That Mom

That Mom
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Self-Improvement

ThatMom is for the working mom caught between ambition and motherhood — the one who's capable enough to do it all, and tired of being expected to. Each week, host Maria (MBA, JD) sits down with psychologists, therapists, coaches, and fellow high-achieving moms to unpack a simple truth: being capable of everything doesn't mean you should carry everything. Using The Capacity Method — audit what's working, reclaim what isn't, reinvest in what matters — ThatMom gives you permission, clarity, and real tools to stop optimizing for "effortless" and start building a life that actually fits. If you're ready to stop doing it all and start choosing what matters, you're in the right place.

  1. 1d ago

    The Mommy Myth": Why Smart Moms Still Feel Like They're Failing (Pt. 1 ft. Susan Douglas)

    What if the mom guilt you carry every day isn't a personal failing — it's a cultural script you were handed decades ago? In this episode, I sit down with Susan Douglas, co-author of The Mommy Myth, to pull apart the impossible standard of "intensive mothering" — and why even the smartest, most self-aware women can't fully out-think it. Susan explains how magazines, social media, and decades of "expert" advice have quietly sold moms a fantasy of perfection, why seeing through the myth doesn't stop it from getting under your skin, and how the mommy wars, COVID, and the pressure to be five different people before breakfast all trace back to the same broken standard. What We Cover: What "the new momism" is, and why intensive mothering became the cultural defaultSeeing through the myth doesn't stop it from working on youThe "fragmented subjectivity" of motherhood: why you feel like five different people in one day, and why that's normalThe real story behind the "mommy wars" — working moms vs. stay-at-home moms — and who benefits from that framingHow COVID intensified the pressure on working mothers specificallyWhy letting your partner do things "his way" is a practice in letting go, not losing controlA preview of Part 2: how "Mother Knows Best" became government policy About the Guest: Susan J. Douglas is the Catherine Neafie Kellogg Professor and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Communication and Media at the University of Michigan. She's the co-author (with Meredith Michaels) of The Mommy Myth: The Idealization of Motherhood and How It Has Undermined All Women, along with several other books on media and culture, including Enlightened Sexism and In Our Prime. Her writing has appeared in outlets like The Nation, Ms., and The Washington Post, and she has been featured on The Today Show, NPR's Fresh Air, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Links + Resources: The Mommy Myth by Susan Douglas & Meredith MichaelsFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the ThatMom Community: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  2. 6d ago

    How to Advocate for Yourself at Work (Without Burning Bridges) ft. Meg O'Leary & Jen Scully

    Part two with employment attorneys Jen and Meg of Scully & O'Leary. We dig into the messy middle ground between "doing nothing" and "suing your employer" — how to advocate for yourself at work, when something doesn't feel right. What We Cover Why "gray area" workplace conflicts are more common than clear-cut legal violations, and how Jen and Meg's consulting practice helps people navigate that spaceHow to identify your goals before raising an issue at work: resolution, prevention for others, or protection from retaliationWhy messaging and tone matter as much as the legal facts when talking to HR or a managerThe difference between something being illegal and something just not feeling right — and why both deserve attentionPractical scripts and frameworks for having a hard conversation with a manager or HR About Our Guests Jen and Meg are childhood friends, attorneys and co-founders of Scully & O'Leary, where they now spend about half their practice consulting with individuals and business owners on workplace issues — helping people understand their rights and figure out the right next step, whether that's a conversation, a formal claim, or simply moving on. Links + Resources: Learn more or work with Meg & Jen: https://www.scullyoleary.comFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the ThatMom inner circle: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  3. Jul 20

    The Maternity Leave Puzzle No One Explains (Even Lawyers Get Confused) ft. Meg O'Leary & Jen Scully

    Working moms can feel like they need a law degree just to understand your own maternity leave rights. In this episode, I sit down with employment attorneys — and childhood best friends — Meg O'Leary and Jen Scully of Scully & O'Leary to untangle the confusing, often stressful puzzle of maternity leave benefits. Even as trained lawyers, Meg and Jen found themselves overwhelmed navigating their own leaves, and they're on a mission to make sure no mom has to guess her way through it again. Meg and Jen explain why so many moms leave benefits on the table simply because no one clearly explained what they were entitled to, and why that confusion isn't a reflection of your intelligence or your preparedness. It's a broken system, not a personal failure. What We Cover: How to navigate maternity leave and figuring out what benefits you're entitled toThe four "buckets" of leave benefits: state paid leave, short-term disability, long-term disability, and employer-specific policiesHow the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program works, and how to find out if your state has something similarWhy weekly benefit caps and pay percentages matter when you're planning your leaveThe case for short-term disability insurance, and why you need to buy it before you're pregnantWhy teachers and municipal employees often need a different leave strategyHow to fact-check a third-party benefits administrator against your actual state leave rightsThe hidden cost of rushing back to work early to "prove" you're still committed About the Guests: Meg O'Leary and Jen Scully are employment attorneys, childhood best friends, and co-founders of Scully & O'Leary, a law and consulting practice that helps parents navigate maternity leave, workplace benefits, and self-advocacy at work. After facing their own confusing and unexpected leave and health journeys as new moms, despite their legal training, they built their firm to help other parents understand and access every benefit they're entitled to. Links + Resources: Learn more or work with Meg & Jen: https://www.scullyoleary.comFree Massachusetts PFML one-pager and benefits checklist: available on the Scully & O'Leary websiteMassachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave: mass.gov/dfmlFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the ThatMom inner circle: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  4. Jul 15

    Ruthless Prioritization: How Moms Actually Get Their Time Back (Part 2) ft. Leslie Ford

    In Part 2 of my conversation with researcher and author Leslie Ford, we dig into why so much mainstream health and longevity advice — cold plunges, 5 a.m. willpower routines, biohacking — is built by and for men, and why it often just doesn't work for mothers. Leslie explains why moms are overloaded by design, not by failure, and walks through the practical levers — prioritization, partner dynamics, childcare planning, and accessible self-care — that actually move the needle. We also get real about mom guilt: the pull to feel like a "good mom" even when you're doing exactly what's right for you and your family, and why letting go of the picture-perfect version of motherhood (the manicure, the home-cooked-every-night dinner, the spotless house) is part of the work. Leslie closes with her best advice for finding self-care that's actually sustainable in real life. What We Cover: Why mainstream health and longevity research skews male, and what that means for moms The "easier workload" section of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs and why most moms are carrying more than is humanly possible Ruthless prioritization as a starting point — and why it's only part of the answer Crossing the gender divide with a partner, and the books Leslie recommends on it (Fair Play, Drop the Ball) Planning childcare around mental load and complexity, not just cost — and why school doesn't solve it The guilt of not doing every pickup, drop-off, or school-morning task — even when you know better Letting go of a "pristine" home and complicated routines to protect time and energy The gut health–mental health connection Leslie learned from psychiatrist Dr. Marnie Chanoff Leslie's advice: pick self-care that's genuinely accessible to your daily life About the Guest: Leslie Ford is a researcher, author, and entrepreneur, and the creator of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs. She is the author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs, drawing on interviews with hundreds of mom experts and surveys of thousands of mothers. Links + Resources: Follow Mom's Hierarchy of Needs: InstagramLearn more about Moms Hierarchy of Needs: The Book & The WebsiteFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the email inner circle: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  5. Jul 13

    The Burnout That Sparked Mom's Hierarchy of Needs (Part 1) ft. Leslie Ford

    In Part 1 of my conversation with researcher, entrepreneur, and creator of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs, Leslie Ford, we go back to where it all started: the burnout she hit returning to work after her second child, running two teams on 90-minute stretches of sleep, and feeling like she'd missed an important memo about what motherhood would actually demand of her. That struggle became years of research, and Leslie walks us through the framework it produced: foundational needs (kids, household, work) that are never "done," and aspirational needs (sleep, movement, stress management, connection) that lower cortisol but keep getting pushed to "someday." We talk about why self-care is deeply personal, why moms' real barrier is time, not willpower, and why "ruthless prioritization" and permission to do an imperfect version of the thing beat waiting for the perfect one. What We Cover: The burnout that led Leslie to create Mom's Hierarchy of NeedsHow the framework splits foundational needs from aspirational ones — and why the top keeps getting deprioritizedWhy over 90% of moms' self-care preferences are solo activities they rarely get to doThe cortisol connection: how parental stress physically affects kidsWhy self-care should be judgment-free, but health-focused self-care lowers stress in specific, researched waysWhy the real obstacle for moms is discretionary time, not willpowerAdapting self-care to fit real life: stroller runs, treadmill sessions, imperfect versions that still countReclaiming self-respect by doing what actually feels good to you About the Guest: Leslie Ford is a researcher, author, and entrepreneur, and the creator of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs. She is the author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs, drawing on interviews with hundreds of mom experts and surveys of thousands of mothers. Links + Resources: Follow Mom's Hierarchy of Needs: InstagramLearn more about Moms Hierarchy of Needs: The Book & The WebsiteFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the email inner circle: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  6. Jul 8

    Stop Managing Everything: How to Build a Summer Routine Kids Actually Follow Pt II ( Nicole Gambino)

    In Part 2 of my conversation with parenting and executive function coach Nicole Gambino, we get practical. Nicole walks through real, age-specific summer routines she's built with families — down to the exact tasks kids as young as five and as old as middle schoolers can own on their own, no reminders required. We talk about the difference between "motoring" your kids through their responsibilities and actually empowering them to initiate on their own, why explaining every request too much can backfire, and how to handle the inevitable pushback ("why do I have to do everything?"). Nicole also shares a genius tip for making the back-to-school transition feel exciting instead of dreaded: starting with the workspace, not the work. If you've ever wondered whether your child is capable of more than you're currently asking of them, this episode will change how you think about routines, chores, and what it really means to raise a self-reliant kid. What We Cover: ● Why the goal isn't a perfect routine — it's a child who can initiate without being reminded ● The difference between "motoring" (reminding) your kids and building real independence ● Real, age-specific routine examples for an elementary schooler and a middle schooler ● Why over-explaining every request can do more harm than good ● The link between purpose, structure, and reduced anxiety in kids ● A simple, materials-first way to ease the transition back to school About the Guest: Nicole Gambino is a parenting expert with 17 years of experience helping families create structure, independence, and confidence at home. She has developed a system of rituals and guardrails designed to shift responsibility off of parents and onto children—empowering kids to become more capable while easing the mental load on moms. Key Insight: Nicole’s approach flips a common parenting pattern: instead of moms holding everything together, children are given the structure and responsibility to step up—creating a more balanced, sustainable family dynamic. Links + Resources: Follow Nicole: Instagram + FacebookLearn more about her work: NicoleGambino.comFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the email list: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  7. Jul 6

    Stop Managing Everything: How to Build a Summer Routine Kids Actually Follow (with Nicole Gambino)

    Nicole Gambino is back — and if her last episode on raising responsible kids resonated, this one's the summer-specific follow-through. The problem isn't your kid. It's that executive functioning (initiating, following through, self-regulating) is treated as something kids should already have, instead of a skill that has to be explicitly taught. Nicole walks through the system: realistic expectations, a 5-minute weekly "huddle," anchoring chores to transitions instead of vague to-dos, and letting kids co-author their own responsibilities so the routine actually survives past week one. What You'll LearnWhy "just remind them" isn't a routine — it's you doing the executive functioning for your kidThe difference between a chore that sticks and one that never gets doneHow to run a 5-minute "Sunday huddle" that gets kids to state their own responsibilities out loudAge-appropriate chores and transition points, starting as young as 5Why letting your child write their own chore list creates more follow-through than any parent-enforced systemHow to handle the summer schedule gap (camp days vs. non-camp days) without losing momentumAbout the Guest: Nicole Gambino is a parenting expert with 17 years of experience helping families create structure, independence, and confidence at home. She has developed a system of rituals and guardrails designed to shift responsibility off of parents and onto children—empowering kids to become more capable while easing the mental load on moms. Key Insight: Nicole’s approach flips a common parenting pattern: instead of moms holding everything together, children are given the structure and responsibility to step up—creating a more balanced, sustainable family dynamic. Links + Resources: Follow Nicole: Instagram + FacebookLearn more about her work: NicoleGambino.comFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the email list: EMAIL Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

  8. Jul 1

    Trusting Your Gut: One Mom's Guide to Saying No, Slowing Down, and Living Boldly

    What does it actually look like to follow your instincts in motherhood — even when experts, teachers, and society tell you otherwise? In this episode, Maria sits down with Colleen Esposito, daughter of Boston radio icon Candy O'Terry, to talk about the courage it takes to live life on your own terms. Colleen left a high-powered advertising career after her first daughter was born — not because she had to, but because she knew herself well enough to know it wasn't the life she wanted. From that decision came a decade of intentional choices: staying home, homeschooling her two daughters, starting a free neighborhood flower stand that gave away over 600 bouquets last summer, and co-authoring a children's book series with her mom. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why high-achieving women often struggle most with the "do it all" pressure — and how Colleen opted outThe moment a doctor told her something she'll never forget about trusting herself over expertsWhy she and her husband pulled their thriving kids out of traditional school — and what happened nextThe science behind why flowers actually make you happier (yes, really)How saying no more often might be the most radical thing you do for your family this yearThis one is for the mom who has a gut feeling she keeps second-guessing. Colleen's story is a quiet permission slip to listen to it. Links + Resources: Follow Colleen: https://www.instagram.com/colleen_esposito/Check out Nelson's Garden on AmazonFollow ThatMom: InstagramJoin the ThatMom Community: EMAILLearn more: That Mom Website Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

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About

ThatMom is for the working mom caught between ambition and motherhood — the one who's capable enough to do it all, and tired of being expected to. Each week, host Maria (MBA, JD) sits down with psychologists, therapists, coaches, and fellow high-achieving moms to unpack a simple truth: being capable of everything doesn't mean you should carry everything. Using The Capacity Method — audit what's working, reclaim what isn't, reinvest in what matters — ThatMom gives you permission, clarity, and real tools to stop optimizing for "effortless" and start building a life that actually fits. If you're ready to stop doing it all and start choosing what matters, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    That Mom
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 That Mom

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