Episode 338: Balancing Career and Motherhood: A New Definition of Success for Ambitious Moms

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, you’ll hear a transformative conversation about balancing career ambition with the responsibilities of motherhood. Mel Goodman, a former corporate leader turned entrepreneur, shares her candid journey of navigating the challenges of building a career while raising two young daughters. Mel recounts how she reached her breaking point, burned out, and then rebuilt her life by embracing the idea of becoming the CEO of her own life.

You’ll learn about her powerful inside-out approach to redefining success, grounded in clarity, alignment with values, and a mindset shift toward prioritizing what truly matters. Mel discusses the realities of the mental load, societal pressures, and unspoken biases working moms face—and how she created WorkMom to help other women thrive without compromising their ambition or fulfillment. If you’re ready to reclaim your time, focus, and confidence, this episode is for you.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] Redefining Success: A Personal Journey [01:03] Challenges of Working Mothers [01:18] Mel Goodman's Story [03:10] Balancing Career and Motherhood [05:04] The Impact of COVID-19 [06:25] Realizations and New Beginnings [08:42] The Grow Framework [11:15] Integrating Life and Career [13:06] The Importance of Reflection and Clarity [19:10] Building Confidence and Resilience [23:17] Entrepreneurial Journey [25:06] Identifying the Need for a New Perspective on Working Motherhood [26:12] Building Confidence and Resilience as an Entrepreneur [26:18] Daily Habits and Rituals for Success [28:39] Balancing Work and Family Without Childcare [29:59] Empathy and Support for Working Parents in the Workplace [35:56] The Importance of Networking and Mentorship [46:17] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts