Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms

In this episode, I'm chatting with Lauren, a working mom of 2 who's sharing the incredible transformation she's experienced inside my Ambitious and Balanced cohort. From constantly feeling overwhelmed and falling short to finally feeling calm, confident, and present, Lauren shares how redefining success, shifting her mindset, and prioritizing herself have completely changed her experience of motherhood and work. If you're tired of waiting for life to get easier before you can enjoy it, you're going to love this conversation.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Letting go of impossible standards and feeling good about what matters.
• How mindset shifts can change your experience without changing your circumstances.
• Why regulating your own emotions can transform your family dynamics.
• Creating regular, guilt-free space to recharge.
• Why lasting balance requires more than another book, podcast, or productivity hack.

Work with me:

• Download the State of the Working Mom Research Report:
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/research-guide
• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Free Strategy Call Here:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call'

Connect with Lauren:

• LinkedIn:
• http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenvanduyn

What if the life you're chasing is actually the life you're already living? In my State of the Working Mom 2026 research, I discovered something surprising: most working moms don't want to change their lives. They just want to change how they feel in them. In this episode, I'm unpacking why presence is our greatest currency, how we get so caught up chasing what's next that we miss what's right in front of us, and the simple daily practices that can help you feel more grounded, connected, and balanced. Because you worked hard to build this life. It's time to actually enjoy it.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why working moms want a different feeling, not a different life.
• How constantly chasing what's next steals your joy.
• Why work-life balance is a feeling, not a circumstance.
• Two daily practices to feel more present at work and home.
• Simple ways to stop your phone from stealing your attention.

Work with me:

• Download the State of the Working Mom Research Report:
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/research-guide
• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Mental Load Hack Podcast Episodes:

• Ep 266: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/266
• Ep 267: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/267
• Ep 268: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/268
• Ep 7 Navigating the work to home transition: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/7

You feel guilty when you're working, guilty when you're with your kids, and somehow even guilty when you finally get a moment to yourself. Sound familiar? After interviewing dozens of working moms, I discovered something fascinating about the guilt we carry, and it's changed how I handle my own. In this episode, I'm sharing a powerful mindset shift that will help you stop letting guilt call the shots, figure out what it's actually telling you, and finally give yourself permission to be the mom YOU want to be, without sacrificing your ambition.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why mom guilt follows working moms everywhere
• What my research revealed about guilt and motherhood
• How to treat guilt as information, not a verdict
• The difference between listening to guilt and obeying it
• How to redefine what being a good mom means to you

Work with me:

• Download the State of the Working Mom Research Report:
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/research-guide
• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced

Mental Load Hack Podcast Episodes:

• Ep 266: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/266
• Ep 267: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/267
• Ep 268: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/268

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:

• Why mental load hacks don't always stick
• The hidden connection between identity and overwhelm
• How being the "responsible one" keeps you carrying it all
• Why letting go doesn't make you less ambitious or successful
• The mindset shift that makes sharing the load sustainable

Work with me:

• Download the State of the Working Mom Research Report:
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/research-guide
• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced

Mental Load Hack Podcast Episodes:

• Ep 266: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/266
• Ep 267: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/267
• Ep 268: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/268

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:

• Why the workplace was never designed with working moms in mind
• The six biggest themes emerging from my working mom research
• Why the mental load truly never clocks out
• What working moms are craving even more than “balance”
• Why so many women are quietly thinking, “I just want my life back”

Work with me:

• Download the State of the Working Mom Research Report:
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/research-guide
• Book a Mental Load Reset Call:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy
• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Mental Load Hack Podcast Episodes:

• Ep 266: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/266
• Ep 267: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/267
• Ep 268: http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/268

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:

• Why negative self-talk keeps ambitious women in survival mode
• The identity shift required for true work-life balance
• Tangible daily practices that changed everything
• What happened when Ranjita stopped checking work email on vacation
• How affirmations and boundaries created generational change at home

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

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:

• Advocating is something that can be learned
• 4 tips to effectively advocate for yourself
• Focus on HOW you do things uniquely
• Connect what you do to a greater purpose
• Who’s job is it to advocate for you?

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart
• Subscribe to my Email List:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/email-list

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:

• Why you might be dreaming about being a stay-at-home mom, even though you are highly ambitious.
• What happens when you feel you don’t spend enough time with your kids and family
• Stay-at-home mom envy is a defense mechanism to ensure you don’t fail as a mom or a worker
• If you could solve your work-life-balance challenges, would you still want to be home with your kids?

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

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:

• Why everyone feels overwhelmed
• 3 important facts about overwhelm
• Why motherhood is an overwhelming season of life
• What not to do when you feel overwhelmed
• 3 steps to getting yourself out of overwhelm

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Enjoying the podcast?

• Make sure you don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to podcasts. And please leave a review to help this reach more ambitious working moms like you.

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:

• Why back-to-school transitions can trigger BIG emotions for kids and parents
• The pattern I finally noticed after three years of back-to-school meltdowns
• Why your child’s emotions are not a reflection of you as a mom
• How accepting emotions instead of trying to fix them changes how you show up
• Why curiosity and experimentation can make parenting through transitions feel lighter

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

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:

• The 3 signs you’re overcommitted
• Why a packed calendar isn’t necessarily the problem
• The hidden cost of always being the one who says yes
• How to get ruthless about what actually matters
• Why a thrilling vision makes saying no so much easier

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstarthttps://2

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:

• Why September shouldn’t be a “fresh start”
• The question to ask before getting organized
• Creating calmer mornings without controlling your kids
• What you need to intentionally let go of this fall
• How to keep yourself on the priority list

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

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:

• Why survival mode makes it so hard to dream big.
• The difference between dreaming and casting a vision.
• How fear hides behind "being realistic."
• Why your past doesn't define your future.
• The mindset shift that helps you step into your next level.

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

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:

• Why the mental load isn't a personal failure—it's a systemic issue
• How to divide household responsibilities without creating more conflict
• The hidden cost of overfunctioning and how to stop doing it
• Practical ways to build a more equal partnership at home
• Why communication, accountability, and letting go are the keys to lasting change

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Connect with Mika:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mikaross.therapist/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GetYourHappyBack/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@mikaross.therapist
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MikaRoss.Therapist
• Website: http://www.mikaross.com/

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:

• The difference between true guilt and the guilt you've inherited from society.
• What research actually says about working mums and child development.
• Why presence matters more than the number of hours you spend with your kids.
• How modelling self-care helps your children far more than self-sacrifice.
• Simple ways to build stronger connection while balancing career and family.

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Connect with Laura:

• Website: http://laurafroyen.com/
• Podcast: http://www.laurafroyen.com/podcast
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/laurafroyenphd

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:

• Why overwhelm is often the real problem.
• How your personality shapes the way you manage time.
• Practical tools to create mental capacity before tackling your to-do list.
• Why one-size-fits-all productivity systems often fail.
• Simple ways to build a schedule that works with your brain instead of against it.

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Connect with Anna:

• Podcast:
• https://annadkornick.com/podcast/
• Blueprint to Balance – Anna's free video series:
• https://annadkornick.com/blueprint-to-balance
• Anna’s Book:
• https://annadkornick.com/book
• Instagram:
• http://www.instagram.com/annadkornick/
• LinkedIn:
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/annadearmonkornick/ 287

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:

• Why moms are some of the most powerful advocates in the world
• Simple ways to create change in just a few minutes a day
• How to advocate even when you're overwhelmed and short on time
• Why your personal story matters more than being an expert
• Easy first steps to help you confidently use your voice

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Download the Free Daily Kickstart:
• http://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Connect with Cynthia:

• Website:
• http://www.AdvocacyMadeEasy.com
• Free "Advocacy How-To” Resource:
• https://ccylevin.substack.com/t/advocacy-how-tos
• Cynthia’s Book:
• https://www.amazon.com/Changing-Diapers-World-Advocates-Started/dp/1955985332
• Instagram:
• http://www.instagram.com/ccylevin
• LinkedIn:
• http://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiachangyitlevin/

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:

• Why time isn't actually the biggest problem for working moms
• The mindset shifts every balanced woman had in common
• How intentional living creates a life with fewer regrets
• Why self-trust is the missing piece of sustainable balance
• The four biggest insights from interviewing dozens of working moms

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!):
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy

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:

• Why feeling "stretched too thin" isn't a clarity problem—it's a capacity problem.
• The hidden reason ambitious moms stop pursuing promotions.
• How survival mode quietly shrinks your career goals.
• Why work-life balance is the foundation for career growth.
• The simple mindset shift that helps you build a true "both-and" life.

Work with me:

• Join Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!):
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy

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:

• What finally pushed them to seek support instead of trying to figure it out alone
• How guilt, overwhelm, and negative self-talk were impacting their daily lives
• The four types of time that helped them feel more balanced and in control
• Why confidence became the biggest transformation from coaching
• How small mindset shifts created major changes at work and at home

Work with me:

• Ambitious & Balanced:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
• Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call:
• http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call
• Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!):
• https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy