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!
🗣️ GUEST INTEREST FORM: https://calendly.com/anokhi-solveformom/guests-on-solve-for-mom
📩 QUESTIONS: hello@solveformom.com
🌐 VISIT: www.SolveForMom.com for more resources & information
Episodes
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Do you ever feel like you're constantly battling BURNOUT while trying to maintain your identity as both a mom and a driven professional?
In today's episode, I continue my powerful conversation with Dr. Jihane Farrell, host of The 40s Fitness Reset podcast, as we explore creating work-life balance that truly aligns with your core values.
This episode is about transformation and how mindfulness and values-based decision making can help you create a balanced life on your own terms.
Dr. Jihane shares her step-by-step process for rebuilding her life from burnt out academic research to an intentional life that includes embracing her roles as a driven solopreneur and a mindful mama. You'll discover practical strategies for reconnecting with your core values, mastering your emotions, and approaching motherhood as a meaningful mission rather than a burden.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- 🔋 How tapping into your core values allows you to "come back to yourself" after feeling lost
- 🔋 Why raising a child is one of the most meaningful ways to have a positive impact in the world
- 🔋 Practical mindfulness techniques that helped Jihane regain emotional mastery during her burnout recovery
- 🔋 The powerful shift that happens when you stop blaming external circumstances and take personal responsibility
- 🔋How to recognize your unique "stress signature" before burnout takes hold
- 🔋 Actionable strategies for creating priorities that reflect your values rather than others' expectations
If you're ready to stop living in misalignment and create a life that honors who you truly are, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life!
>>> Want to create a life where purpose and productivity actually coexist? Create your life plan: https://solveformom.com/balanced-mom-sales-page
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (1:15): How Dr. Jihane's burnout experience prepared her for motherhood
- (3:40): The importance of mindfulness meditation for emotional mastery
- (6:20): Finding meaning versus seeking happiness
- (8:30): Discovering core values through difficult experiences
- (11:45): Approaching motherhood as a high calling
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
Links Mentioned in Episode:
🎧 Podcast: The 40s Fitness Reset podcast
➡️ Continue the conversation on LinkedIn or by tagging @solveformom - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solve-for-mom/
Let's Connect!
❓Questions? Leave me a message
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference ay Home & Work //
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Do you ever feel like your entire identity is wrapped up in your work, leaving you drained and burned out? In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Jihane Farrell, PhD in cell biology, ADAPT-certified functional health coach, and host of The 40s Fitness Reset podcast, to discuss the identity crisis that's fueling burnout for high-achieving women.
If you're struggling with work-life balance or feeling like you've lost yourself beneath your responsibilities, this powerful conversation reveals how reconnecting with your purpose can transform your life. Let's dive into Jihane's inspiring journey from workaholic cancer researcher to finding true balance.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
⚠️ The warning signs of burnout that high-achievers often miss
⚠️ How loneliness and lack of community can accelerate burnout
⚠️ The dangerous cycle of work addiction and its impact on your physical and mental health
⚠️ What happens when your entire identity becomes wrapped up in your work
⚠️ How to recognize when your values aren't aligned with your environment
✨ The transformative power of reconnecting with your purpose
If you're ready to overcome burnout, discover your true identity, and finally create a life that aligns with your values, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction to Dr. Jihane Farrell's journey from burnout to purpose
- (5:03): Work environment that triggered burnout - identity crisis signs
- (11:18): The perfect storm - workplace conditions meeting personal habits
- (19:01): Warning signs for high-achieving women heading toward burnout
- (21:14): How the definition of success evolves after burnout
- (24:12): Triggers for self-assessment - reclaiming identity beyond work
- (32:36): Episode wrap-up and preview of Part 2
>>> Want to create a life where purpose and productivity actually coexist? Create your life plan: https://solveformom.com/balanced-mom-sales-page
➡️ Continue the conversation on LinkedIn or by tagging @solveformom - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solve-for-mom/
Jihane's Links Mentioned:
🎧 Podcast: The 40s Fitness Reset podcast
www.drjihanefarrell.com
Connect with Anokhi:
❓Questions? Leave me a message
💌 Get FREE tips, tools, and exclusives in the twice monthly newsletter
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference ay Home & Work //
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Hello Wonderful Mom!
Are you're feeling out of touch or uncertain about your next professional step? If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom or had a career pause and now find yourself saying, "I've had time off from paid work and now I'm considering my options for going back," then you’ll want to hear today’s episode.
Many of us who have faced a major decision about going back to work have had to do so without much guidance. That’s why in today's episode, I share three powerful strategies to help you move forward with confidence so you can bridge the gap between your stay-at-home mom experience and your next career chapter. These practical power moves will transform your career pause into a strategic advantage, allowing you to create work that truly aligns with your life as a mom while showcasing all the valuable skills you've gained along the way.
This is a show about career planning after a pause that will help you reframe your SAHM experience into transferable skills, determine your ideal job parameters, and align your next professional role with your broader life vision.
If you're ready to find the perfect job that aligns with your mom life, hit play and together we can Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:18): Listener review
- (3:07): The career confidence gap many moms face after time away
- (8:49): Power Move #1: Identify your transferrable skills
- (12:49): Power Move #2: Select your job parameters
- (17:02): Power Move #3: Use your Life Plan to define your role
- (17:27): Create your Life Plan - 📞 Free Exploratory call
- (18:30): How to implement these strategies starting today
- (20:00): Recap
Links Mentioned in Episode:
🎯 Book your Free Exploratory call with Anokhi to create your custom life plan
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
Free Resources
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
✍🏻 The go-to blog for ambitious moms
📱Free Life Planning Quiz
📝 Free Template - Personal Code of Conduct
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
Let's Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
❓Questions? Leave me a message
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference //
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Successful Mom!
If you an ambitious mom that’s feeling lost in the daily juggle of motherhood and missing those passions and interests that used to light you up, then today's episode is for you! It’s also for those of you who find themselves dreaming about creating your own success and getting back some of your financial freedom.
This episode outlines a practical 4-step framework to help you rediscover your passions which you can turn into potential income streams that fit into your busy mom life.
If you’re ready to reignite your interests and create some side-hustle fire, then hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights:
- (0:00): Introduction
- (2:03): Listener review
- (2:34): Experiment with your passions
- (4:46): 1. identify & prioritize your passions
- (12:13): 2. Plan out the project
- (14:01): 3. Take meaningful action
- (15:24): 4. Two paths to monetizing your passions
- (22:08): Recap
References Mentioned:
⏮️ EP 1: Busy yet Restless? 3 Ways to Find Purpose as a Mom
⏮️ Working on a Home Project? Get it DONE While Focusing on Family Time [Part 1 & 2]
Tools & Resources:
💌 Unlock exclusive time-saving tips and insider secrets every ambitious mom needs - join the SFM Insider newsletter for FREE today!
📝 Free Life Planning Quiz
🎯 Book a complimentary Exploratory call to discover how personalized life planning can help you create the balanced mom life you deserve!
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful Work by Aligning Your Time With Who Your Are //
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
Hello Ambitious Mom!
Ready to explore flexible work arrangements that could transform your work-life balance? In today's episode (Part 2), I'm diving deep into creative work setups that give you more control over your time while maintaining your professional growth.
As a mom who's experienced it all - from part-time work to homeschooling while running a business - I'm sharing the real insights about less traditional work arrangements. You'll discover practical strategies for making each setup work, including part-time options, contract positions, and home business opportunities.
Make sure you are caught up on last week’s Part 1: EP 39: I Tried Every Mom Work Set-up - Here's What You Need to Know Before Planning Your Career [Part 1]
If you’re ready to craft a meaningful career that works for YOU, then hit play and let’s solve for mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:56): Subscribe to this podcast (it’s free!)
- (2:08): Flexible work arrangements
- (2:43): Why I chose a career shift to part-time WAHM
- (3:18): How be a successful part-time working mom
- (7:51): Daytime vs. Nighttime WAHM
- (13:40): Contract work and maintaining professional growth
- (18:56): Running a home business while balancing family life
- (22:34): 🎯 Career planning sessions with Anokhi
- (23:30): My take on being a homeschooling mom
- (30:14): Don’t overlook an internship during motherhood
- (34:24): Recap Success factors for flexible jobs
- (32:28): Become an SFM Insider
Resources Mentioned:
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
📞 Complimentary Exploratory Call
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Take our Life Planning Quiz to discover your ideal work arrangement: solveformom.com/quiz
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful work by aligning your time with who you are //
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Hello Ambitious Mom!
Are you feeling torn between your career ambitions and family time? Wondering if there's a better work setup that could give you more flexibility without sacrificing your professional growth?
In today's episode - Part 1 of two episodes, I'm sharing my extensive experience with different work arrangements as a mom. As someone who's tried everything from full-time office work to remote positions, stay-at-home mom life, and running my own business, I'll help you understand the real freedoms and limitations of each setup. You’ll discover why there's no one-size-fits-all solution for working moms and how to factor in your financial needs, career goals, and family's unique situation to find the best work set-up that fits your lifestyle and values.
If you’re ready to experience your career transformation, hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
Tune in next week for part 2: EP 41: I Tried Every Mom Work Set-up - Here's What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Flexible Job [Part 2]
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (2:05): Listener review
- (2:57): Caveat to this conversation
- (4:40): My career shifts
- (12:05): Working mom with a traditional full-time office job
- (16:51): Full-time remote working mom - How to make it work for you
- (22:01) Stay-at-Home Mom Life - The real truth about this setup
- (27:57): Recap
- (32:28): Become an SFM Insider
Resources Mentioned:
⏮️ EP 18: How to Measure Success as a Mom: Balancing Numbers & Narratives
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful work by aligning your time with who you are //
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Hello Ambitious WAHM!
Are you feeling like you're juggling too many balls during the holiday season? Between work deadlines, family traditions, holiday prep, and trying to maintain some semblance of personal time – it can feel overwhelming, right?
As a work-at-home mom (WAHM), I know the struggle of maintaining boundaries when your workspace and living space are one and the same. Add in the holiday chaos, and it might feel impossible to find balance!
In today's episode, I share my science-style strategies for creating harmony between work, family time, and personal growth during the holidays. Drawing from my experience as a WAHM who manages consulting work, a start-up business, homeschooling, and passion projects, I'll show you how to make the holidays enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
I talk about why being clear on your priorities is crucial for personal growth and family harmony. I show how you can make better decisions during the holidays (Hint: life planning is the best way). I don’t leave you hanging, though, because I also lay out practical time management & productivity strategies that actually work for WAHMs.
Episode Highlights:
- (0:00): Teaser
- (02:48): The “WAHM dilemma”
- (04:20): 1. Be clear on what is important to you during the holidays
- (06:07): + Self-discovery questions
- (06:51): + Life planning is a tool for creating balance ⏮️ Episode 8: Life Planning 101: Follow the Right Trajectory For YOU
- (08:10): + Get comfortable saying “no”
- (08:37): + Set your non-negotiables as your anchor points
- (13:19): 2. Be productive with your time
- (10:57): + Time blocking
- (11:28): + Set time boundaries & communicate them
- (12:19): + Task batching
- (14:03): + Release perfectionism & delegate where possible
- (15:14): + Blending personal interests with family time
- (15:53): Become an SFM Insider to receive my newsletter where I will share life planning resources. My next December 2024 issue will include my favorite Golden Milk recipe too :)
- (16:09): Re-cap
If you're ready to transform your holiday experience from chaotic to intentional while maintaining space for your relaxation and family time, hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
Tap +Follow (it’s free!). Leave me a rating & review (thank you!).
E-mail me at hello@solveformom.com and your question could be the topic of an upcoming episode!
Become an SFM Insider to receive my free twice monthly newsletter: https://solveformom.myflodesk.com/bpj5yvdu3q
Visit www.solveformom.com
// Grow Your Individuality While Prioritizing Family Time //
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Hello Wonderful Mom! Are you wondering how to pivot towards your passion projects? This might mean a complete reset from your current trajectory. But, don’t worry! In today’s episode, I share my strategies for how moms can plan their resets with confidence. You will learn about what it means to undergo a reset and the importance of building critical thinking and personal growth into your life, including when you are about to embark on some changes. True to form, I lay out granular detail with relatable examples, of what it looks like to implement these strategies.
Timestamps:
(00:00): Teaser
(01:27): Reset definition
(02:43): Resets can be empowering and lead to self-improvement
(03:45): Knowing your mission
(05:02): How to formulate your mission
(05:47): Identifying your passions
(06:41): Find your purpose
(08:48): Hypothetical example: Ambitious Amber
(09:45): Align your resets with your mission
(11:45): Pause here to do clarity work, then continue
(11:59): Resets require creativity
(15:46): Most resets are reversible or replaceable
(17:26): Re-cap
If you are ready to take charge of big decisions and start planning you next reset, hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
To learn more about how you can find purpose, listen to Busy yet Restless? 3 Ways to Find Purpose as a Mom
Tap +Follow (it’s free!). Leave me a rating & review (thank you!).
Become an SFM Insider to receive my weekly newsletter: https://solveformom.myflodesk.com/bpj5yvdu3q
E-mail me at hello@solveformom.com and your question could be the topic of an upcoming episode!
Blog: https://solveformom.com/2025/how-to-reset-your-life-to-pursue-your-passion-work-with-confidence/
Visit www.solveformom.com
// Grow Your Individuality While Prioritizing Family Time //