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Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms

Rebecca Olson

This is a show for working moms who want to balance their ambitious career goals with their life as a mom. Being a career driven woman is hard and confusing after having kids but each week, Certified Professional Life Coach Rebecca Olson will share bite-size stories, tips and strategies to help you regain your confidence, make decisions you trust and create a positive mindset that supports the ambitious life you want to live.

Drawing on seven years of coaching ambitious working mom in finding work/life balance as well as her own journey as the breadwinner of a family of 4, Rebecca will teach you how to be both successful at work and present with your family. If you never want to choose between your career and being a great mom, you’ll find the answers and support right here.

Learn more at rebeccaolsoncoaching.com.

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#296
Monday · 22 min
How to Advocate for Yourself at Work Without Feeling Like You're Bragging (rebroadcast)
If advocating for yourself at work feels uncomfortable, awkward or a little too much like bragging, this episode is for you. I’m rebroadcasting this conversation because knowing how to speak up about your value, ask for what you need and advocate for what you want is a skill every working mom can learn. I’m sharing four practical tips to help you advocate for yourself with more confidence, plus the common reasons so many women struggle to do it in the first place. In this episode, we unpack: Advocating is something that can be learned 4 tips to effectively advocate for yourself Focus on HOW you do things uniquely Connect what you do to a greater purpose Who’s job is it to advocate for you? Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart Subscribe to my Email List: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/email-list
#295
September 14 · 21 min
Stay-at-Home Mom Envy: Do I Want to Quit My Job or Am I Just Burned Out (rebroadcast)
Have you ever caught yourself looking at stay-at-home moms and thinking, “Maybe I just don’t want to work anymore”? Before you assume that means you need to quit your job, there may be something else going on. In this rebroadcast, I’m revisiting stay-at-home mom envy and what it can reveal about burnout, exhaustion, and the desire for more space in your life. We’ll talk about why these feelings show up and how to figure out whether you truly want a different career or if you’re simply craving a different way of working and living. In this episode, we unpack: Why you might be dreaming about being a stay-at-home mom, even though you are highly ambitious. What happens when you feel you don’t spend enough time with your kids and family Stay-at-home mom envy is a defense mechanism to ensure you don’t fail as a mom or a worker If you could solve your work-life-balance challenges, would you still want to be home with your kids? Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart
#294
September 7 · 23 min
Stop Feeling Overwhelmed: The 3-Step Tool That Actually Works for Working Moms (rebroadcast)
I’m rebroadcasting this important episode because I know so many working moms need this reminder. Overwhelm isn’t just something that happens to us. It’s an emotion our brain uses to tell us something needs our attention. Instead of pushing through it or getting bogged down by it, we can learn to get curious about what it’s trying to tell us. In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 simple steps to leverage overwhelm so you can feel more free, confident, and energized. You know…basically the opposite of overwhelmed. In this episode, we unpack: Why everyone feels overwhelmed 3 important facts about overwhelm Why motherhood is an overwhelming season of life What not to do when you feel overwhelmed 3 steps to getting yourself out of overwhelm Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart Enjoying the podcast? Make sure you don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to podcasts. And please leave a review to help this reach more ambitious working moms like you.
#293
August 31 · 17 min
Nothing Has Gone Wrong: A Working Mom's Guide to Back-to-School Emotions
Back-to-school season can bring out some BIG emotions, and not just for our kids. Between the meltdowns, changing routines, and the bittersweet reality of watching our kids grow up, it can be easy to wonder what’s gone wrong. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift that changed everything for me: nothing has gone wrong. What if instead of trying to fix all the messy emotions, we simply gave ourselves and our kids permission to feel them? In this episode, we unpack: Why back-to-school transitions can trigger BIG emotions for kids and parents The pattern I finally noticed after three years of back-to-school meltdowns Why your child’s emotions are not a reflection of you as a mom How accepting emotions instead of trying to fix them changes how you show up Why curiosity and experimentation can make parenting through transitions feel lighter Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart
#292
August 24 · 17 min
Overscheduled? How Working Moms Can Say No to Fall Commitments Without the Guilt
Back-to-school season has a way of making everything feel like a yes. PTA? Sure. Volunteer? Okay. Take on another project at work because nobody else raised their hand? Fine. But suddenly your calendar is packed, you’re exhausted, and the things that actually matter to you are getting whatever energy is left. In this episode, I’m talking about how to recognize when you’re overcommitted, why high-achieving women are particularly vulnerable to taking on too much, and the two shifts that can help you start creating a life that feels full without constantly feeling drained by it. Because the goal isn’t an empty calendar. It’s a calendar filled with the things you actually want your life to be about. In this episode, we unpack: The 3 signs you’re overcommitted Why a packed calendar isn’t necessarily the problem The hidden cost of always being the one who says yes How to get ruthless about what actually matters Why a thrilling vision makes saying no so much easier Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstarthttps://2
#291
August 17 · 21 min
Back-to-School Overwhelm? The Questions Every Working Mom Should Ask Before the School Year
There’s something about back-to-school season that makes me want to reset everything: routines, schedules, priorities, family systems... all of it. But in this episode, I’m challenging the idea that a smoother fall comes from better organization. Instead, I’m sharing five powerful questions that can completely change how you approach this season. We’re talking calmer mornings, less resistance with your kids, letting go of what doesn’t matter, and making sure you don’t disappear from your own schedule. In this episode, we unpack: Why September shouldn’t be a “fresh start” The question to ask before getting organized Creating calmer mornings without controlling your kids What you need to intentionally let go of this fall How to keep yourself on the priority list Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart
#290
August 10 · 15 min
Why Is It So Hard to Dream Big as a Working Mom? (My 44th Birthday Episode)
I turned 44 recently, and instead of celebrating where I've been, I found myself questioning where I'm going. In this episode, I'm sharing a vulnerable reflection about how easy it is for working mums to lose sight of their biggest dreams while managing the endless demands of everyday life. We talk about why survival mode steals our ability to dream, how fear disguises itself as "being practical," and why your past doesn't get to decide your future. If you've been feeling stuck, this conversation is your invitation to start believing in what's possible again. In this episode, we unpack: Why survival mode makes it so hard to dream big. The difference between dreaming and casting a vision. How fear hides behind "being realistic." Why your past doesn't define your future. The mindset shift that helps you step into your next level. Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart
#289
August 3 · 50 min
The Mental Load: How to Build a Truly Equal Marriage (with Mika Ross)
The hardest part isn't doing the laundry, packing the lunches, or remembering the appointments. It's feeling like you're the only one carrying the responsibility. In this episode, I sit down with relationship therapist and coach Mika Ross to explore why so many women end up carrying the invisible mental load, how society quietly reinforces those patterns, and what it really takes to build a more equal partnership at home. If you've ever thought, "Why do I have to ask?" this conversation is for you. In this episode, we unpack: Why the mental load isn't a personal failure—it's a systemic issue How to divide household responsibilities without creating more conflict The hidden cost of overfunctioning and how to stop doing it Practical ways to build a more equal partnership at home Why communication, accountability, and letting go are the keys to lasting change Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart Connect with Mika: Instagram: www.instagram.com/mikaross.therapist/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/GetYourHappyBack/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@mikaross.therapist YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MikaRoss.Therapist Website: www.mikaross.com
#288
July 27 · 45 min
Is Your Career Hurting Your Kids? And The Truth About Working Mom Guilt (with Dr. Laura Froyen)
What if the guilt you feel as a working mum isn't actually yours to carry? Rebecca and parenting expert Dr. Laura Froyen explore the stories we've been told about motherhood, career, and what it means to be a "good mum". Together they unpack the research, challenge common beliefs, and share practical ways to parent with more confidence and far less guilt. In this episode, we unpack: The difference between true guilt and the guilt you've inherited from society. What research actually says about working mums and child development. Why presence matters more than the number of hours you spend with your kids. How modelling self-care helps your children far more than self-sacrifice. Simple ways to build stronger connection while balancing career and family. Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart Connect with Laura: Website: laurafroyen.com Podcast: www.laurafroyen.com/podcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurafroyenphd
#287
July 20 · 49 min
Why Time Blocking Doesn't Work for Everyone (And What Does) with Anna Dearmon Kornick
In this episode, I sit down with time management coach Anna Dearman Kornick for a fascinating conversation about why traditional productivity advice doesn't work for everyone. We explore how your personality influences the way you plan, make decisions, and manage your time, and why feeling overwhelmed has far less to do with your calendar than you might think. If you've ever felt like you're failing at time management, this episode will completely reframe the way you think about productivity, overwhelm, and creating a life that actually works for you. In this episode, we unpack: Why overwhelm is often the real problem. How your personality shapes the way you manage time. Practical tools to create mental capacity before tackling your to-do list. Why one-size-fits-all productivity systems often fail. Simple ways to build a schedule that works with your brain instead of against it. Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart Connect with Anna: Podcast: https://annadkornick.com/podcast/ Blueprint to Balance – Anna's free video series: https://annadkornick.com/blueprint-to-balance Anna’s Book: https://annadkornick.com/book Instagram: www.instagram.com/annadkornick/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/annadearmonkornick/ 287
#286
July 13 · 48 min
How Busy Moms Can Make a Real Political Impact in 60 Seconds or Less (with Cynthia Levin)
In this episode, I sit down with advocacy expert Cynthia Levin to challenge one of the biggest lies busy working moms believe: that making a difference requires more time than we have. Cynthia shares how she began advocating while raising babies, not after life got easier, and explains why moms are uniquely equipped to create real change. We talk about simple, practical ways to use your voice, why even small actions matter, and how advocacy can fit into an already full life. If you've ever cared deeply about an issue but felt like one person couldn't make a difference, this conversation will completely shift your perspective.86 In this episode, we unpack: Why moms are some of the most powerful advocates in the world Simple ways to create change in just a few minutes a day How to advocate even when you're overwhelmed and short on time Why your personal story matters more than being an expert Easy first steps to help you confidently use your voice Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Download the Free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart Connect with Cynthia: Website: www.AdvocacyMadeEasy.com Free "Advocacy How-To” Resource: https://ccylevin.substack.com/t/advocacy-how-tos Cynthia’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Changing-Diapers-World-Advocates-Started/dp/1955985332 Instagram: www.instagram.com/ccylevin LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiachangyitlevin/
#285
July 6 · 24 min
How Working Moms Stop Feeling Overwhelmed
Over the last few months, I've interviewed dozens of working moms through my research and on this podcast. Their jobs were different. Their families were different. Their lives looked different. But the challenges they faced, and the breakthroughs that created lasting balance, were remarkably similar. In this episode, I'm unpacking the four biggest lessons that every working mom needs to hear. In this episode, we unpack: Why time isn't actually the biggest problem for working moms The mindset shifts every balanced woman had in common How intentional living creates a life with fewer regrets Why self-trust is the missing piece of sustainable balance The four biggest insights from interviewing dozens of working moms Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy
#284
June 29 · 13 min
Can Working Moms Get Promoted AND Have Balance? (Yes — Here's How)
If you've been telling yourself, "Maybe now just isn't the right time to go after that promotion," I want you to hear this. In this episode, I share a conversation I had with a working mom who thought she was questioning her ambition, when in reality, she was simply running out of capacity. We unpack why so many ambitious women shrink their dreams instead of expanding their ability to hold them, and why sustainable work-life balance isn't about choosing between career success and family, it creates space for both. In this episode, we unpack: Why feeling "stretched too thin" isn't a clarity problem—it's a capacity problem. The hidden reason ambitious moms stop pursuing promotions. How survival mode quietly shrinks your career goals. Why work-life balance is the foundation for career growth. The simple mindset shift that helps you build a true "both-and" life. Work with me: Join Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy
#283
June 22 · 30 min
Podcast Takeover: 2 Moms Talk Confidence, Guilt, and How They Got Their Time Back
For the first time ever, I handed over the microphone to two badass moms from my Ambitious & Balanced coaching program and let them take over the podcast. No script. No questions. No coaching from me. Just an honest conversation between two working moms about what life looked like before coaching, what finally made them say yes to investing in themselves, and what's changed since. What followed was a candid conversation about confidence, guilt, boundaries, burnout, me time, and learning how to stop carrying the weight of everything alone. If you've ever wondered what it's actually like inside Ambitious & Balanced, this episode gives you a front-row seat. In this episode, we unpack: What finally pushed them to seek support instead of trying to figure it out alone How guilt, overwhelm, and negative self-talk were impacting their daily lives The four types of time that helped them feel more balanced and in control Why confidence became the biggest transformation from coaching How small mindset shifts created major changes at work and at home Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy
#282
June 15 · 49 min
There's Gotta Be Another Way: One Mom's Journey Out of Overwhelm (with Tania Deshpande)
For years, Tania believed success meant grinding harder, working longer, and constantly proving her worth. As a working mom in Silicon Valley, she was exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in a cycle of perfectionism, guilt, and never feeling like she was doing enough. In this conversation, she shares the mindset shifts, practical tools, and surprising breakthroughs that helped her create a completely different way of living, one where ambition and balance can actually coexist. If you've ever wondered whether there has to be a better way than constantly running on empty, this episode is for you. In this episode, we unpack: Why high-achieving women often tie their worth to productivity The hidden mindset patterns fueling burnout and overwhelm How redefining success changes everything The four types of time every working mom needs Practical tools for overcoming guilt, perfectionism, and negative self-talk Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy
#281
June 8 · 16 min
Working mom guilt is keeping you stuck (and here’s what to do about it)
What if the guilt you've been carrying as a working mom isn't proof that you're failing... but a signal that you're unclear on what matters most? In this episode, I challenge the idea that mom guilt is just part of the job description and share why guilt often points to a lack of clarity around priorities, balance, and success. Through real client stories and practical examples, you'll learn how defining what truly matters to you can reduce guilt, increase confidence, and help you feel more in control of your life as a working mom. In this episode, we unpack: Why mom guilt is often a clarity problem, not a parenting problem The hidden connection between guilt and your beliefs about "having it all" How defining your version of balance changes daily decision-making Allison's story of moving from chronic guilt to confidence and calm Practical ways to feel empowered instead of constantly second-guessing yourself Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Book Your Mental Load Reset Call Here (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy Links and References: Listen to Kelly’s story: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/279 Listen to Allison’s story: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/280
#280
June 1 · 40 min
A Working Mom’s Breakthrough About Work-Life Balance (with Allison Costelow)
My client Allison shares the moment she realized she’d been living by expectations she never consciously chose, and how redefining balance on her own terms changed everything. In this conversation, we talk about the pressure ambitious working moms carry, the invisible mental load, the myth of the “magic button,” and the surprisingly simple shifts that finally helped her feel calmer, more present, and back in control of her life. In this episode, we unpack: Why “work-life balance” feels impossible when you never define what it actually means to you The hidden expectations ambitious moms are unconsciously trying to live up to How small planning tools created more calm, presence, and control The mindset shift that helped Allison stop feeling like a slave to her schedule Why investing in yourself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary for real change Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book a Work-Life Balance Strategy Call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced-call Book your Mental Load Reset Call here (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/strategy
#279
May 25 · 41 min
Forever Balance: The Principles Behind Sustainable Work-Life Balance (with Kelly Maher)
What if balance actually lasted? In this episode, I talk with my client Kelly, who once believed a promotion would cost her everything at home. Now she’s doing both—leading at work and feeling present with her kids—and the shift wasn’t doing more or lowering her standards. It was learning how to think differently. We break down “forever balance” and why most women feel like they’re starting over every time life gets busy. In this episode, we unpack: What “forever balance” actually means (and why most women never experience it) Why balance isn’t about doing less or lowering expectations The power of clarity—what really matters vs. what you’ve been told should matter How to stop living reactively and start making intentional decisions The simple daily practices that make balance sustainable Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book your Break Free From Stress Strategy Call (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/break-free-from-stress
#278
May 18 · 18 min
Working Mom Burnout: Why Summer Is the Breaking Point (And How to Stop It Before It Starts)
Summer can feel like a pressure cooker for working moms. The camps, the childcare scramble, the disrupted routines, the pressure to make magical memories, the guilt of being behind at work while also feeling like you’re not fully present at home — it’s a lot. In this conversation, I’m sharing the real reason so many ambitious working moms burn out during the summer months and the one shift that helps you stop running yourself into the ground trying to do it all. In this episode, we unpack: Why summer creates a unique kind of burnout for working moms The mental load behind camps, childcare, and “making memories” Why balance is not a destination — it’s an active practice The hidden danger of treating your own needs like an afterthought How to reclaim control over your time, priorities, and energy this summer Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book your Break Free From Stress Strategy Call (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/break-free-from-stress Referenced podcast episode on “If, Then Commitments”: https://youtu.be/Ib7LjGFtybM?si=XxYQ238eonZ1dJ5F
#277
May 11 · 21 min
Work-Life Balance in the Middle of Uncertainty: Navigating AI Job Loss as a Working Mom
What happens when the career you worked so hard to build suddenly feels uncertain? In this episode, I’m talking about the fear, overwhelm, and identity spiral so many working moms are experiencing right now as AI rapidly changes industries and job security. But instead of teaching you how to “hold on tighter,” I’m walking you through how to stay grounded, calm, and strategic in the middle of uncertainty. I share my own experience leaving the safety of a paycheck to start my coaching business, the mindset shift that changed everything for me, and the exact three things you actually can control when life feels wildly unpredictable. In this episode, we unpack: Why uncertainty itself is not what creates overwhelm How AI disruption is uniquely impacting women in leadership and tech The dangerous trap of trying to control the uncontrollable The 3 things you always have control over in uncertain seasons Practical tools to regulate your nervous system and stay grounded Work with me: Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced Book your Break Free From Stress Strategy Call (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/break-free-from-stress Download the free Daily Kickstart: www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes