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!
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❓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 //
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 //
Friday Sep 26, 2025
Friday Sep 26, 2025
Your life vision isn't stuck in neutral. Your dreams haven't disappeared. The problem is that you're constantly putting everyone else first.
In this episode, I'm sharing how I went from feeling trapped in everyone else's priorities to finally reclaiming my power as CEO of my own life. From curiosity and clear vision to strategic planning and accountability—I've built a framework that includes my dreams, while fully embracing motherhood.
And the best part? You can do this too.
I'm walking you through my First-Step Framework, what I learned about reconnecting with myself, and the exact strategy that made my transformation possible—so you can stop playing small and start going for those big audacious goals.
If you're ready to stop feeling like you're depleting yourself and start reclaiming your independence and ideas, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:44): The hidden reason why ambitious moms feel like they've lost themselves
- (4:28): Step 1: Think big with curiosity & self-discovery
- (7:41): Step 2: How to use life planning to dream big
- (9:41): 📞 Feeling stuck on that big idea? Book a FREE call with Anokhi!
- (10:52): Step 3: Developing strategy for your big plans
- (12:23): Step 4: How to take action for big impact
- (15:50): Step 5: Types of accountability networks for ambitious women
- (18:10): Recap - How to shift from reactive to proactive planning
💪 Looking for a proven system you can implement tonight? Download the Personal Code of Conduct Template to align your daily actions with your core values - designed for high‑achieving moms. Get your copy now at solveformom.com/resources.
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
❓Questions? Leave me a message
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
// How to Turn Your Big Ideas Into Real Impact //
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Today, you're getting a step-by-step process for building a thriving business in just 2.5 hours a day. If you constantly feel like your days are jam packed with endless to-do lists, this episode is your minimalist productivity blueprint.
Right now, you might think that building anything - let alone a business or a big dream of yours - while staying a present mom sounds impossible, or reserved for people with full-time childcare or fewer responsibilities.
But what if it wasn't just a nice idea? What if it was a simple, concrete system you could start right now?
You actually have the power to blend success and motherhood even with limited time, and today you're getting the exact framework I use to run my business in just 2.5 hours daily - while homeschooling two energetic boys.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- My complete evening work schedule and why it works with my life, not against it
- How I theme each day of the week to eliminate task-switching and maximize productivity
- The ONE thing approach that ensures meaningful progress even with limited time
- How life planning creates the foundation that makes minimal work hours possible
- Practical micro-tactics like cumulative batching and one-rule boundary-setting
If you're ready to stop letting time constraints hold you back and want to start creating impact with the time you actually have (not the time you wish you had), this episode is for you.
For those of you who are LONGING to regain control of your day and ready to break free from constantly putting your own needs and dreams on hold, try my private coaching session—designed to help you craft your personalized life plan.
Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now! https://solveformom.com/book-life-planning
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:56): Common excuses for high-achieving moms
- (4:14): My work time block
- (6:31): Life planning as your foundation
- (8:49): My 2.5-hour work schedule breakdown
- (13:54): 3 Practical micro-tactics for busy moms seeking productive minimalism
- 💌 Become an SFM Insider for more FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
- (16:56): Wrap-up & where to start
If you're ready to create a life where you can be everything you need to be for your kids, your career, and yourself, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life!
Previous Episodes Mentioned:
Description of scheduling buffers at 19:52 ⏮️ EP 61: [Community Question] T.I.M.E. Block Method to Finally Conquer Your Busy Schedule (Without Losing Family Time)
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
Let's Connect!
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
❓Questions? Leave me a message
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference at Home & Work //
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Your imposter syndrome feels overwhelming—questioning your capabilities as a mom, dismissing your professional skills, and feeling disconnected from the ambitious woman you used to be.
And somehow you're still supposed to create a fulfilling life that balances motherhood and personal goals?
This episode is your confidence reset.
I'm walking you through the exact steps I use to identify and embrace ambitious traits that are already part of your daily mom life without feeling like you're "just a mom" or that your ambitions have disappeared.
From redefining ambition through a motherhood lens to building an "ambition inventory," these are the strategies that will help you feel reconnected to your capabilities, clear about your transferable skills, and actually excited about your potential again.
If you're feeling completely lost after motherhood or like a shell of the person you used to be, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00) Teaser
- (2:53) The life coaching program that helps moms create purpose-driven roadmaps
- (5:25) Introduction: Why many high-achieving moms struggle with imposter syndrome
- (7:21) Step 1: Redefining ambition through a motherhood lens
- (8:49) Step 2: Documenting your invisible achievements
- (10:05) Step 3: Identifying transferable ambitious skills
- (11:57) Step 4: Documenting challenges overcome
- (13:10) Step 5: Getting external validation through a supportive community
- (17:30) Recap
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now!
⏮️ EP 73: 5 Hidden Signs You're an Ambitious Mom (Even If You Don't Feel Like One) - Part 1
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
❓Questions? Leave me a message
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference ay Home & Work //
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
If you've ever felt like your ambitious side disappeared after becoming a mom, this episode reveals why you're more ambitious than you think. Ambitious moms often struggle to recognize their own skills in managing complex family logistics and making high-stakes decisions daily.
That's exactly why I'm redefining ambition through the lens of motherhood. These 5 hidden signs are the key to recognizing your innate ambitious traits while balancing the demands of raising children, managing a household, and pursuing personal dreams.
In this episode, I'm walking you through: ⭐️ How motherhood requires managing complexity that would challenge any CEO ⭐️ Why the high-stakes decisions you make daily showcase your ambitious nature ⭐️ How your continuous adaptation to children's changing needs demonstrates growth mindset ⭐️ The way your relentless persistence through exhaustion reveals your ambitious drive ⭐️ How your long-term vision for your family mirrors visionary leadership
You don't need to choose between being an amazing mom and pursuing your personal goals—but you do need to recognize the ambitious skills you're already using every day. This framework will help you reclaim your identity as an ambitious woman who happens to be a mom.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (3:30): Redefining traditional meaning of ambition for mothers
- (11:07): Hidden Sign #1: Managing complexity daily
- (12:26): Hidden Sign #2: Making high-stakes decisions
- (13:11): Hidden Sign #3: Continuous adaptation to changing needs
- (14:13): Hidden Sign #4: Relentless persistence through challenges
- (15:09): Hidden Sign #5: Holding a long-term vision
- (17:00): Wrap-up
Links Mentioned in Episode:
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!
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
❓Questions? Leave me a message
📫 E-mail hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful Work by Aligning Your Time With Who Your Are //
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Your feeling of being stuck isn't the problem. Your inability to balance everything isn't the problem. Self-doubt when pursuing your dreams isn't the problem. The problem is that you haven't embraced the power of "yet" in your mindset.
In this episode, I'm sharing how I went from feeling defeated by unachieved goals...to finally transforming my personal growth journey through one tiny three-letter word. From reframing "can't" statements to celebrating micro-wins—I've built a system that creates space for growth amid real life.
And the best part? You can do this too.
I'm walking you through what adding "yet" to your vocabulary does for your brain, what micro-tasks can accomplish when you're feeling overwhelmed, and the exact mindset shifts that made this transformation possible—so you can achieve your ambitious mom life without feeling like a failure.
If you're ready to stop feeling defeated by unchecked boxes and unmet goals, hit play so you can achieve your ambitious mom life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (3:23): Introduction: The power of adding "yet" to your inner dialogue
- (4:18): The science behind growth mindset and how "yet" transforms your brain
- (12:21): How growth mindset and life planning work together
- (14:51): Mindset Shift #1: How to get out of black and white thinking
- (16:14): Mindset Shift #2: Breaking goals into simple micro-tasks
- (18:33): Mindset Shift #3: How to activate neural reinforcement with progress
- (21:51): Recap & Practical application
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now!
📖 Negativity Bias - Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of General Psychology, 5(4), 323-370.
📖 Stress on working moms - Kahn, S., & Moore, M. (2018). The motherhood penalty: A meta-analysis of the effects of motherhood on women's career outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(5), 547-566.
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
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference ay Home & Work //
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Do you ever find that your thoughts and emotions are holding you back? Today's episode is Part 1 of my conversation with Lesley Alberts, host of The Grounded Mama Podcast, to talk about how nervous system regulation can be the foundation for personal growth for high-achieving moms.
You are an amazing mama. You have a DESIRE TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR AMBITIONS —but to truly GROW MINDFULLY without stress, overstimulation, or burnout — you need nervous system strategies, avoiding triggers for anxiety, and building grounding habits.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
🧠 Why regulating your nervous system is essential for personal growth and identity
🧠 How somatic coaching helps moms process stored stress responses
🧠 Practical ways to ground yourself during overwhelming moments as a busy mom
🧠 How simple daily techniques can help you feel more regulated and present
Let's get you back on track today with this deep dive into nervous system regulation for ambitious moms!
Selected Quotable Moments
"True failure happens when you sit on the sidelines and you just wish and hope and wonder what if."
“Our mind is a great tool to help keep us safe, but we need to learn how to put the seatbelt on it and put it in the backseat versus the driver.”
“There are so many ‘shoulds’ in this world, and there's so much fear, guilt, and shame instilled with being productive.”
Episode Highlights
- (00:00): Teaser
- (2:10): Introduction to Lesley Alberts and her background
- (4:15): Perfectionism in high-achievers
- (09:00): What is trauma-informed somatic coaching and how it helps moms
- (15:02): What to focus on during life transitions & survival mode
- (16:04): Signs someone might benefit from nervous system regulation
- (24:06): How motherhood changes our identity and relationship with achievement
- (32:24): Simple grounding techniques for busy moms
- (38:24): Wrap-up
Lesley’s Links Mentioned:
🎧 Podcast: The Grounded Mama
▶️ Lesley’s Journey of discovering her nervous system was dysregulated
IG: @groundedmamapodcast
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
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Who Want to Make a Difference ay Home & Work //