<![CDATA[Between Meetings and Motherhood]]>
likeamotherf.substack.com]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/podcastSubstackFri, 31 Jul 2026 12:29:48 GMThttps://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/9600703.rssBetween Meetings & MotherhoodI'm Alexa Starks: ex-corporate exec turned founder of Mothered Media & mom of 2 toddlers. For the ambitious moms who want to do big shit. Unfiltered, occasional swearing, and extra caffeine.episodicBetween Meetings & Motherhoodalexa@motheredmedia.comYes<![CDATA[From Educator to Bestselling Author — Here's What She Wants Every Parent to Know]]>What if the secret to raising confident, emotionally resilient kids isn’t doing more — it’s doing less? In this episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Sarah Lucas, childhood education expert with over 25 years in the classroom, author of Atomic Parenting, and the woman parents have been begging to write a book for decades.

Sarah breaks down why modern parenting culture is making us worse at parenting — and what to do instead. No jargon, no guilt, no unrealistic standards. Just real, actionable advice from someone who has seen it all from both sides of the classroom door.

In this episode:

* Why your parenting instinct is your most powerful tool — and how social media is making you distrust it

* The case for lowering the bar: why “good enough” parenting is actually great parenting

* Reflection over perfection — why repairing mistakes matters more than never making them

* Potty training, fussy eaters, night terrors, sibling rivalry, sleep issues — what actually works

* Screen time and social media: what Sarah wishes she’d done differently with her own teens

* Why overscheduled kids show up to school on Monday more wired than rested

* The dangerous myth of “enjoy every minute” — and why it’s okay to admit some parts of parenting are hard

* From toddlers to teenagers: how emotional co-regulation skills translate at every age

* Why children need boredom, slowness, and free play more than another activity

* What’s next: a TED-style parenting and education platform launching in Malaga this November

Sarah’s book Atomic Parenting is available now at atomicparenting.net and on Amazon. She is also featured in the July issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Sarah: atomicparenting.net | @atomic_parenting on Instagram

🎙️ Between Meetings & Motherhood is hosted by Alexa Starks, founder of Mothered Media and editor-in-chief of Mothered Magazine — and is a podcast for ambitious moms building businesses and raising families at the same time.



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/exclusive-interview-sarah-lucassubstack:post:207404727Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:52:18 GMTAlexa StarksNo2537full<![CDATA[From McKinsey to Matrescence Coach and Redefining Success and Identity in Motherhood]]>She had the career most people dream about — McKinsey consultant, Alibaba leadership program, expat life in Shanghai, all the external markers of success. Then she had a baby. And six months later, she was standing in a forest telling her husband she wanted to quit everything.

In this episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Babette Lockefeer, leadership facilitator and matrescence coach, and founder Matermorphosis, a group coaching program helping ambitious mothers navigate the identity shift of motherhood and come out the other side more themselves than ever before.

In this episode:

* What matrescence actually is — and why knowing the word is just the beginning

* The three phases of the matrescence arc: the shock, the long foggy middle, and what’s waiting on the other side

* Why so many high-achieving women feel like they’re failing on all fronts after becoming a mom — and why it’s not their fault

* The invisible motherhood script: why it’s designed to be impossible and why trying harder only makes it worse

* What happens when you try to go back to your old self — and why it creates resentment

* The difference between old ambition and new ambition — and why the second kind feels so much better

* How Babette is raising three boys to see caretaking as something both parents do

* Why matrescence is not something to survive — it’s the most powerful growth opportunity of your life

* How to start navigating it: the arc of matrescence and the map she uses with every client

* What a care-centric world actually looks like — and how supported mothers are the ones who go build it

Babette’s next international cohort starts in September. Download her free map of matrescence here: https://www.matermorphosis.org/matrescence

Babette is also featured in the July issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Babette: LinkedIn — Babette Lockefeer and on Instagram

Between Meetings & Motherhood is hosted by Alexa Starks, founder and CEO of Mothered Media and editor-in-chief of Mothered Magazine — a podcast for ambitious moms building businesses and raising families at the same time.



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/exclusive-interview-babette-lockefeersubstack:post:207403854Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:26:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2393full<![CDATA[Mom of 4, Therapist, Corporate Leader — She's Living Everything She Helps Other Women Through ]]>She had four kids back to back. She’s a maternal mental health therapist, a keynote speaker, a global clinical researcher, and she’s doing it all while raising a seven-year-old, a five-year-old, a two-year-old, and a six-month-old. In this episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Tiffany Williamson, M.Ed., LCMHCA, founder of Transformative Destiny — the woman who became the therapist she needed when she was a new mom herself.

This one is raw, real, and full of the things nobody puts in the books.

In this episode:

* What nobody warns you about when you become a mom — and why the books only tell half the story

* The identity shift of motherhood and what it really feels like to lose yourself and find a new, stronger version

* Postpartum depression vs. postpartum anxiety vs. postpartum rage — why we only talk about one of them

* How to prepare your village before the baby arrives — and what real support actually looks like

* Being “touched out” with multiple kids: what it means, why it happens, and how to ask for what you need

* Why high-achieving women struggle hardest to ask for help — and how to unlearn people-pleasing in motherhood

* The difference between postpartum after baby one versus baby four — and what confidence looks like on the other side

* Why giving 100% in every role every day is the fastest road to burnout

* What she hopes her kids see when they watch her build her career alongside motherhood

* The leadership skill motherhood built most: time management so efficient it’s almost supernatural

* What she wishes someone had told her: “It’s gonna be okay. You will find yourself again.”

Tiffany is also featured in the July issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Tiffany: tiffanywco.com | @transformativedestiny on Instagram | Tiffany Williamson on LinkedIn



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/exclusive-interview-tiffany-williamsonsubstack:post:207196900Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:15:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2553full<![CDATA[She Built a Maternal Mental Health Business From the Beach — While Raising a Toddler in the Philippines]]>She got angry. Really angry. And instead of swallowing it, she built a business out of it. In this episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Vanessa Rio — cover feature of the July issue of Mothered Magazine, founder of Mothering Minds, and the woman quietly solving one of the biggest gaps in maternal mental health care in the UK.

Vanessa went from journalist to maternal mental health entrepreneur after experiencing firsthand how completely unsupported new mothers are — and how long the NHS wait lists really are. She built Mothering Minds on no funding, part-time hours, and a team of passionate therapists who took pay cuts just to work with this client group. One year in: fully booked, revenue generating, and growing entirely on organic reach.

Oh, and she’s doing it all from a beach in Palawan, Philippines — with a four-year-old.

In this episode:

* Why the NHS mental health system leaves most new mothers completely without support

* What Mothering Minds does differently: no thresholds, no waitlists, self-referral from day one

* Why she loves it when moms reach out preventatively — before things get hard

* How she built the business on no funding, imperfect systems, and pure goodwill — and booked sessions almost immediately

* Growing a team of specialist perinatal therapists who took pay cuts to join because they believed in the mission

* Achieving organic growth with zero ads — because they were the only ones doing this

* What channeling rage into purpose actually looks like as a founder

* Uprooting her entire life and moving from the UK to the Philippines with a toddler — and why she’d do it again

* Her daughter’s first day of school, learning Tagalog, and what slowing down has given their family

* What’s next: training for adjacent professionals to better identify and support maternal mental health

Vanessa is the cover feature of the July issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full exclusive interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Vanessa: motheringminds.uk | LinkedIn — Vanessa Rio

Between Meetings & Motherhood is hosted by Alexa Starks, founder and CEO of Mothered Media and editor-in-chief of Mothered Magazine — a podcast for ambitious moms building businesses and raising families at the same time.



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/exclusive-interview-vanessa-riosubstack:post:207198073Mon, 20 Jul 2026 03:22:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2035full<![CDATA[The 8 Secrets to Building a Business While Raising Babies That No One Talks About]]>Nobody tells you the real truth about building a business while raising small children. Not the highlight reel version — the actual truth. In this solo episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood, host Alexa Starks breaks down the 8 things she wishes someone had told her before she started building Mothered Media with two toddlers at home.

This isn't a motivational pep talk. It's the unfiltered, been-in-the-trenches version of what it actually takes.

In this episode:

  • Why consistency and discipline in the early days matter more than any strategy or tool you'll find online
  • How to stand out in a crowded market — and why doing what everyone else is doing is the fastest way to stay invisible
  • The power of showing your mess: why vulnerability and openness build more trust than a polished brand ever will
  • The truth about revenue — how long it actually takes, and how to survive the gap before it's consistent
  • Why visibility across multiple platforms isn't optional, and how to build a presence strategy that gets your name out there
  • The unsexy secret weapon every mom founder needs: networking, and how to do it when you have zero time
  • Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable — why the research and learning phase never actually ends
  • How to fail fast, adapt quickly, and pivot without losing momentum

If you're a mom in the early stages of building something — or stuck in the messy middle — this one is for you.


Connect & Learn More:

Alexa on IG

Alexa on LinkedIn

Mothered Media IG

Mothered Magazine IG


Interested in being featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine? Learn more here https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured/






#MomEntrepreneur #BuildingABusiness #MomFounder #WorkingMoms #MomPodcast #BetweenMeetingsAndMotherhood #MotheredMagazine #ExecutiveMoms #MomBoss #FemaleFounder #StartupLife #BusinessTips #MomsInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SoloEpisode





Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-8-secrets-to-building-a-business-34330fdb7c9-8e8d-4137-9a6a-e3287d19dcd1Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:01:49 GMTAlexa StarksNo1425<![CDATA[The Most Ambitious Woman in the Room Is Also the Most Present Mom — Here's Her Secret | Exclusive Interview with Alex Pensiero, Founder of Wellspring Coaching]]>What if the skills that make you a great mom are the exact same ones that make you a great leader? In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Alex Pensiero — doctor, school psychologist, leadership coach, and founder of Wellspring Coaching and Consulting (wellspringcoachingandconsulting.org) — for a deeply honest conversation about ambition, identity, failure, and what it really means to raise daughters while building a business.

Alex started her career working with students who had significant behavioral challenges, went on to earn multiple master's degrees and a doctorate in leadership coaching for organizational performance, and now runs a coaching firm dedicated to helping leaders grow from the inside out. Oh, and she did most of it while raising two daughters in gymnastics and figuring out how to sleep on 45-minute increments.

In this episode:

  • From third grade teacher dream to school psychologist to leadership coach — how one woman followed her passion at every turn
  • Why "filling your own cup" isn't selfish — it's a gift to your kids
  • The toxic power of the word "should" and how to stop letting society write your definition of success
  • How imposter syndrome and mental load show up in leadership coaching — and how to work through both
  • Reframing failure as opportunity: a mindset she learned at 21 working with trauma-impacted students
  • The goal-setting technique she uses with her daughters at gymnastics that works for kids and executives alike
  • What she's actively teaching her daughters about compromise, ambition, and emotional regulation
  • Why patience, flexibility, and empathy are the three leadership skills motherhood builds most
  • Modeling what it looks like to apologize, own your mistakes, and keep going

Alex is also featured in the June issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Wellspring Coaching: wellspringcoachingandconsulting.org | @wellspringcoaches on Instagram & TikTok



And follow ⁠Mothered Magazine⁠ on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and details from the June issue!


Interested in being featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine? Check out feature opportunities here:

⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured ⁠


And follow CEO of Mothered Media & Editor-in-Chief of Mothered Magazine, Alexa Starks on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-most-ambitious-woman-in-the-room-47a63d2019f-ea4b-4254-8446-f513caf5c9fbMon, 15 Jun 2026 06:30:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2041<![CDATA[She Burned It All Down & Built Something Better — The Origin Story of Made for Mothers | Exclusive Interview with Mariah Stockman]]>She was the county's number one Girl Scout cookie seller at nine years old, moved to New York City the day after her 18th birthday with zero plan, built a quarter-million-dollar marketing agency during COVID — and then burned it all down three weeks postpartum while being threatened with a lawsuit while holding her newborn. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Mariah Stockman, founder of Made for Mothers (madeformothers.co) — one of the fastest-growing communities for moms in business — who is also the cover feature of the June issue of Mothered Magazine.

This is an episode about what happens when ambition meets motherhood, isolation forces clarity, and a woman decides to build the village she never had.

In this episode:

  • From Girl Scout cookie hustler to nonprofit leader to marketing agency founder — Mariah's wildly non-linear origin story
  • Why her quarter-million-dollar agency became her biggest resentment the moment she got pregnant
  • Being threatened with a lawsuit three weeks postpartum — and the decision that changed everything
  • Why she only works with moms now and how she designed a business that fits around nap times and school pickups
  • How Made for Mothers started with 17 women in a yoga studio and grew into a national chapter model
  • The Virtual Village: a 160+ member online community for moms in business with masterclasses, hot seat coaching and brand partnerships
  • Why she always charged for her events — and what that taught her about building strong communities
  • Licensing chapters: how moms across the US can bring Made for Mothers to their city and generate real revenue
  • Her goal: 100 chapters in 100 cities by the end of 2027
  • A magical second birth, exclusive pumping, and what a truly intentional maternity leave looks like
  • Why motherhood is the MBA — and what happened when the internet's loudest critics proved her right

Mariah is the cover feature of the June issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full exclusive interview and see her stunning cover shoot at motheredmagazine.com.


📲 Find Made for Mothers: @madeformothers.co on Instagram | https://www.madeformothersco.com/💸 Join the Virtual Village: use promo code CANADA for $50/month (normally $78)📍 Interested in licensing a chapter in your city? DM Mariah directly on Instagram.




And follow ⁠⁠Mothered Magazine⁠⁠ on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and details from the June issue!


Interested in being featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine? Check out feature opportunities here:

⁠⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured ⁠⁠


And follow CEO of Mothered Media & Editor-in-Chief of Mothered Magazine, Alexa Starks on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/she-burned-it-all-down-and-built-2d2481dd976-4522-4783-ba06-a3e37e90c747Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:29:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2939<![CDATA[The Invisible Work Running Your Home And How One Founder Is Solving It | Exclusive Interview with Ashley Chang Dawson, Founder of Sundays]]>Two working parents, a baby, and an endless list of mental load no one ever sees — that's the problem Ashley Chang Dawson set out to solve before she even became a mom herself. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Ashley, founder of Sundays (withsundays.com) — a service that pairs families with expert executive assistants to take the mental load, logistics, and invisible labor of running a household off mom's plate.Ashley spent over a decade in product management in the San Francisco Bay Area, watched brilliant women around her step back from their careers as soon as they had kids, and decided she wasn't going to let that be her story. What started as an app idea became something much bigger: a team of 40+ mom EAs supporting families across the US — and last year alone, they saved parents 25,000 hours.In this episode:-What Sundays actually does — and why it's a service, not just an app-The mental load of running a family and why it almost always defaults to moms-How to use the Fair Play card system to divide household responsibilities with your partner-Building a company before becoming a mom — and what changed once she actually had a baby-How both she and her husband use Sundays (yes, she uses her own product)-Leaving corporate without a plan, pivoting twice, and finding the right idea-When to hire, how to scale, and why she paid her first employee before paying herself-What patience and resilience look like as leadership skills — and how motherhood leveled both upThe goal: save parents one million hours in the next ten yearsAshley is also featured in the June issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.Find Sundays: withsundays.com | @withsundays on InstagramFollow @mothered.magazine on Instagram for more behind the scenes of our June features and upcoming issues.Interested in being featured in an upcoming issue? Learn more about feature opportunities here at https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured Follow Alexa Starks on Instagram @alexa.starks



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-invisible-work-running-your-home-7ebc625fcc2-7e91-4b93-a0be-7a366303c467Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2106<![CDATA[Your Pelvic Floor Changes Everything: Exclusive Interview with Anna McMaster, Pelvic Floor PT]]>Most women don't hear the words "pelvic floor" until they're already pregnant — or already dealing with symptoms they don't know how to name. In this episode, Alexa talks with Anna McMaster, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic floor specialist, about the muscle group your OB probably never mentioned and why it matters your entire life.

Anna is the founder of Amy (askamie.co), a digital platform that brings personalized pelvic floor physical therapy to women who don't have access to a specialist — whether due to cost, location, or time.

They cover what pelvic floor PT actually involves (internal exams, yes — but way less scary than you think), how to strengthen and relax your pelvic floor at home, the connection between your core and pelvic floor, why hemorrhoids happen postpartum and how to manage them, and why the "bounce back" after birth is a myth worth burying for good.


Anna is also featured in the June issue of Mothered Magazine. Read more at motheredmagazine.com.

Find Amie at askamie.co or @askamie.co on Instagram and TikTok.


And follow Mothered Magazine on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and details from the June issue!


Interested in being featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine? Check out feature opportunities here:

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured


And follow CEO of Mothered Media & Editor-in-Chief of Mothered Magazine, Alexa Starks on Instagram or LinkedIn



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/your-pelvic-floor-changes-everything-9b538cbd90a-aad9-4032-83be-f7fe52e4f6e7Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:27:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2683<![CDATA[The Hidden Mental Load of Summer: How One Mom Built a Business to Fix It | Exclusive Interview with Kathryn Hatcher, Founder of Camply]]>Did you know U.S. kids are out of school up to 18 weeks a year — but most working parents only get 4 weeks of PTO? That gap is exactly what Kathryn Hatcher set out to solve. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Kathryn, founder of Camply (joincamply.com) — a two-sided marketplace helping parents find the right summer and school break camps, and helping camps connect with the right families.

Kathryn's origin story is one so many working moms will recognize: burned out in corporate consulting, laid off from a health tech startup, and up at 1 a.m. with a color-coded spreadsheet trying to figure out 12 weeks of summer camp logistics. So she built the tool she needed.

In this episode:

  • What summer camp actually costs in 2025 — and why parents are shocked every year
  • How Camply works: searching 660+ Atlanta camps by location, age, interest, and budget
  • The invisible labor of summer planning and how it almost always falls on moms
  • Why corporate America isn't built for working mothers — and how entrepreneurship changed everything
  • Navigating a layoff, a NICU stay, and a miscarriage while still building a career
  • Leaving the corporate ladder behind and doing a values reset with your therapist
  • What work-life "balance" actually looks like as a mom entrepreneur (hint: it's a seesaw, not a scale)
  • Camply's next chapter: special needs filters, scholarship camps, and expanding beyond Atlanta

Kathryn is also featured in the June issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Campley: joincamply.com | @joincampley on Instagram & TikTok

Follow Kathryn: @kathrynhatcher_ on Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn



Interested in being featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine? See feature opportunities here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured


And follow @mothered.magazine on Instagram and follow our CEO of Mothered Media and Editor-in-Chief of Mothered Magazine, Alexa Starks @alexa.starks




Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-hidden-mental-load-of-summer-463857ab451-816a-4d6b-994b-719ca353cf13Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:12:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2467<![CDATA[What Every Ambitious Woman Needs to Know About Money | Exclusive Interview with Danielle Sissons, Founder of Ivey Financial Planning]]>Most women were never taught how to invest, and that gap is costing them. In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks sits down with Danielle Sissons, independent financial planner and founder of Ivy Financial Planning — a firm built specifically for ambitious women who want to grow their wealth, on their own terms.

Danielle started her career in financial services straight out of school, spent over a decade in the industry, and then hit the wall so many working moms know too well: returning from maternity leave to a workplace that wasn't built for her.

So she built her own: a firm where women who want to be millionaires and be present for their kids don't have to choose between the two.

In this episode:

  • Why women tend to hesitate more than men when it comes to investing — and how to close that confidence gap
  • The first thing you should do before you invest a single pound or dollar
  • What an emergency fund actually looks like and why most people don't have one
  • Your workplace pension — why you need to look under the hood right now
  • Wills and lasting powers of attorney — why every mom needs these sooner than she thinks
  • Specific financial tips for mom entrepreneurs and business owners
  • What "feeling rich" really means — and why it's different for everyone
  • Building a flexible, women-first financial firm from maternity leave with a six-month-old
  • Why "you can have it all, just not at once" is a myth — and how to redefine what "all" looks like


Danielle is also featured in the June issue of Mothered Magazine — read the full interview at motheredmagazine.com.

📲 Find Danielle: iveyfinancialplanning.co.uk | @iveyfinancialplanning on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn: Danielle Sissons



And follow ⁠Mothered Magazine⁠ on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and details from the June issue!


Interested in being featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine? Check out feature opportunities here:

⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured ⁠


And follow CEO of Mothered Media & Editor-in-Chief of Mothered Magazine, Alexa Starks on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/what-every-ambitious-woman-needs-0567e8a0b71-bb8a-4241-ad04-2bdc1ba005afMon, 15 Jun 2026 05:09:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2466<![CDATA[Matrescence at Work Part 1: Building a Business While Becoming Someone New]]>Building a business while becoming a mother can feel like everything is shifting at once—and no one really explains why.

In this episode, Alexa talks about matrescence—the real, full-body transition into motherhood that affects your mind, your energy, your emotions, and your entire life structure.

This isn’t just about “finding balance” or getting organized. It’s about navigating a version of yourself that is still evolving while your business still needs you to show up.

Alexa shares what this actually looks like day-to-day—from brain fog and fragmented work time to changing ambition and a much lower tolerance for things that don’t make sense anymore.

If you’ve been wondering why work feels harder, slower, or different since becoming a mom—you’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong.

You’re in matrescence.


Applications are open to be featured in the next issue of Mothered Magazine, learn more here:

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured


Connect on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/matrescence-at-work-part-1-building-3d3bc8c3da8-c4fb-494d-becb-1a3d71a21caeTue, 21 Apr 2026 04:51:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo977<![CDATA[From Corporate Strategy to Maternal Revolution: Exclusive Interview with Morgane Besins]]>Most women dismiss the postpartum phase as a “natural” part of motherhood, but the truth is, it’s often poorly supported and profoundly misunderstood — until now.

In this eye-opening interview with Morgane Besins, she reveals how her journey from corporate leadership at Netflix to redefining maternal support systems was sparked by her own struggles navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the gaps in traditional care.

She shares the radical shift she made from controlling everything to embracing the unpredictability of motherhood and how her experiences led her to create Four Mamas, a platform dedicated to empowering women through education, community, and systemic change.

Read Morgane's exclusive interview in Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/the-magazine/spring-2026-issue ⁠Connect with Morgane: https://www.instagram.com/f_ourmamas/

https://www.four-mamas.com/Connect with Alexa: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/ ⁠Follow Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/⁠Want to be featured in the next issue of Mothered? Learn more about feature opportunities here: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/from-corporate-strategy-to-maternal-2b7f2b16628-554e-4111-9b7c-edc9a8d840d3Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:08:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2660<![CDATA[The Myth of the Perfect Mom: Exclusive Interview with Erin Schlozman]]>Most moms feel like they’re expected to do it all perfectly — but Erin Schlozman’s story and insight reveal why that’s a dangerous myth. In this candid episode, Erin shares how postpartum anxiety tipped her into a mission to dismantle society’s impossible standards for mothers. From her personal journey navigating postpartum struggles to her groundbreaking work in maternal mental health, she exposes how societal expectations stoke guilt, shame, and overwhelm — often without us even realizing it.

You'll discover how cultural myths around motherhood — like the myth of perfection or the “supermom” standard — keep us stuck in exhaustion and self-judgment. Erin unpacks how these myths develop from past generations and media portrayals, and explains why recognizing these stories is the first step toward genuine freedom.

She shares powerful frameworks from her upcoming book, The Myth of the Perfect Mom, to help you reframe your story and embrace the messy, beautiful reality of motherhood. Whether it’s intrusive thoughts, mom guilt, or societal pressure, Erin offers practical tools for normalizing these experiences and releasing shame.


Read Erin's exclusive interview in Mothered Magazine: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/the-magazine/spring-2026-issue


Connect with Erin:

https://www.instagram.com/4th.trimester.wellness/

https://www.erinschlozman.com/


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/


Follow Mothered Magazine:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/


Want to be featured in the next issue of Mothered? Learn more about feature opportunities here:

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-myth-of-the-perfect-mom-exclusive-6dd2e295b0f-8cde-42f5-8877-3511bbc7ae46Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:34:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2538<![CDATA[From Crisis to Calling: An Exclusive Interview with Crystina Hughes]]>Most women are navigating a maternal health system that often overlooks Black women and underserved communities—but what if the solutions were rooted in community-led, accessible care? In this exclusive interview with Crystina Hughes, she shares her inspiring journey from nurse to doula, revealing how she’s transforming maternal health in Alabama through innovative support programs tailored for families often left behind.


She didn’t start out planning to be a community change-maker, an experience with pregnancy loss and systemic disparities pushed her into action. Today, Crystina leads Diamonds for Doulas, a nonprofit providing childbirth support, advocacy, and education to WIC, Medicaid, and underserved families; support she believes is a matter of equity, not privilege.

In this conversation, she breaks down how community-led initiatives can reduce alarming maternal mortality rates, empower women with critical knowledge, and create a more inclusive, supportive maternal health landscape.


Read Crystina's exclusive interview in Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/the-magazine/spring-2026-issue ⁠Connect with Crystina: https://www.tiktok.com/@taytayncryssihttps://diamonds-for-doulas.square.site/Connect with Alexa: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/ ⁠Follow Mothered Magazine: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/⁠Want to be featured in the next issue of Mothered? Learn more about feature opportunities here: ⁠https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/from-crisis-to-calling-an-exclusive-be1da3e9e4a-d3dd-44c4-8644-14a5c3362facTue, 31 Mar 2026 04:50:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2493<![CDATA[What Is a Matriarchy — And Why Don't We Talk About It?]]>You've heard the word. You've probably dismissed it.

Today, we're taking it back.

In this episode, Alexa breaks down the word matriarchy to its roots — and what she finds might surprise you. Mater. Origin. Source. Foundation. This word was never about domination. It was about where everything begins.

And then we're asking the real question: what if the values motherhood builds in you — attunement, collaboration, long-term thinking, collective well-being — aren't soft skills?

What if they're the blueprint to a better society?

This one will make you see your own power differently.


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.executivemoms.co/


Follow Mothered Magazine for our Spring issue coming out March 31:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/what-is-a-matriarchy-and-why-dont-18c959ca3c7-d7dc-4170-b109-38537f8b5a66Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1214<![CDATA[Who Designed This Sh*t? (Hint: Not a Mom)]]>In this eye-opening episode, Alexa Starks uncovers the origins of the school and work hour mismatches that unfairly burden mothers and caregivers. From the 19th-century factory days to today's rigid 9-to-5 structure, she reveals how these outdated systems continue to accelerate burnout and reinforce gendered inequalities. You'll discover how the true cost of this misalignment harms not only working moms but society as a whole—and why the powerful have little incentive to change it.


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/


Learn more about Executive Moms

https://www.executivemoms.co/


Learn more about Mothered Magazine - the only magazine spotlighting powerful working mothers:

https://www.motheredmagazine.com/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/who-designed-this-sht-hint-not-a-9cee15a4b2f-dfa3-47c2-ace6-b973729a42b1Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:34:03 GMTAlexa StarksNo1007<![CDATA[Motherhood as Empathetic Leadership]]>Did motherhood make you softer… or did it make you sharper?

In this episode, Alexa challenges the narrative that empathy is a “soft skill” and reframes it for what it actually is: a leadership advantage.

After sharing a personal story from her own return to work, Alexa explores how motherhood strengthens attunement, emotional regulation, and perspective-taking — the very skills research links to higher performance, stronger engagement, and better retention.

Drawing on data from the Center for Creative Leadership, Catalyst, Harvard Business Review, and neuroscience research on caregiving and empathy, she breaks down why empathetic leaders are rated higher in effectiveness — and why workplaces still undervalue the skill.

But this isn’t just theory.

Alexa shares three practical ways working moms can use empathy strategically:

  • How to spot early disengagement before it turns into attrition

  • How to diffuse conflict without over-functioning

  • How to pair empathy with standards so you don’t burn out

If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming a mother made you less competitive or less ambitious, this episode offers a powerful reframe.


Connect with Alexa:

On IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/


Learn more about:

Mothered Magazine: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/

Executive Moms: https://www.executivemoms.co/https://www.executivemoms.co/

The Maternal Strengths Report https://www.executivemoms.co/the-maternal-strengths-report



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/motherhood-as-empathetic-leadership-faadaa85db7-e7e4-4ddb-be34-bcc283e95170Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:49:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo752<![CDATA[Burn the Patriarchy, Not Yourself]]>In this episode of Between Meetings & Motherhood, Alexa Starks talks about the quiet anger many working mothers carry — and why it isn’t irrational, dramatic, or misplaced.

Modern workplaces were built around assumptions that don’t reflect caregiving realities. Yet when mothers struggle inside those systems, we’re told to optimize, adapt, and manage better — instead of questioning the structure itself.

This episode explores how patriarchal systems show up in everyday work culture, why women internalize systemic pressure as personal failure, and what it really means to “burn the patriarchy” without burning yourself out.

This isn’t about chaos or quitting.
It’s about redirecting anger into clarity, boundaries, and structural awareness.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated and then immediately blamed yourself — this one’s for you.


If you're interested in being featured in Mothered Magazine's spring issue, applications are open until February 28. Learn more here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured

Follow @mothered.magazine on Instagram

and Alexa Starks on Instagram



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/burn-the-patriarchy-not-yourself-244fdbcf0bc-5751-42b5-a7ea-5dfb36aded42Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:42:59 GMTAlexa StarksNo616<![CDATA[The Realities of Working Motherhood: Answering Your Top Asked Questions]]>In this episode of 'Between Meetings and Motherhood', host Alexa Starks addresses common questions and concerns faced by working mothers. She discusses the challenges of comparing oneself to others, the exhaustion that comes with juggling work and motherhood, and the importance of asking for help. Starks emphasizes that every phase of motherhood is different and that support is crucial for navigating these challenges. She encourages listeners to communicate their needs and reminds them that things will get easier over time.


Applications are now open to be interviewed in the upcoming Spring 2026 issue of Mothered magazine.

Learn more here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured


And follow https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

or connect with Alexa Starks on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-realities-of-working-motherhood-e97280c65e5-9e94-4baa-9194-230a9faab22eTue, 10 Feb 2026 20:21:10 GMTAlexa StarksNo638<![CDATA[Some Days, It’s Just… A Lot]]>In this episode of 'Between Meetings and Motherhood', host Alexa Starks discusses the challenges of balancing work and motherhood. She addresses common questions from listeners about the overwhelming nature of this dual role, the long-term journey of working motherhood, and the importance of self-compassion during tough times.


Follow on Instagram:

@alexa.starks

@mothered.magazine


Interested in being featured and interviewed for the upcoming Spring 2026 issue of Mothered Magazine? Learn more here: https://www.motheredmagazine.com/be-featured



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/some-days-its-just-a-lot-ca56c49ed3b-0bc7-4331-9949-ed8de736d95dTue, 03 Feb 2026 05:53:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo557<![CDATA[The Unrealistic Expectations of Working Moms]]>In this episode of Between Meetings and Motherhood, host Alexa Starks discusses the unrealistic expectations placed on working mothers and how these norms fail to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities. She emphasizes the need for systemic change in workplaces to support mothers, who often feel pressured to be constantly available and productive. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing the challenges mothers face and advocating for a more flexible and understanding work environment.


If you're an expecting or new mom, please make sure you have a maternity leave & return to work plan and know how to advocate for yourself!

View the resources here: https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms


Follow on social:

https://www.instagram.com/mothered.magazine/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-unrealistic-expectations-of-working-78eb060e841-e38c-4267-be8d-f236f0c04e0cTue, 27 Jan 2026 14:09:04 GMTAlexa StarksNo402<![CDATA[Revolutionizing Parenthood and Big Motherhood Dreams with Amanda DeLuca]]>Join Alexa Starks and Amanda DeLuca in this engaging episode of the Reentry Room podcast, where they dive into the realities of working motherhood. Amanda, a pediatric sleep consultant and co-creator of the Riley app, shares her journey through motherhood, balancing career and family, and the lessons learned along the way.

Discover how the Riley app is revolutionizing parenting with expert-backed insights and personalized support. Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned parent, this episode offers valuable takeaways on managing work-life balance, advocating for yourself, and embracing the joys and challenges of parenthood. Don't miss the exclusive offer for listeners to try the Riley app for free!


Follow The Riley App on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myrileyapp/?hl=en

Use code REENTRY for $50 yearly subscription - just enter the code at checkout of the yearly subscription!


And follow Amanda on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/delucamanda/?hl=en


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.executivemoms.co/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/revolutionizing-parenthood-and-big-ae4817dc18c-d5cb-493e-a643-854391df195eFri, 16 Jan 2026 13:44:34 GMTAlexa StarksNo2103<![CDATA[Empowering Working Parents and the Biggest Secret to Balancing It All with Carla Greenan]]>Join host Alexa Starks in this heartfelt episode of the Reentry Room podcast as she sits down with Carla Greenan, an inspiring executive coach for working parents. Carla opens up about her transition from a demanding career in accounting to empowering parents through coaching.

Discover her insights on managing the chaos of motherhood, the pivotal lessons learned from raising three children, and the art of balancing professional ambitions with family life. Whether you're navigating the early days of parenthood or the teenage years, Carla's wisdom offers a guiding light. Tune in for a conversation filled with practical tips, personal stories, and a reminder that thriving is possible for every working parent.



Connect with Carla:

www.linkedin.com/in/carla-greenan https://www.instagram.com/3becoaching/


If you're pregnant or a working mom and looking for resources about a maternity leave plan, confidently pumping at work, or advocating for yourself please visit

⁠⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms ⁠



Connect with Alexa:

⁠⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/empowering-working-parents-and-the-c50d8da1942-7519-42b4-b5aa-cd1a46a75578Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:04:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1069<![CDATA[Redefining Motherhood Career Breaks and New Identities with Barbara Joyce]]>Join host Alexa Starks and guest Barbara Joyce ter Horst, founder of Thrive Career Development, as they delve into the transformative journey of motherhood and career reentry. Discover how to embrace new identities, overcome workplace biases, and leverage motherhood skills in professional settings. Gain insights on building confidence, navigating career breaks, and redefining success as a working mom.


Connect with Barbara Joyce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarajoyce/


If you're pregnant or a working mom and looking for resources about a maternity leave plan, confidently pumping at work, or advocating for yourself please visit

⁠⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms


Connect with Alexa:

⁠⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/redefining-motherhood-career-breaks-d8975c96c8d-5495-49b6-bfb4-0e3c79bd4167Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:32:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1171<![CDATA[From NICU Challenges to Joyful Milestones of Motherhood with Shayna Abraham]]>In this heartfelt episode of the Reentry Room podcast, host Alexa Starks welcomes Shayna Abraham, a dedicated advocate for families navigating the challenges of the NICU and beyond. Shayna shares her personal journey of becoming a mother to a premature baby and how it inspired her to support other families through similar experiences. Together, they discuss the emotional highs and lows of motherhood, the importance of proactive preparation, and the power of community support. Tune in to discover valuable insights and resources for parents facing the unexpected.


If you're pregnant or a working mom and looking for resources about a maternity leave plan, confidently pumping at work, or advocating for yourself please visit

⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms


Visit: https://www.preparetobloom.com/

https://www.instagram.com/prepare_to_bloom/


Connect with Alexa:

⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/from-nicu-challenges-to-joyful-milestones-881182580a3-5f31-4ca8-bf20-bef9b0f80910Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:12:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1496<![CDATA[The Journey from Postpartum Struggles to Maternal Health Advocacy with Nikki Steele Osborne]]>Join Alexa Starks as she chats with Nikki Steele Osborne, the Scottish Soul Sister, about her transformative journey from hairdresser to maternal mental health advocate. Discover how Nikki's personal battles with postpartum depression led her to create resources for new parents, and learn about the importance of understanding oneself before diving into parenthood.


Connect with Nikki:

https://www.instagram.com/thescottishsoulsister/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-steele-osborne-848448219



If you're planning your maternity leave or the return to work, make sure you grab the only complete Maternity Leave Plan or Pumping Plan and set yourself up for a successful and easy return to work transition!

⁠https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms⁠


And connect with Alexa:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-journey-from-postpartum-struggles-0158615c7a2-fc2c-4ec6-8e97-00e6ba368b33Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1796<![CDATA[Embracing Imperfection in the Journey Through Motherhood and Grief with Michelle Valiukenas]]>TW: Grief & Pregnancy Loss

In this heartfelt episode of the Reentry Room podcast, Alexa Starks and Michelle Valiukenas delve into the raw and honest realities of motherhood. Michelle shares her poignant journey through loss and how it has shaped her approach to parenting.

Together, they discuss the importance of community, the power of vulnerability, and the strength found in embracing life's imperfections. Join them for an inspiring conversation that normalizes grief and celebrates resilience.


Learn More about the Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation:

https://www.instagram.com/colettelouisetisdahl/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-colette-louise-tisdahl-foundation


If you're planning your maternity leave or the return to work, make sure you grab the only complete Maternity Leave Plan or Pumping Plan and set yourself up for a successful and easy return to work transition!

https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms


And connect with Alexa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/embracing-imperfection-in-the-journey-ebf61697433-5e87-41a1-80ed-3bdf04d9a785Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:30:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1421<![CDATA[A Mother’s Unconditional Support with Diane Moca]]>TW: Suicide and Mental Health


In this deeply moving episode of the Reentry Room podcast, Alexa Starks and Diane Moca delve into the raw and honest realities of motherhood and mental health. Diane shares her personal journey of balancing career ambitions with the challenges of parenting, revealing her struggles with guilt and the lessons learned from her daughter's mental health battles.

Through candid confessions and heartfelt discussions, this episode offers a powerful reminder of the importance of listening, understanding, and embracing imperfection in the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.


Join Alexa and Diane as they explore the complexities of motherhood, supporting your children with unconditional love, the courage to ask for help, and the strength found in vulnerability.



Connect with Diane and MomSub:

https://www.instagram.com/momsubapphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/workingmomwarrior/https://www.youtube.com/workingmomwarrior


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.executivemoms.co/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/a-mothers-unconditional-support-with-7d15ed1bf1c-04c7-41a4-9db8-3a2ec0a06a7fFri, 02 Jan 2026 05:21:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo2571<![CDATA[Pumps, Pods, and Priorities: The Working Mom's Guide with Miriam Rubin]]>In this episode of the Reentry Room podcast, hosts Alexa Starks and Miriam Rubin dive into the challenges and triumphs of being a working mother. They discuss the realities of balancing a career with motherhood, focusing on the often-overlooked topic of pumping at work.

Miriam shares her personal journey and insights on how workplaces can better support mothers, while Alexa offers practical advice for moms returning to work.

Tune in for an honest conversation about the struggles and solutions for working moms everywhere.


If you're pregnant or a working mom and looking for resources about a maternity leave plan, confidently pumping at work, or advocating for yourself please visit

https://www.executivemoms.co/for-moms


Connect with Miriam:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamrubin/https://www.linkedin.com/company/listen-to-your-mothershttps://www.instagram.com/listentoyourmothers/


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.executivemoms.co/⁠

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/pumps-pods-and-priorities-the-working-3094384b7e9-ff24-4607-aa05-0bf88f787bd1Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:32:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1575<![CDATA[Redefining Motherhood: Jiemi Gao's Journey from Consulting to Community Building]]>Join Alexa Starks as she sits down with Jiemi Gao, founder of the mom mentorship platform Nori. In this episode, Jiemi shares her transformative journey from a high-paced career in strategy consulting to creating a supportive community for mothers. Discover how motherhood reshaped her identity and inspired her to help other moms navigate their unique paths. Tune in for insights on balancing career ambitions with the demands of parenting, and learn about the power of community in motherhood.


Grab your Maternity Leave Plan here if you don't have it yet!

https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/the-reentry-blueprint-system/


Connect with Jieme & Nori

Personal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jiemi-gao-61735215Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asknori1Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nori_asknori


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.executivemoms.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/redefining-motherhood-jiemi-gaos-815db1abad0-d3f7-41db-8735-425b0be0d8fcTue, 30 Dec 2025 05:44:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1327<![CDATA[Motherhood as Leadership: Insights with Kayla McGuire]]>Join Alexa Starks and special guest Kayla McGuire as they explore the transformative journey of motherhood and its parallels to leadership. Discover how skills honed in parenting can empower women in the workplace, and learn practical steps for new moms to harness their leadership potential. Whether you're navigating the return to work or seeking to redefine your identity, this episode offers valuable insights and resources to support your journey.


Have you grabbed the complete Maternity Leave Plan yet? Get your copy of the only complete system!




https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylamcguire/https://www.instagram.com/mommerz.brand/www.kaylamcguire.comwww.mommerz.com


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.executivemoms.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/motherhood-as-leadership-insights-09eae626d15-e6cb-4a67-a743-90c7c336633cThu, 25 Dec 2025 05:01:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1223<![CDATA[The Power of Being Authentically You: Lessons from a Doula, with Elisabeth van der Wilt]]>In this empowering episode of the Reentry Room, host Alexa Starks welcomes Elisabeth van der Wilt, a holistic doula and women's health coach, to discuss the realities of working motherhood. Together, they explore the challenges of imposter syndrome, the importance of authenticity, and the power of community support. Elisabeth shares her journey from overcoming doubts to embracing her role as a doula, offering valuable insights for moms navigating their own paths. Tune in for a candid conversation filled with wisdom and encouragement for every stage of motherhood.


Connect with Elisabeth:

Womb Talk Podcast

https://fruitfulwomb.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/fruitfulwombdoula/


If you're pregnant or a new mom, make sure to grab The Maternity Leave Plan to plan your maternity leave & return to work: https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/the-reentry-blueprint-system/


Connect with Alexa

: https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/

https://www.executivemoms.co/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-power-of-being-authentically-d57e05ebc7d-3c7a-4908-872e-dde2e57e0239Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo784<![CDATA[I Didn’t Lose My Ambition. I Lost My Tolerance for Bullshit.]]>In this episode of "The Reentry Room," host Alexa Starks challenges the traditional notions of ambition, especially for working mothers. Alexa shares her personal journey of redefining ambition after motherhood, highlighting the stark differences between ambition and tolerance for workplace nonsense.

She critiques the outdated corporate systems that fail to support women, particularly mothers, and emphasizes the power of mature ambition that seeks meaningful impact over superficial accolades. This episode is a call to action for women to embrace their evolved leadership and reject systems that don't serve them.


Grab your copy of the only complete Maternity Leave Plan here:

https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/the-reentry-blueprint-system/


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.executivemoms.co/

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/i-didnt-lose-my-ambition-i-lost-my-edb48078370-7a21-4c57-ad7c-4e456a1d200aMon, 15 Dec 2025 23:27:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo538<![CDATA[Navigating Career Breaks: The Blueprint for Working Moms with Laura Niebauer]]>In this episode of The Reentry Room, Alexa Starks welcomes Laura Niebauer, a job search strategist and career coach for women re-entering the workforce after a career break. They discuss the challenges and strategies for working mothers, including the importance of clarity, networking, and self-advocacy. Laura shares her personal experiences and insights on balancing motherhood and career, offering practical advice for women navigating similar paths.


Connect with Laura:

www.linkedin.com/in/lauraniebauer

https://www.lauraniebauer.com/


Connect with Alexa:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexastarks/


Resources for New & Expecting Moms:

https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/work-with-alexa-starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/navigating-career-breaks-the-blueprint-318b878c974-ecc2-4096-9abb-129138aecca4Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1356<![CDATA[Empowering Women's Stories: Building Community and Support with Katie Falcone]]>In this episode of "The Reentry Room," host Alexa Starks welcomes Katie Falcone, co-founder of "I'm Her Story," to discuss the challenges and realities of working motherhood.

They delve into the creation of safe spaces for women to share their stories and seek support, addressing issues like ageism, toxic workplaces, and the struggle of balancing work and family life. Katie shares her insights on societal programming, self-awareness, and the importance of community support in overcoming workplace challenges. Tune in for an empowering conversation about rewriting the narrative for working mothers.


Visit https://www.imherstory.com/ and connect with Katie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiefalcone/


And if you're pregnant or a new mom and looking for resources to help plan maternity leave and the return to work, visit https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/the-reentry-blueprint-system/

And connect with Alexa on:

LinkedIn

Instagram



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/empowering-womens-stories-building-900b6439123-88b2-4911-be7f-4b8746eba3a7Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1219<![CDATA[Redefining Success: From Corporate to Entrepreneurial Motherhood with Klara Ganter]]>In this episode of the Reentry Room, host Alexa Starks welcomes career strategist Klara Ganter to discuss the challenges and opportunities for working moms transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship.

Klara shares her insights on creating a strategic exit plan, the misconceptions about freedom in entrepreneurship, and the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout.

Alexa and Klara also explore the emotional journey of redefining career goals post-motherhood and the significance of leveraging past experiences in new ventures. Tune in for practical advice and inspiring stories that resonate with moms seeking meaningful work-life balance.


To connect with Klara:

mompire.eu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/klaraganter/


If you're pregnant or a new mom, make sure to grab The Reentry Blueprint System for Moms to plan your maternity leave & return to work:

https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/the-reentry-blueprint-system/


Connect with Alexa on IG:

https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/redefining-success-from-corporate-6f77b09543e-8cfb-4653-a0a6-909ce19a72afTue, 25 Nov 2025 14:18:44 GMTAlexa StarksNo931<![CDATA[The Version of Me I Had to Outgrow to Become a Mom]]>Motherhood doesn’t just change you, it asks you to outgrow the version of yourself who thought she had to do it all. In this episode, Alexa Starks reflects on the messy, beautiful process of shedding old expectations and rediscovering who you actually want to be now. From performance-based worth to redefined ambition, she shares what happens when you stop trying to “bounce back” and start becoming forward.


If you're pregnant, don't forget to plan your maternity leave and return to work with this Reentry Blueprint System for Moms here:

https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/the-reentry-blueprint-system/




Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-version-of-me-i-had-to-outgrow-ff41070d8e2-5334-4207-a38e-82cd183cc09bTue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo815<![CDATA[Embracing the Imperfection of Motherhood: A Conversation with Dr. Emily Guarnotta at Phoenix Health]]>In this episode of the Reentry Room, host Alexa Starks speaks with perinatal expert and psychologist Dr. Emily Guarnotta about the challenges of working motherhood, particularly during the perinatal period. They discuss the shift to online therapy, the importance of specialization in mental health, and the struggles many mothers face, including feelings of inadequacy and the impact of social media. Emily shares her personal experiences with motherhood and offers advice on acknowledging the difficulties of parenting and the importance of seeking help.


Connect with Emily at joinphoenixhealth.com


For more resources if you're a working mom, visit

https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/work-with-alexa-starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/embracing-the-imperfection-of-motherhood-382c82bdc81-eb84-4e7c-bad9-26a22831d6e7Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo958<![CDATA[Armies of Support and Honest Confessions: A Conversation with Kelly Cox of Share the Drop]]>When you’re becoming a mother, everyone tells you how to prepare for birth — but no one tells you how to prepare for after. In this episode, Alexa sits down with doula and Share the Drop founder Kelly Cox to talk about postpartum realities, building real systems of support, and the power of community among moms. Plus, Kelly steps into The Confession Chair for an honest moment every mom will relate to.


Learn more about Kelly’s work at sharethedrop.com

or on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sharethedrop/




Ready for more support in your own reentry after maternity leave?

Check out the resources for moms here: https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/work-with-alexa-starks/


Find Alexa Starks on IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexa.starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/armies-of-support-and-honest-confessions-f910369d360-782a-4303-9caf-d3d031fc840bTue, 04 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1189<![CDATA[The Quiet Question: What If I Don’t Want My Old Life Back?]]>You’re back at work, doing all the right things — but something feels off. Everyone around you says, “It’ll feel normal again soon,” and yet deep down, you’re realizing… maybe you don’t want normal.

In this episode, Alexa Starks unpacks the quiet, uncomfortable truth that many moms face after maternity leave: the life you worked so hard for doesn’t fit anymore. She explores what that ache really means, why it’s not confusion but clarity, and how to start designing a life and career that align with who you are now — not who you were before baby.


Ready to figure out what’s next?
Book a free clarity call with Alexa to explore 1:1 coaching for moms navigating the transition from career to entrepreneurship, or explore additional ways to work with Alexa:


https://executivemoms.mysamcart.com/work-with-alexa-starks/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-quiet-question-what-if-i-dont-00cc496c55e-fc13-42c4-8f2c-fda50c9494e7Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo525<![CDATA[When You’re Wondering If It’s Time to Leave: A Guide for Moms Questioning Their Career After Baby]]>In this episode, Alexa Starks gets honest about the quiet moment so many new moms face after maternity leave: when gratitude for your career collides with the deep knowing that something no longer fits.

Alexa walks through the identity shifts, mindset reframes, and practical steps to help you figure out whether you’re burned out or truly ready for change. From redefining ambition to designing a thoughtful exit plan, this episode will help you find clarity and give you permission to want more.

Ready to explore what’s next?






Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/when-youre-wondering-if-its-time-b2513cc1d6e-03e6-45a2-9bab-1a568e649d43Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo705<![CDATA[The Motherhood Identity Shift: Who You Were, Who You Are, and Who You’re Still Becoming.]]>No one talks about how much of yourself you lose—and find again—after becoming a mom. In this episode, Alexa Starks unpacks the emotional and professional identity shift that happens when motherhood collides with ambition. She shares why returning to work can feel like living in two worlds, how to release the version of yourself that no longer fits, and what it really means to rebuild your sense of self as both a mom and a leader.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even know who I am anymore,” this episode will remind you: you’re not behind, you’re becoming and evolving into better.


Ready for support in this season?
Book a free clarity call with Alexa to explore 1:1 coaching for moms in their first year back to work at https://executivemoms.co/coaching/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-motherhood-identity-shift-who-31bbd8c8ee6-ff8a-4332-a5b6-35a44b9d7600Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:08:56 GMTAlexa StarksNo744<![CDATA[Answering your FAQs about motherhood]]>Motherhood cracks us open, reshapes us, and forces us to reimagine who we are in ways no promotion, leadership program, or career pivot ever could. It’s beautiful, but it’s also brutal—and the way our culture and workplaces treat mothers makes it even harder than it needs to be.


So this episode unpacks some of your top frequently asked questions about motherhood and how to navigate being a working mom as well.


And if you're a mom in the first year back from maternity leave, the next group coaching program starts January 5, 2026, you can learn more about the program and join the waitlist here>> https://executivemoms.co/coaching/


Or book a free call with Alexa to ask all your questions and make sure it's the right fit for you: https://calendar.app.google/dGZANMWrQX5TPx1CA




Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/answering-your-faqs-about-motherhood-55e51969afc-5c44-48be-a34a-2b7c4dcd2399Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:49:44 GMTAlexa StarksNo885<![CDATA[If You Don’t Redesign It, You’ll Resent It: How to Rebuild Your Work Week After Baby]]>Trying to copy-paste your old schedule onto your new life after maternity leave? That’s the fastest path to burnout—and resentment. In this episode, Alexa Starks unpacks why “bouncing back” is a myth and guides you through a step-by-step framework to redesign your work week around energy, boundaries, transitions, and focused ambition.

You’ll walk away with practical strategies to rebuild your calendar in a way that fits who you are now—so you can lead from power, not survival.


Ready for personalized support?
If you’re in your first year back at work after baby, book a free clarity call with Alexa to explore 1:1 coaching: executivemoms.co/coaching/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/if-you-dont-redesign-it-youll-resent-dc391751ca5-9c47-41a8-9813-df6ff3c0c710Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo634<![CDATA[The Visibility Plan: How to Reclaim Your Influence After Maternity Leave]]>You didn’t lose your edge—you lost your visibility in a system that never learned how to hold working moms. In this episode, Alexa Starks breaks down three concrete strategies to rebuild your influence, reintroduce your voice, and reposition yourself as a leader—without burning out to prove you still belong. This episode is a must-listen if you’re on maternity leave or navigating your first year back and want to lead from clarity, not exhaustion.

Ready to take this further?
Book a free call with Alexa to explore 1:1 coaching customized to your reentry journey at

https://executivemoms.co/coaching/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-visibility-plan-how-to-reclaim-99c2d74f500-f1f3-4461-8063-8ba7a383d04cTue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo720<![CDATA[5 Things I Had to Unlearn to Lead After Maternity Leave]]>Leadership doesn’t look the same after you become a mom, and it shouldn’t. In this powerful episode, Alexa Starks unpacks five toxic beliefs she had to unlearn after maternity leave in order to lead with clarity, confidence, and power.

From redefining ambition to reclaiming boundaries, Alexa shares the mindset shifts that helped her stop performing and start leading on her own terms.

Whether you’re weeks or years into working motherhood, this episode will leave you feeling seen—and more importantly, equipped.


Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Alexa at https://executivemoms.co/coaching/


Or learn about the corporate workshops to bring to your company https://executivemoms.co/workshop/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/5-things-i-had-to-unlearn-to-lead-f95cb3c4a5c-416b-478b-b5cd-fc7962143689Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo741<![CDATA[I Didn’t Say No Because I Thought I Could Handle It. I Said Yes Because I Thought I Had To.]]>In this episode, Alexa Starks gets honest about the unspoken fear driving so many yeses from working moms: the fear of being seen as less committed, less capable, less promotable. It’s not just overwork—it’s over-functioning as self-protection.


Drawing from the patterns she sees in every workshop and coaching session, Alexa unpacks how this mindset is quietly burning women out while keeping companies from truly seeing their talent. This is a conversation about boundaries, power, and why reentry must be designed to support real, sustainable leadership—not silent suffering.


If your company is ready to build a culture where moms don’t have to earn their spot back through exhaustion, visit https://executivemoms.co/workshop/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/i-didnt-say-no-because-i-thought-fd9764a85eb-1582-4374-9e86-ccf5f57d8ea4Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo514<![CDATA[I Miss Being Seen for My Mind.]]>After maternity leave, too many brilliant, strategic women come back only to be met with lowered expectations and soft voices.

In this episode, Alexa unpacks the emotional and systemic erasure of working moms’ intellect and leadership. Drawing from her own experience and the patterns she sees every day through The Reentry Blueprint™, she offers a reframing of what real support looks like—and how companies can stop sidelining high-potential talent under the guise of kindness.

It’s a love letter to your mind—and a wake-up call to the people who forgot to ask what you think.


Corporate workshop: executivemoms.co/workshop



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/i-miss-being-seen-for-my-mind-505791a2a68-d658-42a0-9c3d-b219b094d718Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo510<![CDATA[I Don’t Know How to Be All of Me Anywhere Right Now.]]>In this raw and reflective episode, Alexa names the fragmentation so many working mothers feel but rarely say out loud: the exhaustion of shapeshifting all day long, never feeling fully seen at home or at work.

Speaking not as an overwhelmed employee, but as the founder of a company that’s redesigning systems to hold working moms better, she shares what true integration can look like—and how workplaces can stop punishing wholeness. If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much and not enough at the same time, this one’s for you.


Learn more about the workshop at executivemoms.co/workshop




Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/i-dont-know-how-to-be-all-of-me-anywhere-4711ca8fd85-9344-4571-a7a0-bdf5c619cfd7Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:32:40 GMTAlexa StarksNo542<![CDATA[I Don’t Want to Quit My Job. I Just Don’t Want to Do It Like This Anymore]]>We don’t want to quit our careers. We want to quit the broken system.The one that rewards responsiveness over results.The one that praises us for "pushing through" instead of checking in.The one that treats flexibility as a favor instead of a feature.


In this episode, we call out the reality that many working moms feel, about being tired of faking it and compartmentalizing work and motherhood.


If you're ready to bring The Reentry Blueprint workshop to your company to support working moms, learn more here: https://executivemoms.co/workshop/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-to-quit-my-job-i-just-98a2156930e-2e75-4c97-aba1-3842c56c3890Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:41:52 GMTAlexa StarksNo554<![CDATA[The Guilt, the Grind, and the Glorious Middle]]>No one talks about the middle.
Not the first-day-back, not the dramatic burnout—just the in-between.

The space where you’re answering emails while reheating dinner.
Where you love your job and still fantasize about quitting it.
Where the guilt is loud, the grind is relentless, and you’re quietly wondering if you’re doing any of it right.

This episode is an honest look at what it means to lead, mother, and exist in that invisible space between survival and success.

You’ll walk away with permission to pause, powerful mindset shifts, and a reminder that this isn’t failure—it’s formation.

✨ You’re not behind. You’re becoming.


Want to bring The Reentry Blueprint to your company?Learn more at ⁠executivemoms.co/workshops



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-guilt-the-grind-and-the-glorious-163438eb1a7-73c9-4651-8c81-d4465deeed34Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo745<![CDATA[What I Wish My Boss Had Asked After Leave]]>The first one-on-one after leave.
A full calendar. A forced smile. A quiet hope that someone—anyone—would ask how I was really doing.

But no one did.

In this episode, I’m sharing the conversation I wish I’d had—and the questions every manager needs to ask a returning parent.

We’ll talk about:

  • Why “How’s the baby?” isn’t enough

  • The emotional cost of reentry silence

  • The exact questions I now teach leaders to ask

Whether you’re returning to work or leading someone who is, this episode will shift how you see the first 90 days—and why it’s never just about logistics.


Want to bring The Reentry Blueprint to your company?Learn more at executivemoms.co/workshops



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/what-i-wish-my-boss-had-asked-after-b6a499fe968-fb9b-4216-abaa-bd109bfad3c7Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo589<![CDATA[5 Mistakes Managers Make When Parents Return]]>Most managers want to do the right thing when someone returns from leave.
But good intentions don’t always lead to good reentry—and silence is louder than we think.

In this episode, I’m breaking down five common mistakes managers make when a new parent returns to work—mistakes that often lead to burnout, invisibility, and quiet exits.

We’ll talk about:

  • Why “Welcome back!” isn’t a plan

  • The unspoken danger of meeting overload

  • How to rebuild trust and visibility in the first 90 days

Whether you’re managing someone through reentry—or returning yourself—this episode is a strategic blueprint for what not to do, and exactly what to do instead.


Want to build a reentry system that retains top talent?
Learn more at: executivemoms.co/workshops



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/5-mistakes-managers-make-when-parents-3a1a75df872-502e-4f6b-baaf-26be22f7cb40Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo1001<![CDATA[You Don’t Owe Anyone Your Availability]]>If you’ve ever answered a Slack message from a pediatrician’s waiting room, replied to emails during bedtime, or felt guilty for not responding fast enough—this episode is for you.

In this unapologetic truth-drop, Alexa Starks exposes the toxic expectation that working moms must be endlessly accessible to prove their worth. You’ll learn how to stop measuring your value by your availability—and start reclaiming your time, your energy, and your power.

You’ll learn:

  • Why being “always on” is a fast track to burnout—not leadership

  • How over-availability is often rooted in fear, guilt, or people-pleasing

  • Practical language swaps to communicate clearly without overexplaining

  • Mindset shifts to help you create space, set limits, and stop apologizing for it

  • One micro-boundary you can set this week to start protecting your peace

This episode is your reminder that your time is valuable—and you don’t owe anyone constant access to prove it.


If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.

👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠


Want your company to actually support working parents?
Explore The Reentry Blueprint workshop at https://executivemoms.co/workshops/



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/you-dont-owe-anyone-your-availability-41990ba854f-e09d-4a35-821b-fe76bfe165b0Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo737<![CDATA[The Old You Isn’t Coming Back—And That’s a Good Thing]]>If you’ve been quietly wondering, “When will I feel like myself again?”—this episode is for you.

In this tender but powerful conversation, Alexa Starks reframes the grief that often follows new motherhood and major identity shifts. You’ll explore what it means to let go of your pre-motherhood self—not with shame or regret, but with reverence. Because the truth is, the “old you” didn’t disappear… she evolved.

You’ll learn:

  • Why the pressure to “bounce back” is a lie—and a trap

  • What grief has to do with growth (and why it’s not a sign you’re broken)

  • The real reason you feel out of alignment—and how to come back home to yourself

  • Journal prompts, mindset shifts, and mantras to help you root into the woman you’re becoming

  • How to stop chasing the past and start building forward

If you’ve been missing the version of you “before the babies, the burnout, and the breakdowns,” this episode is a loving, empowering reminder: you haven’t lost yourself—you’ve outgrown her.



If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.

👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/the-old-you-isnt-coming-backand-thats-df5582fc361-5ec3-43aa-8216-ee17c06d3c88Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo858<![CDATA[What If You Let It Drop—And Nothing Broke?]]>What if the thing you’re white-knuckling… doesn’t actually matter?
What if the guilt you’re carrying… was never yours to begin with?

In this powerful and liberating episode, Alexa Starks invites working moms to question the pressure to do it all—and to see letting go not as a failure, but as a form of leadership. Through personal storytelling, truth bombs, and system-level clarity, she offers working moms permission to pause, reassess, and put something down on purpose.

You’ll learn:

  • Why you’re not broken—you’re over-functioning in a broken system

  • How the myth of “doing it all” is quietly burning out moms everywhere

  • What leadership really looks like when it’s built around capacity, not martyrdom

  • Journal prompts, mindset shifts, and mantras to help you practice letting go

  • How to reclaim time, energy, and self-trust—one dropped ball at a time

This episode is your deep exhale. Your reminder that rest isn’t a reward—it’s your right.


If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.

👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/what-if-you-let-it-dropand-nothing-80cacc80292-b68e-43ae-8a1e-a17bdf7cb575Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo507<![CDATA[Ambition Isn’t the Problem—Lack of Support Is]]>If you’ve ever questioned whether your ambition makes you a bad mom—or felt like your drive to build, lead, and rise somehow threatens your family’s stability—this episode is your truth serum.

In this powerful reframe, Alexa Starks calls out the shame culture that surrounds ambitious moms and makes them feel like their goals are “too much.” She shares her personal experience of being overlooked not because she underperformed—but because her ambition made others uncomfortable.

You’ll learn:

  • Why ambition in moms is pathologized—and how to reclaim it

  • The deeper reason you feel stuck (hint: it’s not lack of discipline)

  • How to protect your ambition and build support around it

  • Why redefining leadership after motherhood is not optional—it’s revolutionary

  • Real talk on the systems that were never built for us—and what to do instead

If you’re ready to stop shrinking to fit a system that never considered you—this one’s for you.


If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.

You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/ambition-isnt-the-problemlack-of-b4d688f2207-2519-4ea8-8176-04533e0b5566Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo669<![CDATA[Stop Glorifying Burnout. Moms Aren’t Martyrs for Your Metrics]]>You shouldn’t have to break to be believed.
You shouldn’t have to collapse to be taken seriously.

In this fiery and honest episode, Alexa Starks calls out the toxic normalization of burnout—especially for high-achieving moms who are praised for pushing through while quietly falling apart.

She shares her own story of returning from maternity leave to back-to-back meetings, pumping while rocking a contact-napping baby, and being called a “rockstar”—when what she really needed was rest, support, and systems that actually made space for caregiving.

You’ll learn:

  • Why burnout isn’t a personal flaw—it’s a symptom of an underbuilt system

  • How over-functioning becomes invisible—and dangerous

  • The leadership cost of constant self-sacrifice

  • Tangible ways to drop, delegate, and draw the line (without guilt)

  • Mantras and mindset shifts to protect your energy like the asset it is

This isn’t just a vent session—it’s a rebellion against the lie that being a good mom or a strong leader requires you to suffer.


If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.

👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/stop-glorifying-burnout-moms-arent-6f95f42454e-d86d-4c3b-9117-9b512354ad1eTue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo579<![CDATA[Motherhood Made Me a Better Leader. But It Also Broke Me]]>They say motherhood builds character. But what they don’t talk about is how it breaks you first.

In this emotionally honest episode, Alexa Starks opens up about the invisible identity shift that happens when you become a mom and a leader. She shares the moment she returned from maternity leave—rocking a baby in one arm, leading meetings with the other—and realizing she didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror.

This episode is a permission slip to grieve the version of yourself you left behind—and to recognize that what “broke” you may be exactly what forged you into the leader you are now.

You’ll learn:

  • Why grief and growth often come hand in hand for working moms

  • How to stop chasing the “old you” and lead from where you are now

  • What real leadership looks like after motherhood

  • A powerful mantra to carry into your next chapter


    If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.

    👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/motherhood-made-me-a-better-leader-47a4b9682dc-dfd7-4a10-b9e1-828dfaea4775Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMTAlexa StarksNo595<![CDATA[You’re Not Behind—You’re Just Carrying More]]>If you’ve ever looked at your career, your to-do list, your messy living room—and thought, “I should be further by now”—this episode is your reminder: you are not behind.

You are carrying more.

In this raw and validating debut episode, Alexa Starks dismantles the shame spiral that so many working moms fall into.

From contact naps and client calls to guilt and self-doubt, she shares her own moment of “I’m failing” and flips the narrative on its head.

You’ll learn:

Why the feeling of “not enough” isn’t yours to carry

How motherhood reshapes progress—not pauses it

Why hustle culture was never designed for moms—and how to opt out

A powerful mindset shift to anchor yourself in truth, not pressure

This is more than a pep talk—it’s a wake-up call to reclaim your pace, your power, and your worth. If this episode made you feel seen, share it with a fellow mom who’s quietly carrying too much.


If you’re done being underpaid, overlooked, and overworked—this is your next move.The Power Play™ is a 90-minute strategy session to help you ask for more and actually get it.You need to be paid what you’re worth—now.

👉 Book your Power Play here: ⁠https://executivemoms.co/powerplay/⁠



Get full access to Like a Motherf*cker at likeamotherf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://likeamotherf.substack.com/p/youre-not-behindyoure-just-carrying-8d1fa9c4480-7973-4830-89a6-93377fe40108Tue, 27 May 2025 17:55:36 GMTAlexa StarksNo732