Ever feel like you’re climbing a ladder you didn’t choose—or running on a bedazzled hamster wheel you can’t seem to step off? You’re not alone, mama. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anne Welsh—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and mom of four—to talk about why modern motherhood demands a shift from the relentless “ladder” model of ambition to a more sustainable “web” model that honors the many directions life can take.

Anne brings two decades of expertise helping leaders navigate major career and life transitions—think parental leave, return-to-work, and full-on career reinvention. She’s also the creator of the Working Mothers Lifeline, a coaching program that helps women move from survival mode to sustainable success.

In our conversation, we explore:

• What the “web” model of ambition is and how it gives you permission to pause, pivot, or change direction without losing momentum

• How to recognize when it’s time to redraw your version of success—and why values naturally shift across different seasons of life

• The difference between healthy and unhealthy ambition (and why ambition itself isn’t the problem)

• How to dial work and life up or down based on your kids’ needs without losing yourself in the process

• Practical tools to break free from perfectionism and find balance that’s flexible, not fixed

• How to rebuild trust in yourself to make hard decisions—and why you might already have more evidence than you think

Anne’s insights are a reminder that motherhood isn’t a detour from leadership—it’s a powerful training ground for it. If you’ve been craving permission to slow down, rethink your definition of success, or simply choose what’s for dinner without guilt (spoiler: sushi is always a good answer), this episode is your deep exhale.

Links:

• Closet Identity Cleanout

• Dr. Anne Welsh’s Website

• The Working Mothers Lifeline

• Dr. Anne Welsh on Instagram
• Dr. Anne Welsh on LinkedIn

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