In this inspiring episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, Marisa sits down with Dr. Michelle El Khoury, founder of Yogamazia, a maternal and children’s wellness education hub dedicated to supporting families through every stage of the parenting journey.

A former pharmaceutical executive turned maternal wellness leader, Dr. Michelle blends science and soul through her S.M.A.R.T. Journey to Parenting™ framework — empowering working moms to move beyond survival mode and into intentional, purpose-driven leadership at home and at work.

Together, Marisa and Dr. Michelle unpack the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and emotional tools that help working moms evolve through life’s biggest transitions — without sacrificing success, sanity, or self.

💬 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Dr. Michelle’s personal journey from corporate leadership to maternal wellness advocate
• The #1 mindset shift working moms must make to go from surviving to thriving
• How presence can actually accelerate your goals (not slow you down!)
• The biggest trap ambitious women fall into during major life transitions
• What to do when you feel like you have to choose between career success and family connection
• How to strengthen your relationships through change — instead of losing them

💡 Key Takeaways

✨ Transformation in motherhood isn’t about becoming someone new — it’s about becoming more of yourself.
✨ Presence is the power that helps you achieve with purpose and peace.
✨ You don’t have to choose between professional success and personal fulfillment — you can embody both.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Michelle El Khoury

• 🌐 Website: https://www.yogamazia.com 
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogamazia 
• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleelkhoury 

🎧 Listen Now

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts — Apple, Spotify, or at www.mamaworkit.com/podcast

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

New year, fresh goals—but how do you actually follow through? In this episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, we’re diving into practical, realistic strategies for setting goals you can truly achieve. Marisa Lonic shares powerful tools, mindset shifts, and systems designed specifically for busy moms juggling work, life, and everything in between.

If you’ve ever set a goal in January only to abandon it by February, this episode is for you.

What We Cover in This Episode

✨ Why Goals Matter
Marisa explains why having goals is essential—not just for productivity, but for clarity, confidence, and personal fulfillment. Goals help us move intentionally instead of reacting to life’s demands.

🧠 Mindset & Belief: The Foundation of Achievement
Before any strategy works, you have to believe your goal is possible. We talk about how mindset, self-trust, and identity play a huge role in whether you follow through.

🎯 Practical Goal-Setting Strategies That Work
Marisa breaks down several proven tools you can mix and match:

• Word of the Year – choosing a single guiding word to anchor your decisions and energy
• SMART Goals – setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
• WOOP Method – wish, outcome, obstacle, plan—how to anticipate challenges before they derail you
• Vision Boards – using visualization to keep goals top of mind
• Gamification – making progress fun, motivating, and rewarding instead of overwhelming

🤝 The Power of Accountability
Why having an accountability partner can dramatically increase your chances of success—and how to make it happen.

🛠 Turning Big Goals Into Sustainable Action
How to break goals down into small, doable steps that fit into real mom life (because perfection is not required).

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You’re setting goals for the new year and want them to actually stick
• You feel overwhelmed by traditional goal-setting advice
• You’re a working mom looking for realistic, flexible strategies
• You want structure and grace as you grow

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mama Work It Podcast so you never miss an episode designed to help you thrive in work, motherhood, and life.

Links from today’s episode:

Word to Your Mother Journal/Planner: https://amzn.to/4iHfHck 

Time MOMagement book: https://amzn.to/4pOpi3i 

B.J. Fogg’s TEDx Talk about habits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKUJxjn-R8&t=14s 

FREE Habit Accountability Tool: https://www.mamaworkit.com/free-habit-accountability 

Subscribe to Mama Work It newsletter: www.mamaworkit.com 

Happy New Year and keep on working it, mama!

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

What does it really mean to “do business like a mother”? In this inspiring episode of the Mama Work It podcast, host Marisa Lonic sits down with Jen Morris — community builder, speaker, and founder of Renegade Motherhood — to talk about the power of connection, collaboration, and confidence for moms in business.

Jen’s journey from casual coffee meetups to leading a thriving multi-city and digital community is proof that moms are stronger when they grow together. She shares what she calls the economy of motherhood — a powerful network of women raising businesses and families side by side — and why every mom needs her own support system that truly gets it.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a working mom, or somewhere in between, this conversation will remind you that you’re not meant to do it all alone — and that your community is one of your greatest business assets.

We talk about:
✨ Why traditional networking often misses the mark for moms
✨ The real meaning behind “the economy of motherhood”
✨ How to build meaningful connections instead of surface-level ones
✨ The difference community makes in your confidence and success

Connect with Jen:
🌐 Website: https://www.renegademotherhood.com
📸 Instagram: @renegademotherhood 

Connect with Marisa:
💻 Website: https://www.mamaworkit.com
📸 Instagram: @letmamaworkit

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year — but for many moms, they can also be the most overwhelming. Between shopping lists, school parties, travel plans, holiday cards, and endless to-dos, the mental load can feel heavier than ever.

In this episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, host Marisa Lonic chats with Michelle Purta — marriage coach, mom of three, and host of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast — about how to lighten the mental load and truly enjoy the season without burnout, resentment, or exhaustion.

Michelle shares practical tools for redistributing responsibilities, communicating your needs clearly, and building partnership—not pressure—during one of the busiest times of the year.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

🎁 What the “holiday mental load” really looks like (and why moms often carry it all)
 🎁 How to communicate your needs without guilt or frustration
 🎁 Simple ways to share responsibilities with your partner before stress hits
 🎁 How to ask for support—even if you’re single or parenting solo
 🎁 How to carry this teamwork mindset into the new year (and keep your sanity year-round)

🔗 Connect with Michelle Purta:

💬 Free Resource: The Holiday Planning Conversation Agenda https://www.michellepurta.com/pg/holidayconversation
🎧 The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast: https://www.michellepurta.com/podcast
🌐 Website: www.michellepurta.com
📸 Instagram: @MichellePurtaCoaching

🌟 Connect with Marisa & Mama Work It:

🎧 More episodes at → www.mamaworkit.com/podcast

Previous episodes featuring Michelle Purta: 

https://mamaworkitpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1624639/episodes/10119515-how-human-design-helps-working-moms-increase-their-life-alignment-with-michelle-purta

https://mamaworkitpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1624639/episodes/8221906-marriage-motherhood-with-michelle-purta

 📸 Instagram → @MamaWorkIt
💻 Website → www.mamaworkit.com

💕 If You Loved This Episode:

Share it with a mom friend who’s doing all the things this season — because no one deserves to carry the holiday mental load alone.

💬 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — your support helps other mamas find the show!

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

Ever feel like your to-do list is longer than a CVS receipt? 🧾 Between work, kids, home, and everything else, it’s no wonder so many moms live in a constant state of overwhelm.

In this episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, host Marisa Lonic gets real about how to shift from chaos to calm — not with perfection or fancy planners, but with realistic, sustainable rhythms that make life feel lighter and more manageable.

Whether you’re juggling cold and flu season, work deadlines, or the endless mental load of motherhood, this episode gives you simple systems to find order in the everyday and reclaim your peace (without adding more to your plate).

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✨ Why overwhelm is a choice — and how to shift your mindset from stressed to steady
✨ The 3-3-3 System for realistic daily goals, flexible tasks, and self-care
✨ How to implement a Daily Reset (or Evening Power Half Hour) to restore order before chaos takes over
✨ The secret to time blocking that actually works for moms
✨ How small mindset moments can instantly bring calm when overwhelm creeps in

📒 Mentioned in This Episode:

🩷 Word to Your Mother Journal/Planner — A guided system for goal-setting, reflection, and intentional living. www.mamaworkit.com/wordtoyourmother
🎧 Listen to more episodes: www.mamaworkit.com/podcast

💬 Connect with Marisa:

Instagram → @MamaWorkIt
Website → www.mamaworkit.com
 

🩵 If You Loved This Episode:

Share it with another mama who’s running on empty — because we all deserve more calm and a lot more grace.
 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — your feedback helps more moms find the balance they’re looking for.

Burnout—it’s real, it’s sneaky, and it’s showing up in working moms everywhere.
 In this powerful episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Brook Sheehan, licensed chiropractor, functional medicine practitioner, and creator of bodyOS—a framework rooted in both physiology and faith that helps women stop striving and start listening to the bodies God designed.

Dr. Brook shares her personal journey from burnout and disconnection to balance and trust—moving from drive-thru meals and prescriptions to rigid wellness obsession, and finally finding freedom in honoring her body with grace, not guilt.

Together, we unpack how burnout often hides behind our “doing it all” mentality, what your body is really trying to tell you, and how to begin restoring energy and peace without another complicated routine.

💡 In This Episode, We Chat About:

✨ Burnout signals that every working mom should pay attention to—and how to respond before they become breakdowns
✨ Why you won’t get the body of your dreams until you learn to love the one you already have
✨ How faith and physiology can work together to create real, lasting wellness
✨ Simple, practical steps to begin healing burnout—even in the middle of work, motherhood, and chaos
✨ How to stop chasing the next health trend and start building rhythms that truly last

🔗 Episode Links:

www.drbrooksheehan.com
www.instagram.com/drbrooksheehan
www.youtube.com/drbrooksheehan

📩 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

If this episode resonated with you, mama, share it with a friend who’s running on empty and needs this reminder: your body isn’t your enemy—it’s your ally.

💖 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @letmamaworkit with your biggest takeaway from this episode!

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but for so many women, they bring stress, guilt, and a cycle of overindulgence followed by restriction. What if this year could be different?

In this episode of the Mama Work It podcast, I’m joined by Carrie Lupoli, certified nutritionist, speaker, educator, and founder of Disruptive Nutrition and the Diet Disruptors podcast (an Apple Top 100 Health & Wellness podcast). A former D1 athlete who battled disordered eating, Carrie now empowers women and families to achieve lasting health through the science of blood sugar stabilization and sustainable behavior change. She’s been featured on the TODAY Show, ABC, NBC, FOX, and was even a TEDx speaker in South Africa.

Together, we dive into how women can enjoy the holiday season—without falling into diet culture, guilt, or the “I’ll start again in January” mindset.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why the holidays feel so triggering when it comes to food and routines
• The problem with “starting over in January” and what to focus on instead
• How to enjoy holiday meals and events without guilt or restriction
• Simple systems and routines to help you stay healthy and balanced
• One small mindset shift that can help you thrive—not just survive—this season

If you’ve ever felt stuck between indulgence and restriction during the holidays, this episode will give you practical tools and empowering strategies to help you feel balanced, energized, and guilt-free—without missing out on the joy of the season.

👉 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mama Work It podcast so you never miss an episode!

Connect with Carrie Lupoli:

• Website: https://www.disruptivenutrition.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disruptivenutrition/ & https://www.instagram.com/carrie_lupoli/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disruptivenutrition

For more resources on juggling mom life, work life, wife life, fill in the blank life, visit www.mamaworkit.com and subscribe!

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

🎙️ Episode 200 — Ambitious Mom Lessons Learned

Can you believe it, mama? We’ve hit 200 episodes! 🥳

When I launched the Mama Work It Podcast back in January 2021, I had no idea how many incredible conversations, lessons, and stories would unfold. Over nearly five years, I’ve had the honor of connecting with some truly inspiring guests—moms, experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders—who’ve all taught me something powerful about what it means to be an ambitious mom.

In this special milestone episode, I’m reflecting on 10 of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned from guests since day one. Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or just joined the community, these takeaways are golden reminders for every stage of motherhood, ambition, and life.

Being an ambitious mom means constantly learning, evolving, and showing up for yourself and your family. These lessons remind us that ambition and motherhood don’t compete—they complement each other beautifully.

Thank you for being part of 200 episodes, mama. Here’s to the next 200, filled with more wisdom, growth, and community. 💖

🎧 Listen to all episodes at www.mamaworkit.com/podcast
💌 Connect on Instagram @mamaworkit

Specific episodes and links mentioned on today’s episode of the Mama Work It podcast:

1.       Mama Work It Podcast episode 3: Brains and Behavior with Dr. Sarah Allen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brains-behavior-with-dr-sarah-allen/id1549805160?i=1000507612230 

2.       Mama Work It Podcast episode 7: Busy Mama Cooking Hacks with Celestina Brunetti https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-mama-cooking-hacks-with-celestina-brunetti/id1549805160?i=1000511496485 

3.       Mama Work It Podcast Episode 167 How to Pay for College Without Breaking the Bank with Dr. Pamela Ellis https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-pay-for-college-without-breaking-the-bank-with/id1549805160?i=1000686627955 

4.       Mama Work It Podcast Episode 129 Using Astrology as a Planning Tool with Crystal B. of Crystal B. Astrology https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/using-astrology-as-a-planning-tool-with-crystal/id1549805160?i=1000647362840 

Book: Feed Your Moon by Crystal B. https://amzn.to/496GTv3 

5.       Mama Work It Podcast Episode 64: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome for Working Moms with Lauren Smit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-for-working-moms-with/id1549805160?i=1000581642119

6.       Mama Work It Podcast Episode 124: Following Your Gut with Andrea Hanson https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/following-your-gut-with-andrea-hanson/id1549805160?i=1000642751547

7.       Mama Work It Podcast Episode 112: Thriving in Motherhood with Dina Ramaha

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

Living with chronic illness while raising kids and pursuing ambitious professional goals is no easy task. This week on the Mama Work It podcast, I’m joined by Julienne Verdi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) and The Headache Alliance, who is doing just that—and making history along the way.

Julienne’s path from law school to nonprofit leadership, policy change, and public office is nothing short of inspiring. She’s not only a powerful advocate for migraine awareness and patient rights but also a working mom of four, an LGBTQIA+ trailblazer, and a woman who knows firsthand what it means to juggle career, family, and chronic illness.

In this episode, Julienne and I dive into:
 ✨ Her journey from law, politics, and nonprofit consulting to national advocacy leadership
 ✨ How she manages parenting and professional goals while living with migraines—and supporting her son through his own migraine journey
 ✨ How her work contributed to the U.S. Department of Education recognizing migraine under Section 504, and what this policy shift means for kids and families
✨ Practical advice for moms (and anyone) navigating life and goals with migraines or other chronic health conditions

Whether you’re a parent balancing health challenges, a mom pursuing big dreams, or someone passionate about advocacy and leadership, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered and supported.

🔗 Tune in to hear Julienne’s story, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mama Work It podcast so you never miss an episode!

To connect with Julienne or learn more about the work she’s doing to support those living with headache disorders:

https://flagsforheadache.org/

https://headachealliance.org/

https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienne-verdi/

For more resources on juggling mom life, work life, wife life, fill in the blank life, head on over to www.mamaworkit.com and subscribe! 

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast! 

Feeding our babies should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Yet so many moms face guilt, confusion, and frustration when it comes to infant formula.

In this episode of the Mama Work It podcast, I’m joined by Mia Funt, Co-Founder and President of ByHeart—the first new U.S.-based infant formula manufacturer in more than 15 years. A mom of three herself, Mia’s personal feeding journey (including breastfeeding challenges, emergency surgery, and raising two kids with severe food allergies) inspired her to create a formula that parents could trust and feel proud to use.

Together with her brother, Ron Belldegrun, Mia spent five years building ByHeart from the ground up—assembling a team of pediatricians, nutritionists, and clinical experts, acquiring manufacturing facilities, and conducting the largest new-brand infant formula clinical trial in 25 years. Today, ByHeart is available nationwide in nearly 12,000 retail locations including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Kroger.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Mia’s journey as a working mom of three and co-founder of ByHeart
• How Mia navigated mom guilt while raising children and building a company
• What it really looks like to dream big as a mom balancing school drop-offs, late-night work emails, and family life
• How ByHeart is setting a new standard in infant nutrition with organic, grass-fed whole milk and a patented protein blend closest to breast milk

If you’ve ever struggled with feeding guilt, wanted clarity about formula, or just need encouragement as a mom pursuing both family and big dreams, this episode will give you both inspiration and practical insight.

👉 Special Offer for Mama Work It listeners: Get 30% off your first subscription order with code BYHEARTMAMA at ByHeart.com.

Connect with ByHeart:

• Website: https://byheart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byheart/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@byheart
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/byheartnutrition/

For more resources on mom life, work life, wife life, fill in the blank life, visit www.mamaworkit.com and subscribe!

This episode is being sponsored by Cozy Earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code MAMA for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the Mama Work It Podcast!