Not Working Right Now

Melyse Skaarup and Alicia Jones

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 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

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.