1231: The Power Pause: When Professional Women Pause Their Career with Neha Ruch

What if success didn’t have to look like climbing the ladder or doing it all at once?

In this episode, Heather is joined by the founder of The Power Pause and author of The Power Pause, Neha Ruch. Together, they unpack the societal narratives that make ambitious women fear slowing down and why pressing pause doesn’t mean giving up. This is a conversation about reclaiming your agency, reframing ambition, and choosing a life aligned with what really matters.

What we cover:

🩶The profound identity shifts that occur when women slow down and redefine success on their own terms.

🩶The emotional, cultural, and psychological work required to release external validation and create more spaciousness.

🩶The rediscovery of personal ambition, especially during seasons of motherhood and major life transitions.

About Neha: Neha Ruch is the founder of The Power Pause, the leading platform for ambitious women leaning into family life. A thought leader, influencer, and sought-after speaker focusing on women, work, parenting and identity, Neha’s work at The Power Pause is catalyzing a shift in how society views stay-at-home motherhood. Her USA Today bestseller, "THE POWER PAUSE: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids – and Come Back Stronger Than Ever," published with Putnam in January 2025. Neha lives in Manhattan with her husband, their two children, and their dog Coconut. https://thepowerpause.com https://instagram.com/neha_ruch https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehaleelaruch ******* For those of you who are ready to stop feeling drained, overextended, and out of alignment… join me for a one-on-one Time & Energy Audit, a focused session designed to help high-achieving women uncover what’s draining them, clarify what truly matters, and create a simple plan that fits their life.

We’ll pinpoint your biggest time + energy leaks, identify the top areas to focus on for quick momentum, and map out exactly what to let go of so you can reclaim your energy, your time, and your joy.

Ready to make your time work for you without adding more to your plate? Book your audit here: https://heatherchauvin.com/audit