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 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 //
Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
You can build simple systems that free you from constant decision fatigue.
In today's episode, I show you how systems simplify, prioritize, and save time, resources, and mental energy for busy moms.
These five key benefits of well-designed systems create predictable success and help you reclaim your time and energy.
Every system you build is an opportunity to reduce overwhelm and create more space for what truly matters. Don't waste precious mental bandwidth on tasks that could be systemized and automated.
I also share what I call the most important mindset shift for ambitious moms: externalizing memory into systems rather than trying to keep everything in your head.
Today, I'm showing you how I transform chaos into clear playbooks (instead of drowning in overwhelm, which I did for years).
PLUS a simple prompt that helps you identify exactly where to start building systems. It's a practical starting point every overwhelmed mom needs.
In just 20 minutes, you can gain the clarity to start building systems that actually work.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:52): Got a burning question or topic idea❓Leave me a message
- (4:20): What systems really are and why they matter for busy moms
- (5:15): Benefit #1: How systems simplify complexity in daily life
- (7:31): Benefit #2: Systems offer a clear prioritization framework
- (8:06): Systems help you execute your life plan
- (9:32): Benefit #3: Systems save you time and speed up tasks
- (12:01): Benefit #4: Saving resources through batching and advance planning
- (12:41): Benefit #5: Reducing mental load by externalizing memory
- (16:15): Other added possibilities when you use systems in daily life
- (18:01): Practical homework to identify where to start using systems in your life today
Previous Episodes Mentioned:
⏮️ EP 79: Beyond Productivity: #1 Way to Not Always Be "On" as a Mom [Systems Explained Part 1]
>>> Feel like you’re juggling too many priorities without a clear direction? Reserve a free 30-minute call where we’ll pinpoint your toughest challenge, articulate your ideal future, and evaluate if my 1:1 coaching can bridge the gap. Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now!
Let's Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference at Home & Work //
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Struggling to find even 5 minutes for yourself as a busy mom? Discover why planning your time is the key to creating more space in your schedule. These time management strategies will help you regain control of your day.
In this episode, I break down four proven ways planning actually SAVES TIME FOR BUSY MOMS instead of taking it away. If you're constantly overwhelmed, unable to catch up with your packed schedule, and struggling to fit everything in between family and work, this episode will transform how you think about time management.
You'll discover why setting aside just 15-30 minutes weekly for planning can create hours of time savings, reduce your mental load, and help you be more present with your family. These strategies work whether you're a working mom trying to balance career demands or a stay-at-home mom managing household responsibilities.
By the end of this episode, you'll have practical, actionable steps to create a planning system that fits your busy mom life and gives you the freedom to focus on what truly matters to you.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser - Is finding time as a busy mom impossible?
- (2:24): Principle #1: The counterintuitive approach to time that works
- (4:50): Principle #2: How to multiply your time with planning
- (8:09): Principle #3: Planning time-saving automation
- (9:15): Principle #4: End the 2 AM worry spiral and enter mental peace
- (13:20): Recap and actionable steps to start planning with minimal time investment
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Interested in Life Planning? Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now!
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
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Optimize Daily Decisions By Aligning Your Time to Your Values //
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Struggling to make confident decisions without second-guessing yourself? Do you get overwhelmed by figuring out your options?
In this episode, I reveal why traditional pros and cons lists fall short for ambitious moms who want clarity in complex life choices. I'll show you how life planning can become your ultimate decision-making superpower!
This is a show about confident decision-making where I teach you how to align choices with your core values to eliminate decision fatigue and get meaningful results in your ambitious mom life.
If you're ready to stop flip-flopping on decisions and instead start making decisions with clarity and purpose, hit play and together we achieve your ambitious mom life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:58): Why traditional pros & cons lists leave you second-guessing yourself
- (4:25): What confident decision-making actually looks like for high-achieving moms
- (5:02): The limitations of pros & cons lists that keep you stuck in indecision
- (6:51): How your life plan becomes your ultimate decision-making filter
- (12:03): Wrap-up
Links Mentioned in Episode:
❓Questions? Leave me a message
📞 Book your Free Exploratory call with Anokhi now!
⏮️ EP 60: At a Crossroads? The #1 Way to Make Decisions You'll Never Regret
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!
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
//Life Planning for Moms Who Want to Create Impact at Home and at 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 //
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Ambitious Mama!
Do you ever feel like you're constantly juggling multiple roles - from chef to nurse to teacher to project manager? Are you looking for a smarter way to tackle the endless stream of daily challenges that come your way?
Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by having to be everything to everyone at once. Or we are frustrated by putting out one fire, only to turn around and face another problem.
In today's episode, I share a powerful learning hack from my PhD research background that completely transformed how I approach daily mom challenges. This isn't just another productivity tip - it's a whole new way of thinking that will help you become more efficient and confident in handling whatever life throws your way.
If you’re ready to take the simple steps to become a more resourceful problem-solver, hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:49): 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
- (2:04): The surprising story from my grad school days that sparked this approach
- (4:38): What interdisciplinary thinking is and why it's a game-changer for busy moms
- (5:46): Why interdisciplinary thinking is your secret weapon as a mom
- (9:58): Simple steps to become a more resourceful problem-solver in daily mom life
- (14:15): Recap
- (16:34): 🟦 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
Free Resources:
💌 SFM Insider Newsletter with tips, tools, insights
📝 Life Planning Quiz
📲 Book an Book a Complimentary Exploratory Call
Let’s Connect!
🤩 Leave me a rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
// Create impact at home and work by aligning your time with your values //