future episode.

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Ep 5: Let's Talk Money, Honey! 💸

Thursday, July 17, 2025 • Duration 23:22

In this episode, we (Alicia + Melyse) open up about what finances actually feel like in this season of life — pausing careers, raising kids, and carrying the invisible weight of all those obligations while the bank account balance slowly shrinks.

Spoiler: we are not financial advisors (and honestly, you probably shouldn’t take advice from us anyway). But we do know how heavy and lonely the money stuff can feel when you’re trying to make it all work — and we’re here to say you’re not alone.

We share:

✨ What our current work + income situations actually look like

✨ How we decided (or didn’t) whether we “could afford” to pause

✨ The guilt of spending when you’re not earning

✨ How we’ve reframed our value beyond a paycheck

✨ Some questionable-but-fun money hacks we actually use (hello, price matching and thrifting)

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable, guilty, or just confused about your finances in the messy middle of motherhood and career transition — come sit with us in it.

We don’t have the answers, but we’ve got the commiseration.

⸻

📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Flipp App for price-matching groceries

• Overdrive for free e-books from the Ottawa Public Library: Don’t forget to check your city’s e-book offerings if you’re not in Ottawa!

Ep 4: What Is Working Right Now vs. What’s Still a Hot Mess

Thursday, July 10, 2025 • Duration 21:49

This week on Not Working Right Now, we’re doing a little pulse check on life. In true messy-middle fashion, we sat down for a candid chat about what’s actually working for us right now… and what’s definitely not.

No filters, no “perfect systems” — just two moms talking through the little wins, the ongoing struggles, and the hilarious in-betweens of trying to make life, motherhood, and work actually… work.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re crushing it in one area while dropping the ball in another (sometimes at the same exact time) — you’re in good company.

💬 What we talk about in this episode:

• A surprising list of what’s keeping us afloat right now

• The stuff we keep trying (and failing) to make work

• Why taking inventory like this feels oddly freeing

• Permission to let some things just… not work for now

We’d love to hear from you — what’s working and not working in your world? Send us a DM on Instagram or drop a comment on our latest post so we can laugh, nod, and commiserate with you.

—

✨ Follow us on Instagram: @nwrightnow

✨ Rate & review the podcast wherever you listen — it helps us reach more moms in the messy middle.

✨ Want to confess your own hot mess moment? Submit it anonymously https://www.speakpipe.com/NWRNConfessions?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLcrMdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp-fs9qi9o_YYSHa74e4bSAiH0h-zIJf-e7Ytz7Cy3G7MYdE_mgdYim6SnFMw_aem_h4frgNJ3K2cup-45_PHDXA.

Thanks for being here. And remember: it’s okay if it’s all a bit of a mixed bag right now. You’re not alone.

Ep 3: Resting is Harder Than We Thought

Monday, June 30, 2025 • Duration 18:13

We used to think rest meant crashing on the couch after the kids went to bed or booking a vacation we were too burnt out to enjoy. But since hitting pause on work, we’ve had to totally rethink what rest actually is. In this episode, we’re unpacking the messy process of slowing down, how we’ve figured out activities we can do that give our brain the rest it needs, and how doing less is sometimes the bravest thing you can do. If you’re feeling tired in your soul, this one’s for you.

And don’t forget—at the end of every episode, we share Community Confessions: real, anonymous moments from moms in the messy middle. Want to submit yours? DM us on Instagram or use the link in our bio. You’re not alone in this.

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Ep 2: When Life Was “Fine” (But Not Really)

Episode 2

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 • Duration 21:41

In this episode, we’re going back to before. Before the pause, before the unraveling, before we admitted that “fine” wasn’t cutting it anymore. We’re talking about what life looked like when we were juggling careers, kids, and expectations—and silently burning out under the weight of it all.

If you’ve ever smiled through gritted teeth and said “I’m fine” when you were anything but… this one’s for you.

We’re getting honest about the warning signs we ignored, the pressure to keep going, and the moment we realized something had to change.

Plus: don’t miss the Community Confession at the end of the episode. You can submit yours anonymously at the link in our bio on Instagram @nwrightnow, or by email at notworkingrightnow2025@gmail.com.

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Ep 1: Life’s a Mess, Let’s Podcast

Season 1 · Episode 1

Monday, June 23, 2025 • Duration 17:55

Welcome to the very first episode of Not Working Right Now—a podcast for moms in the messy middle. You know the stage: you’re done having babies, but not done growing… and something about your current life just isn’t working right now.

In this kickoff episode, we’re introducing ourselves, sharing how this whole thing started (spoiler: it began with a coffee and a “me too” moment), and opening up about why we felt called to create this space. Our hope is to build a community where women can be honest about burnout, career shifts, identity changes, and everything in between—without shame, pressure, or pretending we’ve got it all together.

Plus, at the end of every episode, we’ll be sharing community confessions—anonymous stories from listeners who are in the thick of it too. You can submit yours anytime via DM or at the link in our bio on Instagram @nwrightnow.

Thanks for being here. Let’s figure out what’s next—together.

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Ep 9: Screens, Boredom, and Why Your Child's Education Requires Teamwork -- A Real Conversation with a Teacher and Mom

Season 1 · Episode 9

Thursday, August 21, 2025 • Duration 40:41

In this episode of Not Working Right Now, we sit down with a grade school teacher Katie, who is also a mom, runner, yogi, and unofficial Christmas sweater influencer to dive into all things school and motherhood.

Katie joins us to pull back the curtain on what really happens inside a classroom—and let’s just say, it’s not what most parents imagine. From managing 30+ kids (with only 40 minutes of prep time a day!) to answering to “Mom,” “Mrs. Teacher,” and “Miss Mommy,” Katie shares hilarious, honest, and eye-opening stories about teaching in 2025.

We cover it all:

✨ The surprising overlaps between parenting and teaching

✨ Why patience, multitasking, and juggling mental to-do lists should all be Olympic sports

✨ The real challenges teachers face with oversized classrooms and limited resources

✨ What parents can actually do to help (hint: just reply to the email!)

✨ Why boredom matters, and how to help kids problem-solve instead of panic

✨ The best (and worst) teacher gifts ever received—yes, it involves Alfredo sauce in a Ziploc bag

If you’ve ever wondered what your child’s day at school actually looks like, or if you’re looking for ways to support your kid’s learning without another workbook, this episode is for you.

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Ep 11: Starting SSRIs: The First Week Feels 🫣

Season 1 · Episode 11

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • Duration 24:25

This week on Not Working Right Now, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to start an SSRI for anxiety. Melyse is just 10 days into sertraline (Zoloft), and she’s sharing it all: why she decided to revisit medication, what the first week of side effects felt like (spoiler: it was a lot like first trimester nausea), and the surprising early wins she didn’t expect to see.

We also talk about:

Stigma, strength, and why moms often feel like medication is “a crutch”
The physiotherapy-for-your-brain analogy that helped Alicia say yes to meds years ago
Side effects in the first week: headaches, stomach issues, brain fog, and tbh farts
Early signs it’s working (aka: basement lights & intrusive thoughts 👀)
Talking to kids about medication, when it makes sense

This conversation is messy, honest, and hopefully a reminder that you’re not alone if you’re considering support for your mental health.

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Not Working Right Now – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

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Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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Not Working Right Now – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other7

Apple1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Other7

Apple1

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities