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 Feb 15, 2026
Sunday Feb 15, 2026
Time management for working moms in STEM shouldn't feel this hard. You get everything done—code compiles, data collected, manuscript revised—but at home? There's no clear finish line. Just that nagging feeling you could always do one more thing.
In today's episode, I'm breaking down a simple 4-part framework that will help you define "done" intentionally so you can stop overworking and start experiencing real balance. This isn't about lowering your standards—it's about reallocating excellence to the places that truly need it. This is about reclaiming closure at the end of your day without guilt, and creating space for rest, presence with your kids, and pursuing your big ideas.
Here's the truth: As a mom in STEM myself, I personally struggle with never feeling like I can move on from a task. I've also seen how defining "done" transforms everything for high-achieving moms who bring workplace perfectionism home.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why your STEM training makes "done" so hard at home – The mismatch between objective work standards and subjective home tasks creates paralysis (3:15)
- The 4-part framework for defining "done" – Purpose, good-enough outcome, "done for now," and shutdown rituals (12:30)
- How to reallocate excellence strategically – Stop applying research-grade standards to laundry and redirect that energy where it matters (9:45)
If you've been feeling exhausted but never caught up, constantly adding "one more thing," or struggling to feel like your day is actually complete, this episode will show you exactly where to start.
xoxo, Anokhi
PERFECTIONISM IN MOTHERHOOD - QUOTES
- "The finish line keeps moving, and your brain never gets to cross it."
- "You're going to be able to define done and reclaim your time and your energy for your dreams and not just for things that you feel are your duty or your obligations."
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- (0:00): Teaser
- (2:21): Ask me a question
- (2:49): Never feeling "done" at home
- (3:59): Work spills over into home life
- (5:06): There’s always one more thing to do
- (5:41): Over-engineering tasks
- (7:00): Why this problem surfaces for moms in science, tech, and phD research
- (11:39): Boundaries as a time management strategy
- (14:15): 4-step framework for defining “done”
- (24:37): Wrap-up & this week’s experiment
MORE ON TIME MANAGEMENT FOR WORKING MOMS
- Eliminate context-switching → ⏮️ EP 107: Fast Calendar Clean-Up to Remove 10% This Week (Podcast)
- Create time freedom → ⏮️ EP 71: Never Enough Time? 4 Time Management Rules That Multiply Your Time | Life Planning Skills for Ambitious Moms (Podcast)
- Uncover why you feel fragmented as a mom & scientist - 📞 Schedule an Alignment Audit and take your first step towards feeling whole again (Free Call)
I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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