Not Working Right Now

Melyse Skaarup and Alicia Jones
  • 5.0 (4)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

For moms in the messy middle—done having kids, but not done figuring out what’s next. We’re talking burnout, big pivots, identity crises, and building a life that actually fits. Honest convos, laughs, and zero hustle-culture B.S.

  1. 6D AGO

    S2E5: Before You Burn It All Down: Find The Grey Area

    Burnout has a way of making everything feel black and white: stay miserable, or burn it all down. In this episode, Alicia sits down with Melyse — this time in the hot seat — to unpack the inspiration behind her newly released guide, Before You Burn It All Down. Together, they explore what burnout actually looks like (hint: sleep won’t fix it), why so many women feel stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, and how small, intentional reflection can create clarity without adding more pressure. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unfulfilled, or quietly asking yourself “is this really it?” — this episode is for you. This isn’t about fixing your life or making drastic decisions. It’s about slowing down, naming what’s not working, and giving yourself permission to explore the grey. In this episode, we cover: How burnout sneaks up on high-functioning women Why burnout isn’t cured by rest alone The “tunnel” feeling of being stuck with no clear exit Why working motherhood adds an invisible load How black-and-white thinking keeps us frozen The power of small, low-pressure reflection What the Before You Burn It All Down guide is (and what it isn’t) Why you don’t need a plan to take your first step Who this episode is for: Anyone feeling burnt out but unsure what to do next Women stuck between staying put and quitting everything Working moms carrying mental, emotional, and invisible labor Anyone craving clarity without pressure Resources mentioned: The Before You Burn It All Down guide Melyse's FREE Burnout quiz Takeaway:You don’t need to burn your life down to feel better. Sometimes the most powerful move is simply paying attention to what isn’t working — and giving yourself permission to explore what could.

    26 min

  2. JAN 30

    S2E4: Detours Become Directions; A conversation with Marisa Bernardo

    What happens when life forces a pivot you never planned for — and you still choose to keep going? In this deeply honest conversation, Alicia and Melyse sit down with Marisa, founder of Defining Journeys, to unpack what happens before the pivot — and what can grow on the other side when life changes the plan. Marissa shares her winding, multi-path career journey — from early childhood education and working within the school board, to returning to school (again and again), to navigating a cervical cancer diagnosis, infertility, and ultimately becoming a parent through surrogacy. What began as a career pivot rooted in family planning became something much bigger: a calling shaped by lived experience. Together, they explore: Why loving your job doesn’t always mean it’s sustainable or the right one, right now The quiet burnout that comes from underpaid “purpose-driven” work How health, fertility, and family realities can completely redirect your career The loneliness of navigating infertility and surrogacy — and why lived experience matters Building a flexible, values-aligned career without burning it all down overnight How small, consistent actions create momentum when everything feels uncertain This episode is for anyone in the messy middle — especially if your pivot wasn’t a choice, but a necessity. It’s a reminder that detours can become directions, and that the life you build after the plan falls apart can be even more aligned than the one you imagined.

    31 min

  3. JAN 23

    S2E3: Name It, Don’t Fix It.

    Feeling stuck in the messy middle? This episode is your pause button. In Season 2, Episode 3, Alicia and Melyse guide listeners through a simple but powerful self-reflection practice: What’s working right now — and what’s not. No fixing. No optimizing. Just naming. This episode is a check-in designed to help you take one small, gentle action that builds momentum. Because action builds momentum, momentum builds confidence — and you don’t have to do it alone. Grab a piece of paper, open your Notes app, or just listen along as Alicia and Melyse model the practice in real time, sharing honest examples from work, parenting, money, health, routines, and relationships. ✏️ The Practice: Name, Don’t Solve In this episode, you’ll be invited to: Set a 5–10 minute timer Create two columns: What’s working | What’s not working Write the first things that come to mind Resist the urge to fix or optimize Simply acknowledge what’s true right now This practice isn’t about changing your life — it’s about understanding it. 🔑 Key Takeaways Clarity doesn’t come from big plans — it comes from small awareness Naming what’s not working can create immediate relief What used to work may no longer fit this season You don’t need to optimize every area of your life Momentum starts with noticing, not doing more 💬 Why This Episode Matters If you’re: Transitioning out of a season that no longer fits Feeling low-energy, overwhelmed, or off-alignment Craving clarity without another “plan” Tired of fixing and just want to feel better This episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now and try the practice alongside us.And remember: you’re not behind — you’re just in a season.

    21 min

  4. JAN 16

    S2E2: Behind the Porches - What Instagram Didn’t Show You

    What started as a slightly unhinged idea (buying grocery carts full of pumpkins) turned into a real business, and a crash course in the messy middle. In this episode, Alicia and Melyse go behind the scenes of My Happy Porch and share what it actually looked like to build something from scratch: the humbling moments, underpricing their labor, washing pumpkins in the driveway, finding unexpected joy, and learning what kind of work really fits this season of life. More importantly, they break it down into 3 lessons you can apply to your own messy middle, whether you’re starting something new or just trying to feel less stuck. 1️⃣ Stop overthinking. Take one small step.You don’t need clarity — you need motion. 2️⃣ Momentum builds confidence.Readiness comes after action, not before. 3️⃣ Accountability changes everything.Let someone in. Say it out loud. Don’t do it alone. If you’ve been feeling stuck, restless, or unsure what’s next — this episode is your reminder that the messy middle isn’t something to power through… it’s something you move through, one step at a time. 🎧 Listen now.

    27 min

  5. JAN 9

    S2E1: We're Back! (And the Messy Middle Got Messier)

    Happy 2026 — we’re back! If you’ve been here since Season 1, you might be wondering where we went. Short answer: life happened. Long answer? The messy middle got really messy. After telling you we weren’t going anywhere… we kind of disappeared. From September until now, we went quiet — not because we stopped caring about this community, but because everything else got loud. New businesses, career pivots, hard decisions, unexpected pauses, and a whole lot of figuring-it-out-as-we-went. In this episode, we’re not doing a full recap or tying everything up neatly. Instead, we’re talking about what it looks like when life pulls you into a season of action, pause, and recalibration — and why sometimes stepping back is part of moving forward. We talk about: Why we hit pause on the podcast (and why coming back mattered) What happens when you stop overthinking and just try the thing Building a “portfolio career” instead of chasing one perfect job Letting go of identity tied to titles, resumes, and productivity What working with your hands taught us about fulfillment Why part-time, fractional, and flexible work deserves a louder conversation Redefining success in seasons where time, presence, and energy matter more than income alone How asking “What’s working right now?” has become a daily practice This episode is about permission — to pause, to pivot, to experiment, and to admit you don’t have it all figured out (yet). We’re closer than we were before, and that counts. Season 2 is officially here. The mics are back on. The conversations are continuing. Thanks for being here with us in the messy middle. We missed you. 💛

    19 min

  6. 2025-09-18

    Ep 12: Your Questions, Our Chaos: Our First Community AMA

    This week, we’re doing something different — and something fun. We asked you, our Not Working Right Now community, to send us your burning (and sometimes random) questions, and wow, you delivered. In this special Community Ask Me Anything episode, Alicia and Melyse dive into your submissions with their trademark honesty, humour, and a whole lot of messy realness. From parenting hacks to government pay frustrations and to big transitions back to work, we cover it all. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: 🛑 The biggest quality of life shifts we’ve made in the messy middle 📊 How simple morning routine charts transformed our family chaos 👫 Strategies (that sometimes work) for handling constant sibling fights 💸 The unresolved saga of government pay (spoiler: still broken) ✈️ Why vacations are on pause for now — and what we’re doing instead 👩‍👦 The real talk on whether parenting gets easier as kids get older 💼 Alicia’s upcoming return to work — excitement, nerves, and boundary-setting ☕ And of course, our go-to Starbucks orders This episode is a mix of laughs, solidarity, and the reminder that none of us really have it figured out — but we’re figuring it out together. ✨ If you’ve ever reheated your coffee three times, felt guilty about mornings, or wondered if you’re the only one fumbling through this season — this one’s for you.

    28 min

  7. 2025-09-11

    Ep 11: Starting SSRIs: The First Week Feels 🫣

    This week on Not Working Right Now, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to start an SSRI for anxiety. Melyse is just 10 days into sertraline (Zoloft), and she’s sharing it all: why she decided to revisit medication, what the first week of side effects felt like (spoiler: it was a lot like first trimester nausea), and the surprising early wins she didn’t expect to see. We also talk about: Stigma, strength, and why moms often feel like medication is “a crutch” The physiotherapy-for-your-brain analogy that helped Alicia say yes to meds years ago Side effects in the first week: headaches, stomach issues, brain fog, and tbh farts Early signs it’s working (aka: basement lights & intrusive thoughts 👀) Talking to kids about medication, when it makes sense This conversation is messy, honest, and hopefully a reminder that you’re not alone if you’re considering support for your mental health.

    24 min

  8. 2025-08-28

    Ep 10: Summer, Sanity, and Saying No: A Messy Middle Pulse Check

    In this solo episode, Alicia and Melyse are back to share a pulse check on summer, talk about their sanity (or lack of!), and explore what’s next in their messy middle journeys. Melyse spills details from Mom Camp 2025—the highs, lows, and what she’ll do differently next year (hint: more camps, less chaos), what she’s learning in her coaching program, and her exciting next step: dipping her toes into supply teaching! Alicia opens up about the growth and healing she’s been focused on during her medical leave, how summer wasn't exactly what she had planned, and how she is getting better at living true to her values. Together, they dive into:✨ The surprising joy of simple, low-cost summer activities (beach day > pricey water park)✨ What therapy, occupational coaching, and boundaries have taught them about burnout✨ How saying “no” (to events, commitments, and even co-hosting a baby shower) can be the ultimate form of self-care✨ Big Fall plans for the Not Working Right Now community, including new events! It’s raw, it’s relatable, and it’s proof that even in the messy middle, growth is happening—and sometimes that’s exactly what’s working right now.

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

For moms in the messy middle—done having kids, but not done figuring out what’s next. We’re talking burnout, big pivots, identity crises, and building a life that actually fits. Honest convos, laughs, and zero hustle-culture B.S.

Information

  • Creator
    Melyse Skaarup and Alicia Jones
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Melyse Skaarup and Alicia Jones
  • Show Website
    Not Working Right Now