Career Mom

I love to-do lists! I love making them, they keep me on task and most importantly - I love crossing things off of them! But there are times or seasons in life (like the actual holiday season) where my to-do list is less motivational and more overwhelming.  When this happens I turn to my to DON'T list. When life gets extra stressful, you need to know what not to do in order to have time and energy for the extra things.  In this episode I give examples of my to don't list I've had since becoming a working mom as well as my Holiday version.   Download my Working Mom Identity Workbook: https://careermompodcast.ck.page/b8f3a52df6 For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Today's episode is an interview with Lauren Smith Brody. Lauren is one of the co-founders of the Chamber of Mothers. The Chamber of Mothers is a collective movement to focus America's priorities on mothers' rights.   The Chamber of Mothers is here to provide a straightforward way for motherhood leaders, organizations, and advocates to assemble in order to make lasting change. Working as a collective, we can influence millions of people, making it easy to get involved in advocacy and make a true impact. This is a long game.  Mothers are tired, but they want to do more. They have had enough. The Chamber will welcome their gifts and offers, and redirect them to the right place. The Chamber of Mothers is modeled after the Chamber of Commerce, and will similarly pool stakeholders and resources to protect the best interests of mothers. Leveraging the power of social media, the Chamber will direct all mothers and advocates in aligned action.  Download my Working Mom Identity Workbook: https://careermompodcast.ck.page/b8f3a52df6 For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/chamberofmothers For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

The US is fighting for 4 weeks of paid family leave. The next few weeks are crucial for the bill's passing. Use your voice and power on social media and join the campaign to fight for paid family leave.   Paid Leave Accounts to Follow:  @paidleaveus @chamberofmothers @themamattorney  @thefifthtrimester  @workingmomnotes   Click here for detailed show notes.   Are you overwhelmed being a working mom? Answering the fundamental questions of identity will help you explore, understand, and redefine your working mom identity. Leading to less overwhelm and mom guilt! I've created a free working mom identity workbook and an accompanying podcast episode to help you take the first steps to understand your identity.  Listen here to the episode.  Not sure what identity is? Listen to the very first episode of Career Mom.     Click here for all Career Mom Podcast episodes.  Join the Career Mom Podcast email list. Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz  

Do you know your enneagram number? The enneagram and working motherhood go hand-in-hand. The enneagram can be connect to any aspect of life: communication, parenting, careers, and relationships.  What is it? The personality test consists of nine types that are defined by a particular core belief about how the world works. These core beliefs drive your deepest motivations and fears as my guest, Libby Cole, an enneagram coach, refers to as “your why”. Take the test now!  Then listen to the episode as Libby explains how each of the 9 types relates to careers and parenting.   Click here for detailed show notes.    Are you overwhelmed being a working mom? Answering the fundamental questions of identity will help you explore, understand, and redefine your working mom identity. Leading to less overwhelm and mom guilt! I've created a free working mom identity workbook and an accompanying podcast episode to help you take the first steps to understand your identity.  Listen here to the episode.  Not sure what identity is? Listen to the very first episode of Career Mom.     Click here for all Career Mom Podcast episodes.  Join the Career Mom Podcast email list. Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz  

This week's episode is all about my FREE Working Mom Identity Workbook! This resource is for your if you are constantly asking yourself these questions:  Are you lost in motherhood; asking who am I after having a baby? Are you feeling like a bad mom and a bad employee? Should I be a working mom? Should I stay home? Download the workbook now and then listen to this week's podcast episode. They go hand-in-hand. The podcast will provide even more detail on how to get the most out of the workbook as well as examples and stories from my experience.   Click here for detailed show notes. For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

If a mother is out of the workforce for just three years, she loses 37% of her total compensation power forever and this happens to 43% of educated and experienced women in the corporate world. This statistic was from the Harvard Business Review in 2018. It was also the statistic that launched Ashley Connell, today's guest, into action to form her company.  Prowess Project is revolutionizing the hiring process for working moms. Her program not only helps women build the confidence to return to the workforce or pivot their careers but also gathers hundreds of data points on skill, expertise, behaviors, learning and communication style, emotional intelligence factors, and matches them up with jobs and employers with similar styles. One of the biggest barriers Ashley sees in working moms is their lack of confidence to return to work or pivot careers so we talk a lot about confidence in this episode too.   For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/confidence For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

If you think being a woman or working mom in corporate America is hard. If the self promotion, the confidence, and game playing don't come natural to you. If you've been told you need to change yourself to get ahead. If you're suffering from imposter syndrome..It's not YOU. It is CORPORATE. YOU are not the problem. Corporate is. Corporate was designed for men by men assuming someone else at home running a household. Not that someone would be doing both!  For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/corporate For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

This week's guest, Natalie Nielsen, went through a divorice as a stay-at-home mom to two toddlers. Now, she has designed an amazing ‘Plan B' life for herself and family. As a single mom, she grieved the life she thought she was going to have, then went back to school to get her bachelor's degree, landed a high paying corporate HR job, and eventually started a side-gig life coaching business that replaced her corporate income. It sounds like she was able to ‘do it all' but Natalie's message is the opposite...she had to let a lot of things go in order to make time to start a career as a single mom.  For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/singleworkingmom For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. Last year I shared my miscarriage story. You can find that episode here: careermompodcast.com/miscarriage. And unfortunately I have had 2 more miscarriages this year. The first in February of 2021 at 6 weeks and the second in May at 8 weeks. This year has been filled with one common theme for me; grief. I think some of the shame and misunderstanding around miscarriage loss stems from the grief we experience. Miscarriage grief isn't normal grief; It's complicated. I sometimes find myself wondering what I am even grieving…   For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/miscarriagegrief For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a pre-vivor and survivor of breast cancer, Gila Pfeffer is passionate about prevention and early detection. Both her mother and grandmother passed away in their 40's from breast cancer. In her 30's, Gila got tested and was positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation making her chances of having the disease very high. Convinced she would be dead by 40, she took matters into her own hands and had a preventative double mastectomy (both breasts removed).  Now, she uses her social media platforms to promote breast cancer prevention. She posts an attention-grabbing “Feel It On The First” post which prompts women to take their breast health seriously. Johns Hopkins Medical center states, “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.”   For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/breastcancer For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz  

I recently hosted a Fishbowl live with Kimberly Didrickson from Learning Motherhood and Ashley Reckdenwald from Working Mom Notes. This episode is a re-play of our conversation about returning to the workplace. We tackled this topic from both a COVID return to office and maternity leave return. We had over 900 listeners on the event and I loved our conversation so much I wanted to share it with all of you.  I hope you enjoy! For any references made in this episode visit: careermompodcast.com/return For more podcast episodes check out: careermompodcast.com/podcast Follow me on IG: @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz: soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

I swear, it's not you, it's me. I need a podcast break. This podcast has fulfilled me in so many ways but it is also a lot of work. I will be taking a few months off to regroup and plan for the future of Career Mom Podcast. Thanks for listening. Here are ways you can continue to support me:  Catch up on all the past Career Mom episodes Share an episode or the podcast with your friends Leave a rating and review Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood The first 7 days of a listenable subscription is free so listen to my course (only 45 minutes) in those 7 days and then cancel - I won’t tell anyone ;) Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast   Sign up for  Listenable.io Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Join the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook Group Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz    

Returning to the corporate world after having a child is tough. Especially if you really thrived in the competitive environment pre-baby. Corporate moms needs to re-evaluate priorities and career goals. Maria Smith has been a corporate mom for 15 years and she shares some of her confessions of what she learned along the way in this week’s episode.  Maria was born and raised in Lexington, KY. She is a former Miss Kentucky and competed in Miss America. She has spent the past 15 years in corporate America working in 4 organizations and 3 different industries. Throughout her career she has received leadership awards, promotions, and relocated 3 times all while having babies and a thriving marriage. She has 3 children and has been married for 15 years. She also has a blog: confessionsofacorporatemom.com about managing motherhood, marriage, and maniacs.  Things we talk about in the episode:  The competitiveness in large organizations  Learning how to compartmentalize, say no and the importance of being your own advocate in Corporate America Finding fulfillment and joy as a working mom Managing motherhood, marriage and maniacs (the theme of Maria’s blog)   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood The first 7 days of a listenable subscription is free so listen to my course (only 46 minutes) in those 7 days and then cancel - I won’t tell anyone ;) Sign up for  Listenable.io   Follow Maria on IG: @confessions_of_a_corporate_mom Check out Maria’s Blog: confessionsofacorporatemom.com Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Join the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook Group Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz   

Do you have a toxic relationship with productivity? I do. Toxic productivity can basically be summed up as: Struggling to be alone with yourself when not completing a task.  Feeling guilty when you take breaks or take a day off.  Comparing yourself to others based on productivity. Feeling a sense of restlessness during moments of stillness, play, or other things you may label in your head as “non-productive.” Attaching feelings of self worth to producing, creating, or working in some way.  Listen to this week’s episode to hear about what I have learned about toxic productivity and how it relates to my life and this podcast. I also announce that I am taking a podcasting break in an attempt to answer the question: Who am I when I’m not creating, doing or producing something.   Check out the book’s I mentioned in today’s episode on audible and get a free audiobook download here: audibletrial.com/careermom   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood The first 7 days of a listenable subscription is free so listen to my course (only 46 minutes) in those 7 days and then cancel - I won’t tell anyone ;) Sign up for  Listenable.io Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Did you know that 1 in 10 dads get postpartum depression within the first year of their child’s life. 18% of fathers develop anxiety related disorders in the first year and the risk of depression also goes up to 50% if their partner has postpartum depression too. This week’s episode features Daniel B. Singley, Ph.D., ABPP. Dr. Singley is a San Diego-based board certified psychologist and Director of The Center for Men’s Excellence. His research and practice focus on men’s mental health with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood. Dr. Singley won the American Psychological Association’s 2017 Practitioner of the Year Award from the Division on Men & Masculinities. He is Past President of the APA’s Section on Positive Psychology and currently serves on the Board of the APA’s Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities as well as Postpartum Support International. He conducts trainings and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness and founded the grant-funded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc nonprofit and Padre Cadre social networking application just for dads in order to give new fathers the tools they need to be highly engaged with their infants as well as their partners. In his free time, Dr. Singley likes to cook, surf, read, and drive his two sons to activities all over town so they can’t escape his annoying shrinky questions. Follow him @MenExcel and www.facebook.com/MenExcel/ Things we talk about in the episode:  The dude to dad transition - male identity shifts Fatherhood generational gap - the expectations for males to be caregivers and not just providers Masked male depression - how postpartum depression manifests in men and questions to ask your partner if you are concerned about their mental health.  Communication strategies for couples as they navigate the challenging transition into parenthood.   Follow Dr Singley:  @men.excel  and Facebook.com/MenExcel   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood The first 7 days of a listenable subscription is free so listen to my course (only 46 minutes) in those 7 days and then cancel - I won’t tell anyone ;) Sign up for  Listenable.io Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Join the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook Group Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

I recently read the book,  Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking The Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. This book has been a game changer for me and how I think about and treat stress in my life.  As a Career Mom, I know you are no stranger to stress and I know that for most of us COVID has done nothing but add 100x more of it  to our lives.  The term burnout has been thrown all over the working mom community in relation to this pandemic so this episode is how to begin treating and preventing burnout. I share several ways to complete the stress cycle and actually more stress through your body.    Check out this book on audible and get a free audiobook download here: audibletrial.com/careermom   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood The first 7 days of a listenable subscription is free so listen to my course (only 46 minutes) in those 7 days and then cancel - I won’t tell anyone ;) Sign up for  Listenable.io Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Join the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook Group Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Routines, you either love them or hate them. I’ve leaned hard on routines during COVID and while they can be a challenge to start I do appreciate their power. This week’s guest, Ashley Brown, created a business and podcast all around routines. She uses routines not only to structure her days but to reduce stress, reduce the mental load, and to intentionally align her life with her values.  Ashley  is a mom of 2 and creator and owner of Routine and Things, which equips women to consistently live their happiest life one routine at a time. Ashley strongly believes routines are a form of wellness and can be a beautiful springboard for improving your home, yourself, and your life. She’s on a mission to see as many women as possible live life with ease by starting, maintaining, and enjoying routines!  Things we talk about in the episode:  Ashley’s definition of a routine - an intentional flow of actions done consistently. Common beliefs of routine resistant people - they are boring and restrictive (not true, btw!).  The benefits of routines: reduced stress and confusion, lighten the mental load, create more flexibility, and live your life aligned with your values.  Check out Ashley’s FREE routine assessment here: routineandthings/assessment   I hope you enjoy our conversation!   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood  Check out Ashley’s podcast  Routine and Things Podcast Check out Ashley’s website routineandthings.com Follow Ashley on Instagram @routineandthings Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

I created an audio course on Listenable.io and this Career Mom Conversation is the first two lessons of that course. The full course is 10 lessons and 46 minutes long. The course’s objective is to help modern working moms understand their identity, how their careers relate to their identity and why women tend to lose themselves in motherhood. It provides exercises, tools, and resources to redefine and embrace working motherhood to ease mom guilt. It will empower you to make changes in your mindset to challenge societal messages telling women they don’t deserve a career or fulfillment outside of motherhood.     Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood The first 7 days of a listenable subscription is free so listen to my course (only 46 minutes) in those 7 days and then cancel - I won’t tell anyone ;) Sign up for  Listenable.io   Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMom Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

This month the world is reflecting on what a year in a global pandemic has been like. If 2020 taught us anything, it is how we all deal with change! Today’s guest, Danielle Vardaro, lost her job in aviation at the beginning of the pandemic and was forced to face change head on. She has a powerful story of seeing job loss as one of the biggest opportunities she has had. She spent the time navigating job loss getting clear on how she manages change and what it is she wants out of her career and life.    Danielle is a proud working mom based in The Greater Boston Area, where she resides with her husband, and twin 4-year-old boys. Danielle is the Head of Worldwide Customer Support & Aftermarket Sales for Commercial Aviation with Embraer. She has spent her entire career in the Aerospace Industry, with experience in Engineering, Program Management, Business Development, and Product Marketing & Value Selling. When she’s not chasing toddlers or airplanes, you can find her on the Peloton, weightlifting, mentoring, or finding a reason to open a bottle of champagne. She is committed to helping Modern Day Working Women own their power and actualize their full potential, and shares a slice of her life, and best mother hustler mindsets and tips from her platform @BubblesAndBabes.   Things we talk about in the episode:  Mindset, mindset, mindset - Danielle shares her positive mindset to manage change and job change.  Personal branding - Owning who you are and what you stand for in every room you enter. Change Management - Knowing what we need to manage change; things like our support system, physical activity, and solid routines. I hope you enjoy our conversation!   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood  Sign up for  Listenable.io Follow Danielle  on Instagram @bubblesandbabes Check out Danielle’s site  www.bubblesandbabesinc.com  Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMom Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

"Don’t should on yourself".  I love this quote because I think we all can relate to the feeling that we should be doing something when we don’t want to. I didn’t fully realize the impacts of "shoulds" until I read Elle Lunas book: "The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion." I read this right before starting my podcast and it pushed me to take the leap to start it. I re-read it at the start of 2021 and I loved it again! I want to share the main take-aways with you. Even if you’re thinking “I don’t have a passion” it doesn’t matter because the fundamentals of the book fit perfectly into the conflicts of modern working motherhood.   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood Join Listenable.io Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMom Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Amber Hall is an advocate for women in STEM related positions in corporate America. She had a refreshingly honest take on what it is like to be a  Black woman in today’s corporate environment. Amber is cultivating change through conversation, with her own podcast, The Chief Hustlher, by giving strategic tips to aspiring Womxn to own their corporate careers like CEOs. Amber knows how critical mentorship, advocacy, and sponsorship are for Womxn in the workplace.  She uses her voice and platform to fight for change and advocate for other Womxn to thrive.  Amber is a seasoned engineer who has garnered 15 patents under the age of 30, Amber is currently a product innovation strategist and has leveraged her knowledge across several industries. Her focus is to develop breakthrough innovative products and solutions for the consumers and brands she serves.  Things we talk about in the episode:  The importance of breaking down the “woman” identity and having conversations about experiences of Black women, gay women, Hindu women, etc. in our organizations. What women supporting women mean in today’s corporate environment and examples of how women can make change in their organization and pick their area of change within their spaces (hint: we don’t have to and can’t do it all!) The importance of being the CEO of your career and who should be on your personal board of directors.  I hope you enjoy our conversation!   Check out my course on Listenable! Have a Career and Be a Good Mom: How to Redefine Working Motherhood  The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “Share the Mental Load” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup   Follow Amber on Instagram @theamberlhall Check out Amber’s podcast The Chief Hustlher Podcast  Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMom Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

This week’s career mom conversation is a blog post I wrote for Recovering Superwoman's  blog series: The Struggle is Real. Since I don’t have a blog of myself and I’m feeling really passionate about this topic this episode was the best way for me to share this piece with you.    The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup     Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcast Join the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook Group If you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.com Sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMom Music Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz  

This week's guest is “the older mom”, Carla Burgess, she had a baby in her 20's, 30's, and 40's. She has also been a stay at home mom and a working mom. She has so much wisdom to share!  She started her blog after the birth of her third daughter because as an older mom she didn’t have a peer group, but it’s turned into a mentoring space where she shares what she’s learned over her decades of motherhood.Carla is a teacher at an alternative school.  She has a masters degree in anthropology that helps inform her bigger picture perspective on cultural expectations of mothers and their adjustments to becoming a parent. As a mom who struggled herself with this transition, she uses what she's learned through parenting trial and error with what she knows from a theoretical perspective to mentor women who "love being a mother but don't like being a mom." Her blog, theoldermom.com, focuses on helping women manage motherhood, find themselves, and keep their lives together.Things we talk about in the episode: What it means to love being a mother, but not like being a mom.How to find your motherhood zone of genius.  How important it is to evaluate our expectations of motherhood; what were you initially expecting from motherhood and was that expectation realistic?  I hope you enjoy our conversation!The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Follow Carla on Instagram @theoldermomCheck out Carla’s blog theoldermom.comJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Today’s episode is how to work smarter, not harder. Or how to work at all at this point in a global pandemic and virtual schooling environment. I have been relying on a few key tools to keep me motivated and productive. They are serving me well during work from home life, but they would also be great tools to have in your returning to work after maternity leave toolkit. I remember being so distracted during the first few months being back at work. It took me a long time to realize that a mom brain is an amazing tool when you can eliminate the distraction and harness its power. Tools discussed: Brain DumpsMost Important TaskPomodoro MethodReducing Decision FatigueThe mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

This week’s guest became a mother to three girls within a one year timespan and no, she did not have triplets! Laura and her husband fostered two sisters who within a year of foster placement they adopted. Not even a year after that Laura had her biological daughter. Laura shares her experiences of becoming a mother through adoption and  through the birth of her biological child. Laura’s girls are 18 month, 4, and 10. She Works as a donation family advocate helping care for families of organ donors during their loved ones last days.Things we talk about in the episode: Laura’s experience learning about, participating in, and adopting through the foster system. How expectations of our careers and career path change after we have children. Laura thought she was in her dream job before she started her family yet, shortly after becoming a mother made a change she never expected. How a flexible and grace filled mindset will serve you well when managing motherhood and all the changes that come along with it. I hope you enjoy our conversation! The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Follow Laura on Instagram: @mrs.iosbakerJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

 This week's Career Mom Conversation is short and sweet because I forgot to put it together! I had a lingering feeling all week that I was dropping the ball somewhere and by the time I realized it was the podcast I didn't have the energy to get an episode done in time. So, instead, I'm taking this quick minute to THANK YOU! Thank you for listening and thank you for your support! I'm amazed by the community of listeners and I am so grateful to be a podcast host in this space. Take the time this week that would have been reserved for an episode to get caught up with any episodes you missed or re-listen to your favorite!  The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMom

Do you pee your pants while laughing, sneezing, or doing just about anything else after having a baby? Do you have urgency issues, painful intercourse, and low back pain? Have you been told that is just how things are now after having a baby? It is important for you to know that is not true! If you feel like something isn’t “right” in your body after childbirth you deserve care. And that care you might need is pelvic floor physical therapy.  In countries other than the US, this is standard practice of care. My guest today is passionate about healing women so they can live without pain and move comfortably after childbirth. Megan Kelley has been practicing physical therapy for 7.5 years with an emphasis in pelvic health for 3 years. Megan is a biological mom to Lincoln, age 4, and she has 2 foster daughters, ages 3 and 5. She and her family enjoy spending time outdoors and camping. She also spends time developing a relationship with Christ and studying God’s Word.  Things we talk about in the episode: Main symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction: Pee your pants while laughing, sneezing, doing just about anything after having a baby, urgency issues, painful intercourse, and low back pain.There is no wrong time to see a Pelvic Floor PT; prenatal care can prepare you for birth.  Ideally every woman should go at least once after giving birth for an assessment but if you are experiencing issues as you age or after having a baby a decade ago you can still benefit. We also We talk about what to expect from an initial exam, whether kegels are helpful or hurtful (hint: it really depends and you should get an assessment from a PT), and how to manage scar tissue from tears during childbirth.I hope you enjoy our conversation!The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Need a PT in the Quad City Area: @rockvalleypt Follow her on instagram: @Kelley_maJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Today's Career Mom Conversation is a letter that I wrote to my best friend, Denise, before she gave birth to her first child. Our children are about a year apart so I wrote this at the end of my first year of being a new mom and before Denise became a mom. I came across this letter on my phone and I wanted to share it because I think all that I share still rings true today. This is what I wanted someone to tell me before I became a mom and now I want to share it with all the new moms out there.  The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Returning to work after a baby is hard! Doing that during a pandemic seems really hard! Will transitioning back to an office full time feel like as big of a change as returning from maternity leave? These are all things that are addressed in this week’s episode with Lori Mihalich-Levin. Lori was so unprepared for her transition back into the workforce having her sons that she wrote a book and created a program to help others navigating that challenging time.  She has four pillars in her book and program for returning to work and those are: mindfulness, logistics, leadership, and community. These are not only anchors for returning to work but that she uses for any major life transition. They totally relate to COVID life as well.  Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD, is an advocate for working parents and the founder of Mindful Return, a program that helps new parents return to work after parental leave.  She is also a health care partner in BigLaw, the Chief Operating Officer of the Women's Leadership Forum, the author of Back to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave, and mama to two boys, ages 7 and 9.  Things we talk about in the episode: Normalizing the working parent experience by talking about it! And the importance of seeking out other working parents in your organization to create community.How working motherhood is the true demonstration of leadership skills; empathy, negotiation skills, managing multiple priorities and tasks at the same time, etc. Productivity hacks like the Pomodoro Method, MIT - most important tasks, and the Eisenhower Matrix.  The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course “The Mental Load Project” to begin balancing the load within your household. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/signup Connect with Lori www.mindfulreturn.comFollow her on instagram: @mindfulreturnBuy her book: Amazon: Back to Work After BabyListen to her podcast: Parents at WorkJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

COVID19 has done a number on working parents, and working moms especially. Our already large mental load exploded when we found ourselves working from home, virtually teaching, and still managing our households. I interviewed Dr. Robyn Miller about a year ago in Episode 08: The Mental Load Project and it is one of the most listened to episodes of the entire podcast. Career Moms are experiencing the burden of the mental load and Robyn is not only bringing awareness to the issue, but offers a course helping women share the load with their partners. I feel so passionately about these courses that Robyn and I are partnering together for 2021 and offering extra support to Career Moms that take her course, sign up/ join the waitlist for the next enrollment here mentalloadproject.com/signup and use the CAREERMOM code when checking out to get an additional hour long session with both Robyn and I to dive deeper into the mental load of Career Moms and how to truly share it.Robyn Miller has spent the past decade as an Australian medical doctor.  In 2018, Robyn had her first child and upon returning to work after maternity leave she experienced the struggles of the "mental load".  The mental load refers to the endless and invisible, planning, organizing, remembering of everything that is required to run a household that often falls on the women in a relationship. When she couldn't find any solutions or strategies on-line to help her equally share the mental load with her partner, Robyn drew upon her own skills and experience to develop a unique formula to achieve mental load equality.  Her strategy worked so well, she turned it into an on-line course to support other women and couples struggling with true division of invisible and visible labor.Things we talk about in the episode: The definition and examples of the mental load as well how a few ways Robyn’s program addresses sharing the load.How COVID has impacted the mental load and increased the emotional load of mothers as well. Why creating an equal load is a feminist issue and how the mental load is part of the reason the glass ceiling still exists. Connect with Robyn at: mentalloadproject.comUse the code CAREERMOM when signing up for the course for a free bonus session with Robyn and Jenny!Follow her on Instagram: @mentalloadprojectJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.com

Today’s episode is going to set you up for shopping success! Do you feel like you are bad at shopping and therefore bad at being a woman?! Me too! In this episode I interviewed Dacy Gillespie from Mindful Closet. She is a personal stylist that helps guide her clients to discover what they feel best in not just what is flattering for their body types. We unpack a lot of the external messages women receive about how to dress our body types and skin tones and then Dacy gives permission to completely throw those out and focus on clothes make us feel good and confident. She shares some tips for shopping both in stores and online as well as a quick guide on how to start a capsule wardrobe!  Connect with Dacy at: www.mindfulcloset.comGet the Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: mindfulcloset.com/capsulechallengeFollow her on Instagram: @mindfulclosetJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

This week’s Career Mom Conversation is a roundup of reflections and thoughts on 2020 from some of the amazing women I have gotten to know throughout the year. Getting to know them has been a major blessing of 2020 and seeing how they have pivoted, thrived, and also struggled throughout the year has helped me so much! Take your time listening, reflect on your own year and let's end 2020 on a high note and then kick some Career Mom ass in 2021! Below is the listing of fellow Career Moms, in order that you hear them:  Pamela Hawkins from @theunapologeticallymeblogMarisa Lonic from @letmamaworkitLaura Demuth from @thekindamomEmily Siegel from @theconnectedmomlifeSabrina Moss from @mavericklivingCarmen Benton from @theconfidentworkingmomKrista Thompson from @recoveringsuperwomanNikki Cumberbatch from @mamasknow_bestDanielle Vardaro from @bubblesandbabesMaria Smith from @confessions_of_a_corporate_mom

This week’s episode was originally recorded in April, when we were about 6 weeks into lockdown. Now, 9 months later the topic is still relevant and it’s shocking how much still rings true for working moms trying to navigate COVID. Ashley draws parallels between maternity leave and the COVID experience. We also talk about how COVID needs to be more of a working parent issue not just a working mom issue. Check out her article about working dads here: Check out her article about working dads here. She shares how unprepared she was for the the mental and physical stamina of returning to work - the daily grind was non-stop and she was not prepared for how taxing the day to day of working motherhood was going to be.  She tells new moms you need to prepare by: building endurance, seeing other mothers, and talking to other mothers. She created Working Mom Notes as a way to share empathy while validating the experience of working moms. Connect with Ashley at: WorkingMomNotes.comFollow her on Instagram: @workingmomnotesJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Today’s Career Mom Conversation is about the second identity crisis I had when COVID hit. This time I realized I was in the midst of an identity crisis but it was still challenging to navigate. Looking back on how I have adapted over the past 9 months I’ve learned that our daily habits as well as our beliefs about ourselves are truly what shape our identities. The book, Atomic Habits by James Clear also talks about how our habits form and shape our identity. I read (well, listed to) that book while in the midst of my COVID identity crisis and it really connected a lot of dots about the changes we experience when dealing with new identities.  Get a free copy of the audio book, Atomic Habits:  audibletrial.com/CareerMomListen to my first episode of the podcast for more on my initial identity crisis: Ep. 01 - IdentityJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Krista Thompson is a recovering perfectionist and co-dependent. She started a journey of healing while getting divorced and having 3 kids under the age of 3. Krista talks about what co-dependency is, how that showed up in her life and how she has managed to start the path to healing. What I love most about Krista’s message is that she is motivated to heal herself and her past traumas so that she can show up as the best version of herself for her kids. She named her blog Recovering Superwoman because like a lot of Career Moms Krista was so focused on “doing it all” that she never really understood what HER version of “it all” was. She encourages every mom to know that they can have it all, but only when they define that for themselves. Connect with Krista on instagram at @recoveringsuperwomanFollow her blog at Recovering Superwoman.comJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

 Today’s Career Mom Conversation breaks down the 5 mindset changes that I made in order to complete a 21 day workout challenge. I had been struggling to make time to exercise for over an year and COVID wasn’t helping. I had started and stopped the same challenge twice already, but the third time I really changed my outlook on why I was starting the challenge again. And guess what? I stuck with it and I’m now moving my body for 30 minutes a day almost every day! Here are the 5 things the 21 day challenge did for me:1. It changed my “Why” - I was using it to kickstart a larger habit vs. losing weight.2. It provided a clear time, 21 days, to commit to making that habit change.3. t eliminated decision fatigue. I followed 21 Day Fix workouts so all I had to do was push play.4. It helped me find what truly motivates me (and it’s not the number on the scale).5. It helped me see the magic in the 10-minute rule.I also think my success was due to my improved mental capacity of recent months, check out this Career Mom Conversation on the topic. Listen to the episode and learn why I think you need to have mental capacity available FIRST before committing to a challenge like this.   Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Today’s guest has lost 50 pounds after the birth of her second child. She has such a refreshing outlook on how she accomplished her weight loss goal, a realistic expectation of what keeping the weight off entails and looks like (spoiler: she gained some weight back during COVID). There are a few keys things that Brooklyn talks about that contributed her to success: 1. Defining her “why” and it wasn’t to be skinny or fit into pre-baby clothes!  2. The second time around she had the mental capacity availble to focus on a healthy lifestyle because she had already worked through her new identity as a mom. 3. Being healthy is about so much more than a number on the scale! Working out is her form of self care and allows for precious alone time while also realizing that working out not only burns calories but makes her feel stronger.  Those are all such important mindset shifts that I have also experienced that make starting and keeping a workout routine so much easier. Connect with Brooklyn on instagram at @workitmamab Follow her blog at workitmama.netJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Today’s Career Mom Conversation is about year-end performance reviews. It is that time of year again and COVID is making performance reviews for Career Moms complicated while companies are treating the process like “normal”. I share some things to keep in mind while completing your  review to remind yourself how NOT normal this year has been. I want you to remember we’re fighting a losing battle so it’s important for us to advocate for yourselves because no one else will and don’t forget that even though it may not always feel like it - you have the power - you make the decision about how your career affects your life and your family. While you’re reflecting on your corporate performance review don’t forget to take a look at all the things you managed on the home front. You navigated your family through a global pandemic. You trailblazer for your family in unpredicted times -  You did this! I’m so proud of you Career Mom! Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

The home should be a place that feels good and allows us to recharge - that is what today’s guest, Ashley Buffa, believes. Oftentimes though the home overwhelms moms because we are the only ones keeping it tidy and running. Ashley encourages moms to move away from the “do it myself” mindset to the “this family is a team” mindset where everyone is responsible for the home.  Ashley believes that by getting the kids involved in chores and implementing solid home systems all moms, working moms, stay at home moms, ADHA moms, can find peace in their homes. If you don’t know where to start, a 5 minute family clean up is all you need. Ashley also shares all the age appropriate chores she has her ten kids doing in her own home.  For more from Ashley, go to thefreedommoms.comFor her chore system, go to https://smartkidschoresystem.comJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz 

Today’s Career Mom Conversation is about Doing WHAT you can WHEN you can. This motto, phrase, idea or mindset, whatever you want to call it has totally changed my life by keeping me on top of my household cleaning, laundry, meal prep, and cooking.  This phrase originally started as “Prep what you can, when you can” which came from Episode 25 with Kristen Noriega as one of her meal prep tricks.Turns out, the phrase works for just about anything! This mindset has allowed me to find little pockets of time throughout my day to get things done.  Instead of having an all or nothing mentality around cleaning now I just do what I can when I can. This has helped me reclaim my time, feel less overwhelmed at home, and be more productive at work! Check out Episode 25 with Kristen Noriega for more about prepping what you can, when you can Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Kids and life come with a lot of stuff which more often than not leads to clutter. Laurie Palau talks about not only the physical clutter that affects moms, but the emotional clutter and calendar clutter. All of these things lead to overwhelm and burn out if not managed properly. According to Laurie, the first step in managing clutter is to stop beating yourself up about having things out of place! Organizing, decluttering, and keeping our homes tidying is hard and something all of us struggle with so identify if you’re holding yourself to unrealistic organizational expectations. The key to starting to tackle your overwhelm is to identify the type of clutter you have is situational (new baby) or chronic (always buried in mail and paper) and what clutter pitfall you are experiencing. Then start small when beginning your organizational journey - pantries and bathrooms are great places to start because you don’t have to make a lot of decisions. Many of us don’t organize because we experience decision fatigue. Laurie shares so many great tips about clutter and organization and you can learn more about her and her methods on her podcast This Organized Life. Connect with Laurie on  IG @simplyborganized or online at SimplyOrganized.com Listen to Laurie’s podcast: This Organized Life Podcast Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

The mental load is heavier now more than ever for Career Moms, signup for Robyn Miller’s course October 19 - November 29. Use the code CAREERMOM to access an additional session with Robyn and I to focus on the Career Mom Mental Load. mentalloadproject.com/course-octoberGet a GuruA guru is a teacher, a guide, or master of certain areas of knowledge within a field. As Career Moms, we have so many areas of life we need to manage and master so who are you turning to to guide you in all of the decisions you need to make?  The goal of this podcast episode is to help you identify your go-to source of information for major areas of life, motherhood, or career. I have a guru for parenting, nutrition, meal prep, working out, marriage, and home organization and my career. If I have an issue or even if I just want to improve something in either of those areas I know exactly what podcast or blog I go to first and this cuts down on decision fatigue. Here are some of my gurus: Parenting: janetlansbury.com - Podcast, Blog, and Book on respectful parentingMarriage: My mom Nutrition: kellyleveque.com - Podcast, Blog, and Book on Fab 4 method of nutrition. Amazing smoothie recipes Meal Prep: Holy Healthy Mama Podcast - Love her motto of “Prep what you can when you can”Exercise: FitnessBlender YouTube Channel - Thousands of free and effective workouts as well as paid plans.News: The Newsworthy Podcast - 10 minutes daily news update Politics: Pantsuit Politics Podcast - Two women from different sides of the aisle discuss current political events in a graceful way Organization: simplyborganized.com - Laurie is a clutter expert. I’ve also joined the The Home Edit bandwagon 

Making friends, finding your village, having your people - Does that sound impossible, hard, scary or like the most awkward thing ever? I know! I used to think that too. I still do about the awkward part, but Emily Siegel has totally changed my mindset about how to make friends. She helps moms and women break-free from the lies we’re told about making friends and it starts with CONNECTION.  I know I need more connection in my life but instead of viewing making friends as scary and awkward, I now know (because Emily shares some stats) that almost everyone else ALSO wants more connection. I’m not kidding when I say this conversation has completely changed my mindset around small talk, taking walks in my neighborhood, and putting myself out there when I meet someone that seems like they could be a friend.Emily provides creative, easy ways to be bold and put yourself out there, tips on when and how to ask for contact information, and ways to make a standing girls night that will allow your relationships to grow from acquaintances to fierce friends. Check out her resource for the get connected here And if you also need some validation about how hard life without a FAMILY village is - then check out Episode 21  with Nicole. Nicole lives in Argentina and her family is the US - we lay it all out there about how much it sucks sometimes to not have your mom down the street. Learn more about Emily: www.theconnectedmomlife.comGet Emily’s Freebie: LifelinesFollow Emily on IG: @theconnectedmomlifeListen to Emily’s podcast: The Connected Mom LifeJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group: Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

October is a month that has taken on a new meaning for me over the last several years, actually since 2016. It was October 2016 when I became pregnant for the first time and that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. October is also National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with October 15th being National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 15.October is still my favorite month, my birthday is in October which means I’m required to love fall so we are in my favorite season and while each year I get excited for those things I also tend to think more about the baby I never had. 1 in 4 women experience miscarriage, but I think it means nothing unless you actually KNOW another 1 in 4. I hope my story can help you feel less alone or feel validated in sharing some of my feelings about my experience. Miscarriage is isolating and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Please reach out to me on IG if you need support @careermompodcast Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group: Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Were you the first person in your friend group to have a baby? Or the oldest child having the first grand baby? Were all your other friends stay at home moms and no one could relate to your working mom struggles? Same here! And same for Clayr, founder of an online community: High heels and spit up. She went online to find like-minded career moms to support her through her transition back to work. While growing this podcast I have learned how powerful a community of women are, wherever you find them, so if you’re alone in your transition into motherhood and working motherhood don’t hesitate to find that community online! If you’re looking for a good one, check out High Heels & Spit Up. Clayr also realizes that while online communities are amazing there is a need to help women find a level of work-life balance that comes from in-person communities. She started a non-profit Work, Mom, Repeat whose mission is to encourage, educate, and equip women to realize their potential as mothers as well as leaders.  Connect with Clayr on IG @work_mom_repeat or online at www.workmomrepeat.orgJoin High Heels and Spit Up High Heels & Spit Up Facebook GroupJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Mental Capacity, Overwhelm, Mental Fatigue; These are all things that society, especially Career Moms, face regularly but it’s been 6 months since COVID started and we need to talk about how the stress of the past few months is causing lots of us to operate with little to no additional mental capacity.  Listen to hear how I define and experience a lack of mental capacity and what I did to try to claw my way out of the mental overwhelm. Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Healthy eating, meal prepping and planning, feeding a family. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that feeding the humans in my life stresses me out. Pre-baby I spent hours in the kitchen on Sunday meal prepping and now that feels impossible.  Kristen Noriega is here to tell us that it doesn’t have to be this way! She shares great tips on making a manageable meal plan, prepping what you can when you can, and allowing us to break the rules of cooking!Visit her website www.kristennorieganutrition.com/resources for some great free resources. She has a trial meal plan, a frozen to fabulous e-book which I LOVED that utilized frozen foods and freezer meals and a kitchen sync resource to create order in the kitchen to save time and brain power.Connect with Kristen @healthy.mama.nutritionistJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Breastfeeding, like motherhood, can be an amazing experience or can be REALLY HARD! Depending on your experience it can bring you joy or guilt. Like many other topics for moms, this one isn’t talked about in depth to help moms prepare for the challenges they may encounter when they return to work. I struggled to maintain a pumping schedule when I was back in the office, but today’s guest went back to the Navy while pumping! Gaby Cavins has so much knowledge on breastfeeding and a really empowering message to provide support to moms in the thick of their breastfeeding/pumping journey.Gaby Cavins is a former Naval officer, Certified Lactation Educator Counselor, “return to work” expert and working mother of two. She sits on the board of the California Breastfeeding Coalition, advocates for and supports breastfeeding military mothers, and is the founder of Latched - a social media platform providing breastfeeding support and community information. She is currently the Director of Employee Success for Villyge, helping parents navigate all things working parenthood. Check out Villyge here. NOTE: Gaby references MommaWork in the episode which is now Villyge. Connect with Gaby @latched_official or @villygeJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Identity is a huge part of transitioning into motherhood and identity can be complicated for people who were adopted. Jamee Lapako is a dear friend of my sister (and me). She grew up right down the street from us. She is a Korean adoptee and it was becoming a mother, 7 years ago, that sparked her desire to find her birth mother. Understanding her birth history and Korean culture has become a huge part of defining her motherhood identity. Jamee has an incredible story reconnecting with her birth family. Jamee is a Korean adoptee, she was raised and still lives in Minnesota. She has been a hairstylist for the past 11 years and currently owns her own business.  She has a 7 years old daughter, Tegan.  Bookclub: Don’t forget to join the Career Mom Facebook group to join the September 2020 book club. And pick up a copy of “Leaning Out: An Alternative Perspective for the Modern Corporate Woman” (learn more here)  Get a free copy of the audiobook and a 30 day trial of Audible: audibletrial.com/CareerMom Connect with Jamee @jameekimhairJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Do you remember your transition back to work after having your baby? If you are like me, the experience going back to work was emotional, challenging, scary, overwhelming, but yet highly anticipated. It wasn’t until recently that I realized how unprepared I was for that transition. I researched and prepared for every other aspect of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood but yet never thought to prepare for going back to work!  Kimberly Didrikson, Founder of Learning Motherhood has created research-based classes to ease the transition into motherhood during maternity leave. Her classes ensure that working women will feel supported when they return to their careers. In addition to the classes offered Learning Motherhood also provides customized programs to assist organizations in creating a work environment that embraces families. Learning Motherhood’s mission is to create a culture that will educate and empower moms in their personal life, family life, and work life.  Head over to www.learning-motherhood.com for 25% off their online working mom series by entering the code “CAREERMOM”. Bookclub: Don’t forget to join the Career Mom Facebook group to join the September 2020 book club. And pick up a copy of “Leaning Out: An Alternative Perspective for the Modern Corporate Woman” (learn more here)  Get a free copy of the audiobook and a 30 day trial of Audible: audibletrial.com/CareerMom Learn more about Kimberly here: www.learning-motherhood.com or follow her on Instagram: @learningmotherhoodJoin the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group: Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Are you a mom without a village; without your mom down the road to swoop in and save the day? Me too! And so is Nicole Felter. It is clear that we are not meant to do motherhood alone but yet, that is a situation many find ourselves in. Nicole and I talk about how to make the best of being without family support, how hard it is to parent young kids 24/7, especially during pandemic lock downs and quarantines and we share lots of encouragement that we are amazing moms (even when we are tired and feeling depleted).Nicole is originally from Upstate New York and now lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  She is the mom to a spirited little boy. She loves pizza, traveling and funny memes. She is the founder of Mom's Without a Village, a community for moms who don't have a village.  Join Nicole’s community on Instagram: @momswithoutavillage or Facebook: Facebook.com/MomsWithoutAVillage Bookclub: Don’t forget to join the Career Mom Facebook group to join the September 2020 book club. And pick up a copy of “Leaning Out: An Alternative Perspective for the Modern Corporate Woman” (learn more here)  Get a free copy of the audiobook and a 30 day trial of Audible: audibletrial.com/CareerMom Join the Career Mom conversation on Instagram @careermompodcastJoin the Career Mom Facebook group: Career Mom Facebook GroupIf you have a story or topic you want to share contact Jenny by email  careermompodcast@gmail.comSign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible. audibletrial.com/CareerMomMusic Credit: Campfire by Scandinavianz:  soundcloud.com/scandinavianz