The New Modern Mom Podcast is back.
“I don’t know how you do it.”
I hear it constantly. So here’s the honest answer: I’m exhausted, and I’m more fulfilled than I’ve ever been. I know my why, I know my priorities, and I’ve built systems around both.
The skills I sharpened over 12 years in tech turned out to be the superpowers that make this life work. That’s true for you too. Most of us just never bring them home.
That’s what this season is for. Every other week, I’m asking the real questions that reveal how other women’s lives actually run, careers develop, and interests turn into building something of their own.
We’re starting with Jess Jacobs.
Jess is the CEO of Coterie, which means a full circle moment for me. Coterie was the first product I ever wrote about on New Modern Mom six years ago. We still use them, still the gift I send every friend who’s expecting.
She was promoted from SVP of Brand to CEO, and just sold the company for a billion dollars. She has two little girls, a third on the way, and a husband who also has a big job, and she’s done all of it working from home.
So I asked what actually holds her household together. She answered instantly, her mom, her sister, a nanny, a college student who drives the girls. “We’ve created this deep bench.”
Then I asked where she keeps track of it all. “I absolutely should have better systems and processes in place at home,” she said. “But I just don’t.”
She’s not failing at it. She decided it wasn’t worth optimizing, and she runs exactly one thing at home with total discipline. It’s the same skill that made her a CEO.
We got into that, why she thinks “divide and conquer” is exhausting for both parents, and the very good opportunities she’s turning down right now.
The line item I’d protect the hardest
School’s back, which means the mental load just doubled overnight.
Jess talks in this episode about her deep bench: her mom, her sister, a nanny, the college student who drives the girls to activities. Mine has a house manager on it. Outside of childcare, she’s the budget line I’d protect the hardest. She comes daily: cleaning, laundry, meal prep, organizing. She makes my house feel calm despite the chaos in my days.
Sage Haus does the sourcing and vetting to find your perfect house manager. Use code NEWMODERNMOM for $100 off matching. Book a free 30-minute info call now.
In partnership with Sage Haus.
🔥 Rapid fire with Jess
I text every guest the same questions. Here’s what she sent back.
Professional superpower: A very clear POV
Cooking with: West Bourne’s Avocado Oil
Reading: Strangers by Belle Burden
Listening to: Any Bravo-related podcast
Wearing: I love a button-down
Daily routine: Sofie Pavitt skincare
AI she’s testing: Claude
Non-negotiables: Coffee and family time
And if Coterie diapers are something you’ve been considering, this is your sign to try them now. NEWMODERNMOM takes 20% off.
From right where you’re standing, you don’t need to see the full staircase. You just need to take the first step.
Start here.
Next episode is out in two weeks… and trust me you will want to take notes. Subscribe where you listen.
Barbara