Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms

Hosted by Rebecca Olson

Business Kids Family Parenting Education

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Episodes

293

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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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60 recent

August 31, 202617 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

August 24, 202617 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-kickstart https://2

August 17, 202621 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

August 10, 202615 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

August 3, 202650 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

July 27, 202645 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

July 20, 202649 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

July 13, 202648 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/

July 6, 202624 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

June 29, 202613 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