Join me for a short solo episode. Sunday morning, in my cozy chair, sharing a story from this week that spans the last 8 years. I'm thrilled to be back and would love to know more about what you want to hear.

This episode is for anyone that has ever struggled with confidence. 

I have thought a lot about when and how I wanted to share this story. Now is the time and YOU are the why. 

When I say there were ups and downs during my time off, this is a prime example of both in one story. It was a low low that brought me to a new high when it comes to the confidence I have in myself. 

Let me know what you think at @balanceisbull_podcast . 

This episode continues the series where I am sharing my reflections and learnings from my 11 month career break. 

There were ups and downs along the way and I wanted to share with you 4 key things that helped me move through the tough days. 

Can't wait to hear what you think!

In October 2023 I made the difficult but necessary decision to leave my well established corporate position. Being able to do this was a huge privilege that I am grateful for. But that does not mean it was easy. The time away from what made up so much of my identity - work - forced me to confront a lot about myself and evolve along the way. 

I start a new corproate job on Monday and wanted to take the time to share some of the messy middle and profound learnings in hopes that it helps even one other person navigating the ups and downs of life. 

Matrescence

If you are in any stage of motherhood - pursuit of motherhood, postpartum, middle motherhood, and you have never heard of this word - don’t walk, RUN to  and learn a word that will make you feel SEEN.

Jess Ringgenberg is a gift. You can hear the care, passion and expertise in her voice. She is an accredited coach, business owner, mother of 2 and so much more. She found her passion in educating and supporting women in their journey of motherhood and self-discovery. 

You will walk away from this conversation with knowledge, tools and a vocabulary to put words to your experience. 

Please share this episode with your. moms group, parents employee resource group, mother, best friends. We should all feel that the transitions in our mind, body and spirit are normalized and celebrated.

About Jess

Jess left a thriving corporate career in rare disease biotech to work toward closing systematic gaps in the workplace for women and mothers. As a mom and a woman leader in a Fortune 500, she witnessed first-hand the gap for all women and working mothers and couldn’t look away. She believes women are meant to feel empowered in their careers and lives.

She became a matrescence expert, a researcher, an accredited coach, and an advocate – all used to provide businesses with focused programs that support and advance women and moms at work. She serves as a board member for a non-profit, and resident coach-expert in "The Society of Working Moms." 

Jess ignites change by bridging neuroscience education and evidence-based tools that lead to retention, re-engagement, and re-discovery.

Links

Connect with Jess Ringgenberg on LinkedIn

Visit ELIXR Coaching  to learn more about how to work with Jess.

• If you are looking for a coach

Maya Connet joins me to catch up! We worked together years ago and since our overlap she has gone on to grow through the leadership ranks at Clari and now runs the New Business Sales and Business Development organizations at Tropic. 

She shares how she's navigated her career, the 5 quantities she uses to evaluate sales candidates, the value of working with an executive coach (and some of the frameworks and coaching that has helped her most) and being a mom of 2 under 4 as she takes on an executive leadership role at a Series B tech startup. 

If you are thinking about or planning on going on a leave soon or at any point in your career, this is a must listen. Maya had two promotions WHILE she was on leave. She shares her experience and how it has shaped how she supports her team in their development.

There is so much to learn and resonate within this conversation. 

Links

Connect with Maya Connet on LinkedIn

A healthcare/research start, tech pivot turned entrepreneur who is now on a mission to help parents own more of their most valuable asset - TIME.

Ashley joins us in lifting the cloak on her as a human.

She is so poised as she talks through her experience navigating career, hitting tough patches, pulling herself back up and making the leap into entrepreneurship-before she even knew the business she wanted to build (!!).

Spoiler alert, she went back to the basics to define the business she wanted to build by centering on the problems she cares about solving. That soul searching set her on a path to start ‘Sundays’.

LINKS:

Ashley Chang

Sundays: World-class assistants for work and home

Founder-led Marketing

The Old Girls Club

Build Impact Convert

Veena Jetti is a mom of 2, founder and owner of 2 businesses, Forbes contributor and a great human being. Her businesses Vive Funds and MultiFi operate in the multifamily real estate investment and education space.  With over a decade of experience, Veena has masterfully overseen the management of a staggering $1 billion+ in real estate assets, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the industry.

We cover so much in this conversation from..

• spending quality time with her kids in the midst of a very full plate

You do not want to miss this one. 

Connect / Follow / Learn more with Veena

Veena on LinkedIn

Vive Funds 

MultiFi

Mastering Multifamily with Veena Jetti on Facebook

We also talked about..

• Powerhouse Women Podcast by Lindsey Swartz

Lysa and her family are a few months into a huge move from California (with a full community filled with friends and family) to  Texas (as their family of 4). They are on this adventure together in support of Lysas' career when she accepted a promotion to VP, Clinical Trials. 

In this episode we talk..

- What that move has been like

- Having no shame in loving work and work travel as a mom

- Being with a company for 10+ years and how she earned promotion after promotion (spoiler work: 'doing the job well was the checkmark')

- Building authentic relationships at work 

- Defining your why and keeping it at the center of what you do at work and as a leader of an organization

- And you'll have to listen to hear the context around this great quote: "Everyday is different, you have to be really forgiving and realistic with yourself."

Let us know what you think after you listen! 

See you again soon!

Links:

Connect with Lysa Cano on LinkedIn

Michelle Vu is here! Michelle is a revenue leader, a mom of 2 littles, and an all-around awesome human. 

Like many of us, Michelle has a very full plate. As a mom and revenue leader, she decided to add an advanced degree to her experience. She so openly shares what it was like to make that decision, the tradeoff discussions with her partner, how she feels about it now that she has homework and an even more full calendar. 

We cover so much ground...

- ANXIETY and giving birth to our babies in 2020.

- Michelles' career choice to return to being an individual contributor after managing 21 people at 24. Why she did it and what we hope you learn from this experience.

- Her secret to staying power within companies and roles with low tenure.

- Michelle and I have a very similar view on human-first leadership.“ Take a listen and let us know what you think. Here is a quote from Michelle: "You can be uber successful having emotion, empathy, and gaining connection—it does not have to be boiler room.” 

- Mat leave learnings and "bossing" as a mom - how to lead from the front.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn

EP 12 Michelle Vu, anxiety, being a mom, boss and student at the same time, mat leave as a leader