Women and Work

Diane Moca, Founder/CEO of MomSub

The workplace can feel very different for women than for men. Women often feel they have to prove themselves, that they’re evaluated by how they look, or that their opinions are not respected. They feel Mom Guilt for leaving their kids while they pursue a career and worry about taking a job that fuels their passion instead of their pocketbook. We examine these real life challenges of women who are climbing the corporate ladder, growing their own business, and navigating the complex juggle of work and family. We explore how women like you can make work fit your life, not the other way around. If you are an ambitious working mom who wants to share your story of success on a future episode of Women and Work, you can book your interview here: https://giospr8qzxuj.trickle.host/publicity.html

  1. 6d ago

    81: When Motherhood and Family Responsibility Collide | Women and Work

    Melissa Wilmot always imagined that motherhood would mean staying home with her child. But when her husband was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and underwent a double bypass while she was pregnant, everything changed. Then her daughter arrived a month early and spent three weeks in the NICU. Melissa found herself facing a reality she never expected: she needed to return to work, not because that was the path she had planned, but because her family needed her income and health insurance. In this episode of Women and Work, Melissa shares the difficult decisions behind her career journey—from starting a daycare as a young woman, to moving into childcare, becoming a dispatcher, and eventually stepping into her role as Program Manager for Ride in Kane. She also talks about the emotional reality of returning to work after becoming a mother and the financial pressures that can make stepping away from a career impossible. Topics they tackled: - Starting a daycare as a young woman - Learning to build a business without today’s online resources - Finding mentors and supportive women - Navigating fertility challenges - Becoming a mother after years of caring for other people's children - Her daughter’s premature birth and NICU stay - Her husband’s serious heart condition - Making the difficult decision to return to work - Carrying the family’s health insurance - The ongoing challenge of childcare and summer care - Finding purpose through work that helps others - Taking unexpected opportunities and growing into leadership Melissa’s story is a powerful reminder that career decisions don’t always happen under ideal circumstances—and sometimes moving forward means making the choice your family needs most. Have you ever had to change your career plans because your family needed you?   Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options Support the show

  2. Oct 13

    80: The Hidden Cost of High Achievement: Finding Yourself Beyond Burnout | Women and Work

    High achievement can look like success on the outside while leaving you exhausted on the inside. Michelle Scott spent years in accounting and corporate roles before stepping away to raise her children. But leaving the workplace didn’t automatically bring the peace she expected. She discovered that the same patterns followed her into motherhood: over-scheduling, pushing herself to do more, and living in a constant state of pressure. After facing health challenges and recognizing the deeper patterns behind her burnout, Michelle began a journey of inner work that eventually led her to become an executive coach. Today, she helps high-achieving women leaders look beyond external strategies and understand how they show up, lead, and experience their lives. In this episode of Women and Work, Michelle shares why slowing down matters, how authenticity can be more powerful than trying to fit a mold, and why creating a different life starts with changing what’s happening inside you. Topics we tackled: ● Experiencing burnout in corporate life and motherhood ● The internal habits that can keep high achievers stuck ● Health, self-awareness, and the wake-up call to change ● Balancing productivity with presence and rest ● Authenticity and the expectations placed on women in corporate environments ● Helping women leaders delegate, lead strategically, and change their patterns What would change in your life if you focused less on doing more and more on being present? Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #WomenInLeadership #BurnoutRecovery #ExecutiveCoaching #WorkLifeBalance Support the show

  3. Oct 6

    79: Breaking the Cycle: From Trauma Survivor to Child Advocate | Women and Work

    Sheryl Hauk spent more than four decades in music education, building award-winning choir programs, mentoring thousands of students, raising four children, and navigating a career where she was often the only woman in the room. But behind that successful career was a childhood experience she kept largely private for decades. In this episode of Women and Work, Sheryl opens up about surviving childhood trauma, becoming a parent determined to break the cycle, and learning how awareness, empathy, and safety can change the way we raise and support children. Her story also takes us from the classroom to advocacy. After retiring from a 41-year teaching career, Sheryl wrote *Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity* and began using her story to advocate for children and survivors. Topics they tackled: - Being a woman in a male-dominated area of music education - Persistence when you feel like an outsider - Building a career while raising four children - Breaking generational patterns of trauma - Recognizing triggers and creating safe environments - Supporting students experiencing abuse - Why children need adults who will listen - Turning a personal story into advocacy - Writing a memoir later in life - The importance of empathy and accountability What happens when you take the pieces of your life and choose to build something new? Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #SherylHauk #WomenInLeadership #ChildAdvocacy #Resilience Support the show

  4. Sep 29

    78: Learning to Lead, Heal, and Evolve Through Life’s Challenges | Women and Work

    Leadership isn’t always about having the right title. Sometimes, it’s about learning who you are, understanding the value you bring, and having the courage to evolve. In this episode of Women and Work, Berenice Soto, Founder of BGS Evolution and a leader with 17 years of experience in healthcare, shares the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership, motherhood, healing, and purpose. As a first-generation Latina, corporate compliance officer, college instructor, author, entrepreneur, and mother of four, Berenice has navigated many different roles while learning how to advocate for herself and create opportunities based on the value she brings—not simply the title she holds. She also opens up about a deeply personal chapter of her life: becoming a single mother, going through a difficult separation, and discovering holistic healing alongside her children. That experience eventually became part of the foundation for BGS Evolution, her holistic healing practice. From learning to accept help to finding flexibility as a working mother, Berenice shares honest lessons about asking for support, overcoming fear, recognizing your unique gifts, and understanding that not everyone is meant to walk with you through every stage of your journey. Topics they tackled: • Navigating leadership as a woman and Latina • Building respect through value rather than titles • Overcoming self-doubt and fear • Motherhood and balancing multiple roles • Healing after difficult life transitions • Learning to accept help and support • Creating career flexibility • Taking opportunities even when the answer might be “no” • Finding purpose through personal evolution • Building a legacy for future generations What part of Berenice’s journey resonates most with you? To learn about the power of crystals, essential oils, energy healing and ancestral wisdom, go to https://www.bgsevolution.online/. Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #Motherhood #PersonalGrowth Support the show

  5. Sep 22

    77: Giving Yourself Permission to Build the Career You Want | Women and Work

    Hannah Roze didn’t wait until she had every answer before making her next move. From pivoting into unfamiliar industries to building her own company, she learned that sometimes the biggest step is simply giving yourself permission to try. As the Founder and CEO of Plannerd, a wedding planning system designed to bring organization and collaboration to an overwhelming process, Hannah shares what it took to move from a successful career at Carta into entrepreneurship — while also navigating motherhood and building a company at the same time. Her story is about confidence, taking risks, knowing when to delegate, and creating a career that gives you the flexibility to own your time. Topics they tackled: Giving yourself permission to pursue entrepreneurship • Building confidence when you don't have all the answers • Career pivots and evolving professionally • Launching and growing Plannerd • Entrepreneurship and motherhood • Childcare as a key part of working motherhood • Delegating and building a team • Managing the mental load of work and home • Creating flexibility and owning your time • Why you don't have to have your entire career figured out What happens when you stop waiting to feel completely ready — and decide you're ready enough to begin? To get a free wedding planning checklist, go to https://www.plannerd.com/. Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WorkingMoms #CareerGrowth Support the show

  6. Sep 15

    76: Breaking Free From Corporate: Building a Life By Design | Women and Work

    After 23 years in the corporate world, Mandy Smith realized she was ready for something different. Working in the male-dominated wine, beer and spirits industry taught her valuable lessons about leadership, resilience and hard work. But entrepreneurship showed her something corporate life couldn't: the possibility of creating a life on her own terms. Mandy shares what it was like to build a side hustle while still working in corporate, navigate the tension that came with pursuing something of her own, and ultimately walk away after receiving a severance opportunity in 2024. Today, she's a digital nomad, energy entrepreneur and co-founder of Cynrg, traveling the country while helping families access smarter energy solutions. Her journey is about more than changing careers — it's about creating a life she can say yes to. Topics they tackled: • Navigating a male-dominated corporate industry • Building a business while working full-time • The pressure that comes with having a side hustle • Knowing when it's time to leave corporate • Entrepreneurship and creating freedom • Becoming a digital nomad • Technology and the future of energy • Building residual income • Learning from missed opportunities • Finding your deeper purpose What would you change if you knew you could create a life completely on your own terms? To learn how you can get a free electric battery that stores energy for your home, provides power during outages and reduces the cost of electricity, check out https://mandysmith.lovable.app/. Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #Entrepreneurship #CareerChange #WomenInBusiness #Leadership Support the show

  7. Sep 9

    75: Hard Work Isn't a Career Strategy | Women and Work

    You can work incredibly hard, be loyal, and deliver results—and still realize that no one knows what you want next. Julie Gartell learned this lesson throughout her 20+ year career in talent acquisition. From advocating for herself as a working mother to navigating leadership challenges and eventually losing a job she loved, she discovered that hard work alone isn't a career strategy. Julie is the Founder of CareerPREP Solutions and a Talent Acquisition Executive with more than 20 years of experience. After helping hundreds of people get hired, she now helps professionals understand their value, tell their stories, and take ownership of their careers. In this episode, we discuss: • Why advocating for yourself is essential to career growth • The pressure women feel to hide their family responsibilities • Why leaving work on time doesn't mean you're less committed • What happens when you stop investing in your own career development • Why networking should happen even when you're employed • The difficult identity shift that can come with losing a job • How Julie turned an unexpected career transition into a new business • Why your resume alone isn't enough to get you hired • How to understand, communicate, and advocate for your value If you've ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure about what comes next in your career, this conversation is a reminder: your career belongs to you. What is one thing you need to advocate for more in your career? For info on how a personalized school curriculum, group seminar, or one-on-one coaching can help students and early-career professionals successfully navigate every stage of the job search – from crafting your story, resume, and LinkedIn profile to nailing your interviews, networking opportunities, and salary negotiations – go to www.careerprepsolutions.com Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #careerprepsolutions #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #CareerDevelopment  Support the show

  8. Sep 1

    74: Stop Climbing the Career Ladder: Design Your Own Path | Women and Work

    For years, we’ve been taught to see success as climbing higher. But what if your career doesn't have to follow a straight line? Shruti Rustagi has built an international career across India, Dubai, and the United States while raising two children, working in corporate strategy, and growing her own leadership coaching business. As the Founder of Compounding Leadership, she helps others shift their mindset through coaching, workshops, and keynotes. In this conversation, Shruti shares why asking for what you want can change your career, why rejection shouldn't hold you back, and how she learned to build a life around what matters most instead of trying to do everything perfectly. We discuss: • Why you should ask for what you need • How to overcome the fear of rejection • Techniques for handling limiting beliefs • Why your career doesn't have to be a ladder • Building a business without immediately leaving corporate • Using small experiments to make big career decisions • The power of intentional productivity • How to identify what truly deserves your time • Why quality time can matter more than quantity • Building a village and learning to outsource Shruti's journey is a reminder that there is no single formula for success. You can pivot, experiment, change direction, and design a career around the life you want to live. What would change if you stopped following the traditional career path and started designing your own? Struggling to find the right child care? Get a video interview of your ideal nanny at https://www.momsub.com/child-care-options #WomenAndWork #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #WorkingMoms #Mindset Support the show

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The workplace can feel very different for women than for men. Women often feel they have to prove themselves, that they’re evaluated by how they look, or that their opinions are not respected. They feel Mom Guilt for leaving their kids while they pursue a career and worry about taking a job that fuels their passion instead of their pocketbook. We examine these real life challenges of women who are climbing the corporate ladder, growing their own business, and navigating the complex juggle of work and family. We explore how women like you can make work fit your life, not the other way around. If you are an ambitious working mom who wants to share your story of success on a future episode of Women and Work, you can book your interview here: https://giospr8qzxuj.trickle.host/publicity.html