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
Jun 15, 2025
Jun 15, 2025
23 min
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Successful Mom!
If you an ambitious mom that’s feeling lost in the daily juggle of motherhood and missing those passions and interests that used to light you up, then today's episode is for you! It’s also for those of you who find themselves dreaming about creating your own success and getting back some of your financial freedom.
This episode outlines a practical 4-step framework to help you rediscover your passions which you can turn into potential income streams that fit into your busy mom life.
If you’re ready to reignite your interests and create some side-hustle fire, then hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights:
- (0:00): Introduction
- (2:03): Listener review
- (2:34): Experiment with your passions
- (4:46): 1. identify & prioritize your passions
- (12:13): 2. Plan out the project
- (14:01): 3. Take meaningful action
- (15:24): 4. Two paths to monetizing your passions
- (22:08): Recap
References Mentioned:
⏮️ EP 1: Busy yet Restless? 3 Ways to Find Purpose as a Mom
⏮️ Working on a Home Project? Get it DONE While Focusing on Family Time [Part 1 & 2]
Tools & Resources:
💌 Unlock exclusive time-saving tips and insider secrets every ambitious mom needs - join the SFM Insider newsletter for FREE today!
📝 Free Life Planning Quiz
🎯 Book a complimentary Exploratory call to discover how personalized life planning can help you create the balanced mom life you deserve!
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Meaningful Work by Aligning Your Time With Who Your Are //
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
16 min
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Ambitous Mom!
If you’re anything like me, you have a long list of things that you would love to do. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the time to do those things, instead of feeling overwhelmed, scattered, and dealing with household responsibilities without much support?
Well, I wouldn’t be asking without also sharing some solutions :) With today’s episode, you’ll get 3 powerful time management strategies to help you take back control of your day: prioritization, focus funnel, and scheduled buffers.
Remember, the goal isn't to pack more into your days - it's to make space for what truly matters to YOU.
If you’re ready to experience more time freedom, hit play and together we can Solve for Mom! 💪
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:47): A rhythm to your daily life
- (4:03): 1. Prioritize
- (6:52): 2. Focus Funnel to manage time
- (9:18): 3. Build buffers into your schedule
- (12:25): Wrap-up
References:
📖 Berkman ET. The Neuroscience of Goals and Behavior Change. Consult Psychol J. 2018 Mar;70(1):28-44.
Tools & Resources:
💌 Unlock exclusive time-saving tips and insider secrets every ambitious mom needs - join the SFM Insider newsletter for FREE today!
📝 Free Life Planning Quiz
🎯 Book a complimentary Exploratory call to discover how personalized life planning can help you create the balanced mom life you deserve!
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
📱 Find Solve for Mom on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Optimize Daily Decisions By Aligning Your Time to Your Values //
Jun 8, 2025
Jun 8, 2025
28 min
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Wonderful Mom!
Every ambitious mom has experienced the overwhelm of trying to balance her career while craving more meaningful connections with her family. It’s important to create intentional routines that bring your family closer together without sacrificing your professional goals.
I’ve discovered proven strategies to help you balance quality family time with your career aspirations. As a PhD scientist and life coach, I understand the delicate balance because I've lived it.
By the end of this episode, you will have several simple and creative strategies to schedule dedicated family activities without impacting work hours.
If you’re ready to make small, intentional changes to create higher quality family connection, hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (2:02): Background on work-life balance
- (2:55): Research on family relationships
- (8:12): 1. Life planning helps prioritize family time
- (12:35): 2. Simple daily traditions that strengthen family bonds
- (15:25): 3. Creative ways to include your children in activities you enjoy
- (20:05): 4. Practical strategies for daily tasks into bonding moments
- (22:09): 5. Managing mom guilt productively
- (23:50): Wrap-up
Resources Mentioned:
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
💌 Sign up for my free SFM Insider newsletter for FREE tips, tools & exclusives
⏮️ EP 10: Why Planning is the Key to Time Freedom for Moms
⏮️ EP 31: Calm Your Overwhelm by Planning With a Minimalist Mindset [Spring Into Action Series]
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
📱 Solve for Mom on LinkedIn
Jun 6, 2025
Jun 6, 2025
18 min
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Ambitious Mama!
Do you ever feel like you're constantly juggling multiple roles - from chef to nurse to teacher to project manager? Are you looking for a smarter way to tackle the endless stream of daily challenges that come your way?
Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by having to be everything to everyone at once. Or we are frustrated by putting out one fire, only to turn around and face another problem.
In today's episode, I share a powerful learning hack from my PhD research background that completely transformed how I approach daily mom challenges. This isn't just another productivity tip - it's a whole new way of thinking that will help you become more efficient and confident in handling whatever life throws your way.
If you’re ready to take the simple steps to become a more resourceful problem-solver, hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:49): 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode.
- (2:04): The surprising story from my grad school days that sparked this approach
- (4:38): What interdisciplinary thinking is and why it's a game-changer for busy moms
- (5:46): Why interdisciplinary thinking is your secret weapon as a mom
- (9:58): Simple steps to become a more resourceful problem-solver in daily mom life
- (14:15): Recap
- (16:34): 🟦 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
Free Resources:
💌 SFM Insider Newsletter with tips, tools, insights
📝 Life Planning Quiz
📲 Book an Book a Complimentary Exploratory Call
Let’s Connect!
🤩 Leave me a rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program
// Create impact at home and work by aligning your time with your values //
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025
34 min
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Wonderful Mom!
Are you struggling to maintain meaningful friendships while juggling your career and family life? Do you miss having deep connections outside of playdates and work meetings?
In today's episode, I interview Cecelia Curtis, host of The Friendship Tour podcast, about the truth behind making and maintaining friendships as a high-achieving mom . We dive deep into why so many of us feel disconnected despite being more "connected" than ever, and discuss practical strategies for building authentic relationships that fill your cup and without adding more to your plate.
If you’re ready to break through friendship barriers, hit play and together we can Solve for Mom!
Selected Quotable Moments
"The things that bring the most purpose, the most meaning to my life are really the relationships."
"Friendship is not just about 'Do you live across the street from me and want to throw football?' It's about, do your values align with mine."
"As we get a little bit older, our values change and our time changes. And there are all these things that shift in our lives."
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Teaser & Introduction
- (2:46): Share this podcast with a friend 💝
- (3:12): Greetings
- (4:49) Why moms feel disconnected in today's hyper-connected world
- (9:23) How motherhood specifically affects our ability to maintain friendships
- (12:49) Practical tips for making meaningful friendships beyond playdates
- (17:46): How to prioritize friendship as a busy mom
- (35:00) How to become the friend everyone wants in their circle
- (29:21): The role that connection plays in having a meaningful life
- (30:38): Wrap-up
Cecelia’s Links Mentioned:
- Podcast: The Friendship Tour
- FB Group - The Women, Friendship, and Community: bit.ly/thefriendshiptourpodcast
- E-mail: ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com
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
//Work-Life Balance For Ambitious Moms Through Purposeful Planning//
May 30, 2025
May 30, 2025
10 min
❓I’m collecting questions for a Q&A episode! Send me your questions or email me at hello@solveformom.com
Hello Wonderful Mom!
Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle all aspects of your life? Tired of ending each day feeling drained and unfulfilled, wondering if you're just going through the motions?
If you're struggling to find that delicate balance while putting everyone else's needs before your own, then I have a powerful suggestion that you’ll find helpful!
In today's episode, I share how finding your purpose can be the key to achieving real balance in your mom life. You'll discover:
- What true balance really looks like and why it's not about juggling faster or adding more to your plate
- How to identify activities that energize rather than drain you
- The secret to making decisions that align with your values
If you’re ready to find your purpose and create lasting balance? Hit play, and together we can solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction
- (1:59): Listener Review
- (2:44): Losing lifestyle balance
- (4:39): What it means to have a balanced life
- (6:56): Understanding what purpose really means (and what it doesn't)
- (7:59): Practical steps to identify your purpose
- (8:39): Free Exploratory Call
Resources Mentioned:
🎯 Balanced Mom Coaching Program (Free Exploratory Call)
⏮️ Busy yet Restless? 3 Ways to Find Purpose as a Mom
Let’s Connect!
👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show!
💌 Sign up for my SFM Insider newsletter for FREE tips, tools, and exclusives
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
// Work-Life Balance for Ambitious Moms Through Purposeful Planning //
May 25, 2025
May 25, 2025
38 min
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 //
May 23, 2025
May 23, 2025
10 min
Hello Amazing Mama!
Do you keep saying "someday" to your dreams? Are you putting your personal goals on the back burner while helping everyone else with theirs? If you're tired of waiting for the "perfect moment" that never seems to come, you’ll want to listen in on today’s mini-episode!
Since "someday" isn't a real date on your calendar, I share why planning for a vague “later” can only get you so far and how it's actually stealing from your identity. I drop some truth bombs about the real reasons we procrastinate on our personal goals. I also provide practical strategies to take action without waiting to feel “ready.”
If you’re ready to transform those dreams into reality, hit play and together we can solve for Mom!
Episode Highlights
- (0:00): Introduction and exciting news about our new Friday mini-episodes
- (1:54): Understanding why we put our dreams on hold
- (2:26): Why the "one day" strategy doesn't work
- (2:37): 1. Overwhelm
- (3:06): 2. Perfectionism
- (3:53): 3. Fear & uncertainty
- (4:17): 4. Imposter syndrome
- (4:32): Sign-up for the free newsletter
- (4:50): 5. Procrastination
- (5:21): How to take action without waiting to feel "ready"
- (9:05): 🎯 Strategy sessions with Anokhi (start with a free exploratory call)
Resources Mentioned:
📞 Complimentary Exploratory Call
💌 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!
📱 Solve for Mom group on LinkedIn
❓ Questions? Email me at hello@solveformom.com
// Work-life balance for ambitious moms through purposeful planning //