If you’ve ever wondered “How am I supposed to run a business and be a present, loving mom at the same time?”—this episode is for you.

I sat down with maternal mental health expert and transformative coach Kate Kripke, LCSW, PMH-C, to talk about the inner shifts high-achieving women must make to balance business and motherhood without drowning in guilt, overwhelm, or burnout.

Kate shares her personal journey into maternal mental health, the lessons she’s learned from supporting moms for over 20 years, and how we can shift from trying to control everything to creating deeper connection with our kids and ourselves.

This conversation was full of “aha” moments for me personally as I navigate early motherhood while running a business, and I know it’s going to give you practical perspective shifts you can lean on in your own season.

• [00:01:19] – Kate’s background: growing up in a high-achieving household and how her postpartum anxiety shaped her career path
• [00:03:34] – Why maternal and child mental health are deeply connected—and why moms’ wellbeing comes first
• [00:07:45] – The “middle ground” moms: what about those of us who don’t fit the extremes of “perfect mom” or “hot mess mom”?
• [00:10:14] – External changes vs. internal shifts: why mindset and beliefs matter more than schedules and strategies
• [00:15:21] – Warning signs you’re stuck in “achievement brain” and how that disconnects you from your kids
• [00:23:15] – Why missing moments with your kids isn’t bad—and how to handle the discomfort without guilt
• [00:34:00] – What kids really need from us: being seen, heard, and understood (not perfection)
• [00:40:45] – A simple exercise to align your beliefs, feelings, and results as a mom and entrepreneur

1. “It’s not about what we’re doing that determines how we feel in motherhood, it’s about what’s happening on the inside.”

2. “We can’t do it all. But we can absolutely be it all: an inspired professional and a loving, connected mom.”

3. “The emotion is never the problem. How we tend to ourselves and our children through that emotion is what matters most.”

4. “If I don’t know how to feel emotional discomfort and still trust I’m okay, I can’t trust my kids are okay when they feel it.”

5. “You do not need to choose between being a good mom and a successful entrepreneur. You may want to, but you don’t need to.”

• Learn more about Kate’s Calm Connection System - a simple 3-step system that helps driven, high-achieving mothers feel calm, present, and deeply connected with their young kids

• Grab Kate’s 21-Day Aligned Mom Reset (a free resilience-building practice)

If this episode gave you a breath of fresh air in your motherhood and business journey, I’d be so grateful if you rated, followed, or left a review for The Nourished CEO Podcast.

Your support helps more women find these conversations and build businesses that fit their real lives. 💛