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
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Are you a high-achieving mom feeling disconnected from your successful self? Struggling with decision fatigue and competing priorities while trying to balance career ambitions and motherhood? In today's episode, I explain what a life planning strategist does and how personalized life planning can help you feel like yourself again—with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap that actually works for your life.
This episode is for ambitious moms in science, tech, research, or any professional field who are ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start making visible progress on the goals that matter most—without sacrificing family time or losing yourself in the process.
In today's episode, I share:
- What a life planning strategist actually does
- Why life planning matters for high-achieving moms
- The 3 phases of my Designed Life Method
- How to create focused execution, better family time, and steady progress toward your big ideas—even with a packed schedule
If you're ready to turn your ideal life into your real life and stop feeling stuck between who you were and who you want to become, hit play and let's design a life that honors both your ambitions and your family!
→→→ Your next breakthrough to living out your ideal life starts with clarity. 📞 Sign up for a Free Alignment Audit call 📞 with Anokhi now! In this no-obligation 30-minute call, we’ll surface your core desire, pinpoint areas for aligned action, and evaluate if my 1:1 Designed Life Method is the right catalyst for you.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (1:58): 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
- (2:21): Streamlining your goals at work, home, and for personal growth
- (5:35): What is a life plan?
- (10:04): What is a life planning strategist?
- (11:49): How can professional women benefit from a life planning strategist?
- (13:28): Design your life in 3 steps
- (18:55): Wrap-up
I Want to Hear From You!
🙋🏻♀️ Question, topic idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click!
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives—so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest for daily tips to find balance one micro-step at a time
Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Striving to Balance Ambition and Motherhood //
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday Nov 28, 2025
→ → → Ready to fast‑track your ambitions during motherhood with a clear plan? Use science-based Designed Life Method and get a custom action plan that fits your busy schedule—spots are limited, so claim yours at solveformom.com/book-life-planning
👀 Want a sneak peek? Book your Free Life Audit call 📞 with Anokhi now!
Your struggle with guilt for wanting a career change (and to be more than "just" a mom) isn't the problem.
Feeling torn between loving your kids while wanting to do things for yourself isn't the problem.
Your heart calling out for more isn't the problem.
The problem is that society glorifies self-sacrificing motherhood while sidelining women's ambitions—making you question if pursuing a career change is selfish.
In this episode, I'm sharing how I went from constantly putting my own needs and dreams on hold…to finally creating a career that works for me instead of the other way around. From reframing ambition as leadership to life planning—I've built a life where I can be everything I need to be for my kids, my career, and myself.
And the best part? You can do this too.
I'm walking you through what I call the 3-step leadership mindset, what makes this reframe so powerful, and the exact strategy that transforms career guilt into confident decision-making—so you can blend success and motherhood without choosing between them.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:41): 🤩 Listener shoutout
- (3:37): The guilt of wanting a career change as a mom
- (7:30): Leadership mindset
- (9:00): Step 1: Reframe
- (12:19): Step 2: Anchor
- (16:05): Step 3: Leadership
- (16:53): How to confidently pursue career change without guilt
- (18:24): Wrap-up & How to take action
Links Mentioned in Episode:
❇️ Stuck in a career that doesn't align with your values? Grab my Free Values Alignment Workbook to gain clarity on whether to stay or pivot. Download instantly 👉 https://solveformom.com/core-values
Career Change Series:
⏮️ EP 86: Career Change for Moms: Get Unstuck from the Wrong Job [Part 1]
⏮️ EP 88: How to Test Your Career Change Without Risking Family Stability [Part 2]
⏮️ EP 92: Career Change Clarity in 3 Steps Without Losing Work‑Life Balance [Part 5]
Free Resources:
💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives—so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family
✍🏻 The go-to blog for ambitious moms
📱Free Life Planning Quiz
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources
I Want to Hear From You!
🙋🏻♀️ Question, topic idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click!
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest for daily tips to find balance one micro-step at a time
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Striving to Balance Ambition and Motherhood //
Friday Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
If you're feeling the urge to gain career change clarity, this episode is for you. I'm pulling back the curtain on how I personally help moms identify their next best step through vision mapping—and how you can do the same without decision paralysis, overwhelm, or needing to have your entire future figured out.
This isn't about picking one perfect path forever or betting your entire life on a single decision. It's about exploring multiple possible futures, building clarity through small steps, and taking aligned action toward a career with your values in the forefront, so you can shift into a new career without fear of making the wrong choice.
In this episode, I walk you through how to:
- Future Cast – Explore three different versions of what your life could look like if you pursued different paths
- Explore – Identify one small step you could take in the next week to test one scenario and start gathering information
- Iterate – Continue taking small exploratory steps without committing to one rigid path, building momentum through action
If you're experiencing uncertainty or confusion about your career direction, and you are ready to pivot to meaningful work using a simple decision-making framework, then this episode is a must-listen.
>>> Ready to get a clear plan to build right career & home life for you? My Designed Life Method is the right step for you. Together we’ll envision your ideal future, and create a customized roadmap to get you there. Let's design your future together! 📞 Book your free exploratory call with me now!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:22): Analysis paralysis during career shifts
- (7:35): Why traditional career planning fails professional moms
- (8:01): Step 1 - Future casting and exploring multiple scenarios
- (13:16): Step 2 - How to take steps towards a new career
- (15:45): Step 3 - Building momentum for a career pivot
- (18:42): Wrap-up
- (20:55): 💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives —including journal prompts —so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family
Career Change Series
⏮️ EP 86: Career Change for Moms: Get Unstuck from the Wrong Job [Part 1]
⏮️ EP 88: How to Test Your Career Change Without Risking Family Stability [Part 2]
I Want to Hear From You!
🙋🏻♀️ Question, topic idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click!
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest for daily tips to find balance one micro-step at a time
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Striving to Balance Ambition and Motherhood //
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
You weren't made for staying stuck in work that drains you.
Yet every day, the thought of making a career change feels overwhelming—between the fear of failing when your family depends on you, the uncertainty about what direction to take, and that nagging question: What if I'm making a huge mistake?
But what if the reason you're paralyzed by career change isn't because it's too risky… but because you're thinking about it in all-or-nothing terms?
In today's episode, I'm walking you through the steps to test your career pivot in small, low-risk ways so you can make long-term changes without disrupting your family's stability.
These are the same strategies I use with my life planning clients—each one designed to shift you from being paralyzed by fear of career change to confidently moving towards new career change possibilities.
Let's break it down!
>>> Want a confidence boost before you dive into a career change? Grab a no‑cost 30‑minute coaching call 📞 with Anokhi and leave with one concrete next move you can implement today!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:22) Understanding the fear of making a pivot when family depends on you
- (3:04) How all-or-nothing thinking makes career change feel daunting
- (6:04) Testing career pivots without risking stability
- (7:37) 2-hour framework from awareness to action
- (15:55): Example of a low-risk, experimental career change
- (17:31): How life planning de-risks and guides career transitions
- (20:24): Key takeaways & setting up accountability to taking your first step
Links Mentioned in Episode:
⏮️ EP 86: Career Change for Moms: Get Unstuck from the Wrong Job [Breakthrough 1]
➡️ Get some accountability by sharing one career change step in the comments section of any Solve for Mom LinkedIn post - and I will help you follow through! Don’t forget to tag @solveformom.
📝 Free Personal Accountability Template
Let's Connect!
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
❓Questions? Leave me a message
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Create a Clear Plan to Turn Your Ideal Life Into Your Real Life //
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
You weren't made for feeling stuck in a career that no longer aligns with your values.
Yet every day feels like a push-pull—between the career you've built, the family depending on you, the guilt about wanting something different, and the fear of making a change and failing.
But what if the reason you're feeling stuck isn't because you're failing or indecisive… but because you're making decisions based on fear instead of your unique values?
In today's episode, I'm walking you through a life planning framework to get unstuck from the wrong job so you can finally move toward a career aligned with you and your vision.
These are the exact strategies I used in my own life—each one designed to shift you from uncertainty and hesitation to confident action, and bring clarity about whether to stay in your current role or pursue a career change.
Let's get into it.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:18): 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
- (2:31): The "stuck" feeling is normal for ambitious moms considering career pivots
- (8:08): Understanding the real cost of staying in misalignment
- (11:40): Mindset shift from "I'm trapped on this career path"
- (13:50): What life planning is and why it works for career transitions
- (17:40): The Values Alignment Exercise: Your first step toward clarity
- (20:08): Recap
Links Mentioned in Episode:
⏮️ EP 5: Career Change to Pursue Your Passion Work - Reset With Confidence
>>> Stuck in a career that doesn't align with your values? Grab The Ultimate Guide to Values Alignment: The 15-Minute Exercise That Changes Decision Making Forever to gain clarity on whether to stay or pivot. Download instantly 👉 solveformom.com/resources
Free Resources
✍🏻 The go-to blog for ambitious moms
📱Free Life Planning Quiz
Start your life planning journey for free. 📞 Book a call with Anokhi now!
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
Let's Connect!
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
❓Questions? Leave me a message
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Turn Your Ideal Life into Real Life Using Life Planning //
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Your career feels stuck between what you're skilled at and what you're passionate about—safe corporate roles with proven track records, or meaningful work that actually energizes you but feels risky.
And somehow you're still supposed to find work-life balance, maintain financial stability, and be a present mom?
This episode is your career clarity roadmap.
I'm walking you through the exact 5 questions I use in my coaching practice to help high-achieving moms navigate the passion versus skill dilemma without feeling confused, lost, or desperate to find purpose again.
From identifying when you feel most energized to evaluating what skills people actually pay you for, these are the strategic questions that will help you find meaningful work that doesn't burn you out, shift your career to fit your life as a mom, and move forward with confidence and clarity.
What You'll Learn:
- REAL COACHING call insights from a mom navigating this exact crossroads
- Why the PASSION vs. SKILL debate is a false choice—and what to focus on instead
- The Ikigai framework adapted specifically for working mothers
- 5 strategic questions to identify where your passions and skills intersect
- How to choose your next JOB or CAREER transition
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:45): Welcome! 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
- (2:05): A client’s career crossroads
- (9:03): Should you choose a career based on passion or skill?
- (14:04): Introducing the Ikigai framework for moms
- (17:06): Self-discovery exercise (5 Questions)
- (20:30): Wrap-up & next steps
Links Mentioned in Episode:
📚 ”Grit” by Angela Duckworth
>>> Ready to create a personalized roadmap that guides your biggest decisions? Start with a Free Exploratory Call to see if private coaching is right for you. In our call, we'll discuss your goals and how life planning can help you make bold choices without losing balance as a mom. Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now!
Let's Connect!
Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
❓Questions? Leave me a message
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference at Home & Work //
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Your days feel like they're spinning out of control—constantly busy but never making real progress, drowning in mental load, and reinventing the wheel for every routine task. And somehow you're still supposed to stay consistent and achieve your big goals?
This episode is your implementation roadmap for effective systems.
I'm walking you through 4 steps to make systems stick without feeling like you're adding one more thing to your plate.
From deploying a new system to running it in your real life, reliably working even when your life gets chaotic—these strategies will help you feel in control, reduce your overwhelm, and actually move the needle on what matters most.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction to implementing systems that stick
- (1:47): 💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
- (2:37): 1. How to deploy a system
- (4:32): 2. Making your system work in real life
- (7:29): 3. Why you need explicit checklists even when you think you know the steps
- (13:25): Strategies for scaling your system
- (19:26): Wrap-up & how to take action
>>> Ready to balance your ambitions with motherhood? Book your Free Exploratory Call 📞 with Anokhi now and discover how life planning coaching can help you create time for what matters most! Schedule instantly 👉 solveformom.com/book-life-planning
Links Mentioned in Episode:
🩷💙 Know a mom who's constantly overwhelmed and reinventing the wheel every day? Share this 4-part Systems Explained series with her! These episodes will help her move from chaos to control with simple, actionable strategies. Just tap the share button in your podcast app and send it her way—your share could be exactly what she needs to finally feel like she's making progress on what matters most.
⏮️ EP 79: Beyond Productivity: #1 Way to Not Always Be "On" as a Mom [Systems Explained Part 1]
⏮️ EP 80: Hard to Get Things Done? How Systems Save Moms More Than Just Time [Systems Explained Part 2]
📖 Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C.H.M., Potts, H.W.W. and Wardle, J. (2010), How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world†. Eur. J. Soc. Psychol., 40: 998-1009.
📖 Zhao J, Butt RS, Murad M, Mirza F, Saleh Al-Faryan MA. Untying the Influence of Advertisements on Consumers Buying Behavior and Brand Loyalty Through Brand Awareness: The Moderating Role of Perceived Quality. Front Psychol. 2022 Jan 27;12:803348.
Let's Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
❓Questions? Leave me a message
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Personalized roadmap to balance your ambitions and motherhood //
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
If you're drowning in daily chaos and feeling overwhelmed by juggling it all, this episode breaks down a simple 4-step framework to build systems that actually work for ambitious moms. Learn how to design practical, sustainable systems that help you regain control of your day and finally move the needle on what matters most—without fancy apps or complicated processes.
In Part 3 of my Systems Explained series, I'm sharing my proven 4F Framework - the exact system design process I use with my coaching clients to help them stop feeling scattered and start getting things done.
This episode is for you if:
- You feel like there's never enough time and you're constantly busy
- You're drowning in diapers, laundry, and endless to-do lists
- You need simple systems at home and work but can't seem to stay organized
- You want to regain control of your day (and maybe even find time for self-care)
- You're tired of systems that only work when things are "perfect"
What You’ll Learn
(0:00) Teaser: From Monday morning chaos to organized momentum
(2:07) 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
(2:21) Introduction: Part 3 of Systems Explained series & the 4F framework
(4:14) How to plan your system with clear purpose and outcomes (5-minute exercise)
(10:02) A science-backed design element
(13:54) How to make your system work in your real mom life
(17:16) Why the best systems evolve through iteration, not perfection
(18:45) Real-life examples: strategic planning, podcast workflow, and family logistics
(20:43) Wrap-up and next steps
>>> Feeling overwhelmed by your endless to-do list? 📞Grab a spot for a Free Exploratory Call with Anokhi to discuss your unique goals! 👉 https://solveformom.com/book-life-planning
Links Mentioned in Episode
⏮️ EP 79: What Are Systems & Why Do Ambitious Moms Need Them? (Part 1)
⏮️ EP 80: Hard to Get Things Done? How Systems Save Moms More Than Just Time (Part 2)
⏮️ EP 75: Limited Time? How I Hit My Business Goals in 2.5 Hours Daily
📖 Kelley, S., & Clark, M. (2020). How many steps are too many? The impact of process‑step count on task memorability and completion rates. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(3), 345‑359. (peer‑reviewed study showing that procedures with 3 to 7 steps achieve the highest recall and completion; performance drops sharply beyond ≈ 7 steps).
Let's Connect!
Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
❓ Questions? Leave me a message: http://www.solveformom.com/contact
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives: https://solveformom.myflodesk.com/bpj5yvdu3q
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Create Impact at Home & Work Through Values-based Systems //