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The Mental Offload podcast is the podcast for women who want to excel as leaders without sacrificing a fulfilling life. Whether you’re struggling with imposter syndrome and perfectionism at work, mom guilt, or the overwhlem of the mental load of parenthood, the Mental Offload podcast offers both evidence-based strategies and real-world strategies for high-achieving women. Combining business leadership, feminism, and coaching tools, we’ll have important conversations about passions, prioritie ...
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Our home is a reflection of our internal experience. When we’re feeling frazzled, busy, and overworked, it shows up all around us as cluttered spaces, overcommitted schedules, and judgment that we’re never doing enough. This podcast aims to tidy up all the clutter that has you spinning in circles. If you’re a woman with a to-do list, running one household (or more!), or caring for others, this podcast is for you. We will go beyond the basics of home organization to talk about why a clutter-f ...
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In this week's episode, join me as I explore the transformative power of vulnerability. I am sharing my personal journey through a significant life transition, offering insights into how vulnerability can be a form of self-care and emotional wellness. Embracing vulnerability can also lead to personal growth and a more aligned life. By being open wi…
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We tend to think “getting rest” means simply getting more sleep, but what if there’s more to it? Most working moms know they should rest, but here’s the problem: we’re taught that rest only happens when everything else is done. The truth? That to-do list will never get down to the point where you feel entitled to rest. And putting off your need to …
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I’m thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone—five years in business! In this special episode, I’m sharing my personal journey of starting a business from scratch, balancing family life, and the power of belief. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the journey from a whisper of an idea to a thriving career, offering insights and inspiratio…
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Female leaders often walk a tightrope. You’re expected to be strong and decisive—but not so strong you’re seen as a bitch. You’re asked to be nice — but not too nice, or people might think you’re not tough enough to be a leader. Oh, and please wear some makeup so you look polished – but not so much that you seem overdone. It’s maddening, right? The…
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Money is a topic that either excites or intimidates, yet it’s central to so many aspects of our lives. Today, I’ll share two powerful perspectives about money that I hope will expand your thinking and challenge your beliefs around finances. I'll share personal stories, including a significant financial risk I took at the age of 19, and how my husba…
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For many, October means the start of pumpkin spice season. But if you’re in the corporate world, it means something else: Year-end review season. Along with it comes something most of us have a complicated relationship with: feedback. We all love positive feedback. But the prospect of critical feedback?! Let’s keep it real: wouldn’t you be happier …
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Are you ready to take control of your finances without giving up the things you love? In our latest episode, I speak with Germaine Foley, a certified life and money coach, who shares her journey from $200,000 in debt to financial freedom. Germaine's unique approach focuses on mindful spending and financial organization, allowing you to build wealth…
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Managing the Family Calendar and Setting “Off-Duty” Hours at Home (with Amelia Pleasant Kennedy)
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Ever feel like managing your family’s calendar is a part-time job? You're not alone. Modern parenting = calendar chaos. Your commitments, kids’ pickups, drop-offs, activities, medical appointments, parties—everything competes for your time. It’s not just the physical running around. It’s the mental gymnastics of squeezing it all into the few precio…
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Welcome to Episode 86, where we sit down with Eve Rodsky. Eve turned a "blueberries breakdown" into a catalyst for social change by applying her Harvard-trained background in organizational management to the home. Her New York Times bestselling book, Fair Play, a gamified life management system, has elevated the conversation about the value of unpa…
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The worst time to be a working mom? It might be 3am, when you bolt awake with anxiety. What is it that’s got so many of us waking up in a panic in the middle of the night?? For too many of us, it’s the weight of the mental load. Those I-shouldn’t-forget-this tasks that your brain decides to alert you to in the middle of the night. And although the …
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Feeling overwhelmed by the countless decisions you face every day? Our latest podcast episode is here to help! Decision fatigue is a common struggle many of us face, but it doesn't have to be that way. Decision making is a skill. It's built through repeated exposure to the discomfort required to choose a way forward when the future is unknown. In t…
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Any way you slice it, Back-to-School is a sprint. The extra load?! It’s real. And working mothers typically feel it extra hard. And yet, there can be an unhelpful temptation the moment that back-to-school week is over…to immediately jump back into “real life”, without a moment to recover. This will leave you spent. And contributes to burnout. You m…
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Today, I’m sharing a personal update on my journey as a caregiver over the past five years. My mom was diagnosed with dementia a bit over five years ago, and these years have been filled with challenges, humor, and countless lessons. In this episode, I’ll offer insights into supporting aging loved ones, recognizing that every family dynamic is uniq…
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After a summer break, we’re back with Season 3 of The Mental Offload Podcast! Mid-career is a challenging, and pivotal, point in almost every corporate career. It’s the point where most companies decide who has the potential to break through to the top. Some people will be tapped to ascend to the top levels of the organization, and others will stag…
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This week, we are joined by Erin Aquin and Steve Haase, co-founders of Superabound, a coaching company dedicated to helping leaders and business owners live a life the Universe is dreaming for them. Erin and Steve are master certified life coaches and co-authors of the new book, Superabound: How to Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming for You. In…
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In this insightful episode, Shawna Samuel, an executive leadership and productivity coach for women and host of The Mental Offload podcast brings her extensive experience in corporate leadership and feminist coaching to discuss how negotiation can be a powerful tool for achieving equity both at home and in the workplace. Join us as we examine the m…
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Hey y'all, before I dive into today's topic, I wanted to share that this podcast is now available by video on both YouTube and Spotify. How fun! Simply search for "A Pleasant Solution" on either platform. In this episode, I want to expand on where I left off last week. Beyond the basics, another underestimated experience is having space to think an…
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Feeling out of alignment? It's time to go back to basics! Often, we seek complicated solutions when the most straightforward elements in our lives can help us the most. In this week’s episode, I'll break down five areas I bring awareness to when I'm feeling out of alignment. These foundational steps restore the simplicity of time, space, and being …
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Do you know how many subscriptions and memberships you're paying for each month? It's easy to lose track of the numerous subscriptions and memberships we accumulate over time. From streaming services and food delivery apps to magazine subscriptions and gym memberships, these recurring expenses can quickly add up, leaving us overwhelmed and financia…
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Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Allanna Bell, founder of Optimization Dolls, a full-service custom storage company. Allanna shares her journey from retail management to becoming a leading expert in custom closet design. With her keen expertise in space optimization and project management, Allanna has transformed countless spaces into fu…
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We often find ourselves drowning in a sea of photos—both physical and digital. From cherished family moments to snapshots of everyday life, these images are precious. But how do we make sense of it all? In this episode, we’re discussing the art of photo curation and preservation with Haleh Shoa, the founder and CEO of Picturli. Join me as Haleh sha…
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In today's fast-paced world, being organized and productive is often seen as the ultimate goal. But what if I told you that high levels of organization might be masking something else? In this episode, we’ll explore the hidden costs of high productivity and how it can impact our mental well-being. Discover how organization can sometimes act as a cl…
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Happy July, y'all! As we enter the second half of the year, we're diving into my favorite month—a time for celebration and rest. July is my birthday month and my dedicated month of slowing down, turning inward, and practicing being more than doing. In today's episode, I’m building on last week's discussion about good intentions. If you haven't alre…
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Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…said no working parent, ever. Your kids probably see it differently. Summer time is more relaxed, whether it’s days at camp, at the pool, or on the road. You might have seen it differently in the B.C. (before children) era, back when Summer Fridays meant luxuriously long weekends to kick back with friends. If we p…
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From the small tasks that linger on our to-do lists to the grand plans that never quite come to fruition, we all have good intentions that sometimes fall by the wayside. Join me as we explore the nature of these intentions, the internal critic that often accompanies them, and how self-compassion can help us navigate this common experience. Plus, do…
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In a busy world, where most of us are overstretched, it’s easy to end the day feeling drained, guilty, and anxious. You might hope that changing jobs, using your time better, or starting that exercise routine is the answer. But Dr. Emma Seppälä, director of the Women’s Leadership Program at Yale School of Management, wants us to address the deeper …
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Today I’m chatting with Tanisha Lyons-Porter. Join us as we discuss a sensitive yet essential topic: after-death organizing. Tanisha is the founder and lead professional organizer at Natural Born Organizers, LLC, and has been transforming lives through organization since 2013. Whether she’s working with celebrities or busy families, Tanisha prides …
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Plenty of think pieces have taken on the tradwife trend. And a fair bit of ink has been spilled over that Harrison Butker commencement speech. And tradwives might be fairly compared to their vintage counterparts, the Stepford Wives. And yet, there’s something deeper…and maybe more sinister going on here. It’s an alarming notion that’s sucking in pl…
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In this episode, we explore the world of empowered thinking with high-performance coach Stephanie Hessler. Stephanie shares her expertise on guiding high-achieving corporate leaders and business owners to overcome career roadblocks. Join us as we explore the significance of a weekly schedule, the impact of mental clutter, and the strategies to refr…
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Ever struggled to get your message heard at work? Maybe it’s in your boss’s leadership team meeting, where your input is minimized and the boys’ club is busy talking over you. Maybe it’s when your voice shakes with nerves as you present the roadshow deck to challenging stakeholders. Or maybe it’s at your mid-year, where you get feedback that others…
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Are you and your partner stuck in a loop of unbalanced household responsibilities? In this replay of our May 2024 Fair Play Method Workshop, I share invaluable insights and actionable strategies to craft a message that resonates with your partner, creating a more equitable division of tasks at home. l’lI not only address the emotional labor and inv…
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In many companies, June means one thing: mid-year season is here. Many leaders give mid year performance reviews short shrift. It’s easy to make this mistake. Mid-year doesn’t feel as important as year-end, and yet it still has a way of weighing down your to-do list: there’s plenty of paperwork, feedback requests, and the like to complete. But it i…
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Moving is emotional – it can cause a lot of excitement and joy, but also sadness, anxiety, and stress. But what if I told you it's also an opportunity for growth, adventure, and self-discovery? Listen in as I share my personal journey of 14 moves, revealing the positive mindset that has made each transition an enriching experience. Learn how to dec…
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Mistakes. The word itself makes a high-achiever cringe. Sure, we all know that logically, “mistakes happen to the best of us.” But when you’re the one making the mistake? It feels like the worst. And now, you’ve got two problems: the original mistake, and being knocked off your game. The original problem is now compounded. You might spend weeks or …
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It's garage season, y'all! Ready for a full garage declutter or upgrade? In this episode, I share the essential steps to transform your garage from a chaotic catch-all into a functional, organized space. I'll guide you through setting a clear purpose for your garage, decluttering with intention, and choosing the right storage solutions that make se…
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Are you drowning in email? Before you’ve even gotten dressed in the morning, your mind is already on the 117 emails that are sitting in your inbox. Waiting on a response. Email is usually one of the first things you look at in the morning, and one of the last things you look at at night. It seems impossible to get (and stay) on top of it. Email and…
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Have you ever felt like your work is never truly done? That after a long day, you come home only to face a second shift of chores and emotional labor that no one seems to acknowledge? You're not alone, and it’s up to us to shift the narrative. Dive into this eye-opening episode where Dr. Regina Lark, a TEDx speaker, author, and founder of a seven-f…
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Mother’s Day. It’s billed as the ultimate celebration of the work of mothers. And in a society that often gives so little acknowledgement, this one day takes on big importance: a recognition of how much you’ve given to others throughout the rest of the year. We want the day to be perfect. But so often, it’s a major letdown. A source of strife, even…
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In this latest podcast episode, I sit down with Caterina De Falco, an expert on the relationship between food, health, and most importantly, family.. Caterina's insights on creating meaningful mealtimes and making meal preparation convenient are not just about food; they're about crafting a life that's rich in connection and simplicity. Learn how t…
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Women are more aware of the mental load of the household than at any time in the past. The dynamics of domestic labor and parenting have historically been biased. The expectation: women would and should do the work of running the home and raising children. Even for women who work outside the home, the mental load often ends up squarely on their sho…
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Do you find yourself re-washing dishes or re-doing laundry because it wasn't done 'your way?’ It's time to redefine your home life. In this episode, we’ll explore the concept of a 'minimum standard of care'. It's something that many of us live by without even realizing it—a baseline set of expectations for how our living spaces should look, feel, a…
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“Put on your own oxygen mask first,” they say. But that’s easier said than done, right?! How much time do you get each day completely for yourself? Add it up: time with no work concerns to attend to, no little humans to take care of. Purely to do as you want… That’s probably some quick math. For most women, the number is small. And women get less t…
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Do you ever feel like you're speaking, but no one is truly listening? In our bustling world, the art of listening has become a rare treasure. But what if you could be heard, genuinely and completely? In this episode, we’ll explore the significance of being heard and how it can transform the way we navigate life's clutter—both internal and external.…
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Inbox zero is such a seductive proposition. Inbox zero was popularized by productivity gurus as an efficient approach to email. The idea is that you want to maintain your inbox with zero - or as close to zero - messages as possible. For most people, this becomes a daily metric to track their own productivity. And, I’d argue it’s a vanity metric. It…
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Patience—quiet, unassuming, and steadfast—may not be the most celebrated quality in our instant-gratification world, but it's a cornerstone of an organized life. If you find yourself constantly battling with your to-do list, feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of everyday life, or simply curious about how to foster a more organized and intentional exi…
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Presentation anxiety. It’s incredibly common, even amongst leaders. There’s that oft-quoted statistic that suggests that most people’s biggest fear is public speaking. And what are presentations, if not public speaking? Even when the scale is small (like leading a team meeting), the stakes rarely feel small. As a leader, you might need to give doze…
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An item can be clutter even if it's worth thousands. Handbags, shoes, high quality dresses, jewelry, these items can still be clutter if you are not using them, wearing them, or have a plan for when you will. I know this first hand because I've inherited jewelry from my mother, grandmother, and aun…
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Decisions, decisions, decisions. We live in a world of plenty…and it’s overwhelming. There are so many options, and so much pressure to make the right choices. And the sheer number of decisions that we need to make in a given week is mind-boggling. Think about the time you spend in an average week researching, analyzing, and getting agreement on op…
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Are you feeling the pull between your personal goals and your family's evolving needs? In this episode, we explore a topic that touches the heart of every person who juggles multiple roles - the inevitable moment when family needs you more. Tune in as I share my own experiences with alignment, the unexpected challenges of parenting across different…
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Is your work week best described as a daily grind? Like, the kind of work where you are constantly working at max capacity, only to find yourself…slowly…grinding…down. Most corporate jobs operate with a go-go-go mentality that keeps everyone in a permanent state of exhaustion. This is disastrous for your stamina. And not just at work. The “hangover…
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