New Modern Mom Podcast

If August feels more like survival mode than a fresh start, you're not alone.In this honest and actionable episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast: Toolkit Series, host Barbara Mighdoll reflects on the logistical chaos that caught her off guard last year: forgotten forms, last-minute lunch packing, zero time for herself, and a mental load that felt completely unmanageable. This year, she’s doing things differently, and she’s sharing the exact five steps she’s putting into practice now to bring more ease, structure, and breathing room into her family’s back-to-school routine.This isn’t about complicated systems or Pinterest-perfect checklists. It’s about real tools for real working moms, tools that help you feel prepared instead of scrambling.Inside this episode, you’ll learn: 📘 A therapist-backed Social Story method that helps ease your child’s back-to-school jitters (and helps you avoid daily drop-off drama) ⏰ Why test-driving your morning routine now, before school starts, can make a huge difference (yes, even if your schedule’s still all over the place) 🎒 How to get your kid involved in school prep in simple, meaningful ways that don’t just add to your to-do list 📋 A night-before checklist that keeps mornings from imploding (plus the visual trick that keeps the whole house on track) 📆 A ChatGPT calendar hack that adds every school holiday and early release to your calendar automatically (because no one has time to do that manually)Whether you're navigating the first year of kindergarten or juggling multiple school drop-offs, this episode is filled with practical tips for working moms who want to start the school year feeling calm, confident, and a little more in control.Perfect for moms searching for: → Back to school tips for working moms → School morning routine hacks → How to prep kids for kindergarten → ChatGPT for busy moms → Family organization tools → Managing the mental load as a parentListen now and walk away with a few small shifts that’ll make a big difference.Resources mentioned:ChatGPT Hack for Back-to-School CalendaringChatGPT Prompt for Creating a Social StoryJoin the August Early Risers Club to commit to no more snoozing your alarmFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Spoiler alert: the secret to “doing it all” is actually doing less.High-achieving working moms have been conditioned to juggle a career, home life, and parenting with near perfection. But the truth? No one is doing it all, especially not alone. In this episode of the Toolkit Series from The New Modern Mom Podcast, we unpack the unspoken truth of how executive moms truly thrive: through strategic delegation and outsourcing.This isn’t just about hiring help. It’s about rewiring how we think about time, control, and worthiness. We dive deep into the real barriers holding us back from asking for (or paying for) help and why overcoming them is the key to unlocking more presence, peace, and productivity in your daily life. From creating systems at home to “stacking your bench” of support, this episode will help you build a smarter, more sustainable rhythm for career and motherhood.Whether you're stuck in a cycle of burnout or just want your Sunday mornings back, this conversation is filled with low-risk, high-impact tips to help you take the first step toward real, lasting relief.In this episode, you’ll learn:🔍 Why even the most successful working moms don’t “do it all”Hear how every guest on the show has leaned on outsourcing and delegation and why owning that is a power move, not a weakness.🧠 How to overcome the mental blocks keeping you from outsourcingBarbara breaks down the guilt, control issues, and cost concerns many moms face and how to reframe them through a career-first lens.👩‍👧‍👦 Kim Gebbia Chappell’s noteworthy “stack your bench” strategyDiscover a practical framework from Kim Gebbia Chappell, Chief Brand Officer of Bobbie, on how to build a trusted roster of caregivers for last-minute flexibility and peace of mind.🧺 What to outsource at home—and how to get creative with supportFrom extending your nanny’s role to using meal kits or laundry services, get inspired with real-life examples to ease your daily load.📋 How to build and onboard your dream support teamLearn how to find and manage paid and unpaid help and utilize tools like ChatGPT, Duckbill, and Faye to streamline delegation.This episode is your permission slip to stop doing it all and start doing what matters most. Whether you’re considering a virtual assistant or a house manager, rethinking your nanny’s role, or just need a framework to start letting go, we’ve got you covered with actionable tools you can use this week.Ready to streamline support at home? These two free resources will help you clearly communicate expectations and set your nanny (or house manager!) up for success so you can finally stop micromanaging and start reclaiming your time.Nanny Onboarding Template: A plug-and-play doc to align on routines, responsibilities, and communication styles from day one.House Manager Checklist: Transitioning your nanny or adding extra help? This guide outlines everything from meal prep to calendar management so your home runs like a well-oiled machine.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Kim:On LinkedIn hereAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Hiring an au pair completely changed how Barbara’s family functions, and in this episode, she’s sharing exactly how and why.Whether you’re a working parent looking for more flexible childcare, a dual-career couple juggling inconsistent schedules, or just curious about how the au pair system compares to traditional nannies, this is a must-listen. In this mini-episode of our Toolkit Series, host Barbara Mighdoll shares her candid experience with four different au pairs (and two nannies) and breaks down the real-life pros, cons, and logistics you actually need to know.You’ll also hear an unreleased clip from the original episode with Samantha Wu, CMO of Eventbrite and former CMO of Facebook at Meta, who shares her own au pair experiences and wisdom from life as a high-powered executive and mom of two. If you've ever wondered whether an au pair could transform the way your family operates, this conversation offers the clarity, structure, and gut-check questions you need.In this episode, you’ll learn:👶 What an au pair is—and why it might be a better fit than daycare or a nannyUnderstand the structure, rules, and unique features of the au pair program, including legal hour limits and household responsibilities.💸 The real cost of hiring an au pairBarbara compares the annual expenses of an au pair vs. a full-time nanny and explains what’s included in the price.🛫 Why au pairs are ideal for parents looking for flexibility,Learn how au pairs can adjust to your changing schedule, help with travel logistics, and offer reliability that’s hard to find with other forms of childcare.🏠 How to evaluate if your family is truly ready to have an au pairWalk through a step-by-step readiness workshop with your partner to determine if this live-in childcare model aligns with your lifestyle and boundaries.🧠 What makes an au pair relationship work—and where it can fall apartFrom mismatched expectations to communication pitfalls, Barbara and Samantha share lessons learned and actionable advice to ensure your success from day one.If you’re looking for an honest, mom-to-mom guide to navigating the au pair world, this episode is your toolkit. You’ll walk away with not just knowledge—but a process you can start using today.Need help crafting interview questions for your au pair? Start here.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Samantha:On LinkedIn hereAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

What if living your dream summer in Europe was more possible than you thought—with kids, a full-time job, and all?In this episode of our Toolkit Series, host Barbara Mighdoll shares exactly how she and her family lived in Portugal for nine weeks through Boundless Life—without pausing her career, disrupting her children’s routines, or completely blowing their budget. If you’ve ever fantasized about living or working abroad but immediately shut it down because of kids, school, or work commitments, this episode will shift your mindset and give you a step-by-step framework to make it happen.This isn’t just a travel story. It’s a tactical deep dive into how to pull off a working family summer abroad—whether you want to go through a program or plan it yourself. Barbara walks through five key pillars every working parent should consider before packing their bags and the exact conversation starters you need to get your partner and your company on board. From managing childcare in a foreign country to navigating coworking setups and budgeting the true costs—this episode is your one-stop resource for transforming your “someday” dream into a “next summer” plan.Here’s what we cover in this episode:🌍 The 5 essential pillars to making a summer abroad work – From school and childcare to housing, coworking, transportation, and community, get a practical breakdown of everything you need to consider before committing to life abroad with kids.💼 Work logistics: How to stay fully employed while living overseas – Learn how to manage U.S. work hours, optimize your daily schedule, and even reduce your workload to maximize your time abroad without sacrificing your career.💰 Real numbers: What a family summer abroad actually costs – Get estimates for flights, housing, summer camps, and coworking spaces—and find out how to offset those costs (including renting out your home while you’re away).🧠 Mindset shifts to make this dream feel doable – Barbara breaks down the most common blockers, like getting your partner or employer on board, and shares reframes to help you treat this like a real opportunity—not just a fantasy.🔍 Boundless Life vs. DIY: Which abroad approach is right for your family? – Hear the pros and cons of going through a structured program like Boundless Life versus coordinating your own international summer setup. Get €400 off your program with Boundless Life with code NEWMODERNMOM.If you’ve ever said, “That sounds amazing, but there’s no way we could do that”—this episode is for you. Barbara proves that living abroad with young kids is not only doable, but deeply enriching for the whole family. She even gives you the exact next steps to kickstart the planning process, from how to prep for the partner convo to what to Google tonight.Whether you’re dreaming of Lisbon, Provence, or anywhere in between—your summer abroad starts with this toolkit.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet €400 off your program with Boundless Life with code NEWMODERNMOM.About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

What if the key to unlocking your next career opportunity isn't in your resume—but in your online presence? On today’s bonus Toolkit Series episode, we’re diving deep into a powerful theme that sparked major interest in Season 1: personal brand building with Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer of Bugaboo and mom of two, who’s redefining what executive leadership looks like in the digital age. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually start building a personal brand while juggling work, motherhood, and a million to-dos, this is the episode for you. You’ll hear real-world strategies from an executive who made the leap from content consumer to creator—and gained new opportunities, confidence, and clarity in the process. Barbara also breaks it all down with a tactical solo strategy session you can do today to map out your own personal brand.📢 The evolution of thought leadership: Discover how thought leadership has moved beyond traditional PR and has shifted to self-driven, multi-platform content creation. 📱 Owning your narrative through social media: Explore how platforms like TikTok and Instagram are opening new doors for executive women to craft brands that reflect who they are—not just where they work.🔁 From scrolling to creating: The Mindset Shift: What sparks the leap from passive content consumer to confident creator? Hear what inspired Jeanelle Teves.🛣️ Building career lanes outside the 9–5: Learn how investing in side passions like mentoring and content creation expanded Jeanelle professional identity and opened unexpected doors.💬 Vulnerability as a leadership advantage: Why realness is rising: a conversation about how showing your human side can build trust and deepen your leadership impact.🗂️ The content creation workflow: Jeanelle shares tactical tips for creating consistent content, including posting cadence and learning from peers.🔂 The power of repetition and content pillars: Discover how repeating key themes builds recognition and strengthens your message.📝 Your solo strategy session playbook: Barbara outlines a step-by-step exercise to map out your personal brand goals, pillars, platform, and plan.Think of this episode as your permission slip to show up online—not to go viral, but to be visible. Whether you’re looking to build influence in your industry, plant the seeds for a future business, or simply share your story in a way that feels aligned, this Toolkit episode gives you everything you need to get started.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Jeanelle:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

On today’s episode, we’ve got a truly amazing guest, Divya Gugnani. She’s the CEO and Co-founder of Wander Beauty, CEO and Founder of 5 SENS, Founding Partner of Concept to Co, and—wait for it—a mom to two pre-teens AND a newborn. How does she do it all? You’re about to find out!Divya shares so many gems on everything from feeding her family to trusting your intuition, making the most of each day and how she actually accomplishes being present with her kids. She’s refreshingly real about how she manages it all behind the scenes, and I know you’ll walk away with tons of practical advice. Hear Divya’s lessons on…🌟 The power of intuition: How Divya trusted her gut to make pivotal decisions in both her personal life and her business, and how you can do the same.🏃‍♀️ Grit and resilience: The importance of pushing through obstacles, and how Divya stayed motivated when the going got tough—both as a mom and an entrepreneur.💪Raising independent kids: Divya’s older children have developed a great sense of independence by being enabled to make their own choices.🗓️ Time management tips: Tried-and-true strategies for managing time effectively while wearing multiple hats, from business leader to mom.🏡 The reality of support: Divya transparently shares the help she relies on at home and work, and why it’s essential for making her many roles a reality.📣 Marketing yourself effectively: Tips on how to find confidence to better market yourself, whether that’s for a promotion or for a new entrepreneurial journey.🧘‍♀️ Finding presence: Practical advice on how to stay grounded and present in the chaos of life, work, and motherhood.As a mom who’s successfully navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising a family, Divya’s unfiltered insights are going to inspire and empower you to take on your own challenges - be it at work or at home - with confidence.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Divya:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereFollow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

Ever thought that the very thing you’re afraid to show at work—your vulnerability—might actually make you a stronger leader? In this episode, I’m talking with Melanie Rosenwasser, the Chief People Officer at Dropbox about how the messy, chaotic world of motherhood can actually boost your career in ways you never imagined.Melanie’s chat is packed with real talk about how she’s managed to set up a remote work life that lets her be there for her kids while still advancing in her career. She opens up about the challenges of returning to work while dealing with postpartum struggles, and how she and her partner split the complicated responsibilities that come with two kids under three years old.In this episode, you'll learn:🎯 Juggling Work and Mom Life: The daily challenge of switching from making big decisions at work to handling chaos at home, and how tough it can be to wear multiple hats.🛠️ Creating a Supportive Home Setup: How she and her husband decided he should take a step-back from his career to be the at-home parent, and how they continue to support each other’s passions.🏡 The Perks of Remote Work: How Dropbox’s remote-first policy reshaped her work-life balance, allowing her to be present with her kids while leading a major company.💼 Taking Turns in Career and Family: The conscious decisions behind whose career takes the lead and how they navigate the give and take between work and family life.🌱 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership: How becoming a mom made her a more empathetic and focused leader, even in an industry where vulnerability isn’t always celebrated.🤹‍♀️ Keeping Up the Energy: The strategies she uses to save energy for her family while managing the demands of her job.🚸 Moving Closer to Family: The decision to move near family after having her first child and its impact on work and personal life.🧠 Dealing with Postpartum Struggles: Her experience with postpartum anxiety and depression, its effect on work, and how she found support.If you’re trying to figure out how to keep pushing forward in your career while navigating the realities of motherhood, Melanie’s insights are a must-hear.For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribeFollow Melanie on LinkedIn here.Follow Barbara:On Instagram hereOn LinkedIn hereGet the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.comAbout New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.Navigate the episode:[00:00:45] Introduction: Introduction to Melanie Rosenwasser, focusing on her role as Chief People Officer at Dropbox and her journey as a mother.[00:02:22] Juggling Work and Motherhood: Melanie begins discussing the challenge of switching between executive decision-making and handling parenting duties.[00:04:13] The Move Back Home: Melanie talks about the decision to move closer to family after finding out she was pregnant with her first child.[00:07:07] Creating a Supportive Home Setup: The conversation shifts to how Melanie and her husband decided on their roles, with him becoming the primary caregiver.[00:09:02] Transitioning from One to Two Kids: Melanie shares her experience transitioning from having one child to two, and how she felt more prepared the second time around.[00:12:18] The Remote Work Advantage: Melanie describes her home office setup and how Dropbox’s remote-first policy has benefited her work-life balance.[00:15:06] Making the Leap to the C-Suite: The discussion moves to Melanie’s career progression from VP to Chief People Officer, focusing on the skills and experiences that were crucial for her promotion.[00:20:56] Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership: Melanie talks about how becoming a mother has influenced her leadership style, particularly in embracing vulnerability and empathy.[00:27:00] Navigating Postpartum Struggles: Melanie begins discussing her struggles with postpartum anxiety and depression and how she managed these challenges while returning to work.[00:31:12] Redefining Work-Life Balance: The conversation shifts to Melanie’s perspective on work-life balance, emphasizing the concept of work-life harmony and intentional decision-making in career and family life.