Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms

In today's episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Michelle Kivisto, a current marketing specialist and former sales manager who stepped away from her career for 10 years to become a stay-at-home mom. What she didn't expect was how quietly she would begin to lose her sense of identity in the process.

After reentering the workforce as a marketing specialist, Michelle found creative outlets that helped her reconnect with herself and build community beyond motherhood. Today Michelle shares her truth about loving her children deeply while still missing herself.

In this conversation we talk about:

• The emotional shift from career woman to stay-at-home mom
• The subtle sights that she was losing her sense of self
• The guilt and internal conflict that came with wanting something, “just for her”
• The steps she took to reclaim her identity outside her role as a mom
• How improv classes and memoir writing helped Michelle reconnect with herself
• What her transition looked like when returning to the workforce after years at home
• Why having an identity outside of motherhood actually makes you a more present partner and mom

If you've been feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected or unsure of who you even are anymore, this conversation might just give you permission to take one small step back toward yourself.

Find Michelle at:

Instagram: yesandyoutoo

Facebook: yesandyoutoo

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://www.christigmyrcoaching.com/podcast

In today's episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Gretchen de Castellane, a former corporate leader who spent more than 20 years leading creative teams at Mattel for billion-dollar brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, all while raising her child as a single mom.

It was exciting, meaningful work but over time she poured so much of herself into the role that she lost sight of who she really was. Eventually, life gave her the nudge she didn't know she needed. The career chapter she thought would always define her suddenly came to a close. But that ending became the doorway to something new.

In this honest conversation we talk about:

• what burnout really looked like behind the scenes of a high-level corporate career
• the emotional toll of being the only parent while leading at work
• shifting beliefs about what it means to be a “good mom” and a “successful woman”
• unique challenges working moms face when they don't have a partner to share the load
• misconceptions and the things often misunderstood about being a single mom
• small changes that can make the biggest difference
• practical first steps to create, “a next act that truly fits who you are now”

For more than 20 years, Gretchen led creative teams at Mattel for billion-dollar brands like Hot Wheels and Barbie. What once felt exciting and meaningful eventually led to severe burnout, especially as she navigated single motherhood.

When the career chapter she thought would define her came to an unexpected close, she found herself rebuilding from the ground up. Through neuroscience, flow psychology, and spiritual practices, she became a certified High Flow Coach and now helps leaders and change-makers reignite their spark and create work and lives that feel aligned and sustainable.

Find Gretchen at:

Website: https://www.riteofpassagecoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchendecastellane/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchendecastellane/

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://www.christigmyrcoaching.com/podcast

If you're a working mom who's stretched too thin and afraid that setting boundaries at work will make you look, “less committed,” this episode is for you.

Today on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Lori Lynn Smith, a corporate executive, strategies, and wellness guide who brings over 20 years of leadership experience managing multi-million dollar tech and strategy projects while raising four kids as a single mom. Lori has lived the reality so many working moms are in: impossible deadlines, blurred boundaries and the pressure to perform.

You've heard on other episodes about ways to set boundaries and take care of yourself at home, but today we look at the problem from another direction. Together we talk about burnout in the work place and how to avoid it by hearing insights from a woman in charge. Lori shares practical strategies working moms can use to:

• set boundaries at work without losing credibility
• communicate needs clearly and professionally
• use boundaries as a leadership tool and not a liability
• advocate for yourself in systems that weren't designed for working moms
• understand how leaders and managers can better support working moms instead of pushing them closer to burnout

You don't have to choose between being respected at work and taking care of yourself. Boundaries aren't a weakness. They're a skill.

Lori Lynn Smith is a strategist, executive leader, and wellness guide who has lived the reality of burnout. A single mom of four while climbing the corporate ladder, she learned firsthand how chronic stress impacts women’s health, confidence, and careers. Now an MBA at 50 and founder of Flourishing Rebel and Strategy Rebel, Lori Lynn helps women build sustainable boundaries, protect their energy, and design careers and lives that actually support them — especially during midlife and peri-menopause.

Find Lori at:

www.lorilynnsmith.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorilynnsmith/

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://www.christigmyrcoaching.com/podcast

***This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including trauma, addiction, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.***

What happens when life appears to be shining brightly on the outside but darkness is lurking underneath?

In this deeply honest conversation on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Leah Johnson, a former political strategist whose impressive resume includes national campaigns, public office and “mom”. But behind the appearance of success, Leah was burned out and struggling with trauma and addiction. Forced to step back, she re-evaluated her priorities and started fresh in many ways. Now she lives with the freedom to be herself and know how far from perfect she is.

In this episode Leah opens up about the dark season that forced her to step back and re-evaluate everything she thought success was supposed to look like. We talk about the dark side of Leah's success; the role of her past trauma and path to addiction; why stepping away from success felt terrifying and necessary; the importance of letting go of perfection; and what it means to advocate for yourself and choose joy again. Leah's story is raw, compassionate and deeply human.

***This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including trauma, addiction, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.***

If these topics feel triggering or overwhelming for you, I encourage you to skip this episode or return to it at another time. Please prioritize your emotional well-being and listen in a way that feels supportive to you.

This podcast is intended for informational and supportive purposes only and does not replace therapy, medical care, or professional mental health treatment. If you experience distress while listening, consider pausing the episode and reaching out to a trusted person or a qualified mental health professional.

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please contact your local emergency number. If you are in the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available, and you do not have to navigate this alone.

Leah Johnson is a speaker, retreat leader, and imperfect mom of two who spent over 25 years in campaign politics and public affairs before being forced to re-evaluate everything she thought she wanted. Through spiritual awakening, trauma healing, and radical self-honesty, Leah now helps women reconnect with joy, authenticity, and self-advocacy including leading spiritual journeys for women to Teotihuacan.

Find Leah at:

www.findingfantasticjoy.com

IG: @findingfantasticjoy

Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-johnson-findingfantasticjoy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahjohnsondickson/

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://www.christigmyrcoaching.com/podcast

If you're a working mom who constantly feels like you're living in survival mode, this episode is for you.

In today's episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Madisen Rose, a somatic practitioner and the founder of Better Half to Whole, to talk about nervous system regulation in a way that makes sense for busy, burned out working moms. No complicated routines and no pretending you have hours of uninterrupted time to care for yourself.

Madisen shares how somatic work can help moms gently regulate an overloaded nervous system, rebuild a sense of safety in their bodies, and feel more grounded in their relationships even in the middle of full schedules and constant demands.

In this episode we talk about how chronic stress shows up in the body; what nervous system dysregulation actually looks like in everyday mom life; what's happening in our nervous system when we're stuck in that constant “go-go-go” state; how somatic work and nervous system regulation set the foundation for stress management and burnout recovery; different ways moms can begin to reconnect with their bodies; and simple somatic practices that go beyond deep breathing and quick fixes.

When your nervous system is overloaded, remember....with the right support and small, intentional practices, it is possible to feel calmer, more present, and more like yourself again.

Find Madisen at:

www.betterhalftowhole.com

https://www.instagram.com/betterhalftowhole

https://www.facebook.com/p/Better-half-to-whole-61559844363076/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/madisen-rose-bhtw

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://overcaffeinatedandoutofeffspodcast.christigmyrcoaching.com/be-a-guest

What happens when the “safe” career path no longer fits but walking away feels terrifying?

In this episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by author, audiobook narrator, and creative entrepreneur, Katie Thompson. Katie shares her journey from corporate stability to building multiple creative businesses, all while navigating motherhood, identity shifts and the pressure to figure it out.

Together we talk about the fear that comes with leaving a stable job; redefining success after becoming a mom; the struggle between creativity, ambition and being present at home; how Katie planned and funded her own three-month maternity leave; and the messy, nonlinear reality of building a life that fits.

Remember, it's okay to evolve. It's okay to pivot. And it's okay to create success on your own terms.

Find Katie at:

Narrator:

https://www.bookkatiethompson.com/

https://www.instagram.com/katiethompsonnarrator/

https://www.tiktok.com/@katiethompsonnarrator

Author:

https://katiethompsonauthor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kbaxterauthor/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kbaxterauthor

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://overcaffeinatedandoutofeffspodcast.christigmyrcoaching.com/be-a-guest

Returning from work after having a baby is hard under any circumstance. For many moms, it feels nearly impossible. The exhaustion, the guilt, the pressure to keep up, and the fear of falling behind can be there before you've even had time to heal.

In this episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Beth Wanner, founder of Mother Cover, an agency that provides interim and fractional coverage that helps companies maintain momentum while supporting employees through parental and caregiver leave. Together we have an honest conversation about why parental leave in the U.S is broken and why so many moms feel burned out before they're even back to work.

Beth brings a powerful perspective as both a former tech executive and a mother who has personally navigated infertility, pregnancy and the emotional toll of returning to work without adequate support. She shares what she's seen on both sides and how companies can support new moms without sacrificing business performance.

In this episode we talk about why so many moms are forced back to work way too soon after childbirth; the emotional and mental load of returning to work as a new mom; how lack of parental leave support leads to burnout for moms and their teams; what better parental leave support can actually look like in practice; and what moms can do if they want to advocate for better support at work.

If you've ever felt like you were failing because motherhood and work felt unsustainable, this episode is your reminder that you're not weak and you're not alone. The system wasn't built to support you.

Find Beth at:

Website: https://www.mothercoveragency.com/

Mother Cover LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mother-cover/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothercoveragency/

Beth's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethwanner/

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://overcaffeinatedandoutofeffspodcast.christigmyrcoaching.com/be-a-guest

In this episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Morgan Adams, a holistic sleep coach for women who struggle with getting restful sleep consistently. Morgan understands firsthand how insomnia can impact quality of life and therefore helps women improve their relationship with sleep so they can live less stressful days. Morgan shares her own journey through years of insomnia and use of prescription medications before reshaping her understanding of rest, healing and holistic well-being.

Together we explore why burnout makes quality sleep so difficult and what actually helps. We talk about why burned out moms often lie wide awake at night despite their exhaustion; how chronic stress and emotional overload disrupt their ability to rest; why so many moms can't turn off their brains when they go to bed; behaviors and patterns that keep them in poor sleep cycles; and realistic strategies moms can take to help them start sleeping better.

Your nervous system may be overwhelmed but with the right support, rest is possible again.

Find Morgan at:

www.morganadamswellness.com

https://www.instagram.com/morganadams.wellness/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganadamswellness/

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://overcaffeinatedandoutofeffspodcast.christigmyrcoaching.com/be-a-guest

In this episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Julie Coraccio, an award-winning professional declutterer & organizer, certified life coach, author, and host of the popular podcast, Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out as we talk about how different kinds of clutter fuel burnout for working moms.

Julie helps us look beyond the piles of stuff and explore the various forms of clutter (physical, mental, emotional, relational and financial) and how they drain our energy and make burnout feel inevitable. Together we talk about why getting organized isn't about perfection, but about creating space to breathe, think clearly and feel more like yourself again.

In this episode we talk about why a cluttered home can overload our nervous system; the different types of clutter that affect working moms beyond just physical stuff; how clutter contributes to anxiety, decision fatigue and emotional exhaustion; and simple, realistic ways busy moms can start creating more calm and clarity.

Find Julie at:

https://reawakenyourbrilliance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ReawakenYourBrilliance

https://www.instagram.com/reawakenyourbrilliance/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliescoraccio/

https://www.youtube.com/user/SeibertRadio?feature=watch

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://overcaffeinatedandoutofeffspodcast.christigmyrcoaching.com/be-a-guest

In this episode of Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs I'm joined by Kate Hendrickson, a former corporate leader and mom who stepped away from the consulting world to pursue her dream of writing, while keeping one foot in the consulting space. Kate is expanding her audience this holiday season with her debut novel, Christmas Switch, a witty holiday rom-com about a mom who is fed up with the chaos of Christmas preparations and decides to swap roles with her husband. Christmas Switch is a story inspired by the real-life juggle of working parents trying to do it all.

In our conversation Kate opens up about her own burnout story while living in the corporate world; the fear, guilt and uncertainty that came with stepping away from a role she worked so hard to earn; the freedom that came with changing paths; and how creativity and writing helped her reconnect with herself.

We also talked about the emotional load so many moms carry, why asking for help can feel so hard, and how small shifts in responsibility can create space for deeper connection and understanding at home.

Find Kate at:

https://www.kate-hendrickson.com

[email protected]

Looking for extra support? You can find me at:

www.christigmyrcoaching.com

Facebook: Christi Gmyr Coaching

Free Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/careermindedmom

Want to be a guest on Overcaffeinated and Out of Effs: For Burned Out, Career-Minded Moms? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17509013050277528a6155ff9

You can also apply at: https://overcaffeinatedandoutofeffspodcast.christigmyrcoaching.com/be-a-guest