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 Nov 14, 2025
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Are you looking for a fulfilling and flexible career that brings you both personal and financial freedom? In today's Part 2 interview, I sit down with Amy Rasdal, founder of Billable at the Beach®, to talk about how to plan your career change to consulting and build a flexible business without starting over.
Mama, you DON’T NEED TO A COMPLEX SET-UP—but to start a consulting business successfully, you’ll want to learn about how to avoid some common mistakes that independent consultants make.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- 📎 The 3-4 essential things you need to get started as a consultant (hint: it's not a website or logo)
- 📎 How to leverage your existing expertise without starting over—even if you've never been a consultant before
- 📎 The biggest mistake consultants make and how to avoid it
- 📎 Practical ways to build client relationships that align with your values as a mother while setting boundaries that prevent burnout
- 📎 How to create a flexible work arrangement (20-30 hours/week) that provides excellent income while staying present for your family
Let's dive into this incredible conversation with Amy Rasdal!
⏮️ Missed Part 1? Listen: EP 89: Is Your Full-Time Job Stealing Your Family Time? How Consulting Creates Work-Life Balance While Earning 6-Figures
Quotable
"Once I finally just started demanding what I was worth, nobody ever batted an eye. Nobody laughed in my face and said, ‘oh my gosh, that's ridiculous.’"
"You really owe it to the world to get your talents out there. People need you. It's not an imposition."
"You're standing on this foundation of valuable, sometimes even rare experience."
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (2:10): The 4 essential things to start consulting and why you don't need a website or logo to land your first project
- (5:16): How nurturing connections leads to projects coming to you, and the importance of saying no
- (6:07): The biggest mistake that consultants make
- (9:58): Building client relationships that align with your values as a mother while maintaining work-life balance & creating a flexible work arrangement
- (16:07): How building your own business allows you to stay present for your family while fulfilling your potential
- (21:10): Wrap-Up & Next Steps
These chapters highlight the key tactical advice and transformational moments from your conversation with Amy.
>>> Your next breakthrough to living out your ideal life starts with clarity. 📞 Sign up for a no‑obligation 30-minute call where we’ll surface the biggest issue you face, pinpoint what you truly want, and evaluate if my 1:1 Plan Your Ideal Life coaching is the right catalyst.
Amy’s Links:
Website: www.BillableAtTheBeach.com
Follow Amy on LinkedIn
Free Course: https://www.billableatthebeach.com/free-course/
Free Webinar: https://www.billableatthebeach.com/free-webinar/
Book - Land a Consulting Project NOW!
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
👍🏽 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 and FREE resources
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Striving to Balance Ambition and Motherhood //
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Do you ever feel like your full-time job is stealing precious moments with your family? In today's Part 1 interview, I sit down with Amy Rasdal, founder of Billable at the Beach®, to talk about how consulting creates work-life balance while earning six figures.
Mama, you DON’T HAVE TO SACRIFICE career for motherhood—but to truly achieve a sense of balance and control over your time, you need the strategies and structure to support it. Let's dive into this incredible conversation with Amy Rasdal!
What You'll Learn in This Episode: ⛓️💥 Why ambitious moms feel trapped between career success and family time, missing important moments despite earning good money ⛓️💥 How consulting helps overwhelmed moms manage their schedules while still earning what they're worth ⛓️💥 Practical ways to leverage your expertise to build client relationships that align with your values ⛓️💥 How to create a more flexible work arrangement (20-30 hours/week) without sacrificing your earning potential
So excited for you to jump in!
Quotes
"My flavor of consulting is superhero, superpower, super pay. You go in as an expert with whatever your superpower is. You're paid well."
"What it really comes down to for me is really mindful choices and prioritization. And then also still finding time for what's important in your family, what's important in your career without losing the self part of you."
"As a consultant, you actually have more impact on your client companies."
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (3:08) Work-Life Balance struggle of fitting it all in and thinking in seasons
- (7:59): The biggest misconception about independent consulting
- (9:16): Amy's "superhero, superpower, super pay" approach to consulting
- (10:52): How Amy transitioned from corporate to consulting 15 years ago
- (13:38): How to balance family, career, and self without losing any part of you
- (20:12) Wrap-Up - Key takeaways and what's coming in Part 2 (EP 90)
>>> Your next breakthrough to living out your ideal life starts with clarity. 📞 Sign up for a no‑obligation 30-minute call where we’ll surface the biggest issue you face, pinpoint what you truly want, and evaluate if my 1:1 Plan Your Ideal Life coaching is the right catalyst.
Amy’s Links:
Website: www.BillableAtTheBeach.com
Follow Amy on LinkedIn
Free Course: https://www.billableatthebeach.com/free-course/
Free Webinar: https://www.billableatthebeach.com/free-webinar/
Book - Land a Consulting Project NOW!
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
👍🏽 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 and FREE resources
// Life Planning Tools for Moms Striving to Balance Ambition and Motherhood //
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
You weren't meant to feel overwhelmed by your schedule. But if time management feels like a constant struggle—or your calendar and task list just don't work—there's a better way.
In today's episode, we're getting honest about why so many moms struggle to prioritize their task list effectively… and how you can finally achieve balance and structure (without the feeling scattered, time-constrained, or getting distracted).
If your life feels like one long to-do list where time flies by, this is the episode you need.
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:39): What belongs on your calendar vs. your task list
- (3:45): Why visual time blocking prevents overload
- (6:25): The pros and cons of a task list
- (10:20): The three-step framework for deciding where tasks go
- (22:46): Time management tips for busy moms
- (27:05): Recap & Making your task list actionable
Links Mentioned in Episode:
>>> Ready to design a life that works for YOU? Book a Life Planning Strategy Session and get personalized guidance to clarify your goals, create your custom plan, and take confident action. 📞 Schedule your call here: solveformom.com/book-life-planning.
⏮️ EP 62: How to Create an Information Management System for High-Achieving Moms [Community Question]
⏮️ EP 61: TIME Block Method to Finally Manage Your Ambitious Schedule [Community Question]
⏮️ EP 75: Limited Time? How I Hit My Business Goals in 2.5 Hours Daily
⏮️ Scheduling buffers discussed at 9:18 - EP 46: Want More Time? 3 Easy Time Management Tips to Take Back Your Day
Free Resources
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
🧭 The Ultimate Guide to Values Alignment: The 15-Minute Exercise That Changes Decision Making Forever
🪞Show Up as Your Best Self: Personal Code of Accountability (Template)
🤔 Can Life Planning Help You Achieve Your Dreams? → Take the Quiz!
🌐 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 is a method that empowers moms to customize their life to fit their goals //
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 //
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Avoid these 10 frequent life planning mistakes!
Your vision board isn't the problem…Your planning tool isn't the problem…Your goals aren't the problem.
The problem is how you are vision planning and not what you are planning for your ambitious mom life.
In this episode, I'm sharing how I went from spending almost 2 years fumbling through trial and error with vision planning, to finally creating a life planning system that actually works. Learn what NOT to do to create clarity and flexibility in planning for your ideal future—I've built a method that helps you get big results even though you are a busy mom.
And the best part? You can do this too.
I'm walking you through what mistakes to avoid, what safeguards to build in, and the exact strategies that make vision casting and life planning actually work—so you can spend less time managing your life and more time living it.
What You'll Learn:
- Why treating your plan as a rigid roadmap backfires
- How to stop overloading yourself with too many goals
- The “success trap”
- How to build resilience into your future
- How to stay aligned with your evolving life
This episode will help you avoid common life planning mistakes and create a clear roadmap for success.
Episode Highlights:
- (0:00): Introduction
- (3:15): Listener Shoutout. 🤩 Leave me a rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
- (4:06): A holistic method for planning your life
- (6:38): Mistakes #1 - #5
- (16:21): Mistake #6 - #10
- (26:16): Recap
>>> Curious where you are in your journey back to the “successful you”? 📱Take the Ambitious Mom Quiz to find out if life planning is the right tool to help you design your ideal life. Get insights tailored to your unique stage!!
Let's Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE twice-monthly 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 to Balance Ambitions and Motherhood //
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 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 //