Working Mom Moments | Work Life Balance, Energy, Stress, Career, Time Management, Mom Guilt

In today’s episode, I continue our conversation about the silent second job nearly 73% of us are doing: caregiving. Balancing paid work and unpaid care for family members, pets, or children — especially as working moms — is real, relentless, and often invisible. I lay out why self-care isn’t luxury—it’s essential. Drawing on my 15 years as a working mom and 20 years aiding families in senior living, I share how overlooking self-care isn’t just cliché; it can lead to burnout, physical decline, and reduced work performance. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re fences that protect our well-being and sustain our ability to care for others.

Throughout the episode, I illustrate how asking for help is one of the most powerful self-care moves we can make. I share data showing that 59% of employees don’t seek support due to fear of appearing weak, and that caregiver-employees face higher rates of depression (87%) and turnover. I compare this to experiences I’ve seen in senior living—like caregivers declining faster than those they care for—highlighting that neglecting our own needs doesn’t serve anyone. It’s not about perfection; it’s about protection and sustainability.

I close with encouragement to build micro-rituals—whether five quiet minutes in the car, a dinner with friends, or extending a trip for solitude—and to embrace asking for help as a power move.

Starting today, I urge listeners to consider: What is one thing you can do for your own peace? Setting that boundary, advocating for yourself, and accepting support isn’t selfish—it’s smart. Because when we care for ourselves, we show up stronger—for our families, our careers, and most importantly, for ourselves.

For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

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Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

What if I told you that nearly three out of four people at your workplace are secretly working a second job? A job with no paycheck, no benefits—and no off switch. It’s called caregiving. And chances are, you’re one of them. In this episode, we’re breaking the silence around what it really means to be a working caregiver—so you can finally feel seen, supported, and reminded: you are not alone.

In this eye-opening episode of Working Mom Moments, I expose the invisible reality that 73% of employees are also caregivers—juggling professional responsibilities with raising children, supporting aging parents, or both. From the emotional toll to the workplace silence that feeds burnout, this episode explores the mental load, working mom guilt, and the career sacrifices being made in silence.

If you’ve ever:

Used PTO just to survive the week

Skipped opportunities because you’re drowning at home

Felt like you’re holding up your job and your family alone

…this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear:

The shocking statistics about employee caregivers

How caregiving leads to burnout, isolation, and career sacrifice

What employers must do to support the people holding everything together

Why staying silent is hurting us—and how speaking up can change everything

If you've ever googles the following words...this episode is for you: working moms, caregiver burnout, mental load, sandwich generation, eldercare, mom guilt, invisible labor, employee caregivers, flexible work, caregiving at work.

00:00 – “A second job with no paycheck or off switch”: redefining caregiving

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

Welcome back to Working Mom Moments! In this inspiring episode, I sit down with one of my favorite humans—and my boss—Amy Birkel, Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Communities. Amy opens up about her journey as a working mom of three and shares hard-won wisdom from her seat in the C-suite.

Together, we dive into:

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, stuck in reactive mode, or unsure how to move forward, this episode will equip you with empowering tools and perspective shifts to take back control. Whether you’re leading a team or leading bedtime routines, this conversation is for you.

Hit play for a real, relatable, and radically helpful conversation on what it takes to grow your career without losing yourself along the way.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:58 Amy Birkel's Career Journey

02:25 Balancing Work and Motherhood

05:07 Leadership and Empowerment

09:48 The Empowerment Dynamic

21:01 Balancing Home and Work Dynamics

22:08 Focusing on Desired Outcomes

25:19 The Empowerment Dynamic

30:59 Three Vital Questions

34:02 Personal Growth and Reflection

37:37 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Follow Amy Birkel:

Click here – LinkedIn

Click here – Heritage Communities

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

Boost Your Energy as a Working Mom, through Integrative Health and Balanced Living

In this comprehensive episode of Working Mom Moments, I sit down with Nicole Szpilka, Vice President and co-founder of Coastal MD, to delve into the essentials of integrative healthcare for busy working moms.

Nicole discusses the significance of distinguishing between lifespan and health-span and emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being through nutrition, hydration, exercise, stress management, and sleep. These are the five pillars of total health, and critical for working moms to pay attention to!

She offers practical tips for maintaining a balanced diet, including meal prep and mindful eating, and stresses the crucial role of hydration for mental clarity and energy levels. The episode also covers the benefits of IV hydration and specialized vitamin cocktails for quick, effective rehydration.

Nicole highlights the value of consistent exercise, particularly walking and strength training, for boosting energy and overall health, addressing the differences between morning and evening workouts. She shares her personal journey in balancing a busy career and family life, illustrating how quality time with loved ones can coexist with professional success.

Moreover, Nicole explores stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and breath work, all tailored to the hectic schedules of working moms. She also dives into the pivotal role of sleep in restoring the body and regulating hormones, sharing her experience with sleep training for better nighttime rest. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration, making it a must-listen for any mom striving to balance a thriving career with a healthy, happy home life.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:31 Nicole's Journey and Coastal MD

02:52 Balancing Work and Family Life

05:40 Foundations of Health: Nutrition

13:50 Hydration and Its Importance

15:53 IV Hydration and Vitamin Cocktails

18:45 Exercise and Energy Management

19:18 The Importance of Exercise

19:42 Walking and Strength Training for Women

22:24 Morning vs. Night Exercise

27:15 Managing Stress for Working Moms

34:01 The Role of Sleep in Wellbeing

35:28 Personal Sleep Training Success

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Follow Nicole and Coastal MD here:

Follow Nicole Polemini, PA-C:

Learn more about Coastal MD:

Follow Coastal MD:

Click here – Instagram

Click here – Facebook

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

Mastering Time Management and Home Systems with Chelsi Jo

In this episode of Working Mom Moments, Chelsi Jo shares her expertise on systematizing and time blocking to help working moms manage their time effectively and create consistent income without sacrificing their family or personal life.

With 17 years of corporate experience and her own business, Chelsi Jo has developed a home management system broken into four key parts: time management, task management, tidying and maintaining the home, and involving the family. She dissects the concept of time blocking, emphasizing the importance of morning and nighttime routines and provides actionable steps to maintain efficiency, reduce overwhelm, and ensure self-care.

Chelsi Jo also tackles the myth of multitasking and offers strategic tips for balancing work and home life.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:53 Chelsea Jo's Journey to Systematization

03:44 Understanding Home Management Systems

06:14 The Four Key Systems of Home Management

08:08 Time Blocking for Working Moms

21:35 Balancing Tasks and Time Management

25:16 Multitasking and Efficiency

26:51 Prioritizing Self-Care for Moms

30:40 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

You can find more information about Chelsi Jo here!

www.chelsijo.co

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

In this inspiring episode, Kelly Roach, an eight-figure entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, joins Working Mom Moments to discuss the essential strategies working moms need to balance career and family life.

Kelly shares insights on viewing oneself as a catalyst rather than a cap, the importance of focusing on 'blue chip' activities, and the dangers of living in the 'FOHG' of fear, obligation, habit, and guilt.

She emphasizes the significance of prioritizing personal well-being to sustain long-term success and happiness. Kelly also introduces the concept of Kairos time, encouraging women to focus on God's timing rather than man-made deadlines.

Tune in for actionable advice on how to ruthlessly manage your time and achieve life and career goals without compromising family and personal health.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:27 Kelly Roche's Background and Achievements

01:38 Balancing Motherhood and Career

02:17 The Cap and Catalyst Concept

04:46 Blue Chip Activities for Working Moms

07:05 Overcoming Fear, Obligation, Habit, and Guilt (FOG)

09:24 Prioritizing Family and Faith

19:26 Making Intentional Life Decisions

24:42 Final Thoughts and Resources

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Want to stay in touch with Kelly? Here's how!

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01BUMNVZ2

Bigger Than You Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Bigger-Than-You-Audiobook/B0DMR2FB2P

Freebies/opt-ins: 

https://thekellyroach.com/reinvention - Masterfully craft your next game-changing breakthrough for record-breaking growth and industry domination with Kelly Roach’s FREE Business Reinvention Playbook.

https://thekellyroach.com/shift - Unlock the critical mindset shifts required to expand your capacity, command the strategic growth process in your company, and avoid entrepreneurial burnout with Kelly Roach’s FREE 5 Essential Internal Shifts to Soar from 7-8 Figures Guide.

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

Working Mom Moments is baaaaack!!

In our last episode, we talked about the importance of pausing and pivoting. In today's episode, we expand more on this topic and dive into the impact of change. 

Change can be hard and it can be painful. But there are unexpected gifts that can come from change if we are open to looking at our situations differently.

Through my own frustrations with change shared on this episode, I was able to find clarity and a little corner of peace.

In upcoming shows, we'll spend time with working moms who are juggling career and motherhood...and their perspectives, tips and techniques that we can all learn from. 

I'm looking forward to learning and growing together as a working mom community!

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Email me: [email protected] 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

As a working mom, it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of commitments and obligations. From professional responsibilities to personal goals, we often find ourselves juggling an endless list of tasks.

In the midst of the chaos, it’s important to recognize the importance of pausing, reflecting, and reprioritizing. Sometimes in our careers we take a step back, while other times we take a huge leap forward. Similarly, as our children grow, we find ourselves in phases where we can lean into our career because of their independence and other times when they simply need more time and energy from us.

Through it all, though, remember why you started. What was your dream? The one that gets you energized and out of bed thinking about? Don't lose sight of your dream...even if you need to hit pause for a moment.

I am living proof that pause does not coincide with failure. A pause in life doesn't have to be goodbye or a pivot, it can simply be a holding place. 

Thank you, truly, for letting me be part of your working mom journey this past year. It's time for me to hit pause on an area of life, to focus on others. You have been the best community and I look forward to coming back on air to connect with you in the future.

Don't Quit Your Daydream.

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Pre-order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Rent the Runway Discount Code

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Connect with me: [email protected] 

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

If you're ready to create the work life blend you've always dreamed of, I'm here for you! Grab time on my calendar for coaching here. 

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In today's fast-paced, achievement-oriented society, working moms face a unique and often overwhelming set of challenges. Juggling careers, households, parenting, and personal ambitions requires an extraordinary level of dedication and resilience. Despite all of the concentrated efforts, many find it difficult to ask for help. This reluctance is often rooted in a complex interplay of societal expectations, internalized beliefs, and practical concerns.

The reality of asking for help is often vastly different from our internal fears and assumptions about how others will perceive us. This discrepancy can be understood through a phenomenon known as the "Spotlight Effect" and also relates to concepts like "Impostor Syndrome."

Working moms might feel that asking for help will expose them as inadequate or unfit for their roles, even if this is far from the truth. They might believe others will see them as failing to meet their responsibilities, while in reality, others might see them as strong for recognizing and addressing their needs.

Ready to grow past the difficulty of asking for help? Let's dive in!

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For the direct links shared on this episode and previous shows, click below!

Pre-order my new book: The Working Mom Blend

Rent the Runway Discount Code

Join my community: Working Mom Moments Facebook Group

Get the latest - Email Newsletter: www.lacyjungman.com/insider 

Connect with me: [email protected] 

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyjungman/ 

If you're ready to create the work life blend you've always dreamed of, I'm here for you! Grab time on my calendar for coaching here.