Mighty As A Mother

Trust is the hidden infrastructure underneath every relationship we have: at work, in our marriages, in our friendships, and with ourselves. In this episode of Mighty as a Mother, workplace trust expert and bestselling author Minda Harts walks us through her Seven Trust Languages framework and the real, hidden cost of broken trust for working mothers, including how to rebuild trust at work and at home, how to advocate for what you need, and why self-trust is where it all starts. What if the thing quietly eroding your closest relationships isn't a trust problem at all, but a communication one? That's the question Minda kept coming back to, and it reframed this entire conversation for us. Minda Harts is the creator of the Seven Trust Languages and the author of Talk to Me Nice, The Memo, Right Within, and You Are More Than Magic. She's an adjunct professor at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the founder of The Memo LLC, and an award-winning filmmaker. LinkedIn named her its number one Top Voice in the Workplace, and Business Insider put her on its list of 100 People Transforming Business. She's helped teams at Nike, Google, Best Buy, and Zoom learn how to actually talk to one another. We wanted her at our table because trust isn't just a boardroom strategy. It shows up in your Slack messages and your group texts, in the way you ask for help and the way you don't. Minda spent years as "the only" in the room, having panic attacks she couldn't name, before she found the language she was missing. That search became the seven trust languages, and in this episode we widen the lens all the way from the office to the whole of a woman's life. Together we talk candidly about: Why trust rarely breaks in one big act of betrayal, and how it actually erodes in the small, quiet moments we sweep under the rug The seven trust languages, and how to identify your primary, secondary, and tertiary The stories we invent when we don't have the full picture ("my manager must hate me"), and how one honest conversation can dismantle them How to ask your boss for what you need without torching the relationship Why "clear is kind," and how your tone can change everything even when the words are identical Bringing the trust languages home: keeping your word with your kids, your partner, and your closest friends The generational trust gap at work, and why boomers and Gen Z experience the same workplace so differently What to do when you don't feel safe enough to even start the conversation The single question every leader, partner, and friend should be asking: "What do you need from me?" How to rebuild trust once it's fractured, and why demonstration always beats a quick apology You'll leave this one with language for things you've been feeling but couldn't name, and one small, doable thing you can do today to start repairing a relationship that matters to you. Links & resources Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace by Minda Harts The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts Minda's website: mindaharts.com Minda on Instagram: @mindaharts Minda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mindaharts

In this episode of Mighty as a Mother, we sit down with Shasta Nelson — friendship researcher, bestselling author, and one of the leading experts on adult female friendship and loneliness — to talk about why so many women feel disconnected even in their fullest lives, and what it actually takes to build the kind of close female friendships that sustain us. There's a kind of loneliness that doesn't look the way we picture it. It's not the woman alone in a dark apartment. It's the one running carpool, answering emails, texting a dozen people, and still going to bed feeling unseen. It's the mom surrounded by her kids, her colleagues, her neighborhood — and somehow starving for real connection. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. For more than 15 years, Shasta Nelson has studied how adults form and maintain friendships — what makes closeness thrive and why so many women feel deeply disconnected even in their fullest lives. She is the author of three acclaimed books on female friendship, a two-time TEDx speaker, and the former Chief Friendship Officer of the US Chamber of Connections. Her work blends research with lived experience, making the science of female friendship feel not just meaningful — but urgent. In this conversation, we explore why women's loneliness is so misunderstood, what close friendships actually require, and how to build the kind of relationships that carry us through every season — especially the hard ones. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why up to 60% of people report feeling lonely regularly — and why the loneliest women are often the most socially connected What loneliness actually is (it's a biological signal, not a personal failing — and the shame around it is making the female friendship crisis worse) The 200-hour friendship rule: why it takes 200 hours to build a best friendship as an adult — and what to do with that number Shasta's Frientimacy Triangle — the three requirements every healthy female friendship needs: Positivity, Consistency, and Vulnerability How to diagnose which element of deep female friendship is missing in your closest relationships right now Why most adult friendships die when the "container" changes (the job, the school, the neighborhood) — and how to prevent it How to ask for more from a friendship — more honesty, support, or reciprocity — without making it awkward What modeling female friendship in front of your kids actually does for them — and why most of us are doing it in hiding About Shasta Nelson Shasta Nelson is one of the leading experts on female friendship and adult loneliness. She is the author of Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness, Friendships Don't Just Happen, and The Business of Friendship, and has spoken at TEDx, corporations, and women's organizations worldwide. She is the former Chief Friendship Officer of the US Chamber of Connections and the founder of GirlFriendCircles.com — one of the first friendship-matching platforms for adult women. Links & Resources Mentioned: Shasta Nelson's website: www.shastanelson.com Shasta on Instagram: @shastanelson Shasta on LinkedIn: Shasta Nelson Books by Shasta Nelson: Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness Friendships Don't Just Happen The Business of Friendship Previous MAAM episode on female friendship: Anna Goldfarb on friendship For more research-informed conversations on female friendship, motherhood, ambition, and wellness, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Substack

In a world reshaping itself around how, where, and why we work, what does leadership actually look like—especially when you're also navigating motherhood? In this episode, we sit down with Anna Squires-Levine, President of Industrious (and mama of three), to explore that question and more. Anna joined Industrious nearly a decade ago when it was just a few co-working spaces—and helped scale it to 300+ locations across 10 countries. Now, she's guiding the company into a new era after its acquisition by CBRE, all while welcoming her third baby. Together, we talk candidly about: How to lead during life's most chaotic transitions The myth of balance and the radical act of choosing your kind of hard Why human-centered workspaces are more critical than ever—and how Industrious is redefining what it means to "go to work" The honest truth about ambition, identity shifts, and the emotional tug-of-war working moms face daily Practical questions to ask yourself when you're standing at a career crossroads This one's for the moms holding it all—the dream, the diapers, the deadline. Anna's wisdom is both grounding and galvanizing, reminding us that the future of work isn't just flexible. It's human. Links & Resources 👉 Learn more about Industrious 👉 Follow Anna on LinkedIn 👉 Jenn's essay on hustle culture: "My Career is My Refuge" 👉 Book rec: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz For more honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen—and follow along on Instagram @mightyasamotherpodcast.

If you've ever wondered, "Why did no one tell me menopause could start in my 30s?" — this one's for you. In today's episode, we're joined by Lauren Tetenbaum—psychotherapist, mom of two, and author of Millennial Menopause—to talk about the season of life we all deserve to understand sooner: perimenopause and menopause. Lauren breaks down the science but more importantly, she reframes this stage as one of power, possibility, and presence. This isn't your mother's menopause conversation—it's real talk for modern women navigating aging, ambition, identity, and everything in between. You'll hear: Why menopause is still one of the last great taboos—and how we start breaking the silence The sneaky early symptoms of perimenopause most women ignore How to advocate for yourself when your doctor isn't listening (because many won't) What younger women can do now to make their future menopause less overwhelming The surprising connection between menopause, ambition, and identity shifts What it means to reclaim joy in a season the world tells us is all decline Whether you're in it, near it, or still think it's not your problem yet, this episode is your permission slip to get curious, informed, and even excited about what's next. Links + Resources: Learn more about Lauren and her work: The CounseLaur Lauren's book: Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period Follow Lauren on Instagram: @thecounselaur For more honest, empowering conversations about motherhood, hormones, and identity, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother wherever you get your podcasts—and follow us on Instagram @mightyasamotherpodcast.

If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, "Who even am I anymore?" — this one's for you. In today's episode, we're joined by author, coach, doula, and researcher Jessie Harold, who's spent nearly two decades walking alongside women through one of the most profound identity shifts of their lives: becoming a mother. We dive deep into matrescence — the emotional, psychological, and spiritual transformation of motherhood — and why understanding it might just be the permission slip you've been waiting for. Whether you're still in the baby trenches or facing new transitions (hello, kindergarten drop-off or career reinvention), this episode will give you the language, validation, and tools to hold both the grief and the growth. You'll hear: Why motherhood is a rite of passage — and how it mirrors adolescence The truth about "losing yourself" (hint: you're not broken, you're becoming) What to do when you're stuck in the "in-between" — that sacred pause where identity hasn't caught up with reality How to use grief as a guide through transformation Why modern motherhood feels lonelier and more demanding — and how systems (not just individuals) are to blame The power of tiny, safe-to-fail experiments when you're reimagining your life Whether you're navigating the early days of postpartum or in the thick of a new season, Jessie's wisdom is a balm and a compass. "We fear losing ourselves in motherhood. But sometimes, that's exactly what we need in order to truly thrive." Links + Resources: Jessie Harold's website: jessieharold.com Book: Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage The MotherShift and The Becoming podcast The Birth of a Mother – NYT Article Jessie on Instagram: @jessie.es.haro For more honest, empowering conversations around motherhood, identity, and ambition, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother wherever you get your podcasts — and follow us on Instagram @mightyasamotherpodcast.

Ever feel like you're climbing a ladder you didn't choose—or running on a bedazzled hamster wheel you can't seem to step off? You're not alone, mama. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anne Welsh—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and mom of four—to talk about why modern motherhood demands a shift from the relentless "ladder" model of ambition to a more sustainable "web" model that honors the many directions life can take. Anne brings two decades of expertise helping leaders navigate major career and life transitions—think parental leave, return-to-work, and full-on career reinvention. She's also the creator of the Working Mothers Lifeline, a coaching program that helps women move from survival mode to sustainable success. In our conversation, we explore: What the "web" model of ambition is and how it gives you permission to pause, pivot, or change direction without losing momentum How to recognize when it's time to redraw your version of success—and why values naturally shift across different seasons of life The difference between healthy and unhealthy ambition (and why ambition itself isn't the problem) How to dial work and life up or down based on your kids' needs without losing yourself in the process Practical tools to break free from perfectionism and find balance that's flexible, not fixed How to rebuild trust in yourself to make hard decisions—and why you might already have more evidence than you think Anne's insights are a reminder that motherhood isn't a detour from leadership—it's a powerful training ground for it. If you've been craving permission to slow down, rethink your definition of success, or simply choose what's for dinner without guilt (spoiler: sushi is always a good answer), this episode is your deep exhale. Links: Closet Identity Cleanout Dr. Anne Welsh's Website The Working Mothers Lifeline Dr. Anne Welsh on Instagram Dr. Anne Welsh on LinkedIn For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: @mightyasamotherpodcast

In this must-listen episode of Mighty as a Mother, we're joined by California-based OBGYN Dr. Stephanie Davis—an integrative women's health expert, Columbia University graduate, fellow mama, and passionate advocate for sexual wellness and hormonal literacy. Dr. Davis offers a refreshing, holistic perspective on the female hormonal landscape, and breaks down what's really happening in our bodies from adolescence through menopause. From energy and libido to brain fog, weight changes, and mood swings—this conversation is your crash course in understanding what your hormones are trying to tell you, and how to advocate for the care you deserve. Whether you're deep in postpartum, navigating perimenopause, or just feeling "off," this episode will help you connect the dots and reclaim your well-being. You'll Learn: What hormones actually do beyond your period and fertility How to spot true hormonal imbalance vs. normal fluctuations Why women are under-tested and under-treated—and what to do about it The real deal on perimenopause: symptoms, timing, and what to watch for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) myths—busted (and Jenn's personal journey with it!) Why testosterone isn't just for men—and how it could help you What to do when your labs are "normal," but you don't feel like yourself How to take a more empowered, holistic approach to sexual and hormonal health Links & Resources Mentioned: Supplements and Resources: Aviva Romm's Supplement Guide Fullscript (for practitioner-grade vitamins and hormone support) Dr. Irwin Goldstein – Sexual Medicine Pioneer Pure Vitanica (women's wellness supplements) For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts

Today, we sit down with Dr. Kahlila Robinson, a licensed clinical psychologist, parent coach, and co-author of The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8: A Parent-Child Resource for Engaging in Healthy Coping Skills and Building. Known for her grounded, compassionate approach, Dr. Robinson brings over 20 years of experience helping families navigate the emotional rollercoaster of childhood—and parenthood. Kalila shares powerful and practical strategies for supporting our children's emotional development while keeping our own cool in the process. She reminds us that parenting isn't about perfection—it's about connection, co-regulation, and a whole lot of grace (plus maybe a Band-Aid or two). In this episode, we dive into: Why your child's meltdown might not actually be about the Band-Aid What co-regulation really means—and how to do it when you're running on empty How parents accidentally shut down emotions (hello, 8 p.m. M&Ms) and what to try instead Simple tools for calming yourself down before reacting (yes, even sticking your head in the freezer counts) Why full emotional expression is healthy for kids—and how it helps them build long-term coping skills How to build a family culture where feelings are welcomed, not rushed away A sneak peek into her interactive workbook that helps kids (and parents) build emotional resilience together Links: Instagram: @khalilarobinsonphd Book: The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8: A Parent-Child Resource for Engaging in Healthy Coping Skills and Building Website: https://www.kahlilarobinsonphd.com/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts