Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life | Women in STEM, Work-Life Balance, Career Goals, Career Planning, Decision Making cover art

Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life | Women in STEM, Work-Life Balance, Career Goals, Career Planning, Decision Making
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About this listen

Have you ever been told that work-life balance for women in STEM is a myth?

Do you want a meaningful science career and a rooted family life —but you worry that you’re “failing at both”?

Are you running low on time, energy, and sleep, trying to keep up with grant deadlines, conferences, and kids?

Do you wonder if negotiating career shifts, flexible jobs, STEM-adjacent roles, or maternity leave is proof you’re not a serious scientist?

Welcome to Science Careers for Moms — a TOP 2.5% GLOBALLY RANKED PODCAST for women in STEM who want a career path where they can thrive in science without sacrificing their family or personal wellbeing.

Hi! I’m Anokhi Kapasi, a PhD researcher and mom of two boys. I created this show because I know what it is like to feel torn between being a serious scientist and a present mom —and to realize that “trying harder” is not a strategy.

This show is different because it integrates career and life planning strategies designed specifically for science-minded moms in a work culture that was not built for caregivers. Every episode blends interviews with other scientists who have been where you are and career planning deep-dives where you will learn the answer to questions like:

🎯 Are there decision-making frameworks to help me navigate pivots, return-to-work, academia vs. industry…or to even know what the “next right move” is?

🎯 How do I set career goals that allow me to stay ambitious, connect with my family, and feel like myself again?

🎯 Is work–life balance for working moms in STEM actually possible, and what does it look like in practice?

🎯 Can I stay in science & tech without burnout, guilt, or losing sight of myself?

STEM-trained moms, I’ll teach you how to make confident career decisions that align with your whole life —not just professional development.

🎧 FOLLOW this show and never choose between being a good mom or a good scientist again!

📩 QUESTIONS: Got a question or story to share? E-mail me at hello@solveformom.com

🌐 VISIT: www.SolveForMom.com for more resources & information

Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Biological Sciences Career Success Economics Personal Development Personal Success Science
Episodes
  • EP 111: Design Your Life, Then Set Your Goals: Purpose-Driven Personal Growth for Moms in STEM

    EP 111: Design Your Life, Then Set Your Goals: Purpose-Driven Personal Growth for Moms in STEM
    Mar 2 2026
    Life Planning vs. Goal Setting Are you checking off goals but still thinking, "I'm constantly trying to juggle a million things at once, and I'm not doing any of them well"? Maybe you've hit milestones—passed exams, published papers, earned promotions—yet there's this quiet voice saying, "The things I want to be doing are not part of my life right now… I don't feel like myself." If life planning for moms sounds like just another productivity hack, think again. This episode reveals why goal setting alone keeps high-achieving STEM moms stuck in the binary choice between career and family—and how designing your life, then setting your goals, creates the integrated, purposeful path you've been missing. In today's episode, I share the critical difference between life planning and goal setting, why your pre-motherhood identity (intellectual rigor, contribution, mastery) doesn't have to conflict with the mom you want to be, and a simple three-step experiment to anchor your personal growth in a holistic life vision instead of random achievement. This episode is for professionally-trained moms in science, tech, or PhD research who are tired of work-life balance feeling like a myth and purpose-driven personal growth feeling disconnected from daily reality. You'll gain: Clarity on why your achievements don't restore your sense of identityA practical framework (Vision → Goals → Daily Decisions) that honors both ambition and caregivingA low-pressure mini-vision exercise you can start this weekPermission to stop adding random goals and start designing a life where all parts of you finally fit together If you're ready to move from randomly pursuing goals to a purposeful plan that actually feels like you, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life! →→→ I've created a free Alignment Audit specifically for moms in STEM who want to stop setting random goals and feeling disconnected and out of alignment to instead designing a life that actually fits who you are and who you’re becoming. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS (0:00): Why goal-setting might be keeping you stuck(2:15): New listener welcome!(3:00): How life planning honors both ambition and caregiving for STEM moms(4:50): Why goals in isolation leave high-achievers feeling disconnected(8:17): Life Planning vs. Goal Setting(12:48): Vision snapshot, Goals, Calendar(21:30): Wrap-Up & share your vision-driven goals GOAL SETTING FOR WORKING MOMS - QUOTABLE MOMENTS "The main problem isn't that you don't have enough goals, it's that your goals aren't anchored to a clear integrated vision of your life.""Life planning connects where you are right now in life to that bigger vision and when you set goals, they become those concrete steps in your roadmap.""When you design your life first, your goals will finally have somewhere meaningful to land and that's when you're really creating a path for you to achieve your ambitious mom life." KEEP LEARNING ON THIS TOPIC Converting your life plan into a personal development playbook - ⏮️ EP 24: Want to Be the Best Version of You? Must-Have Personal Growth Plan for Moms! (Podcast)Checklist to implement your life plan – ⏮️ EP 32: Your Ideas Are Not “Just a Hobby”: Life Planning Systems to Turn Your Purpose into Real Progress (Podcast)Getting intentional with your day – ⏮️ EP 65: Stop Living on Autopilot - Prioritize Your Life With Values-Driven Decision Making (Podcast) I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other scientist moms find the show! (Scroll down the page > Click on ‘Write a Review’ in purple) 🙋🏻‍♀️ Question, episode idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click! 💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives—so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family 📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com FOLLOW ME 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. 🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources ➡️ Follow @solveformom on LinkedIn for life planning strategies that help you envision, plan, and take action on your big ideas while prioritizing family time. 🔬Connect with me on my personal LinkedIn as a fellow PhD researcher & scientific consultant. 📍Follow Solve for Mom on Pinterest for daily tips for moms in STEM to find balance one micro-step at a time.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • EP 110: Clear Decision Making Comes From Rewiring Your Identity as an Ambitious Woman [Neurosomatic Practitioner - Riana Malia]

    EP 110: Clear Decision Making Comes From Rewiring Your Identity as an Ambitious Woman [Neurosomatic Practitioner - Riana Malia]
    Feb 23 2026
    Identity Shift for Women starts when you stop making decisions from an old version of yourself. If you’re a mom in STEM who’s successful on paper but disconnected inside, this episode will help you make clear decision-making choices without self-blame. Riana Malia is a board-certified neurosomatic practitioner and identity architect with 20+ years in personal development. She helps high-achieving women regulate their nervous system, clear old patterns, and make aligned decisions without reliving their whole story. This conversation is about the invisible reason your decisions feel harder than they “should”: your identity and your nervous system are still operating from an older version of you. You’ll learn a practical clarity-first framework (values + non-negotiables), a simple way to stop people-pleasing, and a micro-practice that interrupts the loop of decision fatigue. If you keep trying to “think your way out,” you’ll stay stuck. This episode shows you how to make decisions from safety and clarity so you can move forward with confidence. “I’m doing all of the right things. Why can’t I figure this out?” If that’s you, hit play. IDENTITY SHIFT FOR WOMEN - QUOTABLE MOMENTS “You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.”“Between now and dead, what do you want?”“If you want a different story, you have to stop telling the old one.”“And the thing about your unconscious mind is it will never make you a liar.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS (0:00): Teaser(2:56): Introducing Riana(4:45): Identity shift and how lack of clarity leads to almost what you want(6:49): Conscious vs. unconscious mind: why insight alone does not always create change(12:05): Boundaries and people-pleasing: the clean yes / no decision making(19:58): Clearing “expired ways of thinking” to make room for what’s next (Pantry/closet metaphor)(22:11): The 24-hour rubber-band rewiring practice (“magnet for miracles”)(30:01): Moving from an old identity & self-blame to a “next level” identity - Riana’s heart-felt story(41:17): Being “in” vs. “on top of” your identity story(43:28): In 72 hours(!), rewire your way of thinking to make room for what’s next(0:00): Listener gift(51:04): Riana’s information RIANA’S LINKS Free diagnostic - The Extraordinary Love Index (E.L.I™ Assessment): https://quiz.rianamalia.com/Website: http://rianamalia.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rianamalia/IG: https://www.instagram.com/rianamalia/FB: https://www.facebook.com/RianaMaliaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rianamaliaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rianamalia121 KEEP LEARNING ON THIS TOPIC The perfect decision making sequel – ⏮️ EP 107: Confident Decision Making for Ambitious Moms | Unlocking Intuition for Aligned Action [Leadership Advisor: Leah Goldman] (Podcast)How identity affects burnout & balance – ⏮️ EP 77: The Identity Crisis That's Causing Your Burnout (& How to Finally Find Balance) [Dr. Jihane Farrell - Part 1] (Podcast)Life planning framework - 📖 Why Planning is the Key to Time Freedom for Ambitious Moms (Blog) 👉🏼 My Designed Life Method empowers moms in STEM with a clear plan for pursuing their career without sacrificing family time. Get Started for Free! I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Question, episode idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click! Leave me a 🤩 rating & review! 💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives—so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family 🔬Connect with me on my personal LinkedIn as a fellow PhD researcher & scientific consultant 📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com FOLLOW ME 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode 🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources ➡️ Follow @solveformom on LinkedIn for life planning strategies that help you envision, plan, and take action on your big ideas while prioritizing family time 📍Follow Solve for Mom on Pinterest for daily tips for moms in STEM to find balance one micro-step at a time
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • EP 109: The Hidden Time Management Problem Sabotaging Work‑Life Balance for Moms in STEM

    EP 109: The Hidden Time Management Problem Sabotaging Work‑Life Balance for Moms in STEM
    Feb 16 2026

    Time management for working moms in STEM shouldn't feel this hard. You get everything done—code compiles, data collected, manuscript revised—but at home? There's no clear finish line. Just that nagging feeling you could always do one more thing.

    In today's episode, I'm breaking down a simple 4-part framework that will help you define "done" intentionally so you can stop overworking and start experiencing real balance. This isn't about lowering your standards—it's about reallocating excellence to the places that truly need it. This is about reclaiming closure at the end of your day without guilt, and creating space for rest, presence with your kids, and pursuing your big ideas.

    Here's the truth: As a mom in STEM myself, I personally struggle with never feeling like I can move on from a task. I've also seen how defining "done" transforms everything for high-achieving moms who bring workplace perfectionism home.

    In this episode, you'll discover:

    • Why your STEM training makes "done" so hard at home – The mismatch between objective work standards and subjective home tasks creates paralysis (3:15)
    • The 4-part framework for defining "done" – Purpose, good-enough outcome, "done for now," and shutdown rituals (12:30)
    • How to reallocate excellence strategically – Stop applying research-grade standards to laundry and redirect that energy where it matters (9:45)

    If you've been feeling exhausted but never caught up, constantly adding "one more thing," or struggling to feel like your day is actually complete, this episode will show you exactly where to start.

    xoxo, Anokhi

    PERFECTIONISM IN MOTHERHOOD - QUOTES
    • "The finish line keeps moving, and your brain never gets to cross it."
    • "You're going to be able to define done and reclaim your time and your energy for your dreams and not just for things that you feel are your duty or your obligations."
    EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
    • (0:00): Teaser
    • (2:21): Ask me a question
    • (2:49): Never feeling "done" at home
    • (3:59): Work spills over into home life
    • (5:06): There’s always one more thing to do
    • (5:41): Over-engineering tasks
    • (7:00): Why this problem surfaces for moms in science, tech, and phD research
    • (11:39): Boundaries as a time management strategy
    • (14:15): 4-step framework for defining “done”
    • (24:37): Wrap-up & this week’s experiment
    MORE ON TIME MANAGEMENT FOR WORKING MOMS
    • Eliminate context-switching → ⏮️ EP 107: Fast Calendar Clean-Up to Remove 10% This Week (Podcast)
    • Create time freedom → ⏮️ EP 71: Never Enough Time? 4 Time Management Rules That Multiply Your Time | Life Planning Skills for Ambitious Moms (Podcast)
    • Uncover why you feel fragmented as a mom & scientist - 📞 Schedule an Alignment Audit and take your first step towards feeling whole again (Free Call)
    I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

    🙋🏻‍♀️ Question, episode idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click!

    Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!

    💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives—so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family

    📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com

    FOLLOW ME

    👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.

    🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources

    ➡️ Follow @solveformom on LinkedIn for life planning strategies that help you envision, plan, and take action on your big ideas while prioritizing family time.

    🔬Connect with me on my personal LinkedIn as a fellow PhD researcher & scientific consultant.

    📍Follow Solve for Mom on Pinterest for daily tips for moms in STEM to find balance one micro-step at a time.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
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