What if pressing pause on your career isn’t the end—but the beginning of becoming more fully you?

In this episode, I sit down with Neha Ruch—founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause—to explore what it means to hold ambition and motherhood in the same breath. Neha shares her deeply personal story of stepping off the traditional career ladder after Stanford Business School, embracing full-time motherhood, and birthing a movement to rebrand what it means to be a “stay-at-home mom.”

Together, we unpack the emotional nuances of downshifting, the power of redefining success, and why support isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether you're deep in the trenches of early motherhood, navigating the messy middle of building a creative dream, or sprinting into a new season of career growth, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and more free to design a life that actually fits.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Neha believes ambition doesn’t die in motherhood—it evolves

• How she navigated career pauses without losing herself or her vision

• What it really takes to keep a creative project alive in the early years

• The truth about modern stay-at-home motherhood (and how it’s misrepresented)

• How to communicate with your partner, kids, and yourself through career transitions

• Why having help is not a luxury—it's a form of dignity

• How to drop the guilt and trust the timing of your life

• What “the new ambition” looks like for women leading in life and at home

About Neha Ruch: Neha is the founder of Mother Untitled, a digital platform redefining ambition for women in caregiving seasons. A Stanford MBA and former brand strategist, Neha now leads conversations on modern motherhood, identity, and work. Her debut book The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids and Come Back Stronger Than Ever is out now from Putnam.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Mother Untitled

• The Power Pause Book

• Follow Neha on Instagram: @neha_ruch