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
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Hello Amazing Mom!
Are you drowning in the "too much" of motherhood? Do you feel the constant pressure to do it all? Have you been craving a less complicated life or ways to feel more at peace?
We’re kicking off our Spring Into Action series with today’s episode on creating lasting peace in our lives by strategically letting go using a minimalist mindset.
As a mom, I've experienced firsthand how chaos can take over. When multiple priorities compete for attention and distractions multiply, your mind races. Your natural rhythms get disrupted, and establishing any kind of routine feels impossible.
That's exactly why I'm excited to share proven strategies for bringing more peace and calm into your life, starting today. We'll explore how minimalist principles can transform your busy season into one of intention and purpose.
So if you’re ready for a minimalism mindset, then take a deep breath and hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (3:16): Share your favorite SFM episode with a friend
- (3:50): Minimalist mindset
- (9:05): 1. Simplify your routines
- (11:30): 2. Intentional use of resources
- (13:01): Free Life Planning Quiz
- (13:26): 3. Declutter your space
- (17:57): 4. Digital minimalism
- (20:46): Re-cap
Resources Mentioned
⏮️ Learn how to stop clutter creep: EP 15: No Time for You? 5 Surprising Solutions for Moms
📖 “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World” by Cal Newport
📖 “The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't” by Erin Loechner
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
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Science-based life planning to excel while prioritizing family time //
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Hello Awesome Mom!
Do you sometimes look in the mirror and barely recognize the woman staring back at you? Maybe you're so consumed by daily mom duties that you can't remember what lit that spark inside you. Or perhaps you're caught in that endless cycle of diaper changes, meal prep, and bedtime routines, feeling more like a robot going through the motions than the vibrant person you know you can be.
In today's episode, we explore how to reconnect with your dreams and prioritize your individuality. This episode is especially for you if you're struggling to balance nurturing your family while reclaiming time for your own growth and joy.
Your past achievements are still part of your story - those talents and capabilities didn't disappear when you became a mother. I talk about how to overcome imposter syndrome, engage in self-discovery, and align your goals to your time & energy. I explain how life planning can be your personalized roadmap that helps you set goals with your deepest values. Creating goals isn't about adding more to your plate - it's about making intentional choices that honor both your role as a mom and your individual dreams.
If you’re ready to to get a proven path to reconnecting with that ambitious, hopeful part of yourself that’s been waiting to emerge, hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (03:01): Listener review
- (03:54): The difficulty moms face in setting meaningful goals
- (05: 10): Identity crisis in high-achieving moms
- (05:10): 1. Imposter syndrome - Your past achievements are part of your story
- (05:10): 2. Self-discovery - Reconnect with yourself
- (14:28): 3. Life planning - Finding your true dream
- (16:38): Free Life Planning Quiz
- (16:56): 4. Master your time
- (18:38): 5. Following your dreams using the Goal Journey Framework
- (20:35): Re-cap
Resources Mentioned:
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program: Ready to rediscover what makes you YOU?
📝 Can life planning help you achieve your dreams? Take my Free Quiz
⏮️ 5 Mindset Secrets to Mastering Personal Growth Goals in Your Mom Life (Think Chemistry)
📖 Why moms are stepping down from work
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
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Science-based life planning to excel while prioritizing family time //
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Hello Amazing Mama!
Imagine waking up knowing exactly what you need to do, how much time it will take, and having a clear path to get it all done. Planning is essential to simplify our overwhelming responsibilities and hectic schedules.
Do you find that it’s hard to create plans that work for your specific rhythm? Why don’t traditional planning methods work well for busy moms? If your day is in constant fluctuation - whether it be waves tiredness, unpredictable schedules, or too many moving parts - then you’ll want to listen in on how you can make any plan work for you!
In today's episode, I share 5 essential optimizations that can transform how you approach planning as a busy mom. I'll break down my clear method for customizing my plans to work with our chaotic mom lives.
If you’re ready to level up your planning game, hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00) Teaser
- (02:48) The overwhelm of scattered days and lost productivity
- (04:19) Balanced Mom Coaching
- (07:10) Optimization #1: Planning for the Outcome
- (08:50) Optimization #2: Information Management
- (11:52) Optimization #3: Incorporating Your Environment
- (14:21) Optimization #4: Your Specific Time Needs
- (16:38) Optimization #5: Energy Considerations
- (19:30): Re-cap
Resources Mentioned:
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
EP 10: Why Planning is the Key to Time Freedom for Moms
EP 4: Working on a Home Project? Get it DONE While Focusing on Family Time [Part 2]
📖 Planning is a predictor of lower stress
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
📱 Connect on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Science-based life planning to excel while prioritizing family time //
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Hello Successful Mama!
Do you ever feel like you’re always busy, yet never really accomplishing what truly matters to you? You’re juggling work, housework, and about a million other things—only to crash at the end of the day wondering whether it was time well-spent.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, I just need better time management strategies… but still end up overwhelmed, this episode is for you.
Today, we’re breaking down how to shift from obligation-driven busyness to intentional, fulfilling productivity**.** Because being busy isn’t the problem—the problem is being busy with the things that don’t serve your values and priorities.
In today’s episode, I share 5 practical strategies to design a schedule that actually works for you. I also discuss the difference between being busy by default and purpose-driven productivity. I point out how societal pressure and mom guilt keep you overbooked.
Mama, you don’t have to do it all to feel accomplished. Let’s redefine busyness and create a life you love living—without the burnout…
If you’re ready to ditch the chaotic to-do list and start structuring your time around what truly matters, hit play! Together, we’ll Solve for Mom.
Episode Highlights
- (00:00) Teaser
- (02:37) Many moms identify themselves as busy
- (2:53) The difference between busyness & productivity
- (5:03) Mom guilt
- (8:14) 1. Time management self-awareness
- (9:15) 2. Life planning: Align your time to what is important to you
- (10:47): - Time audit tips
- (11:57) - Incorporate time minimalism into your schedule
- (12:09) 3. Boundaries on saying “Yes”
- (13:13): - Practice pausing to make intentional purpose-driven decisions
- (13:40): 4. Time blocking strategies & mistakes
- (17:02) 5. Review your time alignment
- (17:46) Recap
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
🎙️EP 1: Busy yet Restless? 3 Ways to Find Purpose as a Mom
🎙️EP 9: Why Making Time to Prioritize Yourself IS Serving Your Family
🎙️EP 19: Laws of Mom Life Dynamics - Managing Energy, Chaos & Balance
📖 Women spend less time on leisure & sports than men
👩💻 Ask me about my 1:1 Balanced Mom Coaching
Let’s Connect!
Become an SFM Insider for FREE twice monthly tips, tools, and exclusives
Cheering squad!
🙌 💕 Tap +Follow (it’s free!) and never miss an episode. Leave me a rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
Connect with Anokhi
// Science-based life planning to excel while prioritizing family time //
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Hello Wonderful Mom!
Are you overwhelmed by the constant juggling act of motherhood? Do you find yourself running on coffee and chaos, trying to manage your family, work, and everything in between, while your own needs fall to the bottom of the to-do list?
As moms, we’ve all been there—caught in the spiral of trying to “do it all,” only to end up feeling drained and defeated. I wanted to thrive and feel energized, but instead, I was stuck in a loop of exhaustion, trying to keep every plate spinning.
Sound familiar? Then this episode is for you!
In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to reclaim your energy and thrive—even with all the moving parts of mom life. I’ll introduce my DNA Formula for managing energy, inspired by the incredible ways our very own cells operate. It’s a simple, science-based framework to help you create a daily rhythm that works for you, not against you, so you can balance your responsibilities without sacrificing family time or your own goals.
It’s time to recharge, Mama! Hit play, and let’s Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:07): Become an SFM Insider
- (2:30): Why moms struggle with energy
- (04:24): D - Divide & Delegate: Why moms need to share the load and how to start today
- (08:24): N - Nurture Your Energy: Tips for prioritizing yourself and avoiding burnout
- (10:56): A - Adapt to Your Environment: How to keep a flexible schedule and to model balance for your kids
- (15:33): Recap
Links Mentioned in This Episode
- Episode with the Focus Funnel
- Moms work an average of 98 hours a week (Source: Mother.ly)
Join the Movement!
- Become an SFM Insider for my FREE twice monthly newsletter with tips, tools, and exclusives
- Tap +Follow (it’s free!) and never miss an episode
- Leave me a rating & review (thank you!)—I read every comment and your support helps other moms find the show!
- Join @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
- Got a question or story to share? E-mail me at hello@solveformom.com—your topic could be featured in a future episode!
- Visit www.solveformom.com for more information on science-stye strategies for life planning & personal growth.
// Science-based life planning to excel while prioritizing family time //
Sunday Jan 12, 2025
Sunday Jan 12, 2025
Hello Amazing Mom!
Are you struggling to balance what you want to do with the responsibilities that you have to do? Do your days feel too chaotic and overwhelming? If you’ve ever wondered how to create energy, organization, simplicity, and balance, today’s episode is for you!
I share how the laws of thermodynamics can teach us about creating energy, flow, simplicity, and balance in our mom life! Yes, we’re getting a little nerdy—but trust me, this science-style approach will leave you feeling empowered, energized, and equipped with tactical strategies to handle any kind of day.
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Energy: Learn how to conserve and transform your energy to focus on what matters most. Find ways to stop wasting energy on things that drain you and start channeling it into things that fuel your goals and passions.
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Flow: Build systems that help you manage the unavoidable chaos of mom life, so your days feel smoother and more predictable.
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Simplicity: Why simplifying your commitments, environment, and goals can make life feel lighter and easier to manage.
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Balance: Redefine what balance means for you, then align your needs with your duties.
Episode Highlights:
- (00:00): Teaser
- (02:13): Become an SFM Insider
- (03:04): What moms can learn from thermodynamics about energy, simplicity, and balance
- (06:04): 1. The First Law: Energy conservation and transformation in your day
- (07:22) Life planning for energy redistribution
- (09:17): Time-blocking & strategic planning
- (09:31): Types of energy in our day
- (10:28): 2. The Second Law: Embracing chaos and building systems to manage it
- (11:03): Building systems
- (13:04): 3. The Third Law: How simplifying leads to more time and mental space.
- (14:27)): Minimum viable day
- (15:34): Focus funnel
- (16:31): 4. The Zeroth Law: Balancing individuality with family time
- (19:40): Re-cap of the tactical tips to put these laws into action
If you’re ready to wrangle your untamed mom life, hit play, and together we can solve for Mom!
References:
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!
Visit www.solveformom.com
// Science-based life planning to excel while prioritizing family time //
Sunday Dec 29, 2024
Sunday Dec 29, 2024
Hello Ambitious Mom!
Are you tired of setting goals that feel impossible to achieve? Do you find yourself starting a goal with excitement, only to lose momentum and feel like giving up? I’ve been there too — stuck in the cycle of trying and failing until I realized something powerful: the problem wasn’t my schedule; it was my mindset.
Motherhood doesn’t mean putting your dreams on hold — but achieving your goals takes more than just a plan. In today’s episode, I share 5 mindset secrets that will help you shift your thinking to tackle your goals with confidence and clarity, break free from self-limiting beliefs and guilt, and align your goals with what truly matters to you, all while navigating mom life. I’ll show you how the right mindset can act as a catalyst for turning your goals into reality. From overcoming self-doubt to building habits that stick, you’ll learn actionable strategies to craft the life you want without sacrificing your sanity.
Episode Highlights
- (00:00): Teaser
- (02:37): Mindset is a catalyst
- (05:04): 1. A life-long learner mindset
- (06:23): 2. An empowered mindset
- (08:39): 3. Keep the big vision in mind
- (09:40): 4. A positive mindset
- (10:23): 5. A problem-solving mindset
- (12:15): Re-cap
- (13:24): Become an SFM Insider
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, crush your goals, and live with intention, hit play now! Together, we can Solve for Mom.
References:
- Norcross JC, Mrykalo MS, Blagys MD. Auld lang syne: success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year's resolvers and nonresolvers. J Clin Psychol. 2002 Apr;58(4):397-405.
- Be a life-long learner: EP 13: 3 Personal Growth Tips for Moms to Transform from Overlooked to Impressive
- Learning skills as a mom: EP 2: 5 Things Moms Can Do to Learn a New Skill [15-min or less]
- Life Planning: EP 8: Life Planning 101: Follow the Right Trajectory For YOU
✨ Connect with Me:
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!
Visit www.solveformom.com
// Grow Your Individuality While Prioritizing Family Time //
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Hello, Skilled Mama! Are you worried that the holiday hustle might derail your personal growth journey? Do you want a way to stay grounded and feel like yourself throughout the festivities?
In this episode, we dive into why habits are crucial during chaotic times and how to maintain your habits to continue your self-improvement during the busiest time of the year. Maintaining your habits during the holidays sets an example for your family, reduces stress, and ensures you don't lose sight of your purpose amidst the festivities. I share 6 mom-centered strategies to maintain habits in 15 minutes or less.
Timestamps:
- (0:00): Mom life during the holidays (Teaser)
- (02:43): Become an SFM Insider
- (03:24): Don’t pause your habits during the holidays
- (06:33): Types of disruptions to our daily rhythm
- (07:01): What is a habit?
- (07:53): The importance of maintaining our habits
- (09:02): 1. Bundling habits
- (09:49): 2. Habit stacking
- (10:32): 3. Having a non-negotiable 15 minutes
- (11:54): 4. Make your habit a part of family time
- (12:25): 5. Establish a strong morning routine
- (13:17): 6. Track your habits
- (13:54): Re-cap
For more on skills bundling: EP 2: 5 Things Moms Can Do to Learn a New Skill [15-min or less]
Take Action Now to Holiday-proof your Habits
- Plan a consistent morning routine.
- Choose 1 non-negotiable habit to focus on for 15 minutes daily this holiday season. Use one of the 6 strategies discussed.
- Sign up for the SFM Insiders newsletter for extra tips & support.
Remember, moms, the holidays don't have to mean pressing pause on your personal growth. With these strategies, you can find the balance between family time, holiday planning, and your passion projects or hobbies.
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 weekly newsletter: https://solveformom.myflodesk.com/bpj5yvdu3q
Visit www.solveformom.com
// Grow Your Individuality While Prioritizing Family Time //