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 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 //
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Your packed schedule feels like one long to-do list with constant overwhelm—saying "yes" to too many commitments until you're completely exhausted with nothing left for yourself or your family.
And somehow you're still supposed to honor your individuality while being the mom you want to be?
➔ This episode is your permission slip to say "no."
I'm walking you through the four strategies I used to break free from overcommitment—going from pulling all-nighters and health issues to finally reclaiming control of my schedule.
You weren't meant to be constantly overwhelmed and exhausted. This mindset shift will help you feel empowered to make conscious choices, create better work-life balance, and finally find time for personal growth without the guilt, stress, or constant feeling of drowning in responsibilities.
If you’re ready to say "yes" to what truly matters, then hit play and together we can Achieve Your Ambitious Mom life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:36): Why saying "no" is essential for high-achieving, ambitious women
- (4:43): What happened when I became intentional about my schedule
- (5:55): 1. How the power of journaling helps reveal what truly deserves your time
- (7:18): 2. The life planning method that makes prioritization decisions easier
- (10:42): 3. A visual strategy that helps even children understand time constraints (with a real example from my son's experience)
- (13:29): 4. The simple first step to practice this week for immediate relief
- (14:50): Wrap-up
Resources Mentioned:
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
📱Life Planning Quiz
📝 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 //
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Hello Amazing Mama!
Are you feeling like you're just going through the motions each day, checking off tasks without purpose or joy? Do you find yourself juggling endless responsibilities while your own passions and priorities take a back seat? It's time to stop living on autopilot and take control of your life with intentional, values-driven planning.
In today's episode, I share proven strategies to break free from default planning and create a life that truly reflects what matters most to you. Learn how to prioritize your time and energy based on your core values rather than simply reacting to whatever demands come your way.
This episode is perfect for ambitious moms who want to reclaim their time, align their daily actions with their deepest values, and create more meaningful experiences both at home and work.
If you're ready to start creating a life of purpose and balance, hit play and together we can Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:24): How living on autopilot silently steals your chance to design a life that lights you up
- (3:51): My personal wake-up call: when I realized my "successful" life wasn't bringing fulfillment
- (6:56): The difference between traditional planning and values-driven life planning
- (8:25): Strategy #1: How to identify your priorities
- (12:10): Strategy #2: How to shift towards meaningful tasks
- (13:25): Strategy #3: Being intentional with your time and energy (what to say yes and no to)
- (14:59): Recap
Links Mentioned:
Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 with Anokhi now!
📱Free Life Planning Quiz
Free Resources
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
✍🏻 The go-to blog for ambitious moms
📝 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 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Hello Wonderful Mom!
Are you constantly feeling scattered and overwhelmed by your busy schedule? Do you struggle with finding enough time in your day while still prioritizing your family? Does your to-do list feel never-ending, leaving you with that nagging feeling that you're not doing any one thing really well?
In today's episode, I share my game-changing T.I.M.E. Block Method - a practical framework specifically designed for ambitious moms who want to conquer their busy schedules without sacrificing family time. This method will help you move from feeling constantly distracted to having focused, intentional blocks in your day.
If you're ready to finally gain control over your schedule, then hit play so so you can Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life!
Episode Highlights:
- (0:00): Teaser
- (1:31): ❓Ask me your question!
- (2:04): Introduction to the T.I.M.E. Block Method
- (2:13): Listener question about traditional time blocking challenges
- (4:43): Why ambitious moms struggle with scattered thinking and constant distractions
- (6:35): What is time blocking?
- (7:20): The mental load of carrying everything in your head
- (8:44): Why time blocking hasn’t work for you so far
- (9:25): Life planning and time audits
- (11:38): T - Tasks & roles
- (12:50): I - Identify priorities first
- (16:46): M - Minimize context switching for better productivity
- (19:52): E - Expect interruptions and plan buffer time
- (21:34): Book your Free Exploratory call 📞 💫with Anokhi now!
- (23:06: Wrap-up & Recap
Links Mentioned in Episode:
⏮️ Learn more about scheduling buffers - EP 46: Want More Time? 3 Easy Time Management Tips to Take Back Your Day
⏮️ Details on the Focus Funnel - EP 19: 4 Rules for Busy Moms - How to Manage Energy, Chaos & Balance
📖 Shantz JA. Battling Parkinson's Law. CMAJ. 2008 Oct 21;179(9):968.
New to Life Planning?
🧩 Free Life Planning Quiz
🎯 Life Planning – How to Design & Achieve a Life That’s Right for You
Free Resources
💌 Become an SFM Insider for weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
✍🏻 The go-to blog for ambitious moms
📝 Personal Code of Conduct Template
🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information
// Meaningful Work by Aligning Your Time With Who Your Are //
Let's Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
📧 [hello@solveformom.com](mailto:hello@solveformom.comhello@solveformom.com)
➡️ Tag @solveformom on LinkedIn and Pinterest
// Optimize Daily Decisions By Aligning Your Time to Your Values //
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Hello Ambitious Mom!
Has summer break thrown your carefully crafted routines into complete chaos? Do you feel like your personal goals get completely lost in the summer shuffle?
Many ambitious moms find themselves scrambling to make the most of the time with their kids and family while desperately wanting to double down on projects that have gone to the wayside. When your days become jam-packed with managing everyone else's summer activities, your own goals keep getting pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, leaving you feeling scattered and disconnected from yourself just when summer should be bringing you freedom, lightness, and joy.
In today's episode, I share how to create a 3-step vision for summer break that actually fills your cup instead of draining it. You'll discover how to create harmony between family time and personal needs, find those precious pockets of time for your own refreshment, and use summer's different rhythm to reconnect with your personal goals and identity.
This is a show about vision casting for your summer, where I teach you how intentional planning will help you transform from surviving to thriving during these precious summer months.
If you're ready to stop dreading summer and embrace all the awesomeness that comes with summer break, hit play and together we can Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:21): Submit questions for Figure It Out Friday episodes
- (3:00): Why ambitious moms struggle during summer break
- (6:09): Understanding vision casting for seasonal planning
- (7:50): It's never too late to implement your summer vision plan!
- (9:24): Step 1: Reconnect with yourself
- (12:59): Step 2: Connect during family time
- (14:33): Step 3: Schedule personal development and career growth to synchronize with the summer rhythm
- (17:59): Treat summer break as a change in your “scheduling environment”
- (21:34): How these three components work together to create a fulfilling summer
Resources Mentioned:
❓ Ask me a life planning question
📞 Schedule a free call with Anokhi
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 and exclusive content
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
📱 Join our community on LinkedIn
📫 Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Optimize Daily Decisions By Aligning Your Time to Your Values //
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
Hello Goal-driven Mama!
Do you often feel like you don't have time for fitness? Are you torn between taking care of your family and yourself? Have you tried intense workout programs only to abandon them when life gets hectic?
So many high-achieving moms struggle with the same challenge – including me! We want to prioritize health without sacrificing precious family time.
In today's episode, I talk with Rachel DeSonier, a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and mom of 5 who specializes in helping women build confidence through simple, effective strength training routines. Rachel shares practical advice for moms who want to get stronger and feel better without spending hours at the gym.
Our conversation is full of topics that I was surprised to find were related to fitness:
- How to deprioritize
- Honesty & purpose
- Black & white thinking
- Being a steward of your body
- Boundaries
- Building huts
- Emotional eating
If you're ready to find a no-guilt, sustainable system to fitness that fits into your busy mom life, hit play and together we can Achieve Your Ambitious Mom Life!
Selected Quotable Moments
"I think that a really great way to have fantastic fitness - whether you need weight loss, you're wanting to get strong, or your wish to be more functional as you age - is to really start small and be really strategic with what you choose to implement.”
"The mindset shift that I take is making sure that what we say aligns with what our schedule goes to."
"All exercise is, is communicating what sort of adaptation you want your body to develop. Strength training signals to your body that we need bigger muscles to move this load next time."
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:31): Greeting
- (4:09): Rachel shares the exciting trend of moms focusing on fitness for long-term health
- (6:02): Why the all-or-nothing approach fails most women and what to do instead
- (11:06): A mindset shift to prioritizing healthy habits & modeling for your family
- (12:48): Life planning is a simple system for aligning your core values
- (15:49): How to start small with strategic fitness implementations & adapting to challenges to build confidence and mental resilience
- (19:30): How strength training can be more time-efficient than other workouts
- (20:13): A holistic approach to health includes nutrition & meal planning to support strength training
- (21:20): How to tackle overwhelm related to individualized health goals
- (23:48): Wrap-up & Rachel's plan to create impact
Rachel’s Links Mentioned:
- 🎧 Podcast: Effective Weight Loss for Moms
- FB Group: Strength Training for Moms
- IG: @effectivefitnessforwomen
- 🏋️♀️ Downloadable freebie: No Fear Weight Room Tour
Connect with Anokhi:
👍🏽 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
// Optimize Daily Decisions By Aligning Your Time to Your Values //
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
Hello Ambitious Mom!
Ready to explore flexible work arrangements that could transform your work-life balance? In today's episode (Part 2), I'm diving deep into creative work setups that give you more control over your time while maintaining your professional growth.
As a mom who's experienced it all - from part-time work to homeschooling while running a business - I'm sharing the real insights about less traditional work arrangements. You'll discover practical strategies for making each setup work, including part-time options, contract positions, and home business opportunities.
Make sure you are caught up on last week’s Part 1: EP 39: I Tried Every Mom Work Set-up - Here's What You Need to Know Before Planning Your Career [Part 1]
If you’re ready to craft a meaningful career that works for YOU, then hit play and let’s solve for mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:56): Subscribe to this podcast (it’s free!)
- (2:08): Flexible work arrangements
- (2:43): Why I chose a career shift to part-time WAHM
- (3:18): How be a successful part-time working mom
- (7:51): Daytime vs. Nighttime WAHM
- (13:40): Contract work and maintaining professional growth
- (18:56): Running a home business while balancing family life
- (22:34): 🎯 Career planning sessions with Anokhi
- (23:30): My take on being a homeschooling mom
- (30:14): Don’t overlook an internship during motherhood
- (34:24): Recap Success factors for flexible jobs
- (32:28): Become an SFM Insider
Resources Mentioned:
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
📞 Complimentary Exploratory Call
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Take our Life Planning Quiz to discover your ideal work arrangement: solveformom.com/quiz
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful work by aligning your time with who you are //
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Hello Ambitious Mom!
Are you feeling torn between your career ambitions and family time? Wondering if there's a better work setup that could give you more flexibility without sacrificing your professional growth?
In today's episode - Part 1 of two episodes, I'm sharing my extensive experience with different work arrangements as a mom. As someone who's tried everything from full-time office work to remote positions, stay-at-home mom life, and running my own business, I'll help you understand the real freedoms and limitations of each setup. You’ll discover why there's no one-size-fits-all solution for working moms and how to factor in your financial needs, career goals, and family's unique situation to find the best work set-up that fits your lifestyle and values.
If you’re ready to experience your career transformation, hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
Tune in next week for part 2: EP 41: I Tried Every Mom Work Set-up - Here's What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Flexible Job [Part 2]
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (2:05): Listener review
- (2:57): Caveat to this conversation
- (4:40): My career shifts
- (12:05): Working mom with a traditional full-time office job
- (16:51): Full-time remote working mom - How to make it work for you
- (22:01) Stay-at-Home Mom Life - The real truth about this setup
- (27:57): Recap
- (32:28): Become an SFM Insider
Resources Mentioned:
⏮️ EP 18: How to Measure Success as a Mom: Balancing Numbers & Narratives
💌 Become an SFM Insider for FREE weekly tips, tools, and exclusives
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful work by aligning your time with who you are //