From the outside, it seems like Sharifa Murdock does it all—being the Chief Impact Officer at Kith, the founder of ENVSN Festival, a mentor, and a supporter of numerous causes while being a loving mother to a two year old boy. In this episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, host Barbara Mighdoll sits down with Sharifa to find out how the heck she does it behind the scenes. Sharifa shares her journey of embracing the transformation that comes with motherhood, revealing how she maintains confidence and balance. 

Sharifa candidly discusses her daily routine, from her early 4 AM starts to her meticulous organization of her son’s schedule. She also delves into the importance of her support system. As a powerhouse in the business world and a dedicated mom, Sharifa's candid insights and strategies offer invaluable guidance for finding confidence amidst the chaos.

Tune in to hear Sharifa’s lessons on…

🔍 Discovering True Self-Identity

Sharifa discusses how motherhood redefined her values and revealed her authentic self, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and acceptance.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Building a Reliable Support System

"It takes a village" – Sharifa elaborates on the significance of leaning on her support network, including family members and her sister-in-law’s daycare, to navigate the complexities of childcare.

📝 Mastering Delegation

Learn how Sharifa effectively delegates tasks and prepares meticulously, ensuring that her child’s needs are met while maintaining her own standards.

📅 Creating a Structured Daily Routine

Sharifa walks us through her disciplined daily schedule, starting at 4 AM, balancing workout time, professional responsibilities, and quality family time.

💆‍♀️ Prioritizing Self-Care Consistently

From monthly massages to regular nail appointments, Sharifa shares her non-negotiable self-care routines that keep her grounded and rejuvenated.

🚫 Setting Boundaries and Saying No

Understand Sharifa’s approach to setting boundaries and confidently saying no to non-priority activities, ensuring her focus remains on what truly matters.

🗣️ Transparent Communication in the Workplace

Sharifa highlights the importance of transparency with her team and the support she received during her maternity leave, fostering a positive and understanding work environment.

💖 Empathy as a Superpower

Empathy plays a pivotal role in Sharifa’s professional and personal life. She discusses how this quality helps her connect deeply with colleagues and family members, enriching her interactions.

Sharifa is an inspiring role model for anyone looking to fill their life with passion, purpose, and presence. Tune in to hear her wisdom, tools, and systems for achieving work-life fulfillment.

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About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

In this episode I sit down with an incredible guest, the former CMO of Facebook at Meta, and mom to two, Samantha Wu. A powerhouse marketing executive, Sam has a rich background spanning multiple continents with roles at tech and financial giants like Meta, Amex, and Visa. Not to mention, she even took a detour to attend culinary school, adding a unique flavor to her already impressive background. During our chat, she opens up about what pushed her to take a step back from her fast-paced career, and shares how an intentional pause is giving her a much needed break to reset and focus on herself. 

Tune in to hear Sam’s take on…

🌟 The Catalyst for Taking a Pause: Sam discusses the personal and professional experiences that led her to take an intentional break from her career, including the impact of the pandemic, family losses, and the need for a reset after years of nonstop work.

🧘‍♀️ Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: She shares how this pause allowed her to focus on her physical health, reconnect with old friends, and explore new interests, highlighting the importance of investing in oneself.

💡 Lessons from Culinary School: Hear about her decision to attend culinary school amidst her marketing career, and how this seemingly unrelated experience enriched her professional life with new perspectives on leadership, organization, and creativity.

🏡 Necessity of Support Systems: Discussion on the necessity of robust support networks, including childcare strategies like the au pair system, and how these support structures are crucial for managing a demanding career and family life.

🤝 Redefining Success and Career Goals: Sam talks about how motherhood has reshaped her career ambitions, shifting her focus from external validation to personal growth, learning, and making meaningful contributions.

🗣️ Effective Communication and Advocacy: Tips on how to communicate career transitions and personal needs confidently, both to oneself and to others, including the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive peers and mentors.

🔄 Navigating Career Transitions: Practical advice on making career pauses and transitions work in your favor, including being realistic about the challenges and trade-offs involved, and planning for a smooth reentry into the workforce.

🏆 The Impermanence of Challenges: A powerful reminder that all challenges are temporary and that time will always bring new perspectives and opportunities for growth.

Whether you're contemplating a career break or looking to realign your priorities, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable insights from a seasoned executive who has successfully navigated these waters. Tune in for a candid conversation about the realities of balancing a high-powered role with personal fulfillment and family life.

Don’t miss out on this inspiring episode – it might just be the nudge you need to take that intentional pause and discover a renewed sense of purpose in your career and life.

For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribe

Follow Sam on LinkedIn here.

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Get the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.com

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

This week I’m bringing you a heartfelt, insightful, and authentic conversation with Rebecca Michael, the Head of Marketing for Google Search & Maps. As an executive, a mother of two, and a seasoned professional with an impressive tenure at Google, Rebecca shares her journey of embracing imperfection and finding fulfillment in both her personal and professional life.

In this episode, Rebecca shares the intricacies of navigating raising children in a two-parent executive household. From the challenges of infertility to the importance of a supportive partner, Rebecca opens up about her experiences and the systems she has put in place to manage the chaos of her daily life.

Tune in to hear Rebecca’s lessons on…

👶 The Journey to Motherhood: Rebecca talks about her initial uncertainties around having children, the years of therapy she undertook to prepare for the identity shift, and how she finally decided it was the right time to start a family.

🧬 Navigating Infertility and IVF: Rebecca shares her deeply personal experience with IVF, the emotional and physical challenges it brought, and how she managed her responsibilities at work during this period.

🏡 Building a Support System: With her family located in Europe, Rebecca discusses the importance of creating a "village" around her, including hiring caregivers and even a plant caretaker, to ensure a well-rounded support system for her and her children.

🛠️ Division of Labor at Home: Insights into how Rebecca and her husband, Tom, manage their household tasks. From finances to cooking, they have found a way to leverage their strengths and create a balanced home environment.

🌅 Morning Routines and Family Time: Rebecca emphasizes the importance of family cuddles in the morning and how starting the day with her children helps set a positive tone for everyone.

👩‍👧‍👦 The Concept of the "Good Enough" Mother: Drawing from Donald Winnicott's theory, Rebecca discusses how striving for perfection can lead to burnout and why being "good enough" is beneficial for both parents and children.

💼 Balancing Work and Personal Time: Rebecca explains how she integrates her professional skills into her parenting style and the importance of setting intentions without rigid schedules to prevent burnout.

🧘‍♀️ Taking a Reset Week: The value of taking time off to reset, reflect, and recharge. Rebecca shares her approach to taking a week off just for herself, the benefits it brought, and how it has become a vital part of her self-care routine.

This enlightening conversation not only proves the power of introspection, support, and the courage to prioritize yourself amidst the demands of career and motherhood.

References:

• Playing and Reality by Donald Winnicott

For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribe

Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn here.

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Get the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.com

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer of Bugaboo, sits down with me to share her tools and frameworks for integrating corporate leadership with motherhood, and how she applies her professional skills to her personal life. Our chat includes her daily routine, tips on quarterly planning for family life, effective time management strategies, and the importance of building a supportive community. Jeanelle also provides clear, tangible advice on communication, storytelling, and consistently achieving small gains both in her career and as a mother. Tune in for actionable insights on balancing the demands of work and family.

Tune in to hear Jeanelle’s lessons on…

🌅 Self-Care Mornings: Discover how Jeanelle starts her day at 5 AM, filling her cup with gratitude, reading, and a personalized workout routine before her kids wake up.

📅 Quarterly Planning: Learn how Jeanelle applies business strategies like annual goal setting, quarterly check-ins, and weekly reviews to manage her household and achieve personal and family goals.

🎯 Decision-Making Framework: Jeanelle discusses her approach to prioritizing tasks and making decisions that ensure she remains fully present during family time.

🚀 Efficiency Hacks: From stacking her tasks to including her mom on work trips, Jeanelle shares practical tips for maximizing time with loved ones while managing professional responsibilities.

🧹 Division of Labor: Get an inside look at how Jeanelle and her husband share household duties and the importance of acknowledging each other's strengths to maintain balance.

🤝 Building a Support System: Jeanelle emphasizes the importance of finding your tribe and creating a supportive community of friends who share similar parenting stages and challenges.

🌟 Being Seen as a Leader: Jeanelle offers advice on how to be seen as a thought leader at work by focusing on high-visibility projects that align with the company's strategic priorities.

🗣️ Effective Communication: Jeanelle shares tips on honing your storytelling skills for impactful presentations, emphasizing the importance of clear and confident communication.

🔄 Consistency as a Superpower: Hear how Jeanelle's dedication to small, consistent efforts leads to significant achievements both at work and in her role as a mom.

Jeanelle's journey shows the power of consistency, intentionality, and community can have in achieving fulfillment between work and life. Seriously, get out your pen or your phone, this episode is filled with note-taking moments.

For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribe

Follow Jeanelle

• On Instagram here
• on LinkedIn here

Follow Barbara:

• On Instagram here
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Get the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.com

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Ashley Grech, Chief Revenue Officer of Xero and a mother of three energetic young boys. Ashley shared her journey and wisdom on balancing the demanding worlds of career and motherhood. This conversation offers inspiration and practical strategies for ambitious women striving to succeed both personally and professionally.

Tune in to hear Ashley’s take on…

- Workplace Culture: Ashley gives us the inside scoop on how to foster a supportive work environment for parents. She's a firm believer in transparency and the power of a strong support network.

- "Having It All": Is it a myth? Ashley challenges the notion and shares her secret sauce for managing it all – hint: delegation and automation are your friends.

- Maternity Leave & Taking a Career Pause: Learn how Ashley navigated the complexities of maternity leave, from candid conversations with employers to making bold life choices for her well-being.

- Work Travel Meets Family Travel: Ever thought of mixing business trips with family time? Ashley's shares how she found a role that allows both.

- Embracing Challenges: Get ready to be motivated by Ashley's personal mantra, "you can do hard things," and her infectious belief in overcoming obstacles with grace and grit.

Ashley's story highlights resilience, determination, and the power of believing in your own capabilities to overcome challenges. So, grab your headphones, and let's dive in. Trust me, you'll come away with a fresh perspective and maybe even a new mantra for those tough days.

For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from our guest, Kim, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribe

Follow Ashley on LinkedIn here.

Follow Barbara:

• On Instagram here
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Get the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.com

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

TLDR

Support Network and Delegating Tasks (00:04:46) Importance of external support network, including a partner, nanny, and friends, and the role of delegating tasks in managing a busy family life.

Automating Household Responsibilities (00:08:30) Discussion on the use of automation and delegation to manage household responsibilities and free up time for work and family.

Challenges as a Working Mother in a Male-Dominated Industry (00:13:50) Experiences and frustrations faced as a woman and mother in a male-dominated industry, including unconscious bias and returning from maternity leave.

Shifting Company Culture (00:17:24) Strategies for creating a supportive workplace culture, including transparency, benefits that support work-life balance, and the importance of documentation culture.

Returning to Work after Maternity Leave (00:20:07) The impact of returning to work after maternity leave, including the importance of feeling welcomed and valued in the workplace.

Creating a Maternity Leave Playbook for Work (00:21:25) Advice for creating a maternity leave playbook, including breaking down job responsibilities and discussing delegation with the team.

Maternity Leave Planning for Home (00:22:12) Strategies for managing maternity leave, including prioritization and creating a wonderful experience.

Leaving Job While Pregnant (00:26:56) The decision to leave a job while pregnant and the challenges associated with it.

Financial Planning for Career Pause (00:29:53) Discussion on financial planning and support from a partner during maternity leave.

Traveling for Work with Family (00:31:41) Strategies for traveling for work with the entire family and overcoming logistical challenges.

Mantra for Hard Days (00:34:39) A mantra for coping with the challenges of balancing work, motherhood, and self-identity.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Kim Gebbia Chappell, the former news anchor turned Chief Brand Officer at Bobbie, the revolutionary infant formula company. She’s sharing how she’s mastered the art of context switching as she juggles between managing a leadership role at a rocket ship startup and being a mom to three kids under age 6.

Key takeaways:

1. **Prioritize and Focus** Kim emphasizes the power of setting priorities both at work and at home. By focusing on a few key activities, you can make a meaningful impact.

2. **Build a Reliable Support Network** Having trustworthy childcare help is crucial for balancing work and motherhood. Kim shares who she has hired to help with childcare throughout the week and to help relieve her mental load.

3. **Don’t Aim for Perfection** Embrace the concept of "polished, not perfect." Pick your battles and focus on what truly matters to avoid unnecessary stress and burnout.

4. **Continuous Evolution in Leadership** Kim stresses the need for continuous change and growth in leadership as a business expands. Adaptability is key to sustained success.

5. **Create Sustainable Systems** Building effective systems and processes is essential for maintaining a work-life balance. Kim discusses the importance of mindset in creating sustainable routines.

6. **Normalize Work Challenges** Kim advocates for normalizing the challenges of motherhood in the workplace, promoting fluidity and transparency for moms.

7. **Take Risks and Follow Your Gut** Kim talks about her career shift to a startup, highlighting the importance of taking risks and trusting your instincts when making career decisions.

8. **Context Switch to Truly Stay Present** Kim shares her experiences of managing the chaos of work and motherhood fluently, emphasizing the value of adapting to different roles seamlessly, with some insight into how she makes the transition between her two worlds when working from home.

Dive into the episode for some real-world strategies and heartfelt conversations that will resonate with working parents everywhere.

For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from our guest, Kim, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribe

Follow Kim on LinkedIn here.

Follow Barbara:

• On Instagram here
• On LinkedIn here

Get the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.com

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, time with your kids, an active social calendar, a beautiful home, adventure and travel. But how do you actually do it all?

Welcome to the New Modern Mom podcast, a haven for ambitious moms who want to simplify the chaos of career and motherhood. 

In each episode, we'll have candid conversations with women who are powerhouses in their fields; VPs, CEOs and Founders you’ve likely admired on conference stages from afar. But here, they'll share a side of their stories that's rarely seen: the raw truth about what it takes to thrive, not just survive, this season of life.

We’ll be chatting about all the things:

• maternity leave experiences
• productivity tips
• overcoming imposter syndrome
• finding time for yourself
• mom guilt and burnout
• division of labor in the house
• what childcare is setup behind the scenes
• career growth strategies
• and even infertility and pregnancy loss 

There are going to be so many tools and frameworks coming from these conversations, you’ll be taking plenty of notes.

Consider this your inner circle. Together, we’ll explore how these remarkable women are redefining success to find work-life fulfillment. With each episode, we’re building a new playbook for the new modern mom.

Get bonus tools and strategies from each guest by subscribing to New Modern Mom at newmodernmom.com/subscribe. Follow Barbara on Instagram @newmodernmom and LinkedIn /barbaramighdoll