She Left Her Career to Raise Her Kids. Then She Started Again.

What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the woman you're becoming?

This week on the Her Village Podcast, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Vandana Arcot to talk about identity, ambition, motherhood, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself.

After a successful global health career spanning more than a decade and work across 13+ countries, Dr. Arcot made the decision to step away from her professional life to focus on raising her children. Years later, she found herself navigating the vulnerable process of returning—not to who she used to be, but to a new version of herself.

Together, Jacqueline and Dr. Arcot explore:

• The emotional realities of stepping away from a career to focus on family
• Losing—and rediscovering—your sense of identity
• The guilt and fear that can come with wanting something more
• How motherhood reshaped Dr. Arcot's definition of success and leadership
• The pressure women feel to choose between caregiving and ambition
• Why reinvention isn't about becoming someone new—it's about reclaiming the parts of yourself that were waiting to be rediscovered
• The permission to evolve through different seasons of life

Dr. Arcot is the founder of Komselj, a strategy firm advancing women's and children's health and empowerment worldwide, and VUND, a home décor and fragrance company that supports women-led beekeeping initiatives. Her work has helped raise millions for global health causes while empowering women and communities around the world.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to dream again, pivot careers, pursue a passion, or redefine what success means to you, this conversation is for you.

Because every season changes us—and sometimes beginning again is exactly what we're meant to do.

Connect with Dr. Vandana Arcot:

• Website: https://www.komselj.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvandanaarcot/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvandanarcot

Support the show

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If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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Reinvention is often portrayed as a dramatic before-and-after moment—a bold leap, a fresh start, a perfectly curated transformation.

But what if it doesn't look like that at all?

In this solo episode, Jacqueline shares what she's learning about reinvention while living it in real time. From infertility and loss to motherhood, podcasting, and building Her Village, she reflects on the many versions of herself she's loved, outgrown, and carried with her along the way.

Together, we'll explore:

• Why reinvention can feel a lot like grief—even when it's chosen
• The pressure women feel to justify change
• What happens when people don't understand your evolution
• The courage it takes to keep going in the messy middle
• How to recognize when restlessness may actually be an invitation

If you've been questioning what's next, missing parts of who you used to be, or wondering if you're allowed to want something different, this conversation is for you.

You don't have to have all the answers before you take the next step.

Maybe you're not lost.

Maybe you're becoming.

P.S. This conversation is the first in a series of episodes exploring what it means to evolve through motherhood, identity shifts, and the changing seasons of womanhood. I can't wait for you to hear what's coming next.

Support the show

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If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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Something unexpected happened at the first Her Village gatherings.

Women walked in nervous… and walked out feeling lighter, more connected, and reminded that they’re not alone.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing reflections from our very first gatherings and why I believe women are craving real, in-person community more than ever before.

We talk about:

• the loneliness of modern motherhood
• why making friends as an adult feels so hard
• the power of getting women in the same room
• what I observed during our first Her Village meetups
• motherhood, identity, and connection
• why I believe we all need a village again

This episode is less about events — and more about what happens when women finally feel safe enough to exhale.

If you’ve been craving deeper connection, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Her Village:
Instagram: @hervillagehq
Join the email list: joinhervillage.co

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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If you’ve been here for a while, you know this podcast has always been rooted in real conversations.

From the very beginning, Motherhood Intended was a space for the stories behind the highlight reel—centered around infertility, family building, and the journey to motherhood.

But life evolves… and so do we.

In this trailer episode, I’m sharing why this podcast is shifting, what this new season looks like, and what you can expect moving forward.

Welcome to Her Village—a space for real women, real stories, and honest conversations about the things we don’t always say out loud.

Whether you’re navigating motherhood, identity, relationships, growth, or everything in between… you’re not alone.

And you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Follow along for weekly conversations and new episodes as they’re released.

Connect with me:
Instagram: @hervillagehq
Join the email list: joinhervillage.co

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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What happens when the season of life that shaped your story begins to change?

In this episode, I’m sharing an honest update about the evolution of Your Fertility Village, how my own infertility journey has shifted now that our family is complete, and the new vision that has been growing on my heart: Her Village.

When I first started the Motherhood Intended podcast, I was still in the thick of processing my infertility journey. I had experienced infertility, loss, IVF, the NICU, and eventually grew our family through surrogacy. During that season, supporting women navigating infertility felt like the most natural extension of my story.

But life has changed over the past few years.

Our family is now complete, and while infertility will always be part of my story and something I care deeply about, it’s no longer at the center of my everyday life in the same way. I realized that leading a community centered entirely around infertility wasn’t where my heart felt most aligned anymore.

Instead, I began thinking about a different kind of community — one that supports women in the many seasons of life that come after infertility and early motherhood.

That idea became Her Village.

Her Village is about creating spaces where women can build real friendships and meaningful connection in the communities where they live. A village for women who may feel like they’re in-between seasons of life — raising young kids, rediscovering themselves after motherhood, navigating life after infertility, or simply craving deeper conversations and real connection again.

I’m starting small here in Naperville with the first gathering called Her Village: Founders Night, and I’m excited to see where this vision grows from here.

If you’re local to Naperville and the idea of building real friendships, and community resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for being here and for continuing to grow alongside me.

However your journey to motherhood unfolds, I’m really glad you’re not walking it alone.

xo, Jacqueline

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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A real day in the life of a stay-at-home mom in this season of motherhood.

What does a real day actually look like in this season of motherhood?

In this solo episode, Jacqueline walks you through a true day in the life — from the moment she wakes up to when the house finally goes quiet at night. Not the highlight reel. Not the optimized routine. Just the honest rhythm of life right now as a stay-at-home mom of three, balancing motherhood, mental load, and creative work.

Jacqueline shares what mornings look like getting two kids out the door for school, how her days shift depending on whether her toddler is home with her or at her school program, and how her work as a podcaster happens in small pockets of quiet time. She talks about the invisible labor of motherhood, the constant emotional regulation, and the tension between being present with your kids while still wanting space for your own purpose.

This episode is for any mom who feels like her days are full but invisible, meaningful but hard to quantify — and who needs the reminder that showing up counts, even when there’s no checklist to prove it.

In this episode, we talk about:

• A real day in the life of a stay-at-home mom
• Managing the mental load of motherhood
• Parenting multiple kids in different stages
• Working and creating during naps and school hours
• After-school chaos, activities, and evening routines
• Why some seasons of motherhood are about maintenance, not growth
• Letting go of productivity pressure in motherhood

✨ Reflection prompt:
What does your day actually require of you — emotionally, mentally, and physically?

🔗 Connect + Resources Mentioned

• Get on the email list
• Follow on Instagram
• Join the Motherhood Intended Podcast Community on Facebook
• Become a member of Your Fertility Village
• Check out Beddy’s and see how much they’ve simplified morning routines and bedtime in this season of life!

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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Infertility doesn’t just affect your body—it can quietly strain your marriage in ways no one prepares you for.

In this solo episode, Jacqueline talks openly about how infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys can impact a relationship—not just during treatment, but long after you’ve successfully grown your family.

She talks about the emotional survival mode couples often slip into, why communication can break down, how grief and coping styles differ between partners, and why those patterns don’t automatically disappear once a baby arrives. If anything, they can be harder to address when you’re busy raising a family and expected to “just be grateful.”

Jacqueline also shares why she believes therapy should be part of the fertility process—not because something is wrong, but because infertility is traumatic and relationships deserve support.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your partner during or after infertility, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why there should be a “warning label” on fertility treatments
• How infertility quietly rewires a marriage
• When love starts to feel like logistics and survival
• Different coping styles and emotional labor between partners
• Why therapy can be a powerful support during fertility treatment
• How infertility impacts relationships after pregnancy or completing your family
• Lingering trauma, grief, and coping mechanisms that don’t just disappear
• A gentle journaling prompt to help you reflect and reconnect

✨ Join my email list
Be the first to hear about upcoming events, resources, and community offerings: https://motherhoodintended.kit.com/

✨ Connect with me on Instagram
Daily reminders, honest posts, and behind-the-scenes moments: https://www.instagram.com/motherhood_intended/

✨ Apply to be a guest on the podcast
Have a story or perspective you feel called to share? I’d love to hear from you: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddd2-w53Jag6RVUghaJ85YTLoHjYXj_P7gxKz3sLz2QhYQBw/viewform

If this episode resonated, you might journal and reflect on:

• What coping habits did we develop during infertility that helped us survive—but may not be serving us anymore?
• Where do I notice protection or distance showing up in our relationship?
• What kind of support do I wish we had—during infertility or now?

You don’t need answers today. Awareness is enough.

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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This episode marks a powerful full-circle moment on Motherhood Intended.

Three years ago, Alison joined the podcast to share her decision to freeze her eggs in an episode titled “Egg Preservation: A Story of 10 Maybe Babies.” At the time, she was preserving her fertility and creating options for her future — without knowing exactly where the journey would lead.

Today, Alison is back to share what happened next.

In this Season 7 premiere, Jacqueline and Alison reflect on the path from egg freezing to single motherhood by choice, including:

• deciding to pursue motherhood on her own
• choosing a sperm donor
• pursuing IVF
• navigating pregnancy after infertility decisions
• and welcoming her now almost six-month-old son

This honest conversation explores both the emotional and practical sides of fertility preservation — from the uncertainty of freezing eggs to the realities of IVF, pregnancy, and early motherhood. Alison shares what surprised her most, what she wishes she had known earlier, and how she defines success now, looking back on the journey.

This episode is for anyone who:

• is considering freezing their eggs
• is navigating fertility timelines or delayed parenting
• is exploring single motherhood by choice
• or is wondering how today’s fertility decisions can shape tomorrow’s possibilities

It’s a story about options, agency, patience — and what can unfold when you give yourself time.

Stay Connected

Jacqueline will be hosting both in-person and virtual meet-ups in the coming months and sharing updates about Your Fertility Village!
To stay in the loop, join her email list here: https://motherhoodintended.kit.com/

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. These conversations help more women feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛

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