Season 1 premiered in mid 2024. Almost two years ago.

And the conversations from that first season weren’t just timely…they were early. As in, ahead of their time.

Before “mental load” became a buzzword. Before more women started openly sharing what working motherhood really feels like.

And yet these stories still hold so much truth.

So in the lead-up to Season 2, I’m resurfacing my favorite episodes of Season 1 because every single one deserves a listen.

Starting with the very first episode I ever recorded, my conversation with Kim Gebbia Chappell.

Kim is the multi-award winning Chief Brand Officer of Bobbie, raising 3 young kids, leading a team of moms, and still carving out personal time, not because it’s easy, but because she’s built the systems to make it happen.

This episode is one I’ll never stop recommending.

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Kim shares so many gems in this episode, the kind that stick with you long after the episode ends:

🍼 Her Sunday morning babysitter ritual
📦 How she got her company to cover MilkStork
📲 Her “babysitter bench” strategy
💼 Redefining what it means to be “the strong one”

Let me know what you learn!

A two second favor? Please leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after listening.

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💬 Drop a comment with what your mom-mode to work-mode transition looks like!

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Thanks for listening,

Barbara

We were sitting in the escrow office, signing our names on what felt like a never-ending stack of documents to finalize the acquisition of our first studio - MNTSTUDIO Palo Alto.

Excited? Yes.

Terrified? Also yes.

We left the office and drove straight to the studio. Opened the door. Walked in. It was ours: The reformers. The retail shelves. The team.

I looked around and felt like I had stepped into the middle of my own dream. But I also felt like a complete fraud.

I didn’t know the backend systems. I didn’t know how to manage a front-desk team or teach a Pilates class.

I had several moments where I thought, “What did we just get ourselves into?”

But I knew something else too: We would figure it out.

Because making sh!t happen with an imperfect plan is my superpower.

For as long as I can remember, once I see a vision, I can’t not act on it.

In my tech career, I built a reputation for taking big, abstract ideas and breaking them down into actionable steps that a team could move on fast.

And the reason I am able to do that, whether it was walking into boardrooms I didn’t feel qualified to be in, or signing a 6,000 sq ft lease for a space I had never seen IRL, is because I move even when I’m unsure.

And that’s exactly what I’m unpacking in this final solo episode of the Toolkit Series. That’s right, I’m capping off this series with my exact playbook wrapped into an efficient 11 minute listen.

This one’s personal. It’s the method I live by. And I think it’ll help you move forward too.

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A two second favor? Please leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after listening.

TLDR inside this episode:

You’ll learn how to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building real momentum using the practical, five-step framework I use to move ideas forward, even when the plan is messy and time is limited.

• 🚀 Why action creates clarity: Learn why taking imperfect steps builds confidence faster than waiting to feel ready.

• 🛠️ The 5-step momentum toolkit: A simple system to start small, launch early, and build traction.

• 🧠 Owning the execution mindset: How to move past perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and overthinking.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to start, build, and grow, even with an imperfect plan.

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💬 Drop a note below naming one action you are taking this week to build momentum towards a goal!

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Thanks for listening,

Barbara

Two years ago, I was at a massive inflection point. I had just walked away from my 12-year corporate tech career, was knee-deep in negotiations to acquire MNTSTUDIO, and was trying to figure out what New Modern Mom would actually become. My life was completely up in the air.

Instead of diving into the New Year on autopilot, I did something I’d never done before: I scheduled a personal offsite.

We escaped to Tahoe during that quiet first week of January (one of my favorite weeks with no tourists, just snow and silence). For the first time, I had the actual mental bandwidth to run a real internal audit on my life. I asked myself nine questions about where my energy was leaking and what I wanted my year to look like across my 6 pillars: family, career, self-discovery, health, marriage/relationships, and finances.

That week set my year up with clear priorities, boundaries and definition of success. It turned my overwhelm into a wish list into an Annual Operating Plan… and it’s the process I still rely on today.

In today’s new Toolkit episode, I’m giving you the exact framework I use to turn those big dreams into measurable results and daily habits. We’re moving past vague New Year’s resolutions and into intentional design.

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TLDR, inside this episode:

You’ll learn how to run a personal offsite, ask the right reflection questions, and translate your goals into an actionable 2026 Operating Plan, complete with built-in accountability so it lasts all year, not just in January!

🧠 Vision boards for clarity: Use visuals to crystallize what you want your year to look like.

📝 The 9 questions: A step-by-step internal audit to define true priorities for 2026.

🏔 The personal offsite: Why you must block time now to plan with deep intention.

🎯 Vision to execution: My “Pillar System” for turning big ideas into a real operating plan.

📆 Make it stick: Schedule non-negotiable Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to stay aligned.

BONUS: Get My Exact Workbook

I know this is a big exercise, so I did the heavy lifting for you. I built a 2026 Annual Operating Plan Workbook to lead you through these exercises. It includes the nine audit questions, my pillar framework, and the “Lagging vs. Leading” indicator tracker so you can lead your whole life like a CEO.

Get Your Workbook

💬 Drop a “Scheduled!” below if you’ll be doing your own Personal Offsite in the New Year! (nothing like putting something in writing to hold yourself accountable!)

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Thanks for listening,

Barbara

ICYMI, we’ve been talking about a topic most couples avoid: money. More specifically, how to have conversations that actually move you forward financially.

I invited my husband, Jason, onto the podcast to share how we schedule “Money Dates” to align on our goals and build a financial plan together. In the first part of this series, I walked through the agenda for our very first one so you could easily plan your own Money Date too: understanding what we earned, what we spent, and how we wanted to grow.

But our second Money Date is when things got real.

We sat down to create a plan for diversifying our income, because we knew that long-term wealth and flexibility would come from building beyond our paychecks.

We landed on a clear path forward: invest in something “passive.” Something that could earn on autopilot while we both continued working full-time. Real estate felt like the safest next step for us, so we started there. Jason ran numbers, researched markets, studied options on Roofstock late into the night.

Eventually, we bought a vacation rental in Tahoe.

It was meant to be our introduction to “passive” income. Instead, it became our crash course in what ownership of a rental actually takes… maintenance calls, property management issues, broken decks, snow damage, and a long list of lessons about how “hands-off” short-term rental real estate investing rarely is.

That experience changed how we thought about investing. Because yes, we really wanted passivity, but we also wanted purpose.

So when the opportunity came up to buy an existing Pilates studio, we looked at it through a different lens. Could this be the next evolution of our strategy? Could something active, something aligned with what we actually love, become both an investment and a lifestyle?

The numbers worked. The timing felt right. We said yes.

Shortly after, we sold the Tahoe property and reinvested fully. Our plan was modest: grow to three studios, eventually replace Jason’s income, and create a more flexible life. But within six months, we started to see potential we couldn’t ignore.

The business was way outperforming expectations thanks to our strategy applying best practices from the startup world into our organization. Our complementary skill sets in finance and marketing gave us an edge. Multiple macro-trends were colliding with all arrows pointing to success.

So we made the biggest decision of our financial lives: we decided to go all-in into scaling this business, including Jason leaving his W2 job last February.

We went from “how do we earn a little extra?” to “how do we build something much bigger?”

And while we walk through the full story in this Toolkit episode, this conversation is really about you. If you and your partner are trying to figure out your next step, whether that’s real estate, side gigs, or entrepreneurship, this episode gives you the questions to ask and the strategy to get aligned.

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Here are 3 lessons we share in the episode:

1. “Passive” income still takes energy. The moment you stop paying attention to it, it stops performing.

2. Run the numbers, but listen to your gut. Data will tell you what’s possible; intuition will tell you what’s right.

3. Double down on what gives you energy. The right investment feels like fuel, not a chore.

Please leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after listening. It takes seconds and helps me keep this podcast going! Bonus points for a written review.

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TLDR, inside this episode:

In this episode, we break down how to navigate your second Money Date: how to explore different income streams, assess your risk tolerance, define your roles, and align on a strategy that fits your actual life, not just the one on paper.

💼 Find your money mix - The pros, cons, and effort behind different income streams.

🏠 Passive income myths - What Airbnb ownership really looks like.

🏋️‍♀️ Passion as profit - How buying a Pilates studio changed our view on investing.

🧰 Your Second Money Date - An agenda for your next meeting to evaluate diversification paths and take action together.

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💬 Drop a comment and tell me: what passion would you love to turn into profit?

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• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your group chat

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

So last summer, I (along with several other families) went the opposite direction. Full DIY. I found our housing, researched local camps, coordinated schedules, and met up with a small group of people we met from the summer before on the weekends. It was freeing… and exhausting.

Both experiences were transformational. Neither was simple. And that’s exactly why I recorded this week’s podcast.

If you’ve ever dreamed about working from Europe while your kids are at camp or wondered if you’re the only one overwhelmed by the how, this episode is for you. I share what I learned doing both Boundless and DIY, including real numbers for camp fees, housing costs, and all the hidden extras most people don’t talk about.

This summer, I’m doing things differently. I co-created Roam Collective, a curated summer experience designed around everything I’ve learned about what works, and what doesn’t. It sold out this morning in less than an hour, which tells me just how many of you are craving a more intentional way to live and travel with your families.

I’m going to be publishing my local camp research across multiple countries soon.

For now, here’s the episode. No filter. Just the real story I wish someone had told me before I pressed “book.”

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Please leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after listening. It takes seconds and helps me keep this podcast going! Bonus points for a written review.

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TLDR, inside this episode:

🌍 Boundless vs. DIY: What you gain (and give up) with structured travel

🏡 DIY abroad: The real work behind planning it all yourself

💶 Cost breakdown: The money and mental load of each option

🧳 Prep tips: How to get started and set your family up for success

🧠 Toolkit: A quick exercise to help you choose what fits your season of life

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💬 Drop a comment below on where your dream summer abroad would be!

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• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your group chat

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

And I actually stuck with it…for 30 days.

I’d stand by my bed, stretch intentionally, sometimes watch a video on the Peloton app. And it felt so good. Until life did what it always does. Evenings went back into autopilot, and the habit disappeared.

So in 2024, I made the exact same resolution. Same goal, same intention. But this time, I did it differently. I didn’t carve out five minutes. I didn’t overcommit. I just started stretching while I brushed my teeth.

That was it. Simple. Uncomplicated.
And now, a year and a half later, I still do it every night.

I shared this in passing on Instagram and someone replied, “Because of you, I now stretch every night while brushing my teeth too.” And that’s when it clicked.

This wasn’t about productivity or discipline. It was about making the important stuff easier to access. It was about using the time I already had, without needing to overhaul my day.

In this week’s Toolkit Series episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, I’m diving into habit stacking: what it is, why it works, and how it helped me feel more calm, more connected, and more in control of my time.

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Please leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after listening. It takes seconds and helps me keep this podcast going! Bonus points for a written review.

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TLDR, inside this episode:

🧠 What habit stacking is and the science behind why it works

💡 My go-to habit stacks that make life feel more aligned

🛠 A mini coaching exercise to help you build your own

🌿 Why stacking isn’t about doing more, it’s about becoming who you want to be

📲 How to start with what you already do and build from there

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💬 Drop a comment below on a stack you are going to try this week!

• ❤️ And please take a sec. to give this post a little love below

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your group chat

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

Old me would’ve asked, why? Summer’s the same work schedule, just with more logistics. Camp spreadsheets. Pickup juggling. Later evenings. Packed weekends.

But after two summers in Europe with my family, I’ve learned summer can feel different.

Earlier this year, I released a podcast episode all about how to make that happen: Your Guide to a Working Summer Abroad with Kids. It quickly became one of the most downloaded episodes ever.

So this week, I’m back with Part 2, and a guest who’s been living this vision for years.

Maddy Novich (@CargoBikeMomma), Professor & NYC mom of three, joins me to share how her family has spent six summers in Europe, with her kids in local camps. From how to pick the right destination, to finding English-speaking camps, to the home exchange hack that makes it affordable, we cover it all. We both have different approaches to our European summers, but the same magical outcomes.

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TLDR, inside this episode:

🌍 How to choose the right destination or camp first (and what to prioritize)

🔍 Where to find safe, English-speaking summer camps across Europe

💶 What camp in Europe actually costs compared to the U.S.

🏠 How home exchanges make long-term travel more affordable

✅ What to ask when vetting camps so you feel confident sending your kids

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💬 And ICYMI I just shared what I’m doing next summer. Comment below “I’m in!” or “Details please!” and I’ll send you the info! Let’s do this together!

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your husband or group chat

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

One year ago, I was completely maxed out.

We had just signed the lease for MNT Marina, beginning to build San Francisco’s first Wellness Social Club. MNT Palo Alto had become ours a few months earlier. We were close to acquiring a third studio. Willow had just started preschool. My son was starting TK. My husband was still working full-time in tech. And I was trying to grow New Modern Mom while keeping our home from falling apart.

And, it was falling apart.

There were piles of laundry everywhere. I couldn’t keep track of anything. The house felt like another job I didn’t have time for. My brain was overloaded, and my energy was gone.

At the time, we had a temporary nanny who needed 40 hours, but we only needed 30 for childcare. So we asked her to help around the house. Meal prep. Laundry. Resetting the kitchen.

It was the first taste of what a house manager could be, and it changed everything.

When our new au pair arrived in January, we officially hired a house manager for 15 hours a week. It’s no exaggeration to say it was the best decision we made.

This week on the New Modern Mom Podcast: Toolkit Series, I’m talking with Kelly Hubbell, founder of Sage Haus and a house manager hiring expert. She’s walking us through what a house manager actually does, how to find the right one, what it costs, and how to onboard them so they can truly support your home.

In a dual working parent household, support like this isn’t extra, it’s essential. It makes space for presence, rest, and sanity.

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Please leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after listening. It takes seconds and helps me keep this podcast going! Bonus points for a written review.

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TLDR, inside this episode:

🍴 What a House Manager Does – Laundry, errands, groceries, meal prep, and more!

💵 Costs & Hours – Typical rates, part-time options, and budget tips.

📝 Hiring the Right Fit – Where to find candidates and the key interview questions to ask.

📋 Onboarding That Works – Job descriptions, playbooks, and trial periods.

⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid – The top 3 hiring pitfalls and how to sidestep them.

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💬 Drop a comment if you plan on taking steps towards hiring a house manager or have questions!

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your husband or group chat

Doing these little actions helps the podcast grow. I’m so appreciative!

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

Jason and I were not naturally aligned when it came to finances. We had different spending habits, different risk tolerances, and wildly different ideas of what “financial freedom” looked like. It took work. But eventually, we found a shared approach that helped us build a plan we both feel good about.

This week on The New Modern Mom Podcast: Toolkit Series, Jason joins me (his podcast debut!) to kick off a deeper look at how we made some of the biggest decisions of our lives: quitting our tech jobs, buying two Pilates businesses, going all-in on scaling MNTSTUDIO, and somehow still budgeting for a summer in Europe with our kids.

This first episode is all about where it started, with learning how to actually talk about money in a way that felt productive instead of stressful.

So if you’re dreaming about a big change, want more clarity around your finances, or just need a way to bring up the budget without starting a fight… this one’s for you.

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Would love a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review after listening. It takes seconds and helps me keep this podcast going! Bonus points for a written review.

TLDR, inside this episode:

💬 What financial freedom actually means (and why defining it as a couple matters)

🔥 FIRE Movement principles without delaying joy: planning for the future while living fully now

💡 Bridging different money mindsets without the blame

📈 The exact apps we use to track goals and spending

🛠 Our 4-step “Money Date” Blueprint: yes, we schedule them like date nights

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💬 Drop a comment if you plan on scheduling a Money Date with your husband

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your husband or group chat

Doing these little actions helps the podcast grow. I’m so appreciative!

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

I had every intention of getting ahead of it: wake up early, get a workout in, maybe even a full outfit and face of makeup before drop-off. But back-to-school season steamrolled me. It wasn’t the emotions that threw me, it was the logistics. The nonstop mental tabs. The constant game of “What am I forgetting?” and “Did I clean that? Did I pick that up?”

This year? I’m not letting it catch me off guard.

In this week’s Toolkit Series episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, I’m sharing the 5 things I’m doing now, before school officially starts, to build more ease, predictability, and actual breathing room into our routine.

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P.S. I’d be so appreciative if you took 20 seconds to leave a review!

TLDR, inside this episode:

📘 A therapist-backed storytelling method I’m using to help my kindergartner feel ready and save myself from daily drop-off tears
⏰ Why I’m test-driving my morning routine now (and getting my partner aligned too)
🎒 Easy ways to get your kid excited and involved with prep without it becoming another task for you
📋 The night-before checklist that keeps our mornings from imploding
📆 A ChatGPT hack that YOU MUST TRY NOW to add your full school-year calendar into your own

These five actions are helping me feel prepared instead of scrambling, and I hope they’ll do the same for you.

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💬 Drop a comment with your favorite back to school tip…

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Chat soon,

Barbara

How am I supposed to fit all of this?

What if I forget something important?

Since then, we’ve taken seven more international trips with our kids. And I’ve finally figured out that smart packing isn’t about bringing less. It’s about bringing what matters. I stopped trying to be the ultra-minimalist and started getting really clear on what makes our days easier when we’re out of routine, out of our element, and far from home.

In this week’s Toolkit Series episode, I’m sharing the exact things I always pack now, what I leave behind, and how I plan for those long-haul travel days and new time zones. If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed, overtired, and overpacking at midnight before a trip, this one’s for you.

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P.S. I’d be so appreciative if you left a review!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this episode:

🧳 The 3 packing personalities and how knowing yours makes travel easier.

✈️ What to actually pack in your carry-on for long-haul flights with kids.

👶 The unexpected baby and toddler travel gear that’s worth every penny.

📝 A simple system to build your personalized packing list.

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Download my International Trip Packing List

Want an easy template for packing for your next international trip? Grab my packing ‘not-minimalist, but intentional’ style packing list.

Get the Packing List

💬 Drop a comment with your “can’t travel without” must-have item with kids. And…

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Speak soon,

Barbara

Before kids, I was so good at delegating. Hiring, outsourcing, building systems, that’s literally how I moved up in my career so quickly. But at home? I was gripping onto every little thing like I was the only one who could do it. It was exhausting.

Then I decided to hand off more “kid stuff” to my au pair, and little by little, I started loosening the reins. I asked for help. I let go of stuff like reloading the dishwasher “the right way.” And when baby number two came along, I was forced to really step back and rethink it all.

Now, two years later, life’s only gotten more full. Two businesses, two kids in school, travel, logistics, the snack requests alone could be a full-time job. But here’s the difference, I’ve stopped doing it all myself. I brought on a VA, a house manager, and I’ve let go of that pressure to control everything.

In this episode of the Toolkit Series, I’m getting real about how I shifted my mindset around delegation and support. Because this isn’t just about hiring help, it’s about getting clear on what’s worth your time, and what’s not.

If you’re feeling maxed out or stuck in that cycle of “I should be able to handle this,” this one’s for you.

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While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode! And I’d be beyond grateful if you took 1 minute to leave a review!

TLDR here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

🧠 Why outsourcing isn’t a luxury, it's a necessity to stay sane and show up where it matters

🧺 What to take off your plate ASAP .

📋 How to get help using tools like ChatGPT, Duckbill, and Faye.

👩‍👧‍👦 Kim Gebbia Chappell, Chief Brand Officer of Bobbie, shares her “stack your bench” strategy to build a trusted roster of backup care.

⏳ A simple exercise to identify what’s draining your time and how to delegate it today.

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Bonus: I put together these docs - actual templates created from my own I use at home - to help you clearly communicate expectations and set your au pair, 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: This is exactly what my house manager does for our home.

If you are excited to listen to this episode, please:

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with what you want to outsource this week

• ⭐ Leave a review on your podcast app!

I seriously appreciate any of the above, it takes less than 30 seconds from you, and helps me continue creating this podcast!

Another episode is coming next week.

Until then,

Barbara

In this episode of the Toolkit Series, I’m sharing three of the most powerful, actionable life hacks I took away from Season 1. These are real shifts that are helping me manage the chaos of working motherhood in a way that actually feels good. No fluffy productivity hacks or recycled self-care advice here, this is the practical stuff. The “I started doing this immediately and it changed my day” kind of stuff.

From mastering the art of context switching, to overcoming perfectionism, to finding ways to rest (without the guilt), I’m walking you through the mindset shifts and strategies that have stuck with me and are actually working.

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While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

🔁 How to use time blocking to shift from mom to work mode (or vice versa).

📵 Try a no-phone morning until drop-off to lower stress and start your day on your terms.

💭 Adopt a “no zero days” mindset by doing one small thing each day, even if it’s just for a minute.

🧘‍♀️ Schedule a midweek pause, like a “Gentle Wednesday,” to recharge without guilt.

🗂️ Three small shifts to implement NOW that will drastically improve your life

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If you are excited to listen to this episode, please:

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with what tool you’re going to add to your schedule this week

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ and send this to your mom tribe

If you're a parent craving more flexibility, part of a dual-career household trying to make inconsistent schedules work, or simply wondering how au pairs stack up against traditional nannies, this one’s for you. It's a quick-hit episode from our Toolkit Series, where I open up about our experience with four au pairs (and two nannies) over the years. The good, the not-so-good, and everything I wish I had known before we started.

You'll also hear a never-before-aired moment from my original conversation with Samantha Wu, CMO of Eventbrite and former CMO at Meta, who shares her own take on what it was like bringing an au pair into her home.

If you've ever wondered whether an au pair is right for you, this episode offers the clarity, structure, and gut-check questions you need.

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While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

👶 A breakdown of what au pairs can and can’t do legally—so you know exactly what to expect.

💸 An honest cost comparison between an au pair and a full-time nanny.

🏠 A readiness checklist to walk through with your partner to decide if an au pair is right for you.

🧠 Tips for setting your au pair up for success, from onboarding ideas to communication habits that actually work.

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Knowing where to start when hiring an au pair can be overwhelming. If you need help crafting interview questions for your potential au pair, you’re going to want to read this.

If you are excited to listen to this episode, please:

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with what’s holding you back from getting an au pair

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ and send this to your mom tribe

In this Toolkit Series episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, we’re diving into the everyday benefits of AI and how working parents can actually use it to reclaim time, reduce mental load, and bring more ease into their routines. Whether you’ve never touched ChatGPT or you’re already experimenting with AI tools, this episode is packed with real-life examples, mindset shifts, and smart ideas that make AI less intimidating—and a whole lot more helpful.

Whether you're trying to brainstorm dinner ideas, streamline your work tasks, or get back 20 minutes of peace during your week—this one’s for you.

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While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

🧠 How to lighten your mental load with ChatGPT.

✉️ Learn ways to let ChatGPT draft, edit, and polish your emails.

🏡 How to create docs, checklists, and instructions for managing household tasks in mins.

📊 Leveraging ChatGPT to handle work like refining presentations and drafting contracts.

🛠️ Train ChatGPT to match your voice and brand style with custom prompts or a personalized GPT.

Looking for a breakdown of how I actually use ChatGPT in my daily life? I’ve created something for you. This free guide walks you through the 5 ways I use ChatGPT every single day to lighten the mental load.

Download the free guide

And don’t forget to add this quick 15-min episode to your podcast lineup to start saving time now!

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If you are excited to listen to this episode, please:

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with a task you’d love ChatGPT to handle for you

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ and send this to your mom tribe

I’m breaking down exactly what every working parent needs to plan a summer abroad: from lining up childcare and finding the perfect coworking spot, to mapping out the true costs and tackling time-zone hurdles. This episode is your playbook for turning that dream “someday” getaway into a “next summer” plan.

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While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

🌍 Plan for school, childcare, housing, coworking, and community to ensure a smooth family life abroad.

💼 Adjust your schedule to manage U.S. work hours and still make time for your family while abroad.

💰 Know the real costs for flights, housing, camps, and coworking, and discover ways to save.

🧠 Overcome common blockers and get your partner, boss, and yourself on board to make it happen.

🔍 Understand the pros and cons of programs like Boundless Life versus planning everything yourself.

Get €400 off your program with Boundless Life with code NEWMODERNMOM.

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If you are excited to listen to this episode, please:

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with where you’d spend the summer

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ and send this to your mom tribe

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to run these check-ins — from setting intentions to having the emotional conversations that usually get buried. With advice from previous episodes with Hitha Palepu and Jeanelle Teves, you’ll learn how to run your household like the team you are. It’s time to get out of reactive mode and into a rhythm that actually works.

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While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode! And I’d LOVE if you left a review!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

🧩Learn how weekly meetings can prevent communication breakdowns.
🗂Follow a simple 5-point agenda to make your Sunday syncs effective.
💬Use emotional check-ins to deepen connection and reduce resentment.
🛠️Spot and solve small “dropped ball” moments before they cause stress.
📅Set quarterly and annual rituals to stay aligned on your big picture goals.

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Want to hear more from Hitha? Listen to our original conversation, Multi-Hyphenate Mindset with Hitha Palepu on Apple or Spotify.

If you are excited to listen to this episode, please:

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with the tools you want more of

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ and send this to your mom tribe

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

Introducing The Toolkit Series, a brand new bonus format from The New Modern Mom Podcast, designed for those very full seasons of motherhood, career, and everything in between.

These 15-minute episodes are rooted in the themes, moments, and tools that stayed with me long after Season 1 wrapped—the ones I keep reaching for. The ones that still show up in my day-to-day.

Some episodes include never-before-heard clips from past guest interviews. Others are fresh reflections on conversations we weren’t quite finished with or relevant moments I’ve been asked to share more about. All of them are focused, actionable, and built for real life, whether you’ve got a quiet moment after drop-off or just enough space to breathe before bed.

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🎙️In the very first episode, we’re releasing a powerful clip that didn’t quite make the final cut of our Season 1 episode last year on building a personal brand with the wildly successful Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo, mom of two and fast-growing content creator.

You’ll hear more about Jeanelle’s playbook on showing up consistently on Instagram. Plus, I’ll walk you through a simple, strategic solo exercise to help you map out your own personal brand—starting today.

While you’re listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

📢 The evolution of thought leadership: why content creation is the new resume

📱 How to own your narrative through platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok

🔁 From scrolling to creating: what inspired Jeanelle’s shift

🛣️ Building new career lanes beyond the 9–5

💬 Why vulnerability is becoming a leadership superpower

🗂️ Jeanelle’s go-to content creation workflow

🔂 The power of repetition and strong brand pillars

📝 A step-by-step strategy playbook to build your personal brand

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Want to hear more from Jeanelle? Listen to our Season 1 episode on The Power of Consistency with Jeanelle Teves on Apple or Spotify.

If you are excited to listen to this episode, please…

• ❤️ Give this a little love below

• 💬 Drop a comment with the tools you want more of

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your mom tribe

Thanks for listening,

Barbara

As the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals and thought leader across multiple platforms, Hitha’s ability to lead, inspire, and stay true to herself makes her relatable and motivating. Join us for practical strategies to successfully find personal fulfillment in everyday life.

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TLDR

Tune in to hear Hitha’s lessons on…

🔑 Multi-Hyphenate Mindset: Practical advice on balancing different passions and responsibilities without losing sight of personal goals.

⌛ Time Management Tips: Sharing strategies to structure your day for maximum productivity and balance between work, family, and self-care.

🚫 Setting Boundaries & Saying No: Learn how to set boundaries and confidently say no to protect your time and energy, while staying focused on what matters.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Sharing Responsibilities at Home: Tips for effective ways to communicate and split household duties, and maintain weekly check-ins to keep life running smoothly.

🧳 Packing Like a Pro: How to streamline your travel packing process.

💬 Authenticity as a Thought Leader: How to embrace vulnerability to build deeper connections and establish a relatable, impactful presence as a thought leader.

🚀 Pursuing Your Passions Relentlessly: The secrets to staying motivated and driven, by continually pursuing what fuels your personal and professional growth.

This episode is packed with inspiration, actionable tips, and thoughtful reflection. A perfect listen to motivate you to make room for that passion project in your busy life.

Bonus tools and takeaways

As a community member, I ask each of our guests to share with us some tangible tools, tips, links and personal stories as little extras for you.

What is your professional superpower and how has it shown up in your personal and family life?

My professional superpower is negotiation, and it has served me in all areas of my life. One of my biggest responsibilities at work is negotiating - with investors, our licensing partner, and with vendors. My skills have been finely honed by my kids, where everything (what they wear, what they eat, even how quickly to walk to school) is a negotiation.

What are you cooking these days?

"Chicken" tikka masala with peas is one of my go-to meals - I cook a pack of Abbott's plant based chicken on the stovetop and thaw out a cup of frozen peas in the microwave. I combine them with onion, serrano, and a jar of Brooklyn Delhi's tikka masala sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes before serving it up with naan or rice.

What are you reading?

I'm always juggling multiple books - right now, I'm reading Nancy Pelosi's The Art of Power and Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi.

What are you listening to?

Whatever my Spotify daylist serves up - right now, it's play cello classical.

What are you wearing - mom uniform, for work, for weekends? 

Button down with smocked sleeves from Amazon, Frame cropped denim, slippers because I work from home

What are the products, services or rituals you can’t live without in your daily routine?

Sunscreen - I swear by eltaMD's Clear UV tinted sunscreen, and apply it multiple times a day

Favorite accounts to follow?

My friend Neeti's account reminds me to pause and "breathe here, be here" and to take a pause. 

Where are you traveling?

We did a family trip to England (a few days in Surrey, the rest of the time in London), and my husband and I are taking a 'just us' trip to Rome & the coast of Tyrrhenian Sea in September.

Ready to listen to Hitha’s episode?

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We’ve come to the end of season 1. What did you think? I’d love it if you could take a few seconds to leave a rating and review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

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. 

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TLDR

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.

Bonus tools and takeaways

As a community member, I ask each of our guests to share with us some tangible tools, tips, links and personal stories as little extras for you.

What is your professional superpower and how has it shown up in your personal and family life?

Hard work + being organized. I break everything down into small tasks and make lists and write everything down. That truly helps me stay organized and focused and that drives results in both my personal life and professional life.

What are you cooking these days?

Quick family dinners - see my Instagram!

What are you reading?

The Founders by Jimmy Soni

What are you listening to?

Book on Audible: Flowers for Algernon

What are you wearing - mom uniform, for work, for weekends? 

Giapenta loungewear + Frankie4 sneakers

What are the products, services or rituals you can’t live without in your daily routine?

Wander Beauty mist connection essence and toner + baggage claim eye cream. Chillhouse tips because I never have time for manicures.

Favorite accounts to follow?

Adam Grant

Where are you traveling?

Curaçao

Ready to listen to Divya’s episode?

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Like what you hear? I would be grateful if you left a review. It takes 20 seconds from you, but makes a massive difference to me 🙏