The Chaotic Middle - A Podcast for Women in Business

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Kelly Velasquez to The Chaotic Middle podcast to discuss her decision to transition from a 12-year corporate career, which was prompted by burnout, a toxic work environment, and a surprise pregnancy.

Kelly Velasquez shared a simplified journaling habit and her "rest versus resistance" experiment, which helps her differentiate between genuine tiredness and procrastination to find "flow," which is integral to her business focus on efficient systems connecting career, life, and tech.

If you enjoy this candid conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle podcast for more conversations with moms living life in the chaotic middle!

FOLLOW KELLY 

→ Website

→ Substack

WHERE TO FIND AMANDA

→ Website

→ LinkedIn

→ Threads

→ Facebook

→ Instagram 

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Julia Bocchese, an SEO, Pinterest, and AI search strategist and the founder of Julia Renee Consulting, to the Chaotic Middle podcast to discuss her background, business strategies, and entrepreneurial journey.

Julia Bocchese shared her methods for managing a packed schedule through consistent childcare and team outsourcing, emphasizing the importance of setting strict client boundaries through contracts and detailed proposals, and using Zoom for calls to avoid sharing personal contact information.

If you enjoy this candid conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle podcast for more conversations with moms living life in the chaotic middle!

FOLLOW JULIA 

→ Website

→ Instagram

→ LinkedIn

WHERE TO FIND AMANDA

→ Website

→ LinkedIn

→ Threads

→ Facebook

→ Instagram 

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down alone to recap the first month of The Chaotic Middle episodes and share what she’s learned in the short two months since she started interviewing guests.

In the episode, she shares which of her blog posts has gotten the most traffic and how allowing one person’s admission to be your permission to let go, too. Listen in as she talks about how embracing all of those chaotic, messy parts could actually lead to something beautiful – both in business and in life.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle podcast for more conversations with moms living life in the chaotic middle!

And if you hate this episode, don’t worry! Amanda will be back next week with another inspiring interview with a fellow mom in business who is navigating her own chaotic middle.

WHERE TO FIND AMANDA

→ Website

→ LinkedIn

→ Threads

→ Facebook

→ Instagram 

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down with Heidy De La Cruz, a content creator, podcast coach, mom of 2, and host of the award-winning podcast "The American Dream Through the Eyes of Immigrants.”

Heidy De La Cruz shared insights into balancing her 9-to-5 job, content creation, and coaching business with motherhood, attributing her success to a flexible work schedule, divine strength, and her husband's strong support. 

Listen in as Amanda and Heidy discuss the importance of a strong community, a solid partnership, and shedding traditional societal pressures. 

If you enjoy this candid conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle podcast for more conversations with moms living life in the chaotic middle!

FOLLOW HEIDY 

→ The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast

→ Instagram

WHERE TO FIND AMANDA

→ Website

→ LinkedIn

→ Threads

→ Facebook

→ Instagram 

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down with Amy Pierre Russo to discuss Amy's coaching practice, which focuses on shifting from work-life balance to work-life harmony and integration. 

Amy Pierre Russo, whose background is in HR, emphasized the need for working mothers to have space, support, and resources, noting that clients often struggle with the pressure of "balance" and benefit from community to disrupt the pay and support gaps. 

Amanda and Amy’s discussion included the importance of setting default boundaries proactively, establishing intentional self-care, and addressing the "power through attitude" to ensure efforts align with personal goals rather than solely fulfilling others' needs.

If you enjoy this candid conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle podcast for more conversations with moms living life in the chaotic middle!

FOLLOW AMY 

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwamy/

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingw_amy/

→ Links to FREE resources: https://coachingwamy.start.page 

WHERE TO FIND AMANDA

→ Website: https://chaoscoordinationllc.com

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-courtney-russell/ 

→ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@chaoscoordinationllc

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chaoscoordinationllc

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaoscoordinationllc 

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down with content writer and mom of 2, Katie Kastner, to discuss how Katie's hope to produce content that counters the prevalence of too many men with microphones was a catalyst for the creation of The Chaotic Middle.

Katie details the pivot of "The Haven" from a community for business-owning mothers to one for creative women entrepreneurs, expressing excitement about the business alignment and the nearly 40 women on the waiting list. 

Hear about Katie’s “I don’t know era” and how the unexpected path of stay-at-home motherhood led to an identity crisis, emphasizing the importance of pursuing personal fulfillment and knowing one's capacity when starting a business as a new mother.

If you enjoy this candid conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle podcast for more conversations with moms living life in the chaotic middle!

FOLLOW KATIE 

→ Threads

→ TikTok

WHERE TO FIND AMANDA

→ Website

→ LinkedIn

→ Threads

→ Facebook

→ Instagram 

Ever feel like you're juggling a zillion things while someone hands you a baby and asks for a business plan? Yeah, me too.

I'm Amanda Russell, the writer and content strategist behind Chaos Coordination, and welcome to The Chaotic Middle—the podcast for women who are balancing businesses, babies, and everything in between.