Working motherhood feels harder than it should and it's not because of your lack of organization or discipline. It’s the cultural script of intensive mothering. This model expects moms to give 100% at home while we’re also expected to give 100% at work, creating guilt, exhaustion, and the constant sense you’re falling short.

In this episode of The Sustainable Mom, Jen unpacks where intensive mothering came from, why it makes working motherhood feel impossible, and how you can start stepping out of its impossible standards. You’ll walk away with a framework for noticing the script, redefining what actually matters to you, and writing a new version of motherhood that’s sustainable—without the guilt.

Because the truth is: your kids don’t need perfect. They need you.

Let this episode be your permission slip to drop the pursuit of perfection and recognize you're already doing enough!

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

In this episode, Jen is joined by Tech mom & Harvard policy grad, Dhani Ramadhani as they talk about the new frontier or raising kids in an AI shaped world.

We are the first generation to raise kids with AI so this is wildly unnavigated terrain. Unknowns and uncertainties can bring fear and avoidance. Dhani created aiPTO to help parents make sense of this new world with confidence.

If you've ever wondered how to talk to your kids about AI, when to introduce kids to AI, or even if you just want to know more about it for yourself, this episode is for you!

Meet & Connect 🤝

Dhani Ramadhani is a tech growth strategist, Harvard-trained policy thinker, writer, and mom of two. She draws from her multicultural, neurodivergent family life and years in GovTech to explore what it really means to raise thoughtful, resilient kids in an AI-shaped world. Through her initiative, aiPTO (aiParentTech.com), she shares practical tools and research-backed reflections to help families navigate tech with clarity and intention, instead of hype or fear.

Links:

Website: https://www.aiparenttech.com/

Social media:

https://www.instagram.com/aipto365/

http://www.youtube.com/@aiPTO365

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

Do you ever review your to-do list and feel like every single thing on it is urgent, important, and totally aligned with your values? If you said yes, you're not alone.

Even though it's a common experience, there are things we can do to help us prioritize and be satisfied with what we choose to prioritize.

In this episode, Jen gets real about what it actually looks like to juggle work, motherhood, a household, and a coaching business—all while admitting she doesn’t have it “all figured out.” (Spoiler: none of us do.)

You’ll hear:

• Why even “free time” can feel paralyzing when you’re used to being in constant motion
• A 5-step approach to deciding what matters most when everything feels important
• How to spot the sneaky “shoulds” that pull you into obligation instead of choice
• Why the real goal isn’t completing your to-do list but finding alignment with your values

If you’ve ever felt guilty for leaving the laundry unfolded so you could sit with a book, felt like you “wasted” time scrolling instead of tackling the dishes, this episode will help you reframe how you think about time, energy, and what truly matters.

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

In this solo episode, Jen dives into why so many high-achieving moms are stepping off the traditional corporate ladder and carving out new paths that align with their values, energy, and priorities.

She shares the viral post that struck a nerve with thousands of women, why it resonates so deeply, and how it’s giving moms permission to want something different. This episode talks about burnout, shifting ambition, and why walking away from the hustle isn’t giving up. It’s redefining success on your terms.

If you’ve ever craved more freedom, flexibility, or fulfillment but felt like it was selfish or ungrateful, this episode is for you.

This Episode Breaks Down:
✨ Why so many moms are rethinking the corporate climb
✨ The difference between losing ambition and redefining it
✨ How burnout is reshaping the way we approach work
✨ Steps you can take to create a career that actually fits your life

There isn't only one path to success, it's time to decide what success and ambition mean to YOU.

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

Join Jen for this inspiring conversation with Holly Bantique, Founder of Calique Paperie. Holly went from working a job that was burning her out & weighing on her emotionally, to being a stay at home mom, to starting her own business.

Holly Shares:

• Why self care is more than just a nice to have. It's essential to our well-being
• How to prioritize when you have a business, a baby, & house to balance
• Disciplining our minds to stop listening to the voices telling us we need to do more, or guilting us for resting
• How to shift your perspective to see your to-do list as a good thing
• The "shoulds" we put on ourselves & the good mom pressures that weigh on us

Holly’s story is proof that you can rewrite the rules, build something that lights you up, and still be present for the people you love.

Whether you’re dreaming about leaving your 9–5, growing a business, or just craving a little more joy and peace in your daily life — this episode will remind you that you’re allowed to take up space, slow down, and build a life that actually feels good.

Meet & Connect 🤝

Holly Bantique is a mom of one and the founder of Calique Paperie & Design, a custom stationery studio built on creativity, care, and making celebrations and everyday moments feel truly personal. Before launching her business, Holly’s journey took her from corporate life to stay-at-home motherhood and eventually to entrepreneurship—all while navigating identity shifts, mom guilt, and the sweet chaos of raising her toddler son.

She’s passionate about honest conversations around the realities of parenting, the power of letting go, and building a life that feels aligned.

Through a lot of inner work, finding her community, and practicing self-compassion, Holly has learned that balance is a myth, life is what you make it, and there’s real power in stepping outside your comfort zone.

Personal:

https://www.instagram.com/hollybantique/

http://linkedin.com/in/holly-bantique

Business:

https://www.caliquepaperie.com/

https://www.instagram.com/caliquepaperie

https://www.linkedin.com/company/caliquepaperieanddesign/

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

Have you ever had a dream that just won't stop bugging you? That's what happened with Rachel when she was about to return from maternity leave...

In this episode, Jen sits down with Rachel Wilman, to talk about career pivots, creativity after motherhood, and what it really takes to chase your dream while raising a little one.

Rachel shares:

• How she decided to leap and go after her dream of writing a novel, while also juggling a full time job and a new baby
• The pressure moms feel to “do it all” and why support systems (like her wife, nanny, and even her diva cat) are essential.
• Why perfectionism kills creativity; and how she learned to just start, even when things felt messy.
• The hidden side of publishing: why even bestselling authors often keep their day jobs.
• Her honest take on balancing ambition, motherhood, and sanity.

This conversation is a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to shrink your dreams. Sometimes, it gives you the courage to finally pursue them.

Meet & Connect 🤝

Rachel Wilman is toddler mom, full-time communications professional in higher education, and soon-to-be published author. As a multi-genre writer, Rachel is inspired by unspoken truths and unusual worlds. She is writing her first novel, with three others on the back-burner.

In 2026, her first published short story will appear in HenDragon Press’ debut fantasy anthology, “Through Wilds and Warnings.”

Between meetings and toddler play-time, Rachel loves walking barefoot, reading, and wishing it would rain. She lives in Southern California with her wife, daughter, and inconvenienced cat.

💻 www.rachelwilman.com

📲 https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel.wilman

🤳 https://www.instagram.com/rachel.wilman/

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

In this episode, Jen sits down with Puja Malhotra, founder & creative director of Roop Creative Agency, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, motherhood, & intentional living.

Puja shares her journey of navigating business ownership while raising a young child & redefining what success truly means to her. From overcoming perfectionism to highlighting the importance of finding people who "get it," she opens up about how her vision for her business shifted after becoming a mom, how she needed to fall back in love with her work, how to create sustainable growth, & building a life where time with family is the ultimate luxury.

You'll hear:

• How motherhood reshaped Puja's vision for her business & life
• Why scaling isn’t always about bigger, faster, or more
• The value of mentorship & cultivating meaningful relationships with clients
• Why being selfish isn't a bad thing

Whether you’re a working mom, a creative entrepreneur, or seeking balance between life & career, this conversation is an honest and insightful conversation on building a business and a life you love, on your terms.

Meet & Connect!

Puja is the founder and creative director of Roop Creative Agency, a branding and web-design studio that helps ambitious female founders build bold, high-converting brands. A former corporate marketer turned entrepreneur and mom, Puja blends strategy and creativity to empower women-owned businesses across North America.

In addition to branding and website design, Puja mentors creatives through her signature program Corporate Dropout—a 3-month 1:1 mentorship for designers, strategists, and service providers ready to confidently leave their 9–5 and build a profitable, soulful business.

Puja is also a mom, yogi, and recovering perfectionist navigating what it means to run a business, raise a family, and stay connected to her culture—all while building something that feels true to her.

Website: https://roopcreativeagency.com
Instagram: @roopcreativeagency + @thepujamalhotra
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pujamalhotra/
Corporate Dropout Mentorship: https://www.roopcreativeagency.com/mentorship

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom

Is this clickbait… or the unfortunate truth?

In this episode, Jen digs into the research behind how different countries support (or fail) working mothers. Spoiler Alert: the U.S. comes in dead last.

Inspired by Making Motherhood Work by sociologist Caitlyn Collins, we’ll explore what 135 mothers across Sweden, Germany, Italy, and the United States revealed about the policies, workplace norms, and cultural expectations that shape their lives.

From Sweden’s generous paid leave and affordable childcare to America’s culture of overwork and zero federal leave, this conversation will make you question everything we’ve been told about “having it all.”

You’ll hear:

• How four wealthy democracies treat working moms
• Why the struggles you face as a U.S. mom aren’t personal failings, they’re political ones.
• The emotional and career toll of unrealistic cultural expectations.
• Why “just do more self-care” is not the answer and what actually is.
• How to release the guilt, stop blaming yourself, and opt out of impossible rules.

We’ll also talk about the role of anger, why it’s valid, and how it can fuel the fight for change instead of being silenced. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in work, caregiving, and expectations, this episode is for you!

Resources & Mentions:

• Making Motherhood Work by Caitlyn Collins
• Dr. Sophie Brock's Fishbowl Model of Motherhood

Let’s Connect:
If this episode resonated with you, share your thoughts with me. Did it make you see your own experience differently? Did it spark a little righteous anger? I want to know.

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You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.

Jen helps women navigate career transitions after motherhood: whether you’re ready to advance without burning out, explore entrepreneurship, or find clarity when you know your current role isn’t it.

Through private, high-touch 1:1 coaching, you can build a career and life that feels as good as it looks, without the guilt, overwhelm, or constant second-guessing.

Book your private consultation

Not quite ready for coaching?
Start with The Working Mom Reset—a 7-day email experience to help you recover from overwhelm & finally feel like you again. Consider it your first step toward a life you enjoy instead of one you’re just getting through.

Stay connected for more honest, curated support:

Instagram → @leadwithjen → @thesustainablemompodcast

Threads → @leadwithjen

Substack → The Sustainable Mom