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!

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!

🎙️ 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

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! 

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!

Hey mamas—get ready to dream big! ✨

In this episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: vision boards and manifestation practices. This isn’t just “woo woo” magic—this is about using visuals, intention, and small aligned actions to call in the life you want. And yes, it works (I’ve got some wild success stories to prove it, from school admissions to fitness goals to family adventures).

Whether you’re new to vision boards or you’ve been making them for years, this conversation will inspire you to see what’s possible and give you practical tips to actually make it happen—without adding stress to your already full mama plate.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What a vision board really is and how to create one with things you already have at home
• Why our brains respond so strongly to visuals—and how this makes manifestation possible
• How to integrate manifestation into your daily mama routines (without extra time you don’t have!)
• Different ways to practice manifestation—vision boards, journaling, affirmations, and more
• Creative ideas to make this a fun family project you can do with your kids or partner
• Real-life success stories (mine and others!) that show just how powerful this practice of vision boarding and manifestation can be

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Maria Maldonado Smith and her Vision Board Workbook www.mmsconsultingfirm.com
• The Word to Your Mother prompted journal & planner www.mamaworkit.com/wordtoyourmother
• Free Habit Accountability Tool: www.mamaworkit.com/free-habit-accountability 
• Follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/letmamaworkit and tag me with your vision boards—I’d love to cheer you on!

Creating a vision board isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. It’s about giving yourself permission to dream, imagine, and align your daily choices with the future you want. So grab your scissors, your Canva app, or just a notebook, and let’s make manifestation simple and doable for busy moms like us.

✨ If this episode inspired you, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it means so much! And don’t forget to become a Mama Work It VIP subscriber here so you receive our weekly newsletter: www.mamaworkit.com 

What do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a faith-based toy brand for kids have in common? Today’s Mama Work It episode with Howard “Quiggly” Chang connects the dots.

Howard is the creator of Ancientz, a storytelling and toy brand designed to help parents raise kids with strong values, resilience, and faith. Long before Ancientz, he helped shape pop culture as one of the original creative minds behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line of the ’80s and ’90s. After stepping away from the toy world and experiencing burnout, Howard went through a spiritual awakening that reignited his passion for creating characters with purpose.

In this episode, we cover:

• Howard’s journey from Ninja Turtles to launching Ancientz
• How faith and storytelling can empower parents in raising courageous kids
• The lessons Howard learned from burnout and rediscovering clarity
• Practical tips for moms who want to pursue big dreams 
• How busy, working moms can connect with their kids
• Encouragement for moms who feel like it’s “too late” to start a creative or faith-driven project

If you’ve ever wondered how to blend faith, family, and creativity—or just need inspiration to keep going in the middle of busy motherhood—this conversation will give you tools and encouragement to step forward with courage.

To connect with Howard after the show or learn more about Ancientz:

Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ancientz/ancientz 

Website: www.ancientz.com 

IG: @ancientz_official 

FB: facebook.com/ancientz.official

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

Are you living fully—or just going through the motions?

In this episode of the Mama Work It podcast, I sit down with Karen Salmansohn, best-selling author, Behavioral Change Expert, and founder of NotSalmon.com, where over 1.5 million followers turn for science-based strategies on happiness and fulfillment. With more than two million books and courses sold—and appearances on Oprah and in Psychology Today—Karen is known for blending psychology, neuroscience, and humor to deliver life-changing tools in a relatable way.

We dive into her latest book, Your To Die For Life, and explore what it means to stop “sleepwalking” through life and start making intentional, meaningful choices.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How motherhood has shaped Karen’s journey as a writer and change-maker
• What “near-life experiences” are and how to know if you’re stuck in one
• Why fear, distraction, and busyness hold so many of us back
• The surprising connection between thinking about death and living more fully
• Misconceptions about happiness and what research really says about fulfillment
• Practical steps for moms to break autopilot and lead a purpose-driven life

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just checking boxes instead of truly living, this episode will give you the clarity and motivation to step into your most intentional, energized, and joyful self.

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

Connect with Karen and purchase her book:

• Website: https://www.notsalmon.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notsalmon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NotsalmonTV
• Your To Die For Life Book: https://yourtodieforlife.com/ 

And don’t forget to listen to Karen’s go-to song: I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA 

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

Gratitude isn’t just about saying thank you—it’s about cultivating a mindset of appreciation for the little things, the big things, and everything in between. When we practice gratitude as parents, we model a powerful life skill for our kids: one that builds empathy, resilience, joy, and connection.

In this solo episode of the Mama Work It Podcast, I’m sharing simple, practical ways to weave gratitude into your daily routine—both for yourself and for your kids. Whether it’s through journals, family rituals, or small daily pauses, these practices can shift the energy in your home and help your kids grow up with a grateful heart.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Easy gratitude practices for parents (journals, mindful pauses, gratitude alarms, and more)
• Creative and fun ways to help kids express gratitude (jars, bedtime rituals, thank-you notes)
• How to build family traditions around gratitude (mealtime sharing, gratitude boards, vision-board style practices)
• Why gratitude is especially important during hard times—and how to teach kids that they can feel challenges and thankfulness at the same time

Gratitude is a muscle, mama—and the more we use it, the stronger it gets. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how gratitude shifts the way you parent, the way your kids see the world, and the way your whole family connects.

📌 Resources & Links:

• Subscribe to the Mama Work It newsletter: www.mamaworkit.com
• Catch more podcast episodes here: www.mamaworkit.com/podcast
• Free habit accountability tracker: www.mamaworkit.com/free-habit-accountability 

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

We don’t often get to hear the father’s perspective on the Mama Work It Podcast—and today, we’re changing that. I’m joined by Chris Rodack, founder of Rising Father, creator of the Men of Fire transformation program, and host of The Rising Father Podcast.

Chris is a husband, dad of two, and former music teacher who completely transformed his life—shedding over 60 pounds, building a multi–six-figure online business, and reclaiming his health, vitality, and leadership as a man and father. His mission? To help other dads rise into their fullest potential—mentally, physically, and emotionally—so they can lead their families with strength and purpose.

In this episode, Chris and I talk about:

• His personal journey into marriage and fatherhood, and the turning point that changed everything.
• The painful moment when he realized he was falling short as a man and father—and how that led to a complete transformation.
• The #1 limiting belief that keeps so many men stuck in cycles of complacency (and how to break free).
• How to reframe “sacrifice” in fatherhood so it builds legacy and leadership instead of resentment and burnout.
• Practical ways moms can support their partners in living their best lives.

This conversation is raw, honest, and full of wisdom—not just for dads, but for moms who want to better understand and support the men in their lives.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Chris: https://www.risingfather.com/ 
• Listen to The Rising Father Podcast: https://www.risingfather.com/the-rising-father-podcast/ 
• Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risingfather

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Mama Work It Podcast—it helps more parents like you find these conversations.